Because he had only taken one book, he had to compare the keywords with another spell inside the same tome, but he felt it shouldn’t matter much. Even earth spells had a certain amount of overlap.
Sketching out the shortened air spell underneath his pellet spell, he looked for a set of similarities. It was too hard to do with just one of each spell, so he worked on another and a third, and continued until he had a collection to look at. It took the better part of three days, but he was still waiting for Una to claim her fire spell anyway.
At last the spell was taken and after another week his new assignment arrived, this time in the earth element. He deciphered the intent of the spell quickly, even without translating the runes. This one intended to open a crack in the ground, presumably to swallow a foe.
He and Donya did their diligence on the written words while Pyron mulled over the diagrams. Pyron was more excited this time, as earth was also his specialty. He looked forward to being the one to test it out.
Delminor’s focus was split, however, and he struggled more on this spell than the fire magic. As he read each part of the earth spell, he considered its implications for air, comparing heavy sounds to light ones, looking for structural patterns in the grammar that might coincide with the other element.
But he wouldn’t know until he tried, and he didn’t let on to anyone that he was looking at air magic. He’d hidden the air tome in another unused laboratory, marking the door to claim it as a second hiding place. His biggest challenge was in not being seen going there.
After he and Donya took dinner together, he retired to his room, planning to head to his secret second chamber, but Arenda was there waiting for him, her face nearly as red as her hair.
“How dare you!”
“I’m sorry?” he said, trying not to grin.
“Because of you, Gallena has been thrown out of the Magitorium!”
Delminor hadn’t intended her expulsion, but he was angry. “Whatever did I do? Did I beat her at Confluence too many times? Did she go off the deep end?”
Arenda slapped him in the face. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“I really don’t.”
Then, in her anger, she confessed. “You left a bogus spell behind. It was a complete and utter disaster.”
“Oh, and how would you know what I have left anywhere?”
Her face went redder than it already was, belatedly realizing her error.
“I guess I need to have words with Xervius if you’re going through my things.”
“That’s fine,” she snarled. “I’ll just explain that you’re conspiring with the masters against him.”
Delminor laughed. “That’s absurd.”
“I know of your deal with Una. What you don’t know is her plan is to oust Xervius and take over this tower. Then none of us neophytes will have a place here.”
It seemed plausible, especially considering the spells she had left for him to translate. They were higher power than those he had dreamed of using and even the current fissure spell could threaten major damage to the tower itself. It may be a strong bargaining point to make Xervius concede.
“You seem to know a lot. Clearly, you’re conspiring with her.”
“Against her, you idiot. We’ve been dealing with another faction trying to stop her. Why do you think we needed your spells? We have to be able to counteract whatever Una is concocting.”
Delminor stepped closer, drawing air to look bigger. “Then perhaps your mistake was not in talking to me like a decent human being. Instead, you are a snake, hiding in shadows and stealing my work. If that’s the kind of person you are and the master you’re working with is comfortable with that, then perhaps this tower is better off with your side losing.”
“How dare you!”
“Get out of here before I start using my newfound magic on you directly.”
“That would only get you thrown out.”
“True,” he said, his tone cold and dark. “But it might also see you dead first.” Silence hung between them as Arenda tried to figure out if he was serious. “Don’t ever touch my things again. Don’t ever cross my path again. I can’t assure you that I’ll control myself. Now get out of here.”
“You don’t understand.” Arenda trembled, lowered her gaze, and scampered from the room, not looking back.
Now at least Delminor knew why Gallena was always so confident. She had been given the support of a master, though it appeared to be a much better arrangement than his own. She must have learned of shortcuts to the magic, ones Delminor had sought when he pursued the upper library.
But he also knew his time here was nearing its end. If the masters truly were at odds with each other, and his research was benefiting one side over the other, then it wouldn’t be long before he was drawn in completely, openly. He couldn’t have that.
He had never wanted his work to be used for such purposes. He didn’t know what an incendiary spell could be used for in a helpful sense. Perhaps clearing a patch of dead trees in a dying wood to allow for new growth. But he hadn’t considered the motivations behind the spells he was being given. He’d been more consumed with the challenge of breaking the spells down.
Shaken, but resolute, Delminor hurried over to his other lab and set to practicing the air spell. It took time, but he eventually produced the gust of wind he was trying to.
But that hadn’t been his goal. Not really. He wanted to sense how the air magic felt compared to earth. It wasn’t easy to focus on the sensation of the energies pulling through him in both cases. They were similar and different, but he couldn’t describe how. He likened it toward linking his hands together versus linking them again, shifted by one finger. Mostly the same, but slightly different.
When he couldn’t make any more progress, he decided to seek out Donya. Making his way toward her room, he felt heavier and heavier. He didn’t think he would be able to see her for much longer.
When he reached her chamber, Jaffral was there. His arms were around her, consoling her as she cried. Delminor filled with jealousy, but their friend could just be comforting her. It might have meant nothing.
Except that when Delminor walked in the room, Jaffral jumped away, trying to pretend he hadn’t been all over her. “Yo, Del,” he said nervously.
