by Ben Hale
She activated it, and her omni-glasses guided her back up into the castle. Confused, she followed it to the glass ceilinged room at the top. Its walls were lined with books, and it boasted twin fireplaces, one on each side. Upon entering, she was surprised to find Hawk sitting in one of the chairs.
He looked haggard and worn, as if he hadn't slept in some time. His normally pristine clothes were rumpled and flecked with dirt and soil, and his eyes bore a tightness to them that was striking.
"What happened?" Tess asked.
He laughed. "Do I look that bad?"
"I didn't mean . . ."
"Oh, don't fret yourself," he said, and waved her to a seat. "It's nothing that destroying our enemy won't fix."
"What's been going on?" she demanded. "I thought I was supposed to be meeting The Swordsman this morning. He was supposed to tutor me more on body magic."
Hawk looked away, worry creasing his expression. "He hasn't returned from a mission."
"What mission?"
His gaze met hers. "We received information that the Sword was being kept in the lower levels of the Magtherian. I sent him to retrieve it. He never came back."
A flurry of questions struck her mind as Stel climbed off her arm and stretched. Then he jumped to the floor and landed in cat form. Issuing a soft meow, he began to prowl the room. She watched him slink around the armchairs and bookshelves, her mind on the Swordsman.
"Did they capture him?" she asked.
"I don't know," he said with a sigh. "I do know that the battlemage corps was mobilized against an intruder. Apparently the subsequent damage was . . . significant."
Tess's thoughts turned to her lesson from The Swordsman, and his occupation. She could think of just one other person who could cause such havoc, and he was sitting in front of her.
"Do you think he was killed?"
Hawk shook his head, but didn't respond to her question. "My contacts are trying to ascertain exactly what happened. The little I have been able to glean is that a dragon sentient and several hundred mages were involved."
"What's a sentient?" Tess asked.
"A sentient is a more complex version of an entity, which—as you have learned—is dangerous enough. A sentient is far more difficult and time consuming to create because it bears many purposes, not just one or two. The result isn't as powerful as a true guardian, but it is still quite formidable. This is especially true in this case."
Tess recalled what Derek had said about Guardians. "I thought guardians were forbidden," she said.
"The spell of which you speak is forbidden, and for good reason. Pouring liquid magic into a living creature is more likely to kill it than create a guardian. Even if they do survive they will be changed forever. The knowledge of how to create one has been lost for eons."
She recalled how intimidating the Swordsman had been during their lesson. "I still have a hard time believing that anything could beat him," she said.
"Me as well," he said ruefully. "That's why I sent him. Unfortunately his fate is not known. But we should move on to our discussion today."
"Are you going to tell me where you've been?"
"I was seeking allies," he said. "Against the Dark."
"Who?"
"I will tell you if they accept."
She grunted, but didn't prod any further. If there was one thing that Tess knew about Hawk, it was that he rarely withheld information.
"So what is the purpose of today?"
"It's rather simple really," Hawk said. "I would like to get an idea of your progress."
"You want to know about my classes?"
"And your tutors. I wish to understand how proficient you have become. If you will, please include your progress on the Oracle's Crest."
She released a troubled sigh, and said, "My classes are going fine. Air was my best last term, and I received a five-sided knot for it. I assume that's because it's so close to fire and gravity?"
"That's correct," he said, and motioned for her to continue.
"Earth is—in the words of Professor Terok—acceptable. Derek has helped me a great deal with it, and he is a large reason why I haven't bombed the course. Plant is difficult for me. I doubt I would have lasted long without Zeph. In one hour with him I learned more than my entire term in class. Where did you find him anyway?"
"He's a friend."
When it was evident that Hawk wasn't going to say more, Tess said, "Animal magic has been difficult, and I didn't receive a knot in it. I did manage to keep from bombing to a lower level, but not by much. I think a tutor for that would be a tremendous help."
Hawk shifted uncomfortably. "I had hoped to tutor you in that myself. In my former life I was quite gifted with animals. Unfortunately I was detained elsewhere. I will do what I can to give you an hour or two this term."
Hawk didn't need to add that if they didn't get the Sword, there might not be a term. It was in his eyes. Tess twitched at the worry she saw there, but did her best to finish with her summary.
"On the other side of the circle, light has probably been my second-best class, and I have earned a four-sided knot. Ritsu was of tremendous help in that—but she is stunning with fire. She only showed me a few things and I spent weeks trying to learn them. Where did she learn those spells? They were far superior to what the fire professors do."
"Just because the fire professors don't show it, don’t assume they aren’t capable of much more. However, in this case the source of Ritsu's knowledge was me."
"Wow, okay. I can't wait to have you tutor me on fire again."
He gave a small smile and swept a hand to her. "And sound?"
She grimaced. There was a reason she had saved it for last. “I managed to do a passable job with audible sound magic, but inaudible is another story. This quad they've moved me into a basic inaudible course."
"Don't feel bad," Hawk said. "Sound magic is frequently like mind magic. Audible and inaudible sounds don't always connect in the same person. Not to say you couldn't do it, it would just take more time for you to learn."
