“Aydan.” He tried to say it with confidence, but it still felt strange. The wizard laughed.
“How poetic, Lost One. Is that how you really feel?”
“Yes. I’m kept away from everyone. I feel so alone. I don’t understand.” Aydan sighed.
“I’ve explained it to you countless times. I have powerful enemies, and they would do terrible things to you knowing you were a wizard. This is for the best, for both of us.”
“Can’t you just teach me to defend myself?”
“I can and will. But today I will teach you something much more important.” The wizard closed his eyes. Aydan closed his eyes also, waiting. He felt something, like a prodding at him. But it wasn’t a physical sensation. It was more like a magical nudge. The more the feeling continued, the more he tested it. Suddenly he understood, it felt like his Spark. But not, at the same time.
“Is that your Spark?” he said.
“Yes. Wizards can sense each other’s power. Sometimes from great distances, if the wizard is particularly skilful. I was amplifying that sensation, hitting you over the head with it so you could feel it properly.”
“I did. I couldn’t tell it was you though. Only because we were here alone.”
“That’s true. But with practice, you could learn to recognise mine and distinguish it from others.”
“That could be useful. For finding you.”
“Yes, but that’s not the purpose of what we are doing today.” The wizard stepped forward.
“Today, I am going to teach you how to hide your Spark.”
“Hide it?”
“Yes. You need to be completely invisible. Indistinguishable from a normal boy.”
“Why is that important?”
“I cannot protect you all the time. If you are hidden in plain sight, then that is the best protection I can provide. It will deflect attention away from you. I expect great things of your potential, and if they even suspected what I think is possible…” The wizard looked away, staring out into the distance. He didn’t even try to hide the concern on his face. He rarely showed it.
Maybe he’s trying to worry me?
“My enemy will stop at nothing. They will never rest, never lay down their fight.” The wizard stepped closer, putting a hand gingerly on his son’s shoulder. Aydan almost jumped and looked up at his father.
“One day you will understand when you have a son of your own. But for now, you have to trust that I’m doing the right thing.” The wizard cleared his throat and stepped away again, putting his hands behind his back.
“Now onto the lesson. I need you to focus and feel the Spark within you.” He paused and watched Aydan closely.
“Good. Now, this is a visualisation exercise. It’s remarkably simple, but as far as I can tell nobody else has achieved it. They never even thought it necessary. But this, this will save your life.” The wizard waited until Aydan nodded then he continued.
“You need to take your Spark and wrap a metal box around it. A box so thick and heavy that the flame of your Spark doesn’t even heat the box a tiny bit. A box so tight it suffocates the air from your fire. Imagine that you can touch the outside of the box and it feels completely cool.” The wizard paced around the room, observing Aydan from different angles.
“More. Your Spark is a core of flame, but it is being stifled by the box. It’s going back to a smouldering ember, waiting for ignition.” The wizard poked Aydan in the back.
“Good. But you’re trying too hard. It needs to be effortless, something you can slip on and off. You need to create a mental state of the box and, once placed, maintain it automatically.”
Aydan let out a deep breath and bent over, panting.
“Was it working?” he said between breaths.
“Almost perfectly. You have a talent for this. But you need to go to the next level. You need to create a reality that supports this state. As you can see, it requires too much concentration. Do you know why?”
“Because I’m thinking about it so much?
“Yes, you’re trying to actively maintain an abnormal state of being. Instead, you need to declare a new state of being and simply activate it. Do you see the difference?”
“Maybe.” Aydan shifted his feet and looked at the ground. The wizard sighed and started pacing again. He stooped down and picked up a rock, striding over to Aydan. He opened the boy’s hand and placed the rock onto his palm.
“Where is the rock?” the wizard said.
“It’s on my hand.”
“Close your eyes.” The wizard watched Aydan comply. Then he added, “now, where is the rock?”
“It’s still in my hand.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I can feel it.”
“And if I made you stand here for an hour until your arm and hand became numb. Would you still wonder where the rock was?” The wizard loomed over Aydan. He thought carefully before answering.
“No, because I had no reason to think it had moved. I could always just look if I wanted to confirm that.”
“Good. Now, you know.” The wizard stepped away and put his hands behind his back once again. Aydan closed his hand around the rock.
“I think I see what you’re saying. I can create the change, like holding the rock then my mind will think it’s still there until I change it. Or I can peek to double check.”
“Close enough. That’s your new instruction. You are to practice until it becomes second nature.”
“For how long?” Aydan could feel his stomach starting to protest. Some of these magic lessons had gone on for entire days.
“As long as it takes. It’s the best way to immerse yourself. The next time you leave this cave, I want to be confident that you’ll have mastery over this. You must be invisible.” The wizard locked his gaze onto Aydan’s eyes, making him want to look away.
No, not this time. Aydan stared defiantly back.
“Fine, I can do this. But you need to explain why you’re so paranoid. I’ve seen what you can do, you’re a powerful wizard.” The wizard stepped back and leaned against a nearby wall. The energy seemed to drain from him.
