Shadowood Ch. 12

by Patrick in my house...

Chapter 12: The Magic Guru

Days after Tyther found out the shocking news that Rathis was related to Hatreisk, they were set off to find a teacher who knew magic. His sword was done and held a great amount of power. Rathis told him that he was a natural at the art of fusing Ertina with the metal. They found village where they slept and ate for a night. The next morning, Rathis and Tyther asked where they could find a seer or someone who could use magic. There was no one in the village that could use magic. At noon, Tyther and Rathis sat down to rest.

“I can’t believe that no one here uses magic!” Tyther exclaimed. Rathis nodded.

“There’s only one house we haven’t asked yet,” she said, “It belongs to an old man.” They got up and knocked on the door. An old man, like Rathis had said, appeared before them.

“What can I do for you kids?” he asked them.

“We’re looking for someone who can use magic and teach us how,” Tyther replied. The old man said,

“I’m sorry, but no one in this household knows any magic,”

“Thanks for the help,” Rathis said while turning around to leave.

“I do know of someone who can help you,” he called to them. They both immediately stopped and came back.

“Who?” Tyther asked.

“An old sage. A witch, if you will. She lives in the boggy land and swamps north of here,” he answered.

“Hmm, that sounds like a good teacher to me,” Rathis murmured.

“Let me warn you,” the old man said, “She is very unpredictable. She could be smiling one moment and casting a hex on you another.” Tyther nodded.

“We’ll be careful,” he promised, “And thanks again,” The old man smiled.

“I’m happy to help,” he closed the door while Rathis and Tyther proceeded out of the village.

After about an hour of walking north of the village, the two found themselves in a boggy area.

“How are we supposed to find this sage?” Rathis asked.

“I don’t know,” Tyther replied. Suddenly, the swamp water began to bubble. Poisonous gas was emitted into the air as they popped. An old lady appeared out of the bubble and gas. She seemed to be unfazed from the gas and poison.

“Are you-” Tyther began. The lady nodded.

“Yes. Many have come searching for me for my special abilities. Many I have turned away, but you,” she paused as she examined Tyther, “are special as I.”

“So you’ll teach him?” Rathis asked. The lady nodded.

“Yes, he has a spark that is the beginning of a great magician,” she told them, “Come with me.” Tyther and Rathis obeyed and followed the lady to the edge of the swamp water.

“Are we going in there?” Rathis asked in disgust. The lady answered through her actions as she walked right on into the swamp. A bubble popped dangerously close to where they were standing.

“We have to trust her,” Tyther whispered to Rathis. She nodded reluctantly. Tyther strode into the water, but immediately slowed down. The swamp’s water sucked his legs to his knees. He somehow was able to reach the sage without falling. Rathis sank to her knees as well when she got into the swamp. Slowly, but steadily, she made her way to the others.

“Come,” the lady beckoned. She started to walk to a nearby bubble. She ignored Tyther’s cry as the bubble swelled. When it popped, she was nowhere to be seen.

“I guess it’s my turn now,” Tyther said with a nervous smile. He walked to where the sage was moments before and waited for another bubble. He didn’t wait very long. Within moments, another bubble swelled before him. Tyther braced himself. Pop! Tyther was gone.

“What did I get myself into?” Rathis asked herself as she followed Tyther into the bubble. In an instant, she was gone.

When Tyther and Rathis arrived, they were shocked. They were in an underground cave. Candles and torches lined to walls and ground. There was a section of the room where she kept her herbs and potion materials. A bed lay in the corner of the cave, surround by candles. What really caught Tyther and Rathis’s attention was a yellow ring of light in the center of the room. It mesmerized them as it glowed from yellow, to red, then back to yellow. The old sage nodded.

“Just as I thought,” she murmured, “The boy has the spark.” She turned to the two.

“The yellow ring can detect a magical spark inside of a person,” she told them, “When it turns red, like you saw, it means that someone has great power within them.”

“When do I start to train to become a magician?” Tyther asked her. The lady walked over to the circle. She suddenly turned around with an evil grin on her face.

“It begins now!” She shot a bolt of pure, red energy at him. Tyther was taken by surprise and barely had time to leap out of the way. Rathis cried out and started to draw her sword.

“No!” Tyther commanded, “This is my fight!” He stood up and drew his sword. It glowed with red light, unlike Rathis’s. It was the first time Tyther used it in battle, but he had trained in the ways of the sword. He crept around the lady, watching her carefully. She suddenly released a burst of yellow electricity from her palms. Tyther blocked it with his red sword.

“Kindle your spark,” the sage shouted over the cackling of the electricity on the red blade, “Turn it into a raging fire!” The lighting stopped.

“You don’t seem to be unleashing your full potential with your life endangered,” she observed. She turned to Rathis.

“But what happens when your friend is in trouble?” Rathis realized what was about to happen and tried to draw her sword. Too late. A green orb of power soar through the air and exploded when it made contact. Rathis flew backwards and lay on the ground.

“No!” Tyther yelled. The sage summoned more power and readied another attack. Tyther felt something new and powerful change inside of him. His eyes started to glow, the same blue color as his blade. The talisman he hung around his neck light up. Power coursed through his veins. He shot a blue bolt of power at the sage. She turned to him and blocked his attack with a bolt of her own. Light flashed through the air.

“The spark has been kindled!” the sage exclaimed, “Your friend has not been harmed, it was an illusion to bring your real self out.” Tyther calmed down and returned to normal. Rathis stood up.

“Congratulations!” she told him, “You’ve become stronger.” He nodded.

“Now I’m ready for whatever Hatreisk throws at us!”