Walking Mage

Love Ties: 19

Corla woke to darkness.  Not the darkness of a room without light; it was the utter blackness of space.  She knew there was people around her because they had each touched her.

This was it she thought to herself.  Death had finally won and embraced her in its lasting arms.  They had been dancing for so long she had grown to think of death as inevitable.

"Child, you need to come back."  A aged voice talked to her from the darkness.  "There's so much left to do, and the Child Mage needs you."

Then a raspy but very feminine voice added, right into her mind, "Master Lynn and Runner need your wisdom to get through the coming times.  I need you to teach them how to combat the blood magics.  Your life will be painful from now on, but the reward will be great!"

Light began to enter Corla's vision.  Far away and distant at first, but the very light of life it was.  The aged male voice was speaking to her again.

"Child Corla, I had to merge the blood magic soul with yours.  I'm so sorry but it was the only way."

Lynn took one of her hands, "I tried everything but the Elder Mage had the only spell that seemed to work.  Oh, I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to do more, High Mage Corla."

"You did more than any other Walking Mage has in my life time, Child."  The Elder Mage said from Corla's feet.

"If you hadn't have had the forethought to have a party here we all would have lost a friend this night."  Alton said.  High Mage Mira was at his side.

Gual walked over and gave Corla an appraising look before saying, "You've managed to survive this one, but only because of this Walker.  You may want to consider a lucky charm of some sort."

"I don't believe in luck, you arrogant peacock."  Corla said in a tired voice.  "I believe in the grace of the Great Maker."

"Huh?  Thought you hated the Maker for not allowing you to, uh...love whomever you wanted to love."  Gual responded, trying to keep up the act that he did not care.

"I love what I love, fool. The Great Maker puts people in our lives for a grandeur purpose then base lust."  Corla was sounding stronger, but Lynn could hear pain in her words.

"This is fun, but High Mage...you really need to rest.  You did just come back from the edge of death!"  Lynn said while shooing the rest out.  Only the Elder stayed.

"Your the coughing Mage, aren't you?"  Corla asked when the door closed.

He laughed slightly.  Then took a necklace out of his pocket, held it up to the light and started speaking, "Magic is a strange thing, child.  It's all around but only some can truly touch it.  Why is that, do you think?"

"Only those blessed with knowledge can use it, I think."  Corla was trying to ignore the searing pain in her mid section.  She was failing horribly.

"The physical pain will abate in time, but I feel that the spiritual wound  will last the rest of your days."  He spoke with a gentleness not usually seen from Elder Mages.

"So you think only a select few can use magic, huh?  What would you say if I told you that love is a kind of magic?  Or hate, an equally powerful spell that consumes so many."

"Those are emotions.  As such, they can be controlled."  She tried to shift but nothing would make her more comfortable.

"I'm keeping you awake to have this conversation.  I will not be able to speak to you directly again for some time.  So sorry, child, but bare the pain for just a bit longer, please."