Wizard's Education

by James Eggebeen

  "The fact that you are witnessing this means something has befallen me. I may be dead or incapacitated. That should be of no consequence to you. It has come to my attention that one of the wizards on the ruling council is secretly in league with the temple of Ran. He has been working with them for some years, thwarting our plans and feeding them information on promising young wizards.

  "I made this message just before going to confront him. While I am confident that I am in no danger from any ordinary wizard, one that is in league with the temple may prove to be a challenge. I hope I am equal to my challenge as I am confident you will be to yours.

  "Should you prove equal to the task, please don't waste time trying to find me or resolve my predicament. Your first task will be the elimination of this threat from the council and from this mortal realm.

  "Farewell and good luck." The wizard looked down at his book once more, frowning.

  "That is, assuming you are Lorit." The wizard looked around his study almost in a panic and then settled down.

  "Oh, lest I forget. You will need all the strength of your pairing to handle this threat. Should I be unavailable to guide you, know that the power you share is more than just a cooperation of your magic. It is a merging of your essence, a joining of your life forces. As you grow together, you will become as one person inhabiting two separate bodies. As your union deepens, so will your powers.

  "Go now and complete my quest," the old wizard said as he turned to mist and faded away.

  Lorit turned to Chihon. "What was that?"

  "I don't know. How can we become as one person? Do you think it means the way we shared our vision back in the library?"

  "I'm not sure. But it’s clear we still have more trials ahead," Lorit said.

  He shuffled through the books, looking them over one by one. There were stacks of them, and they were dusty and worn. One particularly thick book had the engraving on the front that indicated it was filled with powerful hexagrams. He had enough experience with these spells to be wary.

  Sitting at the table, he opened it and leafed through it, muttering to himself as he read. He reached a page that bore an engraving so complex, he could barely make out the lines of the figure.

  "Look at this one," he said to Chihon. "It looks like this is a spell made to drain a wizard's power. If I read this correctly, it's similar to what the temple uses to extract power from a wizard, only this simply drains him without taking it into the wielder of the spell.

  "It looks complex." Lorit guided his finger along the text that described how the spell was used. He read the description aloud to Chihon. As he finished reading the spell, the ink on the page became fuzzy, almost as if it was lifting from the paper. It rose from the page and started to swirl around like a cyclone of fine black powder until finally it rushed at Lorit.

  He swatted at it, afraid of what it would do to him, but it kept rushing at him until finally it threaded its way up his sleeve. He felt a stinging on his back, almost as if a thousand needles had pierced his skin. He twisted in his chair, but he couldn't reach the offending ink.

  "What happened?" Chihon reached over and pulled at Lorit's shirt. "It's on your back. The same hexagram that was in the book. It looks like it's just under your skin."

  "See if you can rub it off." Lorit pulled his shirt over his head.

  Chihon rubbed at his back, gently at first, then rougher. "It's not coming off. It doesn't even smudge."

  "Just leave it, then," he said. "We have to find the book. Zhimosom said it was hidden here somewhere, and it would reveal itself when the time was right."

  After a while, Lorit grew exasperated with the search. He was ready to give up. "We're never going to find it."

  Chihon had been rummaging through a pile near the entryway. She held up a large leather-bound volume. "Lorit, I think this is it." The book had a crest on the front, surrounded by the wizards' script. He peered at it. It was indeed the Summa Purus Magicae.

  It was closed with a leather strap ending in a brass clasp with a tiny lock on the end. The book was locked fast.

  He probed with his magic, trying to feel the lock mechanism and spring the book open. It resisted his attempts.

  "Let's take it up to the Sorcerer's stone and see if a little extra magic will open it," Lorit said.

  They made their way back to the rock ledge. Lorit could feel the power emanating from it, recharging his internal stores. He focused on the lock once more, trying to wrest the tiny brass clasp open, but it refused to budge.

