I spent those four days practicing with the Tongue. On the fourth day, Morganna brought me out back to a patch of dirt, where she offered me a clear quartz rod, only about an inch in diameter and as long as my middle finger.
"Now. I would like you to enchant this so that it emits light on command," she said as I took the quartz. I rolled it between my forefinger and thumb, inspecting it. It glittered in the midday sunlight. Pieces of the puzzle were already in my head. The word for light obviously would be needed. Then, a command phrase of some sort.
Morganna unraveled a scroll, an intricate circle of glyphs written in the Tongue were written there. Many of which I knew already, though there were a couple I was still unfamiliar with.
"Now. Inscribe this spell circle into the dirt, and place the Quartz in the middle," she instructed, handing the scroll to me too. I knelt in the dirt, and began to carefully translate what was on the scroll to the ground with my finger. The dirt was thin and dusty, easy to draw in.
Morganna stood watching over my shoulder, pointing out small details, like "curve that line a little more," or "straighten the side of that glyph." While she was being a nag, I could at least appreciate her advice.
After about roughly fourty-five minutes, I managed to finish the circle. I placed the quartz rod in the middle, digging the tip into the dirt so it would stick up from ground.
I then sat back on my calves, my knees barely an inch from the edge of the circle. I looked over the scroll, reading over the incantation at the bottom of the page. Morganna carefully sat down, stretching her legs out to the side and smoothening her robe.
"Now, say the incantation with me, hmm? Exhorterrimum..."
I repeated each word after her. The more unfamiliar words, we spent longer on. Finally though, I had the words practically engraved into my memory.
"Now, put your hands on either side of the circle. Line them up with the two points of the triangle," Morganna instructed. I leaned over the circle, doing as she said.
"Now, as you recite the incantation, you must picture your words having power. They are the authority, the only thing to be true. Your will is absolute. Exert it."
I closed my eyes, picturing the spell circle beneath me, the quartz protruding from the dirt. I imagined every groove in the dirt that made up the circle. I tried to tell myself that this circle, everything in it, everything that made it up was mine. I ruled it. What I say will go.
"Exhorterrimum tensus," I began, the words harsh as I tried to pour every ounce of my will into them. "Nos icarum clinus ad inexcuseras." I felt pleasant tingles shoot up my arm. It was working! I couldn't let my excitement get in the way though. "Estis medusas inscriba," I said, finishing the incantation. As the last syllable of inscriba left my lips, the tingles exploded through my body, and I felt a small tug in my gut.
I opened my eyes, to see that the lines of the spell circle were glowing, but the glow was already receding. In the center, the quartz rod emitted a turquoise glow. It reminded me of Morganna's spell, when she wiped out the shadeworgs.
I reached for the crystal, rolling it around in my hand. It felt different now. Not physically, of course, but rather just the feeling of holding it. It was strange, because it felt similar to something that I might have had for years and years. It was familiar.
I looked up at Morganna, who had a wide grin on her face. I could sense that she was proud. Goodness, even I was proud of what I had accomplished. The first spell I'd ever casted, and it worked. It was invigorating.
"Now, the word to make the crystal stop glowing is Illuminero. Just like the enchanting process, you must think that your word is law over that crystal. Your grip is iron, and it will obey your command."
I held the quartz rod up between my forefinger and thumb. This time I didn't close my eyes. This time, it felt easier in a sense to exert my will over the crystal.
"Illuminero," I stated. Smaller tingles, no where near as intense as the last ones, danced along my fingers. The light went out.
"Now, Illumerax will be the command to make it shine again."
"Illumerax," I said. Again, I felt tingles along my fingers. At my behest, the crystal began to shine once again, bathing my face in its turquoise light. It was mesmerizing, in a satisfying sort of way. I could play with turning the crystal on and off for hours, and be completely entertained.
Morganna applauded. "Look at you go! You've done quite well for your first attempt."
"Thank you," I replied, a sense of pride washing over me. Morganna stood, brushing the dirt off her robe, and then offering a hand to me. I took it, before bending over to brush the dirt off my knees. Then I swiped my foot over the spell circle a few times, clearing the marks away. I tucked the crystal into my back pocket and offered the scroll back to Morganna.
