A Slave to Magic

by Lana Axe

  Seela led her guests upstairs and pointed to two doors. “You may use these rooms,” she said. “The bath water heats itself,” she added with a grin. Retiring to her own room, she left the visitors to their rest.

  Nera could sense Kwil’s disappointment. “It’s only one night,” she said. “After tomorrow, you’ll be on your way to becoming a master wizard, and no one will come looking for you here.” After hearing Seela’s account of history, Nera knew no Gatan would set foot anywhere near the cabin. Attitudes did not change quickly in this land, and no one would risk being cursed by an evil Feles. The thought brought a smile to Nera’s lips. Seela was possibly the most intriguing person she’d met. Despite being an outcast, she appeared to live life on her own terms and was genuinely happy. She was free from the rules of society and master of her own destiny. One day, Nera hoped to have the same thing.

  Chapter 16

  After a hot bath and a full night’s rest, Nera awoke feeling more alive than she ever had. The forest air was fresh and inviting, despite the darkness of the landscape. Looking out her bedroom window, she could see only beauty. The dark trees and withered leaves held a sense of mystery, no longer one of foreboding and fear.

  Pulling the last of her clean clothing from her bag, she silently hoped Kwil would learn a spell to wash laundry without having to get wet. It was cold, and she had no desire to stand outside scrubbing. After dressing, she retrieved her lute and headed downstairs.

  Seela was already up, a breakfast of fruit and nuts waiting at the edge of the table. Despite having guests, she had not bothered to tidy up. Vials and flasks were strewn about the kitchen, leaving little room for cooking and eating.

  “Good morning,” Nera said, announcing her presence.

  “Good morning to you,” Seela replied. “I trust you slept well?”

  “Better than I can remember,” Nera said, taking an apple from the basket. “Would it be all right if I sat outside to play?”

  “Oh yes,” Seela said. “The imps are gone, and no one will bother you.” She headed to the window and pushed it open. “If you sit here, I’ll be able to hear your music.”

  Nera beamed with pride. Seela hadn’t heard her play a single note, yet she was willing to lend her ears. Nera hoped she’d be pleasantly surprised by her talent. Stepping outside, she took in a deep gulp of forest air and let it out slowly. No more stuffy towns or noble manor houses would be in her future. She would play for a traveling company, giving concerts under the stars.

  Taking up a position near the window, she fiddled momentarily with her strings to make sure they were in tune. Then, she strummed softly, humming along with the rhythm.

  “Why don’t you sing?” Seela’s voice called from inside.

  Pausing in her song, Nera replied, “I’m afraid I don’t have that gift.”

  “Nonsense,” the Feles said. “You can learn. You simply need a teacher.”

  “Would that be you?” Nera asked, grinning.

  “I’m afraid not,” Seela replied. “I never took the time to learn, but I do have a friend who might be able to help. I’ll try to get in touch with her.”

  Nera returned to her song, playing with her eyes closed. When she opened her eyes, she thought she saw movement among the trees. Peering into the woods, she saw nothing and dismissed it as her imagination. Switching her song to a lively tune, she tapped her foot to keep time. As she stared into the trees, she was certain she saw something buzzing around. Standing, she took a few steps toward the trees for a closer look.

  Two tiny figures appeared before her eyes. “Play more!” they shouted with high voices.

  Nera’s jaw dropped open. They looked exactly like the pixies she had seen in stories as a young kit. Saying nothing, she lifted her lute and continued the music. The pixies darted and dipped, dancing along with the rhythm. Nera laughed to herself, hardly able to believe what was happening. Here among the ominous trees of the Dark Forest were creatures straight out of a fairy tale. She made a note to tell Kwil his scary stories of the forest couldn’t possibly be true, at least not in the vicinity of Seela’s cabin.

  As she finished her song, the pixies came forward to applaud before buzzing away into the trees. Inspired by the enchanted beings, she sat down to begin a new composition. Attempting to capture their flight pattern by song, she plucked at her strings until she found the correct notes. It was still a work in progress, but it was coming along.

