L. Modesitt - Natural Ordermage

On the wagon, and on the barge downstream, Jyrolt had talked far more about the overall mission of the mage-guards, and about their history than about specifics of mage-guard duties. Rahl had found it interesting that the early emperors had been ordermages, not chaos-mages, and that one of them had actually created the mage-guards, but now he was listening carefully to Caersyn, because he needed to know more.

“Now…here’s the duty book,” said Caersyn, “and because I’m lazy, and you need to learn about Swartheld, you’ll be doing the entries this morning. The captain likes them neat.”

Rahl doubted that would be a problem.

“He’ll be in shortly. He likes to spend some time with all the new mage-guards. Since nothing’s happening yet, you might as well start reading the station manual.” Caersyn pulled a leather-bound book from a shelf under the single drawer of the battered oak desk.

Rahl opened it to the first page.

He’d read four pages, when Caersyn whispered, “Here comes the captain.”

Even before he reached Rahl, the dark-haired and blue-eyed Mage-Captain Gheryk radiated a cheerful strength.

Rahl stood. “Ser.”

“You’re our new addition, Mage-Guard Rahl?”

“Yes, ser.”

“Good.” Gheryk glanced at Caersyn. “I see you’ve already put him to work.”

“Yes, ser. You and the undercaptain always start them here.”

“I can tell I’m getting too predictable,” replied the captain before turning his eyes back on Rahl. “I need to go over a few things with you. Why don’t you come with me?” He grinned at Caersyn. “He’ll be back before long.”

“Yes, ser.”

Gheryk led the way to a small windowless chamber less than twenty cubits away, where he settled behind a small desk and gestured for Rahl to take the straight-backed chair across the desk from him. The room was empty except for the desk and chairs, a small bookcase less than half-filled, and a wooden file chest.

“Welcome to Swartheld.”

“Thank you, ser.”

“You’ve been assigned to Swartheld port station. The other station is the city station, but it’s on the south side. There’s a naval station over by the piers, but the mage-guards there are in the navy. I’m in charge of both Swartheld stations, but the day-to-day operations are run by the undercaptains. Craelyt is the undercaptain here, and Demarya is the undercaptain of the city station. There’s a map in the station manual that shows which sections of the city which station patrols, but you’ll learn them all in time, because you’ll be rotated over there at some point for familiarization. You won’t meet Craelyt until tomorrow because he has today off, and I usually take eightdays off.

“Caersyn was right about putting you on the duty desk today, and having you read the manual. You’ll also draw another set of uniforms and another pair of boots. Alternate the boots every day. They’ll last longer, and so will your feet. There’s one other thing. It’s mentioned in the manuals, but I want to emphasize it. Mage-guards are never truly off duty, except when you’re sleeping. You wear your uniform everywhere outside your quarters, except bathing or swimming, and you always wear a weapon outside the quarters. This is true in all towns and cities, even though it is mentioned only briefly in the Manual of the Mage-Guards. Part of the reason for this is that mage-guards are a group apart, and we are never to deceive others as to who and what we are. Another part of that is that there are never enough of us, and when we all wear our uniforms everywhere, we create the impression of a larger force.” Gheryk leaned forward slightly. “Peaceful and orderly as it may seem, Swartheld is a dangerous city, Rahl, even for mage-guards. We do lose guards. Sometimes, we never find a trace of them.”

Rahl nodded.

Gheryk’s eyes sharpened. “That’s a knowing look. What were you thinking?”

“I don’t know if you know, ser. I was once a clerk here in Swartheld. I woke up one morning seasons later in Luba without any memories. It took another season before I recalled anything. I was agreeing with your observation that it’s a dangerous city.”

Abruptly, Gheryk laughed. “Oh…you’re the one Taryl was inquiring about last spring. That’s probably why Jyrolt left a note that he wanted to talk to me about you. You’re the outlander who registered and had been a clerk with the Recluce trade outfit. You speak like an educated Atlan, and I didn’t realize who you were.”

“Yes, ser.”

The mage-commander was the one to nod. “Seen that way, I’m beginning to understand why you were sent here. Mage-Examiner Jyrolt left your evaluation, but I haven’t talked to him yet. Your weapons skills are impressive. He never exaggerates. I only wish you were on the chaos side. It’s a little safer to be able to handle some of these bravos from a distance.” He fingered his chin. “But…in crowded areas, one can’t always use chaos. I think we’ll have you on the piers to begin with…after you’ve spent an eightday on the duty desk as an assistant so that you’ll get to know everyone, and they’ll get to know you. You’ll also have time to read the station manual and listen to the others about what is happening.”

“Yes, ser.” That all made sense to Rahl.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Just one, for now, ser. I’m sure I’ll have more later.” He paused, then asked, “Is there any way to send coins places safely, like to Recluce? I suppose I could get a draft from the Exchange, but…”

Gheryk raised his eyebrows slightly.

“I need to repay someone for a favor, for getting word to my parents that I was safe.”

The captain’s frown vanished. “You can send your Exchange draft with assurance through most bonded Hamorian factors. The assurance fee is a silver for the first five golds, and a silver for each ten above that, I’m told. That’s only for a draft, though. You can’t send actual coins, of course.”

“Thank you, ser.”

“Any other questions?”

“No, ser.”

“That will be all…for now.”

As Rahl headed back toward the duty desk, he came face-to-face with Jyrolt. “Ser.”

Jyrolt looked at Rahl. “You’ve already met with Mage-Captain Gheryk?”

“Yes, ser. I didn’t know exactly what to say. I just told him that I’d been a clerk and a registered outlander and lost my memories and woke up in Luba. He remembered Taryl’s inquiry. I didn’t want to say more after what you’d told me.”

“Good. I’ll explain the rest.”

Rahl didn’t sense any deception in Jyrolt, but he still worried as he rejoined Caersyn.

“The captain set you straight?”

“He was pretty direct.” Rahl paused. “What are the undercaptains like?”

“Craelyt’s our undercaptain,” replied the duty mage-guard, “and he doesn’t say much, except what needs to be said. Knows being a mage-guard, been one longer than even the captain. Likes to handle things quiet-like. Always pointing out that mage-guards aren’t supposed to be seen, just supposed to keep things orderly.”

Caersyn didn’t seem inclined to say much more, and Rahl went back to reading the manual. He’d gotten through several more pages when Mage-Captain Gheryk appeared again.

“Anything I should know, Caersyn?”

“It’s been quiet this morning, ser, but it’s early. If there’s trouble, it’ll be tonight.”

Gheryk laughed softly. “Sevenday nights.” His eyes turned on Rahl. “Let’s see your truncheon.”

Rahl stood and handed it over. He’d oiled and polished it, but it showed the abuse it had taken at Luba.

“That’s a sorry-looking truncheon you’ve got there. I thought that might be the case.”