Marin's Codex

by Benjamin Medrano

  “This is a celebration, Sir Calda, and if I were to meet with her, the conversation would go poorly,” Marin replied gently. “I will not have such occur this evening. I will not meet with her tonight, but should she wish to arrange a meeting tomorrow, I will gladly do so. It will not change my reply, but I am willing to meet with her.”

  “Very well. I had not realized that it was the timing that caused issues. I will relay your message, High Mage,” Calda replied, abruptly leaving, and Emonael let out a soft breath of relief.

  “What was that all about?” Christoff asked, returning at last, a basket full of fruit in his hands, and Damiya beside him with more. “I would’ve come over sooner, but I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  “Also, what did you mean about me being wrong? He didn’t look like a dragon-kin to me!” Uthar asked, his curiosity obvious as he continued. “And that offer . . . he seemed extremely put out, High Mage.”

  “He wasn’t dragon-kin; he was dragon-sworn,” Marin replied unhurriedly, plucking a plum from the basket and rubbing off the surface slowly, leaving an almost burnished purple surface. “Dragon-sworn are those of other races who wish to become dragon-kin. They undergo a ritual which strengthens their body somewhat and grants them a few of the traits of dragon-kin, but which also requires them to foreswear all prior loyalties. Should the god of whichever clan they join decide their deeds were great enough in life, once they die they’re reincarnated as a dragon-kin in their next life.”

  “Ah, so the offer that they were making you was to become one?” Emonael asked, and Marin took a bite of her plum, nodding as she did so.

  “Yes,” Marin confirmed, smiling slightly. “They originally offered because they wanted my skills as a healer, but they didn’t seem too upset when I refused. I suspect that though many mortals haven’t noticed my research yet, their god did. Flattering, isn’t it?”

  “It’s also more than a little intimidating,” Uthar murmured, his eyes wider than normal. “I mean, couldn’t a god just take the knowledge?”

  “I’m fairly certain that they can’t, or they would already have done so.” Marin shrugged, adding, “Excellent choice of fruit, Christoff, this is quite good.”

  “Oh, umm, thank you,” Christoff replied, looking slightly off-kilter. “Sorry, I got a bit distracted.”

  “Of course you did. We had a foreign emissary drop in on us unannounced, and that does tend to distract people. Now, the plan for tonight is simple. Singing, dancing, and excellent food.” Marin looked at everyone with narrowed eyes, and Emonael couldn’t help a giggle, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe a bit of juice from next to her teacher’s mouth. Marin ignored the action, continuing. “I’ve only got until sundown to enjoy this, so let’s get to it, shall we?”

  “Yes, High Mage!” Damiya said, grinning a little as she asked. “Where do we start?”

  Marin paused, and Emonael grinned, interjecting, “How about we go to the bakery to look at what they have, and to see Christoff’s beloved?”

  Christoff flushed with embarrassment, and everyone else chuckled before they started in that direction. As they moved, Emonael caught sight of a familiar-looking wagon, the same one which she’d purchased the mana stones from the previous fall. The owner was inside, doing brisk business like he had the previous time, and she made a note to stop by and see if there was anything interesting she could get for Marin.

  The various activities around the town square proved too much for Marin, by and large. She didn’t want to have anything to do with wrestling or the other more physical contests, and she promptly proved just how bad she was with a bow by missing the targets entirely. It was quite good that no one had been to the side of the targets, because, otherwise, she might have hit them! In fact, Uthar had handily won that contest out of them, proving that his experience was better when it came to weapons.

  She’d done a bit better with throwing horseshoes, but all except Nia had outdone Marin there, too. The best part was that it didn’t really matter to Marin. She enjoyed the time with the others, and a certain part of her relished the chance to show them that she was just a person. When it came to magic, she might know far more than the others, but that didn’t mean that she was more skilled in all things.

