by Sigrid Kraft
I want to breathe the fresh air of the forest and feel the vastness of the land. How I miss that.
Eryn was busy reminiscing when a soldier entered and announced:
“The Prince of Ardeen wants to see you. Come with me, lad!”
Eryn was surprised that his wish was being fulfilled so soon, but being summoned to the Prince immediately gave him a sense of foreboding. Nevertheless, he obeyed and walked towards the door, expecting to bump into the invisible wall in front of it. But there was nothing to hinder him.
Amazing, the invisible barrier is gone. I can simply leave the room. To be honest, though, I would rather stay here than have to see the Prince again.
Prince Raiden was standing by a bookshelf in his office when Eryn entered. A few words were exchanged with the guard before he was dismissed. The Prince commanded Eryn to take a seat while he paced back and forth in silence.
Can’t he do something else while thinking? All this to-ing and fro-ing is making me nervous.
Prince Raiden had made up his mind to try out a few experiments with Eryn, first with pure magic and then some additional ones with the help of artifacts. Nothing worked and the Prince’s mood darkened visibly as he came closer and closer to exploding in a fit of rage.
Eryn tried to be as inconspicuous as possible. Will he finally kill me now in the heat of the moment? As if to prove Eryn’s words true, the Black Prince turned very rapidly and approached Eryn from the side. It was nothing more than a reflex that caused Eryn to raise his arm in self-defence, but in doing so, he touched the bare underarm of Prince Raiden with the tattooed spot of his hand.
Something very strange occurred and everything that followed happened in a rush. The Prince screamed out in agony and tumbled backwards.
“You dare to attack me!” he howled in rage. At the same time, Eryn’s body was pressed flat against the table, his arms stretched out to the sides. His head was turned to the right, giving him a clear view of the ax which had hung as a decoration on the wall now descending towards him and slicing clean through his wrist.
In shock and pain Eryn cried out, while a smell of burned flesh filled the air. Still in a state of shock and unable to move, Eryn stared at the fountain of fresh red blood spewing out of the stump of his forearm. Behind it, the ax stuck fast in the wooden table top. Eryn could see no further from his nailed down position.
Eryn’s thoughts were filled with horror, pain, shock and terror, while at the same time he wished deeply that he could use magic to heal in the way the Oranium had described: Closing wounds and stopping bleeding. And then, in that moment of anguish, Eryn found the access to his magic.
Had it not been such a terrible situation, Eryn would have experienced it as one of the most exhilarating occasions of his life. He found the thick vein of the Orange Circle and directed the powerful magical flow straightly into his wrist. Somehow, other veins were dragged with it, but it seemed to have worked, as the bleeding stopped immediately and the pain disappeared. Once Eryn had survived those traumatic events, his mind cleared and he became aware of the Black Prince intoning a spell.
Prince Raiden only relied on intoning if the spell was rather difficult. The smell of burned flesh hung heavy in the air, and behind the ax blade, light of all the colors in the universe flickered up to the ceiling.
Eryn could do no more than watch the scene: Is that light coming from my hand? Whatever it was that kept my magic back, it was linked to the hand, and now that my hand has been severed, I have access to magic. Is that the price I have to pay? Being a cripple? But magic can also work wonders. I am sure to be able to get my hand back ... perhaps!
The Lord of the Black Tower’s intoning filled the room. The flickering light grew steadily weaker.
Perhaps I can break the fixing spell. Eryn thought, but he had no idea how he might do that and anyway, Prince Raiden’s spells weren’t so easy to break. So Eryn remind fixed to the table like a dissected toad.
The Prince is cruel. For no reason, he just cuts my hand off. The moment he found out about the blockade, he could have talked to me. Or did something else happen when I touched him?
Now the light had faded completely and the Prince ceased his intoning.
He reached behind the ax and took hold of something. Briefly, Eryn glimpsed a black sphere before it disappeared from view.
