by Wendy Owens
“That doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of other things you can’t do right away like with air.” Raimie said trying to rekindle that passion in Gabe.
“What about water?” Gabe asked, his brow furrowing.
“Well water is a unique one because it’s all around us.” Raimie began.
“It is? I don’t see any water,” Gabe asked glancing around themselves.
“Well yeah,” Raimie replied, the excitement he felt about elemental magic filling his voice. “Water is in the air and the ground. I mean it’s even in the human body. It is much easier to manipulate the water in things than to manipulate large bodies of water. It goes back to density of an object and the amount of power it takes to affect it.”
“So water is one I won’t be learning anytime soon either?” Gabe asked feeling a little overwhelmed.
“Oh no, you can manipulate water probably today, you’re just not going to be parting the red sea anytime soon,” Raimie said laughing.
Gabe was pleased to find out there were a lot of things he would be able to do today. He was thrilled to begin his learning. “So you think we should start with air then?” Gabe asked, trying to direct the conversation towards getting started.
“Hey! What’s going on over there? Laying down on the job?” Uri’s voice shouted from behind Gabe and Raimie.
Gabe spun around on his hip to see Haim and Uri walking down the stairs and taking a seat right behind the girls.
“Come on. We want a show!” Haim shouted and they all began to laugh.
Gabe looked over at Raimie and suddenly he felt not so eager to begin. The last thing he wanted was an audience for him to embarrass himself in front of. He wanted to learn everything Raimie had to offer but preferably not with everyone, especially Sophie watching him.
Raimie jumped to his feet and extended a hand to Gabe. “Ready?” He asked.
“I guess,” Gabe replied apprehensively.
“Don’t worry,” Raimie whispered. “I’ll start you off on an easy one.”
“Thanks.” Gabe muttered under his breath, feeling a slight sense of relief.
Raimie stood at attention as he turned to face Gabe, clearly aware of the crowd gathering. “We’ll start with wind blast.” Raimie said looking at Gabe intensely. “Basically it’s just what it sounds like; you send a gust of intense wind at your enemy.”
“How intense?” Gabe asked.
“As intense as you cast it to be.” Raimie said matter-of-factly. “It’s all about how much power you put behind it. That’s why you need to work on learning how much power is building in you and when to dispense it.”
“So what are the focus words?” Gabe asked.
“Elemental spells don’t work exactly the same as the other spells you’ve learned. It’s more like a chant. We are asking nature to fulfill our needs,” Raimie explained.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Gabe protested.
“It’s different because when you cast something you are basically evoking the power of that element.” Raimie said. “It requires a little more finesse. I want you to focus on me, as if I were the enemy. Don’t worry about hurting me, Dina cast a protection spell on me before we began.”
“OK, so what do I say to do this wind blast?” Gabe asked, not having a good feeling about what was unfolding, his palms starting to sweat a little.
Raimie stepped closer and reached out to position Gabe. “Your body needs to be centered. All of your weight evenly distributed. Widen the distance between your legs, crouch slightly, and open your arms cupping your hands outward.” Raimie said adjusting Gabe’s stance.
Gabe wondered how goofy he looked but did as he was instructed. Raimie continued his explanation. “If your weight is evenly distributed you are more likely to achieve balance and sense energy around you to absorb. Now close your eyes and concentrate on the power. Think about it flowing in from everything around you. The plants, the sun, the dirt, everything has an energy source—something that feeds it. Imagine you have tubes on the ends of your fingers and they can suck this power in.
Gabe did as he was told; he kept feeling little tingles but wondered if perhaps it was his imagination or even nerves from being watched by the girl he adored. “When you feel like you are filled to the brim with that energy you can begin the chant. Then envision you pushing all that energy out from your fingertips.”
“Air in the trees,
Come as I call you,
Deliver your wind”
Gabe did just as Raimie told him. He found it easier to concentrate with his eyes closed so he didn’t have to keep seeing Sophie watching him. Even with all the focus Gabe didn’t feel anything more than the tingling. He decided to try to push the spell to completion anyways.
