A Deepening Knowledge (A Life of Magic)

by Matthew Mitchell

  "Oh no you do not girly!" Conium started sending out blasts of magic as fast as Raven was throwing knives. Red flashes occurred

  I grinned and started shooting out bursts of air magic. Green flashes occurred throughout the room. Soon there were flashes of red, purple, and green all over the place. For mere moments each color would seem to dominate yet the others would gain a small step ahead. Suddenly almost all the orbs flashed and turned yellow. Only a few stayed any other color. We stopped and looked around. Stain stood in the doorway grinning.

  "I did not know you had taught them Orbster." He sent out a few bursts of magic and changed the rest of the orbs to yellow. "I see you have learned the basics of the game" He walked into the room and smiled. "Sorry to disrupt your game, I needed to grab you three." He looked up. "It seems as if the three of you were about evenly matched most of the time."

  Conium grinned, "Raven has a deadly aim. She could have easily won if she had more knives."

  Raven blushed at this praise.

  Conium looked at me, "Ott's aim is close to Raven's. He could easily win against most mages."

  I smiled and shook my head. "I am glad you think so Conium. It felt like I was barely keeping up with you two ladies."

  Stain's smile grew, "Conium is considered one of the best Orbster players in the kingdom. So if you were keeping up, that means you could probably beat most other players."

  Conium grinned and shot a blast of air at Stain. He looked at her questioningly "What?"

  "You know what. Tell them about the games and who always wins them." Conium said this pointedly.

  Stain sighed, "Well, I did develop the game. Should I not win?"

  We all laughed. I dropped the spell and some of the orbs disappeared. Conium let her spells go and the rest vanished.

  "So, what did you need Stain?" Conium asked Stain.

  He sat down. "There are air mages here that Ott and Raven need to meet. There will be some danger, so I want you to go with us Conium." He looked tired. Taking a deep breath he continued, "I fear from talking to Victor that there is in fact a spy here. Maybe even more than one. The problem is we can not seem to identify who might be the spy. However, with the way things have been going I am fairly certain the spy is not a mage. Which limits who it could be."

  "Great. Another spy. Why would anyone want to help that crazy mage?" Raven griped.

  "I imagine to these people we are the crazy ones." Stain stated. "What I worry about is the fact that we will now have to discover who the traitor is before I can trust that you two will be safe."

  "Perhaps we can draw them out instead of digging them out?" I stated.

  "What do you mean?" Stain sat up, curious.

  "Well, when we had a problem animal we would trap it instead of hunt it. We knew the animal had a habit, we just had to take advantage of that habit." I thought of the wild boar that had caused so much trouble one summer.

  "Interesting. I will consider if there is any way to make a trap for this spy." Stain stood up. "In the meantime, trust only those I say. Now, less depressing ideas. We need to go meet some mages and then this evening before and after our meal you both will be learning how to fight with air. Raven, for now you will be learning the theory. Hopefully we can get you learning magic soon. Ott, you will be putting your lessons into action immediately" He walked to the door. "Meet me at our quarters in a few minutes. I imagine some of the mages are already gathered at the meeting place." He walked out leaving us sitting there worried.

  "Another traitor?" I moaned, "How many can there be?"

  "I imagine there are many traitors in the kingdom. It is hard to have one system for everyone to agree with. The kingdom is a good system, but there will always be some who disagree or dislike the system." Conium stated. "Some might even be traitors without knowing how it happened or why it happened." She stood. "I need to grab a few things at our cabin before we meet. Raven, I imagine you do also."

  We all walked out and went to the ladies cabin, which was just a little ways from Stain's and mine. After a few moments the ladies were ready and we went to meet Stain.

  More mages, more spells, more possible traitors. Sounds fun.

  * * *

  "I do not care who you are!" The short mage raged. "I refuse to share my spells with this child! I will not be subjected to a truth spell! This is outrageous!"

