Mage Prime (Book 2) (12 page)

Looking a little over-whelmed he turned to Janar. “So, I’m not on my own world at all? If I was in Vellethen and visualised this city, or rather the hillside overlooking it, would I actually get there?”

Tukrin, who so far hadn’t spoken, crossed the room to stand beside Janar. He looked Karryl squarely in the eye. “No, you would not. That is why Dhoum has accompanied you. He already has an impressive command of our discipline of magic and can travel here at will. When you move on from our world it is hoped you will acquire that ability, along with many others.”

Karryl frowned, his brain buzzing with a hundred questions. “But they won’t be any use back on my own world, will they?”

Solen answered without turning. “I wouldn’t say Dhoum has any difficulty, would you?”

Janar seated herself on one of the white leather chairs and waited while Karryl and the others settled themselves before she spoke. “Did Dhoum tell you anything while you were coming down?”

There was a hint of petulance in Karryl’s voice. “Only that my magic wouldn’t work here, and that I would be considered to be a novice.”

Solen and Tukrin chuckled, while Janar put her hands to her cheeks and gave a gasp of amused astonishment. “I’m sure what Dhoum meant was that you would be a novice regarding the kind of magic we use. But he is correct in saying that yours wouldn’t work here.”

“Why is that?”

“It is a different kind of magic. The discipline you use depends almost entirely on the forces of nature. You draw on the life-force itself for your power, utilising carefully crafted spells. We have no need of spells. However, you will be taught this and much more besides.”

“Will I be working with Master Symon?”

“Not for a while. He is already far ahead of you, but if all goes according to plan you will work together eventually.”

Karryl’s brow furrowed and he stared at Janar. “How can he be far ahead of me? He’s been here for less than two days!”

Janar’s smile was enigmatic, but she did not reply as she stood and crossed to the table. Solen appeared lost in the contemplation of a delicate glass ornament. “If you are ready Solen, it is time we left.”

Her brother’s smile was an image of her own as he gathered his thoughts. “I think it would be best if we took transport.”

Janar nodded. Walking over to the window she touched the jewel in her ring against a large purple dot set into the frame. At the same time, Solen duplicated his sister’s action with another dot further along. He then walked to the far end of the room to stand in front of what appeared to Karryl to be a blank wall. It shimmered and gradually disappeared, revealing a shaft identical to the one in which he had arrived with Dhoum. This time he did not hesitate. They all entered the shaft, and soon he found himself once again on the deserted upper floor, watching two spheres gliding swiftly towards them. Janar and Solen boarded the first and were soon soaring away over the city, leaving Karryl to follow with Tukrin.

Fascinated, Karryl watched as the shining gangway transformed into a swirl of rainbow colours before gradually vanishing, then settled himself on the floor of the sphere where Tukrin already sat, his arms clasped round his knees.

For a few moments Karryl watched the seemingly endless city pass by below him, then turned to his companion who was staring intently in the direction they were heading. “How far are we going?”

The silver-haired man turned to him and smiled. “Quite a long way. I suggest you lie down and sleep.”

Karryl grinned and shook his head. “Sleep? I couldn’t sleep. There’s too much to look at, too much to see.”

Tukrin nodded and gestured towards the floor. “Well, try it anyway. If you lie down you can view through the bottom of the sphere.”

Deciding to take his advice, Karryl eased himself onto the warm floor. As he settled, it seemed to mould itself to the shape of his body, adjusting almost instantly as he moved his limbs in search of optimum comfort.

He woke under a deep blue, star-filled sky. Tukrin was inches away, lying on his side, his head resting on his outstretched arm. Just a few feet below, Karryl’s eyes caught the cold glint of water, its slow swell reflecting a pale, newly risen moon. He peered out, hoping to catch sight of the other sphere. He just glimpsed it, a small shining spark, before it streaked away below the horizon. Deciding there was nothing to see except ocean and sky, he lay down again. The soft warmth of the sphere’s floor moulded itself to his body, and he fell once more into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When he next woke, the sphere was hovering alongside a wide and strangely angular portal. The moon rode high and far across the sky, shedding enough light for him to see the ground three storeys below. There was no sign of Tukrin, although Karryl could see the other sphere hovering a few feet away to his right. He stood up, stretched and yawned, then stepped out onto the glassy gangway and through the portal. Emanating from square niches in the angled walls, a soft blue-white light enabled him to see that there was no-one about. He decided to return to the comfort of the sphere and wait for someone to appear, and turned just in time to see the two spheres speeding away into the distance. Leaning against one of the curiously fashioned walls, he began to weigh his options. A section of wall opposite shimmered out of sight and Tukrin stepped into the room.

He hurried across to Karryl. “Welcome to Thermera! I came as soon as I saw the spheres leaving. Thank you for waiting so patiently. It seemed a pity to disturb your rest, so we went down to attend to one or two things. Now, I expect you’d like something to eat.”

