memories in conjunction with a projector such as Serena.”
She smiled at Ciardis. “Several of our mage families have left their memory balls in the Guild’s care as they have died out, or for safekeeping.” She touched the still orb before them. “This is the memory ball of the Weathervane family.” With a regretful sigh, Sarah continued, “Because of the way the memories are transferred to the memory balls, once stored, only a descendant can view them.”
They both stood and Sarah straightened out her skirts. “As such, I will leave you to learn about your inherent powers. Your powers should arrive on the midnight bell of the morrow, the first day of your eighteenth year.”
Sarah continued, “Of course, that’s usually true of set skills that are non-elemental in origin.”
“Non-elemental?” questioned Ciardis.
“Powers that are restricted to one talent. Some children develop talents over the elements, such as wind and fire or even healing, which requires training from a very young age, instead of one skill,” said Sarah.
Ciardis had the slight suspicion that Sarah didn’t approveof such powers.
Probably thinks they’d burn her library down around her , she thought.
Sarah put a finger to her lips in thought. “Weathervane heritage has always been unpredictable, though.”
“What should I expect?” Ciardis asked, a little worried.
With a frown, Sarah said, “The transition may be uncomfortable, but I can’t say for sure. Transitions are specific to each mage family. After I leave, you’ll be able to activate the memory ball due your bloodright. The room itself will act as a conduit and a power source.”
Sarah waved her hand and suddenly a door appeared in the wall to their right. “To make sure the overnight adjustment to your talents goes well, you will stay in the bedroom beyond that door. I’ll make sure a maid brings you meals, and Serena will come to you tomorrow to test your skills. Any questions?”
Ciardis did a slight curtsy, and said, “No.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.
With that, Sarah swept out of the room, locking the door behind her.
Ciardis contemplated the silvery orb in thedepression for a long moment. Then, deciding it was now or never—she’d been waiting months for the off chance that her powers would come in after all—she nicked her finger with a hairpin. She carefully lowered her bleeding finger to tap the ball’s gleaming surface and then watched with wide eyes as the silver absorbed the liquid, leaving no trace of red on its surface.
At first, nothing seemed to happen, and she had time to wonder if she should squeeze out a larger dollop of her lifeblood, but suddenly, a humming sound began to fill the room. It grew louder and louder as the orb rose slowly into the air. Streaks of blue lightning sizzled down from the ceiling and rose from the floor to meet the orb’s glimmering exterior.
Ciardis stumbled back hastily, almost tripping on her own skirt. The humming had stopped, but the orb crackled with live fire across its surface. She frowned. “What am I supposed to do now?”
There was no answer from the pulsing lightning and arcing fire in the center of the room. Ciardis looked around hoping for a manual or display to pop up somewhere.
Maybe the geometric symbols on the walls will rearrange themselves into words?
She’d meant the thought sarcastically, but she wasn’t too far off. Half a second later, a bright beam of blue light shot out of the memeball struck the center of the wall opposite her.
It was so bright that Ciardis had to shade her eyes as she squinted. The light formed a shimmering square box. As she watched, the symbols on the wall began to fade slowly into the stone. She gasped at what she saw taking the symbols’ place.
Moving images of people were beginning to form on the wall.
The images of people, as vibrant and colorful as a living person, changed frequently. She saw the graceful figure of a woman
She smiled at Ciardis. “Several of our mage families have left their memory balls in the Guild’s care as they have died out, or for safekeeping.” She touched the still orb before them. “This is the memory ball of the Weathervane family.” With a regretful sigh, Sarah continued, “Because of the way the memories are transferred to the memory balls, once stored, only a descendant can view them.”
They both stood and Sarah straightened out her skirts. “As such, I will leave you to learn about your inherent powers. Your powers should arrive on the midnight bell of the morrow, the first day of your eighteenth year.”
Sarah continued, “Of course, that’s usually true of set skills that are non-elemental in origin.”
“Non-elemental?” questioned Ciardis.
“Powers that are restricted to one talent. Some children develop talents over the elements, such as wind and fire or even healing, which requires training from a very young age, instead of one skill,” said Sarah.
Ciardis had the slight suspicion that Sarah didn’t approveof such powers.
Probably thinks they’d burn her library down around her , she thought.
Sarah put a finger to her lips in thought. “Weathervane heritage has always been unpredictable, though.”
“What should I expect?” Ciardis asked, a little worried.
With a frown, Sarah said, “The transition may be uncomfortable, but I can’t say for sure. Transitions are specific to each mage family. After I leave, you’ll be able to activate the memory ball due your bloodright. The room itself will act as a conduit and a power source.”
Sarah waved her hand and suddenly a door appeared in the wall to their right. “To make sure the overnight adjustment to your talents goes well, you will stay in the bedroom beyond that door. I’ll make sure a maid brings you meals, and Serena will come to you tomorrow to test your skills. Any questions?”
Ciardis did a slight curtsy, and said, “No.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say.
With that, Sarah swept out of the room, locking the door behind her.
Ciardis contemplated the silvery orb in thedepression for a long moment. Then, deciding it was now or never—she’d been waiting months for the off chance that her powers would come in after all—she nicked her finger with a hairpin. She carefully lowered her bleeding finger to tap the ball’s gleaming surface and then watched with wide eyes as the silver absorbed the liquid, leaving no trace of red on its surface.
At first, nothing seemed to happen, and she had time to wonder if she should squeeze out a larger dollop of her lifeblood, but suddenly, a humming sound began to fill the room. It grew louder and louder as the orb rose slowly into the air. Streaks of blue lightning sizzled down from the ceiling and rose from the floor to meet the orb’s glimmering exterior.
Ciardis stumbled back hastily, almost tripping on her own skirt. The humming had stopped, but the orb crackled with live fire across its surface. She frowned. “What am I supposed to do now?”
There was no answer from the pulsing lightning and arcing fire in the center of the room. Ciardis looked around hoping for a manual or display to pop up somewhere.
Maybe the geometric symbols on the walls will rearrange themselves into words?
She’d meant the thought sarcastically, but she wasn’t too far off. Half a second later, a bright beam of blue light shot out of the memeball struck the center of the wall opposite her.
It was so bright that Ciardis had to shade her eyes as she squinted. The light formed a shimmering square box. As she watched, the symbols on the wall began to fade slowly into the stone. She gasped at what she saw taking the symbols’ place.
Moving images of people were beginning to form on the wall.
The images of people, as vibrant and colorful as a living person, changed frequently. She saw the graceful figure of a woman
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