by Rani Clark
“You hate him and I’m supposed to believe you?” Leif looked at the bleeding gashes, “What did you do?”
“I was practicing fighting and he told me to do it harder. I don’t think he was ready for it.” Jaska looked at the blood, “I promise I didn’t mean to.”
Mr. Ragnar groaned, beginning to wake up, “What . . . happened?” he groaned.
“I threw a disk at you,” Jaska muttered.
He looked at his hands, “You . . . you did this?”
“I didn’t mean to! It isn’t like I wanted you to get this hurt! I hate you, but why would I want-?”
“Jaska!” Mr. Ragnar snapped. “I know that this wasn’t your fault.”
“Can you stand?” Leif asked. “This would be easier in your bedroom.”
“If you two help me.”
Jaska nodded and helped his teacher stand. He and Leif managed to get him up the two flights of stairs and into his bedroom. Jaska hadn’t been in here yet and found himself surprised. There were photographs on the nightstand and dresser. The comforter was a dark purple color. Some of the photographs were of Freddie though most were of Leif. Mr. Ragnar flinched as he sat down on the bed.
“You hit hard,” he said. “I’m surprised, frankly.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Don’t be. I goaded you on, anyway. Careful, Leif.”
Leif glanced up at him as he cleaned his hands, “These are pretty deep. You might have to go to the hospital.”
“Just clean them and bandage them. I’ll be fine, but you may have to help me out for a bit,” he aimed the comment at Jaska.
“Ok. Do you-do you need anything now?”
Mr. Ragnar chuckled, “No. Despite being injured I really am proud of you. You’ve become powerful in a short amount of time. My hands will be fine.”
Jaska underestimated how much he was actually worried about the man. He didn’t want to be responsible for killing him if at all possible. Leif loved him, after all. “I’m really sorry.”
“I’ll be fine. In the mean time, we need to talk about what just happened. You have a surprising amount of power for one so young. That power is something you shouldn’t be able to do yet.”
“All I did was what you told me. Think of that scary memory and focus.” Jaska sat next to him, “What’s going to happen now?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I have this much power what’s going to happen?”
“Nothing. We practice controlling it, that’s about it. I do, however, want to have you try one of those spells I told you not to try.”
“Why?”
“You just knocked me out, that’s why.”
Monarch, who had been silently standing beside his charge, laughed, “And the look on your face as you went down was priceless to say the least.”
Mr. Ragnar looked at him, “Delightful as always.”
“You did tell him to put a little more power into it.”
“I know. What do you think about elemental powers?”
“I think he’ll knock it out of the park.”
Jaska glanced at his Spirit Guide, “Thanks. I think.”
“Glad to be of service, even if it’s just an ego boost.” He tipped his hat and vanished.
“Your Spirit Guide is snarky,” Leif remarked with a chuckle. “I like him.”
“Of course you do.” Mr. Ragnar lowered his wrapped left hand and held up his right, “Jaska, I think you’ll do well with a snow spell. We can try it outside.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t hesitate just because you’re afraid to hurt someone. Elemental magic is difficult for anyone, but if you can master it you can do anything. As a necromancer, death magic is easier. Summoning ghosts is so simple for you that I’m thinking this level might provide you with the kind of challenge you need. You summoned a Demon Beast without trying.” His master shrugged, “Of course, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’m not going to force you to attempt this sort of magic, but if you want to I think it would be beneficial.”
“I guess I could try.”
“Good. We can do it now after Leif finishes.”
“You bashed your head pretty hard. I don’t know if you should risk that,” Leif pointed out.
“I’m fine. I’ll sit on the porch and direct him, it’ll be alright.” He flexed his hand gently as Leif saw to the wound on the back of his head. “Go grab that book and your marker. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
Jaska nodded and did as he was told. Lantern was drawing and playing with blocks in the living room. Jaska sat down with his book and marker to wait for Mr. Ragnar. “Have you been drawing all morning?” he asked.
Lantern nodded and held up a drawing. It was a snowman. Jaska smiled, “That’s very pretty, Lantern. Good job.”
Lantern cooed and went back to drawing. His plush raccoon was by his side. Maybe it was time he got the creature a bed. As he thought more about it he heard the stairs creak and Mr. Ragnar came down in a different shirt void of blood. Jaska followed him out into the backyard that was still a wreck from his summoning.
“Alright,” Mr. Ragnar sat down in a chair on the porch, “go to that spell with the star that you were looking at and draw it on both your hands.”
Jaska opened the book and did his best to copy the mark. The sky was overcast, but it didn’t look like it was going to snow. “Ok. Now what?” He handed the items to Mr. Ragnar.
“You know what emotions you need to summon the mist and the circles, but for elemental stuff it’s different. You need to clear your mind. Imagine yourself in a valley or forest filled with snow. All you need to do is think about what the snow feels like, what the snow smells like. Think you can do that?”
