Spellscribed conviction, p.22
Spellscribed: Conviction, page 22
“I’ll be right back.” Endrance said. Sliding away while everyone was distracted.
“Uh-huh.” Bridget grunted, her eyes narrowing as she kept her gaze locked with the wolfman child.
Endrance padded off until he was a good distance away from the camp. He walked across the hard packed road and into the far field, first up and then down a grassy hill. The light of the camp finally faded from sight. Just to be sure, he kept walking for another five minutes and two more hills before he stopped. He looked around, and then up. He had to be sure he had several feet of clearance on any side.
“You cannot summon your familiar in the city.” Weldom instructed him. “The warding crystals mess with teleportation magic, and until you get the experience to handle it, you’ll only hurt yourself or the Fjallar in the process. Wait until you’re at least a day away from the city.
Endrance sighed, and firmly set the butt of his staff on the ground where it remained standing upright. It was a common trick that he’d figured out how to do a few hours after having time to spend with the object. He sat down in the grass, feeling the rocks in the dirt beneath his seat through the cloth of his pants.
He pulled off his shirt, folding it up and setting it aside. He didn’t want to risk destroying more of his clothing. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and concentrated. Immediately his Grandstaff lent strength to his will, and he was able to focus far faster than he would have been able to do alone. With his mind so focused, he started drawing on the energy of his bracers, draining their reserves into his body.
A year ago that action would have been suicidal, unless he was in the midst of casting a spell. The power would have burnt out every meridian in his body, most likely literally. But he wasn’t the same person he was a year ago. The power flooded him with an almost euphoric sensation, saturating his body and aura with more power than he would have been able to handle.
He was then able to gauge how much he had progressed in the year since he had left Wayrest. He once felt that a single bracer stored more than he would ever be able to hold. Now, as full as he felt he was able to tolerate, he had managed to drain a quarter of each bracer. As he was now, overflowing with power, he could hold half of the power he had thought beyond his ken.
The power was kept in careful check by his concentration; he mentally touched upon the circle on his back. The outer ring lit up in golden light as he slowly, deliberately went through each stage of the circle. This was also something new; the first time he used the spell, the circle had gone almost out of control, and he would have been badly injured, or even killed, by the power requirements of the circle had he not been lucky.
He reached the activation phase of the circle, but this time he had two options available to him, instead of just the one. He empowered the most recent improvement to the circle first, and then the original. Both circles within the larger filled with golden light, and as his power drained into the portal he had created, he felt a familiar mental presence return to him.
It is about time you called me back. Gullin’s voice spoke in his mind. I was… my, you have grown a little bit since I last was with you.
Endrance opened his eyes, and the night around him was alight with fire. Nothing burned but the grass around him, as a fiery silhouette of a great bird surrounded him. He stood, drawing the burning fire down to clad him in armor of flames. The spell circle completed, and he stood, a glowing corona of fire an inch from his skin, in the shape of a more avian form. Great wings of flame rose from his back, each easily spanning twelve feet.
I seem to have gotten a little better. Endrance said smugly to his familiar. I didn’t even need to conjure you out to channel your power.
Indeed. The bird replied dryly. Does this mean you prefer the presence of that elemental to me?
He must have been referring to the staff. No, of course not. Endrance replied hastily. I am just practicing my options. I’ll draw you out now.
Good. Gullin replied. I was getting bored.
Endrance cut the slow drain of power to the circle, and the flames surrounding him guttered out. He realized then, that he didn’t have his wards up and yet the fire didn’t burn him, nor did he scorch his lungs in the process. His Grandstaff smoked slightly from being in such close proximity, but the presence inside seemed, if anything, healthier because of it.
From the swirling portal in his back erupted a ball of fire, easily a foot in diameter. The portal closed as the ball of fire shot out over the grassland, arcing up and coming back towards Endrance. The wizard watched as it went up over his head, straight into the night sky.
“What a show off.” Endrance muttered as Gullin exploded into existence. The fireball burst high up in the sky, the concussion thumping Endrance in his chest and turning the area as bright as day for a split second. The explosion spread for a dozen yards in every direction, and Endrance was surprised to see several smaller explosions chasing in the wake of the first. Lights danced in his eyes, forcing the mage to blink and rub his eyes as he tried to clear his vision.
Gullin landed while he was recovering. Endrance looked up at his familiar and nearly fell over backwards in surprise.
The bird was once the size of a large hawk, or a small eagle. Now, Gullin was larger than most condors. The bird’s size was magnificent. And at that size, Endrance could see beautiful variations of color in the familiar’s feathers. It still looked generally like a mix between a cardinal and a rooster, but neither of the birds carried a portion of the magnificence that Gullin had. The crest of his head now bore three distinct tufts of larger feathers, and every long feather danced with flames at the edges and tips, as did his wing and tail feathers. His legs had powerful claws ending in sharp talons.
Gullin… you look… different. Endrance observed after the shock wore off.
The bird fluffed his feathers. You look smaller. Gullin replied, a hint of humor in his voice. But this is entirely due to your improvement. Remember, I get closer to my true size the more powerful you get.
