Candle light, flickered softly upon the face of a young man, as he focused his mind upon a single objective. He needed to master this spell called, Protection From Arrows. A basic magic defense, that could stop arrows from piercing the user. The young student, remembered the previous attempts. He fought down those thoughts, and focused on the spell, and growled away all other substance in his mind. He closed his eyes and started the incantation. His hands moving in the gestures of the spell, as a sphere was formed before him. He opened his eyes and watched as the raw magic was created. He chose the disired affect and watched it, as it disipeared, and suddenly, he felt thin and unwhole. He looked toward the arrow, he'd used to test the spell and nodded, at what must be done. He walked across the chamber, and knelt before the arrow. Then grasped the shaft and placed his other hand upon the arrow head, then moved his hand down.
He felt nothing! Incredible, he thought thriled at the completed spell, and watched as he used the other hand. It still worked. Grinning, the young mage, walked out the door and wen't to see his master.
"I hope that while you were pursuing your own devices you stopped at least long enough to prepare the required spells for your next lesson," Derivan said, not even looking up from his scrolls as he sat at the Headmaster's desk, somewhat irked by the young man's tardiness. He then rested his quill in the inkwell and raised his piercing grey eyes so that they met those of the student. "In the future, Mendaris, you will be more careful to observe the accepted rules of this institution or be ready to face the consequences; do you understand?"
Mendaris, nodded and said softly." If I may speak so, Master. I completed the last of the spells that I am to learn from the tome you gave me, and yes, I've prepared for the next lession." He stared at the Lord Mage, nervous and yet proud, at his completion. He was ready for whatever the Master sent his way.
"Hmm," the Headmaster said as he slowly walked to the far wall of the room, as if examining the bookshelves in order to make the youth more nervous. "Let us hope so, for you may not always be near one who can bring back the dead if you make a mistake." And with that, he raised a hand in a sharp motion as if commanding silence, but instead a crossbow bolt flew seemingly from his very palm, straight toward Mendaris' abdomen.
Mendaris, watched as the bolt flashed toward him, he'd only a second to react. He lifted his hand in a warding gesture, and focused upon his target, and muttered a word. The bolt stopped suddenly, falling away to ash, that dissolved before it hit the ground. He cursed, forgeting that he did not add the second part to the spell. Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he concentrated on that spell. He looked at the master, and said cooly." As I said before. I was prepared."
Derivan's eyes narrowed as he came back to stand in front of Mendaris. "How dare you lie to me!" he snapped, emphasizing the second word with a sound blow to the young mage's face with the back of his hand. "If you cannot follow a simple instruction, then at least have the decency to admit it and not shame yourself with dishonesty. I made it perfectly clear to every one of the pupils that all of the stages were to be prepared. Did you not listen, or did you not obey?"
Mendaris's head moved to the side and a noticible red hand was forming upon the side of his cheek. He didn't say a word, but watched the mage as he wondered what could have irked him so. What had he done, besides defend himself? Sighing he waited as if wanting the Mage to say more.
"When I am very specific in my instructions to the pupils of this academy, I expect them to be very specific in their spell preparations," Derivan went on. "It could mean your life further down the road. That is why every instructor demands thoroughness from his students, and why honesty is imperative. Your character is irretrievably linked to your ability to survive with what we teach you here. Stray only slightly and your carelessness might kill you. Yes, I know that you were prepared to defend yourself, but you ignored one of the most important parts of that lesson: being ready, and that includes making sure you neglect not the slightest detail, no matter how much you know how to compensate for it. Being able to stop the arrow was not the main point."
Mendaris nodded," Forgive my carelessness, I should focus more upon my studies, however that spell needed completion. I shall be far more careful in my transgressions in the future, and will abide by the code more strictly. I aim for perfection, withen my own abilities, and yet you show another inperfection. Another correction that I shall fix. I neglected the bolt in my spell as I did not expect anything of the sort." He paused and took a deep breath." Should I act any different, upon the situation you presented against me? I know you surely can turn me to dust by the snap of a finger, but am I to allow a bolt into a my gut? Surely those with opitions should use it?"
"What you should have done was follow the instructions in your assignment," Derivan said with a wave of his hand that brought a visual manifestation of the piece of parchment identical to that given to all of the students in the last lesson. The paper remained suspended in front of them as the headmaster went on. "Look carefully, and you will see that you were to prepare against the thrown dagger, the spear, the longbow, the shortbow, and the crossbow. It was all printed clearly, and no one questioned the directions. There was ample opportunity to do so. If you had not been instructed to prepare against the crossbow, then you would most certainly be in the right when using the spell which you just have, but you neglected one of your preparations. I would have healed you from any wounds you might have received, but I should not have been placed in such a position."
