by Jeff Inlo
Beyond that, the wall hampered her in other ways. All of her creativity shutdown. The barrier cut off her imagination. If she had been asleep, she would not dream. The world around her turned black and white, no color existed in anything she saw. Her emotions dried up as well. She felt no sadness, no joy, no fear, no delight. Physically, she remained as she was, but mentally, she went numb.
Jure sighed. Looking at her, she appeared capable of completing any menial task, but there was a vacancy within her. The dilemma painted her expression with complete indifference. With the wall intact in her mind, she had lost her will as well as her insecurities. With that, he had accomplished exactly what he set out to do. She was now a reservoir of vast energy, energy that could be tapped and utilized against their enemies. He guided her back toward Holli.
#
"So you instructed your forces to go on the defensive?" Ansas asked out of simple curiosity-nothing more. "Would you care to explain the tactical reasoning behind that decision?"
Holli had expended nearly all of her energy. What remained available to her could not scorch a garden spider. She was also alone when Ansas appeared. Jure and Heteera remained out of her sight. All she could do was delay the dark sorcerer who simply walked up to her and introduced himself.
"You demonstrated the ability to cast a deadly spell utilizing faint trails of previous magic incantations," Holli offered, as if speaking to an opposing general regarding strategies of a past conflict. "I had to break my connection with them or you could have used it as a path to every spell caster here."
"That doesn't really answer the question," Ansas stated with a hint of impatience. He walked past the elf guard with complete disregard. He looked into the home overflowing with trees from the spell Holli cast to destroy the rock beetles.
"Nice," he allowed. He then examined the steps leading up to the house. Without looking up, he demanded greater explanation. "I asked why you put your forces on the defensive, not why you cut off your communications."
"Without the proper links of communication, I lacked the ability to coordinate any counter attack against you. I left them vulnerable. When attack is no longer a viable option, the focus must turn to defense and possible retreat."
Ansas sat down on a wooden step and picked at a weed. He inspected it as if it held more importance than the elf he questioned.
"Your conclusion is sound, but I don't agree with your premise. Attack remained viable. There are still a great many sorcerers and wizards within the town, though one of your more powerful has left."
"Neltus?"
"Yes. Anyway, you could have ordered the others to attack any threat at will. I passed many of them on my way to you. They are all very powerful, not that it would have helped them, but they could have caused me to expend energy."
"An uncoordinated attack against a superior opponent is hardly ever the best strategy. I would lose assets."
"Sometimes you have to sacrifice assets to weaken an opponent."
"Only if you can weaken him sufficiently that it creates opportunities for attack. Otherwise, it is a waste."
"And you don't like to waste resources?"
"I'm defending an abandoned town with limited assets. My opponent-and I'm referring to Baannat, not you-appears to have near unlimited resources."
"You think Baannat is the true threat?"
"He sent you."
It was the second time Ansas was accused of being nothing more than a stooge for the slink ghoul. He was growing tired of that assertion.
"Only because I wished to come."
Holli considered the full meaning of Ansas' reply and wished to confirm the underlying significance.
"You could have refused?"
"Absolutely."
"Interesting."
"In what way?"
Holli explained fully, without concealing her theories. The truth would not assist her adversary, and it would buy her additional time.
"Enin went out searching for the most powerful spell casters in the land. He sought out those who would be able to offset powerful enemies. You are clearly a capable sorcerer. If you were not under Baannat's influence, I would have thought Enin would have contacted you. He did not, for he told me that no one denied his request to assist Pinesway. Enin must have sensed you were already under Baannat's power."
Ansas sighed. Dealing with such petty observations was clearly beneath him. He threw away the weed in his hand and then occupied himself by strumming his fingers on the wood step he sat upon. He explained not out of a desire to clarify things to Holli, but out of a hope to escape boredom.
"Perhaps your mentor did not fully explore all the possibilities. Enin went into the desert looking for spell casters. I left the desert. It was not the right place for my power. I went into the dark realm to fully concentrate on the black energy. It was only there, in a place without light and without hope, that I could keep my focus on my inherent elemental bond."
Holli quickly discounted the explanation.
"Enin would have known about you no matter where you were, even if you were hiding in another dimension."
"Is that so? He seemed to miss Baannat's return until it was too late. He's also made other mistakes. He blundered into Baannat's trap pretty easily. So much for your infallible mentor."
All points were true, and though it stung Holli to admit it, Enin had made his fair share of errors. This probably contributed to Ansas' confidence. Holli decided to test that conviction.
"And maybe you have also blundered into one of Baannat's traps."
"I don't feel trapped."
"That doesn't mean you haven't made a similar miscalculation."
"How so?"
"You are here because you said you wished to be here. Baannat could have known that and used it to manipulate you to get what he wants."
"And what does he want?"
"What all evil creatures want; to create havoc, to instill fear, to dominate for their own amusement."
"A rather simplistic viewpoint. Let me give you some insight. Evil creatures want to separate themselves from consequence, but force it on others. That's what they really want. They want to be able to do whatever they want, when they want, how they want, and they don't want to be judged or forced to pay for their actions. On the other hand, if someone crosses them, they want to exact the full measure of retribution. An inconsistent application of consequence-that is the true definition of evil."
