Here you go. I honestly shouldn't be posting this. I should wait until I'm done with a few more chapters... But I couldn't. I think you all have waited long enough. So this chapter is in honor of the fact that I finally finished chapter 11! YAY! And so continues some action and some fun. Heheh.
7
A Chase. Successful Raid. First Magic Lesson.
Link ran down the streets of Castle Town. He had left the armory through the side door, two soldiers right behind him in hot pursuit. He weaved through streets and alleys, trying to lose the soldiers. It wasn't working. So he ran faster.
His pursuers fell behind, but they would eventually catch up. He was starting to get tired, it was only a matter of time before he slowed. He wasn't so sure he would be able to get to the Amalgam. And then an idea came to him, an idea that formed because he had realized what street he was now on.
Link threw open the door to the tavern Telea owned, running inside. He shut the door hurriedly.
''Link? You're being pursued,'' Telea said, immediately knowing what was going on.
''...I need... to hide,'' he panted out.
She nodded. ''Come here.''
He went over to her as she stepped out from behind the bar counter. She gestured for him to go behind it. He did so, hiding beneath the counter as she stepped back in.
After about a minute, the door opened. Link knew it was the two soldiers that had been chasing him. They walked up to the counter.
''Excuse us, miss, but did a boy wearing a green tunic with a sword sheathed on his back come in here?''
Telea shook her head, her teal blue hair dangling behind her and swishing slightly. ''No, sirs. But if I see him, I'll let you know.''
''Thank you, miss.'' The soldiers left the building.
Link waited for another minute before coming out from under the counter, being sure to mind his head so as not to hit himself. ''Thank you, Telea.''
She shrugged. ''You're welcome. But really, you didn't even need to ask.'' She paused for a moment to clean a glass. ''Well, then. What were you doing? Why were they after you?''
''Raiding an armory. I was seperated from the others. I am worried about them.''
''I think they'll be fine. Wait for them and they'll show up. Are you going back?''
Link thought about it. ''Yes, I suppose I will return to the Amalgam.''
Link went back to the Resistance headquarters, opening the door and stepping inside. To his surprise, Ashlyn and Risbon were already there. The cart with the crates of weapons was there too.
''Where have you been?'' Ashlyn asked.
''I was running from the soldiers. I hid in Telea's tavern,'' Link replied.
''Uh huh. Tell me about it. We had to retreat too.''
''Where are the others?'' Link asked, concerned.
''They should be here any-'' Risbon was interrupted by the door opening.
The three mages entered, looking tired. Lux was being supported by Tancred.
''Are you hurt?'' Link asked Lux.
''No... Just exhausted.''
''He used more magic than he should have. But it was necessary to prevent our capture,'' Glurak said.
''I am going...to rest now,'' Lux said. He went into the hallway and disappeared into his chamber.
Tancred sighed. ''I lost my sword.''
''Well, despite the chaos, we still managed to get some weapons,'' Risbon said with a smile.
''Uh huh, at least we didn't utterly fail,'' Ashlyn said tiredly.
''Yes. All in all, the raid was a success,'' Risbon said.
The group let out a cheer, Ashlyn being the loudest.
''Well, I'm going to put these in the armory,'' she said afterward. She took the cart and dragged it to the armory, disappearing inside.
Risbon had told everyone to stay inside, since they were no doubt tired from the raid. That and the soldiers would be prowling around because of their attack.
''Today was hectic. But it was worth it!'' Ashlyn said.
''Yes, it was,'' Risbon agreed.
''Hey, Tancred. Tell us what happened with your group after your diversion,'' Ashlyn said eagerly.
''Well, we had to get in the building. Lux cleared the way. Glurak put the barrier on the doors to prevent the rest of the soldiers from re-entering. Lux had to hold off the soldiers inside, though.''
That was when Link had an idea. Lux had used his magic to stun several soldiers so he could get away. That was quite useful. He never bothered to use his magic. Perhaps it was time.
Link stood up and went to the magic room while Ashlyn gave Risbon a confused look.
Lux was sitting at one of the tables, leafing through a spellbook. Glurak was observing. They both looked up as he entered.
''What is it?'' Lux asked.
''I though about what you said. Since we are to stay inside, I thought I would pass the time here,'' Link replied. When he had first joined, both of them suggested that he use his magic.
''Ah. Good idea.''
''I have never used magic before. How do you think I should go about this?'' Link asked.
''Just think of an element or an object to move. Or just...gesture and direct it to the object. Your magic will do the rest,'' Glurak answered.
Link glanced at a spellbook on the table. He flicked his wrist. He felt something stir within him, something that he had always known was there but had never given much thought. The spellbook lifted from the table and floated in the air. Link moved his hand to the right and the book moved as well. He lowered his hand and the book went back to the table.
