The Salem Concord Book 1: Interview for a Wizard
Page 51
Tongues of fire danced across the night air. The gentle breeze carried the burning ash and dark smoke over the surrounding trees away from the thick forest. Six men stood around the large contained fire deep within a hidden clearing protected by a wall of large pine trees and several protective curses. A massive ornate stone basin housed the flames that reached high over the sorcerers shrouded in long dark robes with large hoods keeping their identities a secret. The area was cleared many years ago, and decorated with statues of previous members. From a distance it looked much like a small burial ground with no burial plots. This was another concealed meeting site for the Secret Society of Seven Sorcerers.
An overwhelming sense of urgency made the atmosphere tense. It had been six months since Lord Bane had disappeared, and the remaining members were in a rush to select a new brother. As usual for the eldest members, this was a very difficult task. For months they observed and studied deeds and applications from many eager wizards who wished to join the circle of prevailing sorcerers. The most influential and talented from the large network of the society’s members applied. The remaining six sorcerers would choose only one. They would select the one that would best benefit the society.
The selection would be finalized with magic. In the world of enchantment, important selections are finalized by magic. They are never left to chance. The Dragon Flame always selected the final applicant for the new brother of the society. The Dragon Flame ritual was one of the greatest secrets of the society as well as the initiation ritual into the circle of seven sorcerers. Past members of the circle of sorcerers once took seven flames from seven different dragon tribes from seven different parts of the world. They were brought together with spells, chants and sacrifice joined as one inferno. All sorcerers swore an oath of secrecy and loyalty once they are chosen, consumed by fire if broken. On Halloween night, the night of the initiation, seven interwoven dragons were burned onto the newest member as an insignia and a reminder of their oath.. Each dragon represented one of men’s seven weaknesses. With magic, the circle of sorcerers used pride, envy, anger, avarice, sloth, gluttony and lust to manipulate and exploit all for their collective benefit.
The oldest of the six sorcerers stepped close to the burning flames. The ground shook spewing a swirling pillar of fire up towards the heavens. He held out a rolled up parchment that contained the name and personal information of his candidate. His hand trembled as he hesitated, closed his eyes, and threw it into the fire. He waited. The response was unexpected. The pain was excruciating and abrupt. He tore at his robes attempting to remove them crying out in agony for assistance. The others didn’t come to his aid as the older wizard threw back his robes revealing his burnt back. The seven tattooed dragons glowed red hot. The skin blistered and bled as his body shook uncontrollably. He fell to his knees clawing at his burnt shirt pleading desperately for forgiveness. Then it was over. He remained motionless dripping in sweat while he regained himself. He said nothing and no one spoke to him as he picked up his robe, returned to his original spot and dressed. It was evident to everyone that his candidate was rejected.
The forest was quiet again except for the sound of the fire churning feeding upon the night.
It was another sorcerer’s turn to submit a candidate.
The six men hesitated. The fire swelled as if ready to engulf the next presenter causing several to turn away and step back. Another elderly wizard stepped forward as he withdrew a parchment from his inside cloak pocket, but a younger tall wizard stopped him.
“Don’t fret, brother, I will submit the next candidate.” The wizard moved forward with even quick steps. He held his head high and confident as he withdrew a parchment from his inside cloak pocket. The other elderly sorcerer returned to his place without an argument. The tall wizard approached the basin stopping only inches away tolerating the intense heat. He gently submitted the application. The ground shook, but the proud sorcerer did not even shudder. He remained stationary as he awaited a decision.
The forest seemed trapped in time. There was no breeze; no movement in the trees and no animal dared venture near the enchanted space. All was quiet and stagnant. The inferno swirled upward resembling ballet dancers in slow movements twisting and turning to a gentle song. The clearing was filled with an eerie silence that made all the sorcerers nervous except for one. The solid stone basin engraved with strange symbols and seven sculptured dragonheads, each different from the rest, looked outward toward seven separate directions. The tall wizard stood erect with his arms at his side like a proud soldier standing at attention. The heat from the fire caused him to sweat, his skin slowly turned red. He neither blinked nor twitched. Only his chest expanded as he breathed deeply tolerating the furnace while anxiously waiting for a response. He tried desperately not to show the apprehension that was beginning to emerge. Stay focused!
Then, without any warning, in one sudden spiral swoosh, the blazing inferno extinguished. A trail of smoke swirled up slowly vanishing into the trees.
None of the six sorcerers reacted. They stood still in their places waiting. The tall sorcerer that stood closest to the stone basin took a long deep breath and lowered his head. With one hand he wiped his face dry free of perspiration and with the other pulled back on his hood. He turned around and faced his wizard brothers. He glanced from one to the other before he finally announced, “My brother wizards,” he smiled as he spoke to them, “we have a new brother. The flame has selected as the seventh member of our circle…”
“Outrageous!” cried a hooded wizard. “This selection will be the downfall of our society!” He stepped forward, his face hidden to all as he addressed the tall sorcerer. “I suspect trickery. I suspect that the application was altered!”
The explosion startled everyone. The ground shook, as the stone basin erupted. Fire violently stretched all the way up past the trees furiously roaring. Heat filled the clearing pushing the sorcerers back.
“I suggest you retract your statement and beg forgiveness,” the tall wizard advised his challenger, “or else you’ll burn for your lack of loyalty.”
The hooded wizard cowered before the inferno sinking to his knees. He cried out for mercy as the volcanic flames intensified belching forth smoke and fire threatening to erupt. Gradually he crawled back on his belly to his original spot daring not to look up.
Slowly the fire quieted thankfully returning to its original intensity. The sorcerers relaxed, and the forgiven wizard stood up remaining silent. The tall wizard stepped forward facing them all again.
“Brothers, the newest member to our circle,” he smiled conceitedly, “is Lord Alex.”
***
Then the image slowly faded as smoke whirled about within the crystal ball until it gradually disappeared. Only the distorted likeness of the inside of Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store reflected off the smooth glass. Jesse was upstairs in his room sound asleep, never realizing that the events that just took place were going to change his world again.
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J. A. Areces