A Deepening Knowledge (A Life of Magic)

by Matthew Mitchell

  We all ran in to see what Stain was upset about. He stood in the middle of the room surrounded by various objects. No real furniture was apparent. The only large object in the room was a large pile of fabric, almost resembling a nest. Everything else was stowed in a very precise manner.

  "What is wrong?" Conium asked Stain as she grabbed his arm.

  Stain fell to his knees, "Charles is not the traitor." He was crying.

  "What?" Victor pulled Stain up. "Explain yourself old man!"

  Stain looked at Victor and his expression was haunted. "The creature that was living here was not Charles. The one who moved out here was not our friend. It was an imposter."

  "Then where is Charles?" Raven was looking around and picking through various piles of items.

  Stain just shook his head, "I hope he is still alive. Although if he is he is being held captive." He shook himself and looked around. "Have any of you heard of a shifter?"

  We all looked at each other and shook our heads.

  Stain took a deep breath, "I will provide a better explanation later. However, a shifter is someone who has the ability to assume the form of anyone else for a period of time. The time they can hold the look depends on many variables. There are some things we need to figure out." He looked around. "Look for any clues as to the true appearance of this shifter. Anything that is not Charles' size. Something we know he could not wear. Hairs of different colors, food that he disliked, anything out of the ordinary." He picked up a shoe. "A shifter is human, of a sort. Magic is involved but in a very complicated manner. Ott, you might be able to sense something if you open fully. Be careful though. There could be magical traps."

  We all started sorting through the various piles of items. Every so often we would find something out of the ordinary. These things we put into a pile at the center of the room. After about an hour of searching Stain called for a halt.

  "I think we have all the information we are going to glean from this cabin." He sat down and held up the different items that had seemed out of place. "It would seem as if the shifter is a female. We found clothes and a hair that lend that idea." Holding up a very long, blond hair Stain looked at Victor, "How many women in the compound have hair like this?" The hair was so light it was almost white.

  Victor looked intently at the hair and shook his head. "None that I know of. And I thought I knew everyone here."

  Conium looked closely at the hair. "I have seen one woman with hair that might match that one. She was always going to the kitchen late to get food. She never talked to anyone unless she was forced." She closed her eyes and I could feel her magic swirl up and out. A vague image formed in mid air of a woman. She was fine boned with long flowing blond hair. Her clothes matched some of the things in the pile. Her expression was one of worry. The image grew clearer and crisp.

  "I have seen her also!" Raven spoke suddenly. "I tried to talk to her a few times. She was always in a hurry and seemed to be worried about something, like she had a great burden."

  Stain looked closely. "I have not seen her in this form. Victor?"

  Victor was staring at the image. "I have never laid eyes on this woman. However, there is something about her that calls to me. Like, as Raven put it, under a great burden." He looked down. "Well now we know what our next step will be. To find this woman and have a talk." How he said this last part put me in mind of when my father had gotten tired of my attitude and decided it was time to let me know.

  Stain picked up a small object from the pile. "This should make it easy. Most shifters are not strong mages, so I should be able to find her with this." He held up a hair tie that had a few hairs hanging from it, like it was ripped from the hair in anger. I could see the magic swirl up from Stain and surround the tie. The spell looked much like a scrying spell, except it focused on the tie. He held it for a moment then moved the magic upwards. An image formed. The woman was sitting on the ground. A small pack and a walking stick laid beside her. A small fire flickered, flashing light onto her face. It was obvious she was miserable. Her face was tear stained and she held herself like she was in pain. Rocking back and forth, sobbing. Stain expanded the view and we could see that she was inside a cave.

  "I know that cave. It is about a days walk into the mountain." Victor stood up and headed towards the door.

  "Where are you going?" Stain spoke quickly.

  "I am going to find this woman and then find my student." Victor put his hand on the door frame

  Stain stood up and grabbed Victor's arm. "We are going with you. Charles was our friend also." He looked around. "Everyone grab your weapons and such. Meet me at the main hall as quick as you can." He walked out with Victor and they headed towards the main hall.

  We all looked at each other and then raced to our own cabins to grab what we needed. I grabbed my bag, sword, and walking stick. Within moments I was ready to go and rushed to the hall. Stain and Victor stood there. Victor itching to get underway. Raven walked in just after me and Conium was right behind Raven.

  "Good. We are taking the shortcut. We will be near that cave in mere hours instead of a day." Victor led the way to the back of the hall. He inserted a key into a large door and we filed down a stairway. "I found this when I first started repairing the compound. Each of these doors leads to a different path. We need the third one from the right." Following his own directions he entered the door. A room with a round hole in the floor laid beyond the door. "The purpose of these holes were unknown until someone fell into one. We thought they were lost to us as we did not know how deep they were. After a few days they made their way back and we figured out what they were." He looked down the hole and grinned. "Basically it is a fast travel option. There are spells laid along the entire shaft. The spells keep you from falling too fast. They also keep you centered in the shaft. At the bottom of each shaft is a set of spells to slow you down safely. Also if you can fly you can travel upwards." He looked at Stain and grinned. "This is how I get around so fast at times. I can get to the heart of the mountain in a very short time if needed." With that he jumped into the hole. He fell out of sight.

