Too many faces looked blankly at the mage standing in front of them, but Sebastian tried even so. “Night shield,” he ordered the spell and conjured a conservative size version of the black shield.
“Fireball,” the mage drew out perhaps the most basic of all spells between both branches of magic. Leaving it to hover over his right hand, Sebastian brought the flame closer to the black shield. As it balanced several inches away from the shield, the fireball seemed to begin to change shape. Flames began to pull away from the main ball and moved to the black shield, which seemed to feed on the elemental magic, until soon all the fire was gone.
A general murmur had begun to rise from the start of the demonstration and grew as the flames died. Even the wizards and mages from his team seemed to be surprised by the display. Soon the questions came as they inevitably always did in these groups.
The next hours passed as Sebastian continued to try to put the spell into terms that would help battle mages sort the spell for their minds. He also tried to reconstruct not only the shield spell but that of the light in such a way that at least the team that had been working with him for several weeks could figure out how it worked for them. Surprised that few took to the dark shields easily, the mage recalled that the Gray wizard he had first used the spell against had told him that it had taken him almost two years to perfect.
Though a few seemed to understand the light spell, especially among the wizards already used to calling fire for their own magic, the night shield took many failed attempts before even one of the others could call up a weak version of his own. With such slow progress, Sebastian realized that his training for the day would be consumed with just the two Gray Hall spells. Whether he could move on to other spells like his lightning with the battle mages tomorrow was questionable. It was also frustrating, since he had hoped to pass on his knowledge and maybe find a way to leave for his mission early.
“So let’s see what the mighty mizard has figured out now,” the voice came from behind him as Sebastian stood working with a pair of mages trying to grasp the night shield. Turning, the mage looked over at Magnus and a pair of wizards flanking him.
“They’ve started calling me an owl now,” he replied with a self conscious smile.
Feigning a horrible loss, the wizard in red shook his head and lay a hand on his forehead. “How could I, the Winter’s Edge champion, be so wrong?”
“You’re only as good as your last win, I hear,” joked the mage in return. Despite the bad blood between them, he felt that it was in the past. At least things seemed to be much better that had involved them since the previous summer.
“This is true,” the red wizard nodded in affirmation to his friends to either side as he finished crossing the distance across the courtyard. “It’s been almost forty eight hours since I won, but even then you had to upstage me with that water spell. My moment was tragically short.”
Cringing a bit even if the sarcastic remark was meant as humor, Sebastian added, “It only worked because of your quick thinking and those mage cylinders you made. The water probably wouldn’t have made it inside the wind wall without your help.”
“That is also true. Maybe you are an owl spilling all this truth after all,” Magnus smiled lessening the bite of his words. “Now maybe you’ll be able to show me the truth of these wizards from Gray Hall or at least their spells.”
“Night shield,” the mage ordered the spell completing the black defense that seemed capable of defeating almost every elemental spell. “You have a better knowledge of our mage shields than most of your comrades. Think of this as the opposite. Where our shields are made of energy, these draw magic into them.” It was a simplistic version of the information he had given the others a few hours earlier and, after such a long time teaching, the mage didn’t truly want to get into yet another explanation of the spell.
“And you lock it in place letting an opponent charge it?” the man in red half questioned thoughtfully. He had been training in battle mage techniques since the previous Fall and did have a much stronger grasp of the quick spells of a battle mage, even some of those created by Sebastian more recently. “I see that it is also the opposite of fire magic. We throw ourselves into our magic. There is a passion to our art, but this darkness is hollow and lacking.”
Sebastian was surprised at the more artistic and philosophical approach to the night shield Magnus was bringing to the conversation. Even in his consideration of the spells not only of Gray Hall but from the wizards of Southwall, the mage had not thought of the passion a wizard put into a spell. It seemed a little theatrical, but at the same time it described the difference between magic quite well.
“Night shield,” the wizard tried. The first attempt failed as was the likelihood of most trying something new. He examined the dark magic held by Sebastian and tried again and again looking for the feeling that would work for the spell. On the seventh try, however, a shaky version of the shield sprouted from his left hand. “Hmmm, not great, but I think that I get it. Thanks, Bas.”
As the fire wizard turned on his heel apparently sated in his knowledge, it was the mage’s turn to question, “Is that all? You don’t want to ask me about the light spell that destroys the shield or maybe the casting of lightning?”
Looking at the falcon as if giving a sympathetic ear to a child, Magnus replied, “We have a similar spell to create light.” With a sweep of his arms as he started a chant to grab power, the wizard brought his hands together in a circle before him and Sebastian felt the oncoming rush of energy just before a bright light lashed out at the shield still held before him. Like the Gray Hall spell and his copy cat version, the warm light struck the shield which held only momentarily.
The extra heat was different from Sebastian’s version, but the wizard had been right. It was effective.
Looking smug, the fire wizard added, “As to lightning, we can do that also. It’s really just about superheating the air and directing the resulting energy at a target.”
Again Magnus went through a brief incantation and series of hand gestures. Directed against a target set to one side of the courtyard for training purposes, a bolt of lightning leapt from the wizard to destroy the target in one powerful shot.
