Iduna Read Free Page A

“We do not know why, how far they intend to go, or how large a threat they represent.” He paused, contemplating.
    “It seems there is much that we do not know,” Angko said, replacing his spectacles on the bridge of his narrow nose.
    “We have been thinking about how we can learn more”—Harmazd alternated making eye contact with Angko and Reza—“and how Mistress Iduna is particularly suited to this situation.”
    Her statement met unresponsive faces. An amount of time was allowed to pass, which permitted everyone a moment to think and room for anyone’s voice to be heard.
    “Perhaps someone with more concrete experience with the world than Iduna would be more suited,” Reza offered.
    “Mistress Iduna knows plenty about the world. She has had years of study and traveled with her parents who were traders when she was much younger. She was the best Spellcrafter of her class,” Angko said. “She was also born of Ull parents and is pure Ull.”
    “Spells learned from books and done in the Institute are one thing,” Reza began. “Executing them in the real world, and when it counts, is another. On top of that, I'm not sure we should be drawing the attention of the Ull to us.” Reza moved to shift beyond the iconic differences between the two schools and to rest his argument on something new. “If we seek out the Ull, we may turn their sights on us.”
    The words hovered, and everyone turned to the tea setting in front of them. As the youngest, Iduna moved to do the serving. Steam rose as she poured tea into each of the small blue porcelain cups. Settling back, they all sipped quietly.
    Lady Harmazd looked between the two Sensei and inclined her head slightly to Angko before turning to nod at the Secretary of Defense.
    “Your opinion is important to us,” Thaksin acknowledged, clearly realizing that he was quickly becoming hamstrung. Reza was an important leader. “We'll deliberate more. I'm sorry, Mistress Iduna. Your presence here was impetuous on my part. We'll call on you if we decide to send you out. Stay close and ready.”
    His words and the quick change in direction confused her. Everyone stood and went their separate ways. Sensei Angko walked along with her a few paces. He carried a cane these days, and she slowed her pace.
    “You look well,” Angko said.
    “Thank you, Sensei. I am well. How are you?” Iduna asked.
    He shrugged. “Not much changes when you are my age.” His eyes scrunched with humor. “The recent events do raise some questions.”
    “Such as?” she asked and was relieved that he thought so as well. Leaving a threat to their country unexplored seemed unwise in her opinion.
    “How are you progressing in the Path?” Angko asked in reply.
    “I am full of peace.”
    They walked in step around the courtyard now, her arms tucked into the sleeves of her robe.
    “Are you sure it is peace that you feel?” Angko asked.
    “I am calm, and my feelings are like flutters of a light wind.”
    “Are you able to cast the Advanced Spells?” His words cut to the point.
    She sighed. “No.” She had actually tried just last week. With years of serenity training, she had hoped that, by clearing away the remaining stirrings of her emotions, she would be able to cast the Advanced Spells. Supreme calm was required to be successful. She knew the words by heart, but they remained a mystery. She was still young yet, just having reached her nineteenth birthday, but most wizards showed their full potential by then.
    “You know the spells. You can do them. You just need to resolve the problem that your passion causes you.” Angko’s words were encouraging and discouraging in equal measures.
    “I don't feel the passion and excitability that I used to.”
    It was Angko's turn to sigh. “In the days ahead, we may have need of a Spellcrafter with abilities not seen for centuries.” He let the words hang in the air.
    Her mind worked through the various puzzling levels of meaning set forth in