I would like to express my deepest apologies for how delayed this part was. Not only does my router keep dying on me, but other personal life events all conspired to make writing and posting this part most difficult. Here's to hoping for better luck in the future! I was NOT going to make you all wait any more so I doggedly finished around 2am today, so forgive any minor spelling and grammar mistakes, although feel completely free to point them out. Three of you built this spell, which was one of the better ones you could have. I had all the combinations for the words written out and what they did, perhaps later today I'll post the list so you could see what COULD have happen. The possible spells ranged from powerful to weak to just plain silly.

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Previous Part: Part 10

Introduction: www.radiorivendell.com/forum/18/3499/

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--Vaik's Story - Part Eleven--

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“Vaik, you have this intent look on your face.” Fern said. “You are not planning something foolish are you?”

I put my bowl down. “I heard the words to a spell.” I told her. “It seems that these chaos shamans ran into another mage recently and he used this spell to escape.”

“No!” She shouted and several shamans paused in their dancing to look at her. She continued in a quieter voice. “Vaik you have no training in magic. If you try to access magic without training you could seriously hurt yourself.”

I felt nervous at her words, but my mind was made up. I had to escape from here before the head shaman looked at me again. Some instinct told me this was more important then anything else.

“I'm not afraid to try.” I repeated. “Mage Opal said I would be able to do any type of magic, and it will allow us to escape. When you see me cast it be ready to run.”

I took a deep breath and tried to think like a mage. I figured I would have to touch magic somehow, but didn't know how. Then I had a strange feeling as if something was just out of reach. I mentally reached out towards it and found I could in some sense 'grab' it. Yet I could not keep hold of it. It kept slipping away as I struggled to draw it close. Each time I pulled it near I had the oddest sensation as if cold water was being poured down my neck.

“Vaik no-” Fern cut off suddenly as she looked at something behind me.

A hard jab into my side expelled my breath in a rush, breaking my concentration.

“So you can touch magic too little dress-man!” Hook-nose grabbed me by the arm and hoisted me up. “You are more then you seem. I sense powerful magic in you. Come, we'll not wait until the morning. Let's go speak with the Chief before you reveal your little surprise.”

I felt panic bubble up inside, but I couldn't break free from hook-nose's grasp. At a signal another shaman grabbed Fern and brought her with us. I was marched over to the other side of the fire where the head shaman was seated with two other shamans by a large tent, quietly talking as if oblivious to the noise of the dancing.

“Why do you bother me Porchuta?” He asked in a bored voice.

I was forced to my knees without ceremony as hook-nose shoved me down. “This one is more then we thought.” He said. “I felt him gathering great power in preparation to cast a spell.”

“You thought I did not know this?” The head shaman growled at him. “I have seen in him and through him. I have searched the skeins of his destiny and I cannot find the thread of his path. He is of pure chaos.”

Porchuta drew in a breath. “Then it is as Euless'chag has stated! A youth with untold power! He is the one we seek!”

I felt my blood go cold. With clarity I then recalled that while the robe Euless had worn was like Mage Opal's he had worn beads that looked exactly like what the head shaman had around his neck. Was he one of these shamans?

The head shaman looked at me with his all-to-knowing eyes. “Yes young sorcerer. We were set forth to find you. It appears you are worth a great deal to the plannings of that worthless mage.”

“What does he want with me?” I asked.

“To try and control your power, perhaps take it. His ambition is greater then his sense.” The head shaman chucked, but it was not a happy sound. “It is beyond my care. The fool plots Chaos with plans. Plans! They are things of Order, so his method fails at the start.”

“You would give me to him.” I asked and I cursed the tremble in my voice.

The shaman shrugged. “He made us a bargain I am inclined to keep. I fail to see how he could control you, yet even if he fails in that it would lead to much chaos being created, and this would be most entertaining to see.”

“I wouldn't even consider that if I was you.” I growled, deciding to try a bluff. “My magic might be young, but it's strong enough to get rid of you.”

