The bartender nodded. “That’s sort of the way we heard things here, except that the way we heard it there was a girl involved.”
Everet looked perplexed when he heard this. “A girl? Why the only woman I spoke to last night was the Lady Severa, and it was only the second time we have met. Don’t get me wrong she is a rare beauty, but I danced one song with her, if that is an offense worth killing for I am doing business with the wrong people.”
A man at the bar who, among others, had been listening in on the conversation between Everet and the bartender spoke up. “I wouldn’t take too much offense if I was you. The late Lord Howard had a bit of a reputation as a hot head and a womanizer. That he would challenge you to a duel over a woman is not surprising. The surprising part is that he failed to defeat you. This was not the lord’s first duel over a woman.”
Everet nodded, as if he were just starting to understand what had happened the previous night. “Well, I thank you both for enlightening me on my predicament. I had come to Meron in hopes of establishing trade, not brawling and dueling. Barkeep another drink and one for my friend here.”
The bartend poured two drinks while the stranger thanked Everet. “Thank you for the drink, my name is Wendle.”
“Wendle, it’s a pleasure to meet someone not trying to run a sword through my belly.”
While Wendle and the bartender laughed at Everet’s enthusiasm for peaceful company, a messenger entered the bar and announced loudly, “Everet Bell?”
All eyes in the bar looked at the messenger then at Everet who had raised his hand to get the messengers attention. The messenger swiftly walked over and handed Everet a piece of parchment with the royal seal on it.
“What is this?” asked Everet.
“That is the king’s seal. It is likely good news. If the king were going to hang you for killing his cousin he wouldn’t waste the paper telling you about it,” answered Wendle.
Everet opened the seal, unfolded the parchment, and read the document aloud.
From the office of the king’s inquisitor:
It the matter of Lord Howards duel with Everet Bell we find that no crime has been committed.
Mr. Bell defeated Lord Howard fairly and no further investigation of this event is deemed necessary at this time.
Everet turned to Wendle and the bartender. “Well what do you make of that”
“Looks like you will still be able to do business in Meron,” said the bartender, smiling.
Everet smiled back and gave an exaggerated sigh. “Well, that is good news.” Everet pulled out a couple gold coins. “I’d like to buy a round of drinks for everyone here to celebrate a fair and just outcome.”
A murmur of approval answered Everet’s generosity.
Everet was more than happy to spend a coin or two making new friends. Plavan had come through, and the king had sent word, just as Plavan had suggested would happen. Everet wondered what was next in Plavan’s plan.
Chapter eighteen
“TODAY WE ARE GOING TO work on strengthening your mind bond.” Balthazar was standing beside the table, holding two blindfolds in his hands.
Ava looked over at Nathan, they had worked all week on using their minds to move enchanted items or to enhance their senses, but they had not done anything like this yet. Nathan just shrugged, because of his connection with Thorn he already had a comfort level with mind connections that Ava just didn’t have.
“Put the blindfolds on please,” said Balthazar. After they had complied, Balthazar continued. “Now hold hands.”
Nathan and Ava were standing right beside each other so it was easy to reach out and find each other, after a brief bit of fumbling they clasped hands and stood there waiting for Balthazar to continue.
“Now step away from each other so that you are at arm’s length but keep your hands together.”
They moved apart, keeping their hands together. Ava felt weird, like they were making a pretend bridge with their bodies. But this wasn’t the weirdest thing that they had done with Balthazar, so she just listened for the next, sure-to-be strange instruction.
“Nathan, I want you to imagine a warm ball of energy in your free hand. When you can feel it there, move it through your body and into Ava.” While explaining this, Balthazar walked up and put a crystal in the hand of the blindfolded girl. “Ava, in your hand is a crystal, when you feel the energy flowing into you I want you to focus on transferring that energy into the crystal. Imagine that the crystal will shine when filled with energy.”
Nathan focused on his empty hand, he imagined it filling with a small warm orange ball filled with energy. Slowly the image became stronger and he could actually feel the energy massing in his hand. Once he felt that energy, he visualized the energy moving through his body and into Ava’s hand. Like the rock on the table, he mentally pushed the ball of energy through his body.
Ava stood there quietly, waiting in the dark, her hand held out at arm’s length in Nathan’s hand. Despite the fact that she was waiting for it to happen, she was still surprised when she felt the tingle of energy as Nathan began to transfer power into her hand. After the momentary shock, she focused, as Balthazar had said to, on moving that power through her body and into the crystal in her hand. While she was blindfolded and unable to visibly check the results of the transfer, mentally she felt the crystal absorbing the energy.
When Balthazar told them to let go of each other take off their blindfolds and look at the crystal, Ava was surprised by how bright it actually was. She had felt that she had transferred power but had no idea that it would produce such a strong light. The crystal was almost blinding it shone so bright. Light from the crystal shone throughout the mage’s room.
“Impressive work you two. Your magic compliments each other’s nicely. That is probably the brightest crystal I have ever seen from a power transfer, certainly the most powerful from a first attempt,” said Balthazar.
“What do you mean by our magic complimenting each other? Is magic not basically all the same?”
