Third Month of Summer

Third Era, Year 326

Ardan couldn't remember the last time he had felt so nervous. He hadn't been able to eat breakfast, which could prove to be a good decision if his stomach continued rolling the way it was. Not even the interviews with the court sorcerer had unsettled him so much.

When official news had come from the great castle itself that Ardan had been chosen from six others to take the place of the retiring court sorcerer, Master Gelwin, he'd been overwhelmed with excitement. But now that he was about to meet King Leigh himself, he felt like his legs were going to give out from beneath him.

This was to be his first day of training, and he needed to present himself formally to the royal court before he could begin. They needed to know who this new court sorcerer was who would be advising them.

Master Gelwin met him just inside the castle doors. He was one of the oldest people Ardan had ever met and walked with a cane, and didn't even greet Ardan before ordering, "Come with me."

Ardan followed him silently to the great wooden doors that he assumed opened into some kind of audience chamber. He could think of no other reason for the doors to be flanked by banners of the royal crest – the Steed of Ryal, they called it – and to have it guarded by a red-uniformed soldier on either side.

He was proven correct when the guards opened the doors and Gelwin led him into a great vault of a room filled with rows of wooden benches set before a raised platform. On the platform were what could only be thrones, judging by the regally dressed pair who sat upon them. The person on the larger throne must be King Leigh, and to his left could be no one but Queen Zahra, decked out in jewels. Several other well-dressed officials flanked the royals, people Ardan assumed were relatives or general court members.

When he reached the dais, Ardan bowed low, unsure of what else to do.

"You are the new court sorcerer."

The king's words weren't a question, but Ardan gave the tiniest nod anyway. Ignoring him seemed more rude than nodding.

"I'm glad that Gelwin finally found someone worthy of the position. Perhaps now he will do as the healers recommend and retire. You may rise now, and meet the court."

Ardan did as commanded, his stomach still churning with the nerves that hadn't calmed. He nodded politely as he was introduced to each member of the court, mildly surprised that the king himself was doing the introductions.

"And this is Crown Prince Caol," he finished, motioning to the young blond man standing to the right of his throne. "He will be giving you a tour of the castle and grounds today. Gelwin would like you to have a sense of where you are before you lose yourself during training. Caol will take you to meet him after the evening meal."

Ardan couldn't tell if the Crown Prince looked all that happy to be showing Ardan around. Surely he had better things to do.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said to the king, then bowed again.

King Leigh nodded. "You may go."

Crown Prince Caol stepped down from the dais and started toward a door to the side of the room. Ardan hurried to follow, relieved to be free of the king but not looking forward to a day with the decidedly cold prince.

Once they were outside the throne room, however, Crown Prince Caol turned to him with a smile. "My father can be overly traditional at times. I could tell you were ready to be ill. Hopefully I can put you more at ease."

Ardan stared at him, dumbfounded for a moment. "Uh, thank you. Your Highness."

The prince waved his hand vaguely. "Forget the titles right now. You are a part of the court now, so you needn't be formal at all times. Mostly watch yourself among the older ones, including my father. But it's more likely that you will be my court sorcerer more than his."

"Why is that?" he asked without thinking.

Caol motioned for them to walk and led him away from the throne room. "If you didn't notice, he's aging. He's frequently ill, as well. The healers have been able to cure him thus far, but who knows when an illness they can't heal will strike."

Ardan nodded. "Understandable."

"So I want a court sorcerer I can trust, who will be something of a friend, I suppose. Though if you wouldn't want that, I wouldn't impose. I know you aren't used to life among the nobility, and I don't want to have you feel uncomfortable. It's just that... I don't know. I feel like a child complaining that I have no playmates. I just don't want to be suffocated by the elder court members when I do become king. They are my father's people, not mine."

Ardan found himself smiling. "I understand what you're saying. I think I would feel the same in your place. You can't just assign new advisers?"

Caol shook his head. "It's a position created by tradition. Their heirs will take their places eventually, but who knows what they have been guided to do."

"Well, I will do my best for you," Ardan assured him. "First, could you show me where to find food? I couldn't eat this morning."