“Now.” I continued. “Let’s have a civilized conversation. I’m here to negotiate with your organization, the Cult of the Unblinking Eye.”
Gurthari reached into her pocket grabbing onto what I was certain was her spellheart.
“If you wish to serve us, you may start by releasing me.” Gurthari spoke, her words carrying a sense of command and certainty to them. I felt pulses travel through the air like vibrations, intermingled with the words. At the same time, that one simple sentence reverberated through my skull, echoing left and right like it was the only thing in my head. Like it was a command I couldn’t disobey.
My hand released her wrist of its own volition. I glared at it. I hadn’t wanted to do that.
“It is not your place to decide how I deal with my apprentice. I will deal with you in time.” Her voice sank back down to the melodious, mystic tone. “Now keep quiet and sit still.”
I frowned, memorizing the feeling I’d just felt. It was way beyond what either Yorik or Illiel could do. Still, I had the feeling that I could resist it, if I was mentally prepared.
Gurthari continued to berate Illiel. While she did, I calmed my beating heart. Behind us, laughter and conversation still echoed out. Gurthari must have covered this entire area with her ‘don’t notice me spell’. That meant there was mind zeal in the area. Perhaps if I could see it for myself, I could understand it better.
I calmed my breathing and stilled the beating of my heart. I remembered the meditative state that Sava had taught me to enter. Conditions weren’t ideal. I was standing and anxious, but through force of will I calmed myself. Before my eyes, swirling strands of energy began to appear. This was zeal. It was amber colored and glowing.
I sank into a trance, letting the colors become more vivid. The amber strands pulsed and thrummed before my eyes, originating from a point, hidden within the pocket of Gurthari. That was where her spellheart was. The strands wove through the air, distorting the surrounding region.
This was mind zeal, and while the greatest portion of it was coming from Gurthari’s spellheart, I sensed a smaller amount present around Illiel’s neck, where her spellheart was.
More than that though, I could sense even smaller strands floating through the air. They were so thin and ephemeral, flickering in and out of my perception. I almost didn’t believe they were there, but they were.
Each of these tiny strands lead back into the mind of someone. Gurthari’s were the second thickest, with Illiel’s being the third. The elves of the Songstone clan had the thinnest, mostly imperceptible strands. The largest, most powerful strand came from me.
This new sight allowed me to figure out the mechanism by which Gurthari’s spells worked. They interacted with these tiny strands of mind zeal that intertwined with another mind by projecting other strands of mind zeal, which originated from her spellheart.
While I couldn’t perceive both types of zeal at the same time, I was able to switch between seeing mind zeal and seeing earth zeal. The latter still came far easier to me, thanks to practice and the fact that I had a bond with a matching spellheart. But I could see mind zeal.
I tried to wield the earth zeal with my mind, hoping I could use it to interfere with the mind zeal. No luck. Even throwing the full force of my spellheart at the zeal in the air, I was unable to pierce it. It moved, but only the tiniest bit. Earth zeal seemed to have limited ability to interact with mind zeal.
I examined the mind zeal that Gurthari had woven around me. This was the compulsion keeping me quiet and stuck in place. Earth zeal wouldn’t free me from this. My options were limited at this point. If I couldn’t figure out how to break the compulsion spell I’d need to attack her with earth magic. Perhaps if I hit her hard and fast the spell would fall apart. I didn’t like that option. It would be a gamble, and it would turn things into a fight. I didn’t know what this Gurthari could do, and I hated fighting battles I wasn’t absolutely sure I could win.
Then I had an idea. Mind zeal could interact with mind zeal without issue. I had proof of that right before my eyes. The problem is I didn’t have a mind spellheart, but that didn’t necessarily mean I didn’t have any mind zeal to work with. I had that single strand coming from my own mind. Sure, it didn’t seem like much relative to all the mind zeal pulsing through the air, but it seemed thick and strong.
