3 of 20

Write now Article Tools

Eoince turned his head and looked at the distance he had covered. By his guess he was about ten miles from the battlefield and he was still in the hill range. Overall his situation was not good. He was hungry, tired, filled with stress and most of all thirsty. By his guess the Jubal river was about fifty miles from the ground he stood on. The sun was partially veiled by the horizon and camp would have to be set up soon; he had wood but no way to ignite it. He frantically searched through his mind to find a way to provide warmth.

Eoince was starting to panic now. The sun was almost completely covered by the taunting horizon and already he heard wolves howling in the distance. Just as despairs grip began to tighten on his heart he remembered his periodic magic lessons with Ekarma. Hope took despairs place and embraced him with comforting arms. He recalled one lesson on a cold winter's day inside the parlor beside a large, but unignited fireplace that usually warmed the entire castle that housed the town militia.

Two years ago in the Raqt'tul militia headquarters/dorm rooms...

"Remember, when you perform pyre magic it doesn't just appear out of nowhere; you need something to ignite." Explained Ekarma. "What do you mean!? I see you ignite fire-" "Pyre." Interrupted Ekarma. "I see you ignite PYRE out of thin air more often then all the time." Continued Eoince. "Explain yourself." A disgruntled Ekarma held up a dry leaf victim to the season of fall. "When you seek to use magic then you must first send out pure magic energy or what Magicians call 'Phoebus'. The Phoebus has to be sent out with an intention, focus your mind on what you need to accomplish and you're ready for the next step." With a blank expression Eoince listened intently, excited to learn how to perform the mystic art. "The Phoebus need to come into contact with a medium and only then will you perform magic." And with that final word magic a small ember appeared at the center of the leaf. Impressed but not satisfied Eoince further questioned. "That still doesn't explain how you make fi- PYRE out of thin air. Without word Ekarma showed him how.

A white yet dirty looking form of matter started gathering on a single point above his palm. The substance flew from every direction of the room to his hand and started to form an orb. It happened so quick that after a time less than a single second the orb was as big as a baseball. When it was at this size it stopped gathering and was set ablaze. Not like the leaf was; this time the fire appeared at the bottom for a split second and before Eoince knew it the entirety of the ball was consumed in the fire. The ball was then thrown into the the fireplace and without haste the wood inside was set ablaze, leaving Eoince to wonder in awe.

Present Day, West side of the Jubal River...

Ekarma had drawn surrounding dust to his hand and ignited it. Since dust was found in all four corners of the world it was an easy to draw pyre medium. Eoince relaxed his mind and focused on what he needed to do. Slowly but surely the dust came to his hand. It took several minutes but eventually he gathered a dust ball to the size of a golf ball and without further delay ignited it. Excited and full of pride at his accomplishment he threw it into the pile of dry rubble and shouted out in victory. Tired but happy, Eoince lay himself on the grass with his arms and legs sprawled to enjoy the heat of the fire.

To Be Continued in Ekarma: The Prequel Series

To be Continued in Ekarma: The Prequel Series

Learn more about this author, Thomas A. Polymath.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Travel?
We want to hear your view. Write now!