Blinking from the light still embedded in his vision, the mage thought that Magnus’s version of the spell felt more like someone ripping the air. It was heavy handed and lacked the finesse of the dancing lightning that he had learned from Ashleen. Lacking the more artistic play of his own spell aside, the fire wizard had definitely channeled a strike of lightning.
“Dance,” the mage called the lightning to his fingers. “Your version can’t keep the power close or at weaker levels can it?”
With a shrug, the fire wizard answered, “Fire wizards don’t need to play with their spells. We direct our energy into destroying our enemies, so even if you may have a control of little amounts my aim and strike is still true. What is the point of playing with something little like that unless you want to show off for children?”
Maintaining his concentration, Sebastian turned to face the targets surrounding the one obliterated by the wizard. No new words called on the dance spell. This was simply an extension of the power already there. Flinging his sparking hand towards the targets across the courtyard, Sebastian felt a shift from the earth beneath him that supplied the power of lightning. The targets were made to be the reverse and logical points for the tendrils to strike. In a flash, five bolts of lightning hit five targets. Instead of a quick piece of destruction, the bolts lasted several seconds and the wood and straw constructs quickly lit with fire. Releasing his spell and realizing that perhaps it was more than he should have attempted since he was still recovering from his exhaustion caused by overuse of the earth’s power, Sebastian looked at Magnus.
“This can control how much destruction you might want. I can stun someone without killing them or direct the lightning long enough to reduce a defense. There is just a lot more that can be done with subtler cont
rol,” he said as he wiped his forehead suddenly covered in sweat. Feeling a bit lightheaded, Sebastian knew that he needed to use some of the food set on a pair of tables for the training wizards and mages. He just wasn’t as strong as he had been before the tournament.
Magnus didn’t look happy to be shown up for a moment, but the wizard quickly recovered to give a less convincing smile. “An interesting point. I can see that I may have to look into it more sometime. Thanks for the tips, Bas.
“Well, I’m sorry that I have to leave. As champion, I need to go have lunch with the lords and ladies of Hala. I think there may be some ceremony that the king needs to throw for me.
“Later, Bas,” the wizard said with that smile plastered on his lips, if not his eyes. Dropping any honorifics for the falcon was maybe not an intentional slight, Sebastian thought, but then again the wizard seemed annoyed by the lecture so perhaps it was his passive aggressive way of trying to keep the mage in his place.
Letting the wizard go, Sebastian hurried to the table and found a chair to sit in as well.
“Are you alright, Sebastian?” Yara questioned as she followed the equally concerned mages from his team. They had all witnessed the demonstration and seen him pale after his use of magic as well.
Serrena offered him a bottle of juice and a plate full of meat and cheese. Glancing to the items and then to the redhead in surprise, he realized that he had forgotten to do more than sit. His exhaustion was making him stupid, he thought disgustedly.
“I’ll be fine,” the mage said quietly as he considered his current strength. Having to teach required using his magic, but he needed to rest. It was becoming more and more apparent. If he didn’t take care of himself, Sebastian wasn’t going to be any use on this mission.
If it came down to teaching or being the one to finally find the missing Grimnal, Sebastian would defy Raven Leros in a heartbeat and leave Hala as fast as he could.
“Maybe you should call it a day?” Collin said thoughtfully as he looked at the mages and wizards still practicing the night shield. They had noticed the exchange between Magnus and he as well, but it wasn’t their business. Instead, they wanted to train and master Gray Hall’s shield. Those men had ties to the magic used by the emperor and his wizards. If they could counter their enemy’s spells and help save lives, then that was what they should be doing, not watching rivals play at one upping each other.
Shaking his head, Sebastian looked at the courtyard and his students working to master the two spells of light and dark. They were the ones doing all the work now. He could sit back and save his energy, he decided and remained to answer any further questions.
Yara sat next to him as his team moved away to practice and work with the others. “You need to stop overdoing it, Bas. If you could see your face, you’d tell yourself to go to bed.”
With a little chuckle, the tired mage replied, “Probably, but I’ll make sure to try and avoid doing anymore magic today. With a good night’s rest and a meal in my belly, I’ll be fine for tomorrow’s training.
“This training has to be done before we can sail. Raven Leros and the high wizards were very definite on that.”
“I know that you’re excited to go find the Grimnal,” the pretty blond said quietly beside him. She knew that his mission was confidential so Yara made sure to keep her words for him alone. “Still, your health is important also. If you have to delay this trip by a week, it won’t change anything. He’s been lost for almost two hundred years. What’s another week going to matter?”
Her words were probably true, but Sebastian couldn’t help feeling in his gut that he needed to go as soon as possible. He didn’t want to argue and didn’t think he had a leg to stand on in such an argument anyway. It was just his feeling.
“I don’t want to make the ship wait any longer than I have to,” he said trying to find any solid piece of ground to stand on to justify his feelings. “Annalicia and her people shouldn’t have to wait any longer than necessary either.”
