Mage Training(Six and Dear Dreamer)
 

Six
Dear Dreamer

((Double post to start the RP))
Garrick wiped the sweat from his brow. The sun was bright but not hot. His breath was visible in the cold of the midday. He held his hands out in front of him and thought of heat. Nothing but heat. A spark snapped in front of his palm. He recoiled in shock. He was amazed that he had broken that barrier. Now he had a crack in the wall he had to train himself to break it down. It was all metephorical talk Master Tarkin used to describe learning a spell. He was determined to make a fire by the end of the day.
Garrick had been training for a year now and all that he had accomplished was a simple wind spell. He wasn't a true Mage yet. True magi had familiars and long beards.
His thoughts moved back to his work. Fire, heat, the sun, desserts, anything hot.

((That link isn't working so I coppied it to my album and can only hope that it'll work here -.- ))

Lauren smiled brightly as she walked out of the small house, her dress flowing easily around her, "happy summer," she said to Master Tarkin as she passed him and he nodded in response. "Good morning Garrick," she said just a bit less cheerily, "how're your spells coming along?" She sat down a few feet away from the boy and closed her eyes. She had the spell she needed showing vividly in her mind. In her minds eye she saw the clearing they were in; saw the still trees all along the edges of the meadow, the motionless form of Master Tarkin sitting in front of his two almost motionless pupils. She watched the scene for a little while before beginning her practice. She imagined a breeze flowing through the clearing, brushing past her skin and ruffling her hair. But the trees didn't move, because the breeze wouldn't be real. The illusion of wind was what she was trying for; not the real thing, merely an illusion... The words of her spell came easily to her and she chanted the slowly in her head as she brought the breeze back to them again and again. Finally she let the words come into her mouth, readying herself to voice the spell:

May the god of wind hear my cry,
May the wind fly fast across the sky,
I cast this spell for mother Earth,
May my cry be heard in death and birth...

She whispered the words under her breath a few times before finally speaking them out loud. She repeated the spell three times, keeping her eyes closed and completely still...

Lauren waited, anticipating the feel of a breeze on her skin... but it didn't come... She peeked one eye open and saw Master Tarkin shake his head slowly. She sighed and relaxed her posture. "Failed again," she complained then looked over to Garrick and frowned as the spark came back into his hand. She thought back to the day that he had finished his first spell, when he had brought a huge gust of wind into their practice session, his control over the spell lacking. 'Illusions are harder to conjure,' she thought to herself, 'every book says that it's harder to create then it is to call...' these thoughts did not help her feelings of inferiority to her peer in the art of magic...

Garrick smirked as he saw the look of disappointment flow across Lauren's face. Illusion is a powerful school of magic, tricking the mind into believing whatever the caster wishes, it was difficult to master and control.
Garrick focused more on the destruction school of magic. It focused on elemental control. He focused on heat and fire. A spark shot out of his hand and he focused on it. A very small blue flame arose from his palm. It wouldn't provide heat or light to anything and it couldn't do any damage in battle. Garrick would be lucky if it could light a candle, but it was there, and it grew smaller and smaller and extinguished.
Garrick sunk. He had almost had it. Garrick looked to Master Tarkin. Master Tarkin stroked his beard and looked down disapprovingly. He shook his head. "You must continue practicing," he stated. He was not an unkind man, he was strict though. Garrick nodded sullenly and continued his work.

Lauren shook her head when Garrick's flame went out, silently relieved that he had not yet gotten it. She closed her eyes again and went back to focusing on the wind. She let herself relax completely; forgetting everything but the sound of a breeze as it whistles through the sky. She chanted the short spell through her head as she watched the vision of their practice. Suddenly, she felt her skin tingle and her hair lifted lightly. Lauren felt almost a feeling of acceptance fall over her and a smile crossed her still face. She breathed slowly in as the tingling grew across her skin. She voiced the spell with confidence and clarity, but kept her eyes closed. When a warm breeze enveloped her she opened her eyes and looked quickly over to the trees... they didn't move. She grinned widely and laughed, turning her gaze happily to her master and teacher who was smiling lightly. He nodded, "very good Lauren. The spell did not quite complete, but it was close. Continue your practicing." Then he closed his eyes and went back to meditating. Lauren was a bit disappointed that she hadn't finished the spell but the fact that she wasn't the only one who had felt it gave her renewed energy and patience with the spell...

