CHAPTER TWO:
MASTER AND APPRENTICE
Valeeria Darkenglade stood atop The Tower of Mystics and Magic and smiled as she looked out into the night. It was late. Or actually, early, she thought, as the sun would be rising within the hour. The beautiful young dark elf took her hands from the ancient orb that had sat upon the tower for centuries.
With care she covered it with a cloth just as ancient and pulled a lever on the base of the stand it sat on. Valeeria lifted her long black hair up as she raised the hood from her black robe over her head. Then the sorceress walked to the stairs as the ancient tower orb started to sink back into its resting place.
After walking down two flights of stairs, Valeeria opened a door leading to her master’s chambers. As she walked across the platform to the Shadowmage’s room, Valeeria could hear his voice.
After reaching the giant stone doors, she stopped. Though the power within was not affecting her in any negative way, she could still feel its magnitude. After centering herself, the dark elf pulled her hood back and straightened her long black hair. She knew what her master wanted and even more what he liked.
Valeeria raised her right hand and spoke, “Open.”
The stone doors creaked and separated. Valeeria scanned the dark room as she listened, then raised her arms to her sides and spoke, “Burn.”
In an instant the room lit up, as all the candles on the supporting pillars were suddenly ablaze. She looked at the large ornate chair, almost throne-like, that sat against the far wall. Then at the shadow of a man sitting with his hands clasped, cast against the wall in the candlelight. The voice was now a whisper.
“I have searched through the Void, and my image I see. Now I command, flesh and bone return to me.”
Valeeria turned her gaze from the wall to the empty chair and waited. This wasn’t the first time this had happened, but she hoped she would be present at the last. The voice continued but was now louder.
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“I have searched through the Void, and my image I see. Now I command, flesh and bone return to me.”
Valeeria stood perfectly still, not wanting to do anything to break her master’s concentration. The voice continued stronger, more defiant now, but in pain.
“I have searched through the Void, and my image I see! Now I command, flesh and bone return to me!”
Valeeria’s eyes widened and she gasped quietly at what she saw. Then the chant stopped and was replaced by the heavy breathing of a man that seemed near death. After a few moments the breathing finally slowed to an even pace.
“I hear you, my beautiful apprentice. Tell me, what did you see? Everything. No detail is too small,” commanded the Shadowmage in a clear, strong voice.
Valeeria collected herself and looked toward the empty chair in front of her. “I saw an older man...slightly past middle-age.”
Valeeria stopped after realizing she had just seen what no magic user had ever been able to do before. She bowed and continued. “Master, you are still strong. Your body...has not aged in the Void. If it returns...”
“When it returns, my apprentice...” stated the Shadowmage, plainly. Then his voice became hard and vengeful. “...I will have my full power back, break from the confines of this room and all of Danaria will be mine!”
The dark elf looked at the shadow on the wall out of the corner of her eye. The shadow moved towards hers and then stopped an arms length away.
“Tell me, my young apprentice. What have you learned though the Oracle Orb?” spoke the Shadowmage.
Valeeria stared straight ahead and cleared her throat. “Master, Firebaugh has indeed fallen. His lair is under rubble and...”Valeeria stopped. She wished to choose her next words carefully. “The band of seven. They have the Holy Ring. If this band of adventurers is strong enough to defeat Firebaugh...”
The Shadowmage laughed. “I would have leashed the dragon if I were not confined inside these four walls by The High Council.” Then the evil wizard spoke plainly. “Firebaugh was ancient. He was powerful. But his years of being undisturbed by challenge left him overconfident.” After a moment of silence the Shadowmage continued, his voice certain. “When this motley crew comes for the bracelet, they will see true power.”
Valeeria pulled back the right sleeve of her robe and looked down at the Holy Bracelet of the elves that held one of the three lost Stones of Elion. It had been the gift given to her by her master once she accepted the offer to become his apprentice. Then she looked up at the wall and watched as the shadow before her moved back to the ornate chair and sat back down.
“Master. What of the Scepter Sword? I know it is considered legend, but my people, many of the dwarves, even the high priest of the humans believe it to be real. If...”
“Liam Jarstinian is foolish,” began the Shadowmage. “His faith has far overtaken his reason. All he has done is sent the remaining two Holy Stones of Elion to us, and when I have them I will wear the ring and the amulet as a sign that I am the true power in this land.”
Valeeria bowed again. “I await the day, my master. And when it comes…” Then the dark elf’s brown eyes sparkled as she spoke through a smile.
“I will be by your side.”
