by B. T. Narro
“The boys knew.” Michael gave me a quick look. “I guess we’ve been more separated from each other than we’ve realized. I didn’t know much about anyone in the better-looking group over here.” He gestured at the four girls standing near each other.
“We haven’t had any chance to get to know each other because Leon makes us train all day,” Aliana complained.
“I’ve gotten to know Eden,” Charlie chirped.
“True,” Eden said. “Only because Leon lets us do whatever we want so long as Jennava approves.”
“There is something to be said about that.” Kataleya spoke almost apologetically.
Eden rolled her eyes. “And I thought we were having a moment as a group.”
“We’re not quite there,” Kataleya said more coldly this time. “If anyone could get a callring into the castle without anyone knowing, it’s you, Eden. You’re also the one who knew about them. You and Charlie, but he’s clearly innocent.”
“You could’ve brought one in since the beginning,” Eden retorted.
“I’m sure the king had Barrett search our rooms at some point after we arrived,” Kataleya said.
“If that’s true, you still could’ve brought one after we came back from solitude.”
“He probably searched our rooms again then. He has keys to all our rooms. Only you and Charlie have the freedom to leave the castle and come back when you want, though I expect that to change now.”
“We don’t have that freedom,” Eden said. “Leon still keeps track of us, right Charlie?”
“He does,” Charlie said. “So does Jennava.”
“Yes, she’s around all the time,” Eden told Kataleya. “Also, all of you are practicing in the courtyard. How many times have you seen me leaving?”
“At least once,” Kataleya said. “A few days ago.”
“Just once!” Eden corrected her.
“You could’ve brought the callring in then. My point is that I never had the chance, and neither did Aliana or Remi. Only you have, you and Charlie, but we know it’s not him.”
“God above, I told you later I went to visit my mother. I hadn’t seen her in a while. Aliana’s done the same thing more than I have.”
“Not for a while, right Ali?” Kataleya asked.
“It has been a while since I’ve seen her,” Aliana confirmed.
There wasn’t much daylight left. On one hand, I was glad to see everyone taking this more seriously, but on the other, it seemed like they had forgotten what I told them before.
“Look,” I said to interrupt. “We’re not going to prove who used the callring to signal our enemies. I said so from the beginning, and I still believe it. We were to use this time just to figure out who is surely innocent. Now we should use this time to search for Eslenda, or at least practice. We don’t often get to the forest. Soon we’re going to have to make camp anyway. If some of you still want to discuss this, we can do so then. Does everyone agree?”
“Jon’s right,” Michael said. “We already know it could be any of us, except Jon and Charlie.”
“I just want to say one more thing,” Eden announced.
“What?” I asked.
“We don’t need to find Eslenda, because she’s been watching us for a while now.”
Shocked, I looked around, but I didn’t see anyone.
“Yeah, I could feel her ordia. I thought Aliana was going to say something. You don’t sense her?”
“I was a little busy earlier.” Aliana closed her eyes, then quickly opened them again. “Yeah. Eslenda?” She turned toward a tree about ten yards from us.
Eslenda’s illusion slowly fell away. The elf appeared blurry at first, her pointed ears sprouting out of her light hair as she came into focus. She wore an expression of annoyance, her green eyes deep and wise.
“Oh, that’s how we find her,” Michael said sarcastically. “We just needed to have a very private conversation.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“How long have you been there, Eslenda?” I asked.
“Long enough to know that one of you is betraying the rest but you don’t know who. Why are you in the forest?” Her words were clear, though her elvish accent made her speech sound melodic.
“We were looking for you,” I told her.
“It is late.”
“Yes, it is,” I replied. “Are you aware of what Cason has been doing in the capital?”
“No, I have been watching the forest for troops from Rohaer. I leave the dark mages in Lycast to the rest of you, and that’s how it will remain.”
“Why is that?” Eden asked a little rudely. “Cason will attack soon, or he will leave. If you really care about Lycast, like you seem to, you would come back with us and help us defend the city at least until he’s gone. There will be plenty of time after to watch the forest for troops from Rohaer.”
“I do not know what you have against me, young one, but I do not approve of your tone. I have remained here in the forest because I am needed. If I am more needed elsewhere, I will go there. I will leave you all right now if you only came here to show disrespect.”
Wanting to placate the two of them, I quickly spoke up. “I think Eden is only suggesting that we focus on our enemies in Lycast, then in Rohaer after Cason is gone.”
“I would think the king has explained this to you,” Eslenda said. “Guarding the forest must be done for it is the only path into Lycast from Rohaer. I expect them to come soon.”
“Why would you expect that?” Eden asked.
“Because they cannot sustain their army much longer. They must move and pillage. They will send another army of soldiers, this one much larger than the other. They will take one of the weaker cities, probably Koluk. Many will die.”
“Were you even going to come tell us about the last group?” Eden asked, sounding accusatory.
“I had figured the king would’ve known of them, but seeing as how you had to convince him to attack, yes I will bring your king news of any trespassers from Rohaer. But I will not leave the forest until I am sure Rohaer will not come, or if I can trust someone else to be here.”
