The Lightbearer's Gift

I gently lowered the air attenuated Etheric gem into place. Using a small amount of molten Mithrite I connected the gem to the spellscript on the back of the gauntlet. The script for an amplifier was rather complex. It used a series of etheric capacitors to actually create the amplification. The amount of amplification was dependent on the ratio of the capacitor size. It took some experimentation to determine both the maximum amplification and output of each gem. Then, create a capacitance ratio that would allow the circuit to remain stable. The amplifier couldn't actually create a stream of ether more powerful than the gem itself.

So, if a gem has a specific strength and a 3 times amplification in the spell script. Inputting exactly one third of the gem’s max output into the input to be amplified would be the most efficient use of the amplifier. If half of the gems max throughput is streamed into the input. Then it will still only amplify to the same maximum output. The extra ether could damage the spellscript. Typically, the larger the gem the greater the maximum output. The greater the gems strength, the higher the amplification can be pushed. So, it's entirely possible to have a large gem with massive output and little amplification, or the inverse. This made every amplification spell script unique.

I measured the amplifier I was going to give to Benny at around 3, with a decent maximum output. My own amplifier was still in the works since it was more complex. The gem Duchess Shorecast gave me was powerful. If I created an amplifier the same way I did with Benny's gauntlet, then it would lose efficiency due to being incapable of reaching its maximum output. So, after some experiments, Trent and I decided to create what was essentially a double amplifier.

The amplification I could get from my small light gem was around 3.5 and the one from the duchess a little over 10 with high output. To not lose efficiency, the output from the smaller amplifier would be passed into the larger. It would cause some latency in my spell casting, but I would be able to push it to its max output while still having a 10x amplification. So, if I wanted speed I wouldn't use the amplifier.

For costly spells like Radiant orb or Radiant carapace it would be rather useful to save stamina. While I had an ocean to use, overcharging these spells could drain me, since the reduction of stamina is exponential as the power of the spell increases. Doubling the amount of ether in the spell cost four times the stamina. Tripling cost nine times, and so forth. Conversely, the spell power increased linearly. With the insane level of control, I had with light ether I could overcharge a spell circuit near infinitely. The exponential loss of stamina was the only barrier which made my amplifier rather useful.

A month and a half of near constant study and practice with enchanting finally produced results. The tattoos on etheric knights were rather simple. It was a special kind of ink with dissolved mithrite. The patterns on the body created a constant flow of ether that connected with their body's own natural ether. This allowed them to perform extremely limited manipulation. This they used to activate spell scripts on their equipment like the ones on the back of that etheric knight's shield. Etheric gems would be used to slowly charge an etheric capacitor with ether, then with a small push from the etheric knight the spell could be activated.

Without a direct will behind the spell, they were rather weak. Heavily enchanted plate armor along with spells to enhance the body's own natural strength and stamina made for a terrifying knight. Invigorate, radiant carapace, the earth spell strengthen, healing spells, could all be used by a knight.

Though every spell had to have their own gem to power it, and it takes time to fully recharge the capacitor after each cast, usually several minutes. This reliance on expensive armor and materials is why etheric knights were so rare. Why waste powerful gems and mithrite on a knight when you can invest it in a mage.

The gauntlet itself was rather stylish with swirling patterns of silver and gold filigree. The glowing white gem was of course the centerpiece. It should make for an excellent name day gift for Benny.

Allyssia and Halloway had returned to their respective Duchies. Halloway had undergone his own transformation some weeks earlier. The man was apparently enjoying his newfound strength and vigor, if rumors of him fathering two bastards on his mistresses were true. The only one left was Denerif, and he was scheduled for later today.

As for the imperial family, their requests have been largely ignored by me. It was something of a problem I imagine since I wouldn’t answer their summons and was nowhere to be found when they sent people to find me. I had got what I wanted from the capitol, now it was time to move on.

I finalized the spellscript for the amplifier and used a small amount of ether to kickstart the enchantment.

“Excellent, my pupil, you have managed to create your first amplifier. Everything else you learn from now would have to be discovered through practice.” Trent said as he examined the gauntlet.

Our workroom started out barren, now there were dozens of books and hundreds of pieces of scrap metal containing failed enchantments sitting on a table near the back of the room.

I stood up from the enchanting station. Put on the gauntlet and attempted a simple air spell. As expected, the amplifier worked successfully.

“There is a slight drop in the throughput, around 5 percent.” Trent said, as he examined the air stream spell from the ether.

