The Inscribed Angle

by Andrew Bardsley

  It took Freya a few days to get used to the activating the farseeing device interface with her voice. The lessons started with Freya asking questions, which were answered by images on the farseeing screen. These images were accompanied by written text and spoken words. The bright child started making connections between the different types of information and soon released the power of the written text.

  When it was Freya’s first birthday, she was celebrating at home with her parents. By now she could walk and talk. Her level of conversation had quickly developed to almost fully adult, but if people other than her parents or close friends from the institute were around, then she acted her age. For her birthday, her parents had asked what she wanted. She had asked, with no hesitation, for a set of magical inscription tools. This had slightly worried her parent, that she may be advancing to fast, but it was also exciting at the same time

  When she opened her presents on her birthday, Freya said in a small voice, “Thanks mum and dad.”

  Her parents had been worried that she would not be able to use the tools, but that same day they found her practicing marking inscriptions. Instead of her coordination being like a toddler, Freya seemed to be very precise in her first inscriptions. They were even more surprised when they saw that she was able to activate some of the magical inscriptions. This meant that she had a full understanding of the theories of the pillars of magic. From this point on, they found Freya practicing magic all the time, while she was learning from the farseeing device. She was forever tinkering with the magical equipment around the house. This always left her parents wondering what unusual effect or improvement would happen when using anything with an inscription on it. They also had to be careful with the way they commented about anything in the house.

  One day John was saying to his wife, “It would be nice if the shower had more power to its spray.” And the next morning when he was taking a shower, instead of the normal lacklustre stream, he had been complaining about, when John pulled the control for the shower he was blasted by a powerful jet of water. For other devices, similar things happened on a regular basis until they had a talk to their daughter about not just changing items but improving the effectiveness. Her parents found that she sometimes researched the most desirable setting for personnel use instead of just a more powerful effect. Happily, they found everything in the household started to work perfectly. It became a marker of pride for Freya, to have everything in working order.

  --

  On her third birthday, she asked for lesson in martial arts training lessons for her present. Her parents were reluctant at first, but Freya managed to convince them, on the basis of it would help in her body's physical development. A member of the staff, at the institution was a part-time teacher of martial arts class that ran at the institution. She agreed to train Freya, initially by herself, then when she was good enough, she could join the classes.

  Freya, was overexcited, at her first martial arts training lessons. She had been doing research on the farseeing net, in how to practice different styles. John, her father, brought her to the classroom where the lesson would be. He had introduced Freya to her teacher.

  John said, looking down at the still small Freya, “This is Saria Parkwell who will be helping you learn martial arts. Freya, it’s best if you watch and observe before you drown her with questions. I’ll pick you up after the lesson. See you later, sweetie!”

  After she waved goodbye to her dad, Freya stood still waiting to be instructed. The first thing Saria got the littles girl to do, was sit in a cross-legged meditative position. Saria knew about Freya’s intelligence as she was part of the institute and had been apprised of the situation. She was aware of the problems of talking down to her.

  Saria sat opposite of Freya in the same position. “To the start off the first lesson we need to outline the two separate, but comparative natures of martial arts training. The first aspect is the physical art of movement, to defend and attack. Both the physical and mental training are important to develop your abilities in this area.

  “The second, aspect is the magical training. Normal this take years of academic study, as to understand a pillar of magic, you need to know the theories completely. You parents have told me that you have this sort of understanding in the magical theories. This means that all you will have to work on, is projecting the power. This projection of power is different from normal inscription on materials though.

  “With inscriptions, the controlling of the chaotic magic is achieved by understanding the theories, and then drawing the inscriptions to bind and control the magic. When magic is cast by the person, the theories are used to bind the magic, but the control of the system comes from your mental concentration. An example is that people sometimes use signets and other items to help, or hand movements. These items can be used, but if you have full mental control over the magic, you should not need these external aids. Initially, I would like to start you of with no aids, and just work on your control over magic.”

  Freya nodded excitedly, and Saria said, “First, let me show you some physical exercises and Katas to start building you strength and fitness.”

  Saria had developed some special exercises, in conjunction with the institute doctors, for the small three-year-old girl. The next half-hour was spent with Freya following Saria in an exercise pattern. Towards the end of the exercises, Saria demonstrated several Katas, or movement patterns, for Freya to understand what she would be expected to learn later.

  When they were both sitting down again, Saria said, “Now to move onto the magical aspect of martial arts training. As you get better, we will be able to integrate the physical and magical into one fighting style, but for now we’ll practice them separately. Freya, I want you to clear your mind, as if you are going to infuse an inscription with magical energy, from one of the four pillars. Have you done that Freya?”

  Freya said in a little voice, “Yes.”

  Saria similarly concentrated. “Now watch me Freya. I’m going to envision in my mind, the fire symbol; then control the magic by mentally visualizing a small flame from to tip of my finger; and finally draw in the fire magic power from all around us.”

