Academy Rebels, page 21
part #1 of Card Mage Series
Signs stood among street lanterns, directing to places of note or interest. Locals moved about their day, many shooting smiles in the coterie’s direction. Dax and everyone else noticed hand axes sheathed along leather belts while some had an axe strapped to their backs.
“I know why they call it Axminster,” Symon grinned.
Dax smiled before he looked to a street sign, pointing to a healer. The mage nudged his friend and the tall spellsword nodded.
The group moved together, making their way down a street before reaching a door with the word “Axminster Healers.”
“Why are we at a healer’s place?” Nuria asked with curious eyes.
It was slow, but Dax, Symon, Fern, Vance, and Zarra surrounded the mage. Shadows covered their eyes as Dax spoke.
“We just want to make sure you’re okay. We think you should see a healer, just to be sure,” Dax said as he mentally prepared for the mage to strike back in denial.
Nuria smiled. “That does sound like the right thing to do. Who knows what pure mana did to me?”
The shadows bled away in surprise. Nuria smiled and stepped to the door, opening it and making her way in. The rest of the group followed, looking to each other in puzzled amazement.
Inside, a woman in a white robe sat at a desk. She looked up with a smile as the coterie approached.
“Is anyone injured?” the woman asked.
Everyone but Nuria looked to Dax.
The mage put his hand on Nuria’s shoulder. “We’re not sure. Nuria had contact with a mana spring and we thought…”
Nuria cut Dax off, “They think I’m not myself so we are just being cautious.”
The woman smiled. “I understand. We’ve had others come in with mana burns or hurt from accidents. This isn’t that unusual. Please come with me.”
“Can one of us go with you?” Dax asked.
The woman shook her head. “It should be fine.”
“Fern, will you come with me?” Nuria asked.
The fairy nodded. “Sure.”
The woman led Nuria and Fern with her beyond another door and they were gone.
“What do we do if they find out she isn’t herself?” Vance asked.
“I could take her back to the academy so the rest of you can complete the trials,” Zarra offered.
Dax smiled. “Thank you Zarra, but we need everyone if we continue on. As difficult as it may be, we may all have to return back to make sure she’s safe.”
“They may give us an exception and let us take it again,” Symon added.
Gods, I hope so.
The door opened and the woman walked back to her desk. Sitting down, she smiled at the four coterie members.
“Cleric Belinda is seeing your friend now. They should be out shortly.”
Heads nodded and everyone waited.
Long moments of time drifted on. Dax looked at paintings on the walls of forests and the ocean. Symon sat in a chair, twiddling his thumbs. Zarra leaned against a wall, her eyes closed. Vance sat in another chair with his spellbook open in his lap.
The door opened as Nuria, Fern, and Cleric Belinda stepped out. All three women wore smiles as they approached the group.
“I delved into Nuria’s spirit and it seems normal. I couldn’t find anything too unusual beyond her glowing soul. It’s normal if someone comes in contact with a mana spring and is temporarily infused with power. We’ve had instances where entire coteries have come in with burns, but their bodies had a higher than normal mana levels,” the cleric said with a pleasant tone.
“So, she’s fine? We don’t have to take her back to the Academy?” Dax asked.
“Not as far as I can see. I would be careful if she shows any signs of distress or her magic is not behaving right. An infusion of mana can cause unpredictable spell effects, some minor and others beyond a mage’s control.
“I would also recommend to stay away from any other mana springs you encounter. If she comes in contact with a spring again, it could overwhelm her. Stay to the road and Nuria should be her old self with time,” the cleric smiled.
“Can we keep the new Nuria,” Fern laughed.
Nuria grinned.
“This is getting weird,” Vance said in a low tone.
“Thank you, Cleric. We will be on our way and…” Dax stopped when the cleric smiled wider.
“Please leave donations in the basket over there, below Vala’s statue. We are not allowed to accept payment, but anything you can give will help Vala’s way,” Cleric Belinda bowed.
The group glanced at each other with a sheepish look before hands dived into pockets.
A minute later and the group, twelve gold coins lighter, all stepped out into the street.
“I’m happy that we did that. I hope everyone can be a little less suspicious,” Nuria smiled.
“You can understand why we were concerned,” Dax said diplomatically.
The beautiful mage nodded. “I do, but we should focus on the trials.”
Symon looked to Fern.
The fairy nodded. “Cleric Belinda seemed very thorough.”
Nuria crossed her arms across her stomach, tilted her head and shook it slightly. “Everyone, I’m fine.”
Dax nodded. “For now, we should continue with the trials.”
All heads nodded in agreement.
“So far, we’ve been approached at the last two taverns. Logic would suggest we visit another one and see if our Puzzle Quest Giver will find us,” Dax finished saying when a man approached in a brown robe.
The man had short gray hair. Weathered lines ran down his face, showing his age but his bright smile and light in his eyes said he had a youthful spirit. The man approached and bowed to the group.
“Greetings young travelers. My name is Brandon and I have a request if you’re willing?”
Dax smiled. “We are willing. How can we help you Lord Brandon?”