  Stain looked put out. "That sneaky pain. I asked him years ago how he did that. He refused to answer." Stain stepped up to the hole and jumped in.

  Conium grinned and stated. "This is going to be fun!" She jumped into the hole without looking back.

  Raven looked at me and shook her head. "You realize we are surrounded by crazy people?"

  I laughed and nodded, "We fit in pretty well though."

  She laughed and jumped down the hole.

  "You ready for this?" I asked Mophar.

  Mophar wrapped his tail tighter around me. "Get going. The sooner this ride is over the better."

  I walked up to the hole and looked down. The shaft looked to be wide enough for me to reach out and not touch either side. I could see lights on the walls moving away from me, probably where each of my friends were in the shaft. I took a deep breath and jumped. The first moment of falling took my breath away. A set of lights flashed into existence, a small magic working on it's own. After a moment the feeling of falling leveled out, lacking the acceleration of free fall.

  "Well this is not that bad." Mophar commented.

  I had to agree. While we were still moving at a very fast pace downwards, the pace was steady instead of increasing like you would anticipate.

  We fell for what seemed like hours. The lights kept pace the entire time, the side of the shaft the same color and texture the entire way. Suddenly the lights took on a slight red hue.

  "I think we might be reaching the bottom." Mophar commented.

  I looked down and could see only one set of lights below me. The lights had changed to a bright red. Suddenly the lights winked out. I could see a slight glow off to the side of the shaft and a shadow flitted through the glow.

  "I believe you are right." I braced myself as I felt my downward motion slowing. It continued to slow as the lights grew more red. I looked down and could see the bottom
of the shaft. It was approaching at too fast of a pace, to me anyway.

  Mophar looked down and his tail tightened around me. "I do not see any bodies there. So we should be good, right?" I could hear his nervousness.

  I felt the same way, "I guess we are about to find out."

  The bottom grew closer and closer and suddenly we were slowing down much faster. The lights grew redder and redder until they looked like blood. Not a comforting color. We came to a stop and settled down suddenly. I could feel a small amount of magic providing a cushion to keep me upright. A doorway was behind me, a soft glow coming through. I could hear the others talking.

  Mophar tugged on my hair, "Yah mule." He joked, his relief in still being alive obvious.

  I laughed and walked through the doorway.

  "He survived!" Conium called out. "Let's get moving."

  Raven swatted my arm. "Conium was singing on the way down. I could just hear her." She shook her head. "I was scared at first but after a bit it was just boring."

  I nodded. "I felt the same way."

  Victor led the way from the room. A large wooden door blocked the way. He pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the door. "We keep these secret and locked. Everyone thinks they lead to abandoned shafts and dangerous areas." He was obviously enjoying himself some. "Only a few people know these shafts even exists and only I have the keys for them. There is a set of keys in the treasury if anything ever happens to me." He looked at Stain. "Just do not go down the shaft that has a door over it. That shaft failed halfway I would have died if I could not fly."

  Stain shook his head. "Crazy old fool."

  Conium laughed and followed Stain out. Raven and I walked out and Victor locked the door. It looked just like many we had passed on our way to the top of the mountain, except this one had a red marking on it. Much like a skull.

  Victor looked around and pointed, "She should be down that way. The cave she was in is a way station we keep supplied for weary travelers." He moved off down the tunnel at a brisk pace.

  We all followed, each keeping an eye out for trouble. After about an hour of walking Victor stopped and pointed at an opening up ahead in the tunnel wall. "That is the cave. It looks like she is still there." The light from a small fire seemed to ooze out of the opening. We approached, Victor and Stain first with Conium guarding Raven and myself.

  Victor stepped into the opening with his sword drawn. Stain followed, magic curling around his fingertips. We stepped up behind them and looked past them. The woman still sat there, unaware that she now had company. She looked even more morose than she had in the image Stain had called up. She still cried and wept loudly. Her fire had burned down to almost embers.

  Victor coughed and the woman jumped. Her head snapping upwards. The look of dejection and fear washed over her face. Then she just looked tired and resigned.

  "I should have known I could not escape. What is the point anyway? I am going to die no matter what." The resignation in her voice was heartbreaking.

  Victor went to step forward yet Stain grabbed his arm. "Wait."

  Stain stepped forward and cast a spell. A shield wrapped around the woman. She simply sat there and watched. The shield changed colors and spun faster and faster. Her appearance changed slightly, her hair growing longer and her eyes turning a brighter blue. She looked down and realized what Stain had done.

  "So you know about us and how to reveal us." She spoke in a surprised tone.

  Stain nodded, "I was there at the Inception." His tone made it obvious this was a specific occasion.

  She gasped and looked at him closer. "How?"

  "It is a long story. I was once known as a friend to your people. I went by a different name during that time, Sty." He sat down across the fire from her.

  She shook her head and laughed dryly. "But of course you did." She looked at the rest of us. "So what happens now?"

