Firebrand

The Asterians returned to the campsite first, and they made use of the time to cook a hot meal. Thanks to Martel enchanting a heating stone, it could be done without creating a fire and attracting attention. While the worst dangers of the area seemed tamed, undead creatures no doubt still roamed the city.

Atreus returned a while after. “The smell of food summoned me,” he jested, taking a seat on some of the rubble they used as chairs.

“Where did you go?”

“I investigated a few other buildings. Just to see if anything or anyone remained. Nothing of particular interest, though.” The spellbreaker looked from one to the other. “And you’ve had time to discuss?”

Martel took a deep breath. “If – and I stress that word – if we were to do this, how did you envision it? You must have made plans.”

“Of the loose kind, considering my knowledge of this world, or rather, this time period, remains lacklustre. Most importantly, we need resources and people. I’m given to understand that Aster would be our only option for either.”

Eleanor nodded. “Khivans would never come here, and Tyrians dislike settling south of their river. There may be desperate souls in Morcaster and other cities that would consider it. Whether those are the people we want is another question.”

“Perhaps some manner of selection process,” Atreus considered. “I do have an ability to see what’s in people’s minds, if not their hearts.”

“I doubt we can afford to be choosy,” Eleanor remarked dryly. “Resources is an even greater concern. We will need to buy all sorts of equipment, not to mention seed and livestock if we are to grow food. Martel and I have some amount of wealth, but while that might buy us a house, it will not buy us a city.”

The spellbreaker nodded. “That as well. The mountains that we nestle in are rich in metals, if not the precious kind. It might be useful to attract interest. Either way, I am keenly aware that if we are to get Aster’s support, it will depend on you.” “Is that your plan? You will remain here, cleansing the place, while we travel to Morcaster to garner support?” Martel asked.

“In part. Something else should be done first.” Atreus exhaled slowly. “I think our goals and future would be much better off if you learned the full powers already available to me. The magic of the mind and the soul.”

Eleanor clenched and opened her fists. “You would teach us?”

“Not exactly. The way that I and others of my time were taught, we learned at Archen using tools and instruments that sped up the process. I have looked where feasible, but all that I could find were destroyed or no longer useful after this much time. Perhaps for the best. I often feared that allowing the acquisition of such abilities so easily was part of our undoing.” The spellbreaker glanced from one to the other. “In one forgotten sanctuary on an island, however, I saw it written on the walls. How the first wizards of Archen learned to unlock this magic. You must do the same, each of you going on a pilgrimage of sorts. You would travel alone, and I don’t know what trials you might face.”

Neither Asterian spoke at first. They looked at each other, but it took a moment before Martel spoke. “I admit to some hesitation. Not only for my own sake, but also that we would spread such knowledge. Elemental magic is one thing. Its purpose tends to be peaceful. While it can be used to fight, most mages use it to build and create. By teaching enchantment and other such techniques, we will channel our students’ abilities towards peaceful endeavours. But I have some inkling of what you can do,” the battlemage declared, thinking back on the times he had seen Atreus display the lost magic of Archen. “You can place a thought in someone’s head and make them think it was theirs. You can ask questions that none would deny you the answer to. And I imagine that’s the gentlest uses.” He pulled out the protective charm that Atreus had enchanted onto a locket, hanging around Martel’s neck. “Controlling minds and making a slave of people. Isn’t that why maleficars are feared above all? Wouldn’t such powers encourage their abuse and tempt young wizards towards evil?”

“All power bears responsibility for how it is used. A stonemage building a house can use their magic just as easily to crush someone beneath a boulder. Same with magic that deals with the mind and the soul,” Atreus argued. “Your sister slept for how many years?” he asked, looking at Eleanor. “And none in Aster could save her. For me, it took scarcely more than a touch. But I am not blind to your position,” he added. “Some forms of magic corrupt more easily than others. I do think that was the mistake that Archen made. As said, we granted power too easily, letting our mages acquire it without the cost of discipline. Without the wisdom to temper it.”

“I think we should discuss this alone as well,” Eleanor interjected. “Give us a moment.”

“Of course. I have plenty of work to do here. I’ll find you later,” Atreus promised.

