Page 73 of Insolence
“It’s a gift from the goddess; that’s true. More specifically and in simple terms, it’s the ability to manipulate life-force. To transfer it from or to a living being.” Maida pauses, letting the information sink in. “This ability is innate. In other words, you’re either born with Eisha’s gift or not. Those who are born with it are called mages. Moreover, onlywomenare born mages.”
She clasps her hands in front of her, passing her gaze over each of us. “As acolytes to the Temple of Eisha, this is what you ladies are known to be in the outside world.”
For once, Cordelia seems as perplexed as me and Sadrie.
“So men don’t have any magical ability?” asks Sadrie. “Ever?”
“That’s correct,” says Maida. “Over the coming months, you will learn about the Four Practices of Magic: Mediation, Alchemy, Conjuration, and Divination. You will receive specialized training to perform Mediation and Divination.
“Ultimately, these abilities elevate a high priestess beyond the status of your untrained, garden-variety mage. Now that we’ve discussed First Sight, do any of you care to take a stab at today’s topic?”
“SecondSight?” I venture.
“Ah!” With a smile, Maida lifts her chin. “You’re up.”
Taking her cue, Elodie directs another question our way: “Do any of you know what Divination is?” Her voice comes an octave or two lower than usual.
Or is that just my imagination?
“It’s the Practice of seeking knowledge of future events through various methods.”
“Very good, Cordelia,” Elodie praises, and I bite my lip, for some reason wishing her words were directed at me. “If the practicing mage wishes to divine successfully, two things must be true.”
Maida turns to write on the board as Elodie continues lecturing, standing still for once with one arm slung casually across the lectern.
She’s dressed in trousers and a simple button-down today. Like the day before the lottery, I’m almost certain her chest is bound. Her hair is wound into a tight knot on the back of her head. “Number one: the mage must tap into her own life-force. And number two: she must be in possession of her Second Sight.”
“So, whatisSecond Sight?” asks Sadrie.
“A gift from Eisha.” A thin grin lifts the corners of Elodie’s mouth.
Catching on to the circular logic, I clear my throat. “You’re saying it’s a particular type of magic that Eisha grants to mages.”
“More like ‘awakens’ within them when she sees fit. But that’s correct, Tiss.” When her agate eyes come to rest on me, something tightens low in my abdomen.
Her sleeves are rolled to just below the elbow. I can’t stop my gaze from trailing down the bronze skin of her forearm to her graceful hand. Her long fingers. By the time she glances away, I’m awash in the same raging inferno that plagues too many of my hours.
“We’re not sure if there’s a way to induce it ourselves,” she continues. “What we do know is most every mage will experience an awakening of Second Sight at some point in her lifetime. Typically in her twenties, but every mage is different.”
We are directed to turn to page twenty-three in our purple workbooks.
Second Sight:A latent ability; once awakened, it’s the miracle whereby a mage experiences sensory-immersive visions when Eisha sends an omen. A magemusthave awakened Second Sight in order to carry out the Practice of Divination to a successful degree.
The priestesses launch into the most well-known methods—practices calledscryingandlithomancyandcartomancy, and more. The terms and techniques jumble in my head.
Elodie takes up her pacing, her usually precise steps closer to rambling strides today. “When your Second Sight awakens, you’ll each have one method you’ll favor over the others. When the goddess sends omens, they will arrive thus.”
Apparently, Divination training begins after passing our Prelation exams.
Sadrie’s bursting with excitement when we’re excused for mid-morning break.
“So that’s oneiromancy for me!” she chimes, stretching her arms above her head. They drop when she meets my baffled look. “Divination through dreams. Weren’t you paying attention?”
“I’m feeling a bit run down today,” I say. “But if you’re referring to your omen before the lottery, then that’d make it scrying for Cordelia, right?” I name the technique requiring the use of mirrors or other reflective surfaces.
“That’s right,” nods Cordelia.
“Sorry you’re feeling run down,” says Sadrie. “Is there anything I can do?”