  Seated at her desk near the window, Seela tapped her tail to the music. “Sounds like the forest is having an effect,” she called to Nera.

  Nera smiled. “I think you’re right,” she replied.

  * * * * *

  Kwil did not wake until late that morning, the sound of Nera’s song greeting him as his eyes finally opened. He stretched his arms and sat up, certain that it was the best night’s sleep he’d ever had. The bed was extremely comfortable, almost as if it had been made specifically to fit his body. The thought gave him pause, and he ran his hand along the mattress to examine it. Smiling, he realized the mattress had indeed conformed to him. It was enchanted, as were most items in the home, he suspected. Seela had an extraordinary talent for magic, and Kwil couldn’t wait to start learning.

  Jumping out of the bed, he ran to the door and opened it. The cool breeze reminded him that he had yet to dress, and he quickly shut the door to ready himself for the day. The sun was shining straight through the window, and he noticed its high position. He had slept much later than intended. Half the morning was already gone, and he had not reported to his mistress.

  Combing his hair, he tried to tame his dark locks into an orderly fashion. Splashing water over his face, he was pleasantly surprised to find it warm. After dressing, he headed down the stairs to greet the others.

  “Look who’s finally out of bed,” Seela jibed. She had taken the extra time to clear the table and neatly organize her potions inside the cupboard.

  “Forgive me,” Kwil said. “I must have been more tired than I thought.”

  “Here,” Seela said, filling a wooden bowl with porridge. “Eat.”

  “I’m not all that hungry,” Kwil replied. His zeal for learning had usurped his appetite.

  “Nonsense,” Seela said. “You can’t learn on an empty stomach. Eat now and then we will begin.”

  Nera paused in her playing to peek inside the window. Kwil was busily shoving spoonfuls of porridge into his mouth, and Seela was admiring her work with the potions. Staying silent, Nera decided to hold her position and observe them. Kwil’s first lesson with Seela would probably be amusing to watch. It might even inspire a song.

  “All finished,” Kwil announced, swallowing the last mouthful.

  “Very well,” Seela replied. “Let’s begin.”

  Striding over to Kwil, Seela took the bowl from his hands. Spreading silver magic over it, the dish became clean as Kwil watched.

  “You have to teach me that spell,” he said.

  “Later,” she replied. “That is not today’s lesson.” Extending her paw, she handed the bowl back to him. “Do you feel the magic in this bowl?”

  Taking the bowl, Kwil placed his hands on either side and closed his eyes. He felt a faint trace of magic still in the wood. “I think so,” he stated.

  “Good,” she replied. “Now draw it out.”

  Wrinkling his brow, he opened an eye to look at his mistress. “I don’t know how,” he admitted. He had felt magic in the stone he used against the cockatrice, but it had never occurred to him that he might take the magic inside it for his own. “What is the incantation?” he asked.

  “There is none,” she replied. “This is a spell you cast by being in contact with an object. If it contains magic, you can claim it. Now focus your mind and do as I told you.”

  His mistress sounded impatient, so Kwil closed his eyes and tried to reach into the magical residue left on the bowl. Imagining himself reaching between the grains of the wood, he attempted to steal the magic inside. He tried until his hand
s began to shake, but he failed to retrieve the magic. He still sensed its presence locked inside the bowl. Opening his eyes, he stared blankly at Seela.

  “All of us have our shortcomings, and no one has limitless power,” she explained. “Only an elemental is replenished by its element. The rest of us must find it where we can.” She took the bowl from his hands and spread red magic over it. “Try it now,” she said.

  Undeterred, Kwil made another attempt. This time, he could feel the heat of the magic against his hands, and he called to it with his mind. Magic oozed from the wood, his fingers taking on a red hue in response. A strong sensation of heat filled his chest as the magic became his own. His eyes opened wide, he looked up at Seela. “I did it,” he announced, stunned by his achievement.

