A Slave to Magic

by Lana Axe

  As Aqualia passed by to take her seat, Kwil continued to stare. Seela flashed a cutting glance his direction, demanding that he get his eyes back in his head. As if coming out of a daze, he obeyed, blinking to remove the image.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Nera said, still clutching her lute.

  “You’re a musician?” Aqualia asked.

  “I am,” Nera responded proudly.

  “Then you must play for us after dinner,” Aqualia said. “I’d love to hear your music.”

  “My friend here is a Siren,” Seela informed the others. “She has the most beautiful voice you’ve ever heard.”

  Nera’s mouth hung open a moment. She could already hear the music from Aqualia’s lips, and she was intrigued. “Will you sing for us?” she asked.

  “Certainly,” the Siren promised.

  “If I can persuade her to stay awhile, I intend to ask her if she’s willing to assist you in your voice training.” Seela looked expectantly at her friend.

  “I’d be delighted to help this young lady unlock her talents,” Aqualia said, her face lighting up.

  “It’s settled then,” Seela said. “I’ve already prepared a room for you.”

  “Lovely,” the Siren replied. “I’ll be able to stay only a few days, but I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Shall we eat?” Seela asked, gesturing a paw at the table. All the foods they had prepared were laid out before them, their aromas enticing the group to dine.

  Kwil poured wine for everyone, lingering a bit longer at Aqualia’s glass. There was something mystical and intriguing about her, and he could sense an unseen magic. Feeling it would be impolite to ask, he remained silent, trying to solve the mystery on his own. He had never read about Sirens, and now he regretted it. At first light, he would search Seela’s library for the information he craved.

  Aqualia charmed the others with talk of her homeland—a tiny island on the sea, inhabited by her and her sisters, where every day was sunny and sweet. Of course that wasn’t truly the case, but Aqualia would not mention dark days or stormy seas. This was a night to make merry, and she had no desire to darken the mood.

  “I would love to see your island one day,” Nera said, leaning her head on her hand. “It sounds amazing.”

  “Then you should visit,” Aqualia replied. “Once your duties here permit it.”

  “She has no duties,” Seela remarked. “She’s free to come and go as she likes. Only Kwil is bound to me. Unless, of course, he chooses to end his apprenticeship.”

  Kwil found himself tongue-tied by the suggestion and crammed a piece of bread in his mouth to avoid a reply. The twinkle in his mistress’s eye suggested she was only kidding. Both she and Kwil knew that he would never choose to abandon his studies.

  “Tell us how the two of you met,” Nera begged. “It must be a fascinating encounter.

  “Do I tell it or you?” Aqualia asked, facing Seela.

  “You start, I’ll finish,” Seela replied.

  “Well, I had hoped to keep the conversation light....” Aqualia paused for a moment. “Well, let’s just say I wasn’t having a very good day. I was swimming alongside a ship, and the men were admiring me as usual. Then out of nowhere, there was an explosion. Splintered wood flew everywhere, a few pieces striking me as I tried to get out of the way. I was bleeding heavily and in a lot of pain.”

  “What caused the explosion?” Kwil asked.

  “I have no idea,” she replied, shaking her head. “The ship must have been hauling dangerous cargo, but I never saw it, and nothing remained of it afterward.”

  “How did you manage to get to safety?” Nera asked, her brow wrinkled in concern.

  “I managed to pull myself onto a tiny islet, despite the searing pain in my back. I had a rather large gash, not to mention dozens of scrapes and bruises. I laid there all night, drifting in and out of consciousness. When I saw a small black figure coming toward me, I thought I was hallucinating.”

  “Couldn’t you use magic to summon help?” Nera asked. “Sirens have magic in their voices, don’t they?”

  “We do indeed,” she replied. “But I hadn’t the strength, and my voice wouldn’t carry across the waves.”

