October 14, 2003
The Shadow of the Light
Chapter 1
Liora Light Spinner swung the axe hard into the trunk of the dead tree, but it seemed that with all her effort, she had barely made a dent. She pushed back her light blond hair that was hanging in her face and sighed, as she threw the axe down on the ground. She looked to the cottage that she and the other student, Castaspella were temporarily staying in deep with in the Enchanted Forest. Her teacher and guardian, Norwyn always left their home in the kingdom of Mystacore to rest a while at his cottage. He claimed it was a vacation, but Liora and Castaspella had to go out and do chores, such as chopping firewood, raking leaves, or washing dishes. And worst of all, Liora and Castaspella were forbidden to use any of their magic. Liora and Castaspella were two orphans that had been found in an orphanage near Mystacore. Norwyn sensed that they both possessed magic and he took them both on as his students. No other teacher ever took on two at a time, but Norwyn, seeing the tight bond that the two girls shared, refused to split them up. Liora was nine years old and Castaspella was only four when they had been discovered. Now, seven years later, Liora had learned a lot and was already showing potential of becoming a powerful sorceress, but she still had a ways to go.
Liora sat down to rest. Her arms were already starting to hurt from swinging the axe around. She had the urge to use her magic to chop down the tree and make some firewood, but she knew that Norwyn could sense when magic was using and she might never know when he was watching her from the window. It sometimes bothered her that he had to keep such a close eye on her. She knew that he did not trust her, but she did not deny that she sometimes gave him reason not to trust her. At least she was not inside with Castaspella, who was cleaning up the cottage, with Norwyn watching her over his shoulder.
Liora closed her eyes to meditate. She tried to grasp the magic in the air to see if she could see anything beyond the human eye. She tried to see in Mystacore, to see what her classmates were doing at the Academy of Magic. They were probably being pressed to work hard as well, but at least they could use their magic. Norwyn always had to do everything the hard way, the slow way. He claimed it was for the best. He said so many former students had learned magic so fast and didn't learn how to control it. Some had been seriously hurt or even killed from magic gone wrong. Liora loved Norwyn. He was the closest he had to being a father and she loved Castaspella. She was like a protective older sister to Castaspella. She tried to close out all the negative feelings and anger that she was starting to feel and calm her emotions. Norwyn said that a good sorceress had to control her emotions as they played an important part in casting spells. Liora snapped out of her meditative state when she heard the door of the cottage slam. She stood up and faced the porch and saw Norwyn standing there, with an angry expression on his face.
"Liora, what are you doing? It is going to get dark soon. I don't want to be sitting in a chilly cottage", said Norywn, with his arms crossed.
Liora glared at him and cried, "Norwyn, I can't chop wood. It will take me all night just to chop that stupid tree down. Please just let me use my magic once".
"No, you know the rules. You need to learn other responsibilities as well as learning magic", said Norwyn.
"You said this was vacation. This is no vacation", snapped Liora.
"I did not say you were on vacation. I am on vacation. Now gather up what little you have and come inside. I guess we'll have to do with what we have. Tomorrow, I want you to chop more wood", said Norwyn.
"My arms hurt, Norwyn", whined Liora.
"You need to strengthen up. You need to wield weapons as well as casting spells. You start that lesson next month. There will be times when you cannot use magic and need to defend yourself in other ways", said Norwyn.
"I can't use magic now", said Liora.
"No, I mean times when you can't use your magic, like something renders you powerless. There are other forces in the world that magic cannot control. Now gather up your little wood pile and get inside", said Norwyn, as he turned and opened the door, stepping back inside.
Liora stomped her feet and mumbled something under her breath. She walked over to wood that she had managed to gather from smaller trees, picked up a few in her arms, and walked toward the cottage. A few fell off the pile she was carrying before she made it to the door. She then dropped the rest; slipped off her gray cloak she had been wearing, wrapped the wood up in it, and then carried it inside.
Norwyn was already sitting at the table while Castaspella was setting the table. Norwyn sighed when he saw Liora walk in, her cloak in her arms.
"Liora, you are going to get your cloak dirty. We don't have anything to wash it here", said Norwyn, as he shook his head.
Castaspella looked up at Liora and grinned. She was almost as tall as Liora, and had the same slender build. Unlike Liora who had light blond hair, Castaspella had brown curly hair that she usually pulled back in a braid. She set a basket of bread on the table, and said, "Hey, it was kind of clever. She carried more wood in and she didn't even use magic".
Norwyn looked over at Castaspella and said, "Castaspella, I think the chicken is almost done".
