The Dive: Birth of a Wordsmith

by Justin Miller

  “I see… and what would it take to earn one of these blessings?”

  She smiled to me at that. “If this alliance succeeds with the human village, I will do so personally as thanks. Though be warned, finding a mage among the small people will be far more difficult.”

  I figured she was grouping goblins and dwarves together as ‘small people’, and nodded. “I understand, and thank you. But back to the question from before, would the spell I mentioned be enough to trade for a bow my companion can use?”

  Dariel looked to Denise, and smiled. “Yes. If the spell is as you say, then it is worthy of a fine bow.” As she stood up, I moved to join her but she stopped me with a motion. “Please, stay. I must request a meeting with our leader to discuss these matters further.” With another smile she handed me back my book, and stepped outside. Though, she didn’t move very far.

  Watching her, I saw that she cast some spell that called a dove to her. Then, after whispering to the dove, it flew off and she returned inside. “I’ll be meeting with him tonight hopefully, after he finishes talking with the humans.”

  “Alright. So, if I may ask, what exactly is elven magic? I assume it is what you used to bring us up here, the thing with the vines, but I must admit that with how few human mages there are, I haven’t been able to encounter many types of magic.”

  Dariel smiled slightly to me. “I think it would be better to wait to tell you about our magic until tomorrow. For now, let me treat you both to dinner.”

  I chuckled and shook my head. “Never let it be said that I turned down a free meal.” Denise thought that was funny, as she laughed lightly at the comment.

  “Oh yeah. This guy is good at getting free meals.” She smirked in my direction. “I don’t think he’s ever actually paid for one.”

  “And who’s the one that always offers?” I teased her back, and we both laughed. Dariel smiled to the two of us, and walked out of the hollow. For a few moments I was wondering just what it is that elves usually eat.

  “You sure make friends easily.” Denise smirked to me.

  “Hey, it’s better to make friends than enemies, right? Besides, I have to admit my outlook has changed since I first came here.”

  “Oh? What do you mean.” She scooted up next to me, looking curious.

  “You see, where I come from, when we go to places like this, it’s common for us to play a certain role that we determine. Think of it as becoming characters in our own story. And at first, I was going to do the same thing. But now? I can’t pretend to be someone else when this could very easily become my world now. So instead of pretending to be a part of this world, I thought I should actually do it.” I smiled to her, and she nodded. “And besides, I’ve made real friends here, and lying to them about who I am would feel wrong.”

  Denise smiled again, “Thanks.”

  After that, Dariel came back, carrying what looked like leaf-wrapped packages. “Sorry it took me so long. Had to stop and talk before I could return.”

  “It’s no trouble, you really weren’t gone that long at all.” I was still wondering what she got, even moreso now that I saw the leaf packages. “I’m curious. Elves don’t eat meat, right? Sorry if that’s a rude question, it just hadn’t occurred to me before now.”

  Dariel nodded, “That’s right, but we have other delicacies. We live at one with nature without harming it. That’s part of the reason for the trouble with your hunters. Killing the forest animals for food has always been frowned upon in our clan.”

  I smirked, despite myself. “Oh, I can just imagine how the foreigners that entered this world as elves would react to that.” At Dariel’s confused expression I quickly explained. “Sorry, where we come from there are only humans, and meat is a large part of our diet.”

  “I see. Well, I do hope you will enjoy this regardless.” She still had that pleasant smile as she handed both Denise and myself one of the green packages.

  When I carefully unwrapped the package, my first thought was It’s bread, but I carefully broke off a piece to taste it, and smiled. Denise seemed to allow me to accept the role as official taste-tester, and waited for my response. “It’s good. Sweet.” Denise looked suddenly at the loaf of bread-like food that was in her hand, and then tried it in the same manner I had.

  A few moments later, her entire loaf had suddenly vanished! Never get between a girl and her sweets.

  I made sure to eat my own loaf at a more leisurely pace, to actually taste the food, rather than inhaling it. “You know, Dariel, I never thought I’d say this, but this is actually really good even without meat.”

  The elf woman giggled a bit at that, and nodded. “You should never discount something just because it’s different. While I understand that there is much we can learn from the humans, I also believe that there is much you can learn from us.”

  I nodded to her, diligently working to finish my meal. I don’t want to be an impolite guest, after all! “Well, hopefully we can have a better discussion tomorrow, after everything is settled. Even if the hunters are freed, we still have to go back to the village to explain what happened to them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they already thought we were dead, with how long we’ve been gone.”

