by Ravek Hunter
The final obligation was to purify the block anvil. Akakios took a wide-bladed knife one of his acolytes handed to him and plunged it into the heart of the pig tied to the anvil. With one sharp squealing shriek and a few conclusive twitches and kicks from the pig, its living blood flowed over the hard stone block, a final sacrifice to Kronos.
The ritual complete, the crowd in the courtyard cheered and congratulated Kyros and Theokleia on their new forge. Kyros was genuinely appreciative, and Theokleia reflected the joy of her husband. Servants appeared, and the pig was untied from the anvil and taken to the kitchen to prepare its meat for the feast of celebration that would occur that evening, while its bones and fat would be returned to burn in the hearth to complete the ceremony.
The Ritual of Flames had taken Akakios’s mind off of dreams for a while and brought him among people to socialize. He was more than a little pleased with the distraction. Akakios and his acolytes stayed just a short while among the celebrants before they departed for the temple. He was eager to see the Hierophant and work out what to do about these dreams . . .
Chapter 2
Ἀτλαντίς
Graduation
The Imperial Order of Wizards, as the purveyors of magic are known in Atlantis, fancy themselves quite the organized and disciplined collection of intellectuals. Over the years I played for them and Demonstrated my own sorcerous skills for their entertainment. Although they seemed decidedly unimpressed with each presentation, it felt more like a jealous acknowledgment of superior competence in a craft that for them was entirely dependent upon a bunch of rocks. I must admit, to their credit, that they were always quite polite about it!
Wodanaz the Wanderer
~~~
SY5485
Qellel of House Mekali sat at his small writing desk, working on a solution to a problem he had been assigned by his master. From his first day in the Tower, twenty long years ago, he had been challenged by a complex question daily and expected to come up with the solution before the end of the day. At first, weeks went by when he could solve only one or two in the time allowed; now at the height of his training, he solved them every day consistently. These days, the problems that appeared deceptively simple were always the ones that ended up with the most highly intricate solutions. The one he worked on today was a mathematical calculation of the heat index of a charge in relation to the amount of magical power invested into it. His master was a stickler for not wasting more energy than was required to accomplish any particular objective. He always told Qellel that energy conserved was energy available to use later. Qellel knew the solution involved something to do with the heat from the conjured charge rising exponentially, and he almost had the answer when his concentration was interrupted by an abrupt knock on the door. He ignored it since it had to be an initiate or apprentice. A master would not have bothered to knock.
To his surprise, the door creaked open hesitantly. “Qellel?” It was a first-year initiate boldly peeking in. “Master Ampher requires your solution now.”
“Shush, I need just a moment, I’m almost there.”
“But Qellel,” the young initiate pleaded, “Master Ampher has summoned you, and any delay will reflect upon me.”
“The master is old and does not count the time the way we do. One more minute won’t matter a wit to him, Daerys. Sit in that chair and be still.”
The initiate did as he was told and sat in the chair, clutching his white linen robes nervously. Qel knew the boy was between a rock and a hard place: delaying the order of a master or defying the order of a graduate apprentice. Qel didn’t care about that at the moment, He had been subject to those quandaries enough times in his first years in the Tower. Daerys would have to just deal with it. All that mattered at this moment was getting the solution to the problem.
“Got it!” Qel lifted the page and showed it to Daerys. “Now we can go.”
With a huge sigh of relief, the initiate jumped up and quickly smoothed his white robes before he led the way out the door. Qel was curious about the problem he had received today and wondered if it had anything to do with the vast power grid that covered the whole of the earth. He knew that one of the primary responsibilities of the Atlantean Imperial Order of Wizards was to maintain and protect the pyramids and towers that housed the Orichalcum Source Crystals that provided the magical energy to the network. Because of this, Atlanteans and non-Atlanteans alike were able to access and use magic from anywhere if they had the talent and training to do so.
