The Complete Series, page 22
part #1 of The Hidden Wizard Series
As if the scholars I just dealt with weren't enough of a pain, he thought. However, if any of the stories Caleb had told him was true, then it made sense. All the knowledge in the world would be a huge gift for any person, as well as an incredible responsibility. One that needs guarding and using sparingly.
I don't think I'm worthy, not yet. But it's my quest, and I must continue.
The secret behind his grandfather's spell would be here, and the knowledge needed to make it work for good. Maybe he could teach others instead, maybe he would just be a conduit for that knowledge. But he wouldn't know what lay ahead until he completed this task.
Alrion progressed down the path and started to see what was at the end. It widened out into a larger room, cut out of the rock. Torches circled the room and highlighted a giant circular stone door. On either side of the door were two stone thrones, roughly cut with sharp angles on a raised platform. But the thrones were empty. A set of stone steps led up to the platform.
There's nobody here, Alrion thought as he stepped into the room. He had expected somebody to confront him, and the presence of the two thrones suggested it would be two people but there was no sign of a living soul. He noticed carvings on the door, so he approached to investigate.
One way or another, I need to get this door open, he thought but he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was not right. The door was not supposed to be abandoned. Especially since they knew he was coming.
“Just focus on the task,” Alrion whispered. He ascended the stone steps carefully, focusing on reaching the top. As he climbed the last stair, he walked over to the thrones and looked at them. One had three wavy lines carved into the right armrest. The other had a star carved into the left armrest.
I wonder what they are for? Do they mean something?
The thrones were otherwise unmarked. He stepped forward and took in the big circular door. There were pictures carved into it that depicted people, and books, and a pool.
It must be related to the story of this place. Or part of a riddle, Alrion thought. He noticed some writing carved into the base of the door and bent down to examine it.
The provider of all things gives access to those who are worthy.
“This is a riddle,” Alrion said quietly. He examined the pictures up close, trying to discern their meaning. He pressed carefully over different shapes and symbols on the door, to see if anything happened. The stone door remained silent and unresponsive.
I don't think there's a secret handle, it must be something else, Alrion thought. At the very centre of the door, he saw that the stone looked slightly different. He ran his hand over it and noticed something. The surface and colour of the stone changed slightly when he touched it. However, within a second, it had reverted back.
“This section responds to touch, that has to be significant,” Alrion said as he stepped back and regarded the whole door. No other areas looked the same.
The area that responds to touch must be the place for my answer. But what is the answer and how do I represent it?
He decided to tackle the riddle first. It referenced a test of worth, and the prize at the other end was access to the Pool of Knowledge. By Alrion's reckoning, it had to be a test of knowledge or application of knowledge. A student who was worthy would be granted access to more knowledge. He decided to look again at the pictures on the door.
The first depicted a man lying in a house with the sunlight streaming in. The second showed him working and planting crops. The third depicted him returning home with the sun setting and stars visible. The stars made him think of the carving in the throne, so he went back and had another look at it.
“Stars provide light at night and so does the sun during the day,” Alrion said aloud. He looked at the other throne.
“I don't know what these wavy lines mean, they could be the sun's rays but maybe that is already covered? What else could it be?” Alrion said under his breath as he walked back to the stone door and examined the pictures once more.
The man is growing crops under the sun, the heat from the sun helping them to grow. Maybe that's it?
He tried drawing the wavy lines with his hand on the stone centre. Nothing happened. Alrion thought over the riddle some more. It had to be something else. The constant in all the images were the man and the sun.
Well if you think about it, the sun seems to be giving him something in every picture. In the first, it wakes him up. In the second, it helps him to grow food. And in the last one it helps him return home to rest, the stars taking over, Alrion thought, pointing at the sun in each picture. That was the common element and tied in with the riddle.
“Worth a try,” Alrion said and reached out. He placed his hand onto the centre of the door and traced a circle shape. He heard a clank and stepped back. The massive circular door moved forward, then started to roll to the right exposing another corridor behind. Before Alrion could see what lay beyond, he was assaulted by a strange smell.
What is that?
He stepped forward and looked around. Something was there on the ground, but he couldn't quite make it out. He focused and drew forth his Spark, igniting a small flame above his upturned palm. With the additional light, he could see what it was. Two bodies.
These must be the guardians, Alrion thought. They were wearing dark-blue robes and looked quite old. After examining them, he could see what the cause of death was. Thick stone rods pierced them. Alrion stumbled back as the realisation dawned upon him.
The black wizard must have done this. He used a lot of earth magic against Falric. That means he's already here and has been for a while.
Alrion wasn't prepared for this, even though he thought he was. The Pool of Knowledge was there beyond the darkness, but the black wizard was probably also there. The one who had killed Falric.
Alrion turned back, considering a retreat. It was tantalising and seductive, but it didn't solve his problem, and he ran the risk that the Pool would be destroyed. He didn't take that wizard for the sharing type.
“You can do this,” Alrion told himself as he carefully stepped around the dead bodies. However, as much as he tried, he didn't really believe it. Not yet.
