Evora shrugged. “Once I knew it could be done, it was just a matter of figuring it out.”
“You have a rare gift,” Master Zoran said. He sighed. “But I want you to know, I am going to name Jostin my successor. And,” he said, peering at her in the way that he did, “from now on we won’t be working together any more.”
“I see,” Evora said, trying to hide her disappointment.
“Please, Evora, come with me. Bring your wand.”
Master Zoran led Evora along corridors, up carpeted stairs and through several locked doors to a part of the Academy Evora had never been to before.
Finally, Master Zoran stopped outside an open archway. Evora came to stand beside him and her mouth dropped open.
Looking through the arch, she could see nothing but an empty void of darkness. There was space out there though, she could sense it. If she fell, she knew it would be a long way down.
“Come,” Master Zoran said, “stand here.”
He led Evora onto the silken mat that stood in front of the archway. Looking down, Evora could see symbols woven into the mat. Clever, she thought.
Master Zoran straightened his robes and took a deep breath. In all the years she had known him, Evora had never seen him like this. “Keep your eyes down, Evora,” he said, “and only raise them when I say.”
Evora had heard of this place but she couldn’t believe she was really here. Master Zoran spoke some words and the silk mat began to glow, gradually becoming more radiant with every passing moment. If this was the place Evora thought it was – and there could only be one place like this – then he shouldn’t be saying these words where she could hear them.
Evora held her breath. Not unless, she thought, Master Zoran wanted her to hear them.
Master Zoran led her forward, and now at her feet Evora could see a glowing pathway, a bridge of runes, crossing the empty void. At the end of the pathway there was a door. The pair crossed in silence, but as they arrived Master Zoran spoke another word. The door opened and they stepped through. Master Zoran guided Evora as she kept her eyes down.
The door closed behind them and Evora saw a polished wooden floor beneath her feet. Her peripheral vision told her she was in a large room and that she and Master Zoran were not alone.
“Master Zoran,” a deep, booming voice said. “I have to say I’m surprised to see someone with you. Either she’s deaf, or you expect her to come here again. Or perhaps this is a one-way journey for the girl. The void you just crossed isn’t bottomless, but it is a long way down.”
Evora kept her head down, even though she desperately wanted to look up. Her fingers gripped her wand tightly.
“High Enchanter, you always said to tell you if I ever found someone special. Well, here she is. I’ve only seen one other with as much talent for enchantment as this apprentice.”
“And, Zoran, who might that be?”
“You, High Enchanter Greffon.”
The deep voice chuckled. “Look up, apprentice,” Evora heard the voice directed at herself.
She hadn’t realized how large the High Enchanter’s workroom would be – it was more of a series of rooms. Glass jars bubbled as heatplates warmed them from beneath and nearby vials of black liquid rested next to tools on a workbench. Books lined shelves on the walls, taking up every available space from floor to ceiling. Scrolls and tablets lay scattered about on a low table. Evora's eye was drawn to an emerald orb, inlaid with gold runes, proudly displayed on a pedestal.
The High Enchanter sat at a desk, a heavy book open in front of him. He wore a robe of green silk that shimmered as his body shifted. Smile lines creased the corners of his eyes, which sparkled as he looked at her. Evora realized he had been making fun of her.
“What is your name, Apprentice?” High Enchanter Greffon said.
“My name is Evora, High Enchanter. Evora Guinestor.”
“Are you as good as Master Zoran here says you are, Evora?”
Evora lifted her chin as she met his gaze. “Yes, High Enchanter. Yes I am.”
“The emerald orb over there… What does it do? If you can answer that now, I will accept you as my apprentice.”
Evora knew it was impossible to tell; once again, the High Enchanter was making sport with her. She was suddenly tired of being led around – by the rules and contests of the Academy of Enchanters, and by the men who saw her as an easily-dominated woman.
“Do I have your word on that, High Enchanter?”
“Yes,” the High Enchanter smiled. “Yes you do.”
Evora lifted her wand and pointed it at the orb on its pedestal.
With a clear voice, she spoke the seven words of power.
“I can tell you in all truthfulness, High Enchanter, that the emerald stone does nothing." Evora smiled as she lowered the wand and turned back to the two wide-eyed men. "I suppose,” she finished, addressing the High Enchanter, “I should now call you master?”
The Discovery