Holtsclaw, page 8
part #3 of The Master Mage Chronicles Series
Moriah nodded. “Yes, like myself and Corinne. We are roommates, yes. But as children we were almost instant friends.” She smirked. “Or like Corinne and Wilhelm.”
Marcus laughed. “Yeah, so I noticed. As has everyone else, it seems. Anyway, it’s the same with gift. Similar gifts create an attraction as well. If two powerful mages, and I mention powerful because the attraction is affected by gift power, have sufficiently similar gift, they might reach a point where marriage is not enough. I mean, they desire a deeper relationship, one in which they share each other’s life force. It is a simple word of power, ALPARE. But when cast to each other with intent, it causes their powers to merge, if possible. In effect, they become one person, not two. Their emotions and thoughts are open to each other. Oh, they retain their particular endowments and personalities. But their powers combine, even multiply. The thing to realize is that it cannot be undone, even in death. From what I understand, the shock of death, the return of gift to the earth, takes both when one of them passes.”
“Interesting. Now, my questions?”
“I’m getting there. I have to sneak up on them.”
Moriah rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“What if two people have identical gift? By some quirk of circumstance, two people are born at the same time, same place? In such a case, and this is so rare there are only myths of it happening, the two people would be attracted to each other. Or better said, their gifts would attract each other in a powerful effort to merge. If they are physically close, the stronger of the two will actually pull power from the lesser until the life force of the lesser is fully absorbed. And we all know what happens when live force is fully lost.”
“Yes, the plant or animal immediately dies.”
“Exactly. Which, if you think about it, is why when powerful mages have twins, one invariably dies.”
Moriah thought for a moment. “If what you say is true, the twins would have almost identical gift. The stronger of the two would eventual kill.” She paused. “That’s such a harsh word, isn’t it. The stronger would absorb the life force of the other.”
“Exactly. It’s what they call ‘twin wasting disease’. And now for your questions. It appears we have identical gift!”
Moriah raised her hands. “But Marcus, that would be impossible. Right?”
“Unlikely? Yes. And nearly impossible. But we were born at the same instant of time, over the same river of gift, and during a moon-passing of the sun. At a time when the river of gift was at its absolute possible maximum. It is why you have suffered such a debilitating weakness. I have been slowly killing you. My stronger gift has been pulling and absorbing your gift, your very life-force. You would now be dead had I not recognized what was happening and intervened.”
Moriah sat in numbed silence. “This is simply too much. I’m not sure I can believe all of this. I said I would believe you if what you say is not too outlandish. And just how did you intervene? If the process is irreversible, as you said it is?”
Marcus knew he had to reveal more of his endowments. But it was inevitable, in any case, as they would eventually have to pair. Or she would die. “One of the endowments I have is the ability to cast pure gift, much the same way you might cast flame, or light. I quietly entered the infirmary and found you in a depleted state. Yes, close to death. So I cast gift power into you, sufficient for your recovery. But it is only temporary. My gift will continue to pull your gift. And ultimately, distance and time will have no bearing. I believe that once my gift became aware of your gift, the attraction began. And it will only continue to grow as our gift power increases over time. Moriah, there is nothing we can do about this. Our identical gift is compelling us to pair. To deny it only consigns the weaker of us to a slow, tortuous death.”
“Well, so you say. I think it’s time for us to go. I suppose time will tell.” She reached out to pat his arm.
“No! Don’t touch me!”
But it was too late. When she touched him there was a tremendous flash of gift power between them. The flow that had been tempered by his reduction in gift, to a level more equal to hers, was unleashed by physical contact. She paled as her gift was rapidly absorbed by his. Her eyes grew wild in panic. “What is happening? Marcus, make it stop!”
He tried, but it was a futile effort. It was as though his gift were a living thing as it sought to merge with hers. He cast his gift with all his might. But it was as a small stream fighting against a mighty river. It was obvious Moriah was failing quickly and would soon be dead. Marcus did the only thing he had power to do. He took her hand and looked her in the eyes. “Do you want to live? Or do you want to die?”