  Ready to tell her part of the story, Seela cleared her throat. “First, you need to understand why I was in the area. This was shortly after I had completed my mastery of earth magic, and I was starting my study of water. I found myself distracted far too often and decided to take a break, and at the same time, find some inspiration. So I traveled to the ocean to see what it was all about.”

  “Was it the most beautiful place you’ve seen?” Nera asked. “I’d love to see it myself.”

  “It was a lovely place to visit, yes,” Seela replied. “But I much prefer the forest as my home.”

  “Tell them how you found me,” Aqualia encouraged her.

  “I was prowling about the ocean and stumbled across her on that little island.”

  “She was walking on the water’s surface,” Aqualia added. “I’ve lived my whole life on the sea and never seen anything like it. I thought I’d lost my mind.”

  “Well, I was partially sinking if truth be told,” Seela stated. “She was far from shore, and I’d used quite a bit of magic to reach her. I was as surprised as she was that there was another soul upon the islet.”

  “What happened next?” Nera asked.

  “I passed out,” Aqualia replied, her voice full of humor.

  “I used some magic to help her recover and remained at her side until she was fully healed,” Seela said. “We passed the time talking and sharing stories until she was well enough to return home.” Proudly, she added, “We’ve been friends ever since.”

  “Seela is a fascinating friend to have,” Aqualia said, smiling.

  “Aqualia’s entire people are fascinating,” Seela replied. “I was honored to be allowed as a guest in her waters. Her parents threw a banquet in my honor for helping their daughter.” Shaking her head, she said, “My own family would never be so kind. They’d probably throw a party for someone bringing my dead carcass and placing it before them.”

  “Tell me about your family,” Kwil implored her.

  “There isn’t much to tell, really,” Seela replied. “My parents are deceased, and my only nearby relative is an uncle, who is also a master wizard. He owns the manor that was rightly mine by birth, but my being outcast meant that I would inherit nothing.” There was a slight hint of bitterness in her tone, but a sigh of acceptance suggested she was over the disappointment.

  “That isn’t right,” Nera commented.

  “What’s done is done,” Seela replied, “and I have no desire to own the manor or live among those who would revile me. Still, I would like to have the medallion my mother wore. I played with it often as a child. She let me paw it while she would sing to me. My mother held great love for me, despite everyone else telling her I was a creature of evil. It pained her that I was sent away, but she had no power to stop it. She was a virtual prisoner to my father.”

  Nera nodded her understanding. She could easily relate to the way Seela’s mother had been treated. It was all too common in Gatan society. “We have more in common than I realized,” she said.

  Kwil seemed lost in thought, as visions of his mother singing flooded his mind. Picturing Seela as a child in her mother’s arms, he nearly wept at the sorrow of the two being forced to part. Silently, he vowed to retrieve this medallion for her. It was the least he could do for his mistress.

  After dinner, Nera played her lute while Aqualia sang, her voice penetrating the souls of the listeners.

  Walk with me upon the sand,

  swim beside me ’neath the waves.

  To the waters of eternity,

  sleeping ever in our graves.

  Hand in hand we drift to sleep,

  our hearts entwined as one.

  To the ever after

  ’neath the setting sun.

  Enthralled by her voice, Kwil could
barely move. He had fallen entirely under her spell, unable to resist her song. Nera gave him a knowing smile and patted his shoulder as she put her lute away.

  “You have quite a talent for the lute,” Aqualia said.

  “Thank you,” Nera replied. “Your voice is incredible.”

  “It is a gift,” Aqualia said modestly.

  With a yawn, Seela announced it was time for bed, and they made their way upstairs, each retiring to his or her own room. The Siren’s song still echoing in their minds, they drifted off to sleep, images of the sea haunting their dreams.

  Chapter 19

  Over the next four days, Nera and Aqualia were inseparable. Aqualia had never been taught to play the lute, so she allowed Nera to give her a few lessons while she helped Nera refine her singing voice.

  Curious about her new friend, Aqualia asked, “Why is it you don’t study magic like your friend Kwil?”

