Our powers are growing. Slowly we have gained knowledge and put it to the test. It’s hard for me to believe that we’ve only been here three weeks.

  But as I look forward, I have a sense of foreboding. All of the Summoned are under stress. Which of us will crack?

  Week 4

  The boy found himself in a tunnel once again. “Oh crap!” he says. “Can’t I get one single night of good sleep?” He extends his senses. “And why always tunnels? Don’t you have enough imagination to take me some place different for a change?”

  There is no answer. Suddenly his face lights up. “Not someplace different. The same place.” He spins around. “Stairs. I wonder…”

  Though he is sightless, he moves with assurance and fairly bounces up the stairs. Humming a tune to himself, he reaches out with his senses and finds… “Yes!” he cries and takes off down a tunnel. Very soon he comes upon a melancholy woman with snakes on her head and tears in her eyes.

  She is muttering to herself. “I suppose it’s silly to keep coming back here. He was on a Trial after all. Most likely I’ll never see him again.”

  “Sintana,” he barely breathes the name but she hears him.

  “Nix!” With a lunge too quick to see (if one could see) she grabs him in a hug, a huge smile on her face.

  “Ow, ow, ow, …” he calls out as slender hair snakes sink their fangs into his face and shoulders.

  “Oh! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I forgot!” she cries and releases him.

  He smiles as he casts Cleanse and Cure 1 on himself. “No worries, Lady Sintana. I am so happy that I found you here.”

  “What’s with the Lady Sintana, Sir Nix? Aren’t we friends?”

  “I certainly hope so! I’m apparently caught up in another Trial. But I ran away hoping to find you.”

  “Well, here I am! And mighty glad. I was just sitting around missing you…”

  “Silly Sintana. Shouldn’t you be with your friends and family?”

  “Maybe. Life just hasn’t been the same since you healed the Queen. She gave me some big rewards and I have a lot more responsibilities now.”

  “That sounds good. Isn’t it? Responsibility brings opportunity. Or so Addie keeps muttering to herself every time Kari gets in trouble and she has to bail her out. Okay. Now that I think about it…”

  “You’re funny, Nix,” Sintana laughs. “I hope I can meet these people some day. They sound like fun.”

  “Sometimes they’re fun. Sometimes they’re a little scary. Kind of like Gorgons.”

  “Ha ha. You’d better not be calling me scary, Bub!”

  “See what I mean? That was scary right there…”

  “So how long can you stay? What’s your Trial about?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t know. Probably can’t stay long. Haven’t started the Trial yet.”

  Sintana sighs. “Then you probably need to go. Trials aren’t to be avoided. That can make them harder.”

  Nix is silent for a few moments. Then he mumbles, “I’m afraid if I leave you now I’ll never find you again.”

  Sintana smiles. “You’re a silly boy, Nix. Are you having romantic thoughts?”

  He digs his toe into the ground. “Mmmaaayyybbee…”

  She giggles. “Well maybe I am too. But I have an idea!”

  “That sounds positive.”

  “It sure is. You’re a summoner, correct?”

  “Yep. So I’m told, though I’ve never tried it yet.”

  “Then, if you want, we can form a Spirit Partnership.”

  “What? All I know about are contracts. And are you a Spirit? I had thought you were another race living on Emulgren, like the elves.”

  “Mmmm… Gorgons are kind of half Spirits. It’s difficult to explain. But I think we should be able to bond as partners instead of a contract. What the Spirit Partner Skill does is create a mutual contract which allows the Spirit Beast to travel outside of its normal boundaries. A Hex for example. In turn, we each can roughly sense where the other is. At least a direction and an idea of distance.”

  “That sounds like just the thing. Then we could find each other again. Maybe even go on an adventure together.”

  “Okay. Let’s try it!”

  And so, after a good deal of magical trial and error, a bond is formed.

  “Nix. I have a gift.” says Sintana just before they part ways at the head of the stairwell. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out a finely woven net which she uses to contain and tie back the snakes which make up her hair.

  As he turns to face her, he feels her hands on his face as she pulls him into a kiss. A long passionate kiss. Followed by a looooooonger passionater kiss.

  Nix is stunned. It barely registers as she turns him around and pushes him into the stairwell. He stumbles down the stairs and starts his Trial.

  ###

  “State your name for the Trial.”

  “Nixon Sordes.”

  “Very well. Go through this door and begin.” A stone door opens and Nix steps forward into a grim scene.

  All around him he can sense sparks of life. Tiny auras: red, yellow, green, blue. All tinged with a sickly gray shade. He hears a buzzing noise as he is noticed in turn.

