Rising of a Mage (9 page)

“You are correct. Do as you will. I will not interfere; I am merely here to observe.” Anwar laid the components of the first spell on the coat in order and he began casting. He felt the pull as each item dissolved into the coat. When he was finished, he gasped, and took a deep breath as he organized the components of the second spell over the coat. Again, he began and felt the pull as each item dissolved into the coat. Finally, he laid the items of the third spell in order.

Gabriel felt that this was familiar somehow, but he couldn’t figure out which spell the boy was about to cast. Anwar began the last spell and then he knew. This was going to take more energy than he could have predicted. Even though the boy had so much untapped potential, his body was not yet used to such great amounts of magic flowing through him. It was unlikely he would be able to finish this last spell successfully before he was drained. I would not even use this spell after casting the two lesser spells, Gabriel thought. Anwar watched as each item dissolved, the magic flowing into the coat. Each pull was hard and draining; he fought weariness. He had to fight just to keep standing. He let his eyes close and just focused on finishing the spell and standing. When he was finished, he felt the final pull that dragged him to his knees. He opened his eyes and watched the last item dissolve, the magic flowing into the coat. After a few seconds the coat began to glow. He said the final word that would seal the magic, and then lay down, put his hands under his head and was instantly asleep, a smile on his face.

Chapter Seven

The Duel Duelz

A
nwar woke up one morning a full two days after the creation of Mariah’s coat. He squinted at Riah. “Well, if I must open my eyes and see someone, you are not the last I person I would choose, I guess.”

“Anwar you are awake! Master Gabrielle said you would not wake up for days.”

“How long have I been out?”

“Two days! What happened? No one will tell me anything. I don’t think anyone knows anything to tell, other than Master Gabrielle and Master Gibbins.”

“I tried some spells that may have been beyond my abilities. I will have to wait to find out from Master Gabriel how affective they were.”

“Anwar, I was so worried.”

“I’ll be fine, Riah. In three days I’ll be standing next to you beating on city guards and self-proclaimed blade masters.”

She gave him a smile. “Anwar, the competition is not important. You need to rest.”

“From your own assertion, I have rested two full days. Is that not yet enough?” He was trying to be funny. It wasn’t working.

“No, I did not spend all that time casting the healing spells for you to get up and exhaust yourself.”

“You cast the healing?”

“Yes, not that there was much I could do. The only thing truly wrong with you was exhaustion, it would seem.”

“Well then, Ma’am, it seems you are in charge of my care. May I be allowed to take this rest in my own bed?”

“I will tell Master Gabrielle you are up, and Master Gibbins will want to see you before he allows you to go to your own bed.”

Master Gabrielle came in alone and closed the door. “First let me say you are as reckless as you are gifted. You could have killed yourself, and it will be many weeks before your energy will be restored.”

“Ah, but I can feel the empty well, sir. My body could handle at least three times what it could have before. Not a bad trade for two days sleep, huh?”

His humor was more acceptable to Master Gabriel. He simply smiled and shook his head. “You are correct. Pushing yourself to a limit as you did stretches your ability to use magic and strengthens the constitution of your energy. The pull of spells will be less and easier to control. You could now accomplish what you did two days ago, and, though you would be thoroughly drained, you would most likely be fully recovered within days. As it is, you should not use magic for the next few weeks and allow the energy to restore itself—else you could lose some of your energy permanently.”

“I understand. I will heed your guidance.”

“Good. Now to the matter of the item you created. I took the liberty of checking your spells. They all work perfectly; only the last was altered from its original purpose. I am not sure how you did it, but you strengthened the spell. That spell is meant to deflect minor attacks: a knife thrust, an arrow or a physical blow from a club. I have tested all these things and it works, but normally it would stop the attack on contact. These minor attacks were stopped nearly an inch from contact. I took the risk of furthering the test. That coat will stop spear thrusts, steel-tipped arrows, swords. I would not continue the test past these items but I believe that coat is the strongest armor in all of the realm of Managua. I believe it has the ability to protect against magic as well but I would not further the testing without you.” Anwar smiled and nodded his head as if he had expected this. “You were expecting this?”

“Yes sir. Well, hoping really.”

“How?”

“As I cast the last spell, sir, I willed it in half, two layers really. The first layer of the spell I guided into itself, feeding it with my energy. For the second layer, I pushed the magical barrier spell into and fed it until I was near collapse and then I finished the spell. After all my readings, I had seen this hinted at, but nothing had confirmed any successful attempt. My theory was you could feed the enchantment with a spell or energy that would strengthen it, but once you cast the last phrase of the spell you could add nothing and it would stop drawing from your energy. It would seem my conclusion was correct.”

“It would seem.”

“Anwar, would you like me to keep the coat locked in my office or would you like me to bring it to you.”

“If you wouldn’t mind keeping it, sir.”

“Very well. One last thing before I depart.”

“Yes sir?”

“You have studied the magical items and their creation in greater depth than anyone in this guild. Myself included. You have also proven your own theory in the creation of magical items. This makes you the Master of Magical Items and Creation of the Kampar Wizards Guild. Many wizards, even among those in this guild, have failed to create items with just one of the spells you used. You may continue to study as my apprentice, but you are now a wizard of this guild. You will teach classes on magical items, and perform duties in the guild. ”

“I am honoured, sir. And I would be grateful of your further tutelage.”

“I guessed you would. Anwar, no magic for the next few weeks. Let your energy build and then we will start moving past all the basic skills you are mastering to more advanced skills which I am sure you have been studying already.”

