Quiet Magic by Steve Miller, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller Read Free Book Online Page A

had
already fixed her eyes on the blue gem, though the light from it
hurt her head.
    "This, then, is how it is done, my
children..." The Master's voice came from a far away, fading into
the blue that was all around her, that permeated her. Floating in a
warm sea of azure light, Petrie felt something enter her skull,
even to the depths where the truth was always told her. She felt
the something enter that deep part of her and--twist. Petrie
screamed, or tried to. Within the blue there was no
sound.
    Then it was gone, over. She stood on
her two feet upon the grass not ten feet from the Master's wagon.
She sensed the boy standing to her left. The Master himself stood
before them, unsmiling, cloak concealing his hands.
    "So." He nodded, once. "Sit. There
will be refreshments. Then a test." He turned to the swaying boy.
"My son, you should know that this test will determine whether your
studies with me can continue. There are three possible outcomes.
One is that you alone will pass. In that case, you will become my
apprentice and learn all that I can teach you.
    "The second possibility is that you
both will pass. In this instance, I will take responsibility for
seeing that you are situated with a Master of like persuasion." He
paused, looking deeply into the boy's fierce eyes.
    "The third possible outcome is that
you will fail, my son. If that should happen, I will send you home.
Before I do, however, I will ask you once again to look into a
gemstone that I have. When you do, the desire to envelop the Power
will leave you. The Sight will remain, as a source of delight to
you only. I have found it less cruel that way." He extended a hand.
"Now, do sit down, please."
    Petrie followed the command, her legs
suddenly rubbery. But the boy remained standing, hands clenched
into fists as his sides. "And her? What if she fails?"
    The Master tipped his head. "Much the
same. However, since she has no home to return to, I shall take
responsibility for finding her one. Is this
satisfactory?"
    The boy nodded jerkily, then, as if
his legs would no longer hold him, he collapsed to the
grass.
    The Master turned toward the wagon.
Through the open door came a tray laid with cheese and bread,
orbiting which was a pitcher filled with milk and three yellow
glasses. Petrie leaned forward, finding the pale outline of a wind
that reminded her of the picture of Octopus in the orphanage's
Bestiary.
    The tray settled between the three of
them; the milk was poured and handed around. At a nod from the
Master, the wind removed itself to the wagon, bearing the pitcher
with it. The Master sat cross-legged upon the grass.
    "Eat."
    This evening even Petrie had no
appetite and the meal was soon done. At a gesture from the Master,
the octopus-wind reappeared and cleared away the tray and
glasses.
    The Master stood, motioning Petrie and
Authberk to do the same.
    "Now the test," he said, voice stern
and not at all warm. "I will cause winds to come against you. You
will not try to control them, only to withstand them." He went a
long step backward, his cloak snapping back over his shoulders in a
sudden gust. "It begins!"
    Petrie saw the stormwind hurtling
toward her from the Master's out flung hands. A lean black cat
shape it was, open mouth showing teeth like icy daggers. Petrie
braced herself, felt the weight of it crash into her, rocked--and
held. She barely had time to see the next one--like Elephant in the
Bestiary--before it hit her. The third she never saw at
all.
    In the end, all she could do under the
onslaught of wind after wind after wind, was retreat to the depths
of herself and chant, like no prayer the nuns had ever taught her,
"I am Petrie. I am Petrie. I am Petrie. I AM -- "
    Windlessness. Petrie dared to open her
eyes. The Master stood before her, cloak shrouding him, taffy brown
eyes smiling. With difficulty, she turned her head. Authberk sat on
the grass. There were tears on his white cheeks.
    Petrie turned back to the Master,
brows pulling together in