Battle Mage Visions (A Tale of Alus Book 12) (8 page)

While Sebastian could have made one of the Red Hall wizards act as his battery for magic to do the extended spell, his comfort level with Ashleen made him stick with his forging assistant.

"Extending your magic through me to search the metal is about the best way to see what I am truly doing," the mage stated as the teacher of a new class. "The metal is cool to the touch now, but I can't guarantee that touching it to try using magic to monitor this spell would be completely safe. You're welcome to try, but I can't assure that my magic won't make it too hot for your hands."

Hassar looked unimpressed with his warning and said, "If using our magic directly on the blade won't interfere with your spell, then I have magic that should compensate for any heat you might create."

Unsure if the wizard meant that he could handle any heat the metal might give off or if he meant that he didn't believe Sebastian's power was great enough to affect him, the battle mage didn't know or care to ask. He just answered, "As long as you aren't acting against me, then it shouldn't affect the making of the Hollow Sword runes."

With that decided; Hassar took the remainder of his team and had them join their power with his. The fire wizard cast a spell and placed his hand on the tip of the sword. They were across the short side of the table from each other. Sebastian's hand rested on the hilt already created for the weapon by the smiths. 

"Heal," he commanded using the word to activate his magic that let him sense not only a human body to heal it, but also to examine the metal of the sword. The owl had discovered long ago that his use of magic relied less on the actual words used as the feeling or desire needed to activate a spell.

His mind went out from his body flowing through his fingertips into the hilt and from there into the blade. His magic allowed the mage to sense each fold, imperfection and layer of the metal. Taking it in, Sebastian no longer saw the blade with his eyes, but moved within the metal as he began to reshape and smooth away the flaws. They weren't major, and only someone with this kind of magic would have found them.

The metal was finished as far as a blade smith would take a weapon. Even a master would have been satisfied, but the battle mage wasn't looking for just a standard blade. Magic was the tool and the destination at the same time.

Like a conversation recorded, Sebastian began to let his magic build and create the runes for the Hollow Sword. He let them flow and move with his power. Every blade had a feeling of its own and the runes were unique, though there were also similarities and redundancies between each weapon.

The runes not only etched into the blade, but were joined by more on the hilt. A hand needed the runes to touch their skin making blade and magic user one. His magic would fill the runes. For those who knew his secret, they might pull power from the earth; but it was their hand on the runes that told the ground to fill the weapon. A wizard or battle mage formed a simple spell and then released it the same way.

When the runes were complete, Sebastian released his magic and his mind returned to his body. He opened eyes that had closed without notice and looked at the wizards across from him. Their eyes looked from the new Hollow Sword to the weapon master who had created the runes to change it from a simple, quality blade to something worthy of being called an artifact.

They had studied ancient relics of power and this was as intricate as any they had seen. Begrudged respect could be seen in their faces, but Gefflen was the only one to speak the barest amount of praise. "Very interesting, your magic seems to have written the runes following the flow of the metal. It is like adjusting to a living being."

Sebastian nodded and stated, "Each blade is similar but has unique runes as well. It was only after I had made a handful of the blades that I even realized that the runes were slightly different each time.

"You can record them," he said with a nod to Erethia, "but I am not sure that you can use them as an exact template. A wizard or mage will have to feel for the nature of the blade and fix any weaknesses first. Then you can adjust to the metal. Each hammer beat and fold makes it slightly different from other Hollow Swords.

"That is how I do it anyway. If you can make up some spell or technique that will help you do it better, by all means do."

It was the earth wizard, Orlen, who spoke his thoughts aloud. "Like a master blade smith, you feel out the nature of the individual blade to adjust for the nuances that only you are likely to feel. A swordsman finds the weight and balance that feels right to him, even when two swords look similar. They can pick out what works for their hand, even though a layman might not."

Sebastian nodded at the assessment while his hand strayed to a cut piece of bread and placed a piece of cheese on it. It found his mouth almost without thought as hunger created from using magic made itself known. While he was hungry, the mage wasn't nearly as bad as if he had borrowed power from the earth to make one without Ashleen's help.

The young woman had sat in a chair close by with a sandwich in hand and a mug of juice sitting on the table quietly eating as she listened to the wizards talk about their work. Ashleen had worked on enough pieces with Sebastian that she knew if they were correct or not. She had been his apprentice working on each and every Hollow Sword except for the first.

His eyes strayed to the windows and noticed the already weak gray light had dimmed even more. It would be dark soon and dinner would be served at the Black Smith Inn as well.

"Well, if there are no other questions, I think that will have to be it for the day," he decided looking at the visiting wizards.

"But we haven't even truly begun to study the magic used," Gefflen complained as he frowned once more. He was nearly demanding as the man asked, "Can't you spare more time to continue? Orlen shared through you directly. Perhaps you could make another and let another of us join you. We could supply the power instead of your girl and maybe two could learn at once?"

Sebastian had a feeling that the wizard had already forgotten Ashleen's name. About as disdained as a mage, the wilder was hardly a consideration. He wondered if Gefflen believed one of his wizards could be a better assistant just because they weren't wilders. Not letting his negative thoughts interfere with the slight smile on his face, Sebastian said, "I think you have seen enough to digest. Most people would be impressed with a single sword made in an afternoon, but I suppose magic makes it look easy.

"It isn't, however, so I think it is time for us to retire to our inn. We can take it up in the morning again if you wish."

His almost formal dismissal of the idea of another sword elicited frowns and furrowed brows from the Red Hall wizards. Unfortunately, they could hardly argue with him. He was the only one to master the magic to create a Hollow Sword, so only he knew how much energy Sebastian had truly used.

