Silver Mage (Book 2) (27 page)

While Bren had suspected that this was the case
, it created many questions. Bren knew that the white metal was somehow connected to the abyss where his father was now at, but now that he knew that it was a spell, it meant that there was someone on the other side casting it.

Bren pulled out another medallion. If it was a spell then he could trace it back and figure out how it worked but only if he could do so without destroying the spell or overcharging it. It was a perilous line and one that had a hint of danger, because should he overcharge it
, that would mean that he would most likely find himself pulled into the abyss alongside his father, where he would be of little help to his father.

Bren didn’t pull in magic from the surrounding area
, instead he focused all his attention on the medallion. Just as he suspected, Bren could feel a slight pull from the other side of the metal. Bren put all of his effort into pulling magical energy from the other side as he probed the medallion for information.

In the end
, while he could see workings of the spell, he didn’t know enough to understand how the spell worked. After he was sure that he could learn nothing else, Bren cut off the connection to the other side and let the metal turn to dust in his hand.

Bren felt frustrated, but he knew that there was little that he could do about it. Without knowledge
, he couldn’t understand how the spell worked. That was one of the downsides to magic. You could have all the power in the world but unless you understood how things worked you might as well be a man with a forge, and metal but no hammer. People always thought that mages were intelligent because of their magical abilities, but in truth it was because to use them correctly, one had to have knowledge of all things.

****************************

Thad watched as son held the medallion in his hand. For a father there was no prouder moment then when he watched the metal turn from white to black and crumble into dust. Thad had tried for years to learn the secrets of the white metal and had never even scratched the surface, but he was going after it the wrong way. For his son to surpass him made him felt proud.

As Bren took out the second medallion Thad watched with some amusement. A few moments later a large scream filled the air and Thad turned to see Humanius clutching his head in pain as he
screamed out. Thad turned back to watch his son until the medallion turned black and fell through the boys fingers.

“Your son is strong,” Humanius said with a pain filled voice.

“What happened?” Thad asked with a covered grin.

“Your son ripped the magical energy that I had painstakingly acquired out of me,” Humanius said his voice holding the first real edge of anger in it since Thad had met him.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Just as Hayao had said there was little in the way of guards around the entrance to the valley or moving around the camp but Bren couldn’t help but to think that was for his benefit. They were trying to draw him in.

Moving as quietly as possible
, Bren moved to the edge of their camp and watched as the few soldiers milled about the few buildings. Sticking his head into one of the tents he saw two men sleeping soundly. “Maybe I was being paranoid,” Bren said to himself in a whisper.

In the center of the camp Bren found a large building that had been mostly completed. The building looked a lot like a southern palace though it was built to showcase grandeur. Bren never thought of the Brotherhood as being ones to show off power and wealth but it would seem that he was wrong.

Once inside the building Bren moved from room to room looking for what he had been shown. A room full of maps and books with one particular one hanging on the wall showing the location to the veil doorway. Nothing else matter to him as he crept down the hallway.

In the center of the building in a large room Bren found what he was looking for. It was in a large building with a winding staircase that lead up to three different levels
, but what he wanted was on the first floor hanging on the wall. Unable to control himself Bren walked straight over to the tapestry and ran his fingers over the map.

“I can’t read it,” Bren said cursing himself. With no other option Bren pulled the entire tapestry from the walls and started shoving it into his pack.

“I am glad that you could make it,” A soft voice said from above him.

Bren pushed the last of the map into his pack and turned around to see soldiers of the Brotherhood lining the upper levels of the library as well as standing four ranks deep in front of the exits. “I thought you would have appeared earlier.”

“You don’t seem very surprised to see us,” A soldier wearing fine armor said as he walked down the steeps with his white sword in his hand.

“Not at all,” Bren said raising Thuraman high into the air. The Brotherhood sold
iers didn’t look worried as each of them held their swords into the air in front of them. The area around him was thin with magical energy thanks to all the white metal that surrounded him but he didn’t need any more than what was stored within his staff. Sending out a shockwave Bren scattered the elemental energies causing the swords to turn black and shatter as if they were made of nothing more than packed dirt.

The look of surprise on the soldier’s faces gave Bren a boost of courage. Seizing on the moment Bren started pulling in magic though there was still little available. Once he had pulled in everything that he could Bren let loose a torrent of wind that pulled at the structure of the building, pushing it until it exploded outward like a glass orb dropped on the ground.

