The Wand-Maker's Debate: Osric's Wand: Book One (10 page)

Osric nodded in agreement. He was just hoping that Gus sharing his knowledge would make him realize how the wand was different.

“Of course, Gus. We will learn what we can in the time we have.”

So Gus set to work describing the process of activating his gift and weaving the strands of magic after drawing them from Archana. He explained how he fashioned the constricted shaft of woven strands that turned an object into a wand, and then attached it to the core of a stick in a way that would reinforce the structure of the wood. The whole process made the wand more difficult to break.

Every ear was glued to the lecture. Though none of them had the gift, it was thrilling to learn how the Wand-Makers' power worked. Most Wand-Makers would highly guard their skills to keep others from besting them at it. Their livelihood relied on keeping their secrets away from snooping ears. However, on the dragon's back, nobody could hear his secrets, so Gus was more than willing to share why he was superior. The day passed quickly, as he explained every detail of the process, and how doing one step or another incorrectly led to an inferior wand.

“Why does it need to be constricted?” Osric inquired, wanting to make sure he understood every aspect of it.

Gus looked at Osric in surprise.

“Boy, you are proving yourself brighter than I expected.” Osric felt pride swell within him as Gus continued. “That was the perfect question! When you think about
your
magic, you must think of it as a lake.” Gus paused for effect. “Your wand acts like the lake's dam, with a hole in it.” He smiled, as he jabbed his claw into the air to punctuate his last words.

Every face looked confused by Gus' statement; even Greyback peered back at his odd imagery. Gus continued excitedly, “If the hole is too big, the water falls to the ground immediately under its own weight. If the hole is too small, it sprays out uncontrolled, and you never know where it will land.” Their confusion cleared, as one after the other, they began to understand. “However, if the hole is just the right size, the pressure of the weight of the water behind the hole will cast it out in a tightly formed stream.”

“Even a tight stream of water will eventually fall to the ground,” Bridgett added.

“Bright and beautiful!” Gus quickly pointed out. “You two are a good match, boy.” He patted Osric's leg with a mischievous smile. Osric flushed in anger and embarrassment, and Bridgett looked away shyly.

Kenneth noticed their reactions to Gus' implication and interrupted, “But that can't be right. Water could only travel, at best, a few hundred strides. I have cast spells five times that far in the past.” He knew he would be insulted by Gus, yet he wanted to take the focus away from the embarrassed passengers in the front seats.

“Osric, you really must look for brighter friends.” Gus glared at Kenneth as he explained, “Magic has very little weight, so it can travel great distances. Yet even magic will fall and rejoin Archana after a time.” He said in a quick and condescending manor.

Osric nodded in appreciation to Kenneth as he looked up at the sun's position in the sky and realized that it was already mid'evening. He was surprised at the amount of information involved in wand-making, and he thought that they should be landing soon so the dragon could rest.

Truth be told, he would be glad to be able to stand and stretch his muscles after a long day of sitting. He had not had a chance to duel with his short sword for days due to the preparations for the Ratification Ceremony. His arms ached to feel the weight of it again, and too much time without practice would rob his muscles' memory of the movements. Many years of disciplined practice had made him a great swordsman, and it took hard work to maintain his skill.

“Greyback.” Osric called out politely.

“Yes?” She attentively replied.

“I am sure you would appreciate a night's rest?”

“Oh yes, Sir.” She responded gratefully.

Osric weighed the information that he had gathered and decided that he needed some time to think. So far, he had not heard anything that would explain his wand's reaction to his first spell. A couple of hours of swordplay, and a night of rest, should give him the time he needed to clear his head.

“Please, find us a good camp site and we can all rest.”

“I can see a nice one now, Sir. There’s a good sized clearing next to a river, with a blackberry bramble not too far away.” Greyback sounded fatigued, and added, with relief in her voice, “Only a few minutes away.”

“Very good, you beautiful beast.” The overly adulatory Gus asserted himself again.

“That would be wonderful, Greyback.” Osric was looking forward to being on solid ground. “We are grateful to you.” He had heard that dragons had excellent sight, but he was impressed by her ability to locate a campsite from the air. From their height, all Osric could see was a solid sea of foliage.