Mendaris looked at the mage and said coldly." Lord, you did not give me specific instructions to perform a spell that is beyond my ability as of right now. Protection From weapons, and Protection from Magical weapons, are beyond me as of right now." Mendaris inspected the parchment floating in the air and said now angerly.'" And the simple fact that, I was not TOLD to perform the spell, is worse? The spell could rend me insane, if I were to attempt it now." He paused for a moment and then looked at the mage." Forgive me, but the spell was not listened in my spell book. The spell is required for those that are in the advanced studies. I'm merely a novice. Not worthy of the title mage. As of yet."
"You are more worthy of that title than you think, young Mendaris," Derivan said, his tone notably different. "If one never admits his weaknesses, one can never find the place where he may begin to learn." He even half-smiled then. "You are the first who owned up to the fact that such spells were out of your league and not just ones you hadn't succeeded in 'getting right'. Although your level of respect was rather questionable for a moment, your honesty finally won out. Remember that when you are one day forced to stand up for something, or someone. Many who pass through these gates must do so in order to hold to what is right."
Manderis, nodded and looked around the room then said quietly." You know, those that can realize their own limits, only can excede them. I may be young, but i'm well versed in the lore of this acadmey. Is there a reason you asked for my attendance? It is rather late, and the studies never stop for those that do not rise early."
"I have asked all of the young mages and apprentices to come," the Headmaster said. "And I am pleased with the result of our meeting. You may go when you wish."
Mendaris nodded," Thank you m'lord. Good evening." And he walked out going to his chambers, back to rest, and perhaps practice on a few more spells. There was always a few spell duels every day, perhaps he'd be selected as one. Grinning dispite himself, Mendaris chuckled and walked by a few other students that were conversing about the latest spell they had mastered.
Life here seemed good enough.
A young elven mage of about seventeen years suddenly stumbled into Mendaris, as if he couldn't even see where he was going. "Oh--I am sorry, milord," he said quickly, bowing in Mendaris' general direction. "Forgive me, I beg you--I had thought the spell would have lasted longer than it did. I apologize." He put his hand out and made patting motions with it in the open air until he found the wall. "Begging your pardon, milord, but I think I have gotten myself turned around. Which way is the library?"
Mendaris, looked at the elf, " Are you blind?" He asked confused by this man. He took a step back and examined the Elven Man. " If your looking for the library, it's down the hall, down a flight of stairs, and to your right. Your in the resting quarters m'lord."
"I am blind," the elf replied. "I had thought the spell would get me all the way to the library, but I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up; after all, it was meant to enhance what one naturally possesses, not work miracles. Thank you for your directions." He began to trail the wall in the direction Mendaris had indicated, but he stopped and turned back. "Please, sir, it is not necessary to call me 'milord'. I am only a slave, here because my master is a wizard and wished me to learn enough to assist him." He bowed again, this time a lower one more befitting his station, now that he had admitted it.
Mendaris, looked at the elf, and felt pitty for him. He walked toward the elf, and said slowly." I'll guide you to the library. Take my hand, and i'll show you." He placed his hand in the blind elf's and started walking, regardless, if the elf protested. No one should walk the place blind. He started walking down the steps, and looked to the elf." Why are you blind?"
"Thank you, sir," the youth said in response to Mendaris' help. When asked about his blindness, he seemed suddenly uneasy. "I--that is, if you--wouldn't mind, sir--I had rather not speak of it, if you will pardon my boldness."
Mendaris, looked at the man and just sighed." As you wish. We're nearly there." He continued to guide him down the stairs, and turned down a hallway. He turned to the elf, and said quietly." We're here. IS there something I can help you with? Or are you content to continue alone?" The young novice looked around and merely watched as a few apprentices were reading the books of their first years.
The blind mage looked a bit downcast. "I apologize for forgetting my place yet again, my lord. Forgive me for offending you in any way. I must not forget that even though I am here that what I am has not changed." He took a deep breath and ventured, "My--blindness is--the result of an unfortunate incident where the person who caused it--would not have done so under any other circumstances. I--consider it an accident, sir."
Mendaris nodded," What tome do you seek? You'd never find it blind." He watched the elf quietly. Who was this elf? Who was the one that owned him? Event's only seemed to follow him like a bee after a animal disturbed it's home.
"Actually, my lord, it is not a difficult one to find with the proper use of the senses--and if one carefully counts the shelves to arrive at the right one. Certain of the volumes have a unique...'feel' to them, not in the sense of texture, but in the realm of the arcane. They speak in their own way, the runes that I seek. One who is aware of that has no need of sight to find them--that is, if he does not miscount the number of shelves." He smiled a bit.
