A Slave to Magic

by Lana Axe

  “Since I haven’t mastered fire, you’ll need to learn most of these spells on your own,” she said. “Maybe when I’m ready you can teach me a thing or two.”

  Smiling at the prospect, he asked “Do I need to memorize the incantations if I won’t be saying them?”

  “A good question,” she replied. “If you can visualize the spell, then no. But you should be familiar with the language. Otherwise you will have great difficulty in learning the things I cannot teach.”

  All of the books were written in ancient runes, so knowing the words would most certainly work in his favor. Even if he didn’t speak them aloud, recognizing them would make learning easier. He couldn’t help but wonder how many other wizards performed magic as Seela did, without incantations or gestures. “Are you part elf?” he asked, curious about her origins. There must be a reason she could perform magic in a non-Gatan fashion.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “I am a Feles. We have innate magical abilities as the elves do, but we do not inherit from their line. We have our ancestry in the Ancients.”

  “I’d like to know more about that,” Kwil replied with interest.

  “There are books about that too,” she replied, pointing to a section on her shelf.

  Kwil looked up at the tomes with wonder in his eyes. There were so many books here that he could keep himself busy for years. His only regret was that he couldn’t read them all in a day.

  Sensing his thoughts, Seela said, “If only I could inject the information into your mind.” A gentle laugh escaped her lips. “It’s hard to be patient when you’re young, but trust me, the learning will come. You are far ahead of any other student your age. Keep reading and never stop. Until the day you leave this world, you will continue to read and learn.”

  Kwil began reading and didn’t stop until late into the night. His eyelids grew far too heavy, and although he tried desperately to continue, his body would not allow it. His head nestled upon the aging pages, he fell fast asleep.

  Early the next morning, Nera woke him with a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Aqualia is leaving,” she said. “Come and say goodbye.”

  Regretting he hadn’t spent more time with the Siren, Kwil followed Nera to the door. Aqualia smiled sweetly at him, noticing a smudge of ink upon his cheek, no doubt the result of his resting place for the night. He tried his best to avoid staring at her, but the pull she had on him was magnetic.

  “It’s been a pleasure,” Aqualia said, hugging Seela goodbye.

  “You’re welcome back any time, my friend,” Seela replied, tears in her golden eyes. It had been many years since their last visit, and only the wind knew for certain when they would meet again.

  “Nera, you remember what I taught you,” the Siren said. “Keep practicing, and most of all, believe in yourself.”

  “I will,” Nera promised. She hugged the Siren tightly, sorry to see her go. In the last few days she had learned more than she ever imagined, not only about voice, but also about magic. She was eager to show Kwil her new skill.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t get to know each other better,” Aqualia said to Kwil. “Perhaps on my next visit we can talk more.”

  “I’d like that,” he replied. “Maybe when I’m ready to study water I could visit you and your people.”

  “An excellent idea,” Aqualia said. “You should all come for a visit someday.”

  “You can count on it,” Seela replied. She had not forgotten the warm welcome the Sirens had given her. They were far more accepting of her than her own kind, and she desired to swim among them once more. But not just yet. Now was the time to prepare Kwil for his future, and she had much yet she desired to learn. Perhaps after she mastered water magic she would visit Aqualia again, no matter how many years had passed.

  “Farewell,” the Siren said as she turned to leave. A few steps into the forest, she turned once to wave to her friends.

  “Will she be safe in the forest?” Kwil asked, concerned.

  “Aqualia can look out for herself,” Seela replied. “She is a creature of magic, and her voice can bend others to her will. She will be quite safe.”

  Kwil regretted not learning more from the Siren. There was undoubtedly magic she could have taught him. Again he wished to learn everything at once. His patience was in short supply when it came to learning magic. If only there were a spell to plant all the knowledge in his mind at once. Failing that, he returned to his desk to continue his reading.

  Nera watched wistfully as Aqualia disappeared into the distance. She closed the door and picked up her lute, strumming idly at the strings. Singing softly to herself, a flash of blue magic shone in her eyes.