I assume there’s a threshold. Endrance reasoned. A point where you reach your maximum, but I can still improve.
Of course. Gullin replied. The original reduction in size was part of your circle’s design, so that you did not commit suicide trying to call me.
Endrance thought about the circle on his back and wondered if his father had a similar or the same circle.
Yeah. He replied. I don’t think that would be good.
The staff is new. Gullin observed, nudging it with his beak, which seemed to have developed a slight predatory curve.
Yes. This is the staff Joven had been talking about making. Apparently, he managed to convince an elf to help him make it into a Grandstaff.
I am not familiar with the term. Gullin replied. Is that an elven contraption?
Yes. Endrance responded. I thought you knew almost everything about magic?
I know what I know. Gullin said defensively. The elves come from somewhere outside of my reach. I only know about the magic they have used while on this continent.
So you’re saying this is the first Grandstaff made since the elves came here? How long ago was that? Endrance asked, boggled.
I do not have the ability to give an exact date, but several thousand years. Gullin answered.
Endrance surveyed the area. Any residual flames seemed to have died down, and it looked like they had managed to not set the plains on fire.
We should return to camp. Endrance said. Though I don’t think you’re going to fit in the bonfire anymore.
He could hear the bird’s mental sigh. I suppose that is something I am going to have to deal with. He said, taking wing and soaring up into the night sky, his silhouette framed in flickering fire.
Endrance wondered if other mages had familiars, and if they also got as powerful as Gullin seemed to be.
When he returned to camp, he found everyone was sitting around the campfire waiting for the simple bread to finish heating on the iron pan Joven had set near the fire. They looked up as he approached, Selene gave him a slight smile, then returned her attention back to the food. Giselle looked up at him as her tail wagged once, then resumed staring intently at the bread.
“It’s rising uneven.” Bridget complained.
Joven shrugged, rotating the pan with a gloved hand. “It’s not like the fire’s on both sides.” He said.
“I’m back.” Endrance stated, sitting down next to the circle. He laid the Grandstaff next to him, and after a few seconds it rose up with a faint humming sound under its own power to stand on its tip. He hadn’t triggered that trick, so that was new.
“Welcome back, Endrance.” Selene said cheerfully.
“I had to get Gullin back.” He said. The familiar landed on the ground nearby, a puff of flames from his wings increasing the light.
The group glanced at the now larger bird, and then back to their food. “That’s nice.” Joven said dismissively.
“It looks bigger.” Bridget said. She turned to Joven. “Why didn’t you put it in the fire?”
Joven rolled his eyes. “Then it would be burned on the bottom.” He snapped back. “And ‘it’ is a he, remember?”
“Oh yeah.” Bridget muttered. “Sorry.”
Endrance exchanged a look with Gullin. “Is everything okay?”
Selene yawned. “Yeah.” She said. “Why?”
“Have you all really gotten that used to me?” he asked, thinking through the process.
“Yup.” Joven said. “Pretty much.”
Endrance sat in silence. “I don’t know if I should be happy or sad about that.” He said.
Joven shrugged.
“It’s still doughy on the top.” Bridget complained.
Endrance gestured with a hand. “Ignatius.” He intoned, forming the final hand gesture and extending his palm towards the pan and spending the smallest amount of power he could manage. A small stream of heat radiated from his palm, bathing the bread. Seconds later the loaf had risen and firmed up, and Endrance cut the flow of power to his spell.
Joven pulled it from the fire and cut into it with a knife. The outside had formed a hard crust, but the insides seemed hot and chewy. He started passing pieces out to each person. “Thanks.” He said.
“Yeah.” Endrance said, distracted. “No problem.”
Bridget took a bite of her piece of bread. “You were trying to help cook it, right?” she asked, her mouth partially full.
“Yup.” Endrance responded, nodding. “I’ve been practicing my fine control.”
“Your tattoos on your hands look different.” Joven said.
“Yeah.” Endrance said. “Made some adjustments to my tattoos while I was held captive.”
“So what can you do now?” Joven asked.
“It’s pretty much the same as before.” Endrance explained. “I just added a few extra nuances to the spell form-“
“In barbarian please.” Bridget interrupted.
Endrance paused for a few seconds. “I added more lines so my lightning spell is more powerful and I can aim better.” Endrance said. “My propulsion spell is smoother, and has less backlash. I also made some kind of improvement to pretty much every spell tattooed on my body.”
“Your lightning spell is more powerful?” Selene asked. “It seemed pretty powerful before.”
“It’s better now.” Endrance said. “I now use a tighter, more controlled shot.”
“What about your armor?” Bridget asked.
“You mean my wards?” Endrance asked. “Yeah. I fixed that up too. Should be more efficient, and I have this idea for new ones that I am going to need help doing.”
“Will they help save you from being shot in the back?” Bridget asked.
“Actually, yes.” Endrance replied.
“Good.” Bridget said, handing a piece of bread to him. “I’m starting to get worried about the number of close calls you’ve had in this last year.”
