The Mage of Orlon: The beginning (6 page)

“
Then it is you that will teach me all that you know.
Maybe that book will help.
”

Nate crossed the room to the ancient text on the table.
Lela followed seeing the book, she smiled, it was the spell book of the mages every spell known up until Nate had arrived was in the ancient text.

“
I cannot teach you the spells in that book Nate; it is protected by a spell that will burn the eyes from anyone who tries to read it that is not a mage.
”

“
Ok I will read it later, so what was the word you used to light the candles?
”

“
Ragnin, it will light all the candles.
”
Lela was glad it seemed like she would only have to teach Nate a little, the text would ready him for the upcoming battles.

Nate practiced the word silently a few times, and stopped when his eyes fell on the candle of resurrection.

“
Lela, why did this candle not light?
”

“
Nate that is the candle of resurrection it has a different word to light.
The word is in the book next to it so you should have no trouble finding the right word to light it.
The candle can only be used once so be careful not to light it unless you are sure you are about to die.
”

“
Okay Lela, let me try out the candle lighting spell.
”
Holding his breath a little Nate finally exhaled, took in a deep breath and commanded
“
Ragnin!
”

The ancient text caught fire instantly, Lela screamed in fright as the collective wisdom of the past was quickly burnt from existence.
Nate wrapped the book in his shirt trying to smother the flames.
Once out, the book was still in one piece, but all the pages were singed black.
All the wisdom of the past mages was gone in an instant.

“
Lela, maybe it
’
s not as badly damaged as it looks.
”
The hopeful tone in Nate
’
s voice only served to irritate Lela.

“
Look in the book Nate, see if anything is able to be saved.
”
her tone indicated that she didn
’
t believe the words she had just spoke.

The first page was charred black, as was the next page.
Flipping through the book showed only that every page was burnt beyond recognition.
The guilt hit Nate like a fist.
“
Lela, I am sorry, but I can
’
t read the book. It is destroyed, see.
”
With that Nate turned the opened book towards Lela who promptly screamed and spun around shielding her eyes.

“
What is wrong with you Lela?
”
he asked.

“
Me, me, did you not hear me about the burning out of other people
’
s eyes?!
”

“
What?
The book is burned up.
”

“
That does not mean the protection spell is gone, idiot!
I do not want my eyes burned from my head over a burned up spell book no one can read!
Close the book now!
”

“
Is there another copy, or another magic user that could teach me the spells that where in the book?
”

“
No, the book has no other copies.
There is only one mage in existence at a time and you are it!
”
The hiss in her voice made her look away to regain composure.

With the sound of the book closing Lela slowly looked up to Nate.
He looked like he had just committed the crime of the most heinous kind instead of it being an accident.
It was almost charming, but Lela could not allow herself to fall for Nate, he would most likely be killed in the first conflict.
This thought saddened her, which perplexed her.
He had been such a pain already, but something about him
…
No! she would not allow herself to follow that thought out.
Instead she thought of a way to fix this problem.

“
Nate how far would you go to repair the book?
”
If he answered the way she was hoping maybe
…

“
If it can be repaired, as far as it takes.
”

“
Good, then we will start our journey tomorrow at dawn, but first we need to get you ready for the journey.

“
Where are we going?
”
Nate asked suspiciously.

“
To see the keeper of the archives, he knows how to restore texts that are thought lost, maybe he can teach you how to save some of the text.
”

“
Why can
’
t he restore it himself?
”

“
Because Nate, it is your book and if it is able to be restored the protection spell might blind whoever is trying to restore it.
Besides you said you would do whatever it takes.
”
She said with a smile.

“
We have to prepare for the journey though, Lex lives at the heart of the forest.
”

“
How come the person that we need always lives somewhere that is dangerous, and difficult to get to?
”
Nate whined.

“
I do not know Nate, but if you are serious about restoring the book Lex is who we visit.
”

“
Fine, so what do we need?
”

Lela smiled,
“
We need to visit Crolin first, and get the proper traveling clothes.
”

Five minutes later Lela pulled Nathan into what looked like a storage room.

“
Crolin, Croooooolinnnnn, are you here!
”
Lela crooned.

After what seemed like an eternity came a soft voice.

“
But of course I am darling Lela, where else would I be?
”
Came the chipper tone

He stood slightly taller than Lela. Crolin was dressed in light blue with the castle crest emblazoned on his chest.
His clothes seemed tailored to his exact body shape.

“
Crolin, this is Nate.
”
Lela chimed.

Crolin eyed Nate up and down.

“
He is human, what do you want me to do with this Lela?
”
He said waving a hand at him dismissingly.

“
He is the new mage Crolin, but there was a mishap and we need to see Lex in Cravenwood.

“
Cravenwood!
”
Crolin said the one word as if the mere mentioning of the name would invoke some horrible creature into existence that would tear them all apart.

