Delminor's Trials

by Stephen J Wolf

  “Chosen?”

  He raised his shoulders. “The jades have a sentience. They act of their own will. I can’t explain how because I don’t understand it fully. Likewise, I can’t tell you the difference between a man’s mind and a beast’s. We know they’re different, but what makes one function so uniquely when most of the other body processes are so similar?” He mentally thanked Essalia for having imparted her knowledge of anatomy.

  “We see you have brought Donya back to the tower with you. What are your thoughts on Delminor’s ascension to the Council, Donya?”

  Donya stood proudly. “You would benefit greatly from having direct contact with Delminor.”

  “Does not Pyron already confer with this man?”

  Pyron acknowledged the question. “Of course, but our conveyances are of a more personal nature. Delminor’s contact with the Council will relate to the needs of Magehaven and all mages thus.”

  Lorresh raised another question. “And what, Delminor, prompts you to seek a seat on the Council? What is it you desire from us? What need do you have for the power this Council provides? I believe your tenure with the king and resulting progress at Mage’s Rest would suffice. Have you need of more?”

  Delminor bowed his head and answered. “The Council has been gracious in granting my requests for particular jades over the years. I would seek additional time and additional numbers of them for my research.”

  Lorresh gasped. “You would take the jades away from here again?”

  “Not all, no. But there are some things that can’t be discerned with a single jade on its own. I never would have discovered the external pushes of air and fire without the two shards together. It is unknown what I would find working with various combinations of three or four at once. As it is now, the best I am entitled is one or two. And generally, I only have the second while another is being delivered and I make use of the visit.”

  The Council was not pleased with his request. “What if we have need of the shards?”

  “I will return them. Remember my goal in all my work. I want to expand our base of knowledge. I will not keep the jades for my own use but learn from them and disseminate the information. As I have done for years.”

  Pyron turned to the Council. “Are there any other questions for Master Delminor?”

  “Is it true that you intend to remain at Mage’s Rest rather than live here in Magehaven?” Kerrish asked. “Of what use will you be to our concerns? How will you help in an emergency?”

  “It is true that I will be disconnected from the daily happenings here, but I welcome you all to keep me updated with your views. Messages are only an eaglon’s flight away and I will respond promptly. If needed, I will come here directly.”

  The masters seemed satisfied with the answers and they offered no more questions. Pyron called for a vote.

  The final count was five to four in favor of having him join and thus he became the tenth member.

  Chapter 48

  Apprentices

  With ascension to the Council and the approval of the king, Pyron pulled Delminor aside. “There is a matter we need to discuss in earnest. We have two youngsters petitioning for entrance to the tower.”

  Delminor shrugged. “Then let them in.”

  “You know the rules we have here. We don’t allow teenagers.”

  “Are you suggesting I use my new position to sway the Council to allow them entrance? They’d never agree.”

  “No, they wouldn’t. But that’s not what I’m asking.”

  Delminor looked at him curiously. “What then?”

  “Take them with you, as apprentices. You need them, don’t you? Others to train and help you with your research?”

  “That’s a heavy burden.”

  “It’s only for a couple years until they’re of age.” He nudged Delminor in the arm. “I took you under my wing once.”

  “Is this why you wanted me on the Council? So I could take apprentices?”

  “Not at all. There’s nothing stopping anyone from learning from you. This is just an opportune time, is all.”

  Delminor agreed to meet with the youths and Pyron showed him the way. They waited in a lower room in the tower, fidgeting with some pottery on the table. They rose when Delminor and Pyron entered.

  “Altran and Rothra,” Pyron introduced.

  Rothra was taller and heavyset with light brown hair and blue eyes. He tipped his head in homage. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Delminor.” He nudged Altran with his elbow.

  Altran was wiry, with messy black hair and pale green eyes. “As he said, it’s great to meet you. We’ve seen some of your books in the library. Interesting stuff.”

  “I appreciate your assessment,” Delminor said, amused. “What are you two looking for in a master?”

  Altran answered first. “There’s not much metal magic in the world and I want to learn all about it. You’re the only one who can teach me what I want to know.”

  Rothra agreed. “I know you’re not a fire mage, but that’s kind of why it’s exciting. You can show us all sorts of different things.”

  “How old are you boys?”

  “Fourteen,” Rothra answered.

  Delminor turned to Pyron. “You want me to train them for four years?”

  “At a minimum, yes.”

  “We’ll be good,” Rothra promised.

  * * *

  They made their way back toward Mage’s Rest, the journey taking longer than Delminor would have liked. Though they were mostly cooperative, the apprentices wanted to take their time. Donya tried persuading them to keep up the pace, but it was hard pushing them. He warned them that it wasn’t a good start to their relationship and they tried harder.

  He brought them to his house to establish its location, then he brought them over to Gallena and Arenda’s house.

  “Oh, Delminor, you didn’t need any new toys,” Gallena teased when he introduced them to her.

  “We’re not toys,” Rothra said. “You’ll see we’re worthy of Master Delminor’s tutelage.”