Castaspella didn't say a word and walked over the wood burning stone where chicken was grilling on a wire rack. She knew that was Norwyn's way of telling her to stay out of his and Liora's little fights, which were quite common. Norwyn had told her that she had better not have Liora's attitude when she turned sixteen.
Liora let her cloak just unroll on the floor with all the wood. She started putting it in the fireplace that had almost burned out. She looked over to Norwyn and said, "I'll just shake it off. It is not like it I got it dirty while working outside".
"That's enough wood for now. Come and join us for dinner. I have some matters to discuss with you", said Norwyn.
Liora placed another log in the fire, then turned and walked over the dinner table. She sat down as Castaspella did, carrying a plate full of chicken. No one talked as all three of them grabbed a piece of chicken. They acted like they had nothing to eat all day, even though they had had sandwiches for lunch earlier, but it seemed like ages ago. Liora had worked up an appetite while outside gathering wood.
Liora finally finished a few bites of the chicken, looked across the table when Norwyn was sitting and asked, "So, what matters are you going to discuss?"
"I need to take off for a bit tomorrow. Some of us from Mystacore need to meet Queen Angella at Castle Bright Moon for some sort of meeting", said Norwyn.
Liora took another bite then said, "Okay, why can't we go along? I know something is going on and no one is telling us".
"I can't discuss anything right now because I do not even know what is going on. Bright Moon is the most central location for most of the kingdoms in Etheria. I am not sure when I'll be back but I need you two to stay here", said Norwyn.
"And do what?" asked Liora.
"Your chores. I want this place clean and full of firewood when I get back. Don't think you can pull anything over on me because you get to be a wizard of my standards, you have that third eye", said Norwyn.
"Like what? There is nothing to do around here. Why can't you just drop us off in Mystacore?" asked Liora.
"Yeah, we can study and practice our magic", said Castaspella.
"No, you'll be safer in the Enchanted Forest, that is, if you stay at the cottage. Don't go wandering about or try to go to Mystacore on your own", said Norwyn.
"Now I wish I knew how to teleport", said Castaspella.
"Yeah, why haven't you taught us that yet", said Liora.
"Because those are higher-level spells and if done wrong, can have disastrous consequences", said Norwyn.
"Then how about using our own two feet and walking to Mystacore. You said the Enchanted Forest is safe", said Liora.
"Because, it is magic itself, and if you don't have the magic to find your way through it, you'll end up in far more dangerous places. It is not like going north or south. Even the stars can deceive you here. You will stay at the cottage and that is final", said Norwyn.
"Then take us to Bright Moon", said Liora.
"Liora, have you not heard a word I said. You and Castaspella are staying here. End of discussion. If I find out anything tomorrow that is worth you knowing, then I shall tell you", said Norwyn.
That night, Liora and Castaspella laid on their beds in the small guest bedroom of the cottage. They had not said a word since dinner and figured now, with Norwyn asleep, they could talk about whatever they felt they could not bring up in front of Norwyn.
Castaspella turned her head to face Liora and asked, "Liora, do you know what is going on? I know you have heard some stuff".
"I don't know, but that whatever it is, it is dangerous. Mystacore never gets involved with Bright Moon. The Kingdom of Bright Moon is one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in all Etheria. Queen Angella is a powerful sorceress and she was born with those powers. What Bright Moon would want from Mystacore, I don't know, but I hear of strange things have been happening in this world and they are not good", said Liora.
"I felt it", said Castaspella.
"Felt what?" asked Liora, as she suddenly sat up.
"When I meditate and try to touch the far off places, as in outside of Mystacore, I get this overwhelming negative feeling. I have only read about black magic, evil magic, but it is said it can bring on negative emotions and turn even the people with the goodness of all hearts and turn them evil. I did not want to go any farther so I blocked it out, but it is out there", said Castaspella.
"Castaspella, this is bad. I wonder why I cannot feel it. I should be able to reach my magic eye farther than you", said Liora.
"And why is that?" asked Castaspella.
"Because I am older", replied Liora.
"Yeah, but we both started training at the same time. We are equal as far as the Academy goes", said Castaspella.
"Yeah", said Liora as she flopped back down on her back and stared up at the ceiling.
Castaspella said with a slight laugh, "Yeah, but I studying a lot more than you".
Liora turned her head toward Castaspella. "Maybe I don't need to study as much. Maybe I am a natural", she said.
"Whatever, Liora. Get some sleep", said Castaspella, as she closed her eyes.
"Goodnight, Cassie. We can think some more tomorrow", said Liora.
"Night, Liora", mumbled Castaspella as she turned her head and buried it into her pillow.
