Crystal Key Mage

I lay awake listening to the sounds of the orphanage. Thirty boys ages ten to seventeen are housed here in bunks. I, like many of the boys, have lived here my entire life. A few more hours and all that will change. Today is my eighteenth birthday, and I will have to leave. The prospect fills me with dread. I shift in my bunk, drawing my long legs up so the blanket covers my feet. 

“D, you up? 

“You know I am,” I reply. “Go back to sleep Eddie. Big day for you tomorrow.”

He peers down at me, green eyes shining in the moonlight. “How can I sleep when everything changes tomorrow? We get our keys D.” I do not share his excitement. 

“Just try Eddie. You will be part of the King’s guard tomorrow.”

“Can you believe it D? Me, in the King’s guard.”

“You deserve it,” I say stoically and Eddie picks up on it. 

“D, you know the preliminary tests can be wrong. Besides, if not, you can always carry my bags.”

I laugh and kick his bunk. We both laugh and Eddie settles back down and is soon fast asleep. I toss and turn for what feels like hours before I give up trying to sleep and go to the bath.  

The orphanage is a converted military compound. After the war orphans filled the streets. The capital converted three compounds into orphanages. You were given an education and tested for magical ability at ten. Magical abilities fall into seven categories; Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Mind, Light, and Dark. All abilities were “unlocked” on your eightieth birthday by a magical key made only by Mind Mages.

Preliminary tests could detect how strong a person would be when their magic was unlocked. It is an imperfect method, but the stronger a person is, the more coveted they are. They got the best training and some were groomed for palace guard. Eddie would be a palace guard. His preliminary tests were off the charts. I displayed no magical ability. Either I would be a null, someone who does not have magic, or my ability is so weak I may as well not have it.

Turning a corner I plow into someone almost knocking them over. “Look, boys. A scarecrow is wandering out of the fields.” I know that reedy voice. 

I curse myself for not paying attention. Harold Manard recovers with a sneer as he looks up at me, his two followers Jeb and Jim fanning out to either side of him. 

“You should watch where you’re going scarecrow. One day someone is going to pull your stuffing out.”

“Yeah, pull your stuffing out.” Jeb and Jim cackle as if it were the funniest thing they have ever heard. 

“Excuse me Harold, just headed to the bath.”

Inhaling deeply, Harold pinches his nose in disgust. “You do stink scarecrow,” Jeb and Jim wave their hands as if to ward off a bad smell. “Too bad you can’t wash that brown off, Sand Devil.”

There it is. Sand devil. I am an outcast for something that happened before I was born. The desert kingdom of Sula rebelled against the crown. The fighting lasted ten years, many on both sides dying, until finally King Demetri and King Royce dueled for the fate of the kingdoms. King Royce died and all Sulans were exiled except a chosen few. 

“Sand devil,” a smooth melodic voice muses. We all turn as one to see Lady Ella leaning against a dark alcove, arms folded across her chest. “I haven’t heard that term in some time.”

“Lady Ella,” Harold stammers. “I did not see you there.”

“I do not wish to hear your pitiful response. Run along now, I have business to discuss with this young man. 

Furious at being dismissed, Harold stalked off, Jim and Jeb trailing behind him. 

“Lady Ella. Thank you.”

Waving me off, she walks off and I hurry to fall in step with her. Long graceful legs propelled her forward. Her dark skin marked her as Sulan. 

“D’Andray,” she always called me by my full name. “I was wondering if you found someone to apprentice under?” 

“I have not my Lady,” I say dejected.

“I thought as much,” pursing her lips as if in thought she continues. “How would you like to apprentice under my husband?”

I stop in my tracks, my mouth hanging open. Apprentice to Marcus the Iron Hand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be in the same room with him, let alone apprentice under him. The corner of her lips curves slightly.

“I would be honored.” 

“Now that, that’s settled. Be at this address before six bells.” I accept a folded piece of paper. I scan the address and freeze. 

“This is to your estate my lady.”

Chuckling, “That is where my husband lives.”

“I meant no disrespect.”

“Quite all right child.”

“I only meant to say, I do not have authorization to enter that part of the city.” Her posture and demeanor changed. 

“I know you do not,” there was a rough edge to her voice. “You will have the rights a privileges as any other apprentice. No one will bar you from the upper city if you show them this.” Handing me a parchment. The image of the closed fist of the Iron hand pressed into the wax.

“Bring all your belongings. Leave nothing here.” 

“All of my belongings Lady?”

“Yes. You will not be allowed to stay here after the ceremony.”

I did not think about that. She was right, I would not be able to continue living here. The thought filled me with equal parts sadness and hope.

“I know this is confusing and a bit terrifying.”

“I haven’t slept in two days,” I say.

“I know you have not had an easy life here. I understand what it is like being in a place where no one wants you. This is the only reason I am still alive.” 

She pulls a silver chain from under her tunic, an iridescent purple key with a beautiful etching that seemed to move. 

I marveled at the key, a cameo of a woman inlaid on the end attached to the chain. This is the first key I laid eyes on. I could feel power pulsing from it. It is said Mind Mages are the most powerful of the mages. 

