The Shaman's Curse (Dual Magics Book 1) by Meredith Mansfield Read Free Book Online Page B

decided not to open the forge, maybe there’d be something
to do in the indoor workshops at the Guild Hall. He just hoped it wouldn’t be
the fiddly work with the finer metals—gold and silver. Copper and bronze were
all right, though.
    Uncle Lanark clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re wanted at
the Guild Hall today.”
    Vatar nodded. About what he’d expected. “Do you know what
we’ll be working on?”
    Uncle Lanark tried to conceal a secretive smile. “You’ll
find out soon enough. Off you go. Oh, better grab a change of clothes to take
with you. You’ll be gone for a few days. Trust me, you don’t want to be late
for this.”
    Vatar went back to his apprentice quarters to grab a change
of clothes. Now why would he need that? Unless . . . unless this was to be the
beginning of the manhood tests for the Smith Craft boys. Already? Vatar quickly
counted the moon cycles since he’d been in Caere. Huh! It was indeed the end of
summer, the month the Dardani called First Lion. He smiled. A very auspicious
time for the manhood rites of a member of the Lion Clan. He snatched up the
first things he came to and almost ran out the door, chased by Uncle Lanark’s
laughter.
    Reaching the courtyard of the Guild Hall, Vatar skidded to a
halt next to Fowin, his best friend among the apprentices his age. “Is it our
manhood rites?”
    Fowin turned to grin at him. “No one knows for sure, but I’m
betting it is.”
    The great doors opened and the Guild Master stepped out, followed
by two strangers in long green and blue robes. Vatar had been in Caere long
enough to recognize them as Fasallon priests. Looked like it was indeed to be
the manhood tests.
    “Many of you have been anticipating this day. It has finally
come. You will leave today to prepare for your manhood rites. These priests
will take you to the Temple. Good luck to all of you,” the Guild Master
announced.
    Vatar swung into step beside Fowin as they followed the
priests out of the gate and through the streets of Caere back to the Temple
district.
     
     

Chapter 9: The Temple
     
    Cestus trod along at the sedate pace set by the senior
priest, leading yet another group of boys, only a few years younger than he
was, to be shepherded through their manhood rites. It had been an interesting
assignment at first. Now it was just repetitive. And boring. Thankfully, this
would be nearly the last group for this year. Then, with luck, Montibeus would
give him a more interesting assignment, like, just maybe, teaching. That was
what he really wanted to do. It was what he’d be good at. It didn’t take
magical Talent to teach children to read, write, and compute.
    When they reached the dormitory/classroom set aside for this
purpose, the senior priest nodded to Cestus. “Take charge of them. Their first
lesson will begin shortly.”
    Cestus had to bite his tongue to keep from displaying
ill-advised curiosity. With every group before this, Felareus had launched into
the first lesson as soon as they had the boys settled. Cestus resisted the urge
to question his superior and merely nodded respectfully.
    Felareus returned the nod and left. Cestus turned to the
boys who were at least temporarily in his charge.
    “My name is Cestus. I’ll be responsible for you while you’re
here. For the next seven-day, you will spend your days preparing both for your
tests and for your responsibilities as men. For now, find yourselves a cot and
settle in. You have a short time before your first lesson begins.”
    Cestus stood by the door, idly watching the boys as they
stowed the few possessions they’d brought with them under a cot and chattered
excitedly to one another, just like every other group all summer. One boy
caught his attention. He seemed a little apart from the others—at least he didn’t
join in the banter. And there was something about his eyes that Cestus couldn’t
quite put his finger on. Something different.
    Cestus turned at the sound of footsteps in the