The Weaving of Wells (Osric's Wand, Book Four)

by Jack D. Albrecht Jr.

  “I modeled the spell on another, and that one is no longer there. We don’t know exactly how the spell failed, or if it could ever be erected again, but… it’s gone now.” Osric’s voice cracked and Pendres stayed silent, respecting the emotion bared in Osric’s tone and ceasing his questioning. Gareth had remained quiet throughout the whole exchange, and Pendres wondered if he knew what Osric had been remembering when he spoke of the spell. Pendres had forgotten how much pain a single lifetime could contain.

  As they walked, Gareth pointed off to the hills that rolled across the open land to the north. A small stream trickled down between the mounds of earth, and large boulders broke through the hardy wild grasses and late-blooming flowers. A brown crust was the only evidence of the plush moss that had thrived on the broad stone backs of the mostly submerged rocks earlier in the year.

  “Just beyond that hill there,” Gareth said, indicating the tallest of the hills that were closest to them, “is a small cave. Let’s go there and see if we can get this gift working for you.”

  Osric and Pendres followed him through the knee-high grass, stirring up the fragrance of drying flowers and annoying small insects that flew up into their faces as the men disturbed the grass. Osric was very familiar with the area, including the cave that they were heading toward. He had often played there as a boy, and he liked the small shelter for hunting rabbits. The vegetation along the spring was tender and fragrant, and rabbits were well fed and plentiful in the area. Pendres, on the other hand, had ventured little from the busy populace of the Aranthian barracks within the protection spell. He had not had the pleasure of exploring the land that surrounded Stanton, and he was enjoying the soft rolling hills and the bright-green grasses and plants, so much more teeming with life and thriving than the rough terrain of Inasis, where he had been living before Stargon sought him out.

  The cave was shallow, more an outcrop of stone where wind and water had carved away the soil than an actual cave. There was room for all three of them to stand comfortably a few paces under the rock ceiling, and the ashes of some hunter’s fire was lying in a cold circle of stones on the dirt floor. Gareth indicated that Osric should stand facing the back wall, and he placed his hand against the stone.

  “When you look at a lake, you can see the reflection of the sky and the trees on the surface. Because of the light that reflects off the water, you have to focus your vision beyond that image in order to see the fish darting among the rocks down below. It’s a bit like that.” He waited for Osric to nod before continuing. “The stone that you can see is merely the surface, the part of the stone that the light reflects off of. To use the Stone-Sight, you must look beyond the surface. Instead of fish, you will see the various densities, flaws, cracks, and layers of the stone. It might be easier at first to try looking all the way through the stone, looking for the space beyond it as if you were looking for the bottom of the lake. Give it a try.”

  “It sounds a lot like using the Wand-Maker ability, but it isn’t the strands that I am trying to see just yet. What will it look like if I manage to see through to the other side?”

  “Much like the land behind us, but lacking the distinct lines and color.” Gareth’s hand still rested against the stone, and his face was soft as he looked through the solid substance.

  Osric gazed at the stone wall in the dim mid’day light that found its way to the back of the cave. His eyes could see the rough texture, the grey hue, and he tried to think of what he was seeing as merely a reflection on the surface. He stared harder, willing the rock to be transparent and allow his vision to penetrate deeper. At first, he just felt that he was making himself cross-eyed. His vision became less focused and he grew frustrated. Then, suddenly he could see shapes and lines in the stone that hadn’t been there before. He noticed a long crack about waist high, and it took a moment for the disorienting sense to pass before he could distinguish that the crack was several paces beyond the wall of stone he had been looking at. Again he refocused his eyes, seeking layers even deeper in the rock, and then his sight slowly sank through the rock until he could see the vague colorless image of waving grass.

  Osric squeezed his eyes closed, the strain of focusing so hard causing a throbbing behind his eyes. When he opened them, once again he could only see the rough, grey surface of the cave wall. It took several more tries before he could control the speed and direction of the sight within the stone, but the sun was still high overhead by the time he felt he could use the ability with some modicum of control. Then, he tried using the Stone-Sight in combination with the Wand-Maker’s ability. If he couldn’t get the two gifts to work together, his whole plan would have to be discarded and he would be back where he started.

  The first time he tried, he lost control of the Stone-Sight as soon as he tried to focus on the strands. Rather than the layers of stone deep beneath his feet, Osric found himself staring at the dirt in front of his boots. The second time, he had more success, but both abilities wavered and he couldn’t determine the density of the strands flowing through each layer of stone. It was as if the abilities both relied so much on the vision of his eyes that he could not use both of them simultaneously, but instead his eyes would prioritize one sight or the other to process.

  Osric was encouraged by his ability to gain control of the Stone-Sight gift so quickly, and he worked tirelessly to bring the two gifts into harmony, rather than succumbing to the frustration of his failure. Most of the day had passed and the air was growing colder when something finally settled into place and the two gifts began to enhance each other, rather than fighting one another. Osric sighed audibly when he felt the abilities synchronize, and Gareth smiled, understanding that some crisis had passed, though he did not know what Osric had been battling with all evening. Finally, Osric could determine where the strands were flowing through the various layers of stone, and he grew even more determined to find a pattern.

