“Aye, Karl,” Stirling continued, “but doesn’t it hurt yer damn feet to walk all them miles?”
He snorted. “Nah. These feet will walk a few more miles before they choose to give out on me.” He glanced up at the boy with a furrowed brow. “But what about ya, kid? Yer face hurtin’ or somethin’?”
Stirling looked back quizzically. “Nah, why?”
“Cause it’s fuckin’ killin’ me.” He gave a crooked grin as Falken laughed at his friend’s expense. “Now maybe ya can shut the hell up for a few minutes and let me do me damn job.”
Stirling grimaced, still looking at Karl. “Scheisse, ya sure are a dour ol’ son of a bitch, aren’t ya?”
Patting his hammer, Karl snapped back, “Ya don’t pay me fer me charm, now do ya, kid?”
“That’s the truth,” Stirling sighed. “If ya weren’t the best damn rearick in the Heights, ya better believe I wouldn’t pay ya at all. Ya wouldn’t even get a damn job walkin’ the drunks home from the bar.”
Karl laughed at the backhanded compliment. “Probably the first true thing ya’ve said since we—”
A sharp twang and the whoosh of an arrow in flight cut Karl’s response short. His eyes shot to the sky, searching for the missile, but the sun hid its course.
“Shit bag mother of a bitch scum,” Stirling screamed, as the arrow sunk into his shoulder, breaking through to the other side.
“Get the hell down,” Karl screamed as the sound of three more arrows sliced through the crisp, afternoon sky.
The hair on the back of Hannah’s neck stood up as she entered the shade of the thick trees overhead. It was shocking just how much the temperature dropped when they got into the woods.
They had passed the place where Karl saved her from the boar only days earlier. Drag marks remained on the ground. The girl silently hoped she would meet the rearick again someday.
She kept her eyes open in case that war pig had tusky family around. Just for a moment she considered sharing the experience with Ezekiel, but chose to hold her tongue.
The magician had told her to stay in the tower, and she assumed he’d be pissed if he knew that she had willfully disobeyed him on her very first day. But now, fully aware of his powers, she realized that he likely already knew about her field trip.
“Your physical magic is coming right along,” Ezekiel said, striding just ahead of Hannah. “It’s the most basic, so if it didn’t come quickly, we’d be in trouble. Now it’s time to try something a bit more complex. Physical magic is about manipulating objects in the world. It’s easier to control, and you’ve seen it a lot in Arcadia. But have you ever heard of nature magic?” he asked her.
Hannah considered trying to sound more impressive, but thought better of it. “Nope. Never heard of it.”
“Well, that’s no surprise. When I was here last, few in Arcadia were aware of nature magic. I imagine Adrien might know some things about it, but it might be beyond even him.”
“What makes nature magic so much more difficult?” Hannah asked.
“Well, once you understand how it works, it’s not that much harder. There is a fundamental difference, though. If you don’t understand the distinction and you’re trained in a particular art, it can be tough to cross over. Those who use nature magic were raised in it. They’ve seen it everywhere, every day of their lives. So they struggle to use physical magic.
“You, on the other hand, are starting pretty much from scratch. That’s why we’re doing a little bit each day. Learn them all together, and hopefully they’ll grow together as well.”
She thought about how it worked in her city. “Starting a little late, though, aren’t we?”
“Oh, I’ve taught older dogs newer tricks,” he answered.
Her eyes shot lightning bolts at the back of his head. “Hey, Zeke? I know you’ve been in the woods for a while, but never call a lady a dog. Not cool.”
Ezekiel laughed and continued. “My apologies, fair maiden. As I said, physical magic is the direction of our inward power out into the world. We can influence and modify things that already exist. And some things, like fireballs, can even be created. It is certainly powerful, but has its limits like all the arts. Each has its own strengths and limitations.”
The two walked down what could, if one were generous, be called a path. Not far from the tower, the sound of running water filled the air. Dropping down at a slight rise, the two sat on the edge of the River Wren under a short, stout willow.
Ezekiel continued without missing a beat. “Unlike physical magic, nature magic requires a willingness to call out,” he pointed around them, “to the power hiding in the natural world, not to the power within you. Whereas physical magic is a form of domination,” he opened his hand, palm up and a small flame flickered into life, “of a strong will imposing itself on the inanimate, nature magic is more like supplication. With physical magic, we tell the object to act.”
He pushed his palm away and the small flame leapt out from his hand, licking out a few feet away. He clapped his hands together. “With nature, we ask and it responds. It takes a lot of time to form this bond with the natural world around us; it cannot happen overnight.”
Sal popped out of Hannah’s bag on cue and curled up at his mistress’s feet. She reached over to run a hand over his head. “Tell this guy that.”
Ezekiel watched the two of them for a moment, scratching his beard. “Yes, the lizard.”
“Sal.”
“You’ve named the creature Sal?”
“You know, like—”
“Oh, I get it. Like salamander. I just thought you might have been a bit more creative.” The magician stole another glance at Hannah’s animal. “Yes, you and the lizard are indeed a peculiar case. It was what first caught my attention. When I saw the reptile change, I knew something was afoot in Arcadia. As far as I know, no one practices nature magic there, not even the Unlawfuls.