Endrance sighed, nodding. “Gods, you’re not the only one.” He said. “I keep trying to figure out what else I should do for my tattoos, but nothing I can think of would be effective.”
“Well, maybe something you can use to heal.” Selene said. “It would make us feel better if you could not be dying on us constantly.”
Endrance thought about it. “That would be great, but my body is still over-stressed from using my healing spell. Life magic seems to work better, but I don’t know any.”
“Your staff seems to know some.” Joven said. “It healed you.”
“Yeah, but it’s not going to be able to teach me.” Endrance said, shaking his head.
“Maybe when we get to the elven lands one of them could teach you.” Selene said hopefully.
Endrance nodded, taking a bite of bread. It was surprisingly good. Swallowing, he gave her a smile. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He said. “I may have to work as the High King’s Emissary, but at least I can learn as much as I can of their magic while I’m there.” Endrance stood. “I’m going to bed.” He declared, crawling into his tent. As he lay there, the rest of his orders filtered through his mind.
Weldom locked gazes with him. “While you are there, your support staff will try to make as much free time as they can. You are required to gather as much information on the structure of their ruling body, any weaknesses, and most importantly, if they have any knowledge about the Mercanians. Several of their elders may have been alive during their reign, so it’s possible to learn more if you socialize.”
“So… I’m a spy?”
“No.” Weldom countered. “Now you’re a politician.”
“Is this normally part of a mage’s job?” Endrance asked, confused.
“Depends on what you want out of life.” Weldom replied.
“I want to live?” Endrance supplied.
“Then, yes.” Weldom said smugly. “Don’t look at me like that, you are the one who pissed off the ancient black dragon.”
Endrance sighed, pulled the covers over his head, and tried to get to sleep.
Chapter 14:
Endrance drove the horse hard, his breath coming fast and shallow, as panic rode the reins of his mind as harshly as he rode his mount. The grassy hills gave way to his horse’s charge, and he homed in on the source of his terror. Giselle clung to his back, too scared to look around.
Before him, smoke billowed up into the sky, the pillars of inky black pouring into the burgeoning storm clouds like some kind of inverted waterfall. The late morning sky was bleak and difficult to see through, but Gullin was a gleaming speck of fire gliding just below the cloud layer.
Can you see anything? Endrance demanded. You can see through smoke, right?
I do not know how to describe it. Gullin replied. It seems that only chaos lies ahead.
Endrance crested the final hill, and his horse came to a stop as her rider went still with shock.
Wayrest was burning. In five different colors. Amidst the ruins of the village, strange, inhuman figures darted before the light of some fires before disappearing into the shadows again. Endrance felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise and every pulse of light felt etched in his skin. He searched the scene before him for the home of the man who had raised him.
He found the location, near the outer walls of town. Within sight of the meager five foot tall, cobbled stone wall, lay what remained of his childhood home. The stone walls were scattered, as if something huge had hit it in the front and bowled through the whole structure in one blow.
“No…” Endrance murmured, rushing forward down the incline towards the wall. The horse leapt the stones in one bound, and he hardly felt the jarring impact of landing. Giselle nearly got flung from his back. The light of the nearby fire burned crimson as he leapt off his horse and ran into the yard.
At the crest of the hill that Endrance had just passed, Joven surged up on horseback, followed by Selene and Bridget. They looked over the town, their faces solemn.
“Yep.” Joven said, nodding his head. “It’s sacked.”
“Is that magic fire?” Bridget asked.
“Looks like there are monsters in the village too.” Selene added.
They began the approach towards the town at a much more controlled pace than their comrade had set.
“Well, Endrance just ran down there, and I don’t think he noticed.” Joven observed.
“He noticed.” Selene said, urging her horse faster. “He just doesn’t care.”
“Shit.” Bridget growled, pushing her horse to keep up. She held the reins with her human hand and drew the cleaver from its saddle scabbard with her wooden arm. “I get dibs on the first monster.”
Joven’s horse suddenly passed them, the barbarian grinning as he vaulted the wall. “First monster or first kill, you can’t claim that until you do it!” he shouted, charging past Endrance’s horse and into the town proper. Bridget trailed after him, cursing.
Selene slowed, watching the two of them do what barbarians loved doing most, getting into trouble. She looked back to Endrance, who was kneeling in the dirt center of the destroyed home and sighed, dismounting. She pulled her chain dagger from her belt pouch and checked to make sure the weapon hadn’t bunched up. She might need its range and the mage might not have the will for self-defense.
Endrance scrambled over the rubble, and Selene heard an aching cry come from him as he found something that caught his attention. She watched him dig through a particularly large pile of rubble, and Selene could make out what looked like a boot protruding from the wreckage. Had his father been in the house when it had been hit?
He stuck the butt of his staff into the wreckage and strained to lever it out of the way. The staff didn’t even bend under the force, but the rubble didn’t move either. Selene considered interrupting him when Endrance muttered something in the strange, impossible to understand tongue, and touched his chest with his free hand before trying again. This time the rock he was trying to move was flung off the pile hard enough to land it fifteen feet away from him.