After a long day made longer dealing with the attitudes of the wizards, Sebastian was ready to relax at the inn. A little dancing with Ashleen and perhaps time alone before bed, was just what was needed to put the work of the day behind him to get some sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Chapter 5- Uneasy Peace

They hadn't escaped the Red Hall wizards as quickly as he had hoped. Persistence on their part kept him at the forge for nearly half an hour longer answering their questions. Most were pertaining to the new sword, the runes and his belief of what sort of wizard was likely to be able to make a Hollow Sword.

The last question was hardest to answer. No one had really taken to the magic when shown so far. If earth, fire and research wizards couldn't figure out his methods, then would it require a healer like the runes or maybe a nature wizard? Water and air were less likely aptitudes to likely work with metal, but Sebastian supposed anything was possible.

Beyond the wizards was the possibility that battle mages would be naturals at using the magic. They knew swords better than wizards, so they might have a feel for what it took to make an exceptional blade. The only drawback would be a lack of power to finish the prolonged magic to make the swords.

As the five walked back across the city to the inn, Elzen complained aloud, "What a bunch of stuck up stiffs. If you hadn't proved you could do it, that Gefflen would still be looking down his nose at us... you."

The young mage had skills and the ability to be a great falcon. Only Elzen's attitude, too often that of a jokester, held him back; even so the mage had gone to the wall at seventeen and convinced those in charge that he was worthy of becoming a falcon.

Unlike Sebastian, he hadn't created new spells or been under the test of fire which had given the other battle mage a chance to prove he was more than just a swordsman. Elzen could get down to business as much as any falcon, however, and was likely to become a leader as he aged and grew out of some of his boyish foolishness. For now, he followed Sebastian and had learned about as much of his new spells and magic as any other wizard or mage.

"Red Hall is far away from Hala," Sebastian said stating the obvious as he tried to make a point. "Gefflen and the others haven't been here to see what you and I can do. They are just now starting to see what battle mages in general have the potential to become."

Ashleen grunted in annoyance and agreed with Elzen as she countered, "Well, that will save you from his arrogance perhaps, but I doubt he will ever see a wilder as anything but trash."

"I think trash would be pushing it," he replied, though even Sebastian wasn't sure that the girl was wrong.

Elzen was looking at the ground without truly seeing it as he thought aloud, "I know that they are teachers at Red Hall, but I don't feel like we can truly trust them."

Looking up at Sebastian, the younger man asked, "Why do I feel like that?"

As he thought of their experience with the Red Hall wizards, Sebastian's gut told him to be wary of them as well; but they had proper clearance. He had been ordered to show them what he could of his magic, but the mage knew that there would be certain things he would have to hold back as well. Talk of merfolk or using a staff to tap the earth's power was certainly off the table.

"Unless Raven Leros or the high wizards suddenly change their minds, I don't have much choice. I have to show them the Hollow Swords and runes."

"If only that would be the end of it," Serrena voiced her opinion and glared at Elzen. "If they talk Culmore and Neferen into sending you to Red Hall, I hate to see how many more are like them at that school."

The fire wizard had become good friends with Ashleen and nearly worshipped Sebastian. A wizard following a mage, even a talented one like Bas, was unheard of; but she had been one of a handful to train with him for the Winter's Edge wizard duels. She was very loyal to her friends and hated the prejudice shown to them by wizards too full of themselves to see that they all had value.

"I can't believe you told them to try and get Bas sent to Red Hall," the auburn haired wizard concluded looking like she wanted to throw a fireball at the boyish mage.

In complete disregard to her temper, Elzen shrugged and gave a quick laugh. "If we can go somewhere warmer, it might be worth it. Red Hall can't be that bad."

There were enough eyes rolling at that comment from the others to make an argument against that, but the walk led them to talk of other things. Since there were other pedestrians on the streets in spite of the cold, it was also best to keep such matters to themselves until they could speak in a more private manner.

Protected from the worst of the cold by his air shield, they walked back to the inn. Elzen and Rilena still bunked at the mage barracks in the outer city most of the time, which meant they lounged in the combination dance hall and tavern occupying most of the first floor of the inn and would likely leave at the end of the night. Serrena stayed in the fire wizards' hall, which was closer to the inn; but on days like this no one really wanted to walk back through the cold.

Sebastian led Ashleen up to their room and lay on one of the two beds keeping the soles of his boots extended just beyond the bedspread. The girl placed a hand on a dresser next to the door and pulled off her short boots before climbing onto the bed. She curled against his side and placed her head on his chest.

Giving a deep sigh, the pretty blonde finally said, "It's been a long day. Maybe we should just stay here for the night or maybe a few days even?"

Her content smile was missed as her cheek rested on his chest and she faced across his body. His hand brushed at the locks of blonde hair. Her hair was soft, but the flow of electricity coming from the earth was still enough to make straggling hairs fall slowly back down.

The feel of her energy was a comfort to the man. Ashleen had been someone to resist at first, but they had always had chemistry and not just because of the electricity the girl harnessed.

"The others would miss us and I doubt that we could skip dinner. Using magic like that has built my appetite, even after eating the food at the forge."

She shifted to look up at him and said, "We could have Madame Alamore bring us something to eat, or I could help you sate your appetite in a different way."

The smile on her lips was hardly subtle, and Sebastian certainly enjoyed those lips as well as the other delicacies she was suggesting. He tried to resist her temptations as much as possible. The mage had been raised to be conservative in his treatment of women as a boy on the farm, but in the army there was a saying that you needed to love while you could find it. Once raised to falcon, it was common to move between the guardian cities regularly. That meant leaving relationships behind all too often and making new ones if you could.