“It’s a night full of deception, it seems. Has this been going on long between you two?”
Donya looked up and wiped her eyes. “This? What? Delminor, what?” She looked at the anger on his face and the biting gaze he shot toward Jaffral. She stood up and took his face in her hands. “It’s not like that, Del.”
His emotions were too jumbled. “It might as well be,” he said bitterly. “I’m not much longer for this place.”
“What?” Donya asked. “You too?” Tears filled her eyes. “Gallena left and Arenda’s going, too. Why is everyone leaving all of a sudden?”
He didn’t see a reason to keep quiet with Jaffral in the room. “Apparently, Una’s been using us so she can take over here, assuming Arenda was telling the truth; she followed us up that day.”
Jaffral was incensed. “You did talk to the masters? All this time and you’ve been helping them in secret?” He stood up, his face red. “You may not have cared about the consequences, but I do. You’re fools.” He stormed away.
“Delminor, what’s happening? Why is this all falling apart?”
He put his arm around her. “It was only a matter of time. I didn’t tell you but Gallena and Arenda have been stealing our notes. They’ve been feeding them to the other side as a countermeasure against us, or Una, but I’m not sure there’s much difference now.”
Her tone sharpened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“In case I was wrong,” he lied, trying to placate her. “I didn’t want you to hate them.”
“But they were our friends!”
“As long as we were useful, anyway. Listen, Donya, I’m going to confront Una and end this. I want you to be as far away from this as possi
ble. You never should have been involved in the first place.”
“I’m staying with you, Del, whatever that means.”
“I can’t promise that I can protect you.”
“I can handle myself.”
“You’re right,” he smiled, despite the surrounding circumstances. Then his grin faded. “I’m sorry about before. I’m just a mess right now.”
“Sorry? About Jaffral? I’ll be mad at you later for that, okay? Right now, we have to get moving. Go pack your things. You’re right, we need to end this.”
Delminor hurried to his room and filled his haversack, stuffing the earth tome inside, then heading to his other lab to claim the air book as well. He ran back to Donya, knowing he couldn’t leave her after all.
Chapter 12
Of Wind and Earth
Delminor and Donya made their way through the tower and up to the masters’ study where they had first met Una. No one was there, thankfully, giving them time to catch their breaths and prepare themselves. Donya had small vials of water tucked into her belt and, likewise, Delminor had bottles of dirt.
They left the study and entered a grand hallway with polished marble floors and gleaming firepits here and there. Vines were woven into elegant archways, and the air was refreshingly cool. A fountain bubbled in the center of the room, which split off in eight directions. Looking ahead, they could see another connecting hall with a similar hub across the way.
“This is amazing,” Donya gasped.
He stared agog at the surroundings. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Del, how many masters do you think are up here? How will we find Una?”
“We’re going to have to find someone and ask.”
It was daunting, voluntarily seeking out a stray master to talk to. They were all touted as monsters ready to shred neophytes in their tracks.
A middle-aged man sauntered out of one of the rooms, his face smug from some task he had completed successfully. He saw the two of them and scratched his head. “Are you two lost?”
“Actually, we’re looking for Una,” Delminor said.
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Is she expecting you? She doesn’t take kindly to strays.”
“I get the feeling she won’t be surprised by us being here. Is there any chance you know where she is?”
The man shrugged. “Odds are she is eating at this hour. Come, I’ll bring you there. Safer for you to be with me than to wander aimlessly. I’m Lorresh, by the way.”
Delminor introduced himself and Donya and they followed the friendly mage through the various halls until they reached the eatery. Una was with her cronies, cackling at some joke or other. She espied the neophytes and dropped her spoon.
“What nonsense is this, bringing children to my meal? Xervius will hear about this.”
“Oh, they quite asked for you by name, Una. I can only imagine how they knew it.” He bowed his head and took his leave.
“I have no words to exchange with you,” Una growled. “Return to your nests before you regret coming here.”
“It’s over, Una,” Donya said. “We know what’s going on and we won’t be party to it any longer.”
“And what, pray tell, do you think is going on?” Varrus chimed in.
“No,” Una cut in before they could answer. “Let’s talk elsewhere.”
“As long as it’s just talk,” Delminor said. “Sure.”
Una glowered at him. “Watch your tone, upstart.”
He shrugged. “One way or the other, you need our help with your spells. Harming us is not in your best interest.”
“Your little flower here already said it’s over for you two,” Bannitt noted. “Or was that another lie?”
Delminor shrugged. “I can’t stop you from sneaking into my laboratory and checking in on my work while I’m here, even if I’m not directly helping you anymore.”
It was an unexpected temptation and Una sat back for a moment. Delminor figured he needed the bargaining chip to keep them safe. He had no intention of remaining here.
“Why bother coming up here to tell me this rather than leaving a note with your next spell? How is that coming along, by the way?”
Delminor laughed. “I’m not giving you a fissure spell,” he said loudly so others could hear. “I said I’m finished helping you.”
