The Name of Names

~13: Over the Sea~

The ocean passed underneath them, and Kaldar stayed close to the waves, so as to make flying easier.

After several minutes, Vanya opened her mind to check for any life forms, and for any potential threats. Under the sea, she sensed the many fish swimming in schools, or just swimming alone. In the sky, birds flew about, occasionally diving towards the waves and snatching up a fish for their meal.

Vanya withdrew again, and then started looking for islands. How are you holding up? She sent the question to Kadlar, whose excitement had faded somewhat, but still burned slightly.

The trip has just begun, and I feel full of energy. He responded confidently, which encouraged Vanya.

That's good. Vanya moved so that she was sitting side-saddle on the dragon saddle, and dangled her feet over the edge. Kaldar flew lower, and the tips of her toes began to drag in the water, bringing a small smile to her face.

Hours slipped away, and the sun was high in the sky, bearing down on them. To help relieve the heat, Vanya cast a spell, sustaining it with as little energy as possible, its purpose being to keep them fresh and revived.

The waves grew higher and rougher the further they went out, and Kaldar flew higher, just enough to escape the waves.

A small island appeared on the distant horizon, and Vanya pointed it out to Kaldar. We can head for there to take a small break.

Although he seemed reluctant to stop, he headed towards it. He landed, rested his wings for a couple minutes, and then launched off into the air again.

Although she hated to admit it, Vanya was growing bored. The ocean was endless, and the sights were the same. A few times, she entered the being of a fish or a bird, not controlling them, but just living through them and exploring their lives.

Eventually, she pulled out her map, wanting to work on it, but realizing that the odds of her messing up on it were high with Kaldar dipping down every once in awhile, due to the wind.

Sighing, she rolled it back up, and placed it back in the cylinder, looking out across the horizon.

Kaldar? She asked.

Hm? He responded, sounding as if his thoughts had been elsewhere.

She hesitated a moment before sighing. Are you bored?

Kaldar was quiet, before answering, No.

Okay, then. Vanya studied the blue water, and trying to understand every detail of it. Of course, this sort of game passed quickly, and then Vanya was struggling to find another thing to occupy her time.

You could always practice magic. Kaldar suggested at one point, feeling her dilemma.

I can already do most things, and I don't want to try something I don't know. She said, frustrated.

Why not?

Because if the spell proves to need too much energy, it'll keep taking the energy from me until it has enough. Whether it kills me or not, the spell has to be completed.

What happens if you don't have enough energy?

Vanya thought, I'm guessing the spell would just sort of disintegrate, or just go into nothingness.

But not before it killed you.

Yeah.

Then how do you ever learn new spells?