Sorcerer’s Apprentice Read online

  “How long before you have to leave?” he quietly asked.

  “I have a month before I need to disembark.”

  He ran a hand across his face. “Do you have the funds to get there?”

  She cleared her throat and looked him in the eyes. “I would have, with my next paycheck.”

  He let out a long breath. “Well, I’ll pay you early. Then you can have your pick of one item from each section of the store to take with you.”

  Brynn’s vision clouded with a sudden onset of tears. “Mr. Fizzydig…wh-why would you do that for me? I’m just another clerk. And I have to be quite honest and tell you that my thoughts concerning our working relationship haven’t been all that kind. I didn’t think you liked me all that much.”

  He laughed. “My dear, I wasn’t trying to make it easy for you. I know I’m a demanding employer, but think how much more demanding Draco Pendragon will be. And think of those apprentices who’ve gone ahead of you and failed.” He leaned toward her. “If your father were here he’d tell you what I’m about to. Take one day at a time, one situation at a time. Think of the consequences of your actions and try to make the right decisions. That’s the best you or any of us can do with our magic. Most of all, try not to judge others too harshly. And don’t be too hard on yourself, either. You’ll make mistakes along the way…but never, and I can’t say this assertively enough, never open that damn black book. Not ever!”

  She nodded. “I swear it. And my father did teach me more patience than I exhibited today. I’m sorry about that customer.”

  “Brynn, had I not known you could do better I wouldn’t have called you back here to talk to you. I’ve often goaded you about your father to see what you’d do. That wasn’t right, but you held your temper. One day, your life or someone else’s might depend upon your saying the exact right thing at the precise time, or using the right spell at a moment’s notice. You’ll have to have control over your emotions. Remember that.”

  She smiled. “I will, Mr. Fizzydig. And I promise I won’t act like a spoiled kid anymore. I’ll be a great deal more patient.”

  “Good. Now, let’s get a satchel and gather some magical items. After all, it’s as if you’ll be representing this shop and its employees. I don’t want you showing up on the castle doorstep with anything less than the best supplies. Or is there a moat around those old structures…oh, well. You get my point.”

  She stood up, walked toward him and hugged him hard. “I won’t fail, Mr. Fizzydig. I promise. And when Draco Pendragon asks me who I represent, I’ll tell him I’m from the Sun Gem Emporium, Purveyors of Fine Herbs, Crystals and Magic Supplies.

  He grinned. “Mind your father’s example and you’ll be as loved and respected as he was. Be yourself, Brynn.”

  With that, Brynn was literally pulled into the shop where Pratter Fizzydig made a huge commotion about her acceptance into apprenticeship. He made an excited announcement to everyone, then declared a holiday and ordered refreshments sent to the shop for a celebration. If she wanted to be a great Sorceress some day, she’d have to start acting as if she deserved that honor. But the use of dark magic frightened her so much that she’d let even the mention of it spur her into a knee-jerk reaction. Surely there would be times in her life where such a reaction would not only be unwarranted, but hazardous—as it might have been today.

  As her co-workers and employer celebrated her accomplishment around her, she mentally and emotionally challenged herself. I have to get my act together. I can’t fail all these people, my father or myself.

  But there was something that minor wizards didn’t understand. The training that would cause her powers to increase and unleash as-yet dormant magic within her would result in an increased desire to open the black book. That was why so many before her had failed to pass Draco Pendragon’s scrutiny. And he’d be doing everything in his power to see if she was made of metal or mush. He’d want to see if or when she’d crumble and take the easier but decadent road the dark side offered. And she was frightened of what might happen.

  Right now, she felt she could easily resist any such temptation. But her father had warned her about how the book called to those with greater powers. How it lured and tempted all the great wizards with silent promises of grandeur, riches, fame and even more power. Failure meant dishonoring everything and everyone who believed in the light side and its goodness. And it could mean a slow descent into a hellish existence for herself. Brynn had heard of what had happened to the apprentices Draco had failed. Two of them had been so mesmerized by the black book and its powers that they went mad. One had been killed by the Master Sorcerer himself when she became so evil that nothing else would stop her. Many deaths had been attributed to her before the Dragon had caught up with the woman on a small planet far away from Illusia.

  Brynn silently prayed to all of Nature that such would not be her fate. And perhaps that was why there were so few Master Sorcerers and Sorceresses. Maybe that kind of power was too great for just anyone to wield. But Brynn had to face that fear and conquer it or she’d never learn how good she might have been. She would only be a minor wizard and it would always eat at her if she didn’t take this chance, accept the challenge and give her best shot.

  She drank a toast with her boss and friends and steeled herself for what lay ahead. The Dragon would test her in every way. And she mustn’t be found wanting.

  Chapter Two

  Draco Pendragon stood near the Statue of Peace located in the center of the Illusian marketplace. Reading the dedication for the thousandth time didn’t help relieve his sense of anxiety. The inscribed words were, “Dedicated to magic and those who use it for the benefit of all mankind.”