"So I really can do all magics? Even techno magic?"
"Of course. The only question is how long it would take for you to master. The combination of all energies is what makes your farsight possible."
She grimaced. "Speaking of which, I do practice my farsight." She didn't mention how little she had. "I can see into the future, but can't go beyond a few minutes of time. I assume that's not enough?"
Hawk shook his head, his expression one of sympathy. "Your magics make you powerful, your farsight makes you unique. That is why it's so crucial for you to master."
"I just wish I had more time to study it," Tess said with a sigh.
"Time is a curse as much as it's a blessing," Hawk said.
She blinked, but it seemed the comment was not directed at her. Before she could ask further, he asked, "And the Oracle's Crest?"
Tess watched Stel turn into a squirrel and climb the shelves. "Nowhere," she said. "Iris hasn't been able to find anything else about it." She touched the amulet on her neck.
"Have you tried to unlock it yourself?"
"Of course," she said. "Every night, but if there are any hidden enchantments I haven't found them yet. I've used magesight, and every type of magic I know. Nothing cracks it." She issued a growl deep in her throat. "I don't even know what I'm looking for."
Hawk regarded her for a long moment. "I have faith that you will succeed in time."
I hope. "I'll keep trying," she said.
Hawk's forehead creased like he was worried, but he shifted topics. "How about history of magic?"
She shrugged, grateful for the change in topic even though it didn't dispel her guilt. "We have been reviewing the Second Draeken War for the last couple of months, and it's disturbingly fascinating—especially considering the phoenix in the book is a friend of mine. Was the war really that bad?"
"Two thirds of the world's population perished in seven days. In modern day terms, it would be rough
ly four billion dead in a week."
Tess shuddered at the haunted glint in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you remember it."
"It's good to remember, if only so we don't have to repeat it. I can't imagine a worse war."
"Can I ask you a question about that time?"
"You may."
"We learned about you a little bit, and the others of your kind. My professor said that phoenixes can't die from age. They are just reborn with all their previous memories. But what happened to the others?"
His face went rigid, his eyes glittering with bitterness and rage. Fires blossomed across his frame as his jaw clenched. Tess recoiled, but Hawk managed to rein it in.
"My apologies," he said. "It is a dark memory."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
He sighed, and the fires on his arms faded, leaving the armrests of his chair blackened. "After The Second Draeken War, I returned to my family's nest until I had reached maturity. Once I had I began to travel as a man, and helped to rebuild the races. To my surprise it pleased Reiquen greatly to serve them. By the end of our second century together we were truly of one mind.
"The next few thousand years passed quickly for me, and once again the world was threatened, this time by pride and greed. I believe you have heard the true tale of Atlantis?"
"Some of it," Tess said.
"I spoke out against the war between the mages and aurens, but was ignored. Anger has always been an issue for my phoenix side, and at the time I didn't respond well. I began to attack the mages that were slaughtering the aurens. I was careful to punish only the ones who were willfully killing the aurens. Among those slain were relatives of the mage high council." He sighed and looked away, his tone darkening.
"They sought revenge on me, but in my foolish pride I thought myself impervious to their efforts. Pride was always a trait that the dragons and my kind shared, to their ultimate demise—and perhaps ours as well."
"What could they have done to you?" Tess interrupted. How could anything kill someone as powerful as Hawk?
His eyes flicked back to hers, causing her to flinch. "Everything has an opposite, and so they created one for a phoenix. They created an iseonix."
"What's an iseonix?"
"Much like the dragon that lurks in the base of the Magtherian, they enchanted snow, ice, and frost into a gigantic sentient, one capable of tremendous power. It took them generations to complete, and the talents of many mages. When the creature gained consciousness it was unleashed on my kind. Eight phoenixes died that day, and I alone survived."
"How many icebirds were there?"
"One."
She shuddered, awed and terrified of such power. "You destroyed it?"
"As my family was killed around me, Archeantial struck the killing blow. The resulting blast of ice tore her asunder. I was spared because she flew in front of me before the iseonix exploded."
"Could one be created again?"
"The ones that created the creature did not survive," he said. His voice was deathly calm, and Tess shivered.
Hawk shook himself and forced a smile. "I am sorry that our session took such a turn. If you will, please refrain from telling that story to anyone—including your friends. It is not one known to the world, and I wish for it to remain that way."
"Then why share it with me?"
His eyes bored into her. "Because your ancestor helped create the iseonix."
Tess was speechless. He had once mentioned that there hadn't been an oracle in six thousand years—which coincided with the time period of Atlantis. Did the previous oracle really destroy Hawk's family?
"Why tell me that?" Tess asked softly.
"Because it's important for you to recognize the impact of your choices. Oracles tend to be good, but the few that have switched sides have almost destroyed our world. What one receives in life is not what defines a person, but rather what they do with it. It is your choices—not your gifts—that will determine your impact on the world."
"I will not forget today's lesson," Tess said.