The man waved his hands before him, “Please, it’s simply Brandon. I saw your coterie come in along the main road and make your way here to the clerics of Vala. I thought I would wait for everyone to come back out instead of intruding.
“As for my request, I’m a druid here in Axminster. Many of us speak to the trees to encourage their growth before townsfolk cut mature trees down for the island. Axminster supplies all the wood to the island and us druids help with keeping tree populations high.
“To aid us in our work, we call upon tree sprites. They can be mischievous and difficult to contain. I called a tree sprite the other day and she was particularly grouchy. She escaped my containment jar and fled into the forest. A loose tree sprite can be difficult with loggers because they wish to protect the forests. It would be a great help if you could locate the sprite and bring her back to me.”
Fern leapt into the air, her body flashing and her eight-inch form hovering in the air. “We would love too! Tree sprites are cousins to my people and a lot of fun when they drink.”
Brandon smiled. “Please, just bring her back. She is new to the island and doesn’t understand what we are doing here. I need time to help her understand so she can work with the loggers and the other sprites.”
“Her name is Willow,” Brandon said and pulled out a large jar with a cork stopper from his satchel. “Since none of you are druids, please, get her into the jar and bring her back safe and sound.”
Dax took the jar and nodded. “We will do it right away. Where should we meet when the quest is finished?”
“The Oak Tavern, close to the entrance of town,” Brandon smiled. “Thank you again for helping this old druid. I’ll be sure to add a little something extra once you complete the quest.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us about Willow or where we can find her?” Vance asked.
Brandon nodded. “There is an old ruin, about two miles into the forest. A lot of sprites like to relax there during the day when loggers are working. You might find her there. She is a little mean, but she might be scared too. Please be kind when handling her. She is a stranger to the island and does not know all of our ways yet.”
“We will be extra careful and bring her back,” Dax smiled.
“Thank you. I look forward to your safe return,” Brandon bowed.
The group bowed to the druid before they all stood up again. Brandon made his way down the street, giving them a wave before he turned a corner and was gone from sight.
“I assume we’re not going to rest first,” Symon smirked.
“As champions, rest is a luxury,” Dax smiled.
“You’re becoming a proper champion,” Symon grinned.
“So are you,” Dax said.
Nuria stepped past them, “Let’s go get the sprite!”
Fern flew past as Zarra began to follow. Vance shrugged and followed along. Symon clamped his hand on Dax’s shoulder and the two friends followed behind the rest of the group.
The coterie left the town of Axminister before making their way to the spearpoint of the forests. Dark, emerald green leaves glowed in the late afternoon light. Trees swayed to the ocean breeze as the coterie stepped beyond the forest edge and into dark shadows. The sun’s light barely stabbed through the canopy, shafts of light breaking up the cool gloom.
Dax began to relax, watching Nuria and Fern lead the group through the forest. The suspicious thoughts began to subside, Dax thinking he may have been overreacting.
After what happened, it would be hard not to overreact. I’ll admit, mana springs are wildly unpredictable and dangerous, but maybe Nuria’s life flashing before her eyes changed her for the better? Maybe she finally realized that she didn’t have to be a monster to us or anyone else?
Dax walked along, deep in thought.
Or maybe something did happen and she is really good at covering it up?
Memories and experience floated through the mage’s mind. He never knew anyone to change dramatically unless they wanted something or they were suffering from a malady. Pain crawled along Dax as he remembered his mother becoming unhinged some days, screaming and hitting him like he was a monster from the tunnels. Painful memories of her clawing at his face and arms while he tried to help calm her down swirled and the mage pushed it away.
I did the right thing, leaving her with the Sisters of Vala. They could care for her when I could not.
The thoughts brought no comfort, his heart half empty as he may have seen her for the last time when he left her the day before travelling to the academy.
Fern zipped through the air, flying over the group. “I see the ruins! We’re getting close.”
The group acknowledged the fairy as she moved through the air like an oversized dragonfly.
The formation changed, Symon and Dax taking lead. Fern stayed overhead while Vance, Nuria, and Zarra took up the tail end of the group. The sun touched the horizon as the sky took on a pink and orange glow. A few wisps of clouds drifted along as the temperature cooled to the approaching evening.
Symon’s demeanor changed, his senses sharp and his hand close to his sword. Dax was a few feet behind him, ready to pull out a card. The evenings while they camped, the mage saw fit to create a few more cards, redrawing his troll card and upgrading it to a 2nd degree. Despite losing the original card, Dax saw that he could improve his 1st degree spells once he gained a higher degree. The life sphere allowed him to create ghostly constructs, but something pulled at him, missing the troll he created before.
A hand touched Dax’s shoulder. The mage woke from his thoughts to see Vance at his side.
“We haven’t had much of a chance to talk before. I just wanted to apologize for how I was back in the club room, after the exams. I should have guessed you would share your discovery with some time.”
Dax was silent for a moment before he spoke, “I think it is I who should apologize. Your advice on the symbols helped bring it together. Everyone helped in their own way and I shouldn’t take all the credit. I meant what I said before, I want to share it with the academy and my fellow students.
