Bound Evil

Emily stepped around a chest-high wall where a large open space acted as a training field of sorts. Stables opened out into the space so it was not only for people, but the wolves too. Grey chalky dust layered the compacted dirt joining with the scent of sweat, leather, and musk. Towards the back of the field a gash in the surrounding stone wall made for a wide opening leading up to a gradual incline. If Emily had to guess, this was how the wandering fangs probably got their beasts in and out of the city. As the route they had come yesterday would not have accommodated the beast's large forms.

It was here that she saw all the equipment and supplies congregating as they were strapped together for easy transport. The fact that Nox didn’t store it all himself was probably due to a limit to the amount of things he could store. Or perhaps they just didn’t want all their eggs in one basket. This begged the question, what happened to the things Nox had stored when he died?

Did they explode out of him or were they just lost forever?

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Nox frowned up at Emily.

Who shrugged her shoulders.

“Just wondering something, now help me find Ashe, do you see either of them here?”

Many people were moving to and fro in this area making pinning down anyone hard but Emily spotted them at the same time as Nox shouted.

“There!”

On one end of the field, Ashe and Selia remained clustered together. Selia was busy moving packs almost as large as she was, probably intended for their mounts. But the fact that she carried one in each arm reminded Emily of that man she killed in the hut. Selia’s muscles hadn’t grown quite as much, but she was lifting way more than her large form could normally handle.

Ashe on the other hand sat nearby talking to her sister with her arms wrapped around her knees.

Seeing this Emily made for the duo, Nox following in tow.

Ashe was the first to notice Emily and brightened slightly. Selia only noticed Emily when she was right next to them having been busy with the next load.

“Emily, I'm glad to see you’re okay. When we heard you walked into the leader's quarters a day early I was a tad worried. Oh, I have your gift, by the way, it’s in our room.”

Emily looked between the woman and saw Selia inspecting her calmly.

“Thank you, Ashe, but we were in and out before they even knew what hit them. I was just coming here to see if I could get that lesson if you’re not busy?”

Ashe's eyes widened and she looked over to Selia, before looking back.

“Yeah, sure. We can go back to our room that way I can give you your gift at the same time.”

Nox couldn't seem to hold himself any longer.

“Wait! You're going to teach her magic?! I wanna come. What’s your title, Emily?”

Ashe blinked owlishly at first but then her face melted when she heard Nox’s request.

“Sure Nox you are more than welcome.”

Emily on the other hand snorted at him.

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Don’t you have to get back to work or something, what’s the point of a half lesson?”

This only caused Nox to dig his heels in.

“If you get to learn magic from Miss Ashe, then so do I!”

Selia just rolled her eyes at the two of them.

“I don’t care what you do just don’t mess up my room or I’ll throw both of you in the ‘pit’.”

“Don’t worry Lia, we can just do theory today. I’m not much use here otherwise” Ashe said with a level head.

Selia looked at her sister with a soft expression.

“Sure Ashe, enjoy, but don’t overdo it.” he voice gaining a somber quality.

The three of them headed back inside, whereupon Ashe let them into the room with a key.

When they were all inside she closed the door quickly and went to sit on the bed before turning to the two of them.

“Why don’t you tell me what you know of magic, Emily? That way I know where we need to begin.”

Emily cleared her throat as she complied with everything she’d managed to glean over the last couple of days.

“Well as a start, there are five sources of magic related to the five gods. Each has a different quality and domain. To access these powers one needs to draw them into themselves and use the rune sourcery to shape the desired effect. This can be done with your hands or drawing them with source chalk… Oh and I’m pretty sure every title uses these five magic’s”, but somehow without the need for runes.

“The room was quiet for a while as Ashe digested what Emily said. Nox on the other hand frowned.”

That is the most basic explanation I’ve ever heard do you even know any magic?”

Emily crossed her arms and glared at Nox, “Well then leave, I’m here to learn.”

Ashe looked over at Emily.

“Do not worry Emily I will help you, I knew your knowledge was rudimentary, but from what I saw back there- never mind, I’ll have you working spells in no time.”

Nox slumped down in his chair.

“How am I supposed to learn anything if we only go over the basics!”

Ashe squinted her eyes at the boy.

“Nox don’t be complacent, it's always good to revise. If you’re not careful she’ll end up running past you.”

Nox leaned back and sighed.

“Yeah, sure.”

Emily wanted to hit the little shit but Ashe promised she’d teach them both at their respective levels.

“Nox, Why don’t we start with what each of the five sources are, go over them for me.”

Now sat up and lowered his brow.

“Um. Well, there’s yellow, that’s my color. It deals with the intangible. Wind, souls, thoughts, and even removing or inviting things into our world. Then there’s red. The color of strength and power. It can summon great destruction and creation and it's so cool! One time, this guy I know caught a lightning bolt-”

Ashe cleared her throat to get him back on track.

“Oh, um. Green is the color of substance. It can manipulate anything, into anything else, but cannot create like red or yellow can.

Blue… blue is change. It can be anything, fool anyone…” Nox’s face became sour as he seemed to hesitate.

“...I’m sorry can you explain the last one Miss Ashe?”

Ashe glanced at Emily worried about Nox’s sudden shift, but continued anyway.

“The last is black and white. Even though they are two sides they are of the same coin. Black is a form of death and emptiness that no one can fill. And is the only color that can exceed red's destructive properties. White on the other hand is pure life and looks to heal this broken world, and balance out the other four colors”

Emily scratched her chin.

