Duality by Rowan Erlking (classic books for 13 year olds txt) 📕

“But you have no objections to it?” the Pharmacist asked.

The Magician shook his head. “No. I happen to know a talented—” but as suddenly has he had said it, his eyes brightened and he looked back to Malkia again. “How would you like to learn under an amazing Herbalist?”

“Herbalist?” Malkia repeated. She glanced at her father who was slowly nodding with approval at the idea. She turned back to the magician. “What kind of magic is that?”

Grinning, the Magician replied, “Herbalism is not that different from Pharmacy, only they use magic with their herbs, and they know words to spells that cure disease and other things.”

Malkia’s eyes grew wide. She eagerly turned to Bernum who suddenly looked jealous, for they had not read yet of a magic spell that could cure Dennik properly. The Herbalist sounded promising.

“Can I learn that?” Bernum asked.

Laughing, the Magician grinned at him. “Oh, I see, you don’t want to be just a magician. You want to know it all.”

Blushing Bernum ducked his head.

However, Jimmit the Magician said, “Don’t worry. So do I. I don’t take after those that want to limit themselves. The world is such an amazing place that rejecting one bit of light for another seems foolish.”

“Indeed,” the Pharmacist said, smiling at him. He then extended his arm towards the house. “Won’t you come in and join us for supper? We can discuss the details of their education in a more comfortable setting.”

Bowing, Jimmit graciously walked to the door, even grinning at Dennik. “I’m much obliged.”

They walked inside the house leaving the children outside.

Bernum turned to Dennik whose face revealed a strain of despair. The eight-year-old boy understood the good and the bad of the coming events—the main bad thing being he would lose his only playmates.

“Dennik,” Bernum said, clasping him by his shoulders. “We promise to find a cure for your hands and foot. Then you will be like everyone else.”

 Nodding sheepishly, Dennik followed them into the house.

It took a few weeks to get all the arrangements for both Bernum and Malkia’s education set. Jimmit had to write the Herbalist to confirm that Malkia could study under her. Then he had to arrange for the Herbalist to come to Yapan where she could meet with the Pharmacist and his daughter. That actual meeting was startling for all in the Pharmacist’s household.

Her name was Ludy. She walked into the Pharmacy with a swivel at her hips, all her curves on her rounded and slightly dumpy, middle-aged body, her eyes and nails painted the same color, her lips a deep luscious red. Ludy wore dread locks rather than tight curls, all of it wrapped in a gold lame turban on top of her head. She offered a hand to the Pharmacist, fluttering her false eyelashes at him as she gazed almost lustfully at his face. He nearly backed into the wall, sneaking glances at Jimmit who was grinning with pleasure at seeing Ludy again.

“How do you do?” she said with a throaty voice. “I am Ludy the Midwife, who has come as called.”

Malkia just stared at him, her hand clasping Bernum’s somewhat tightly.

The Pharmacist hardly shook the tips of her fingers before she swiveled over to Malkia, taking hold of her chin, tipping the girl’s head to the side.

“You have a beautiful daughter,” Ludy said, grinning a white-toothed smile, her eyes inspecting Malkia’s face very intently. “Is she really as talented as my friend Jimmit says she is?”

Gently taking hold of Ludy’s wrist, the Pharmacist firmly pulled her hand from his child’s face. “Understand this—any harm that comes to my daughter, any false teaching, and I will make certain that you suffer for it.”

Laughing with shock and a glance at the Magician, Ludy pulled her hand from the Pharmacist’s grip. “Really…with this kind of reception…I—”

“Please excuse him,” Jimmit said, stepping in between them. “But you have forgotten yourself also. This child is a twin. Therefore she is precious.”

Blinking at Malkia then Bernum, Ludy pulled back. Bernum was glaring at her, his teeth clenched. Malkia had already ducked behind him.

Blinking more, Ludy lifted her chin then sighed. “Oh. I see. Well, in that case I will take especial care with her.”

She cast a glance at the Pharmacist.

“Though it wasn’t like I wasn’t going to do that anyway. I know how rare it is to find a child with magical aptitude—especially a girl willing to face all the persecution that will come for being a practitioner of magic.” Ludy leaned in towards Malkia. “Which is what will happen if they find out you are studying magic. Because you see, an Herbalist is what people crudely call a witch.”

The Pharmacist flustered but did not pull back. Clearly he knew, now glancing to Malkia to see how she would react.

But Malkia stuck out her chin and said, “I already know that. Bernum and I read all about that. But there is no law against a woman doing magic.”

“Or against Herbalism.” Ludy the Midwife nodded. “Good. I’m glad it is clear with you. However, law and superstition are often at war,” her eyes flickered to Dennik, “as I see you full well know. You should understand then that if you work under me you tell people you are training to be a midwife. If any of the common people find out about our real craft they will most likely harm us, gleefully bending some law to justify their crime.”