Karryl didn’t need any thinking time. He grinned at Tukrin. “Well, now you come to mention it, I think I would!”

Following Tukrin into the shaft, Karryl stared. This one not only seemed a lot deeper than the previous ones, it was also square rather than round. He decided to count, and had reached twenty-five before they set foot on solid ground. Like those in Torgaard, the floor was set with an intricate mosaic, but instead of purple and white, this one was in full and glorious colour. Before Karryl had chance to study it in detail, Tukrin was ushering him along a small gallery, and out into a large, brightly lit square. Feeling fairly certain that the night was well on, Karryl was surprised at how comfortably warm it was. A considerable number of people were still about, despite the apparent absence of playhouses, inns or dining rooms. He then realised that most of them wore normal clothes rather than robes, and of those that did, very few were in white or purple. The only sounds were the subdued murmur of voices and the tinkling splash of water from a nearby fountain.

It was there that Tukrin stopped. “We will wait here. Perhaps you would like to take the opportunity to have a look around?”

Karryl looked up at the globes suspended from the cavern’s ceiling far overhead, casting a white shadowless light. “Excuse me Tukrin, but how far underground are we?”

The purple robed tutor raised an eyebrow and smiled. “A very long way. Now, we will wait here for a while. Look at whatever interests you, as once you leave us it is not likely you will return.”

Feeling strangely drawn to a wide two storey building standing slightly apart from the others on the far side of the fountain, Karryl began to walk slowly towards it. As he drew closer he could see the architecture and manner of construction was very similar to that which he had seen on the surface when he arrived. Other buildings round the square were apparently cut from the solid rock, but this one was built from massive angular blocks, set against each other in a neat but rather irregular formation. Seeing no sign of any kind of mortar, he ran his fingers incredulously along some of the close tight joins between the blocks.

Turning his gaze to one of the other buildings, he noted the plain simple architecture, regular entrance portals and long first floor galleries with their wide rectangular unglazed windows. He then looked back to the structure in front of him. The single doorway had at least two feet extra clearance above his own head and he wondered why it and the window openings were such a curious shape. Quite wide at the bottom, the straight sides tapered gently so the top was only about two thirds the bottom width, forming a large truncated triangle.

Intrigued, Karryl ran his hand once more over the skilfully dressed stone before making his way back to Tukrin. “Why is that building different to all the others, apart from not being carved from the solid rock?”

Tukrin turned to look, and for a moment or two said nothing as he gazed at the strange building. “The reason for it is lost. Its story and the history of its builders goes back far beyond the memory of our race. All I can tell you is that it may have some connection with the task for which you are preparing.”

Karryl pursed his lips and frowned as he gave the strange building one more brief glance, then cocked his head to one side. “You said you doubted if I would be here again. I presume that means I shall be moving on to somewhere different.”

Tukrin smiled and nodded before clasping his hands together in front of him and giving Karryl a long look. “That’s quite correct. This is to be a very brief acquaintance. The beings who inhabit the place for which you are destined, have powers and knowledge far beyond anything we could even aspire to. It is only once in many lifetimes that we have the privilege of acting as a stepping stone to one such as yourself.”

Karryl looked about him and thought for a moment. “Will Master Symon be coming with me?”

For a short while Tukrin seemed to be studying Karryl’s face. His gaze grew distant as he appeared to be listening to something. As he waited, Karryl became filled with the overwhelming certainty that the next stage of his journey would be undertaken alone.

Tukrin turned towards him and smiled. “Master Symon is on his way. When you have had a meal together, I would like to show you something which may help you to understand our way of life. It may even enhance your understanding of your own magic.”

Karryl fell in beside him as the purple robed tutor slipped his hands into his sleeves and started to walk slowly across the square. “Everything on the island of Thermera is reliant on a source of natural power which we refer to as thermal energy. That’s how the island got its name.”

Karryl raised an eyebrow. “When I was in Torgaard it was obvious that a kind of magic was being used, although I couldn’t sense it the way I can ours. Here, you seem to be using science, and I was always led to understand that magic and science are not compatible.”

Tukrin stopped and gave the young magician a long stern look. “That depends on the discipline of magic you employ. Tell me, do you not consider the use of magic a craft?”

Karryl thought about that then nodded slowly. “Yes. When you put it like that, I suppose it is.”

Tukrin nodded. “So, what we use is the science of craft. You have the ability to conjure the elements of nature, which you do in your own unique way. We also do that, but we depend more on the harnessing of resources which are freely provided, and utilising them. The most useful and readily available of these are vast lakes of hot water and steam, trapped within the rock formations deep below us. We exploit these to provide us with all the heat and power we need. Also, although to a lesser extent, we use energy from the sun. You won’t be with us very long, so before you leave us I will take you to see our power sources in action. I think you will be impressed.”

Looking about him, Karryl tried to locate some indicator of these amazing power sources. He failed to notice that Tukrin was continuing to walk ahead until he turned to ask him a question.

