Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (45 page)

Seth had studied every tome and scroll he could get his hands on about spells and performing magic. He knew well the symbols and incantations used by both the red-robed war mages as well as those used by the healing white robes, but instinctively he knew that his power was different. The power of the other mages was loaned temporarily by the god of their worship at the time of spell casting. Those mages used their prayers to ask for the power, and their symbols and incantations to focus their mind as to what they needed that power to do. Seth did not need to convey his intentions to any god, and as for focusing on purpose, the incantations and symbols were just a means to memorize a specific use of the power. In his own mind, Seth believed he could perform without using such rigorous and tedious methods.

Like he had done before when channeling Ashton’s power, Seth believed he had the ability to bend the power to his will to perform any task, so long as he had sufficient energy stored to complete it. He did not know, however, how much power it would take to complete any given task. That knowledge would come from practice. Practice required time, and time was something both Seth and Sara were running out of.

With Sara in mind, Seth decided upon his first test. Reaching into his coin purse, he pulled out a single silver coin. Holding the coin in the palm of his hand he held it before himself, focusing his gaze on the face of the coin. Imagining the process of the coin’s alteration, Seth focused inward and releasing the aura once belonging to the grass, he channeled it outward towards the coin in his hand.

Pleasure embraced him. The flow of the spark of life through him was exhilarating, a feeling akin to none other he could imagine. As expected the coin in his hand twisted and stretched, sharp edges became round, the images on the coin smoothed and a new image began to take shape. Before his task was complete, however, the pleasure that coursed through him with the magic was gone, leaving his experiment unfinished. He had already exhausted his reserve of power and was not even able to complete this small task.

Although disappointing, this failure opened the door to yet another experiment. Seth needed more power. Focusing on the hundreds of auras around him, he chose three. First he leeched the life from a tree of the very grove he sat in, feeling the life surge into the mental cage he had created for it as he watched the leaves wither and crumble to the ground, adding more ash to the blanket on the soil. The tree’s trunk remained, taking on the gray hue of death common to trees. Next Seth focused his mind on a colony of insects some distance from the protection of his grotto, and beginning one by one, then hundreds at a time, he extinguished thousands of tiny lives, pouring each of their auras into yet another cage of his making. Finally Seth searched his mind again, seeking out the aura of his next victim. Locating and isolating it, he tracked it with his eyes closed, his head turning this way and that as if he could actually see the beast at this distance. The aura was one of the furthest away from him that he could isolate. He knew it to be an animal as it moved quickly darting one way and then another. He did not know what type of animal it could be. Perhaps a rabbit or fox, maybe even a dog of some sort. It was of no consequence what type of animal it was. Seth needed to test the range of his ability.

Reaching out mentally Seth located and grasped at the life supporting the animal. Unsurprisingly it was much more difficult to get a firm hold at this distance. Focusing more intently, Seth threw his conscious at the beast and ripped away its life, sucking it into his own being and locking it away quickly. Sweat had beaded on his forehead, and his limbs trembled from the effort of reaching so far, but even physically shaken as he was, it taught him that he did indeed have limitations.

Seth relaxed for many minutes allowing his heart rate to return to normal and the shaking to go away. Once rested enough to continue, Seth again held out the now blank piece of silver in his palm. Focusing again on the process of creating the finished product he had in mind, he released the trapped life of the tree from within. Again the metal twisted and heaved, this time portions of the face of the coin began to rise and fall to create a new image. Seth focused himself on the tiny details of the coin and watched as they were reproduced from his mind onto its surface. Just before the final detail was scribed into the metal, again his power failed. Without hesitation Seth concentrated hard and unleashed the collected auras of the insects.

The final detail on the face of the coin completed, Seth turned it over and began to smooth the opposite side. This time Seth realized he could feel the power waning as he neared expending the last of it. With this realization, Seth unleashed the aura of the animal he still contained and was amazed by the result. The exhilaration was ten times that of the plants and insects. It infiltrated every pore of his being with pleasure. More amazing than this was the concentration of the power. Seth completed the coin with a single thought, performing more work in an instant with the aura of the animal than all the other work he had carried out with the grass, the tree, and the insects. Not only had he completed the coin, but he had to recapture the remaining power left from the animal’s aura.

Feeling very satisfied, Seth turned the once coin over and over in his hand. He had created a stunning silver charm. It was teardrop shaped with an image of himself on one side and an image of Sara on the other. The craftsmanship was near flawless, even a master silversmith would be hard pressed to recreate the details Seth had imparted into the small piece of silver. More importantly, Seth knew Sara would love it.

Seth felt he had learned enough for the day, enough at least to prove himself to Jud if need be. He had taught himself to locate and track individual auras, and how to siphon them. He had also learned that he should judge the distance carefully else he could possibly overexert himself in the process. On top of that, he had realized that all the knowledge he had gleaned over the past weeks about performing magic was basically useless to him. Most importantly, he had discovered a major flaw in his previously ignorant, but very hopeful, thinking. He could indeed use plants and insects to perform magic. However, since neither plants nor insects required much energy to sustain their lives, they did not provide a practical source for Seth to siphon from. Animals, however, proved different. Most game animals could live for a dozen years or more, and needed a lot of energy to sustain that life. It was a lot of energy that Seth could use.

Before leaving the small grotto Seth delved inward once again to seek out another source of energy. Locating two more nearby animals he leeched every ounce of life from them, locking it away in his mind for further use. Standing up, and dusting the ash from his clothes, Seth headed out from the small grotto feeling that this day had been a success. Stepping free from the cover of the trees and brush Seth was startled to view the actual carnage he had done. Gone was the grass for a dozen yards in all directions from the grotto. A perfect circle of ash surrounded the area, leaving a great deal of evidence as to the destruction he had sown upon the land. Seth had a feeling that this was not to be the worst of his deeds, but he held his head in reverence as he left the devastation behind and headed to the city gate.

