by Ian Rodgers
“Thank you, Petrus. I will compose a letter you may send him,” Liliana replied gracefully. Her attention had become focused on me, but she was still aware of her surroundings and how to act.
Petrus gave a bow before exiting the room, and Liliana flopped onto the bed with a sigh. It was filled with pent up exhaustion and relief, and she snuggled up to me. I could see her eyelids start to droop, so I got comfortable. A nap couldn’t hurt. I’d just rest here with her for a bit. No one would hurt her with me around. So I swore.
Chapter 17: Magic in the family
“Hello Jelly. I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Prince Julius greeted happily. It was early evening now, and after waking up hungry from her nap, Liliana had decided to go down to dinner and bring me along.
Her brother was sitting in the private dining room, eating a light meal alongside Rene. It seemed he had not had a very large appetite since their father marched off to war. According to Liliana’s chattering the heir had been melancholy and blue for many days. Joy returned to his face though as Liliana carried me into the room.
I jiggled in my owner’s arms and understanding my intentions she released me, letting me squish my way across the table. I hopped into Julius’ lap and gave off a purr like sound. More like a ‘glug-glug-glug’ to be honest, but it’s the thought that counts.
“I’m glad to see you’re OK,” Julius admitted, holding me close for a hug. “I’ve been so worried. I don’t want to lose anyone.”
“Dad will be fine, Julius. He’s really strong! He won’t be hurt and he’ll come home safe and sound,” Liliana said, comforting her brother. I could hear the anxiety in her voice though. She said that to assure herself as well as Julius.
Rene smiled tightly, a note of sadness in her facial expression as she watched her pupils struggle with their emotions.
“What would you like for dinner, Jelly?” Julius asked, turning his attention back to me. I gave the shoulder-less version of a shrug by bobbing my body up and down and side to side. It sort of looked like I was making a circular motion. Thankfully Liliana was as attuned to me as ever, and she smiled and offered up a hearty slice of roast pork. I reached over and plucked it from her fork with glee. Almost dying was hungry work!
“Liliana, I heard that your pet has recovered.” The doors to the dining room opened up and Queen Amdora entered in a swirl and swish of her royal gown. She had long dark bags under her eyes and not even her makeup could hide the weariness and worry she felt. Still, a genuine smile graced her features as she saw her children cheerful for the first time in a long while.
“Do you mind?” the queen asked, and she held out her hands to Julius. He seemed to know what his mother wanted and a quick nod and smile from his sister made him lift me out of his lap and hand me over to Queen Amdora.
In her hands I felt her repress a shiver at touch of my soft and cool body, but she held me close and gave me a hug. Surprised, I stayed still, unsure of what was going on.
“Thank you.” It was quiet, and if I hadn’t had such capable hearing it would have been missed. Those two simple words filled me with her gratitude, and I finally understood what she was trying to convey. She was not Queen Amdora of Varia right now. She was simply a mother who’d almost lost the lives of her children and husband. I had saved them with my actions, and she was giving me her appreciativeness. Not out of obligation but true heartfelt love for her family.
“I see that Jelly has grown a bit, and changed in color. Has something happened?” Queen Amdora inquired as she passed me back to my owner. She reasserted her stern aloofness, but I knew she was concerned for me as well as for her daughter that I stayed with as she asked that.
“Sir Goyn told me that he has become a Royal Ooze now,” Liliana said. She quickly explained the significance of that to her audience, and the queen grew thoughtful while Julius was content to stare in awe at me.
“So, on a bit of side note, mother, I was wondering… do you think I could be permitted to learn magic? Like what Sir Goyn does?” Liliana asked, holding me in one arm while gripping the hem of her dress in nervousness. “If I understand more about magic, I could learn more about Jelly and help him and maybe help you and father and…”
“I don’t see why not.” Queen Amdora cut off her daughter’s rambling, and everyone stared at the prim and proper queen. No had expected her to capitulate that quickly. It usually took a lot more begging and pouting to get what my owner wanted when it came to large, complicated requests.
