Delver Magic II: Throne of Vengeance, Jeff Inlo [graded readers .TXT] 📗

Enin would not hold back his growing insecurity. “You know, the other elf didn’t trust me, either. I sensed that. Now I sense the same thing in you. I want to know why.”

Holli became somewhat rigid. “I can not speak for Lief. I can only speak for myself. It is not you I don’t trust, it is the magic.”

“Nonsense!”

Holli’s expression remained blank. She would hide her emotions as a trained elf guard. No one would be able to read the slightest sentiment from her face.

Enin, however, looked beyond her expression. He looked deep into her being; he saw her thoughts, felt her emotions. He became angry. “You don’t trust me! You’re hiding the reasons. You deem them an important secret. Why!”

Holli looked to Sy. “I thought I was here to assist you. Am I now on trial here?”

Sy rubbed his hands uncomfortably. “Of course not. Your assistance here is greatly appreciated. I think …”

Enin did not take his eyes off of Holli, even as he cut Sy off. “Don’t involve him. This is between you and me. You are telling me not to help protect my own home. You are making this decision based on mistrust. I want to know why!”

Holli gave him the truth. “I fear what you can do, whether willingly or unwillingly. There is nothing about you which gives me this fear other than the potential of your power. I sense nothing but good within your intentions, but I feel the range of what you are capable of. That in itself is enough to create my doubts about you. The magic is again new to the land. There is no knowledge to guide you, no elder sorcerer to train you. If you had an inkling of just how powerful you could be, you would understand my doubts. You might even share my fears.”

“Why should I be afraid?” Enin demanded.

Holli responded with a question of her own. “How much do you truly understand of this magic you use? Do you understand the significance of the circles which enclose your wrists at the time of your casting? Do you understand what it means to cast white magic?”

“Yes,” Enin replied stoically.

“Do you really?”

Sy listened to the conversation with mystification. He did not understand the significance and expressed as much. “What are you talking about? What’s the deal with the white magic and the circles?”

Holli answered the question but kept her attention upon Enin, gauging his reaction to her response. “The color of the magic at spell casting signifies the wizard’s true power. The color represents a control over one of the dominions. All wizards can learn to cast spells over each dominion, but their power is normally enhanced over the dominion of their true spirit. A wizard that casts green magic has great power over nature, yellow magic is power over light. Each color represents a discipline of the forces of this land. Others include fire, water, land, air, and storms. There are, however, two very rare and unique representations of color. White and black. Black is the power over forces beyond this land, power over shadows. White is power over all the forces of the land, not just one. A wizard casting white magic could cast spells with equal power over fire or over water, or any other force of the land. The wizard has no weakness in any of the dominions.” Holli spoke coldly now, spoke to the wizard. “Lief saw you cast a spell. He saw the white light. In all of elflore there is no true record of such a wizard, there has only been rumor.”

Enin did not blink, even as Holli compounded the references to his strength. The elf pointed to her wrists. “The shapes at spell casting are also a sign of strength. The closer the shape comes to a perfect circle, the stronger the spell. Angles or points invite breaks in the power. Circles represent strength throughout. In the time of legends, spell casters practiced for many cycles of the season, lifetimes, before they could perfect a single circle. You have two and the magic has been here in the land for less than a full cycle of the seasons.”

Sy looked at Enin with greater appreciation. He stammered at the possibilities. “Is all that bad? After all, he’s on our side.”

Holli did not bend even slightly from her position. “He has the power, but no one has the knowledge he needs to control that power.” Again, she directed her last sentiments directly to the wizard. “We face a very grave situation here. If the dwarves attack in force, we will need every advantage just to survive. Your power might give us that advantage, then again, it might disrupt our own forces. You might unwillingly become the spark that leads to the complete destruction of this place. That is the risk of your power, that is what creates my doubts. Without the magic, I honestly believe this town has a chance. It will be difficult, but the hope is there. That is the hope we all have to hold. If instead, we put our faith in the chance you may find a way to use your power properly, we will be grasping at chance. Do you understand this?”

Enin turned away from her, not out of anger but out of need. She doubted him, for whatever reason, she mistrusted him. He could not accept these same doubts. They would ruin him if he acknowledged them. Better for him to ignore her. Otherwise, he would stagnate. He could not have that. In his mind, she was right about only two things, and that’s what he would focus upon. There was great power within him, and he had nothing but good intentions. If she did not want his help now, he would not offer it, but he would not be cast aside either. He would remain in Burbon, wait for the attack he somehow knew was coming. He would hope they would prevail without him, but if not, he would be there. He walked away from the elf and his commander without another word.

Sy watched him leave. The guard captain wondered about what just happened. “I don’t think that was necessary. He’s helped this town survive over the last season.”

“I had no choice,” Holli admitted. “He read my emotions. He knew of my mistrust. I could not hide it from him, even though I wanted to. He is very powerful.”

“Powerful enough to possibly save us.”

“Or destroy us,” Holli noted. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“Yes, I did, but I know him. He’s here to help us. That’s all.”

Holli replied bluntly. “And that’s all I am here for. I’m not requiring you to accept all of my decisions. As you once said, the safety of this town is ultimately your responsibility. If you think I have made a misjudgment, by all means call the wizard back. I will continue to advise you in whatever decision you make. If you want the wizard to attempt spells, I will do what I can to work it into my plans. Remember, I’m not here to take control. I am here to help. It is simply my judgment that, when dealing with dwarves, a novice wizard is more of a danger than an advantage, especially a wizard that is capable of what he is capable of. Do you disagree?”

“How can I disagree? I don’t know a damn thing about dwarves.”

“Then what is it you want of me?”

Sy simmered in his own frustrations. “I just want your help.”

“Then let me give it to you. Forget what has happened for now. I believe the wizard understands what I have said to him. He is not leaving this town. He is only leaving me to my duties. We have much work to do. We have to train your people, we have to construct obstacles for the dwarves. Let us begin that now and let us worry about the wizard another time.”