by D. R. Rosier
Penny was cute, but she was just as arrogant as Thomas. She showed it in different ways however, by saying seemingly polite things that were backhanded compliments at best. She had a few digging comments for Sienna, spotting her as a commoner who married up. Sienna was graceful about it, but I wanted to strangle the little bitch. Snooty was perhaps the nicest word I could come up with to describe her.
It was a depressing thought that these would be my peers in helping to run the kingdom in the future. I almost started to understand Friesa’s point of view, these people were spoiled and didn’t look to have worked a day in their lives, if she only hadn’t been crazy…
I only liked one of them, and one of the instructors, which I supposed meant some hope for the future. They were also young, so maybe they’d grow out of the nonsense. It wasn’t lost on me though that Sienna was the same age as they were, they just hadn’t grown up yet. It was with some relief that Stella happened to teach the training I would be taking.
Through all this I was also keeping a scrying eye on Ari. Nothing really untoward happened as far as I could tell, though I could not hear anything said. Reed seemed to be following her around a little closely, but the jealousy was easy to dismiss as Ari was obviously giving him short thrift. It was merely annoying to me and I decided in my benevolence to allow the jackass to live.
There was another guard there, younger looking. Again, with silence it was hard to tell but he looked uncomfortable in her presence. I wasn’t sure if he was just shy around beautiful woman, or if it was the Elven thing. There were three others in the room who I assumed was the king, heir, and seneschal. Those three all seemed to have that political polite smile plastered on their faces.
There was really nothing to do but wait for her to get back and fill us in; she didn’t look to be in danger so most of my attention was on the dinner.
Afterward, it was just about dark out, so everyone retired for the night. It was about a half an hour later when Ari returned to the building and came straight to our door. I cancelled my scrying as I opened it. She broke out in a relieved smile and gave me a hug. I held on and pulled her in the room closing the door.
I asked, “So how was it?”
She shrugged, “Boring and politics. I kept wanting to slap Reed, he seems determined to lure me to his bed.”
She snorted, “No one really stood out though. If any were conspirators they hide it well. The other guard Avery doesn’t seem to like Elves but I didn’t get a really bad vibe from him. Friesa was actually pretty accurate; the king seems happy with how things are and wants to continue the treaty. I’ll probably only be up there about once a week. The king also said to pass on his thanks for what we did, not only in the city but the fire as well.”
She continued, “I did manage to talk to Erin alone and get some information. The king isn’t all powerful; he can’t just question every mage here. Even knowing there is something going on he needs some kind of proof before he goes around questioning other mages.
“Apparently in the beginning they had a despot of a king, once they overthrew him they curtailed the king’s power. He still rules, but only within the law, not by whim.”
She hit me playfully, “So how was your day?”
I shrugged, “Not bad…”
I filled her in on all my deductions about our neighbors and instructors.
She snickered and raised an eyebrow, “Not bad?”
She winked at Sienna, “I was watching you too you know, I’ve been horny as hell for hours watching what you two were doing, while wishing I was with you two, and all the while I had to keep that straight face… enough talk…”
I was more than happy to quench her thirst…
The fast travel idea worked perfectly in the morning. After breakfast Sienna and Ari took off toward the city. Ari was going to help her pick out a sword that fit her strength and body size, I was sure she would also help getting stuff to make our room pretty. It seemed like a good idea since Ari had nothing to do until the afternoon class.
We had made plans last night to use the mornings for all our training outside the city. Spending half a day outside had been an attractive idea for us all, and we could still spend time with the others in the afternoon session and meals. Of course it all depended on Carl approving me as competent to skip his class, although I really couldn’t see another alternative. I would refuse to do it any other way.
It wasn’t that I thought the Elven way was more powerful, though it did have at least as many advantages as drawbacks, I just liked the Elven philosophy toward it better. That it gave Ari and me another point of connection didn’t hurt either. We had gotten to the point where we were discovering new things together and building on each other’s ideas.
I walked downstairs and went into the affinity hallway, for the first, and hopefully the last time. There were only two rooms, one on each side and enormous. I stuck my head in the door on the left, Steven was there alone. I picked up his element pretty fast at the breeze blowing around the room. He looked over and gave me a nod.
“This is the beginner room; I think he wants to test you in front of the others. They’re all in the advanced morning class.”
I smiled, “More students to embarrass me in front of huh?”
He snickered then looked guiltily at the door, “Don’t let him hear you say stuff like that. He can be… prickly.”
I replied, “Good luck,” before turning around and heading for the other room. I walked in and he ignored me at first.
The other trainees were all doing magic, mages didn’t wear robes until they graduated, so I got to see who did what.
Thomas was fire, Sally was earth, and Penny was a dual. She had both fire and earth it seemed. I just stood there watching them. What they could do was pretty impressive, it showed control and a certain mastery that my way wouldn’t, since the Elven style is based on results, not means. Still, I hardly saw the point of a fire statue, or whatever else they came up with as they controlled the elements.