The queen scoffed at the surprised expressions on everyone’s faces, bar mine. Not having one saved me some trouble once in a while!
“I’m wounded that you think I’d be so cruel to shoot down my own daughter’s dreams, especially when I myself am a registered B-rank mage,” Queen Amdora said in mock hurt, her children and servants becoming sheepish.
“But in regards to this matter, as long as you follow your instructors orders, keep up with the rest of your studies, and stay safe, I see no harm in letting you try your at hand at this.”
“Thank you, mother!” Liliana exclaimed happily, rushing to give her a hug. I end up sandwiched between the two, and once again found myself glad I had no need to breathe.
“Just be sure to remember my conditions,” my owner’s mother said stiffly, trying to hide her own emotions. I wasn’t sure why she bothered though. It was a turbulent time for the kingdom and royal family alike. I thought she could at least smile a bit more often.
“I do believe it is time for dinner, my ladies,” Orleen interjected and the princess separated from her mother. Queen Amdora just flashed the maid a thankful nod before settling down into her chair.
The food was delicious as always. Or at least I assumed it was. I still had a limited grasp on taste. Sweet things and magically infused substances were still the main source that granted me a moment to sample that special sense. Other flavors remained dulled and muted to non-existence. Still, I could actually tell they were there now, and that was better than nothing. I could only hope that that particular sense would grow in time and with use.
Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. The joyful energy gained from my reawakening buoyed the small family, but without the overwhelming presence of King Tiberius the meal felt as if it was missing a vital component. They tried their best though and ate dinner with tiny smiles and small talk scattered throughout.
Finished at last, the royal family bid each other goodnight, and returned to their quarters. It had been a stressful few weeks, and with the tension bled out of them lethargy set in.
Some stifled yawns later and Liliana was ready to prepare for sleep. As she removed the clothes she’d once worn I snuggled up into one of her pillows. I doubted she would let me out of her sight or cuddle-grasping range so I settled down, content to spend the night with my dear owner. Things would improve. There was hope for that.
“I heard from Petrus Goyn that Jelly has recovered. I hope the mood at the palace has become better for it.”
In her private chambers Queen Amdora sat in a large stuffed leather chair facing a thick wooden desk. Atop the surface were several stacks of papers, some half empty ink pots, and used quills, though the queen’s attention was on a mirror-like object that thrummed with a faint whir of mana.
What resembled a hand mirror was propped up on a tripod of legs made from delicately crafted silver. Underneath the legs and mirror a glass orb hung, clouded with flickering bolts of blue and green lightning and nestled in a cage of enchanted metals.
A scying glass, a tool designed for long ranged Clairvoyance spells. Fairly cheap to make but astronomically expensive to use and maintain due to the amount of magical energy needed to power it even for a few minutes, but it was worth it for instant battle reports, immediate calls of aide, or advanced warnings of impending attacks. However, it was currently being used for a much more selfish and personal reason.
The queen, stripped of her fine clothes and jewelry and wearing only silk negligee, smiled happily do
wn at her husband’s grainy, static laced face that hovered in the mirror’s pane.
“Indeed, Liliana’s pet did awaken late in the afternoon. I assume young Mr. Goyn also informed you of what he has become?” Her tone became strained a bit as did her husband’s expression.
“He did. An honest to Cynthia Royal Ooze… I had him send me as much information on them as he could, and it should arrive soon, but from the basics he told me I worry we’re going to have trouble housing it if it grows,” King Tiberius said. His own face was haggard and his beard was scraggly and surrounded by stubble. Weeks of fighting, marching, and campaigning had taken its toll on him. But his eyes remained strong and lively, with a hint of fondness now present as he gazed lovingly at his wife.
