Chapter 1: A Final Duel

Lorraine already made a mistake. While sleeping in might be excusable had it been any other day, today was far different. Hastily, she dressed and then ran down a wealth of stairs in the cold morning fog to the Eldant. The procession began without her. A monotonous chant hummed from the Head Eldess whilst she swung a silver thurible like a clock’s pendulum. Lorraine closed the large wooden doors as quietly as she could. Tunring in, she could scarcely see where Simon and Charlotte were. A haze of smoke smelling like frankincense and dank mold had settled across the room. She clutched her bag close to her then. Inching between people, she finally found them and knelt between Simon and Charlotte. Then she rested her arms upon the row like everyone else in the chamber.
“I trust you slept well,” Simon whispered. “You’re late.”
“Did I not make it?” she tried.
He pinched his face, and she couldn’t tell if it was from disappointment or the smells.
“I tried, please believe me,” she whispered.
He grumbled to himself. Ruing  It was dear time she spent arranging a proper outfit for him. Deep blues and soft silken fabric from Cira, to match his terracotta brown skin. Rather he donned an obsidian  robe. A thick fabric belt cinching his waist to make him look slender. She preferred he wore something less macabre. Less like a mourning robe. Whether it was for her failure or her departure, she could scarcely say.
“What were you doing?” he whispered sharply.
“She told me she slept as though she were dead, professor,” Charlotte chimed.
Lorraine turned towards her glaring. “No, I promise I was training. I won’t lose this duel.”
“What were you doing Charlotte to prepare for today’s events.”
“I prayed as a pious woman does. All night.”
“Good.”
His gaze shifted slowly and he quickly motioned his hand in a circle from his forehead to his heart then back to his forehead. His prayer was for them both. Lorraine turned back to her gods. At the end of the sanctum behind a stone lectern were tapestries hung of the Greater Gods. Head Eldess Apolline, the leader of Merpalais’ Eldant grew ever closer with a grating monotonicity. Behind her was a smaller woman holding a velvet pouch open accepting golds and silvers; in her other hand, was a bronze basin full of laurel oil. They stopped before a student, and they set two silver into the pouch. No sooner, Apolline flicked oil onto their face. The student flinched back and righted themselves rubbing it into their skin. 
“Pray, Lorraine,” Simon said. “This is the last time I would hope you’d do this.”
Lorraine relaxed her shoulders. I pray to thee, please, let me win. A sharp elbow prodded her bicep, and she opened an eye to Charlotte. She learned towards her. A lock of her brown hair cloaking one her large doe eyes. She cupped her hand over her mouth, and whispered: “Did you hear about Vivienne?” 
People have been talking about who? She thought.
“No?”
Someone shushed them, so Charlotte raised her middle finger making a face. When she turned back to her, a grin spread across her face.
“They say, she rejected all of her apprenticeships. Should she fail to secure one, her family will marry her off.”
“Why would she do that? That was foolish.”
Lorraine wish she had apprenticeships to reject. Despite being saludatorian, she was graced with only one offer upon approaching the end of her schooling. Simon said that most foreigners like herself were lucky to get one in Corterre. The caliber of her apprenticeship was favorable too. Possibly the best one amongst her peers. All she had to do was secure her placement in duels.
“Isn’t it obvious? She wants yours. A proper one she calls it. A proper one that it would be wasted on an girl from a backwater town in the sticks of Orlogne.”
“Backwater?” 
“Yes, a girl from a backwater town from a backwater country. Her words, not mine.”
It felt like the Eldant’s vaulted ceiling collapsed on her. It would only mean one thing: Vivienne would be ruthless. In their past duels, they were always vying for the title of valedictorian. Only this time, Lorraine couldn’t lose. It would be conscription in the military. Her only option then would to exempt herself by marrying. She hung on the prayer bar before her and groaned. Nausea brewed in her stomach.
“Lorraine,” Simon began. “I warned you not to eat so quickly.”
“I haven’t eaten.”
“La Fountaine is after her apprenticeship, High Sorcerer,” Charlotte whispered over her.
Simon scoffed and rubbed her back. He leaned down to her.
“She can’t take it. It’s up to Lord Van Deist who he takes on,” he assured. “Trust that I trained you well. Don’t worry yourself with nonsense and gossip?”
