by Ben Hale
Ignoring the loud protests, Iris crammed her beanie on and sighed in relief.
"How's it going?" Derek asked dryly.
"Didn't I tell you to shut it?" Iris snapped.
She checked her second spell. The techno shroud was still weak, but it would get stronger with time. She had copied and then altered the basic auren code that the NSA used to shield their files. Adding her own touch, she shaped the enchantment to act like a giant blanket for any techno mages that would look toward the floor. It wasn't perfect, but few techno mags spent time in the library anyway. Like her, they viewed it as obsolete. She just hoped the shroud would keep the knowledge reserve from being detected.
Her shroud sank through the floor and the enormous memory reservoir faded from her sight. She could still spot it if she squinted, but any other techno mag would most likely pass right by without being aware of its existence. Nodding in satisfaction, she turned to her last spell.
She teased one of them out of her jacket, where it had curled up to wait. Threads of purple cascaded from her jacket like smoke, and solidified into a flickering fire shape. As it became aware of the mountain of knowledge contained within the books of the library, it began to twitch and emit an excited whine.
It wasn't a techno grend because it lacked a corporeal form, but it was pretty close. Her enchantment was an information wisp, and it was hungry. She'd never seen anything quite like it, so her needs had necessitated the creation of a new enchantment. She just hoped it worked.
Drawing one of the stray threads that connected to the reservoir, she attached it to the wisp like a leash. Then she released it.
The wisp leaped to the first book and disappeared into its depths. There was a rustle of papers, as if someone was thumbing through the book. The leash brightened into the visible spectrum as the knowledge within the book was sent into the reservoir.
Iris sighed in relief as the first bits of knowledge filtered into place. Far beneath her, the memory reservoir flickered slightly as it accepted the knowledge. A few seconds later the wisp flowered out of the book with a satisfied hum, and then sank into the one next to it.
Iris was pleased. Her information wisp pushed the boundaries of what techno mages could do, and she had been unsure of its success. Now that it was working she felt a rush of satisfaction, and called forth the other six wisps that she'd created. She leashed them all and set them to work. The seven wisps flitted from book to book, barely pausing at each volume before moving on. In moments the knowledge within the library began to thread its way into her reservoir.
"What are those things?" Derek said, causing her to jump.
She spun to find him at her side. "I told you to watch the door."
"I am," he said, and gestured to the great oak doors. A stone golem the size of a bowling pin stood next to the portal. A few feet away there was a distinct golem shaped cavity in the wall.
Iris sniffed. "They are absorbing the knowledge of the library into my own reservoir."
"Why? Don't you think all of this is on the mage net already?"
She shook her head. "I always assumed it was, but there are subtle gaps in stories that aren't on the net. I am hoping to find the omissions here, so I created a few enchantments to absorb it all. Once everything is absorbed, I will be able to scan through the information as if I had a separate, private mage net."
"And you think this will help Tess?"
"If we find out about the Crest, or the other three items, yes."
"Good," Derek said. "She needs it."
Iris noticed the glint in his eyes and frowned. "You should tell her how you feel."
He flushed. "I don't know what you're talking—"
"I'm not blind, Derek.”
"You don't see everything," Derek retorted. Spinning on his heels he strode toward the back of the hall. "I'm going to place sentries at the other doors, just in case."
Iris watched him go with a twinge of regret. Derek had done so much for her when she'd been younger. Without him she would have been lost in her magic, and probably died young. Maybe if she could get Tess and him together it would repay him for taking care of her.
But she doubted she would ever understand people like she did techno signals. She issued a troubled sigh as she watched her wisps work. It would take a couple of days for them to absorb enough in the library for her to start searching the information. She hoped to have some answers soon. If not, then she had no idea where else to look.
Unwilling to accept defeat, she took off her beanie and turned her attention to her other projects. One in particular needed help.
Her army was growing . . .
Chapter 20: Tentative
Tess strolled with Alice through the underground garden of the Guildhall, trying to think of something to say. The walls had been enchanted with a stunning view, and the ceiling bore floating clouds. The brightness of the sun rivaled the real thing, and warmed Tess's skin.
In the distance she could see grain growing on farms, their tall stalks bending with the breeze. On the other side the hills steadily rose until they gave way to a mountain range. Trees dotted the hills, and streams wound their way through them, terminating at a lake in the valley. One of the rivers ran right adjacent to the castle, and she realized it was the same one that was visible from the meal hall. Once again, fishermen cast their nets into it, their voices calling to each other as they worked.
The sides of the garden were stone battlements, giving the impression that they stood on an overlook abutting the side of the castle. The scene was so real that Tess could have sworn she felt a cool afternoon breeze touch her cheek. In spite of the air of reality, only the flora was real.
A trio of small trees grew in the center of the garden. They spiraled around each other without touching, like dancers in the center of a square. The largest bore white leaves that hung in a large canopy over the other two. Red leaves adorned one of the smaller ones, while blue graced the branches of the third.