Malkia nodded back.

Ludy looked to the Pharmacist. “I require that she pack up whatever she can. She will move in with me at Kibilla where I have my shop.”

The Pharmacist frowned. “Well, I don’t know, now that you make it so plain. I don’t want my daughter in danger.”

“But Daddy!” Malkia grabbed his arm. “You promised.”

He shook his head at her. “I didn’t realize how much danger I would be putting you in if you went with her. Besides, I’m not so sure she is a trustworthy person.”

Ludy cast him a sour look while Jimmit set a hand to his forehead.

“I don’t like her either,” Bernum snapped, casting her a glare. He looked to the Magician, “Don’t you have another friend that can teach Malkia magic?”

A disbelieving chuckle broke from Jimmit, but he slapped a hand on his mouth to stop it. Clearing his throat he said, “Uh, no. Actually, Ludy is only one daring enough to take on an apprentice from another town. Besides, there really is no better Herbalist that I know—and yes, I know Ludy is flamboyant, but she is trustworthy.”

But his encouragement was punctured by Ludy’s rolling eyes. She waved her hand with boredom yet her gaze still flickered hungrily at the Pharmacist’s daughter.

“Look,” Ludy said, “I’ll bring her home for vacations. She can write you letters giving details as to what I am up to, and you can visit if you want.”

Leaning in, the Pharmacist said, “If my daughter ends up dressing like you, I’ll take you out of your place.”

Ludy merely snorted with a glance to Jimmit who shrugged for her to consider it. Exhaling, she let out a moan. “Fine. Dress her as plainly as you want. But when she is a young woman, I will not stop her from choosing her own clothing style. So don’t blame me if she ends up liking the finer things.”

“Letters,” the Pharmacist murmured. He looked to Bernum. “Yes. Letters. I want you both to write me at least once a month, preferably once a week. If your letters become sparse, I swear upon my life that I will come looking for you.”

Both Bernum and Malkia nodded, sharing looks.

“You’ll write me too, right?” Bernum asked her.

Malkia nodded. “Of course. And you me. After all, it would be the first time we will be truly apart.”

He nodded back. Then they looked to Dennik.

“We promise to return to help you.”

Dennik smiled. “I know you will.”

*Year One*

Dear Bernum,

I’ve arrived safely in Kibilla Township. It isn’t too different from Yapan, only the farming is a little smaller and the mercantile district is larger. When I first saw the home I was going to live in I thought I stepped into heaven. The home is stone with stucco outsides. So pretty.

Anyway, Ludy set me to work right away learning all the herbs—but boy did I show her when I proved I already knew my herbs. Then she said to me, “Ok, little miss smarty, then mix me a concoction for stomach ache.” Well, you know how Daddy taught all of us as much as he could for things like that. So I whipped up Dad’s old stomach tea, and Ludy just stared at me as if I were a genius. But then she taught me a spell to add to it. I’m enclosing it here for you. I’ve decided that we ought to share spells in our letters so that we know the same things when we finish school. I don’t think it is fair that I learn one kind of magic while you learn another. Don’t you agree?

I miss you a ton. I’m going to write Daddy next before he steals a carriage and rides here to scold me.

Love you,

Malkia

*

Dear Malkia,

I’ve made it safely to Yolund Township. It is nothing like Yapan. First off, we see a lot of foreigners from the western country, Perri, trading their dates and silks for cocoa and wool. Second, there is a forest that nearly surrounds the north, east and western parts of the city. They say just beyond that is the border to Brein Amon, the northern country. Those people don’t come south through the forest though, so we don’t see any of their pale faces here. Remember that one time when we saw that one Brein Amon merchant in town?

Well, about the school. I share a room with five other boys. Two of them are seventh-year students. They’re supposed to keep watch over us, but one of them is real bully. His name is Manna. I can’t wait until he graduates. Unfortunately that won’t be for another year.

I already made a friend. His name is Motik. We are both first year students, and we already got in trouble together. Manna was bullying Motik when I came along. And I made a hate ward to protect Motik. But then Motik jumped out, and Manna hopped in on accident and got stuck in it. The head magicians couldn’t undo it at all. They said the only way for Manna to leave the circle is for him to stop hating Motik. Unfortunately, Manna figured out not to hate Motik at all, but to hate me instead for making the ward. So he sort of fell out of it. However, he threatened me afterwards. I drew a hate ward around my bed to keep me safe from him.

I’ll send over spells too.

Bernum

*

Dear Bernum,

Dad is such a fibber. I forgot to write him last week and he didn’t come to find me. He scolded me in his last letter, but that was about it. We haven’t been too dutiful either. I mean, I wrote you pretty well for three months, and you wrote me, but you know how life gets you busy…. I think once I forgot that