Mage- The Guardian's Oath

by S A Edwards

  Hardly surprising when everyone was deceiving me. I didn’t know who to trust anymore. “I’m fine, Charlie.”

  He touched my shoulder, drawing my gaze. Concern plagued his eyes. Too much. He definitely wasn’t the Charlie I grew up with in the village.

  “Why do they avoid me?” I asked.

  He dropped his gaze. “They’re afraid of you.”

  So they should be. “They were fine before.”

  “They hadn’t seen your other magic then.”

  I shook my head and turned back to my fire. “No wonder they hide in the forest.” More cowardly than noble.

  “They’re here to protect you.”

  “I don’t need their protection.”

  “Do you not need me, either?” His voice cracked, and my annoyance faltered.

  I sat up, letting my flames die again, and tucked my hand under his chin. “Of course, I need you.”

  He picked at a stray thread on his blanket. “So … is that all that’s wrong? There’s nothing else?”

  “Course not. Why would there be?” Aside from how unfair the world was to those that failed their tests and the constant worry of whether I, too, would fail.

  He sniffed. “Okay. I’m thirsty. I’ll see you later?” He left without waiting for an answer.

  My finger ran along the cool surface of the golden ring, the true purpose of my concern playing on my mind. Could failing alone really be enough to become Corrupted? What if someone just didn’t have the natural talent of using the magic? Surely that couldn’t mean they were evil.

  Kilkerran’s suggestion that we were not so very different didn’t seem all that impossible anymore.

  Time passed, virtually in silence. The light remained low, despite the rising sun.

  “You’re wrong.” Charlie’s voice outside pulled my attention from the swirling water above me.

  I crawled to the tent opening and peered out to where he stood.

  A small group of muscular and ruffled Mage towered over him. Despite his sudden growth spurt, they were still far bigger than him.

  “What do you expect?” Charlie said. “None of us have ever been in her position. The Beasts have one gift. One year. One corruption to overcome. She has all seven!”

  “That only makes her more dangerous,” Bale said.

  “It makes it harder for her. It doesn’t make her evil.” Charlie jabbed his finger in Bale’s chest.

  I grimaced.

  “You’re supposed to protect her, Bale. Guard her. Fight for her.” Charlie glared at the others. “You’re supposed to make this easy for her.”

  “And risk getting killed in the process?” Another said. Tono. He hadn’t lived in the village. His arms crossed.

  “She proved back there that corruption doesn’t have hold on her!”

  “Charlie is correct.” Custos emerged from a nearby tent, his crystal glowing in the low light. “She’s experiencing the most difficult time of her training. I’m sure you all remember it.” His gaze settled on me, and my cheeks flushed.

  Clambering to my feet, I approached and folded my arms. “What’s the most difficult time?”

  “There comes a time in the first year, after activation, when the corruption is strongest, a time when you have to fight the hardest to overcome it.”

  “And you think I’ll give in.”

  “No.” Charlie stepped forward. “You can do it. We all know you can.” He cast Bale a pointed look.

  Bale rolled his eyes. “We pledged our lives to your protection.”

  “But in the meantime, you give me a wide berth.” Anger flared.

  “We’re careful.”

  “You’re foolish. You’re making an enemy of the wrong person.”

  I realised the insinuation. And judging by their expressions, so did they. It was about time they knew the danger of crossing me.

  *

  There was no doubt when we reached the borders of the Dark Capital. Darkness stretched before us, blocking out everything, like a wall. Memories of the Forbidden Pass leapt to mind.

  Custos stopped. “This is where we part.”

  “Is this a Gate?” I asked, not keen on the idea of seeing Zantos again.

  Custos smiled. “No. It is the border of the Capital. The first protection. But Tenebris is the best Mage to explain.”

  The wall wavered, billowed like a cloud, and then parted.

