A Slave to Magic

by Lana Axe

  Waving her hand, she dismissed the comment. “You can do it. I trust you.”

  “This isn’t about trust,” he replied. “You could drown, and I won’t risk it.” Looking at her with a sparkle in his eye, he said, “Ask me again when I’m a master wizard.”

  Laughing, Nera hopped down from the well’s edge and stood beside her friend. He had an idea, and she was anxious to see what it was.

  Knowing how well he had done with the heat spell, Kwil focused his mind to heating the water. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he continued to pour heat into the well, the water beneath bubbling in response. Concentrating intently on the task at hand, he neglected to blink his eyes or let out the breath he was holding. He teetered slightly, but Nera lent a hand to steady him. Without losing his concentration, he took a deep breath and pulled the steam up from the water’s surface.

  Nera clapped her hands as a cloud of water vapor formed itself into a sphere and hovered above her friend’s upturned palm. “You did it!” she shouted.

  “Not yet,” Kwil said. “I have to get it back to Master Rili.” Fearing he might lose control of the vapor, he paused for a moment, standing perfectly still. Putting more concentration into the spell than necessary, he felt himself waning. He had to remain strong if he was going to succeed.

  As if reading his mind, Nera said, “You’re doing great, Kwil. This is the easy part.”

  She was correct. Heating the water and carrying it was easier than what came next. He had to correctly perform the spell that would turn the evaporated water back to liquid, and he wasn’t sure he could do it. Taking great care with each step, he moved at a snail’s pace toward the manor door. Nera rushed in front of him to open it, and he stepped inside, barely able to contain his excitement. Only a few moments more of concentration, and he would prove to Rili he was a worthy student.

  Hearing their footsteps, Rili rose from his seat and joined them as they moved into the dining room. Seeing the cloud of water vapor in Kwil’s hand, he raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

  Willing the water vapor to float toward a wooden bowl on the table, Kwil continued to focus his mind. His heart rate spiked, and his breathing became heavier as the water hovered above its target. Closing his eyes and hoping for the best, he muttered a quiet incantation. Stumbling on his words, he paused and cleared his throat. Trying again, he spoke slower, enunciating the words through a shaky voice. Drawing the heat away from the vapor, he allowed it to cool to its former state. As his eyes opened, the vapor liquefied, pouring itself into the bowl. An immense feeling of relief swept over him. The spell had actually worked as he had planned. Beaming with pride, he turned to the master wizard for approval.

  Narrowing his eyes, Rili inspected the young man closely. “This was your idea?” he asked. “The girl didn’t help you?”

  Kwil shook his head. “She offered, but I declined,” he replied.

  “Boiling the water was his idea,” Nera stated. “I only thought of carrying it in my hands or mouth.”

  Rolling his eyes at her silly suggestions, Rili decided she had nothing to do with Kwil’s clever trick. The boy had talent, and he had an analytical mind that would serve him well as a student of magic. Rili was pleased. “You’ve done well,” he said to Kwil. “Now you’re ready for your second test.”

  Kwil’s heart sank to his feet. He should have known something so simple wouldn’t be enough proof. “Name it,” he said, ready to accept the challenge.

  “You must fetch me the claw of a cockatrice.”

  Chapter 10

  “He’ll be killed!” Nera shouted in protest. “It’s not a fair test!”

  “That is the test he must take,” Rili replied calmly.

  “I’ll do it,” Kwil said. Wrinkling his brow, he asked, “What’s a cockatrice?”

  “Kwil, you can’t do this,” Nera warned. “A cockatrice is extremely dangerous. It will kill you without a second thought.” Turning to Rili, she said, “You can’t be serious about this. He isn’t ready! A master wizard can’t face down a cockatrice.”

  “If he cannot do it, I will not teach him,” the wizard replied. “If he returns victorious, he will become my apprentice.” To Kwil, he cautioned, “Don’t try bringing me a fake. The claws have specific magical properties, and I’ll know easily if you’re trying to deceive me.”

  “I would never do that,” Kwil replied.

  “And the girl must stay here,” Rili added. “No one may assist you in this final test.”

