Shadow of a Mage

Chapter One

Frantic knocking shook Loren from sleep. He bolted upright, heart pounding, and eyes locked on the cheap dorm-room door. It shuddered under another flurry of knocks.

Who is it? he called, reaching for the sword he kept hidden under his bed.

A slurred voice called back although Loren couldn’t make out the words. His heart slowed and he put his sword back. He strode to the door, ready to tell Kev off for waking him up so late. He wrenched the door open and froze.

Ash leaned against the doorframe. Tattered clothes soaked in blood hung from his thin shoulders and he reeked of filth and sweat. He lurched forward into Loren’s room and slumped onto his old bed.

Ash, Loren said, all other words escaping him. He closed the door and his arms fell useless at his sides.

A sudden glow filled the small room, emanating from a ball of light in Ash’s palm, which he tossed onto the desk where it maintained a constant orange light.

Loren gasped. How—?

Ash glanced at him through bloodshot eyes before pulling a bottle from somewhere in his shirt and lifting it to his mouth. The acrid smell of cheap booze filled the room as it dribbled down Ash’s chin and dripped onto his shirt.

Loren gaped, nausea rolled through his stomach at the thick scent that had filled his room, but at the same time he wanted to comfort Ash. Where have you been?

Ash’s face darkened and he let the empty bottle fall to the floor where it rolled under the bed.

What’s going on? Loren said, pulling a chair as close as he was willing to go to Ash.

She’s gone, Ash whispered.

What? Who’s gone?

Rae. Ash gazed out of the small, square window at the ancient buildings of the Institute.

Loren wracked his brain but he couldn’t remember Ash ever mentioning anyone called Rae. But he’d disappeared so quickly the last time, almost two months ago, and that was when Loren had realized that he barely knew his roommate at all.

Ash, what’s going on? Loren tapped his chest twice with two fingers.

Ash lifted his own hand toward his chest but paused just before tapping. He seemed to consider for a moment and then his hand fall to his side and his shoulders slumped. My sister, Rae.

I didn’t know you had a sister.

My twin sister. Ash locked eyes with Loren.

Loren reeled back and his eyes flew for the door. The warm light on his desk took on a menacing glow and all around him the shadows seemed deeper. You’re… you’re a twin?

Ash sneered.

A bead of sweat traced down Loren’s face and he swallowed. Ash seemed even more powerful than the last time they’d met; there was no way Loren would make it out the door and find help before Ash found a way to incinerate him, or worse.

You’re just like the rest, Ash said, reaching into his shirt but coming back empty-handed.

Loren took a steadying breath and tried to think rationally. He had shared a room with Ash for months and hadn’t been struck down by Talon. Aside from not being able to follow instructions, Ash had seemed harmless enough. He forced himself not to panic. I-I’m just surprised.

Doesn’t matter anymore anyway.

Loren bit his lip, aware that given Ash’s powers, any sudden change in emotion could reduce their room to a smoldering pile of charcoal. Maybe you should start at the beginning…

Ash glanced at him and let out a long sigh. My sister, Rae, was taken by the Faceless months ago. I came here to learn channeling so that I could rescue her.

Loren swallowed but kept his face neutral and nodded for Ash to continue.

I had to leave early because she was in pain. I went to save her. I found their fortress and got inside—

Loren’s eyebrows shot up; the Stronghold of the Faceless Monks was a legend he couldn’t imagine—let alone think about going inside of.

—but they’ve turned her into one of them! She’s gone. Ash’s voice choked to a halt and he bent his head, shoulders shaking.

Loren’s mind raced, overwhelmed by so much information hurled at him at once. He reached out a trembling hand and placed it on Ash’s shoulder. What do you mean they turned her into one of them?

Ash looked up at him, red face scrunched and tears making clear lines through the layers of dirt. They’re faceless. Literally. They took away her eyes, nose, and mouth. She looks like a monster!

That’s horrible.

She wasn’t even herself any more. They were just using her body, like a shell… they used it to attack me.

Loren let out a long breath and gripped Ash’s shoulder tighter. Despite everything he’d heard about twins, the man before him wasn’t an evil overlord, he was heart-broken. I’m sorry.

I didn’t know where else to go.

Loren pinned a false smile to his face. You came to the right place.

What?

You’re the most powerful channeler anyone has seen in decades. If anyone has a chance of taking on the Faceless, it’s you.

Ash lifted his face and frowned. You’re not going to report me?