“And yet he,” he pointed to Sal, “well, he is something different. I don’t think that the masters of nature magic could do what you’ve done with your little friend. At least, I’ve never seen it. When I found you, you weren’t a magician, or at least you said you weren’t. But I knew that there was something special about you.”
Hannah kept her eyes directed downward as he spoke. She wasn’t used to being praised, not like this. “I get it. I am the special bloody snowflake. Now back to the magic; I don’t have all day. Why would someone want to chat with a grouse when they could torch some baddies with a big-ass fireball? What else can you do with it?”
Ezekiel’s face spread into a smile. He held out a finger and clicked his tongue. His eyes flashed red, and a brown and white robin with an orange breast flew down and perched on his finger, tweeting and flicking its head. He clicked again, and the bird took flight.
“Nice. Birdy control. I’ll put that one in my back pocket for the next time a Hunter is trying to rip off my shirt,” she muttered, unimpressed.
“Don’t be so shortsighted. What if it wasn’t a bird, but a giant black bear, ready to do your bidding? Or what if it was something even more powerful? Something mythical.” The old man glanced back down at the spiked-backed lizard.
“You get the picture. But it doesn’t end there. The supplication of nature is as vast as one’s imagination. I can control the weather, call down lightning, animate plants, and even ask the River Wren here to stop its flow to allow me to pass. It took a long time to master, but I now use nature magic more than the physical arts, at least for the past few years. There is something fulfilling about working with things, not just on them,” he finished.
“OK,” Hannah had to admit, “that sounds cool. I hadn’t considered all of that. It will take some time to digest it, though. Anything else?”
“Yes—the most important bit, really. The secret hidden power of nature magic is the power to heal. The world will grant us some of its own life energy if we ask it, and we can channel that energy into another being.”
Her eyes
got a faraway look. “Like my brother Will.” Hannah’s eyes glassed over as the memory of his healing flitted through her mind.
“Exactly like Will.” Ezekiel rearranged his robes and bent a leg before continuing. “The natural world gives with pleasure, if we borrow with a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship. The relationship is quite symbiotic. The interaction of the power within us and the world’s energy is like a dance. We just have to lead without stepping on too many toes.
“Sadly, I’ve never been very good with animals. It takes a special kind of bond. I can call birds and a few other things.” He pointed down at her feet once more. “But I don’t have anything close to what you and that lizard do.”
Hannah tossed a small rock into the Wren. She watched the ripples get washed downstream by the current. “You mean Sal.”
“Dreadful name, but yes. Sal. The two of you are connected now, and that bond would be hard to sunder. From now on, part of you is in that little creature and part of him is in you.”
She leaned forward to pick the lizard up and held him in her lap, trying to understand the connection between them. She could feel something, but couldn’t put words to the feelings. “Maybe I should have picked a bear.”
The old man smiled. “Seems like he picked you more than you picked him. And don’t worry, I have a feeling this little one is full of potential.”
“Yeah. It’s a shame no one practices nature magic anymore.”
The man clapped his hands and laughed. “Now, why in Hades would you assume that no one practices it? My girl, your world is as small as Arcadia itself. The druids practice nature magic all of the time.”
She stopped petting Sal for a moment, turning to face Ezekiel. “Druids? Come on. I thought that was just more horseshit.”
Ezekiel rolled his eyes, shocked at her level of ignorance. “Of course they’re real, although they might think that someone like you, who spent her whole life trapped in a city, was horseshit.”
“Have you seen them?” she pressed.
“Not only have I seen them, I’ve spent years with them. Delightful folk. Far too secretive; you won’t see the druids often, if ever at all. Unlike their physical and psychic magic brethren, they have found life in the natural world more compelling. They have left the society of other men and gone to live deep in the Dark Forest where they can better commune with nature. And, like Arcadia, they are building a civilization that lives up to their ideals. At least they were when I last saw them. And by the time I got out of the dreaded Dark Forest, I was glad to see the sun again.”
This time, her mouth stayed open in amazement. “Wait. You, like, lived with freaking druids? That’s crazy. Did they teach you the nature magic?”
The man blushed. “Actually, it was I who taught them. Not the other way around. Though they have far surpassed the master.”
Hannah looked at him with disbelief.
He kept his eyes trained in the distance as he continued, “The Arcadian legends about the Founder didn’t only begin because of physical magic and the beginning of our city. It goes deeper than that. I, of course, despise the name, as it takes what is due from the Matriarch and Patriarch.”
Her voice, this time, wasn’t so pushy. “Where’d you learn it all?”
“That is a long story for another time. The short version is this: The Oracle, Lilith herself, trained me in the arts. I simply passed them down to others. Just like Adrien was my disciple in Arcadia, I tutored others in the various arts, trusting each of them with the stewardship of their own disciplines. But enough talking for now.”
He stood up slowly, and continued, “Time for magic, Hannah.” Ezekiel pointed at a tiny wildflower growing at their feet, several buds waiting to blossom. “Make that little one bloom and then come find me at the tower.” He turned to walk back toward the building.