I cut off the spell and looked at the ornate gauntlet once more. It was curious. I expected some profound sense of accomplishment. The ability to create these enchantments was one of the empire's greatest strengths. Like dual casting, I had mastered a skill that took years, in a matter of months and yet I felt nothing. What was next? Elven magic? More Grimoires? more enchantments? I suppose I could work towards a third evolution, but the number of lives it would take could very well be in the hundreds. I abandoned those morose thoughts, refocused on Trent and his analysis of the amplifier.

Glancing into the ether I could see where the amplifier was bleeding ether. It wouldn't be difficult to correct it.

“Yes, I see. I’ll work on correcting it.” I said, cutting off the vision.

“I suppose this is the end of my tutelage. My dear cousin will likely be heading back to her duchy soon enough, what will you do? "Trent asked.

“I have a bit more business in the city, then I will move on to other work.”

Most of said work would be with the armies of the cabal. I stood up and gave Trent a respectful bow.

“I thank you for the gift of knowledge, Master.”

He offered a hand; I took it, and we shook. “While I had to do this under duress, it was a joy to have such a talented pupil. Now Master Moon, the rest of the mysteries of enchanting will have to be found through your own exploration.”

After some final goodbyes we parted ways. I didn't learn every enchantment he knew but I already had ideas on how to create the icebox from Sarah’s house, ever burning lanterns, and many other enchanted appliances. I have the building blocks. I only had to figure out how to fit them together. My only quandary is what to do with this ability.

After Trent had left, I spent the rest of the day finishing my own amplifier and correcting the small inaccuracies in Benny’s spellscript.

A few hours later.

Denerif and I were sitting in Duchess Shorecast’s dungeon. Preparing for his own transformation. He was instrumental in rebuffing any inquiries done by the Imperial family. I constantly moved locations, even faking leaving the city at times to ward off suspicion. But now I am only days away from leaving the city permanently.

“What will you do after your transformation?” I asked Denerif.

“I think I'll finally take a wife. Perhaps a commoner?”

“Not considering marrying another noble mage?” I asked, referencing Sarah.

“That was an impulse on my part. A fallen noble and a mage was the perfect catalyst for increasing my influence, with a few years and some coin I could have her title restored. I never expected she would reject the proposal, considering her situation, but some nobles are prideful to a fault.”

“Oh, Sarah is prideful that is for sure. Even with all my power, I'm sure she would still look down on me. But last I saw her she was making strides with the new baroness Vernon.”

Denerif chuckled. “She is well on her way to fully restoring her title and prestige, with our influence of course. It’s a shame really, if Sarah had agreed, she would be well on her way to greater things than being the sworn mage of a far south noble. They weren't even relevant enough to receive an invite to Morianne’s name day celebration.”

“I did wonder why they never turned up.”

“How goes the investigation into my assassins?” I asked. It has been some time since I have had updates.

“I've narrowed it down to someone in the imperial family. While the other matriarch remains unknown.” he said almost hesitantly.

“You knew about this for some time, didn't you?” I asked neutrally.

“Yes, we had to be sure that you wouldn’t simply march up to the gates of the imperial castle and exact vengeance.” he said, unapologetically.

I wasn't angry in the slightest, I would have done the same. And he was correct, simply marching up to the castle demanding justice was foolhardy.

“Not surprising, though if you considered such a rash action something I could take, why bother bringing me into the cabal to begin with.”

“We couldn't risk you falling into imperial hands. At first when we began receiving reports from Allyssia you were little more than a passing curiosity. When she got you into her bed, and more about your abilities was revealed, we figured that was a viable path to maneuvering you. At some point, Allyssia realized that the plan would end in failure. So, she proposed a different strategy, not control, but an alliance of equals. That was the only thing she figured would keep you on our side.”

I smiled, not angry in the least about how well she maneuvered me. I was mostly sure that was their game, but it was amusing to hear it from the horse's mouth.

“Respect is the ultimate currency after all.” I said.

“That is what we accounted for, and also why we were not concerned about you revealing our existence. You have a strange sense of honor about you.”

That is the first time anyone has described me as honorable, strange, or not.

At my expression he laughed. “Honor comes in many forms, Moon. I imagine that so long as mutual respect is maintained between us, and no betrayal occurs. You will keep our secrets and remain on our side when the eventual split in the empire occurs. I can even assume that you would stand against your own kind. I've examined your history since you woke up in that forest, never have I found a case where you betrayed or revoked a deal, even your contract with Sten was broken on his end. And while you fell out with the baron you still won him his war.”

“Correct on all counts. I'm even more impressed that you understood me enough to reveal this. Now we are all on the same page and as equals we move forward toward the same goal. So, I have to ask. Is your intention conquest or independence?”