“Get cleaned up, pack your things, and be at my house before six bells. I have many things that need attending to. Now off with you.” Shooing me as if I were a small child, I made my way to the baths.

I was packed and ready by the time Eddie hit the floor next to my bunk.

“What’s going on?” he asked puzzled.

“Lady Ella asked me to apprentice to her husband. Can you believe it? I am going to be the Iron Hands apprentice.” My joy is cut short by the look on his face.

“The Iron Hand, The Butcher of Callis you mean,” Eddie vibrated with rage. “My brother died in that battle. Killed by the man you are so happy to apprentice with. 

“Eddie, it was war. How many people did the king and his guard kill?”

“They deserved to die D,” Eddie shouted, waking those who had not roused from sleep. “They were trying to overthrow the king! The King D!”

“They were trying to gain independence.” It was not the first time we had it out like this. It was a prickly subject for both of us. I’m a Sulan and Eddie’s older brother died at the hands of Marcus Iron Hand.

“If you go D, we can’t be friends anymore.”

“Eddie, you know I don’t have anywhere to go after the ceremony. I don’t have any money and no skills. We both know I don’t have any magic and if I do, it’s next to nothing.” I could feel my rage building. 

“You know I will be recruited into the King’s guard. I’ll be able to put in a good word.”

I stop him before he can finish. “And do what? Carry your bags?”

He flinched as if I had struck him.

He stares at me, the silence dragging on. The longer we stay silent, the more his eyes harden, until he turns without a word and marches off.

“Trouble in paradise?” Harold says as Eddie passes him. 

“Eddie is short but powerfully built. Years of training with the King’s guard have made him deadly. He normally keeps his fiery temper under control, but today is not that day.

Spinning, he grabs Harold’s collar and pulls him into a devastating punch. I can hear the sound of his bones crunching clear across the room. Never taking his eyes from mine, Eddie hit Harold again, and again, and again until he was unconscious. The entire time Eddie stares directly at me. I was ashamed that it was Harold taking the brunt of the anger meant for me.

Finally, Eddie released what used to be Harold and calmly stalked out of the room. The silence was deafening. Harold’s cough made everyone resume movement. People rushed to get a healer and did what they could to comfort the injured boy. I collected my things and left the orphanage.

I walked in a haze. I vaguely remember showing my papers to the guards at the entrance to the upper city. I stumbled to the address and knocked on the door. Lady Ella greets me with a warm smile. The smile slowly evaporates as she takes me in.

“What happened? Did the guards give you any trouble?” My only answer is to fall into her arms sobbing. My knees buckle, she tries her best to support me. She calls for her husband and soon a large bare-chested man with one arm is pulling me to my feet. 

Ella looks to see if anyone has noticed the disturbance before closing the door. Seated at the table the large man uncorks a bottle and pours a brown liquid into a cup and offers it to me. I empty the contents in one swallow and immediately start coughing, my mouth ablaze.

“You gave him Fire Rum? Marcus, what are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking the boy needs something to take his mind off whatever is making him like this.” He waved a massive hand indicating to me.

“D’Andray baby, what happened?”

I recount the events of the morning, Ella growing more sympathetic and Marcus growing angrier. 

 I finish my retelling, my emotions under control. 

“D’Andray, do me a favor, go down that hall to the third door on the left. That is your room. You have something to wear laid out on the bed. Wash up and get dressed. I know you have had a difficult morning, but you cannot be late for the ceremony.”

“I don’t care about the ceremony. I don’t have any magic anyway.”

They both share a look. A few moments ago I would not have noticed it. 

“That is not true.”

She must have seen the confused look on my face. 

“We don’t have time to explain everything. I will when we return from the ceremony.” I nod absently, stand on shaky legs, and make my way to the room. 

The room is larger than I expected, complete with indoor plumbing. I will have to ask how everything works when I return. I wash my face and freshen up before putting on the clothes laid out on the bed. The outfit is the nicest thing I have ever worn. It fits me perfectly. I awkwardly enter the living area and Lady Ella beams when she sees me. She fusses over me, telling me to stand up straight, inquiring about how everything feels. Marcus stands in the corner, still shirtless.

She grabs both hands in hers, she asks if I am ready. I shrug my shoulders in a noncommittal way.

“She asked you a question boy.”

“Yes, Lady Ella,” I reply quickly.

“Marcus stop. You’re scaring the boy.” 

“Lady Ella,” I stop, gesturing to the clothes and everything around me. “I appreciate everything you have done so far, but this is a waste of time. I don’t have any magic.”

“As stubborn as his father,” Marcus says in between sips of the rum.

Ella gives him a sharp look and sighs. “I guess it can’t hurt telling him now.”

“D’Andray. We knew your parents. They were the King and Queen of Sulan.” 

Marcus sipping rum was the only sound in the room.

“After your father died, we hid your mother as best we could. The childbirth was hard and she passed shortly after giving birth to you. We were charged to look after you. I have watched over you the best I could.”

“Why tell me this now?”

“Because,” Marcus tipped his head back, finishing the cup and slamming it on the table. “You are Prince D’Andray, and you are going to kill the King.”