There were servants from many different households, and no one was paying attention to them. Traven smiled as the Watch made a sweep of the square and headed off down another street. He then turned and looked up at the palace. He had never been this close to it before. The palace truly was amazing, and from here he could even make out the music being played deep within. It would have been amazing to be in there dancing, but he definitely was not on the invitation list. He decided that he better head home before it got too much later and turned to leave.
“You in the black,” snapped a man who had just gotten out of a carriage. “Hurry up!” Traven realized the man was talking to him and quickly walked over without thinking. “Take this to the conductor of the orchestra immediately.”
Traven wanted to say that he was not a servant, but before he could make the words come out the man had already gotten back into the carriage. Traven looked down at the slip of paper that the man had given him and wondered what he should do. After debating for a few moments, he decided he might as well deliver the message. If anyone tried to stop him he could just tell them he was delivering a message. Besides, this would probably be his only chance to ever see the inside of the palace! With servants from so many different houses, no one would be able to tell that he really didn’t belong to any of them.
Traven took a deep breath and hurried through the open gate and across the front courtyard. As he walked up the steps of the palace, he lifted the small paper up in front of him, and the doormen waived him past. He then found himself in the grand hall of the palace. It was even more splendid inside than it was outside. The ceiling soared far above overhead. In its center a large chandelier with numerous crystals dangled. In front of him two immense stairways led up to the second floor on either side of the hall. A set of doors also led off to the right and left of the large front room. Giant tapestries draped down from the walls showing off the brilliant crest of the royal family. Traven stared at it all in awe. He finally snapped out of it and decided to hurry and complete his errand.
Looking around, he was not sure where to go. He was about to panic, but then his senses returned. He realized all he had to do was follow the music. As he continued straight down the hall, the music grew louder and louder. On either side of him golden candlesticks curved out from the walls to brightly light the hall. In small shelves cut into the walls all kinds of treasures were displayed. There were antique pottery and ornately jeweled statues among other things. Traven tried to take it all in as he continued down the hall in the direction of the music.
After turning down a large corridor, he found himself right outside of the immense ballroom. Traven took a deep breath and stepped into the exuberance. His senses were immediately assaulted with flashing colors, warmth, and sound. The brightly lit room was full of swirling couples taking advantage of the glorious music. Many others lined the walls of the room content to cheerfully talk and enjoy the atmosphere. The large domed ceiling was painted a peaceful blue with wispy clouds that gave the impression of a spring day. At the far end of the room he could see the High King sitting on an elaborate throne. Traven could not help the large smile that split his face. It was all so splendid.
After locating the orchestra, Traven cautiously made his way along the wall all the way around to the director, careful not to disturb anyone. When he arrived at the dignified man’s side, Traven handed him the note quickly with a small bow and began making his way back around to the entrance before anyone noticed him. When he was almost there, somebody snatched a hold of his arm. With dread he turned to receive whatever punishment necessary for being in the palace without permission. What met his eyes was a startling yet pleasant surprise. It was only an attractive young woman. She curtsied with a warm smile and pulled him out onto the floor. He tried to explain that he was not a guest, but she just giggled and kept leading him farther into the swirling crowd. He tried to resist, but the music and excitement stopped his feeble resistance. Before he knew what had happened, he found himself spinning around with the attractive young woman to the rhythm of the song.
When the music paused, Traven tried to excuse himself, but the girl would not let him go. As the music started back up, she pulled him in and started dancing again. His nervousness soon floated away on the music, and he smiled as the sweet scent of the attractive girl enveloped him. He allowed himself to be lost in the music for a while before he remembered that he did not belong at the ball. After a few more songs he was finally able to get away from the young woman. He wished that he could have enjoyed the dances more. She was attractive, and Traven enjoyed dancing, but he couldn’t stop worrying what would happen to him if he was caught. As he looked for the entrance, he found that he was now almost on the opposite side of the ballroom.
His astonished gaze also found Rudy entering the ballroom with his parents! Now Traven knew he was surely going to be caught. If Rudy saw him, he would definitely have problems. Looking around worriedly, he realized that along the wall behind him there were several doors. Hoping that they were unlocked, he hurried to try and open the closest one. The doorknob clicked, and the door swung in easily. He slipped into the room quickly with a big sigh of relief and shut the door behind him. It was only a small sitting room. He quickly started off for the door on the other side of the small room, hoping it led out to the main hall. Upon reaching the door, he realized that he was not alone in the room.
Turning from the door, his gaze fell upon an extremely fair young woman. Her beauty far surpassed that of the other young lady with whom he had just danced. In fact, this young woman’s beauty was not matched by any of the women he had seen in the ball. She wore an exquisite blue dress that fanned out from her waist to cover the sofa that she was perched on. Her dainty neck was draped with priceless firedrops and her delicate face was framed by golden curls. Traven found her staring back at him with a quizzical smile and mesmerizing bright blue eyes that left his mouth dry. He felt his legs go numb.
