Academy Rebels, page 24
part #1 of Card Mage Series
Stepping into the small town, Dax immediately noticed it was less of a full town and more like a medium-sized fishing community. Several buildings stood tall, but most others were nothing more than lavish shacks. Docks splintered out into the sea, some containing fishing boats and about three larger vessels. Nets hung from walls and gulls circled in the air or hopped around on tin roofs.
Dax took in a deep inhale of air, savoring the fishy scent. In Hydale, the docks were one of his favorite places to visit so he could have moments to stare off across the sea. Despite the hard life, monsters, and magistrates, it would bring a sense of calm before returning to slum running.
Zarra took in a sniff and licked her lips. “I’m hungry.”
Heads nodded as they made their way down the main road. Dax eyed the area, Symon at his side. Vance looked to the docks and boats. Fern flew overhead, seeing townsfolk moving about their morning, some turning their attention to the flying fairy and waving to her. Zarra walked at a leisurely pace, but Nuria stayed behind, her head tilted forward and gaze on the dirt and stone road.
Dax noticed a tavern when a woman stepped from an alley and waved at the mage. Dax turned to see the woman in tight leggings, billowing shirt and cloth wrapped around the top of her head. Large, golden hoop earrings hung from her earlobes and she had a smile that could blind a person from twenty yards.
“Aye! Mage! Slow it down!” the woman smiled.
Dax and the coterie slowed, the mage thinking the woman looked like a pirate from stories he knew as a child.
“We’re never going to eat first, trial later,” Symon sighed.
“Welcome to Lybster,” the woman beamed as she approached the group.
“Greetings,” Dax said and waited.
The woman nodded. “My name is Hanna Gale. I have a quest for you if you’re interested?”
The entire coterie gave a tired, fake smile.
“We are looking for quests but I didn’t think anyone on Mist Haven wore traditional pirate garb,” Dax grinned.
The woman looked down and let out a deep, belly laugh. “Oh, the outfit? Aye, it’s for a play we have here in town. The people of Lybster love a good story. We are putting on a production of the Sailor and the Siren. I’m from the local theater group. It helps ease the town at dusk after a long day of fishing and crabbing. I play the plucky cabin girl with a heart of gold as we sail dangerous waters. A lighthouse run by sirens entices our ship and our hero falls in love with the mistress from the deep.
“Our next show will be in a few nights, A Knight’s Heart. A tale of forbidden love between a knight and a dragon.”
Zarra shot Dax a look and smiled.
Dax blinked, “Sounds…entertaining.”
Hanna nodded. “Aye, it is! Many from across the island come to Lybster for our seafood and our plays. After your trials are over, you should return and see our productions!”
“It is something we will consider,” Dax said, trying to be diplomatic.
Hanna nodded again. “But back to the business at hand! One of our fishing vessels sank two days ago. Freak accident. Everyone made it off and were picked up by fellow fishermen, but the vessel sank down to the bottom. One of the crew had a small chest, filled with simple heirlooms. It’s not a fancy treasure or such, but it’s important to the crewman.
“If you would be so kind, can you investigate the sunken ship, get the chest and bring it back to me. There will be food and rum waiting for you if you succeed. We don’t have much here in Lybster, but we will fill your belly with fine food and drink!”
“We would be happy to help,” Dax said simply.
“Aye! Let’s get to the dock! I’ll show ye the way,” Hanna said and began walking.
The coterie followed. Random townsfolk smiled, bowed, and waved to the group. Symon waved, as did Fern. Vance smiled as Zarra bowed to some. Nuria stayed to the back.
Hanna was all smiles as she led the way. The actress looked over her shoulder to Dax with her bright grin.
“I don’t normally say ‘Aye’ all the time, but it helps to stay in character.”
Dax nodded. “What’s your role in a Knight’s Heart?”
Hanna’s eyes widened in excitement. “I’ll play Esmerelda, the seer who tells the brave knight of his future. I’ve been practicing for weeks when I’m not on stage.”