  “I agree. And, on that note, I hope the two of you can relax here while I am gone. I must speak with the leader about what you told me before.” Slowly, Dariel rose to her feet and went out the door.

  Denise and I smiled to each other, and found a quiet corner to lay down in. It would be best to save the bed for the one who lives in this house.. tree.. place.

  When we woke in the morning, Dariel was waiting for us with good news. It seemed that the talk with the clan leader went well, and apparently he wanted to meet us as soon as we awoke. I was mostly surprised that my Tongues spell was still active, but I guess I shouldn’t have been since lasting spells like Alarm didn’t get turned off when I sleep. I’ll just have to remember to turn it off before combat, or the cost might get in the way.

  “Alright… Guess we should go take care of business.” I said, and then let out a long yawn. Hey, it was still morning, I was tired okay? But, I gathered my things and followed along after Dariel, prepared for various questions from the clan leader.

  Our elf guide led us to the same tree that we had met him in last time, and once again he was sitting on the far side waiting for us. “Very good, thank you for coming.” He motioned towards a set of chairs, indicating for the three of us to sit. I sat in the middle, with the two women on either side of me. “First, I must apologize for the incident with the humans. After speaking with them last night, their stories did seem to reinforce your theory that this was just a misunderstanding on both parts. When we are done here, they will be released and you can take them back to their tribe. Dariel, have you finished learning the translation spell?”

  Dariel nodded to him. “Yes, sir. I believe I can use it now, but I would have to test it to be sure.”

  “I see. Your name is Jin, correct? Yes, Dariel told me. Would you mind lifting the spell from your companion so that we can ensure it works properly?”

  I nodded, and focused on removing the spell from Denise. “It’s done. Denise, can you say something.”

  “Uh, sure. What do you want me to say?” She asked with a smile, but that did the trick. The elves must not have understood her, because Dariel was given the go-ahead to test her spell.

  “In writ and spoke, in law and deed, let language flow from silver tongue.” She spoke the memorized incantation, and then looked to Denise. “Can you understand me now?”

  Denise nodded to her, “Looks like you got it.” Denise let out a sigh of relief, and I recast the spell on Denise before we continued.

  “Okay, that takes care of that business. Now, we may be able to send representatives to the humans for diplomatic relations. I believe that we have learned from this event that there are many things that we can learn from each other. On that note, I believe you told Dariel about a spell you offered as trade?”r />
  “That is correct, sir. I take it she explained to you about the requirements to become a mage among the humans?” When he nodded, I continued. “I would like to teach Dariel the spell that I created to pass the exam. I believe it would be a great help to this clan, but I would like to make one request regarding it.”

  “And what is that?”

  “I would ask that you do not share this spell outside of your clan. The rune created for it is still new, and we don’t fully understand the implications it may have yet. At least until I have had time to explore the possibilities it presents, I would like this to remain with as few people as possible.”

  “Yet you offer to share it with us. I must ask, why?”

  “I admit that my reasons are not entirely altruistic. I told Dariel last night, I wish to learn the basics of your elven magic, as well as possibly acquire a more suitable bow for my companion. If Dariel explained to you the nature of this spell, then I believe that you would agree that it is an even trade.”

  “Perhaps. It is true that with the access to even one new rune, there are many possible spells that may be created. Very well. There is also another matter to discuss.” The elven leader looked to Dariel. “Dariel informed me that she wished to make a proposal of her own to you during this meeting.”

  I glanced to the elven woman curiously, and she nodded. “You said that you know summoning magic. If that is true, then you know of contract spells. I wish to make one with you, so that you may call on me to aid you in times of need.” She smiled to me, and I couldn’t help but return it.

  “I understand. To be honest, the first contract I learned was a different one, but I have also recently acquired the spell you mean. I would be happy to form one with you. Please..” I held a hand out to her, and she nodded, placing her own hand atop mine. “Dariel Vinehaven, do you agree to act as my guardian and companion in times of need?”

  She nodded again, smiling. “I agree.”

  “Then, by spoken pact, may this deal be final.” A blue line of light rose up around my hand, spiraling around where the two of us touched, and then sliding into her wrist.

  You have formed a Summons contract with the elf Dariel Vinehaven.

  “Now, the matters you requested before have also been prepared.” The leader of the elves nodded towards the entrance, and another elf came in. This one was carrying a finely carved bow in one hand, and a tome in another. “In good faith, I ordered these items to be ready to conclude our deal.”

