Alantris, Chapter 8
#8 of Alantris
Instinct was not alone in his tower atop the sky, but this time he had the presence of a single soul. The fool still believes his brother to be alive, he thought to himself. These beliefs were common among mortals, but Instinct had already taken control of Athera's body. His soul and body was no more among the living as I am. Or the dead. It was time for a formal induction, he thought to himself. An induction of the gods to the living. That would truly shake the world out of Unity's grasp. Orderness and the seven elements shall soon be his to command.
457~N Standstill between Bastruf and Chalith, Kingdom of Clarity, 14th Provenance of the Martyr
Howl had heard rumors from the townsfolk of Bastruf that there was a magician who lived on the east side of town. The magician was said to commune with the Aldemer and gain their insight onto those looking for divine readings. Howl admitted to himself that he was interested in such rumors.
He hoped he wasn't wasting his time with an insincere patron, but any rumor that spoke of the Aldemer may at least impart some truth to it. And so Howl traveled down the road to the eastern district of the city. Passing on his way was a market, though since the incident with the two thieves he had no money. He regretfully passed it on.
He had barely been able to make ends meet in the last day. He forgot he had lost his purse, and when arriving at a suitable Inn, was forced to ask for work in return for a room. Fortunately, they allowed this, and Howl got accustomed to what some of the working class and even servants were forced to go through, which involved serving food, cleaning tables and dishes, and sweeping up after the mess when the day was through.
He had to work from evening to dusk until he decided to leave his room at the Inn, but he had the morning and afternoon to himself, and so he took the rumor he heard at the Inn and decided to pay a little visit to this "magician".
When he arrived at the place, the building looked rather run down. The sign was missing a few letters, but otherwise it would have spelled, "Erros' Divine Allures and Charms". When Howl entered the building, however, the atmosphere seemed quite respectable. There were plush rugs and couches, the furnishings were all of dark, clean wood, and they were stacked with a number of respectable creations, such as tools, bowls, clothings, books, and some odd ones, including jars with what looked like fish in them, machines that Howl didn't know the name of, and several boxes of potions and glassware that must have been for apothecary purposes and potion making.
Erro's was a sparrow, a very lively one, and he greeted Howl as like an old friend.
"Welcome, welcome. I'm so glad you have finally come. I have been waiting for you."
Howl humored him. "For what have you been waiting for from me?"
The sparrow gave him a calculating eye. "You are taller than I imagined. I knew you would come, and I have a message for you, from the other side."
This interested Howl even more. "Go on."
"I have read in the pages that you wish to remove a corrupted shadow, am I correct?"
Howl was surprised he would guess so close to the truth. Perhaps the sparrow really was a magician.
"Do you know of who I speak?" Now the bird gave him a knowing look, one that instilled in Howl the sense that the bird was indeed knowledgeable of the skill.
"You speak of your brother. I have a friend coming back here who says he knows your brother. He might give you the information you seek."
Howl frowned. "But you won't?"
The sparrow sighed. "I do not have such dealings with those who have the skill. Not anymore. I stopped those dealings long ago, in an event that would have all but destroy me. Now I just sell the merchandise to those wishing to buy it. Do you know of the Apothecary?"
Howl nodded. "I know what of the apothecary practice."
The sparrow shook his head, "But do you know The Apothecary?"
At Howls denial, the sparrow whispered, "there are some in the skill that practice the apothecary art, but do you know the connection? Probably not. They can turn the earth into ash."
Howl gave him a confused look. "What?"
"Yes, by grinding up the earth and imparting the magic inside them, they can turn the earth into ash, and the ash back into earth."
"That sounds like alchemy."
"It is in a sense, yes. But their purpose is far more interesting. The reason that one would want to use such skills is that it imparts the provider the ability to wield the seven elements of nature. Yes, by turning ash into earth and vice versa, one can have the power to shape the earth. This includes the six other elements, as it is said that earth is one with the other six."