  “You’re intentionally making this difficult for him,” Nera accused. “You want him to fail!” The injustice of this test made her angry, and she wasn’t afraid to let the wizard know it.

  Rili raised a hand to silence her. “Either Kwil will accept the test and pass it or he won’t. It makes no difference to me.”

  “I want to do this,” Kwil said, his eyes pleading with Nera to cease her argument. “Where can I find this creature?”

  “There is a cave about three miles west of here,” Rili explained. “Once you’ve gone about a mile, you’ll notice a narrow trail. It is created by the dragging of the cockatrice’s tail. Follow that path, and you will see a rock formation when you’re about a mile from the cave’s entrance. The forest thins out nearer the cave. Good luck to you.” Turning his back, he stepped away as carefree as ever.

  “You’d think he could be more helpful before he sends a person to his death,” Nera commented. Taking Kwil by the arm, she said, “Listen to me. A cockatrice is part dragon and part bird. Its gaze can turn you to stone, even with the slightest glance. You mustn’t look into its eyes.”

  “I understand,” Kwil replied, nodding. “What happens if the creature sees its own gaze?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled.

  “Its reflection,” he said. “Like when it takes a drink and sees itself in the water.”

  “I have no idea,” Nera admitted. All she knew was what she’d heard in old legends, and she was barely paying attention. Her mind was always filled with music, and learning about the various monsters in the world held little appeal unless it was told in song.

  “Has anyone ever managed this?” Kwil wondered.

  Nera could not say. “I hope so,” she said. After a pause, she asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Shaking his head, he replied, “I don’t want to, Nera, but I have to. Whatever it takes for Master Rili to teach me is what I’m going to do.” Leaning forward, he hugged his friend tightly. “This is my dream,” he said. “If I don’t try, then I’ll never be more than a slave.”

  Feeling the tears welling in her eyes, Nera did her best to hide them. She understood the yearning in his soul. It was the same thing she felt when her father announced she had to become a sorceress when all she ever wanted was to make music. Her dream denied her, she had resigned herself to a life of misery. Meeting Kwil had changed all that. She was now free to create her own future, and so was he. “Go carefully, my friend,” she said. “And come back in one piece,” she added with a smile.

  “I’ll do my best,” he promised.

  Wringing her hands, Nera watched as her friend walked away. He had no weapon with him, and no way to shield himself from the monster’s wrath. Rili had sent him completely unprepared, and her heart ached as she watched him walk away. If he didn’t return, she would find a way to punish Rili, though she had no idea how to go about facing down a wizard.

  Kwil attempted to walk with confidence as he moved away from the manor grounds and into the trees. Was Rili observing him? Would he show up in a flash of light and save Kwil if something went terribly wrong? Shaking his head, Kwil put the thought away. There was little chance the wizard had something like that planned. Maybe he did intend for Kwil to die in this attempt, but if there was a way to succeed, he was determined to find it.

  The frozen ground crunching beneath his feet, Kwil pressed on to the west. With each step, he grew more anxious. Taking deep breaths, he did his best to stay c
alm. After only ten minutes of walking, he felt like he’d been going forever. Glancing back over his shoulder, he could still see the smoke rising from Master Rili’s chimney. Determination urged him forward, though his feet felt heavier by the second. This would either be the best day of his life or the last.

  When his eye fell on a narrow trail, Kwil’s mouth dropped open. This meant he was nearing the cockatrice’s cave, and he had better start readying himself in case the creature was skulking about. Every attempt he made to clear his mind failed. His mind raced with visions of vicious claws and flashing scales, and his fear was beginning to take hold.

  “You can do this, Kwil,” he said out loud. “No point in worrying about it now. You agreed to the task, so do it.” Staring up at the sky he focused his mind to the soft gray clouds gathering above him. Nearly becoming dizzy, he stared into the endless void, losing himself inside it. Finally, his mind was calm and clear. With renewed confidence, he continued toward the cave.

  Before long, the rock formation Rili had mentioned came into view. It was much larger than Kwil expected, rising high into the sky and spanning several hundred feet across. The stones looked to be etched and possibly shaped by some long-forgotten race of ancients. Heading toward them, the trees thinned out, leaving the young slave exposed. But he did not care. A strange sensation drew him to the rocks. He had to touch them, to feel their smooth stone beneath his fingertips.