Of course not. You’ve never done anything to hurt me. What kind of friend would I be if I reported you?

Ash shrugged.

Now you need to sleep. Lucky for you no one claimed your bed while you were gone. It’s like I’m cursed.

Ash lay down and closed his eyes. The glowing ball of light on the desk fizzed out a short time later.

Loren stumbled back to his own bed, far from sleep. His heart pummeled against his ribs and he hugged his pillow close to his chest. Despite what he’d said to Ash, he felt far from sure about his decision. Twins were dangerous, they were forbidden for a reason. And why had he said that about taking on the Faceless? No one could take on the Faceless; they worked on behalf of the Nameless God, divinely powerful. He should have told Ash to leave, kicked him out, but he couldn’t do that.

He ran a hand over his face. He was afraid to admit it, even in his thoughts, but a part of him wanted Ash to take on the Faceless and win. In the Borderlands, Loren had seen more than enough of the Faceless Monks’ handiwork to know that they weren’t good people. If someone like Ash could defeat them…

Loren shoved the thought aside before it could fully form in his head, lest he be struck down by lightning. He stayed huddled, awake, on his bed until morning and was still no closer to knowing what he was supposed to do.

Chapter Two

Ash woke with stinging eyes and rolling stomach. He groaned as he sat upright and clutched his head. Through blurry eyes he saw Loren watching him from his own bed on the opposite side of the room and tried to piece together the previous night. He remembered stumbling into the Institute, dragging himself up the stairs, and enough of their conversation to know he’d revealed to Loren his greatest secret.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat and his eyes snapped to Loren’s face. If Loren reported him… He’d have to get rid of Loren before he had a chance. Ash’s breathing slowed.

Loren’s face showed fear and concern.

Are you going to report me? Ash said.

I said I wouldn’t, Loren said.

He seemed sincere.

Ash let the ball of energy gathering in his right hand dissipate back through his chilled body. He’d let Loren go, for now, but keep an eye on him. If it looked like he was going to report…

Ash let his shoulders relax and returned to staring at the floor. The last few weeks came as patchy half-remembered images. He’d been cold and hungry, and had wished for death more than once. He squeezed his eyes shut as thoughts of Rae threatened to overwhelm him, but her mutilated face swam before him anyway. He gasped and shuddered, fingers clenched in his blanket.

Are you okay? Loren said.

Ash glanced at him and nodded, not trusting himself to talk.

Are you staying? At the Institute, I mean…

Ash nodded.

Magic class is on today, if you want to go. Professor Thimble was furious when you disappeared. She kept asking me where you’d gone, but of course I didn’t know. I don’t know if she’ll want to keep sponsoring you.

Ash straightened, hardening his heart. She will. I’m moving to the advanced class.

An awkward half-smile tugged at Loren’s face. Not this again…

Ash flicked his hand toward the desk where the candle flamed into life.

Loren glanced uneasily at the candle. It’s impressive but…

I’ve learned a lot while I’ve been away, Ash said. She’ll move me up.

Just going to leave me behind, aye?

If I’m going to take on the Faceless, like you said, I’m going to need more than basic magic.

Loren’s eyes flew to the door. Yeah, of course.

Ash rubbed his aching temples with his dirt-stained hands. When’s class?

Couple of hours. Um, no offense buddy, but you’re going to have to clean up before we go. If you show up to class looking like that, Professor Thimble will probably have you arrested on the spot.

Ash looked down at his hands. Dirt caked every inch of his skin and dried blood stained the underside of his fingernails. His tattered shirt clung to his chest, pasted with blood and filth. He couldn’t be sure what, or who, the blood belonged to. He hadn’t changed since the Stronghold. Most of it was probably his own, although he had no cuts or scars to prove it.

He cast a forlorn gaze at the empty cupboard. He’d never had many clothes to begin with and anything he had had was lost somewhere in the far north.

You can borrow something of mine, Loren said, following his eyes. He stood and snatched some clothes from his own cupboard, tossing them at Ash. You should probably shower before everyone else gets up.

Ash nodded his thanks and shuffled out of their dorm to the shared showers. He’d never been more grateful for the miraculously warm water that spouted from the wall. It ran over his face and turned a bloody brown before disappearing into the drain in the floor. Ash scrubbed until he had scraped away every speck of dirt and blood that clung to his flesh and his skin stood out red raw.

While he washed, he tried to think of a good excuse. If he were to keep his place at the Institute, let alone survive, no one could know where he’d been.