“Wait. Do I use hand motions like with physical magic?” she called out.
The magician shrugged. “Probably could, I guess, though the druids never do.” He pointed at his chest. “Don’t forget, the magic is within you and there is power in the created order.” This time he pointed to her. “Your task is to connect the two. Physical magic uses hand motions to help focus. The druids find touch to be the most important. This staff,” he glanced down at the knotty piece of wood in his hand “is more than a decorative walking stick for an old man. It keeps me connected to the natural world.
“Most druids carry a similar object as a way to keep a hand on nature at all times. Clever, really. One day I may take you to the forest and the druids will help you find your own object. But for now, simply try to connect with the source itself.” And with that the old man turned, and in moments was out of her sight.
Hannah pushed Sal out of her lap and rolled up onto her knees. Hovering over the plant, she stared long and hard at it, wondering for the first time how one was supposed to connect with nature.
Having lived her entire life in the city, she had spent little time with in such an environment. The park was the closest she had ever gotten, and even that paled in comparison to this spot by the river.
“OK, little guy,” she said to the bud. “Why don’t you open for me?”
Nothing happened, except that she felt a little awkward talking to a plant. Not for the first time, she was glad Parker wasn’t here to make fun of her. She pictured their time spent together under a tree after a long day of work. If she could figure this out, maybe she and Parker would never have to steal again. She stared at the flower again, then shook her head.
“This is going to be harder than I thought.”
She bent over and cupped her hands around the plant. Closing her eyes, she pushed all the thoughts out of her mind, as she had practiced within the tower. It was easier out here in the breeze.
Hours seemed to pass as she lost herself to the peace of this world. In those few instances where the thoughts tried to intrude again, it was but a small task to release them and sink back into calm.
When she finally opened her eyes, all Hannah noticed was the stubborn bud.
Instead of trying to command something to happen, she imagined a beautiful blossom in its place.
As she did, her eyes glowed red, and the bloom unfurled. She smiled, then plucked it gently and held it to her nose to breathe in the sweet fragrance.
It was as if she were smelling flowers for the first time.
She looked around, reveling in the peace and calm of the river. Then she stood, grabbed Sal, and made her way down the path the magician had followed.
“Nicely done, Hannah,” the magician said when she had returned to the tower. “I had half-expected you to be out there all night.” He nodded to her hand. “Evidenced by that flower and your reptile companion, your connection with nature must be very strong. Most likely stronger than my own. So, you must meditate every day out there. You will only get stronger and the bond will be reciprocated. Nature will do your bidding, but it might also require something of you.”
“If it will help me get back at those bastards, I’m ready to pay whatever the cost.”
She looked up at the old man. There was a strange look in his eyes, something akin to sadness. He opened his mouth, then shut it again. Like he was trying to stifle a lecture.
Finally, he said, “Passion is good, Hannah. But for now, why don’t you get some food and rest? We will continue tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. “I’m sure. Avenging wrongs can’t be a full-time occupation, after all. Besides, I wouldn’t be much of a teacher if I didn’t give my student a break occasionally.”
“You’re a damn saint, Zeke.”
The old magician’s eyes flashed red, his head turned to the south. “A fine line between a saint and a sinner, I’m afraid,” he said, his eyes turning back to their normal hue. He looked over at her, his expression now serious. “It seems I have some unexpected business to attend to. You will have to excuse me. I presume you can find your way back to the tower.”
Before she could answer, Ezekiel vanished in a flash of light and a cloud of smoke.
13
Karl zigzagged across the open field as the arrows continued to rain down, coming in sets of three. His path made the archers’ aim impossible, and he only hoped that his luck would outlast theirs.
Heart pounding in his chest, the rearick felt an arrow glance off his armor, while two more sank into the soft dirt around him.
He knew he would break the brush at the edge of the woods in seconds, and as long as there were only three bandits, the fight would be short-lived.
Left arm up in front of him, and hammer raised in his right, he crashed through the brush with a murderous scream.
Breaking into the clearing, Karl skidded to a halt. The three archers had already dropped their bows and were drawing short swords, terror in their eyes.
Karl’s hopes were dashed, when he saw five more men, armed and ready for a fight, surrounding them. Only one face was familiar.
“Aye, Murph,” Karl grunted. “Thought we weren’t doin’ this shit anymore?”
The tallest of the men laughed. He had a scar from a burn that stretched up from his collar and overtook the side of his face, making his hairline unnaturally high. “A man’s gotta feed his family, Karl. And times are tough,” he replied. A flail, spikes still crusted red from his last victim, swung by his side.
“Scheisse, ya ugly son of a bitch. With a face like yers, no woman in all of Irth would have a family with ya.”
Murph looked down at his weapon and then back up at the rearick. “I’m a family of one, Karl. Now, here’s how I see it. You’re damn good with that hammer; I’ve seen you at your best. But we all know you’re outnumbered eight to one. Give us those weaklings and their keep, and I’ll let you go…until next time.”
Welcome To The Age of Magic Page 14