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Authors: John Forrester
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stranger? He took another sip, and searched the old man’s eyes. No, if he intended to fight and control the temple he’d have done so awhile ago, if he could even command the crystal’s power. Talis always had a feeling that the black crystal was alive and sensed those drawing from its source. The sorcerer was unknown to the crystal.
“Eat, eat, what are we waiting for? I know I’m famished and you appear starving as well, especially the young master with the hungry belly.” Palarian grinned at Nikulo. He flicked his fingers and the knife appeared once more and began carving the roast. The sorcerer pulled a fine silver platter from a misty shadow, and positioned it underneath the magical knife.
Nikulo scrambled forward to get his portion, nearly knocking Mara aside in the process. He shoved a slice into his mouth, closed his eyes, and chewed with a look of complete satisfaction.
“How is it that the roast is ready so soon?” Mara inspected a slice of the meat.
“Fire Magic,” Talis said. “There’s knowledge of sending controlled amounts within a creature.”
The sorcerer raised an eyebrow at Talis. “This is known here in Naru?”
Talis nodded. “By one master, and now by his apprentice.”
“I see. Such a rare wizard well-versed in a wide set of knowledge. And from the rumors surrounding your deeds, have gained mastery over at least one of the greater arts.” Palarian placed the platter filled with slices of boar on the earth between them, and motioned them to eat.
But the sorcerer didn’t eat, his mind appeared lost in thought as he stared at the fire. “There’s something unsettled here in your fair city, and I can’t quite place it. Something is wrong? The hero of Naru away from his family, alone with his friends, and hungry.” He peered into Talis’s eyes. “Yes…yes, something has gone wrong. The prophetess did not foresee lies. She glimpsed truth in her vapor-induced visions. The hero cast aside from the ones he saved. The child of the sun plays with shadows. The gods strike fear amidst believers. ” Talis felt a chill run down his spine at his words.
Palarian released a long, tired sigh that caused his wrinkled, sun-worn face to appear hundreds of years old. “There’s only one thing to be done, you know. The ancient sages spoke of this thousands of years ago. Mastery over the power of the sun must be followed by mastery over shadows. Otherwise unbalance occurs, and the mind bends and distorts and becomes unstable.”
He leaned over and pierced the earth with his finger, and drew the ancient symbol for darkness.
“You must learn Shadow Magic.”
9. ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE
Talis felt like a mallet had slammed into his stomach. His hands dropped to his lap, and he stared at the fire. A flutter of pops and crackles launched from the coals, sending a shower of sparks into the air. Mara was right, he’d taken dangerous steps on the path to learning forbidden magic, and now, the sorcerer was telling him he had to go even farther? Would it take him away from his family and city, the very things he’d fought so hard to protect?
“And you plan to teach me Shadow Magic?” Talis smirked as he stared at the sorcerer.
Palarian found a stick, broke it and tossed it into the fire. “Ah, but you misunderstand me. I lack the knowledge of the dark arts.”
“You what?” Talis said. Mara and Nikulo stared at each other with a puzzled look on their faces.
“I believe you heard me just fine. I cannot teach you Shadow Magic.” The sorcerer curled his fingers together and blew smoke rings into the air. “However, I do possess certain information that could guide you in your quest to gain a deeper understanding of dark magic.”
“But why should I try to learn Shadow Magic?” If Palarian lacked the knowledge of Shadow Magic, who would be there to guide him if things went wrong? Talis remembered all his failed attempts at Fire Magic, and how Master Viridian had patiently guided him
“Eat, eat, what are we waiting for? I know I’m famished and you appear starving as well, especially the young master with the hungry belly.” Palarian grinned at Nikulo. He flicked his fingers and the knife appeared once more and began carving the roast. The sorcerer pulled a fine silver platter from a misty shadow, and positioned it underneath the magical knife.
Nikulo scrambled forward to get his portion, nearly knocking Mara aside in the process. He shoved a slice into his mouth, closed his eyes, and chewed with a look of complete satisfaction.
“How is it that the roast is ready so soon?” Mara inspected a slice of the meat.
“Fire Magic,” Talis said. “There’s knowledge of sending controlled amounts within a creature.”
The sorcerer raised an eyebrow at Talis. “This is known here in Naru?”
Talis nodded. “By one master, and now by his apprentice.”
“I see. Such a rare wizard well-versed in a wide set of knowledge. And from the rumors surrounding your deeds, have gained mastery over at least one of the greater arts.” Palarian placed the platter filled with slices of boar on the earth between them, and motioned them to eat.
But the sorcerer didn’t eat, his mind appeared lost in thought as he stared at the fire. “There’s something unsettled here in your fair city, and I can’t quite place it. Something is wrong? The hero of Naru away from his family, alone with his friends, and hungry.” He peered into Talis’s eyes. “Yes…yes, something has gone wrong. The prophetess did not foresee lies. She glimpsed truth in her vapor-induced visions. The hero cast aside from the ones he saved. The child of the sun plays with shadows. The gods strike fear amidst believers. ” Talis felt a chill run down his spine at his words.
Palarian released a long, tired sigh that caused his wrinkled, sun-worn face to appear hundreds of years old. “There’s only one thing to be done, you know. The ancient sages spoke of this thousands of years ago. Mastery over the power of the sun must be followed by mastery over shadows. Otherwise unbalance occurs, and the mind bends and distorts and becomes unstable.”
He leaned over and pierced the earth with his finger, and drew the ancient symbol for darkness.
“You must learn Shadow Magic.”
9. ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE
Talis felt like a mallet had slammed into his stomach. His hands dropped to his lap, and he stared at the fire. A flutter of pops and crackles launched from the coals, sending a shower of sparks into the air. Mara was right, he’d taken dangerous steps on the path to learning forbidden magic, and now, the sorcerer was telling him he had to go even farther? Would it take him away from his family and city, the very things he’d fought so hard to protect?
“And you plan to teach me Shadow Magic?” Talis smirked as he stared at the sorcerer.
Palarian found a stick, broke it and tossed it into the fire. “Ah, but you misunderstand me. I lack the knowledge of the dark arts.”
“You what?” Talis said. Mara and Nikulo stared at each other with a puzzled look on their faces.
“I believe you heard me just fine. I cannot teach you Shadow Magic.” The sorcerer curled his fingers together and blew smoke rings into the air. “However, I do possess certain information that could guide you in your quest to gain a deeper understanding of dark magic.”
“But why should I try to learn Shadow Magic?” If Palarian lacked the knowledge of Shadow Magic, who would be there to guide him if things went wrong? Talis remembered all his failed attempts at Fire Magic, and how Master Viridian had patiently guided him
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