The Magician's Apprentice

If your appearance is all people see, they have no respect for your mind.

Unquestioning obedience is for slaves, the uneducated and the pathetic.

Cold, truthful common sense was harder to like than warm, hopeful generosity.

He liked the idea that if either of them ever fell from grace, the other might be there to offer support.

As the others paired off he turned to face her. "Can't leave me partnerless," he said. She pulled a face, grabbed the bowl and stood up."Forgot my little speech earlier, have you, Jayan?Not if you were the last man in Kyralia.

Suddenly she was all too aware how different she was. A woman among all these man. A natural from a humble background among rich young men chosen from powerful families. A beginner among the well trained.

You two still establishing a pecking order?” “Oh, it’s clear who’s at the top,” Jayan said. “The lesser hordes need to sort out their own hierarchy. Are you enjoying being the prize they’re fighting over?” “Me?” “Yes, you. I’m afraid female magicians have quite a reputation. My young, naïve subordinates are trying to work out if any of them stands a chance with you.” “A chance?” She turned and began picking fruit again. “Am I to expect a marriage proposal, or something much shallower?” “Definitely shallower,” he said.

People and land, they’re the same, his father used to say. Neglect one and the other suffers eventually.

The right rumour in the right ears can kill the emperor, as they say.

I love you, he told her. Sweet joy rushed through her. But there was a distinct smugness about his words. He’d sensed her feelings in return, and was pleased with himself for doing so. Turns out I love you too, she replied, communicating her wry amusement. Of all the annoying people in the world.

Jayan found teaching both frustrating and rewarding. It depended on the apprentice. Some were attentive and talented. Some were not.

Our army is retreating. The Sachakans are following. They will be here soon. We must be ready. The servants are bringing horses.” He paused and frowned at one of the apprentices. “Stop wating time asking stupid questions and see if your horse is here!” he snapped. He turned and pointed. “You! Arelenin. I can see someone bringing your horse. Yes, I’d hardly miss that ugly beast if it were on the other side of the country. Go and get it.

There was no fast and painless way to perform an amputation, Tessia knew. Not if you did it properly.

It always seems easier to do nothing, when the harm is don elsewhere,” Dakon said. “They know their young ones will either learn a lesson and limp home – or die and stop being a problem – or prove successful. The worst that could happen is a bit of a diplomatic hiccup in history.

We have more in common than I thought, he mused wryly. He liked the idea that, if either of them ever fell from grace, the other might be there to offer support. It’s always easier to become friends with someone you have something in common with. I just hope it doesn’t take some socially disastrous fall before she’ll consider the possibility I might be a friend.

The healers’ university looked exactly as Tessia had imagined. Her father had described it as an ‘old but strange building that has adopted and absorbed surrounding houses as opportunity and funds allowed’. It sounded confusing and intriguing, and it was.

Todos somos esclavos, ama —replicó Vora—. Las mujeres. Los hombres, a su manera. No existe la libertad, solo diferentes tipos de esclavitud. Incluso un ashaki ve constreñidos sus actos por las restricciones que imponen la tradición y la política. Y el emperador es aún menos libre que ellos.

It had surprised and impressed Tessia to learn that Everran and Avaria owned two wagons, one for their own everyday use and one kept for visits to the Royal Palace. Since the journey to the palace consisted of half the length of two streets, it seemed frivolous to own a vehicle especially for it.

When Tessia and Jayan were served a large, fat rassook each, Jayan had smugly commented that Tessia certainly had a way with villagers and he would not be surprised if she could charm pickpockets into putting money into her wallet.