Jaska took a step back from his master and closed his eyes. He imagined himself in a dense forest surrounded by trees. The cold air would warm slightly before snow began to fall from the sky. He felt cold prickle his skin as wind rustled the leaves on the trees. Snow fell onto his eyelashes, melting as it hit his warm skin. He flinched when the wind grew stronger. He could feel it. His hands seemed to freeze as he stood there. All of the sudden his body began to throb with pain. It was the kind of feeling he had felt when staying out in the snow too long without a coat. His heart began to hammer and his hands started to burn.
“Jaska!”
The shout made him open his eyes, Mr. Ragnar was shaking him. His master was standing in front of him, his hands tightly on his shoulders. Jaska looked down at his hands. They were covered in ice crystals.
“What-what happened?” he asked, his voice echoing in the stillness of the backyard.
“I don’t know. Let’s-let’s take a break. We can figure this out when you get back from Germany. Ok?”
Jaska nodded. He wouldn’t say no to that, but he was confused. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, but for now don’t try to use that spell.” Mr. Ragnar stood, “I’m going to take a nap. That hit to the head really hurt.”
He touched his chest where the mark was. This had to do with it he was sure. He was hesitant to bring it up right now. If it was that bad he knew Mr. Ragnar wouldn’t want them going to Germany. “Monarch?”
“Yes?”
“What just happened?”
Monarch looked at him; Jaska could swear he saw concern on the empty face he was becoming used to. “I don’t know. I truly don’t. This might have to do with that mark. For now, listen to Ragnar. Don’t try that spell again until we have a handle on things.”
“Ok.”
“Don’t feel too put out. Just relax until the trip. I’ll see you later, I have some digging to do.”
He was left alone again in the backyard. He looked at the marks on his hands; the more he practiced necromancy the worse things became. All he had to hold on to was visiting his family. It was all he could do not to hit his knees and cry.
Part Two
The Mark
1
Jaska couldn’t stop his leg from
moving up and down. Mr. Ragnar reached over and gripped his leg, forcing him to stop. “I-I’m sorry, sir,” he apologized. “I’m just excited.”
“I know, but that’s annoying.”
Jaska nodded and stood. He began to pace the living room, Lantern followed him. The little Mothman was dressed and ready to go. He had on his hat, his scarf, and his gray jacket. They were waiting for Leif to come down with his bag so that they could leave. Jaska wasn’t certain about Leif coming with them, but Mr. Ragnar had explained that he didn’t want to spend a holiday away from his ward.
“Has Leif been back to Germany before?”
“No. I hope he doesn’t freak out about it.”
Leif stumbled down the steps a moment later, ready to go with his coat and bag. He smiled at the two, “Ready to go. Sorry it took me so long. Glad you guys are ready.”
“Yes, we have been for some time.” Mr. Ragnar picked up his own bag, “Jaska can’t walk through the land of the dead quite yet so we’ll be traveling through the tunnel.”
“I hate the tunnel. Of course I hate the land of the dead too. Well, the dead there hate me.”
Mr. Ragnar shook his head with a smile and opened the door, “Cab’s waiting. Everybody out.”
Jaska took Lantern's hand as the creature grabbed his raccoon from the couch. Mr. Ragnar locked the door behind them and joined them in the cab. It was a short ride; they were dropped beside the forest just outside the city. Jaska held his bag in one hand and Lantern’s claws in the other. The hike through the woods was a short one, there was no need to go in more than tweny feet. Mr. Ragnar had prepared the site ahead of time and they only needed to stand in the circle as he lit candles.
This was different than the first time Jaska had come here. He looked at his master, opening his mouth to ask about it, but Mr. Ragnar held up his hand and answered before he could ask.
“I can’t transport three people along with myself without some kind of help."
Jaska hated the wind that picked up, hated the cold and the misery he felt when he was in one of these circles. He hated it in the basement at Mr. Ragnar’s house and he hated it now, but he was getting to see his family.
Leif looked around the moment the wind died and the Black Forest surrounded them. “You said I grew up here?”
Mr. Ragnar nodded, “You did. Don’t freak out.”
“I’m not freaking out.” Leif laughed, “I don’t remember where I grew up. That’s weird.”
Jaska looked at Mr. Ragnar who looked more embarrassed than he did afraid. Leif might remember what had happened with Elias the longer they stayed here.
“There isn’t really a reason you should remember, you were very young when your parents died.”
They walked out of the Black Forest and towards the main road. Jaska fought the urge to run. He couldn’t wait to see his mother. Mr. Ragnar glanced at him, “Calm down, Jaska. I’m beginning to think you hate me.” He chuckled, “Kidding. I know you hate me.”
Jaska nodded; at least he knew about it rather than trying to kid himself that the boy he had kidnapped liked him. His master was realistic. The closer they got to town the more excited he became. Mr. Ragnar sighed and took his bag from him, “Go. Run.”
“Really?”