Howl made the connection, "I saw my friend, well, a companion I once had, who had the skill and possessed a mortar and pestle. Does that have anything to do with this? And you never mentioned who The Apothecary was."
"Up on the top of the tallest mountain, just south of Bastruf, there is a city of souls. An ancient city of exiled spirits, or aldemartis, who are said to possess the spirits of animals, but can also possess the spirits of the mortyars. They are exiled spirits, and therefore not the most friendly of creatures, however there is one spirit up at what is called the forked ruin at the top of the mountain, who is said to have mastered the art of this transformative magic of the elements. He is known to by others as The Apothecary."
Howl found this news seemed important to him, for the aura around his head was beginning to throb. Whoever the Apothecary was, he felt he should seek him out. But now wasn't the time.
"Are you sure you cannot teach me how to use skill? Or sell me a potion that could fix my troubles. I need to be able to create an illusion."
Erros gave him a stern look and declared, "I have seen enough magic used wrongly in my time. I will not teach you how to use your skill, mostly because I don't know myself. But I am willing to sell you any of my potions."
Just at that moment the bell at the door rung the announcement of a visitor.
"Ah, I believe that is my assistant. Over here, Corrin."
A small squirrel boy padded up to the counter. From what Howl could see, he possessed the dark ash around his eyes. He was so young to be introduced to magic, that it almost made Howl's experience with it seem foolish.
"Corrin here will teach you anything you need to know about your magic. He is very practiced in the art. Was practically a master by the age of six. He is truly a prodigy. But I warn you. If you use any of the magic that Corrin teaches you for wrong-doing, you will not be permitted any knowledge from me or my shop ever again. Do I make myself clear."
Howl nodded, feeling rather numb. "Why are you doing this for me?"
Erros gestured to his wings, which Howl just noticed were badly crooked and apparently broken. "I have been to the mountains in my youth. Many times I would visit the spirits at the top of the pyre and carry out their requests. In return for their errands they taught me their knowledge, and passed onto me the tools and supplies of my trade. I have adopted young Corrin here from the top of that lonely mountain, when the elements were too harsh to bring him down, and I carried him here, not knowing what abilities he possessed. It was the kindness he showed me, and the kindness that I showed him in return, that still keeps the shadows of my mind at bay. Consider what I am doing for you now as a sort of compromise. I'm sure one day you will have the means to thank Corrin in your time. That and he was the one who told me you would come. He seems to hold a great interest in you, one that I do not understand."
The squirrel stared at Howl with a piercing gaze. Howl stood transfixed. He had never felt his connection with another being so strong before. It was as if the aura of the squirrel's presence was penetrating his own aura with just his eyes alone.
"You wish to learn how to deceive the eyes. I know of this, and I also know your name and who you are, Howl."
The squirrel had a mysterious voice, one that sounded older than his years.
"You know who I am?"
"Yes. I have seen it in visions. You know of Treanna?"
Howl had to think on the name a little before he remembered. "You mean Grim?"
The squirrel nodded.
"She is the old librarian up in Serenitir. She was the one who gave me my skill."
Corrin expressed quietly, "not given, Howl, it was your rite. The magic was in you, she just pushed it further. Sped up the process. I can teach you how to control this magic. Master your eyes so you can deceive others."
The boy sounded eerily like he was presenting a contract, one that Howl was unsure he wanted part in.
"What do I have to do in return?"
The squirrel fixed his piercing gaze back on Howl's own eyes once more. "I want you to take me to the ruin at the top of the Pyre."
Howl shifted uneasily. "You want me to lead you up the tallest mountain?"
The boy nodded, narrowing his eyes. Howl couldn't think of a reason to travel to such a dangerous place. But then there was the information that Erros had just mentioned, of mastering the seven elements, and he paused. He contemplated the thought. He was ready to further his training in his skill, but why not take it farther. Though as High King, what sort of use would he put this alchemy to?