  “Gareth, can you tell me what I’m looking at here?” Osric didn’t take his eyes off of the stone in front of him. Pendres, though fascinated that Osric had acquired and was now learning to master an ability that he was not born with, stretched out on the fragrant grass outside the cave to wait. When he looked at the rock, he could see nothing but the stone wall, and he couldn’t offer any help to Osric. He remained alert and listened with interest to the conversation inside.

  “On the surface, here, you can see the minute imperfections where the wind is eroding the rock. It isn’t smooth the way it appears when you look with your eyes. You see?”

  “Yes, I see what you mean.”

  “Then deeper, here, you see this crack? That is a weakness in the stone. When the cave erodes this far, this area will go faster, causing the crevices in the rock like this one over here. Then about four times further in, you see how the color is deeper, a darker shade of grey with the sight?”

  “Yeah. Down there?”

  “Yes, that rock is more dense and solid. It will erode slower and remain after the surrounding softer stone is gone. There, that area another five times deeper and to your left, where it looks foggy?”

  “I see it.”

  “That’s water. There is an underground spring. You can follow it and see where it disperses into small sinkholes. That water is forming a cave system deep below the ground. Do you see the areas that look white?”

  “I do. Are those the hollow spaces, the caves?”

  “They are. It’s a fairly small system. There is a much larger one near the barracks. We have almost reached it, but we need to make sure we approach it properly in order to keep it as stable as possible. Once we are in, it should provide about three times the space you currently have in the existing structure. Do you see that pale stone near the largest cave, where the water is accumulating?”

  “It’s difficult to distinguish the stone from the water there.”

  “Yeah, it is. It gets easier with experience. That area will likely crumble sometime in the next few months and cause a rockslide that will con
nect those two caves. The water is eating away at it quickly. Those types of areas are what we must avoid, and we are taking the proper steps to reinforce and circumvent any that we locate. A few more days and we should have our first access point to the caves.”

  “That’s fantastic, Gareth. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you were able to devise and execute this plan to ensure the safety of the Aranthians.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Gareth cleared his throat. “So, can you tell me what you are seeing, in addition to what I can show you?”

  “Well, there is very little distinction in the amount of strands moving through this stone. It is slightly more than what flows through the soil on the surface. But that area where you pointed to the denser stone, that area has a little higher concentration of strands. There are essentially no strands at all in the water and the hollow space of the caves.” Osric was silent for a moment. “There. Ten times further down than the cave or so, that band of dark stone that snakes off to the north, there is a much denser flow of strands there. What type of rock is that?”

  “Ten times further than the caves? Are you sure?” Gareth sounded concerned, and Pendres got up and returned to Osric’s side.

  “Yes, well, it is difficult for me to judge distance, so I cannot be completely confident in my assessment. It’s possible that I do not have sufficient control over the ability to know for sure. However, I have sought out the area with the Stone-Sight several times and my calculations have been consistent. Each time, it is about ten times further down than the caves, straight down. Why?”

  Pendres cast a questioning look at Gareth as the Stone-Sight stared open-mouthed at Osric. It took him a moment to reply.

  “Osric, I cannot see the band of stone you are referring to.” Gareth was gazing at Osric with wide eyes, and Osric withdrew his sight from the stone and turned to look at the older man. “I can’t see even half that far, and I can see further than most. Not even Dorim can see nearly that far, and his distance is why I chose him for the project. Your power, considering you only became a Stone-Sight today, is baffling. I am awed by you, sir.” Gareth gave an awkward bow and Osric had to stifle his laughter.

  “Gareth, my power is worthless without men like you to guide my learning of its use. You have been incredibly helpful, and I believe we have been successful here today. If you can continue teaching me, particularly in reading your charts, I think I can strengthen our position against Dredek significantly.”

  “Of course, sir. I would be honored. Perhaps we can evaluate some of the stone in the lower levels as well? You may be able to see something that we wouldn’t see until it is too late to avoid without altering all of our construction plans. Your ability can ensure that we select the best route for the greatest amount of space and stability in the cave system.”

  “I would be happy to help. Anything to make the Aranthian headquarters a safer place to live and work. Thank you, Gareth.”

  Osric spent the rest of the evening surveying the stone around the large chamber where he had first found Gareth and poring over Gareth’s maps to try to identify the various types of rock that they charted. Osric was able to locate two small sections of the same dark stone that had high concentrations of strands close enough to the area for Dorim to see, and he confirmed that it was the hardest type of rock in the region. As far as Osric could tell, the denser the stone, the denser the flow of strands, but he wanted to research it further instead of just relying on his theory.

  The next day, Gareth continued to instruct him in identifying the various layers within the stone. Osric found areas where there were higher concentrations of strands, and then Osric and Gareth would work together to identify the corresponding stone and locate it on Gareth’s charts. Throughout the morning, Osric became more confident that he was correct, and after the mid’day meal he retired to his office with the maps. It was nearly morning again when he finished, but he emerged with red, tired eyes and a victorious grin. He was certain he could track the flow of magic across most of Archana, easily identifying potential sites for the smaller wells that they may not have already located, and he had a plan for using the information to thwart Dredek’s use of the Well of Strands to raise his army of the dead.