Mendaris nodded and turned," Luck be with you then sir. If you require nothing else, I shall return to my chambers." He looked around the room and sighed. The chamber was quite large, and it was crammed to the brim with books.
The young man smiled again. "Until we meet again, my lord--and thank you for your kindness." He bowed slightly and headed with measured step into the library.
Mendaris turned and looked out the door into the hallway, it was getting late, also the morn would promise no releif from this detor. Sighing, he moved toward the stairs then heard a slite shuffle of feet, turning he noticed two shadows of humaniod shape move down the hall. Confused Mendaris wen't to investigate. Walking down the hall, he noticed that the sounds were coming from a Master's office. As he approuched the door, the two shapes seemed to have no shape. Voices could be heard of the two and they seemed to be looking for something of great value.
"So is it here?" One voice said, very femmine.
"From what, our informant said, it should be in the desk." this voice was more gruff and sinister.
"Very well, I'll check the book shelves."
Mendaris muttered a protection spell, that would ward off basic spells and entered the room." What befalls here? Intrepid thieves, come to loot our fine academy?" Magic was already pouring from his fingers in that of a hold spell, to stop them in their tracks. But sadly, these were not just your average thieves, a spell shield flared up around the female thief, and the man was frozen completely, the true thief. Mendaris cursed, and started another spell, this one causing a globe of dispelling to flare at the female mage. She hissed, but couldn't stop it intime.
Mendaris grinned and started another binding spell, that forced her hands and arms apart. Making her unable to cast a spell. He then yelled down the hall for any in ear reach. He watched the female quietly holding his spells in check. He hoped that help would arrive soon.
The female intruder took the second that Mendaris used to call for help and quickly uttered the words of another spell, one she had prepared specifically for such an emergency. She didn't have time to destroy the evidence (meaning Mendaris), and she didn't have time to save her companion who was now held motionless by the youth's spell, but she did however have what she came for, and with a complex but swiftly executed gesture of her right hand she was gone--soundlessly, and completely.
The sound of running footsteps soon followed, and two of the senior-level students of the Master in whose room the thieves had been hurried into the room. One of them came to Mendaris' side and prepared for any sign of potential motion or escape from the male thief, and the other went immediately to a niche in the wall where the female thief had been looking and put his hand to the intricately scuptured stone emblem that was specially enchanted to recognize only a certain set of hand formations. He drew his breath in surprised horror as the niche opened to reveal an empty receptacle. "Impossible..." he said breathlessly. "No one could have known how to open it except for--but she is dead; I saw her body myself." The last part he directed toward his colleague.
"We must tell the Master immediately," said the other mage, still keeping his attention riveted to the male thief. "If she is indeed brought back from the dead, and has taken the amulet, then we are all in dire circumstances." He turned to face the young student. "Let me see to this man," he said, raising his own spell of immobility. "Run to Master Anisti, quickly. There is not much time. He is in the library, scribing a tome of his last season's lectures. The south end, near the journeyman's alcove."
Mendaris nodded and quickly dashed out into the hall, running the way he came, back to the library. He came to the door and looked around quietly. Thinking the female mage might want to kill any obervers. Walking into the inn rather hurridly, Mendaris found the mage, in the spot directed."M'lord, forgive my intrusion, however, your office has been comprimised. Two thieves have broken into the office and stole something. A senior under your supervision, requires auddiance. Please follow me." Walking quickly back toward the Library door, he turned waiting for the Wizard.
Anisti, currently in human form, set down his quill and gestured for his assistant to put up the writing paraphernalia. As he followed Mendaris, he asked, "Was it the amulet?" For this was the most precious of his possessions--or the Academy's, for that matter. If it truly was the amulet, then they were all in grave danger.
Mendaris, shook his head," M'lord, I do not know. One of the thieves is currently held in a spell. Come quickly, two seniors are there now." Turning quickly, the young mage wen't down the hall swiftly, as those that were asleep, were now awake. Looking back, he noticed a small crowd gathering at the stairs. Sighing, he wen't back to the office, with the lord mage in tow. " Have you pried his mind yet, of any thought as to why they came?" He asked one of the senior mages. The lord mage was right behind him.
Before the student could answer, Anisti gave a jerking movement of his right hand in a gesture that released the prisoner long enough to throw him to his hands and knees on the floor. "You," he said, having noticed the insignia on the man's sleeve. "I should have known you would come at your master's bidding. And I suggest that you start talking about where your companion has gone, and be specific, or it will not go well with you this time."
The mage who had been holding the thief motionless while they waited for help to arrive, leaned over and whispered to Mendaris, "He was the only apprentice the master ever had. You can imagine how Anisti would feel when the ingrate betrayed him."