The Teachers' Pet

Year 37: Valerie stood within the circle of the court. Everyone had varying degrees of self-interest on their face. She had been anticipating this meeting for awhile. Poker faces and subterfuge are not the mages' best areas. As Valerie waited, an arcanum formed in her mind...

(Valerie: “What is arcana?”
Morgan: “Most spellcasters use magic that is natural and intuitive to themselves. It's called bloodline magic. It requires a little instruction early in life and then one can discover abilities on their own. Arcana is magic that has to be learned. One may have a gift for numbers, but one cannot just naturally know calculus. It is that way with arcana. Many avoid it because it is difficult. And at your age, even bloodline magic will take work to learn.”
Valerie: “Then, teach me both.”)

“You have failed to impress us as a leader,” they started. They were using a shared mind technique that few mages liked using. She must be seen as a bigger threat than each other individually was seen. She kept her incant silent and hid her hands in her skirts. “As such we do not think an inexperienced and weak caster should lead us.”

(Michael: “Fighting as a caster requires being able to cast quickly and you need good grip on evocative casting. However, fighting a caster physically is a better option, as it can buy you time for slower spellcasting. And pain is a great way to keep a less physically fit person from casting at all. So, first I will teach you to fight. Then, we'll work on incorporating spells with swordplay and martial manoeuvres.”)

“Are you sure?” she asked passively. “Experience I may lack but are you absolutely sure I am weak?” The arcana pattern stood brightly in her mind as her hands steadily worked.

(Morgan: “Silent spellcasting requires intimate knowledge of your spells and your technique. And it requires lots and lots of practice.”
Valerie: “I have the time.”
Morgan: “Then, let us have at it.”)

In unison, they all pointed at her and declared, “You are deposed.” As they did so, a brilliant set of sigils flared in the air and flashed about the room. Valerie's hands completed the movements necessary and the brilliance faded. She removed her crown and let it fall hollowly to the ground. “Bite me,” she snapped.

(Michael: “Ideally, you should never engage in a fight that you don't have at least an even chance of winning. If conditions aren't ideal, force them to be.”)

All the illusions they carefully maintained, all their personal protections, and all the enchantments and wards about the room failed as her last spell suppressed all magic in the council chamber. She bared her sword, kicked off her shoes, and said, “Now, who wants to fight me for the crown?”