  Stain motioned us to sit and asked, "How about you tell us your name and then share your story?"

  She looked surprised and exclaimed, "You do know my kind. Very well. My name is Sofie. I will share my story, then you will have to decide what to do with me and my story." She leaned back against the rock and wiped away her tears.

  * * *

  Once long ago an evil mage worked his magic on people. He was a cruel and heartless man who destroyed all the good around him. The good mages of the kingdom set out to stop him, yet they were captured. As they sat in their cages they watched as one by one innocent people were twisted and changed by magic. Most died. The evil mage worked for weeks to try to change anyone into what he envisioned. He wanted an army of slaves that would have the ability to take on any appearance. If he had an army like this he would be able to capture strongholds from the inside. Finally he figured out a solution. Taking a large group of people he cast the spell. Some died immediately. Some took days, being destroyed from the inside by the magic. Finally only two were left. A woman by the name Elva and a man named Alvin. They both survived and had the ability to change shape. Hating their evil creator and desiring freedom they took on the form of their guards and escaped. While escaping they helped the kingdom mages to escape. These mages destroyed the evil mage and took the couple to safety. When their abilities were fully realized some mages wanted to lock them up.

  Evla and Alvin were scared. They desired freedom, not another prison. One mage stood up to the rest. A young apprentice who was called Sty. He claimed that the couple could be helpful to the kingdom, but only if the kingdom was helpful to them. Taking young Sty's advice the mages provided a place of refuge and safety.

  The two young people fell in love and had a child. Their child retained the ability to change shape, making for a difficult childhood. Eventually more children were born and they grew up and married normal people. Babies born of such unions retain the ability to change shape. Over time a large compound was established and a small city grew. All the families have some normal people but there are also shifters. We live and work together. Some sign up to work in the kingdom where our unique abilities come in handy. Others travel. Some stay home and raise families.

  My family was a trading family. We traveled far and wide seeking to find exotic and rare items. Spices, drinks, foods, even plants. My father was a normal and my mother a shifter. My father was also a mage, air mainly. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. We all are shifters. I am the most accomplished in shifting. My sisters cannot hold it as long or as well done. One always has darker hair.

  We were traveling when we were attacked. A large group of men surrounded our camp, none making any noise. They knocked us all unconscious and took us captive. When we woke up there was a man there who gave us a choice. If we cooperated and did his bidding then we would not be killed. My father refused and tried to use his magic, weak as it was, to defend his family. The man killed my father, right in front of me. My mother held my father in her lap as he died. His last words were to keep us safe and that he loved her. My mother, brother, and sisters are held hostage for my cooperation. If I fail then not only do I die but what is left of my family will die.

  I have been working for this man for years now. I spied inside strongholds, listened to private conversations, even kept an eye on people. I hated myself for what I did. The kingdom is my home and this man is making me hurt it. But my family will die if I fail. Just over a year ago I received a message that I must report to the base of this mountain. I was met by a masked figure who led me deep into the mountain. There I met the man. He told me that he had a task for me, one that if I completed successfully my family would be set free. I was to impersonate the king's son. They had already captured him and had him locked up. He was being treated well, no harm had occurred yet. I worked for days to learn his mannerisms, his habit of speaking, his oddities. He seemed to hate me at first, yet he soon realized that I was as much a captive as he was. He started helping me figure out how to pass off as him better. The little things that I was missing. After a week of working he claimed I wa
s ready. I could pass as him.

  The man took me away and explained what I was to do. Spy, keep an eye on what occurred at the compound, pass on any messages of import. This kept me busy the past year. A season ago I received new instructions. The man was looking for a mage. A young boy who was very talented in the art of magic. I was to report anything relating to this boy. When I heard that the king's own mage was coming here and bringing his new apprentice I knew it was the boy he was looking for all this time.

  As I spent time with each of you, as Charles, I realized that I could not continue this course of action. I could not betray any of you. Each of you had shown a true friendship and treated me so well. I know you thought it was Charles, yet you treated me better than many. When the man found out that you were setting the trap he decided that it was time for me to make a move. He wanted me to capture you two and bring you to him. I could not hand you two over. I spiked your food, I figured you would at least know what I was then. Then I ran. I know my family and I will be dead shortly. But at least I finally did something right. I could die knowing that I finally honored my father, standing up for what was right. I just could not take it anymore.

  * * *

  We all sat there a moment and considered the story Sofie had just shared. Raven wiped some tears from her eyes.

  Stain leaned forward, "Just so everyone knows, the shield around Sofie is a form of truth spell. Not only does it detect falsehoods, it forces truth. She cannot lie while in that spell." He released the shield.

  Victor spoke clearly, "I hate that evil can twist and pervert people. Sofie, do you know where Charles is being held?"

  Sofie nodded, "There is a small camp deep within the mountain. He is being held there by a few guards. My family is there also."

  Conium stated, "Well, sounds like time for a rescue party."

  Stain looked around, taking an evaluation of each of us. "I think I can say this for all of us, I can forgive the deception that you were forced to commit. If you would assist us in rescuing our friend I can see what I can do for you."