Apprentice Wizards of Hope

by Gary J. Davies

  "Right," said Ann. "The whole Hope area has several such places. Hope is said to be a nexus point for Earth magic; that's why Hope has established here in the first place. But unless you're a Master Wizard such places can be dangerous."

  "That's for sure," said Ben. "My folks said that places of Earth magic sometimes attract bursts of Wild Magic. We went on our usual picnic here and we were attacked by a Demon. Our combined strength apparently wasn’t enough to shield us all and my parents were murdered. That’s essentially what I was told by my rescuer, anyway. I don’t really remember much of the incident myself. The big theory for that is traumatic shock. I seem to have forgotten quite a bit, including how to control my own magic.”

  "A few years ago the Council officially declared that elemental Evil and Demons don't exist," said Ann.

  "That's crazy!" said Ben. He took several steps into the devastated area, where his shoes immediately sank several inches into the black ash.

  “Don’t!” Ann cried out in alarm. “Come out! It will make you sick; it’s poison!” She herself had many times over the years become ill from even standing near Desolation Glen. Actually standing in it like Ben was doing was totally suicidal!

  “I doubt it,” Ben said. “It isn’t poison, I wager, it’s simply dirt and ash that's full of Evil, against which I’m very strongly shielded. It is disgusting but I’m very confident of my safety. I’m impervious to normal poisons as well. My shoes may get dirty though, until I step out.”

  “Ben, even strongly shielded Council Members got very sick from very briefly being in there! Don’t you feel confused and head-achy yet?”

  “Not at all! Really Ann, I’m fine; nothing harmful to me can get through my shields. I've prepared myself for years to do this!” In fact he felt an exhilarating sense of relief: he had faced up to this place and overcome his fears!

  “Please come out of there, Ben!” she implored. She stood helpless at the very edge of the blight, reaching towards him. Ben was afraid that she'd loose her balance and fall into the Evil, which would likely kill her.

  “OK,” he said, shrugging, “if it will make you feel better.” As he stepped out of the desolation and into forest, fine black ash fell from his shoes. Some of it fell onto green moss that immediately withered into dead brown sludge.

  “The ash is some kind of magic assisted poison,” Ann noted. “You have to get it all off of you!”

  “It is all off of me, don’t worry,” he said, as he casually examined his shoes and then showed them to Ann. The light-green sneakers were perfectly clean, not a hint of black ash was visible. “It’s Evil, probably not poison at all in the conventional sense, and my shielding totally repels it. I can strongly sense any Evil, and can sense that none of it remains on me. Not a single tiny speck. My shielding repels it away. The tiny bits of it that I brought out on my shoes will quickly be overcome by the life of the forest. This entire plot of Evil will gradually fade away within a few centuries, but not before it does much harm. There are tons of it here! Demons had to have brought it here, and they must have had nasty reasons to do that.”

  “The Council report says the ash is poison strengthened by magic. They deny it is Evil though, or even the existence of such a thing as Evil. Still, despite many attempts they haven’t been able to get rid of the problem. They have managed to put a counter-spell around it to keep it from spreading though, whatever it is. That's why they have confidence that it has nothing to do with the deaths of our old folk.”

  “It’s Evil, pure and simple, I can sense it. Evil is the only thing I can sense that way anymore. Taking the long view the spell to keep it from spreading is possibly a mistake.”

  "Why?" asked Ann.

  "Small bits of Evil decay quickly, especially when surrounded by life such as found in forests. Left on its own all this Evil would dissipate within a few decades. Fenced in and concentrated like it is, the Evil could be around for centuries!"

  “You seem to doubt the Council a lot.”

  “I was raised among the Unaligned, and by others, none of them affiliated with Hope. They have a respect for Hope Wizardry, but a healthy skepticism of Hope Wizards and their politics, especially the Council.”

  Ann meant to point out that her own parents were now part of the Council, and that they were both very competent Master Wizards, and that by contrast none of the Unaligned could possibly understand very much of magic, but she sensed someone rapidly approaching them. “Someone comes towards us, someone of power,” she announced.