  He reached out to Rotiaqua and quickly connected with her image. "Do you know how to open the book?" he asked.

  "Certainly not. I didn't even know he still had it. I can't do much of anything with him gone like he is."

  "We're going to face the council."

  "Be careful," was all she said before Lorit felt her fade out.

  "Zhimosom doesn't trust the council, and we shouldn't either," Lorit said. "I don't want to hand the book over to them. We could be giving it to the wizard who captured Zhimosom, and where would we be then?"

  "We have to face the council."

  "We don't have to turn the book over to them, but you're right, we do have to face them." Lorit reached out and took her hand, focused on the council room while he gathered the power from the sorcerer's stone and transposed them to the council chamber.

  "We have located the Summa Purus Magicae," Lorit explained once the council members had gathered.

  "Have you figured out how to open it?" Neussul asked with a smirk.

  "We have not opened it yet."

  "Have you tried?" Neussul leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

  "Yes. We were unsuccessful."

  Neussul leaned forward, placing his hands flat on the table. "The spells in the book are powerful, too powerful to be in the hands of a junior council member." Neussul reached out his hand.

  "First we find Zhimosom. That was the deal," Lorit said, holding the book tightly in his arms.

  "You are not strong enough to use those spells. That book belongs to the council," Neussul said. Lorit could feel the pull on the book as the wizard tried to force it from his hands. He focused his magic on it, trying to send it back to Zhimosom's study. He felt the spell take effect when Neussul shouted.

  "Wait. If you pass the test, we will help you." Lorit thought he sounded desperate.

  "What test?" Lorit asked.

  "There are trials of courage, power, and wisdom that every wizard must pass to demonstrate their mastery. If you pass these trials, I will personally help you find Zhimosom."

  Lorit looked at the wizard. He had no reason to trust him, but he wasn't getting anywhere by himself.

  "This is the last time I listen to you," Lorit said. He was angry and wanted to take on Neussul right there, but Chihon laid her hand on his arm. He could feel her trying to impart a sense of calm. He embraced her touch and relaxed.

  "Let the test begin, then. You will help us find Zhimosom once we are finished," Lorit said.

  "I gave you my word, did I not?" Neussul said. He stood tall and haughty. "If you pass the test. Not many do."

  "We will," Lorit said with more confidence than he had a right to.

  Neussul stood up and leaned over the table. "The trials start at the wizard's keep. You must enter there and face whatever it deems appropriate."

  He sat back down and laughed. "Go now and good luck. You'll need it."

  Lorit turned to Chihon and grasped her arm as they left the council chambers.

  Chapter 33

  Lorit and Chihon rested before the final test. After the dangers they had braved, Lorit was in no hurry to begin anew, but he worried about Zhimosom. He rested uneasily and woke early the next morning still tired.

  They traversed the narrow ledge that led to the keep and entered the great hall wondering how the trials would begin and what they should do to announce their intent.

  "Let's stick together," Lorit said as they walked down the dust
y aisles toward the library. "How do we know what the tests are? Where do you think they start?"

  Suddenly Lorit found himself alone. He was in a hallway that stretched for as far as he could see in either direction. "Chihon," he called. "Where are you?"

  He heard the sound of his voice echoing off of the walls, but nothing from Chihon. He reached out to her with his magic, but he couldn't sense her. She was gone.

  Lorit panicked. He ran from door to door, opening each one and calling for Chihon. Finally, he spotted one that contained an arch that led to a small room. Inside the room was the short stone wall of a well. It was as wide as Lorit's outstretched arms and filled to the top with the shimmer of water.

  Lorit entered the room and looked in the well. The water was almost silver in its appearance, as it licked at the stone wall. "Incendo ignio," Lorit commanded the torches around the room to light so he could see better.

  Lorit turned back to the well to see a short little man sitting on the ledge. He was perched on the edge of the wall, legs crossed and dangling over the edge into the water. "Looking for something?" he asked.