  A dark-cloaked figure stepped from the blackness. A deep-brown crystal hung round his neck. Sparks of white shimmered through it, like stars, and moved constantly. The Mage’s eyes matched the pendant. The stars round his pupils were disconcerting yet mesmerising. “I am Tenebris, Elder of the Dark Ones.” He surveyed me closely. “The darkness is strong in her.”

  Anger flared within me. I balled my fists.

  Custos stepped to him and they embraced. “We will be near, if you require our assistance.”

  “Thank you, brother.”

  “Brother?” My anger dissipated. “You’re related?”

  Tenebris’ black hair, unusual eyes, and thin facial features didn’t remotely match that of Custos.

  Custos smiled. “He is one of six of my siblings.” He gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Good luck.”

  “Come,” Tenebris said. “We have far to go. Take my hand.”

  Reaching out, my fingers found his, and he tensed. “What is this?”

  The golden surface of the ring appeared dull under the black cloud.

  “A ring.”

  “Leading where?”

  “Who said anything about it leading anywhere?”

  Charlie leaned in. “Where did that come from?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked. “It’s been with me the whole time.”

  Tenebris frowned. “It remains invisible whilst one wears it.”

  “Then, why can you see it?”

  “Because I’m a Dark Mage.” A scowl touched his features. “Clara, I have lived long enough to recognise a Perscripta. Where does it lead? And don’t lie to me. I will know if you do.”

  “I’ve never heard of a Perscripta.” Or the Intrigue, but I was probably better not mentioning that.

  His grip on me tightened, and his eyes narrowed. “Take Charlie’s hand, or you’ll lose him in the dark.”

  Charlie slipped his hand in mine and pressed close to me. His larger build differed greatly from the small Charlie from home.

  Tenebris moved into the darkness. It billowed, pulsated, and then engulfed us.

  40

  Any light was consumed once we entered the billowing darkness guarding the Dark Capital, preventing even my Beast sight from seeing. The crunch of dirt under my feet faded, and the scent of the forest dulled. Only the grip of Tenebris’ hand on mine gave me reassurance to move through the overwhelming blackness.

  “How do you know which way to go?” I asked. “Aren’t there trees in the way?”

  “Plenty.” Tenebris’ low voice was dulled in the cloud. “I can see.”

  My footfalls faltered, and his hand slipped out of mine.

  Charlie pressed against my side, his skin clammy. “Why have we stopped?”

  “It’s okay, Charlie. I have the Dark gift, so why can’t I see?”

  “You can,” Tenebris said. “You’re just not looking.”

  “What?” My gaze flitted around, but the darkness was impossible to penetrate.

  “Look through it,” Tenebris said. “Find my crystal. See the trail.”

  I pulled on thoughts of the stars shifting across his pendant. The darkness thinned. Rough bark and untouched dust swam into view, obscured slightly by the cloud.

  The Elder stood before me, his dark eyes sparkling in the gloom. “Better?”

  I nodded, glad to be free of the darkness.

  Charlie remained by my side, his unfocused eyes evidence of his continued blindness.

  It was a relief to walk unhindered by the lack of light, to see the obstacles in our path. The cloud flurried when we passed through it, though car
ried no feeling.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  Tenebris didn’t look back, nor did he drop his pace. “It is the same shadow you would find in the night, only amplified. It cuts out all light, giving us an advantage over the enemy.”

  “You have enemies?”

  “The world has enemies. We help protect it.”

  “How?”

  His eyes bore into mine. “A Dark Mage sees things that are hidden. Past. Present. Future.”

  Hope welled. “So, I could get back my memories?”

  “What we see is unclear. Snatches, hints, images lacking in clarity, but using those clues, we are able to decipher things that others cannot.”

  “But you’ll teach me to do that?”

  “I will try.”

  “What do you mean?” Power was mine. Surely, he didn’t think I was so weak that he couldn’t teach me?

  “Mastering the gift of the Dark Ones is no easy feat.” He changed direction.

