Her lips twisted. “How high-minded. Our kind has been reduced to little more than slaves to the people we once ruled. Damn Valtan and his betrayal.”
Otto blinked in surprise. “I hadn’t thought about it, but it’s only natural that you’d have known him. It’s easy to forget that the last living Arcane Lord has been around for centuries. Lord Valtan is quite highly thought of, for a wizard. It was in large part his efforts that brought the many wars to an end three centuries ago.”
“Oh? And how did the pig manage that?”
“He reactivated the portals, but only for those countries that signed the Portal Compact agreeing not to invade or otherwise harm the other members. We’ve become dependent on them for swift, safe travel and trade. They’ve made us rich and soft, or so my father claims.”
“So there are no more wars?” she asked.
“Not between the nations of this continent. We have little knowledge of the other lands as none of them agreed to join. There are enough internal squabbles to keep the ground well watered with blood. Lucky for Garenland, as our main export is weapons.”
“Bah. Enough history. Show me your magic.”
Otto brightened then trembled faintly. To cast before an Arcane Lord was a great honor. Even if the world regarded them as monsters, that didn’t change the fact that they were amazing wizards.
He drew his dagger and sent it flying around the room. After a handful of passes he switched to fire again to no comment. Time to try his new spell. He pulled a glass rod and a small square of sheepskin.
He’d barely touched them together to begin building up the necessary spark when Karonin said, “What in the world are you doing?”
“Building up a charge for an electrical spell.”
“What ignorant buffoon has overseen your training? The reason lightning is the most common offensive spell used by wizards is that the body produces a constant flow of electricity. It’s what allows you to control your physical functions.”
Otto held up his hand and looked at it. “Truly?”
“Of course, truly. Send your thread into your hand then shape the electricity into lightning.”
He did as she said and immediately the crackling power grew in his palm. A moment later blue sparks danced around his fingers. Why hadn’t Master Enoch taught him this method?
“Good. Now hurl the lightning at the wall. Only a single thread’s worth as I don’t wish my home damaged.”
“I don’t understand. How do I throw the lightning?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Don’t tell me you’ve only mastered single-thread spells?”
“In all honesty I didn’t even know it was possible to wield more than one thread.”
“Ha! An Arcane Lord had the ability to control over a hundred threads at once. Even a regular wizard can weave multiple-thread spells.”
Otto’s head spun. A hundred etheric threads at once? What could he accomplish with that much power?
“Will you teach me?”
She opened her eyes and smiled. “I will. Two-thread lightning is simple. With the energy gathered around your hand, draw a second thread and use it to connect your finger to the spot on the wall you wish to hit. Finally, will the energy along the thread.”
Otto nodded. That did sound simple. He was surprised he hadn’t considered the possibility on his own.
He focused on the wall opposite him and conjured a second thread. His body trembled at the increased stress even as the Bliss increased to a degree he’d never experienced. The ether obeyed and a moment later a sparkling line ran from his extended hand to the wall. He centered himself and sent the energy he’d gathered racing down the thread.
The lightning bolt slammed into the stone and blackened it. Otto’s smile nearly split his face. He spun back to the mirror. “I did it!”
“Yes, and it only took you half a minute. You’d be dead ten times over in a real wizard’s duel. Still, now that you know the technique it’s only a matter of building up speed. You will practice and when you return, I expect you to have the casting under five seconds.”
Otto slapped his forehead. “Damn it! Jessa. I was so excited to meet you I forgot all about her. I will practice, Lord Karonin, on my honor, but I have to go. There’s a girl missing and I was searching for her before I found your tower.”
“Ah, she would be the first person I detected today. She stopped moving about a quarter mile from here. I’ll guide you, but first, on the wall to your right you’ll see four triangular stones that meet at a round, slightly raised pebble. Touch the pebble.”
It took only a moment for him to pick out the pattern she mentioned and tap the central stone. A vibration ran through the wall and the pieces slid apart, revealing a book bound in red, scaled leather.
“My first spell book. It’s probably not well known, but I was born not far from here, likely within the boundaries of your father’s barony. I built this tower a century before I became an Arcane Lord.”
Otto ran a gentle finger over the smooth, cool cover. Everything in him screamed to grab it and dive into the secrets within, but the rational part of his mind balked. “Your gift is most generous, Lord, but if it should be found the book will be at risk. Books of dangerous magic are often destroyed. It will be safer here. When I return, I’ll bring my journal and copy as much as I can.”
She muttered something about ignorant peasants and shook her head. “Do as you think best. This new world is a mystery to me. When will you be back?”
“I can only visit safely on Sundays. Any other time my absence will be marked.”
“Once a week is fine. It’s not like I have a great deal else to occupy me. When you get outside, follow the etheric light, it will lead you to the girl.” The hidden compartment ground shut. “Practice hard, Apprentice. I trust I don’t need to warn you against mentioning this place to anyone.”
“No, Lord. It’s been an honor to meet you and an even greater honor to have a chance to study under you.” He bowed to the face in the mirror. “Until next week.”
He retraced his steps to the clearing surrounding the tower. A glance at the shadows revealed it was only a little past noon. A bright, blue light appeared in the ether and moved quickly away from him and out the opening in the pines. Otto jogged after it, his mind awhirl. A million questions battered him and left him reeling.
He would have time to explore them when he returned next week. All that mattered for now was that one of the most powerful wizards to have ever lived had agreed to teach him. So much had been lost since the time of the Arcane Lords, but she probably knew every secret in the universe. That she was dead didn’t trouble him in the least.
Ten minutes later a faint whimpering reached him. The spark he’d been following hovered over a juniper bush. He stepped around it and found a little blond girl in a torn red dress lying on the ground, clutching her left ankle.
“Jessa?”
She sniffed and looked up at him. “Who are you?”
“I’m Otto. Your brothers asked me to try and find you. Are you okay?”
“I tripped, then I fell. I lost my dolly and I want to go home.” She burst into a fresh bout of crying.
He winced at the loud wailing. “I know the way out of here. Can you walk?”