  As he approached the rocks, he felt magical energy pulsating through his body. Almost too intense at first, he eventually relaxed into the feeling and came to enjoy it. It was revitalizing and energizing, filling his magical stores with a sensation he had never experienced. Was this what it was like to bathe in pure magic? All he knew was, he would gladly stay stuck to this spot forever, absorbing the stones’ magic through his veins.

  Taking a seat at the base of a tall, pillar-shaped stone, Kwil rested his cheek against its surface. To his delight, the stone was warm, despite winter’s chill. It glowed with a pale yellow light, and he raised his hand to shield his eyes. When the light became more intense, he pulled himself away, releasing the bond he had created between himself and the stone. The light faded, leaving him to wonder what had happened.

  A flat, round stone lay at his feet, and he decided its smaller size might produce a less dramatic effect. If he could determine what was happening when he touched it, maybe he could learn to use it properly. Placing his palm on the flat surface, he felt the stone’s warmth, and the same light began to glow between his fingers. The image of the cockatrice flashed in his mind, and the stone emitted an electric jolt. Pulling his hand away, Kwil tried to shake off the pain. Looking down at the rock, he noticed its surface had been altered—it was now polished to a mirror-like shine.

  Looking around, Kwil searched for the source of power at the rocks. He saw nothing besides the plain, gray stones, settled into the frozen ground. If it weren’t for the intense feeling of magic in the area, he would never have expected anything to happen.

  Was this part of Rili’s plan? He had mentioned the rocks after all. Perhaps he knew only a sorcerer would sense the magic in the stones. Kwil wished Nera were here so he could ask if she sensed anything. Her disinterest in magic might make her immune to their effects. If so, Kwil would know that Rili had indeed offered help, though he didn’t make it too obvious.

  Rising to his feet, Kwil observed his reflection in the rock’s surface. Using this against the cockatrice was a far better idea than having it look into water. This was portable and just the right size to serve as a shield. With his heart yearning to study the rock formation further, Kwil knew he had to move on. He wasn’t going to find the cockatrice sitting here, and the task was too important to abandon. Hoping that someday Rili would bring him here and explain the magic of the stones, Kwil forced himself to walk away, following along the path carved by the monster’s massive form.

  As he approached the cave’s entrance, fear gripped hold of his mind. No longer certain that he wanted to continue, he hesitated, staring into the mouth of the cave. Only a few feet inside, the light faded away to darkness, and Kwil felt a churning in his stomach. Clutching the polished stone against his chest, he begged it to give him strength. The warmth returned to its surface, spreading throughout the young man’s body. Steeling himself, he stepped inside the monster’s lair.

  To his delight, the shield remained lit, providing enough light for him to easily maneuver through the cave. His feet immediately hit water, and he paused, observing the pool in front of him. It appeared to go down for eternity, its depths descending into blackness. Wondering if he would have to swim across, he became uneasy. Kwil was not the strongest swimmer, but the monster might be. Stooping low, he grabbed a small pebble and tossed it in the water. It splashed, landing no more than a few inches from the water’s surface. Looking upward, Kwil realized the pool was only reflecting the darkened ceiling with its partially illuminated stalactites. With a quiet sigh of relief, he continued forward.

  A booming voice echoed against the cave walls, startling him to attention. “Who wanders so foolishly into my abode?” the voice asked. The words were followed by audible footsteps—the heavy, resounding steps of a massive beast.

  His throat nearly too dry to speak, Kwil did his best to project. “My name is Kwil,” he began, “and I’ve come to ask a favor of you.” Civility, he decided, was the best option here. This creature was intelligent enough to speak, so maybe he could reason with it to avoid a fight.

  Laughter resounded throughout the cavern. “You are a bold fool,” the monster said. “What favor would you ask of me?”

  Swallowing hard, he replied, “A single claw is all. My master requires it.”