More to himself than to Eryn the Prince admitted: “As I see, you have now gained access and the healing spell you have cast may be sufficient for the moment. Stay here. I have to leave for the White Tower immediately. Master Elderon must see this.” With that, the Prince was gone.
Of course I’ll wait here. Where else am I supposed to go with this spell pinning me to the table?
Without making the usual official announcement, Master Raiden traveled through the portal to Aleroth.
Master Elderon has to see this at once. What a strange and dangerous thing, and so difficult to lock it up safely. How unbelievable that it was right in front of me the whole time, but so well concealed that I couldn’t sense it. All it took was the slightest touch with the imbecile’s bare skin to activate it. if I hadn’t pulled up all my shields at the last second, that powerful magic could have caused me a serious injury. Such dangerous magic hidden in that good-for-nothing lad? He, merely an unwitting vessel for carrying such old magic with him... or to be exact: in him. That milky white scale was completely hidden beneath his skin with the most devious magic so that I couldn’t even scan it. Only through direct contact with it, did it reveal the extent of its defensive powers – just like a trap for mages.
Prince Raiden climbed the final steps to the corridor leading to Master Elderon’s room. From here, he sent a telepathic announcement.
“Master Elderon, I bring important news.”
Master Elderon welcomed Prince Raiden through the same channels: “I have already sensed your presence. Come in!”
Raiden knew Aleroth almost as well as Naganor, having spent several years here. Master Elderon greeted him warmly enough, but at once Raiden felt the bondage of the soulban and he was unable to push the uneasy sensation away. He bowed his head. This simply gesture of subservience helped a little even if it wounded his pride. “Master, I have discovered something of great significance about the boy.” He is the Master and I’m just his devoted servant – however friendly his behavior towards me.
“How is he doing? Have you had to go to edge?” Even though Master Elderon didn’t use the word, it was obvious that he meant the weaving of the soulban.
“No, Master Elderon, not yet. I haven’t woven it on him... it was not necessary in the end. Although, I admit, it took a while. Now he learns and makes a little progress. Sadly, he knows absolutely nothing and it will take a very long time until he has developed his skills to a level that can be of use.”
“Are you sure you have him completely under control... without the ban? Always keep in mind that the boy should not be lost to the cause through a... moment of improvidence. Keep him soundly under your... protection.”
“Master Elderon, the ban is not something that should be imposed on anyone,” replied the Prince, already feeling the unease grow. He changed the subject quickly. “The true reason I came here is this. The magic of the boy was blocked by this strange object. You must take a look at it.”
While he talked, Prince Raiden drew the black sphere out off his pocket and presented it to the first mage. The ball of black shining magic radiated beauty and danger at the same time.
Master Elderon recognized at once what it was and sudden fear aroused his anger. “You dare to bring a Necronom into Aleroth!” Destroy it!
All his rage was channelled into Prince Raiden through the connection of the soulban, reducing the Prince to a pitiful trembling wretch, doubled over in agony. The sphere had dropped out of his hand and on to the ground, where the mantle of black magic vanished. As soon as the scale was no longer sealed, it started to emit its incredibly strong and deadly magic.
Prince Raiden had c
rept into the furthest corner of the room and lay on the floor, convulsed with pain and barely able to maintain a protective shield against the scale’s destructive magic.
“Apologies, Master, I just wanted to bring it here. I just wanted... “His voice broke.
But Master Elderon was too busy to pay Raiden any attention. All his senses were focused on breaking the scale’s power. He intoned a spell of great effectiveness, while Raiden unceasingly stammered out his apologies.
At last the magic of the scale began to fade away and then die completely.
Master Elderon used a final piece of magic to make the now harmless scale fly into his palm. Its powers were gone, but the gleaming mother of pearl scale still drew Master Elderon’s glance. At some point, the first mage once again became aware of Prince Raiden, crumpled up in a pitiful heap on the floor.
“It’s all right, Raiden. Everything is fine. Perhaps it would be best if you left.”