Bringing mind zeal back into my vision, I started manipulating the strand of mind zeal coming out of my own forehead. It took a bit of practice, but I was able to manipulate it like a little string. Bit by bit, I started picking at the mind zeal that had bound me. Luckily, my strand was strong enough to rip through the strands Gurthari had bound me with. Bit by bit I began to feel the compulsion weaken. Suddenly, I had the feeling that my bindings were weak enough to simply shake off. It was like the iron chains that held me had rusted in a matter of seconds, and now my restraints were no stronger than wet paper.
I rallied my will and forced myself to move. With my mind zeal vision, I saw my skin flash briefly with the light amber color I’d come to associate with mind zeal. When the light faded, no trace of Gurthari’s spell was left on my person.
“Apologies, but I don’t like being ignored.” It had only been a few seconds since Gurthari had cast her spell on me, though it felt like longer.
Gurthari turned back towards me, a look of shock on her face. “Impossible... to undo my spell like that without being a mind heartwielder you’d need to have mage sight. You’re clearly haven’t bonded a spellheart yet… That would mean you can access powers a realm beyond you. I suppose the legends about chaka are more true than I imagined.”
I gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Never give away information, whether to ally or enemy, if it can at all be prevented.”
Gurthari met my eyes with a harsh stare. I met her gaze evenly. We looked at each other evenly, until at last, she blinked.
Gurthari broke eye contact with me, a flush rising to her face. She wasn’t the type of person accustomed to being intimidated.
She turned back to Illiel. “Back to our camp apprentice.” Then she turned towards me. “As for you, we’ll talk about how you can serve the Unblinking Eye. I’ll need to contact my superiors.”
“Leave Illiel with me.” I said in my most commanding voice. Gurthari looked like she wanted to refuse, but she simply nodded her head. Illiel glanced between the two of us, then hurriedly scurried over to my side.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“T-thank you for that, Theo.” Illiel said slowly. She was behaving more cautiously with me than before. My ability to overcome her mentor’s magic had apparently left an impression on her.
“Don’t mention it. I had personal reasons for taking you from her. I’ve got a few questions about mind magic that I want you to clear up.”
Illiel scanned me up and down, looking for something. “So, where are you hiding it?”
“What?”
“Your mind spellheart. I know you’ve got that earth-type one, but where are you hiding your mind spellheart?”
“I don’t have one. Though I wouldn’t mind getting one. That was the whole idea with getting into contact with the Unblinking Eye.”
Illiel let out a low breath. “It’s as I thought then. You really managed to unravel Mistress Gurthari’s spell using only your inherent mind zeal. That shouldn’t be possible before the mage acolyte ranks.”
“I keep hearing people talk about mages and mage acolytes. The mages I’m familiar with are simply a type of person who can use magic. Are we not all mages?”
“No! Of course not. The zeal we wield is not our own. We borrow it, through our bond with our spellhearts. Mage acolytes have merged their spellhearts into themselves, allowing them to transcend earthly limitations and interact directly with the zeal that flows through the world. True mages are a step beyond even that, having completely mastered the power they have taken into their bodies. Even the weakest of mages would be able to overpower a strong heartwielder in a fair fight.”
&nb
sp; “I see. So, it’s like some sort of fundamental change that pushes you to a whole new level of power.”
“Correct. Mages have a level of control that us spellheart wielders can never hope to rival. Much if this is due to mage sense. By utilizing mage sense, a mage can visualize zeal and manipulate it. Mages can see zeal of their own aspect the best, but with effort they are able to perceive other types of zeal. Thanks to the unique way in which they have altered themselves to interact with zeal, they are able to manipulate it directly. Some can even wield their own natural zeal as a weapon, strengthening their bodies and overcoming traps like the distraction spell you’ve seen me use.”
“So that’s what I was seeing back there. The world through mage sight.”
“It’s the only explanation for you being able to do what you did. Only it shouldn’t be possible. You’re not a mage acolyte, and definitely not a true mage. I would be able to feel the pressure of your presence on my mind and body if you were.”