  The short mage was standing on top of the table yelling at Stain and Victor. Both stood there allowing the mage to engage in her fit, which had been occurring for more than a minute. No matter what was said by anyone else the mage kept yelling.

  "Julia!" Stain must have finally got tired of her. "That will be enough. Sit down in a chair and discuss this like reasonable adults or I will make an example of you." This last was said firmly. I could see his magic wrapped around his body, ready for either an attack or to attack.

  She must have seen it also because she suddenly hopped off the table. "I refuse to take part in this meeting. If I have to leave the country for my decision then so be it. I can survive outside this crazy place just fine." She stormed towards the door and down the hallway. I could hear her stomping off and then suddenly she stopped.

  "Are you going to let me out?" She griped.

  Stain smiled. "Not till the meeting is over. If you still feel that you cannot yield to my requests at the end of the meeting then both Victor and I will have a private meeting to determine what will occur then."

  She returned from the hallway and stared at Stain. "You cannot hold me here!" This last was screamed.

  Suddenly she froze and seemed to become absolutely still. Not even breathing.

  "Well that is annoying." Victor lowered his arm. Evidently he had cast a spell. "She swore a vow to me years ago. I will remind her of this. Perhaps I can persuade her to change her mind." He sighed. "If not then her vow will force certain actions." He sat down, leaving Julia in the same position. "She will hear everything. So let us continue with the meeting." He motioned all the other mages to retake their seats.

  The various mages looked around the room, looked at each other, at Julia frozen, and took a seat. The last to sit was Stain.

  "Anyone else have a problem with my requests?" Stain asked.

  One mage, a young one from the look, raised his hand. "I do wonder why it is required for all of us to provide such spells to a young mage. Most of us did not have such a thing done for us, nor have you done this with previous apprentices."

  Victor chuckled, "Good question Charles!"

  Stain sighed. "I was hoping nobody would ask such a question." Looking at Charles he asked, "I do not suppose me simply saying it is needed would be enough?"

  Charles sighed and shook his head. "I wish it was. However, I feel we deserve to know." He leaned back and seemed to brace.

  Victor looked at Stain. "You might as well tell them. I am sure others have figured it out and I know a few of these either have or will."

  Stain looked at Victor, "Fine. You are most likely right." He turned to Charles, "You raise a valid point. Most apprentices, even mine do not gain such an advantage. Neither would they. However, Ott will one day replace me."

  This statement was met with a variety of reactions. A few gasps, some head shakings, even some shocked expressions. One mage stood out. A woman with white hair looked disgusted for a second and then bored.

  "Your replacement?" Charles had leaned forward and looked at me. "That means two things. One, Ott you have the ability to work all four magics. Second, you have the right character to be in such a delicate position." His eyes seemed to bore into me. "What do you think about this?"

  I stopped and looked at him. I had not really thought about it. I had only accepted it. I looked at Stain, Raven, and Conium. They all looked back with a mixture of expressions. Stain was calm. He seemed to get what was going through my mind. Raven seemed nervous, like she worried about my thoughts. Conium looked hungry. I looked at Charles and replied, "I really do not know. I just learned that I was a mage a short
while ago. I would like to think that I am a good person."

  Charles smiled, "Good answer. Now. How powerful are you?"

  Stain leaned forward, "Charles, I would like to have a private meeting with you and the rest later."

  Charles grinned widely. "But of course." He stood up and walked towards me. He laid a pile of spells on the table. "My donation to your education." He turned to Stain. "Shall I be the first in the truth circle?"

  Stain nodded. "Victor has offered to cast the circle."

  Victor stood up and cast the truth circle. Each mage stepped into the circle and answered the usual questions. Finally only the white haired mage was left. She stepped into the circle. As Stain answered each question she answered quickly and shortly. Stain finished his questions and was about to dismiss her. I motioned towards Stain to get his attention.

  "Ott, what is it?" Stain was caught off guard. So was the woman. Her expression once again looked disgusted for a moment.

  "I was wondering if I could ask a question?" I stood up.

