The Orb of Souls

Chapter 5

The Orb of Souls

©2009 Teresa J. Goodman

Chapter 5

Ember wasted no time in returning to Elmwood Village. She wanted to see her beloved father, and share with him all that she had experienced at mage school. Most of all, she wanted to see the pride on his face again. When she arrived, she headed straight for the academy, because she was sure that would be where he was, teaching his new students the skills he had taught her so many years before. When she walked into the sparring-yard, head held high, and confident, Nadarius' heart filled with joy. It had been far too long since he had seen or heard from his darling daughter, and it was obvious that her sojourn had changed her. She was regal, proud, and assured. Wher, before,she had been quiet, humble, and submissive. Ember had matured into a very fine and distinguished woman, and he knew she was now the warrior he always knew she would be, and that even he could not best her now. Nadarius was so very proud, and he wished with all his heart that her mother could be here to witness this monumental achievement in their daughter's life.

"Attention!" Nadarius' students all ceased their activities and stood to attention. "I would like to introduce you all to Lady Lyndiri. She is the best student the warcraft academy has ever seen. Her trophies and medals even surmount my own. She has never been defeated in combat, and I seriously doubt that I will live to see the day that she is. Many of you may look upon her with contempt, but rest assured, she is far more powerful than you could possibly imagine. She has just returned from the mage school in Sylvan Springs, where she served as apprentace to the headmaster, himself, and surpassed the skills of lifelong students in just twenty-five years. If any of you wish to test your skills, I am certain she would be more than happy to comply. Are there any among you brave enough to try?"

A bold young man, judging by his age, probably in his final year of study at the academy, stepped up to the challenge. He strode haughtily across the sparring-yard, and took his battle stance. "Ah, the proud young Saber Aethelwulf, grand-son of General Andraes Aethelwulf. So you think you have what it takes to best a dragon?" Young Saber's eyes glowed with confidence. "Permission to speak freely, sir?" Nadarius nodded his consent. "My grandfather fought, and defeated, many a dragon in the Great War. I am his heir in more than name. I, too, am undefeated, and welcome your challenge, sir. Shall this be a match with wooden staves, or shall we use weapons befitting real warriors?" Ember laughed at this young pup's arrogance. She was through allowing her father to speak for her, and this was just bordering on the rediculous. "Boy, I am sure that you are your grandfather's heir, and I am sure that you are just dying to slay a dragon yourself, so as to live up to the great name of Aethelwulf. Oh yes, I am quite familiar with your family's legacy, young Aethelwulf. However, I will not willingly take the life of a child, so I suggest you just stick with your wooden sword. Shall we?" Saber's face grew bright red with anger. "I am no child, make no mistake about that, half-breed. Don't be so sure it would be my blood that is spilled this day." Nadarius spoke up. "Calm down, Saber, there will be no blood spilled today, yours, nor hers, is that clear? If you still wish to challenge her, you may do so in tournament fashion. Are we agreed?" Saber nodded in consent, though there was no hiding the disappointment on his face.

Once again he took his battle stance. Ember nodded in respect, but her opponant did not return the gesture. Instead, he struck out, thinking to take her out before she even had a chance to defend. Ember snickered to herself. Immediately, his sword met with hers, and she hadn't even finished raising her head yet. Ember swung her sword over her head, spun, and came back for the familiar blow to the side. He ducked and spun just in time, bringing his sword back down to meet hers once again. Ember looked him in the eyes and grinned, her sharp white fangs slightly protruding from her lips. She braced her feet into the ground, and with a great shove she sent him flying fifty feet through the air. He crashed through a haywagon on the other side of the sparring-yard, and shattered it to pieces. He shook it off, and staggered to his feet. Then once again, he took his battle stance. She just looked down and shook her head in disappointment.