I shrugged. “I did it though, and I think I’d be able to do it again, with a bit of practice. How is a mystery.” Though I personally suspected that this was my own body at work once again. I clearly was at an advantage in terms of handling zeal, despite, or perhaps because my body hadn’t grown up in this environment. From what Sava told me, zeal was essential for elves to survive. Without at least some quantity of zeal their bodies couldn’t perform even basic functions.
I came from earth, where there was no such thing as zeal. Maybe that is an advantage nobody else here has. Maybe the fact that I don’t need to use zeal to maintain my body means that everything my body collects can be used offensively, and that I have an innate resistance to any spell craft that directly attacks the targets zeal, simply because I don’t need it. If somebody attacks my body’s zeal, nothing happens because my body isn’t actually using it to function. That would explain why spells have a hard time affecting me.
That was a question that would require research on my part. Since it was unique to me, I doubted that the answer would be freely available. Though Sam and Dean had come here before me, and human males seemed to be called chakas here. Maybe a place more familiar with the term would know. Questions for another time.
Recent events had peaked my interest in mind magic more than ever, and I was going to wring all the information I could out of Illiel now that I had her here with me on friendly terms.
“So, what was it Gurthari tried to do to me?”
“Mistress Gurthari set up a mental framework. All she projected was a single command, but the core part of that spell can be used for something far more sinister. If applied over the long term, it can be used to completely control someone.”
“Like full mind-control?”
Illiel nodded. “Just so. Though the more aggressive kind where you force someone to obey your words is only possible so long as you have your power focused on them. Mental frameworks are more often used to implant long-term suggestions. These alter the victims’ thinking. A powerful mage acolyte can use a mental framework on a spellheart wielder to dramatically alter their victim’s personality and alter their perceptions. Individuals at even higher cultivation ranks are able wipe a person clean of memories and personality. They can then place whatever thoughts, memories, or personality they choose onto their victim. Such sinister techniques are why the Cult of the Unblinking Eye hides in the shadows. People would not take the existence of such abilities lightly.”
“Wait, you said people higher than mages. Is there a level higher than mage?”
“The ranks as you should know them go heartwielder, then mage acolyte, then true mage. There are levels beyond that, but I’ve never met somebody higher than true mage. And even those I can only hope to view from afar. Just like how an earth mage who cultivates their body to the point where they can become an earth wizard, a mind mage who cultivates their mind to the limits of the mage ranks can become a diviner.”
A thought immediately struck me. “So, since a mind mage cultivates the mind and an earth mage cultivates the body could you become a mage in both?”
Illiel nodded. “It’s not unheard of, though it’s extremely difficult. It’s hard enough cultivating one spellheart to the degree that it’s worth fusing permanently to you. Bring a second spellheart into play and suddenly you have conflicting magics that make the job twice as difficult. Difficult but not impossible. Some people in the Cult of the Unblinking Eye have done just as you ask. Usually they do it so they have an excuse for exerting the pressure of a mage acolyte, making and don’t have to constantly conceal their power and have the social standing a mage acolyte receives. Mind spellhearts are supposed to be a secret after all. The most common two-fold mages are those who cultivate the soul and body simultaneously. Like someone who cultivates a necromantic spellheart in their soul while simultaneously cultivating an earth spellheart in their body.”
“What about all three? Could you cultivate a mind spellheart for your mind, an earth spellheart for your body, and a necromantic spellheart for your soul?”
“I’ve never met anyone who had managed such a feat. Two-fold mages are incredibly respected. A three-fold mage would be virtually invincible to people at the same level as them. Though I think trying to cultivate three spellhearts at the same time would be spreading yourself far too thin. Perhaps genius disciples of the great sects in the lands beyond our kingdom could manage such a feat, but no one inside of our small, backwater nation. It would require techniques and cultivation aids that just can’t be found out here, so far from good sources of zeal.”