  As Freya watched Saria as a small flame popped into life from the tip of one of her fingers. The flame was bright and wavy.

  Saria said, “Next I will change the flame. This can be achieved by envisioning the relevant push, direction and flow symbols. This is the hard part for most people, I need to combine all the symbols in my mind, giving me the logical frame work that describes the flame.”

  Again, Freya sat and watched the flame change its intensity and size. As the flame disappeared Saria said, “That’s the basis, but with all the symbols there are infinite possibilities. Most people take a while to even produce a small flame but let’s try with you today. Okay Freya, if you’ll go through the step to produce a small flame from one of your fingertips.”

  No sooner had Saria ask Freya to do that, then a small flame was bright and steady on the edge of her right-hand index figure.

  Saria was surprised, by the quickness of Freya’s control; normal people spent some time, even days getting to this stage. Saria next said, “Now using the relevant magical symbol in your mind, try and change the flame.”

  As quickly as Saria instructed Freya, the flame on the little girl's finger got larger and more intense. For the next few minutes, Saria watched in amazement, as Freya controlled the flame perfectly. As they finished for the day’s lesson, Saria asked Freya to carry on practicing when it was safe. The next lesson would be in a few days' time.

  Over the next few days Freya’s parents saw her practicing what Saria had taught her in every available hour. Freya also began researching using her farseeing device, all the information on the projection of magic in fighting arts.

  At the next lesson Saria asked Freya, “Would like you to show me what you have remembered from last week lesson?”

  Freya nodded, and started showing Saria all the Katas she had
demonstrated, in the last lesson. Freya was not only accurate in her physical movements, but also in her use of magic. The little girl was now able to use all the pillars of magic that the Katas required.

  --

  It was now Freya’s fifth birthday, she had been working with Saria for two years on her martial art training. Saria had known that Freya would be good, but she was amazed with the progress Freya was making. The small child had long since passed anything Saria could teach her. Now for the lessons, Saria just provided some advice and additional resources. Today on her birthday they were having an early lesson. Freya was practicing a complicated Kata using all four pillars of magic. Saria watched as Freya was able to move around like an acrobat, the small child every now and then used the air pillar of magic to thrust off the ground, enabling more complex movements. In mid-air Freya shot a fireball out of her hand, hitting a target dead centre, this was followed, by small metal shards, going at supersonic velocities, into the same target. Saria was looking at the holes, that had been made in the target, they were large and on fire.

  As Freya finished, Saria said, “That was great coordination between the physical elements and all the pillars of magic. The style you have developed is unique, you seem have taken element from all styles. Though now it’s time to go home for your party today.”

  Freya parents were having a birthday party, some of the other institute parents and children would be attending. As Freya was walking the short distance home over the institute grounds, she was thinking about socializing with children her age. She had soon found that she had to put an act on to mix with any children. She could not reveal her full intelligence, as her experience showed, that this would only create confusion and bewilderment, from the other children. Freya has now found a similar issue existed with all adults as well, this even included her parents. For some time, Freya had been using the farseeing devices, to create new personas on the farseeing system. Freya was doing this to produce magical inscription research and work on projects. Both the research and project; had produced a high level of success, which gave the little girl a large amount of money. She now had access to funds, to create more and more products. Freya had had to hide this all from her parents, luckily all her work she was able to do over the farseeing network, so it was only a matter of being careful when they were with her, as see was using the farseeing pane.

  At the party there was cake and party games. Freya enjoyed herself as she might have been as intelligent as an adult, but this did not mean she was emotionally an adult. She enjoyed being a child and have caring parents. At the end of the day she felt happiest being tucked into bed by happy loving parents.

  Chapter 3 Raid

  It was several nights after Freya Eos’s eights birthday party. It was quiet in the house close to the institute campus. Freya was in her room, and her parents were sound asleep in their bedroom. A loud crack woke Freya up with a start. The crack was soon followed by sounds of explosions and louder cracks echoing through the house. Freya sat up in bed, with surprise, and looked out the window. In the direction of the institute campus she could see flames and bursts of light.

  Soon her mother was inside her bedroom, telling Freya, “Dad has gone to see what is happening at the institute, but you had better get dressed dear, we may need to leave quickly.”

  Freya may have been academically mature for her age, but at the moment she was a frightened little girl. Freya said to her mother, “I will get ready, but can I have a hug please?”

  Her mother gave her a hug, and then quickly started pulling out some clothes for Freya to wear. In a few minutes Freya was dressed to leave. She also had a small backpack with some food and a spare set of clothes. Freya had also put in some inscription's tools and a small farseeing device in her backpack. The two of them slowly peered out of the front door to see what was happening. Freya’s mother saw a group of men, moving toward the house from the institute. The men were all dressed in black and had inscriptions all over their clothing with gave off a slight visible glow.

