Of Sorcery and Trials

It was a gorgeous day outside: the sun was shining, a soft breeze flowed over the grasslands, and my purse jingled with gold coins from a finished job. For once in a very long time, I had absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to be. That's when I found myself teleported into the middle of a vaulting hall.

The sorceress smiled. "Welcome back, Orelia. Have you been well?"

I forced myself to smile and bow slightly. I had almost forgotten I still owed her a favor. "Well enough. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Business, I am afraid. The time has come to repay your debt." She paused, but I was too worried to reply, so she continued. "Recently I took on an apprentice in the arcane arts. She progressed quickly, and is ready for the next phase of her training. That is why I need your help."

I raised my eyebrows. Knowing about magic is part of the trade, but I am by no means a spellcaster.

"I see you are confused. To become a sorceress, you must undergo a final phase of learning and, ultimately, testing, by spellcasters other than your master. Some of my colleagues at the Hidden University have agreed to perform this office for my pupil. However, first she must prove herself by finding the university."

I frowned. "Don't you know where it is?"

The sorceress shook her head. "Only the general area. The University is enchanted. It never stays in the same place for long. Even if I did know, this is something initiates must accomplish on their own behalf. However, it is also traditional for initiates to travel with a companion while they search."

That made more sense. "You want me to be your student's bodyguard?"

"In a sense. She is still young, and while she is capable, a young woman traveling alone could draw unwanted attention. I can send both of you to the testing area, and can provide you with needed supplies. When the trial is over I will return you to where you came from."

I nodded. "So who is your apprentice?" I looked around the room.

The sorceress grinned, and I had a sudden premonition of doom. "Actually, I believe you have met her already."

I found myself in the middle of a ginkgo grove and nearly gagged on the smell. A voice from behind me sounded cheerily. "Hello! I got transported here first. I'm really glad you're my companion! I didn't realize you knew my teacher."

I recognized the voice and my head filled with unspoken profanity. Please, anyone but her. I turned and saw the tattooed girl who had once shared my prison cell.

"I'm really sorry about the roof falling on you, by the way. I'm not sure I ever apologized. Anyway, I'm sorry. I'm much better at controlling blast radii now, so it won't happen again. Yum, this is really good." She bit into a ginkgo fruit.

I took a deep breath and finally noticed the packs on the ground next to her. I bent down to examine them.

"That one's yours," she said, gesturing with the fruit. "Both packs have rations for about a week, but I didn't look in yours. Mine has some cool magic stuff. I doubt yours does though."

I opened it. A quick inspection confirmed it had rope, a knife, a firestarter, a hammock, and a first aid kit in addition to the rations.

"Why would you have a firestarter?" I nearly jumped as the girl hovered over my shoulder. "Oh right, you probably can't use magic. Keeps me from getting help."

I turned. "Since when do you talk this much?"

She smiled. "Oh, I usually talk a lot. I was just feeling awful because of those ropes."

I slung the pack over my shoulders. "By the way, what is your name? You never told me." 

I turned to see that she had already started walking. She waved me over. "Come on, I think it's this way!"

I sighed and jogged to catch up with her.

Several hours later, we were still walking through the forest. At first we had hacked through the understory, but we ran into a path within fifteen minutes. The sun was low in the sky, and mosquitos were coming out. I started swatting at them, but my traveling companion didn't seem to notice. She hadn't stopped walking or talking since leaving the grove.

"...so anyway, cloaking spells don't cover up sound, so I just started singing. It was hilarious, you should have seen the look on the guy's face. Eventually he decided it must have been some kind of illusion and left. Funny how everyone assumes weird stuff is an illusion, there are so many other ways to--" She stopped and looked around. "Um, have you heard anything odd lately?"

I shook my head, but motioned her to be quiet. After a few seconds, I heard movement in the branches overhead and in the brush around us. Several figures converged on the path, and I kept a hand on my hammer. 

The figure in front of us emerged from the shadows, revealing a young man wearing a broad hat and carrying a machete. I glanced around. It was hard to see the others in this light, but I could see at least three others, all carrying a machete. I suspected there were archers in the canopy overhead.

The man took off his hat and bowed, but kept looking straight at us. "Welcome to the watery forests of Blinselm. They call me Zainel. What brings two lovely women such as yourselves to this remote location?"

My traveling companion remain silent, and I stepped forward between the two. "We were just passing through. What brings you here?"

Zainel chuckled, and I heard muffled laughter around us. "You see, my friends and I are responsible for this road. We keep it safe for travelers -- for a fee, of course. I do hope you are able to pay the toll."

I gripped my hammer tighter. Paying them might get them to leave us alone, and I didn't want to get into a fight with an unpredictable caster at my back. Somehow, I suspected they would attack us whether we complied or refused. I decided to try to talk my way out.

"Odd, I've never heard of tolls in Blinselm. Isn't there a law that roads are free to all travelers?"

Zainel frowned. "Things have changed. You see, bandits have become a problem in these parts."

A guffaw came from overhead, and Zainel glared in its direction. That's probably why he didn't notice the tendrils growing around his ankle. Within seconds, his legs were completely entangled. He began thrashing around, but dropped his machete in the process, and soon his arms were bound too. A volley of arrows zipped toward us, only to be deflected by a tree branch.

It was my traveling companion's turn to step forward. She waved her hand and the vines stopped their growth. "Zainel, was it? My friend and I don't have time for games. Could you please tell the six armed people surrounding us not to attack?"

One of the figures behind us rushed forward, aiming a machete at my companion's back. Even while I moved between the two, I noticed the attacker was a woman with cloth armor and her hair in a braid. I slammed my hammer into her hand, causing her to drop her weapon, then pulled her to the ground by her braid. Roots grew over her, binding her to the forest floor.

"Anyone else want to try something stupid?" I shouted, looking around. The other figures inched away, then turned and ran. Zainel unleashed a string of profanities.

We walked away in silence. I listened carefully, but no one seemed to be following us. Finally I turned to my companion. "You did well back there."

She looked up and smiled. "Thanks! I think we should probably make camp soon though. It's getting dark, and it's still a while to walk."

As we looked for a good campsite, I asked, "How do you know which way to go anyway?"

"Normally I would try to sense the magic, but it's hidden because that would be too easy. So I've been using nature magic to search the forest while we walk. I found a big clearing pretty early, plus I can feel some weird plants inside it. That's also how I felt the bandits; sorry I didn't catch that sooner."

I smiled slightly. "Well, you didn't drop a roof on me at least." I slung my hammock between two trees. "Is it OK if I call you Tatty?"

"Tatty?"

"Well, you won't tell me your name..."

"Oh, I get it, short for tattoo!"

I looked away sheepishly.

"It's OK, I like it. You can call me Tatty if you want. It's much nicer than most things I get called." Vines grew between the two trees she was standing next to, forming a hammock. "Anyway, good night!"

"Good night, Tatty." I rested in my hammock, but kept watch for the night.

Sure enough, she found the school by lunchtime the next day. I saw her off safely, then found myself back at the hall of the sorceress.

"Welcome back. My apprentice completed her journey faster than even I expected. I hope it wasn't too much trouble?"

"We had a run-in with some bandits, but she scared them off pretty quick. I barely did anything."

"You fulfilled your role, which is all I could ask. I'm glad she made it safely. I must admit I was surprised when she chose you as her companion, though; I didn't know you had met. In any case, safe travels."

Before I could ask any questions, I found myself in the middle of a grassy field. Tatty had chosen me? Interesting. I idly wondered if our paths would cross again.