“He then prepared himself to make one last journey. Before he left, he let the keeper and guardians know that he had a vision that made it clear to him a wielder would someday come to the keep and return the golden chest. When this happened, the keep would serve its purpose of expanding the knowledge of the ambience in the land once again. Faldor then left his keep, never to be seen or heard from again.”
Traven and Studell sat in silence as the keeper finished his tale of the great wielder Faldor. Traven didn’t know how to respond. The story had answered many of his questions but left many more unanswered. In fact, the tale had created numerous new questions in his mind that he hadn’t even contemplated before. Eldridge smiled at the two of them.
“So here I am today, the eighth keeper of Faldor’s Keep,” he stated.
“The eighth?” Studell exclaimed in surprise. “But you said the first keeper was here nearly a thousand years ago.”
It took a second for Traven to realize why Studell was so surprised. Then it dawned on him. If Eldridge was only the eighth keeper that would mean that each keeper had been at the keep for over a hundred years! People didn’t live that long. The oldest person he had ever heard of was in his eighties. Often people would live into their late sixties and early seventies. Some lived to their early eighties but to live beyond that was unheard of.
“You heard me correctly,” Eldridge said with an even bigger smile. “I am one hundred and forty years old.”
Traven and Studell cast unbelieving glances at one another. Was that even possible?
“You have no doubt heard that the wielders had longer life spans than regular humans,” the keeper continued. “Some of the greatest wielders lived to be almost two hundred years old. When Faldor created the monument in the courtyard and embedded the ‘longevity stone’ in it, it created a time womb around the entire keep. Those of us who live within its reach somehow only age one year for every two that pass by. I was brought to the keep when I was thirty years old. Since then one hundred and ten years have passed by, and I have only aged to the ripe age of eighty-five. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I will live much longer.”
Traven just stared at the ancient man in silence. It was difficult to imagine that someone could live so long.
“I think it is well past the time for me to find my successor,” Eldridge muttered. He then turned a penetrating look directly at Traven. “I feel incredibly blessed to be the keeper to see Faldor’s vision fulfilled.”
The keeper’s intense gaze made Traven feel uncomfortable. He still didn’t understand what was expected of him. Eldridge thought he was this master wielder that Faldor had seen in a vision a thousand years ago. While he was a wielder, he was definitely not a master wielder. In fact, it seemed as though he could hardly wield the ambience at all without passing out.
“I’m sorry,” Traven replied while shaking his head. “I wish that I was this master wielder that Faldor said would come to the keep, but I’m not. I don’t think I’ll ever be a master wielder. I can’t do much more than create a flame without blacking out.”
“Nonsense boy, nonsense,” the ancient keeper said. “You don’t have a clue as to what you are talking about. Professor Studell told me last night that you haven’t even been wielding the ambience for more than a few weeks. Do you realize what you created in the great hall last night?”
Traven just stared back at the keeper. He had passed out in the great hall the night before. That was what he had done.
“You created a ball of liquid fire!” Eldridge seemed incredibly excited about that fact, though Traven didn’t know why. “Only very powerful wielders could create something with substance and hold it for as long as you did. And even those powerful wielders wouldn’t have been able to do what you did without months of training first. Sure, you did pass out, but first you created something incredible.”
Traven wondered if it was true. Did he really have the ability to become a master wielder? If what he had created the night before was as difficult to create as Eldridge had suggested, perhaps there was hope for him. However, it was always hard for him to do anything more than create a flame. When he created other things, he was always left exhausted or would pass out.
“Why do I keep passing out?” Traven asked.
“The ambience draws upon the strength of the wielder. Wielding the ambience is in a sense like using a muscle. You have to exercise a muscle in order for it to grow stronger. The more you wield, the stronger your ability to wield the ambience will become. For now, it will be best for you to practice on things that are not too demanding.”
“That’s the problem,” Traven responded, slightly frustrated. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what’s supposed to be easy and what’s supposed to be hard.” Eldridge let out a chuckle.
“That’s why you are here Traven. While you could probably learn best from a fellow wielder as his apprentice, I am the next best teacher. For over a hundred years I have been studying the books in the keep’s library that explain what the ambience is, how to control it, and what can be done with it. I know all of the theories and specifics of how the ambience is supposed to work. I will train and guide you.” He paused and looked into Traven’s eyes, very directly once again. “I will guide you, giving you the knowledge I have been entrusted with. This keep and the sacrifices of the council that once resided here will fulfill their purposes. You will become a master wielder!”
All three sat in silence once again as Eldridge finished speaking. Traven still had his doubts, but now there was also a growing sense of excitement welling up inside. He would soon be able to understand the power that resided within him. He would learn to control a magic that most people didn’t even believe existed. He would learn to wield and control the ambience.
13
“When would you like to begin your training?” Eldridge asked.
“Why not right now?” Traven responded eagerly. The keeper began laughing.
“How about after lunch?” the elderly man said. “Meet me in the great hall at midday. After we have eaten, your training can begin. For now, I think it best that we rest.”
