"Relax, Michael. It sounds more frightening than it actually is. Are you ready?"
"Go for it."
Merric locked eyes with Michael.
"Premo."
Michael felt as if a giant hand wrapped around his shield and was slowly squeezing. He felt his shield draw inward a bit and had to concentrate to keep it from giving any further. Michael could feel the energy drain start, slowly, like a mild current running through his body. The hand’s grip continued to increase. Although he felt no physical discomfort, mentally Michael felt the pressure building. He took a deep breath and let it out, willing his shield to hold. He closed his eyes and concentrated on keeping the hand from crushing him.
Merric watched Michael closely. He could see the boy was trying to concentrate on keeping his shield intact. Apparently, Michael was determined to go until he passed out from the strain. That showed a level of commitment that Merric found admirable, but he did not want Michael to lose consciousness. That could cause him to draw back and start to fear the training. Merric also wanted Michael to trust him. He determined to let up before Michael collapsed.
He saw Michael’s lips move, but could not make out what he said. Then the lines of strain left Michael’s face. Merric had just about decided to end the testing when Michael opened his eyes again. He was looking straight into Merric’s eyes now, that slight smile starting at the corners of his mouth again. What was the boy up to this time? Merric increased his efforts. He was pouring power into the pressure on the shield, and Michael continued to smile at him. Obviously, the boy had great reserves of power.
Merric would have to try harder. He opened the channel wider, pouring as much power as he could into the spell. He felt a shudder in the flux of the power and realized Michael had just pushed his shield outward against the pressure. The boy was expanding his shield, even under the assault of Merric’s power! Merric began to perspire. His robes felt heavy and stifling. He could not maintain this level of power for much longer. He saw Michael raise one eyebrow at him.
"Enough," Merric said, shutting down the power flow. He panted and leaned over to rest with his hands on his knees. He stayed there for a few seconds then straightened and began fanning his robes at the collar, trying to let some cooler air in between himself and the robe. He was drenched with perspiration, and the robe clung to him. Merric got a chill when he felt the cooler air touch his skin upon entering his robes. He regarded Michael with a critical eye.
"Michael, how did you do that? I would have sworn your shield was getting ready to collapse, but then you actually expanded it against my force."
"Well, I was trying to keep my shield from collapsing. The strain was becoming enormous. I suddenly remembered what Micah told me about being able to draw power from the magic around you. He said you could draw energy from static magic to help boost your own strength. So I began to draw energy from the attack on my shield to help support it."
"Michael, that should not have been possible. The power of the attack on your shield was not static. It was a continuous flow coming from me," Merric said incredulously.
"It was static where it was assaulting my shield. I merely tapped into it and pulled it into myself."
"That should not have worked. As I said, it was not the same as a static field. A static field is a type of magic that performs a certain function. It is put in place then left alone unless it needs to be strengthened or altered. It just sits there. It does not flow or channel, therefore its energy may be tapped if needed. A live channel is entirely different. It is changing and flowing, under the direction of the channeler." Merric paced the floor, looking at the ceiling, his hands folded behind his back.
"I will have to study this further. What did you do to affect this siphoning?"
"I visualized the force as a hand squeezing my shield. I then felt for its energy and said traho. It is what Micah told me to use to pull energy from what he called non-fluid magic. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but it did. I felt the energy of the crushing force diminish by an amount equal to what I drew from it. When I felt it increase in force, I simply pulled more from it and added it to my shield. When I added the new energy, I felt my shield grow rigid and expand slightly. That was about the time you stopped."
"That makes no sense. You did what would normally have been done to pull energy from a static field, but you affected a fluid channel with it." Merric raised his hands to his face and ran them down it. I do not understand it."
"Well, that is for greater minds than my own. What say we get some lunch. I’m starving," Michael replied.
Merric turned to Michael and chuckled.