“You look about ready to burst. Just go.”
“Stay with Mr. Ragnar, Lantern.”
He took off, pumping his legs as fast as they would go. Snow kicked up as he ran, the cold stung his lungs. He leapt over a fallen log and dodged two people carrying a fir tree. He felt sick to his stomach the further he ran. He wasn’t in the best shape and he knew that he couldn’t keep this up. He had to slow down to a jog. His stomach lurched as he stopped and he threw up into a snowbank, retching violently as sticky yellow and black bile erupted from his throat. It stung his nose and eyes as he stood there, panting and vomiting, until it finally stopped.
With a deep breath he began to run again no matter how terrible it made him feel. He didn’t stop running until he could see his grandparent’s house. Mina Byrne’s truck was in the driveway and there was a light on in the window. He stopped in the driveway, panting and trying to get his breath back. He shoved a handful of snow into his mouth to rinse the bitter taste of vomit out.
Frowning, he climbed the steps on shaking legs and gripped the doorknob, but stopped short of opening the door. What would they think of him now? He was thin and pale. His eyes reflected the misery he felt. All he wanted was to see his family, but if he saw them it might be too hard to go back. What if they saw through him and he broke down?
With a shake of his head, he pushed open the door. Thinking about these things would only make it harder.
“Mom!”
His mother was standing in the living room, looking surprise and confused when he threw his arms around her. “Mom, I missed you so much!” he sobbed.
Lilly Ann dropped her drink as she held her son, the bourbon spilling all over the carpet. “I missed you too, sweetheart,” she said as tears spilled down her cheeks. She held him tightly, her body shaking.
Jaska breathed deeply as his mother held him; he had never been happier. He heard his sister’s voice, heard her call his name. As much as it hurt him, he released his mother and hugged Margo. These were the two people he had hurt the most upon leaving. “I missed you guys.” He sniffled, “I didn’t think I would get to see you so soon. Where’s Ty?”
“In the other room.” Margo stepped back, “You look . . . pale. And a little sick. Are you ok?”
“I’m perfectly fine,” he lied.
Ty ran in from the back bedroom and swept him up in a hug before he could ask any other questions. He had forgotten how strong Ty was. “I can’t breathe, Ty.”
“Sorry.” He stepped back, “I missed you.”
Jaska was hugged by his grandparent’s next and told how pale and sick he looked. He assured them he was fine, just tired. Until now, he hadn’t realized just how awful he must have appeared. He wasn’t eating well, he barely ate at all, and all he did was sit in the basement, read about necromancy, and summon ghosts. When he did go outside it was at night. “I’m ok, really. Stop looking at me like that.”
“Where is . . . Mr. Ragnar?” His mother spat out the name with all of the venom in her voice.
He motioned outside, “Should be getting here any minute. He brought someone else with him. The guy I wrote to you about. Oh and the creature I’m taking care of. His name is Lantern.”
“Honey, you don’t look well,” Lilly Ann said with a frown. “What’s been going on?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.” He forced a smile, “I’ll be fine in a few days. Happy Thanksgiving by the way.” Lying to his mother in a letter was easy, lying to his mother when she looked at him was hard. She cared so much about him that she was crying upon his return and all he could do was lie. His stomach heaved at the thought and he knew he would be sick for the next little while. Not that it mattered. He was sick all of the time.
The bell rang causing Jaska to jump slightly. He knew who it was, everyone knew who it was. Lilly Ann opened the door and looked with disgust at his master. The necromancer asked if he could come in and stepped inside when Lilly Ann nodded. Leif came next holding Lantern’s hand.
Gus barked loudly, growling at Lantern. Lantern growled back, flicking his ears forward. Byron rolled his eyes and grabbed the dog, stepping to the kitchen to put him out in the backyard.
Margo squealed, “Oh my god! Lantern is so cute!” She ran forward. “Look at him in his little hat!”
Lantern ran to Jaska and hid behind him. He peeked out and shook with nervous fear. “Be gentle. He’s a little shy.”
“Sorry. He’s just so cute.” Margo took a cookie from the table, “Want one? I made them.”
Lantern inched forward and took the cookie out of her hands before backing up again. He sniffed it before shoving it into his mouth. Jaska smiled as Lantern cooed. Margo giggled as the creature stepped forwar
d and asked for another cookie. “You can take off his hat and coat. That was just to keep him warm.”
Lilly Ann watched the creature go off with her daughter, “What, exactly, is that thing?”
“Something called a Mothman. Mom, this is Leif,” Jaska introduced his housemate. “Leif, meet my mom Lilly Ann, that’s my sister Margo, my grandparents Mina and Byron, and this is my friend Ty.”
Leif waved hello, “Nice to meet all of you. I’m sure he’s written to you about me. Well, I certainly hope he did. I used to live here. My parents were killed and Mr. Ragnar took me in. I don’t speak German anymore, I don’t think. I mean, I’ve never tried but-”