The tallest of all the towers in the Wizards Enclave, where he walked now to see his master, was one of those connected to the Source Crystals far below the ground beneath him. It radiated power for leagues in every direction before connecting with another structure of similar construction. From what he had learned in his studies, Qel knew the structures were built under the direction of Atlantean Wizards but by the societies where they were located. In nearly every case, the structures mirrored the architecture and tradition of the local peoples and often doubled as a temple or religious construct to better fit in. Once the structure was built, the Atlanteans would transport Orichalcum Source Crystals from the caverns below the Wizards Tower to the structure via one of the Imperial air ships magically powered to sail on the sea or through the air. When the Crystals were placed at their destinations, a quartz-crystal pyramid-shaped cap, congruent with the style of the structure, was placed at its apex to amplify the power. From then on, a small group of Atlantean wizards or priests of Pontus would staff the pyramid or tower in perpetuity.
Qel knew that his master, and the masters of every Hall, was always on the lookout for those who had the intellect and talent to become Wizards of the Source. It was well-known that they were a rare find and for more reason than just their intellect. Wizards of the Source had a natural physical resonance that was in frequency with the resonance of the Orichalcum Crystals. Qel really didn’t understand it very well. What he did know was that the Wizards of the Source were highly revered and had the opportunity to see the world, rotating to different locations around the globe every few years until they were discharged by the emperor.
He liked the idea of becoming a Wizard of the Source if he had what it took to become one. The idea of traveling the world and living among exotic cultures was intriguing. Either way, Qel wanted to be an explorer, and at every opportunity, he and his best friend Havacian read stories in books in the Enclave’s extensive library and mused over tales sung by visiting minstrels.
Almost without realizing it, they arrived at Master Ampher’s office. Daerys opened the door, and Qel walked inside alone, the door closing quietly behind him. His aged master was sitting at a very large desk strewn with dozens of scrolls in various states of undoing. He did not look up when Qel entered. Instead, he continued writing and waved him to a nearby chair with his free hand. It was getting late in the day, and Qel could see the light fading from a large window directly behind his master’s chair. Almost as if reading his mind, the old man raised his fist and opened his hand, releasing small balls of fire that swiftly streamed toward a dozen candles and sconces around the room, igniting them and bringing additional illumination to the dim chamber. Still, his master did not look up, and Qel absently wondered why he didn’t use light globes instead of flame. Well, maybe being the Master of Flame had something to do with it.
While he sat, Qel thought back to the time he had spent at the Tower. He had been an apprentice for twenty years. Training, training and more training. That had been the crux of his life, and the rewards were fleeting. Sometimes he was allowed to spend a day with his family or walk a few hours in the city, but it was always back to the training. Then there was the research. Hours in the sacred library among the tens of thousands of tomes, books, scrolls, and clay tablets copied from originals around the world, searching for the smallest of details to solve the problems given to him by his master. And so it went, day after day, week after week, month after month, for years.
He considered
himself lucky in a way. Master Ampher was firm but not harsh, and as long as Qel followed his instruction and made the expected progress, his life was not too difficult. Looking at his master now, a man in the twilight of his life at nearly one hundred and eighty, he was glad for the opportunity to learn from one of the most talented wizards of his day. Rumors supposed that he had once been a great adventurer who explored the wonders of the lands west of the Emerald Isle. Qel heard there was a series of books written of his explorations but so far had not found them. He hoped to ask Master Ampher about it one day when the time was appropriate.
Master Ampher laid down his quill and fixed his gaze intently on Qel. “You’re late.”
“My apologies, Master, I needed just a minute longer to solve today’s problem.” How did he always know?
“Give it to me.” The master held out his hand, and Qel placed the page on his palm.
Glancing over it, Master Ampher scratched his elongated bald head and then stroked his long gray beard. His blue-tinted skin was heavily wrinkled and pale against his white robes, which hung on his body almost like they covered a skeleton.
