Thread Slivers

Chapter 4 Daggers on the Tables

-Lebuin-

Two knocks bounced around the room. Opening one eye brought sharp pain from the bright sun shining in the half-open shutters. Closing his eyes, Lebuin turned over, pulling one of the soft down pillows over his head. The coolness of the cream silk cover felt good. Two knocks again.

Maybe whoever it is will give up and go away.

Waiting for the expected knocks was dragging his mind out of the unconsciousness of sleep. The previous day’s events rolled around his head.

Oh, Lords, what am I going to do? I have no idea what to do next. I have to leave, but for what?

Concentrating, Lebuin tried to pull back any memories of what the teachers might have said about Journeyman requirements. Nothing was coming. The effort brought him awake.

Why did no one mention this? Or was this something else everyone thought I knew, so no one told me?

Too many questions, not enough answers. The bed was comfortable and warm, with the silk sheets against his skin. Closing his eyes he started to drift off to sleep.

Two more knocks bounced around the room.

“I don’t have classes. Go away.” He mumbled, barely audible even to himself.

He waited, remembering Magus Cune’s evil smirk as he walked away after the ceremony.

The ceremony, that incantation with my creation was unexpected. It linked us somehow.

Remembering when the link was established, his training took over, and he broke the memory down, recalling the precise feelings of the power and its interactions with his physical and mental bodies. He examined himself mentally and found the connection. A slim thread of a channel was present where none had been before. The incantation had imprinted on him as if he had been an artifact.

He fed a little power from his core into the channel. A new awareness was added to his list of senses.

Interesting. I can feel every Magi around.

Playing with the new sense, he realized there were slight flavors or colors or scents to each feeling.

Ah! I bet I can tell who is who if I pay enough attention to this and keep it active.

Deciding to refer to the variations in the sense as ‘scents,’ Lebuin adjusted his mental state, adding the new channel to the incantations he maintained continuously.

Now, I just need to pay careful attention when I meet each Magus to learn their scent.

Two more knocks bounced around the room. Groaning, he sat up. “Who is it? I was asleep.”

“Journeyman Lebuin, please, your breakfast.”

Breakfast? I didn’t order any food. I thought it was another mage.

Reaching out with his mind, he released the inner locks on the door. An immaculately dressed servant opened the door while balancing the tray of food.

He is well dressed. He looks quite respectable in the Guild uniform. And that is a very tidy uniform.

Closing the door behind him, the servant moved to the side table and put the tray down. Handing Lebuin a cup of dark fluid he said, “Sorry it isn’t hot anymore. I have been circling for a mark, waiting for you to answer the door.”

“I can warm it up.” Lebuin used magic to heat the cold cup of arit.

Circling for a mark? That doesn’t make any sense. I know I am not fully awake yet.