  A brief silence followed, and the young man tilted his ear toward the cave’s depths. He recognized the faint sound of dragging and the dripping of water, but nothing of the cockatrice’s voice. Shining the light of his shield throughout the cavern, he counted no fewer than five passageways. With the echoing sounds, he could never guess which way the voice had come from.

  Without warning, a heavy blow knocked him off his feet, his shield scooting away from him along the muddy floor. Its light faded out before Kwil could scramble to his feet.

  “I’ll be keeping all of my claws today!” the cockatrice roared. With a swipe of its tail, it struck a second time, slamming Kwil against the cave wall.

  Pain exploding through his body, Kwil struggled to suck in a breath. Dropping to his knees, he clawed desperately at the floor, searching for the stone shield. Feeling the beast’s breath on his neck, Kwil instinctively rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a gnashing beak. Groping in the darkness, he continued to search for the shield, knowing he must find it or die.

  The cockatrice struck again, sending the slave’s bruised body sliding into a shallow puddle. As he came to a halt, he flipped himself over and coughed up a mouthful of pebbles and mud. When he reached out his hands to steady himself, his fingers brushed against warmth—he had found the stone. Its light glowed as the mage’s hand grasped it, and he lifted it high in the air. With the cavern illuminated, he got his first glimpse of the creature that had attacked him.

  Golden scales glittered in the pale light, its long slender neck rising to the height of the cave. A menacing hiss escaped its hooked beak as Kwil trembled at the sight. When the creature spread its batlike wings, the slave pulled the shield close to his head, shielding his eyes from the beast’s gaze.

  Realizing the intruder carried a polished stone, the cockatrice commended him. “Clever boy!” it shouted. “You’ve come prepared!” In a fluid motion, it swung its spiny tail, and sent the mage flying.

  Biting his lip to endure the pain, Kwil clutched tightly at his shield. Knowing the monster would not relent peacefully, he resorted to the only plan he could think of. Drawing on the magic inside him, he placed one hand flat against the back of the shield. Adding his own heat to the stone’s, he spoke a brief word of magic. The light illuminated tenfold, the
shield’s rays glinting off every puddle in the cave.

  Roaring with displeasure, the cockatrice was forced to cease its attack and squeeze its eyes shut. Should its gaze fall upon its own reflection in one of the many pools, it would turn itself to stone. “Enough!” the beast cried. “Dim the light, and I will give you what you seek.”

  “How do I know I can trust you?” Kwil asked. Right now he had the upper hand, but if he doused the light, he would be at the creature’s mercy.

  The cockatrice lifted its foot to its beak and clamped down, severing a section of claw. Spitting it in the mage’s direction, it said, “Take it and leave this place.”

  Kwil grabbed the claw and shuddered, imagining the damage it could have done him. It was larger than his own hand and as strong as steel. “Thank you,” Kwil said. Before dimming the shield, he asked, “If it was so simple to remove the claw, and it caused you no pain, why did you make it so difficult for me?”

  “Because you came uninvited to my home,” the beast replied. “Normally those types become my dinner.”

  Kwil took that as his cue to leave. Obviously he had worn out his welcome. Keeping his reflective shield at the ready, he backed away from the monster, heading for the exit. Stepping out into the light, he broke into a run for fear the monster might pursue.

  Chapter 11

  “Magnificent!” Rili exclaimed, holding the claw up to the light. “Simply magnificent.” Strands of blue magic pulsated through the claw as the master wizard tested its purity. Kwil had retrieved the finest specimen he’d ever seen. It would serve many purposes in the wizard’s experiments.

  “But how did you manage it?” Nera asked, thankful to see her friend alive.

  “It was the rock formation,” Kwil replied. “I was drawn to it.”

  “As I knew you would be,” Rili said with a smirk. “Come, there is much to learn.”

  Satisfied that Rili hadn’t intended for Kwil to be killed, Nera followed the two of them as they headed for the library. Stacks upon stacks of bookshelves lined the walls and filled the room, leaving barely enough space to squeeze between them and find what one was looking for. Rili quickly climbed a ladder and searched out several volumes, which he dropped for Kwil to catch. Only when the young man’s arms were well laden did Rili cease and climb down.