''See? Since you have innate magic, it comes naturally,'' Lux said. Then he added, ''Do not use too much though. If you use too much magic, it will make you fatigued.''
''Magic is, in a way, much like physical activity. If you run too much, you become fatigued. Magic is the same. But the more you do it, the longer you can use it without becoming exhausted,'' Glurak explained.
''But if you contine to use it when you are already tired, you will eventually faint. Magic is replenished by resting, though, so even if you use too much, it will return.''
''Oh. So, it's almost like learning to wield a weapon, then. The more you do it and make yourself tired, the stronger it becomes,'' Link said.
''Yes. Although there is weak magic and stronger magic, which takes more energy to use,'' Glurak said. He paused for a moment. ''It is common for beginners to misjudge how much a stronger spell will take out of them. They will usually faint right after casting it.''
''That would not be ideal in a fight then,'' Link commented.
''No, it would not. You would be vulnerable while you were unconscious,'' Lux agreed.
''It is best to know you limits.'' Glurak went over to a bookshelf and scanned it. He found what he was looking for and handed the book to Link.
''If I didn't use it, could it become active?'' Link asked.
''Yes. If your life was in danger, your magic could manifest. And now that you used it, it will become more...there. Of course, you can control it,'' Lux replied.
''Usually. It isn't unheard of for people to lose control of their magic when they are under great stress,'' Glurak added.
''What happens?'' Link asked.
''Well... If you do lose control, your magic will just discharge out of you. It will continue until it stops on its own or until you run out and faint,'' Lux replied.
''It is very uncomfortable. It can even be painful sometimes,'' Glurak said. Then he shrugged. ''I don't think you have to worry about it quite yet.''
''Ah.'' Link opened the book he was holding.
Link stayed in the magic room for some time. Ashlyn eventually came in.
''Hey, are you ever going to come out of here?'' she asked.
''What time is it?'' Link asked. He had been standing by a table, flicking through a spellbook.
''Time for food!'' she replied.
''Ah.'' Link set his book down.
Lux and Glurak stood up from the table they were sitting at. The four of them went to the dinning room and sat in their usual places.
''So, you're using magic,'' Ashlyn said. She wasn't being rude, merely interested.
''Yes. Why, is something wrong with that?'' Link said defensively. Even though she wasn't accusing him, he took it that way, not really able to tell by her voice.
''Of course not. I don't have a problem with magic. I just don't want to use it myself,'' she replied.
''Ah. I'm sorry I misunderstood,'' he said.
''I get that a lot. Don't worry about it.'' She paused to take a large bit of her food. ''What magic were you doing?''
''Oh, I was actually just moving books and objects. All it takes is a wave of my hand.''
''Indeed. I think he'll be able to cast very well,'' Glurak said.
''Right. He does seem quite gifted there, as you pointed out,'' Lux agreed.
''Didn't you say it ran in your family?'' Glurak asked Link.
''Yes,'' Link replied, not sure if he liked where the conversation was going.
But all Glurak said was, ''Some families are gifted.''
''Hey, Link, you should try to cast elemental magic!'' Ashlyn said.
''That's what I'm aiming for,'' Link told her.
''Can you do it now?''
''Yes, he could cast elemental magic now,'' Lux said.
''Right. But I want to get used to ordinary magic first,'' Link stated.
''Magic, in its purest form, is energy. It's non-elemental,'' Glurak said factually.
''What about healing magic?'' Ashlyn asked.
''That is non-elemental,'' Glurak replied.
''Well. This has been interesting,'' Risbon spoke up. He had been quietly listening to the conversation.
Ashlyn glanced down at her empty plate. She had finished her dinner almost twenty minutes ago. Everyone had also finished their food, but the conversation had continued after. ''I'm done.''
''So is everyone else,'' Risbon said in amusement.
''Well, I will be going to bed now,'' Lux announced.
Everyone put up their dishes and went to retire for the night. The raid had certainly tired everyone out. Even though he had taken a nap earlier in the day, Lux was still tired from his overuse of magic. Ashlyn was struggling not to yawn. Glurak looked to be just as tired as Lux. Link was tired from running down the streets of the city to avoid the soldiers.
Risbon went into his bedchamber, closing the door. Lux practically ran inside his, no doubt eager to sleep and regain the rest of his magic. Glurak and Tancred did the same. Ashlyn waved at everyone before they entered their chambers.
''See you in the morning,'' she said to Link.
''You as well,'' Link replied. He paused to cover his mouth with a hand to hide his yawn. ''Good night.''
They both went into their separate rooms.
So, a chase scene and Link starts doing some minor magic. He will be casting some pretty awesome stuff later. I hope my explanations of how magic works in this fic make sense. It does to me.