Passing through the gate unchecked, Seth made his way back towards the castle. The auras were everywhere, but now it seemed as though they were just another part of life and he did not need to focus in order to tone out their constant calling to him. He arrived at the castle with some daylight yet left, and deciding he had no reason to rush back to the tower, he went out of his way to pass by the Knights of Valdadore’s training area in hopes of catching a glimpse of his brother. His hopes were quickly dashed as the grounds stood empty. Light was fading, so he turned himself in the direction of the tower he called home (at least for now) and walked at a brisk pace.

Seth entered the tower, and climbed the many stories of stairs to his level. He strode across the stone floor, head held high, knowing he had found the answer to his and Sara’s dilemma. Rounding the corner to his room he froze mid-stride, nearly colliding with Jud who was apparently standing guard outside his chamber door. Sara stood silently with Jud, her head hanging low like that of a berated animal. Judilanthaliz too, it seemed, was in an abnormal mood. He was generally a man who was quick to smile, and though his duties were mostly thankless, he performed them without complaint and with a light heart. Such was not the case today.

“Where have you been?” Jud demanded in a tone akin to Seth’s father’s when angry.

“Outside the castle,” Seth replied, deciding honesty, at least to an extent, was his best option.

“Sara apparently has more loyalty to you than she has to myself. She refused to tell me where you were except that you had been blessed but that only after threatening to send her to work elsewhere in the castle” Jud said, his frown deepening.

“I am truly sorry Jud,” Seth began. “You should have been the first to know, but I had to test my blessing out, to be sure it was real. I wanted to know for certain before simply stating that which I had not yet confirmed. Sara knew neither where I was, nor what I intended.” Seth lowered his head in shame. He truly respected the old shield, and knew now, in retrospect, that he should have done things differently.

“In that case…,” Jud responded turning to face Sara, “I owe you my apologies, young lady. I should have not questioned you the way I did. It was only my concern for you both that led us to this moment.” Jud stated before turning back to face Seth. “Did you discover what you intended?” he asked.

“Yes. It appears my blessing is indeed candid, but it does not appear that I will become a shield like yourself,” Seth answered, hoping that this revelation would not disappoint the man who had taken him and Sara beneath his wing.

“Well, to be honest, I had little hope of you following the same path that I have, as few ever have. But if it is not to be your path, then with which god have you aligned yourself?” Jud asked, wondering where the boy might be sent for training.

“A god who has little following in these times. A goddess rather,” Seth corrected himself. “I have been blessed by Ishanya.”

“Truly?” Jud asked, a peculiar look on his mangled face. “What exactly does this blessing entail? I have read histories in the past that tell of many blessings bestowed by Ishanya, however, I must warn you that if my recollection is correct, those blessings could not be heavily relied upon.”

“I have read the same histories, which is why I went out to test my blessing today rather than come tell you,” Seth replied.

“Now I see the reason for your decision. I still see it as misguided, but none the less, I would be lying if I said I would have done otherwise with the knowledge I have of that particular goddess,” Jud responded, his normal grin returning.

“As for my blessing and its abilities, all I can honestly tell you is that I can perform magic but I know not its limitations yet,” Seth answered, being as vague as possible.

“I see,” Jud replied, his brows sinking as he was momentarily lost in thought. “What were you able to discover about your abilities today on your foray outside the castle?”

Seth knew he had to be cautious with this answer. If he gave too much information, some might fear him and try to lock him away, banish him from the kingdom, or worse, kill him. That is, if he even
could
be killed, now that he could siphon life at will. Just one more thing he would have to look into soon.

He knew also, if he gave too little information, Jud might not take his blessing seriously, or might even be suspicious of him. It was a fine line to walk, but Seth knew he had to give the man something.

“As I said, I don’t know yet what all my limitations are, but if I were to compare myself to anything, I would say that my blessing is similar to that of a red robe, with a wider range of abilities,” Seth answered, still being vague.

Jud was wise beyond his years and it was obvious that he knew Seth was not being completely open with him, but none the less, he did not press too hard.

“What spells can you perform that are beyond the capabilities of a red-robed battle mage?” Jud asked with skepticism in his voice.

“I can perform every spell they can,” Seth replied now beginning to sound a bit cocky. “On the battlefield my talent would be most useful, as my foes would simply drop dead at my feet.” Seth ended, and liking the sound of his own abilities spoken aloud. He stood taller with pride, perhaps even defiantly.

“They simply drop dead at your feet?” Jud asked, a quizzical look on his face. “How exactly do you accomplish that?”

Seth had already composed an answer for such a question, and was ready to respond without hesitation.

“It is similar, yet the opposite, to what our white robes do. Whereas they can venture into a body to repair damage to save a life, I can venture into the body to create damage and end the life.” It wasn’t true to Seth’s own knowledge, but then again it wasn’t exactly untrue either, as he hadn’t actually tried that particular ability yet. However it would perfectly explain bodies simply dropping at his feet.

“Sounds like quite a ghastly ability,” Jud replied, his tone of a man saddened by loss. “I’m sorry such a blessing of death has been bestowed upon a young man with yet so much life to live. However, if this is true, then I must prepare a meeting, talk with the other masters, and speak to the king to see how you might best serve the kingdom.” Jud replied, life springing back into his antiquated frame. “Sara, go visit the heads of the orders, as well as the king’s assistant. Tell them we must meet this very evening,” Jud commanded.