Noting her frown, he knew that had been the last name he should have thrown out in this discussion.
“Annalicia and her ship? That’s is the best you can come up with?” Yara shook her head looking disappointed until a slight smile touched her lips before she added, “You must be tired if that’s all you can think of to justify your impatience.”
With an exaggerated sigh, Sebastian gave up the fight, but with only a lunch break he continued to train those that had come to learn from him.
Chapter 6- Uncontrolled
The Sea Dragon stood out from the other ships in the port of lower Hala thanks to it predominant color pallet of blue. It was an ocean going vessel and one of the larger ships roped to the central dock. When it had been waiting for the passengers from Malaiy, the three masted frigate had simply anchored in the manmade harbor created by wizards after the Dark Emperor’s Cataclysm, but now it was readying for the new mission their lady had decided to join.
Like busy ants, the docks continually had sailors and warehouse workers going to and fro along their great lengths. Dozens of ships were at dock from those who simply ran coastal waters to the larger ocean going vessels like the Sea Dragon. Sebastian was followed by Mecklin and Olan from his team of mages. These two, along with the lone female Frell, would be the only mages to accompany him. Vord and Ardost would be returning to Windmeer with Brenner. They had taken to the light and dark magic enough to pass on Sebastian’s newest spells to those at White Hall and Windmeer.
One of the more advantageous points of bringing his sister to the school was that they could also spread his teachings at a place where it would do the most good. Unfortunately, the worst thing about taking Katya to White Hall was yet to come and she seemed to not see what had to be.
“Wow, those boats are huge!” the girl trailed along with the group looking wide eyed at the sailing vessels. Though there were fishing boats that sailed the rivers even close to Mera, this was her first actual look at a true ship. Small town girls rarely got to see such things and the ocean was even more miraculous crashing against the break sheltering the harbor in the distance. “What one are you going to be using?”
Pointing to the Sea Dragon painted blue just above the water line, the ship seemed to be trying blend into the waves around it. Occasional crewmen could be seen near the rail above them, but most of the human activity to be noticed centered on the pair of wide planks reaching pier to deck. As Sebastian looked up, a familiar face silhouetted by silver blond hair peered over the rail and brightened as she noticed the group of mages.
“Sebastian, come on up!” Annalicia’s musical voice called to him from the Sea Dragon.
Following her direction, the four climbed the plank fairly adeptly, though he could sense Katya’s unease due to the rise and fall of plank and ship even in the relative calm of the harbor. About a dozen men were also on deck, though two stood very near Anna in such a protective way that he had to assume they were body guards for the lady. Sebastian didn’t know what rank she had in her country, but whatever place that was the young woman seemed to be viewed as very precious to her people.
The wizard was even more unusual than her ship for appearance as she wore clothing that seemed much too light for the late winter weather of North Continent. Her top seemed almost wispy and lightweight. It was cut revealing her arms from shoulder to wrist. Only a trio of silver and gold bracelets on one arm and an intricately wrought metal cuff on the opposite wrist covered her delicate limbs. Even the neckline plunged lower than a northerner would dare in the cold air. Her skirt was made from several layers of blue and green scarves over laying the main piece which came down to the tops of her boots, the only predictable clothing she wore for such a day.
Feeling magic similar to his air shield spell, Sebastian assumed that the girl not only used her spell for filtering out cold air, but must warm her as well. Needless to say, she appeared warm enough despite her clothing and happy as she gave a greeting to each of them. She paused over Ka
tya glancing between the two a moment.
“This is your sister? I admit that I barely see the likeness anywhere other than your eyes and then they are different colors. My brother and I are more close in appearance, I think, much to his dismay. The petite features given us by our grandmother’s heritage have often made him a bit of a joke for some of the men. Since he still doesn’t need to shave even though he is nearly thirty, you can see his dilemma,” the pretty woman started as she worried over what her words implied. “I wasn’t inferring that you have the same problem, of course.”
Short and petite compared to the mage, Annalicia’s surprise touch of his cheek was more than just coincidence as she reached up to stroke the side of his face adding, “You have a very strong and manly face actually. I suppose that such a man has very little trouble finding ladies to dance with at night?”
Her audacious nature surprised the mage a bit and he could feel his cheeks coloring with embarrassment.
“He has a girlfriend,” Katya put in equally bold, “so you’re probably right.”
A slight frown flickered in Annalicia’s eyes, but she managed to keep her smile confronting Katya. “Then you are probably correct, Katya.”
Looking ready to change topics with the conspicuous quiet between them, the lady moved on to the next order of the day. “So how many do we need to make room for then?”
“Myself and three mages, plus Yara and four wizards, which gives us nine,” Sebastian stated matter-of-factly and waited for his sister’s response. This was the moment he was waiting for and the man wasn’t sure how she would take it.
Looking slightly confused, Katya’s brow furrowed as she asked, “Can’t I come with you, Bas?”
He shook his head. “This is an official mission, so I can’t take along civilians. Besides, Katya, you need to go to White Hall and start learning to control your power.”
Battle Mage: The Lost King (Tales of Alus) Page 6
