by N. Saraven
“You called?” asked Setal with a voice like honey, which brought Neila back to the present. The Gods always talked in their own language, yet everybody understood them. It was just ‘one of those things’ about them.
“Yes. I would like to ask something.”
“Go on.”
“I assume you also sense the changes in the World’s Power. I want to know what causes it.”
Setal smiled graciously, his gaze sparkled with mirth. No one else would be allowed to speak to him in such a manner as the Master did. But she was unique in his eyes, and because of their history Setal could tolerate it. She has every right to be mad, mused the God. Then he answered.
“Yes, that is true. And an entrance caused it with another world.”
“What?” asked Neila in surprise. “A Rim formed on its own? That is impossible!” She frowned and started to pace around the room.
“No, it is not a Rim; at least, not yet.”
“Not yet …?” asked Neila sarcastically.
“No, not yet. It is very … complicated. A girl … she has some kind of power …”
“Magic?”
“No … that is to say, we could call it that. In her world everything is different. Only humans habit the lands, and they have long forgotten sorcery. Yet she possesses the seed of that power. But alas, because nobody teaches her, and she herself cannot really use those abilities, it is a very … small amount of force.”
“And this means …?” Neila frowned. She had had enough of the God’s condescending explanations. She knew him and his habit of telling nothing but useless things.
“Would you let me finish? These are important things, and I will not ‘tell nothing but useless’,” snapped Setal. Neila’s gaze immediately fell to the floor, and she bit her lower lip. She folded her arms and waited for Setal to continue.
The God’s pealing was accompanied by a great wave of anger, which made the Master of Varomor shiver like a leaf in the wind. As it came, it also disappeared without a trace, however.
“Well …” continued the Protector of Plantlife in a calm manner, “as I said, that girl somehow managed to make a connection to Nimron. I am not fully aware of how, but the connection is there, and we do not know exactly what will be the consequences.”
“Alright … and what will be my role in this …?” asked Neila with a voice like ice. She knew already that whenever the Gods started something, usually it was up to her and her friends to finish it—whether or not the Gods let or made something happen.
“You already know your duties. Collect everything that you can,” said Setal with a fading voice as his figure slowly melted back into the wall.
Neila twisted her mouth. She stared at the empty wall for a few more moments. She had a lot to do, mostly thinking through what she had heard. She was completely lost in her thoughts when she sat down in her armchair. Even after the firewood was long gone, the needing mind fed the fire in the hearth.
The darkness long ruled the lands, yet one of the rooms in the Tower was still lit, as if somebody was working. And the light shone in there for many nights to come.
4. The connection
Neila spent most of her time either in the library of the Tower or in her own room. She had not looked up all the books that mentioned the World’s Power before because there were some that she and Halgor had no time to check out.
The moment the mages decided to take on some apprentices started an ‘avalanche’ of teaching. This then denied them their opportunities to sort the rest of the books which they had missed until that point. So they locked away these items, avoiding them. Regardless, they had never really regretted their decision.
After they finally settled, the Masters’ knowledge-gathering trips lessened. They gobbled up a huge amount of everything that they thought would be of some use, and they had to have help to actually look through all of it. Some were protected by spells or just enchanted to prevent deterioration. Whether the magic was supposed to be harmful or not, the Masters needed to know about them. Finding out what bore which kind of spell truly was long, hard work.
So at the moment, Neila faced such books and scrolls which could be very useful, or possibly dangerous, and only when she used them would she be able tell which …
Desperate times, however … She had no other choice, since the known and safe books proved to be utterly useless in the subject of the World’s Power. She could hardly find anything about the World’s Power itself, and even less about its changes. Probably the mages, who wrote these books, did not know any more than herself.
It was unbelievable yet sadly possible. As she mused upon it, Neila realized that she herself had never learned anything about the World’s Power itself. It was just present, thus accepted by everybody, just as breathing air. Nobody questioned its existence or tried to research it thoroughly. Maybe this was because nobody tried to know more about something which was so ‘essential’ to the magic-users and ‘of what everybody knew everything’. Albeit, nothing could be further from the truth.
Neila’s only consolation was that if Indrek or anybody else in the Order of the Shadows would try to find out something, they would have the same results. Some silver lining, after all.
Neila sighed in dismay. She hoped, at least, then chided herself for not concentrating enough and proceeded with the book she was reading. It was a complicated one, written in a unique language mix, thus somewhat faulty.
‘The World’s Power is from the earth itself, so it is its part as any mountain or rock. If one tries to affect it (like the kobolds did, see volume 2, page 234, par. 4), that would mean the earth’s texture’s changing. This could have never been accomplished so far, because the magus who wants to try a massive spell like this would need many …’
Neila inhaled deeply. As she continued, the rest of the pages were only about what the mage needed—the spells, the physical restrictions, and so on. Nothing further about the most important thing—the World’s Power. She stopped reading with a disappointed scoff. Putting down the book on the big pile on her left, she took another from the few on her right.
