Dark Soul Silenced - Part Two (4 page)

Enough about me though.  You passed the test which means you will soon be ready for the Transformation.  Meet me in the large hall tomorrow at one hour past breakfast.  It is time you saw a Transformation.  Then you will have to decide whether you want to undergo the same process.”

Master Demotte turned and walked away.  Ned stared after him for a long time, body still trembling from the test and mind whirling with what he had learnt and the thought of watching a transformation.

Ned paced nervously as he waited for Master Demotte to arrive.  He hadn’t slept much the night before.  Too many thoughts and worries chased each other through his mind.  Every student knew about the transformation.  In fact, just about everyone in the land did.  The Golden Order attracted apprentices from far and wide, all skilled to some degree in manipulating power — what ordinary folk called magic.  All were welcomed.  The apprentices were tested and trained, guided and encouraged.  Those that could only manipulate one power would graduate to related callings.  Using green power led to being a healer, using blue to forecasting and manipulating the weather, red to creating tools and buildings, and so on.

The ability to manipulate more than one power always meant all powers could be manipulated, though no one knew why.  All powers except the roiling darkness of the Creeping Dark at least.  Those who could manipulate all the powers had a special fate.  Through a process known as the Transformation their ability to channel power was greatly increased, as was their control.  Other changes took place too, not least the ability to think and move far faster than before.  Any apprentice completing the Transformation successfully became a master, taking up all the responsibilities that implied.

The exact details of the Transformation process were kept secret, even from apprentices.  Rumours abounded but as far as Ned could tell none held any truth, or even seemed likely.  Now he would find out what the truth was.  Find out and make his own decision.  Until now he always imagined he would say yes, that he’d have no doubts.  Now the moment had arrived it was no longer so clear cut.  He realised he was scared.  Just what happened in the transformation?  Would he still be himself afterwards, or would a similar but different person emerge?

Master Demotte entered the room at that moment.  Ned hurried over.  The Master was smiling, as he so often was.

“I know you have many questions Ned, but they can’t be answered here.  Follow me.  I have a suitable room prepared.”

Ned followed in silence as he was led up to a small room on the fourth floor.  Once they had entered Master Demotte extended his powers, sealing the room to prevent any sound escaping.  Ned was able to follow the patterns used but couldn’t come close to replicating it himself.  The room had no windows, being inside the keep, and no furniture other than two chairs.  Master Demotte sat in one and waved Ned into the other.

“So… the Transformation,” said Master Demotte slowly.  “The Transformation is the best known fact about the Golden Order, yet it is also one of its best kept secrets.  In truth it is both more and less than the rumours say.  Despite the rumours it doesn’t turn us into godlike entities, nor does it drastically change our appearance.

On the other hand, it does bring changes that the rumours don’t even hint at.  The increased speed of thought and action is well known.  As important is an increase in wisdom.  That comes partly from the transformation itself — knowledge of many things is imparted by the process.  At the same time our ability to learn, to reason, to make connections is also greatly increased.  Why do we keep that secret?  People are willing to accept us amongst them even though we can wield powers they cannot comprehend.  Those same people would quickly turn against us though if they knew how much more intelligent we are than them.  Strange is it not?”

“How do you know?  Is that your superior intelligence talking?”  Ned couldn’t help letting a hint of anger into his question.

“
No.  We have seen what happens when the knowledge gets out.  Long ago admittedly, and far from here.  The results were… unpleasant to say the least.  Even you felt anger at the idea that we are so much more intelligent, despite training with us for months.  It is natural.  Our powers, while amazing to most, tend to have a physical effect.  Faced with someone stronger there is always the option to work hard, to build strength to match them, or to group together.  Faced with someone who is able to out think them people feel scared — and often revert to brute force.  Do you see?”

Ned nodded slowly.  The idea wasn’t comfortable but it did make sense.

“What else do you need to know?” Master Demotte said.  “Oh yes.  While the Transformation does cause some physical changes they are not painful, nor are they drastic.  Tales of apprentices writhing on the floor while their bodies stretch and twist are completely false.  The process takes place over several hours.  During that time the body and mind are changed slowly.

The process always takes place during the day, and here it is carried out on the top floor of the keep.  The dome is opened to allow daylight in.  The light helps speed the transformation, and ensures any traces of darkness are driven out.”

“Darkness?”

“
Yes, darkness.  Many people carry darkness within their souls.  Not the Creeping Dark that you faced, but a pale shadow that can still wreak havoc with lives.  Even our apprentices can carry the seeds of darkness.  The most important part of the Transformation is driving out that darkness.”