  The only exception was in singing and dancing. Uthar was more skilled than Marin in both subjects, but aside from him, only Emonael could keep up with Marin while her endurance lasted. The food was good, seeming sweeter and more flavorful than anything Marin had eaten in years. It had led to a number of compliments that Marin asked Christoff to pass on to the baker, and to Leah when she arrived. A doe-eyed young elven woman with a gentle smile, Marin liked her, and hoped that the two would be good for each other.

  But slowly the evening wound onward, and she found herself resting in a chair while the others continued the celebrations, unable to force herself to go out and dance more. She was just too tired. The setting sun was sending shadows of the revelers dancing across the buildings, and Marin knew that she was going to have to leave soon. She was just dawdling and enjoying herself.

  “Ah, there you are! I heard that you’d come out to the festival, and Valis and I just had to come see if it was true!” Hothar’s voice was a small surprise, but only a small one, and Marin looked up to see the other two magi, both of them grinning, with wineskins in hand.

  “Indeed it is. My research is done, so there’s no reason for me not to enjoy myself, not when it makes my apprentice a little happier,” Marin said, nodding to each of them and smiling. “How are you two? Enjoying your new book, Valis?”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me,” Valis groaned, taking a seat. “It’s going to take decades to learn everything in those books, Marin. I don’t know how Emonael manages it, absorbing it like she does.”

  “At least you have a copy already,” Hothar retorted. “I’m having to wait until last!”

  “I’ll have you know that Emonael isn’t that far ahead of you, no matter what she may be trying to make you think. Yes, she’s learning quicker and more easily, but it’ll take her time to actually learn to use all of it,” Marin replied, pausing before she added, “Even though I wrote it all down, I don’t understand the full implications of my work. I’m certain that you two will eventually do things with it that I never expected. It’s . . . heartening.”

  “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. I really don’t know, Marin,” Valis replied, letting out a soft sigh as he sat in a chair next to her. “I’ve found adapting to what you’ve shared to be . . . difficult. Not impossible, but very, very hard. I’m set in my ways, after decades of practice, and what you’ve written has changed so much. I don’t know that I’ll ever fully adapt, and it’s possible that we’ll have to wait for another generation of Magi to arise to see what really can be done.”

  “You’re still doing better than I am,” Hothar said, scowling as he pulled the stopper from his wineskin and took a drink before continuing. “I’m older and stubborn, so this is even harder. I bet you’ll manage, Valis . . . you’re young, compared to me or Reesa.”

  “I think you’re both being too hard on yourselves. With time and determination, you’ll get past the difficult stages,” Marin replied gently, shaking her head in amusement at the pair. “I’m certain Larin is having just as many difficulties as both of you, but you know how he is. Stubborn, proud, and determined not to let a mere spell get the best of him. If it can improve his art and make it more beautiful, he’ll move heaven and earth to learn it. Why else do you think we’ve barely seen him this past winter?”

  “I hadn’t realized that was why he was away so often, but you’re probably right,” Hothar mused, nodding. “No one becomes a High Mage without determination and love for their magic, do they?”

  “Not that I’ve met,” Marin agreed, glancing at Christoff and Leah dancing together as she smiled more. “Though with what I’ve taught, that could change, somewhat. Archmagi will start becoming more common, as will all of the other ranks, should it spread far and wide
enough. It won’t necessarily be a matter of sinking your life into magic in the hope of getting somewhere . . . at least, that’s one hope I have. Too many promising magi have been forced to make the decision between being a mage and enjoying life outside of magic.”

  “I suppose,” Valis admitted, then paused, looking at Marin for a long moment, with an intensity that made her frown.

  “What?” Marin asked, looking at him in return. “You’re staring.”

  “I was just thinking . . . don’t you meet the qualifications of being an Archmage, Marin?” Valis challenged, raising an eyebrow at her. “You can cast spells of virtually any type, and have demonstrated your understanding of high-order spells of all of them. You may not have garnered the broad attention and striking victories in battle that most Archmagi have, but that isn’t necessary, is it?”