Soon enough, they began to make their way down to the heavily wooded area. Dense trees covered the landscape with an array of bright yellow and orange leaves. The sun sat low in the western sky, producing vivid orange, blue, and purple hues as they descended through the clouds.

Everyone seemed to relish the thought of feeling the soil beneath their feet, except for Gus, who had fearlessly made his way up the dragon's neck. He scratched the crown of her head, as he insisted repeatedly that he had never had such a pleasurable flight.

They swept in low near the edge of the clearing, and the landing was surprisingly graceful for a beast of that size. They all unfastened their harnesses, eager to disembark. Osric collected his gear and strapped on his sword belt as he stretched his legs and glanced around at their campsite from the height of the dragon's back.

He strung his boots together and slung them over his shoulder as he ambled his way to the folded wing and made his way down to the ground. He relished the feel of it on his naked feet, letting the soil slip through his toes. The grainy texture of the dirt with the slightly damp leaves and twigs was refreshing. He crossed the small clearing, noticing that all of the aches of the previous day were gone, and his muscles felt fresh and strong. He made his way to the stream, hearing the various calls of the birds in the trees, and noticing how the light played off of the leaves. Even the air seemed to empower him as he drew in each breath. It sent chills up his spine as he filled his lungs, heady from the strong smell of loam and pine needles stirred up by his steps.

Upon reaching the stream he knelt to wash his face, scooping cold water from the edge with cupped hands. The chill of the water on his skin was invigorating, and he had to resist stripping down and diving in. He stood, stretching his back and shoulders, and noticed Kenneth standing nearby.

“I feel different.”

“I do, too!” Kenneth stated enthusiastically, examining his own hands in awe. “And I like it!”

Gus was watching them flex their muscles from his perch on Greyback's neck. “You're a bunch of,” he started to insult them, and then he examined his own body. “Yes, yes, it appears you are correct again, boy.” In the voice of a happy man. “Now, let me take a look at the two of you.” He slid along Greyback's neck and began hopping down the bone ladder of her wing to make his way toward Kenneth and Osric so he could examine them with his gift.

“There is no need for that, Gus,” Bridgett stated. “I can explain what you are all feeling,” pulling the red amulet out from where it was tucked between her breasts.

“Indeed,” Gus said with reverence, approaching her instead. He examined its fibers as he walked ever closer. There was an obvious structure, not the ruby itself, but inside of it. An orb of magical energy that held a charm, and made the necklace an amulet. “It is beautiful, Bridgett. What is it?” He asked, intrigued.

“It is the Aduro Amulet- a gift from the unicorns.” She revealed as she went on. “It amplifies the magic in its host as well as their companions. I am surprised you have not felt it before now, but I suppose our thoughts have been preoccupied.”

“What an amazing trinket!” Gus was still gazing intently at the amulet.

“It amplifies my Empath ability,” she said, “allowing me to communicate more effectively with the unicorns.” Bridgett looked at Osric attentively. “That is how I knew they were interested in you.”

“Enough!” Osric was tired of being the center of attention. He was a decent Vigile and nothing more. There had been so much focus on him those last few days, as though he were someone great, and that frustrated him. He decided to set up camp and let Gus and Bridgett discuss it without him. “I am not special!” The amulet's power seemed to intensify the anger he felt for being put in an awkward position of importance. He realized how ridiculous he must sound, and took several deep breaths before continuing. “I'm sorry. I just need some time to think. I meant no disrespect.” He headed off quickly to avoid making a bigger fool of himself.

Kenneth joined him in setting up the camp. He could sense how his friend needed to work to feel better, and he assisted him in silence. They unloaded the storage crates strapped to Greyback and sent her off to hunt for her meal. Sorting through the supplies allowed Osric some time to work off some steam.

“Tell me, my dear, how long have you been with the unicorns?” Gus continued his conversation with Bridgett as they gathered wood for the fire.

“I have lived among the Maiden of the Unicorn for fifteen years.” Bridgett replied, as they watched Kenneth and Osric setting up camp. “My mother was a Healer, and when we discovered my ability as an Empath, she sent me to study with the Healers of Araseth.” She had a faraway look in her eyes as she related the tale of her childhood.