Dax smiled as the actress was enthralled with her roles.
Sometimes, I wish I could be that excited.
The group stepped onto a dock and walked along. Boots pounded along as Dax noticed they were walking the longest pier out to sea. When they reached the end, it formed a wide T shape to the left and right of them.
The sea was calm as the sun beamed down hard on their heads.
Hanna pointed, “The vessel is somewhere out there, straight ahead. I’m not a real sailor or pirate so I don’t know the exact coordinates. You’ll have to do some searching. The small box is red with gold bands, easy to see if you're close to it from what I was told.
“When you find the box, return it to the Drunken Kraken. I’ll be waiting with your payment and maybe a badge of honor,” Hanna winked.
The faux-pirate bowed deeply to the group, stood up, turned on her heels and marched back down the long pier.
The group waited until Hanna made it back to land before they all turned to each other in the bright sunlight.
“I’m getting hot. Fairy bodies heat up quick if we’re in the sun too long,” Fern said as she fanned herself.
“You could go for a dip and cool off?” Symon smiled.
Fern shook her head. “No way. My people don’t like big, open waters. There’s a big chance some large fish will burst from the water and swallow me whole.”
“What about if you’re taller?” Vance smirked.
Fern gave the mage a sideways look. “What part of ‘swallow me whole’ don’t you understand? You know there are giant creatures in the seas, right? They eat anything they can get their mouths on.”
Dax stepped to the edge and looked out over the deep blue waters. “We need to search for the sunken ship and swim into the wreck for the chest. This sounds easier than it will actually be.”
Vance stepped to Dax’s side and looked out with him. “Then, we should be smart about it. A water elemental can search the water. Fern could fly high overhead and help with the search and guide someone to the vessel. We just need someone to swim out there and dive down to retrieve the chest.”
Dax looked at the blonde mage, “I don’t suppose you have any degrees in the water sphere?”
Vance shook his head. “I do not.”
“I have a degree in the water sphere, but I haven’t created an elemental spell or card yet.”
Vance nodded. “I’ve seen Nuria create elementals before in class.”
Dax’s heart clenched in his chest. “I’ve seen her do it too.”
“I’m not delighted at what she tried to do, but the last few days have been hard on her. Maybe give her a chance and see if she rises to the occasion?”
Dax looked down to the water.
The longer I think about it, the longer we will be here and I don't want any of us searching monster infested waters at night.
Dax simply gave a nod.
Vance clamped a hand on Dax’s shoulder before turning and walking to Nuria. The group stood silent as the taller mage and Nuria made their way to Dax’s side. Nuria looked to the mage with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
“Since we don’t know exactly where the sunken vessel is, we may need a few water elementals to help search. I will need your help in designing a water elemental card. Do you think you can assist?”
Nuria nodded.
“Good,” Dax said and pulled out his spellbook, inkwell and quill.
The mage sat down and crossed his legs. Nuria sat down in front of him. Symon, Vance, Fern and Zarra pulled back to let the mages work. Dax opened his spellbook to a blank page and pulled a blank card of his design from the back of the book. The feathered quill dipped into the inkwell and he began to write arcane words and small symbols on a blank page.
“I need to write out the spell first before I can create a card. Tell me about conjuring elementals and I’ll try to work out the specifics of the spell.”
Nuria nodded again before she began talking. The mystic knowledge flowed like water from her lips. Dax listened as he worked. Nuria spoke of pulling the element together and forming a body before giving it a kernel of intelligence. Dax could not deny her extensive knowledge, his eyes widening as he drew water symbols and worked out the words.
Moments passed and Dax started to see how it all fit together. Spell in his spellbook, he put a card down and began drawing a condensed version onto the card.
Nuria watched as the mage worked. “You don’t wish for me to leave while you work with your secret technique?”
