The Sorcerer's Daughter

By Larry Kollar

In the third "Accidental Sorcerers" story, as Bailar and his apprentices help the Conclave prepare for conflict with the rogue sorcerers, Sura learns that she is a descendant of a noble House in the Alliance. But when she discovers the price of her history, it may be too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Kollar
• Release date: Dec 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311356734

Larry Kollar

Larry Kollar lives in north Georgia, surrounded by kudzu, pines, and in-laws. He writes fantasy, science fiction, and horror, and now leads the #TuesdaySerial project for online serial fiction. You can find news and snippets of his strange fiction at http://www.larrykollar.com/ For Larry's even stranger reality, check out http://farmanor.blogspot.com/ Follow Larry on Twitter at FARfetched58.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Downriver and East

Heavy snow blanketed Lacota, two weeks before the equinox. Schoolteachers watched their students stare out at the snow, then finally relented and ended classes early. In minutes, the last snowball fight of winter began. Children, not-children, and even a few apprentices and older boys and girls joined in. The snow was moist, easy to pack, and soon the snowballs were flying.

No magic over there! one of the girls yelled across the battlefield, before hurling her missile.

Mik Dragonrider dodged the snowball, and returned fire. We don’t need it! His aim was true; the girl shrieked and laughed as she ducked to pack another one.

Use your whole arm, Robi told Sura. Like this. She flung a snowball, arcing high over the battlefield.

Sura gave her a curious look, still tinged with suspicion. Although Sura had sincerely apologized to Robi, she had still not allowed her to be a friend. But… Like this? she asked, launching her own snowball.

Good throw! Mik grinned, then threw another one.

You’re just saying that because you love me, Mik, Sura grumbled, watching her snowball go wide.

At least it got across, said Robi. Keep throwing. You’ll get better.

The other side launched a salvo, pelting Mik, Robi, and several others. But the snowballs coming at Sura slipped away from her, to one side or the other.

Sura! Mik laughed. No magic!

Father taught us that fender spell, Sura protested. I need to practice! Besides, I haven’t been in snowball fights until this winter. Growing up without a mother made Sura head of her household. She took her role seriously, which meant she had always come home instead of playing with other children after school.

Hoy! A large snowball caught Robi square in the chest. She staggered back, but stood. The grin fell off her face when she saw who had thrown it.

What’s the matter? Sura asked, looking back and forth at Robi and Mik. Both of them stood watching the new combatant across the way. Several snowballs battered Mik, but he seemed not to notice.

That’s Piet, Mik said at last.

Piet? The one—oh. Sura glared, and Mik felt Fire magic rising in her. When Piet had put Robi aside, Mik found Robi weeping by the river. When he tried to comfort her, Sura had found them and jumped to the wrong conclusion. The result was a miserable autumn for all three.

Sura, no Fire, Mik whispered. I have a better idea. The three of them whispered back and forth, while lobbing snowballs, then all three laughed grimly.

After a few minutes, Robi called, Hoy! Piet! I didn’t recognize you at first! You must have just come in from downriver. She stood straight, and pulled her shoulders back. Sura leaned over to whisper to Robi, stealing glances at Piet across the way, as Mik hurled another snowball across the field. Piet’s eyes went wide, watching the girls watch him.

Good to see you, Robi, he replied, dodging a snowball. No hard feelings, eh? Yar, Mattu brought oranges and some other goods up from Port Joy. Piet was apprenticed to Mattu, the local merchant. Who’s your friend?

Sura made herself giggle, something she rarely did in public. I’m Sura! She packed a snowball and flung it at him, missing by a wide margin. I’m visiting family.

Mik did not allow himself to take offense to the way Piet grinned at Sura. There was a more important task at hand. Everyone, on both sides, stopped and stared. Behind Piet, a snowbank lurched, and a massive chunk of snow floated up. Robi and Sura played their parts, keeping Piet distracted with flirtatious small talk. Finally, the gigantic snowball, a full reach across, floated over Piet and fell, burying him.

Justice for Daughters! Robi and Sura shouted the motto of the Stolevan Matriarchy. They laughed and embraced, friends at last, as Piet’s sputtering head popped out of the top of the snow.

Never trifle with my friends, Piet sim Barl, Mik shouted, all the anger of autumn finally directed at its proper target. "Never!"

Piet said nothing, but dug himself out and fled Mik’s glare and the girls’ laughter.

We’ll be telling our grandchildren about that, Robi chortled, pulling Mik into the embrace.

He has no idea what trouble he cost us, Mik growled, but relaxed and let his love and his old friend hold him tight. Then, a new volley of snowballs found them, and they broke apart to continue the snowball fight.

• • •

On the day of the spring equinox, Sura and Mik stood outside the shop that had been their home for the last five months. I never thought I’d say this, said Sura, Mik’s hand in hers, but I think I might miss this place.

I’ll miss my parents, said Mik, and my aunt. But everything else important is coming with me, so…

Like what? Sura grinned, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it.

You! Mik laughed and hugged her. Your father, too, he said in a lower voice. One thing I won’t miss are the signs. Lacota’s new emblem was a white dragon, a constant reminder of Mik’s fame, brought by awakening an ice dragon (and surviving) little over a year ago. That act had saved his town from invaders and changed his life, taking him far from home, and making him an apprentice sorcerer. He loved the work, and he loved Sura more, but hated the notoriety. At least Stomp will have a good home, with Aunt Morcati.