28
The Spark Ignites
Alrion walked steadily down the pitch-black tunnel, his tiny flame only lighting the area in front of him. His mind played tricks on him, projecting dread shapes from the blackness. However, he forged on, determined to reach his goal. The sound of his steps was small and insignificant as they echoed around the tunnel. He could smell something else as he got further and further from the slain gatekeepers. He couldn't quite place it, but it was like damp.
I'm looking for a pool, that would make sense, he thought, happy to have something other than the menacing dark to focus on. He started to see something in the distance and tried to make it out as he walked.
It was a light-blue glow coming from up ahead. An unnatural glow that suggested it was magical. Feeling bolder, Alrion upped the pace. Perhaps there was a chance he could access the Pool safely. The tunnel narrowed, then started widening rapidly. He was about to reach his destination.
The tunnel ended in another cavernous room. In the centre of the room, he saw what looked like a naturally created stone formation. The blue glow was from the liquid within. It seemed to swirl around slowly, without any reason for it but another detail grabbed Alrion's complete attention.
A man stood in front of the Pool, with his head bowed and his back to Alrion.
“So, you're here at last,” the man said. Alrion stopped. He knew it was the black wizard, and that things would finally come to a head. There was no avoiding it. So many thoughts ran through his head.
What do I say?
“You were waiting for me?” Alrion stepped closer trying to get a better look.
“Yes. I knew that you would show yourself eventually. And I wanted to thank you.” The wizard turned around, keeping his face hidden.
“Thank me? For what?”
“If it wasn't for you, I would never have known that this place existed,” the wizard said. Alrion was confused.
How have I helped him?
“Reveal yourself then.” Alrion could see the wizard thinking it over.
“I suppose it is only fair, for you to see who killed your mentor and will be killing you next.” The wizard pushed back the black hood and showed his face. He had a cruel smile which looked scary with the blue light from the pool dancing over it.
“Branthor!” Alrion called out in disbelief. It didn't make sense. Falric's right-hand man, and most trusted wizard. It did explain how the black wizard had been tracking them and knew their destination.
“Why? How could you do this?”
“There are many reasons, but it comes down to the fact that I am sick of being treated like a second-class citizen. Just because I am not of your bloodline.” Branthor spoke the words with real venom, his mouth curled into a sneer.
“What do you mean?”
“This here, this Pool is a revelation. The knowledge of the world, and in particular the knowledge of Granthion. All of it is available to me now. I can set things right, do what must be done.”
“I don't understand. Why is this so important to you?”
What happened to him?
“Your grandfather performed the cleansing ritual twenty years ago. Nobody knew it was even possible; he kept that nugget to himself. He didn't share any of his knowledge. But his process was imperfect.” Branthor stepped forward and showed his forearm. “See this mark?”
“What of it?” Alrion noticed the curved black line.
“Those who are tainted by the Blight are all marked in a similar way.”
“You're tainted?”
This doesn't make sense. Falric said that he wasn't, that he would have sensed the change to his Spark.
“Yes, and no. I was in fact. But your grandfather's spell cleansed me, or so it would seem. I can use my Spark without fear of corruption and my mind is my own. But, it's not that simple.” Branthor said. He started approaching Alrion, very slowly.
“My connection to the Blight remains. I can feel the others and if I concentrate, I can communicate with them. I am straddling worlds, the light, and the dark. I cannot lose myself to the darkness, but I cannot escape it. I am cursed because of the spell used by your grandfather!” Branthor's voice was rising in anger and intensity with every word.
“What do you intend to do? Aside from killing everyone in your way?”
“I'm going to take the knowledge from here, and I'm going to create a new breed of man. Tied to, but free from the Blight. And we will rule this world like no other has before.”
“That's crazy. You want to make others like yourself?” Alrion instinctively took a step back.
I don't like where this conversation is going. He's out of his mind.
“Of course. The Blight has strength to it. The kinship and shared communication creates a powerful force. United in purpose. Foot soldiers, commanders, and specialists all working in perfect unity. We can take this curse and turn it to our advantage. Until now, I had no hope. I could not unlock the secrets of the Blight, of how to alter or reverse the process. But now, I have all I need.” Branthor clenched his hand into a fist.
“Why kill me then?”
“Because I won't let the knowledge leave this place. Once you are dealt with, I will destroy the Pool and kill all who have access. The secrets that were once denied to me will be denied to all but those I choose. It's time for me to be in the inner circle, not left to suffer in ignorance.”
“This isn't the only way, we can work together to cure you.”
“It is far too late for that. I will not waste the knowledge here on such a petty plan. No, I will do far more. I will place my stamp on the world!” Branthor waved his hand and a wall of stone rose behind Alrion, blocking the tunnel behind him. Blocking his only way out.
There goes my chance at escaping. And he can't be reasoned with.
“As my way of saying thanks, I will let you die in honour. Fight me, and perish in battle,” Branthor said.