Traven stood up to show that he was strong enough to start immediately. He kept a straight face, refusing to cringe at the pounding in his head.
“I’m fine,” he said. “We can start right now.”
“I wasn’t as worried about you as I was about myself,” the keeper replied with a small smile. “I’m a fairly old man. After telling such a story I need a rest.” Traven’s face reddened as he helped the ancient keeper to his feet.
“Midday it is,” he said with an apologetic smile.
He followed Eldridge to the door as the keeper shuffled out of the room. He then closed the door and slumped back down in a chair with his eyes closed. He hoped the headache would go away soon. He wondered if Eldridge might know how to take care of the headaches. That was one of the first things he should ask about when they started to train. For now, he would do as the keeper had suggested and rest.
“It’s all just so fascinating!” Studell exclaimed, startling Traven. “It really is all true. I knew it. I always knew it! We are so lucky to have found Faldor’s Keep. Do you have any idea how much lost knowledge there is in the library here?”
Traven smiled and opened an eye. It was obvious that the excited philosopher was eager to get back to the library and look through the books there.
“There’s no need for you to wait here with me,” Traven told him. “Go ahead and go to the library.”
“Oh that sounds like a great idea,” Studell said as he hopped up and headed to the door. “I’ll see you later.”
Traven smiled to himself as the door shut. It appeared that Studell’s dreams had come true. He had found a treasure trove of knowledge. He had found the treasure he had been looking for. Traven was happy for the philosopher.
He closed his eyes again and leaned back in his chair, pondering his situation. He was excited to learn how to use the ambie
nce but still confused and nervous about what the future held for him. A year ago he had been nothing but a simple woodcutter living with his grandparents in a tiny village at the edge of Kalia. He had been nothing special, just a commoner trying to earn a living. Over the last year he had traveled across Kalia, fought bandits, become an excellent swordsman, had brief stints in a merchant academy and the army, rescued a princess, and found out that he was a wielder. Just recalling all that had happened in the past year caused his head to swim.
Who was he really? He still often thought of himself as a young, simple woodcutter experiencing the world outside his village for the first time. For awhile he had thought of himself as a student and most recently as a soldier. Now he wasn’t sure what to think. He had found out that he was a wielder only a couple of weeks ago. Now he was being told that he would become a master wielder. He wasn’t certain if that would happen or not, but what if it really did?
He supposed now he would begin training in the ambience and learn what he was truly capable of. It appeared that he wouldn’t be returning to Calyn on the Arrow or joining back up with the Royal Army any time soon. Instead of standing on the beach waiting to be picked up in a week, he would be learning an all but extinct form of power.
So who was he now and what would he become? What would be expected of him as a wielder? He wondered if he would end up spending years studying in the keep, mastering different aspects of the ambience. He could make Faldor’s Keep his new home. Eldridge had said that he was the heir to the keep. Did that really mean it was now his? He dismissed the thought. It was no more his than it was the keeper’s or the guardians’. It was merely a place to house those guarding the secrets of the ambience and those learning the secrets.
How long would he be a guest here? He could technically spend the rest of his life within its walls growing in knowledge. However, he knew that wouldn’t happen. He would learn to control his newfound power and then leave when the time was right. How long that would be, he didn’t know. But he was sure of one thing. When he did leave the keep he wouldn’t be leaving it as a commoner or a simple soldier. He would be leaving it as a wielder of the ambience.
He shifted in the chair and tried to get comfortable. He also tried to clear his racing mind. His headache had not gotten any better, and he wanted to rest before he began his training. He hoped sleep would relieve most of the pain. He thought of getting up and lying down on his bed, but before he made the effort to do it, he was fast asleep in the armchair.
Traven woke up several hours later without a headache but feeling famished. He looked outside and saw that it was just past midday. He hurriedly straightened himself up and made his way down to the great hall. He looked through the large open doors and saw Eldridge sitting towards the front, already eating. He hurried across the hall to join him but paused when he saw the table behind the keeper. There was a huge hole in the middle of it and an indentation in the solid stone floor underneath. He flushed with embarrassment at the vague memory of his ball of liquid fire dropping through the table and crashing to the ground just as he had passed out.
“No more liquid fire in the keep,” Eldridge announced with a large smile, seeing what Traven was staring at. “If you want to practice that, you better do it outside.”
Traven was relieved to see that the keeper wasn’t upset about it. He would need to remember to be more careful no matter what situation he found himself in.
“Hurry up boy,” Eldridge said. “Your food is getting cold.”
Traven quickly sat down next to the keeper and began eating the lukewarm soup and the large hunk of bread that were waiting for him. Eldridge finished his meal before Traven, having already eaten most of it before he had arrived.
“I’ve been thinking about where to start,” Eldridge said while Traven continued eating. “I should probably start with an explanation of what the ambience is. What do you know of it?”
“Not much,” Traven replied between mouthfuls. “All I really know is that it’s magic. I’ve heard some stories of how powerful it can be, but that’s about it.”