“That’s fine,” I assured her. “We didn’t come here to recruit you.” I knew that was one of her fears. It was why she refused to meet the king. She fought for herself, or perhaps for her people. I still didn’t know. All I did know was that she didn’t take orders from the king and never would.
“It is late,” she repeated, “sundown soon. What do you require?”
“We came to learn about illusions.” I suddenly realized it was strange that Eden had pointed out Eslenda to the rest of us, and not Aliana. Had Eden, as an enchanter, sensed the illusion somehow?
“Illusions are complicated,” Eslenda said, then had a breath to show her frustration. “I am busy.”
“With what?” Eden challenged. “What are you doing all the time?”
“Protecting. Watching. There are two wars, young enchanter. Yours and the demigods’. The forest is…I’m not sure how to say it. An area of importance that you don’t understand.”
“Are you a demigod?” Charlie asked.
“No. Who are you? We have not met.”
“Charles Spayker. I’m a metal mage. People call me Charlie.”
“And you?” Eslenda pointed at Reuben.
“Reuben Langston.” He bowed. “I’m a mage of order, training to be a harbinger and enchanter, and perhaps a ranger as well.”
“What?” Aliana asked. “You can track?”
“Yes. Low-Lower B is in my range.”
“It’s in mine as well,” Eden said, “but that doesn’t mean I can feel anything with it.”
“Well I can, a little,” Reuben said.
I wasn’t sure I believed him. “Why haven’t you mentioned anything about it?” I asked.
“Because I still have to practice before it will be useful.” He glanced around at us, as we all seemed to have the same shocked expression.
“What?” he asked.
&n
bsp; “If you’re telling the truth, then why haven’t you bragged about it before?” Kataleya asked.
“I don’t brag about anything.”
“Then what do you call it?” Kataleya asked skeptically.
“I state the truth when it is relevant.”
I was as surprised as everyone. Although it was hard to accept, I really did believe that Reuben thought he never bragged.
Eslenda interrupted, “I have heard enough about all of you for today. What do you wish to know about illusions, Jon?”
“Cason has been using illusions to escape, and I know stopping him is important to you even if you aren’t searching for him. Right?”
“Yes, Cason must be stopped.”
“We came here to learn how to perform an illusion, but also how to detect one.”
“Certainly not all of you have the range to cast an illusion?” Eslenda asked.
“Only Jon,” Charlie said. “It’s a spell of ordia and vtalia. Reuben and Eden have the range for the ordia part, but neither of them can reach uF, like Jon can, but Jon hasn’t been practicing ordia. It’s doubtful he will learn the illusion in time. The king requires someone—”
“Ahh!” Michael interrupted with a scream.
“What does the king require?” Kataleya asked, her gaze bouncing around among us. “Oh,” she said with disappointment. “I suppose I’m still the prime suspect? Well, in that case it seems obvious that the king wants Jon to learn an illusion so he can spy on my father. I think if the king was really worried about me finding out, he would’ve imprisoned me in my room for longer. It’s not like I’m going to have any means of contacting my father until we find out who the traitor is anyway. You can relax, all of you.”
“It would take very long for anyone to learn an illusion, especially a young sorcerer like you, Jon,” Eslenda said.
“How long?”
“Weeks, most likely. It is one of the most difficult spells to cast and especially difficult to maintain.”
“How much more difficult than Heal with three notes?”
“You can really cast Purify?” she asked with heavy doubt.
So that’s what it’s called. “Yes.”
She seemed to be in thought as she stared at me. “Then you might learn faster. Maybe one week. But I don’t understand why you came here. I cannot help you with your problems. You must train on your own.”
“I plan to. I just need to understand how it works first.”
“No one knows in the castle?”
We shook our heads.
“Your group has so much to learn.” She spoke disappointedly. “And so little time. What of that man who fought with us? Blond hair. Older.”
“Leon,” I answered.
“He is a strong sorcerer. Doesn’t he teach you?”
“He doesn’t know anything about illusions.” I felt like it was important to repeat something. “Cason is using them constantly. There must be something you can tell us to help us catch him when he uses one.”
“Yes, there must be something, I agree.” I didn’t know why she appeared to be confused if she agreed, but then she made it clear. “I have used illusions for many years. It has been a long time since I have thought about them. It is late. I am tired. I will instruct you tomorrow. Make camp here and wait for me.”
Aliana asked, “Are there any dangerous creatures that come around here?”
I was sure she was referring to the cantar that had tried to kill me.
“Yes, there are many dangerous creatures. Sleep light.”
“Great,” Michael said.
*****
We set a fire and got our sleeping rolls in place. I noticed that the girls didn’t bother sleeping around Kataleya like they said they would. No one slept near anyone else.
Kataleya had stopped us to prove that there was a greater chance Aliana was the traitor, but I felt even more confused than before. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well that night, and from the rustling I heard of my peers, they didn’t, either. I wasn’t the only one who sat up during the night a few times just to make sure everyone was still here.