“Live, I want to live,” she gasped in a weakening voice.
“Take my hand and then repeat after me: all-PAR-ay.”
She had but a whisper left. Together they invoked the power word of pairing. It was enough.
----- o0o -----
Marcus, while serving in the military, had once rescued a comrade who had tripped and stumbled into a deep pond along the trail they were following. He had reached down to the depths, secured a handhold, and raised the fellow up. The same sensation passed through him as his gift restored Moriah’s life force. Perhaps a better way of saying it, his gift released its hold on her life force and returned it to her. It had been close. The momentum of gift flow had not immediately reversed its direction. She slumped to the floor. Her eyes, searching his eyes, never wavered, but dimmed for a moment. As life returned, tears rimmed her eyes.
“You chose life.”
She nodded, sobbing softly. ‘What now?”
He felt what she was feeling: fear, relief, wonder, what next? He responded without speaking: I do not know. We are like two ships on an uncharted sea, far from a familiar shore and alone. Lost together.
The inn-master and a serving maid approached their table. “Is everything all right? We saw her collapse into the chair then to the floor. Should we call for a healer-mage?”
Moriah made it to a sitting position. “No, I am recovering fine. Just a passing spell. I’ve had a bit of weakness of late. But as I said, it passes quickly.”
The inn-keeper and maid warily withdrew, still with concern.
Moriah looked at Marcus, fear growing in her thoughts. “Marcus, I am afraid. I don’t know that this has done to me. To us. It’s like I can feel what you are feeling, understand what you are thinking. Is this what we are going to endure the rest of our lives? Oh, Marcus, why did you do this to me!”
Marcus was as confused as she. “I-I don’t know, Moriah. It wasn’t something I planned. It’s not something I even wanted. I have as many questions as you. Do I understand what happened? Well, I guess so in a bookish kind of way. But do I understand what it means to us? I am as unknowing as you. Just as confused. And just as frightened.”
They sat at the table, holding hands. Gift was still flowing between them, though it had slowed considerably. Moriah looked much stronger. Her face had better color than she had shown for some days. “Could you explain, again, what happens between us with gift? I actually feel it pouring into my body, strengthening it.”
“What I have read is that our two gifts equalize once we pair. Apparently, I was the stronger before. Soon we will be equal. You are growing stronger while I am growing weaker.”
“Will this hurt you in any way?”
“No, Moriah, not in any way whatsoever. Besides, I have much, much more gift power to draw from if needed. Stored in such a way only I can access it.” Marcus took a deep breath. “Oh, Moriah. There is so much for you to understand about me! I don’t know where to begin. I am not the person, the mage, you think I am.”
Moriah grew wary. “You are not, not corrupted in some way? Please tell me I’m not bound forever to someone I cannot…Well, you know what I mean… respect.”
Her thoughts were more explicit than her words. “No, I’m nothing like that, Moriah. Let’s return to the Academy, I will try to explain on the way.”
They left the inn, holding hands. Gift power continued to flow between them, but it was barely a trickle.
“If you asked Mage Charlotte ‘what is the most feared of all the endowments’, what do you suppose her answer would be?”
Moriah thought for a moment, stepping aside to let an older lady pass by. “I suppose she would say mind-mage, it seems to be the one in history that causes the most difficulty.”
“Yes, that is true. But there is one much more dangerous. One so feared that high-mages swear an oath to kill, to silence, any mage that should again arise possessing it.”
“Again?”
“Yes, the last was over a hand and two fist turns ago. The details have largely been forgotten. But the oath remains.”
“I find this to be unbelievable! What kind of mage could possibly be so feared?”
“A mage so powerful, so totally powerful, that he could rule the world... if he so chose? He would be called a master mage. And since you ask, what would make him so powerful?” He waited for a reply.
She did not immediately respond. “Okay, what would make him so powerful? So feared?”