Ned shivered.  His memories of being attacked the day before were still raw.  The idea that people could carry the seeds of such darkness within them was chilling.  Even worse was the idea that he might carry them too.

“And the Transformation always clears out the darkness?”

Master Demotte’s face darkened.  “No.  Not always.  There are a few, a very few, where the darkness has gained too great a hold on their soul.  For them the Transformation is a different affair.  The change works differently.  Instead of increasing their powers it destroys them, burning out their abilities.  They feel no pain with the process, but they suffer afterwards.  To believe you are about to become one of the Golden Order, and then not only to fail but to lose what powers you had… that is a very bitter draught to swallow.  The knowledge that darkness within your soul was the cause, darkness that still remains, can be unbearable.

We watch those it happens to very closely, talk to them and try to help.  Some become bitter and angry, resenting us and leaving soon after.  Others become disorientated, distracted.  They retreat from the world.  We find them somewhere safe to live where they can recover, or if they choose spend their lives.  A few can’t cope.  They try to take their own lives.  Mostly we get to them in time, stop them or save them.  Not always though.”

“
And people still go through the Transformation knowing all that?”

“
They do.  And I think you will too.”

Ned opened his mouth to reply, to say it was too dangerous, but the words wouldn’t come.  If he turned down the chance to become a master, to join the Golden Order, he knew he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

“All right.  Maybe I can see why people go through with it.  I just hope there isn’t too much darkness in my soul.”

Master Demotte’s face lit up with a smile again.

“I knew it.  Now, there’s more you should know…”

The Master went on to cover intricacies of the process, what would happen afterwards and many other topics.  The only one that really interested Ned was how the Transformation was started.  Several Masters would work upon a pitcher of water, using their powers to transform it into an elixir brimming with all types of natural power — green, red, white, blue and the others.  The Transformation was started by drinking the elixir.  Until that point anyone could back out.  After drinking it there were only two options — becoming a master or losing all ability to use magical power.

Finally Master Demotte sent Ned out to freshen up and grab something to eat before making his way to the top level of the keep to observe the Transformations.

Chapter Five

Ned sat quietly, studying the three waiting candidates.  Unsurprisingly they all looked nervous.  Ned knew the three by sight and name but little more.  The closest was Lucy, a dark haired girl of fifteen or sixteen.  Rachel sat some distance away, a similar age to Lucy but shorter and with reddish hair.  Frederick completed the trio.  Though only eighteen he was exceptionally tall, at least a head taller than any other apprentice, and built like an ox. 

Something about Frederick grated against Ned.  They’d never spoken, let alone had harsh words, but Ned felt a dislike that he couldn’t explain.  He wondered if it was simply down to Frederick’s huge build — it was certainly intimidating.

Movement broke the chain of thought.  Three masters emerged from a side room, each carrying a flask.  Master Demotte leant close to Ned and whispered.

“
From now on we must remain quiet.  The Transformation proceeds best with no interruptions.  Once each candidate has drunk the elixir you may use your powers to study them.  They won’t notice.  Until then simply observe.”

Ned nodded his understanding.  He was surprised to find his heart was pounding.  If he was this nervous now, how would he be for his own Transformation?

He watched as each candidate downed the elixir, then reached out with his senses.  He examined Lucy first.  Immediately he became aware of swirling patterns of power spreading from her stomach.  The patterns were continually changing, sometimes combining every power sometimes formed from only one.  Soon the swirling patterns filled her body and mind, making subtle changes that Ned could only just detect.

He pushed his senses on to Rachel and saw the same process taking place.  When he checked on Frederick he saw the same again.  Fascinated he continued to watch as the patterns became more and more intricate.  Eventually they reached a point where he couldn’t make out the detail anymore, though he felt certain the patterns were becoming even more complex.  Some time after, he realised some of the patterns were disappearing.  Probing with his powers Ned saw that the patterns were being absorbed by the candidates’ bodies.  The patterns were becoming part of them.

Ned started to notice differences between the three candidates.  The patterns were being quickly absorbed by Rachel’s body, fading away even as he studied them.  The patterns around Lucy’s body were taking longer to be absorbed.  Ned could sense small patches of darkness which were slowing the patterns, but as he watched the darkness was squeezed out of existence pocket by pocket.  Lucy’s transformation would take longer than Rachel’s but it would still complete.