  “Relax; I can’t sense anything,” Ben said calmly. “That is to say, I sense no Evil aside from the ash. It’s probably my mysterious friend that you sense coming.”

  “The one that saved you?”

  “Yes. She said that she would visit me today, here where we first met.” He looked up into the clear sky, then after a bit of searching, pointed. “That’s her!”

  Following his finger Ann saw what she at first thought was a solitary bird, soaring high above. She soon realized that it was falling towards them rapidly, wasn’t a bird, and was indeed the being of power that she sensed approaching. It dropped to treetop level, than gracefully circled Devastation Glen once before landing gently only a few steps from herself and Ben.

  Even before landing, Ann could see that Ben’s friend was a slim humanoid but not human. The curves of its legs and body suggested that the visitor was female. She was a deep sky-blue in color with head, arms and legs similar to that of humans, but with a pair of wings that protruded from her back. But she lacked distinctive protruding nose, ears, or sexual organs! Except for long, streaming, dark blue head-hair her entire body appeared to be hairless. She glided through the air with exquisite grace, reminding Ann of the motions of sleek flying sea gulls or swimming dolphins.

  After landing she stood balanced on tip-toes like a lithe, supple ballerina, regarding Ann with two deep, human-shaped greenish eyes, as her 'wings' simply retracted slowly into her body. She still had no visible ears, nose or nostrils, but her mouth, a lipless slit that opened in a position similar to that of humans, formed a toothless smile. Even on tip-toes she was less than four feet tall. Seen up close, subtle curving and slightness of body features suggested even more strongly to Ann that that their visitor was indeed female, and if drawings of legendary creatures in the Hope library could be relied upon, she was a sprite!

  “Greetings, young Trouble-Bringer,” the newcomer told Ben cheerfully, in clear English, as he rushed forward to lift and hug her tightly.

  “You are Ben’s friend Ann?” the sprite asked, after Ben had released her. The awkward hugging action, though superficially similar to the death grip of a Demon, she correctly interpreted as affection, as it was a common action she had seen occur between closely affiliated biologicals on many worlds. Perhaps they were exchanging scents or thoughts? “You are the one also known as Flame?”

  “Yes,” Ann stammered, hardly believing what she was seeing. In Hope, sprites were thought to be imaginary, the legends of children's stories!

  “This is Sky the sprite,” Ben told Ann. “Eight years ago Sky rescued me here from Demon attack and took me to Alure.”

  “Demon attack for real?” Ann exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “I was there,” said Ben. “Ann, I know what I saw!”

  "As did I," added Sky. "I am unfortunately very well acquainted with Demons. This was an unusually powerful one, full of great Evil that it drew and spewed here to form a place of powers for Demons."

  “Isn’t Alure where the elves of legend used to live?” Ann asked, changing the subject.

  “It is where the real elves still live, young one,” the sprite said with a chuckle, before turning to Ben and jabbering something unintelligible to him for a full minute. Ben replied briefly in kind.

  “Sprite language?” Ann asked, when they had finished and returned their attentions to her.

  “Elf language,” explained Ben. “Sprites have no spoken language of their own. Sky didn’t
mean to be impolite but though over the years visiting me she learned much English, she is hesitant to speak of my Elf friend Soone to you directly. The Elves have prohibited her communication with humans. That rule was already broken eight years ago with regard to me, but you’re another story. She doesn’t want to talk to you about elves and get Soone in trouble. On the other hand, part of Soone’s message to me is his advice to be perfectly open about him and everything else. That coincides with my thoughts on the matter, despite the Wolf’s concerns.”

  “You have really gone to Alure and met with elves?” Ann asked Ben. She was having a problem keeping up with all of this. She had difficulty believing such a thing could have happened, but then again she could no longer doubt the existence of sprites. If sprites existed, maybe elves and a magical place called Alure where elves lived could also exist. And maybe even Evil Demons?

