"Why would such a distinguished wizard act like that?"
"Apparently, he was infected by the Blight many years ago, and was cleansed by my grandfather's spell. However, the effect wasn't complete. He was still connected to the Blight. Once he realised that the Pool of Knowledge existed and contained the knowledge of my grandfather, he wanted it for himself. He has crazy plans to make more like him."
"That's insane," Lara said.
"Did he drink from the Pool?" Caleb said.
"Yes, he did."
"If there's a chance he is alive as you suspect, that is not good. The Pool does not discriminate and provides the same benefit to all who drink from it."
"What do you mean? And I thought you didn't know much about it?"
"I'm afraid I wasn't entirely honest with you. Yes, I am a junior scholar but that is because I am training to become a guardian of the Pool. The two you discovered were my mentors. They were great men, and powerful in their own right."
"What? Why didn't you tell me more?"
"It was part of a test. They sent me in to report my evaluation of you as part of the decision. It wouldn't be a fair test if you thought I had valuable information."
"I'm not particularly happy about this, but can you at least answer some questions now?"
"Of course."
"How does the Pool work? What does it do? I can't seem to tell any difference, and neither could Branthor."
"The Pool of Knowledge is not just a source of knowledge. It works both ways. By drinking the waters, you drink from its knowledge. However, you also contribute your knowledge. Did Branthor drink before you did?"
"Yes, he did."
"That's good; you may ascertain key knowledge that he had."
"That could be useful. How does it work, though?"
"There are safeguards in place. Can you imagine the enormity of that reservoir? All the knowledge compiled from years of scholars and other learned people? Your mind must take in and absorb all that information."
"So, when do I get it?"
"You have it already, but there's a catch. You are not in control of the delivery of the knowledge. It will be fed to you as you need it, as your mind processes it as necessary."
"I kind of control it, but not really?"
"Essentially. The most common mechanism is through dreams, but sometimes people can access knowledge they never knew they had as if it were their own. It's a strange and inconsistent process."
"Sounds like it. At least, though, I got everything. So, from what you mentioned, I now have all of my grandfather's knowledge."
"Yes. All that he knew, amongst many other things, are now within your mind. But that's the problem; you can't pick out the things you want on demand."
"I just have to trust my mind to process it?"
"Yes. Few are selected to partake and feedback knowledge to the Pool. Branthor killed the only two here that had drunk from the Pool. I will be their successor, in time. There is more preparation for me to do."
"You aren't ready yet?"
"No, I need to expand my knowledge and also practice techniques to more easily access what I require. Had you more time, we could have better prepared you. But now it is done."
"It is, and that is reassuring. How many other people have this knowledge?"
"I will have to consult the records but outsiders have not accessed the Pool for many years. It is possible that only you and Branthor have it right now."
"I guess we will find out soon enough. My head is killing me, is that normal?"
"Yes, although I am surprised you have noticed based on the other injuries you sustained."
"I definitely got lucky."
"You sure did. Speaking of which, you should rest some more," Lara said. "It will take a long time to recover, and from what Caleb said I think it will take even longer since you are also incorporating the knowledge from the Pool."
"I think you're right. Thank you both, I really needed your help I would not have survived otherwise."
"That's what we are here for."
"Take care," Caleb said and left the room. Lara left also, and Alrion saw her looking back at him before he collapsed back into sleep.
Lara left the small building and walked along the main road of Paperton. She took a thin path hemmed in by trees and bushes and ended up down near the lake, in a secluded spot free from passers-by. She looked around for the man she was supposed to meet, but could not see him.
"How is he?" a male voice said from behind her. Lara spun quickly to confront him. It was a man dressed in a nondescript brown robe and he had his face hidden by the hood.
"He's alive, but barely. He had an encounter with another wizard, called Branthor. It's a miracle he survived."
"Did he access the Pool?"
"Yes."
"Good. Stay with him, keep him safe."
"He won't need my protection soon."
"Wrong. He has gained knowledge and is increasing his power. But he is naive, and needs someone to watch his back while he learns more of the world."
"Why do you need me?"
"Because you are the best person to accompany him and allow him to grow. Have you changed your mind?" the man asked. Lara paused before replying.
"No."
"Good. Remember that I know who you really are. Until next time," the man said. He disappeared in front of Lara's eyes. She looked at where he had been, but couldn't see a trace.
"Wish I could do that," she whispered and left to return to Alrion's side.
30
In Dreams
Alrion dreamed. At first, it was just so many flashing images, he couldn't make sense of them. There was a vague awareness in his mind that this was to be expected, and not to worry so, he didn't pay them much attention.
The swirling images slowed down and he became immersed within them. He could see an old man standing in front of him. The man sat at a wooden desk and wrote in a book. It looked similar to Falric's spell book but much older and more ornate. Alrion walked up and looked over the man's shoulder. The man was writing a new entry.