  “Well, this one has some bite, at least. What of you, pet?”

  Altran squirmed away when she reached out to squeeze his cheek. “Lemme alone.”

  “Come on, Gallena, that’s plenty,” Delminor chided.

  “You’re no fun. Have you figured out where they’re staying? And don’t say—”

  “Here. They’re not far in age from your own children. It would be perfect.”

  She glared at him intensely. “I can’t really say no…”

  “You’re not serious, Master Delminor, are you?” Rothra asked. “We don’t need a keeper.”

  “Famous last words,” Gallena said.

  The boy stamped his foot and put his hands on his hips. “You’ll see. We’ll be great, and you’ll be sorry for being so mean.”

  Gallena reeled playfully. “Oh my. Well, Delminor, you heard the man. They don’t need keepers.”

  Delminor decided not to push the issue and set them up in the inn, sharing a room. “We start tomorrow.”

  The boys eagerly arrived at Delminor’s house first thing in the morning and were surprised when he sat them down with a board game.

  “This is called Elemental Confluence,” he explained, pushing pieces out before them. “It’s a game that deals with the balance of magical energies.”

  “We aren’t using actual magic?” Altran asked, his disappointment obvious.

  “Not today.”

  Altran’s face lit red and Rothra put a calming hand on his shoulder. “One thing at a time. I’m sure Master Delminor has a plan in mind for us.”

  The other boy struggled to calm himself. “How do we play?”

  Delminor explained the rules he remembered and allowed Altran to make the first move. “I’m not sure how this game’s gonna help me with metal magic. There’s no metal here.”

  “When this game was developed, we only knew of five jades.”

  “Then it’s an old game,” Rothr
a said.

  Delminor laughed. “Then we will make it new again. Let’s get a feel for how it plays and then we’ll make adaptations. How does that sound?”

  “Not as much fun as using real magic,” Altran complained.

  “That will come once I see you can handle the concepts first.” His stomach knotted as he recalled his own apprenticeship, having his wishes to learn magic pushed off into the unknown future. He wouldn’t allow this to be the same, but he needed time to decide how to proceed with the two.

  He rolled the dice and moved his one of his earth pieces eight steps forward. “Altran, I challenge you to a duel.”

  “Already? But I don’t have any elemental pieces. Neither do you, for that matter.”

  Delminor picked up the dice. “So you think you can’t defeat me?”

  Altran shifted in his seat, a gleam coming to his eye. “Just you watch.”

  Chapter 49

  Messages

  Delminor finished writing a letter and gave a bit of cracker to a tamed eaglon sitting on the window ledge.

  Pyron,

  I should think it lasts long, never exercising each day. There often feels inside no demand. The heart expels heavily even at laying. I now guess just a demand exists. Could a new year open up healthy exercises less painfully?

  —Delminor

  He snickered at the hidden message, ignoring the awkward wording. It had often been commented that his letters were more poetic than his research and he said it was because writing to friends was a lighter, happier experience. He still couldn’t believe no one had figured out the simple trick after all the years, though this was only the code for each fifth exchange.

  He ticked off the first letter of each word to make sure his message made sense. I still need to find the healing jade. Can you help?

  Pyron’s response was surprising.

  ~Del~

  I have to think about it. The most basic key for us is to mimic the wildest, fastest beats and sharpest shard of heart. I’m certain that bringing ourselves thus, it will assist with you and me growing stronger.

  ~Py~

  The sixth code was to read every third word, but this had an added twist with two of the words. I think the key is the beast shard. I’m bringing it with me. Delminor was glad Pyron had disguised the word “beast” though he would have made use of some rune substitution to obscure it further.

  But… Pyron was visiting?

  The master had only come to Mage’s Rest a few times and usually under duress of the king, carrying one shard or another for Delminor’s research. The two would work together for some time, then Pyron would return to Magehaven, often with a different jade in his possession. In this way, Magehaven’s knowledge grew faster than just receiving notes from Delminor.

  Yet this visit sounded as if Pyron was choosing it himself and it was curious to Delminor why now.

  “Donya, we’re going to have a visitor soon,” he said cheerily.

  “Not another apprentice?”

  He laughed. “No, Pyron’s on his way. He’s going to help with the one thing I haven’t been able to do.”

  Donya sobered. “Delminor, no. We’ve been through this. You said you would let it go.”

  He stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. “I know. But I can’t. Donya, there’s one more jade out there we don’t know about. I need to know what it is. And we need the earth and shadow jades back, as well.”

  “The king won’t let you go.”

  He stared into her eyes. “It’s been seven years. I’ve done my part. I explained the benefits of gemstones and mages are using that to create magic-resistant armor and improve defenses around Magehaven.”

  “Do you think it’s enough?”

  “I can’t be a prisoner forever. I’ve thrived here, but there’s that one last piece. If Pyron petitions, then maybe…”

  Donya’s face went stern. “You asked him to come!”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Delminor!” She groaned and rolled her eyes. “I’ll let the others know. Maybe they’ll go with you.”