The girls did stick together in the morning, all going off together for about an hour as we boys kept to ourselves while we had a bite to start the day. Even Charlie didn’t seem to be in the mood to talk, as he sat on a rock and read, though I did see him get up and speak with Reuben later. The two of them muttered to each other for a while.
I was glad I had taken the time before we left to return the book I’d borrowed from the library. One of these days I might have time to sit down and read about mana. For now, I worked on reaching the low notes of ordia. I had brought my vibmtaer and color chart knowing I would be practicing much of the day.
I already missed the comfort of the castle, such as my bed and morning bath. My breakfast was lacking as well. But nothing could compare to the benefit of training in the forest. Leon told us that the natural dvinia of Curdith Forest allowed for a better connection between mind and mana. That benefit extended a little farther out from the forest, which is why we trained in the mountains nearby before our first test. That offered a little of the benefit without any of the danger.
Eventually the girls came back, and Eslenda was with them. They didn’t seem comfortable in each other’s company as they walked with a wide berth between all of them.
“What’s going on?” Reuben asked. “Did you discuss something?”
The girls looked at one another. Eden answered. “Just leave it alone. It’s not important. We found Eslenda. She’s ready.”
“Eslenda,” Charlie asked, “how long have you been casting?”
“Decades,” she said.
“You don’t look old. Are you, though?”
“I am.”
“Why aren’t there other elves here?” Charlie went on.
No one stopped him as we looked at Eslenda and waited for an answer.
“That is not important right now. I am busy, like I said.”
“Just one more question then,” Charlie pleaded.
“If it is important.”
“It’s about Eden.”
“Uh,” Eden grumbled. But she quieted to let Charlie finish.
“llG is in her range,” he continued, his words coming as a surprise to me. Low-Lower G was mtalia, Charlie’s specialty. It was the note he focused on to melt and harden metal.
He finished his question, “Why is it that I can use llG to alter metal but Eden cannot?”
“Oh,” Eden said, sounding somewhat relieved the question wasn’t something else.
“And Reuben can track, like Aliana, but he’s not nearly as good,” Charlie said. “It takes him much more practice to reach Aliana’s level. Leon doesn’t know why. He said some people are just better than others at certain spells. Jennava doesn’t know, either.”
“Jennava?” Eslenda asked.
“Our other instructor.”
I added, “She fought with us in the forest. She led the group from the north.”
“Oh yes,” Eslenda said. “The one helping with ordia. These sorcerers told me.” She gestured at the girls. “All of you have been failed by those who know more than you, but I think I may fail you as well. I have been a sorcerer for too long, as they have. I have forgotten what it was to learn, and I do not know how to teach. I only know how to cast. How would you teach someone how to run? You run for them and hope they see. That’s all I can do. I do not know the answers to your questions, young one.” She spoke to Charlie. “I just know you must spend many hours working on your abilities. Some people are more naturally skilled with certain notes, but I do believe that everyone can learn any note in their range. Some just take more time.”
“And I’m not interested in melting metal,” Eden told Charlie. “I’d rather practice my enchanting.”
“Jon, do you understand what I’m saying?” Eslenda asked me. “I am talking to you as well.”
“I understand, but I don’t believe it. I’m sure you can teach m
e something more than telling me to practice.”
“A little, but not much. Do not expect a lesson, only some guidance. I will cast illusions for you many times now, and then I must go. You can become familiar with them from watching me. Then you will be familiar with Cason when he uses one, even if you cannot make one yourself.”
“At least give me a few hours,” I tried.
“Hours? It is not my responsibility to teach you anything.”
“No, but you wish to protect the kingdom, like we do. By helping us, you will also help to protect the kingdom.”
“An illusion is tiring. I do not have the stamina or the patience to keep it up for long. There is another way to identify it, however, besides feeling the ordia, as this enchanter did.” She gestured at Eden.
“How else?” I asked.
“By simply casting Identify on the person using the illusion.”
“Oh, of course!” Charlie sounded perturbed. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Michael asked Eslenda, “Can you remind us what Identify does? I know, but maybe others need a reminder.”
Charlie jumped in to explain. “Identify is a spell used on enchantments to decipher the enchantment. Using the spell informs the caster about the enchantment. The stronger the spell of Identify, the clearer the message. So that means an illusion is a type of enchantment!” He sounded excited about this idea.
“Yes, it is a temporary enchantment,” Eslenda agreed.
“But how could we cast Identify on someone who is cloaked by an illusion if we can’t see them?” I asked Eslenda. “Can the spell be casted in a wide range?”
“No,” Eslenda said. “You must direct the spell at something as you consider that thing.”
“Consider it?” I asked.
“As you ponder what enchantment might exist,” she clarified.
“I’m not going to have time to look around in every direction for a cloaked Cason and cast a spell of ordia. I’ll be fighting or running.”
“I understand that,” she said, her eyes tight with annoyance. “I am explaining the problem. There is no counter to a spell of cloaking. But it is a spell of extreme concentration. Even I cannot cloak while I fight. Running would be difficult as well without allowing the spell to break.”