“Remarkable! I have heard of their existence, but never met anyone who had studied with them.” Gus was very interested in hearing more.

“I resided with the Healers for four years. I learned their ways of identifying and harvesting herbs and medicinal plants. They taught me to seek out and rid a body of pain and disease, and they showed me ways to use my Empath abilities to communicate with the world around me, with Archana itself.”

“Communicating with Archana? Er'amar's Wand, woman! What does that mean?” Gus stood up rigidly, but his ears twitched with the intensity of his curiosity. He could hardly stand still at the thought, or the possibilities, of such a thing.

“Araseth Empaths attune their own magical power to that drawn from Archana for weaving spells. The way you are able to see the strands, I am able to hear them. It is not a conversation like you and I are having, but rather, an understanding of the world around me. I can feel the needs of the trees, and express myself to the lesser creatures when needed. It is rather empowering, to help a seed to grow because it asks me to.”

“Archana's bones, it has been years since I have been this excited about something new. I apologize for my language, and taking this conversation in a new direction, but I will ask you more about that another day.” Gus bowed to show respect, and lowered himself back to the ground. The effort he put into hiding his interest was apparent, as his right ear quivered when he spoke. “With all of that excitement, what brought you to the Maiden of the Unicorn?”

“The unicorns were frequent visitors to our valley, and as my powers developed, I spent more and more time among them when they came. They took me further outside the Healers' valley over time, showing me where to find rare plants, and leading me to sick animals who needed my help. On the four year anniversary of my arrival in the Araseth Valley, they gifted me the amulet, and we traveled two days to a small mountain lake. Death and decay were spreading from its waters, and many creatures had been sickened by drinking from it. It took everything within me, but I was able to heal the waters. From there we traveled to the Grove of the Unicorns, and they welcomed me among them.” Bridgett smiled at the memory, resting her free hand over the hidden amulet at her chest. “I have always suspected that if I had failed to cleanse the lake of its sickness, they would have returned me to the valley instead.” Bridgett piled the wood they had gathered in the clearing and went to the stream to collect water for their meal.

“Marvelous,” Gus exclaimed, and followed her toward the water, “they must have wa…”

“Whoa!” Kenneth shouted, interrupting Gus and Bridgett's conversation as he dropped the lid back onto one of the chests. His face was white as he drew his long sword and spun around. He began to frantically search the perimeter of their camp.

Osric drew his sword and wand and came rushing to his side, along with Gus and Bridgett, each one of them trying to see what rose the alarm in Kenneth. It was dark, and visibility was low.

“What is it?” Osric questioned him quickly as he gazed out into the darkness.

“Look in the chest, all of you!” Kenneth pointed behind him.

The three of them backed slowly toward the chest, keeping an eye toward the dark forest. Osric lifted the lid for Bridgett and Gus to peer in while he kept a lookout. Bridgett gasped and Gus swore as they both stepped back in shock.

Osric watched their faces drain of color, noticeable even in the twilight. He dreaded what he would find as he turned to look. There had been too many mysteries and so few answers. He did not think he could bear another one. As he looked within the chest to see what had sent his friend into a panic, and blanched the faces of his companions, he felt the memory of the vision send shivers across his skin.

“So much for the elaborate prank.” He whispered to himself. Pebble lay asleep in the bottom of the box.

8 – Fear Filled Flight

“I's was on my's way home,” Pebble explained between sobs, hanging his head, “an' I see'd my Pa talkin' to's the big dragon, so's I came to see's it.”

“By the strands, son, how did you end up in the box?” Gus shouted at him, terrified of what Pebble's presence meant for the fate of their party.

“I hided inside when the scary lady showed's up, and the lid's falled down so's I's couldn't get's out.” Pebble covered his eyes to avoid the stern looks directed at him. He was unsure what he had done wrong, but he knew from the look on his father's face that he was in trouble. “I's sorry!” Tears flowed freely down his cheeks as he looked around at their surroundings. The trees on the edge of the clearing towered above him and he trembled slightly in awe. He realized it must have been the dragon's flight that had rocked him to sleep, and he felt small and very scared waking up so far from his home. He wished everyone would stop looking at him so angrily; after all, he had not meant to stow away in the crate.