  Stain looked at me for a moment, I feared he would deny my request. "Very well, make it quick." It was obvious that he was not happy.

  I stepped forward and faced the woman. Her eyes told me she hated me for some reason. I thought about the best way to ask what I was feeling.

  "Any time now would be nice." Victor's voice held some strain from holding the spell.

  I nodded, "What was your reaction to Stain's reaction to me being his successor and why?"

  "Ott. I do not think this is wise." Stain stepped forward.

  Victor raised a hand. "You allowed it. Hush, old man." Stain looked mildly offended.

  Victor looked at the woman. "Answer Ott."

  She looked down and then whipped her head around. "I was disgusted. The reason is that the line of control of magic by the kingdom should not continue."

  Stain stepped forward and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Are you a traitor to this kingdom?"

  She looked at him and answered, "No."

  I nodded, "Are you a traitor to the king or Stain?"

  The woman's expression turned dark and her magic started to pool around her. "The almighty king betrayed me and mine years ago. He voided all loyalty that he may have deserved. As for your precious master, he is simply a tool used by a petty king."

  Stain's expression showed that he understood what she was referencing. "That is enough Angelica." He motioned to Victor, who dropped the spell tiredly. "I know you feel betrayed and that you despise me. I also know you desire only the best for the people of this kingdom." He placed his hand on Angelica's shoulder. "I hope one day you may forgive me for my part in the tragedy." He turned and addressed me. "I understand your instincts and I encourage you to follow them. Just do not do so blindly. Years ago I was forced to deal with Angelica's family in a manner that I still dislike. My king deemed a danger was evident and that it had to be handled. Unfortunately, even with all my skills the matter became violent and people died. Angelica's child being one of those victims." He turned back to Angelica, "Perhaps you would like to retire for the evening?"

  She nodded through her tears and left.

  Stain took his seat and motioned me to mine. "Now that is done let's continue. Spells and such for Ott?" A few mages stood up and handed over a few more spells. The pile started by Charles grew to a respectable size. Stain nodded once everyone was done. "I will be talking to each of you privately over the next few days. For now I think that is enough. We have things that must be handled." He dismissed the shield around the building and most of the mages filed out. Charles stayed sitting watching everyone leave.

  Stain and Victor looked at Charles. "I think I will stay a little. I am interested in how Julia is going to be handled." He leaned backwards and took a sip of his drink.

  Stain rolled his eyes. "You are a pest. No wonder your dad made you leave the castle. Your younger brother is less nosy." He turned to Victor. "Shall we deal with her now?"

  Victor nodded and Julia unfroze. She stood there and glowered at both of them. "How dare you freeze me?" Again she was yelling.

  Stain stepped before her and raised his hand. "I do not believe you to be a traitor. You heard what was said tonight. Do you still feel the need to throw a fit and refuse to submit to my requests?"

  She took a deep breath but before she could reply Victor spoke up. "Remember your oath." She looked at him and frowned. Looking defeated she sat down, right where she was standing. "I hate you both right now. Fine, cast your spell. Find out the truth. I have no spells that others cannot provide Ott."

  Within minutes it was determined that Julia, while volatile and unreasonable, was no traitor. It was also determined that she knew nothing beyond her own little problems of what was going on. Victor dismissed the spell and then her.

  "That was anticlimactic I kind of hoped she was the spy. It would be nice to be rid of the pest." Victor took a deep drink.

  Charles chuckled, "No such luck. Father is not so lucky."

  I looked at Charles and then looked at Victor. Was Charles Victor's son? Charles noticed and laughed.

  "My dad is the King." He raised the sleeve of his robe. An elaborate armband encircled his upper arm.

  "Ott has one like that." Raven exclaimed

  Charles looked surprised "I had heard that my little brother had requested one, I had no idea for whom. I had hopes it was for a young woman." He stood up and walked over to me. "Welcome to the family Ott."

  Shaking his hand I stared dumbly. "Peter is your brother?"