A walkway of stones wound around the trees, while a variety of plants abutted the battlements. Several would have been at home in an auren garden, but others were more exotic, like the Slumbering Snap. It looked like a broken stump of a dead tree, and had a hole at its base that looked perfect for a small animal's den. Professor Rodriguez had demonstrated what would occur if an unsuspecting fox or badger took up residence there, and it wasn't pretty.
Across from the Snap, a large bush bore thousands of thorns. At its center a single flower blossomed. White and blue in color, it was shaped like a large head of lettuce. Inside she knew that a special herb grew that the healers favored. Named for the man that had braved the thorns to give it to his beloved, the Vinoth Rose would die the moment its thorny branches were cut, making it difficult to retrieve without magic.
"Do you like your birthday present?" Alice asked. "I know that showing you this place isn't really a gift, but shopping when you are confined to the Guild is a challenge." She sounded hopeful.
Tess nodded. "It's beautiful."
Alice smiled. "Before my magic was taken I was quite skilled with plant magic, but I did not visit this garden until after my power was gone. I wish I had. It has quite a collection of rare specimens."
"Hawk said you could do four kinds of magic," Tess said. "What were the others?"
"I was a split-quad mage," Alice said, her tone sad. She reached out to a purple blossom growing from a vine. The leaves retracted as the flower opened. "Aside from plant, I could do earth, water, and anti-magic."
"Really?" Tess raised an eyebrow. "That's not common, right?"
"No."
Alice said it with an edge of harshness, and Tess realized they were discussing the power that her mother had lost. She blinked as she realized how tactless that was. Shying away from the topic, she asked, "Can you share with me what your youth was like?"
Alice turned to regard her, and then slowly shook her head. "I'm afraid it's not a very bright story. I would like you to hear it, but at a later time.
I can tell you that my parents were actually aurens."
Tess was surprised. "Really? So we were both raised by aurens?"
"Perhaps, but that is where the similarities end between my youth and yours."
Tess fell silent, and pretended to examine a row of vines. Instead of leaves it grew dark hands with sharp claws. She recognized it as a Spoked Crawler and kept her distance. It was another that Professor Rodriguez had demonstrated to the students. The remains of the unfortunate rat had been sufficient warning for her and her classmates to stay clear of it.
She hated the uncertainty that she felt around Alice. She had hoped that spending more time together would ease that, but she felt like her effort was failing miserably. Kate and Jack had been the best parents anyone could hope for, and having Alice join her family felt wrong somehow. On top of that, she still hadn't told them about Alice. She just couldn't seem to find a way to say, hey, I finally have my birth mom and my dad is one of the enemy.
"I'm sorry if I made you worry." Alice forced a dry laugh. "I didn't mean to make it sound so bad."
Tess turned to face her. "I guess I just want to understand you better."
"I hope that will come, in time," Alice said. She shook herself and forced a smile. "My past is why I wanted so much for you. I wanted to make sure that you grew up to realize your potential. There is such power in you, Tess. I want to see its impact on the world. I have no doubt that mage and auren alike will choose to follow you, given the chance."
Tess was surprised at the intensity to her words. "You really believe that?"
"Without question," Alice said. "The real test will be if you are ready when the time comes. As you know, the prophecy regarding your role is well known, and highly debated. I'm sure there are many who will try to use you for their own ends. That is why it's vital that you recognize who your allies are. It's the only way you will survive."
Tess thought of Hawk and nodded. "Hawk has trained me well."
"I certainly hope so," Alice said.
Tess thought of another question, and asked, "What was my father like when you met him?"
"Before he was a Harbinger? Varson was arrogant, but powerful, much like . . ." she paused, and seemed to try and find someone to compare him to, "Chancellor Gerik," she said finally, and issued a strange smile, "although without the charisma."
Tess started when Alice named Varson. "You know what happened to him . . . right?"
Alice nodded. "When Hawk rescued Breaker, Varson tried to fight. Breaker said he died with the rest of his Harbinger force. When he discovered Hawk's identity, he was a fool to fight him."
Her tone was controlled, making it difficult for Tess to discern if she was relieved or disappointed. Tess was just glad that she knew. She wasn't sure she would have had the courage to tell her Varson was dead.
"Do you regret his death?" Tess asked impulsively.
Alice met her gaze. "I regret his choices."
They were quiet for a while as Tess contemplated the information about her father. Then she realized the tone she'd used when she'd described the chancellor.
"Do you not like Chancellor Gerik?"
Alice's expression made her reply seem harsher. "He cares much for the attention and praise of others." She hesitated, and then added, "I've always thought that Gerik was too slick, too overconfident."
"Did you know him?"
"I passed through Tryton's before he did," she said with a shrug, "but everyone knew who he was. Seeing him in person was . . . electrifying. I suppose that's why I didn't like him. He was too comfortable with the attention and constant praise. There was this subtle air of arrogance that pervaded every look, every act. I doubt many people saw it. They couldn't see past his charming smile and blue eyes."
"He's charismatic for sure," Tess said. "But I've never seen him like that."
She nodded, as if she'd expected the comment. "After his wife was killed by aurens—"
"What?" Tess was stunned. She'd known the woman had died, but not how.