  “Who are you?” He hears a shout coming from a red aura right in front of him. Only the shout is really high pitched and tiny. Like it comes from a seriously small person. He is surrounded by auras now: red ones buzzing around close to him, other colors further back.

  “My name is Nix. I’m a healer. What’s wrong? Is there something I can do to help you?”

  A green aura makes its way to the forefront of the group. “We are dying healer. We’re trapped in this bad place. We have no food, no clean water. There is no healing that will help us now.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. And I’m sorry if I ask a stupid question, but why can’t you just move somewhere else?”

  There is a buzz of conversation which swells and recedes around him. The green aura speaks again. “We are pixies. Beasts of pure Spirit. Our Hex is dying and we’re dying with it. Spirit Beasts cannot move beyond the boundaries of their Hex.”

  “Ah,” says Nix thoughtfully. Some of the pixies lose interest and start to move away lethargically. “Pardon me again if this is a silly question. What if you form a Spirit Contract?”

  “A Spirit Contract would allow us to move freely with the summoner.”

  “I’m a summoner.”

  The buzz of conversation picks up again. This time it doesn’t die down. “I’m afraid that you would only be able to help a few of us. There are more than a thousand of us still alive here. It would take an immense amount of Spirit Energy to contract with all of us.”

  “A Spirit Partner contract doesn’t take much energy.”

  “There is another problem. If you truly want to help us, come with me and I’ll show you.”

  Nix follows the pixie’s aura to the edge of a chasm. Across the chasm, he can sense life. A vibrant green energy which calls out to him. “Healer Nix, my name is Grenlis. I’m the leader of this tribe. Across this chasm is a Hex where we could live and thrive. Unfortunately, the chasm is much too wide for us to fly across. Even before we were weakened by hunger we could not have done it. This means we can’t do this with a Partner contract.”

  “How would I cross it? Since I can’t fly?”

  “There is an old rope bridge. It is probably strong enough for you to cross a few times. But to carry us all across, you would need to make many trips.”

  Nix is silent for a while. Lost in thought. He can feel his bond with Sintana and that gives him some comfort as he worries about the pixies and their problems. Finally he speaks, “Grenlis, I need to ask you some questions because I’m new to this world. I haven’t yet fully explored my summoner abilities.”

  “Please, ask freely.”

  “I’ve read there is a kind of contract called a Spirit Soul. I understand this would allow me to draw a Spirit into my soul and release it again later. Is that true?”

  Nix hears a collective gasp from those pixies who are still listening. Grenlis answers, “That is true. It even requires less energy than a Partner contract. However, it gives the summoner complete control over the Spirit. Unlike a normal Spirit contract, only the summoner can release the Spirit from the contract. Very few here would be willing to be bound in this way, even if it would save their lives.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “I see,” says Nix. He loses himself in thought again. Finally, he says, “So what you’re saying is that a Spirit Soul contract would work, but no one would accept it.”

  “Yes. If you have enough Spirit energy.”

  “So if we could find some sort of guarantee that I would release you on the other side, then we could make it work.”

  “Yes. What were you thinking of?”

  “This is probably where I need your help. I may not know enough to reason out a solution. Maybe one or two of you could be Spirit Partners and ride over on my shoulders? Then if I don’t release everyone else they could hold my life hostage?”

  The pixies started up a buzz of conversation again. Grenlis says, “There are too many ways for that to go wrong. Let me consult with the others. Someone may have a good idea.”

  Nix sits down on a rock and waits. He starts to fret, as he can feel from their auras that some of the pixies are very weak. Finally Grenlis returns.

  “We have a solution but it requires your trust in us.”

  “What is it?”

  “A curse. Some of us are skilled in curse magic. We can lay a curse on you that will take effect six hours after it’s cast. If a group of us cast that curse on you, you could then contract with all of us, cross the chasm to the other side, and then release us from our contract.”

  “Ah. And the trust part comes in after I release you. I will need you to remove the curse?”

  “Yes.”

  Nix thinks for a moment. “Can I choose which of you curse me?”

  “There will need to be at least ten of us working together. I can let you choose ten from those who have the capability.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  “Yes. I’ll do it.”

  And so a group of pixies gathers. Nix chooses ten with green auras from the group. They then cast the curse.

  All the pixies crowd around and Nix begins making contracts. One by one, he calls them into his soul. A normal person would not have had the energy. Nix, however, is a Spirit prodigy. He has enough energy - barely.

  He sits on his rock and rests for a moment. Grenlis is the only pixie remaining. After he is feeling better he states, “I’m ready. Lead me to the bridge.”

  Without a word, Grenlis leads him to a place where two pillars stand next to each other on the edge of the abyss. Each pillar has a rope leading off into the distance: one low and one at shoulder height. Nix can barely sense them. Setting his feet on the bottom rope and his hand on the top rope, Nix calls Grenlis into his soul and begins the crossing.