Frederick was a different story though.  The closer the patterns came to his body the more the darkness within pushed back.  Time and again the patterns progress was halted, even reversed, and each time the darkness grew stronger.  After one final failure the patterns pulled back a little and then changed dramatically.  Before there had been numerous small patterns.  Now they merged themselves into one large pattern.  Ned couldn’t help but think of a cage surrounding Frederick.  The cage of power started to constrict.  Ned looked on in horrified fascination.

“Do you understand what is happening?” asked Master Demotte quietly.

“
The Transformation has failed.  His powers are going to be stripped away.” Ned replied, equally quietly.

“
Yes and no.  He has already lost the ability to use his powers.  The darkness has taken over, driving out all other power.  In his case the Transformation will now be about destroying his ability to use the dark power, and sealing it off so that it can do him no harm.  At the moment it has no significant influence over his actions.  Given time, he would become exceptionally dangerous if the darkness was left unchecked.”

Ned studied Frederick in silence, watching the cage of patterns close in and start to crush the darkness.  Frederick seemed unaware of what was happening.  Like the other two, he sat in a trance.  Ned couldn’t help but feel sorry for Frederick, despite his dislike of the man.  The net of patterns drew closer and closer.  Ned couldn’t help but see it as choking off the power in Frederick, an uncomfortable image.

Ned turned to Master Demotte to ask a question but didn’t get the chance.  Something huge screamed through the air above the keep.  Despite being a mile up at least the sound and the shock wave knocked Ned to the floor.  Clamping hands over his ears and squinting up Ned made out a large rock racing through the sky.  It was heading almost due west.  Towards the Citadel.  Towards the home of the Golden Order.  As he squinted Ned thought he saw the huge rock throwing off streamers of darkness, but he couldn’t be sure.  Soon it passed from sight.

Ned turned round to find Master Demotte standing staring after the strange apparition.

“Master… Master Demotte… what was that?”

“
I don’t know.”  For the first time Ned heard true age in the Master’s voice.  “I don’t know,” he repeated.  “But I fear the worst.”

A ragged scream startled them both.  Ned turned and saw Frederick writhing on the floor, arms shielding his face.  Ned ran towards Frederick but he felt as if he was standing still compared to Master Demotte.  The Master almost flew over the stone floor, leaving Ned amazed.  Hearing of the speed a master gained from the transformation was one thing, seeing it was quite another.

Ned reached Frederick as Master Demotte lifted the huge man, easily slinging him over one shoulder.  Once again the Master raced away, running as if Frederick weighed no more than a feather.  Ned was left to chase after, following the two into a side room.  With the dome still open being in the main room had felt like standing outside.  Running into the side room felt like plunging into darkness.  For a moment the darkness in the room seemed to cling to Ned, tendrils wrapping around him.  Instinctively he used his power to form a shield, pushing back at the darkness.  A moment later his eyes adapted to the rooms dimmer light and he let the shield go, feeling embarrassed at his overreaction.

Frederick was lying on a low bed.  The convulsions had stopped, as had the screams of pain, but he looked far from well.  His face was pale and his eyes were bloodshot.  He showed no awareness of his surroundings.  Ned reached out with his powers then recoiled in horror.  Darkness roiled its way through Frederick’s body, strengthening by the moment.  The outer net of power from the Transformation was still surrounding Frederick.  Something had changed though.  Instead of containing the darkness, destroying it, the shell of energy was succumbing to the darkness, was being corrupted by it and absorbed into it.

“Master…” Ned started to say.

“
I know,” snapped Master Demotte.  “I’ve never seen anything like this, never heard of it.  Quickly, go find any masters you can.  Tell them I need them here.  Right now.  Tell them Exelsior.  Have you got that?”

“
Exelsior, yes.”

“
Good.  Now go.  Frederick may not have much time.  Run!”

Questions whirling through his head, Ned turned and ran.

After summoning help Ned tried to return to the room holding Frederick, only to be sent away by one of the masters.  Though not before being told to keep silent about what he had seen.  Ned spent a restless afternoon waiting for news.  He saw many masters rushing on urgent tasks.  The look on their faces stopped him asking any questions.  Apprentices clustered together, nervously swapping theories about what had the masters in such a state, and what it was that had crashed across the sky.  As always Ned stood apart, but he managed to listen in on many conversations.  None were anywhere near the truth.

Master Demotte finally appeared late in the afternoon.  The Master’s appearance shocked Ned.  His face was gaunt, he was bent with age and there was a slight tremor visible as he walked.  Ned rushed over.

“Master… are you all right?”

