The Complete Series, page 8
part #1 of The Hidden Wizard Series
Confused, he opened his eyes to see what was going on. A white flame engulfed his hands, burning, yet not burning. He opened his hands to see the crystal. It was burning white, the black streak within dancing in time with the licking flames.
Burn away.
The flames contracted within the crystal, then shot out from the top, a thin pillar of white light that arced up to the sky, then vanished.
Alrion looked back at the crystal in disbelief. It looked the same as before, the black streak within it appeared undisturbed.
Was that a dream? What happened, he thought. He looked to Falric for reassurance. Falric had a strange look on his face, and so did Branthor.
“The crystal.” Falric extended his hand. Alrion gave it to him. Falric removed an amulet and silver chain from his robes and enclosed the crystal within. He handed the amulet back to Alrion.
“Wear it with pride.”
“I will.”
“The ceremony is concluded. You are welcomed here, Wizard Alrion,” Falric said, his voice projected so it echoed around the courtyard. The pronouncement shook everyone out of their stunned silence, and cheers rose out around the courtyard.
“Come with us,” Falric said, and headed towards the tower. Alrion followed closely behind. He needed to find out what had just happened.
My father.
Alrion turned to see what had happened to his father. At first, he could not spot him, but then as the crowds started to disperse, Vincent pushed his way through, running towards Alrion.
I bet he didn't expect that, Alrion thought.
10
Destiny
Falric and Branthor walked ahead, and Alrion rushed forward until he was right on their heels. They entered the tower together and started to ascend the stairs.
Something doesn't feel right. That can't have been normal, Alrion thought. However, he had no point of reference. As they walked, he heard hurried steps behind. He looked back and saw his father rushing up the stairs.
“Quite a spectacle, I'd like to be part of this next discussion,” Vincent said.
“That is quite alright, and expected,” Falric said from ahead. Alrion waited for his father to join him, then resumed walking.
“You did great, let's find out what that was all about,” Vincent whispered. Alrion nodded and kept walking. Within a few minutes, they emerged into a large circular room.
The centre of the room held only a desk and a few chairs; however, the perimeter was full of artifacts of different kinds. Falric sat down behind the desk and Branthor retrieved a few chairs from around the room and placed them around the desk.
“Please sit.” Falric gestured at the chairs.
“What just happened?” Vincent said.
“The ceremony. However, it was a variation not seen before.” Falric let his gaze rest on Alrion.
“What do you mean?” Alrion said.
“The ceremony is a rite of passage for our wizards. It is a way of binding them together and reminding them of their shared purpose to combat evil and in particular the Blight. However, as it was designed by your grandfather, it also serves a second purpose.”
“A second purpose?” Alrion looked at his father. Vincent shrugged.
“Yes. It is also a test. A test to see whether the wizard can overcome the Blight, transform it if you will. To date, only Granthion has been able to do so. In fact, when he established the wizard school, he didn't tell anyone about the secondary purpose of the ceremony. Since nobody activated it, he didn't have to. But he wrote me a letter explaining what needed to be done and how to recognise the person who passed the test.”
“Did he hand you the letter himself?” Vincent said.
“The note was waiting for me after he had left to perform the cleansing spell, so I didn't know about this aspect of the ceremony until afterward. In it, he explained his actions. But it was only one of two notes. Did you read the one addressed to you?” Falric said, looking at Vincent. Alrion looked over in surprise.
“Yes, I did.” Vincent was intently focused on Falric.
“I wasn't able to read it, so I don't know what it said. Was any of this explained?”
“No.”
“Perhaps yours was of a more personal nature. In my letter, he explained his actions and his plan for the future. The plan to end the Blight.”
“What has that got to do with the ceremony? How was it a test?” Alrion said.
“The crystals used in the ceremony were all created by Granthion. They were by-products of his research into containing the Blight. That black streak within is the Blight.” Falric pointed to the amulet that Alrion was now wearing. Alrion glanced down at it again.
“How is the test supposed to work?” he said.
“The normal result is a black flame. It is a reaction between the Blight, the crystal, and the spark of the wizard. It is a symbol to remember that wizards must ever be vigilant for the Blight, and the darkness within. The black flame is something that is remembered vividly by every wizard,” Falric said.
“What does the white flame mean?”
“It means that your spark can convert and cleanse the Blight. We have not yet seen a person achieve that feat since Granthion,” Falric said. Alrion pulled out the amulet and studied the crystal.
“The black streak is still there.” Alrion was surprised at the obvious disappointment in his voice.
“Correct, but that is because you didn't cleanse the crystal of the Blight. You created a reaction where your spark altered the flame from black to white. This is very significant.”
“So, I'm special?”
“Yes, you are special and you, therefore, have a special mission. To end the Blight for good,” Falric said. Alrion didn't respond immediately, letting the thought sink in.
“It's up to me to end the Blight?”
