CHAPTER ONE: DISCOVERY IN THE LIBRARY
"I don't think this was your best idea, Mahado."
Mahado scowled at the spirit floating beside him. Coeremar, the Magus of Illusion was unaffected by the freezing rain that was glazing every surface, including Mahado, with ice. At least he was manifesting himself dressed in winter gear, Mahado thought irritably. It was annoying enough to watch the rain just pass through him.
"If I had a choice do you think I would be out in this weather?" Mahado grumbled as he pulled the hood of his cloak further over his head. Water still managed to slip around the edges to drip icy trails down under his tunic. He felt a ripple of amusement from Coeremar and snapped irritably, "I can switch, I certainly wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fun."
"I recall a time when you could not get enough of this, Mahado."
Letting a smile creep across his face, Mahado allowed himself to remember the fascination with snow and ice he felt during his first few winters in Vesedhe- and the awe of the amazing cold that went with it. Coeremar had been amused by his soul mate's almost childlike wonder and had patiently spent the rest of what he considered his mortal life teaching the desert magician everything necessary to survive in the foreign world he had found himself in.
Sliding once again on the slightly uneven surface of the road, Mahado stepped off onto the side, crunching through a thin ice layer into snow that came up to the calves. The traction was not much better but he was able to lengthen his stride somewhat to cover more ground. The three miles between the town he was leaving behind him and the Royal Library of the Kingdom of Alcalsar was usually an easy walk but after only a mile Mahado felt he had run a circuit around the Library.
A city in its own right, the Library spread out across the high ground north of the ancient city of Tystara, once the capital of the Empire the Kingdom had been born from. Housing several schools of learning, a treasury of antiquated weapons and royal jewelry, as well as repositories for the records of the Kingdom and books of knowledge for almost any discipline one might be interested in, the Library was one of the most visited sites in Alcalsar. The wide boulevard that had been constructed to connect city to library had been rebuild and recobbled enough times that it now sat higher than the lawns that spread out on either side of it. Mahado glanced back down the road and realized it was the first time he had ever seen it completely empty. He too began to question the wisdom of being out in such unusual weather but realized that, in the end, such thoughts were futile. When the god of fate took control of his steps he knew there was no point in fighting His will.
The drive that had sent him south a month ago was now at it's strongest; there was something he would be required to do, he simply had no idea what that something was.
Turning back to focus on keeping his balance he said "Coeremar, I'm all right."
The spirit smiled and answered, "Am I that obvious?"
"Considering you have not made use of your Sekhem form in several decades- yes, it does appear a little obvious."
"Do you wish to be alone?"
Mahado sighed. "Forgive me. I'm a little out of sorts." He had to admit to himself that he had been greatly relieved when Coeremar had appeared last night after Pharaoh had sent him back.
"You're still concerned about the fiends you trapped."
Mahado smiled slightly, recognizing Coeremar's attempt to distract him from his true worry. Going along with it, Mahado nodded and answered, "I alone do not have the power to seal them permanently. Without the Pharaoh's will to block access, anyone with the proper knowledge will be able to summon them."
"That may be but they will now be bound by the ancient dueling rules, just as I was back when you would summon me. They will be unable to leave the Shadow Realms. That will need to be enough for the moment."
Mahado marched silently for a few moments before stating through the mind link with Coeremar, "Let it go."
"Let it go." Coeremar answered as he faded back into his soul room, leaving Mahado to concentrate on simply walking.
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With all his attention focused on putting one foot in front of another, Mahado was surprised when a foot suddenly hit cobblestones again. For a moment he was off-balance, the foot skidding ahead on the ice. Stabbing the blade of his wand into the frozen ground to use as a brace he quickly pulled himself back into the snow. Straightening, he found he had reached the wide plaza before the Library entrance. The road spread out to three times its width before the wall that signaled the start of the Library grounds; and Mahado knew beneath the ice lay beautiful mosaic patterns before the entrance arch that children who visited the library took great delight in tracing with their own footsteps. Looking up he gazed through the downpour and could just make out the Door Warden standing under the arch set within the wall, holding up a steaming mug in his direction. Mahado was certain the Warden was amused.
It seems I'm entertaining quite a few people today, Mahado thought ruefully.