“I too am worried about his eventual size. But at least now some of the nattering lords and ladies in court can cease their blathering on Liliana’s choice of pet. How many of them can claim to have raised one of the rarest monsters in the world?” Amdora mused with a chuckle. Tiberius laughed as well.
“Also, Liliana asked me a question at dinner. She wanted to know if she could start learning magic,” the raven haired queen revealed, causing her husband to sigh.
“And what did you say?”
“I said she could as long as she keeps up with the rest of her work and duties. And doesn’t make messes. And stays safe.”
Tiberius barked out a laugh at the last two stipulations of his wife’s conditions, and continued to do so as Amdora’s face turned red.
“If she takes after you we’ll have to buy a whole new wing for the palace! And magic-proof the rest!”
“That was long ago! I was younger and more reckless then!” the almost bare queen protested to her husband’s amusement.
“You only stopped blowing up the place because Liliana was nestled in your belly! If she hadn’t stopped your rampages, we would have had to live in a much smaller, more humble abode,” Tiberius teased causing his wife to huff.
“I don’t regret giving up the life of a mage, you know. Liliana and Julius are the lights of my life now. That’s why… I’ll be more lenient with Jelly from now on,” Amdora said, and the mood turned somber.
“Keep an eye on him but don’t worry too much. If these past few events have shown us anything it is that he will protect our children with his life,” Tiberius urged and she nodded.
“I should be home soon. We’ve tracked the remnants of Einrik’s forces down, and are preparing for confrontation. Come tomorrow evening I’ll be on my way back to you and the kids,” Tiberius said after a short lull in the conversation. He was careful not to say any sensitive information over the mirror.
It was hard but not impossible to eavesdrop on magical communications, and if there was one thing the king had learned from fighting his brother-in-law it was that he could not underestimate the mages at his disposal. More than a few of the mercenary spell casters had been powerful. Much more so than anticipated, which had caused severe casualties in the first few engages against Edelstein’s troops.
“Be safe, Tiber. My children may be my lights but you are the lamp that protects them and lets them shine. Return to me in one piece.”
“I will, my Duchess of Destruction,” Tiberius said with a tiny smirk. Amdora just returned it before leaning down to the pane of enchanted glass and planting a quick kiss onto the image of her husband’s cheek. He chuckled and returned the gesture before undoing the spell and severing the connection.
Amdora settled back in her chair before getting up and striding over to her dresser. She spent a few minutes digging around in the back of it before dragging out a large oaken chest. It was surprisingly light for its size, and was wrapped in bands of rune engraved brass. A muttered incantation later and the lid popped open, revealing a much larger storage space than it should have had.
Carefully removing a wand made of willow and capped with an amethyst wrapped in a silver band shaped like a lotus blossom from within the enchanted storage space, the bedroom attired queen smiled fondly at it before removing a tiny packet of leaflets and loose parchment bound in twine.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a reason to look at these,” Amdora whispered to herself. She twirled the wand and watched with a judging eye as the mana flowed through it. Nodding in satisfaction she then untied the collection of parchment and looked over the neat, handwritten spell formulas and instructions.
“A proper mage needs a proper set of tools. I hope Liliana does not mind hand-me-downs and heirlooms,” the queen said with a smile full of memories.
Chapter 18: To apprentice a princess
I sat in my owners lap, bouncing excitedly. After Liliana had spoken to her mother yesterday Petrus had been asked to become a temporary tutor for the princess in the ways of magic. As a practitioner of barriers, wards, and other defensive spells he was deemed to be the best choice to begin the training. Teaching her basic theory as well as low simple protective charms would go a long way in preparing her for a more thorough magical education.
The two of us were in the small, comfy classroom that normally was used for history lessons. The large blackboard, tiny mound of chalk stubs, and shelves lined with books were so very familiar to the two of us, but now seasoned with the spice of excitement. I was as interested in magic as my owner was, and if we could both learn magic together it would make everything more fun and enjoyable.