As she stood there, still as a statue, the pebbles at her feet began to quake and disperse in a three foot radius around her. Slowly, she started to rise up off the ground, levitating in the air. Saber's jaw dropped in amazement, and for the first time in his life he felt fear. Ember rose higher and higher into the air, then suddenly she stopped, and flew at him sword drawn. He raised his sword above his head and blocked the blow, but when he spun around, she was nowhere to be found. He spun around again, thinking it a parlor trick, or ruse of some kind, then, suddenly, he felt the chill of cold steel against his throat from behind him, and dropped his sword in defeat. "You cheat! That is why you've never been defeated," he shouted at her. Ember just laughed in response. "If using all your skills in combat is cheating, than perhaps. However, I was undefeated before I even went to mage school. Besides, I am sure you will find that in true combat, there are no rules, only survival. You too could learn to do what I have done. Afterall, it was an elven mage who taught me the spell. The only difference is, that for you, magic must be learned, while for me, the magic is in my blood, therefor it is innate. I just didn't know how to do it before. Consequently, I do not have to prepare the spell beforehand, it is an act of willpower. There is greater advantage as a warrior, to be master of both a sword, as well as a wand." Saber scoffed at her words, angry with himself for his first defeat, and against a half-breed at that. He put his sword away, and stomped out of the sparring-yard, cussing under his breath. Ember just smiled at the spectacle. Something inside made her feel vinticated somehow. Now that she was through here, she wanted to see the headmaster of the warcraft academy. She wanted to propose a deal concerning a new course to add to the curriculum.

Ember made her way to Headmaster Brendel's office to speak with him right away. She waited patiently in his parlor for him to arrive. When he finally entered the room, she stood at attention and saluted. "At ease, Lady Lyndiri. Welcome back. It's good to see you again. Did you know that your tournament record still stands, even after all these years? We have had many talented students over the years, many of whom have gone on to create quite a name for themselves. However, none of them were ever as promising a warrior as you, Lady Lyndiri. I see you doing great things someday. So, what brings you here today?"

Ember stood tall and proud. Headmaster Brendel had just given her the highest of compliments, the likes of which she never dreamed to hear. "As you know, headmaster, I've spent the last twenty-five years studying as apprentace to Headmaster Lyra at the mage school in Sylvan Springs. As I did here at the warcraft academy, I excelled there as well. As a result, I have learned how to combine the arcane arts with the art of war. Magic can be a great addition to the warrior's arsenal. I have come back to the warcraft academy to ask you if my station, and training entitles me to a teaching position here. I would like to teach those students with both high intelligence, and extensive military training, how to use magic in their arsenal. Eventually, I would like to command my own regiment of war-mages. My family is reknowned for their military prowess, and I have an extensive knowledge of magic. I only wish to continue my family's legacy, and bring honor to the House of Lyndiri."

The headmaster thought it over for a few minutes, then he responded. "Lady Lyndiri, rest assured that as far as my opinion is concerned at least, you have already brought honor to your house. However, I understand that there are still others that may not share my oppinion. You are indeed entitled to such a position, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the staff. Please understand that I can not force the students to enroll in your course, their families will most certainly object. If they voluntarily choose to do so, I will authorize your command of the regiment that you requested. Also,understand that there are many in this village that still fear you, and view you as a threat rather than an ally. Many students who may want to take your course may be discouraged from doing so by their families. You endured much prejudice here in the past, and I do not expect the near future to be much brighter." Ember understood what he meant, all too well. "Fair enough, sir. Thank you for giving me this oppurtunity to prove myself. My father will be so proud." The headmaster smiled. "Perhaps this will prove to be a wise decision afterall. Elgyntavia could use more soldiers with your skills. Afterall, what warrior could stand against a mage? But a combination of the two, now there is a force to be reckoned with!"

Headmaster Brendel's words proved to be true enough as she recruited for her course. Those students who wanted to join were prevented by their families. In fact, many families came to the headmaster to protest her new position at the academy. Just as before, at the mage school, the headmaster stood defiant, and ignored their threats and protests. Because he could not force the students to join, he suggested that Ember travel to Elynaria, the capitol city of Elgyntavia, to confer with the High Counsel, and seek their approval on the course in order to placate the protesting parents. She agreed and prepared for departure.