Academy Rebels, page 19
part #1 of Card Mage Series
Dax found himself unable to stop. Using his whole body, he pushed the dragon woman onto her stomach, his hips still working. The hardness of his manhood didn’t wilt as supernatural urges pushed him to continue.
The island… fills us with life. It never wants us to stop.
Zara lifted her ass up slightly as she buried her face into a pillow. Wetness and come dripped from her valley, but their bodies moved to their intimate song.
“Dax…” Zarra managed to whisper before a string of orgasms blasted her already fried nerves.
Bodies dripped with needs, the pair lost to their connection and storming desires.
“Let’s forget everything…” Dax whispered.
Zarra gave a weak nod as they continued their song of lust and desire.
Fifteen
Dax grimaced as the coterie left Hythe. The group of companions waved to some townsfolk as they exited the edge of town and made their way onto the road. The day started with clouds but they already began to break up.
Soreness glowed along Dax’s muscles, the previous night a complete blur. He and Zarra lost track of time before they passed out in each other’s arms. The last thing Dax could remember was his face firmly between the cleric’s inviting breasts. When they woke, she was still half transformed and keeping him close as outside light bled in through the window.
Breakfast was quiet. Zarra had changed back to her human form, but with a warm smile on her lips. Dax had dark circles under his eyes as he ate like a wild animal after a kill. It wasn’t noticeable at first, but soon the rest of his companions watched him as he said nothing and ate large mouthfuls of eggs, bacon, and fruit.
Symon and Vance glanced to the mage. Nuria was lost to her thoughts, but Fern eyed the mage with a sinister smile.
She knows.
Dax thought as he continued to shovel food into his mouth.
Zarra was quiet, but her face nearly glowed. The weirdness only seemed amplified when they were all together. After breaking their fast, they packed up their gear and headed out of town, on to their next trial.
The ocean breeze drifted over the coterie as they walked. The sounds of crashing waves filled their ears. Hours crept along, the group talking very little. The sun moved across the sky and before they knew it, the edges of evening appeared along the horizon.
“Let’s set up camp,” Symon said to the group.
Everyone nodded. Dax let out a relieved exhale, his mind too tired to form coherent thoughts. The group moved to the west side of the road and trekked into the sparse forest. It didn’t take long before they were no longer in view of the ocean and felt comfortable enough to make camp.
Rolled up tents were pulled from their packs of holding. The coterie worked, setting up their individual tents. When all six were finished being set up, bed rolls were next and after that, wrapped rations.
Symon and Fern gathered wood. It didn’t take long for the two to come back with bundles of thick sticks. Stones were stacked around to create a fire pit. A thick stack of wood was placed in the fire pit, Vance whispering his incantation. Flames leapt from his open hand and took to the wood instantly.
The sun set behind the distant horizon and night cast her shadow across the world.
“Who wants to take the first watch?” Symon asked before chewing on a piece of dried meat.
Dax found himself silent, too tired to even think of staying up half the night.
“I’ll take watch,” Zarra said, her tone confident.
Symon looked to the cleric. “Are you sure?”
Zarra nodded. “It will be fine and I’m well rested. It will give me time to pray to Umus, giving us luck on our travels.”
I don’t know if I should be insulted or relieved.
The mage smiled to himself, not taking his own thoughts too seriously.
“I’ll take the second watch,” Nuria stated.
All eyes turned to the mage.
“What?” the mage smiled.
“Nothing, just didn’t expect it,” Symon said.
“We are all part of this coterie. I’m not going to have any of you go back and complain that I didn’t pull my weight.”
“No one would say that,” the spellsword shook his head.
“I would,” Fern said and gave the mage a wink.
Dax watched as Nuria gave an actual, genuine smile. The beautiful mage’s face glowed in the firelight as she turned her gaze to the fire.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been difficult,” Nuria said simply.
All heads and eyes looked to the mage in black.
Nuria continued, “The last two trials have shown me that I cannot be an island in the world. Before the exams, I planned on striking out on my own, challenging the academy’s trials and defeating them with my power and spells.
“I was wrong to think like that. Learning the basics of magic was easy, but if I was alone in Silver Port or Hythe, I wouldn’t have passed each trial. I was ready to push everyone away, and now I see the importance of working together for all of our benefits.”
Fern shook her head. “What did you do with Nuria? I just want to know so we don’t find her and bring her back.”
Chuckles surrounded the campfire and even Nuria smirked.
“It’s good to hear,” Dax smiled.
Nuria looked up across the campfire flames, her gaze connecting with Dax’s eyes. “It doesn’t let you off the hook. Your card technique is going to change the world. I think we are all interested in learning more, when you’re ready to share it.”
“It will change how spellcasting is performed and used,” Vance added.
Dax looked down, his gaze lost to the flames. “I just found a shortcut. If I wasn’t a slow caster, I wouldn’t have ever thought to cast spells that way. I have wanted to come to the academy since I was a young boy, jumping from roofs and staring across the western sea to the faint speck of Kinarth. It has been my dream and now, I’m here and living my dream.”
Zarra dipped her head, eyes looking down. “I have heard about your upbringing, but I don’t know what a slum runner is?”