“A pleasure to see you again, Princess Liliana,” the thin and sallow mage greeted as he walked into the room. In his arms were a number of books, parchment piles, scrolls, ink pots and fresh quills. He seemed excited as well, eager to pass his knowledge on to a willing pair of ears. He plopped his load onto the desk at the front of the room and grinned over at my owner. I myself was partially hidden under the table, but he knew I was there and offered a wave. I returned it with one of my pseudopods.
Ever since I’d awoken I had felt that my control over my transformations and limbs had improved. I could now make eleven tentacles at once and maintain my bipedal shape for up to three hours straight.
“Before we start, what do you know about magic?”
“Magic is a fundamental force of nature. It is typically undetectable by normal senses and exists within everything, even if not everyone can use it,” Liliana recited.
“Correct. All living things have magic, and by extension mana. This is because mana is generated by the soul. And all living beings have a soul. Some creatures, like insects, have barely recognizable souls, while a more complex and self-aware organism like a human has a larger soul and corresponding pool of mana. This is because intelligence has been correlate to the quality of a being’s soul. Sapient entities will be superior over an ordinary animal,” the mage revealed, drawing some crude diagrams on the board, showing stick figures that described relationship between magic and the soul.
“So the next thing to ask about is spells. How do they work, and how does a person cast them?”
“Chants and incantations are the most common, while the other popular method is to draw runes and ritual circles or magical diagrams and patterns that act as instructions for the mana to follow, thus forming spells. The latter method is typically used for enchantments and magical tools and artifacts,” my owner announced and Petrus nodded with a smile.
“Very good! But I’m sure you also know that if someone has cast a spell enough times, they slowly begin to memorize it? Eventually a mage only needs to recite the a few parts of the whole incantation, and eventually a well-trained mage can cast spells nonverbally. All they have to do is think of the spell, remember what it means to them, and let the mana in their body remember how it works.”
“Now before we start flinging magic willy-nilly I want to know what spells you can perform, and how well. Please show me,” Petrus instructed and Liliana nodded before holding out her right hand and squinting her eyes. One, then two glowing spheres of pale yellow-blue light appeared above her palm hovering an inch off over the flesh.
“A good show
of the Dancing Light spell. A bit dull and not as bright as some but you can create and maintain two at once, so that puts you ahead of the curve in that regard. Anything else?”
At the mage’s question Liliana nodded, dispelling the orbs before sending out a pulse of greyish light from her palm outwards to the ceiling. She then used her left hand to release a second wave, this time with a pale green color to it. I used two pseudopods to applaud her.
“Detect Magic and Detect Poison. Both very well done. I see you’ve practiced with them before,” Petrus noted with a pleased glimmer in his eyes. Liliana just gave an embarrassed smile. I wasn’t sure why though.
“Both spells are vitally useful for anyone. The first spell can check on magical objects or anomalies or beings, the color of the pulse changing and highlighting objects that carry a certain level or type of magic. All living things have magic, so the spell merely looks for active spells, enchantments, or large concentrations of it. It is very useful for a mage or anyone out on long travels. Detect Magic’s one downside is that it only pinpoints magic and does not automatically detail what that magic is,” Petrus explained, jotting his words down on the blackboard.
“As for Detect Poison, I know that the life of an aristocrat can be dangerous, and courtly intrigue means that everyone of a noble or distinct peerage would want to know this spell to avoid assassinations. As for commoners, it is useful to avoid dangerous plants and animals which can appear without warning beyond the city’s walls. Of course it cannot detect all threats. As the near fatal events at the Adventurer’s ball could attest to not everything that could kill you was toxic at first glance,” the young tutor warned. “Now, what else can you cast?”
The next spell my owner prepared was barely noticeable. A flicker of brief mana and she turned her head to face a corner of the room.
“Find North?” Petrus inquired, and the princess nodded still facing the wall before turning back to her teacher.