Gabe began to mutter the chant, once, twice, each time with Raimie coaching him and encouraging him. “With more force, Gabe.” Raimie repeated.
Gabe focused intensely on the words, raising his voice. As he finished the words a third time, Gabe did as Raimie had instructed and imagined all his energy was being pushed out his fingertips.
A moment later, he felt his hair being blown back and suddenly he was lifted off his feet. A second later Gabe landed several feet back and skidded to a stop on his bottom. He quickly opened his eyes to see what had happened. Raimie was across from him. He too, was in a sitting position on the ground with a shocked look on his face, staring at Gabe.
Suddenly he heard shouting from the stairs and the other four came running into the circle. “That was freaking amazing!” Uri cried out.
“What the hell was that?” Dina exclaimed.
“Gabe, are you OK?” Sophie asked rushing to his side.
“What happened? Gabe asked looking a bit confused.
“Your Wind Blast. You built up so much energy behind you that it knocked Raimie back and then had a kick back effect on you as well.” Sophie explained.
“Craziest thing I’ve ever seen!” Haim shouted running over to Raimie and helping him to his feet. Raimie walked over to Gabe, his senses returning.
“I guess you are one hell of a teacher after all!” Gabe said laughing. Raimie gave him a crazed look and then a moment later joined him in the laughter. It wasn’t long until the entire group was laughing hysterically.
“How about next time you try it with your eyes open?” Raimie suggested still laughing.
Chapter Twenty-one
The fire flickered and as Gabe stared at the burning pit before him, he thought about his day with Raimie. He had never imagined he would be making the wind blow or the snow fall but sure enough thanks to the union with this new group, Gabe was doing all of that and more.
To the left of Gabe sat Raimie and Dina right next to him with her leg draped across his lap. Dina’s head rested on his shoulder as they watched their boisterous friends Uri and Haim. Gabe laughed as Uri and Haim re-acted the day’s events to the gathered crowd. They exaggerated their movements, Uri pretending to be Gabe, rolling his hands and then waving them in the direction of Haim. Both stumbled backwards onto their bottoms and the people around the circle began to roar with laughter.
Watching Uri and Haim act out his misfortunate magical accident made Gabe see the humor of the event that had escaped him in the moment. Sophie walked over to the left side of Gabe and sat gracefully down next to him. She slid her arm around his and pulled him closer to her.
“I’m so glad you’re here with us Gabe.” Sophie said flashing him a smile.
Gabe took another look at the group of companions that in this past week had become the closest thing he had ever had to friends. “Me, too.” Gabe said softly and then fell silent again. Gabe and Sophie had grown close so quickly sometimes it seemed unreal to him.
The bon fire never grew any smaller nor did it ever need wood since it had been cast. Gabe marveled at the simple spell. He hoped he would still be nearby when the time had come to cast the fire into oblivion.
The night was dark and the crowd that had gathered around t
he fire had grown quickly and by this time they were quite loud. Even with the deafening noise as a distraction Gabe still could not shake this awkward feeling; a feeling that something was happening. He looked around the fire but saw nothing. Glancing over his shoulder and peering through the gaps between bodies, Gabe caught sight of three hooded figures walking under the moonlight. Their faces concealed in the darkness. They scurried across the courtyard quickly and seemed to move with great purpose.
Gabe grabbed Sophie’s hand and whispered, “I’ll be right back.” He then released her and patted her denim clad leg for good measure. Sophie nodded and watched as Gabe stood and weaved his way through the audience that had gathered, a few bystanders patting him on the back as he passed. She lost sight of him for a moment and leaned to her right to catch a better glimpse. She saw him walking towards the courtyard, towards three hooded men. She wondered who they were and then returned her attention to the festivities.
