Stone Cold NV: World of Sin, Book 1

by J. A. X. Mikesell

  “Well, that went better than I expected. Good job, Corsanna.” Mom said, “Now, before we discuss your tactics for it and see what to do in the future use of the spell, let’s have Asril try it really quick. Go ahead and drink, you’ll need the energy.”

  Cory picked up her goblet and took a tentative sip and raised her eyebrows.

  “This turned out really good. I need to perfect that spell, that will save so much time.” She turned and looked at me, “Just a tip before you try, don’t try and force your mist to pull the ingredients from anywhere, that’s what I did.”

  Asril

  “Well I certainly don’t want that episode again.” I chuckled before pulling the second goblet a little closer, “Especially since I’ll need oranges. Those would hurt a bit more.”

  Mom straightened and placed her mug on the table, “Asril, maybe we should have you move to the next project. We just had new cabinets put in.”

  Dad stood and put his hands on her shoulders, “Honey, I’m sure Az will be fine. If you’re really worried about it, you could put your barrier up around the whole kitchen.”

  “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I want to try this too.” I placed the goblet on the table, “Besides, I already know how I’m going to do this without the destruction.”

  Everyone watched me as I went back into the kitchen area and grabbed the juicer from the night before. Pulling off the top, I fished around in the remains of oranges and pulled out a seed. I opened the sliding glass door and walked out to the back corner of the yard where the fence met from two sides. Putting my palm out, facing the ground and had my light blue mist float over the area and created a small crack. The seed floated from my hand and slipped into the crack, and then the ground smoothed over.

  Mom, dad and Cory had stopped a few feet away, watching. I could see Cory’s knowing look, and a smug smile spread across her face.

  “You’re only going to make this more difficult than mine was Az.” She walked closer, staring at the spot the seed was, “Even if you were able to get the tree to grow, you won’t get any fruit from it. This time of year the bees aren’t around, and they are the ones that help the flowers produce the fruit, troll brain.”

  As I turned toward the house and grabbed the hose, I rolled my eyes at her. “Cory, bees may not be in season. But I don’t need them right now. You’ll see why in a minute.”

  Before she could say anything else, I turned back to the spot by the fence that I put the seed in. I started walking towards it and then got snagged by the hose. Ugh, too short. Now what? I looked in between the hose and the seed spot, and had an idea.

  I turned on the hose and pointed it up while putting my thumb over the edge and making it spray like rain. As it reached the peak I circled my hand and threw up a cloud of my mist, letting it soak up the improvised rain. Then created another cloud and made it hover over the seed spot. The first darkened and we could see silver veins roiling through it. Once it changed to a darker blue with the silver veins looking like lightning, I made a twisting motion and the second cloud emitted a small concussion before it started pouring the collected water over the seed in a torrent. After the ground had soaked up enough water to create a sticky paste like substance, I cut off the water and focused on the second cloud again and slapped my hands together, flattening it. I rubbed my hands together in a circle until the cloud hardened and became completely flat and clear, catching the sun’s rays. I angled it to concentrate the rays over the seed spot.

  After about a minute of standing there staring, mom and dad started becoming restless. Cory, sensing her opportunity, walked over and whispered, “Az, this is too much right now. We haven’t been able to grow things that big yet. Besides, you can’t get the oranges since there are no bees, remember? You should try what I did.”

  “Try and give everyone bigger bruises than you did? I don’t think so. I want to try this, I’ve been studying different things with some plants and I’m sure that I can get at least enough oranges for one glass of juice.”

  Cory sighed and crossed her arms while walking back to stand close to mom while we waited again. Dad started forward and began saying something when the ground dried and cracked in an instant.

  A thin vine snaked up out of the fissure and slowly thickened and kept splitting until it was twice as thick as me and quite a few feet taller. As leaves sprouted from buds I started swirling my hand around creating a small whirlwind, until the leaves stopped growing and small flowers began forming, stark white against the emerald green leaves.