Alice nodded. "They were on a holiday trip in Australia. I believe there was a shooting on a neighboring street, and a stray bullet took her life. I don't know if Gerik blamed the aurens or not, but he lost much of what made him strong."
Tess fell to pondering that. Before she could ask more they were interrupted by Leah, who appeared in the doorway. "Tess? Hawk wants to see you for your next training."
"Go," Alice said with a tight smile. "I will see you after."
Tess nodded. Unsure of how a hug would be received, Tess pretended to be lost in thought as she walked from the room. On the way she wondered why the story about Gerik lingered in her mind.
Chapter 21: The Book
Two weeks after the break Tess met with a new tutor, a Japanese woman named Ritsu, in the practicum rooms at the base of the fire school. For an hour she helped Tess with her light homework, and then stayed to demonstrate several highly advanced fire spells. All were charms that Tess had never even heard of. Intrigued by the entity spell, Tess had remained behind to practice it.
She drew more heat from the fire source at the end of the practice room, and then added it to the growing flames. Each previous attempt had exploded without warning. More than once she was grateful that the fire practice rooms had been built so well, or she guessed she would have been punished for property damage. As it was, the thick stone walls were blackened and scorched.
The fire in front of her gradually shaped into a wolf. Claws, teeth, and fur appeared in vivid flames, and the wolf raised its head to look at her. Tess felt a surge of triumph—and then it exploded.
Tess growled as she shielded herself. When the inferno subsided she blew out her breath. On impulse she turned to the liquid iron door.
"Do you know what I am doing wrong?"
Lips pushed out of the metal's surface, and then a nose and eyes appeared. "Of course," the door said. As always, its voice sounded metallic and heavy.
"Why didn't you say so?" Tess snapped.
"It is not our role to teach a lesson that has not been requested," the door said. Then it sniffed. "You don't need to yell at us."
"Sorry," Tess said.
The doors lips curved into a faint smile. "Be not encumbered. You are not the first student to express displeasure at us. I am certain you shall not be the last."
Tess shook her head. "Perhaps, but you have helped me before and did not deserve my reaction. I am just frustrated with myself."
"The spell you seek to master is difficult, and beyond your years," the door said. "And yet you are learning quickly. What you lack is simply the mind to create."
"Ritsu said the same thing," she said, unable to keep the annoyance from her voice. "I still don't understand what that means."
"Your departed master said it well, that a magical entity requires a will. I will say it a different way. A magical entity requires a purpose to compel it to be."
"Have you seen this spell before, then?"
"I am such a spell," the door rumbled.
Tess blinked in sudden understanding. "And your purpose is to protect the students as they master fire."
"You speak the truth," the door said. It sounded amused. "Before your fire entity will become, it must first understand why it must be. It is purpose that drives living things, not the fact that we exist."
Tess nodded her head in gratitude. "I believe I understand, thank you."
"Good luck, Master Tess," the face said, and withdrew into the door.
Tess turned to the fire source at the end of the practice chamber, lost in thought. What purpose would she give? To her surprise she could think of many, but settled on play. It was the thing she missed the most, so at that moment it was the most poignant to her. Drawing the fire from the source she fashioned it into a dog.
This time when she shaped the legs, she imagined them jumping and dodging, and propelling the fire animal after a thrown ball. The tail she pictured wagging in joy, and the tongue hanging out the side of the mouth
. Drops of liquid fire fell off the newly cast animal, sizzling when they struck the stone floor. When she was done, she smoothed the head with her hand . . .
And the fire dog nuzzled against her palm.
Tess grinned as the fire entity jumped around her and sniffed the room, searching for something to do. Stel dropped from her arm and joined him, also in dog form. The two sniffed at each other, one metal, one fire, and then must have decided to be friends. Together, they romped around the room, searching for interesting scents.
A moment later it returned to Tess, and pretended to bite her hand. Then it rolled onto its back and begged for his tummy to be rubbed. Stell mirrored the movements. Tess laughed, and complied with both requests.
"Well done," the door said, its lips pushing out to speak.
"You know, I don't even know your name," Tess said to the door.
"We are the Ironguard,” the door replied, “enchanted and placed in service over five thousand years ago."
Now that she understood the spell, Tess had a flash of intuition. "And how many mages were involved in your creation?"
"Many," the door rumbled. "But perhaps you should dismiss your new friend. You have visitors and I cannot allow them inside while you are practicing."
"Visitors?" Tess asked, and reluctantly dismissed her spell. The dog faded into ash and smoke as it sniffed her foot.
The face sank back into the door as it swung open. Iris and Derek stepped in. Iris was wearing her beanie again, and Derek had a physical book in his hand.
"What's with the book?" Tess asked.
Iris spoke before Derek could. "I have tried several methods to getting the information you asked for, and so far I turned up this." She gestured to the book.
"It talks about the Crest of the Oracle," Derek said, and handed it to her. "I marked the page."
Tess opened to the location near the back and found the passage. As she read, her eyes widened. Then she snapped to look a look at her friends.
"How did you find this?" Tess asked.