His smile was sad. "Our survival may depend on it."
Seeming to sense her somber mood, Stel returned to her arm and morphed into a bracer, warming her wrist. Nodding to Hawk, she rose to her feet and departed with a heart of stone. Hawk had become like a grandfather to her, loving and protective. How could he be that way when her ancestor had destroyed his family?
She stopped in her tracks, her intuition sparking. Hawk had mentioned only one phoenix by name—and had described her as a female. She'd even blocked the blast of ice that had threatened his life. In her gut the cold truth settled and refused to budge.
Tess's ancestor had killed Hawk's mate.
Chapter 40: Derek's Story
The next week was a blur of classes, tutors, studying, and holiday decorations. From the start of the quad Tryton's had transformed into a winter wonderland. The air became cool, and snow blanketed the grounds. Ice crystals filled the trees and giant snowflakes floated around. To the dismay of the students, they were prone to joining in any snowball fights. Nobody emerged unscathed when they did.
Frosted garland hung inside the buildings, and bells tinkled out holiday melodies from within them. Enormous Christmas trees were grown inside of buildings and decorated with all manner of enchanted objects. To the consternation of many teachers and students, the doll decorations enjoyed singing at each other—but in different songs and different languages. Sound mages became quite popular for their ability to silence them, granting their friends a temporary reprieve.
Apparently there was an ongoing competition between the mage schools during Christmas, with each trying to outdo the others with their decorations. The light school was by far the most eye-catching, and boasted millions of tiny flickering lights that would dim and brighten in ever changing patterns.
The water school created a host of ice sculptures. Some were over a hundred feet tall, while others could fit in one's hand. The best was a series of moving ice sculptures that were ice-skating on the walls and ceiling of their entrance hall. They were probably intended to drop snow on passing students, but some enterprising prankster had altered their enchantment. Now they threw ice balls like bombs on unwary students.
Not to be outdone, the fire building was wreathed in harmless flames that changed color according to the hour. The plant mages had an edge, and provided self-filling mugs of hot chocolate.
Despite the pageantry and grandeur, Tess felt a sense of desperation behind it all. The mage world was still reeling from the destruction of Brokins. Refugees from the destroyed city had clogged Auroraq and other mage cities. Since the mages had gone into hiding there had never been such turmoil.
To make matters worse the current of anger was mounting, and it was obviously building toward a breaking point. Many were clamoring for the High Council to intervene, and saying they had already voted to bring the mage world public. Amidst the snow and swirling magic at Tryton's, Tess saw a desperate desire to calm things down. It did not succeed.
Quiet and worried, students walked between classes, the mischief and delight that usually abounded during the season noticeably absent. Tess felt the loss the hardest, and every day that passed she felt her heart tighten. On Christmas Eve Tess couldn't stop thinking that only nine days remained until the Dark was released.
Then she received the news that her parents weren't coming.
"What do you mean you can't make it," Tess demanded. "This is the one time of year that parents are allowed into the school—mage and auren."
"I know, honey," her mom said. Her voice was full of remorse. "I really wish we could. We just discovered where the head Harbinger techno mage has been working—and it's in the White House. We have to act fast before he realizes that we know. Breaker managed to get here and he's been working with us. We have no choice."
Tess felt like her world was crumbling. She hadn't spoken to Hawk since he'd told her about the iseonix. She couldn't un
lock the Crest, and she only had nine days left. She had been counting on showing off her school to her parents, and on the moment of brevity it would provide. Deep down she desperately needed a reprieve from her rising worry. She doubted there would be another chance.
"Mom, I need you to come," Tess pleaded.
Her mom was silent, and when she replied it sounded like there were tears in her eyes. "I have no choice, Tess. This is the big one we have been waiting for, and if I bail on the assignment I will lose my slot on the team. We can't afford that."
Tess understood that when she said we, she meant their entire effort. It didn't help. Tess was on the verge of snapping in half, and there was no one to turn to.
"Ok, Mom," she forced the words out. Even to her, her voice sounded hollow.
"We will save your presents for the next time you visit."
It'll be too late, Tess thought. "Fine. I love you."
They said their goodbyes and hung up. Tess did so with regret. It felt like her last thread of hope had been clipped at the end of the phone call. She released a long sigh and then sucked in an icy breath. The cold was bracing, and she did it again.
With a twist of her torso she dropped off the branch and flew away. She'd just finished her plant magic class when she'd gotten the call, and had stopped on one of the school's highest branches to talk.
Restless, she turned in one direction, and then another, but couldn't decide where she wanted to go. She knew she should get started on her mountain of homework, but didn't feel the inclination to do so. After a while of drifting a thought crossed her mind and she turned north. Ten minutes later she walked into the World Room.
Organized to represent the earth as a whole, the chamber was massive, vaulted, and filled with all manner of plants. Real trees grew inside and pointed toward the light streaming through the large windows at the ceiling. What started as etched paintings in the wall turned into waterfalls and streams that flowed across the floor. An entire corner of the room had a quiet snowstorm whitening the trees.