Sworn To Raise: Courtlight #1 by Terah Edun

of her choosing in Principas Vale.
     
    Ciardis sat back to think. There was much to consider here. She’d thought about all the responsibilities she’d assume as Lady of a manor, or even multiple manors in an area as large as a Vale, and she knew that her enhancement powers would be needed by her Patron in various capacities. However, before beginning her study of the Patron binders, she had not considered childbirth. At least, not until she was older - much older. She frowned, deciding to discuss the matter with Lady Serena at a later date, and stood, stretching her arms wide. She’d been in the library all morning.
    To her surprise, just as she stood, around the corner came Lady Sarah. “Hello, Ciardis,” said Sarah, whose hair was streaked with bright shades of green.
    Ciardis murmured a polite response. Sarah turned to look over the pile of documents that sat on the library table—family charts going back many generations, binders of prospective Patrons, analects of the famous Mages of the Madrassa, and histories of the noble families of Sandrin, Principas, and Vaneis. She gave Ciardis a wry smile as she said, “I remember the long nights of studying for my choice. Ream upon ream of birthdates, deaths, and family patronage.” She shuddered delicately.
    Ciardis looked at her curiously. “Whom did you ultimately decide upon as your patron?”
    Sarah raised an eyebrow and gave her a smile. “I declined them all.”
    Ciardis gasped, her eyes wide with surprise as she stuttered, “W-why?”
    “I already had the best job in the world, and none of the libraries of my prospective Patrons could hold a candle to this one,” Sarah swept her hand out to indicate the large and beautiful multi-floor library. It was built largely of maple, all varnished to a mellow shine. “How could I give this up?” she asked almost to herself.
    Ciardis stared, wondering if she would ever find anything that she loved as much as Sarah did her chosen profession. Perhaps…
    “Now, enough of this sentimental reminiscing! Pack up your things and come with me. Quickly, quickly,” Sarah added. Ciardis did as she was told, and she soon had two scrolls stuffed under one arm and a satchel strapped across her back that was filled with books.
    As they left the library, Sarah said, “Tonight is your eighteenth birthday, and you have less than two weeks before your Patron Hunt.”
    Ciardis nodded with a gulp. She’d been trying not to think about that. She said, “Yes, milady,” as they dodged servant girls. The girls were rushing in multiple directions – arms filled with flower arrangements, huge bundles of pretty fabric, and what looked suspiciously like a very tall cake.
    Sarah nodded, then pulled a small round orb out of her dress pocket as they entered a square room on the other side of the palace. “This is the Memory Room. It was used by Royal Consorts to lock in the memories of young princes and princesses as they transitioned from childhood to adulthood,” Sarah paused, “There is a different room for the memories of reigning monarchs.”
    As they entered the empty room, the door clanged shut behind them. Ciardis saw that the entire room was decorated in midnight blue, with pale geometric designs etched onto the surfaces of every wall. No furniture was in the room, and Ciardis’ skirt raised no dust as they walked to the center of the room. Upon reaching the middle Ciardis noted a small depression in the floor, which Sarah and then Ciardis knelt before.
    “In my hands, I hold a memory ball,” Sarah told Ciardis. “It records memories from participants, and keeps them safe for future use.” She set the memory ball in the depression. “Each mage family, including yours keeps a memory ball to imprint ancestral transitions and convey the descendant’s transition to their powers,” Sarah explained while looking down at the orb, “Only those with a sympathetic touch can activate a memory ball, and we can only store new