Once more, the Asterians drifted down alongside the fortifications, still staying outside the city out of caution. “You seem sceptical,” Eleanor finally remarked.

“I know what becoming a battlemage did to me. My magic is honed to kill, and it comes so swiftly to me now. I can utter a spell with such ease that will burn a host of people alive, and I have done it, without hesitation. I’d do it again if I thought it necessary.”

“But never out of malice,” she argued. “Only because you had to.”

“I think that’s the greatest danger. When we think that we have no choice but to use the power given to us. The more power we amass, the more dangerous it becomes to be wrong.”

“Without power, we cannot make matters right either. He has a point,” she insisted. “No lesser mage could have saved Genevieve. I would never have spoken with my sister again if not for him and his magic.”

“This does not give you pause, I take it.”

“No. My concerns are whether rebuilding Archen is feasible. I agree that we should learn the same abilities as Atreus. It may be invaluable in our efforts, especially given the obstacles we face.”

“But you see? Already you justify that we might have to use this magic in the pursuit of our goals,” Martel urged, “and we haven’t even begun yet! If Aster refuses to help us, should we invade the minds of every senator and force them?”

“Of course not!” Eleanor exclaimed. “I cannot believe you would think that of me!” Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs Nove1Fire.net

“I don’t,” Martel claimed, his voice calm again. “But I could believe that about myself.”

“Do not be silly. You would never. Why are you so anxious?”

“I started a civil war, Eleanor, because I thought it was right.”

“It was right.”

“Was there perhaps another way? I marched five legions to Morcaster and stormed the city. I never questioned my decisions. I did what seemed like the only choice, made possible because of the power I wielded. Not just my magic, but also over those who followed me.”

“We marched on Morcaster. I followed you,” she declared. “Was I wrong?”

He exhaled deeply. “No. I don’t think so. But ten years ago, I could not have imagined ever using magic to hurt someone. Then I gained the power to do so, and since then, I’ve killed hundreds if not thousands.”

“Because the Empire trained you and forced you to do so. This will be different. You were set on a path, but you broke free. Now we can do the same for others. We can make Archen into a shining city full of light and warmth, where all are taken care of. All that you talked about earlier today!”

“I did, and you seemed the sceptic then. Why are our roles reversed now?”

“Because I think this is your dream as much as it is Atreus’s, even if you never knew it,” Eleanor claimed. “And I will support you. But we should not do this with a half-empty quiver. If he promises us abilities that will increase our chances of success, we must seize them. Else why even bother if we are not giving ourselves every possible chance to succeed?”

One corner of his mouth curled upwards. “Spoken like a true legate. Very well, I shall not argue further.”

She regarded him doubtfully. “Truly? You accept we should follow his proposal?”

Martel bowed his head. “I remain concerned, but it did occur to me that for my first sixteen years, my father bade me suppress my magic. He feared where it would lead me. I understand him, but he should have trusted me and my powers. Maybe my path would have been better. We cannot become like the Inquisition, fearing what we can’t understand or control. We must have faith in each other.” He gave her a thin-lipped smile. “We are all responsible for how we use our power, but first, we must be entrusted to use it.”

They waited a while until Atreus returned to their camp. As he saw them, the spellbreaker smiled. “Let me hear your thoughts.”

Eleanor looked at Martel before she answered. “We are ready to try.”

“Good. I can’t say how long it’ll take you to find the knowledge you seek, nor how long I shall labour here. Not to mention, I may take up pursuit of Karolos if I discover any sign of him,” the spellbreaker declared. He sat down and began to rummage through his supplies for rations, and his companions did the same for theirs. “But I have faith that you can both succeed as the ancients did. Once you are done, you should reconvene in Morcaster and gather support for our reclamation of Archen. I will join you if time permits. Else we shall all meet here again.”

Now Martel looked at Eleanor, thinking about the one aspect of their plans they had not discussed. They would have to part, for the first time in years. “It’s too late to begin our journey today,” he said. “We should rest up for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow, we can begin our travels.”

Atreus nodded. “Agreed. Tomorrow morning, I shall give you the instructions as best I know them. The Stars will guide you the rest of the way.”

“Let’s hope so,” Martel mumbled, and they began their meal in silence.