“Independence, the south has no real use for the north. Once we have seceded the Cabal will rule as an oligarchy. With our lives extended, time will be on our side.”

I imagine the imperial family will not like such a thing happening. “Your independence will be paid for in blood.”

“That's why we needed the greatest healer in the known world on our side. The flying mounts were just a bonus; your existence should be enough to give the elves pause in case they try to ally them against us.”

I could understand why the southern nobles’ motives were, but Denerif’s remains unclear.

I tried to guess. “I'm sure your hatred of the imperial family plays a part in this, especially after seeing Morianne’s irreverence. But you don't seem the type to let simple hatred guide you. What else is there?”

He held my eyes for a moment. “Ambition. I have banks in every imperial city. However, I lack my own lands mostly due to the imperial family wanting to keep me under control. But with the secession comes opportunity.”

I brought up the map of the empire in my mind. There was Halloway to the southeast, then Hearthaven and finally Shorecast taking up parts of the southeastern coast all the way up to the middle of the empire. It would split the empire into almost two halves. What land would he lay claim to? I couldn't imagine one of the dukes simply giving up pieces of their land. Then I realized there was a country south of the empire. Small and largely dependent on trade from the empire for food. And about the size of a duchy.

“Braken? But the empire has a non-aggression treaty that has lasted centuries.”

Denerif’s smile was almost snake-like. “The empire does, not us.”

“I suppose Duke Mason does sound appropriate.” I joked.

Perhaps I should seek some land for myself soon. There were plenty of kingdoms in the east that I could probably conquer. There’s even an island nation between the two continents. I didn't know much about it beyond that it was unstable with bad leadership. Some unofficial agreement between the empire and the kingdoms of the East prevented either from laying claim.

“Might I assume that flying mounts are out of the question for the time being? I don't believe for a moment that you haven't figured it out yet.”

“Enhancements and my healing I can sell. But my ability to create flying mounts is another matter. Can you imagine the power that riding something like a drake can offer to a mage.”

He shrugged as if expecting that answer. “As long as they're off the table with the imperial family I can accept that.”

Then an idea seemed to occur to him, “What about a non-flying mount?”

I never actually considered that. Would something like an enhanced horse pose a problem for me?

No, not really. So, I shrugged and answered, “That's not a problem.”

“We should head to my stables after I recover from my transformation. I have a particular horse in mind.”

The Next morning Benny and I headed out to roughly the same location where we had our picnic. Both of our amplifiers were complete, and I had neglected to tell her. After finding the area we landed and dismounted. She was curious about what the cases attached to the saddle bag were, but I told her to wait and see. Though I'm sure she knew what I was going to show her.

I removed the small case and said. “While your name day is in a few days I am far too excited to keep this a secret.”

Benny knew what I was about to pull out and her excitement was palpable. I opened the ornate brown box and pulled out the amplifier.

Her eyes widened into saucers as she eyed the gauntlet.

“It's beautiful. What's its strength?” she said.

“A little over 3.”

“May I?” benny asked. I nodded, she lifted it out of the box, almost reverently. Benny was right-handed, but preferred to cast with her off hand most times so I made it a left-handed amplifier. She carefully put it on as if she would damage the enchantment. The entire gauntlet was enchanted, including the leather, so unless she produced a flame powerful enough to boil steel for an extended duration, the enchantment would remain intact.

“What spell should I use?” she asked.

I considered and said. “Try an airstream, it should be the best way to get used to using it.”

She agreed, created the circuit, charged it, and released the spell. There was nothing around us but grass, but by how violently the grass in front of her was being whipped about I assumed she was pumping a significant amount of ether into the spell. Slowly she dialed up the power, the cone of air becoming larger and more violent. Until it started to tear apart the ground, sending chunks of earth flying. Finally, she cut off the spell.

“Amazing” she beamed and looked at the gauntlet in amazement.

Then she looked at my hand and asked. “What about yours?”

I grinned and pulled the second case off Noire’s saddle bags. It was similar to the cases used by most bards to carry their instrument. Except it was thinner with a strap that I could throw over my shoulder.

I placed the white case on the ground and flipped it open. Inside were the two halves of my amplifier. Benny’s eyes went wide as she saw it. The top half was actually the amplifier. The Large fist sized gem was embedded at the top of the staff with metal clasps to hold it in place like a diamond ring. A few inches down from the clasps was the second gem embedded in the side of the staff. On the metal itself was a complex network of spellscript connecting the two gems into a double amplifier.

I locked the two halves together. The gem embedded at the end made it top-heavy so there was a counterweight near the base of the staff to keep it balanced in my hand. That made it a few inches taller than I was.

“Really master?”

“What?” I knew exactly what she was suggesting.