  "Yes, I am." Lorit took a step closer. The little man shone with the glimmer of pure gold. His skin and his clothes were the same color, as if he had been cast from gold coins melted down for the purpose.

  "And just what are you looking for?" The man smiled up at Lorit, his golden eyes reflecting the light from the torches.

  "Chihon was with me and now she's gone. Can you help me find her?"

  The man waved his arm over the water. "You can find anything your heart desires here, if you but have the courage to seek it."

  "Anything?"

  "Anything," the golden man replied. "Provided you have the courage to seek it. Not everyone does. Actually, almost no one does." He shook his head sadly.

  "How do I seek the sorceress Chihon?"

  "You dive in and swim," the golden man said. "Simple as that." He snapped his fingers and smiled a wide, gold-toothed grin.

  "Dive in?" Lorit unbuckled his belt and started to strip down to his pants in preparation.

  "Dive in," the man said. "That's the best way, just dive in and see where it takes you. It's always educational, and sometimes you even find what you are looking for."

  Lorit walked to the edge of the well. He dipped his hand into the water to test it. It was cool, but not cold. "Just dive in?"

  "Dive." The golden man gestured to the water.

  Lorit climbed up on the wall, took a few deep breaths, and dove into the water. It was cold enough to give him a shock on entry, but he quickly grew used to it, as he made his way down into the depths. Several feet beneath the surface, the well opened onto a wide channel extending deep into the mountain. Lorit could not see into the depths, but he was determined to follow this path.

  He turned and entered the channel. He worked his way along, paying attention to his breath, counting out the time in his head. He estimated how long he could stay underwater before he had to return to the surface for air. When he felt that he had reached his halfway point, he turned around and headed back.

  He broke the surface, gulping. His lungs burned with the relief of the air rushing in. He breathed heavily, recovering from his dive.

  The golden man sat on the ledge. "Find her?"

  "No, I ran out of breath," Lorit said, still panting.

  "Keep trying. Just a little more. You're doing great."

  "Then what?"

  "Then you find what you're looking for," the little golden man said. "You almost made it."

  Lorit breathed deeply several more times, taking in as much air as his lungs could hold. He gulped one last time and dove into the well. This time he swam faster, harder, trusting he would reach some point that would be safe.

  A silver light showed up ahead. Lorit swam for it, turning up into a short vertical shaft. He broke the surface of the water and emerged into a small cavern filled with air. He exhaled deeply spraying water all over the dimly lit cavern. Several shafts of light came from overhead holes that must have led to the air above.

  His chest heaved as he breathed in the fresh cool air. Lorit knew that if he could count on these air pockets at regular intervals, he could swim along the tunnel as far as needed. How this was going to lead him to Chihon, he didn't know, but he was willing to risk the water for her.

  He breathed deeply and plunged back into the water. He swam until he came to a second short cavern where he recovered his breath. This time he was more tired and rested longer. The cool water was starting to feel cold to him. He could feel his body heat seeping out and knew he couldn't keep it up indefinitely.

  Recovered enough to continue, Lorit dove once more. Within a short swim, he entered a large underwater cavern. In the center of the expanse was a shimmering bubble. It was lit from within, but Lorit could not tell what was inside.

  He swam closer until he could make out a huge cage. It looked to be made of iron bars woven in and around each other until they formed a large half dome of mesh that almost touched the shimmering bubble.

  Inside the mesh, Lorit saw a table and a bed. To his surprise, the wizard Zhimosom sat quietly on the chair. Lorit swam to the edge of the bubble and reached for the mesh inside, to see if he could find some way to free the wizard. The bubble resisted his efforts. It was as hard and unyielding as glass.

  Lorit pounded his fist on the bubble, trying to attract Zhimosom's attention. His efforts only made a dull thudding sound.

  Lorit swam around the bubble until he was in front of Zhimosom's face. The old wizard sat at the table, reading a book. His finger traced along the page as he read, his lips moving.

