Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

[30.6] King Edward VI
[30.6] KING EDWARD VI
King Edward, Part VI
by Anonymous
Chapter 6: Training
The day Edward was to leave the Archmagister summoned him, presented him with a mithril
staff and bade him farewell.
Back in his small cell Edward removed his novitiate robe and donned the grey shirt, black
pants and red sash he'd worn to the Tower. He fingered the sash lovingly. His mother had
purchased the shirt and pants, saying they looked sturdy and maybe wouldn't show the dirt
from the journey. Moraelyn had given him the silk sash with its embroidery of twined leaves
and flowers, birds and butterflies in mithril, dwarven and elven metallic threads. But he'd
waited until they were across the channel. Aliera had said it cost too dear; she'd suggested
cutting down one of Moraelyn's old ones to fit, but the elf had adamantly refused to let her
have any of them. Edward smiled, remembering, and wrapped the sash twice round his waist
then knotted the ends carefully. He took the staff and ran down to meet his parents.
He'd meant to fling himself at them, but Moraelyn was alone and Edward stopped still.
"Where's my mother? Is she...?"
"She wanted to stay and choose a horse for you. Didn't trust it to Beech."
"A horse? For me! Really?"
"Of course. You can't walk all the way to Morrowind."
"I thought I'd have to ride behind...someone. Look, the Archmagister gave me...my staff! Isn't
it beautiful?"
The elf took it and hefted it, trying a few swings and feints. "Good balance and weight for
thee, I think. Light for me. Show me how you use it. Suppose I attack you." He used his bare
hands and Edward fell into a defensive position, blocked him, then thrust the staff toward
Moraelyn's ribs. He danced easily aside, but praised the boy.
"A mage should have a dagger, too. I thought you might like to have Tooth here." Edward's
eye popped. Tooth had an ebony blade and a hilt made from a real dragon's tooth. The elf slid
it from its sheath and handed it to Edward who took it carefully. The blade had a wicked point
and the edge was sharp enough to shave with. Mats borrowed it sometimes. He'd carved the
hilt, too.
"Are you sure Mats doesn't mind?"
"Quite sure." Moraelyn unbuckled his belt and slid the sheath off it. There was a new belt for
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