Gabe darted across the grassy area, quickening his pace in an effort not to lose sight of the figures. He watched as the three dodged around a stone wall, the last in the line looking around to see if they were being followed. Amazingly, he didn’t seem to notice Gabe closing in. As they disappeared, Gabe took off into a full run in fear of losing their trail.
At last Gabe rounded the same corner but all he saw was the blackness of the night. Gabe collapsed against the stone wall to catch his breath, disappointed in losing the trail. Just as he was about to give up and return to Sophie’s side at the bonfire, a light in the distance caught his eye. There was a trail to the left which led to a small archway with stairs, inside the opening glowed a soft yellow light.
Gabe cautiously walked to the archway and slowly down the stairs. The light began to dim and he realized the source was traveling away from him. Gabe continued following the path, running his hand down the cold damp stone wall.
He traveled clumsily down a couple flights of stairs. At the base he looked down a corridor, at the end of the long hall was an arched opening. The opening glowed with the golden light that had caught his attention and Gabe froze when he heard voices below. A moment later, he tip-toed to the opening, being careful to conceal himself along the darkness at the edges of the tunnel.
Glancing over the ledge, he saw below him was a vast room with a dirt floor. The three hooded figures were gathered around what looked like a huge open stone oven. Gabe watched as one of them muttered a spell and the stove began to glow with hot embers. Another opened his satchel and on a nearby table laid out two small objects. He then tossed a small velvet bag onto the table which made a jangling noise as though coins being clanked together.
The three walked around for a moment, none of them speaking, each seemed to be sure of what his task was. At last the third figured walked over to the table, standing near the objects. He opened the velvet pouch and emptied the contents onto the large wooden table. Several coins fell out and rolled to a halt. The other men had stopped what they were doing to watch him. The third figure delicately gathered the coins and dropped them into a nearby small metal pot. Slowly he walked to the stone oven and perched the small pot onto the heated surface.
As the man walked back over to the table he unbuttoned his cloak and a moment later slid out of it. Gabe stared curiously as the man revealed himself, it was Michael. Questions began rattling around in Gabe’s mind as he watched intensely. Michael walked around the table and sat in front of the two small objects that had been placed there by another one of the figures.
The other two men followed Michael’s lead and slid their cloaks off as well. One kept watch on the pot Michael has set into the flames. The other watched quietly and reverently over Michael’s shoulder. Michael lifted the small objects and Gabe squinted to try and see what they were. The torchlight shone on the metal in Michael’s hands and Gabe realized what he was holding, they were two small daggers.
“Do you think it will work?” The man over Michael’s shoulder asked.
“The Oracle was very specific. She said the Daggers of Sacrifice indeed would not be enough. She told us to fight him with the source of his power.” Michael explained.
“But what if we chose wrong, what if the coins won’t work?” The man was clearly nervous as he pleaded with Michael.
“Simon, Mammon is the Prince of Greed; I can’t imagine a better example of the greed of mankind than Judas’ Denarians.” Michael replied calmly and with great conviction.
“But how do we know it will work?” The man continued to argue.
The other man took a pair of nearby tongs and lifted the burning pot from the flames to get a closer look. “They’re almost ready, sir.” He said placing the pot back into the fire.
The man Michael had to referred to as Simon began to pace, ringing his hands behind his back. Realizing Michael was not going to answer him the man continued. “The Denarians are a tragic example, but how can we be sure? If we are wrong it is suicide.”
“Simon,” Michael snapped sternly. “Uri and I travelled a long way and went through a lot of pain to barter for the fruits of Judas’ treachery. Do you think we would have done that if I didn’t think this was going to work?”
Gabe watched as Michael stood and walked over to the man who was almost trembling at this point. “Faith brother, it’s a beautiful thing.” Michael said softening his tone and giving him a distant embrace. The man nodded and Michael turned to fire, holding the Daggers in his hands.
Michael approached the fire and using tongs he dipped one of the daggers into the silvery liquid, lifting it quickly. A moment later he repeated the process. Michael carried the blade to the far side of the room and Gabe lost sight of him. Gabe leaned forward to try and get a better view from his hidden perch. As he rested his arms on the archway opening he accidentally brushed a number of small pebbles. Before he realized what was happening, Gabe heard the dusty debris hit the ground below.