She held up her hand, refusing the scroll. "Hold on to it for now. I'd like you to begin keeping a grimoire. Put this spell in it, and then come give it back." She moved around, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to lead me back to the tower. "I should have a blank tome lying around somewhere. I'll have to find you one."
Thus, together we returned to the tower. I kept a calm facade, but on the inside, I was jittery and bouncing around with excitement. I could hardly wait to learn more, to see what else I was really capable of through magic.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfHa9Tqvmn
~842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7lFxHQaQ
I spent some time before I went to sleep, playing around with the crystal, turning it on and off, and relishing in the feeling of having power over the object. Soon enough though, I did fall asleep. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeScY3P9GT
I awoke the next morning to a shadow hovering over me. A tall, menacing shadow. I squinted, realizing it was Ceredan. His expression was blank, and he had his hands clasped at the base of his back. I looked to the window in Morganna's living room, seeing only the dusky rays of the early morn, barely even dawn.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0j3hkNvit
"Get up. I have returned, and thus today you will learn."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfk5b9TOL2
I got up, stretching. From behind his back, Ceredan revealed a curved blade. Not quite a scimitar, but it wasn't anything near the straight swords that I was used to seeing. Ceredan offered it to me. It was surprisingly light. I pulled it halfway from the sheathe. The base of the blade, was etched with particular curving motifs. Nothing I had ever seen before. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5KSuMEp9K
"The sword is made of Silvenite, a metal only found up here. It will allow you to cut down many creatures that steel will not. A necessity in these lands."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOM3OJdqvU
I was simply amazed by the blade. It was so pristine, so white and shiny. The best blade I had ever seen, which said quite a lot, considering Old Guggenhort, the blacksmith of castle Maverith, had created some of the finest weaponry I'd ever seen previously.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnMBDhS6ao
I looked up at Ceredan. "Why go and get me this? I know you said I'd need a real sword to train with, but why not just get something steel?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJKQW62LV
"You are to join the order of the blessed ones, correct?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFtkM38AvT
"That's what Morganna and Grindyr tell me, yes."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDjvm5pPQv
"To be blessed is simply not a manner of bippity boppity boop, you are now one of them. It is a long, harsh road that will take you all over Weyland. It would be unfortunate if the newest potential member was hunted down by a shadeworg, or ripped apart by a wendigo." Ceredan clasped his hands together at the base of his back. "Grindyr asked me to prepare you for this journey. And so I will."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TiJgIO5sa
"I see... Alright then. I'm ready. Lead the way."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZFm74Ne8j
I followed him outside. We went to the shores of the pond. I couldn't help but look over at Rioric, or the willow tree that was Rioric. I made a mental note to go back later and talk with him. It's been a while.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQr5etI7LL
I completely freed the silvenite blade from its sheath and sat the sheathe aside. Ceredan stepped over, and motioned for me to raise the blade, so I did. Ceredan uttered words from the Tongue, waving his hand over my blade. Nothing seemed to happen. He then unsheathed his own sword. It wasn't the monster blade I first saw him with, but rather a smaller one, sheathed at his hip. He performed the same procedure over his own blade.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsICpwfQ9Hc
"What did you do?" I asked, curious.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlGEtEAudf
"I dulled our blades some. While they will still cut with a significant amount of force, we can't go accidentally chopping eachother's arms off." Ceredan faintly smiled at his own words, a smile that vanished quickly. He then raised his blade, one hand held at the base of his back. "Now, do as I do." 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmOTRyhvpE
I held out my own blade, clenching my left hand into a fist at the base of my own back.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3MlZiENqI
"Feet a little more apart. You're a person that moves, not a tree rooted to the ground." I did as he asked, but I couldn't help but to look over at Rioric at that comment. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhCbkldCny
~842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxrwOCw74W
We spent the morning training. He went over various stances, and then how to parry a blade. It was fun, a refreshing change from mulling over books and trying to learn more of the Tongue. Towards the end of our training, Grindyr had perched himself on a cliff, watching us.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS0uOnaOdp