He turned off the water and reached for a towel, which of course he’d forgotten. He glared at the empty rack and heat boiled up through his body. The water droplets on his skin sizzled and evaporated in small puffs of steam.

Loren’s clothes hung loose from Ash’s thin shoulders but felt better than the filthy rags he’d been wearing for weeks. Ash tossed a spark of energy from his chest at the stained rags and they burst into flames, reduced to charcoal in a few short moments. Ash washed the black flakes down the drain and the smell of smoke dissipated.

He emerged from the showers feeling like a new man with new purpose. He locked thoughts of Rae away in a hidden compartment of his mind. If he wanted revenge, he had to fight for it and, for the moment, that meant blending in at the Institute.

Loren stood in the hallway outside, paler than usual but otherwise all right. I thought we’d have breakfast?

Ash’s stomach rumbled. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a decent meal. He’d been living on cheap booze and energy sapped from trees for weeks. Sounds good.

He followed Loren down to the dining hall which was already buzzing with conversation. It died as Ash entered, the students stopping to stare at him with food halfway to their mouths.

Ash and Loren grabbed food from the kitchen staff and sat in a corner, as far from the rest of the students as possible.

What did you tell them? Ash hissed. They’re looking at me like I just came back from the dead.

A bead of sweat sparkled on Loren’s forehead and he hid his face by taking a big bite of buttered bread. Around the mouthful he said, What was I supposed to tell them? You ran off after having some kind of fit or something.

You told them that? Fury boiled to life in Ash’s stomach and he had to grip the table to stop himself from hurling energy across the dining room.

No. I just said you had to go away for a while. But don’t you see? You were practically famous after that stunt you pulled in Thimble’s class, you got put in front of the Council, you were allowed to stay and then just a few weeks later, you disappear. Imagine the rumors that were going around!

Ash’s knuckles shone white against the dark table.

Some people said you’d been secretly killed by the Council as punishment. Others said you over-channeled so badly that you killed yourself. I couldn’t stop what people said.

Ash forced himself to let out a long breath and released his grip on the table. It wasn’t Loren’s fault. He knew as well as anyone how people liked to talk. And if there was ever a place with too many Time-Wasters it was the Institute.

I don’t believe my eyes, Kev said, plunking down next to Loren and staring at Ash. Back from the dead?

Ash kept his anger in check and forced a fake smile. I was never dead.

Where have you been? Do you know the things people have been saying?

Loren was just filling me in. I… um… had to go home. My mother was sick.

You’ve been gone two months.

It was serious.

I hope everything is okay now?

She seemed to be getting better. I came back as soon as I could, Ash said. He’d committed to the lie now; he just had to hope it stood up to the rigors of repetition.

You know who couldn’t have been happier to see the back of you? Kev said, seemingly oblivious to the tension rolling off Loren in waves.

Ash could have twisted the taut energy into a raging bonfire if he’d wanted, but he restrained himself.

Braydon, Kev said around a mouthful of bread. "When he heard you’d disappeared he looked like he’d just been granted immortality. You should see him strutting around basic magic. I’m glad you’re back just so you can throw him into his place.

It won’t last long, Loren said. Ash here is planning on getting himself moved up to the advanced class.

Again? Kev said. After what happened last time…?

Things have changed, Ash said.

Well, that would just be icing on the cake. He’d lose all the wind in his sails to see you’re back, and then you get moved to the advanced class. He’s been itching for that all semester, but he still hasn’t mastered kinetic energy.

Ash gave a weak smile and returned to eating. He couldn’t properly enjoy the flavors, but it felt good to have food in his stomach after so many weeks of emptiness.

You know who else will be glad to see you? Kev said, still carrying the conversation at an otherwise silent table. Professor Pulmen. He was furious when you disappeared because you hadn’t done your home visits. The way he talked it was like you’d disappeared just to get out of punishment. Don’t expect him to welcome you back; I’m surprised he’s not here right now trying to send you off to some farm.

I’ll keep an eye out for him, Ash said. Really, he couldn’t have cared less what Pulmen thought of him, or wanted. He had one goal only; learn advanced magic, any magic, and learn the secret of the Faceless Monks so that next time he wouldn’t be overwhelmed by their unending energy source.

He had to go to the library.

Chapter Three

Conversation stopped mid-sentence as Ash and Loren entered the basic magic classroom. Wide eyes stared up at them, mouths gaping.

Loren ducked his head and sidled to a chair at the back, but Ash remained standing at the entrance. He flexed his fingers and surveyed the classroom.