"Here I thought it was going to be you who needed rest after the testing, and now I find myself the one in need of a nap. Yes, let’s take a break and get something to eat. Would you mind taking us down to the dining hall? I would like to observe your teleporting."
"Sure. I am actually getting better at it. The last time my stomach stayed where it’s supposed to be instead of tumbling around inside me."
"Yes, the first few times can be a bit troublesome on the stomach. I remember my first time," Merric said smiling.
"I transported myself and my teacher to the entrance hall. I spent the next hour mopping the floor and washing his robe. I’m afraid I made a terrible mess," Merric laughed as he thought back.
"You should have seen the look on his face when I threw up all over the front of his robes. He could have turned wine to vinegar with that look."
Michael laughed.
"I nearly did the same thing my first time. It was bad enough that I was scared to death when I had to teleport the second time, but Micah assured me it would get easier each time, and he was right." Michael walked over to Merric. He had to reach up to place his hand on Merric’s shoulder. The man was tall! He would be very intimidating if he didn’t smile all the time. Michael visualized energy flowing from him into Merric. He closed his eyes and spoke a single word.
"Tribuo." He felt a tingling sensation in his hand and could feel energy flowing through it into Merric. He felt Merric stiffen and heard him suck in a breath. Cutting off the energy flow immediately, Michael opened his eyes. Merric was staring at him in shock.
"Michael, what did you just do?" Merric inquired in a whisper.
"I transferred some of the energy I took from you back to where it came from. You said you were tired, so I figured I should give it back," Michael replied perplexed.
"Should I not have done it? Did I hurt you?" Michael asked alarmed.
"No, no I am fine. It is just another one of those surprises. Only healers can give energy to another person. A wizard cannot do what you just did, not directly anyway. I heard the spell. It is the one used to recharge a magical field. What were you concentrating on when you cast it?"
"I just thought of transferring your energy back to you. It seemed that it worked. I felt the energy leaving me and entering you. Did it not have the desired effect?"
"Aye, it did. I am no longer tired, in fact, I feel as good as I did before the testing," Merric told him, mentally assessing himself.
"How do you feel? Are you tired now that you have depleted your own energy?"
"No. I didn’t really use my energy. I merely returned to you what you put into the testing field. I still feel fine," Michael assured him.
"If you gave me back all the energy I used in testing your shield, and judging by how I feel, you did, you should be tired from the testing itself. You had to have used a great deal of your own energy in maintaining the shield."
"Well, I felt the energy draining out of me the longer I held the shield, but it was not anything major. It just felt like a slow, steady pull. The feel of the force crushing the shield was frightening at first, but once I realized I could pull energy from that force, the fear went away and the energy drain dropped almost to nothing. I felt more like a conduit, channeling the energy from the attack to the shield. It took very little effort to maintain that channel, since you were supplying the energy."
>
"That is amazing. I feel like I am the one who is back in school now. You have shown me wonders today that I would have previously said were impossible. This is very exciting, Michael. The new possibilities and ways of thinking that you could teach us, once you truly understand and can control your magic, are astounding," Merric told him smiling the biggest smile Michael had ever seen on anyone’s face.
"I truly hope that one day that will be possible. Now, how about that lunch? I may not be tired, but I sure am hungry."
"Yes, of course. To the dining hall, my boy. All this excitement has given me an appetite as well, and I feel like celebrating."
Michael returned his smile and spoke the words of transport that would take them to the dining hall.
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was mid-afternoon when the two runners finally caught sight of Kantwell. They had just broken clear of the forest, stopping to regard the rolling plain of lush, green grass that stretched out before them. The dark granite of Kantwell’s outer wall and upper levels could be seen in the distance. Set on the highest point within the plains, the castle kept watch on all the surrounding lands. There was still some distance to travel, but the goal was within sight now.
"Come on. Let us get this done," Branik said to Reek as he again broke into a run.
