We Three Mages (Editing)

Chapter Thirty Five: Whispers

 The air around this small little party began to cool down as the sky set and darkened. Huddled around the fire, Nadia soaked up an interesting idea the Book decided to show her. Jared was far enough away so the others wouldn’t be able to hear him, but the fire was still visible. He pounded, kicked, slammed, burned, melted, stripped, and crushed nearby trees as he reflected upon what he’s been doing wrong the past few weeks. Calvin sat the opposite of Nadia as he showed Devin how to create a spell that would match his fight style. Mari was sound asleep, in warm dreams of the past.

The sun high in the sky, Calvin and Jared won the challenge and travelled an hour to a town to restock their supplies. The town that had been chosen was a lively and wealthy one. Many different types and kinds of people came through every day, spinning their own tales and learning a few while at it. Merchants would often trade tales of all the good and bad they’ve seen; with the war, it’s been more bad than good, but today a new story, a new whisper was upon their lips.

Jared sat outside a local pub as he enjoyed the air. He closed his eyes as a breeze ruffled his hair. He quietly listened to the voices around him as their many conversations drifted to his ears.

“Aye, then the mage sprang up high and sent a barrage of….”

“The lake waters were rougher than usual as we sailed across, couldn’t figure out why until the storm hit.”

“The war has begun to affect to the others as well. I hear Eestri has started to pull their boys in line.”

“Villages are being wiped off Magistrax with no bodies left behind. No one can figure out what’s been becoming of them.”

“Didja hear ‘bout Cooronolia?” A gruff voice spoke soft behind Jared.

“They’re supposed new fighting?” another responded. This caught Jared’s attention more than anything else.

“Ye, some Lieutenant Commander of a private sector is scooping talent straight off the streets and training them up real good.”

“Jared?” Calvin had said his name for the fourth time.

“Huh? What?” Jared spun his head to look at Calvin. “What?”

“Your drink.” Calvin handed the wooden mug to his friend. “What’s got your scatter brain so focused?”

“Behind us.” Jared subtly nodded towards the two men that were talking. “I heard something interesting.”

“How interesting?” Calvin raised an eyebrow. Instead of an answer, Jared turned himself around and grinned at the two men.

“Gentlemen, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, would you be so kind as to elaborate on what you were saying about Cooronolia?” Jared asked. The conversationalists grinned and gladly spun Jared and Calvin a tale.

Back at their camp, Nadia still had her nose in her Book and had had very little sleep from the previous night. Mari was with Devin as he tried to create his own spell. He had sweat on his brow as he concentrated at the empty space between his hands.

“Take a break.” Mari lowered his hands. “If you overwork yourself, that’s the same as taking two steps backwards from your goal.”

“Okay.” Devin let all the magic he had built up disperse.

“You too Nadia, you’ve been doing nothing but reading that Book since last night. You need sleep.” Mari walked over and tried to take Nadia’s Book out of her hands, but Nadia held fast.

“I found something.” Nadia looked up. “Like, a g-good something.”

“A good something?” Mari released her own grip then sat down next to her friend. “What?”

“It took a while for me t-to bet-better understand, but I think i-i-it’s an item that can be used to ch-channel one’s magic.”

“Wait, seriously?” Mari took a peek at Nadia’s book.

“Yeah; it was a common practice back wh-when our magic was still in use.” Nadia further explained.

“And when our magic became the Forbidden magic…” Mari didn’t need to say more. “Any clue as to what this item was?” Nadia simply shook her head.

“Can’t f-f-find it.”

“Let me look in mine.” Mari yanked her Book off its chain and brought it back to its original size. Mari flipped through her pages as Nadia continued to read through hers. The two were so focused that they hadn’t realized Devin as he tried to read over their shoulders.

It wasn’t until late into the evening that Jared and Calvin tumbled back to their friends.

“Remember, not a word.” Jared whispered to Calvin. “There’s no real evidence.”

“Yep.” Calvin just bobbed his head.

“Dude, how drunk are you?” Jared laughed, not so sober himself.

“Well, those lovely merchants were buying, my little legendary friend.” Calvin chuckled.

“Where have you two been?” Mari looked at the two as they tripped into camp. “And why are you walking funny?”

“Dunno.” Jared shrugged his shoulders from where he had fallen. Calvin was just laughing.

“Oh my gods, are you two drunk?” Mari looked at the two.

“Calvin’s more drunk than I my good sister.” Jared pointed out.

“Oh yes I am.” Calvin snickered. “Who woulda thunk that old merchants appreciate a young man’s attention so much?”

“I don’t even want to know what that means.” Mari rubbed her forehead for the headache that was sure to come. “Before Ross gets back, I want to tell you guys something Nadia found.”

“What?” Jared had finally managed to get into a sitting position.

“An item that allows us to better focus by sending our magic through it.” Nadia read out of her Book. “W-We’ll be able to perform the more co-complex spells if we were able to use these”

“What’s da item?” Calvin leaned against a tree.

“We don’t know. The Books wouldn’t tell us.” Mari still had her Book flipping through the pages for the information. “It feels like it’s purposely keeping what it is from us.” She pouted slightly.

“We’ll j-just have to make finding the item o-one of our main objectives.” Nadia concluded. “W-We have enough informa-mation to do s-so.”

“Cool.” Jared only half heard the girls.

“Ugh, they’re too drunk to understand words.” Mari got angry.

“I like drunk, it’s fun.” Calvin smiled.

“Wait until the morning.” Ross came out of the brush. “What you’ll feel then will be punishment enough.”

“Did you find anything?” Nadia asked her.

“North, north east of here, Demintrea has a camp in Trajare.” Ross reported.