  “You must be joking,” Marin replied, her voice almost flat, annoyed at his suggestion. “I’m a mere High Mage at best. Archmagi generally have proven themselves in battle, and are world-shaking individuals. I struggle to cast a single spell in a time of stress.”

  “I think he has a point, Marin,” Hothar said, but stopped as she held out a finger at him, glowering as he grinned at her.

  “No. If you even suggest that I be dubbed an Archmage, I’m going to ask Emonael not to make any more copies of the codices for you,” Marin threatened, which wiped the grin from his face. “Such an honor is for other people. The research which I’ve done, almost anyone could do, if they had the time and determination.”

  “The difference, Teacher, is that they didn’t do the research. You did,” Emonael interrupted, stepping in and smiling at each of the other High Magi, bobbing her head. “High Magi, it’s good to see you out and about! I’m surprised; you don’t usually come to these gatherings.”

  “Magister Emonael, good to see you,” Hothar replied, nodding at her as he continued. “No, we don’t. I find that my presence makes people nervous and they have trouble relaxing, so I try to celebrate in private with my peers and students. We only came out because we’d heard that Marin had decided to leave seclusion and join you in town. Unlike us, she doesn’t seem to cause a lot of anxiety, though.”

  “I suspect that’s because not many of the townsfolk think of me as a High Mage. They met me when I moved into my home ages ago, and came to me to heal the worst of their injuries for years,” Marin told him bluntly, shrugging. “I’m part of the community. You’re the arrogant magi who moved in a few years ago.”

  “That would explain a lot,” Valis murmured, tapping his chin and taking a drink of his own. “It also explains why Reesa gets along better as well, with how she blesses the fields and helps keep blight from spreading.”

  “Every day I learn something new,” Hothar muttered, looking chagrined. “Well, before I put a damper on any more of the celebration, I think I’m heading back to my tower for a game of cards. Are you coming, Valis?”

  “I will. I might try to help out locals later, but now’s not the time,” Valis chuckled, standing up again.

  “Teacher, did you want to join us for another song?” Emonael asked, but Marin shook her head, standing herself.

  “No, but thank you, Emonael. Hothar, Valis? Do you mind if I join you on the walk back to the grounds?” Marin asked, glancing up at the sun, not far above the horizon. “I have an experiment I was planning to perform just after sundown, so I was about ready to head back myself.”

  “Oh, not at all!” Hothar replied, pausing with Valis, then grinning as he added, “Maybe I can even pry a little more advice out of you on the trip.”

  “Ah, I see.” Emonael paused, looking at the sun for a moment before looking at Marin curiously. “Do you want me to come along? You haven’t said anything to me about this experiment.”

  “Don’t bother. I’m sure it’ll fail, like most of my first dozen ideas on a subject,” Marin replied, shaking her head. “No, just enjoy yourself with the others, Emonael. I know you enjoy your time at parties like these. I don’t have the endurance to properly enjoy them anymore. I’ll see you in the morning and tell you about the experiment, hmm?”

  “Of course.” Emonael smiled brightly in return. “Just be safe.”

  “I will. The first rule, and all of that,” Marin told her, and Emonael chuckled.

  “What’s the first rule?” Valis asked, looking intrigued, and Marin looked at Emonael in amusement.

  “Always have an escape route,” they chorused, and Marin couldn’t help a laugh of her own before explaining. “When you have an experiment you’re trying out, the last thing you want is to be trapped in a small room with a burning cloud, or a very angry summoned demon. Always have a way out, no matter what precautions you might take.”

  Valis nodded in understanding. “Quite sensible, that. Shall we, then? I need to bilk Hothar out of as many coins as I can manage tonight.”

  “You lost the most last time!” Hothar retorted. “Give me your best shot, stripling!”

  Marin giggled, waving at Emonael as she followed the other two, amused by their antics. A small part of her wished that she’d interacted with the other High Magi more before this, but that was water under the bridge. She’d try to make up for it later . . . for now, she had another experiment to carry out, as silly as some might consider it.