“It's a bit dramatic.”

“My name is literally Moon, the Lightbearer. At this point it would be a disappointment if my amplifier wasn’t suitably ostentatious.”

At some point I would make an amplifier to compliment Benny and I’s secondary affinities. I just needed more time and gems.

“Alright apprentice, it's time for some practice.”

She sighed, knowing where I was going. I started casting radiant carapace using my amplifier to charge the circuit. With a 10x amplification to the ether and my absurd levels of affinity I probably created the most powerful carapace in history. Before, it couldn't become invisible due to how much ether was used to create the shield. Now with far greater control after my second evolution the shield remained invisible. Overcharging it to over 20 times its normal strength took an enormous amount of ether. It would use almost a full 10% of my stamina to cast it with the exponential drain, such was the cost of master level spells. Now I barely even felt it using the amplifier. Benny was looking into the ether the entire time. Her eyes widening at the absurd amount of ether I funneled into the circuit. While the circuit didn't emit lightning due to my control of light ether it did glow bright enough that I had to close my eyes.

“That was a lot of ether.” she said after I finished casting.

I cast another circuit on her and said with a malicious smile.” Let’s begin apprentice.”

An hour later and we finally finished practicing. The plain around us was completely destroyed. All around were massive craters where spells detonated. There were even a few dying embers of small fires. The sun was starting to dip lower, I gauged that we had a few more hours of sunlight. Benny and I sat on a blanket eating a small lunch as we watched the setting sun.

We ate in comfortable silence until Benny asked. “What do you plan on doing now, Master?”

“At this point you can just call me Moon, Benny.”

“No,” she said while smiling. I didn't know why she insisted on calling me master even in private, but I shrugged. And answered the question.

“I don't know. The cabal have their plans, so I suppose I'll help with their armies for some time. Though that's mostly busy work. I have been thinking about settling down and finding a place of my own.”

She looked confused and asked. “Are you thinking about buying land?”

“No, I'm thinking about building a kingdom for myself. Somewhere outside the empire's borders. I have some ideas, but I need to do more research.”

Benny laughed and said. “King Moon. I suppose it does sound dramatic.”

“I was thinking of giving myself a last name actually.”

“What would it be?”

I sat considering what name would best define me. I am a light mage so something to emphasize that. I looked at the setting sun. Then my staff and ideas started to form. A small amount of wind kicked up. And my hair blew into my face. What did Morianne say? umnar, il sumlar von epis, power of Sun and the mysteries of the Moon. Sun? Sol? Solar? Solis? Solaris.

“Moon Baelathor. Now that sounds fearsome." I rolled my eyes at where she was heading. I had no idea where she came up with that name. Probably from some book she was reading.

“Solaris, Moon Solaris, King of Solaria. Emperor of the Solarian empire. What do you think?”

Benny shrugged and said. “Sounds alright, I prefer Bealathor though. What does Solaris even mean?”

“Essentially it means sun.” I didn't want to break down Latin.

“Sun and Moon, I suppose it fits. Especially if you start carrying that staff around everywhere.”

It wasn't the best name, but neither was Moon. I just had to make it work.

“What about you?” I asked.

“Benny Baelath…... No that sounds terrible.”

She sat there for over a minute thinking in silence then a thought came to me.

“You could just take my name.” I suggested it without thinking.

“You're not proposing marriage, are you?” I knew she was joking, even then I couldn't stop the loud belly laugh from escaping my throat. I laughed a bit too hard and calmed down when I noticed her frown.

“No, even when you've blossomed into full womanhood, you'll still be a child in my eyes.”

Her frown faded and she said. “I know, but even then, I doubt anyone would think I’m your daughter.”

“It's just a thought and besides, don't nobles adopt when they don't have heirs.”

Benny looked away and said. “I'll think about it.”

Noire landed around 30 feet away carrying a cow in each talon. Where did she steal those? We watched in macabre fascination as she consumed them whole.

“It's such a strange life we lead isn't it.” I said.

“It's a good life. Much better than being some farmer's wife.” Benny said.

“No regrets?” I asked.

“Since we met, I became a mage, won a war, flew thousands of feet in the air, met some of the most powerful people in the empire, shook hands and talked with First Princess Morianne in the flesh. I've lived more in the last ten months than most people live their entire lives. I can’t wait to see what's next. So, no regrets here.”

I smiled at that. It's good to have some time off from the endless intrigue. We talked about random things of no consequence until the conversation petered off and we watched the sun start to dip below the horizon in companionable silence.

She said to herself in a whisper so faint I almost didn't hear it. “Benny Solaris, it has a nice ring to it.”