The Gods' War

Chapter 4

        THE HEALING TEACHER had told Joshua to train Lucas in the Healing art. Joshua had spent the entire lesson teaching Lucas almost everything he knew. Lucas had forgotten everything already. The teacher was an old, fat woman, called Ms. Nutt. She had watched while Joshua was teaching Lucas the art of Healing. It was actually an exhausting experience.

        The healer had to take away energy from the patient, so that he or she would fall asleep, and so that their brain could work faster. This was one method of healing. Another method was transferring the disease from the patient to the healer, and then the healer pass the disease into a glowing jar. These jars would then contain the disease, until it was released, by opening the lid. The jars could be used as a weapon against another person, so the jars were all kept in the healing room.

        Lucas was on his way to his next lesson, when Marzelle appeared next to his side.

        “Let me walk with you?” She asked.

        “It would be a pleasure. Do you have Magic Arts and Skills now?” Lucas asked.

        “Yes, it’s my best subject. I find it rather fun.”

        “What happens there?”

        “We’re taught skills, such as musical skills, or sculpting skills. We use magic while we’re busy with learning the skills. For example, my favourite instrument is the violin, I can use magic that, if I play a certain chord, it will make people sleep, for example.”

        They arrived at the classroom. It was as big as the dining hall. In the back were workbenches and a huge furnace. In the front were various instruments and easels and paints. There were blackboards all over the wall, some containing musical notes and magical symbols, others, diagrams of various inventions and trinkets. There were writing desks, with large books on them. At various work stations people were occupied at painting or crafting.

        The teacher walked in, a red-haired, middle-aged woman. She moved towards Lucas and Marzelle.

        “Hello Lucas,” she said, “I’m Mrs. Alsaw. I’m assigning Marzelle to tutor you. Marzelle, teach him all you know, until he is up to everyone else’s level. I’d suggest you start with something basic, like magic chain mail – ”

        Lucas stepped away from her, and closer to a beautiful grand piano that had caught his attention. He walked towards it as Mrs. Alsaw and Marzelle looked at him, waiting to see what he was doing.

        Lucas sat down on the piano stool, it was soft. He looked at the ivory and ebony keys. They were calling to him, making him want to play.

        He didn’t know what happened next. Lucas started to play. He had never before played a piano, but he played as if he had for decades. He was a master.He played a beautiful tune; it filled him with rage and sadness as well as joy. It felt so good to play, like a release of build-up of energy – magical energy. He looked around himself. Peopled had gathered around him, some looked angry, others had tears in their eyes, and some, like Marzelle, had giant beaming faces.

        “Lucas,” Marzelle said, “that was ... amazing.”

        Lucas looked up at her. He didn’t know how he had done it. He stood up, uncertain of what to do.

        “Have you ever played a piano before, Lucas?” Mrs. Alsaw asked.

        “Well, no.” Lucas answered, “I’m sorry if I did anything wrong. I felt as if it was calling to me, I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry.”