  Lorit pounded once more, but the wizard took no notice of him. He tried to reach out using his magical powers and the connection he had with the wizard.

  Still nothing.

  Lorit felt the burning in his lungs. He had stayed under the water longer than he expected, and his efforts to attract the wizard's attention had consumed too much of his air.

  He swam for the channel. He was not that far from the small cavern and fresh air. Lorit stroked madly, his lungs burning, his body tingling. He used the tunnel walls to propel himself along.

  Just as he thought he could hold out no longer, the ceiling opened onto the shaft where he had rested earlier. Lorit looked up for the shimmering surface that meant fresh air.

  It was gone.

  He swam up only to find the air gap had vanished. In its place, there was only rock.

  Lorit wasted no time worrying about where the air had gone. He had to reach the next cavern or he would drown. He turned, pushing off from the ceiling with all his might to give him an extra boost as he raced for the next cavern.

  The water seemed colder, the darkness ahead deeper. The pain started as a tingling in his whole body as his muscles cried out for air. He pushed and kicked along until he reached the next cavern. He turned and entered it, but once again, the air was gone.

  Lorit wanted to scream, but he knew that would only release all his air. He felt the tingling in his body worsen. He had to reach the surface before it got any worse. He turned once again, heading now for the well ahead.

  His lungs burned with the pain of it. All Lorit could think about was getting to the surface. He clenched his teeth, holding back the air in his lungs. As he swam, he slowly let the stale air out. He kicked with his feet and pulled with his arms, all the while letting tiny breaths out of his clenched teeth.

  He felt his strength going. His lungs were empty now. All he wanted to do was take a deep breath, but Lorit knew he would certainly drown if he did. His whole being cried out for air. He reached out and grasped the side wall, pulling his weary body slowly along. He felt it more pronounced now. His eyes tingled, and his vision narrowed until all he could see was a small spot directly in front of him. Lorit knew that soon that too would be gone, and he would not be able to resist taking that last deep breath of water.

  He saw light streaming down from the well up ahead. It wa
s so close, but it might as well have been leagues away for all the good it would do him. He was too weak to reach it. He was never going to make it.

  Lorit reached out to Chihon with his magic. "I didn't make it."

  "Where are you?" she asked. The connection was weak and muffled. He could hardly hear her response.

  "I'm in a well deep in the mountain. I found Zhimosom, but I'm trapped down here without air."

  She answered him but he could barely make out her response. It almost sounded like "remember the water nymphs." He lost the contact. Now Lorit was truly alone. Was this how it would end? Trapped beneath the mountains, all by himself? He struggled and fought against the growing urge to take the deep breath that would mean the end of his life.

  His thoughts grew dim. He was afraid that he would pass out and that would mean the end of him. Lorit recalled the trials and troubles he had been through with Chihon. All the things they had overcome had come to nothing.

  He relented and took that deep breath, expecting to choke on the cool water as it rushed to fill his lungs. Instead, as he breathed in, it felt like fresh warm summer air, with just a hint of flowers. He sucked the water into his lungs, letting it fill him and restore him. The tingling and dimness were driven away by the freshness of it.

  As he breathed deeply, Lorit swore he could hear the water nymphs off in the distance, singing. He smiled and swam for the well, breaking the surface with a splash that sent water surging over the wall and onto the floor.

  The little golden man was gone, and the torches had burned almost to the end. His clothes were piled on the floor, where he had left them.

  Lorit reached out for Chihon to let her know he was all right, but there was nothing.

  Something was wrong.

  He rushed to don his clothes and ran off down the passageway, hoping it was going to take him to the library. He had to find Chihon. He was confident that working together they could free Zhimosom.

  Chihon was talking to Lorit at one moment, the next he was gone. She found herself in a long hallway that stretched off as far as she could see in either direction. "Lorit," she called out, but all she could hear was the echo of her own voice.