“I have read the same histories, which is why I went out to test my blessing today rather than come tell you,” Seth replied.
“Now I see the reason for your decision. I still see it as misguided, but none the less, I would be lying if I said I would have done otherwise with the knowledge I have of that particular goddess,” Jud responded, his normal grin returning.
“As for my blessing and its abilities, all I can honestly tell you is that I can perform magic but I know not its limitations yet,” Seth answered, being as vague as possible.
“I see,” Jud replied, his brows sinking as he was momentarily lost in thought. “What were you able to discover about your abilities today on your foray outside the castle?”
Seth knew he had to be cautious with this answer. If he gave too much information, some might fear him and try to lock him away, banish him from the kingdom, or worse, kill him. That is, if he even could be killed, now that he could siphon life at will. Just one more thing he would have to look into soon.
He knew also, if he gave too little information, Jud might not take his blessing seriously, or might even be suspicious of him. It was a fine line to walk, but Seth knew he had to give the man something.
“As I said, I don’t know yet what all my limitations are, but if I were to compare myself to anything, I would say that my blessing is similar to that of a red robe, with a wider range of abilities,” Seth answered, still being vague.
Jud was wise beyond his years and it was obvious that he knew Seth was not being completely open with him, but none the less, he did not press too hard.
“What spells can you perform that are beyond the capabilities of a red-robed battle mage?” Jud asked with skepticism in his voice.
“I can perform every spell they can,” Seth replied now beginning to sound a bit cocky. “On the battlefield my talent would be most useful, as my foes would simply drop dead at my feet.” Seth ended, and liking the sound of his own abilities spoken aloud. He stood taller with pride, perhaps even defiantly.
“They simply drop dead at your feet?” Jud asked, a quizzical look on his face. “How exactly do you accomplish that?”
Seth had already composed an answer for such a question, and was ready to respond without hesitation.
“It is similar, yet the opposite, to what our white robes do. Whereas they can venture into a body to repair damage to save a life, I can venture into the body to create damage and end the life.” It wasn’t true to Seth’s own knowledge, but then again it wasn’t exactly untrue either, as he hadn’t actually tried that particular ability yet. However it would perfectly explain bodies simply dropping at his feet.
“Sounds like quite a ghastly ability,” Jud replied, his tone of a man saddened by loss. “I’m sorry such a blessing of death has been bestowed upon a young man with yet so much life to live. However, if this is true, then I must prepare a meeting, talk with the other masters, and speak to the king to see how you might best serve the kingdom.” Jud replied, life springing back into his antiquated frame. “Sara, go visit the heads of the orders, as well as the king’s assistant. Tell them we must meet this very evening,” Jud commanded.
Sara simply nodded, and with a quick smile to Seth, dashed down the hall and down the steps. Seth tracked her aura all the way to the bottom of the tower with his mind, losing track of her when Jud began to speak again.
“I do not distrust you, young Seth, but can you assure me that what you said is true?” Jud asked, sounding worried once again.
“I can Judilanthaliz. I swear to you that it is true, and I can prove it,” Seth replied, already giddy in anticipation of the pleasure the magic coursing through him would bring.
Seth raised his hands, palms facing upward toward the ceiling. The evening had turned night during their discussion, and the hall grew darker by the moment. Seth focused his mind on his task and unleashed the god’s power that was left over from the first animal he has siphoned from. Fireballs exploded to life in each of his hands, levitating a fraction of an inch above his flesh, yet causing no harm. Judilanthaliz’s eyebrows rose in shock at the sudden display but he remained watching intently. Seth refocused his mind and altered his mental task. The flames in his hands crackled and snapped, exploding again to consume Seth’s entire body in flame. Though at this moment appearing a human torch, the flame did not actually touch Seth’s body or his attire, instead it danced around him, a protective field, but this display was to be short-lived. Seth felt the power waning, and not wanting to use up the other reserves he had stored, he refocused his intent once again. With a thunderous boom a shockwave exploded from Seth, sending Jud staggering backwards as all the flames encompassing Seth immediately extinguished, and the tower shook with proof of the birth of a new breed of mage.
Judilanthaliz stood open-mouthed, a mixed expression of fear and amazement etched upon his face. Many moments passed before he could bring himself to speak.
“That was a very complex process you completed. To alter a spell once cast is difficult for the oldest and most learned of the mages. What confounds me the most is your lack of preparation. I did not see you pray. I heard no chanting and you did not perform one symbol. How is it that you do this with so little effort?”
“I believe the best answer is the simplest,” Seth began. “Ishanya has made the power I need to perform magic readily available at all times. I need not pray for it, as she has told me she does not want to be hassled with my prayers. As for incantations, chanting and using symbols, those are just means of focusing the power to perform one specific task, whereas I suppose I feel the power as more of a fluid that I mold to whatever purpose I need. I know of no real limitations to my abilities as of now, but I have had very little time to experiment.”
“I see,” Jud responded, obviously still pondering all he had witnessed. “This is indeed quite impressive. I want you to join me at the meeting tonight. I have a feeling some of the others may want to speak to you. Speaking of which, why don’t you come with me to the castle now? That way we will already be there when the king has time to give us audience.”