I was almost amused, at my age I had learned patience. I imagined on an eighteen year old this, ignore him while he stands thing, would make the student tense. It was kind of bored, but at least I had Ari and Sienna’s shopping trip to distract me. I was keeping an eye on them. We’d decided until we figured things out to constantly watch each other when possible.
Carl finally turned to me and said, “Are you sure you want to persist with this absurdity and not learn to do what they are? And what are you doing carrying around a sword?”
I said clearly, “I’m sure I want to continue learning affinities in the Elven way. Surely diversity only makes us stronger. As for the sword, I am a sword master. It is simply one more tool.”
Carl frowned and shook his head in disgust. “Very well, let’s see what you can do.”
First he had me put out a fire. Then he had me destroy a dummy made of stone and dirt. He led me through destroying or creating several things. As he went on asking for more and more counters to spells and original attacks I could see him getting annoyed. He did not however try to magically spar with me; I wasn’t all that surprised as I didn’t think there would be a safe way to do that. I could tell he wished too though.
I had to admit, although he was prickly he was being very fair and he actually got me thinking hard a few times to come up with solutions.
He grunted after about twenty minutes.
He said grudgingly “Elven magic is limited, although I can tell you have a handle on it, now tell me how much magic you have left and I’ll approve you skipping my instruction.”
I didn’t hesitate as I always kept an eye on it, “A little less than three quarters of my maximum. When I came in I was about one eighth short.”
He shook his head and waved me out of the classroom.
I ran into Stella on the way back to my room.
Stella smiled, “So you made it out of there alive?”
Her grin was feral, “He really hates Elven magic.”
> I nodded as she drew a smile from me, “It wasn’t that bad.”
She looked at me in disbelief, “You’re too kind.”
I shrugged and she continued in a normal tone, “I’ll give you and Ari the class spiel first thing after lunch, so don’t tarry. Enjoy the rest of your morning.”
I went the rest of my way to the room, Ari and Sienna were on their way back, and they seemed to have a porter with a small covered wagon. I hadn’t seen what they bought and was curious to see it…
It was close to lunchtime, it had taken the rest of the morning for the porter to carry up all the stuff and for the ladies to get it all set up. The only furniture they added was a stand and mirror with silver trim and an elegant chair. They bought new sheets, curtains for the windows, extra pillows, and various types of makeup went into the drawer in the mirror stand.
They also bought a mini forest. All the empty spaces in the room like the corners and on the sides of the furniture now had plants, indoor trees, and flowers. Maybe that would help Ari sleep better to be able to feel nature around her, at least a bit? I had to admit the place looked much nicer from the bare walls of earlier today. It also made the place smell fresher.
Last but not least Sienna showed me her sword. It was somewhat close to a katana in blade thickness and width, but it had a slightly smaller curve. The length was also a good match for her height. She did have a practice sword as well that was comparable in size and weight, though not perfectly so…
After lunch we made our way to the spell casting side. We made our way into the library but Stella shook her head and said, “Follow me,” and guided us across the hallway.
She said, “I understand how Elven affinity casting works. So I’ll explain from that basis. I brought you in here so the rest could study while I go over what the training is about and what is expected of you.
She created a fire ball in her palm, “When I do this as a fire mage, all I need to do is picture it, intend what size it is, how hot it is, how long it should burn, and who it should attack.”
She closed her hand and the fire disappeared, “Because of my affinity, the element will understand my intent, and my images. That is the difference really, because you’re non-affinity will not understand your thoughts or your intent. So how do we bridge that gap?
“Spell casting. So if I wanted to create a rock in my hand, I need to explain it all to the element of earth with words, and descriptions. Instead of a picture in my head, it becomes a long litany of how much it weighs, the composition of the rock, what is its diameter, where it will appear, what will it do after it appears.
“Without the ability to pass intent it becomes ridiculously complex for even a simple thing. Yet, spells can do so much more. Normally you wouldn’t use a spell in a fight; they are too slow and inefficient. Yet, when I want to send a message to another mage, I need to use a spell so air will understand what I want.
“I’m sure she already explained it takes more magic as well to work with non-affinity spell casting, and that is true. But the extra magic isn’t for the elemental affect, it is to make sure the spell is found so to speak, by the element.”
She looked for understanding on our faces before continuing.
“To complicate it even more, you must learn a new language, one that the elements will understand. Without the affinity there is only one language to bridge that gap of understanding. That is what will take you the longest, learning this new language.
“So for you Marcus, to cast a fireball, the first thing you would do is address the message so to speak, like a letter to another person. You’d be basically calling out to the fire element, but with words. Then you need to use language only to define it completely and precisely. If you don’t, bad things can happen, unintended consequences.
“The advantage is of course, you can cast a spell with all four elements involved in it. There are some books you will start out with to learn the language, it will take a long while before you’re ready to cast a spell. But let me show you an example of a spell you’ll be able to do when you’re ready to get your robes. Call it a little incentive. Then we’ll get you settled in the library.”
She started talking in another language and I could feel the words filling a very large amount of magic. It went on for some time, minutes, and I was a little bored. I was probably too relaxed, I trusted Stella, she was kind and seemed like an open book to me.