  “One elf only,” Ben explained, shaking his head. “Soone had to hide me from the other elves or there would have been trouble. Anyway, Soone has once again sent me his greetings and advice via Sky. We’ve been communicating off and on that way through Sky for seven years.”

  “We hope to continue the practice,” said Sky, “though there are concerns about doing so, as young Ben has suggested.”

  “Elf concerns,” explained Ben. “Sprites don’t usually care about rules, but Sky and Soone are friends. Sky doesn't want to get Soone into more trouble with the Elf Council. Friendship easily trumps rules for sprites.”

  “And for some wise elves as well, young Ben,” added Sky. “The old elf sends no written message this time, but worries for you, youngling. We both worry of the dangers that your quest to Hope brings you, as well as the opportunities.”

  “Hope is the safest place in the world for Ben,” protested Ann.

  The sprite laughed. “You would not have said so eight years ago, young Flame, had you been at this place of death.” She gazed pointedly towards the center of Desolation Glen, before returning her focus to Ben. “And yet despite the terrible danger and memories here is where you have returned, Trouble-Bringer. The very center of this glen where the Evil is heaviest and magic flow is blocked is where your parents died and you almost died yourself. You humans expect too much of yourselves, and have the habit of doing dangerous, in many ways foolish things, despite your ridiculously fragile bodies and short life spans. Hence have I named you well, Trouble-Bringer.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Ann. “Exactly what happened here eight years ago? And what did Ben come here to do what you think is dangerous?”

  “His plans are his to tell, young Flame, but the greatest danger is the most obvious one. Ben’s parents were sought out and killed here by an Evil Demon that may still abide in this realm. The Evil in this place of desolation could help sustain Demons, and also weighs heavy on your little town, Earthling. Against such powerful Evil only few may prevail.”

  “But Demons, even if they are real, aren’t here on Earth, and certainly not near Hope!” Ann managed to say.

  The sprite laughed again. “Humans are so innocently naïve that they are amusing to talk with.” The sprite turned its dark blue eyes to Ben. “I am glad that young Ben taught me your language so that I can understand such amusing foolishness! I can offer no sage advice beyond what wise Soone has already provided you, Trouble-Bringer. Remember what the old elf told you. Most important: find yourself and your powers before you dare seek out the Demon.” The sprite looked upward, to the sky and beyond, and smiled. “A storm on Jupiter beckons to me now, young ones. Take care and live free!”

  With that, the blue sprite leapt high into the air. The wings that had earlier receded into her back suddenly reappeared, and billowed full in a sudden breeze that swept among the trees, and carried her yet higher. “Eeeeee,” she cried out joyously.

  “Fly free, Sky!” Ben called up loudly to the sprite, who was already a hundred meters overhead.

  A moment later, as Ben and Ann watched, the small blue figure disappeared from view, causing a loud sound like a whip snapping.

  “What just happened to her?” Ann asked.

  “She teleported herself to Jupiter, I suppose. She prefers the feel of wind on her wings and quickly gets bored with space travel, so she teleports. Sprites are wonderers. She never stays very long in any one place, unless it’s to eat elf cookies. Elves make wonderful cookies.”

  “Which reminds me: I should be getting home for brunch, Ben.”

  “Me too, I suppose. Moco and Amanda will be curious.”

  “What about all that I’ve learned about you? Should I keep it secret?”

  Ben shrugged. “I guess not. Most folks won’t believe it anyway, I suppose, or they will be upset, but it’s bound to all come out at some point anyway.”

  “I guess. My Mom and Dad are both on the Council, you know.”

  “No, I didn’t. That’s great! Sure, tell them everything, if you want to. I have nothing to hide. I’ll see you and Mark at dinner?”

  “Sure. I’m really glad you’re back, Ben.”

  “Thanks. And I’m really glad you’re still here.” He suddenly paused awkwardly. “You really look good.” She was no longer a child, but a beautiful young woman. Over the last year or so since his voice started changing he really noticed girls, especially the pretty ones. And he had never encountered a prettier girl than Frame!

  “You too,” she replied.