  Chapter 20

  Eager to inform Kwil of the spell Aqualia had taught her, Nera approached him at his desk. Busy with his reading, he took no notice of her. She stood a moment wondering if he would look up, but his mind remained on his studies.

  “Kwil,” she said, excitement in her voice.

  Startled, he looked up from his book. “What is it?” he asked.

  “You’re never going to believe what the Siren taught me,” she said. “Such music as you’ve never heard.”

  “That’s wonderful,” he replied. “Will you play it for me?”

  “I’ll sing it,” she said. Before she could vocalize the first note, Seela appeared in front of them, a wooden bucket clutched in her paw.

  “I need water from the spring, Apprentice,” she said, shoving the bucket toward Kwil. “Today you will have your first potions lesson, but I can’t teach without fresh water.”

  Kwil gave Nera a regretful smile. He was looking forward to hearing her sing, but it would have to wait. Seela’s commands took priority. As her apprentice, he must obey.

  “Off you go,” Seela said. “Nera, go with him. I don’t want him lost out there.” She winked a golden eye at the girl.

  “It’s only twenty yards behind the cabin,” Kwil pointed out. “I’d have to be a complete idiot to get lost.”

  Nera chuckled softly. “The fresh air will do me good,” she said.

  Even on a short trip, Kwil enjoyed having Nera along. “Let’s go, then,” he said, grabbing hold of the bucket.

  The pair stepped outside, the chill of winter immediately grabbing at their exposed skin. A menacing wind moaned its way through the trees, dark clouds overhead threatening to blanket the forest with snow.

  “Let’s hurry,” Nera said, pulling her cloak around her. “It’s freezing out here.”

  Walking at a brisk pace, they arrived at the spring. Its waters steamed as the warm spring water touched the cold air. Fire deep in the earth itself combined with this water, keeping it warm year-round. Its banks retained their green foliage, unlike the rest of the Dark Forest. Here there was life, while elsewhere all was cold and dormant.

  Kneeling down, Kwil dipped the bucket into the water and brought it back out. “All done,” he announced. It was a quick venture out of doors, but a necessary one. Standing up, he swiveled on a heel, preparing to return to the cabin. Nera’s expression, however, gave him pause. She stared wide-eyed at something on the far bank, her mouth slightly open. Kwil could sense her fear as her muscles tightened and her breath became barely audible. Slowly lifting a finger, she pointed to the source of her fear.

  Cautiously Kwil turned, observing only from the corner of his eye. A massive figure stood unmoving on the opposite bank, a large object clutched in its hand. Positioning himself for a better look, Kwil moved at a snail’s pace. If he moved too quickly, whoever it was might consider him a threat. Keeping calm was his best chance to avoid a confrontation.

  Stunned by what his eyes beheld, Kwil stood with his feet rooted to the spot. On the far bank stood an ogre, its thick gray skin ornamented with warts. In one hand it held a wooden cudgel, which dragged lazily against the ground. The creature narrowed its eyes to get a better look at the two people before it. Raising its cudgel, it scratched the back of its neck.

  Kwil took two steps backw
ard, and Nera stepped sideways to join him. Neither had encountered an ogre before, but both expected the worst. Any armed creature would give them pause, but one as massive as this ogre meant serious trouble.

  “Should we run?” Nera asked. Seela had most likely dealt with ogres before if they lived among these woods. She would know how to deal with him.

  Before Kwil could reply, the ogre lifted the cudgel over his head and belched out a deep roar. In two strides it crossed the stream, its eyes focused on the apprentice.

  Dropping his bucket, Kwil dodged to one side while Nera went the opposite direction. The ogre’s foot crashed against the spot where the pair had stood. It turned its focus to Kwil, ignoring the Gatan for the time being.

  Kwil’s magical instincts kicked in, and he prepared a fire spell to toss at the beast. It was approaching too fast, forcing him to jump out of the way to avoid a blow from the cudgel. Hiding himself behind a tree, he focused his mind to fire, summoning a red blaze in his hand. Hurling it toward the ogre, he watched in shock as it bounced from the ogre’s thick skin without fazing it.

