"Are you wizards too?" Alrion said.
"No, we are apprentices."
"And they have you doing errands?"
"Everyone must pitch in here. It's a part of the training," the taller of the two apprentices said. They offered no further explanation and quickly took off with the horses.
"This way," Branthor said, leading them inside. They found themselves in a reception area. An open door to their right revealed a giant hall. Along each wall were wooden benches with a lectern at the end of the hall.
"That is where the wizards meet to discuss the matters of the world," Branthor explained. Alrion peered into the room but said nothing. Branthor continued walking and they all followed. They ended up in a hallway, with doors on either side.
"These doors lead to the rooms, we will take you to yours," Branthor said. He opened one of the doors on the left and stepped inside. Another corridor was within, with many doors visible. Branthor opened the first door and stood to the side. Vincent and Alrion walked over and looked inside. The room was incredibly plain, with two single beds, a chest of drawers, and bedside tables.
"Is this for us?" Vincent said.
"Yes, we live simply here. Branthor will arrange for some dinner for you both. Have a restful night and we will see you tomorrow," Falric said.
"Goodnight, and thanks," Alrion said. Falric left and after he had disappeared into the main hallway, Branthor spoke.
"As Falric mentioned I'll arrange for dinner to be brought here. Unfortunately, you cannot dine with the other wizards until you have been inducted," he said.
"No problem."
"If you need anything, go down to the room at the end of this corridor. There will be someone there who can help. Goodnight," Branthor said.
"Goodnight," Alrion said and watched the wizard leave. Vincent stepped inside the room and looked around. On further inspection, he spotted also a tiny table with two chairs in the corner behind the door.
"At least we're not eating on our laps," he said.
"Yes, I guess so. This is it then?" Alrion said.
"This is it. How do you feel?"
"I'm not sure. Nervous."
"It'll go well, and don't forget I'm here too," Vincent said, throwing his bag down on the far bed. Alrion moved to close the door but stopped. He saw a face just outside.
"Hello, could you open the door for me?" a voice said. Alrion opened the door and saw a bald young man outside balancing a tray of food in each hand. Alrion stepped out of the way and the man put the trays down on the little table, visibly relaxing after he was done.
"Are you an apprentice?" Alrion said, looking at the young man. He had a simple robe, but no adornments on it.
"Yes."
"How long have you been here?"
"A few years. My name is Eric."
"Nice to meet you, Eric. I'm Alrion, and that's my dad Vincent."
"Nice to meet you both. Are you here to study?"
"Yes, my induction ceremony is tomorrow."
"That's exciting. Well, I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Can you tell me about it?"
"No, we're not allowed. It's not bad, though, so don't worry. Goodnight," Eric said and left.
"Isn't he a bit young to have no hair?" Alrion said.
"Maybe he cut it himself," Vincent said.
"Maybe he had a magical accident."
"Ha-ha you could be right," Vincent said, sitting down in front of one of the trays. He eyed the food. It was a thin chicken soup and a piece of brown bread.
"It's simple but it's food," he said. He waited for Alrion to sit down, then started eating.
"Do you really think I should be doing this?" Alrion said.
"It's your choice. You haven't really taken to blacksmithing, so maybe this is why."
"But you don't seem to like wizards at all. I can see that."
"I'm a little cautious with them, I agree. Hopefully, your experience will be more positive."
"What do you mean? Wasn't your dad a wizard?"
"Yes, he was and he pulled off a lot of amazing feats, but we didn't see eye to eye on many things, and he put his duties as a wizard ahead of everything else. He wanted that life for me too, but it didn't fit. So, that caused some friction between us."
"But he's just one person."
"Yes, but this whole system was set up by him. I admit that I'm a bit sceptical, but I am working on having an open mind."
"It's our legacy, we should take it seriously. I still can't believe you never told me."
"It was for your own good."
"Would you have brought me here?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Although I was curious to see if you would show any signs of magic but Falric came and put that mystery to rest."
"I see," Alrion said.
"I just want you to think of it this way. There's magic in our family. But, you always have a choice. You can decide that you don't want this, and we can leave and that is the end of it. There's no danger for you if you choose not to pursue being a wizard, and as much as you may not believe it, I'm not advocating a choice either way. It is important to me that you understand that it's not a requirement thrust upon you. The choice is still yours."
"Thanks for being open about this. But, I know that I need to follow this up. I can't make any other choice until I know more. It does feel right, though," Alrion said.
"Always trust your instincts," Vincent said. They finished their food and pushed the plates to the far corner of the table.
"I think it's time to turn in," Vincent said.
"Sure."
"Goodnight son."
"Goodnight dad," Alrion said. He kicked off his boots and settled into the small wooden bed. The mattress wasn't as uncomfortable as it looked, but he had trouble sleeping. He kept playing the events of the last few days over in his mind and imagining what would happen at the ceremony. He drifted in and out of a light sleep, but didn't feel like he was even sleeping. He just couldn't switch his mind off. He tried to reason with himself, explaining that he needed the rest and it was a big day coming up but it was hopeless.
