“You know that magic is affected by space, so a ward only has to protect the surface of the blade, which is very close. Never does it have to affect anything that’s not itself. if it does it takes much more energy.”
“But you could still do it?” Legon asked.
“Yes, you could. you may try and kill a dragon, for example. they have wards that help against swords and claws, so you could use the energy to get past those wards and more important, the wards that help the dragon heal after getting hurt. But I make this warning to you now, Un Prosa: if you used the fenna in that way it will take all of the blade’s energy, then you are stuck with an oversize fenna against a dragon. so pick your attack well or don’t try it at all,” Sydin said.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Now, did Arkin teach you how to fill objects with magic?” Sydin asked.
“Yes, he did.”
“Good. Fill the sword as much as you can over the next few hours as we have lunch.”
After that they went and ate lunch with Iselin and Sasha. Iselin seemed to be irritated about something, but she wasn’t letting on. Sasha told him about her test with Iselin. she went on to say just how fast and graceful Iselin was and how powerful she was when using magic.
“You fought with magic?” Legon asked.
“Yes, and your sister did very well,” Iselin said.
Ise wrapped her arm around Sasha and squeezed.
“Did her minor help her at all?” Legon wondered.
“Yes, it did. She is very good with elements like metal, fire, and water. I want to start working with her on crystals as soon as we can. I think that she will show promise in that area.”
Sasha beamed at Legon. he was happy to see her doing well. No one other than family had ever told Sasha she was good at something or doing well, or at least they didn’t to her face. He knew just how much Iselin’s praise meant to her.
“That’s good. We need as many people as we can working with them,” Sydin said.
After lunch Legon was to have his test with the fenrra and magic. Sydin said that because Iselin saw him fight with magic once before, they would go straight to working with the blade and magic together. Sasha and Iselin were to join them for this. Sydin explained how to activate spells in the fenrra.
Legon gripped the handle. there were four gold bars that moved down it and into the blade, providing a faster connection. it felt odd in his hand. once charged, it moved differently. It was connected with him, and as such it felt like a small extension of his arm, but an extension that almost seemed to think for itself.
Sydin pulled out a fenrra of his own and stood opposite Legon. Iselin had been giving Legon new spells to learn, ones that were more advanced than what he had learned on their journey.
“Legon, you need to put a stop-all ward on me, and I will put one on you. Think of this as a guard,” Sydin said.
“But if we get through each other’s wards, won’t it hurt the attacker and the defender?” Legon was talking about draining his own ward if he made it through Sydin’s.
“No. If you ward me, you can produce the most powerful spell in history and it will stop harmlessly against your own wards, no matter how weak. that’s why you can have fire in your hand and it won’t hurt you. Now stop stalling,” Sydin said with a smile.
Legon raised his wards, seeing little flickers of light, and then on the other side he saw black flickers indicating Sydin’s wards. last, he placed a stop all around Sydin. these were crude wards and could be broken by amateurs, but apparently not by oneself.
He saw the flicker of black around himself. Sydin’s eyes seemed to glitter more than usual and they walked in a circle. Who would attack first? Legon noted the flickers of color around Sasha and Iselin; no doubt Iselin was protecting them from any stray spells. Sydin nodded and they added their own.
Sydin thrust his hand forward and a great flash of gray-black magic shot from his hand. Sydin had the same minor as Sasha; so this would be an element of sorts.
The Jezeer had taught Legon to use his muscles like he was playing a fine instrument, and play he did, pivoting out of the way as the dark blur shot past him. Legon sent a cutting curse flying at Sydin, but the first attack had been a feint. before the curse left Legon’s hand, Sydin’s flame curse hit him hard. He felt a jolt of energy leave him. There was another curse right behind it. this time he swung the blade, deflecting the magic without effort. he understood now.
The fight progressed quickly. soon Legon was jumping off walls and benches, sending magic in all directions. Sydin followed suit, but Legon was much too strong for him. Legon came in close, slashing with the blade and forcing Sydin to stop and fight hand to hand. He did this a few times until he learned the more powerful Venefica’s style. Sydin broke the encounter by coating the floor with ice at Legon’s feet. Legon came in close again, and this time when an ice spell came at him he deflected it down in front of them. at the same time he feinted back, tricking Sydin into moving forward without thinking.
It worked. Sydin slipped on the ice and landed hard on his back, at the same moment flicking up his blade to block Legon. Soon Legon was anticipating Sydin’s moves and he changing his style frequently to keep his opponent off balance. Finally, Sydin called a stop, which was a good thing. Legon could feel that the sword was almost spent and then he would have definitely been in trouble. His own magical reserves were all but gone as well, but Sydin looked as though he hadn’t done anything.
“Good, Legon. You are good at changing styles and learning your opponent. even very old and experienced class fives will have a challenge with you in one-on-one combat,” Sydin remarked.
“Are you sure? You don’t look tired at all,” Legon said.
Iselin laughed. he started. He had forgotten she and Sasha were there. “Legon, when are you going to learn that we are not like you two? We are Ascended. I’m a class six and Sydin a seven. Our skills are far beyond your own.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right. That was…” Legon said.
“Look, I’m not mad. You’re new to this. It will take you a while to overcome this perception. But hear this: if you see a Venefica with flecks in their eyes, you run and run fast, you got me? I’m not going to your funeral,” Iselin said firmly.
“Yes we understand Iselin. Thank you,” Sasha said.
“What about in combat? Haven’t people ever attacked a Dragon, I mean an Ascended, before?” Legon asked.
“That is a good question. Yes, if you are in combat and there are two dragons fighting on the ground you may assist, but likely the Iumenta will be doing the same. In that case it would be wisest to attack the Iumenta. but be careful. You may be strong, but you can still be crushed,” Sydin said.
The point was made. Abruptly, Sydin’s eyes slid out of focus. he was receiving a message.
“What was it?” Legon asked.
“Our trick worked. The Iumenta are only coming with three legions of humans and half a Legion of Iumenta,” Sydin said.
“How many Ascended?” Iselin asked.
“Twenty-four.”
“Twenty-four? That’s twice as much as-” Legon started.
“No, there are others in the mountains. They’re in case the Iumenta try guerilla tactics,” Sydin assured them.
“So we need to get moving then, I take it?” Legon said.
“Yes. You will have to make do with what training you have. we will teach you more on the go. now we need to get you armor, and Sasha, we need to get you a store,” Sydin said.
“A what?” Sasha asked.
“It’s a large crystal you wear on your back. during the battle you will be connected with Legon, giving him a broad perspective of the fight. you will wear the crystal so that he may get more energy for magic. you will see. Now let’s go,” Iselin explained.
Barnin let the kid finish buckling his armor. The empire was making its move, so they would be heading out as soon as possible. Unfortunately, most of their troops had to be sent back to Manton due to the difficulties of