The Shadow of the Light
Chapter 1
Liora Light Spinner swung the axe hard into the trunk of the dead tree, but it seemed that with all her effort, she had barely made a dent. She pushed back her light blond hair that was hanging in her face and sighed, as she threw the axe down on the ground. She looked to the cottage that she and the other student, Castaspella were temporarily staying in deep with in the Enchanted Forest. Her teacher and guardian, Norwyn always left their home in the kingdom of Mystacore to rest a while at his cottage. He claimed it was a vacation, but Liora and Castaspella had to go out and do chores, such as chopping firewood, raking leaves, or washing dishes. And worst of all, Liora and Castaspella were forbidden to use any of their magic. Liora and Castaspella were two orphans that had been found in an orphanage near Mystacore. Norwyn sensed that they both possessed magic and he took them both on as his students. No other teacher ever took on two at a time, but Norwyn, seeing the tight bond that the two girls shared, refused to split them up. Liora was nine years old and Castaspella was only four when they had been discovered. Now, seven years later, Liora had learned a lot and was already showing potential of becoming a powerful sorceress, but she still had a ways to go.
Liora sat down to rest. Her arms were already starting to hurt from swinging the axe around. She had the urge to use her magic to chop down the tree and make some firewood, but she knew that Norwyn could sense when magic was using and she might never know when he was watching her from the window. It sometimes bothered her that he had to keep such a close eye on her. She knew that he did not trust her, but she did not deny that she sometimes gave him reason not to trust her. At least she was not inside with Castaspella, who was cleaning up the cottage, with Norwyn watching her over his shoulder.
Liora closed her eyes to meditate. She tried to grasp the magic in the air to see if she could see anything beyond the human eye. She tried to see in Mystacore, to see what her classmates were doing at the Academy of Magic. They were probably being pressed to work hard as well, but at least they could use their magic. Norwyn always had to do everything the hard way, the slow way. He claimed it was for the best. He said so many former students had learned magic so fast and didn't learn how to control it. Some had been seriously hurt or even killed from magic gone wrong. Liora loved Norwyn. He was the closest he had to being a father and she loved Castaspella. She was like a protective older sister to Castaspella. She tried to close out all the negative feelings and anger that she was starting to feel and calm her emotions. Norwyn said that a good sorceress had to control her emotions as they played an important part in casting spells. Liora snapped out of her meditative state when she heard the door of the cottage slam. She stood up and faced the porch and saw Norwyn standing there, with an angry expression on his face.
"Liora, what are you doing? It is going to get dark soon. I don't want to be sitting in a chilly cottage", said Norywn, with his arms crossed.
Liora glared at him and cried, "Norwyn, I can't chop wood. It will take me all night just to chop that stupid tree down. Please just let me use my magic once".
"No, you know the rules. You need to learn other responsibilities as well as learning magic", said Norwyn.
"You said this was vacation. This is no vacation", snapped Liora.
"I did not say you were on vacation. I am on vacation. Now gather up what little you have and come inside. I guess we'll have to do with what we have. Tomorrow, I want you to chop more wood", said Norwyn.
"My arms hurt, Norwyn", whined Liora.
"You need to strengthen up. You need to wield weapons as well as casting spells. You start that lesson next month. There will be times when you cannot use magic and need to defend yourself in other ways", said Norwyn.
"I can't use magic now", said Liora.
"No, I mean times when you can't use your magic, like something renders you powerless. There are other forces in the world that magic cannot control. Now gather up your little wood pile and get inside", said Norwyn, as he turned and opened the door, stepping back inside.
Liora stomped her feet and mumbled something under her breath. She walked over to wood that she had managed to gather from smaller trees, picked up a few in her arms, and walked toward the cottage. A few fell off the pile she was carrying before she made it to the door. She then dropped the rest; slipped off her gray cloak she had been wearing, wrapped the wood up in it, and then carried it inside.
Norwyn was already sitting at the table while Castaspella was setting the table. Norwyn sighed when he saw Liora walk in, her cloak in her arms.
"Liora, you are going to get your cloak dirty. We don't have anything to wash it here", said Norwyn, as he shook his head.
Castaspella looked up at Liora and grinned. She was almost as tall as Liora, and had the same slender build. Unlike Liora who had light blond hair, Castaspella had brown curly hair that she usually pulled back in a braid. She set a basket of bread on the table, and said, "Hey, it was kind of clever. She carried more wood in and she didn't even use magic".
Norwyn looked over at Castaspella and said, "Castaspella, I think the chicken is almost done".