  Nera jumped from behind, grabbing tightly onto the ogre’s arm. With a look of confusion, the ogre stared at the furred creature clinging onto his arm. She attempted to bite through his skin, but it was too tough for her to penetrate. The ogre shook its arm, forcing Nera to relax her grip. Landing on the ground, she rolled out of the way as the cudgel slammed down next to her.

  Frantically, Kwil searched his mind for a different fire spell that might break through the ogre’s defenses. As if a light went on, he remembered the spell Seela first taught him to weaken his enemies. He needed to drain the creature’s magic in order to subdue it. Conjuring a beam of light, he focused it at the ogre, holding it firmly in his power. Drawing power away from it, he soon realized that the ogre had only a tiny store of magic.

  Enraged by the violation, the ogre closed in on Kwil. Its heavy foot landed next to him, the young mage standing only to the height of the ogre’s knee. As the ogre lifted its cudgel to smash him to bits, Kwil threw a fire spell at the weapon, setting it ablaze. Feeling the heat next to his face, the ogre dropped the cudgel. Kwil rolled away, hoping to avoid the falling object.

  Roaring in anger, the ogre watched as its weapon burned to ash. Ripping at a limb, it tore it away from the tree and swung it in Kwil’s direction. The wizard reacted with a burst of energy, forcing the limb away and knocking the ogre slightly off-balance. It managed to steady itself quickly and stepped forward to pummel the mage.

  Knowing he couldn’t move fast enough to avoid the beast’s attack, Kwil used the energy blast to move himself from harm’s way. The ogre roared its displeasure, the ground shaking under the weight of its stamping feet. Without hesitation, Kwil returned to the spell to absorb the creature’s magic. Its stores were dry, but Kwil had another idea. The same magic could be used to weaken the beast further, draining his energy to the point of exhaustion. If only Kwil could hold the spell long enough, he would have the creature under his control. But the ogre was advancing, and Kwil knew he would have to move away, breaking his concentration and his spell.

  Not knowing how else to save her friend, Nera thought of the magic Aqualia had taught her. The song swam in her mind, its notes intertwining with her soul. Opening her mouth, a single note released itself, thin at first but becoming more intense as she held it. The ogre dropped its tree limb and placed his hands over his ears, shaking his head from side to side.

  Kwil watched in amazement as the ogre groaned and staggered sideways. Only yards away, Nera stood, her voice cutting through the winter air. It was her, he realized, that had the creature under her power. Somehow she had produced magic through her voice, and she had stopped the ogre in its tracks.

  “Enough!” a voice called, silencing Nera. It was Seela, who had emerged from her cabin to remedy the situation. “Impressive,” she said as she passed Nera.

  Approaching the ogre, she extended a bundle toward him. He dropped his hands from his ears and looked curiously at the Feles. Taking the bundle, he peered inside it before nodding his approval.

  “Your help is most appreciated,” Seela said.

  With a soft grunt, the ogre marched off into the trees, disappearing from sight.

  Scrambling to his feet, Kwil asked, “What was that all about?”

  “He is a friend of mine,” Seela explained. “I asked him to test the two of you, particularly Nera.” Looking at Kwil, she said, “Your abilities are coming along nicely too. You are becoming wiser at choosing your spells, but you still need work.”

  “Then this was a trick?” he asked.

  “There are few real-world opportunities to test you,” Seela replied. “Don’t worry. I was watching the entire time and would have intervened had you needed me.” After a pause, she added, “The ogre meant neither of you any harm, but I asked him to be as forceful as possible.”

  “We could have been killed,” Nera said, still in shock.

  “I wouldn’t have let that happen,” Seela assured her. “Aqualia would be pleased with your mastery of the Cry.”

  Nera swallowed hard. It had taken little effort on her part, yet she had managed to subdue the massive creature. “I didn’t realize how powerful the spell was,” she said.

  “The Cry can be used only every few days, and it will work only on certain creatures of low intelligence,” Seela explained. “The effect does not last long, but if you work hard at it, you might be able to control people as Aqualia is able to do.”

