Silver Mage (Book 2)

by D. W. Jackson

  Slowly Bren pulled in more magic directing it toward the spinning funnel of wind while allowing the excess to be directed into the staff and scattered back into the surrounding area. Once the funnel was twice the size as a man he made it wider.

  Bren had expected that the use of magic would tire him out but the longer he held the spell the less of a strain he felt on his body until it felt no more arduous that swinging a blade.

  Once the funnel was as thick as a carriage Bren focused on pulling in only enough magical energy to keep the spell going. The longer he held the spell the less excess energy he had to pass to Thuraman. Bren didn’t know how long he had sat on the ground before his eyes began to fog over and everything seemed to turn gray.

  Blinking Bren found that his eyes felt dry and gritty and as he tried to stand the muscles in his legs and back felt stiff and sore. When he got fully to his feet his right leg began to cramp and he stumbled forward. Cass quickly caught his arm and kept him from falling to the ground. “You shouldn’t push yourself so far that you can’t even stand,” Cass said with a slight hint of laughter in his voice.

  “I am not really tired,” Bren answered back with a grin as he rubbed his tingling leg. “I must have shifted while I was on the ground and sat on my leg wrong.”

  “Really,” Cass said in an unconvinced voice. “Look around, we have been here for more than two hours and not once in that time has your magic faltered.”

  Bren was confused. It felt like it had been no more than a half hour at most but looking around he noticed that it was now completely dark. The moon shone brightly in the sky like a huge chunk of silver hung in the sky by an unknown god. As he looked at the large moon, Bren unconsciously placed his left hand over his right, his thumb rubbing on the back of his hand.

  “Something wrong?” Cass asked his face pinched lightly in concern.

  “No,” Bren answered quickly letting go of his hand. “I was just thinking about how easy it was to use magic compared to my last try.”

  “True,” Cass replied laughing. “I was afraid that it was going to end worse than last time. I do enjoy your company but I am glad that I didn’t have to be blown into bits to feed the fields for the next season.”

  “I don’t think it was that bad last time,” Bren said defensively.

  “If that is what you want to believe then I won’t argue with you My Lord,” Cass said sarcastically. “It was not as if I nearly soiled my trousers last time.”

  “I think we should get back,” Bren said quickly changing the subject as his face turned slightly red. “No reason the let the others worry about us for too long.”

  Bren didn’t wait for Cass to answer as he headed back toward where the others were camped. It was a short walk before he caught a glimpse of the small fire of their camp in the distance. As he drew near Bren noticed that everyone sat close around the fire in a relaxed atmosphere.

  As soon as he neared the camp Lillian rushed over to him carrying a plain wooden bowl full of a thick stew that smelt strongly of garlic. As soon as the smell of the food hit his nose Bren suddenly was aware of how hungry he was. “Where have you been My Lord? The food has grown a bit cold but it should still be good. If you wished it heated up it shall only take a moment.”

  “It is fine as it is,” Bren answered taking the bowl with a smile. “It is my own fault for being late.”

  Bren dug into the bowl of stew hungrily as he walked toward the fire. The night air was still slightly cold in the small valley surrounded by mountains. It wasn’t cold enough to make him shiver but it was enough that he enjoyed the small warmth emitted from the fire.

  It didn’t escape Bren’s noticed that Cass moved away from him taking a seat near Phena. He was still slightly worried about what would happen between them but quickly shook it off knowing that it was truly none of his concern.

  You should be concerned. If she gets her fangs into him then your friend will be nothing more than a puppet for her to move at her whims.

  Bren dismissed Thuraman’s comments as Avalanche nudged his leg bring his attention to the large rock hound and to Faye, who had moved over to where he sat.

  Bren suddenly felt uncomfortable. With Lillian on his right and Faye on his left it felt as if he was being smashed between two rocks even though there was ample room for him to move. To take his mind off the feeling that had overcome him, Bren reached down and ran his right hand over Avalanche’s head.

  As soon as his fingers brushed Avalanche the rock hound jumped back as if bit by something and moved away from his hand. Not knowing what was wrong Bren called Avalanche in a worried voice as he stretched his hand out to the creature.

  Avalanche moved slowly toward his hand and nudged his fingers with his nose then jumped back again.

  Seeing Avalanche’s reaction Bren pulled back his right hand and then reached out his left hand. Avalanche repeated her last action but this time when her nose touched the tips of his fingers, she pushed forward and retook her seat at his feet.

  Bren knew that Lillian and Faye were watching him closely with looks between worry and amusement on their faces not completely understanding what the creature’s actions were about.

  Shortly after Bren finished his meal he moved over to where he had placed his bedroll. As soon as he was alone Bren pulled off the thin leather glove that cover his right hand.

  What had once been a thin silver scar on the back of his hand had now grown like a weed covering his entire hand and his arm halfway to his elbow. He had often looked at his hand but lately the spread of the scar had slowed to a near halt but now suddenly it had jumped forward. The only thing he had done differently was using magic. His arm didn’t feel that much different but Avalanche’s reaction bothered him. “Thuraman, is there something wrong with my arm?”