  Freya’s mother pulled her back and whispered in an urgent tone. “Quickly, go through the back door and leave. Start walking down the mountain. We will meet you at the town at the bottom. Go now!”

  With that Freya’s mother ran out to try and intercept the men approaching their home. Freya was too stunned to move and saw her mother approach the men, hands raised in a placating gesture. Before Freya’s mother could even talk to them, one of the men stunned her with a magical ball that hit her body. The last thing Freya saw, as she started running, was her mother's body on the ground.

  Moving through the house, she had the emotional reaction appropriate for her age, as she fled in terror. Freya’s mind was working automatically, as her small body moved at great speed, out the back door. Two men in black inscripted clothing were approaching the back door. When they noticed the small girl leaving the backdoor, one of them held up his hand forming a magical ball of light. Freya recognized this from her classes as the stunning magic that had hit her mother. Her primeval mind took over her reactions as the ball moved towards her. Freya jumped into the air and with a gust of air magic, propelled herself over the two men. When she was at the apex of her jump, Freya looked down at the two men from above. She sent a small bolt of lightning to the base of their necks, which quickly hit the men. Both of them collapsed to the ground, as Freya continued running away from the house as fast as her legs would take her.

  Freya quickly entered the wooded area and ran in sheer terror downwards and away from the institute. All of her thoughts were into running as fast and a far as possible from the attackers. Her fitness had always been excellent for a child her age, and with all the training she found that she was able to gain some distance. The dark trees flashed past the frightened child as she ran. In her terrified state, this only added to her fear.

  As Freya ran through the woods, down the hill, she started to notice that there were vehicles hovering in the mountains searching for something. Slowly it dawned on her that they might be looking for her. As the search pattern of the hovering vehicles, started to move closer to where she was running, Freya knew that she needed to hide. Along the small path she had been sprinting down, she noticed a fallen log with a small space she could fit her body into. Quickly she crawled under the log. As she was adjusting herself to hide, Freya pulled out an inscription device and made inscriptions that would disguise the presence of a person from magic. The inscriptions would also produce an illusion of her surroundings as camouflage.

  For the next few hours as Freya lay under the log, she saw the lights from hovering vehicles pass over her hiding position. At one time she heard footsteps pass close by, along the path. As time passed by, she managed to calm down enough to start thinking. She did not know what was happening, but there seemed to be a large-scale effort to find her. After seeing her mother fall to the stunning magic, Freya knew in all likelihood, that neither or her mother and father would be coming for her. She kept the emotions that this fact called up buried deep for now. The best thing for her to do was to get as far away as possible and disappear. Freya pulled out her small farseeing mirror from her backpack. She was able to pull up a map of the area surrounding the mountains. Freya located the institute and the small town several miles down into a valley, which her parents had told her to go to.

  Freya thought, “If I go into that town, there will be people on the watch out for a small child alone. I need to go somewhere a lot further away.”

  She looked for any town or city, that her pursuers would not expect her to walk to. Showing on the map, on other side of the mountain, was a large city. This would require Freya crossing the small mountain range, but she had the advantage of nobody expecting a small child to be able to do this by herself. Freya mapped out the best route over the mountains, but before she set out, she made some preparations. Using her inscription tools, from her bag, Freya covered her clothing in heating and camouflage inscriptions. The camouflage would lower her visibility t
o any searches and hide her from magical device searches.

  By the time Freya started out on the long journey it was just getting light. It was a beautiful morning, as the sun heated up the land. The trees were now pleasant friends, rather than the large foreboding presences they had been in the dark. Freya could see small animals and birds moving around in the early morning light. Keeping to the cover of the trees Freya started moving around the mountain towards a small pass between two peaks. For hours she walked over the rough terrain, moving upward towards the top of the mountains. The temperature was getting colder, but her inscripted clothing kept her warm and hidden from observers.

  As she slowly made her way up the mountain the sun was starting to set, Freya decided to find another place to hid for the night. Just before she lost all light, Freya found a small crevice under a flat rock to hid for the night. Again, the small girl warded the area with magical inscriptions. She was able to use a water inscription, to pull water out of the air, into a small bowl for her to drink from. In her backpack she had a few nutrition bars, that she would make last the whole journey. She estimated at her present rate of walking it would take about three more days to reach the city.

  Most of the night passed quietly but was still uncomfortable for Freya. She saw lights in the sky, moving in the distance, but happily none came close to her position and she was able to get a little sleep. The next morning Freya was up at first light, moving upwards again. As she climbed, the mountain, during the day the tree cover started to get more sporadic. Freya found that she needed to use her magical abilities to jump over rocks, in order for her to keep moving upward. At the end of the day Freya was both hungry and sore from her long walk up the mountain. Her small body was being pushed to the limit of its endurance. Using her magical abilities, from the martial art training, she sent a healing wave of magical energy all over her bodies. The alleviated the soreness but she still was hungry. Tomorrow Freya would have to crest the mountain and start on her downward descent into the large city.