“She’s after my apprenticeship, Simon. How can I not worry?”
Lorraine raised her her gaze only when Apolline began to go down their aisle. She sat up and the Eldess paused squinting her eyes at Lorraine while she flicked oil at Charlotte. In return, Charlotte put in three gold livres. To that, Apolline’s frowning turned to smiling. She moved onto Lorraine. The Eldess was dressed heavily in white and gold robes hanging off her thing frame. Ceremonial white circles were placed on her painted on her chin, cheeks, temples, and then one on her forehead.
“The late Chasseur’s daughter,” she said. “What an honor you have come to this service today.”
Her mentor shifted on his knees.
“Yes, Eldess,” Lorraine began.
The weight of her brown satchel rustled. A cat’s nose peaked out while Apolline’s pupils held out her coin purse. Lorraine caught Roiternay before he could pounce. The fiendish pet of hers so often jumped at the sight of gold. She tightened the bag.
“You brought that beast in here?” Simon whispered.
“He follows me,” she muttered.
Apolline set her thurible onto the ground letting the incense smoke cloud between them. The smell so pungent it burned her eyes. The Eldess bent down, and wiped the oil in a circle between her brows. 
“Morana watches you my dear, may her mercy serve you well,” she said.
Lorraine froze. Before she could speak, the Eldess stood upright and flicked the oil onto her. She passed to the next aisle after Simon dropped five gold into the pouch. When it was over, they all stood reciting the six prayers. Gods, this is why I hate Eldess Apolline. As they bowed after each one, Lorraine shuddered when they reached the last it was to Morana, the goddess of death. Apolline spun and chanted while swinging her arms with scepters with ribbons and jeweled rings at the end. After it was over, they began their trek to the front gate where they’d depart from each other. The whole time, Simon scolded her upon bringing Roiternay and briefed them on all that they had to remember. Such beasts didn’t belong in Eldants. She could barely hear him over the seagulls and roving villagers of Merpalais. 
She was sweating like a dog. Her uniform, a blue vest with a skirt that split at her legs over tan trousers and gaiters over boots, had the sigil of three golden clamshells emblazon on a white shield on her back and it’s material made her sweat all the more. Lorraine tightened her black hair before hauling the matagot out. He sprang up from the bag and settled on her shoulders. He perched rubbing his shadowy body against her face. 
“Can you imagine what a mess he would have made if he snatched the offerings?” Charlotte laughed.
“He’s well trained enough to never dare.”
“Because he is the portrait of well-trained beasts?”
They stopped before the main gate where Simon sharply turned on his heels. He held a finger before them and glowered. He’d been serious all week. Frantically cleaning his office and training her relentlessly. He even took her to the beach with Charlotte and Bellamy training them till they were all breathless and exhausted on the beach. Charlotte hooked her arm around Lorraine’s.
“Remember, what I’ve taught you. This isn’t like the past duels,” he said.
Charlotte nodded raising her finger and deepened her voice: “Slay your enemies.”
“No!” Simon snapped. He glanced around between the sellers expressing loudly he taught his students to be peaceful. Whether they followed or not was their choice alone. Lorraine was transfixed on the roasted monk-fish at a cart near the front gate. Her stomach was rumbling, and Simon snapped in front of her face.
“Focus This duel will determine your career, your life as a sorcerer,” he said. “A multitude of fates could come from this.”
She straightened her posture and nodded. “Sorry.”
“Remember, to do your best but most off all, show versatility, show inner strength, and show your capabilities. These people live fanciful lives, they want to be impressed. So do so,” he explained. 
They nodded. When he looked up at the sky, she knew it was about time. The weather was, despite the sorcerer’s disappointment, was perfect. He’d prefer harsher weather. His reasoning being: “A good sorcerer can fight in any of nature’s discomforts.” She thanked the nobles for insisting on good weather. It was about the only time she liked them. She sighed.
“Do you know if I’ll see Duke Van Deist?” Lorraine asked.
“He’ll be there,” Simon said. “So don’t disappoint, which I know you won’t. In here.”
He pressed a palm to his heart as he opened a portal behind him. She followed through and onto the beach they went. It was crowd. Students laying out quilts while nobles were on a raised wooden platform with blue pinstriped tents shading them from the oppressive sunlight. He smiled at them both before turning to greet the noblemen.