  They walked away from each other, Ann along the path that led to her home, and Ben along the less worn path that led to his.

  “Don’t fall out of any trees, Flame!” he called after her, as she passed the maple tree where she had fallen eight years earlier.

  Ben fairly floated on air all the way home. He couldn’t remember ever being so happy, at least not since the Demon attack that orphaned him. Ann was still here, and she remembered and liked him, and she was wonderful, even if she was a bit naïve!

  It had been strangely awkward, talking with her. He didn't want that; he wanted them to be close friends again like they were eight years ago. What had he told her near the end? That she ‘really looked good?’ That was totally lame! He had told her a lot of things about himself though, and she had taken it all pretty well. What he hadn’t told her was what a joyous jolt it had been, just to see her again, and talk with her! She was more beautiful than he even remembered, and was still a wonderfully good person, through and through, and she still cared about him!

  He was happy but at the same time disappointed. He had been terribly hurt and disappointed not to have sensed her deeply, as he had been able to do when they were small children. What had he expected? That his curse would simply melt away when he met her again? Yeah, probably; but that certainly hadn't happened!

  Did she have a boyfriend, he wondered? No. He couldn’t think about such things now. Soone and the Wolf were right, his return to Hope was a very serious and dangerous matter, and he had to stay alert and focused. There was Evil here in Hope, and possibly a Demon that wanted to kill him.

  Moco and Amanda certainly took things seriously when he told them about his encounter with Ann. The Wolf was upset to learn that Ben had told Ann so much, and that he had not told her to keep it secret. “This isn’t the Unaligned lands, Cub,” growled the Wolf. “Hope is full of politics and other nonsense. There’s no telling what the Wizard elite will make of you showing up after all these years, let along what they’ll make of sprites, elves and Demons in their midst. And if that Demon is still around here you’re openly advertising that you’re back.”

  “It’s not a cautious, wolf-like approach, I admit,” said Ben. “But we’ve got to tell people something, and it might as well be the truth.”

  “Humans, especially Wizards, do not always value truth, but define their own truth,” said Amanda. “But what is done is done.” She grinned at Ben, showing sharp fangs. “You fancy your friend Ann, don’t you Ben?”

  “Humph,” snorted Moco. “I could smell it on him a mile away. Again, try to remember that thi
s is Hope, and that you and she are still only 14 years old. Control your budding sexual impulses for a few more years, Cub.”

  “I know,” said Ben, his face reddening.

  “Cub, the best way to keep your mind off females is to do something like hunting prey or unpacking suitcases and boxes,” Moco said, as he picked up a massive trunk from the living room floor and carried it effortlessly towards the master bedroom.

  Ben saluted and followed the Wolf’s example by unpacking, though Amanda chose to take a nap. The last leg of their travel had been a long difficult drive in daylight for her, though most of their driving had occurred at night. “I’ll unpack my share at night during normal waking hours,” she said.

  Their unpacking efforts were curtailed after Moco carried a big bag of groceries from the jeep. Moco, like Amanda, usually ate his beef burgers totally raw. The Wolf consumed several pounds of very rare burgers for lunch, while cheerfully cooking a well-done burger for Ben.

  As he returned to unpacking in his old bedroom Ben found the experience extremely odd. Everything in many ways was the same, yet still also very different than what he remembered.

  Years ago Moco had already re-arranged the other rooms, but Ben’s he had not touched. Now Ben had to set aside many of his childhood toys to make room for his new belongings. The toys were small and dusty, but he recognized most of them. There were books, balls, toy vehicles, and little action figures. Seeing them brought back many good memories, but they also reminded him of the deaths of his parents, and of a time when with very little thought he could cause his toys to move all about his room. He tried now to mentally move a single tiny plastic action figure. No telekinesis happened. In frustration he kicked it across the room. He had hoped that things would be different when he had returned home!

  “How about helping me re-arrange the living room furniture Cub?” asked Moco from the doorway. "Use the muscles in your back for now, and forget about the chained magic in your mind."