“Boy, I’m playing with things I should not be. Things that will change the world. I can’t have that knowledge lost forever. I have a plan to ensure that it is not. But I also do not want to endanger you. I believe you will have a part to play in this too.”
He’s not concerned about me. He’s more concerned about what I can do for him.
Aydan’s cheeks felt hot. He flung the rock at the wizard as hard as he could. Instinctively he used force to propel the rock even faster.
“I’m not your tool.” The rock stopped suddenly, inches from the wizard’s face. The rock started to crumble, turning into dust. The wizard’s face softened.
“Son, what I feel like I need to do is of paramount importance. And I’m hard on you, I know. But please, believe me, it is all for your own wellbeing. I could not live with you coming to harm above myself.” The wizard smiled weakly, momentarily breaking up the bleak expression he always wore.
I have to trust him for now. Maybe after I master this, he will relax a bit. This can’t go on forever.
Aydan returned to the lesson, stopping and starting the suppression of his Spark. He had to make the transition effortless, otherwise, he would never achieve the level of perfection his father demanded.
40
Startling Discovery
Celes rushed down the tunnel as quickly as she could without stumbling. She kept a hand on the walls, making sure she was heading in the same direction and using it as a way to stay balanced.
Wherever this ends up, I’ll be happy to be away from there.
She didn’t blame the farmer, in that situation anyone would act the same. But it showed that the Blight was more advanced than anyone realised. They were proactively trying to gain the advantage and close off routes.
I hope Alrion finds a safe way in.
It made her quest for the mysterious wizard more important. I
f he truly was an ally, then they needed his help directly, rather than from the shadows. And if he was truly a danger, better that he be confronted and dealt with now before the end of the quest.
Alrion needs a way to do the spell safely.
Time became hard to judge as she pushed forward in the tunnel. She tried looking back once or twice but there was no sign of any pursuit and she didn’t hear the tell-tale rumbling. Finally, she started to see glimmers of light in the distance.
I hope that’s an exit.
Celes kept up the pace, spurred on by the possibility of escaping the tunnel. As she approached, she noticed what looked like a stone staircase leading up. She rushed ahead as fast as she could handle and surged up the stairs. As she ascended, she could see signs of a room up ahead. But she couldn’t quite make out any details.
Celes reached the top of the stairs and stepped out into the room. It was all stone, with a single torch lit and hanging on the wall. There seemed to be old supplies in the room, going by the crates, sacks, and other storage she saw. There was a wooden door slightly open at one end. Celes walked towards it, carefully peeking through the door. Beyond was another room, organised like a storeroom. Or a library. There was a robed man reading a book at one end. Celes slipped through the door and assessed the situation.
This looks like a Wizard Store. Is that man a wizard? He must be.
“Hello,” Celes said. The man looked up, surprise and alarm on his face. He closed the book immediately.
“Who are you? How did you get here?”
“I’m Celes. Is this a Wizard Store? In Valrytir?”
“Yes, it is. How did you get in?”
“Through an underground tunnel.” Celes pointed to the back room she had entered through. The wizard looked puzzled.
“I’ve looked through there, it’s a long tunnel with a dead end. There’s no way out.”
“That’s good to know. But you should know that there’s a way in!”
“How curious. I’ve never had anyone come through there. By the way, my name is Magnus, I’m the assigned wizard representative for Valrytir.” Magnus bowed. “What business do you have here? Did you just stumble through? I’m quite curious what leads here.”
“It’s a house in Stonebridge, that used to be a wizard residence.”
“Ah, yes I know the one.”
“I entered the house via the Wizard Gate, and then discovered the underground tunnel. Quite fortuitously, it would seem, as the owner of the house had tried to lock me in.”
“Really? For what reason?”
“Seems like he’s been coerced by a representative of the Blight. He was to detain any who came through the Wizard Gate.” Celes walked closer so she could converse from a more comfortable distance.
“How odd. I think I need to pay this man a visit.”
“I think that’s wise. But before then, perhaps you can help me.”
“I will do what I can. After you describe how you used the Wizard Gate.” Magnus gave her a stern look.
“Another wizard activated it for me. His name is Ashra.”
“The desert wizard? He’s still alive?”
“Very much so. He was quite helpful. I’m actually on the trail of a wizard.”
“Go on.” Magnus looked intrigued.
“He has the alias of Aydan, and the trail leads here. But it’s an old one, probably twenty years old.”
“You’re looking for this wizard, but you’re following a trail from twenty years ago?”
“Exactly. I’m trying to find out his real identity. I believe there’s a clue hidden in the past.” Celes looked at Magnus and gave a small shrug. He started to rub his chin, thinking.
“How odd. Well, I’ve been stationed here for at least twenty years. Chances are, I met him long ago. The name does not mean anything to me off the top of my head.”
“Do you keep notes here in your ledger? He’s appeared in other Wizard Store ledgers, so maybe there’s some information here?” Celes hoped that Magnus would be helpful. This was the first time she’d encountered someone else in a Wizard Store that she didn’t know.