  Nera didn’t know if she’d ever have the powers of a Siren, nor did she desire to control other people. But the desire to learn more about this spell and other spells based in music was growing inside her. This was the magic she desired, but she did not know it until recently. The magic she was taught at the College could never compare with this.

  “Aqualia taught you magic?” Kwil asked, amazed. “You were incredible. I’ve never read about any spell like that.”

  Nera smiled shyly, unsure how to reply. Pride radiated from her friend as he praised her magical ability.

  “I can’t believe you learned that in only a few days.” he remarked.

  “What’s so special about that?” she asked. “You learn spells in hours, sometimes minutes.”

  “Yes, but I have the desire,” he replied. “You’ve always resisted learning magic. Now you’re mastering a form of magic I never knew existed.” His heart swelled with pride as he looked upon his friend. “Maybe you can teach me how to do that.”

  Seela shook her head. “The Cry can be taught only by the Sirens. You’ll have to wait until Aqualia returns or you go to visit her.”

  “Is there no way to learn music magic without Aqualia?” Nera asked, hoping that wasn’t the case.

  “I have some books that explain other spells,” she replied. “Only the Cry is exclusive to the Sirens. There is much you can learn here.”

  “I’d like to learn it too,” Kwil replied. “But I’m afraid I’m not much of a singer, and I can’t play an instrument.”

  “You could learn,” Nera said.

  “And perhaps one day he shall,” Seela interjected. “For now he is learning elemental magic, and he is mastering fire. I know you youngsters want to know everything right away, but it isn’t possible. One must learn these things in steps.”

  “Can you teach me to master music magic?” Nera asked, hopeful.

  “I cannot,” Seela replied. “But that won’t prevent you from mastering it on your own. Not all magic is learned in the same way. The music is within you, and if you study hard, you will work great feats of magic. The path you choose to take with that is up to you.”

  “I don’t understand,” Nera said. Kwil had a destiny ahead of him. According to Seela, he was the one who would free the humans of Gi’gata. She fully intended to help him with that, but the fondest desire of her heart was to make beautiful music and share it with the world.

  “You may use it to perform magic as Kwil and I do,” S
eela replied. “Or you may use it to compose works of music and perfect your skills with various musical instruments.”

  “Now I think I understand,” she said with a smile. The choices before her were broad, as broad as those that Kwil would be given. Her form of magic was something entirely different, one that she would have to learn on her own. No school could teach her, only her heart could do that. The magic needed only to be pulled from within her.

  To Kwil, Seela said, “I still need that water if we’re going to learn potions today.”

  “Of course, Mistress,” he replied, rushing to collect the bucket. Refilling it with water, he returned with the others to the cabin.

  Seela immediately went to the shelf to retrieve a few books for Nera. “These are a good place to start,” she said. “Learn these things and use them in your music. You’ll figure things out soon enough.”

  Nera was happy to comply. She had never been one for reading, but reading about music and the magic she could make with it would not feel like a chore. This was something her heart truly desired. Snuggling up next to the fire, she opened one of the books and thumbed through the pages.

  “The potion I’m going to teach you to make is a simple one,” Seela said to Kwil. “It will do nicely for your first lesson.”

  “What does the potion do?” he asked.

  “It will help you maintain focus when you cast a spell,” Seela replied.

  “Like when the ogre attacked, and I had to drop the spell to run,” Kwil replied. His mind could not hold the spell when he had to concentrate on fleeing.

  “Exactly,” she said. “This is something that comes with practice. In time, you will be able to cast spells while moving without losing your focus. It’s a matter of discipline. For now, the potion will help.”

  “How long will it take to train my mind?” he wondered.

  Sighing, Seela replied, “You are an impatient young man.” She shook her head. “In time you will cast two or even three spells at once. You will not need to look at your opponent to strike him, and you will be able to hold a spell despite interruptions.” She squeezed his hand. “You must learn patience, though. This is not an easy task, and you need practice. Your thirst for knowledge is insatiable. I have no doubt you will master this quicker than most.”