The three men looked up at the window quickly, one shouting out “Who’s there?”
Gabe ducked back into the tunnel. His heart was beating so heavily it felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. He heard the scuffling below and Gabe assumed at least one or more of the men were coming to investigate. Gabe took a deep breath and pushed off his heals, scurrying up the dark tunnel. He ran as fast as his feet would carry him. When he climbed the stairs and emerged into the darkness he saw the bon fire in the distance.
He wasn’t sure what he had just witnessed but Gabe knew one thing without a doubt; Michael clearly didn’t want anyone to see him. He focused all of his energy into running, pushing as hard as he could. Gabe felt a heat buildup inside him; he imagined all of the heat being pushed down and out his toes. He closed his eyes and a second later opened them. When Gabe opened his eyes he gasped is surprise, he had reached the edge of the bon fire but at full speed. He tumbled into the crowd which let out sporadic screams and groans. Gabe couldn’t explain how he had made it back so quickly. He wondered if he had unknowingly used some type of magic. The poor souls he had plowed into regained their footing and helped Gabe to his feet, laughing at his apparent clumsiness.
Gabe stood and turned to see if he was being followed. In the distance he saw a torch round the corner and two figures stop at the edge of the courtyard looking around frantically.
Gabe turned and quickly weaved his way back through the crowd. He sat back down next to Sophie and wrapped his hand tight around hers, still gasping for breath. Sophie could feel his heart beat racing. “Gabe, are you OK?” she asked.
He looked over at her, feigned a smile and nodded. Gabe didn’t know how to describe what he just saw or even if he should.
Chapter Twenty-two
Gabe finally sat up, giving into the reality that he was not going to be able to sleep anymore. A night plagued with images of Anthony turning to ash and Mammon bounding towards him on the beach had left him fearful to close his eyes again. Gabe moved over to one of the high back chairs and staring into the blackness of the fireplace
he began to replay what he had witnessed the night before. What was Michael planning he wondered? Based on the words and body language of the men with him Gabe knew whatever it was must clearly be dangerous.
He wondered if Uri was a part of the plan. Uri had travelled with Michael to get what he had called, Denarians. Gabe wanted to ask Uri about it but feared if he did, Uri might feel compelled to bring his question to Michael's attention. Gabe was not ready for Michael to know he had been the one in hiding.
Gabe knelt to start a fire, once the small flames began to climb up the logs he stood and turned to walk back to his seat. There was a small knock at the door. The sun was not even up and Gabe wondered who could possibly be coming to his room at this hour. Gabe walked to the door and cracked it just enough to let the light from the fireplace leak into hallway. Sophie leaned into the light and looked up at Gabe.
“Did I wake you?” She asked in a whisper.
“No,” he replied, pulling the door open the rest of the way and motioning for her to enter. “Trouble sleeping last night.”
“Me, too.” Sophie replied.
Gabe walked over and took a seat in front of the fire. Sophie followed and sat across from him. “Is something wrong?” Gabe asked looking at Sophie whose face was wrought with worry.
“I’m not sure...” Sophie replied hesitating. “I think something is going on, but I’m not sure what.”
“What do you mean something is going on?” Gabe asked, curious if she knew more about what he had seen the night before than she had let on.
“I don’t know, it’s just since Michael and Uri returned I’ve barely seen Michael.” Sophie explained. “He hasn’t been to any of the meals. At first I thought maybe it was because of Anthony and the beach...” Sophie stopped herself and then looked horrified at Gabe.
“I’m so sorry, Gabe. I didn’t mean to bring up...” Sophie continued.
“It is fine,” Gabe assured her. “I know I shouldn’t have gone that day and I appreciate what Michael did. I’m just so grateful.” Gabe said with a slight smile, glancing back at the growing flames.
