Quinn walked slowly through the forest. He was in no hurry to return to
Blaedynn, back to his master. His morning walks, he purposely made long so
that he could getaway from his training for a short while. His black robes
with silver runes at the hems he held up off the ground. He could remember
the time when he was eight and he had dirtied the hems of his blue-green
robes and his master, Grelikath, had beaten him with his staff. He headed
to the small clearing that he usually sat at for a short time. As he
neared the clearing he could see a body lying to one side. It was a man.
He had black hair like his. His clothes were tattered and soaked in blood.
He appeared to be a high class warrior at the very least. A sword with
runes on it lay near him. He wore a single ring on his left index finger.
As Quinn neared him he realized the man was still alive. He didn't seem to
have any Seidaica, the lifeblood of magic, in his blood. Maybe he was a
bandit who had been attacked as revenge. Quinn turned to leave, but
stopped when a voice within his mind spoke to him.
"Help him Quinn. He is needed as are you. He carries a fate stone, Quinn" the voice cooed. "A fate stone?" Quinn asked aloud. He had heard of fate stones. They could open the gates to heavens and could only be used when together. "Yes, you carry one as well," "I have no fate stone," he said. "Simple mortal, the fate stones are held within the carrier," the voice said, "Now help him." "All right," Quinn said with a nodded. He knew that Grelikath would have a fit over him using his powers, but the man appeared close to death. Quinn kneeled beside the man and placed a hand on man's badly broken body. He hoped his power was strong enough to heal him completely. He concentrated on the man and could feel the Seidaica within his own blood heat. Healing was always slow, many had tried to rush it. When they had rushed it, the person they were healing healed wrong and they themselves had been injured. He concentrated on pushing the healing warmth into the man. It was an hour before he had finished healing the man. Quinn sat back and sighed. He was tired but he knew he had to clean the blood off the man. He waved a hand over the man and he became drenched in water. Slowly the dried blood was washed away by the magical water upon his body. When it was all off the blood had formed a red ring around the man's body. Quinn raised his hand and one last time waved it over the man and he was dry. "Quinn!" a deep voice roared. Quinn groaned. He should have known that Grelikath would have come looking for him. Quinn quickly stood and raised a hand to his head as he became dizzy. Grelikath walked into the clearing and looked from Quinn to the man. "You have used your magic?" he questioned. "Yes, master, the man was near death," Quinn replied. Grelikath walked over to the man and kneeled down to examine him. Quinn turned to watch as the bald old man checked the ring of blood, the man's condition and searching for a trace of magic upon him. "This is an excellent healing, Quinn," "Thank you, master," "When we return to Blaedynn you are to go the Mage court for ten lashes for using your powers without my consent and five for not having this man's consent," "But he was unconscious, master!" Quinn exclaimed. "And two for talking back," he said. "Master," Quinn groaned. "And you will not receive a healing for whining," Grelikath said standing, "Young man, you must learn to hold your tongue. You shall carry the man back to Blaedynn. Oh, and three lashes for having your staff with you," he said. Quinn winced as he went to the man and picked him up. The man was heavy. Quinn guessed he was more muscle than fat. When they returned to Blaedynn Grelikath told Quinn to meet him before the mage court after he brought the man to the tavern and bought a room to leave him in. Quinn headed to The Blue Talisman. When he arrived he moved through the crowd of locals to the bar. Sardoc, the man who owned The Blue Talisman, went over to Quinn. "So Quinn, how can I help you?" he asked wiping his dirty hands on his apron. "I need a room for this man," Quinn said tossing a golden Trihn on the bar. "What happened to him?" Sardoc asked as he scooped up the Trihn. "I don't know, but I healed him," "Grelikath didn't catch you did he?" "He did, I'm on my way to Mage court for my lashings," "How many this time?" "Twenty," "Twenty! What did you do? Raise the man from the dead?" "I didn't have Master Grelikath's consent or the man's, I didn't have my staff, and I couldn't keep my damn mouth shut," Quinn said. "Are all masters that harsh," "Most," "Then there is no way I am going to let anyone know about my daughter's powers.you won't tell anyone will you?" "Of course not, Sardoc," Quinn said. "Thank you.I hope they heal you better than they did last time," he said coming