In the meantime, the shade stretched far outside in the forest as the Sun slowly descended. Somewhere a bird started an evening song, which found its way through to the open window to the Master. She took the last book almost at the same time that the last of the Sun’s rays disappeared. Neila’s nose almost poked through the paper as she tried to make out the letters in the twilight. Then she realised the problem. With a growled word, the magic-spheres around the room lit up.
Neila at first only blinked in the sudden golden, warm light. After her eyes adjusted, she continued reading. However, the stars had just taken their place in the deep-blue night sky when she angrily threw the book into the big pile next to her. Mumbling to herself, she jumped to her feet and started to pace around. Every time she had the same result: nothing. Nobody knew anything useful, yet they could write pages about that nothingness.
It was in this moment that Halgor arrived. The dark elven looked around in surprise, seeing the chaos in the room and the angry Neila. He stepped gingerly over the books and scrolls on the ground so he could get to her.
“You did not find what you were looking for …?” asked Halgor with an innocent, yet somehow wry tone, which made his mate turn to him.
“There’s nothing useful in these! Garbage, all of them!” snapped Neila. Her golden gaze flared in anger. She furiously picked up a book, threw it into the hearth, then burst it to flames with a thought. She repeated this with another book, then with a third one.
The fire sparked heavily from the impacts. Maybe every one of the items would have had the same fate if Halgor had not stepped in. He firmly grabbed Neila’s wrist when she wanted to throw another book into the flames. She turned her angry gaze to his cold, blue eyes.
“Just because you couldn’t find what you were looking for, do not destroy any of it! We do not know which one is magical. We haven’t searched through them yet,�
� stated Halgor coldly. As an answer, a huge, blue sphere appeared in the hearth, then slowly collapsed with a squeaking sound.
Neila jerked herself free from his grasp. Fury shone in her eyes as she pouted further, although it seemed obvious towards whom she became so upset. The mystery remained how and why those mages, who knew nothing, wrote down that useless knowledge, tricking somebody else with their wise words. They had only managed to waste time—valuable time, which Neila did not have.
She dropped the book, then stared absently at the pile on the floor.
“Maybe I could help, if I knew what you’re looking for?” offered Halgor in a peaceful manner, but Neila only shook her head. “And him? He also told nothing?” He motioned with his head at the empty wall in the library.
This made Neila look at him searchingly.
She knew Halgor would never speak Setal’s name out loud, and not just because he did not serve the God of Plantlife. This statement was true of all Creators. She could not even imagine, for that matter, that the elven would serve anybody by choice. On the other hand, there was something, a peculiar connection between the dark mage and the God of Good, about which Neila knew close to nothing. And of which she would want to know everything. But even Setal avoided to share the truth with her, when she dared to ask in that one dream.
Neila thought about it many times because she had the feeling that it would be better if she knew. According to the logical solution, something must have happened between them at the chaotic end of the third Dragonwar. She did not have many memories of that era, only flashes—she being dispirited, some battles which might have happened, and the feeling of decisions. Neila knew for sure that she did everything for victory. Otherwise they would not be there at all. But she just could not recall the ‘hows’, as if her mind took a holiday during that period of time.
Maybe the worst part of it all was that nobody wanted to enlighten her, no matter how many times she asked. From the behaviour of Setal and Halgor, Neila got the conclusion that they probably had some kind of an Agreement. Maybe with Lexénia even, the Goddess of Evil and Death.
Overall, only one thing remained sure—since then Halgor had never, ever spoken of Setal. Or of the other three …
So when the elven asked about the God so directly, it was more than odd.
“No, not much,” she answered, narrowing her eyes. “I only got a hunch. Why?”
“You made me very curious about what you are doing lately. Like, why do you give your classes to Eryn, where do you disappear sometimes, or … why don’t we sleep in the same room …?”
As he spoke, with one motion he put out the fire in the hearth.
He is as nosy as a child. And he worries, Neila thought, which made her smile inside.
When they created the Tower, they agreed that Neila’s bedroom would be their joined sleeping room, but Halgor would also have a lair for himself. A small room in which he could be alone if he needed. Although, in the last busy days Neila had technically exiled Halgor there, which he obviously did not take that well. At first he tolerated it, but today was the day when he had had enough.
“I’m working on something,” replied Neila with a frisky smile. Lust sparkled in her eyes.
Halgor took that as an invite, so he stepped closer and, as patiently as he could, held her close then kissed her neck. Slowly, intimately, his lips moved up and down on her skin, as his arms started to wander on her body as well.
Neila felt melting inside. Her skin tingled, her heart started to throb faster and faster, not to mention her knees suddenly wobbled. She gave a silent moan, as she tilted her head just to give him more room. Her eyes closed halfway as she let the pleasure overwhelm her, yet just before she closed them entirely, a title caught her attention. The relation between magic and the worlds she read, involuntarily, which seemed a very bad habit at the moment.
She snapped out of her mood immediately. Pushing Halgor away, she moved to pick up the book from the floor.