"And you have killed many spell casters today. Should you face the consequences of that action, or are you evil as well?"
"Again, you oversimplify. I am more than willing to face the consequences of my actions, but my actions are not intended to simply kill spell casters. I wish to test my abilities. I didn't stalk the weak, or the unaware. I placed my talents against dozens of wizards and sorcerers fully prepared for battle. I tested my strategies against yours-a trained elf guard being mentored by the most powerful wizard in the land. I didn't walk into a schoolyard and pick on a group of toddlers. You don't think I was prepared for the consequences if I failed?"
"I think your confidence might preclude you from the concept of failure."
Ansas nodded. "I like that. You argue the issues well… but you are incorrect. I am not so arrogant that I believe I am invulnerable. The situation before me presents an adequate test-a test that is about to get more interesting."
The dark sorcerer nodded to the two individuals walking toward them.
"Your cohorts have arrived before I eliminated you, just as you hoped. I knew you were stalling, but I wanted to wait for this Jure to return as well, so I humored you."
Before Jure and Heteera reached them, Ansas stood up. He carefully brushed the dust off his pants and moved a few paces off to Holli's side. When he was done, he concentrated his attention upon Heteera. He raised his eyebrows with interest.
"What's the woman's name?" he demanded.
Holli did not answer.
"Oh come now," Ansas sighed. "I humored you. You
should be equal to the task."
"Heteera." Holli finally responded.
Ansas then questioned Jure.
"Interesting spell. Is it a struggle to maintain it?"
Jure looked to Holli before answering.
"Answer him," Holli advised, "tell him the truth. We owe him that much. He could have killed me."
"I'm still going to kill you," Ansas noted before Jure could reply, "so don't let that be the only reason."
"Then let it be for honor. You may simply pretend to acknowledge it, but that does not mean I will not reciprocate. I do not consider it 'humoring' you."
Jure eyed both Holli and Ansas carefully. He could not guess as to what they were discussing, but he found their exchange discomforting. Still, Holli had ordered him to speak the truth, and so he would.
"No, it's not a struggle. The wall in her mind draws from her own energy. I just had to place it there. My control constructed it, her power maintains it."
"I like it, but why did you do it? She would be interesting to observe under stress without the wall. She's like a battering ram with no specific target. You should have turned her on me. She might have gotten lucky. I think she might actually have the power to defeat me."
"She still might."
"So you're planning to tap into her power? Interesting ploy, but what's to stop me from doing the same."
"She won't allow it," Holli replied, but suddenly wondered about the soundness of their strategy, and Ansas punctuated that concern.
"How is she going to stop me now? Your wizard subordinate here walled off her will from the energy. She's an open well."
It was Jure who replied, "Try to tap into it now."
Ansas didn't care for the challenging tone and eyed Jure suspiciously. "You seem a bit too eager for that."
"I'm eager to see you fail, that's all."
Not appreciating the insult, Ansas pressed forward and attempted to tap into the magical energy that Heteera provided. He would only draw upon the ebony power, but Heteera was an open conduit to great pools of magic. He could not, however, break through the wall that Jure constructed.
"I might be satisfied in allowing others to determine the course of our actions, but I'm not going to be responsible for losing to the likes of you," Jure stated. "I had a feeling someone like you was out there waiting for us. Interfering with our sight spells was a dead give away. Knowing that, did you really think I'd create an open pool of magic for anyone to utilize? Not going to happen. For you to get through to Heteera's magic, you'd have to break through the wall and the only way to do that is to defeat me."
Holli stepped up and stood at Heteera's side, bringing the three of them together.
"Not just him… all of us. You'll have to defeat the three of us."
Ansas then looked toward Holli. "I should have killed you immediately."
"Seems as if you are not infallible, either."
Holli quickly cast a spell that linked the three of them together. Ansas would now face the combined power of three magic casters as the elf guard brought together their greatest strengths: Heteera's vast energy, Jure's control, and her own determination.
Responding in kind, Ansas attempted to break them apart. An ebony ring formed over his head, but quickly swung over Heteera and dropped down upon her like a dark curtain thrown over her body.
Heteera gasped. She could inhale, but not exhale. Her lungs filled up, but the pressure could not be released. Her eyes bulged and she pressed her hands frantically against her chest. She could not speak, she could not even cough.
Holli whispered an order to Jure through their mental connection.
"Help her."
As Heteera dropped to her knees, Jure pulled fortitude and strength from Holli. He then pressed that resolve into Heteera. Utilizing that determination and pulling on the reserves of magic within Heteera, he used his own focus to grasp hold of the edges of Ansas' spell. With one deliberate discharge, he tore the enveloping curtain away.
Heteera heaved a mighty exhale in absolute relief. She staggered back to her feet with the help of both Holli and Jure. She remained dazed, but conscious, and that was all that was needed.