  For the first time in a very long time, Osric actually felt optimistic about the future of Archana, and he wanted nothing more than to find Bridgett and tell her the good news. He jogged through the corridors with rolled charts in both hands, drawing questioning looks and shaking heads from the few Aranthians who were awake before the sun rose. Osric smiled at each of them as he rushed past, slowing only when he arrived at the door to Bridgett’s chamber.

  Osric burst through the door, breathing heavily from running through the corridors. He nearly knocked a vase full of fresh-cut flowers to the floor, but he managed to drop one of the charts he was clutching and catch the crystal vase awkwardly in one arm before it crashed to the rug. Bridgett emerged from the doorway to her bedchamber with tousled hair and eyelids heavy from sleep, startled by the noise. When she saw Osric leaning against the wall embracing the large vase, she smiled and he grinned back at her like a child caught playing too rough in the house. Osric carefully replaced the flowers on the stand near the door and rushed over to Bridgett, sweeping her up in his arms and kissing her passionately. She stood in the circle of his embrace, breathless and bleary-eyed, and Osric could only stare at her for a moment. Each time he held her he was still amazed that she was there with him, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of the fear and pain that had gripped him so terribly when he thought she was gone forever. The relief that he could touch her, kiss her, was so potent that he found it difficult to speak before he caught his breath, and it had nothing to do with the exertion of running to her rooms. Bridgett turned slightly in his arms and looked down at the roll of parchment in his hand and the second one lying on the floor near the door. She glanced up at him with one eyebrow raised, and he released her to retrieve the dropped maps. Osric crossed the room and began to spread the charts out on the table near the window. Bridgett followed and looked down at the maps with lines and circles drawn in light all over the strange-looking charts. She waited for Osric to explain what had brought him to her door with such excitement so early in the morning.

  “I’ve figured it out. I know how I can draw more magic from Archana than Dredek can access at the Well of Strands.”

  “What are these?” Bridgett’s voice was still husky from sleep, but her eyes were bright and curious.

  “These are charts of Archana. Well, more accurately they are charts of what lies beneath the surface of Archana. I was up all night working it out, but I did it.”

  Bridgett looked at Osric with a wide smile as his excitement radiated toward her, and she couldn’t help but be affected by it.

  “What did you do, love?”

  “I mapped the flow of magic across Archana. I can identify where the greatest amount of magic comes close to the surface, so I can find all of the wells. Now, I just need a few of the world’s greatest Wand-Makers to help me manipulate the strands, and a few of the world’s greatest Earth Elementalists to help me manipulate the stone, and I can link all of the wells. If I can pull it off, I will be able to use all of the smaller wells at once to magnify my power, and it should be enough to outweigh the power that Dredek has in Angmar.” Osric’s cheeks were flushed and his eyes were fierce as he gazed down at her. “I can defeat him, Bridgett, from half a world away from the Irua Realm!”

  “Osric, that’s incredible!” Osric would not be battling Dredek in direct combat again, and Bridgett was as elated about this as she was about the prospect of undertaking such an amazing feat of magic. Osric grabbed her hand in his and began dancing her across the room, twirling her in circles, and Bridgett laughed as the room spun around. She felt lighter than she had since she had stepped through Chandra’s beaded curtain what seemed like a lifetime ago.

  Bridgett collapsed into Osric’s arms, giggling like a little girl, and he kis
sed her again. For a moment, only his lips and his arms existed, and if she could have had her way it never would have ended. Osric released her reluctantly, but he quickly rolled up the maps and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I have to go find Gus. We have a lot of work to do today.” Osric rushed to the open door, leaving Bridgett standing in the middle of the chamber with a soft smile on her lips and the room spinning slowly around her.

  26 — Weaving Wells

  Gus and Eublin stared at Osric in silence. Gus’s ear was twitching steadily, and he opened his mouth a few times as if to say something, but then he closed it and continued staring in silence. Eublin kept pushing his spectacles up his nose even though they weren’t sliding down, but his mouth remained closed. Osric sat in the chair, his feet propped up on his desk, waiting for the response. He had expected Eublin to be bouncing with excitement, and he was sure that Gus would launch into one of his classic tirades about the irresponsibility of using magic they didn’t understand. While he was explaining his plan to the others, Bridgett had slipped into the room. She stood against the wall with an expression somewhere between worry and anger, but she too remained quiet. Honestly, Osric was growing quite anxious as all of them just stared at him. He dropped his feet from the desk and propped his elbows on his knees, staring back at them just as intently. Eventually, one of them would speak, and then they would come up with a plan and Osric would try to end the war once and for all. Eventually. Eublin finally broke the silence.

  “We knew that the wells could tip the balance of power in our favor, but what you are suggesting…” Eublin shook his head. “Are you actually suggesting what I think you are suggesting?” Before Osric could respond, Gus’s twitching spread from his ear to his entire body and he began stammering and then yelling.

  “Boy,” he shouted, “either you are suicidal or you are a plain idiot. Channeling that much power could kill you!”