Eventually, he did feel sleep taking effect, and felt relaxed that finally he would enjoy a proper rest. He started to dream, and in his dream, the door was knocked three times. He ignored it. The door was knocked three more times, then finally it opened. A shape appeared in the doorway and spoke.
"It is time," the voice said. Something about the voice seemed real, so Alrion struggled to open his eyes. The door to their room was open, and there was a person standing there. As his eyes opened more, he peered closer and recognised the person. It was Eric.
"Eric? What time is it?"
"It is time," Eric said, in the same monotone manner. Alrion sat up in the bed and turned to look over at his father. Vincent was sitting quietly in the bed, watching but not speaking. He nodded at Alrion. Trying to shake the cobwebs from his mind, Alrion stood and stepped towards Eric.
"In that case let's not keep them waiting," Alrion said, sounding much more confident than he felt. Eric turned and started to walk away and Alrion followed close behind. He heard his father close the door behind them but didn't look back.
9
The White Flame
They didn't walk far, and at the end of the corridor, they walked through a door that led to another, narrower corridor.
"This place is like a maze," Alrion thought. He emerged into a simple room, with a table, two meals, and two chairs. Eric pointed at the table.
"The ceremony draws on your strength. Savour your last meal as a normal man," Eric said, then left the room. He closed the door behind him.
"That sounded very formal," Alrion said.
"It must be part of the ceremony," Vincent said.
"Well I am hungry and I don't know what to expect. We should eat," Alrion said. He sat down and started eating. The food was simple and consisted of bread, cheese, and milk.
"I'm not sure of what this involves, but it looks like it is a formal ritual
. That's a good thing. Just follow their instructions and you will do fine," Vincent said.
"That sounds almost positive. Not trying to talk me out of it?"
"I never was, just because I have some history doesn't mean you should be held back. Try to enjoy it," Vincent said. He even cracked a smile.
"You must have slept much better than I did," Alrion said.
"I did, it's a skill you learn as you age," Vincent said. Before he could say more, there was a knock at the door. Alrion opened the door and saw Eric standing there once more.
"You must be clad in the garments of your calling. Take this and wear it proudly," Eric said handing over a bundle of white. Alrion accepted it and opened it up. He was holding a snow-white hooded robe, trimmed in navy blue around the hood. Alrion put the robe on over his clothes and drew the hood down. He looked at Eric for confirmation.
"Come now, your brothers await," Eric said. Alrion nodded and stepped out of the room. Vincent followed closely behind. They retraced their steps through the narrow corridors until they reached the main connecting room. This time they continued, finally reaching a pair of double doors. Alrion could see light coming from behind them. Eric pushed open the doors and stepped through. Alrion and Vincent followed.
They stood outside, the sun rising in the distance. Surrounding them was a paved square courtyard, with robed figures spread around the perimeter. In the middle of the square, two figures stood in front of a tall tower.
"The applicant must step towards his destiny," Eric said and pointed to the middle of the courtyard. Alrion stepped forward and Vincent followed him. Eric and another wizard stepped in front of Vincent.
"Only the applicant can enter, observers must stay back," Eric said. Vincent nodded and retreated, watching with interest. He looked around at the wizards; they all had their head and hoods down.
Alrion walked to the middle of the courtyard. He saw Falric and Branthor standing there. They were both wearing white robes but had different coloured bands around the hood. Alrion continued forward, hoping that a slow and steady walk would calm his nerves. Even though it seemed like the wizards were not watching, he felt countless eyes following his progress. As he arrived, he saw Falric raise his head and address him.
"State your name, wizard-to-be."
"Alrion."
"Do you swear to combat the forces of darkness and bring light and illumination to the world?"
"I swear."
"We symbolise this struggle, between light and darkness by bestowing each wizard a crystal of their own. A pure white crystal that contains a vein of darkness. Select yours," Falric said. He held up a spherical translucent bowl, full of crystal shards. Each was about the size of his thumb. Alrion picked one up to get a better look at it. It was roughly a diamond shape and had a black streak through the middle. He turned the crystal around, trying to see how it had gotten there. He looked over to see if he should select another, but the bowl was gone.
"You have selected your crystal. Keep it with you always."
"I will."
"Now you must activate your crystal. Show your peers the spark of magic within you," Falric said. Alrion didn't know what to do. He looked at Falric, then at Branthor. Neither gave him any direction, they just waited. Alrion looked again at the crystal. It had to be similar to how they had tested him with the lamp. If he could activate that, surely he could do this. If only he could remember how he did it.
Alrion turned the crystal over in his hands, studying it. However, he knew that looking at it would do nothing, he would need to exert some sort of force upon it. He closed his hands around it, feeling the texture of the crystal; holding the crystal within his hands. It seemed so small that way. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt the heartbeat within his hands. Only it was not. It was different.
Alrion isolated the feeling. It was as if the crystal itself was beating, to a different rhythm than his heartbeat. He visualised the crystal, trying to understand how it could beat. It was a hard surface, it didn't make sense. Then he realised. It was the black streak within the crystal, not the crystal. That streak was beating, as much as it seemed impossible. He could sense the life force within the crystal, the other alien thing inside. It could only be one thing, the Blight.