  “Asril, your sister is right, growing oranges at this time of year will be impossible. With no bees around, the flowers won’t be able to pollinate properly.” Mom said while stepping forward. “And this will take too long to make your drink. It was supposed to be a short process.”

  “Mom, I know what I’m doing. You and dad always tell us to follow our gut instincts. Well, that’s what I’m doing. I know I can do it.” I tried to not sound like I was whining, but wasn’t sure it was working.

  Mom stood rooted for a moment and looked back at dad, exchanging a look.

  “Alright, you can finish. But only if it won’t take too much longer, we still have to go over the camps in the brochures and have you two decide which one you want to go to.” She turned and went back to stand with dad and Cory.

  The whirlwind above my hand had started to slow while we talked, so I sped it up and threw it towards the tree, watching it break into hundreds of smaller tornados and went to their own flowers, diving in and gathering all the pollen before moving on to a new spot. Once they had gathered as much pollen as they could, the little tunnels started joining each other and mixing the pollen, then they dove back in and around the flowers, dispersing pollen into each until there was no more pollen left in each whirlwind.

  I took a deep breath and stepped forward, exhaling my Madgie mist to force the tree to speed its process. As my mist enveloped the tree, and it started concentrating over the white flowers, I turned back.

  “They should be ready soon. Then I can finish the drink. We should have time to do the next spell before they’ve all formed.”

  “Asril, I like that you’re doing your research. However, this is a little more elaborate than the task required. The way your sister performed her spell was exactly what we were looking for with this lesson. I wanted to see how fast you could perform it, along with figuring out how to get to the proper end result.” Mom walked to the tree, “Growing an entire tree with fruit is not what you were supposed to do.”

  As mom was talking, the oranges started growing and went from green to a light orange yellow after swelling.

  “Eliza, my love, don’t be so hard on him. I’m sure Az will have a good reason for a bit of embellishment.” Dad said to her, “Perhaps while we wait for the oranges to finish we should go in and perform the next spell while he lets us know his reasons.”

  “You’re right, Terrence. You two go on ahead. I want to speak to Asril for a moment.”

  Before Cory turned, she looked at me and then pointedly at my tree. “Not too bad, I guess, you know, for a troll. Perhaps you don’t have a gray thumb like I thought.”

  “Corsanna, stop badgering your brother. Hurry inside and help your father set up for the next task.”

  Cory rolled her eyes and slowly turned to follow dad into the house.

  “Asril, come sit with me.” Mom turned back to the tree, waved her hand close to the trunk and a bench of dirt, rocks, and the new trees roots were formed against the trunk.

  “I know what you’re going to say, mom. I need to be more practical and realistic. Focus a little more simplicity into my spells.” I said as I slumped down next to her.

  “Well, if you already know what I’m going to say, there is a much lengthier speech than that. Keep going if you already know.”

  I sat back and picked at the armrest of the roots in their elaborate knotwork, taking a minute to collect my thoughts.

  “I only know th
at part. I do realize my performance was a bit over the top to simply make a drink, but-“

  “Asril, look at me.” Mom interrupted, “I do want to hear your reasons, but in front of your father and sister. What I really wanted to talk to you about, is to let you know that I’m proud of you.”

  I looked at her, startled.

  “Yes, that’s right. Not many Madgie can grow a simple flower, let alone an entire tree on their own. The ones that are able to grow a tree haven’t been able to grow a fruit bearing one, none that I know, save for your Pappy.”

  I couldn’t believe what she was saying, “But I’ve seen you grow a fruit tree before, the cherry one, for the medicine to help heal the neighbor girl before they moved away.”