Dax kept his gaze on the flames and everyone else did the same.
The mage took a small inhale through his nose before he spoke. “The streets of Hydale are safe, most of the time. Most citizens follow the laws and try to lead a normal life. There are, however, things people want or need that they can’t get into the city. It can be anything from black market items to scrolls and even secretive letters.
“The tunnels and alleys that connect with the streets are dangerous. Monsters from inland and the sea can sometimes enter and make homes. The city guards don’t waste their time with the monsters or bad people, as long as they keep themselves away from others. That’s where slum running came to be.
“We meet in secret with ghosts. Ghosts are people who don’t give their name. They simply appear, give you half payment and whatever items need transportation. The other half of the payment is waiting with the person you’re delivering to. Once you have the item, you have to make your way through the tunnels, alleys, and roofs to deliver the item. Normally, it can be simple and peaceful, but there have been times where I had to dodge monsters in the tunnels, looking for a meal.”
Dax’s eyes took on a faraway gleam. “My mother taught me how to run. She showed me the best routes and what to look for. She was one of the best and soon, ghosts began to come to both of us when I was older. When her health declined, I took over, earning as much gold as I could and saving it.
“Between runs, I cared for her and when she slept, I read. I sometimes took books and gold as partial payment. When I was of age, I was practicing a few cantrips. I didn’t realize time would be a factor. I was happy to learn magic. I wrote a letter, wanting to join the academy and had a trusted sailor at the docks deliver it to Kinarth.”
Dax’s eyes closed as he spoke, “I was contacted and had a private meeting with a Kinarth recruiter. They were kind and allowed me to take the written test at the library. When I was finished, they allowed me to perform some of my cantrips in an alley. I was so happy to show them what I could do, I didn’t think of anything beyond that. The next day, the recruiter approached me and said I qualified to join the academy.
“My mother’s mind began to deteriorate. I knew I couldn’t care for her and go to the academy. I donated to the Sisters of Vala to care for her and the next day I was on the first ship to Mist Haven Isle.”
Dax opened his eyes and blinked. He looked up at everyone’s still expressions.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I just spilled my guts. I didn’t sleep much last night.”
Symon smiled. “I’m sure we are all okay with it.”
All heads nodded in unison.
“You have a strong honor,” Zarra smiled.
Dax smirked. “Not all the time. I’ve stolen to keep my belly full. I’ve tricked visitors to Hydale and relieved them of their gold. I’m not proud, but survival was more important than honor. Now that I am part of the academy, I hope I can truly become a champion and maybe wipe away parts of my past.”
“We all feel the same, even if our pasts speak differently,” Vance nodded.
Fern sat, her eyes gleaming before she looked away. Nuria looked down. Symon smiled at his friend. Zarra nodded to the mage. Vance took a bite of his ration and soon lost himself to his thoughts.
“I think I’m going to sleep now,” Dax said with a tired edge.
The group simply watched him as he stood up, walked over to his tent and crawled in.
Dax moved into his small tent, laying down with his pack next to him. Tired, sore muscles gave out and he collapsed on his belly. Sleep whispered in his ears, but soon, the soreness glowed brighter and exhaustion caused sleep to flee for a short while.
Great! Too tired to sleep.
The mage turned on his side and eyed his pack. A frustrated sigh filled the tent and he reached for his pack. Flap open to his satchel, the mage pulled his spellbook, inkwell, quill and a few blank cards. A small incantation whispered from his lips and a tiny light appeared over his head. The new magical energies from his spheres pushed at his mind, not wanting to be caught off guard again. New fire and time cards danced in his thoughts as he opened his spellbook and placed two cards on the pages.
Inspiration took hold, dipping the quill in ink and began drawing on a card and writing new spells into his book. Mistress sleep held back as a small flare of power energized the mage. Quill moving, he drew symbols and arcane words to the simple light above him. Talking to himself, Dax recited spells slowly as he wrote them down. His mind worked, but again, his mouth was slow to act. Annoyance filled his face as he worked through it, writing down a spell and drawing it to a card.
Dax barely finished a second card before his eyelids grew heavy.
Darkness consumed him without warning. Tentacles reached up from black waters, caressing his body. Their warmth caused him to relax, enjoying the sensations as they slid along his form and the dreamscape.
A pale face loomed above him while tentacles coiled from underneath him. Dax returned the smile, lost to the dreamy state. The pale face drifted closer until warm lips touched his and something called to him from a distance.
Dax woke with a start. He lifted his head and saw his open spellbook with the two cards still there, the ink dry. The light over him shimmered but didn’t diminish.
Why am I up? What was that I felt?
Dax took the two cards and closed his spellbook and inkwell. The mage slipped his supplies into his pack and listened. The distant sounds of waves on the surf caused a white noise and nothing else.
Something pulled at his senses, magical pulses growing brighter along points of his body. A tingling sensation ran along nerves and strangely, the mage felt refreshed. Moving to the edge of his tent, he opened a flap slightly and peeked outside.
Nuria was standing and looking around before she stepped away. Dax watched her as she glanced at most of the tents before stepping into the shadows of the forest.
Where is she going?