Seth agreed with a nod, still reveling in the joy coursing through his veins from his latest spell. Jud continued to ask Seth simple questions about his abilities all the long way back down the many flights of stairs and out across the expansive courtyard to the castle proper. Seth, having had little time to learn the limitations of his capabilities, had to concede to Jud that he simply did not yet have most of the answers the old shield wanted.
The castle, which was the home of the king, his council, masses of other lords and ladies and a myriad of servants, was an impressive yet foreboding structure. It was built with elegance, but designed to defend. The upper walls were lined with murder holes through which the movement of many guards could be glimpsed with torchlight reflecting off armor. The walls were not only tall, but impressively thick, made with giant stones a hundred men could not have hoped to move. These walls were just the first line of defense, for beyond the first massive gate was a courtyard that gradually narrowed to another wall, and another gate. Beyond the second gate was yet another courtyard surrounded by tall walls, patrolled by guards and this one too narrowed, becoming barely as wide as three men at the final gate. Seth realized, as could anyone walking this path, that to attack the castle proper with troops would be suicide. The entire entrance with its ever narrowing gates and courtyards was designed as a pinch point for any army seeking entrance, allowing fewer and fewer men to advance as a unit the further they gained ground. Seth could imagine the carnage that would be laid upon any attackers from the walls above.
Judilanthaliz guided Seth through the many gates and courtyards, gaining access through each checkpoint with a nod from the guards as he approached. Jud was well known here, but anyone else hoping to be admitted would be stopped and questioned several times before arriving at the door to the castle itself. Seth strode along beside Jud taking in the sights, having never seen a castle before. He was amazed to s
ee the stark difference he encountered when entering the building itself. Outside was dark, imposing and geared toward a military life. Inside the castle was just the opposite. Light beamed everywhere from large sconces piled high with candles; not a corner or niche inside any room they passed was sparingly lit. It was as if the sun had been brought indoors and held captive to light the palace.
Many rooms they passed held groups of people talking quietly, or enjoying the warmth of a fire. One particular room Seth looked into as they went by was filled with young children seated upon pillows on the floor as an elderly woman read them a story. Seth could not help but smile as he saw that life inside the castle was the same as everywhere else. In fact, it kind of made him miss home. What he wouldn’t give to sit in front of one of the great fireplaces his father had built in the inn where he had grown up, and talk to his father, brother and their neighbors who were like family to him. It felt like a lifetime ago that he had been home, and he hoped he would get the opportunity to see it again soon.
Seth snapped out of his reminiscing as Jud turned abruptly and led them down a narrow corridor that ended at a spiral staircase that appeared to go up forever. In reality it only went up a couple of floors. The illusion of an unending staircase was created by the highly polished floor at the base of the stairs in combination with a highly polished ceiling at the top reflecting the image of the staircase back upon itself a thousand times. Seth was happy to find he wouldn’t spend the rest of the night climbing stairs.
Reaching the top of the staircase, Jud knocked upon a massive wooden and steel door with a large knocker that hung from its center. Though the door could easily accommodate three men walking abreast, it swung silently open from the inside where a guardsman in dress ceremonial armor motioned them into the room. This room was much akin to those on the first floor, so bright it might have been lit by the sun itself.
Upon entering the room Seth was surprised to see many important figures already waiting in the chamber. The heads of both the white and red robes stood in the corner talking in hushed tones, and Judilanthaliz strode across the room to join them. Also there were what appeared to be high-ranking military officials as well as several couriers, all awaiting admittance to see the king. Seth, not knowing what else to do, walked over to the heads of the different orders of mages to see if perhaps he could learn what awaited him.
Approaching the three older mages, Seth could hear Jud relating something to the other two. He couldn’t make out exactly what the man was saying as Jud’s back was to him, and they spoke barely above a whisper. The only words, Seth could be sure of as he approached were, “I’ve never witnessed such skill in one so young.” Judilanthaliz stopped abruptly as one of his peers looked past him, signaling the boy’s approach.
As Seth came within earshot, each of the three mages turned their gazes upon him, and Seth could not help but to note the different emotions that played across their faces. Jud still had a look of earnest amazement upon his, whereas his companions showed more skepticism. They already doubted his abilities, assuming, of course, that they were just boasts by the old shield. Seth swore silently that, given the chance, he would leave them slack-jawed, staring in disbelief at the feats he was capable of. A petty desire, he knew, but one he wanted none the less.
Before Jud could introduce Seth to his companions, a young man entered the room from the chamber beyond and respectfully motioned for the heads of the orders of magic to follow him in. Seth noted immediately that the boy had sworn no allegiance to any god, but then again this boy must be about the same age as himself and, until yesterday, neither had Seth.