  “Good,” she replied. “You managed it on the second element. Now we know your affinity is for fire.”

  “Does that mean I’ll be a fire mage?” he wondered.

  “If that is the path you choose,” she replied. “You may learn from any school: air, fire, water, or earth. But most humans and Gatans take the time to master only one.”

  “Could I master them all?” he asked, his mind swimming with the possibilities.

  “You could,” she replied. “But it will take many long years of study. Perhaps more than a lifetime.”

  He thought for a moment and said, “I’ll master fire first, and then I’ll master as many as I can before I die.”

  “Most are content to master one,” Seela replied. “After that, they consider themselves wise enough.”

  Shaking his head, he replied, “I wish never to stop learning. There will always be knowledge out there that I don’t possess, and I want to find as much of it as I can.”

  A smile crept across Seela’s face. “You are wise for someone so young,” she said.

  Curious, he asked, “What element are you mistress of?”

  “Air,” she replied. “And earth. I am studying water now.”

  “Maybe I can help you with fire,” he responded. “That is, if you don’t master it on your own first.” He wasn’t sure whether he had misspoke.

  Seela laughed. “If you master fire before I finish with water, then I will gladly accept your help,” she said. “I may have you bested now, but in time, you may become the more powerful one.”

  Kwil doubted that, but he didn’t say so. He wasn’t even sure how to know when he had mastered any element to move on to another. How do you master something when there is always more to learn? Though he might finish the lessons and earn the title, he would not stop studying. There would always be more for him to learn, and with Seela as his guide, he might learn more than he’d ever imagined.

  “Come now,” Seela said, opening the cabin door. “You must learn to draw magic from a creature.”

  They stepped outside together, Kwil’s expression displaying his uncertainty. What creature did she have in mind? Would he be fighting those imps again? He hadn’t had much success the last time, but he would do as he was told.

  Seela trotted over to a tree where a small brown spider was wrapping up an ant that had caught itself in her web. She whispered a few words to the creature, but Kwil could not hear her reply.

  Returning with the spider resting on her head, Seela said, “This lovely young lady has agreed to help us with the lesson.” Lifting her paw, the spider climbed onto it. The Feles spread white magic over the spider, the eight-legged creature trembling in response. Seela leaned an ear toward the spider. “She says that tickled,” she said before passing the spider to Kwil.

  Kwil took the spider in the palm of his hand and did his best to hide his discomfort. “Does this work the same as the bowl?” he asked. He had no desire to harm the little volunteer.

  “It does,” Seela said. “But this is not a fire spell because I would not harm this creature. Be gentle with her, but be sound in your resolve.” After a pause, she said, “And take your time.”

  Barely able to feel the spider on his hand, Kwil wasn’t sure he would be able to draw magic from her. Closing his eyes, he attempted to block out all distractions. Focusing his mind to the spider’s magic, he found it almost impossible to detect. Seela had put only a small amount into the creature, forcing Kwil to work to find it.

  Holding his concentration, Kwil managed to sense the presence of a slight amount of magic. Directing all his energy to the spider, he realized he could feel her tiny feet against the palm of his hand. There was a slight warmth to them, but he did not know whether it was her warmth or his own. Realizing it didn’t matter, he saw the opportunity to draw out the magic. It passed through the spider’s body, exiting through her feet and leaving a faint glow of white on Kwil’s palm.

  Opening his eyes, he could have sworn he saw the spider grin at him. The magic passed into his body, giving him a tingling sensation in his veins. White magic was used for healing, and it revitalized him as it added itself to his magical stores.

  “Well done,” Seela said. “And thank you, Miss Arachnid.”

  The spider lowered herself on a thin string of silk and scurried away.

  “You’ve done well for your first try absorbing magic from another creature,” Seela said, a hint of pride in her voice. “That would have come in useful against those imps. Had you drained one, you would have found him quite docile.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Kwil replied.