Charlotte leaned to her side. “Do we trust Simon’s judgment?”
Lorraine growled and chased her down the bridge.

The sun blazed above them. Many were already done. Worn out and battered with some of their uniforms speckled with blood and grime. Sand caked onto their faces with sweat. One student was still off to the side getting his bloody nose fixed. His eyes bloodshot from sorcerer’s drain. Lorraine turned to the tents behind them. Inside nobility dined and drank wine while the military officers sat in a tent of their own (some joined the nobles) that were standing rather still. Austere and vigilant like guard dogs set before a gate.
“That was horrible,” Charlotte groaned.
She dropped onto her knees and twisted onto her back. She groaned as Bellamy followed also collapsing. He held his cheek.
“Did you have to punch me just then?” he asked.
She nodded. “You deserved it for kicking me.”
He scoffed and threw himself back onto the blanket. He then clenched his fists and curled up. “I’ve finally graduated.”
“Three times a charm, as they say, right?” Charlotte laughed.
Bellamy about began fighting her as well, and they were about to wrestle before Lorraine separated them. They laid apart from each other as the next duel commenced. A fierce battle. Lightning forked out and slammed against the barrier Simon placed to protect them. Nausea brewed in her stomach. This is really it, she thought. She glanced over towards Vivienne. She sat on a folded out chair with her gaze unflinching on the ring. Two people flanked her. Students, they’d gone before her and were now fanning her and giving her water when she needed it.
“Are you nervous?” Bellamy asked.
She shook her head. Never. I am a Châtelaine. We are not afraid. She breathed in tightly. It wouldn’t be a repeat of last. When she dueled Vivienne, she was already down from being punched by a metal fist. One of her teeth had fallen out, and her friends stayed with her to search through the sand to find it and save her smile.
She held back her tears. Her matagot, Roiternay, was supposedly a good luck charm to those who tamed one. She wasn’t sure if he’d extend it to her today. After all, he was upset with her. Since she stopped him at the Eldant, he kept his head turned from her. His tail whipping into her side. Lorraine pressed a handkerchief to her temples and wiped her skin for what felt like the hundredth time. She posed with her hair swept behind her ears. She adjusted even the black choker at her throat.
“You have nothing to be nervous over,” Charlotte said.
“I am not nervous,” Lorraine cocked her head.
“Well, you shouldn’t be. You’re the best sorceress here. We all know it. What is Van Deist even looking for today? If it’s skill, you have it. Beauty, you have it.”
“He only said to impress him,” Lorraine said.
Impress him? What could that even mean? What would that entail? Would he even be impressed by me? After all he was from a powerful family. One connected to even the Emperor. Simon didn’t help answering her questions either. When she mustered the courage to ask him about her apprenticeship, he had few words to comfort her; rather, he only said: “I’d seen handsomer men.” Which she should have expected. Nothing impressed Simon. She wondered how she ever did herself.
She clutched the circular black pendant hanging from her choker Simon gifted her. Etched in its surface was an array that allowed her to store and draw out creatures she had. She wondered if the one she planned to use would work or wouldn’t. That would be up to her.
“Then you’ll do fine,” Charlotte assured. “I know so. You’re amazing.”
Lorraine embraced her and hoped she could simply sleep the duel away. Anything other than this. She was no fighter and even if she was in her mind, she was not built like one. 
“Maybe it won’t be that bad—“
A loud crackle sound from the middle of the duel. Wisps of fire swirled around the dome, and then lightning struck again. Into the sand went four, and three struck into the opponent’s side. He went flying back through the veil of protection and past the ring etched into the sand. He rolled through the sand and students parted out of his way to avoid getting hit. A loud groan followed and Simon felled the ward with fourth and third rank decided. The winner jumped up smiling and cheering before wobbling on his feet. His nose began to bleed, and he fell back in the sand.
“Sorcerers on deck, shift it!” Simon snapped. 
Lorraine froze. This was it. I’m up next. This is really it. She took a deep breath.
As professors and other students dragged the students off to the side and healed them, Simon turned on his heel towards the students. His gaze briefly met with Lorraine’s. She had no time to think. This was really her last duel in university. After this, she would be a sorceress of the Corterch empire. No longer would she be a novice. Simon looked over to the other worn out students. He smirked. 