“
So tell me Nate where did you get those dreadful rags you are wearing?
”
Crolin said chuckling.

“
Hey these are good clothes!
”
Nate countered defensively.

“
Dear, dear boy I have seen horse blankets that look better.
”
Crolin
’
s laughter fluttered around the room like a butterfly in a warm June breeze.

“
The colors are all wrong for you and you do not look comfortable at all.
Do your clothes even do anything for you, other than cover that cute butt of yours?
”
Crolin
’
s eyebrow arched as he said the last part making Nate nervous for the first time since he met Crolin.

“
Hey, I like girls, and what are clothes supposed to do besides cover a person up?
”

With a showman
’
s flare Crolin snatched a blue cape off the closest shelf twirled it around his shoulders pulled up the hood and promptly disappeared.

“
Lela, where did Crolin go?
”

“
I am right here silly boy, can you not see me?
”
The laughter was sliding back into Crolin
’
s voice.

“
Perhaps, you might feel my breath if I was a little closer.
”
The tickle was right on the nap of Nate
’
s neck.
Whirling around Nate saw nothing.
Looking intently close he could still see nothing, but could feel breathing.
With the flick of his wrist Crolin reappeared inches from Nate
’
s face
“
Boo!
”

Nate flinched backward, stumbled over his own feet and landed on his butt to the sound of Crolin
’
s joyful laughter.

“
I ask you again Nate what does your clothing do for you to cause you to cling to it so feverishly?
If I had intended to harm you with a knife or sword you would have never seen it until it was stained with your blood!
”

Nate looked at Lela who was stifling what might be a smile at his position.

“
Nothing, my clothes do nothing like that.
”
Nate said quietly.

“
My dear boy, not many humans have the opportunity to wear the fine works of art I make, consider this a privilege.
”
The smile was still in place, but it spoke of confidence in his magical clothing.

“
Do all the elves where this kind of magical clothing?
”

“
Only when they pay for it, I admit most elves do not require this type of camouflage magic these days.
”
Crolin s smile faltered a little.

“
Lela my dear, this human seems a little on the na
ï
ve side, should you be going into Cravenwood with someone so unprepared for what might await you there?
”

Lela
’
s eyes narrowed a little in thought, finally she spoke
“
Crolin, this is why we are here, we require a few things before our journey and I know you can outfit us properly.
”

Crolin
’
s face split into a pleased smile,
“
Of course princess, what do you need from my humble stores?
”

“
The invisibility cloak you had, two swords, a bow, one quiver of arrows, two hunting knives, and the standard camping packs for long camp trips in the forest.
”

“
Crolin can I have an invisibility cloak too?
”

“
Sorry Nate, as much as it would please me to see your tight butt in my cloak, the king only allowed me to keep one enchanted cloak.
”

“
What happened to the rest of them?
”

“
Lela can tell you, the journey you are about to start on is long, so there will be plenty of time for you two to chit chat.
”

Lela shot Crolin a dirty scowl, Crolin only smiled innocently and shrugged.

“
Princess, your supplies will be ready in the morning, unless you wished to leave sooner?
”

“
No, tomorrow will be fine.
Thank you Crolin.
”

“
Anytime, princess, by the way Ezra is looking for you.
”

“
Thank you Crolin, I will try to see her before we leave in the morning.
”

“
As you wish princess.
”

As they left the store room Crolin peaked around the corner
“
Princess, try not to wear out our young mage on the first night!
”
Crolin disappeared into the stock room leaving the princess staring at the empty hall in shock.
Lela composed herself only to turn around and see Nate who was smiling.

“
It will never happen Nate!
”
She snapped as she stalked off.

After spending all that time with Nathan, Lela wanted to see Ezra.
Ezra was only in her sixth month as an apprentice priestess, Lela decided to go to where most of the upstart priestesses started, on the lowest level of the high tower.

The high tower held the scythe mirror, a pool of enchanted water that would allow a full fledge priestess to see faraway places.
Only the most advanced students would be allowed to try the scythe mirror, the mirror could tear the spirit from the user if she was not experienced enough.

Because of the danger the mirror proposed, the tower was sectioned into twenty one levels.
Each level would bring the apprentice closer to being able to use the scythe mirror.
The scythe mirror was the last level before the student was recognized as a full-fledged high priestess.

Being as Ezra had only been studying the arts for six months Lela expected to find her childhood friend on the lower levels.
It was a complete shock to hear that Kata had taken Ezra to the top of the tower.
It must be a new way of training Lela had thought as she climbed the tower stairs.
Kata was an experienced teacher, she would not put any student
’
s life in danger.

Lela entered the scythe mirror
’
s room only to be stopped in her tracks by what she saw.