He wasn't impressed. “If you had been able to cast magic of note Euless'chag would not have survived his encounter with you.” He said. “I do not fear you.” A mocking smile appeared on his lips. “In fact, feel free to try. I have been long in talk tonight. Some amusement would do.”

I didn't like being toyed with and my anger flared. Thinking of how being angry could make me physically stronger for a time, I funneled my anger into my mental grab for that elusive tingle in my mind. I touched it and instead of letting it slip away I was able to clutch it and yanked hard. I was filled with a sensation not unlike stepping from a warm house into winter cold. I knew somehow that I was now touching magic! I shook out my hands and quickly said the words I hoped were a spell.

“Ras Mico Eurus!” I chanted.

Some force compelled my arms to rise into the air before snapping to my sides. I felt the ice rush surge down my arms as they burst forth from my fingertips. In their wake a great wind seemed to rush forward. In seconds a mighty gale erupted around me nearly knocking me off my feet with the force. Great gouts of sand were torn from the earth and flung into dizzying spirals.

The head shaman was completely caught off guard and was swept off his feet as the wind rushed around the camp, blowing men over and nearing dousing the bonfire. I was so shocked at what I had done that I froze a few moments before I thought to grab Fern and run. Even as I staggered forward with my arm raised in a vain attempt to block the raging sandstorm I heard the oddest sound. I heard laughter.

The chaos shamans were all back on their feet and shouting into the wind with as much glee as they had while dancing around the bonfire. Through the stinging sand I saw many of them leap into the air to let the wind pluck them up and fling them into the nearby sand dunes, where they landed with great shouts of enjoyment.

Then I ran into something. Looking up I saw the form of the head shaman. He also laughed as he pushed me backwards and I stumbled and fell, losing my grip on Fern. He raised his hands and magic thrust the storm away, leaving us alone in a circle of calm.

“Bravo!” He clapped. “Such glorious power calling forth such glorious chaos!” He crouched down to bring his face level with mine. “And you think to be tamed by mere mage magic?! You would honestly go to the Ullns?”

“That was my plan.” I replied, trying to think past feeling disoriented and drained after my first true touch of magic.

“This is an event I would wish to observe.” A manic grin that was all teeth lit his face. “You have interested me little chaos brother. I was to give Euless'chag what he desired but I feel there is more to experience with you. The next months will prove most entertaining.”

He moved his hands around his body and they seemed to somehow tear into the air. I was once again engulfed into the sandstorm, only it was even more savage then before. I drew in a ragged breath as I curled in on myself to protect my face. In moments I was buried completely. I had the sensation of moving yet the sand didn't seem to shift. Then with a sickening lurch I seemed to stop.

In panic from lack of air I clawed my way free of the sand and saw that my storm seemed to be gone. Not just my storm, but the entire shaman encampment had vanished. All around me was an unbroken line of sand dunes, and not a footstep marred the smooth landscape to show how I got here.

Then another patch of sand heaved and I saw Fern's robe. I staggered over and helped her free of the sand. She sputtered and spat, trying to free the sand clinging to her face. I helped brush it off and she did the same for me.

“Elunis guide us, Vaik.” She coughed. “What did you do?”

“He cast a simple wind spell.” A solemn voice said to the side. I turned in alarm and saw a small figure sitting on a nearby dune. I knew for a fact that there had been no one there a second ago. “However, for a person such as he is, even the most simple spell is magnified a hundred fold if he cannot control it.”

“Who are you?” I demanded.

The figure stood up and slid down the dune to stand next to us. He was chaos shaman, but to my surprise he was younger then I was. I had decided that their beads were a sign of rank and this young shaman only had a few simple carved wooden ones hanging on a long looping necklace. He was wearing a shoulder belt that attached to a waist belt, both festooned with a remarkable amount of containers made of every material from metal to wood to something I didn't recognize.