One by one, eyes turned their way. He was banking that she wouldn’t say much if everyone was listening.
“You helping me? What nonsense.” She stood up and gestured to the crowd. “My friends, do you hear the impertinence in this lad? We have a pest in our midst that needs to be erased.”
A mage across the way retorted. “It’s a matter for Xervius to tend to, not you. Let us bring them to the Overseer.”
“This is a trifling matter of two neophytes tromping on grounds where they don’t belong, meddling in our affairs, and ruining the tranquility of our mealtime.”
Another mage piped up. “You’re the only one ruining anything with your shouting.”
“I’m not shouting!”
“You are now,” Delminor poked.
“Enough out of you!” She swept her hands in a wide circle and spat, “Compallionis auvian oeliouviah ouishalla noueniai orellias feinai!” Air gusted sharply from her hands, knocking Delminor and Donya over and making it hard for them to breathe.
Delminor scrambled to his feet. “Jalicorith grienan breckalor kaie!” He launched a bottle into the air and the glass exploded when the dirt inside pushed outward to spray his assailant. The glass cut into her skin and she howled in rage.
Varrus and Bannitt added their spells to the mix. Donya cracked open a bottle and launched it at Bannitt, who was also working with water magic. She quickly worked the deluge spell they had decoded together and brought Bannitt crashing down. The other mages in the room stood in awe at the neophyte’s spell.
“How is that possible?” Lorresh asked, having turned back around when he heard the shouting.
Varrus launched a set of vines in Delminor’s direction, determined to end this conflict by binding the teen’s hands together.
Delminor had no knowledge of nature magic, but as the vines reached for him, he scrambled to counteract them. He turned on the spot, waving his hands upward and then out. “Souuellian ephaallar auvian entius eilaueia aie.” Where Una’s air blast had been strong and wide, Delminor’s was sharp and focused. The gust of air slammed the vines to the ground, where the spell dissipated.
“Impossible!” Una screamed. She launched another gust of air, determined to draw the breath out of Delminor. She cast the words while inhaling, her hands grabbing the air and pulling toward her chest. “Aremfuular vacutious exthelia ouliee ennuria aeolialiae.”
Delminor felt the spell take hold and he clutched his mouth, trying to hold the air inside. He grabbed for a vial of dirt at his side and popped the lid, watching as the air wafted the dirt toward his attacker as she drew the breath out of him.
He needed to counterattack the air itself. The dust was as much a prisoner as he was, and he doubted he could cast an earth spell strong enough to defeat the vacuous draft. He only had moments before his lungs would be drained and he didn’t know if it would immobilize or completely kill him. Panic sparked his imagination and the words of the air book fluttered through his mind.
He recast the air dart spell he had used against the vines, but this time he reversed the movements, drawing the air down and turning at the end. He barely got all the words out before his breath was gone, but then the air gusted back toward himself and knocked him to the ground, breaking him out of Una’s grasp.
Donya was working on Varrus, launching balls of water his way. He easily dodged each one, laughing as he did so. His hands writhed upward and he swung his arms out to the side then forward, clapping his hands together sharply. A barrage of tiny seeds launched forth, pelting Donya painfully. She cried out as she fell to her knees.
Delminor couldn’t remember the fire spell well enough so he didn’t try. Inste
ad, he drew upon the little research they had done on the fissure spell. He didn’t know all of it, nor how extensive the damage would be if it was finished. But he didn’t need it. Inspiration struck again.
It was an earth spell, the opposite power of air. On its own, the earth would open and swallow its foe. But instead, Delminor mixed the words of earth and air and he mashed together the motions. He inverted the earth movements but not the air gestures. He didn’t know all the command words for air, but he pulled from those Una was using across the way.
Una pelted them with blasts of frigid air, ignoring Bannitt’s plight completely. It was all Delminor could do to maintain his focus.
He swept his hands up in the final rush of his impromptu spell. He screamed the words as he worked through the movements. “Brannallic rectronoth kaie compallionis auvian wrackken brethos kathra orellias prethullius fabronie feinai!”
A fist-sized rupture appeared beneath Una, but instead of dragging her down, a massive rush of air squealed from within. Her body swept up into the air, smashing into the ceiling with enough force to crack her skull and render her unconscious. The air faded, lowering her solemnly to the ground.
Delminor collapsed, too, his body drained from the energies rushing through him. He kept his eyes open as long as he could.
Varrus was distracted by his leader’s fall and Donya was able to cast her intended spell. The water splotches Varrus had dodged had been intentionally placed. She sent one final spell, solidifying the water to ice under Varrus’ feet, bringing him to the ground with a thud.
At last the other mages rushed in and pinned all five combatants, Lorresh taking charge of Delminor. They were bound and separated, and there they all awaited punishment.
Chapter 13
Punishment
Delminor squirmed in his seat, knowing his doom was coming. He was tightly bound to the chair with Lorresh standing silent vigil. Delminor’s mind reeled as he thought of what he had done; reversing the flow of one spell and combining two elements together for another.
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