“Yes, and only you can do so.”
“You're sure that nobody else can do it?” Alrion couldn't understand. He was untrained, he was not who they were looking for.
“Nobody that we've identified. Perhaps there is another, but in all the years I have been head of the academy, we have not seen one. You are our best, and so far, only hope.”
“How do you even know that? Are there instructions?” Alrion said. Falric laughed.
“That's a good question. Actually, the instructions and information we have are minimal. Granthion explained briefly the spell that he was about to undertake, and that it wasn't the ideal solution. And that the answers to fixing it would be available elsewhere.”
“What was wrong with his solution? If it wasn't perfect, why did he do it?” Alrion's mind was racing away. This was all too much.
“I can answer part of that. The rest would come from your father.” Falric pointed at Vincent. Vincent recoiled like Falric had fired something at him.
“Dad, what's your part in this?” Alrion knew something was going on. Maybe he would finally find out what had happened between his father and grandfather.
“The day that your grandfather performed the ritual, I was captured. Held by a group of people infected by the Blight, who wanted to infect me too. I'm not sure exactly what their plan was, but I guess I was targeted because I was Granthion's son. They could get to him through me.” Vincent looked away, shame on his face.
“The ritual performed by Granthion, whilst imperfect, was an incredible feat. He connected to every single Blight infected soul within the country of Avaria, drew the Blight into himself, then destroyed the Blight within him. It saved the lives of many, and prevented harm for many more,” Falric said.
“And he did it to save you?” Alrion said to Vincent. He was struggling to believe what he had just heard.
“Yes. He succeeded, and I escaped unharmed.”
“No. That can't be.” Alrion started to understand. His father felt responsible for Granthion's death. For robbing the world of their greatest wizard.
“It's a fact not known by the general population,” Falric said.
“I had no idea that Granthion was capable of that, and had plans for a better spell,” Branthor said, speaking up for the first time.
“I was also in the dark until Granthion's disappearance. He did like to keep his secrets,” Falric said.
“But keeping this knowledge hidden for all this time?” Branthor said. Alrion was surprised by the harshness in Branthor's tone.
“It was Granthion's wishes. He wanted his vision to be kept a secret until the right person was unveiled.”
“If that spell was so effective, why can't it be used again? What's wrong with it?” Alrion said.
“I don't have an exact answer for that. My guess is that the amount of power required to target the entire world with such a spell is impossible. There would have to be another way. But for whatever reason, Granthion didn't know the way, or could not document what he had discovered,” Falric said.
“What am I supposed to do, then?” Alrion couldn't see the way forward. It was all just a mess. It was one thing to throw this responsibility onto him. It was another to do so without any form of guidance or support. He shook his head.
“He did leave us with something to follow up. The Pool of Knowledge.”
“The Pool of Knowledge?” Alrion's curiosity was roused.
“It is a sacred place hidden within Avaria. It is said that all knowledge is preserved there. The answers you need to complete your quest must be there.”
“I'm the only one who can cleanse the Blight, but we don't know how. If I go to this Pool of Knowledge, then I'll know what to do next?”
“That's right. It may seem like an odd request, but I believe it to be the best course of action. Armed with the knowledge of what the spell requires, we can better plan our next steps.”
“What warrants all this secrecy?”
“We have to trust in Granthion's approach. He must have had a good reason for having this requirement.” Falric kept a calm and confident tone. It helped reassure Alrion a little.
“Have you been there?”
“No. It is a sacred place that few know of, and even fewer are allowed access. However, I do know its location.”
“I'm a bit overwhelmed, to be honest. So much has just happened. First, I'm a wizard, and now I'm some special wizard who can end the Blight? It's a lot to take in.” Alrion could have said much more, but held his tongue.
“Don't worry Son, we'll do this together,” Vincent said. Alrion looked over at his father with surprise.
“You'll go with me?”
“Of course. You have lived a sheltered life, because of me. But I have travelled the world. I can help guide you through the dangers out there, and keep you safe.”
“I will go also,” Falric said. This time Branthor looked over at Falric with surprise.
“But Falric, you are needed here,” he said.
“You are perfectly capable of looking after the academy. What Alrion needs is teaching in the ways of being a wizard if he is to succeed.”
“Which is why he should stay here. Train with his peers then set out when he is more capable,” Branthor said.
“This is an incredible opportunity; we can't just sit on it. We don't even know what is required. What if we wait around for years before setting off, and discover that we could have been preparing all along? No, this is too important. We must set out at once,” Falric said.
“If that is so, I can accompany them. Your place is here at the academy!” Branthor raised his voice. But the look on Falric's face caused him to lose some of his boldness.
“My place has been here my entire life, to serve the cause of my teacher. Now there is an opportunity to continue his work, and you want me to stay here idle? No. I have earned this right and I will exercise it.” Falric looked like he was daring Branthor to challenge him.