  “None of them were easy. What makes you think this one will be any different?”

  “We will discuss it further within the Capital.”

  The trees grew thinner and scarcer, and small bushes and rocks poked from the ground.

  “Our gift is greatly coveted,” he said. “Many will stop at nothing to use it. That is why we keep to ourselves, only emerging when the need is great.”

  “Oh,” Charlie said. “Like when another baby is born, or comes of age and has your gift?”

  Tenebris peered back over his shoulder with a smile. “Exactly.”

  “I wondered why I hadn’t seen many Dark Ones around. Even growing up, I didn’t see any of you.”

  “What about the Corrupted?” I asked. “Even if they fail their test, they can still use the magic.”

  “The test takes place in the Capital,” Tenebris said. “And to get to or from here, any person, Mortal or Mage, must pass through Beast territory. The chances of the Corrupted using the gift is slim.”

  “You mean they aren’t allowed to leave the forest? Regardless of their desires?”

  He stopped again and turned to me. “No one who has succumbed to the darkness has pure desires.”

  The trees broke into a clearing. A stone carving stood in the centre. Intricate patterns twisted up the curved sides, and the top dipped in like a bowl. Silver in colour, it gleamed under the star stones that ringed the edge of the clearing.

  Tenebris pressed further into the trees and through to a larger clearing.

  Wooden huts were dotted about the place, and few Dark Mage wandered about, hoods over their heads, hands hidden in long sleeves.

  In the centre, a huge tree stretched. Its thick trunk combined hundreds of branches, twisted and knotted together in a maze of patterns, and ended at a point high above. Golden leaves clung to the top, sparkling under the light from more star stones that ringed the base of the tree.

  The tree’s power surged through me, a stronger force than I’d ever experienced. It filled my mind with light and made my fingers tingle.

  Tenebris paused and peered back at me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “The tree of diamonds. It feeds off starlight provided by the star stones and preserves the other plants in the area.”

  Charlie brushed against me, and a hint of longing shone in his eyes.

  “Take him in there.” Tenebris pointed at a hut.

  I led Charlie through the wooden door.

  The place was simple. A silver platter of fruit rested on a table, and another door led from the room. Two beds lay against two of the walls, and star stones cast a cosy light through the hut.

  “Oh.” He blinked and rubbed his eyes. “That’s better.”

  “You can see?” I asked.

  The Elder paused at the door. “I have set aside an area for Charlie to remain for the period of your test. Morning is near. Once you have rested, we will move forward with your training.”

  “I’m ready now.”

  “But, Clara,” Charlie said, “you’ve been walking all night.”

  “I’m okay. Really. I’m not tired. I just want to master this.” The sooner I did, the quicker I could face the Council again.

  Charlie frowned at me.

  Tugging my cloak from my shoulders, I dropped it on a nearby table. “Relax. I’ll see you later.”

  Tenebris’ gaze lingered on my ring, but he let me pass.

  Outside, the golden leaves glimmered atop the tree, and my body tingled with its magic.

  I walked forward, drawn to it.

  Two Mage, cloaked in the shadow of the tree, stood opposite one another and chanted. The trunk unfolded, releasing a long, thin branch.

  Magic coursed through my soul, longing to join them, to be a part of this new wonder.

  At their touch, patterns swirled, quicker than a carver’s hand, up the stem, and the tip of the wood split into three.

  Violet light shimmered between the splits and solidified into stone.

  I gasped. “That’s a Seeker’s staff.”

  41

  One of them smiled at me. Starlight reflected in his eyes, and the staff rested across his hands. “A replacement for the one you shattered at the Old City.”

  “Why would you make another?” After everything the Seekers did, all the fear they brought, they didn’t deserve help.

  The Dark Mage laughed. “He’d have a hard job completing his tasks without it. I’m sure it’s difficult enough waiting until it’s delivered tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “Every Mage draws power from something. The Seekers draw theirs from their staff.”