  The rope feels rough and frayed under his hand. If this were a typical adventure story, one or more of the ropes would break and Nix would have to fight for his life to get across. This is not a typical adventure story. This is a Trial and this Trial is not about fighting for one's life while hanging above a bottomless abyss.

  Yet it takes almost an hour to get across. Nix is exhausted as he falls to his knees in a bright green glade. He rests for a moment, then he starts calling pixies forth from his soul. Immediately the stronger ones start searching out food and water to bring to the weaker ones. It takes another hour and all of his remaining Spirit energy before all of the pixies are free and released from their contracts.

  True to their word, the pixies remove the curse they’d placed on him. He never knew what it would have done had he failed in his side of the bargain.

  Grenlis comes forward to thank him, but before the words can be spoken, Nix disappears in a shower of white sparks.

  Commander Travess sits at the head of the table while the recording crystal finishes playing. It is the fourth day of exercises and, in my opinion, it has gone very well. We’ve worked through a number of group tactical problems. It hasn’t been perfect, of course, because we’re all new to fighting but the overall objectives have been achieved.

  “Very well,” says the Commander. “I believe we can say that you’ve proven your concept.” I do a secret fist-pump under the cover of the table. “However, we won’t always be fighting these large scale battles. Does anyone have any comments to add before we discuss the training mix?”

  Bethany raises her head and speaks, “I think there are several tactics which cross over to small groups from what we learned here. Especially the use of archers for directing the mage’s attacks.”

  “That’s a good point,” puts in Altan. “It’s a technique we’re familiar with from our home. Different weapons involved, but magic seems to follow magic here. The indirect fire trace lets the mages’ spells arc up over the shield wall. Something I personally am very happy about.”

  “Good points,” says the Commander. “I’ve instructed the platoon sergeants to collect feedback from everyone who’s been involved. The company clerks will collate the information and we’ll have another meeting next week to discuss tactics.”

  “I think we need to discuss leadership,” Ettiene contributes for the first time. “We need someone who’s aggressive and willing to take chances.”

  Commander Travess looks like he’s sucking on a lemon for a moment before responding. “We’ll look at command structure over the next couple of days. It will be a mix of Heroes and trained soldiers. We’re giving you all a break from training. We’ll let you know once training resumes.”

  “We don’t get a say in these decisions?” I ask.

  “Yes, you will. We’ll field test a few different command structures next week. Certainly each of the Great Heroes and Saints will have leadership roles. For now, Tia will remain as the representative of the Summoned.”

  “I want to give Tia a vote of thanks for pushing us to try new things,” states Altan.

  “Hear, hear,” says Bethany. “She’s been doing a great job.”

  “Agreed,” says the Commander. “You have our thanks and I hope we can all keep the ideas coming.”

  Ettiene says nothing but I notice he clenches his fists under the table.

  Saki and I sit at a table in the magic workshop. Ha. Magic workshop! Doesn't that sound cool? It's really just a little training room with a work bench on one side and wards set up to contain any magic that gets out of control. Hope to contain, anyway.

  It's probably not set up for Primal magic. Which is what I'm doing today. Saki is with me for moral support and kibitzing. On the table in front of me is a plain leather bag. Tan suede with a cinch and leather flap to close it.

  If things go right, this will be my very first bag of holding. I look over the book again. A straight-forward step-by-step description of how to make a portable extra-dimensional space is written there. An absolute rarity for Primal magic. Only a few people can do it. Even fewer are willing to write about it, and most of those couldn’t write a clear, concise sentence if their life depended on it.

  Saki is checking over the enchantments I’ve carved into the leather around the bag's opening. Odd that they call it carving when really it's not. She gives a nod of approval. Finally. This is, like, the twelfth time I thought I had it.

  Okay. Deep breath time. I read over the next section again. The incantation is carved (ha!) into my brain now, so I think I'm ready.

  I begin to speak, slowly and carefully. Holding the bag in my hands and channeling Primal energy through my words. Doesn't that just sound super-crazy?

  The mouth of the bag glows for a moment. A deep blue that fades slowly after I finish the spell. I look into the mouth of the bag with trepidation. Yeah, trepidation. A four syllable word. Which I know lots of. Talkin' to you, Rio. Suck it you damn snooty horndog!

  What I see is ... not the bottom of a brown bag. That's for sure. More like a grayish .... Void, I guess? No words to describe it that I can think of. Saki either.

  I reach my hand in. Pull it out. Doesn't hurt. When my hand was in there I could still see it, like a ghostly outline but clear. I put in a small leather-working tool. Pull it out. Looks fine.

