Free Magic (complete)

Chapter 28

Anders went to his bag and pulled out his book and device. The tightly wound wires were built up thick and it didn't move from it's ring shape. He presented it to the woman with the staff, who seemed to be somewhat in charge.

"And what have you here?" She asked, pulling out a pair of lenses like Harlow had. A few of the other assessors did the same.

"This is a creation of my own design, intended to hold and store lightning magic." He said quietly. "You are free to look through that book, you will find many of the other materials I have found that did not work well enough to use. I also have documented older designs that lead to this final one, and the process of replicating one of these."

"Have a seat Anders, we will look over it and if we have questions we will talk to you." Harlow smiled.

Anders took a seat. He shifted uncomfortably, imagining all the eyes now on him. The assessors passed around the book and device, whispering and studying it through their strange lenses. Harlow turned to him after a while and waved him back to the table.

"Can you put a bit of power into it? So my colleagues may see it in action?" Harlow asked.

"I can, but I was unable to create a safe case in time for the tests." Anders admitted. "I will put the power in, but please do not touch it. Let me know when you would have me drain it back out and it will be safe again."

"Yes, I had seen your plans for a glass case." The bearded man said. "I suppose you were rather busy of late, the theory of your case seems sound."

"Who would need to touch it other than a lightning mage anyway?" The lolathian woman shrugged and adjusted her lenses.

Anders released some power into the first lump of hematite. He could feel it move through the wire, stopping at each stone. When it reached the beginning again completing the circuit, he stopped adding energy and stepped back.

"Clever." The bearded man peered through his lenses. "I don't see it dissipating like you would expect from most crystals. This is quite extraordinary for a lightning mage. This could change large spells for those with your element of power."

"Is it the movement that keeps it in?" Asked an older man.

"That's the theory." Anders said. "Lightning by nature doesn't want to hold still."

"These are the devices that were used by the necromancer, were they not?" The lolathian woman asked the other assessors.

Anders was taken aback to hear Ghilda called a necromancer, but he couldn't argue it either. Harlow shot him a sympathetic look and turned to his peers.

"It is, but she had stolen these plans from his rooms, and many other things that were later found to be used in the production of her own replicas." Harlow said.

"One can say that, but this book was clearly made recently." The lolathian said. "Can you ensure it was a device of your own making, how do we know you did not take the idea from the necromancer, and not the other way around?"

"I," Anders was at a loss. "Of course I made it, this consumed my days for years. Reece the town blacksmith can attest to me working for him to buy materials. The coin I spent on everything, the wire. The council approved me to pursue this project in the first place."

"Calm down young man, we are simply doing our jobs." The bearded assessor said. "Harlow's word goes far for you, but we need to be sure.

"I think it is time for some deliberation." The older man said. "You are free to sit back in the chair for now."

Anders knew when he was dismissed. He went back to the chair. It was near the table, but just far enough away he couldn't hear them talking. And they talked for a long time. At one point it looked like things were getting heated between the bearded assessor and the woman with the staff. One of the two silent assessors, a monk from the temple it looked like, seemed to mediate the tense situation. Eventually they all bowed their heads for a moment, and he was waved back over.