"You can't seriously be planning to go through with this!"
Cedric watched Rylan's eyebrows rise in question at his journeyman's tone of voice, and he quickly ducked his head in apology.
"I'm sorry, Master, but the boy is simply not ready. He is arrogant and grasping for power that is beyond him, though I will admit that his progress these past weeks has been quite good."
"I didn't call you here to debate the flaws in the prince's personality," Rylan chided gently. "One must expect a certain amount of arrogance from the heir to the kingdom."
Cedric sighed. "If you don't want my opinion, then why did you call for me?"
"I was hoping that you would be part of the casting circle tomorrow," the master mage revealed.
Cedric's head snapped up and he met his master's gaze. "Really? Even after I have voiced my concerns about the test?"
Rylan chuckled. "Yes, even after that."
"I would be honoured, but..."
"But what?" Rylan asked with a sigh of his own when it became apparent that Cedric wouldn't continue the thought without prompting.
"I don't think this is a good idea, not yet. Can't we delay the test? Even another month or two would give Henry more time to refine his skills. Ever since he started making good progress, progress he could see for himself, the prince has started to reach beyond his ability. It's dangerous."
"And are you going to be the one to explain to their majesties why their son isn't progressing through the ranks at the expected pace?" Rylan began to pace. "The crown has generously contributed large amounts of money toward the upkeep of this place over the past five years."
"So you'd be willing to risk the boy's safety and his future because you don't want the flow of gold to stop?" As soon as the incredulous words left his mouth, Cedric knew that he shouldn't have said them. The way his master's eyes narrowed dangerously confirmed the feeling.
"I would never risk an apprentice's life by allowing them to take the test if I truly thought they were unready," Rylan stated. "I am confident that young Henry will be fine, and that your reticence is due to inexperience."
Cedric tried to keep the next words inside his head, but he failed. "But what if I'm right? What if he fails? What will happen to the hopes of the kingdom then?"
"You are obviously tired," the master mage commented softly, dangerously. "You should retire and get some rest if you plan to be of any use tomorrow."
Recognizing that his concerns were not going to be acted upon, Cedric bowed his head once more. "Goodnight, Master."
"Goodnight, Cedric."
As he walked back to his room, Cedric couldn't help but wonder which of Master Rylan's words were true. Would he truly risk Henry's life to appease the king and queen and keep the gold coming in? Sadly, Cedric was almost certain that he would, because he was almost certain that Henry wasn't ready to become a journeyman in his own right. It was with those dark, unhappy thoughts that he blew out the candle and settled into the darkness, hoping and praying with every fibre of his being that he was wrong about both the prince and about his master.