“F-f-forgive, please intrusion my. I mean that sorry I am for. . .”
Luckily, his legs finally moved into action quicker than his tongue. Ripping his gaze from the beautiful young woman’s eyes, he slipped out the door and happily found himself in a main hall. Breathing heavily, he quickly trotted down the hall and found the main entrance. Leaving the palace, he was greeted by the biting cold of a winter night against his burning face. The cold did not bother him nor was it noticed. The only thing that occupied his mind as he hastily made his way back to the academy was the constant image of a stunningly beautiful young lady with bright blue eyes.
23
Traven arose early as always and ran through his exercises. When he was finished with his morning routine, he sat down on the edge of his bed to think. Almost all of the students were away from the academy spending the short vacation with their families. Traven was one of the few that lived too far away to visit his family. He decided that if he was not able to visit his grandparents, he could at least write them. He started writing a letter, but his mind kept wandering off to the royal palace, the grand ball, and the beautiful girl he had accidently walked in upon.
He finally gave up on the letter when he saw he couldn’t focus enough to finish it and decided to go for a walk in the city. He had been cooped up for so long in the academy studying that he really hadn’t had a chance to explore the city very well. Besides several short excursions into the city, he had spent all of his time within the academy’s walls. Grabbing his heavy cloak and sword, Traven left his room and the unfinished letter and headed outside. Walking down the front steps of the entrance to the academy, he decided to head over to the docks. He had never been down there before and had heard there were lots of things to see from other places. He headed off across the great square, excited to see something new and different.
“Stop immediately!” screamed a shrill voice. “You in the black, stop!” Traven turned around shocked. “You must follow me!” Traven stared as the short, balding old man hurried past him and b
egan across the square. The old man had not gone far when he turned around and pointed his walking staff at him. “Hurry up!”
Traven had no idea who the man was or what he wanted but decided he might as well follow him and find out. He ran to catch up to the man and walked behind him in silence. They were soon through the crowd and across the square. Traven followed the old man up the large stairs that led into the grand library of Kalia. He had been there a few times with Thad and had admired it from the outside many times. It contained a vast collection of books and old manuscripts and was reported to be the largest library ever created.
The old man was soon far down the main hall. Traven stayed close on his heels and pulled up as the old man stopped at a door at the end of the hall. He had never been this far back before. The old man looked around cautiously, snatched a key from a pocket on the inside of his robe, and deftly unlocked the door. He then slitted the door open and squeezed in. As soon as he was inside, he beckoned Traven in. Traven slipped inside quickly, wondering what was going on. As soon as he was clear, the old man shut the door and locked it again. With a loud sigh of relief, he put the key away and smiled.
“You can never be too careful,” he said, pointing at Traven. “A careful man lives long. Then again some say a careful man never really lives at all. Of course that is ridiculous since being careful does not mean that you cannot have adventure. And what more could a person want than . . .” The old man trailed off as he realized that Traven was quite confused. “Sorry, sometimes I get carried away. Let me introduce myself. I am Philosopher Cornelius Malcolm Studell of Kalia’s Knowledge Academy.” The old philosopher then bowed. “At your service.”
Philosopher Studell then straightened up and waited patiently for him to speak. Traven just stared back at him still confused. At least now he knew who the old man was, but he still had no idea what he wanted. What confused him was that the philosopher seemed to be waiting for him to say something, so at last he did.
“Why did you ask me here?” Traven inquired. The old man gave a start and then started laughing.
“You are right. I asked you here,” he said while still laughing. “I forgot!” Traven could not help smiling as the old man continued laughing hysterically. Finally he calmed down and wiped the tears from his eyes. “Sorry. Sometimes I just get excited and carried away. Have a seat please.”
Traven took the seat that the philosopher offered in front of a large desk. He peered around the room as Studell sat down in front of him on the other side of the desk. Traven realized that the room was actually a private study. All around the room there were crooked towers of books and old manuscripts. In the very center of the small room was the large oak desk, which surprisingly enough had nothing on it. He returned his attention to the philosopher who was clearing his throat.
“Oh yes. I was taking a walk and meditating on some very interesting theories of mine when you walked past me. At that very moment, the sunlight glinted off the hilt of your sword and seemed to be sucked in by the stone on the hilt.” The philosopher paused with a look of excitement and anticipation. “May I see your sword?”
So that was the reason. He wanted to see the sword. Traven could understand why someone would want to see it but didn’t see why it was such a big deal to the philosopher. Traven unsheathed his sword and laid it lengthwise on the desk in front of him.
“Here it is. Something special, isn’t it?”