Deciding he was close enough to risk a spell, Mahado raised his wand and cast a heat spell on the stones between him and the door. The ice snapped and cracked as the spell burned a narrow path across the plaza, the falling rain immediately hissing into steam as it touched the now heated stones. Able to stride across the plaza without fear of falling Mahado found that his legs had become stiffer than he had thought from the cold and short steps through the snow. He was tempted to stop halfway up the gradual slope leading to the great double doors that gave entry to the Library complex but decided it was best just to get it over with. Upon reaching the shelter of the entrance arch the Warden handed Mahado the mug.
"Welcome to the Royal Library of Alcalsar. I am Jerrin h'Cor, Door Warden of the Library." the man stated as Mahado took a grateful sip from the warm mug. Jerrin was a tall man with the red hair that was the tendency in this part of the Kingdom braided into a thick rope that hung over the front of his jacket. He appeared to be just passing his middle years, and was dressed for the weather instead of the traditional robes of his office. His wand, a purple heartwood carved in a spiraling twist that held several amethyst and ruby crystals near the top, was held loosely in his right hand. Curious blue eyes watched Mahado closely as he drank the hot cider.
"I'm surprised you didn't cast that spell further back magician.", the Warden said as, with a quick gesture of his hand, he cast a warming spell that dried Mahado's iced cloak and gear.
Savoring the hot liquid Mahado smiled and said, "Ah, you've been watching awhile then."
"Long enough to get that ready for you. I didn't expecting anyone to be foolish enough to make an attempt in this weather. Certainly not without some major spell work coming in." He crossed his arms, cradling his wand in the crook of one elbow.
Mahado shook his head. "It was tempting but, if I had, you would have needed to send a fire mage out to revive me."
"You don't appear old enough to enough to have that much experience with magic', Jerrin said. Mahado was not surprised by the wary look that passed over the Warden's face. Although the Library was open to all, it was the duty of the Warden to protect the complex from any threat that might attempt to enter. Chosen from those who were masters of both magic and ancient lore, the Door Warden was always more that capable of defending those within the Library walls from any assault that threatened them. "I remember all of the magicians that have passed through the Door during my time as Warden but you I don't recognize." he continued. "Who are you and what drove you to the Library on this day?"
Acknowledging the suspicion the Warden attempted to conceal Mahado bowed slightly and answered, "I made a promise to deliver to the Chief Librarian of the Magical Library the Book of Taiyou as soon as I was able." This was true, to a point. He did carry the book in his pack, and he had promised, but it was not the true reason he had braved the weather. That reason he did not believe he could explain since he could not explain it to himself. Straightening, he stated, "And my name is Mahado."
"Mahado, the Dark Magician?" Jerrin asked, glancing down at the wand in Mahado's hand.
"Yes."
Mahado was uncertain how this Door Warden would respond. Of all the permanent residents of the Library, only the Door Warden held Mahado's secret. Even the Dean of the Library complex was traditionally unaware that the Mahado the Dark Magician that appeared at the Door every few hundred years was the same person. Mahado just hoped this Warden would give him some time to discover why he had been driven to the Library. On a previous visit Mahado had his hands full with a Door Warden that treated him as traveling royalty. He had been introduced to almost every person of rank within the complex and it had taken almost a week before he had been able to touch a book, let alone read it.
Surprising Mahado, for he could tell that Jerrin was not entirely satisfied with the answer he had been given, the Door Warden bowed low and said, "What is it you wish of me, lord."
Shaking his head Mahado answered, "Thank you for the honor Jerrin h'Cor, but I only wish to visit undisturbed for as long as fate will allow me."
Jerrin frowned slightly as he said, "It is my duty to report your presence within the complex to the Dean. A visiting magician not in the current Records will catch his attention. I'm afraid fate may not give you much time to yourself, Dark Magician."
"He never does, Warden."
Chuckling, the Warden turned to unlock the door before stepping aside to allow Mahado to pass. "Shall I have the Dean meet you at the Magical Library, then?" he asked.
"Yes, that would be acceptable." Mahado answered, handing the now empty mug back.
"May you find within the knowledge you seek, Magician."
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Finally reaching his destination, Mahado stepped into the Magical Library and paused a moment to shake some of the water from his cloak. The rain had changed over to a mixture of sleet and snow in the time it had taken Mahado to cross the complex, and was now sticking instead of dripping.
At least it has a harder time trying to soaking me now, Mahado thought.
Pulling back the hood of the cloak, he quickly crossed through the entrance hall. Striding down the main corridor that was inlaid with black and white squares of glittering marble, Mahado soon reached the heart of the Library.
Reaching up four stories to an opening in the roof, the center of the Magical Library consisted of fourteen walls set in a circular fashion with shelves that were packed solid with books. The shelves carried spell books of various degrees: the higher one went the more powerful the spells. Mahado knew the book he currently carried would eventually find its way to the shelves of the fourth floor.