“I'm Eirik the Drifter.” He told me. “That was a sweet bit of magic there. You sure kicked up a storm. Haven't gone wind surfing in ages!” He turned towards Fern. “Sorry about the dust, but this was the fastest way to get near a city. Pretty amazing to ride the sand waves though!”

It took me a minute to try to puzzle out what he had said and even then I wasn't sure I understood. He seemed less threatening then the other chaos shamans, but he was no less unsettling.

“Sand waves?” I asked.

“You know, it's the only way to travel the dunes. I'm not good enough yet to do it, so I have to piggyback behind someone else.”

“Piggyback?” I was getting confused again.

“Where are we?” Fern interrupted coldly. I had a feeling she was thoroughly sick of the shamans.

“Here.” Eirik told her.

“Which is where?” She prompted.

He cocked his head to the side. “About three steps from over there, which is not far from two steps to my right.”

“Where is the nearest city?” She tried.

“Oh that's about five days towards the rising sun if that's where you want to go.” He replied.

“Five days?!” She sputtered. “Your chief left us here with no food and water! How are we to survive?”

“Well I suppose you could head for the town that way.” He said, pointing towards distance mountains. “It's about half a night away from here.”

Her face clouded with anger as I failed to suppress a chuckle.

“Listen you.” She bit out. “Just what are you doing here?”

Eirik shrugged. “Chief thinks you two are worth letting go, so I'm here to guide you out of the desert.”

“Why didn't you just say so?!” Fern all but shouted at him.

“No fun in that now is there?” He grinned at her.

I put a hand on her shoulder to stop her before she could bite out a reply. “Don't encourage him.” I whispered in her ear. “I don't know if you have siblings, but he's like all seven of my brothers rolled into one.”

“I have plenty of sisters.” She growled back. “I am a mage after all. I did always want a brother, but now I see I would have just strangled him before long.”

I nodded to the shaman. “What of our friends? What did you do to them?”

“Nothing of course, we were not interested in them.” He said. “I'm sure they are searching for you, or perhaps they have continued on.”

“I want you to take us to them.” Fern demanded, standing up and trying to stare down the smaller shaman.

He was unfazed. “I don't think you realize how far away we are from that point. It would be days to get back. Besides, Chief only told me to take you out of the desert, not deeper into it.”

I should have been amazed that in one night we had been moved days away from the caravan, but I was quickly being no longer surprised by magic.

“I must get back to them!” Fern demanded, shaking Eirik by the shoulders. “I need to return to the Terra Ulln!”

Before either of us could say anything she spun away and fell to the ground sobbing. It seemed the terror and stress of the night had finally caught up to her. To his credit Eirik looked embarrassed.

“Look.” He finally said. “Dawn is not too far away and you do not want to be out here in the daylight. I will take you to the nearby town where you can find shelter.”

I crouched down by Fern and gave her shoulders a quick hug. “Its been a rough night, but we have to get moving.” I turned and shot Eirik a fierce glare. “I don't know what kind of game you shamans are playing, but I've about had enough for one day. I might not be able to hurt you with magic, but I am twice as big as you are and quite willing to use normal means.”

He coughed into his hand. “Your point is taken. If you'll follow me I'll lead the way.”

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I was not at all thrilled about walking among the dunes. There was no path and the sand was treacherous, much like deep snow, but even more likely to shift underfoot and cause one to stumble. The walking did help with the cold, for the night was somehow even more frigid then before. Fern calmed back down, although she didn't say anything for the longest while. I also kept to my own thoughts, for I was mad that the shamans had disrupted our journey to the Ulln, but since I had already been cast from my homeland by Euless, I wasn't actually worried about where we were now. Anywhere in this land was the wrong place for me to be.

Ryonth, the second moon, was just setting on the horizon and the sun was casting its first glows when we crested the last dune at the end of what Eirik called the deep desert. The ground in front of us was firmer and we made better time after that. Not more then a mark later we were in sight of the town.