  “Thanks, love.”

  Gallena and Arenda declined, unwilling to leave their children. They offered to take charge of Delminor’s apprentices and put them to work in their bakery in the meantime.

  Essalia, however, was excited to go. “I can’t do anything more here than what I already do. I’m at a plateau. If it really is a healing jade, then I want to know about it, too.”

  Pyron made the request of the king when he stopped at the castle to exchange jades for his visit with Delminor. “He wasn’t thrilled, but I told him I would be going with you.”

  “Thanks, Pyron.”

  Days later, the three left for the northeast, determined to find the final pieces of the Red Jade.

  Chapter 50

  Song

  With three experienced mages, the journey was relatively easy. It helped that Pyron, who had been working with the beast jade, was able to keep many of the creatures at bay. Their skirmishes were brief and far between.

  Delminor had the metal jade with him and he had given the nature jade to Essalia. They used their down time to read the energies of the jades and to test their abilities.

  After a time, they reached a bustling haven that made Marritosh seem small. It was set far to the north, near the mountains and away from the daily rumblings of war through the kingdoms.

  A middle-aged man with darker skin and hair greeted them, singing the words.

  Welcome, travelers, a glorious day.

  I am Ramular, at your command.

  You have entered the town of Song

  and I hope that your stay is grand.

  If you have a coin, then you should come

  to the Rusted Apron down the way.

  And if you do not, then you can sing,

  for we will trade songs here today.

  “Does everyone here sing all the time?” Essalia asked.

  The bard laughed and spoke normally. “No, it’s just customary to tease newcomers.”

  Delminor made introductions and asked for a place to stay. “We’re here for a task, too, if you can help with that later.”

  The bard lit up. “A quest! We’ve had many an adventurer through these parts on their journey. Welcome indeed. As for lodging, we host our visitors ourselves. If I haven’t put you off, you’re welcome to stay with me.”

  “That’s very kind. Thank you.”

  They followed the man through the winding streets of the town, looking at buildings with lavish colors and comical signs. Many buildings were covered in murals of grand battles and heroes, one of which Delminor thought looked like a younger Regnard.

  The bard’s home was decently adorned, nothing special, but nothing lacking either. It was clear he entertained often, as a glass cupboard overflowed with plates, and the number of stacked chairs in the corners was enough for a party.

  “Welcome to Rambler’s Rest, home to poetry, prose, and puppetry.”

  “Puppetry?” Pyron laughed.

  “Don’t judge. It’s a fair way to convey a tale. And, speaking of tales, I will love to hear yours.”

  Delminor didn’t know where to start or how much information to give. He was leery of saying too much, but as the evening carried on and the bard wooed them with his charm, he revealed everything.

  “We lost the earth jade all those years ago and the shadow jade on the following mission. And we’re looking for the one other jade we’ve never known before.”

  Ramular whistled low. “That’s a tall order. Seeking three hand-sized crystals that look like glass? It’s a wonder you think it’s possible.”

  Delminor hedged. “We have a way to make it easier.”

  Ramular raised an eyebrow. “It can help if I know what that is.”

  Delminor withdrew the metal shard and bade Pyron to set the beast jade on the table. “Take one and move it closer to and away from the other.”

  “They vibrate!”

  “A resona
nce,” Delminor agreed. “That’s how I know there isn’t one here but there is one close by.”

  “Well that explains a curiosity. Another group was here long ago looking at their hands constantly, turning to and fro as if they were using a divining rod. Perhaps they essentially were.”

  Delminor perked up. “When was this?”

  “Over five years ago. It’s hard to recall.”

  Essalia leaned forward. “It’s a long time, but is there any indication of where they headed or what they were doing?”

  Ramular barked a laugh. “I can’t imagine it matters. Not only was it long ago, but you already have the means of finding what you seek. I think we’ve talked enough for this eve. Besides, the Rusty Apron awaits.”

  The four of them left for the tavern, Ramular insisting on their presence. Inside, a group of jugglers tossed lit torches, making the audience gasp in awe and clap at the completion. Ramular approached the stage and rummaged through for a lute at the back. He pulled out a stool and sat down.

  Days long ago, there were kings of old,

  their histories all but lost.

  They were friends, and not at war;

  their lots together were tossed.

  They possessed the great Red Jade;

  its power came with great cost.

  Swords held high, the kings, they all made a pact.

  Spells to bind, the Red Jade they would divide.

  Joined in kind, to protect the land, they’d act.

  Foes would hide, for the power was on their side.

  Centuries pass and kingdoms fade,

  their leadership lost to time.

  Famine and drought plagued the land;

  mages changing the clime.

  Lands divide, tensions remain;

  bitterness growing like grime.

  Swords held high, for the magic began to wane.

  Spells to bind, at least the ones the mages could save.

  Joined in kind, seeking answers to the rain.

  Foes would shine, for there was no more Red Jade.