The Thorn of Dentonhill by Marshall Ryan Maresca Page B

ago,” Harleydale finished for him. “A most regrettable incident.”
    â€œSeries of incidents,” Professor Alimen said under his breath. That was still selling it softly. In 1212, five different Mage Circles, all over the city, fought in the streets. Viciously. Savagely. Mages weren’t the only casualties, as plenty of bystanders were also killed.
    Veranix bit his lip to keep from saying anything. It was almost laughable. No brawl between the Rose Street Princes and the other Aventil gangs had ever had that much collateral damage. From what Veranix could gather, not even in 1194, when Fenmere rolled the whole neighborhood and Aventil fractured—not even then did innocent people get badly hurt. Yet Colin and his Princes were hounded, and Mister Harleydale and other Circle members walked about unmolested.
    â€œReally, Alimen,” Kalas said, his voice full of open contempt, shaking Veranix out of his reverie. “This is your top student? I don’t see anything about his aura that impresses me that much.” Veranix’s eyebrows went up at hearing that.
    â€œTop student in practical exercises,” Alimen said. “Quite remarkable when it comes to practical application. His study of theory . . . still requires attention.”
    â€œHmph,” Kalas said. “As does his punctuality. Perhaps I should have just gone to the Royal College of Maradaine, instead.”
    â€œIf you wish, Kalas,” Alimen said. “I was simply giving you the courtesy of meeting Mister Calbert.”
    â€œYour courtesy overwhelms,” Kalas said. “I thought you had a gifted bloodhound in your stable as well.”
    â€œI have a student who has exceptional talent in sensing
numina
,” Professor Alimen said. Veranix could hear him gritting his teeth as he said it. “But he is explicitly bonded to another Circle already.”
    â€œPity.”
    Veranix thought the professor must have been talking about Delmin, but he wasn’t promised to any Circle yet. Was he just flat-out lying to keep Kalas away from Delmin? Veranix could hardly blame Alimen for that.
    â€œWhere do his strengths lie?” Harleydale asked. He was walking around Veranix, looking him up and down as if inspecting a horse he would buy.
    â€œPractical innovation.” Veranix held up his chin high. If these mages wanted to check him out, he’d give them his best.
    â€œTrue,” Alimen said. “Mister Calbert has been quite clever in how he shapes magic.”
    â€œHe has good tone,” Harleydale said, groping Veranix’s shoulder.
    â€œThank you, sir.” Veranix thought this disturbing. He didn’t know he was going to get pawed over by anyone today.
    â€œYes, well,” Alimen said. “Perhaps we should begin, yes? I thought we would do the Vase Exercise.” Veranix was confused. Alimen appeared to be showing him off to these two, but the Vase Exercise was one of his worst.
    â€œIf you say so, sir,” Veranix said.
    â€œI really don’t need to see that,” Kalas said. He went to the door.
    â€œI guess I’m not being recruited by him, then,” Veranix let slip.
    â€œThe Blue Hand Circle does not recruit,” Kalas said from the door. “We invite. Exclusively.”
    â€œMust be very exclusive. I’ve never heard of you.”
    â€œVeranix!” Professor Alimen said sternly.
    â€œWe do not need to shout our name,” Kalas said. “A whisper will do. Good day, Alimen.” He left the office.
    Alimen let out a deep exhale. “What a horse’s ass.”
    â€œI wasn’t going to say it,” Harleydale said. “I’ve never liked him.”
    â€œI was about to say it,” Veranix said.
    â€œYou shouldn’t, Mister Calbert,” Alimen said. “Blue Hand is a very small Circle, but they are powerful.”
    â€œCouldn’t prove it by me,” Veranix said.
    â€œYour professor