  “I understand, sir. Do you have something that I can draw the rune for you on? Once you know the rune itself, the spell is simple.”

  He passed me a pen and parchment, and for a moment I was surprised that he had such things. However, I quickly recovered and began drawing the rune. “I named this rune Rewrite. Its meaning is to alter the nature of a given thing. In the case of this spell, it alters the nature of one spell into another by replacing the runes of the spell itself.”

  All three elves watched intently while I drew the rune. “It really does have a simple shape, doesn’t it?” Dariel was the first to speak, asking curiously. “I expected something a lot more complicated.”

  I smiled over to her, “Powerful does not always mean complex. And this is a rune I created with a time limit, so I wasn’t able to come up with something too elaborate.” Once the rune was done, I passed the paper to Dariel, and the elf behind us passed the book and bow to myself and Denise respectively.

  “With this, I believe our business is concluded.”

  Dariel quickly spoke up, interrupting the head elf. “Actually, there is one more matter.” She looked over to me. “I promised you a separate reward, did I not?” At the leaders’--I really should learn his name at some point-- glance, she quickly explained. “Apologies. I told you of the requirements to become a human mage, but I felt that the reward for doing so was something you should witness firsthand.”

  At that, I understood what she meant, and pulled out my grimoire. Immediately, the leader of the elf clan was stunned. “Is that..?”

  “It is. I am sure that this is why the requirements are so strict for the humans.”

  I raised a hand at their conversation. “Okay, still not sure what entirely is going on. Apparently this book is special, and can gain extra powers, but I still am fairly uninformed here.”

  Dariel blushed a bit before explaining. “Sorry. That book is one of a set known as the Deific Dictum. Exactly how many there are is unknown, but each book possesses its own set of powers. From the markings on the book, that is the Guardian Tome. I can’t tell you what abilities you will get with it, because most of our knowledge in this field has been lost. You’d have to visit an ancient library to find out yourself, or discover through experience. What I can tell you is that it is said that when one of the Deific Dictum has reached its full potential, it can turn its user into a godlike being.”

  The older elf added at this point, “Of course, the definition of a god can vary widely. It could mean anything from a large boost in power to the ability of creation itself. And the races needed for the books aren’t widely known either. You will need blessings of the four prominent races, but there are said to be others. It may be that you will have to meet with dragons before unlocking the true power you hold.”

  “And of course, meeting the wrong dragon would be quite bad for my health..” I sighed, looking down at the book in my hand. When Dariel held out her hand, I gave it to her.

  “As thanks for your assistance in this matter, which served as the difference between peace and blood, I grant you the blessing of the elves. May it guide you in your darkest hour.” A faint light emanated from her hand and flowed into the book. When she handed the book back to me, I noticed an immediate change.

  Jin’s Grimoire has been enhanced!

  Rarity: Unique

  Type: Accessory

  Value: --- Gild

  Earned through excessive studying, this spellbook is the proof that Jin achieved the rank of Mage. All spells are automatically recorded in this book as its owner learns them.

  Intelligence +10

  Wisdom + 10

  Worldlore: After receiving the blessing of the elves, you are now capable of gaining information of all the world’s inhabitants at a mere glance.

  Once per day: By studying this book, the owner can increase their effective Magical Talent level by 1 for one day.

  Requirements: Magical Knowledge 10, Mage title

  The Worldlore ability seemed incredible, and as soon as I closed the window I noticed its effect. Above everyone’s head, there now floated a name like in most games. Of course.. my first major reaction came from seeing the clan leader’s name.

  “Uh… sir… Pardon my asking, but are you and Dariel related?”

  He tilted his head at my question. “Why do you ask?”

  “It seems that this blessing allows me to learn certain facts about people by looking at them. I noticed that you share a last name.”

  “Ah, yes. Most of our clan have the name Vinehaven. But as for your question, yes. Dariel is my younger sister.”

  Okay, I was stunned. It was a good ten seconds before I reacted, slowly turning my head to see Dariel blushing with a grin. “You know, I didn’t hide it from you, you just never asked. I mean really, anyone else would have at least wanted to know the name of the person they were negotiating with, right?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her reasoning, “Yeah, yeah, you’ve got a point. Just wasn’t expecting it is all. Guess I should have been, since you were always able to meet with him directly. But either way, thank you. I am sure this will be a big help to me in my travels.”