  The bronze statue bearing the plaque was a bearded wizard with a kindly expression. The image was fully decked out in a celestial-embroidered cape and was wearing the traditional peaked cap of the Guild. He was holding the hands of two children who looked up at him with smiling, wonder-filled faces. The statue was meant to honor those very first wizards who had been endowed by the Beings of Light with special powers and to remind everyone of the ensuing years of discontent among the rest of Earth’s population, when there had been question and argument over why those particular human beings had been gifted. Many back then were jealous, fearful and some even became angry and vengeful. It had taken the next fifty years for Earthlings to understand that those chosen to receive magic wouldn’t cause harm or use their powers for evil intent. Those men and women chosen had gone on to have children who shared their parents’ magical abilities to varying degrees. And that, of course, had led to the increase in the population of those who used magic. Families even changed their names to reflect the magical qualities of their lives, which was how surnames such as Pendragon, Graysmoke, Leafswift and even Nightflyer had originated.

  Draco was ever mindful of his obligation as a Master Sorcerer. He had a responsibility to make sure those who entered the ranks of that same exalted number would never use their magic to harm others. They never used magic to cure an illness any physician could not cure. They never used magic for excessive monetary gain or to help others in that respect and they never used magic to do away with a rival or to physically harm another.

  When he’d seen his last three applicants’ ulterior motives he’d made sure they could never again use magic. Removing their copies of the brown and black books from their possession ensured this. Their old, magical family names would be stricken from the records of wizardry and all their family members would forever suffer the loss of powers because of what they’d done. He took no chances. There was too much power at the rank of Master and not everyone could wield it wisely. Since his ascension to the head of the household when his parents left the castle, his responsibilities had grown. Another incident between the regular population and the wizards could be instigated by one bad apple. Enough power in the wrong hands could even start a war. And because man could now travel through the stars, such conflict would reach every planet humanity
did. Draco would never let that happen because of any apprentice he trained. He’d even had to destroy one pupil to keep evil at bay. The approval and sanction from the law and the Guild members had been his to do so. Still, taking that life would forever haunt him. Not just because it was a woman who’d had to die, but because the woman was Annoria Shadowynde.

  The woman arriving on the transport today was supposed to be different. She was Azamus Nightflyer’s daughter. Nightflyer, according to reputation, was among the most honest, decent men to ever practice wizardry. But reputation didn’t sway Draco. Actions spoke louder than reputations and he’d yet to hear anything, good or bad, about this Brynn Nightflyer person.

  He paced back and forth before the statue and tried to think of the barrage of tests he’d used on the other applicants. He obviously couldn’t use the same ones in case she’d heard about them. All her trials would have to be new—they’d have to be obstacles that were particularly challenging and meant to show her mettle. Perhaps even make her seek the safer sanctuary of another Master.

  The clock in the tower square chimed the noon hour. It was time.

  He strode toward the transport depot to meet this latest charge. He tried not to admit that he was more than willing to fail this next candidate. He tried to tell himself he could be objective, but his heart wouldn’t believe what his mind reasoned. She’d be like all the others—too young, too jaded, too pretentious or too eager to gain power. Something would be wrong. It always was.

  Brynn stepped off the freighter onto the depot platform and gasped. People had described Illusia as a garden or a forest planet. What she saw around her far surpassed anything she could have imagined. Tall trees surrounded the disembarking grounds where the freighter had landed. The smell of the clean woods was all around her. The sky was intensely blue and the air was cold and crisp though it was early spring on Illusia. The grass was even greener and plants placed for colorful display around the depot were both foreign and strikingly brilliant. Shades of hot pink mingled with yellow, gold, red, blue and every color in between. Flower containers hung from rafters and old-fashioned street lamps, and were draping from cement containers.

  She pulled her wizard’s robe around her more tightly as a sense of expectation rose. She would not fail. She’d do everything she was told, smile while doing it and be the epitome of patience and tact. Whomever Draco had failed, those men and women weren’t her. She was a Nightflyer and if the term responsible could be defined, then her father’s picture was in the dictionary next to that word. She didn’t even care about the damn black book.

  Draco approached the depot, saw her first and stopped involuntarily. He was supposed to meet a thin woman of about twenty-five. The only woman wearing a traditional—albeit a very conservative wizard’s robe—wasn’t the common little store clerk he’d expected. This vision of grace was the most strikingly beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on and was taller and more slender than normal. Her medium brown hair was pinned on top of her hair. Her black cape, with only a few, tasteful golden stars and moons embroidered around the hem, flowed about her body in the noon breeze. Like all women of the times she wore what was in fashion. And the fashion of the day was monochromatic clothing of a more mediaeval style. Still, Brynn Nightflyer’s outfit was so simple it was stunning. She wore a forest green, long-sleeved jerkin. It was laced up the front and had matching leather pants and tall black boots. The outfit perfectly matched her eyes, which were so bright they almost glowed. He could see their unusual green color even from where he stood. It was as though he was looking at some forest nymph out of a legend. An inappropriate image of her romping naked through the woods—with him—inserted itself into his imagination.

  “Orion’s blood!” he muttered. “She would have to be beautiful.” He steeled himself for his first encounter with a woman who was already sensually affecting him in a way he resented. She was to be his pupil, nothing more, and not for long if he could help it.