  “I grew the tree yes. But I could only get it to flower, your father helped by getting the bees to pollinate it. Fortunately for us, the bees were in season. Neither your father, nor I can use wind magic, we would have had a tree that wouldn’t produce for a while. Combined, your father and I are able to perform more spells than we could alone. You and your sister don’t require that type of teamwork on most spells. There will of course be some that you cannot do alone and will require each other’s help, and even more that you will not be able to complete without a third. The biggest reason I wanted to speak with you, is to council you to be leery when around anyone else that’s not family. At least for now. They might not be happy that you two are able to utilize more than just one type of magic like most other Madgie.” She leaned forward as one of the branches started to lower, heavily laden with clusters of fruit. “See what I mean? Not only did you not need bees, but you were able to speed the growth process. I think you’ll be a great Nature Madgie someday like your father. Come, let’s get in and see the next step. I’ll grab a few of these oranges.”

  We stood and picked some before walking back into the house, my shirt front heavy with the ripe fruit.

  Asril

  As we stepped through the door, a berry flew past my head. I ducked and saw a leaf shooting toward my face. Already off balance, I couldn’t move away, and watched it until I felt it slice my cheek.

  “Bloody hell, Cory! What is wrong with you? That leaf almost stabbed my eye.” I sat up after making sure that there was no more flying debris. “Make sure you warn people next time. That stings.” I tentatively touched the cut on my cheek to make sure it wasn’t too bad.

  I went to reach for the oranges that had fallen, muttering under my breath.

  “Asril stop! Don’t touch them.” Mom yelled, “Get up.”

  I looked over at her, confused, and saw that the fruit she had picked was floating around her, her face panicked. “Get up slowly and don’t touch the floor.”

  I glanced back at where I landed and the fruit that didn’t fall away from me was smashed from being landed on. A slightly milky color was in the orange’s juices that had been smashed, covering the ground and had splattered onto the legs of the nearest chair, smoking. As I was getting up, we all watched as the spots with the juice sizzled and dissolved to make a hole in the floor and the chair toppled over, missing half the back legs.

  “Geeze Cory, what did you do? That could have taken my skin off.” I looked over at her, “Why are you trying to kill me, hag?”

  As Cory was puffing up with her own retort, mom stepped between us. “Enough. Sit down, both of you.”

  Moving around the hole and fallen chair, I sat on the edge of the next one and awaited my scolding. When it didn’t come, I looked at Cory. She held my gaze for a moment and mouthed, I’m sorry, before looking away dejectedly.

  Dad picked up the chair and shook it until the legs grew back and then sat down next to me.

  “Asril, it wasn’t your sister that created that liquid. It came from your oranges. When you fell and squished a couple, I could see it pooling around you.” Mom pointed at my shirt, “It seems that it may only eat through the first layer of an object it is touching though.”

  We all looked down at the patches of bare skin poking through the holes of my shirt, and I could smell the sweet substance that still coated my stomach. I pulled the tattered remains over my head and used them to wipe it away. Once it was gone I looked at the shirt again and saw that it was now just a few strips of fabric.

  “Well, it’s still active. What happened? How could my oranges do this?” I tossed the fabric away and lit it on fire, then blew the ashes out of the still open door. “At least it didn’t try to dissolve my skin.”

  “Az, what kind of rain cloud did you use when you watered the tree to life?” Dad was staring at the hole in the floor, a quizzical look on his face.

  “It was the one you taught me, bending light and catching it in a whirlwind, flattening it so it absorbed the sunlight, and then expanding it to allow airflow between the water.”

  Dad leaned forward and stared at the hole for a few moments before he waved his hand and the floor patched itself up.

  “Well, we will just need to make sure those oranges are not used until they can be studied. Az keep these ones in the herb room for testing.” Mom walked to the counter and pulled a deep fruit bowl out of the cupboard. When she turned around the oranges floating around her settled into it. “Take them in there and on your way back bring a few sprigs of peppermint and a squash.”

  I grabbed the bowl and went over to the door to the herb room and kicked it open.