“That’s a fair request. Let me dig it out.” Magnus walked into the corner and searched through a small cabinet. He withdrew a dusty book and placed it on a table for Celes to review.
She flicked through the pages, examining the contents.
“There’s no entry logs?”
“No, since this store is usually occupied there was no need. There should be a notes section though.”
“Let me see.” Celes flipped through the book, sampling different sections to see what was there. She skipped a few that seemed to be inventories of things then discovered a note section. Not all the entries had a date, but enough did so she could figure out the chronology.
“Now we’re close.” Celes tapped a page dated just over twenty years ago. She started looking more carefully. It could be a mention of his name or something suspicious that would trigger her interest. And there it was.
“He was here. The wizard at the time recorded where he was staying, The Innhospitable Inn.”
“That place is an institution, I can’t believe it’s still standing. It’s near here if you’d like to investigate.”
“I may as well.” Celes closed the book.
“Aydan, you say? I’ll keep an eye out for any references.”
“Thanks, Magnus, that’s a great help.” Celes headed for the main door.
“Good luck,” Magnus called out. Celes waved and left.
She found herself on a main street, almost knocked over by a rushing pedestrian. Looking back at the Wizard Store, it was almost invisible. The building was run-down and blended in with the scenery completely. She studied it and the surrounding buildings well just to make sure she could find it again.
Off we go.
It didn’t take long to find the Inn. It was a large establishment with the named painted on the wooden exterior and had lots of people milling around outside. Celes navigated her way inside and was surprised to see it was nicely decorated. In an older style, but well-done. Tasteful furniture and clean floors. She made her way over to the bar and looked at the bartender. The woman had to be in her fifties with her long grey hair tied back and was expertly wiping down the bar and collecting empty glasses.
“Hey, love, what can I get for you?”
“A minute of your time, to indulge my curiosity.” Celes smiled and watched for the bartender’s reaction.
“It’s fairly quiet so I’ll hear you out, so long as you buy a drink after.”
“Deal, I happen to be on the hunt to track down an old friend of mine. I know that he stayed here a long time ago, and I just wondered if there are any clues as to where he went next. I can’t find any trace of him here.”
“How long ago?”
“Twenty years or so.” The bartender laughed.
“That’s some hunt you’re on.”
“It’s important, so if I can dig up anything that would be much appreciated. Do you have any records from back then?”
“Hmm.” The bartender had a think. “Jones keeps ledgers of all those staying. Let me see.” She started rifling through a drawer under the bar.
“No, that’s too new. Nope. Oh, this is probably about right.” The bartender emerged holding a rectangular leather-bound book.
“May I take a look…?”
“Christie. And yes, of course, you can. It’s ancient history, knock yourself out.” Christie chuckled and walked off to serve a customer.
Celes eagerly opened the ledger and flipped through. The system was quite easy to read, it was simply names and dates of check-in and dates of checkout. There seemed to be some additional markings next to some names, presumably to reference something.
This I can work with. Knowing more precise dates might help track down something more concrete elsewhere.
Celes carefully pored through the pages, starting close to where she expected an entry and working backwards. There were
so many names, and she was starting to expect that there wouldn’t be anything. But there it was.
Aydan! So, you did come here, and now I know when. What’s this though?
Celes noticed the letter ‘j’ circled at the end of the entry. She looked up for Christie, waiting for the bartender to be free.
“Christie, I have a quick question before I get that drink.”
“Sure. Did you find something.”
“Yes, my friend definitely stayed here. What’s this at the end of the entry? It’s some sort of code.” Celes spun the book around and pointed out the spot to Christie. She examined it for a moment.
“Well, I’ll be. Lucky for you we still use that system of notes.”
“What does it mean?”
“It stands for junk. It’s our way of saying that the guest left stuff behind. We usually keep it for a while, in case they come back. As long as it’s not decomposing or something.” Celes’ heart rate just about doubled. She tried to gather herself.
“Would it be silly of me to think that maybe you still have that stuff?” Christie laughed.
“You know, there’s a chance if it was just shoved in a corner. There are things here that I have no idea where they came from.”
“Make it two drinks and a hefty tip. If it’s at all possible I have to see. This could be incredible.” Celes could see Christie weighing things up.
“I am a bit curious to see if we still have that stuff. C’mon, let’s be quick about it.” Christie waved her over and walked to the end of the room and into a corridor. She rushed down to the last door, opening it with a key from her belt.
“This is long-term storage, I think it’s mostly guest related. If we kept that box, it’ll be here.” Christie paused for a moment. “Good luck, I’ll see you back at the bar. Please don’t make a mess here, it’ll just cause trouble for me.”
“Absolutely, I promise it’ll be like I was never here.”
“Good.” Christie left promptly and Celes surveyed the room.
So many boxes. Better get started.
She began by examining those closest to the door, she wanted to avoid another situation where the thing she needed was near the entry and she looked there last. After checking a few boxes, she noticed a definite trend. A lot of boxes had a big ‘J’ on top and tacked on somewhere else on the lid was a piece of paper with a name. Unfortunately, there were no dates. And none bore the name she needed.
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 29