Dax slipped silently from his tent. The half-moon hung high in the night sky, it’s light casting a pale glow along trees, shafts of moonlight cutting through the darkness. It was surreal, the world seemingly calm as two mages moved through the forest.
Dax stared, catching glimpses of Nuria’s pale features as she looked around. Staying to the shadows, he kept his distance, not wanting to spook her. Curiosity filled him as he watched the mage. She seemed secretive with her movements but her eyes were wide as she looked around.
The mage looked up through parted branches to the sky. The moon was high enough to tell Dax that he had been asleep for a few hours.
Zarra must have finished her watch and Nuria took over. I wonder why she is sneaking away from camp?
A dark suspicious thought stabbed into Dax’s mind, wondering if she was spying and meeting others to tell what she has learned. The thought curled against him, berating himself for being so naïve. Nuria had wanted his technique the moment she saw it being used. A few days together was not enough to change a person, even for the better.
If she meets with conspirators, her time with us is over.
Dax hated how he felt, but it wouldn’t stop him from dismissing her. To some degree, he knew deep down she might try something like this, but he didn’t want to believe it.
In the distance, a blue flame danced.
Dax’s eyes widened as Nuria made her way toward it.
No, she can’t be serious. She wouldn’t attempt such a…
The mage followed, the former anger subsiding and fear stroking his heart.
Nuria emerged from the dark forest and stepped out into the moonlight. Cool air flowed over her as the mage’s gaze was on a floating, azure flame. Mist flowed up from a crack in the ground, the four-foot flame just above it. It waved and flowed with the breeze, it’s power alluring like a siren’s song.
Nuria slowed her walking, eyeing the flame as it magically called out to her. The mage smiled, but her eyes held a greedy desire. The closer she stepped, the more the magical energies tingled along her body. It hummed with delight, beckoning the young mage closer.
Dax hunkered down in the shadows at the edge of the clearing, watching like an owl from the darkness.
She’s just investigating. She wouldn’t dare try to absorb it.
Nuria slowed to a stop, the blue flames reflected in her wide eyes. Hands up and out, robe sleeves slid back to expose her forearms. Despite her back to Dax, it was unmistakable what she was about to do.
The mage stepped from the clearing edge, a card in his hand.
Name: Troll
Element: Life
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: Tough
I didn’t improve the card. It will have to do if she’s doing what I think she’s doing.
Incantations fell from Nuria’s lips, the blue flame writhing to her words.
“Nuria, stop this,” Dax said in a commanding tone.
The beautiful mage stopped her incantation and spun around, shock and fury in her eyes.
“You followed me?” Nuria growled.
Dax took another step forward, “You can’t absorb that mana flame. Many have tried and almost all of them have died.”
Dax halted his advance as Nuria took a backwards step closer to the flame.
“You don’t know how skilled I am. If anyone in our academy can do it, it’s me,” Nuria seethed.
Dax shook his head. “You have no reason to attempt this. Come back to camp.”
A mad smile appeared along Nuria’s lips. “I have every reason to attempt this. A slum runner like you created a technique that will change the world. That is my destiny and you stole it from me. I’m supposed to be the best, harnessing magic and controlling the universe! It is what I was always meant to be!”
Dax stared, his eyes wide and filled with concern. “Please, Nuria, this isn’t the way to do it. The High Dean warned us about taking from mana springs. This is exactly what we are not supposed to do. Come back to camp and we can continue with our trials. We can be powerful together.”
Nuria let out a manic giggle. “The High Dean and professors tell us that because they don’t want us to become too powerful too quickly. They will keep us under their thumb until they decide who is worthy or not. I know that we can control our destiny when the opportunity presents itself.
“How long before they put a muzzle on you after they learn your technique? How long before they take the credit for your discovery?”
Dax took a step forward, “We can solve that problem when it happens. Right now, you must come back with me. We can talk more in the morning. Just please, don’t absorb that flame. We have a lot to accomplish, together.”
Nuria shook her head, the manic smile gone and sadness dripping from her eyes. “You don’t see through the lies. You don’t see what is happening. This isn’t just about being a champion. It’s about bringing real order to our world. If we don’t do something now, we are all doomed.”
The mage turned to the glowing flame five feet away from her. “Mana bends to strength, will, and knowledge. I will tame it and become as powerful as all the heroes who fought the void spawn back to their world!”
Nuria’s eyes widened as she whispered arcane words. The azure flame danced before it leaned to her. Flames stretched out until they were inches from her open hands.
“Dammit!” Dax hissed as he activated the card in his hand.
Ghostly energy struck out and formed into a troll. With a mental command, the troll charged toward Nuria as Dax darted forth.
“I become Ikkudran’s true champion,” Nuria whispered before invoking a word of power.
Dax watched as he ran forward, the troll construct nearly to Nuria. Mana flames struck out like a pair of vipers, sinking into Nuria’s hands. Power blazed forth, the mage’s eyes and mouth widening. No sound came out as Nuria’s eyes turned white, energy surging into every cell of her body. Flames engulfed the mage as she was lifted up, mana pouring into her waiting soul. It bristled and churned like a storm and the mage was lost to its overwhelming power.