Several platforms reached out into the open area above Mahado's head, the area below each one illuminated by large globes of swirling green attached to the bottom of the platforms. A platform on each level was manned by a loremaster of a matching rank to where they stood. Using a simple levitation spell they could remove and pass any requested book.
Catching the eye of a magician on the first level waiting for a book to be pulled Mahado called out, "Do you know where I might find the Chief Librarian?"
The woman nodded and pointed up a few floors. "I believe he's keeping office hours today. Third floor."
Mahado nodded and proceeded across to the door set into the opposite wall. A few steps past the door brought him to the stairs that spiraled up followed the shape of the center room. Looking up at the first two turns of the stairs, Mahado found his legs refusing to cooperate.
"Still up to switching?" Coeremar asked, shifting to his Sekhem form to stand beside Mahado.
"No, I just need a moment." Mahado answered, slipping off his cloak and pack. Setting his wand against the wall he tied the cloak to the top of the pack before leaning against the wall and lacing his fingers behind his back, slowly stretching the tense muscles in his shoulders.
As he settled against the wall Mahado reached out unconsciously for the bond with Coeremar but found barriers blocking access. Surprised, Mahado dropped his hands and turned to the spirit beside him.
"What's wrong?"
A shiver of irrational fear leaked around the barrier as Coeremar gave a short, embarrassed laugh.
"You know…" Coeremar said softly, staring straight ahead, "I had forgotten we were mortal." He dropped the barrier, letting Mahado in. The fear was actually a background emotion, concern toward Mahado the strongest.
Mahado sighed and said, "You know I can't stop, Coeremar."
"I know. I knew what you were asking of me in that duel against the tomb robber. You're death was swift though, not like what I felt last night." He turned to Mahado with a shrug. "I guess I'm not as prepared for my own death as I thought. I suppose I've grown attached to this arrangement."
"Do you want control?" Mahado asked without hesitation.
Coeremar shook his head. "No, I don't think I even remember how to walk, let alone breathe." He leaned back and let the amusement at himself wash across the bond.
"I suppose I just need to take my own advise and let go.", he said, watching a novice skid out of a room and swing up onto the stairs with a distracted "sorry."
Mahado listened to the receding clatter of footsteps as the bond settled into the more familiar, companionable silence. Leaning back, he gathered himself for the hike up the stairs.
"You will find time to rest after delivering the book, yes?", Coeremar asked.
Pushing off the wall Mahado reached down, grabbing a strap on the pack to swing it up onto his shoulder. With a short laugh he answered, "When has it ever work out that way, Coeremar."
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Reaching the third floor, after dodging the novice as he made his way back down the steps with an armful of books, he quickly made his way across the large room before the Chief Librarian's office. Long tables filled the room, a few occupied by loremasters cataloging books, their notes scattered about. Mahado could see several of the other tables were being used by non- magic users for study and archaic research. At least two appeared to be bards.
Working his way over to the edge of the room he was almost to the office when he suddenly stopped in confusion.
"Mahado?" Coeremar asked, as Mahado turned and stepped back to the window he had passed by a moment ago. Staring up at the figure sitting there, Mahado's thoughts finally caught up with him.
"Ah, I see." Coeremar said. "You do know that can't be her, Mahado." he added after a moment.
"No it can't," Mahado said with a frown. "Mana never sat still that long."
Carefully approaching the figure he closely studied her, unconsciously comparing her against the memory of his first student. Outside of the fact she had not moved since he had spotted her, and her hair was blond instead of brown, Mahado could see no difference between the two.
She sat on the window's ledge, booted feet braced against one side of the window alcove, back braced against the other, a book sitting forgotten in her lap. The thick mass of blond unruly hair was held under minimum control by a teal ribbon tied at the back of her neck, the bangs hanging down over her eyes. Tight leggings were tucked into the knee-high boots, the pink tunic covered by a short, teal jacket trimmed in gold. She was turned away from him, looking intently through the black paned window.
Curious, Mahado asked quietly, "What is it you see?"
"Blue skies." she answered absently. Sleet clattered against the window the girl leaned against. Mahado felt a shiver run through him; the voice matched his memories.
Waiting a moment, Mahado asked another question. "And where are these blue skies?"
A puzzled look slowly crossed her face as she turned to look down at Mahado with surprisingly unfamiliar green eyes and answered, "I don't know."