Castaspella didn't say a word and walked over the wood burning stone where chicken was grilling on a wire rack. She knew that was Norwyn's way of telling her to stay out of his and Liora's little fights, which were quite common. Norwyn had told her that she had better not have Liora's attitude when she turned sixteen.
Liora let her cloak just unroll on the floor with all the wood. She started putting it in the fireplace that had almost burned out. She looked over to Norwyn and said, "I'll just shake it off. It is not like it I got it dirty while working outside".
"That's enough wood for now. Come and join us for dinner. I have some matters to discuss with you", said Norwyn.
Liora placed another log in the fire, then turned and walked over the dinner table. She sat down as Castaspella did, carrying a plate full of chicken. No one talked as all three of them grabbed a piece of chicken. They acted like they had nothing to eat all day, even though they had had sandwiches for lunch earlier, but it seemed like ages ago. Liora had worked up an appetite while outside gathering wood.
Liora finally finished a few bites of the chicken, looked across the table when Norwyn was sitting and asked, "So, what matters are you going to discuss?"
"I need to take off for a bit tomorrow. Some of us from Mystacore need to meet Queen Angella at Castle Bright Moon for some sort of meeting", said Norwyn.
Liora took another bite then said, "Okay, why can't we go along? I know something is going on and no one is telling us".
"I can't discuss anything right now because I do not even know what is going on. Bright Moon is the most central location for most of the kingdoms in Etheria. I am not sure when I'll be back but I need you two to stay here", said Norwyn.
"And do what?" asked Liora.
"Your chores. I want this place clean and full of firewood when I get back. Don't think you can pull anything over on me because you get to be a wizard of my standards, you have that third eye", said Norwyn.
"Like what? There is nothing to do around here. Why can't you just drop us off in Mystacore?" asked Liora.
"Yeah, we can study and practice our magic", said Castaspella.
"No, you'll be safer in the Enchanted Forest, that is, if you stay at the cottage. Don't go wandering about or try to go to Mystacore on your own", said Norwyn.
"Now I wish I knew how to teleport", said Castaspella.
"Yeah, why haven't you taught us that yet", said Liora.
"Because those are higher-level spells and if done wrong, can have disastrous consequences", said Norwyn.
"Then how about using our own two feet and walking to Mystacore. You said the Enchanted Forest is safe", said Liora.
"Because, it is magic itself, and if you don't have the magic to find your way through it, you'll end up in far more dangerous places. It is not like going north or south. Even the stars can deceive you here. You will stay at the cottage and that is final", said Norwyn.
"Then take us to Bright Moon", said Liora.
"Liora, have you not heard a word I said. You and Castaspella are staying here. End of discussion. If I find out anything tomorrow that is worth you knowing, then I shall tell you", said Norwyn.
That night, Liora and Castaspella laid on their beds in the small guest bedroom of the cottage. They had not said a word since dinner and figured now, with Norwyn asleep, they could talk about whatever they felt they could not bring up in front of Norwyn.
Castaspella turned her head to face Liora and asked, "Liora, do you know what is going on? I know you have heard some stuff".
"I don't know, but that whatever it is, it is dangerous. Mystacore never gets involved with Bright Moon. The Kingdom of Bright Moon is one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in all Etheria. Queen Angella is a powerful sorceress and she was born with those powers. What Bright Moon would want from Mystacore, I don't know, but I hear of strange things have been happening in this world and they are not good", said Liora.
"I felt it", said Castaspella.
"Felt what?" asked Liora, as she suddenly sat up.
"When I meditate and try to touch the far off places, as in outside of Mystacore, I get this overwhelming negative feeling. I have only read about black magic, evil magic, but it is said it can bring on negative emotions and turn even the people with the goodness of all hearts and turn them evil. I did not want to go any farther so I blocked it out, but it is out there", said Castaspella.
"Castaspella, this is bad. I wonder why I cannot feel it. I should be able to reach my magic eye farther than you", said Liora.
"And why is that?" asked Castaspella.
"Because I am older", replied Liora.
"Yeah, but we both started training at the same time. We are equal as far as the Academy goes", said Castaspella.
"Yeah", said Liora as she flopped back down on her back and stared up at the ceiling.
Castaspella said with a slight laugh, "Yeah, but I studying a lot more than you".
Liora turned her head toward Castaspella. "Maybe I don't need to study as much. Maybe I am a natural", she said.
"Whatever, Liora. Get some sleep", said Castaspella, as she closed her eyes.
"Goodnight, Cassie. We can think some more tomorrow", said Liora.
"Night, Liora", mumbled Castaspella as she turned her head and buried it into her pillow.