Darsidian Myths, A Promise Heard

Chapter 19

Today was the day Eldred began educating Jayden in the ways of magic. It was merely one day after the wizard's test and Jayden had no idea what to expect out of his first lesson. He didn't know if it would be difficult, easy, or how to prepare for it. The entire night he lay in bed pondering what was going to happen the next day.

However that wasn't the only thing that kept him awake. His father's dream had once again visited him. Unfortunately the dream was more graphic and disturbing than the other times he saw it. He was literally tired of seeing the repeated bloodshed in the dream. He had lost so much sleep dark shadows had begun to grow underneath his eyes.

He assumed the dream's purpose was for him to know what took place in the past. To realize how the war with Elincia began. He believed he understood that but the nagging vision still plagued his mind. It refused to leave him alone. He wished every night to be free of the nightmare but it continued to torment him.

If he was to be rid of the vision it surely wasn't going to be now. At the moment he was sitting inside his residence across from Eldred.

Before Eldred did anything he asked Bastian and the others to remain outside. He explained to them their resistance to magic would interfere with Jayden's ascension. With that knowledge the lunvarin understood and agreed to wait outside.

"So," began Eldred, "how much do you know about magic?"

Jayden shook his head slightly. "Nothing really, everything I know about magic is what I've seen. I've seen my father use it to heal people and I've seen you defend yourself and others with it. Other than that I know nothing."

"At least you have a vague idea how it works. Most people have no idea how it functions. They think mages, wizards and warlocks have the ability to turn people into frogs and whatnot."

"Can you turn someone into a frog?"

Eldred scowled disapprovingly. "Of course not," the wizard waved a scolding finger, "and I assure you, no one in the world can either."

Feeling somewhat silly about his question, Jayden became silent.

"Magic can be used for many things," continued Eldred, "it can heal people, help with daily chores, and as you know it can be used for combat. You may not know this but some people are born with the ability to use magic. Others, like us, must learn to possess it from someone who already controls it."

"Will I be able to use magic like my father?" asked Jayden hopefully.

"Sorry," apologized Eldred, "but that isn't possible. The magic your father used was called Prodigy. It is a magic controlled by the elves and only they can use it. The magic I'm going to teach you is Vesper. Only humans and dwarves can wield it. Look here." The wizard waved his hand in the air causing a wisp of blue light to appear above the table. When the light finally settled into place the symbol of the darsidian could be seen. "Do you know what this is?" asked the wizard.

Jayden looked at the emblem, a look of awe in his eyes. "It's the symbol of the darsidian."

"Good," replied Eldred, "at least you know what the symbol is. What most people don't know is that the symbol represents all the magic types in the world. Magic types like Scourge, Vesper, Prodigy, and Paragon. It is said that each point of the hexagon represents one of these powers."

"But that's only four," pointed out Jayden. "There are six points."

Eldred smiled. "I'm happy you noticed. The other magic types are unknown and have been lost to the ages."