  How the bloody hell did that happen to my oranges? I thought as I walked to the far side of the room and set the bowl down by the sink. They look fine; they smell fine too. I wonder why it didn’t burn me?

  I turned and gathered the peppermint and squash before heading back into the kitchen and closing the door.

  Placing the squash and peppermint on the table, I turned and saw Cory holding the sage up and whispering.

  “So, we decided to move on to the next task for now Az. If you want, you can practice your drink spell later. Just no alcohol, understood?” Mom raised her eyebrows and gave me a pointed look, “I mean it Az. Be smart. And don’t think I can’t hear that snickering from you, Cory, you’re not allowed to try alcohol either.”

  Rolling her eyes, Cory started her whispering and intently stared at the sage again.

  “You will need to attempt a different drink until we can study those oranges, and Cory will need to learn how to pull those berries and leaves through without turning them into projectiles. So, you both will be in separate places, her to not kill anyone, and you so you can think of something else and concentrate.” Dad said while staring at the middle of the table.

  I sighed and watched Cory whispering at the sage for another minute until I couldn’t any longer.

  “Are we learning how to break a dead plant with our breath now?”

  Cory stopped and glared at me, “No, you dolt. We’re learning how to revitalize a dried plant. Now shut up so I can do it.”

  I sat down and watched her whispering to the dead sage, while mom started to bustle around the kitchen throwing things in the slow cooker.

  “Whispering to the plant only sometimes helps Cory. You have to hold the image of what you want to do in your mind as well. Your intent is the most integral part of the spell.” Dad said while resting his elbows on the table, still staring at the middle.

  I wonder what’s up with that book… He seems so distracted with it. I’ll have to come down and try to look at it later. He never gets distracted during our lessons.

  Dad looked up from the table as if feeling my stare and exhaled.

  “Alright Cory, looks like you’ll have to practice this later. Let’s have Az try.”

  Cory huffed and slumped, waving the sage around. “I just started. I obviously can’t get the spell right away, but I might be able to do something.”

  Dad raised his eyebrow and gave her a look while holding out his hand. Waiting and staring at her until she finally gave up and put it in his hand, rolling her eyes while she did.

  “I’m sure Az won’t be able to do it either. Plants ar
en’t the easiest things to work with.” She grumbled.

  Sticking my tongue out, I grabbed the bundle and held it firmly in one fist, waiting for directions.

  “Ok, now you need to make sure to concentrate on what your intent is with the plant. If you even think of a small difference, the spell will either just stop, or change completely.” Dad said slowly, “Now, think about the bundle in its former state, when it was alive and green.”

  Exhaling, I sat back and emptied my mind so I could focus on the sage. Once it was clear, I thought of live sage and focused on the bundle in my hand. Almost immediately the dry leaves and stems started fattening and gaining brighter color when moisture seeped back in, bursting the tight twine wrapping.

  Cory gasped and slumped back, glaring at me like she did when I melted her favorite doll.

  “Well, it looks like Az is getting better with his plants. Those lessons with grandma Cristellia must have helped a lot. Think you can do it again, Az?” Dad walked to the cupboard and grabbed two new bundles. Handing one to me and one to Cory.

  “I might be able to. I like this spell.”

  I looked at Cory for a second and saw a look of hurt in her eyes. Maybe I’ll throw this one, she’s too caught up in being better than me.

  “Ok, I want you both to try again. This time Cory, think of your quiet place first, then relax and focus on the sage. Az, you also need to try and relax first. It will-” Dad stopped when I shook my head.

  “I got this dad. It’ll be fine.” I assured him, then rushed on before he could counter, “No really, I’m good.”

  Shaking his head, dad backed to the counter and leaned close to mom while she was seasoning the squash with some of the peppermint and other herbs. That’s weird, peppermint on squash?

  “Alright, well if you think you can get it again with better results, then go ahead.”

  Cory sat forward and held her bundle in one hand while cupping the other above it, she closed her eyes and started working on her breathing.