Dax’s quill moved with mystic grace, “It wouldn’t matter. You could watch me all you want, but there are specifics I worked out. You don’t know the card size or design for the spell. The symbols are smaller, but they overlap. They may look like a jumble at times, but every line and word have a purpose. It took days for me to figure it out, but if it was easy to copy, I’m sure others would have discovered it by now. I don’t doubt many are trying at this very moment, but until they are sure, they might have spells exploding in their faces.”
“You’ve become an expert at your technique in just over two weeks?” Nuria asked with a wry smile.
Dax nodded. “When your future is on the line, you discover just how dedicated you can be when you need to be.”
Dax stopped drawing for a moment. “It wouldn’t have worked.”
Nuria raised an eyebrow.
The mage continued, “Your plan. Stealing my spellbook and my notes wouldn’t have worked. I didn’t write everything down because I knew once I showed my technique, everyone will try to copy it. If you stole my spellbook and my notes, it still would have taken time to figure it out, never mind trying to figure out the proper card size and thickness.”
Nuria nodded. “I understand, but you mentioned before you were going to give the knowledge freely to the academy. Why the hesitation to show any of us your technique?”
Dax looked up, gazing into Nuria’s radiant eyes. “Once it becomes common knowledge, I will be common once again. Even though I discovered how to make spellcasting faster and more efficient, it will only be a matter of time before I’m forgotten and other champions take my discovery and change the world.”
Nuria looked down at the beautiful artwork and arcane words on the new card. “You would not be forgotten. You will be praised, even worshipped.”
“Nuria, since I started at the academy, I’ve had a crush on you. Your mastery over magic is top of our class. Your advice and knowledge about elementals even now still awe me. I wanted to be with you and hope you saw the inner me. No matter how mean you were, I thought, deep down, you were different. I was wrong, about so many things.”
Nuria placed her hand on Dax’s wrist. “You weren’t wrong about everything.”
Dax looked down at her touch and pulled away. “I was. When you tried to absorb a mana spring and it nearly killed you, I was in shock. When you kissed me and we spent those intimate moments together, I thought maybe you woke up and saw the world the way I saw it every day, a cruel, unforgiving place with small bright points to make it bearable.
“If you told me after that, what your plans were, I would have been understanding. Instead, you kept your secrets so you could still steal my technique at another time.”
Nuria pulled her hand back to her lap. “I…didn’t know how to say it. I didn’t know how you would react if I simply told you the truth. I hoped Clive and the others would simply focus on the trials and I would go back to them, telling them I couldn’t get your spellbook or your notes.”
The beautiful mage’s shoulders sank down as she continued, “As for you, there was always a connection. I…remember seeing you and thinking with my heart. I…couldn’t follow those emotions because so many looked down on you because of your poor spellcasting. I…couldn’t…” Nuria trailed off.
Dax gave a small smirk. “It’s okay. We had our moment and it seems, we are not meant to be. When I’m brave enough, I’ll give my technique to the world and see where the cards fall.”
“You are already brave,” Nuria smiled.
Dax looked down and drew the last line, connecting the symbols on the card. Mana flowed from his hand, the ink barely dry. It sank into the card and it glowed to life in the brilliant sunlight.
Name: Water Elemental
Element: Water
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage/Defense
Special Ability: Immune to Water Sphere Magic
“I’m trying to survive, just like everybody else,” Dax smiled and gathered his items.
Nuria stood up and soon Dax was to his feet. The rest of the coterie made their way over. The group gathered, everyone looking to the mage.
“I’ll create three water elementals and send them searching through the water. I think I can give them commands, but I don’t know how well they will understand them,” Dax said.
Fern flew into the middle, looking at Dax. “We talked it over and I can fly high overhead and help with the search. Once we find the sunken vessel, I’ll hover above it so everyone knows where it is.”
“I can hold my breath a long time. Once we know where the vessel is, I’ll swim to it and retrieve the chest,” Zarra said.
Dax looked to the cleric, “Are you sure?”
Zarra nodded. “I love the water and have been wanting a swim for a while now.”
Symon wrapped his arm around Vance’s shoulder, holding the mage tight to his side and smiling wide.
