Great, my age, not that I had a hope of developing any. I thought back to every encounter I had with Jovanni. Had he done anything suspicious, or was it a creation of my own mind?
"How come powers don't come to the seventh woman born?" Aster asked, drawing my attention back to the lecture.
Whispers overtook the silence.
Jovanni smiled. "Excellent question. I bring us back to the case of awakening where everyone died of the man who was thirty." He sat down. “We think that the body had nowhere to place the magic. This might be the same for women who are born into seventh sons."
I didn’t buy it. There had to be something else. "Then why are there female mages?" I blurted out before raising my hand.
I looked in my peripheral vision and saw other students’ eyes on me. I had to be more careful. I didn’t want people looking closer at me.
"The magic in sevens is much more concentrated. Mages use magic from around them. But magic from a seven comes from the inside. Thus, a stronger body is required. So, I assume."
That couldn't be right. There had to be a better answer than women are weaker.
"So, if that were the case, wouldn't mages be considered more powerful than sevens?"
Even Aster was looking at me now. His eyes were as wide as I’d ever seen. Everyone acted as if I just committed treason. I looked back to Jovanni and he smiled.
"Fascinating question and not one that is asked a lot."
The class let out an audible sigh, probably worried about the consequences of my questions. It was never good to question the way of things.
"Everyone hold up their hand and make a small hole with it. This is going to represent a type of filter magic flows through." The whole class did as asked.
Aster leaned over to me. "Gods, please tell me this is going to happen."
"Now, with the other hand, stick your finger through."
The class erupted in laughter.
Jovanni lowered his hands.
"Called it," Aster said with a grin.
"Okay, enough." Jovanni wasn’t amused.
The class went silent.
"The finger represents the concentration of magic from a seven."
Aster just kept smiling at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Now make an open palm and try the same thing. It doesn't fit. So, what’s the difference?"
Another student raised his hand and Jovanni nodded at him to speak.
"With sevens, all the magic goes through the filter. With mages only, a portion does, since they are pulling from so many sources, it comes in pieces."
"Correct. Thus, making sevens ten times stronger than mages in most cases. Does this answer your question?” His gaze rested on me.
“So, that means a mage only has to focus harder. Somehow concentrate that magic. Then that magic could easily overpower the right seven due to the magic he has available to him.” I stated.
“Theoretically. But it is hard for mages to maintain that type of concentration for long. This is where the problem lies. Since the body is acting like a conduit for the magic. Does this help?” Jovanni answered.
"It does. Thank you, sir." He nodded at my response.
"However, Noah brought up a good point. Let’s move outside."
This was one of the best lectures I’d heard yet. Maybe we were wrong about Jovanni altogether. I only knew what Aster told me about him.
We went to the platform and a target was erected at the opposite end, with the mountain as the backdrop. I blew air into my hands to keep them warm from the crisp air.
"Sevens, come stand over here. Mages will go first." Jovanni commanded.
Everyone formed a line.
"I assume all know how to cast an illumination of some kind?"
Everyone nodded, while I remained still.
"Shine a light on that target I erected on the mountainside."
A female stepped up and blasted the target with light in the form of a cone. I had to shield my eyes from how bright it was.
"Excellent, now concentrate on it. I want you to create a thin beam out of it. As small as you can get it."
The girl had trouble getting the beam into a size smaller than a fist. She fell to a knee and sweat covered her brow. This must have been the magic’s concentration Jovanni was talking about.
"That’s okay. Aster, you're up."
He went up and cast the same light.
"Now focus it."
He tried the same thing and got it to the size of a fist.
"Think of the hole. You should be good at that, considering your laughter earlier."
The class laughed.
"But focus on getting that palm through that small hole. Maybe even try focusing on one source for the light."
Aster was sweating, but the beam got smaller.
Jovanni took a step forward in excitement. "Excellent! Now push more magic through that hole. Still, imagine it all going through."
Aster pushed harder and the beam became the size of a finger.
“Come on you can do it. You are doing great. Just a bit more."
But Aster collapsed onto his knees, panting.
"Ah, so close! Well done. Next."
Mage after mage went, but nobody could beat Aster’s size. For some reason, all the mages were having trouble concentrating that light into a small beam.
"Why don't you just cast it small?" I asked out loud.
"Because illumination is just that. A light," Aster told me. "So, if I'm casting a beam of light, it’s defeating the purpose of the spell. You can’t change a spell, you would just be casting something else."
"But he isn’t asking you to do that. He just wants you to focus the beam into a smaller size. So why not an illumination spell that is just a beam of light?" I asked. I was having trouble understanding what the problem was.
"Then it would be pointless," Aster said shrugging his shoulders.
I was starting to see a fundamental difference between the way mages think and the way sevens think.
"The task is to create a huge area of light and put it into a smaller form..." He drifted off. "Sir, may I try again?" Aster suddenly said.
"Of course."
Aster ran back up and cast his illumination again. It became smaller and smaller until it was barely visible. It started a fire on the target.
"Excellent!" Jovanni applauded.