Garrick scowled. How had she gotten the spell off first? It wasn't fair. He wanted to send a huge gust of wind her way, that would show her. Garrick focused on his work, this time more intently. He breathed deep. Fire, he thought. He pictured the fire in Master Tarkin's house. how beautifully it danced. He could almost feel it. He felt the warmth, he had to hold it, to control it.
A spark shot from his hand and the tiny blue flame floated above his palm. He had to think hotter, brighter, bigger. The fire grew, it was a bright yellow candle light now perfect for giving light. Hotter, he thought, brighter. Make it like the sun! The fire in his hand grew more. The flame in his hand now could burn a log but not set it ablaze. Hotter! he screamed in his head, Bigger! Brighter! The flame grew slightly, Garrick was shaking with the effort, his flame began to dim. He screamed for the strength to keep it going in his head, Hotter! Bigger! Brighter! but the flame continued to dim until it died.
Garrick sunk to the ground. He was breathing heavy. Master Tarkin walked over to Garrick.
"You did well, boy," Master Tarkin boomed,"but you were foolish! You became greedy and in doing so you exhausted your energy. What have I told you about conservation? Now go get some water and take a rest. When you are done you will continue your training."
Garrick ran back to the house to get some water and rest for a second.

Lauren peeked between her closed eyes to catch a glimpse of what Garrick was doing that was causing such a build up of energy. She caught sight of the flame and her heart sank as the flickering grew. She watched silently as he concentrated on the fire in his hand and smiled a little when it finally extinguished. She felt bad about how her confidence flared at Garrick's failure, but she couldn't help it.

Lauren let her eyes slip shut again and she sat there just meditating on the thought of air and breezes and how a breeze feels... She attempted the spell twice more before finally getting it an hour after the sun had set. She walked into the house with a huge smile on her face. "I got it Master Tarkin! I made the breeze right this time; I know I did."

The old man looked up from a large book that was at the table and nodded to her, "show me." He said simply. Lauren nodded and closed her eyes, quickly finding the feeling of acceptance inside her. She changed the scene in her mind to one of inside the house and pushed a soft wind through the room to caress the skin of all who were inside, but not to disturb any still objects. The breeze came and went, leaving everyone in the room with a tingling feeling running across their skin. Lauren opened her eyes with an exhale of breath that was in no way a sigh. She grinned towards her master who was smiling back at her. "Very good, you summoned the illusion of wind and interacted it with objects within the room." He glanced around to see if anything was out of place from the wind, but not even the pages of his book were ruffled. He nodded again, "you should rest now; you will begin learning your second spell tomorrow morning... Garrick, would you please prepare dinner tonight?" He asked turning to the younger boy.

Lauren walked happily to her bunk and sat down stretching. She was pleased that she had finally finished her first spell; her weeks of preparation and practice had finally paid off. 'It can only get easier from here,' she promised herself as she pulled out one of the large books from her drawer and began reading as she waited for dinner to be ready...

(( I think you might want to double check the ages, your character is a year younger than mine))
Garrick was in the kitchen washing the dishes. He was angry, she had gotten a spell at last, good for her, but they were now on equal footing and that was not good. He had to master the fire spell and reclaim his place as the top student. What good would a fake breeze do anyway?, he wondered, not when you can have to power to summon real gusts.
After the dishes were done Lauren went to her room. Garrick crept across the front lawn. He stood near a tree. He began to practice. He had to build up energy first then release it. Just like with the wind spell, except instead of releasing it as a blowing force it needed to be released as a wild dancing flame. He began working.
The sun rose over the new day as Master Tarkin opened the door to take a stroll around the front garden. He looked out to see a tree completely engulfed in flames and a figure laying on the ground laughing. It was Garrick. Master Tarkin ran over to Garrick, "What happened, boy? Are you ok?"
"Master Tarkin," Garrick said, "I did it! I set the tree on fire with magic!"

((I know, I meant that he was younger then the master. I accidentally kinda slipped into his character for a sentence or so <<;; >>;; Sorry ^.^;; ))

Lauren woke slowly, still happy at her achievement of the wind spell from the day before. She sat up and stretched before going to her closet and picking out a slightly fancier dress then she had worn the day before. She was smiling as she walked down stairs and out the front door; eager to start on her new spell. Her jaw dropped at what she saw: Master Tarkin dousing a dress with a water spell to put out the fire that was consuming it as well as the tree next to it. "What happened?" She asked worried as she hurried over to him, only noticing Garrick on the floor when she practically tripped over him. He was still cracking up as she stumbled to keep her balance. "Wait... did you get the fire spell?" She asked in disbelief, "there's no way you were able to master it that quick!"