“A mage with the ability to not only cast gift, but to absorb it as well. An ability to pull gift from others, even their life force, thus adding their power to his own. Those who would attempt to overwhelm him with gift would only make him that much stronger.”
“That is frightening. How long did you say it has it been since there has been one?”
“What turn is this?”
“One hand two fist and five. Why?”
“Surely there was history before that, right? The great cities of the mainland Kingdoms are much, much older. Why did everyone start counting turns from that time? What made it ‘turn number one’? It also happens to be the turn in which the Kingdom of Iber was founded.”
They had reached the Academy building. Marcus grew silent.
“You are not going to tell me more?”
“It is something we cannot discuss openly. Perhaps tomorrow? After last-meal? Can you wait?”
“Wait? If what you have said is true, I suppose we now have a lifetime to discuss things. So yes, I can wait.”
“Then perhaps we go to the dining hall? Last-meal will be served soon.”
----- o0o -----
Again Marcus was summoned to the Lord-mages’ office immediately after first-meal.
“Don’t worry about your morning class. I’ve sent word to Master Aaronson that I am retaining you on Academy business for a while this morning. He will be curious, or course. But he has enough sense not to ask questions. Now, as to the plan you outlined a three-day ago. Mage Brian and I have discussed it at length and would like to proceed as quickly as possible. Certainly, while there remains a high likelihood the coin continues in Mage Almadi’s possession. He has no classes this morning. So if you are prepared, we would like to go forward immediately.”
“I am agreed. But I would like a few moments to return to my quarters and make some preparations. If that be acceptable.”
“Of course. Take as much time as you need. I expect Mage Brian to be here shortly. It is still early for first-meal. We will want to act when it has passed.”
Marcus went to the attic and retrieved the black summoning stone. With concerns about Moriah now past, he had no reluctance in extracting a considerable amount of gift power. Even so, there was much, much more remaining in the stone. He returned to the Lord-mage’s office. Petros was there waiting. Mage Brian was sitting by his desk.
“Are you ready, Marcus?”
“Yes. Do we know where Mage Almadi is at this moment?”
“Yes, I believe he is still in his quarters. They are close to mine; I saw him leave for first-meal and return. He rarely leaves again until time for mid-day meal and his classes thereafter.”
They walked to the male staff residences on the first floor, to the right of the central transept. Marcus entered the vacant room adjacent to that of Almadi, then reached out and touched the mage’s mind. He was reading a manuscript speculating on the history of gift.
Mage Brian knocked on the door. Almadi put aside his reading, arose, and opened it. “Yes?” He then saw who it was. “What do you want? Go away, I’m busy.”
“No, I can’t. We need to talk about the coin you stole from me.”
“Stole? Stole? You mean the crowns I won fairly from you?”
“Fairly? You are a mind-mage. No denying it. You tricked me into losing. And I’m going to have Academy security search your room. You’ll see. I’ve already told everything about you to the Lord-mage. And he agrees you must return the coin to the treasury.”
As expected, Mage Almadi slammed the door in Mage Brian’s face. A few moments later Marcus knew exactly where the coin was hidden. He remained in the adjacent room until Mage Brian had departed. It was now for the Lord-mage to play his part.
Lord Petros knocked on Mage Almadi’s door. “Mage Almadi. It is I, the Lord-mage. A word, if you please.”
The door opened. “Yes, m’Lord. How may I help you?” It was said with a contrived sweetness.
“A serious charge has been leveled against you by Mage Brian.” He paused. “But Mage Brian has been unstable of late, and I would hear your accounting of the affair. I would prefer to discuss this in the privacy of my office. I do not expect it to take long. You should be back well before your post mid-day classes.”
“Of course. Give me a moment to put a few things away.”
The door closed. Mage Almadi quickly moved his treasures to a more obscure location, double checking its security before leaving the room. He carefully locked the door behind him. Marcus pulled the head house mistress’ key ring from his pocket, selected the correct key, and invoked tiemp. A few moments later he held in his arms the small wooden chest Mage Almadi had so carefully hidden.