An irrational fear took over Alrion. How could he be holding something with the Blight within it? He had to protect himself, but he couldn't let go of the crystal. Something else was happening. It was reacting to him. He had to get away; he had to stop it somehow. Then he felt a surge within him, a cool heat that burned hotter and hotter until he could feel the fire on his face. He could sense a bright light on his face, even with his eyes closed.
Confused, he opened his eyes to see what was going on. A white flame engulfed his hands, burning yet not burning. He opened his hands to see the crystal. It was burning white, the black streak within dancing in time with the licking flames.
"Burn away," he thought. The flames contracted within the crystal, then shot out from the top, a thin pillar of white light that arced up to the sky, then vanished.
Alrion looked back at the crystal in disbelief. It looked the same as before, the black streak within it appeared undisturbed.
"Was that a dream? What happened," he thought. He looked to Falric for reassurance. Falric had a strange look on his face, and so did Branthor.
"The crystal," Falric said, extending his hand. Alrion handed him the crystal. Falric removed an amulet and silver chain from his robes and enclosed the crystal within. He handed the amulet back to Alrion.
"Wear it with pride."
"I will."
"The ceremony is concluded. You are welcomed here, Wizard Alrion," Falric said, his voice projected so it echoed around the courtyard. The pronouncement shook everyone out of their stunned silence, and cheers rose out around the courtyard.
"Come with us," Falric said, and headed towards the tower. Alrion followed closely behind. He needed to find out what had just happened. As the crowds started to disperse, Vincent pushed his way through, running towards Alrion. He knew something that was not supposed to happen had happened, and he intended on finding out why.
10
Destiny
Falric and Branthor walked ahead, and Alrion was right on their heels. They entered the tower together and started to ascend the stairs.
"Something doesn't feel right. That can't have been normal," Alrion thought. However, he had no point of reference. As they walked, he heard hurried steps behind. He looked back and saw his father rushing up the stairs.
"Quite a spectacle, I'd like to be part of this next discussion," Vincent said.
"That is quite alright, and expected," Falric said from ahead. Alrion waited for his father to join him, then resumed walking.
"You did great, let's find out what that was all about," Vincent whispered. Alrion nodded and kept walking. Within a few minutes, they emerged into a large circular room. The centre of the room held only a desk and a few chairs; however, the perimeter was full of artifacts of different kinds. Falric said down behind the desk and Branthor retrieved a few chairs from around the room and placed them around the desk.
"Please sit," Falric said.
"What just happened?" Vincent said.
"The ceremony. However, it was a variation not seen before," Falric said.
"What do you mean?" Alrion said.
"The ceremony is a rite of passage for our wizards. It is a way of binding them together and reminding them of their shared purpose to combat evil and in particular the Blight. However, as it was designed by your grandfather, it also serves a second purpose."
"A second purpose?" Alrion said.
"Yes. It is also a test. A test to see whether the wizard can overcome the Blight, transform it if you will. To date, only Granthion has been able to do so. In fact, when he established the wizard school, he didn't tell anyone about the secondary purpose of the ceremony. Since nobody activated it, he didn't have to. But he wrote me a letter explaining what needed
to be done and how to recognise the person who passed the test."
"Did he hand you the letter himself?" Vincent said.
"The note was waiting for me after he had left to perform the cleansing spell, so I didn't know about this aspect of the ceremony until afterward. In it, he explained his actions. Did you read the note written to you?" Falric said, looking at Vincent. Alrion looked over in surprise.
"Yes, I did."
"I wasn't able to read it, so I don't know what it said. Was any of this explained?"
"No."
"Perhaps it was of a more personal nature. In my letter, he explained his actions and his plan for the future. The plan to end the Blight."
"What has that got to do with the ceremony? How was it a test?" Alrion said.
"The crystals used in the ceremony were all created by Granthion. They were by-products of his research into containing the Blight. That black streak within is the Blight."
"How is the test supposed to work?" Alrion said.
"The normal result is a black flame. It is a reaction between the Blight, the crystal, and the spark of the wizard. It is a symbol to remember that wizards must ever be vigilant for the Blight, and the darkness within. The black flame is something that is remembered vividly by every wizard," Falric said.
"What does the white flame mean?"
"It means that your spark can convert and cleanse the Blight. We have not yet seen a person achieve that feat since Granthion," Falric said. Alrion pulled out the amulet and studied the crystal.
"The black streak is still there," Alrion said.
"Correct but that is because you didn't cleanse the crystal of the Blight. You created a reaction where your spark altered the flame from black to white. This is very significant."
"So, I'm special?"
"Yes, you are special and you, therefore, have a special mission. To end the Blight for good," Falric said. Alrion didn't respond immediately, letting the thought sink in.
"It's up to me to end the Blight?"
"Yes, and only you can do so."
Pool of Knowledge (The Hidden Wizard Book 1) Page 6