“By your command.” Branthor turned to look away.
“It will be one of my last. I will arrange a proclamation today that you are the new leader of the academy.”
“Won't that just be a temporary arrangement? Why go to all the trouble?”
“Let's just see. Maybe you'll do such a great job, I'll come back as a trusted advisor.”
“Of course, I would be honoured,” Branthor said. Alrion thought Branthor would be more pleased with such an honour.
“I knew you would be.” Falric turned to address Vincent and Alrion once more.
“Take some time to wander around and think everything through. I'll send someone to find you and we can finalise our preparations.”
“Sure.” Alrion felt like he was in a daze.
“Thanks. Let's go.” Vincent led Alrion over to the stairs. They slowly descended, not uttering a single word. As they emerged outside there were still some wizards in the courtyard. They stared at Alrion as he emerged.
“Awkward,” Alrion said as he walked.
“They don't understand, this has never happened before. But don't worry about them; it looks like we won't be staying here.”
“Why me?” Alrion looked to his father.
“That's the eternal question,” Vincent said with a laugh. Alrion wasn't amused.
“You can't be flippant about this. Seriously, why?”
“It's fate, or destiny, or just bad luck. Alternatively, good luck. Depends on how you look at it.” Vincent looked like he was enjoying himself.
“How come you're so happy all of a sudden?”
“I'm not. But this is so much more than what I expected to happen. I wanted nothing more to do with wizards, and now you're their last hope to fulfil my father's work. At some point you just need to give up, and laugh about it. Either that or cry.”
“I shouldn't have complained about being bored at home.” Alrion sighed.
“That's the problem with wishes; sometimes you get what you wished for.”
“I still don't get it. How can you be so cheery and upbeat? This is crazy!”
“This is an opportunity. One that nobody else has. You owe it to yourself to go after it. We don't know what is involved. Maybe you'll get to the Pool of Knowledge and find out you just need to read books for a few years. We just don't know. But I bet if you look inside, and really think about it, you'll realise that, underneath this annoyance and complaining, you're excited by the possibilities.” Vincent gave Alrion a knowing look. Alrion thought about what his father said and let out a deep sigh.
“You're right. Of course, you're right. But I need time,” he said.
“There will be plenty of that. But you need to take that first step.”
“It feels like the first step is taking me,” Alrion said. He snuck a tiny smile onto his face, which Vincent picked up on.
“That's the spirit. Own the unknown. Maybe when you return here you'll get a different look from these guys.”
“I hope so. I just feel like even more of an outsider.”
“Your grandfather started this place. You couldn't be any less of an outsider.”
“Tell that to them. The whole feeling is noticeably different since the initiation.”
“Don't worry about them. Let's just go for a walk,” Vincent said. Alrion nodded and they set off.
They walked around the perimeter of the courtyard and watched the remaining wizards filter back indoors.
“You've already seen the tower, let's check out indoors,” Vincent said.
“Have you been here before?” Alrion said.
“No, this place was established later. Your grandfather and I and the first founding wizards lived somewhere else. When we parted ways, he came here to found the academy, and I travelled.”
“Will you ever talk about him? I mean properly.”
“One day. However, all you need to know is that he was a great wizard, and did a lot for many people. You have a lot to live up to in that regard.”
“Sure beats being a blacksmith.” Alrion pushed ahead.
After wandering through the main building, they found themselves back at the entry.
“Let's take a seat,” Vincent said and settled down on a leather couch. Alrion sat down next to him.
“So, what now?” he said.
“I think they'll come and find us before long,” Vincent said. As if on cue, a wizard walked in and addressed them both.
“Please come with me, your equipment needs to be provisioned,” the wizard said.
“Now this should be fun.” Vincent winked at Alrion.
11
Adventure
Vincent and Alrion followed the young wizard out of the main building, across the courtyard and into a smaller building that they had not spotted before. It was made of stone with a heavy steel door.
“This is our store.” The wizard placed his hand on the door and unlocked it. He pulled the door open and walked inside. After he stepped in, he held his hand up and lit a lamp. As the light danced around the room, Alrion started to see what it contained.
There were shelves all around the walls, containing objects of different types and sizes. There were racks of equipment in the middle of the room. Alrion spotted robes, bags, staves, shoes, and other clothing.
“You are well stocked here,” Vincent said.
“Of course, a wizard must be prepared,” their guide said. He walked down the aisles, collecting things in a bundle before returning to present them to Alrion.
“Here are your things. Treat them well, and they will serve you for a long time,” he said.
“Do I get anything?” Vincent said.
“You will both be given ample provisions from the kitchen store,” the wizard said.
“That's a no, Dad,” Alrion said.
“There is one more thing, follow me, young wizard.” The guide beckoned to Alrion. Alrion handed his bundle to his father and followed the wizard. They walked to the end of the room, where there was a small doorway otherwise not visible.