  “With more practice, you’ll perfect your technique and be able to perform this spell much more easily.” With a flash of gold in her eyes, she cast an energy burst at one of the trees, lighting it with a golden hue. Then she cast silver and green at various limbs and leaves. “That should keep you busy for a while,” she said. “Oh, and this too.” Spinning around, she cast white magic at Nera, who had been observing the entire time.

  The blast hit the Gatan in her midsection, and she jumped in surprise. She was unhurt, but a little annoyed at being used as a guinea pig. At least the spider had given permission first. She crossed her arms and stood still, waiting for Kwil to practice his skills.

  Seela laughed and headed back toward the cabin. “See how you do with absorbing those spells,” she instructed him. “You might want to start with Nera first. She looks a bit perturbed.” Chuckling, she stepped inside and prepared to close the door.

  “Wait,” Kwil said. “How long do you want me to keep practicing?”

  “That’s a silly question,” Seela replied. “You keep practicing until you can’t do it anymore.” Closing the door behind her, she left her apprentice to study on his own.

  Though he’d never practiced magic until his stores were depleted, Kwil was willing to try. It would be the first time he’d experienced the sensation, having read about it numerous times. Each wizard’s experience could vary slightly, but it mostly involved fatigue and, naturally, the inability to cast any spells.

  Approaching Nera, he kept his head low. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want her to use you for my lessons.”

  “Let’s just get this over with,” Nera said with a huff. The white magic had not harmed her. In fact, it gave her an energetic feeling.

  Laying his hands on Nera’s shoulders, Kwil closed his eyes and focused his mind to his friend. Magic radiated all through her, and he could hear the faint sounds of her lute, though she was not playing. Pulling the magic from inside her, he transferred it into himself. He could feel the magic add itself to his stores, but he did not experience any strange sensation. Removing his hands from her shoulders, he realized it had taken a good deal of his own magic to pull power away from her. He had used more than he had gained. “Fascinating,” he said.

  Nera only shook her head and picked up her lute. “I’ll be over here if you need me, but don’t cast any spells my direction.”

  Nodding, Kwil moved away to focus on the tree. Its golden magic shone so brightly, it had a hypnotic effect on him. He had never even read about gold magic. Placing his hands on the trunk, he attempted to absorb its power, but each time he felt i
t enter his body, it flew out again. Apparently, the spell was self-sustaining. No wonder Seela had told him to practice until he ran out. Smiling to himself, he decided to drain the limbs and leaves first, and then return to work on the tree. It was going to be a long day.

  Chapter 17

  Kwil awoke feeling more alive than ever. A fire was lit in his belly, his magical stores being completely replenished as he slept. He had feared the drained feeling would stay with him much longer, or that he would require a potion to replace the magic he had spent. To his surprise, that hadn’t been the case. He felt magic within himself greater than it had ever been.

  After readying himself for the day, he made his way downstairs to find the cabin empty. The sound of Nera’s lute let him know that she was around, likely sitting outside. Opening the door, he stepped out into the chilly winter and took in a deep breath. The air smelled of dried leaves and fresh soil.

  “Good morning,” Nera said upon seeing her friend.

  “Good morning,” he echoed.

  Seela was perched on a low limb, her paws crossed in front of her. “How are you feeling this morning?” she asked, wondering how he had responded to the magical drain.

  “I feel wonderful,” he replied, still sounding surprised.

  “Looks like we can start our lesson then,” Seela replied, jumping down from the tree. “I thought the three of us might take a little walk this morning. There is a suitable place for the next spell I want to teach you.”

  Kwil and Nera gladly followed Seela as she led them deeper into the forest. It was silent all around, no animals scurrying or shrieks in the distance. The Dark Forest’s reputation as a place of evil was quickly being disproved.

  His curiosity getting the better of him, Kwil moved beside his mistress to ask some questions. “Mistress,” he began, “I was wondering about yesterday’s lesson.”