They usually didn’t live long enough.
Bonding five to one of a similar age?Raising them together, teaching them to serve?What an amazing and clever idea.
How much more could Riven have accomplished with five absolutely loyal minions?
Mira was muttering about better light and more candles, Witless was knocking the desk against the door frame, but Riven could not wait any longer.He sat on the edge of his cot, and with Caris looking over his shoulder, unrolled the scroll.
It was inscribed on what had to be human skin, turned into soft vellum that was warm and supple in his hands.The rollers were bone, no doubt human as well, and yellowed with age.Without a thought, Riven invoked mage sight, but there was no glow.That didn’t surprise him.It was safer that way.Any Chained Mage who found it would destroy it immediately.
No, the surprise lay in the thin black words inscribed on the skin.
As he unrolled the scroll, spells of blood curses, divination through human entrails, and the preservation of odium once raised, were displayed.
Caris cleared her throat.“The one spell,” she said, inclining her head toward the scroll.“And no other.Yet.”
Riven nodded and continued rolling until he reached the binding spell.It was clearly the one most used, the vellum showing signs of wear there.
The tiny handwriting, cribbed into columns.The intricately drawn out spell-patterns, in spidery black lines.It was so complicated.So specific in its wording.The preparations would take a month at least, and the materials?
Mira and Witless left, so Riven moved to the desk, spreading out the scroll reverently.Caris settled to a chair in a corner, and took up what seemed like knitting, with needles that looked far too sharp to be safe.They danced in her hands, gleaming in the light.
The scroll drew him back.Gold dust and diamond dust mixed in certain proportions.The total amounts listed came to pounds of the stuff.The dimensions of the matrix that must be drawn out would take an entire room, with lines inches thick.No wonder it was so rarely cast, the sheer cost would prevent many from even considering such a thing.What noble family could afford this?
Which begged a question.He lifted his head.“Does the Queen have siblings?”
“No,” Caris didn’t even look up.“Her mother died at her birth and her father sired no more children.”
“Ah,” Riven turned back and continued to read.Human sacrifice, and of course the children to be Bonded, unblemished and healthy, and of the same age as the one they were to be bonded to.
Hm.A human sacrifice, innocent of course, but not just for the energy of the blood.Riven blinked, dazed, when he read that the body of the sacrifice was consumed, wrung of every bit of life from all flesh and bone.
It took his breath.The power required, the life force, the cost of the gems and diamond dust alone.It was amazing, and at a level of magic he’d never dared approach.A major casting, certainly.
Witless lumbered in, tray in one hand.“Kavage, Master.”
“Thank you,” Riven responded automatically.He reached for the mug, then noticed, cradled in Witless’s arm, a doll baby.
Riven glanced up to see Witless’s smile brighten.“Baby,” he nodded rapidly, clearly excited.He cooed at the doll, cradling it as he left, closing the door tight behind him.
The lad seemed happy enough.Riven turned back to the sweet puzzle of the scroll and the challenge it offered, not even distracted by the quiet click of Caris’s needles.
Later, much later, he was brought back to himself by a touch on his shoulder.
Mira stood there, clearly amused.“It’s late,” she said.
Riven eased back from the desk, feeling the crick in his neck.The candles were gutted, their light ebbing.A tray sat close at hand; he’d clearly eaten.Not that he had a memory of that, all that danced before his eyes were the words.“It’s amazing,” he blurted out.“There is so much to be done, so much work.I have to memorize entire—”
“Not tonight,” Mira smiled even as she reached over to roll up the scroll.“Start again in the morning.”
Riven nodded as she left, carrying the scroll in its box.Still half-lost in his thoughts, he automatically prepared for bed.Notes, he’d have to take notes, make lists, plan out all the steps carefully.
Witless lumbered in, cradling the baby doll, and took the dinner tray.“Master done?”
“Master done.”Riven yawned and pulled up the blankets.“So much work to do…” he murmured to himself.
“Master care for babies.Witless care for babies.”Witless rumbled.“All good.”With that, he left, pulling the door behind him.The lock clicked into place.
Riven sighed, settling back into the comfort of the cot.He blinked into the darkness, his body relaxed, but his mind churning over the details.He drew a breath, willing himself to sleep.There was much to do in the morning, and—