“We’ll be moral support!”
“Yes, moral support,” Vance said with a droll tone.
“Sounds like we have a plan,” Dax said and turned to the sea.
Card in hand, magic tingled against his fingers as he prepared the word of power. Fern shot into the air, hovering high above. Zarra stood by Dax while Nuria, Vance, and Symon stood behind them.
Dax whispered the word of power and his card glowed with magical energy. It shot forth, stabbing into the sea. Water churned and bubbled before a watery humanoid rose up and bowed to the mage. Dax nodded and charged the card with another 25 mana. Energy snaked from the card and stabbed into the sea, another elemental rising up. The mage did it a third time and when all three elementals were ready, he gave them a mental command to search the area.
The three elementals dived back into the water and vanished. Eyes squinted to see where the magical creatures were, but could only spot their wake. The three moved away from each other, searching the dark blue waters.
Fern was overhead, following the rippling wakes of the elementals. She zipped through the air, darting from one to another in blinks of an eye. Dax watched and waited.
The group didn’t have to wait long.
An elemental burst upwards and waved rudimentary arms in the air. Fern shot over to the waving elemental and her gaze tried to pierce the murky water. The longer she stared, the more something big was under the water’s surface.
“Can you command the elementals to search the vessel?” Zarra asked.
“I don’t know. Let me try,” Dax said and mentally whispered commands to the elementals.
The water elementals sank down, drifting through the water and closer to the wreck. Its gloomy shape filling the murky water. The invisible elementals swam closer until a symbol on the hull blazed with purple light. When they were a foot closer, the light touched them and shattered their bodies.
Dax took a step back, a stinging in his mind. Symon was to him, but the mage waved him off.
“There is some kind of protection on the ship. It dissipated the elementals instantly.”
Zarra nodded and began to pull off her robe.
All eyes turned to the voluptuous cleric as her white robe fell onto the deck, next to her staff. Zarra stood, stark naked at the edge before she bent forward and dove in.
“I’m never washing my mind again,” Symon laughed.
Zarra swam, her body moving like a snake through the water. Murky currents drifted as seaweed reached out and caressed her body. The cleric could see perfectly through the water, her dragon eyes untouched by the circlet on her head as it diminished her power.
After a few long moments, the ghostly wreckage appeared through the gloom. Zarra looked up, seeing the faint form of Fern as she flew around in circles above the sunken vessel.
Zarra swam closer. Making her way to the edge, she looked over and saw a giant, gaping hole in the side of the ship. Looking around, she didn’t sense anything else other than small fish lazily swimming about nearby.
The cleric swam into the ship, her keens senses searching every shadow and dark corner. Something twinkled in the dark. Zarra swam toward it, the darkness parting. The cleric gave a small smile as a small chest sat on a low shelf, almost like it never moved from its place as the vessel sank down. Hand out, she grabbed it with one hand and picked it up.
Something touched Zarra’s senses and she spun around. Nothing was there but a fish swimming by.
The cleric eyed the murky depths around her. Hovering underwater, she watched with the intense eyes, but nothing else stirred.
Kicking her legs, she swam upwards and soon emerged above the deck. Legs still kicking, the cleric shot up quickly through the water.
Fern was circling, watching the wreck until bubbles touched the surface. A blink later, Zarra burst from the water, the small chest in hand rising into the air in triumph.
Dax, Nuria, Vance, and Symon cheered, arms up in the air and shouting to the cleric. Fern flew down, staying with her as she began her swim back.
Symon clamped a hand on Dax’s shoulder, “We did it! We passed!”
Dax nodded as he watched Zarra make her way back to the pier.
We will truly be champions!
Nineteen
“Here’s your badge!” Hanna shouted with drunken flair.
The actress slammed the badge on the table and slid it into the middle. Everyone laughed and raised their cups before rum slipped down their throats. Minstrels played a sea shanty as the entire tavern was rocking to stomping boots and laughter.