Marcus took the chest to the attic and checked its contents. There were not seven, but nine gold crowns, a sizeable quantity of silvers. and an even larger number of coppers. There was a pouch of tokens, talismans and charms. He had seen identical items before. Edna had called them useless baubles, holding no interest to a mage of his power. I wonder if she might have been mistaken in that. And there was one more thing, one he was sure he would find: a small silken pouch holding a deep-red summoning stone. The nine crowns and the majority of silvers and coppers he returned to chest. A handful of silvers and coppers he added to those in the coin purse at his belt.
After mid-day meal, he carried the chest to the office of the Lord-mage. “Mage Almadi will be missing this. It remains to be seen if he reports the loss or not. As you will see, there are nine crowns within, not just the seven he took from Mage Brian. I leave it with you to deal with as seems appropriate. However, I strongly suggest he be dismissed. He is most definitely a mind-mage, which I’m sure he never disclosed to you. And by the way, as I told you before, he is not from Adnium, but Illium. And while there, he was trained extensively in the dark side of gift.” With that, Marcus left the office and went to his afternoon class with Mage Charlotte. He had missed the mid-day meal.
----- o0o -----
Marcus, fortunately, arrived to class on time. He felt a surge of gift when he saw Moriah. The gift he had withdrawn earlier in the day again created a difference between the two. But instead of trying to draw gift from Moriah, his gift was attempting to push, to create a balance between them. It apparently needed physical contact, as nothing more happened. He reached out to her mentally. How are you feeling? Everything all right?
She looked surprised at the mental contact, but wordlessly responded. Feeling fine, I think, just bewildered. I still don’t know what all this means. Or how it’s going to affect us. Are you sure it cannot be reversed? I mean, it wasn’t like we had much of a chance to think it through and make a thoughtful choice.
Mage Charlotte called the class to order and asked if there were any questions before they began their gift exercises. To Marcus’ surprise, Moriah raised her hand.
“Yes, Moriah, you have a question?”
“We, my friends and I, were arguing about the dangers of gift. Could you tell us which of the endowments is most feared?”
“Well, that is a good question. Hmm, let me think.” She placed a fist under her chin. “Well, no endowment should be feared. There are several that are very hazardous, such as porting. That’s why it is forbidden here at the Academy. Now, as to potential for evil...” She said it with a slight sneer. “For evil, it would have to be mind-gift. But didn’t we talk about this last turning? Why do you bring it up again?”
“Well, someone mentioned there was such a thing as a master mage. And that it was the most dangerous endowment of all.”
Mage Charlotte’s face went red, nearly purple. “Such a thing is not to be discussed. Not now. Not ever!”
“But why…” Moriah got no further.
Mage Charlotte was shouting now. “I SAID NOT TO BE DISCUSSED!” The class was cowed into silence. She took several deep breaths and regained her composure. “Now, on to other things. Today we will be continuing our work with the powers of earth-gift. Who can tell me the major categories of …”
Marcus: She didn’t like your question much, did she?
Moriah: And you know why?
Marcus: Of course. I’ll explain later. Sorry we didn’t have time yesterday.
----- o0o -----
The foursome friends, as they had begun calling themselves, sat together for last-meal, as usual. Under the table, Marcus and Moriah held hands, gift still trickling from him to her.
Wilhelm was the first to speak. “What was that question you raised about a master mage? It sure got her upset. I wonder why.”
Marcus answered. “It’s part of ancient history. Over a hand-fist turns ago there was a mage with extraordinary powers. He was able to draw the gift out of other mages, making himself more powerful in the process. So they called him a master mage. He was killed, or rather, forced to surrender his life. But not before he took the lives of many, soldiers and mages alike. Up to several fists if the records are true. He so frightened other mages that they won’t talk about it. Even after all these turns. High-mages are required to swear an oath to destroy any new master mage that might arise.”