Braydon sat in his usual seat at the front. His pale, twisted, face suggested he wanted to throw up across the classroom floor. His gang of friends leaned away from him, casting worried glances between him and Ash.

Fewer students filled the seats than when Ash had last been there. Those that had been struggling must have given up. A part of Ash was surprised that Loren had held out so long.

Ash’s gaze slid along the rows of seats to the center where Professor Thimble stood, hands clenched into fists and circles of red blooming on her cheeks.

Ash.

Professor Thimble.

I need to have a very long and serious discussion with you about commitment.

That won’t be necessary. Ash strode down the wide, wooden steps to the center of the room.

Excuse me?

I’ll be moving to the advanced class.

Someone, Ash suspected Loren, groaned from the back of the room. The rest of the class sat in mute silence, leaning away from Thimble as if she might explode at any second.

We’ve had this discussion before, Thimble said. I will not waste this class’s time by having it again. Return to your seat.

Ash ignored her and reached for the lit brazier. It gave off a warm glow that danced across Ash’s skin like a living thing. He twirled his fingers, watching the tendrils of heat dance around his arm and move through the currents of air. It felt good to have power, to make it do what he wanted.

Ash! Did you hear me?

Ash glanced up at her from the dancing tendrils before letting his gaze slide away. I couldn’t agree more, Professor. We don’t want to waste anyone’s time. Therefore, I formally ask for examination for promotion to the advanced class.

Formally…? Examination?

Those are the rules, aren’t they? Ash said, without looking up from the energy snaking through his hands.

Well… yes…

A formal request for examination cannot be denied, he said, reciting from the book of Institute procedures he’d borrowed from the library that morning after breakfast.

No, but—

Failure to complete a formal examination will result in a student being refused entry to the advanced class for at least two semesters, Ash finished for her.

And it’s only a month from the end of semester where everyone will be examined for advancement anyway! Thimble said. Why rush into this now when it could delay you by almost a year?

I have my reasons.

Thimble splayed one hand on the table, the other still clenched into a fist at her side. Professor Pulmen was right about you. Trouble.

Ash shrugged.

If I withdraw my sponsorship—

Ash met her eyes. You won’t. You’re curious. And if I manage to get into the class, it’ll be the fastest anyone has ever achieved since—

Professor Yarrow. Yes, I’m aware of the history.

Excellent, Ash said. Shall we begin?

A formal request cannot be denied, Thimble repeated, voice menacing.

Ash nodded once.

Thimble cleared her throat and addressed the rest of the class. It seems our reckless prodigy has returned.

Some students tittered but most sat in rigid anticipation.

He has requested formal examination for promotion to the advanced class, Thimble said.

What?! That’s not fair! Look what he did last time, Braydon said.

Thimble nodded. Unlike the last time, Ash has made a formal request that cannot be denied.

That’s not fair.

I—

Actually it’s entirely fair, Ash said, cutting off Thimble. You are free to ask for formal examination whenever you like. Perhaps you think you’re ready?

He kept his face expressionless, but inside he loathed Braydon. He’d come to represent everything that Ash despised.

Braydon gaped, color draining from his face. Well, I…

Thimble cleared her throat. Let’s keep it to one disruption this morning. Today was going to be spent on private practice anyway. Those that would like to do that are free to do so, elsewhere. Those of you who would like to watch may stay.

No one moved.

Thimble nodded once. So be it. The formal examination is based loosely on the end of semester exam so pay attention.

How loosely? Kev called from his seat.

Thimble locked eyes with him and then glanced at Ash. The principles are the same, but formal examinations are always harder. The students must prove they’re worth their trouble!

Ash turned away from the class to face Thimble, blocking the rest of them from his awareness.

Ash, do you understand what you’ve requested? Thimble said, tone formal.

Yes.

Very well. In order to demonstrate that you deserve to be moved to the advanced class you must… Thimble paused, eying Ash. Generate a light that is not more or less than one hundred lumens.

The class muttered. Ash heard snatches of conversation; clearly they hadn’t covered generating specific brightness.

You must, Thimble continued, ignoring the class. Move this iron nail exactly two inches using magnetic energy. She placed the nail on the desk in the light of the fire.

You must use kinetic energy to write your name on the board.

The class’s excitement grew.

Ash nodded. It would be difficult, especially calculating how much energy he needed to get one hundred lumens, but so far he could do all the tasks.

And, Professor Thimble said, voice rising. You must do it all at the same time.

