The Mage of Trelian (38 page)

Even very sharp needles.

Calen watched as the magic energy gathered around Master Su’lira’s head a few seconds before he leaned forward to begin. No magic was allowed in the actual marking, but the Markers’ special gift was what allowed them to see the marks that each mage should have. The mark for his new junior mage status was a standard one, but everything else would come from Calen’s own experiences, his own skills, his own hard-won knowledge, observed and transcribed by Master Su’lira’s magical sight and transformed into the lines and symbols that would be tattooed onto his face to display his progress.

Calen felt the first stab of the needle and willed himself to remain still. It really wasn’t so bad. And in truth, he could not wait to see what the marks would be.

And then he couldn’t wait to get back home to show Meg.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2016 by Michelle Knudsen
Cover images copyright © 2016 by John Blackford (background scenery);
copyright © 2016 by Carlos E. Serrano/Getty Images (bird in foreground)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.

First electronic edition 2016

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2015954527

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