“I don’t want to mislead you or anyone else and I’ll admit, it’s nice to have an edge among so many talented future champions. I’m still trying to understand all the nuances but when I have a better understanding, you’ll be among the first to learn how it works.”
Vance looked to Dax, “I wish you knew how much that means to me. My family believes in taking everything and giving nothing back. It has been difficult as it is, trying to navigate the academy while almost every student sees only my family history.
“My family are not nice people, but they are my family. As much as I try to break away from their ways, the more I feel trapped because of their actions from over the last hundred years. I know you weren’t thrilled with me leading the club, but I hoped we have become better friends?”
Dax smiled. “You became my friend the moment you took a hit for me during the exams.”
Vance gave a small smile. “I couldn’t let the berserkers stop you when you were having your moment in the sun. It…would have been wrong.”
“We can talk more after we finish and celebrate at the tavern,” Dax grinned and clamped a hand on Vance’s shoulder.
“Everyone, I don’t want to be rude but shut up. I thought I saw something move by the ruins,” Symon hissed.
Dax and Vance readied themselves as they followed the spellsword. Vance pulling out his spellbook and Dax pulling out card.
Name: Troll
Element: Life
Degree: 2
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: Tough
Nuria pulled her spellbook from her satchel. Fern flew overhead, eyes sharp as she observed the ruins about a hundred feet away.
Zarra held her staff, but her senses drank in everything around her. The cleric slowed as she noticed barely any animal sounds. The forest was silent as a tomb, which was odd since Mist Haven Isle was bursting with life. Focusing her senses, a limitation prevented her from hearing or feeling anything past the ancient ruin.
“I don’t hear any animals,” the cleric said in a low voice.
Fern glanced around while the group scanned from side to side.
Dax listened, not hearing any animal sounds either.
Zarra continued, “The academy has limited my senses, but I still have some ability to hear slightly better than normal people. I often hear choruses of crickets and evening birdsong, but this feels like the animals and insects have left the area.”
A small glow of firelight painted the insides of a ruined section of the ancient hold.
“Do sprites need a fire?” Dax asked out the side of his mouth.
Fern hovered down close to the mage. “Only if they are entertaining. Otherwise, they party under the moon and stars.”
“Can you scout it out for us?” Dax asked.
Fern nodded and zipped toward the ruins. The fairy’s wings were a blur as she flew up over the edge of a wall and dived down. A small fire glowed in the main section of the cracked ruins. A small woman sat on a rock, her legs crossed and staring into the fire. Her green skin glittered against the firelight.
Fern zipped around and out of the ruins. She glided down until she was back by Dax’s ear.
“I see her. She’s just sitting there by a fire,” Fern whispered.
“This could be trouble. Sprites are mischievous. If she is there waiting, there may be other sprites ready to play a prank,” Vance whispered.
“We can’t stay here and debate what she’s going to do. We need a plan,” Symon hissed.
The group huddled together.
“We don’t want to hurt her so we should use non-lethal spells,” Dax said.
“I can fly overhead and make sure she doesn’t fly away,” Fern added.
“I can provide light when we enter and maybe blind her for a moment,” Zarra said.
“I can try and capture her,” the spellsword smiled.
“Vance and I will assist with air bolt spells and help catch her if she falls,” Nuria smiled.
“I’ll have my troll help and catch her,” Dax smiled.
“I think we have our plan,” Symon nodded.
The sun sank lower in the sky, the final rays flashing with brilliance before ebbing to glowing embers.
“Let’s make this quick. I need a drink,” Dax grinned.
The group nodded before they split from their huddle. Symon took the lead with Vance, Dax, and Nuria behind him. Fern zipped into the air again and over a wall. Zarra clutched her staff as she followed the group.
The coterie entered the ruins, following the flickering fire light. Dax reached into his robe with his free hand and pulled out a second card.
Name: Air Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Knockdown
Special Ability: None
Bodies moved with skilled stealth, making their way around corners and stepping over random stones among the tall grass. The eerie silence blanketed the area, sending an unnerving tremble along most spines.
Symon saw the entrance to the main chamber, hand resting on the pommel of his sword. The spellsword moved to the entrance edge and peered in. A small fire glowed, the sprite sitting on the rock and staring at the flames.
Symon beckoned with his hand. The spellsword stepped in, his gaze focused on the sitting sprite. She made no movement as long shadows covered Symon’s slow sneak. Dax, Vance, and Nuria stepped in, cards in one pair of hands and open spellbooks in others. High above, Fern circled with mace in hand.
“I’m going to charge. Stop her when she flies away and I’ll catch her,” Symon said in the barest of whispers.
Heads nodded and a second later, Symon rushed into the main chamber.
The spellsword remained silent, his boots making the only noise. Charging, he expected the sprite to leap up in surprise but she didn’t move. The spellsword skidded to a halt by the fire, waving his hands in the air. The sprite didn’t even look at him.
“What the matter?” Fern shouted from above.
Symon stepped around the fire and approached the sprite on the rock. Eyes narrowing, his gaze pierced the dim light. The sprite simply sat; eyes unblinking. The spellsword reached out and when he touched her, she fell onto her side, a thick stick buried in her back, between her delicate wings.
