Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

to reach Aliana’s level. Leon doesn’t know why. He said some people are just better than others at certain spells. Jennava doesn’t know, either.”

“Jennava?” Eslenda asked.

“Our other instructor.”

I added, “She fought with us in the forest. She led the group from the north.”

“Oh yes,” Eslenda said. “The one helping with ordia. These sorcerers told me.” She gestured at the girls. “All of you have been failed by those who know more than you, but I think I may fail you as well. I have been a sorcerer for too long, as they have. I have forgotten what it was to learn, and I do not know how to teach. I only know how to cast. How would you teach someone how to run? You run for them and hope they see. That’s all I can do. I do not know the answers to your questions, young one.” She spoke to Charlie. “I just know you must spend many hours working on your abilities. Some people are more naturally skilled with certain notes, but I do believe that everyone can learn any note in their range. Some just take more time.”

“And I’m not interested in melting metal,” Eden told Charlie. “I’d rather practice my enchanting.”

“Jon, do you understand what I’m saying?” Eslenda asked me. “I am talking to you as well.”

“I understand, but I don’t believe it. I’m sure you can teach me something more than telling me to practice.”

“A little, but not much. Do not expect a lesson, only some guidance. I will cast illusions for you many times now, and then I must go. You can become familiar with them from watching me. Then you will be familiar with Cason when he uses one, even if you cannot make one yourself.”

“At least give me a few hours,” I tried.

“Hours? It is not my responsibility to teach you anything.”

“No, but you wish to protect the kingdom, like we do. By helping us, you will also help to protect the kingdom.”

“An illusion is tiring. I do not have the stamina or the patience to keep it up for long. There is another way to identify it, however, besides feeling the ordia, as this enchanter did.” She gestured at Eden.

“How else?” I asked.

“By simply casting Identify on the person using the illusion.”

“Oh, of course!” Charlie sounded perturbed. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Michael asked Eslenda, “Can you remind us what Identify does? I know, but maybe others need a reminder.”

Charlie jumped in to explain. “Identify is a spell used on enchantments to decipher the enchantment. Using the spell informs the caster about the enchantment. The stronger the spell of Identify, the clearer the message. So that means an illusion is a type of enchantment!” He sounded excited about this idea.

“Yes, it is a temporary enchantment,” Eslenda agreed.

“But how could we cast Identify on someone who is cloaked by an illusion if we can’t see them?” I asked Eslenda. “Can the spell be casted in a wide range?”

“No,” Eslenda said. “You must direct the spell at something as you consider that thing.”

“Consider it?” I asked.

“As you ponder what enchantment might exist,” she clarified.

“I’m not going to have time to look around in every direction for a cloaked Cason and cast a spell of ordia. I’ll be fighting or running.”

“I understand that,” she said, her eyes tight with annoyance. “I am explaining the problem. There is no counter to a spell of cloaking. But it is a spell of extreme concentration. Even I cannot cloak while I fight. Running would be difficult as well without allowing the spell to break.”

Charlie said, “Can’t enchantments be disrupted by other enchantments?”

“What do you mean?” Eslenda asked.

“Like a ward of fire weakens an essence of fire. Both are enchantments, right?”

“Yes…” Eslenda said.

“So the right ward should disrupt a cloaking spell.”

The elf said, “There aren’t any wards against spells of ordia. There are only wards against erto and dteria.”

“That we know of,” Charlie argued. “Perhaps one could be made.”

“I doubt so,” Eslenda said. “Ordia is the magical art of order. Nothing can change order. It is, by design, the stability of the world.”

“No, order does have a weakness. Chaos.”

“Young one, there is no chaos in mana.”

“Oh, but there is,” he said without his usual enthusiasm, his subdued tone making me nervous. “It’s the very thing I’ve been working on. Yes, I think this will be its purpose.”

“Wait,” Michael said. “You’ve been making something without knowing its purpose?”

“I’ve been conducting experiments to see what it coulddo first, knowing it would likely have a purpose later,” Charlie replied. “But now a purpose is set. I am almost certain it will work to disrupt a cloaking spell.”

“What you speak of will not work, young one,” Eslenda lectured. “There is no chaos to be controlled. Enchantments are made through ordia, order.”

“I really think there is a way,” Charlie said hesitantly.

“I am saying no. You can’t make an enchantment to cause chaos. Enchantments are done with order. Nijja, the demigod of order, would not have made it possible. You may hurt yourself or someone else trying to create this chaos through other methods.”

Did Eslenda know what Charlie was referring to? I still had no idea.

Charlie angrily replied, “It wasn’t Nijja who made it possible.”

Eslenda appeared horrified. “You really are speaking about what I think you are?”

“I am,” Charlie said proudly. “We use the enemy’s weapon against him!”

“You can’t use dteria, young one—”

“Stop calling me that!” he interrupted.

“Dteria will corrupt you!” Eslenda scolded loudly.

“It’s not specifically dteria!” he replied.

“Then what?” Eslenda asked.

“Charlie,” Michael said, deadpan, then waited for Charlie to look at him. “Tell us what is before we all go insane wondering.”

“I don’t…feel comfortable saying it.”

“You’re going to have to,” Michael explained coldly. “Now.”

Charlie looked at Eslenda. “Do you know exactly what I’m referring to?”

From the look the elf gave him, it seemed that she did. But she folded her arms rather than speak.

“Just say it, Charlie!” Michael told him.

Charlie appeared uncomfortable in his own skin. “So…an illusion is an enchantment done with order,