  Chapter 32

  “Circle’s complete, sigils drawn . . . all of it looks good,” Marin muttered to herself, looking over the broad circle she’d drawn on the floor of the tower.

  It looked like everything was correct, which was good, considering how much time she’d spent writing and drawing of late. The circle was fairly complex, a scrying spell that she’d learned from some other magi, though she’d adjusted it somewhat. There were six circles set into the outer ring for focus items to be placed, and she’d stolen one of the pillows from the sofa and set it into the middle of the circle. While she might be particular about spells, there was no reason to be uncomfortable while performing them!

  “Next step, then.” Marin nodded at last, pulling out six small iron stands, each with a tiny mirror that could be tilted attached to one side, and with prongs to hold an item in front of the mirror.

  She set one stand in each of the circles in the outer ring, carefully angling the mirrors to point at the cushion in the center of the room. While she expected the spell to fail, there was no reason not to be careful about it. Out of habit, she checked the small hanging spell she’d woven that would create a jet of water to cut through several vital runes of the diagram and shut it down. Marin hadn’t been joking with Emonael, after all. Finally, she pulled out six mana stones, the ones which she’d had her apprentice purchase the previous autumn.

  Marin had always meant to use the stones in some of the experiments for the last few volumes of her research, but time hadn’t permitted for that, something she still regretted. At least they were going to be used now, and she began setting each stone into the stands, not worried about the order. The important thing was to have them, to help the ritual focus on what it was that Marin wanted them to find.

  “It looks like I’m ready, doesn’t it?” Marin murmured, glancing out one of the narrow windows at the rising moon. The moon was still mostly full but on the wane, which she hoped wouldn’t impact the ritual too much. It was a mostly full moon on summer solstice, after all.

  Taking a deep breath, Marin steadied herself and stepped over the circle carefully, heading into the center without damaging her chalk circles. Damaging them at this point would ruin nearly an hour of work, which would not be amusing. At last, she settled onto the cushion, letting out a few breaths as she tried to clear her mind and settle down. Divination wasn’t easy at the best of times, which was why so few diviners existed.

  “My Lord, I hope this works,” Marin murmured, and began the long, drawn out incantation, pouring mana into it at a measured pace.

  The circle around her lit up with azure light, swirling around her like a thin, beautiful curtain, and Marin’s hopes i
ncreased ever so slightly at the indication that she’d drawn the circle and symbols correctly to channel the spell she’d designed. Minutes passed as she continued, the light slowly growing brighter, focusing around the mana crystals. Eventually the crystals themselves began to glow: azure, crimson, gold, white, a strange purple-black, and green lights shimmering around her.

  What Marin was trying to do was simple enough. Normally the ritual was used for the caster to look on the target from virtually anywhere in the world, at least if they had a focus object to properly designate the target. Marin had instead decided to use it to try to examine her own core of mana, to see if she could learn about the source of her own magic. Most divinations that targeted ephemeral objects had a tendency to fail, but she hoped that this would be an exception, since she was using a mana crystal of each type of mana in her casting.

  For several more minutes, it seemed like nothing was going to happen, and Marin’s hope began to dwindle as she realized that this would likely be another failure. Still, she carried on to the end of the ritual stubbornly, refusing to give up just because the ritual was going to fail on her. That was the entire point of experiments, to try something new, and see what the result was!

  The moment the last word of the incantation rang out, it suddenly felt like the air grew still, almost stifling. Marin blinked in confusion, trying to understand what was happening. She opened her mouth to activate her failsafe, just to be careful. At that moment, each of the mana stones erupted with light, and their mirrors sent streamers of that light at her!

  Marin had no time to think or activate her spell before the light struck her. With it came an intense, swirling surge of mana like nothing she’d ever felt, and the world around her erupted with light in turn!

  Emonael was just finishing a dance with Andrew around the fire when she felt the rumble of power in her very bones, her eyes going wide in response. Cries of shock echoed around her, and she blinked in confusion as the music came to an abrupt, disjointed end.