Both men were covered with sweat and it drew lines in the grime that covered their faces as it ran down. Their tunics, likewise drenched, clung to them like a second skin. They had passed by two other villages during the course of their journey. Both seemed intact and unmolested, so they had not slackened their pace. Now, clear of the forest, the sun beat down on them and made them perspire even more. Reek pulled a waterskin from his belt and took a drink. He held it out to Branik, who also took a drink and then handed it back. They were running low on water, but that did not matter now that their destination was only about an hour away. Both men increased their pace, their strides rapidly eating away at the remaining distance. They temporarily lost sight of the walls as they ran down into a small valley. Cresting the top of the next rise, they spotted an encampment stationed away from the outer walls. There were hundreds of tents, all of them flying green pennants. Oddly, there were trees growing around the area and nowhere else on the plain. The runners were still too far away to make out the specific insignia, but the colors could be none other than those of the elves.
"It seems Merric has convinced the elves to join the fun," Branik said between drawn breaths.
"Aye, but it would seem it’s only a token force. There cannot be more than a thousand tents down there," Reek observed.
"A thousand elven archers are worth five times that number of Branna’s infantry.
"True enough, but still, the number is not encouraging."
Branik laughed and quickened his pace.
"Leaves more for us then."
Reek laughed and shook his head. Branik’s thirst for battle never ceased to amaze and disconcert him. He seemed to have none of the inner peace of the Avari. Reek felt sorry for him and admired him at the same time. Branik was certainly the most talented sword master Reek had ever seen, but there was too much of his great grandsire in him. It wasn’t as if Branik went looking for fights, but he certainly did not do anything to discourage the ones that came his way. And now this war…it seemed to focus Branik, to give him an outlet for his battle hunger. Reek knew Branik had been unhappy back home.
No one truly understood Branik and most avoided him. There were none among the Avari who could give him a challenge. He had beaten all of the sword masters, except Lord Micah. He had even gone so far as to take on the seven elders all at once. They could not understand why Branik had not settled into the contemplative life like the rest of the Avari. Although Branik had surpassed all of them in the way of the sword, his hand to hand skills were only on par with theirs. He actually seemed to disdain fighting bare handed. He spent almost all of his time with a sword. If he was not training, he was crafting. The Avari smiths had taught him all they knew of the shaping of steel, and Branik absorbed the knowledge like a sponge. His skill with a sword was nearly matched by his talent at the forge. Even Lord Micah conceded that Branik made some of the finest swords he had ever seen. It had been one of the few times he had seen Branik genuinely happy. Reek wished his friend would find some measure of peace, but he had the feeling that the only peace Branik would ever know was the peace of the final sleep.
They had already been spotted as they neared the elven encampment and could see warriors moving to interpose themselves between the two Avari and those in the camp. Both men slowed their pace and raised their empty hands in greeting. Seeing them slow, the elves put away their weapons and returned the greeting. A tall Elf with golden hair stepped forward as they came to a stop about ten steps from the group of warriors.
"Hail, Avari. I am Ataum, leader of the Forest Guard. What brings you to Kantwell in such obvious haste?"
Branik moved forward, eyeing them all.
"We bring grave news. We have run all night to bring word to Merric that a large group of ogres have been raiding within Branna. Just this morning we were witness to the slaughter and razing of the village Kell to the southeast. We were only two and arrived too late to aid the locals. The band appears to be several hundred strong. King Brose must be informed so he can take action."
"We will see to it at once. Take your rest with us for a bit. I will send a runner to inform Merric."
Branik held his hand up.
"Nay, we are required at Kantwell itself. We have business there and do not require rest just yet."
Ataum regarded the man before him. He was heavily muscled and the pace at which he had seen the men running should have had them panting, but neither appeared particularly winded. Ataum had heard about the Avari, but they were not that well known in Trelom. They kept to their island home much as the elves kept to their forest.
"Then let us not stand in your way."