The first thing I noticed was the white of the town wall reflecting the rising sun. As we got closer I could make out a winding dusty road heading towards a large gate. Even with as early as it was several caravans of wagons seemed to be making their slow way to the town.

“Here it is.” Eirik said stopping. “This is the tradestown Amzrou.”

Fern didn't look happy. “So we are in Kolitch lands.”

The shaman nodded. “You are indeed. Most of the caravans planning on traversing the Koligozitch Desert pass through here.”

“Is this a dangerous place then?” I asked Fern.

She sighed. “It is not a good place for us to be. The Sheseha Tribes have had some...unpleasantries with the Kolitch in recent months.”

“Fighting over oasis again I'm sure.” Eirik commented. At my blank look he explained. “They're places in a desert where you can find water and trees for shade. Very small and very rare, so the tribes tend to fight over them.”

“So will we be in danger if we try to enter the town?” I asked Fern.

“It is possible.” She said. “If our robes are recognized as from the Terra Ulln we would draw unwanted attention to ourselves. If there has been a recent skirmish we would meet with great hostility from the people there. At best we would be jailed, at worse we could be killed outright.”

“So what do we do?” I wondered. Did everybody in this land want to kill each other as soon as look at one another?

“We will hardly survive a day out in the desert without water or shade. We have no choice, we must get in without attracting notice.” She said.

“Perhaps we could try and join one of those caravans.” I suggested. “Enter with them.”

“I doubt they would let us.” Fern said. “Most caravans do not allow strangers near because of suspicions of bandits and robbers.”

Looking at the town again I tried to puzzle out a solution. Then I spotted some people who seemed to be coming from around the far side of the wall and heading towards a stand of odd trees not far from the wall.

“Where did they come from?” I asked pointing.

She followed my gaze. “From a second gate I would guess. Most towns this size will have a main gate for travelers to come through and then a smaller gate somewhere else for the townspeople to use. The should be the town well over there.”

“Could we get in that gate?” I wondered.

“Possibly. The color of our robes will be unusual here, although the style is similar enough. There should be less guards at the side gate.”

I glanced at the shaman and his odd clothing. Whichever way we went he would stand out like a white birch in a grove of black oak.

“Are you coming with us?” I asked him.

“Not sure.” He replied casually. “Depends on what you decide to try.”

Fern seemed unsure of what to do and I had a feeling this sort of experience was a bit much for her. I might not have traveled back home, but days alone taking care of the feisty shëdons had taught me how to make tough decisions when both options seemed bad.

I glanced again at the road. The scattering of caravans had been joined by a few smaller groups of travelers on foot, while over to the side there seemed to be quite a crowd of townspeople gathering around the well. I had to make a choice soon before they finished and dispersed.

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The Voices Start to Whisper...

A) Try to mingle with a caravan...

Try to mingle at the well...

Updated 22 March 2012 (07:38)

B

"About three steps from over there, which is not far from two steps to my right"

You're a great writer, Szczepan! Thank You for Your precious time, but if You could, I would really love to read both other spells and other beginnings . I thought there was only one good spell, and Ras Mico Eurus sounded well for a few reasons:

- none of Shamans actually used it

- Ras is 1 in latin

- Ras Mico Eurus are words ordered by their length

- Before me someone other used it, and I believe he's Your friend, so maybe he knows the right answer

So I wonder what was the 'right' spell and why such and not other order of the words, if there's a reason.

Updated 23 March 2012 (09:39)

B. And to Ether, he is very good at not spoiling the answers when he is writing, so no one will know the "correct" answer before the next part is released, Even tho i would like too.

Updated 22 March 2012 (15:26)

B I would also love to read about other spells and alternative beginnings

B

I changed my vote to B, although looks like it'll win anyway

B.... About the spell I cant't think of a reason for Vaik not trying another order by himself..... heheeh