  If anything there is something wrong with the rest of your body.

  “What?” Bren asked in a confused voice.

  Whenever you are drawing in magical energy, it is your right hand and arm that pulls in most of the magical energy. The rest of your body pulls in some but not nearly the same. It is like the difference between a cup and a barrel trying to hold water.

  That night as Bren drifted off to sleep He thought about what Thuraman’s words really meant. If it was true that his right hand was the reason for his ability to control massive amounts of magical energy and each time he did so more of his body turned silver, then would that mean that soon his whole body would be silver?

  CHAPTER XVI

  The rest of the trip to the Rane capital was mostly uneventful and passed quickly. They met many travelers along the roads and with each day they passed more and more. With the snows melting and the passes clear, it was once again time for the merchants to make their way across the face of Kurt for their yearly rounds.

  At first, each night when they stopped Bren and Cass would move away from the others so that he could practice his magic, and it didn’t take long for Bren to be able to not only quickly pull in magical energy and use it but he was also feeling less of a strain from pulling in too much, but there was a downside. Just as he feared after each night more of his skin started to turn silver and now it had spread all the way to his shoulder.

  The past few days however there had hardly been a night that other travelers had not been camped nearby. Even in a country as well traveled as Rane, there were bandits and creatures out in the wilds so whenever possible travelers would camp near each other for safety. It was nice to have that extra bit of security but it made it impossible for Bren to sneak away to practice his magic.

  Bren paid close attention the change in his body, doing his best to keep it from those around him. He noticed some other things as well that came along with the change in skin color. The muscles in his right arm were much stronger than those in his left and the silver skin was nearly impossible to cut. He had not purposely tried to harm himself but one time while walking along the road Bren was cutting pieces from an apple when Avalanche bumped into him causin
g his dagger to jerk forward stabbing into his hand. Lillian had been frantic, but even though he kept his knife sharp it had done no more than cut through his glove. Lillian had been adamant that she check for herself but Bren had tactfully put her off though it had not been easy.

  The changes in his body bothered him but in the end there was little he could do to stop it with the exception of never touching magic again and even then Bren suspected that it would only slow the spread. Late at night, Bren found himself wishing that his father was around to give him advice, but in the end he had to settle for Thurman who spent most of his time rambling on about how Lillian and Faye had some malevolent plan to turn him into a pet of some kind.

  When he was younger Bren always thought that Thuraman simply hated women but now that he had grown older he was starting to understand the staff better. Thuraman was bitter or more to the point jealous. The staff had the same thoughts and feelings as a human yet no body or mouth in order to communicate with those around him except Bren. Bren tried to imagine how frustrating it must have been for the staff when his mother had taken his father’s time away from Thuraman. As much as the staff annoyed him at times, he found himself sympathizing with in since he felt the same way since his sister had done the same thing with his mother.

  After nearly two weeks of travel, the capital came into view. It was a grad city built near the top of a mountain with large walls surrounding the entire city.

  As they approached the city gate they were stopped by two large armored guards who looked intimidating. “What is the purpose of your visit?” One of the guards asked his eyes shifting between each of them, his eyes lingering on Phena longer than the others.

  “Simple business,” Bren said, stepping forward.

  “Do you have anything to declare?” The man asked eyeing Bren wearily.

  “No, we do not plan to do any trading nor do we plan to cause any trouble,” Bren replied in a businesslike manner.

  The guard stepped aside and let them pass but the look on the man’s face showed that he didn’t trust Bren’s words.

  As soon as they passed through the main gates of the city Bren noticed a large difference than what he had expected. Unlike in Torin or Farlane the building were built so close together that it looked as if they were holding each other up. Besides the cramped feeling of the buildings the streets were incredibly wide.

  The closer they got to the market district the air filled with sounds and smells that assaulted them. Individually the smells might have been welcome but with them all smashed together it stung his nose and made his eyes water. Bren was able to keep his stomach under control but a few of the other members of his group were having less success. Lillian covered her mouth and nose with her small hand and kept squinting her eyes and coughing, while Phena kept gagging as her upper body kept lurching forward. Before Bren could offer her any aid, Cass handed her a thick cotton handkerchief that he often carried with him. Bren watched the exchange carefully and couldn’t help but smile to himself when Phena took the thick cloth and placed it over her nose and mouth.

  Bren felt sorry for his Vathari sister who had far more acute sense from her races extended time in the Underearth.

  It didn’t take long to reach the merchant guild building which was located close to the capital and center of the large city. The building was massive and had large double doors that were guarded. Just like at the city entrance the guards quickly blocked their path. “”Sir we need you to place your weapons in one of the chests,” The guard said pointing to a large row of double iron bound chests that lined the outside of the building.