Cleansing the Blight
Alrion found that particular entry very interesting. He continued to hover, watching the man write.
"This must be my grandfather," Alrion thought but he didn't look at the man, instead, he focused on the spellbook. He could see the words as the man wrote them on the page, but as they were being written they turned invisible.
"Why?" Alrion wondered but he also knew why at the same time. The spell was beyond him, so he couldn't read it. Much like with Falric's spellbook. Knowing that he couldn't understand it, he walked around to get a better look at the man. Alrion had expected an old man, but he looked to be middle aged.
"If this is my grandfather, why is he so young?" Alrion thought but the more he looked, the more he knew it was his grandfather. The wizard known as Granthion. The family resemblance was there, he could see his father within the man's face.
Granthion continued writing for what seemed like a long time. Then he finished and closed the book. He stood up and looked directly at Alrion.
"This is for you," he said and passed the spellbook over. Alrion was shocked, but he accepted the book.
"Please tell me how it works," Alrion said.
"You already know, you have the knowledge."
"But how do I access it?"
"You must be worthy of the spell, then you will know it."
"That's fine, but I need help. I have nobody to guide me," Alrion said. Granthion looked thoughtful, then took a few steps, staring into the distance.
"Very well," he said and waved his arm. A door with a silver shimmering outline appeared in front of them. Granthion gestured at it. Alrion stepped forward and opened the door. Within he could see the Pool of Knowledge.
"I've already done this," Alrion said looking back at Granthion. The man pointed at the doorway again. Alrion turned, trying to see what was important about the image but it had changed.
In
stead, he saw another room carved into the rock. Spread throughout the room were four old men. They were bald and wearing strange robes and long yellow scarves. Emblazoned on the scarves was a symbol Alrion didn't recognise. It looked like a mountain and a sun with additional markings. The four men were seated on the ground and concentrating. In the middle of them was another doorway glowing white but Alrion could not see inside it.
"What is this?" he asked, turning back to Granthion but Granthion was gone. Alrion quickly looked over at the doorway again, but it was disappearing and the scenery around him was fading away. Everything turned white and Alrion started falling.
He awoke with a jerk, pain rocking his body.
"You ok there?" Lara said.
"Yes, I think so."
"You look like you saw a ghost."
"Maybe I did."
"That's going to require an explanation."
"I'm also interested if you don't mind," Caleb said. He stepped into the room.
"You were also here?" Alrion said.
"I was checking in on you. You've been out for a while. Although I must admit, I wanted to observe the process since I haven't seen anyone react to the Pool of Knowledge. It's an educational experience."
"I definitely agree with you there. I had a strange dream, with all these images swirling around. I think it was a way of incorporating the knowledge, because I couldn't read any of it. But then it got really strange."
"How so?" Caleb asked.
"I saw my grandfather writing out a spell, only I couldn't read it. When I questioned him about it, instead of explaining he showed me some visions. One of the Pool of Knowledge, and one of something else."
"Clearly your grandfather has passed on and isn't visiting you in your dreams," Lara said.
"That sounds more plausible," Alrion said.
"It could be a way to help you focus. You are seeking something to do with him correct?" Caleb said.
"Yes, I am."
"It would make sense if your mind was using him to call attention to whatever it showed you next," Caleb said.
"Sounds to me like you just got a vision of our next destination. What did it look like?" Lara said.
"It didn't make any sense. A few old men, wearing strange clothes and some sort of doorway between them."
"It will probably make more sense in time. Does it always work like this?" Lara said to Caleb.
"As far as I know. It's a protection mechanism, and designed to allow gradual integration of knowledge," Caleb said.
"Well, it's a start. Hang on a minute, you said our next destination?" Alrion said.
"Yes, have you forgotten already? I signed up for this, not just the first step. But the whole thing. Besides, you need my help. You almost died without me at your side," Lara said with a smile. Alrion laughed.
"If having you around can prevent this terrible pain I'm experiencing, I'm all for it."
"Great. You tagging along too Caleb?" Lara said. Alrion wasn't sure if she was serious or not.
"Unfortunately, no. I am not the adventuring type, and I need to prepare to take over the role of guardian of the Pool. There is much I must learn. But perhaps I can be of use to you again in the future, once I am more acquainted with how it works."
"That makes sense. You have a place here and an important duty."
"Thanks for understanding. This is goodbye, for now, I will be shutting myself away for a while to complete my accelerated training. I have to do it in complete seclusion and secrecy. All the best for your recovery, I hope we meet again soon," Caleb said. He walked over and shook Alrion's hand hard. Alrion grimaced and almost managed to disguise the pain.
"Thanks for your help, I hope everything goes well. I'm sure I'll need your help in the future if all I have to go on is these cryptic images," Alrion said. He waved goodbye and watched Caleb leave.