“Fascinating!”
“What?” Traven asked confusedly.
“You don’t really know anything about the power you have, and yet you are able to wield it anyway. Most wielders had to be taught how to use their power by someone who already knew. However, you, like some of the greatest wielders of the past, have taught yourself.”
“Not really,” Traven answered as he finished up his meal. “I don’t really know what I’m doing.”
“What you mean is that you don’t understand what you are doing,” the keeper corrected. “You know what you’re doing. I’m fairly certain you meant to create the flame last night and meant for it to grow into a ball of liquid fire. You have incredible instincts. Let me try and help you understand how you do what you do.”
The ancient man pushed the bowls aside and turned to face Traven. His excitement to finally be able to share his knowledge was easily recognizable and made him seem younger than he was.
“The power and ability to wield the ambience is something that certain people are born with. The ability is not entirely random. The children of wielders were more likely to possess the ability than children of non-wielders, so there is some type of inheritance to it. However, no one knows for sure who will end up with the power and who will not. The power is not manifest until sometime near adulthood. The dormant power that the wielder was born with unexpectedly bursts to life. The wielder suddenly notices a difference in the world around him. He sees sharper, hears better, and is stronger. All of his senses are enhanced. When this change occurs, it signals that he can now wield the ambience. This change is known as the wielder’s awakening.
“When the wielder’s awakening occurs, the power to wield the ambience is no longer dormant. The wielder has the ‘power’ to manipulate the world around him using the ambience. However, the actual ‘ability’ to wield the ambience needs to be learned. Otherwise, a wielder may never use the special power that he has been born with. If the power is not used, it begins to fade over time until even the wielder’s passive abilities of heightened senses and longevity fade to almost nothing.
“However, if the power is used often, it will continue to grow stronger and stronger until the wielder’s power eventually peaks. Every wielder peaks at a different level of power in the ambience. Some will have great power when they reach their peak while others may only be able to ever perform the most simple of tasks.”
Traven thought back over the last year wondering when his awakening had occurred. Had it been when he saved the Princess? He remembered feeling his senses heightened when he had woken up after the incident in the cave. It was from that moment on that he had started to use the ambience. However, thinking back further, he realized that his senses had been heightened even before the incident in the cave. In fact, he had felt different ever since the day he had left home for the merchant academy, ever since he had suddenly blacked out. Eldridge hadn’t mentioned anything about blacking out when the awakening occurred.
“Do wielder’s usually black out when the awakening occurs?” he asked.
“No,” the keeper replied. “I’ve never heard of a wielder blacking out when his awakening occurred. It is usually a very exciting experience. The wielder is suddenly filled with energy and vitality, and the world opens up to him like he has never experienced it before. Isn’t that how it was for you?”
“Not even close,” Traven answered. “I blacked out and fell off my horse.” Eldrige gave him a very confused look.
Why had it not been such a great experience for him? Why had he passed out when other wielders hadn’t? He did remember feeling different when he woke up and got back on his horse, but he hadn’t been filled with energy and wonder. His senses had been heightened, but that was all that had happened except for his father’s stone changing from blue to amber.
Thinking of the stone, he was reminded of the keeper’s earlier story about the cre
ation of the might stones. The first might stone ever created had been blue. Eldridge had said when the wielders had approached it, it had begun to glow an amber color. It seemed that his father’s might stone and the stone from the story were one and the same. What had the stone ever done for him but burn him on multiple occasions? What special magic had the stone had?
“Eldridge,” Traven began. “I used to have a might stone that turned from blue to amber the day my awakening occurred. It remained amber for the remainder of the time I had it. I was wondering if it was the first might stone created and what powers it had.”
“The stone you are referring to is the ‘protection stone’. It is the only might stone that changes from blue to amber. You had it in your possession?” Eldrige asked.
“Yes, I used to wear it on a cord around my neck.”
“No wonder you blacked out when you had your awakening,” Eldridge chuckled. “It all makes sense now.” The keeper shook his head, laughing for a few moments before going on. “The protection stone was one of the most useful stones in defending the keep from the dark wielders. It was found to negate the ambience. Whoever held it could not be touched by the ambience. Of course, it worked in reverse as well. Whoever held the protection stone couldn’t wield the ambience either.” Eldridge paused to let Traven realize the implications of the stone’s power. “When you had your awakening, the stone immediately began blocking you from using your new power. That must have been the reason you blacked out.”
At least that explained some of what Traven had experienced after his awakening. He was relieved to know it was the might stone that had caused him to pass out and that there wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with him.
“The stone also burned me several times,” Traven said. “What would cause it to do that?”
“The protection stone gets hotter and glows brighter as it takes more and more of the ambience into itself. That is how the stone negates the effects of the ambience,” the keeper explained. “So my guess would be that the stone could burn the bearer of it if they were trying to use the ambience or perhaps if someone was trying to use the ambience against them.” He stopped and thought about something for a moment. “You mentioned that you used to have it. Where is the protection stone now?”
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