“Each person has their own unique magic…let’s call it a magic profile. You, Ava have a small but active magical current running through you. You don’t store a lot of magic but can easily transfer it. Your ability to transfer energy without loss is excellent for becoming a healer, it is why the water turned white when we tested you. As easily as you put that energy into the crystal, once you’ve been trained, you can pull that energy out and into others” Balthazar turned his attention to Nathan. “You also transfer energy well, but also are able to store a great deal internally. This combination is what allows you to put so much magical energy into the bloodstones. Normally a mage can only store a small amount of energy in inert objects, which is why jewels are so valuable to a mage. Jewels are the most efficient stores of magical energy. Your abilities to store energy has great potential.”
Nathan, through his talks with Quinton, had understood some of this. However, after today’s lesson, he was getting a much better grasp of how magic transfer worked, and its potential. “That is why Quinton is so excited by my bloodstones; they hold more magical power than he normally has access too.”
Balthazar nodded. “Yes, young Quinton is eager to work with you. He has come and spoken to me about it already. Don’t let Quinton’s shy nature fool you, he is a very knowledgeable young mage and can teach you much. He is also much stronger than he lets on. After all, he shares half of the same bloodlines as you Nathan. Illusion magic is difficult; it takes a good amount of energy and a great deal of skill to use it. Quinton is one of the best around at what he does. He is also trained in other areas of magic where he can assist you in learning. Don’t let his modesty hinder his ability to help you learn. Pester that boy when he falls back on his modesty.”
Nathan wasn’t surprised that Balthazar thought so highly of Quinton and his magical ability. Nathan had suspected that Quinton was much stronger than he let on before. It was good to know that Balthazar trusted him to work with Nathan. They reall
y did have some fun projects planned. As his thoughts returned to Ava and the knowledge that she also would be able to use his energy an idea started to form. “Balthazar, would Ava be able to use my bloodstones for healing once she learns that skill?”
Balthazar was pleased; his pupils were starting to understand just how unique and powerful their gifts were. He had worried when Nathan first arrive that his strong magical gifts would be clouded by the boy’s strong emotions, but his friends seemed to balance him out, and the fact that Ava and Quinton both seemed to transfer his power without loss was a significant matter. Having three strong mages capable of working well together would serve Balta well. The wars inflicted on Balta by its neighbors had cost the country many of its finest mages. Having strong young mages would be vital to Balta’s future. “Yes Nathan, Ava will be able to do great things with your bloodstones someday.”
Ava was shocked to hear Balthazar say she might do great things one day. Surely, he did not mean it. Nathan was the one with all the power. She relayed this confusion to Balthazar.
“Power is nothing without direction and purpose, my dear. As a healer, even just making potions and salves, you will be able to help a great deal of people. When you learn more on how to use your own powers, you will be able to give Nathan’s power purpose. What could be a better purpose than healing? No, Ava you have great potential as well, and along with Quinton, the three of you will be even stronger when working together. Your unique magical talents all complement each other well. And the sum of your efforts, will always be greater than what one of you can achieve on your own.”
…
When Nathan and Ava returned home after their lessons, Nathan went to his room, there he found Quinton working in the war room. He was doing something to the practice dummy. “Is it almost ready?”
“Yes, I just put a few things on it to start. You will have to charge it, and then once I know how much energy it holds I can improve the illusions around it. But for now it will work just liked we talked about.” Quinton smiled as he spoke. He was a year older than Nathan, but they shared the same sense of humor and got along really well. Working together with his cousin was proving to be fun.
“Perfect, Sharon will be here soon for more fighting lessons; in the meantime Balthazar says I should be getting you to teach me about illusions and helping me with other skills. Can you teach me how to breathe fire and shoot lightening from my ass so I can become a god?”
Quinton laughed, “Why, so you burn your mouth every time you get the hiccups, and you become a hazard to everyone in the room when your farts contain lightening? I don’t think so, besides you are too ugly to be a god. Gods aren’t supposed to get injured or have battle scars, at best we could maybe get you to almost respectable deity status if we got into some really dark magic, but you would have to give up women and wine.”
Nathan lifted his hand to his chin, stroking his face as if he was deeply pondering a powerful dilemma. “Give up woman and wine to become a minor deity? It’s a tough decision, but I think I shall have to pass.”
“Good choice Nathan, I think your life as a deity would have been cut very short if Ava heard you swearing off woman to become a power-hungry monster,” said Sharon, who had entered the room without Nathan or Quinton noticing.
Nathan and Quinton both fell into a fit of laughter. Sharon’s timing was perfect. Soon Sharon was joining the boys in laughter.
Once everyone stopped laughing, Sharon pulled out her practice daggers. She was eager to start.
“Start with some light stretches, then work with practice dummy on yesterday’s lessons. Once you are good and warm we will start the new lessons,” said Nathan.
While Sharon warmed up, Nathan tried to get Quinton’s attention but he seemed distracted with Sharon in the room. Nathan was curious to see what would happen when Sharon hit the practice dummy, but he didn’t want to ruin Quinton’s surprise. “Now that we have established that I am not well suited for a life as a minor deity, what can you teach me about illusions, oh wise and knowledgeable cousin of mine?”