Aster was still sweating but looked more composed than the last time he tried it.
The short boy who asked a question earlier stepped up and rose his hand. “If I may, Aster, how did you do that?”
“Trade secret.” Aster was so proud of himself but I myself was curious as well.
"We will ask how after the sevens go," Jovanni answered for him.
I was screwed. I was already getting balmy in the cold and I wasn’t up yet. I hadn't really thought about going until he mentioned the sevens again. I looked to Aster. He smiled at me again, which probably meant he had something planned.
Aster dug into his pockets and brought out a fingernail-sized crystal. It had a faint yellow glow to it.
He leaned closer to me. "Just hold it in your hand. There’s magic inside of it. Think about what you want the magic to do, and it’ll do it. That simple."
"Maybe for you," I whispered back.
I palmed the crystal. Tye was up first, and without effort, he held his hand up, he was successful on the first try. Each seven followed the same suit. The small beam caused no trouble for them. Then, it was my turn.
"Finally, Noah. Show us some of this unfathomable magic you have been hiding," Tye shouted out.
"Just a peak," I said. I tried to keep a smile on my face as I approached the middle of the platform. I stuck my hand out just as the others had, and opened my right hand. Glancing at the stone in my left, I thought about what I wanted to happen. But it didn’t obey.
Shit.
I swallowed hard and looked around.
"Ah, shy are we, little lamb?" Tye asked as the class chuckled.
/>
I closed my eyes and concentrated even harder. My jaw clenched as I painted a picture in my mind of the target. I felt the stone activate. The magic was real. I was feeling magic. It was like drinking cold water on a hot day. The cold sensation traveled up my arm then covering my chest. It finally reached my right hand and I opened my eyes.
I imagined the beam blasting through the target and into the mountainside.
That didn't happen.
The beam was small but didn't waste time catching fire. It just blew a hole twice its size through the target. The beam continued to travel through the mountain but caused an entire side of the mountain to shift. The class stepped back but Aster came to my side along with Jovanni.
Asters voice was cracking. “Umm Noah…” He whispered. “You can stop anytime now.”
Shit!
Light erupted through the cracks. I imagined it stopping, but it didn’t.
"That’s enough, Noah!" Jovanni yelled.
But I couldn’t stop it. My hand wouldn't close and the beam just kept on growing in intensity. Then, an avalanche started. The beam finally finished and I could move again. I gasped for air and the cold left my body. Jovanni leaped into action before I could even compose myself. He flew into the madness and his casting was precision at its finest. Without missing one, he disintegrated pieces before they hit the school’s walls.
I looked around and everyone’s eyes were on me. I swallowed and went back in line.
Jovanni reappeared on the platform and stared holes into me. "Next time I say stop. Stop."
"I'm sorry, sir." My head lowered. I clenched my fists in frustration. What had happened?
Jovanni stopped the practical’s after that. I remained quiet all through lunch and until the end of afternoon classes. I was too busy trying to figure out what had gone wrong with that crystal.
We were released from class but before we could leave I stood in front of Jovanni with Aster at my side. He addressed all participating in the trials.
"Without notice, you will have to start the next trial. You will have a partner, so start thinking about that now. I’m letting you all know that it will be soon. That is all I am permitted to say. Be ready." He turned and left us standing there. Everyone left except for Aster and I.
"Are you mad at me?" I asked. He had allowed my space but he hadn’t spoken to me much either.
"No, not at all, Noah."
I let out a sigh of relief. "What’s wrong then?"
"I have just been thinking. What you did with that crystal wasn't possible, but worse than that, Jovanni looked to your lowered hand. I think he knew."
"But, what does that mean?"
"It means… I think Jovanni knows you haven't awakened yet."
CHAPTER TEN
Hunters
"I heard another trial is coming. Are you going to need me for it?" Elise asked through a full mouth of food. It had been one week since our lesson with Jovanni and I hadn’t seen him since. Aster and I were still wondering when the trials would start. The hearth crackled inside of the Arbiter as people of all ages talked around us. It reminded me of home. The decorations were sparse, and it was always warm, despite the cold weather outside.
"Unfortunately, no. It’s only duos this time around." I said.
"Well, I will be cheering you on, either way." Elise encouraged with a thumbs up.
"What about me?" Aster asked after drinking down his ale. We’d decided to get out to relax.
“You’re obviously included,” Elise said.
"Well thank you, then," Aster said raising his ale again.
"So, any idea what you are going to be doing during your trial?" Elise asked taking a sip of her drink as well.
"Not one," I answered as the barmaid brought me another ale. I said my thanks and gave her another two bronze. "But I'm sure it will involve magic."
"Of course, why would that matter?"
Elise had become like a third member of our group, but I wasn't ready to trust her with my secrets.
"It doesn’t, just stating a general fact." I smiled at her.
"Well, if you do need anything, I'm here."
"There’s something that I need," Aster said sliding closer to her.
"Oh, and that would be?" Elise raised her brow.
"A warm bed at night." Aster placed his arm around her.