“So you solved it. Impressive.” He leaned back in his chair, and the page went up in flames in his hand. “You are the first apprentice of mine to solve that problem in many decades, and nearly within the time I allowed.”
“Thank you, Master. I defer to your proficient training that has allowed me to grow in my talents and education.”
His master laughed weakly, a rare and unusual sound to Qel’s ears. “I am merely your guide. It is the talent and drive within you that has powered your progress.” The master stood, slow and a little unsteady due to his age. “Qellel of House Mekali, it is my pleasure to congratulate you on your upcoming graduation and rite of Discovery thereafter.”
His master extended a hand holding a small black box. Qel, already standing, took the box with shaking hands and slowly opened it. Inside was the object he had most coveted since the first day he was brought to the Enclave—an Aurinium chain necklace on which hung a setting with a red Orichalcum Crystal twice the size of his thumb.
“As of tomorrow, you will officially become a Wizard of the Red Hall, or a Fire Wizard. However you wish to be known. Perhaps someday you, too, may be acknowledged by the Grand Wizard as a master.” He smiled warmly and put a hand gently on Qel’s shoulder. “Long after my time has ended, I’m sure, but I believe you have it in you.”
Qel was overwhelmed. Everything in his life was about to change. No more schedules or problems to solve, no more supervision by his master. He would be free to do as he liked. Now he was faced with his dream of exploring the world, and from this moment forward he would have the time and reason to do so. In just a few short days, he would be off on his quest for Discovery, five years for him to go out into the world and experience life, utilizing the skills he had learned to survive and hopefully flourish in the ultimate practical test. After that, he would return to the Enclave to test for Source resonance and either begin training to be a Wizard of the Source or continue on the long road of perhaps, one day, earning the title of master.
~~~
The Orichalcum Crystal reflected fractals of light across the walls from the illumination of the light globe floating in the air nearby. It was beautiful, and he could feel the power that the small Crystal generated. More than anything, he was struck by what the Crystal on the Aurinium chain represented—that he was no longer an apprentice.
Aurinium, what a strange material it was. This was the first time he had the opportunity to handle and inspect it. From the look and feel, it might have been glass. Except that glass was brittle and would certainly break if any force was pressed upon it. His father had explained the metal once. He called it metal, but he wasn’t sure if it really was. He said the Atlantean Forge Wizards combined ground-up shells, quartz crystal, and other rare elements into an intensely hot forge, causing a magical reaction that turned the material liquid. Then it was poured into molds to produce armor, weapons, jewelry, and certain tools.
Only Atlantean warriors were permitted to use the armor and weapons made from Aurinium, and under no circumstances could it be sold, given away, or traded, especially to foreigners. There were very strict laws regarding the use and possession of Aurinium products, and Qel felt fortunate possess a small piece of it. Aurinium was highly prized by Atlanteans and foreigners alike, and it was so rare because only the Atlantean Forge Wizards were capable of creating it.
The necklace made him think of his parents. Qel looked forward to finally presenting himself to his family as a graduate and a member of the Imperial Order of Wizards. He was sure they would all be proud. He had not often seen them during his apprenticeship and hoped to spend a few days at his family’s home in the country before he departed on his journey of Discovery.
Qel looked at the water clock on his table. It was getting late into the evening, and he still had not heard from Havacian. Earlier he left a note in his friend’s room telling him to come quickly when he returned. Havacian’s master must have him working late on a project. Sometimes the Wizards of the Blue Hall had activities that could only take place after dark. Last time Havacian was so late, his class was doing research with florescent algae. Qel couldn’t remember precisely, but he thought it had something to do with deep-water squid. It all sounded uninteresting to him, but Havacian could speak enthusiastically about it for hours if Qel would listen. He supposed that was why Havacian was a Water Wizard and he was not.