"Oh no?" he smirked He stood up and help his hand out palm up in front of her. He shut his eyes for a second. A lame sparked in his hand and burned bright. It engulfed his whole hand. Garrick willed it to dim and die out. "I worked all night trying to get the method down but I got it," he grinned.
Master Tarkin turned around after the tree was out. "I am proud of you, boy," he said a little irritated that his tree was burnt up, "you may rest. After breakfast I want both of you in the study read up on your next spells." He turned and walked back into the house. "Guess some one needs to make breakfast, I'll take my eggs fried," Garrick said turning and walking into the house after Master Tarkin.

Lauren glared at Garrick, but her jaw dropped when he produced his flame. She quickly regained her composure though and followed the boys back into the house. Looked like she wasn't going to be learning her next spell from Master Tarkin anytime soon. She'd probably have to learn it from the book again. She rolled her eyes and started on breakfast.

As soon as she had finished, she ate quickly and ran upstairs to her room, grabbed her book then ran back downstairs. "Breakfast is ready," she called out on her way out of the house. She sat down in the grass not far from the smoking tree and opened the old book to a marked page. She scanned the page again for a quick reminder and then scooted it away from her. "This is supposed to be a simple one," she reminded herself out loud, "just clear my mind, visualize a small fire in the center of my body and imagine the fire emptying out into my veins." She took a deep breath and started concentrating. Just an easy fire, that was all she needed. A small fire in the center of her body... like the flames she stoked for the house each night. She used the visual of striking up a fireplace as her rock, to keep her thoughts from spinning out of control, and twined all the others around that one. She could feel the heat from the charred tree, from the sun, and even the gentle warmth was being carried in the wind. She smiled as the glow seeped into her skin and she imagined the two warmths connecting and combining; the physical heat coming from the outside, and the mental heat she was generating within.

Lauren kept her breathing even and continued her concentration for most of the morning; but try as she might she just couldn't feel that connection that she had with the wind. There was no feeling of acceptance or even acknowledgement from the element. The lack of a connection was frustrating her, and her earlier determination was waning. She had conveniently forgotten that all things take time and that learning was one of the slowest... A call from Master Tarkin pulled her from her meditation and musings, causing her to look up and see his hand beaconing her into the house. She shut the book and stood slowly, walking quickly back through the front door.

Once she was inside Master Tarkin motioned for her to set her book down. She noticed Garrick was in the room as well, and she nodded slightly in his direction before turning back to the Master. "Today, we are going hunting." The old man said with a slight smile. Lauren groaned inwardly; hunting for herbs, plants, and animals for the Master's spells was the most time consuming and boring chore they had to suffer through as apprentices. And even though Master Tarkin could identify and collect everything he needed by eye and magic alone, he still insisted that his pupils do it; "it's for practice," he would say, "so that you can find what you need on a moments notice if I'm ever not around." Lauren sighed, grabbed one of the baskets by the door and waited outside for the other two. So far... this was proving to be a very long day...

Garrick grabbed one of the baskets. Master Tarkin wouldn't be going with them he just wanted them out of the house for awhile. Which means that it would take all day to find these herbs, which means there would be no new spells to learn. He sighed and grabbed one of the baskets. At least he wasn't alone, he thought. Lauren wasn't a bad person it was just competition. In another life time she and Garrick may have been friends, it wasn't that they couldn't be, it was just the competition. He stepped outside with a list of herbs to gather.
"Come on," he said to her," we had better get started"

Lauren sighed and nodded before following Garrick into the forest. "We don't have to kill anything this time do we?" She asked as she glanced over his shoulder at the list. "I really hated having to catch those bugs last time." She made a face and glanced around begining her search. After a few moments of silence she spoke again, quietly, "that was really impressive this morning... the whole tree burned?"

"No, I don't think so, just a bunch of plants," he said. He showed her the list with picture references. She fell silent and spoke again. Garrick responded," Well most of it. The exterior was charred, but the tree is pretty old so the middle of it should be fine. I'm sure it will grow back next season."
He reached down and grabbed an herb. "How are your illusion studies going?" he asked conversationally,"Congratulations on accomplishing your first spell by the way."