Mariah came in after Master Gabriel left. Even the wizards called each other Master, and he was sure, even if they didn’t, Master Gabriel would always be that to him. He was an honorable man and deserved respect. She walked him back to their room. Anwar started a bath.

Mariah frowned. “So, you are an instructor now and I have to call you sir in public. Master Gabrielle told me that after he talked to you. What is going on, Anwar?”

Anwar looked her in the eyes. “I have now made two magical items, both of very great power. The first was unintentional; the second I made two days ago. I also proved my own theory about the creation of such items. Master Gabrielle has appointed me the Master of Magical Items and Creation of the Kampar Wizards Guild. I will continue to study with Master Gabrielle but I must write my own study of these items and my creation of them.”

She gave him a confused look. “That is what happened? You created a magical item? What was it? Can I see it?”

“I will show you soon, I promise.” He could see the disappointment in her face. “We have to do some more tests to find out exactly how strong it is, but according to Master Gabriel it is already one of the strongest items in The realm of Managua. You will be the first to see it, besides the two of us who were present for its creation.” All of this was technically true, but he still felt a little guilty. His answer seemed to satisfy her though. After his bath he put on some shorts. He lay down in his bed. Mariah cast a healing spell that took the soreness from his body but the exhaustion was there. She lay down beside him put one arm over him and laid her head on his shoulder. He was asleep in minutes.

Anwar slept through the day and woke the next morning. He felt great; the exhaustion was gone, and he could feel the magic beginning to build in him again. He read the book on magical combat. There were spells for fire balls and lightning at the end, as well as shields and counters. By his birthday, he promised himself. By his birthday he would learn and master ever attack, counter, and shield in this book.

Mariah came in before the midday meal. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel great. The dual Duelz are the day after tomorrow. I thought we could get some practice in after the midday meal.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?”

He gave her an annoyed look. She shrugged. “OK, but let’s eat first. I’m starving.”

“You’re starving? I haven’t eaten in days.” After they left the commons they headed down to the training grounds. Word had spread about his new status. As he passed, he was greeted with nods and calls of “Good after noon, sir.” As they entered the training ground, they noticed a dozen or so pairs practicing. Most had almost no skill and were obviously going to compete just to say they had. There were three pairs at the far end of the grounds, the cities most skilled guards. These were to be finalists they knew. Anwar and Mariah approached and watched. Each pair was fighting the pairs on their sides. Anwar and Mariah were waiting for their chance to join the fray. They saw their opening between the pair and they were in. Now no one would attack the pair directly across from them they would each fend off the pair to either side. They all looked somewhat annoyed at the new arrivals. But due to the underestimation of their skill, they scored a number of hits quickly and this was followed with a measure of respect. It became a hard-pressed workout of parries, blocks and strikes. Ducking. dodging and lunging. After nearly twenty minutes they all broke away from the training.

“That staff is amazing,” one of the guards stated.

“Magically enchanted,” another said. “I tried to break it with my sword but it didn’t even give.”

“I am Anwar; this is Mariah.”

“Ah, the guild master’s apprentices, that explains it. We have heard of you.” Anwar looked at the guard that was standing across from him when he had entered the circle. “You were the only one that didn’t look irritated when we entered your circle. Do you mind if I ask why?”

“I recognized you by your staff, though last time you looked much different.” Anwar and Mariah looked at each other and then back to him. “My name is Jabaal. I was the guard at the gate when you were attacked by that pack of wolves. I knew, if you had made it through that, then the other stories I have heard of the prowess of you two couldn’t be complete fiction. I was interested.”

“I am Ezekiel.”

“Victor.”

“Sampson.”

“Marcus.”

“And I am Anthony. This was a hard workout. We haven’t had anyone train with us that could keep up like you have. You are more than welcome to train with us. As a matter of fact, you are welcome to join our band. We are all city guards, but mercenaries as well. Sometimes the city has need of men to go take care of things outside its walls and they hire us to do it. It’s not every day you have a chance to add a wizard and a priest to your ranks. Even if you are but teenagers, no one would guess. Anwar here is as tall as most the city guards and twice as wide.” Anwar looked at Mariah and she looked back at the group. “We would be honored. We will have to clear it with the guild masters, of course. Well, I guess you don’t need approval anymore, Master Anwar.” That sounded awkward coming from her.

“Well, how ’bout it, Anwar?” Anthony asked.

“If Mariah is permitted, we will join your group together.” With that they paired up again, switching position so everyone was facing someone different than before and sparred again for another thirty minutes. When they were all thoroughly exhausted they went their separate ways with plans for another practice the next day.

When they returned to the guild Mariah dropped her gear in their room, and then went to see Master Gibbins. She told him about their session with Anthony and his proposal for her and Anwar.

“Captain Anthony asked you to join the raiding party?”

“Ah yes, sir.”

“Captain Anthony is an old friend of mine. If he has extended you an offer then you are even better than I have heard. You have my permission, but listen to Captain Anthony. He is an honorable man and very capable.”

“Thank you sir I will.”

Anwar’s discussion was a little less formal but he was still asking approval. “Captain Anthony asked me and Mariah to join the raiding party. If Master Gibbins gives Mariah permission I am planning on joining, sir.”

“Congratulations, you must have impressed him; not an easy thing to do, mind you.” Then he handed Anwar a book. “I asked the Guild Master of Heavens Dale to copy this for me. Their library is much larger than ours. I promised him a copy of your book when it is completed in return.” He took the book called Enchanted Weapons and Connections. “I got this in hope of aiding your study as well as helping you to unlock the potential of your staff. We can start working combat magic in a couple of weeks. Good luck with the tournament, and be careful; winter is approaching and you will begin to be summoned for raiding parties then.”