  Bren stripped off his sword and daggers and placed them inside one of the empty chests. The others quickly followed his lead and once they were all disarmed Bren closed the lid of the chest and locked it with the key that was provided and placed the key within his pocket. Even though the guards had watched them disarm they still patted them down lightly to make sure that nothing was hidden below their clothes. Once the guard was happy that they held no secret weapons he placed a large key in one of the doors turning it and opening the door.

  Once inside, Bren could hear Phena let out an audible sigh of relief as she removed the cloth from her mouth. “How can people stand the stench?” Phena asked her face slightly pale.

  “I would guess they just get used to it,” Bren replied without hesitation. “I once visited a fishing village with my mother and the smell of rancid fish left me sick for a fortnight, yet none of the locals seemed to notice the smell at all.”

  As they advanced further down the hall, it opened up into a large area with five different large desks. Each desk had a large sign hanging over it telling what each was for. Bren didn’t want to waste time as the sun was already halfway through its arc in the sky so he headed straight for the desk with the sign official audiences.

  “Can I help you?” A young lady with light sandy brown hair asked in a bored sounding voice.

  “I would like an audience with Monique Torin,” Bren said, making the young woman’s hand jerk slightly making a small blob of ink on the piece of parchment she had been writing on.

  “Sir I can inform madam Torin that you wish an audience, but I doubt that she will be able to see you on such short notice. It takes an average of twenty days to be granted an audience with one of the council members,” the young lady said her face wavering between a look of surprise and annoyance.

  “Then would you please inform her that Bren Torin has come to visit her on official business,” Bren said, causing the young lady’s hand to jerk again. She didn’t say anything in return, she simply stared at him as if he was sort of rare beast put on display for her pleasure.

  “Yes sir,” she said after she recovered from her state of shock. The young lady range a small copper bell and immediately a young page no more than twelve years of age came running from the back of the building. She handed the young boy a folded piece of parchment and whispered something in his ear. The boy looked at Bren for a brief moment, his eyes widening before he dashed off into the interior of the building.

  “I would suggest that you take a seat,” the young lady said directing Bren and the others to a long row of padded benches that lined the walls. “Even if she is free it will take lady Torin a few minutes to receive the message and form a proper reply.”

  Bren thanked her and took a seat on one of the benches near the door. Phena and the others followed suit with the exception of Cass who remained standing, positioning himself between Bren and the door.

  Bren knew the formalities of making people wait. It was a popular and mostly useless practice. Since Bren was a foreign king normally he wouldn’t be made to wait long, though with Monique, there was no telling what she would do.

  To his surprise, Bren didn’t have much time to think about what he was going to say to Monique as her light voice filled the large room as she ran into the room from some hidden door that he didn’t see. “Bren…What are you doing here?”

  “Aunt Monique,” Bren gasped as Monique wrapped her arms around him squeezing him with enough pressure that he could feel his ribs bending. “Please…I can’t breathe.”

  “Wimp,” Monique said, releasing her death hold on him. “Now what brings you so far away from your tower?”

  “I think that it would be best to discuss this in a more private setting,” Bren said looking around. Every eye in the place was on him and Monique. He knew that most of them had never heard his name but they all knew of Monique. He figured that right now there must have been over a dozen small conversations each one dedicated to just who he might be.

  “You might be right,” Monique said, her voice sounding slightly disappointed. “I don’t think I have many pressing matters left that can’t be put off until tomorrow. Why don’t we retire to my house and talk about this in a more relaxed manner?”

  “That sounds agreeable,” Bren replied happily. “I haven’t seen Jayden since last time you both came to the capital.”

  “Oh
that’s right,” Monique said, bringing her finger to her chin thoughtfully. “It has been over twelve years since our last visit. I am amazed that you can even remember his name.”

  “I can only remember a bit about him,” Bren admitted. “I think the only thing that really stands out is how he threw me up into the air and then caught me. Mother about had a fit when she caught him.”

  “Ah I think I remember that,” Monique said with a short laugh. “Your mother was always a little overprotective of you ever since your father…” Monique trailed off as her eyes seemed to focus on something that only she could see. “Anyway let us be off. The longer we stand here talking the more likely that someone will think of some pressing matter that needs my personal attention.”

  Monique led them through the same doors they had entered and waited patiently while they removed their belongings from the large chest. Cass and the other guards relaxed noticeably once they had been rearmed. Once everyone was ready, Monique continued to guide them through the streets of the city pointing out small points of interest. When the smell of mixed spices once again grew to the point that the forced Phena to cover her mouth, Monique stopped and gave the Vathari mage a knowing look. “Unpleasant smell isn’t it?”

  “Very,” Phena said only removing the cloth from her mouth long enough to reply to Monique’s question.

  “Monique pulled a small vial from the small cloak that hung from her shoulders and handed it to Phena. “Put a small dab of this below your nose and it will hide the smell,” Monique said smiling. “It’s an old merchant trick. Sometimes you have to travel to places with very unique smells and you can offend your customers if you walk around as if you’re sick.”

  Phena took the small vial and opened it. After taking a small sniff of the stopper she dabbed it under her nose and held it out toward Monique. “Thank you.”