“
Yes, yes.  Don’t fuss.  I’m just tired.  I haven’t had to work that hard with the power since… well, since before you were born probably.”

“
Is Frederick… that is… how is Frederick?”  Ned only just avoided asking if Frederick was dead.

“
Stable.  Which is much more of an achievement than it sounds.  The darkness is being driven from him, slowly but surely.  We are sharing the work between us, but even so it will probably be sometime tomorrow before he is completely safe.  None of us have ever seen anything like it before.”

“
Was it caused by that… thing… that flew across the sky?”

“
Almost certainly, though we have no idea how.  It was a meteor.  Something falling from the heavens.  Though I’ve never heard tell of one anywhere near so large.  What worries me is the direction it travelled.  Unless I’m mistaken it will have landed near the Citadel.”

“
Surely they can deal with it?  You’ve always told me that the Citadel is immense, that it is full of Masters.”

“
It is.  And you’re probably right.  I’m worried though.  Something about all this feels wrong.  That’s why I have a task for you.  Come with me.”

“
Of course Master.”

Master Demotte led Ned down to the ground floor and into a guard room.  Ned had seldom been in any of the guard rooms, and never in this one.  He was surprised to see that the room contained another door — this one heavily constructed and displaying many magical locks, locks that could only be undone with the correct patterns of power.  A squad of ten guards were in the room already, fully armed and armoured.  Ned realised that whatever lay beyond the door must be hugely valuable. 

The squad leader, a captain, quickly crossed to Master Demotte and snapped out a salute.

“
Master!  How can we serve?”

“
Gather more of your men.  I want two more squads in here, your best men.  Expect to be here all night.  Ned here will be staying with you.  Once your men are all in Ned will seal the room.  Get the other men now.”

“
Yes sir!” 

The Captain saluted again and quickly left the room.  Ned stared after him for a moment then turned back towards Master Demotte, who pressed something into his hand.  Looking down Ned saw it was an uneven piece of crystal.  It glowed slightly with whitish power.

“The crystal is linked to sunlight,” the Master said.  “No matter how far inside or underground you are, the crystal will glow when the sun is fully up.  Once the guards are all in you are to lock the door.  This room has a special lock — it can only be controlled from the inside.  Under no circumstances open it again until that crystal tells you dawn has broken.  Do you understand?”

“
Yes.  No.  Why?”

“
Almost certainly because I am old, tired and worrying over nothing.  In which case you will open the door tomorrow to find me looking very sheepish and several other masters trying hard not to laugh at me.  Almighty knows I hope that happens.”

“
And if it doesn’t?”  Ned was scared now.

“
I truly do not know.  I have no idea what may happen, but I have a terrible sense of foreboding.  Even if nothing happens within the keep I worry over what may be happening at the Citadel.  Now, do you understand what you must do?”

“
Yes.  I wait for the guards then seal the room.  I use the crystal in the morning to be sure the sun has risen.  Once it has I open the door.”

“
Good.  You are strong Ned.  Strong with the power of course, but more than that.  You have a strong soul, a strong mind.  You have lived in the world.  I give you this task for the same reason I took you as an apprentice.  You have the strength to become one of the best of us.  I cannot stress strongly enough how important this is.  Don’t let me down Ned.”

“
I won’t Master!” Ned insisted.

“
Good.  Now I must rest.  The guards should be back soon.  I will see you tomorrow.  I hope.”

Ned’s emotions were in turmoil as he watched the suddenly old looking master slowly walk away.  Ned had never seen Master Demotte so worried, and that worried Ned.  No, it terrified him.  In a keep holding at least forty Masters of the Golden Order Master Demotte was desperately worried.  What was it that he feared?

Despite turning it over in his head time and again he was no nearer an answer when the guard captain returned leading another two squads of men.  As well as arms and armour the new arrivals carried food, water and bedrolls — including spares for Ned and the other guards already in the room.  Once everyone was in Ned triggered the door control, watching as the door slid out of the stone archway and sealed the exit.  Many of the guards sent him questioning glances, but there was nothing he could tell them.  He was as much in the dark as they were.

The guards soon settled down into shifts.  One squad took watch at a time, even though there was no way anything could gain access to the room, while the others prepared food, talked, played dice or rested.  They were polite enough to Ned, but no more.  They were ordinary folk with no ability to sense or wield power.  While happy, indeed keen, to serve the masters of the Golden Order they were clearly uncomfortable dealing with Ned.  For his part he wasn’t in the mood to talk anyway.  Too many thoughts and worries were running through his head.