Lauren grinned and bent down to gather up a large patch of Honeysuckle growing at the base of a tree. "They're going fine... it's still difficult to connect with the image of what needs to be done and then make it happen, but all the books say that the first few are the hardest; hopefully it'll get easier soon..." She stood and frowned at the mud on her white dress. Shaking her head, she hiked the long skirt up and held the loose fabric in the hand holding the basket. She also slipped off her shoes and placed them in the basket before returning to her searchings. As she bent down over a large strange purple flower that was on the masters list she glanced over her shoulder, "how about your studies? It's obvious that you have the hang of things already... How long did you even have that spell? Two weeks?" She shook her head unsure; it was hard to focus on anything other then the task at hand during their training sessions. Lauren spotted a large red oval shaped fruit in one of the trees and glanced at the list; it was definitively something they needed. She walked over to the tree and stretched her arm up as high towards the fruit. She sighed when she was unable to reach it and stood up on her toes while stretching her fingers as far as they would reach. She could still just barely reach the bottom of the mockingly red fruit. Glaring up at the tree she considered taking her shoe and trying to hit it down. But then it might get ruined and they wouldn't be able to take it anyway. "Garrick?" She called frustrated, and when he looked she just pointed up with her eyes closed, "I can't reach it." 'Damn my shortness,' she thought bitterly, she hated having to ask for help...

He moved over to her,"The fire spell I started learning at the beginning of the month, about three weeks ago," he said. He held his and out and a breeze of wind plucked the fruit and slowly carried it down to his hand. "The Aero spell I mastered three months ago. I'm not sure what he will teach me next," he smiled as he handed her the fruit. He looked into her face, she was beautiful no denying that. "I know how it is," he said turning back to picking a strange purple weed,"you get wrapped up in studies and whole seasons pass, but once you make a spell happen, well, there's no other feeling like it. But you know what I mean, you've got your first spell down now. What the next one you'll be practicing? Knowing you you've already read up on it." He smirked at her as he whipped the sweat off his brow.

"Thanks," Lauren mumbled as she took the fruit from him. "I haven't read much on how the school of Destruction teaches or how it's students learn; but learning a spell in a few weeks sounds unreal." She shook her head smiling, "my next spell is kind of similar to what your second spell was; except my goal is for heat and light -- the illusion of fire -- instead of the real thing. If I get good enough at it, Master Tarkin said that I could probably heat the house with it instead of having to strike up the fire place every night." She walked over to Garrick and took the list again, she scanned through what was in his basket as well as her own and mentally checked off the items the had. She nodded, folded the list then dropped it into her basket and continued the search. She started plucking small flowers off of a vine crawling up a tree; "if our spells continue to mirror each other, then you might be learning a water spell. Or some kind of healing spell if the school of Destruction teaches that kind of thing. Because the third spell I'll be learning is to produce 'a soothing feeling of tranquility and calmness.' Or... something along those lines..." She rolled her eyes as she moved onto the moss sticking to the tree...

"Destruction is a bit different than other schools. In destruction you learn how to build up an amount of magical energy and store it first. The spells themselves are just releasing the energy, you can release it as a flowing gust, or as a dancing flame. It's matter of manipulating the energy to do what you want it to do, like willing it to be hot to create fire," he explained. Master Tarkin had explained this to him when he had first started and was deciding what school he would be best suited for. He began to think about this time frame. Three weeks did seem like a short time in which to master a spell, but some spells were easier to master than others. It was all about mastering the theory behind the energy manipulation.
He turned back to the list. He sighed a little. Quite a few things had been gathered, but they were not done yet.
"I don't think so, water is supposed to be one of the hardest destruction spells, because we have to create a resource from scratch. But I'm not really sure what he will teach me. What do we have left to get?" he asked. He looked at the list. Just two more plants to go. The sun was beginning to set.

Lauren nodded as Garrick spoke, what he said made sense. "Dunno," she mumbled as she peeked over to the list again. There was an orange flower up on one of the higher slopes that could be the second flower they still needed. She set her basket down and bunched her skirt up as high as she dared before she started climbing. The fabric started slipping about half way up and she pulled it up again so that she wouldn't trip on it. The soil under her left foot started giving way so she dug her right foot as deep into the dirt as she could and hoped that she wouldn't fall. After a few nervous seconds, she reopened her eyes and smiled when she realized that her grip was still solid. She reached up and her fingers brushed the stem of the flower, "I've got one," she called back down just before she slipped. Her fingers closed around the green stalk and she screamed in surprise as she slid quickly back down the steep slope...

Garrick heard her scream. He turned around in surprise. He saw her slipping down the slope. As she neared the bottom of the slope Garrick sent gusts of wind to slow her fall. when she reached the bottom he took her hand and helped her to her feet. "You need to be a bit more careful next time. I might not be around to save you," he smirked a little bit as he checked the list. "That's everything," he said, "Lets head back, it's almost time for dinner."