  Hope for the future brought a smile to my lips, and I jogged back to Tenebris.

  “Shall we?” he asked.

  I nodded and followed him back into the trees.

  “Why make the staff at all?” I asked. “The Seekers work for the Council.”

  “They work for peace.”

  “Under a corrupted government. Not everyone they hunt is guilty.”

  We emerged into the clearing with the stone carving. He stopped beside it.

  “If they don’t have anything to draw power from, the Council will have no weapons,” I said.

  Tenebris frowned. “Who are we to prevent Seekers from reaching their full potential?”

  “At the risk of innocent people having to hide? Never getting their freedom?”

  “Take care, Clara,” he warned. “The power within you is fighting for control. You must not yield.”

  “I’m not yielding to corruption. I’m simply saying this is wrong.”

  “Everyone is free to make their own choices. The consequences that come of that are their own to face. If you can’t see that, maybe we shouldn’t do this yet.”

  “Yes, we should. What emotion controls this gift?”

  “Ethics. To use your gift, you must know, without any doubt, what is right and what is wrong.” He gestured to the bowl-shaped dip in the top of the stone.

  I stepped up to it and peered at my reflection in its silver surface. Dishevelled hair framed the pale face gazing back at me, and dark rings lined brown eyes.

  “A Dark One can see past, present, and future, as I previously explained,” he said. “We call it the Sight. It is not usual to see whatever we wish. It comes in riddles. Images. Clues. Used over a long period of time, or spending too long on one moment, drains our energy.”

  Not a problem for me. I’d cleanse some water the way Sil showed me. My strength would be restored. Which meant I was more powerful than the other Dark Ones. More powerful than him. This would be easy.

  “To use it, you must be in complete control. You must know what is right and what is corrupt. You must see the difference between the light and the dark.” He placed his hands against the stone surrounding the bowl. “This can make the images clearer and allow others to see the same.”

  “What am I looking for?” I asked.

  “There is a Mage within the Capital. Tonight, he has a task
to do. Tell me what it is.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “That’s it?” There had to be a catch.

  “Make no mistake. This is far harder than you assume it to be. Every time you use your magic, the corruption within you grows. Now, more than ever, you are at risk of falling.”

  I scowled. “I wish you’d stop telling me I’m going to fail.”

  He glanced pointedly at the bowl.

  My teeth gritted, and thoughts of the Mage and his mysterious task drew my concentration. I’d do this quickly. Then, I could hunt my hunters.

  Nothing changed within the bowl.

  “Why isn’t it doing anything?”

  “Because you no longer know what’s right,” he said. “Any doubt about what is right, even the smallest amount, will prevent the Sight.”

  “I know what’s right.”

  “Do you?” His focus shifted to my ring.

  My fingers tightened on the stone. With all the confusion about the Corrupted running through my head, confidence eluded me, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I wasn’t weak. Still, if this gift was to be mastered, I needed answers. “This is a waste of time. We’ll come back to this later.” I whirled, ran into the trees and back to the clearing.

  Tenebris didn’t stop me. Perhaps he thought I needed time. Maybe he was afraid. I did carry more magic than him. Enough to stop this, once and for all.

  The Mage still sat by the tree of diamonds, nose buried in a book. No sign of the staff remained. “Hello, Clara.”

  I paused, several feet from him, and frowned.

  He tapped his index finger against the side of his head with a smile. “I saw you coming.”

  “Did you also see what I wanted?”

  He closed the book and rested it on his knees. “I didn’t have the pleasure.”

  “You made the new staff for the Seeker.”

  “Your point?”

  “It’s a three-week journey through the forest and you said he’d get it tomorrow. How are you going to get it to him?”

  He gave a little smile. “He’ll get it at the Seekers meeting.”

  “What’s the Seeker’s meeting?”

  “Since you don’t know, I guess it’s safe to assume you haven’t met Cupitor yet.”

  “Who?”