"He's a particularly good man, I doubt any of the other scholars would have taken such an interest in you. He cares," Lara said.
"I think you're right. I hope he does well, and finds a way to protect himself and the Pool. I think basing their main defence around secrecy didn't quite hit the mark."
"But this place has been hidden for many years. It took a surprising betrayal to unveil it."
"It did," Alrion said. He was thinking about Branthor.
"You have to be at peace with what happened. You could do nothing more or nothing less. He may be alive, or he may be dead. We don't know."
"And that's what's killing me. If he's alive with the knowledge of the Pool, then it is only a matter of time before he puts his plan into action. And it will probably involve coming after me and everyone with me."
"Then you had better sort yourself out, so next time he doesn't actually kill you, or those with you. Just in case," Lara said and winked at him.
"Sometimes I wonder how I ended up here and with you no less. I never really thanked you. You convinced me not to give up, you helped me navigate the hall of scholars, and you've been watching my back while I have been helpless. I can't thank you enough, but I will try and make our adventures memorable enough to help pay you back," Alrion said.
"Don't get all mushy on me. I did what needed to be done, and I take satisfaction that you gave that Branthor a real surprise. You sort out the Blight and we will be even."
"Quite a tall order don't you think? We won't be even until then?"
"Nope. You're stuck with me until then," Lara said, laughing.
"So be it, I guess I'll just have to make the most of it."
"You may as well. Also, Caleb brought back Falric's spellbook. I put it with the rest of your things. They are all in the corner there," Lara said, pointing to a bulging pack in the room.
"Thanks."
"You should take a look when you can, just to make sure it is all there. Maybe something else will trigger that jumble of knowledge you have up there. I'm going to go stretch my legs, back soon," Lara said.
"Sure, take care," Alrion said.
"Strange girl," he thought after she had left. However, she had done a lot for him already, so she had earned his trust. The impossible goal before him seemed that little bit more achievable. He sat up straighter, testing his body. Once he was moving a little, the pain wasn't as bad.
"I should at least do something," he thought and decided to look through his things. What Lara had said made sense, and since he was resting up for a while, anything that kept his mind ticking over was useful. He struggled to swing his legs off the bed so that he was seated on the edge. Then he shuffled himself over, not trusting his legs with his weight just yet. With the right amount of leaning and good luck, he managed to grasp the leather pack with his left hand and drag it over onto the bed. The contents started to spill out, but he was happy with the result. He tucked himself back into bed and started to leaf through them.
He noticed the spellbook first and flipped through it. There were a few extra pages that he didn't remember from before, so that was useful. It made him think back to something Branthor had said.
"I ignited my Spark. Falric never mentioned that. I wonder if it's like a tap that I have turned on now," he thought. Even through his pain and discomfort, he could feel it there, weak but accessible. It wasn't like when he first started, having to work it up. It flowed freely and he could more easily access it. He was tempted to try it but restrained himself.
"I'll ask another wizard when I can," Alrion decided and returned to the book but it couldn't hold his interest. He looked through his other things. It was all there. His ring, which he had retrieved from Lara. Some clothes and equipment, but his food was gone.
"It probably wasn't fit for consumption now," he thought with a chuckle. Finally, he found the notebook that he had taken from the Academy.
"This old thing. Falric never explained what it was for," Alrion said. He opened the book to the first page. However, this time it wasn't blank. There were words on the page.
Well done, you have completed the first trial all by yourself. Ho
wever, don't rest too long, there is much more to do. Whatever happens, you must remember this: you are never alone.
Alrion stared in disbelief on the page. Something was strange about the message. The tone of the speaker seemed familiar. When he examined the page closely, it wasn't written it ink. It was if the message was etched into the page itself. Like it had always been there.
"Who are you?" Alrion thought, feeling the letters with his fingers. Another mystery to solve. He put the notebook aside and closed his eyes.
"Rest faster. You have to keep moving," he told himself.
"Am I interrupting something?" Lara said. Alrion opened his eyes. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep again but he felt better for it.
"No, I'll fill you in later. But I've made a decision."
"What's that?"
"As soon as I am fit, we will set out for Brangtur."
"What's there?"
"My father. And with any luck by the time we get there, I'll know where my next trial is."
"Trial?"
"Yes, it's clear that there's no easy solution for this. I'll have to earn my chance to cleanse the Blight but I'm going to do it. Nothing will stand in my way."
"With my help, that's a given," Lara said and walked over to sit beside him. And for the first time, he truly believed it was possible.
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The Story Continues
Vault of Silence - Book Two of The Hidden Wizard
A fledgling wizard mastering his power.
A fallen monk.
A secret trial hidden in a desert temple.
Can Alrion rise again to the challenge?
Or will he be crushed by overwhelming odds?
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Pool of Knowledge (The Hidden Wizard Book 1) Page 21