That’s why what came next was a total surprise. We were lifted off the floor and shoved hard into the back wall. Steel ropes tied us against the wall and I was a little disoriented. When I went to do magic, it didn’t work. I felt like I was hitting a wall. Even my enhanced sunglasses and my scrying of Sienna was cut off.
It was confusing and I was impressed by the spell and waiting for her to let us down, at least, until she laughed, and not in a nice way. I couldn’t understand how I’d fell for the nice teacher routine, figures the asshole Carl wasn’t the bad one. I’d been so focused on the people I hadn’t liked all that much and had dismissed the idea someone could fool me.
I could feel Ari struggling next to me and Stella chuckled again.
She said, “Don’t bother trying to escape, I told you I know the way Elven magic works. Friesa was a fool to think the cuffs had you helpless, she should have paid better attention in class.”
I growled, “What now, another attempt to recruit me?”
She snorted, “No. Any idiot could see you’re in love with the Elven bitch, you are too good a man to betray her, even for a good cause. It’s a shame really, that you have to die, I do admire the loyalty.”
I asked half fearing the answer, “Then why lock us up, why not just kill us?”
She replied in the instructive tone of earlier, “Because of the wards, weren’t you listening when you got the tour? The wards prevent students from killing themselves on accident. Right about now Stanton is killing our stupid king, and Avery is on his way to pick up the elf bitches body. Of course, the wards only protect from magic.”
I was about to ask the obvious when I felt a dagger slit the veins in my neck. I couldn’t even turn my head and look at Ari, but a short second later I heard the gurgles she made and knew she was drowning in her own blood, only seconds to live.
Then the spell expired and we tumbled onto the floor.
She had fooled me, led me to this ambush with nice words and a sweet disposition. But she didn’t know I was immortal and it was my time to surprise her. She was sure I was dead and had lowered her guard. I set off one of our magical flash bangs, both blinding and disorienting her. Three seconds recovery is an eternity at the speeds I could move. I lunged up and forward while drawing my sword and continued the arc for her neck in the same movement.
Her head went flying across the room. I dismissed her after that, all my thoughts turned to Ari.
I turned and looked down. Ari had a hand on her neck, but the blood still leaked past her fingertips and was already slowing. I could hear her heart slowing as it struggled to beat. There was no way I could get her to a healer in time. I didn’t think about it, didn’t stop to wonder if she would want it or not. I pushed a stream of magic through my heart for the first time.
Just as Ari had said weeks ago, the enchantment that lived there giving me eternal life wanted to spread. It attached a copy of itself to my magic and I sent the stream to her heart where it greedily dug in. I had no idea if the spell would even work on an Elf, but it was her only chance. Her heart beat twice more, and then stuttered to a stop.
The enchantment held her in a kind of stasis, and I could see it making changes to her body as I watched. She didn’t ever seem upset at what I was in the past, but I wondered if she would wake up, and what would happen then.
I heard the door open and saw Avery. I tried flash bang again but instead of fighting he ran. I realized I couldn’t let anyone see Ari’s current condition, they would want to know what it was, and the hunt for stealing my immortality would start. I picked her up an
d ran for our room.
Sienna stood up alarmed, “What’s wr…”
I barked cutting her off, “Weapons, now!”
She looked startled for a moment then picked up her bow, arrows, and her sword. I stepped into her sideways as Ari was thrown over my other shoulder. I casted my magic out focusing on the hill from the day before we got to the city, oxygen, and the desire for all of us to be there, and we disappeared inside the swirl of elemental air.
Fuck the king. I hadn’t given him an oath yet. Sienna and Ari were much more important. Also it had taken both Ari and I to beat Friesa, I doubted that I could have taken Avery and the seneschal alone. There would also be a good chance in not understanding, that the king would take their side too, not to mention Reed or the heir. That didn’t even count Maggie, Carl, and the four students. No doubt they would all believe the seneschal’s lies.
All of that was true, but Sienna and Ari were the true reason I went into retreat.
I would need Ari’s help and council, if she made it. Her body already felt like it was cooling and the cut on her neck was still there. I kept reminding myself that was normal, the spell was still active.
As soon as I landed on the hill I sent magic and the thought to block any scrying to my elementals. There was a constant cost, but it was tiny, like the light altering glasses or a ward. I had no idea if it was working, but I had no choice but to trust my elemental could do it. They hadn’t let me down yet.
Then I created a normal ward so we would know if anyone approached. I sat down on the ground and cradled Ari’s body in my arms. I wasn’t sure how long it would take, back on earth after a blood transfer it took days as the body lied as if dead. But as the goddess told me, there was a hell of a lot more magic available here, so I thought it may be faster.
Sienna looked a little panicked.
“Sit love, I’ll explain what happened. I think we are safe for now.”
I explained the last thirty minutes or so, Sienna held Ari’s hand and looked just as upset as I imagined I did. I started scrying the king and regretted it. He was gutted by what looked like a sword. The seneschal had his arm around the heir, who I guess was now the king. Avery was there as well, with a look of false grief on his face. Reed who I really didn’t like truly looked devastated.