With some effort, the Prince pulled himself up and staggered towards the door. Master Elderon felt a wave of compassion wash over him as he watched the other man leave.
I am sorry, Raiden. It wasn’t my intention to harm you. I misjudged the situation. You can’t imagine how often I have reproached myself for weaving the soulban on you. In the past, I so dearly wished you would become aware of the necessity of working together with me. But the soulban has been spoken and there is nothing anyone can do to change it. At least Raiden with all his powers is now and forever on my side – even if unwillingly. I’m rather glad, he hasn’t cast the spell on the boy. I am sure, unlike Raiden, Eryn will choose the right path in time. That is what I hope for.
The scale still lay in the palm of the first mage, its shine a harmless reflection of the light in the room.
It is a very long time since I last saw something like this. The scale of a dragon. A material capable of bearing great magic. That’s why the boy couldn’t use his own magic and was also able to survive in the Unhaer. But who can have an interest in hiding an extraordinarily skilled mage in such a way? There are even more mysteries about Eryn than we supposed. Yet, he does not have the slightest idea about the game he has been involved in... and now a new figure has appeared on the board. A figure with no face or name but with great power. Or is it a player from the old times of the Great War? Perhaps he comes from the Nimrod itself?
Who are you? And what is it you really want?
Still under the influence of the spell, Eryn lay pinned to the table with his eyes closed. He didn’t want to stare permanently at the stump of his arm, so he tried to distract his thoughts and to console himself: Surely they can heal that. Magic works wonders beyond anything any of us can imagine.
The access to his magic was now completely open and he dived into the magnificence of the magical circles – content merely to watch the lines of different light as they flowed. Some were strong and clearly visible, others only faint, thin wires. Eryn searched out the various lines. Gold and Orange were very strongly developed, followed by Red, White, Green and Silver. Yellow, Blue and Gray were weak. Only the thinnest of lines revealed the colors of Brown and Violet. After a long search, Eryn finally discovered a filmy wire of darkest Black.
I have twelve circles – it is true. And the books say: Only in very seldom cases does a mage have all twelve circles. Circles are innate. They cannot be gained afterwards, but they can be lost in extreme circumstances... And, yes, I have all twelve circles. It’s not surprising that everyone thinks I’m skilled. How many circles do the others have, I wonder?
This gave Eryn a sense of elation in spite of the hideousness of his situation. And like a child who plays in waves of water, he allowed himself to fall into the flow of magic and delighted in the wonder he had just discovered. He even tried to create a light spell, but somehow it seemed blocked now. Prince Raiden must have cast another spell on Eryn before he had left.
On the way from the gateroom to his study, Raiden had to vomit twice. His whole body was racked with violent shudders and the taste of puke in his mouth made him choke again. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. This time the wrath of the old mage had taken him completely by surprise.
He felt threatened through the Necronom, which is something I didn’t even consider. I just cast it to cover the scale so that I could carry it safely. I did not intend to harm him in any way. Not that I could even if I wanted to. He should know that. Master Elderon talks of kindness and peace and of our common goal, but when he is afraid, he shows neither mercy nor scruple, striking me with the full force of his power. Showing me yet again that I’m no more than dirt beneath his boot.
The Prince didn’t even notice that he was clutching the door frame so extremely tightly that his knuckles had turned pure white. Whoever saw him in that present state, would look into a face paler than the whitewashed wall. His eyes were filled with madness and the muscles in his face twitched out of control. Inside of him, a battle raged that he couldn’t win. His fury at Master Elderon welled up once again and made everything worse.
The soulban forced him to submit with body and mind, and if he did not – incredible pain washed over him.
Don’t fight against it. Obey as Master Elderon commands. Otherwise this torture won’t end, Prince Raiden urged himself until slowly he regained a little composure and was able to breathe again.
It is the boy’s fault. Without him, none of this would have happened. Master Elderon wished right at the start that I might weave the ban on him and now he has asked me again to do it. How did I dare to be so presumptuous as to think I could keep the boy under control without it? The first mage knows what must be done. It is he who commands.