She started to read the title; her golden gaze flew along the rows. She felt Halgor’s angry stare, albeit he said nothing. Although his too-deep breaths meant that she probably would not want to hear what he thought right now …
Regardless, Neila could not care less, even though regret filled her heart. Halgor obviously could hardly hold himself back about the brutal rejection. Yet he somehow managed to stay silent, which made her very grateful. She too knew that side of the story—when the elven was so in the zone, nothing else mattered. Literally …
As Neila started to read the chapter, suddenly everything became clear, as if somebody who understood the happenings stood beside her, explaining. She now knew that she was on the right track, although she could not work out how she missed this earlier.
Abruptly, the golden gaze halted. She read something over and over again, then she looked up, completely absent.
Halgor, who had watched her silently so far, now stepped forwards, which made Neila wince and shut the book. She clearly completely forgot about his presence. Then, still dismissing the elven’s frown and demanding stare, she gave an apologetic smile and stormed out of the library. She left the book on a table though, so Halgor grabbed it immediately. He could peek the page number before Neila shut it, so the pages now whirled fast among his fingers. When he found the place, he started to read.
At first, the dark mage could not find anything odd.
‘Between two worlds, the shortest route is a Rim. But there are other connections, which could be created by men, or by nature. These are not as stable as a Rim, and none can go through at first. But if one has the potential and the will, they could create such a passage without any former study in the subject. This passage can be strengthened to a Rim, if the will still stands and …’
Halgor did not understand at first. Then realisation struck him like lightning. So this was the reason she wanted to speak about the changes in the World’s Power! he thought. But how …? he asked himself, then he reread the paragraph.
‘… if one has the potential and the will, they could create such a passage without any former study in the subject …’
The mage just stared at the opened door, stunned. His thoughts swirled in his mind like a tornado; his momentary freeze was replaced by cold logic.
He reached out with his mind to find Neila, who currently visited Eryn in his room. She most likely sent an impulse to the wraith about her arrival first, and now they discussed the classes and such things. Not even a unique situation like this could make Neila dismiss her students.
Halgor told Neila telepathically that he would wait for her in the study, so they could talk things over. Then he mumbled a word and disappeared.
5. Growing unease
The bell rang, meaning that school was over for the day.
Rita quickly picked up her things, put on her jumper, then walked out of the classroom as fast as she could. She stormed down the stairs and did not even care when she almost pushed down a fellow student, or when she bumped into a teacher. She quickly mumbled “sorry” and hurried away. She also dismissed the frowns and insults she got behind her back. Rita wanted to be free, whatever it took. When she got out, she sighed in relief.
“Finally, freedom!” she whispered under her breath. But as soon as she started forwards, she heard a shout behind her. Turning, she saw Anna, who tried to reach her through the billowing students.
“Whoa, finally I caught you. You were as fast as a hunting halcyon,” panted Anna as they started forwards. Rita only smiled, so Anna continued. “Is everything alright, my dear?”
Rita gave her a searching side look. They became inseparable from the first minute they had met. Indi most probably had an Indian heritage, which made her features exotic and rare. She was seven inches shorter than Rita’s five feet eight, and a good forty pounds heavier. Yet nobody could say that she was not pleasing to the eye. Indi had an open, friendly gaze, and a beautiful smile, paired with stylishly short black hair.
When the silence
stretched uncomfortably long, Rita forced a happy, easy smile and replied in a relaxed voice.
“Yeah, of course. I’m fiiine,” she said almost sing-songy, which only made Anna raise one eyebrow. She could not be deceived just like that.
“Bah, look at you! You look like you got in and out of Hell and beyond. Also, you almost fall asleep in classes, you obviously don’t study enough, and so on. What’s wrong? You can tell me.”
“Yeah … I am a lot more tired these days …” Rita sighed absently as she looked both ways before they crossed a road. Then they started for the bus stop and waited silently for the vehicle. Seemingly Rita did not notice this; her gaze became cloudy, as if she were not concentrating on the present at all. Finally she spoke again, almost startling Indi, who watched her closely the whole time.
“I don’t know what’s wrong, Indi. I just … something’s changed in me. I can’t fit in anymore, I don’t belong here …”
“But in the fantasy world.”
“But in the fantasy world …” repeated Rita distantly.
Anna stared at her surprised, as if she could not believe her ears. Her friend’s seriousness put fear in her eyes. She opened her mouth, but the bus had arrived, so they got on. Anna made their way to the back with good routine, elbowing through the crowd. Rita followed her like a puppet, completely absent.
Rita moved like a robot, not noticing when she almost got knocked over by another person who tried to find a good spot to stand on the crowded vehicle. She only felt the peculiar Feeling bubbling up again, just like in the school before. The air seemed to shimmer around her, so she shook her head to get rid of the phenomenon. When she looked up, however, everything was gone—she could not see the bus, nor the people in it. All her other senses sharpened as she glared into the grey nothingness around her.