What? All the blood drained from Ash’s face.

Thimble stared at him, expressionless.

The class descended into a roar of discussion, leaving Ash and Thimble in a circle of silence.

You can’t do that, Ash said. It’s too much.

But you are the great and masterful Ash, Thimble said. You can do anything.

It’s too much and you know it! No one is expected to be that precise before they go into the advanced class.

You asked for formal examination and that means I set the difficulty. You brought this on yourself. If you hadn’t left after I put my neck out to sponsor you, if you’d come and spoken to me in private about examination, and if you hadn’t needed to strut around like some kind of peacock, I may have gone easier on you. But you didn’t. You only have yourself to blame.

Ash swallowed, throat dry. He’d walked into the classroom oozing confidence; he knew how well he could control channeling now. He just had to turn off his emotions and the cold composure came naturally, but what Professor Thimble was asking… most fully-qualified magic graduates wouldn’t be able to do it.

This isn’t fair, Ash said.

Oh really? Thimble said. Because just a short time ago you were explaining to Mister Braydon here how exactly fair it was.

Thimble gestured to Braydon who sat with a smug smile plastered across his broad face.

You don’t understand! Ash’s throat burned. Thimble had set him an impossible task, and yet if he didn’t complete it he’d have to wait at least another year before he got put into the advanced class, that was too long. Too long to save Rae. He needed to be there now.

I will give you one chance to return to your seat and keep your mouth shut, Thimble said. You will take the end of semester exam with everyone else and you will be happy with the result.

Ash floundered. Thimble’s offer meant he’d have to wait another month, but that was better than the year he’d have if he failed the task she’d given him.

I—

You have ten seconds, Thimble said.

Sweat trickled down Ash’s forehead. He couldn’t wait, he just couldn’t. He’d already wasted too much time floundering in cheap alcohol when he should have come straight back to the Institute. Rae needed him and he couldn’t leave her with those monsters any longer than he had to.

I accept your challenge, he whispered.

Thimble’s cold expression faltered. What?

I accept.

Don’t be ridiculous, go and sit down.

I accept! Ash roared, loud enough for the whole class to hear.

Thimble paled.

So be it.

She set a piece of chalk beneath the board and stepped away from the desk, watching Ash like a hawk watches a field mouse.

Ash took a deep breath and closed his eyes, calculating the energy requirement for a hundred lumens. It wasn’t much, and to keep it steady would be the real challenge, especially while he tried to write his name.

Fear swelled from his stomach and clenched the bottom of his heart, distracting him. He hesitated; he needed to get this just right. Otherwise—

Is something the matter? Thimble said.

Everyone be quiet!

The class fell silent, everyone holding their breath.

Ash opened his eyes and reached out for the fire with his right hand, letting the red tendrils tangle about his fingers. He considered the chalk and the nail, probing just enough to feel their weight but not enough to move them.

He held his left hand out to his side, hand cupped to hold a light. With his right hand he pointed his index finger at the chalk and his thumb at the nail.

Transmuting energy into three different forms at once was more than anything he’d tried before, and to have fine control over them as well…

Sweat sprung out on his forehead as heat from the flames collected in his right hand and created a ball of red tendrils.

He shrugged away his doubts, shook off emotion and thoughts of Rae, and let himself descend into a cold barren place. His mind went blank, like a slate ready to be written on.

With infinite care he pushed some of the red energy into his thumb, changing it to gray magnetic energy at the same time. He did the same with his index finger until it shone with brown tendrils of kinetic energy. He kept the writhing energies pinned to his body, not yet ready to release them.

He eased the remaining red tentacles from his palm, up his arm, across his chest and into his left hand.

Power surrounded him and drained from him at the same time. It took every bit of his concentration to keep the three forms of energy separate, to stop them from dripping out of his hands and falling useless to the floor.

He took a deep breath and with a laser focus he pushed out with his mind. He transmuted the heat in his left hand to a glowing ball of yellow light that stayed at a fixed intensity, not pulsing. At the same time he poured magnetic energy from his right hand thumb and kinetic from his index finger.

He slowed the magnetic energy to the thinnest dribble so that the nail inched across the table. Once he was sure it wouldn’t jerk out of control and he’d managed to partition off parts of his mind to keep an eye on the light and the nail, he concentrated on the kinetic energy pouring from his index finger.

It collected the chalk and lifted it into the air where it hovered.

Ash moved it forward until it touched the board and then dragged it down. It screeched as it caught, making students gasp and