The element of fire was Qel’s specialty, and he was as passionate about it as Havacian was about water. It was strange, in a way, that the two of them had become such good friends with professional interests that couldn’t be more adverse. But since the first day they met, they had gotten on well and enjoyed each other’s company. Qel hoped his friend would be graduating with him the next day. No apprentice ever knew for sure until the day before graduation when, or if, they would receive the Aurinium necklace. The two of them always dreamed of traveling the world together, exploring strange cultures and places, and discovering new things at every turn. If for some reason Havacian’s master did not think he was ready to graduate, then Qel would have to spend the first year of Discovery on his own and hope that Havacian would join him the following year.
Qel took a book from the shelf and began to read. It didn’t take long before sleep overtook him and he was dreaming of the places he would explore, the strange animals, and the even more unusual people. It was a good dream until it was interrupted.
“Qel! Wake up!” a voice whispered hoarsely above him. “Qel! It’s Havacian, wake up!”
“Havacian?” Qel stirred sleepily. Was he still dreaming? No. “Havacian!” Qel sat up quickly. “Are you OK? How late is it?”
Havacian was laughing. “It is almost morning! Master Curatei had me charting squid all night, only Pontus knows for what reason, and you wouldn’t believe what happened at the close of my duties.”
In dramatic fashion, Havacian pulled something from the inside pocket of his robe and then dropped the heavy end, leaving it dangling from a chain in his hand. It was an Aurinium chain with an Orichalcum Crystal swaying from its length. Qel just stared at it, and then he pulled out his own, which had been tucked under the collar of his robe. They were almost identical. Spontaneously, they both burst out laughing. Qel had no more worries. His friend would be graduating with him, and then they would travel the world together on Discovery just as they had always planned.
~~~
Grand Wizard Tochthon stood in the center of the impressively spacious, cylindrical room that formed the base of one of the many towers in the Wizards Enclave. His long black robes trimmed with gold trailed behind him while he paced across the rich purple-red porphyry floor polished to such sheen that it appeared as if it were dusted with the stars. Physically, he looked like any other Atlantean; nearly seven feet tall, an elongated skull with long gray hair to his shoulders, sharp features, distinctive oversized eyes, blue-tinte
d skin, and lean physic. Qel always regarded the Grand Wizard as a venerable reflection of the office he represented, but more than that, to be this close was to feel the power of his presence.
Qel listened attentively while the Grand Wizard spoke to the apprentices assembled for graduation—there were only seven this year—extolling the virtues of their elevation to a Wizard of the Imperial Order. The masters whose apprentices were graduating looked on proudly from their chairs somewhat behind him.
Qel stood next to Havacian and the other five graduates, all of whom he knew well, nearly twitching with excitement, pride, and a host of other emotions as he stood there listening to words of encouragement from one of the most powerful beings on the planet. Perhaps more than anything, he felt in awe of the raw power of the men and women assembled in the room. It was a rare thing for any Atlantean other than the masters to interact with the Grand Wizard. For that matter, he was rarely seen around the Enclave. Qel heard rumors that the long periods of absence were due to his travels between dimensions and through gateways that could take him to other worlds. He always laughed at the idea of it. But what if it were true . . .
The Grand Wizard was coming to the end of his speech. “You have joined a very exclusive group of some of the most exceptional Atlanteans of our time, with a long and accomplished history. It is through our order’s efforts that you can feel the power of the Source Crystals no matter where you may travel in the course of your time dedicated to Discovery.” He stopped pacing and looked them over with an intense gaze that sent a shiver through Qel when the Grand Wizard’s eyes flickered over him. “Never forget that the Crystals are our primary concern at all times, and if there is ever a need to protect or defend them, wherever you may travel, it is your duty to do so no matter the cost.” Then the old wizard smiled in a fatherly way that made Qel feel warm inside. “I wish you all safe and productive travels, and I look forward to seeing each one of you again in five years. I will leave you now with Master Curatei for final instructions before you are released upon this unsuspecting world.” A few chuckles echoed from the masters before the Grand Wizard concluded his speech. “Welcome to the Imperial Order of Wizards.”