  Charles laughed, "Why yes."

  I sat down hard. My friend Peter was the king's son? I had no idea.

  Charles sat beside me and explained. "There are five of us sons and three daughters. Peter is the youngest of all of us. He is so far from the throne that father and mother felt it would be better for him to pursue a trade that he might truly enjoy. I understand he has become quite accomplished as a healer. One day he will most likely be the royal healer or the head of a healer school. My oldest sister and brother are the heirs. They will share the kingdom equally as they are twins. I am the third son. So I was given a choice of what to do. When Stain found out I had magic ability he put me with a master of my magic." He pointed to Victor. "Very few know my true connection to the king. It keeps things simple. I have one sister who is a scholar and the other is training in the arts of war. My other two brothers are similarly occupied. Although I heard one will be planning a wedding next year." He looked over at Stain. "Know anything about that?"

  Stain nodded. "The king keeps me filled in on all of you. Since I do check in on each of you at times. Stephen will be getting married. He fell in love with a bakers daughter. Evidently the father objected, thinking him a lowly scholar and unable to provide for his daughter. Once he found out Stephan's true family he has dropped any objections."

  Charles shook his head. "Stephan to be the first to marry. I would never have thought it."

  Stain grinned, "I imagine you could be next."

  Charles laughed and shook his head. "No, I think not. No woman in her right mind is going to marry me anytime soon."

  Stain laughed, "Then I guess we need to find a woman not in her right mind." He stood up. "Charles, would you help Ott with things while we are here?"

  Charles looked at me and grinned. "Well we are basically considered cousins now. So why not? If Ott does not object?"

  I smiled, "Sure why not?" This could be interesting.

  Stain stood up. "Well, I have things to attend to. Why not take him to the range and help teach him about battle magic?"

  Charles clapped me on the shoulder, "As long as Victor does not make me the target again."

  Stain walked out with Victor. Conium stood up. "I have a few things to do. I think Raven should go ahead and go with you boys." She walked out also.

  Raven stood up and looked at Charles. "A royal prince huh?"

  Charles grinned. "Yeah. But a weak mage. Not nearly as strong as Stain." He looked at me, "W
hich I never did find out how strong you were. How high did the stones rise?"

  I blushed, "Above my head."

  Charles face blanched. "That far? Mine rose maybe two hands."

  I blushed worse. "In all four magics, equal."

  He shook his head and sat down. "You are stronger than any I have heard of before." Looking at me darkly, "Just swear you will use your abilities for the good of the kingdom."

  I looked at him and realized he was scared of the possibility of my magic being used wrongly. "I swear to use my magic for the good of the kingdom."

  He took a deep breath and leaned forward. "I am sorry. I simply can not fathom the strength of magic you can bring to a fight." He stood up. "Let's go do some damage, this will be fun to watch."

  He led the way from the building and across the slope. Raven and I followed him. Me thinking about all I had learned. Raven must have been thinking of many things also, as she was silent during the walk.

  * * *

  "There are always two basic ways of fighting in magic." Mei-Lin was explaining battle magic. "They both exists on opposite ends of a line." She drew a line in the sand, perhaps the length of a small boat. Motioning for Gavin to stand at one end of the line, she stood at the opposite end. "This line represents all air battle magic. Every spell that is pure air and used for fighting falls somewhere on this line. At one end of the line is subtlety." She pointed to herself. "The other end is brute force." At this she pointed at Gavin. "Some spells are more brute force, others are all about the subtle use of magic."

  Gavin motioned and magic sprang up around him. "I mainly use brute force. I have a lot of magic to sling around so brute force works well for me. I can do subtle, but brute force is more my kind of thing." The magic whirled upwards and became a huge funnel cloud, swirling and ripping trash into it. "With the correct use of brute force, everything breaks." The funnel suddenly whipped down and struck a rock face. Splinters of rock flew off in all directions. Some even landed near where we all sat. Gavin released the spell and the cloud spread out and disappeared