  Now to test the capacity. A bag of holding should hold more than the original bag of … not-holding? I guess? We already tested the bag's capacity by filling it with sand. Almost two liters.

  I pick up the sand bucket while Saki holds the bag open. Begin pouring. Yay! It holds ... 1 liter.

  Damn. The extra-dimensional space is smaller than the original! I close my eyes. Damn damn damn!!!

  Saki slaps my face gently. It worked! she signs excitedly.

  "But it's smaller than the original bag!" I wail.

  She slaps me again. Less gently. Gives me a rare smile. Size is just a detail. What's important is that it worked! Details we can fix.

  I smile back and raise my hand. High five and get back to work!

  I did it! We did it! Awesome!

  Size is just a detail. That's what he said... Hehehehehe…

  "Who the hell're you?"

  "My name is Rio. Please train me, Master," I say, bowing my head.

  Keldon looks me over. The expression on his face can only be described as dubious. "Train you in what?"

  "I would like to learn the rapier," I say. Visions of dashingly handsome Musketeers dance through my imagination: fighting evil-doers and sweeping ladies off their feet.

  Keldon looks to Nix, "Nix, where'd you get this hanyak?"

  "He followed me here, Sensei! Like a lost puppy. Never seen him before in my life!" Nix shouts, standing at attention. Never seen me before. What a joker.

  “Hmph,” Keldon walks around me, looking me up and down. “Hmph. Why a rapier and not a sword?"

  What can I answer? I don't think 'because I want to look cool' will be a sufficient answer. "I don’t intend to be a front-line fighter, Sir. I believe my body type is better suited to finesse rather than strength." Ha ha! Good answer, I mentally fist-bump myself.

  "He thinks it'll make him look dashing and handsome," contributes that rat-bastard Nix.

  Keldon looks me up and down again. "That'll never happen." A straight thrust to the heart.

  "What are you guys? A comedy team? That really hurts!" I cry out, clutching my chest and pretending to lose my composure.

  "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Oh great. Platitudes now. "All right, if Nix vouches for you, I'll take you on. Expect to work hard."

  "Thank you, Master!" I shout out, trying to get into the martial spirit.

  "Nix, you'll be starting with the jo today. Rio go get the practice weapons off the rack by the door. You’ll start with the jo too."

  I trot off, wondering why they called them musketeers when they did all their fighting with swords. And what the hell’s a jo anyway?

  I hate the soldiers. Seriously. They talk constantly about duty and training. They display camaraderie, joking and laughing with each other, then instantly becoming serious when called to order. They’re like robots while training, hardly even seeming human.

  Brainwashing. I’m not going to let myself be brainwashed like them. This isn’t my country. I didn’t ask to be here. I can barely understand how I let the others talk me into pretending to care. I’m the strongest. I’m the best. I should be able to do what I want, when I want.

  The others call me the Great Dick. Not even behind my back. Of course, I take my revenge on them. Which just goes to prove their point, I guess. I don’t care.

  I have soldiers under my command. Today I’m taking them for a run. We run and run and run. I fortify myself with magic. Some of the soldiers can, too. Not as much as I can, though. They drop like flies. I berate them and make them get up for more.

  I can see the hatred in their eyes. I use their dedication to duty against them. I’m not the leader they want to have. But I’m the leader they’re stuck with.

  They’re all dead on their feet. At least those who are still on their feet. I call a halt. Have them grab their weapons. Time to fight. I’ll pound them into the dirt. We’ll keep going until I get tired, damn them. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t care.

  Acolyte of Manalea, Lady of Order

  Blessing: Great Hero

  Magic Energy Type: Mana

  Affinities: Water, Body Enhancement (Speed, Endurance)

  Skill Sets: Egotist (Legacy), Fire Hose (Sigil)

  Role: Shock Troop Commander (Acolyte Boon)

  I am walking through the halls, minding my own business, thinking about the few remaining tasks I need to accomplish before turning in for the night. A group of men comes down the hallway toward me and I step to the side to let them pass, not paying them any attention.

  That’s when I get groped. It’s that one they call the Great Dick. I see him smirk at me over his shoulder as they continue down the hallway.

  I’m not the sort of girl who likes getting groped by passing strangers in the hallways. It’s a bit of an occupational hazard for maids, but still. I vow to let them know.

  I’m not a vengeful girl. I don’t have to be because I have friends who’ll be vengeful for me. Addie, maybe? No that would be too cruel. I laugh to myself. Kari. I think Kari’s the best one to tell about this. I strongly suspect that in her mind I’m part of her hoard. Dragons are the jealous type. Even the tiny ones. Nobody touches their stuff.

  I laugh again. This time out loud.