Salamander Read Free

not completely true."
    "How can it be both true and not true? I don't understand."
    "That was part of what Magister Bertram was trying to explain , ” Ellen said. “Most weaving mages are women and most fire mages are men, but that doesn't mean a man can’t have a talent for weaving or a woman for fire."
    She looked around the refectory. It was getting crowded, but so far nobody had joined them at their table. "Which are taller, men or women?"
    Mari gave her a puzzled look. "Men, of course. Jon over there is taller than I am, and even Edwin is taller than you are."
    "But you are taller than Edwin. So men are not taller than women. Not always."
    "And men are better at fire magic, but not always?"
    Ellen nodded.
    Mari responded: "Well, of course lots of women are taller than short men. But I have never heard of a woman who was a fire mage. Not one."
    Ellen thought a moment before answering. "Mages have to be trained. At best, an untrained mage cannot do much with his power. At worst, an untrained fire mage either kills himself by accident—that's what usually happens—or burns down a house or barn and kills someone else, and then, very likely, someone kills him. A boy who starts showing the talent is likely to be recognized before he does any serious damage and, with luck, sent for training. A girl … . Everyone knows girls can't be fire mages."
    "That's scary. But if women are hardly ever fire mages, and the ones that do get killed, how do Coelus and Bertram know witches can do fire magic? How do you know?"
    "I think Coelus figured it out from basic magical theory, but I'm not sure.” Ellen gave the other girl a long, considering look. "How good are you at keeping secrets?"
    "Quite. My brother tells me … things. I never tell our parents." She stopped.
    "Can you keep a secret for me too?"
    Mari nodded.
    Ellen turned in her seat, holding her hand, palm up, where her body blocked it from the rest of the room. For a moment her hand cupped a flame. "That's how I know."
    Mari's eyes widened. She looked back at Ellen.
    "May I join your table, noble lady?"
    Both girls looked up. The speaker, a tall student, well dressed, was looking at Mari inquisitively. She nodded assent.
    "Joshua son of Maas at your service. How have you been enjoying your first week in this temple of wisdom?"
    "Everyone is very kind, but I find the wisdom somewhat opaque,” Mari replied, cheerfully. “Ellen was just kindly explaining today's lecture to me."
    Joshua glanced at Ellen, then back to Mari. "I would be happy to provide any assistance you ladies may require. After a year and a few weeks I think I have most of it down and I’m looking forward to getting out, come spring. My father thinks a trained mage would be very useful in his business. What was it that was puzzling you?"
    Mari gave Ellen a rueful glance, turned back to Joshua. "I am still puzzled by Magister Coelus' explanation of how magic can be entirely elemental, entirely humeral, entirely natural and entirely combinatorial, all at the same time."
    "That I can explain. The elemental points are, of course, the elements: earth, air, fire and water. The natural points are the natures: hot, cold, dry, and wet. Hot is a mixture of fire and air, cold of earth and water, and so on."
    "But didn't he also say that fire was a mix of hot and dry? If hot is fire and air, and dry is ...," she looked at the others.
    "Fire and earth," Ellen responded. Joshua looked momentarily annoyed.
    "Fire and earth. That's right."
    Mari continued: "Then a mix of hot and dry ought to have fire and air and fire and earth. That's two fire and one each air and earth. So how can it be pure fire?"
    Joshua looked puzzled. "Say that again?"
    "A mix of hot and dry ought to have fire and air and fire and earth. That's two fire and one each air and earth. So how can it be pure fire?"
    He thought a moment before answering. "That does seem a little puzzling. I ’ m afraid the explanation is a little complicated for students