Quinton turned, recognizing that Nathan had caught him staring at Sharon, and started blushing. “Hmm, I’m not sure where to start. You have more power than most, so you don’t need the lessons on power storage. That was my most of my first year of magic studies, learning how to channel my power and store it in inanimate objects. I suppose we should start with some basic principles. I have some books you should read.”
While the boys talked about illusions, Sharon was stretching out. When she did her first lunge, striking the dummy in the chest with her blade she was totally caught off guard when the dummy cried out, “Ouch that hurts. Are you trying to kill me?”
She jumped back, startled by the voice. Then she heard the laughter behind her. The boys were trying hard to contain their mischievous laughs, but were failing miserably. Sharon decided to let the boys have their laughs, and reset herself. Again she focused on the dummy, this time she practiced a side step and attack the ribs maneuver.
When her dagger poked the dummy in the side, it again spoke out. “Argh, that stings.”
Sharon couldn’t help but be amused; she knew Quinton was behind this and from the way they both were giggling, obviously Nathan was in on it as well. Again she struck the dummy. This time, distracted by the boys and the fact that her practice dummy was now talking, she only managed a poorly placed strike that hit the dummy in the shoulder. When the dummy spoke it did not cry out in dismay but instead mocked her in derision. “You call that a strike? My dead grandmother, the couch, hits better than that!”
Finally, Sharon had heard enough, she broke out laughing and turned to the boys who were now beyond containment. Both were laughing so hard that they were in danger of falling over. “How the heck am I to concentrate when I am hitting a talking dummy and have you two monkeys laughing in the background,” she said in mock exasperation. She wouldn’t admit it, but she found the talking dummy pretty funny.
When Nathan finally finished laughing, he took a solemn voice. “A warrior fights through all distractions.”
Sharon rolled her eyes. “Yes sir. I will do better next time.” Sharon focused on the talking dummy, time to make that bugger cry out in dismay, no more mocking tones out of him. She lunged forward, striking the dummy in the belly.
“Oh gods, I’ve been impaled. Someone call a healer,” cried out the dummy.
When Sharon was warmed up, Quinton explained that they were not done with the dummy. “The voice is an easy first illusion, next I’ll make it seems like the dummy moves and attacks you. But that is going to take more time, it won’t be ready today.”
Sharon was impressed; the boys were going to turn the practice dummy into an amazing training tool. “That sounds awesome; it will be good to have a moving target to practice against.”
Nathan interjected. “Actually a moving target is exactly what I have in mind for today’s lessons.” Nathan turned and threw a wooden practice sword towards Quinton. “I presume you have used one of those before?”
Quinton grabbed the flying blade before it could hit him in the chest. Once he had the blade in his hand, he took a couple practice swings. “Of course, I am part of the navy. My father was going to have me become a captain before we found out my magical skills far exceeded my sword and sailing skills.” Quinton turned to Sharon and gave her his best evil glare. “Prepare yourself, evil Lord Quinton is about to teach you how a true swordsman fights.”
Sharon smirked, she was only learning to fight, but she like her chances against Quinton. How good of a swordsman could a mage be?
When the training session was done, Sharon was bruised and exhausted. She had underestimated Quinton. He was rather good with a sword and even with Nathan teaching her the techniques to block and counter his attacks he still was much better than her. Sharon vowed to rectify this quickly.
Quinton laughed when Sharon mentioned her frustration about not being able to defeat him. “Honestly Sharon, you are
doing great. I might not be a great swordsman but I did train with swords for three years before I stopped to spend more time learning magic. I had very good trainers and while not the best in my classes was never the worst. You are strong and quick; it won’t be long before you are beating me.”
Sharon smiled; she liked the sound of that.
Chapter nineteen
SEVERAL DAYS HAD PASSED since the disastrous ball. Everet was still working on playing the aggrieved merchant, going from pub to pub having drinks and discussing the distasteful events with the crowds that naturally seemed to form around him when he went into his story. The details and tone of his story changed ever so slightly depending on how the crowd reacted to the mention of the late Lord Howard. For the most part the audiences despised the man, but among a certain percentage of the people, he was still a royal family member slain by a foreigner so Everet danced carefully around the details, gaining sympathy as he went. Today he was skipping his tour of taverns to eat lunch with Severa.
To insure the story line stayed the way he planned, they only met in public. A budding romance was acceptable and a desired rumor. What Everet did not want was anyone saying he and Severa were in lovers in cahoots to besmirch the good name of the late Lord Howard. For now, they played it careful, meeting only in daylight in nice establishments. Everet was the perfect gentleman to the eyes of any watchers.
As they chatted about the weather patterns of Mithbea compared to Solotine, Plavan came up to their table. “Everet, it is good to see you again. Lady Severa, a pleasure to see you as well. Do you mind if I join you for a moment or two?”
“Please do.” Everet had not seen Plavan since the man suggested that he should drink at the Sauntering Soldier. Everet expected that this was not a chance encounter, and that Plavan was going to either explain things during this brief encounter or arrange another.
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