  Brynn thanked the porters when they offloaded her luggage at her feet. Other than a few curious stares from those strolling through the area, there was no one who resembled the man she was supposed to meet. She couldn’t find anyone wearing a wizard’s robe, so she turned to seek out a bench. That was when she saw him. He approached from her left and her first impression was one of unyielding strength. Fellow employees at Sun Gem Emporium had told her only rumors. They’d heard that Draco Pendragon was unbelievably handsome. Brynn could only think how woefully inadequate those rumors had been. The mountain of a man approaching her with his black, silver-starred cape was nothing short of celestially magnificent. He was well over six feet in height, with an expansive breadth of shoulders. He walked slowly toward her, staring straight into her eyes as if making a challenge. His blue-eyed gaze was penetrating, like shards of sapphires driving into her. She could only stare and try not to feel belittled. Sure that was what the intense look was meant to do, she stood straighter, lifted her chin and tried not to let his grim, square-jawed gaze intimidate her. Waist-length blond hair glistened in the bright sunlight and a black artist’s shirt and matching black leather pants and boots made him seem a bit menacing. But Brynn resolved herself to holding that bluer-than-blue gaze.

  She’s strong. And she doesn’t like me intimidating her. Draco kept his stride even but slow. Her gaze never wavered, but then he got the distinct impression he was meeting someone who wasn’t afraid of him. She either had a great deal of nerve or she was one of those women who knew she was inordinately beautiful and planned to use that to her advantage. If that were the case, he’d seen that prideful attitude once before. Annoria had been the same when he’d met her.

  Draco held out one hand. “Welcome to Illusia, Miss Nightflyer. I’m Draco Pendragon.” He still didn’t smile.

  Brynn did smile and took his black-gloved hand in hers. “It’s good to meet you, sir. Thank you for coming to the depot.”

  For a moment, he couldn’t respond. Her smile was like looking into the sky on the brightest day of the year. Her emerald gaze was mesmerizing and her face was arresting. Hers was the classic beauty of Grecian goddesses. Simply put, her beauty was beyond anything that he’d ever encountered. He quickly pulled himself together. “Is this all of your luggage?” He pointed to the few bags at her feet.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And where are your books? They should never leave your presence while traveling.”

  Of course not. Any child of magic knew that, but she held her tongue. “They’re right here, sir.” She pulled the tote bag containing the books off her shoulder.

  He nodded and lifted a hand toward a porter standing nearby. “Could you have Miss Nightflyer’s things taken to Castle Pendragon? Tell my man Bodie to place them in the dungeon workroom. He’ll know where.”

  The porter nodded and immediately began to collect Brynn’s belongings.

  Brynn didn’t hand the porter her copies of the brown and black books, but kept them securely in her tote bag with her. When she was sure the porter had all her things, she turned back to Draco. “I’m sorry, sir. Was there a particular title by which you’d like to be addressed? I know some of the Wizards would like to be referred to by a name more dignified than just sir.”

  Something told him little Miss Nightflyer would rankle at the idea of calling any man Master. In his own opinion, that name had always sounded pretentious. But for some perverse reason he couldn’t fathom, making her use it suddenly appealed to him. “I prefer to be referred to as Master. I require that title from my…my subordinates,” he declared rudely. “You may address me by that one word or by referring to me as Master Pendragon.” He saw her green eyes flash with annoyance and it intrigued him no end. He felt himself trying not to smile at the way her lovely jaw tightened in anger. So… the little nymph dressed in green had a temper but was reeling it in.

  “Very well, Master Pendragon. I can’t tell you how immensely thankful I am for this opportunity.”

  The little liar. Pleased to b
e training she might be, but not pleased to have to use that belittling title when speaking to him. Something deep inside Draco approved of her unspoken rebellion. If her response would, in some small way, show him what she was made of, then so be it.

  He lifted a hand in the direction of his transportation. “If you’re ready, we’ll begin our journey.”

  Brynn did little more than lift her chin higher and paste on a smile. Then, she walked in the direction he indicated.

  Behind her, Draco broke into a grin. She didn’t know where she was going, but couldn’t wait to get someplace where she didn’t have to be in the presence of a man she was calling Master.

  He supposed he’d overdone it with the high-handed request. But it was worth it to see those expressive, beautiful eyes flash like precious gems. The expression she’s beautiful when she’s angry came to mind.

  Brynn stood on the other side of the old-fashioned depot and carefully guarded the bag holding her set of books. She gasped in amazement when more of the city’s scenery came into view. “Oh, this is fantastic!”

  Behind her, Draco didn’t see anything other than the same old village street of his hometown. To him, it looked as it had always had—neat, clean and somewhat resembling an updated Renaissance town except for the cobbled streets and old gas lamps on the street corners.

  Brynn turned to him. “You must love living here. It’s like stepping back into history.”

  Her smile and enthusiasm suddenly struck him as unusual. He knew she was from a small town back on Earth but surely she’d seen more sophisticated surroundings. Still, he supposed the village could be considered pretty. He had to admit that. “People here live with the old ways. Many of them are related to my family by marriage or blood. We like things simple,” he said.

  “I think it’s charming,” she blurted and couldn’t hide her admiring grin.