As the wind was forced outward Bren heard a slight scream and felt something grab onto his leg pulling him to the ground. Catching a bit of his own attack, Bren’s ears popped causing his head to feels as if it was spinning. Closing his eyes tight Bren fought against the sensation. When he opened his eyes again, Bren saw a small form still grasping his leg. “Faye?” Bren asked shakily “What are you doing here?”

“Did you think I would just let you run away so easily,” Faye replied with a weak grin. “Fool.”

Lifting Faye from the ground he placed her gently on her feet but when her legs couldn’t hold her, Bren lifted her and placed her over his shoulder.

Rushing toward the entrance of the valley Bren didn’t look back as he started pulling in magic. Outside though still weak
, there was plenty of energy for one mage to use. Once he had pulled in almost too much for him to hold, Bren let loose a torrent of energy.

As soon as the wave subsided
, the magical energy that had been held at bay flooded the area and Bren felt relieved. He knew that every piece of the cursed white metal had been destroyed so there was no more worry that his spells would be blocked. He had expected to feel tired but instead he felt a tingling sensation over his entire body. He felt light and energized, as if he had just slept for an entire week. Even with Faye weighing him down Bren found no trouble in running at full speed.

As he closed in on the entrance to the valley he found it blocked by a wide band of soldiers. It would seem that they planned in case he was able to make it out of the library. Though the white swords had been destroyed there was still far too little energy for him to take on a whole army at one time.

As he had trained, Bren pulled in wind energy which was the most plentifully in open areas and started forming a large whirlwind around it. It was weak at first but was gradually growing stronger. The Brotherhood sensing the danger rushed him pushing through the strong winds.

Letting go of Thuraman
, Bren focused a small amount of wind energy to keep it floating at his side as he drew his sword. With one hand holding Faye and one holding his sword Bren advanced.

The soldiers continued to fight against the wind
, slowly moving toward him. Most lost their battle and were picked off the ground and flung into the distance but those who made it through came at Bren with everything they had left.

The first one to reach Bren still had plenty of energy as the wind was still weak but his attack was slightly off balance and made while he was at a full run making it easy for Bren to move to the side. Using a backhand slice
, Bren’s blade bit into the man’s back cutting a thick line and sending him to the ground. Without looking back Bren continued on but he did hear the man’s final scream as the wind picked him up and tossed him far into the night.

The longer the spell continued the lighter he felt and the easy Bren found it to move. It was almost as if the magic was being infused directly into his very body. When the next soldier approached
, Bren found it easy to dodge the attack. A quick kick from his foot sent the man flying into the air.

At first soldiers appeared after every few steps but soon the winds were so strong none could pass through them, but the strength he had felt at first was starting to wane. Once it appeared that no more soldiers were going to make it through the whirlwind Bren sheathed his sword and once again took Thuraman in his hand and started to run.

His feet struck the ground with such force that it caused holes as he ran. The ground passed before him as if he was riding at full speed on the back of a trained warhorse, though he was tiring quickly.

As the wind around him began to die so did the energy that burned through Bren’s body. Suddenly he found himself out of energy and laying on the ground with Faye softly calling to him. Bren looked back toward where he had come to find that he couldn’t even see a hint of the hills that had surrounded the valley. He had the map and they were safe, at least for now and all Bren could think about was sleep.

EPI
LOGUE

When Bren woke he found himself surrounded by his friends. At first he didn’t know what to say but the silence that hung in the air was quickly filled with complaint
s
f
r
om his companions.

Unable to help himself Bren started laughing. He knew that they were mad at him but it didn’t matter, they were safe and once again together and though he was uncertain if he could keep them that way, for now that was all that mattered.

“What now?” Cass said in his irritated voice.

“We find a place where we can study the map in peace. It doesn’t matter where. We just need a place that can hide us from the Brotherhood until we find out next destination.”

“I think I know the prefect place then my lord,” Hayao said bowing. “My village is not far from these lands and I am sure that they will allow us a place of rest and respite where you can achieve your goal.”

“I thought that your village was…” Bren started to say but Hayao’s smile silenced him.

“The same as Arashi’s?” Hayao replied with a sharp grin. “No, I was only hired to work in that land. My village is one of secrets, you should consider it an honor to be able to visit such a place. Normally only the daimios are allowed such an honor.”

“Then I will take you up on that honor,” Bren said clasping Hayao’s offered hand and pulling himself to his fee
t.