"Watt-Evans,.Lawrence.-.Ethshar.2.-.Single.Spell" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

Hmmm. Alderamon stared at him thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, May I see your dagger, please?
Puzzled, Tobas drew his athame and handed it to the wizard.
Alderamon drew his own knife and very carefully touched the two blades together, point to point.
A sharp crack split the air; multicolored sparks showered the table, and an odd smell that reminded Tobas of the air after a heavy thunderstorm filled the room. I didnt know it would do that! he exclaimed.
Now you know, Alderamon said, as he handed back the knife. You are indeed a wizard, beyond question, since you own a true athame. An athame has many special properties, including that sensitivity to others of its kind; even the experts don't know everything an athame will do.
Roggit never told me that; he just said that I would need it for most of my spells, and that it was the mark and sign of a true wizard.
It is that, and rather more; did you know that so long as you touch its hilt, you cannot be bound? No rope or chain can hold a wizard, so long as he has his athame. Touching the points, as I have just demonstrated, will tell you whether another knife is an athame or just a dagger, and thereby whether its owner is a wizard or a fraud; the intensity of the reaction varies with the proximity of the rightful owner, so that had you stolen that knife from he who made it, the noise and sparks would have scarcely been noticeable.
Tobas was fascinated. Really?
Really.
Tobas stared at the dagger in his hand for a long moment, then recalled himself and returned the blade to its sheath.
Now, you say your master died after teaching you only one combustion spell?
Yes.
When was this?
He died about three sixnights ago.
How old are you?
Seventeen, Tobas admitted reluctantly.
And in five years he taught you just one spell?
Ah ... I was older than twelve when he took me on, and he was a very old man, slow to teach me. He stared at the worn floorboards, wondering what Alderamon would do about this confession of unforgiveable irregularities in his apprenticeship.
Oh, well, its none of my concern, Alderamon said. Whats done is done, and you're a wizard now, however it happened. What do you want of me?
Well, Im alone in the world now my parents are dead, my master is dead, my cousins have thrown me out. I was hoping that the Wizards Guild would take care of one of its own and help me out. I have no money, no place to stay, and no prospects as a wizard with a single spell. Could it be arranged that I be taught more spells, so that I can earn a living?
Alderamon stared at him for a moment. Why did you come tome? he said at last.
You were the first wizard I found, Tobas replied.
Alderamon shook his head. Boy, I am no Guildmaster, no member of the inner circles if there truly are any inner circles.
But you're a wizard, a member of the Guild!
Well, yes...
Cant you help out a fellow wizard, then?
Its not my problem, lad; why should I burden myself? The Guild has done little enough for me over the years, and youve done nothing for me at all.
Id do anything I can for you, in exchange for being taught more spells, but what is there that I can do?
Nothing thats just the problem. I have an apprentice of my own coming next month, when she turns twelve, so I have no need for a student particularly as you can't be apprenticed at your age in any case. You have no way to pay me for food or shelter, let alone teaching you spells. We don'tdo that, you know; a wizards spells are his stock in trade, and hes not likely to give them out to the competition. I'll trade spells, on occasion teach a fellow one of mine in exchange for learning one of his but I don't sell them and I certainly don't teach them for free. Seeing Tobas look of utter desolation, he tried to soften the blow by adding, But you can stay here tonight; I can do that much for you, keep a roof over your head for one night and give you breakfast in the morning. When youve rested and had a good meal the world will look better. Perhaps you can findsomeone on Wizard Street who will take pity on you!
Tobas nodded in mute acceptance.
All right, then. I'll show you where youll sleep; I have an extra bed upstairs that my apprentice uses, when I have an apprentice. You're probably weary from your travels and ready to sleep, arent you?
Tobas nodded again, and followed.

Chapter Seven

Tobas spent the entire day after his arrival talking to wizard after wizard, up and down Wizard Street and all through the Wizards Quarter which, despite the name, also included an incredible variety of other magicians, from warlocks to witches and priests to prestidigitators, seers, sorcerers, and soothsayers, demonologists and necromancers, scientists and ritual dancers.
It was one of the most frustrating and depressing days of his life. Every single wizard acknowledged that Tobas was indeed a true compatriot and member of the Guild, and that he had had amazingly bad luck in having Roggit die when he did and every single wizard refused to consider teaching him anything at all. His age, obviously well over thirteen, immediately ruled out the possibility of an actual apprenticeship, and his complete lack of money or negotiable skills ruled out any possibility of buying lessons.
And no wizard in all of Ethshar of the Spices gave away trade secrets for free, not even to acknowledged compatriots and fellow Guild members.
Alderamon had been exactly right.
Listen, one very sincere young woman had told him after rejecting his desperate offer of a months servitude for a single useful spell since she could get apprentices, why bother with a bondsman? Why don't you just forget about being a wizard for now? Go out and make your fortune at something else, and then come back andbuy spells. All of us can use money, despite what some of these hypocrites may have told you; if we didnt need money we wouldnt be running shops here, would we? You wont see any really powerful wizards around the Wizards Quarter, you know they can afford better. So go and get rich, and you can come back and laugh at us all. Don't tell anyone you're a wizard; keep the Combustion a secret, for emergencies.Any spell can be useful if used cleverly, and there are plenty of opportunities for a brave young man.
I don't think Im particularly brave, Tobas answered doubtfully.
Well, a clever young man, then; brains are better than brawn, anyway.
But I don't knowhow to make my fortune at anything else! Ive never learned to fight, or farm, or sail, or anything!
Well, youll have to find something, because Tobas, you are simply not going to get anywhere as a wizard here in Ethshar. Go up to Shiphaven Market and sign up with one of the recruiters there thatll get you started.
If it doesnt get me killed, Tobas replied under his breath. More audibly, he thanked the wizard for her advice and politely took his leave.
That had been midafternoon; by dusk he was convinced he would need to find some sort of work, immediately, even if it meant leaving the city. When the torches and lanterns in front of the shops began to be extinguished or allowed to die, around midnight, he could see no alternative but Shiphaven Market. He had not eaten since Alderamons generous breakfast; his feet were tired, and his knuckles sore from rapping on so many doors.
The thing that amazed him, however, was that he had covered less than half the wizards in the area. The competition for magical business here, he decided, would be much too fierce for him even if hedid pick up a few more spells.
He remembered the shipmasters and the dethroned princess, and shuddered slightly at the thought of signing up with someone like that, with no clear guarantees of just what might be involved.
He had little choice, however. Reluctantly, he turned north on Arena Street and set out for Shiphaven Market.
Not surprisingly, given his unfamiliarity with the city, he got lost no fewer than three times on the way, and in the hours between midnight and dawn there are very few passersby one can ask for directions.