around the bar and taking the man from Quinn. "I don't get a healing this time," Quinn said as he turned and left. "Where's Quinn off to, Sardoc?" Pan asked following Sardoc up the stairway to the rooms. "Another lashing," Sardoc sighed as he opened a door and placed the man on the bed, "Stay here and make sure he is all right," When Quinn arrived at the Mage Court, Grelikath was waiting for him. "No, staff?" he asked. Quinn's jaw dropped, he'd forgotten it again. "No master," Quinn said quietly. Grelikath only shook his head. "Come along, Quinn," he said as they headed into the building. "Name?" the High Magus asked from his seat. Beside him sat the Magus Princess. She was the most powerful mage of the time. She was young. She looked no older than Quinn himself. She had long black hair and slanted silver blue eyes. She wore gray robes with silver runes up the front in two lines to the collar. "Grelikath," "Your student," "Quinn," Grelikath replied. Quinn wished he were invisible. It was his seventh time in the Mage Court this week. He knew he had earned the place as a problematic child in the eyes of the High Magi. "Your purpose here?" "I have come before you again for disciplinary action for Quinn," "His actions?" "Using the power to heal without my consent or the consent of the person he used it on, forgetting his staff, and talking back," Grelikath said. "Was the person a Mage?" the High Magus asked. "No he was not," Grelikath replied. Quinn winced as he now came under the scrutiny of the High Magi. "Step foreword, Quinn," the High Magus said. Quinn did as he was told. "Your reason for using the power without the consent of your master or the consent of the mundane." "Master Grelikath was in town and I was out for my morning walk. The man I found was near death and unconscious," "Did you try to wake the man?" "Well, no.but I thought." "Many mundanes would rather die than have a mage heal them. Where was you staff when you left and where is it now?" the High Magus asked. "Beside my bed," "Did you talk back to your master?" "Yes," Quinn said lowering his head. "Twenty five lashes. Normally Twenty is necessary but you have been in here so many times I was considering thirty five. Grelikath, do you have any extra punishment you wish to add?" "Yes," "They are," "He should not receive any healing by use of the power," "Granted," the High Mage said. Quinn was led to another room and a received his Twenty five lashes without even a cry of pain. When they released him he was far to tired and in pain to get back so he sat in an alley to rest. They had only bandaged his back up and from what he could tell it didn't seem like they did a good job at all. Mages weren't used to doing things without using the power. "Excuse me," a voice called from further in the alley. Quinn turned his head to see a woman dressed in a dark brown cloak. He recognized her as the Magus Princess. He quickly stood and lowered his head in respect. "Stop that!" she exclaimed. Quinn's back ached from the quick movement and it took him a moment to understand that she didn't want him to do what he was doing. "How badly does it hurt?" she asked quietly. "It doesn't hurt," he lied. She narrowed her eyes and stared at him a moment. "May I remind you who I am?" she asked. Quinn shook his head. "It hurts," he said. "Come with me," she said as she pulled the hood of the cloak up over her head. Quinn was confused but he followed her anyway. She led him to The Blue Talisman. She brought him up stairs to a locked room. She pulled a key out of the cloak and unlocked the door. She motioned for Quinn to come in and he reluctantly followed. "My name is Kaicia," she said as she removed the cloak and hung it on a peg on the wall. "My name is Quinn," "I know, I have seen you in the court many times," she said. "I know," he said. "If you don't clean up for the next week, I don't think I will be able to convince the High Magi Council that you are ready to be a full mage," she said, "Can you get your shirt and all off without help?" "Not really," he said truthfully. He couldn't help but stare at her. She was very beautiful. She had long raven black hair and brown eyes. Her skin was smooth and lightly tanned. "Let me help you," she said as she began to unbutton his shirt. Quinn pulled away quickly. He regretted moving so fast. His back suddenly felt wet and he knew he was bleeding again. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said thinking back to when the voice had talked to her while they had sent Quinn off to be whipped. "I'd believe anything you wanted me too," he said forgetting himself. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked cocking her head to one side. "Nothing," Quinn said remembering who it was that he was talking too. Kaicia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Do you swear you won't laugh at me and you won't tell anyone else?" "I swear," he said as she began to unbutton his shirt again. "I heard a voice in my head.it told me to help you," she said slowly, "Lay down on the bed," "I heard a voice too.it wanted me to help the man.it said that he and I carried fate stones," "It said I did too." she said as she began to heal Quinn. He suddenly began to feel drowsy, but willed himself to stay awake. When she had finished healing Quinn, Kaicia helped him to his room. After a few minutes Quinn got up out of his bed and headed to the room the man was in. As he entered one of the bar maids sat sleeping on a stool in the room. The man was still unconscious. "Wake up," Quinn said shaking the woman awake. She stared at him blankly for a moment the stood. "I'm sorry I should not have been sleeping," she said rubbing her eyes. "It's all right.you can go to your place and sleep," "Thanks," she said as she left. Quinn sat on the stool and faced the man. He wore odd clothing. It was nothing like he had ever seen anyone wear before. The man's eyes fluttered and opened. "You okay now?" Quinn asked. The man stared at him a moment. He had clear blue eyes, but they were filled with pain and sorrow with a look of wisdom that an elder had. "I guess," he said. "You took quite a beating earlier.I healed you," "I did?.thank you," "What's you name?" "I think.,"Jack said as he sat up and put a hand to his forehead, "It's Jax," he said. "Where did you come from?" "I.don't remember," he said. "Get some sleep.I'll get you in the morning," Quinn said as he got up and left. The next morning when he awoke, Quinn lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He decided to go get Kaicia first. He wanted to thank her for healing him. When he arrived he thanked her and told her that he was going to see Jax. "I would like to meet him," she said. "Why?" "To see if you should have been punished so badly," she said. Quinn nodded and led her to Jax's room. He knocked on the door lightly and it was opened by Jax. "Good morning," Quinn said to him. "Good morn, come on in," he said moving out from in front of the door. Quinn and Kaicia stepped in. Quinn noted with some jealousy that Jax was thoroughly examining the curves of Kaicia's body. "Well, I came to bring you down for breakfast and Kaicia wanted to talk to you before we headed down," Quinn said. Jax didn't even move his eyes from Kaicia to Quinn in the least. "Do you resent mages?" Kaicia asked demanding his attention to her face. "No.I really don't know what a mage is," "Quinn and I are mages," "No I don't resent it.not in the least," he said shaking his head. "If we were to use magic on you, would you be angered by it?" "No.not at all," Jax said with a smile. "I'll bring this up in the next council, Quinn," "Can we go eat?" Jax asked them as his stomach growled loudly. Quinn nodded and Jax was the first one out the door. Quinn turned to Kaicia as the were heading down the hall behind Jax. "Kaicia," he said quietly as he stopped her. Jax continued walking. "Yes?" she asked. Quinn stood there a moment. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her. Kaicia was stunned by this and didn't know what else to do so she responded to the kiss by wrapping her arms around Quinn's neck and kissing him back. As Jax reached the bottom of the stairs he realized that Quinn and Kaicia were no longer behind him. With a sigh he went and sat down at the bar. As he sat there he heard men in the corner snickering and out of the corner of his eye saw them pointing at him and whispering. One of then men stood and walked unsteadily to him and sat beside Jax. "Ya know what, stranger.you look like a rag doll and that sword there at your hip..it looks like a child's toy. Where you from, stranger? You an elf.naw ya ain't got them pointy ears.yer ears are small too..you are probably married to an ogre eh?" the man said with a smile. The smile hit him like a slap. A face that smiled when it took his wife and dear child.the one that took Alora and Melina! His name was not Jax it was Jack. This was not his world. Lunefear was not a child's toy.it was his weapon of destruction.a madman's toy. With a scream, of rage and pain Jack began powering up. He did so slowly, very slowly. Ki. His attacks.his kind of magic. Jack's body began to glow with the energy. The man screamed and was burned half to death as he fell back. Jack screamed again in sadness for his dead wife and child. A large burst of energy exploded in the room leaving Jack unscathed. The room was torn and tattered and bodies lay everywhere around him. Jack could hear people outside scream and cry out. What had he done? Quinn and Kaicia were thrown to the ground by such a force their magical shields had almost been destroyed. Quinn looked at Kaicia who was as stunned as he was.