“You killed Falric. You killed or injured countless others. You would kill me and start up your crazy quest for revenge on my family and the world. I will not let that happen!” Alrion said. His anger, and hurt, and loss fanned the flames of his Spark. He could feel the heat rising through him. Building and gathering. He poured more of himself into it, feeding the flames, adding fuel to the fire. Then something happened.
His Spark blew up, surging, and building with a life of its own. As if it were feeding and sustaining itself.
“Impressive, you have managed to ignite your Spark. But it won't be enough little wizard.” Branthor raised a spear of earth from the ground and flung it at Alrion. Purely on instinct, he unleashed a force spell to deflect the spear. Even with all his strength behind it, he only just managed to move it far enough so that it thudded right next to him.
“Nice start, but you can't keep this up.” Branthor started raising chunks of earth from the ground, moulding them into giant stones.
He's not going to let up. He's going to keep going until I'm dead.
Alrion combined the fire and push spells, sending out a rolling wave of fire at Branthor. It twirled and writhed as it flew, as if it had a life of its own. Branthor countered by dropping some of the stones down and forming them into a quick wall to shield himself.
At least he can be hurt, he's defending himself, Alrion thought. He had no idea how to fight a wizard, so that was reassuring that Branthor deemed his attacks dangerous enough to defend against. But it's all he had. While Branthor was distracted, Alrion picked up the stone spear next to him and readied it. He ran a few steps to the side and aimed it around Branthor's wall.
As he threw it, he put all his power into a force spell behind it. The column of stone flew through the air, spiralling as it went. Branthor noticed it, closed his eyes, and held out a hand. The stone spear slowed, then disintegrated.
“Earth is my strong suit. You can't hurt me with it,” Branthor said, chuckling.
“If you're so good with it, why did you attack us with fire back in the Whispering Forest?” Alrion said.
Maybe I can buy myself some time to come up with a better attack. He's quite confident.
“Hah, that was just fun and games. The fire did its job of confusing Falric, and I didn't intend to kill you then. I just wanted to keep you running. Worked perfectly.” Branthor changed his stance and put his hand on the ground.
A wave of rock rose up from the ground, undulating towards Alrion. He ran to the side as fast as he could, trying to get away. The rock wave was so fast and wide that he wasn't going to make it. Alrion closed his eyes and tried to push himself aside with magic. It didn't work well, but he got enough of a result to narrowly escape.
“You have good reactions. You are definitely talented. Such a shame. Perhaps I should rethink my approach. Do you wish to join me?” Branthor said. Alrion paused, catching his breath. He wanted Branthor to think that he was giving the option real consideration.
“No, I'm not going to betray everyone like you did. I want to improve the world, not make it suffer.”
“Very well, I had to ask. It would have been nice to have a talented protégé like yourself. Oh well, there are plenty more where you came from. A whole academy in fact.” Branthor focused again, causing rocks from the ceiling to start falling down above Alrion.
Not good, Alrion thought as he tried to avoid the falling debris. But try as he might, he got nicked and slammed by smaller rocks.
“I can do this all day. What's your next move?” Branthor said. He was clearly enjoying himself. Alrion was so busy scrambling to avoid being crushed and buried, he couldn't think of what to do next.
All or nothing.
Alrion weaved through the falling stones, changing his direction to head straight at Branthor.
I just need one good hit.
He noticed the rocks thinning out, as he got closer to Branthor.
“Rushing to your death? I appreciate the sentiment,” Branthor said, mocking Alrion. As the young wizard closed in he accumulated as much heat and power in his hand as possible, pouring in everything he had.
One shot, he thought. Suddenly he released it all. An explosion of flame erupted from his hand, giving Branthor almost no time to react. But the wizard had expected it, and a rock formation rose to block the flame. The shield of earth didn't stay still, it continued moving forward. Alrion's flame melted through half of it but enough remained of the moving earthen barrier that he was smashed back into the rubble. Alrion lay still, the wind knocked out of him.
“It's been fun, Alrion, but you are no match for me. Perhaps one day, but not today.”
“It's not over,” Alrion said, coughing. Everything hurt, but he hadn't given up.
“It is now.” Branthor closed his fist. The rock around Alrion solidified into spikes and plunged into him. He felt a sharp pain, then blackness.
29
One Strike
Alrion regained consciousness and tried to move. When he couldn't, he remembered what had happened.
“I'm surprised that you're still alive, but keep doing that and you'll end it faster,” Branthor said. He was standing over Alrion, a wicked smile on his face.
“What now?” Alrion said, struggling to get the words out.
“I guess I have a decision to make. I can kill you immediately, let you bleed out, or I can hope you last long enough to infect you with the Blight.”
“What?”
“Yes, you heard me right. I can call a creature here to turn you. It's not ideal, but it would make you easier to control and I could always restore you later once I have the capability. Decisions, decisions.” Branthor turned and started pacing.
“Where are you going?”
“To drink from the Pool. Now that you and Falric are out of the picture, it is safe to do so. I wasn't able to get much information from those so-called guardians. I'm not entirely sure how it works.” Branthor continued to the Pool at a leisurely pace.