“So these colors affect Mages but what about other titles, what about a Swordswoman would you be a green Swordswoman if you had not chosen Mage?”

Ashe shook her head.

“In this case no, but you’re right that the color bridge affects what their abilities are. For example, someone using green Swordsmanship can cause their opponent's weapon to vibrate out of their hand. Whereas red Swordsmanship can enhance themselves or if they know how to, cause their weapon to impart heavy destructive properties like flame.”

Emily nodded but she couldn’t help feeling they had left something out.

“Where does blood magic fit into all of this?”

Nox’s face immediately looked sickened but a little curious, and while Ashe seemed to anticipate this question.

“A Blood Mage can be any color but they steal the lives of other humans and use them to be able to fuel spells they would normally have no hope of casting.”

“So anyone could be a Blood Mage? What about killing beasts out in the wild? Surely there are countless ”

“Yes, more than we know how to contend with, but it has to be human lives or it won’t work. Those who are willing to step over that line are seen in the same light as Murderers. That's why it’s seen as such an abhorrent practice”

Emily went quiet for a time but Ashe let her think things through until she was ready.

“Hmm, so I’m assuming that because you two are different colors, even if you make the same magical rune you won’t get the same results?”

Ashe smiled thankful to be back on topic.

“Exactly, If Nox and I were to both a ‘Spike’ rune we would get a similar but altogether different outcome”

“Okay, then I’m just missing one last thing. From what I’ve heard wards are common, so most people can use runes?”

Ashe and even Nox nodded.

“Then why doesn’t everybody learn them? Magic sounds awesome!”

Nox looked at Ashe and started snickering, which got him a scowl from Ashe. This just made him break out into further laughter. When Nox had quietened down enough for Emily to hear the explanation, Ashe looked troubled.

“Emily, anyone can indeed pick up magic, but there are reasons why they don’t. The first would be finding a teacher willing to teach them and then the second. It takes a lot of training and control, to begin with even the most simple magic. When I show you how to do your first rune, you will see. Some do learn the odd spell here or there but for many, they just can’t be bothered. Just like Swordsmanship, Mage it's just another path.”

Nox had finally calmed down enough to wipe a tear from his eye.

“I’ve been studying for two years and only became an Adept last year. I’m hoping to reach Mage next year or the year after that.”

“Enough out of you mister,” Ashe said squinting her eyes at him before turning back to Emily.

“How about this, what color are you working with so I can tailor your first spell to you.”

Emily glanced at Nox.

“Block your ears, kid.”

“What? Why? I wanna know too.”

“Are you my teacher? No, so plug 'em, or I’m booting you.”

Nox scowled at Emily but put his fingers in his ears.

Turning to Ashe, Emily searched her eyes.

“I don't have a color.”

Ashe’s eyes widened as she put her hand over her mouth.

“You’re serious...”

Emily confirmed it with a nod. For a while, Ashe didn’t seem to know what to say, but then she spoke hesitantly.

“Emily, are you still sure you want to try this path? I’ve never heard of someone becoming… ” Ashe left the statement hanging in the air but Emily shrugged.

“Why wouldn’t I? There is no harm in trying right? If it's a fit, then great. If not then I’ll explore other options.”

Ashe nodded.

“I’ll come up with the perfect rune for you and we can try this together. But before that, I want you to try sensing your energy tonight, you should be able to feel it entering through your bridge in small amounts. Get a sense for it, that's what we will be working with”

Emily nodded excitedly, she hadn’t felt anything like that yet but she wasn’t going to give up the chance to do magical homework.

Ashe had Nox listen in again and before he had to go back to work she pulled out a flat paper packet about the size of a sticky note.

“I hope you like it,” she said shyly

Emily looked at the gift

“I’ve been wondering for a while now, but why give me a gift?”

“For your awakening day,” Ashe said her smile looking more strained.

When Emily stared blankly, Nox began to frown.

“Why are you looking so confused? Your friends and family are supposed to give you gifts on your awakening day. It's the right thing to do.

That just sounded like a birthday to Emily, but then she slowed as she remembered the bracelet Alex had bought for her the other day. The day of her awakening.

“Hey, wait what if I refused a gift?”

Ashe immediately looked worried, but Nox answered for her.”

“You would basically be saying that you don’t need them in your life. I’ve heard about it but never seen anyone actually do it.”

Emily frowned, she hadn’t known that, but surely Alex understood that right? Wait, why did she even care?

Biting her lip Emily looked up at Ashe and smiled awkwardly, before tearing open the packet with trembling fingers.

A small forest green ribbon fell out which Emily caught before it hit the ground.

“It's a hair tie,” Ash said nervously.

Emily blinked shocked as an unintentional smile slowly spread over her face.

Bringing the the ribbon to her hair Emily tied it up and out of her eyes, smiling at Ashe.

Relieved the gift was well-liked Ashe let out a breath.

Nox snorted as he rolled his eyes at the two of them, but he left soon after that.

Emily had never gotten a gift before, her parents died too young for her to remember their faces, let alone a gift. Gramps had always said there was no need to celebrate the things that had no meaning.

Emily touched the ribbon in her hair once more.

Ashe grinned. “So you like it? I just thought the green would match your fiery red hair.”

Emily scratched her head trying to figure out how to reassure her.

“I like it. The only gift I ever got was my abilities, this is the first thing I didn’t have to steal or earn myself, so thanks.”

Wait did Alex’s ‘almost’ gift count?

As luck would have it his knock came a minute later.

“Emily? I’m heading to the market. Are you coming or do you want to stay here?”