"What was that?" Quinn asked. "I have no idea.it came out of nowhere.I couldn't even sense it until we were hit," she said in a shaking voice.
"Help him Quinn. He is needed as are you. He carries a fate stone, Quinn" the voice cooed. "A fate stone?" Quinn asked aloud. He had heard of fate stones. They could open the gates to heavens and could only be used when together. "Yes, you carry one as well," "I have no fate stone," he said. "Simple mortal, the fate stones are held within the carrier," the voice said, "Now help him." "All right," Quinn said with a nodded. He knew that Grelikath would have a fit over him using his powers, but the man appeared close to death. Quinn kneeled beside the man and placed a hand on man's badly broken body. He hoped his power was strong enough to heal him completely. He concentrated on the man and could feel the Seidaica within his own blood heat. Healing was always slow, many had tried to rush it. When they had rushed it, the person they were healing healed wrong and they themselves had been injured. He concentrated on pushing the healing warmth into the man. It was an hour before he had finished healing the man. Quinn sat back and sighed. He was tired but he knew he had to clean the blood off the man. He waved a hand over the man and he became drenched in water. Slowly the dried blood was washed away by the magical water upon his body. When it was all off the blood had formed a red ring around the man's body. Quinn raised his hand and one last time waved it over the man and he was dry. "Quinn!" a deep voice roared. Quinn groaned. He should have known that Grelikath would have come looking for him. Quinn quickly stood and raised a hand to his head as he became dizzy. Grelikath walked into the clearing and looked from Quinn to the man. "You have used your magic?" he questioned. "Yes, master, the man was near death," Quinn replied. Grelikath walked over to the man and kneeled down to examine him. Quinn turned to watch as the bald old man checked the ring of blood, the man's condition and searching for a trace of magic upon him. "This is an excellent healing, Quinn," "Thank you, master," "When we return to Blaedynn you are to go the Mage court for ten lashes for using your powers without my consent and five for not having this man's consent," "But he was unconscious, master!" Quinn exclaimed. "And two for talking back," he said. "Master," Quinn groaned. "And you will not receive a healing for whining," Grelikath said standing, "Young man, you must learn to hold your tongue. You shall carry the man back to Blaedynn. Oh, and three lashes for having your staff with you," he said. Quinn winced as he went to the man and picked him up. The man was heavy. Quinn guessed he was more muscle than fat. When they returned to Blaedynn Grelikath told Quinn to meet him before the mage court after he brought the man to the tavern and bought a room to leave him in. Quinn headed to The Blue Talisman. When he arrived he moved through the crowd of locals to the bar. Sardoc, the man who owned The Blue Talisman, went over to Quinn. "So Quinn, how can I help you?" he asked wiping his dirty hands on his apron. "I need a room for this man," Quinn said tossing a golden Trihn on the bar. "What happened to him?" Sardoc asked as he scooped up the Trihn. "I don't know, but I healed him," "Grelikath didn't catch you did he?" "He did, I'm on my way to Mage court for my lashings," "How many this time?" "Twenty," "Twenty! What did you do? Raise the man from the dead?" "I didn't have Master Grelikath's consent or the man's, I didn't have my staff, and I couldn't keep my damn mouth shut," Quinn said. "Are all masters that harsh," "Most," "Then there is no way I am going to let anyone know about my daughter's powers.you won't tell anyone will you?" "Of course not, Sardoc," Quinn said. "Thank you.I hope they heal you better than they did last time," he said coming around the bar and taking the man from Quinn. "I don't get a healing this time," Quinn said as he turned and left. "Where's Quinn off to, Sardoc?" Pan asked following Sardoc up the stairway to the rooms. "Another lashing," Sardoc sighed as he opened a door and placed the man on the bed, "Stay here and make sure he is all right," When Quinn arrived at the Mage Court, Grelikath was waiting for him. "No, staff?" he asked. Quinn's jaw dropped, he'd forgotten it again. "No master," Quinn said quietly. Grelikath only shook his head. "Come along, Quinn," he said as they headed into the building. "Name?" the High Magus asked from his seat. Beside him sat the Magus