Sura laughed. That donkey will miss you, Mik. I’ll miss your aunt, too. And your mother. And her bread. And Robi.

I’m glad you and Robi came to be friends. Mik’s face grew grim. I’m glad Piet didn’t try to speak with me further. I had more words I would have given him.

As long as you didn’t set him afire. Sura gave him a sad smile. Father would not have approved, you know.

Mik nodded, trying to guess the best thing to say, settling for, I would have been tempted. Sura squeezed his hand, so he knew he had done all right.

It’s been an exciting winter, said Sura. The Protectors visiting, us helping Father train the new apprentices… oh, and the snowball fights. Especially when Father built those ice walls for both sides. She gave Mik her mischievous grin.

But you cheated, raising a fender all the time. Getting hit by a snowball is part of the fun.

Sura laughed and poked him. Who Lifted that entire snowbank and dropped it on Piet?

You helped with that!

No, you did it yourself.

Mik raised his eyebrows. I did? I asked you to help me. I thought you helped.

Sura smirked. I wanted to see if you could do it yourself. Your magic was getting strong even before we came here. Then, when you came back from that rogue College, you were stronger, and you just kept getting better through the winter. Father noticed it, too. Sometimes, I get jealous. I feel like you’re leaving me behind. She paused, then gave him a stern look. But don’t slack for my sake! Father would never let us hear the end of it.

You’re not behind, Mik protested.

Only because I work hard to keep up. She turned to look at the shop. Here comes Father.

Bailar the Blue caught the doorframe and smiled at his apprentices. Are you two packed, then?

I am, Father, said Sura. I don’t know about Mik, though. He might need more than one piece of baggage, this time.

Mik laughed. I am packed, mentor.

All is well, then, said Bailar, still clutching the doorframe to help his poor balance. The students and mentors are pairing up, and most of them will be departing shortly. Except for Ather the Brown, of course. Young Ather had agreed to take the post of Sorcerer of Lacota, and would move into the old weaver’s shop as soon as Bailar and his apprentices vacated it. Encouraging sorcerers to leave the comfortable cities for the rural villages was a new policy that the Conclave had conceived over the winter. Rural folk often needed sorcerous help more than city dwellers, and their work in Mik’s home town of Lacota over the winter had turned up a great deal of untapped Talent.

Bailar looked over his shoulder, then stepped outside, using his staff for balance. Behind him, the new apprentices spilled out the door, eight girls and six boys, clustering around Mik and Sura. They all chattered with excitement, naming their exotic new homes—Port Joy, Queensport, Ugar, Gran Isle, Armyr, Dacia, Exidy—

Exidy? Sura turned to the girl, whose name she had forgotten. That’s where we live!

I know! The girl bounced a little. Torba the White came from there. Do you know him?

Torba is the sorcerer who has filled in for us, while we were here, said Bailar, standing a safe distance from the jostling crowd of apprentices. You and he may be there for some time, yet.

Sura turned to face Bailar. What does that mean, Father?

The First Protector tells me we may be spending some time in Queensport. He will explain further, once we’re under way.

Mik looked surprised. He’s coming with us on the ketch? The Conclave had provided Tiny Jewel of the Southern Coast (and a crew) for Bailar and the apprentices to use while looking for Talent along the Laughing River. Shipmaster Khoe joked that the name was longer than the ship, and they usually shortened it to Jewel.

"Only until evening, then he will board Fire Magic. They will sail on ahead of us and wait for us in Queensport."

He couldn’t tell us why? Sura looked annoyed.

Of course. But Protectors reveal what they wish, when they wish. As is their privilege. I often do the same with you two, to see if you can find the knowledge on your own. He smiled. You rarely disappoint.

• • •

While aboard Jewel, Bailar and the apprentices shared a tiny cabin. With a guest, there was almost no room to move. I did not realize your vessel is a little cramped for a private conversation, the First Protector told Bailar. "Are your apprentices able to Lift themselves across to the Fire Magic?"

Indeed, they are, said Bailar. They could use some more practice with Lifting, as well.

A ketch was not the ideal vessel for river travel, but unfavorable winds gave the apprentices opportunities to practice their ability to call and control the wind. The wind today, Sura’s fourteenth birthday as Bailar reckoned it, was unusually calm, so the ketch mostly drifted with the current. Fire Magic, the First Protector’s fastboat, had both oars and sail. But it hung back, keeping pace with Jewel.

The older mages stood in Jewel’s bow, trying to avoid interfering with the crew. Sura and Mik stood a few paces away, whispering between themselves, as the First Protector called to his crew. Both ships dropped anchor, and came to rest in the Laughing River.

What are you giving me for my birthday? Sura whispered, poking Mik.

My virginity? Mik smirked.

You’d give that to me any day! she protested.

He grew serious. Everything I have is yours.

I know. Sura put her arms around Mik’s neck. That’s all I need.

The First Protector floated up and over the Jewel’s gunwale, then over the river to his own vessel. He turned and shouted, Mage and apprentices, come aboard!

Look alert, you two, Bailar told his apprentices. They jumped and blushed. Time to Lift yourself across. Don’t look at the water, he advised them. It’s no different than crossing land.

Sura nodded, and took Mik’s hand. "Together? Like we did the day the wizard-slayer