Branik nodded his head to Ataum and headed off through the camp at a jog. Reek came up to Ataum and bowed his head slightly.
"I hope you will forgive my friend his abruptness. Witnessing the slaughter of that village has angered him. His name is Branik and mine is Reek. I bid you greetings on behalf of the Avari."
Ataum’s eyes softened a bit at mention of the village.
"I understand. Were I in his place, I would feel the same way. Please tell Merric that if he has need of us in this matter, we stand ready."
"I shall so inform him. Good day to you, Ataum." With that, Reek followed after Branik. He ran as fast as he could to catch up. He ran abreast of Branik just as he was passing through the gates of Kantwell. They both looked up the steps as they slowed to a walk. There was a blonde haired man in blue robes standing in the open doorway leaning against the door frame.
"Greetings, Avari. Welcome to Kantwell. I am Mathis. I believe Merric is expecting you. If you would follow me, I will take you to him," Mathis informed them crossing his hands into his sleeves.
Branik stopped before Mathis.
"Yes, we have pressing news for Merric, and we have been sent to instruct a young man named Michael."
"This way then. I believe they are together in the dining hall. You are most welcome to join us for dinner," Mathis said as he turned to lead them through the door.
"I believe the cooks have prepared a vegetable stew for this evening. We also have wash rooms in the west wing if you would prefer to clean up beforehand," Mathis said eyeing the condition of their tunics.
Reek cleared his throat to cut Branik off before he could respond.
"I am afraid the news we bear is most dire, and my friend, Branik, is in a hurry to deliver it. Bathing will have to wait until later."
"As you wish. Would you permit me to affect a bit of magic on your behalf? It will only take a few moments, and I assure you it will be to everyone’s benefit," Mathis said sincerely.
"This is your abode, Wizard Mathis. If you deem it prudent, then please do what
you feel is necessary," Reek replied placing a hand on Branik’s shoulder to remind him where they were.
Mathis inclined his head slightly in appreciation for Reek’s diplomacy. He held his hands out to the two men with his palms facing them.
"Tersus."
Reek felt a tingling sensation cover his body. He felt Branik stiffen under his hand and knew his friend was feeling the same sensation. It only lasted for a few seconds, and when he glanced over at Branik, Reek noticed that his clothes looked clean and all traces of grime had been erased from his face and arms. Looking down at himself, he saw the same results. He ran his hand back through his hair. It was no longer plastered to his head with sweat, but felt clean and dry.
"Thank you, Wizard Mathis. I am sure those dining will be grateful to you for this service."
Mathis twitched a grin.
"Of that, I have no doubt, Master Reek. Now, if you would follow me, I have no wish to detain you any longer." Having said that, Mathis turned on his heels and led the two Avari through the entrance hall to a door at the rear.
Stepping through the door, Reek was taken by the size of the chamber they entered. He had seen how big Kantwell was from the outside, but being inside it made it seem even larger. This vast room was clean and shining with a ceiling so high overhead that he could not imagine how men could have built it. The statue that dominated the center of the room was not only grand in size, but it was rendered with a level of skill he had never witnessed before. The Avari did not shape stone, therefore statues were not common in their homes, and all Avari dwellings consisted of only a single story. They had no need for such grand buildings. A house was not meant to impress, but to keep one safe against the elements.
They followed Mathis around the statue and to an archway at the rear of the chamber. They passed through the arch and walked along a short corridor coming to a cross hall. Mathis turned right and led them down that hall, passing several open archways. At the sixth such arch, he turned to his left and led them through it. He saw Branik scan the room, taking in all the people seated at the tables eating. A hush rippled through the room as more and more of the people took notice of them standing there. Reek saw a tall man with gray hair and beard stand up. He wore the blue robes of a wizard. He turned to a brown haired young man who had been seated next to him and said something. The young man rose, and they both walked over to the newcomers.
The Chronicles of the Myrkron: Book 01 - The Nine Keys of Magic Page 34