Chapter 2 The beginning 2

Aragoth of Elkwood." I answered, trying to sound surer than I was. I could think of no one who would better suit what I saw, but Ethric was fond of springing the unknown on me when I least expected it. I let the rest of my senses touch the wards as I answered, getting a feel for the magic of them. I'd had a chance to feel a few of Aragoth's workings before, and this 'tasted' like those things of his I already knew. Cleaner though, less convoluted, purer. "Probably from before the Cicasian turmoil." I added. "Good," was my reward, but quickly dampened. "Pull yourself in a little Pac. Don't give Tynis a reason to be any more agitated than he is." I reigned my wizard senses back within myself and watched the tower stones return to their earlier subdued glow. "Once we enter the inner keep, leave the talking to me," Ethric spoke softly as we approached the gate. We'd been over these things several times already, but here was his last chance to strengthen my chances of avoiding embarrassment, or worse, so he said again the things I already knew. "If you are asked a direct question, you may answer, but you will look to me for confirmation first, understand?" I nodded. "Tynis will try and quarter you with the troops or the servants, but do not protest it, leave that to me. He knows as well as I do that you are neither bodyguard or servant, but he will try to score some points in the eternal stupid game the royals play. I will not have you used for such trivial pursuits, do you hear?" I nodded. I nodded a lot during those times when Ethric found his tongue. He was normally a man of few words, and would seldom use two words when one would do, but he often found his tongue when it came to moments of instruction for me. "If Tynis tries to get you onto the sands with one of his soldiers, accept. You're a match for anyone in his guard and it would serve us well that he learns that. If he matches you with Stannis though, take care. That man is deadly and if Tynis says kill he will not hesitate. You cannot defeat Stannis without using magic, so don't try. All you need do is survive long enough to make his intention clear and then I will step in." I nodded again, accompanied by a grimace this time. I had spent a good deal of time studying the disciplines of war while under Ethric's tutelage. I knew the sword and dagger well, and was a fair hand with a bow and crossbow. Still, I was no seasoned soldier, and while I was more than tall enough, I didn't have the bulk most warriors did. I also had no real experience on the field of battle. At fifteen, most warriors my age would have seen some true conflict. Gaen was a world at war, and had been for all my years, it seemed. "and if none of these things come to pass?" Ethric asked, interrupting my train of thought. "Then we go gladly to our rooms, eat heartily, sleep soundly and wonder at how serious the situation must be," I parroted back what I'd already been told. "Halt!" the cry came from a guard at the gate, even as we were drawing to a stop in front of him. "Who goes there?" "Ethric of the Vale," my master answered, adding. "and apprentice." The guard's eyes flickered down for a moment, and I assumed they had a simple truth stone there and he had just checked Ethric's answer with it. The stones were no real barrier to a wizard. Even I knew enough to lie my way past one undetected, but they served their purpose well in scrying for the honest intent of common men. "Yes my lord, we've been expecting your arrival. Let me summon you an escort." Ethric nodded his agreement and then in almost the same motion nodded again towards the gate itself as the guard turned to make his summons. "Tell me about the gate. What do your senses see?" I opened my wizard's sense a little once again and regarded the posts and lintel that formed it. A section of ornately carved marble seemed inset into the plainer stone of the lintel and matching carved marble insets decorated the posts on each side. I let my senses pour into it and saw the clever way in which the truth of it was disguised.