  “My father wanted me to be a master wizard, but it isn’t the life I’d choose,” she explained. “I spent a full year at the College before I escaped. I’m better off here where I can hear the music of the forest and practice any time I wish.”

  “I understand,” the Siren replied. “A year, did you say?”

  “Yes,” Nera replied, wondering why it would interest her.

  “Then you should have a magical store, correct?”

  “I suppose I do,” Nera replied. “It’s probably very small, though.”

  “That’s all you’ll need,” Aqualia replied, smiling. “Use it in your singing.”

  “What do you mean?” Nera asked.

  “Just a touch of magic when you begin a song,” she replied. “It will strengthen the music.”

  The thought had never occurred to Nera. She detested every moment at the College, and she never expected to use any of the magic she learned there. But Aqualia made a valid point. If she used it to augment her music, she could enhance her performance. Not by tricking her audience, but by enchanting the strings of her lute or, as the Siren suggested, add a touch of magic to her voice. “I think that’s a fantastic idea,” she replied, beaming. Kwil would be delighted to see her using magic. She decided not to tell him, and instead let him be surprised when next he heard her play.

  “Since you are capable of magic, there is one spell I’d like to teach you,” Aqualia said. “Don’t worry, it isn’t the kind of magic they would teach at the College. It’s a bit of water magic, and my people use it often.”

  “Are you sure it’s something I can learn?” she asked. After all, she was a Gatan, not a Siren.

  “I’m certain you can,” Aqualia replied. “Come with me.”

  Together they exited the cabin and took seats upon a fallen log. Despite the winter chill, there seemed to be hundreds of birds singing in the trees. Aqualia’s presence had brought new magic to the Dark Forest.

  “I want you to close your eyes and concentrate on the birdsong,” the Siren said. “Block out every other thought and listen.”

  Nera did as she was bid. Several songs overlapped, high pitches, trills, descending notes, and every variation in between drew pictures in her mind. Multicolored feathers lingered in her vision as the music cut through all distractions. Even the wind whispered a low and melancholy tune.

  At her side, Aqualia hummed softly to the forest. Then her song changed to a crystalline note, dangling on the winter wind. She held the note eight counts before allowing it to fall, switching to a flawless alto melody. The birds took notice and stood in revered silence until the Siren finished her song.

  Nera opened her eyes to look upon her friend. “That was beautiful,” she said, a tear in her eye.

  “That, my friend, you must remember,” Aqualia said. “I wish you to learn this melody, and use it with your magic. It will give you some power over nature, at least for a short time.”

  Nera was anxious to learn, never having heard magic crafted through music. This was something she could truly come to love. If there were more spells such as this, she might decide to continue her magical studies at some point.

  After two hours practicing the Cry, Nera was able to produce the proper tones only a few times. Now she regretted not trying harder at the College. With greater stores, she would be able to perform the melody perfectly more often.

  “It takes time to learn, and you will master it eventually,” Aqualia said with an encouraging smile.

  “Thank you for teaching me,” Nera replied. Sadness crept into her heart as she knew her new friend would be leaving soon to return home. But Kwil would be interested in learning about the Cry, and the two could study at least that small amount of magic together. Maybe someday her path and Aqualia’s would meet again.

  * * * * *

  Seela trotted down the stairs to meet Kwil for the day’s lesson. He was already standing at attention, anticipating her arrival.

  “Good morning,” she said. “Today, we’re going to perfect your skills at moving objects with magic.”

  “I already know how to do that,” Kwil replied, a puzzled expression on his face. “You’ve seen me do it many times.”

  Frowning, Seela shook her head. “You can make things rise and fall and float around, but you might need to learn fine movements.” Grabbing a piece of string from her desk drawer, she laid it in front of her student. “I want you to tie this in a knot using magic. And remember not to use words or finger movements.”

  Keeping his eyes open, Kwil focused on the string, visualizing it tying itself into a tight knot. The string began to twitch before lifting itself off the desk. As he concentrated on the magic, the string worked itself into a knot. Gently, he placed it back on the desk.