Ezra was looking into the scythe mirror!
Lela took two steps forward before Kata
’
s body blocked her path.

“
Princess, do not interfere with Ezra.
She is close to mastering the scythe mirror.
”
Kata said.

“
Not to tell you how to teach, but I thought it took years of dedication to master the scythe mirror.
”
Lela said bewildered as she watched her friend intensely gazing at the mirror.

“
Normally it does, but every so often we get an apprentice that shows such promise we try her at this level, Ezra has shown that much promise in the six months she has studied with our discipline.
”

Lela watched her friend as her expression went from accomplishment to terror.
With a shriek Ezra fell backwards from the stool she was standing on as a murderous claw swiped at the space where her face had been.
Ezra curled up a fist and struck the floor.
“
Dammit to the fire!
”
She screamed.

Kata walked calmly to her frustrated apprentice,
“
What went wrong?
”
she asked Ezra who was now rubbing her butt.

With a frustrated gaze she looked at her teacher,
“
I don
’
t know, I could see the ocean, and without warning the claw swiped at me!
”

Kata laughed,
“
I think your visitor split your concentration a little.
It will take practice for you to be able to focus on the mirror and not on your surroundings Ezra.
Maybe we should go down a few levels before you try the scythe mirror again.

“
Noooo, Kata.
Please let me try again.
The lower levels are so boring!
”

Kata only shook her head,
“
I admire your tenacity, but the lower levels, as boring as they are teach you the discipline to control your focus.
You will be a great high priestess one day Ezra, but not today.
”
The last was said with kindness.

“
Kata, why did you let her try in the first place if she wasn
’
t ready?
”
Lela asked.

“
Ezra has pestered me to let her try since the third month of her training.
It is unheard of for an apprentice to tame the scythe mirror at six months.
However, Ezra might have tried this by herself if I had not allowed her to try!
”
Kata said exasperated.

Ezra blushed as Lela looked at her friend.
With a smile that replaced her frustration Ezra approached her friend.

“
One more time Kata, pleeeeeaasee.
”
Ezra begged.

“
See to the princess first, I will think about giving you a second chance, later after you have rested.
”
Kata said.

Having settled the business with the scythe mirror, the two childhood friends went to the garden behind the tower.
The garden was in full bloom orchids, and flowers from all over the forest called the magnificent garden home.
The fragrances sweetened the air.
Lela always felt most at home in the garden.

“
How was your patrol Lela?
I heard you found an unusual human roaming our forests.
”
Ezra said with an impish grin.

“
He is so strange Ezra.
He says he doesn
’
t know magic, and then uses a common candle lighting spell and destroyed the mages
’
spell book!
”

“
Are you playing a prank on me Lela?
No one has had that kind of power!
”
Ezra exclaimed.

“
He does, and claimed it was an accident.
He comes from a strange place.
He really seems to have no idea how to use magic, but then he tries a spell and destroys the most magically protected book we have!
”
Lela said.

Ezra noticed something about how she spoke of the human.
With a slight grin she blurted out the thought,
“
You like him don
’
t you!
”

Lela caught off guard stammered,
“
No, at least I don
’
t think so.
Ezra he gets to me so easily.
I couldn
’
t kill him in the forest, I couldn
’
t let the splintered kill him either, and then we talked outside the castle for an extra day before I brought him in.
He seems so fragile at times.
I think he likes me too.
”

Ezra smiled,
“
It
’
s about time you found someone to love again.
”

“
I never said I loved him!
I like him.
I don
’
t even know why.
”
Lela stated a little too sadly.

Ezra looked at her friend, and smiled at what she saw.
Lela felt uncomfortable when Ezra looked at her that way.
Ezra could always tell what she was felling just at a glance.
Finally she had to talk and break Ezra
’
s concentration.

“
We are going to Cravenwood in the morning.
”

Ezra
’
s smile was wiped off her face by this news.
“
Lela, why are you going there?
Bring the human to me and I will tell you everything about him!
”

“
He feels he needs to repair the spell book.
We are going to see Lex.
I don
’
t want to know what he is thinking Ezra.
It looks like he is the next mage of Orlon, you know how bad things ended for me the last time.
”

“
Yes Lela, it hurt you so much you have sealed your heart away so that no one might find it!
Listen to me, you can
’
t help what happened to Zorn!
You might be able to find happiness again if you are willing to risk your heart.
Just think about it.
”

“
I will Ezra, thank you.
”

“
Hey what are friends for?
Now I have a date with the scythe mirror!
”

Lela shook her head, Kata was right, Ezra would be a great high priestess if she didn
’
t get killed messing with the scythe mirror.
Much like Kata, Lela knew Ezra well enough to know she would not be able to talk her out of the second try with the scythe mirror.
Watching her friend walking back towards the tower Lela sat in the sunlight and enjoyed the garden
’
s smells.