My cheeks flushed red. Was he doing this now? I sipped on my ale.
"Then use a blanket." She winked at him and pushed his arm off, causing me to laugh.
"Oh, think you can do better?" Aster challenged.
"Oh, I know I can," I said. "But I choose not to." I shrugged.
"Do I feel a bet coming on?" I let out a huff of air at Aster’s words.
"Not everyone is as easily bribed as you," I stated.
"Oh?" He dug into his pockets and dropped his full coin pouch on the table.
"Not this time, my friend." I insisted.
"Oh, come on, it will be fun," Elise added.
"No, no, no." I held up my hands. "I don't wish to embarrass my friends at every turn."
We started to laugh. In fact, I hoped Aster wouldn’t push me to do it. I didn't know the first thing about seducing anything. However, I really wanted that money, too. After Aster picked up his coin pouch and downed his ale we decided that it was time to go. We stood and headed outside. It wasn’t cold enough for cloaks and gloves but it was chilly enough to wear layers. I looked up at the beautiful night sky and admired the full moons of Lumo.
“You do know the legends of Lumo and Lumos don’t you?” Aster said as he looked up as well.
“Of course, I do. I might be poor but I didn’t grow up under a rock,” Lumo was said to be the home of a powerful mage named Yesma. She was in love with a Seven named Lambert. During a battle long ago, Lambert never returned home. There was no trace of his body anywhere, he had just disappeared. Yesma was said to search the entire world all over for him. She decided the moon was the last place to look and cast a transportation spell to get there. One day Lambert appeared and was told of his loved one’s plight. He immediately tried to follow her. But it was said that he traveled to the wrong moon. The problem was they had used so much magic traveling there they burned out their magical pathways and could no longer cast. So instead every night they raise together in the night sky so they can see one another.
I looked back down and kicked a rock along the stone road. Elise finally came out. She got between us and took both our arms and started to walk away, dragging us along.
"Back to the castle?" Elise asked looking between us.
"I suppose so, it’s getting late," I added.
The shops had started to close and the lanterns were flickering out, leaving the roads dark.
We stopped as screams filled the air. We looked around to see where the sounds were coming from.
"Where is that coming from?" I shouted.
"There." Aster pointed ahead of us. Six men stood there surrounding one child. I took off at a run, immediately hoping to stop whatever fate was planned. I didn't have to look back, as I knew Aster and Elise were following. I skipped to a stop and had to change my direction before entering the alley. All I could see were the backs of six men. I drew my sword. Aster and Elise caught up and backed into me.
"Uh, Noah..." Aster said.
"What?" I asked without turning. I was too focused on the men turning to face me. Each had a smile on their face. I was trapped, and I turned to see another six blocking us in.
"Save us the trouble will ye? Just drink these here vials."
"Why didn't you say so?" I said. "I love drinking burly men's strange potions."
"You do?" Aster asked.
"Shut it."
"Right. Sorry." Aster rolled his shoulders, preparing for a fight.
The men took off at a run in our direction. I tried to swing my sword but they all just barreled into the three of us. I hit the ground. The breath was knocked out of me. Soon, Aster and Elise were also on the ground st
ruggling under the bodies of the men. Hands were all over me. Two fingers found my mouth forcing it open. I tried to bite down, but they were too strong.
A sour liquid coated my tongue and traveled down my throat. I struggled to get free but couldn't move. I let out a guttural scream and looked over at Elise and Aster.
They were already under.
My vision started to blur.
I struggled to keep my eyes open but my eyelids were too heavy. Heavy breathing filled my ears. I was going under.
* * *
Someone shook me awake. I was still dazed but finally blinked a familiar outline into focus.
"Come on, Noah. Wake up," Aster told me.
I closed my eyes again, then he slapped me, waking me up.
"Ow." I rubbed my face and sat up.
"There ya are. Come on." He gripped my hand and stood me up. I opened my eyes to a clearer vision of where we were. We were surrounded by trees and rocks.
"What in Lumos?" I shook my head clear.
"That’s what I was going to say until I found this." He held out a letter and I took it from him.
Groups,
Here is the second trial for sponsorships. You have all been taken to secluded locations. The object is to ring the grand bell on the castle steps. There is no time limit, but know, you have no additional supplies. You are on your own. But beware. No supplies aren’t your only obstacle. There are groups of hunters whose sole purpose is to capture and prevent you from reaching the bell. Meaning Magic of any sort is allowed, minus the art of necromancy. Good hunting, good running, and most of all, good luck.
-Council of Seven-
"Oh, this sounds fun," I said with no emotion.
"I couldn’t agree more.” Aster put his hand above his eyes and looked around.
"Any idea where we are?" I asked looking around with him.
"The mountains."
"I really need to switch partners." All I had on me is my enchanted leathers, my father’s sword, and a water pack on my hip. They weren’t completely heartless at least. "We should get moving. Best bet is to move downhill, considering that’s where the kingdom is."
"What if we are on the wrong side?" Aster asked.
The Prisoner of Fate Page 8
