Page 143 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“Every spell is a brick of the Great Temple that will stand for ages,” Lio called out. “Say it with me, Eudias.”

“Every spell is a brick of the Great Temple that will stand for ages,” Eudias chanted under his breath.

“What was that, Eudias?” the geomagus called. “I couldn’t hear you.”

As the brick neared Eudias’s face, he flinched. All the war circle howled with laughter. The brick slowed, passed over Eudias, then came to rest on the back of his head.

“Praise Tychon’s spell,” the geomagus said again.

Endeavor ever to be praiseworthy, and never to be praised.

“Endeavor ever to be praiseworthy, and never to be praised.”

The brick pressed against Eudias’s head. His neck strained. Lio focused his Will on the brick, but it was as if it were not there. His power could not alter the course of Eudias’s memories.

At last the brick forced Eudias’s head down. He gulped a breath before his mouth went under the water. Tychon’s fire spell flared brighter. Eudias writhed against his magical shackles.

Lio’s chest burned. Primal panic seized him. This was a mortal’s fear of drowning. He heaved a breath for Eudias and said the next Meditation for him. “Fear not your power, only the misuse of it.”

Moments dragged by. Lio kept his arm stretched out, straining, although it was useless. He could not bear to watch and do nothing.

The water in front of Eudias’s face bubbled. He began to gurgle.

“Eudias,” Lio called again. “‘Magic is your sacred name and your divine inheritance, and all its heirs your brothers and sisters.’ You are not alone. I am with you.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Dalos demanded.

Lio jumped at the sound of the dead man’s voice.

The fire went out. The brick sank. The war circle scrambled into a tidy line. Eudias floundered in the water, choking. As he struggled to the side of the pool, his master did not go to help him. Lio tried to grab hold of him, but Eudias always slid out of reach.

Steam plastered Dalos’s dark hair to his head and made sweat gleam on his olive skin. With his medium height and plain features, he bore no resemblance to his glamorous brother. But as he patrolled before the war circle, he scrutinized each apprentice with fearsome authority in his brown eyes. He halted in front of Tychon. “Tell Honored Master Chrysanthos he is a petty coward for pursuing our rivalry through a boy. If your master wants to send me a message, he can do so himself in the dueling court.”

“I will deliver your invitation to him, Honored Master Dalos.” Tychon put his hands in his sleeves and gave a slight bow, but his tone was anything but respectful.

“Back to your masters, all of you,” Dalos ordered.

Six of the apprentices hurried out, but Tychon disappeared, showing off his traversal skills.

Dalos stood and waited. Avoiding his gaze, Eudias dragged himself out of the water and huddled on the side of the pool. He strained to reach his clothes without standing on his burned feet. Finally he managed to snatch one of his robes and pulled it over his wet, shaking body.

Dalos watched him. “You will learn many important lessons in the Aithourian Circle. This is one of them. Only through the most brutal challenges can we harden ourselves and attain true strength.”

It made Lio sick to listen to him.

“Yes, Master,” Eudias whispered.

“Every famous war mage here once faced the same tests of his mettle. The battles you fight as an apprentice are some of the most important of your career. Reading does not prepare you for war. Get your nose out of your scrolls and learn from experience. Within these walls is where you first encounter the realities of life.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I am still waiting for you to prove me wrong about you.” Dalos turned his back on Eudias and headed for the door.

“Master?”

“Make it quick.”

“Why did you bother with me?”

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