“Now, while our final participants prepare, lets discuss what was done wrong and right in the duel.”
Lorraine turned back to her friends. Charlotte raised her fist.
“Go on, knock her on her arse,” she whispered.
Lorraine swallowed hard and made her way to meet with Vivienne. Everyone’s eyes were creeping over her. She inched towards the dueling ring fixing her hair and straightening up her blouse. She swallowed hard, rung out her hands again and wiped them down her beige trousers. You can do this. Remember your strategy.
Together they met in the middle of the ring waiting for their last duel to commence.
“Lorraine,” Vivienne said.
“Vivienne.” 
Vivienne nodded. Lorraine sweat even more so than before. She probably looked stupid like a sunburned shaking twig. Vivienne leaned towards her with her mouth quirking up into a smile. The princess was beautiful no doubt. Pretty blonde hair that curled and sharp blue eyes. Her smile though, it was thin and sometimes Lorraine couldn’t look away from it thinking how she’d never seen lips so thin. The Princess batted her eyes.
“You’ve risen high for someone of your station.”
Lorraine’s brow twitched. “My station.”
“Oh yes. I mean from a little town in Orlogne to the second ranked student of Merpalais’s University. It’s impressive. I can scarcely tell how you managed it.” 
Lorraine took a deep breath, and she leaned forward as well.
“I heard you were offered some apprenticeships. Have you accepted any of them?” Lorraine asked.
Vivienne paled. Her eyes scanning her up and down. “What did you say?”
“Which apprenticeship did you accept?”
The princess scoffed. Shifting her weight, she leaned closer to whisper.
“I believe this is the only apprenticeship meant for me. Consider it a compliment to be dually considered. Apart from the fact that it doesn’t befit you, but you don’t know him like I do. So back off.”
“Did no other apprenticeships befit you? Or did you always mean to steal mine?” Lorraine dared say.
Vivienne glanced around, and she cocked her head. She scanned her over.
“It’s for your own good. You’d be wise to do what I prefer.”
Lorraine drew a sharp breath. The air was warm and salty. It was perfect for a duel apart from the beating sun. She tightened her fist.
“No, I prefer to win,” Lorraine said.
Vivienne scoffed as Simon clapped his hands together.
“And now! A round of applause for our last duel!” Simon announced.
The whole of the beach applauded whether it was for it to finally be over or genuine admiration. Simon stepped backward presenting them with a grin. When he turned fully towards them, it dropped instantaneously. He ran a hand over his aging face. In the sunlight, the gray peppering his hair and stubble was visible. It took her forever to convince him to stop plucking the gray out. Now he looked just as Professor de Pizan liked.
“Now do we remember the rules?” he asked. He mainly looked to Vivienne. She smiled and nodded. “No excessive force, when blood is shed the duel ends immediately. Is that understood? Say you understand.”
“Understood,” they said.
He nodded again. “You are permitted to use as many spells as you please. As soon as one of you bleed, move past the barrier, or forfeit, the duel is finished. Understood?”
“Understood.”
They parted to their respective sides. Simon led Lorraine across setting his palm onto her shoulder, the other on his stomach.
“Six years have built up to this moment,” he whispered.
A smile tugged at her lips as he spoke in her mother tongue. Orlognian. So often when they were alone, they spoke in it. His dimples showed as he faintly smiled. Her back turned away with her feet a couple inches from the edge of the barrier line. A light breeze swept through, the smell of salt and sea on it’s back.
“Look at me,” Simon said.
She raised her gaze from the line between them.
“Whatever happens, I promised your father I’d care for you,” he said and pointed to the nobles. “None of them matter. Focus on this, and no matter, I’ll ensure arrangements are in order. I’ll protect you as much as I’m allowed.”
Lorraine bowed her head. Allowed was the key word. She knew he’d try his best, but if the college’s council decided against him, he’d have no choice. He fulfilled his duty to her, but he had his obligations too. She nearly hugged him but stopped for appearances sake.
“You have the advantage that you know your opponent well. Not many can say that, so use it.”
She nodded. He patted her head and walked past the barrier whilst it slowly raised.
“What can I expect?” he asked.
“Perfection.”
“No, you’re best.”