His long legs caught him up in a few paces. “Master Tukrin. Does this thermal energy have anything to do with our kind of magic not working here?”

The silver-haired tutor smiled as he turned to his left and began to walk slowly along the far side of the square. “It may well do, but so far, although many theories have been expounded, no-one has yet come up with a plausible and conclusive answer. As you may have seen, we also use magic and it works very well, but the magic from your world is totally ineffective here.”

He touched Karryl briefly on his forearm. “Perhaps when your unique talents have been further enhanced, you may be able to finally come up with an answer. I think friend Dhoum was pretty close when he said something to the effect that it isn’t what you do that counts, but rather the manner in which it is done.”

Karryl grinned. “Sounds like Dhoum. He disappeared just after we arrived and I haven’t seen him since. Do you know him well?”

To Karryl’s surprise Tukrin threw back his head and laughed, a loud rich sound that echoed and re-echoed throughout the massive cavern.

When his laughter had subsided, he leaned close and murmured in the young magician’s ear. “It is thanks only to Dhoum and others like him that Thermera even exists. He knows more about the island’s origins and its inner workings than the rest of us put together. When you’ve known him a bit longer, he will in all likelihood tell you about it. I’ve no doubt you will find it very interesting. Now, time is passing us by. Is there anything you would like to know before I take my leave?”

Karryl’s agile brain sifted quickly through the dozens of questions he had already stored. “Is there just this one huge cavern down here?”

Tukrin chuckled and shook his head. “Indeed no. This is just one of a whole series of caverns, many even larger than this. This particular cavern is devoted to the academy. The island of Thermera covers a vast area. Students from all over our world come here to receive the knowledge and training which will prove vital if they are to pursue successful and beneficial careers.”

Tukrin gestured to a point across the square. “Now, I think the time has come for you to get some refreshment.”

Karryl turned to see a familiar figure scurrying towards him, wearing the same well-worn grey robe he had been wearing when he left.

The little magician puffed to a halt and scowled up into Karryl’s face. “And about time too! I’ve been here long enough waiting for you!”

Karryl laughed out loud, drawing one or two amused glances from passersby. “I’m pleased to see you too, Master Symon. It warms my heart to know you couldn’t stand being away from me a moment longer.”

Symon gave a dismissive flick of his hand as he winked broadly at Tukrin. “More like I was wondering what you were getting up to in my absence. Now, if Tukrin doesn’t need you for anything else, I’ll take you to the dining hall for a meal.”

Tukrin reached out and shook Karryl’s hand. “There are things I have to do now, and I have a class shortly, so I will leave you with Symon. We shall meet again before too long. Enjoy your meal.”

With a wave of his hand he turned away and strode across the square, briefly stopping to speak to a young man and woman before disappearing into one of the buildings.

As they strolled across the square, Karryl told Symon of his arrival with Dhoum and the journey from Torgaard.

Symon’s experience was very similar. “It seems to me that the only real difference is, I flew over the water in this country’s short daylight period. It’s a really vast ocean you know, full of amazing creatures. In places there are great sheets and mountains of ice, but when we reached land all that could be seen above ground was a simple three-storey building. The rest seemed to be acres of rocks and scree. There were even more acres covered in dense forest, sitting at the feet of a range of incredibly high mountains.”

Karryl rather regretted not having seen that, but was soon distracted by the appetising aroma of food. Symon led him into a clean bright dining hall.

He ran his hand over the plate Symon handed him from a pile on the end of a central table. “This seems like some kind of glass. I can almost see through it!”

Briefly, Symon considered his own plate then nodded. “Yes, I’m inclined to agree with you. Now, take some cutlery from the box, then help yourself to whatever you want to eat. You can go back for more if you’re really hungry. There are pitchers of water on the tables. Sit wherever you like.”

Much of the food was unrecognisable to Karryl. He piled his plate with what was most familiar to him then chose a table by one of the wide, arched windows.

Settling himself in the strangely shaped chair he looked about him. “Is the dining hall open all the time then?”

Symon gave a knowing smile as he seated himself opposite. “Oh yes. The courses of study here are continuous. The students have a flexible curriculum, and study on a shift system which I haven’t quite figured out yet, but it seems to work very well.”

Karryl chewed thoughtfully as he gazed out at the people who passed by the window, and fell to wondering what it would be like to live and study here.

The sound of Symon’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Tell me what’s been happening while I’ve been away.”

Karryl finished what remained of his meal before answering, then grimaced and pushed away his plate, just as a group of four young people brought their meals to the table behind them.

He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Things certainly got very interesting after your sudden disappearance. D’ta certainly picked a fine moment to whisk you off. Seeing as she’s a goddess, why didn’t she hold off a bit longer? She must have known the situation we’d be left facing.”

It was Symon’s turn to be intrigued. “What situation was that? You must have handled it all right, otherwise Dhoum wouldn’t have brought you.”