  “I’ve done it,” he said.

  “Good work,” Seela replied. “Now do that a hundred times.”

  Stumbling on his words, he managed to say, “But I did it on the first try.” Why should he waste time doing it repeatedly if he had already mastered it?

  “Yes, you did, and congratulations,” she replied. “Now perfect it, and in the process, increase your stores a smidge.” Slightly disappointed that her apprentice did not see the purpose of the lesson on his own, she sighed. Selecting a book from the shelf, she sat down to work on her own studies.

  Kwil felt silly for questioning his mistress. There was a reason for every lesson, and he had missed it. She wanted him to learn delicate movements, allowing him to manipulate objects with fine detail. This could be useful in a multitude of situations, plus the boost to his magical stores from constant practice would be invaluable.

  Setting his mind to the task, Kwil tied knots again and again until there was no string left to tie. “I’ve run out of string,” he announced.

  “You know how to fix that,” Seela responded, not looking away from her reading.

  Kwil felt redness creep into his face. Why did he speak without thinking? Of course he knew the spell to increase the length of the string. Good job making yourself look stupid, he thought. Hopefully soon he would fall into the role of a proper apprentice. Never question your master’s orders, unless, of course, you’re supposed to question them. The trick was knowing when to ask, and what question was the correct one. Learning magic was difficult, but getting to know the nuances of one’s master was even harder.

  For the next hour, Kwil tied knots in the string, adding length as needed to complete the task. When he finally finished, he said, “One hundred knots, Mistress. As you requested.” He held the string out for her to observe.

  “Well done,” she replied. Next to the wall leaned a broom that was rarely used. Seela did most of her cleaning through magic, so it served a better purpose as a teaching aid. Retrieving it, she handed it to Kwil. “Choose one strand and remove it from the others. Pick a deep one.”

  Kwil stared at the tightly woven section of straw at the top of the broom, wondering how much force would be required to pull out a single strand. Focusing his mind to the middle of the straw, he tugged at a single strand, attempting to pull it away from the
others. It held fast, so he closed his eyes and pictured it freeing itself from the confines of the other strands. A small but audible snap sounded in his ears, startling him slightly, but he did not lose his concentration.

  Seela watched with pride as the middle strand released itself and floated toward her student. “Excellent,” she said. “You’ve proved that you can focus on a single object among many.”

  Immediately seeing the value in this lesson, Kwil asked, “Can I try again?” The most difficult aspect had been homing in on the particular strand he sought. Then it was just a matter of figuring out how much magic to use to move that one strand without harming the others. It was meticulous work, but he loved it.

  “You may try again if you like, or we can move on to something else,” she replied.

  “Actually,” he began, “could this same spell be used to separate mixtures? I’d love to learn more about potion making.”

  Seela’s golden eyes lit up. “This spell would most definitely help in potion crafting, and I’d love to teach you more about it. You’re learning is coming along quite nicely in other subjects, so I suppose it’s about time to learn something different.” Gracefully she hopped to the higher levels of the bookshelf, her paw tapping the spines of several tomes before she found the one she sought. Using magic, she sent the book Kwil’s direction and laid it on the desk in front of him.

  Before he could open the book, three more landed on top of it, followed soon after by a fourth. Seela dropped down to his side, another book floating softly after her.

  “I suppose I should be giving you reading time every evening,” she said. It had been decades since Rili left, and she’d had no student since. Her skills at planning lessons had fallen by the wayside. “There are far more spells than I can teach, and books are where you will learn the most about fire magic.” She placed the fifth tome in front of him.

  Staring at the deep red volume in front of him, he read the title: Elemental Magic: Fire Volume One. His eyes glistened as he beheld the prize in his hands. This was the start of his journey to master fire. The only disappointment was that it was the first volume. I suppose I have to start at the beginning, he decided, silently vowing to move to volume two within a week’s time.