When our training came to an end, Ceredan bowed to me, a gesture which I returned. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbMP07wwZ3
"We will continue again tomorrow morning at dawn." He sheathed his own blade. "Until then." He then walked off, heading off to head back into the valley. I wondered only for a brief moment where he was heading off to as I sheathed my sword. The thought didn't dwell long.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkymkLJFgS
I turned my attention to Grindyr as he vaulted into the air with a cacophonous flap or two of his wings. The ground shook as he landed next to me. He looked back at me. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJmtrnEzoe
"Greetings once again, young Zaraline. It has been some time since we spoke." Grindyr sat back on his haunches, neatly folding his leathery wings against his back. I moved over to stand at the edge of the pond beside him.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WjU2KhDA5
"It has been. Are you doing well, Grindyr?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8btXbmtSYF
"As well as I can. I have spent much of my time trying to see past the block in my prophetic vision. To no avail, I am afraid."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB5BI3S0kO
"I'm sorry to hear. I'm sure you'll manage something."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZiCtTS1N
"I hope so." Grindyr lowered himself to the ground, laying on his stomach, clubbed tail curling around to the side. "I see that your training is going along rather smoothly. Before long, you will be joining the order." Grindyr's lips curled up, giving me a toothy smile.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttD8FEuA3s
"I'm excited," I admitted. "Though, Ceredan mentioned that there would be a journey involved to become blessed. A dangerous one, at that."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjrHGJX04F
"Yes. A pilgrimage to the dragonshrines. Places made by the Elves and blessed with our power. There are five, one for each sort of dragon."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KNKcks2Pn
"That doesn't sound too dangerous. Wouldn't these shrines be protected?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIf020nTYt
"Yes, of course. But they are spread out, and they way to them is fraught with peril. The Weylands are dangerous, as I'm sure you realized on your way here." Grindyr crossed one foreleg over the other, doodling little curls into the sand with the tip of his claw. "There are worse things here than the Weymen of the Weygates and shadeworgs."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpktwSJjQC
"Truly? How does anyone survive here?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIHnZJzplx
"By being strong." Grindyr looked up from his little doodles in the sand to me. "Even so, your pilgrimage is still quite some time away. Don't worry about it too much. Instead, I think we should check up on your friends. What do you think?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZUn5xC3Jc
"That would be lovely!" I replied, moving closer to the edge of the pond. I had been meaning to go and ask Grindyr to show them to me for a few days now. I was curious to see how they'd been doing.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zE5JA28Te
Grindyr reached out to touch the tip of his claw to the surface of the pond. It rippled, a sea green light expanding over the surface and forming an image. It was Veran, drinking alone and in some corner of a bar in who knows where. It looked like he was only on his first drink.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhgJa3H8Gw
"Hope he doesn't get too drunk," Grindyr commented. "I got very drunk once on some barrels of elven wine. I accidentally burned down one of their trees because I sneezed."842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkXe8Yfb1c
Grindyr tapped his claw once again onto the surface of the water, sending out several more waves of ripples. The image melted away into a swirl of more sea green colored light, and then shifted to reveal Marius. He was standing atop a tower looking over Alderas. The only thing up on top of the tower was a burning brazier. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4anf4BKKMY
"I'm glad to see they made it past the Isthmus," I commented. Just as Grindyr was reaching forward to disrupt the surface of the pond and end the image, I saw Marius suddenly jolt as if surprised by something. I followed his gaze.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wc0xzK3vq
A tsunami was coming. 842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBDMakr8Ii
My heart fell into my stomach. I leaned forward, barely able to breath. No... Marius couldn't die, not after everything we'd been through thus far.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmle3v3see
"Oh no..." Grindyr said, leaning forward right alongside me.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI24CoVZVq0
"How... How long can you keep this image up, Grindyr?"842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8MPpstjtE
"Worry not. I can keep it up for as long as we need." We both watched in horror as the wave steadily approached, tearing water away from the shore to feed the watery wall of impending doom.842Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmnFNL7XyE