“Shhhh,” Studell said with an intense look in his eyes. Pulling out large eyeglasses from another pocket in his robe, Studell donned them and began to intently study the sword. After inspecting it from top to bottom, Studell turned back to Traven. “When was the last time that you oiled this and sharpened it?”
“Never,” Traven replied.
“Ah ha, just as I thought.”
The philosopher then sank back into silence and began to intently stare at the dark blue stone in the hilt of the sword. After a few moments, he pulled a candle from the corner of his desk and ever so slowly drew it closer to the stone.
“Watch closely,” he said without looking up.
Traven leaned over the desk to get closer and watched as Studell continued to slowly bring the candle closer to the stone. Traven’s mouth dropped as the flame of the candle began to bend in the direction of the stone when it was still a small distance away. Studell held the candle still, and a smile spread across his face as the flame continued stretching towards the stone until it was long enough to touch its surface. Studell then blew the flame out. Traven stared in amazement as the stone continued to shine slightly for a few moments without the light of the flame. It then darkened again, and Philosopher Studell set the sword down gently on the desk.
“Now I am sure of it,” the philosopher said confidently. “This is definitely a might stone. And since the sword is in such perfect condition, it must be ambience wrought. This sword is ancient and appears brand new! This is amazing. I saw an ambience sword once many years ago, but this is the first time I have seen a might stone!”
Traven watched as the old man shook with excitement.
“What is a might stone?” Traven asked. Blaize had already told him that the sword was ambience made, but he had said nothing about the stone. The philosopher sat up straighter and began to explain.
“Well son, many years ago a group of the great wielders got together and gave up their lives to make the might stones. Not many were made, so they are all very special. In fact, as legend has it, only twelve were made. Each one contains the essence of the wielder who gave up his life to create it and contains special powers. The stones are said to have different powers depending on the certain desires of the wielders who sacrificed themselves to make them.”
“Why did they give up their lives to create them?” Traven inquired.
“Well, Faldor, he was one of the greatest of all, had a dream about the importance of the stones, and so they were made.”
“Why were they important?”
“Actually, I do not know. All of this happened so long ago, and there are very few records left. Most people don’t know anything at all about the ambience and those that do usually believe that the ambience is just something made up. I am not sure how much of the stories I believe, but I know that there is some truth in them because of the special artifacts that have lasted until now and because of the writings that have been found. And now at least I know there is some truth in the might stone story since we are looking at one right now!”
With the talk of stones with special powers, Traven had unconsciously closed his hand around the amber stone hanging under his shirt. He realized what he was doing and pulled the stone from around his neck.
“What about this?” he asked, handing the stone to Studell. Studell’s eyes widened as the stone touched his hand and he felt the warmth that emanated from it.
“This is one too!” the philosopher shouted excitedly. “I cannot believe that we have two of the twelve in this very room! How did you come to have them? Are you a treasure hunter?”
Traven smiled at Studell’s question. Then he realized how strange it really was that he had two of them in his possession.
“I’m not a treasure hunter. This was my father’s, and I stumbled across the sword on my way from Oak Tree to Calyn,” Traven answered. With that out of the way, he had questions of his own. “You said the might stones have power. What do these stones do?”
“I have no idea,” the philosopher said with a frown. “The only things I know about the stones are what I previously told you. What I do know is that you should take good care of them. They are definitely special. It is sad that so little information is left from the ages of the great wielders. So little is known. I have spent a great deal of my life studying the past, and I suppose that I know more than most on the subject. I have read all of the existing manuscripts and even those in the old tongue. Sadly though, I still only know bits and pieces.”
Traven stared at the stone that was back in his hand and slowly t
ucked it back in his shirt with new found respect. He had always known the stone was special. The amazement he had felt was beginning to be replaced more and more by curiosity. Might stones, magic, lost history! Traven decided that he really didn’t need to see the docks, so he asked the philosopher a question that he hoped would lead to a lengthy discussion.
“So the stones were made by the ambience. What exactly is the ambience?” Traven was happy to see the philosopher’s countenance brighten at an opportunity to share what he knew.
“As I said, nobody knows much, but I will gladly share what I do know. The ambience, well now . . .” Traven leaned forward and listened with interest as the philosopher began to unfold what he knew. “. . . it is what we would call magic. But it really is not magic. It is just powers above what we as mere humans understand. Our minds are very finite you know.
“The basic idea of the ambience is creating something ethereally and then wrapping tangible elements around it to bring it into our reality. Much more than that, I cannot say. It is pulling something beyond our five senses into our normal realm.
“I can explain a bit more of its properties. Supposedly, the power to manipulate the ambience is an inborn ability. It does not, however, manifest itself until a certain age. Accounts vary, but as far as I can tell the power was manifested sometime between late adolescence and early adulthood. Once the powers had been manifested, the wielder could use them at will. With them, he could do many incredible things.
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