Night's Haunting by Matthew Sprange

become a target of a Shadowmage's skill, hired by a rival or enemy from Pontaine, and there was little defence against a skilled Shadowmage. When Vos had first invaded Turnitia, the Shadowmages had been purged and driven underground. Though weakened, enough had survived to continue the traditions and, now they were regaining their past eminence, it seemed as though someone in Vos had decided they needed to be taken down again.
    For his part, Lucius considered himself more thief than Shadowmage, but his uncanny natural talent in manipulating magic had caught the attention of both Adrianna and her master, Forbeck. He appreciated their trust in him, but Lucius all too often wished he could be a more regular petty magician, using magic just as an aid to thievery, rather than reaching for something greater.
    Standing in front of him, Adrianna wore a pained expression.
    "Please, Lucius, he will keep us here all day if you don't do as he says."
    "There are worse ways to spend an afternoon," Lucius said, but dutifully closed his eyes and concentrated on the threads of magic.
    "Now, take a deep breath, and open your eyes," said Forbeck, "but keep the magic in your vision."
    This was an exercise Lucius had been made to practice many time before, and he had become somewhat proficient at it. While using magic in battle or on a thieves' mission, he had grown used to summoning the arcane power in a split second. However, doing it slowly, while training, had always been more difficult. Perhaps it had something to do with the lack of adrenaline, maybe it was simply because his life was not at risk.
    Gradually, it had dawned on him why Forbeck continually repeated exercises like this, concentrating on elements of the craft that, in theory, he could already do quite easily. By performing the actions slowly, consciously, he could study the magic more closely. It was like duelling; there were people who were natural talents in the use of a blade, and could be quite formidable fighters. If, however, they were taught to slow down their actions and actually study what they did and why , they could be rebuilt as far superior warriors.
    In the end, magic was not that different from combat. The source of the power just came from elsewhere.
    "Create fire."
    Lucius held up a palm and a swirling ball of fire sparked in his hand, then steadied.
    "Good," said Forbeck. "Now, pass it to Adrianna."
    Adrianna waited patiently as Lucius willed the fire to, slowly, lift from his hand and cross to hers. He felt a mental nudge as her magic briefly brushed against his own. Their eyes met, and she gave him a slight nod. He realised they were both thinking the same thing; a year ago, this amount of control would have been beyond him. Today, however, Forbeck wanted more.
    "Nice. Now, let Adrianna pass into the shadows."
    Lucius took a deep breath before starting the new conjuration. He had wreathed himself in darkness many times while working with thieves, and it was something all Shadowmages could do. To pass that ability onto someone else, however, was quite difficult.
    In his mind, he saw the threads spinning around the single strand that fed the natural forces sustaining the fire in Adrianna's hand. He could see wisps of energy spiral off that strand as his spell continued to pull energy away. Concentrating, he slowed the other threads down so he could pick the grey, almost colourless strand that governed the magics he used to hide himself from others.
    Plucking the thread, he suddenly became mindful of controlling the conjuration he already had manifested. A break in concentration could either snuff out the flame or cause it to swell in intensity, searing Adrianna. He felt his forehead grow wet with perspiration.
    "Steady, Lucius," Forbeck said softly.
    Lucius visualised draping a cloak of raw arcane power around Adrianna. Before him, her outline turned indistinct and pale.
    Lucius could also feel Adrianna's presence in his mind, a vessel that contained a solid