Princess. She was the most powerful mage of the time. She was young. She looked no older than Quinn himself. She had long black hair and slanted silver blue eyes. She wore gray robes with silver runes up the front in two lines to the collar. "Grelikath," "Your student," "Quinn," Grelikath replied. Quinn wished he were invisible. It was his seventh time in the Mage Court this week. He knew he had earned the place as a problematic child in the eyes of the High Magi. "Your purpose here?" "I have come before you again for disciplinary action for Quinn," "His actions?" "Using the power to heal without my consent or the consent of the person he used it on, forgetting his staff, and talking back," Grelikath said. "Was the person a Mage?" the High Magus asked. "No he was not," Grelikath replied. Quinn winced as he now came under the scrutiny of the High Magi. "Step foreword, Quinn," the High Magus said. Quinn did as he was told. "Your reason for using the power without the consent of your master or the consent of the mundane." "Master Grelikath was in town and I was out for my morning walk. The man I found was near death and unconscious," "Did you try to wake the man?" "Well, no.but I thought." "Many mundanes would rather die than have a mage heal them. Where was you staff when you left and where is it now?" the High Magus asked. "Beside my bed," "Did you talk back to your master?" "Yes," Quinn said lowering his head. "Twenty five lashes. Normally Twenty is necessary but you have been in here so many times I was considering thirty five. Grelikath, do you have any extra punishment you wish to add?" "Yes," "They are," "He should not receive any healing by use of the power," "Granted," the High Mage said. Quinn was led to another room and a received his Twenty five lashes without even a cry of pain. When they released him he was far to tired and in pain to get back so he sat in an alley to rest. They had only bandaged his back up and from what he could tell it didn't seem like they did a good job at all. Mages weren't used to doing things without using the power. "Excuse me," a voice called from further in the alley. Quinn turned his head to see a woman dressed in a dark brown cloak. He recognized her as the Magus Princess. He quickly stood and lowered his head in respect. "Stop that!" she exclaimed. Quinn's back ached from the quick movement and it took him a moment to understand that she didn't want him to do what he was doing. "How badly does it hurt?" she asked quietly. "It doesn't hurt," he lied. She narrowed her eyes and stared at him a moment. "May I remind you who I am?" she asked. Quinn shook his head. "It hurts," he said. "Come with me," she said as she pulled the hood of the cloak up over her head. Quinn was confused but he followed her anyway. She led him to The Blue Talisman. She brought him up stairs to a locked room. She pulled a key out of the cloak and unlocked the door. She motioned for Quinn to come in and he reluctantly followed. "My name is Kaicia," she said as she removed the cloak and hung it on a peg on the wall. "My name is Quinn," "I know, I have seen you in the court many times," she said. "I know," he said. "If you don't clean up for the next week, I don't think I will be able to convince the High Magi Council that you are ready to be a full mage," she said, "Can you get your shirt and all off without help?" "Not really," he said truthfully. He couldn't help but stare at her. She was very beautiful. She had long raven black hair and brown eyes. Her skin was smooth and lightly tanned. "Let me help you," she said as she began to unbutton his shirt. Quinn pulled away quickly. He regretted moving so fast. His back suddenly felt wet and he knew he was bleeding again. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said thinking back to when the voice had talked to her while they had sent Quinn off to be whipped. "I'd believe anything you wanted me too," he said forgetting himself. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked cocking her head to one side. "Nothing," Quinn said remembering who it was that he was talking too. Kaicia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Do you swear you won't laugh at me and you won't tell anyone else?" "I swear," he said as she began to unbutton his shirt again. "I heard a voice in my head.it told me to help you," she said slowly, "Lay down on the bed," "I heard a voice too.it wanted me to help the man.it said that he and I carried fate stones," "It said I did too." she said as she began to heal Quinn. He suddenly began to feel drowsy, but willed himself to stay awake. When she had finished healing Quinn, Kaicia helped him to his room. After a few minutes Quinn got up out of his bed and headed to the room the man was in. As he entered one of the bar maids sat sleeping on a stool in the room. The man was still unconscious. "Wake up," Quinn said shaking the woman awake. She stared at him blankly for a moment the stood. "I'm sorry I should not have been sleeping," she said rubbing her eyes. "It's all right.you can go to your place and sleep," "Thanks," she said as she left. Quinn sat on the stool and faced the man. He wore odd clothing. It was nothing like he had ever seen anyone wear before. The man's eyes fluttered and opened. "You okay now?" Quinn asked. The man stared at him a moment. He had clear blue eyes, but they were filled with pain and sorrow with a look of wisdom that an elder had. "I guess," he said. "You took quite a beating earlier.I healed you," "I did?.thank you," "What's you name?" "I think.,"Jack said as he sat up and put a hand to his forehead, "It's Jax," he said. "Where did you come from?" "I.don't remember," he said. "Get some sleep.I'll get you in the morning," Quinn said as he got up and left. The next morning when he awoke, Quinn lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He decided to go get Kaicia first. He wanted to thank her for healing him. When he arrived he thanked her and told her that he was going to see Jax. "I would like to meet him," she said. "Why?" "To see if you should have been punished so badly," she said. Quinn nodded and led her to Jax's room. He knocked on the door lightly and it was opened by Jax. "Good morning," Quinn said to him. "Good morn, come on in," he said moving out from in front of the door. Quinn and Kaicia stepped in. Quinn noted with some jealousy that Jax was thoroughly examining the curves of Kaicia's body. "Well, I came to bring you down for breakfast and Kaicia wanted to talk to you before we headed down," Quinn said. Jax didn't even move his eyes from Kaicia to Quinn in the least. "Do you resent mages?" Kaicia asked demanding his attention to her face. "No.I really don't know what a mage is," "Quinn and I are mages," "No I don't resent it.not in the least," he said shaking his head. "If we were to use magic on you, would you be angered by it?" "No.not at all," Jax said with a smile. "I'll bring this up in the next council, Quinn," "Can we go eat?" Jax asked them as his stomach growled loudly. Quinn nodded and Jax was the first one out the door. Quinn turned to Kaicia as the were heading down the hall behind Jax. "Kaicia," he said quietly as he stopped her. Jax continued walking. "Yes?" she asked. Quinn stood there a moment. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her. Kaicia was stunned by this and didn't know what else to do so she responded to the kiss by wrapping her arms around Quinn's neck and kissing him back. As Jax reached the bottom of the stairs he realized that Quinn and Kaicia were no longer behind him. With a sigh he went and sat down at the bar. As he sat there he heard men in the corner snickering and out of the corner of his eye saw them pointing at him and whispering. One of then men stood and walked unsteadily to him and sat beside Jax. "Ya know what, stranger.you look like a rag doll and that sword there at your hip..it looks like a child's toy. Where you from, stranger? You an elf.naw ya ain't got them pointy ears.yer ears are small too..you are probably married to an ogre eh?" the man said with a smile. The smile hit him like a slap. A face that smiled when it took his wife and dear child.the one that took Alora and Melina! His name was not Jax it was Jack. This was not his world. Lunefear was not a child's toy.it was his weapon of destruction.a madman's toy. With a scream, of rage and pain Jack began powering up. He did so slowly, very slowly. Ki. His attacks.his kind of magic. Jack's body began to glow with the energy. The man screamed and was burned half to death as he fell back. Jack screamed again in sadness for his dead wife and child. A large burst of energy exploded in the room leaving Jack unscathed. The room was torn and tattered and bodies lay everywhere around him. Jack could hear people outside scream and cry out. What had he done? Quinn and Kaicia were thrown to the ground by such a force their magical shields had almost been destroyed. Quinn looked at Kaicia who was as stunned as he was.
"What was that?" Quinn asked. "I have no idea.it came out of nowhere.I couldn't even sense it until we were hit," she said in a shaking voice.