When Prince Raiden had made up his mind, he noticed that he had already reached the threshold to his study. Eryn was still spreadeagled on the table, just as Prince Raiden had left him. A breath of magic and the spell was gone. Immediately Eryn rose and turned.
“Why did you do this to me?” Accusingly, he held up the stump of his arm up. But the Lord of Naganor paid no attention to his words.
“Silence!” he snarled and with a magical blow, he pushed Eryn back until he came to a stop against the wall. With the same force, the entire contents of the room were swept to one side. A magical diagram appeared on the empty space at the center of the floor. It was the diagram of the soulban.
“You damned monster...” Eryn seized the second ax from the wall, intending to dash the Prince’s brains out. The mage spun round quickly and Eryn had the impression he was looking into the eyes of a madman. Suddenly his hand refused to obey him, and the ax slipped from his fingers, where with a loud clang, it landed on the marble floor, leaving a nasty dent in the mosaic tiles.
“Pathetic,” hissed Raiden, looking more than ever like a snake. Then his voice grew hoarse and cracked: “Undress!”
“You are insane! What have I ever done to you?” Eryn yelled in fear. It was clear that something terrible was about to happen. Before Eryn could do anything, his clothes had been stripped off him and he was dragged roughly into the diagram.
“It’s the will of the old man. And so it shall happen,” whispered Master Raiden in his doom-laden voice. Magic pressed Eryn flat on his back right in the center of the diagram. His arms and legs were outstretched and he was unable to move. Panic washed over him as Prince Raiden began to intone a spell. In mortal fear, Eryn bawled insults at Raiden, but the black mage intoned with an unshakeable voice which swell up like a storm and overpowered all other noises in the room. The spell began to take effect, and Eryn felt it flowing through his body, encircling his newly discovered magical veins and denying him access completely. One wave of magic after another washed over Eryn and took his breath away. He gasped for air. There followed a brief reprieve as he got some breath in his lungs again. More than once in the terrible procedure, Eryn felt the fear of death, but he could do nothing other than allow it to happen.
The soulban was a very difficult spell that only high mages were able to perform. Prince Raiden,
however, had studied the spell over and over again to find the tiniest mistake, the one detail which would permit him to set himself free from the curse. For almost twenty-five years, always without success.
Hours went by and Raiden’s voice swelled and lowered, the powerful words spoken sometimes in a soft whisper, then thundering out like a storm, until he finished it with the final sentence to seal the ban. For all eternity.
The silence was strange. Raiden felt drained, burned out. He contemplated the young man as he lay naked in the circle. For a brief moment, a sense of regret touched the mage. Welcome to hell.
Then he removed the fixing spell from Eryn and hissed:
“Get dressed!”
Life returned to the lad’s maltreated body. On his knees, he crawled a short distance outside the circle, only to crumple up on the floor again. The sounds he made were barely human, resembling the feeble cries of an animal rather than human speech.
“Miserable wretch,” remarked Raiden in disgust. “Take your clothes and go to your room! You will remain there.”
Eryn shivered in agony at every word the Prince spoke. Breeches and tunic lay close by, so he grabbed them with a shaking hand. Then he got up and without dressing he hastened out of the study, just to get as far away from his tormentor as possible.
“Miserable wretch,” the Lord of Naganor repeated. I resisted Master Elderon for two days before he finally overpowered me, yet that boy here gave in immediately. Eryn’s weakness disgusted Raiden. In truth, it was not the weakness he found so abhorrent, but the mirror which the Black Prince had created. A mirror which reflected back to him the fate he would have to suffer again.
Exactly the same way that I crept before Master Elderon, whining miserably. It took me two years to meet the first mage again in an upright position. The very thought filled him with bitterness, the same bitterness he now felt about the deed he had just committed. He tried to justify it to himself. The old man commanded me to do it. It was his will – not mine.