***
When the distraction spell faded, many of the Hearthwood clanswomen looked up at Illiel and I in surprise, having just noticed us. I ignored them. Sava looked curiously in our direction, and Yorik glanced at Illiel with narrowed eyes, but when she realized I was sitting there talking with her she let the hostility go instantly. She was loyal to her new chief and could tell when I didn’t want to be bothered.
Nela was harder to dismiss, but I simply told her to consider Illiel a guest of mine and leave it at that.
I learned many interesting things about spellheart theory, and how zeal was used to build power. Our discussion went late into the night, and by the time I decided to let Illiel get some rest everyone else had already turned in for the night. I assigned the young elf an extra bunk in one of the longhouses and told her we’d talk more in the morning.
It was just when I was stretching my limbs to get some shut eye when something disturbed the quiet night air.
“Songstone clan! Awaken! You have hungry warriors who have bravely fought for your honor and freedom at your doorstep. Come see to our needs!”
The voice was female, but it was deeper than average and carried a sharp bite to it. From the woods came eighteen figures, seventeen of which were female elves dressed in armor wielding weapons.
“Don’t know who you’re talking to, this is the Hearthwood clan.” The swords woman, who was on watch that night, grumbled in reply. Then the new figures came into view.
These elves didn’t have the crude, mismatched armor that the Songstone clan warriors had worn when I first met them. This armor was shiny and inscribed all over with runes and elaborate engravings. Even without trying to look at them with mage sight I could tell that they radiated the power of zeal. Their weapons and armor were actually enchanted! Or at least empowered by the closest analog to enchanting that this world had.
One of the figures let out a snort. “I see you lot have taken to hiding, and have even abandoned our illustrious name in fear for your survival. Well, fear no more. Your matriarch has arrived! Come and greet provisional matriarch Yulli Songstone!” The armor clad elf beckoned to the most inspiring of their number. A strong and powerful female elf. She had short hair with the same gold-yellow of the Songstone clan. She had all the nobility and poise of Nela, but in greater doses, combined with the confidence and scars of a warrior woman. Her armor was dented and scratched, but when it was new it had clearl
y been leagues beyond what I’d seen any of the Songstone survivors wearing before. She had a sword too, from the magical red light swirling around her, visible even to the naked eye, it was obvious she preferred magic over her ironwood blade.
As if their muscles had been stirred into action by an old, well-ingrained habit, everyone in the Hearthwood clan encampment started stirring.
“Mistress Yulli! You’re alive!” One of the Heartwood clanswomen exclaimed with surprise.
“It was a long and difficult fight, but we managed to escape the clutches of our attackers. They wore the robes of the Sakaku clan, but we now know the true face of our enemy. A damned group of cultists who worship something they call the Unblinking Eye.”
It was then Nela emerged. Yulli’s eyes locked onto her immediately.
“Ah! Little Nela! You did a good job organizing this group of servants. This place is hardly suitable for the long term, but after a few houses are built for me and my warriors, we could stay a season or two while we gather more survivors from the Songstone clan.”
“Oh... elder sister Yulli, I’m gladdened by the fact that you survived.” Nela’s expression said that she was anything but glad. “How did you find us?”
“That’s matriarch to you, little Nela. I’m the most powerful cultivator here of the direct bloodline, a true mage. And assuming none of our elder sisters survived, it’s my job to take the reins over what remains of our glorious clan and avenge our fallen. But to answer your question…”
Yulli grabbed the collar of a nearby Hearthwood clanswomen. Out of her shirt Yulli withdrew the chain on which the women kept her spellheart.
“This thing lead me here. You know how the clan elders always had us newly risen true mages spend countless hours condensing spellhearts for the servants and lesser clan members? Well this one was one of mine. I could sense it from miles off.”
The Hearthwood clanswomen looked slightly ashamed as Yulli handed her back her spellheart. She bowed deeply to Yulli, and then to Nela, a look of apology on her face.
Zeal of the Mind and Flesh Page 22