Quickly moving to prevent further damage, Jure directed his own energy into a point of concentration between himself, Heteera, and Holli. He shaped the power and it pulled energy from all three. He could feel Holli's will maintaining the links and he dug deeper into harnessing Heteera's power. The combination narrowed his control finer than it had ever been and allowed him to tap into power he never before could sense.
A true ring of power encircled the three. It shined a perfect white, with not even the faintest stain of blue. Jure had obtained complete control over all the facets of magic and his tendency towards sapphire energy faded.
Instead of attacking Ansas, he placed a shield around himself, Holli, and Heteera. He would not allow the dark sorcerer another opportunity to focus a spell on only one of them. He would have to break through the shield, and that would mean defeating their combined power.
Ansas restrained any immediate attempt to attack as he studied the defensive field around the three.
"Proud of yourself?" Ansas posed.
Jure did not answer immediately. He waited for direction from Holli. She said nothing, but he could sense her desires. She wanted him to distract the dark sorcerer as she tapped into Heteera's power for her own purposes.
"Actually, yes I am," Jure finally replied. "I have achieved a pure white circle. Even with the help of others, that is something to respect."
"I don't respect it."
"I don't believe you're that foolish."
"You are the fool. You believe that casting in white gives you power over all the elements, including ebony energy, but you are wrong in that regard. A sorcerer that seeks only to deal in dark magic is not open to the weaknesses of the other elements."
"Weaknesses?In the energy itself? The elemental power is different from hue to hue, but there is no weakness in the purity of one aspect."
"But there is, and deep down, you know it. Blue water can douse orange fire. Brown can whither green. Yellow light chases away gray shadow. Purple storm can redirect blue water. Yes, you cast in white, which means you open yourself to every weakness of each color."
"Are you saying you have no weaknesses at all?"
"No, but I have remained pure in my magical intent. I have kept myself clean of other hues, and so, I do not share those inherent flaws. My weakness is limited where yours is not."
"Let's see if that's true."
Jure took greater hold of his connection with Holli. He opened himself not only to her determination, but also to the emerald energy that was her natural element. He pulled from her a greater understanding of the energy and cast a new attack.
Another ring of white formed over the three, but it quickly turned a bright and crisp green, like the new growth extending from the branches of a healthy spruce tree. Jure immediately took control of the swirling green energy and directed it to the ground in front of him.
The dirt roads of Pinesway were no longer traveled by merchant carts or farmers' wagons. Weeds had sprung up along many of the side alleys and even in places along the main streets. These weeds responded quickly to Jure's spell.
The plants took off in a wild spurt of spectacular growth. They quickly grew around Ansas' feet. They wrapped around his ankles and then sprung up towards his knees. They reached for his arms, but they could not move fast enough.
The dark sorcerer pressed his fingers against his temples. A pure black circle of magic formed around his throat like a necklace. It oozed thick black sludge that ran down his chest and back. It did not stain his shirt, but instead, slid quickly off like droplets of water skimming down a well oiled metal sheet.
When the black liquid hit the plants wrapped about his legs, it smeared every leaf, every stem, and every blade. The ebony sludge choked the weeds back down to the ground and Ansas stepped out of the dying mass with a shrug of ind
ifference.
"You chose to attack with the life of nature. I chose to defend with suffocating death. The weakness of your spell was easy to expose. Now let us see about your other weaknesses."
Ansas called once more upon the ebony power and a grand black circle formed at his wrists. He flashed his hands outward and a dark flash of lightning speared toward Jure's chest.
The defensive shield of white power surrounding all three absorbed the spell, but not without consequence. The pure white energy sizzled and smoked. The shield held, but a slight gray stain remained visible. The three magic casters appeared as if they were placed under a shadow.
"The power you steal from the woman is vast," Ansas allowed, "but now your control weakens. Even you must admit that now your shield is vulnerable to an amber casting that would shatter it with little effort."
"But you don't cast yellow light."
"That's not the point. I was able to weaken your shield with nothing more than black lightning."
"The shield remains. That's all I care about. And what if I attack with an ebony spell of my own? I have equal power over all the hues, including black energy," Jure challenged. "Would we cancel each other out, or would I outlast you since I can tap into Heteera's deep pools of magic?"
"You can try if you wish, but you could not possibly hope to overcome me if we both cast in black. My focus is pure, yours is not. The difference is subtle to be sure. It is the difference between the darkest of gray and black. It often cannot even be seen, but it can be felt."
Once more, Holli communicated through her link to Jure.
"Keep him talking, this may be important."
Jure acknowledged the directive with a nod, but otherwise kept his attention upon Ansas.
"But my casting would not be gray. It would be as rooted in the ebony magic as any spell of yours."
"And that is where your logic fails. You cannot possibly have full control over dark magic because you open yourself to the other elements, thus you lose the complete immersion needed to understand the true base of the element. You can cast in black as well as in any color, that much is true, but you can never fully immerse yourself in the ebony power for the very same reason. Black is more than death, as aspects of death can be found in brown. Black is more than shadow, for gray can find the elements of shadow as well. Black is beyond change, as all hues can be mixed into new ones. The totality of ebony magic is its ability to darken every other color without exception. Do you understand? There is no other magical force that can match my power in that one regard."