Whereas Seth expected them to be entering a grand room with the king seated upon a throne, he was as much relieved as disappointed to see that the chamber they were meeting the king in appeared to be more of a library or study as opposed to a throne room. Each of the mages bowed low to the king, so Seth followed suit. The king was as Seth remembered from The Choosing. This night the man wore no armor, and seated behind the desk piled high with scrolls and papers, he looked as ordinary as any other person to the naked eye. Seth, however, could view the man as the gods viewed him. The king’s aura was so bright it was distracting, to say the least. It poured from the man, seemingly barely contained by his mortal flesh. The king was a blessed man who could apparently call upon his blessing whenever he so chose and it was awe-inspiring to those who could see it.
Removing his gaze from his king so as not to make him uncomfortable at his staring, Seth picked up on another aura in the room tugging at his attention, and this one he already knew. Turning to the corner behind him and to the right, he saw Sara sitting quietly in a chair, silent, unmoving. She could not help but smile though, at Seth having noticed her in the room.
“Gentlemen, you know there is no need for formality here. My old friends, please come in and tell me of this amazingly talented young mage that Sara here has been so kind to speak to me about. Wait now, is this him?” the king asked, noticing Seth behind the other mages.
“Yes majesty, this is he,” Judilanthaliz replied dragging Seth by the arm out to stand before the king. Seth could not help but feel as though he was on trial and tried his best to look dignified.
“Sara here has been telling me much about you,” the king began, a natural grin upon his face. “Sounds to me like you are quite the honorable young man. Having rescued Sara herself from servitude to an abusive drunk, protecting your friends and brother from the hands of an elusive goblin, and staying here in the city for many weeks hoping for a blessing when you could have run away like so many others would have. Such a loyal young man. Tell me, Seth, are you as loyal to the kingdom as you are to those close to you?” The king asked. This was obviously the king’s main concern. No matter how powerful or weak a mage may be, in the right hands, under the right conditions, any mage could be a force to be reckoned with. Seth knew the king would not appreciate hesitation and replied quickly.
“Yes, your majesty.”
“That is very good to hear indeed…Seth,” the king stated, pausing before his name as if to see how it felt to say it. “What can you tell me about your abilities as I have heard very little about them?”
“Unfortunately, your majesty, at this point I can tell you little about them other than this. I need not pray, chant, or use incantations to perform spells. The magic is like fluid all around me which I can mold to serve my purposes. I can manipulate the magic like others cannot. I can change its purpose at will to the best of my knowledge. I have used it to kill, though only animals, and I can say that my range for this purpose is quite large. I can do it silently, at will, and my target simply ceases to live. I have also used my gift to alter physical items, though I must admit that this ability is more taxing than others. Other than that, I have only been blessed a very short time, and have had very little chance to experiment.” Seth felt somewhat giddy hearing the words come from his mouth and seeing the affect they had upon not just the king, but also the other mages in the room.
“I am told that you serve Ishanya, a goddess of old with few followers. Is this also true?” the king questioned further.
“Again, to be honest,” Seth began, “the answer to your question is both yes and no. I don’t know how most others’ blessings come about, but Ishanya came to me, and offered me her blessing on these terms. I need not pray to her or beg of her for the power I need to perform. Instead I need only tell those who witness my deeds that it is by her will that I can perform them. In exchange, she has promised me the power I need to perform, always readily available, without hesitation, without question.” Seth finished, happy with his choice of words.
“I see,” nodded the king. “So at this early point in your career, do you feel the goddess is upholding her part of the bargain? I only ask because the histories say she is an unreliable goddess.”
“Thus far I believe she has indeed done so. The power to perform is available. I can feel it coursing through my veins even now,” Seth replied, reach
ing within to feel the power he had locked away inside him, simultaneously seeing the other mages’ jealous looks.
“I feel questioning will only take us so far, Seth. Don’t you agree?” the king asked, but continued before Seth had time to reply. “I think we should arrange a test. White robes are tested constantly as they master their craft, whereas red robes are tested periodically to see the limitations of their talent. I think, however, if it comes to you as naturally as you say, that we should arrange for you a more complex test with several different levels of difficulty, that is, if you feel up to the task?”
“Yes, your majesty, I am indeed.” Seth said not only confident but excited as well.
“Good then, we shall have it arranged. Will you need long to prepare?” Again the king was assessing him.
“No your majesty, I will be ready as soon as you have everything arranged,” Seth replied.
“Good. We shall have it organized for tomorrow, and I shall send a runner to fetch all of you when it is prepared. Is there anything you require to be at your test Seth?”
“No your majesty, but if I may make a request?” Seth hesitated, to wait for the king’s response.
“You may,” was the answer.
“Could Sara, the priest from Ishanya’s temple and my brother Garret attend?”
“I see no harm in that,” the king replied. “Where can we locate your brother? I am assuming he is in the city?”
“Yes, your majesty, he trains with your knights,” Seth answered quickly.
“Ah, so you are the brother of one of my knights? That is terrific. I will have to see if he has departed the castle yet. However, if you are as talented as you say, whether he is available to attend tomorrow or not will matter little. If you pass your test, you will join myself and your brother on the battlefield in very short time. I will dispatch messengers in the morning as for your instructions. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Now go and get some rest.” This last statement from the king was aimed at all those in the room, for as he said it he rose from his desk and looked at each person.
Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) Page 42