Then he thought of his brother. If Athera was already a master of his skill, Howl would need an even greater power to stop him. Would such power really be necessary. What if Athera was possessed by a daemon, like Grim said? How could he hope to stop someone who has already transcended death with mere illusions?
Howl sighed. "I will think about your offer. In the meantime you can teach me of what you wish to teach."
The squirrel agreed silently, "then meet me outside of Bastruf, tonight, just to the south of the small outlying village. It is there we shall practice."
Howl gave his assent, and the squirrel made his way past him and Erros and through doorway behind the counter. Erros gave Howl a long look.
"The boy is still a mystery. Even I don't know how he has learned stuff he has at his age. When you promise to take him up the mountain, which you will, be careful for him, you hear? He has had a hard life already. Any protection you offer him will put fate to the test, both yours and mine. Just be wary."
_ _
He was at the southern village by twilight, and had to keep his hood up against the rain that was beginning to drizzle. Gray clouds lay thick overhead, and Howl dearly wished that it would not begin to pour down during his session with Corrin.
He was at the southern edge of the village, just turning behind the smithy's forge, when Howl saw him. The squirrel was wearing a thick cloak, and he was just under an awning of the smithy. Corrin gestured for him to sit, and he sat at one of the chairs beside the forge.
"Why are you having me practice here?" Howl said, the sound of the rain increasing in volume.
"Because it is harder to concentrate an illusion in the rain. And, also, it is the only place safe from the downpour. I know the smithy well, so do not worry if he catches sight of us."
Howl didn't argue.
"First things first, you want to concentrate your mind. Can you feel your aura right now?"
Howl could, and he mentioned this.
"Good, now lift out your arm and say this phrase. It is a specialty phrase for you skill, and will only work to by those with our eyes to impart illusions. It is 'spheris, aperra ignita'. Now say it and concentrate your mind on the illusion you want to impart. It should work on both of us, if you do it correctly.
Howl concentrated his mind. The patter of rain on the roof made it difficult, but he tried to imagine a flower growing out of the damp earth between them. Then he said the phrase.
To Howl's astonishment, a root began to wind its way out of the ground, forming a stem, and ending in a daisy flower, just as Howl imagined it.
"That's very good, though I imagine you forgot the roots. Such details would not seem important, but it can mean a lot to those whose vision is deceived. If the deceived were to dig up the ground and see that it stood by itself, they would already be suspicious."
Howl almost laughed. He doubt it mattered much, seeing as no one would think to dig it up from the ground, though he considered the thought that someone would find it odd that a flower growing in a place where there is damp earth and little sunlight, and an investigation wasn't so outlandish.
"Imagining people is much more difficult. You want to make a copy of yourself, is that correct? Then focus your mind on a still image of yourself, hands at your side, and restate the phrase."
Howl just realized in his lack of concentration that the flower had vanished. He focused on himself, looking down at his body, trying to take in every little detail. Detailing his fur would be the hardest part. Knowing he would fail, he said the phrase once more.
An image of himself formed, to Howl's chagrin, but it was not the way Howl wanted it. It lacked substance, and seemed almost ethereal, like a spirit. The fur was also melded together in some places so it looked more like a drawing than a picture. Howl laughed at the absurdity of it.
Corrin smiled. "It is always hard the first time. In a few days time, and with enough practice, I'm sure you will have it down to the last detail."
Howl was already formulating in his head how he would pull off his illusion. He needed be able to deceive the King of Bastruf whilst still remaining discrete. That would mean vanishing whenever Athera came around. Howl wasn't sure how he was going to pull this off.
"Can you do make an image move from across long distances?"
Corrin considered for a moment, then nodded. "As far as you can see, anyway."
Howl contemplated this piece of information. He had a plan, but it was going to take a few days practice before he had it down well and reasonable. Only then would he be ready to approach the King once more.