Lauren stood shakily when Garrick helped her up. "T-thanks," she put the flower into her basket and picked it up. She frowned as she looked down at her dress. She sighed and shook her head, "ruined," she mumbled and started walking. "Who's making dinner? Or do you think Master Tarkin has it done already?" She glanced towards the setting sun and sighed, "I didn't think we were out this long..." Then she returned her gaze to the ground directly in front of her, stepping carefully over each root that she saw and tripping over all that she didn't. Her dress was already ripped, but she was still holding it up so that she could walk easier. The contents of her basket spilled twice and they had to wait while she shoved everything back in frustrated. She stood and started walking again, "sorry," she mumbled for what had to be the hundredth time since they'd fetched the last flower...

"Knowing Master Tarkin, who ever he sees first will be whoever is making dinner." He turned to look at the setting sun. It was hard to believe they had spent the entire day picking herbs. Still Master Tarkin would probably make them study their next spells in the study. Master Tarkin's house wasn't huge but it was far from small. It was a mystery how he had acquired such an estate. Garrick always thought he worked for a king once, but kings came and went so much it would be hard to say which one. He chuckled a little at how klutzy Lauren was, he felt they had become better friends today.
They reached the house to the sweet smell of chicken. Garrick and Lauren entered to find chicken and a broth on the table. Master Tarkin was sitting in an easy chair by the fire. He smiled as they came in. "You found everything I asked for I take it?"
"Yes, sir!" Garrick replied obediently. Master Tarkin inspected the baskets.
"Yes, very good. Well done. You may sit down to eat now," he gestured to their reward,"Lauren wait a second." Master Tarkin shut his eyes he waved his hand and magically repaired the dress. "There you may eat now. Report to the study when you have finished both of you. It is time to begin your next spell"

Lauren stumbled into the house grumbling quietly but she stopped as soon as she saw the chicken. She looked to Master Tarkin surprised, and handed her basket over for him to inspect. When Master Tarkin fixed her dress she grinned widely, "thank you master!" She said happily as she swirled around, looking at all sides of her dress. She hugged him before going to the cupboard and grabbing out two plates and two forks. She handed one of each to Garrick then sat down at the table and pulled some chicken onto the plate. She ate slowly, enjoying all the hidden flavors that were cooked into the kitchen. It was nice eating something that actually tasted good and retained it's flavor so perfectly; the worst part about having the apprentices cook was that most things they made tasted bad. Once she was done she washed her plate, returned it to the cupboard and walked happily into the study. Even though the day as a whole had been pretty bad she was suddenly in a very good mood...

Garrick sat down in the study. He was in a good mood now. He had not expected Master Tarkin to prepare them dinner. Master Tarkin entered the study from the library door. He brought up a fire by magic and approached them both. He handed Garrick a book entitled Basics of Destruction and the other book was given to Lauren. Master Tarkin turned to both of them. "Garrick, you have completed two spells, and Lauren you have completed your first. I am proud of both of you, however, do not let that go to your head. By the standards of a real Mage you are still at a very low level. Garrick you will turn to chapter 5 in your book and begin study, Lauren, you will turn to chapter 4 in yours and begin study. Before I instruct you on your next spell, however, each of you will answer me this: What do you hope to accomplish once you complete your training? You will not answer now, only after you have finished your work on this spell. Now, begin." He turned and strode out of the room. The door shut and it became deafeningly quiet. What had that meant? Then Garrick thought to himself, what would he do once he completed his training? He looked over at Lauren who was already reading. Garrick cracked open his book and looked up chapter 5. "Pagothics: A Guide to Using your Mana to Freeze" Garrick sighed. He doubted this would be anything exciting.

When Lauren got her book she rolled her eyes at the title, The Illusion of Illusion, and wondered if all of these instructional books had goofy titles. She snuck a peek at Garrick's cover and frowned a little, maybe it was just Illusionists who had the irresistible urge to through bad puns where ever they could. She quickly flipped to the first page, and read through the introduction. It was the usual; compliments on choosing The House of Illusion, little tips on thoughts to better yourself in ways of magic, how to pick a qualified Master to guide your studies, just the usual stuff they had to put. She shook her head and turned the few pages to the table of contents; then to chapter four. She scanned the chapter, reading the headings and titles of each smaller section before getting to the actual body of text. She read quickly and even started scanning the next chapter before she started getting confused and shut the book. She looked up and saw that Garrick was still reading but wasn't surprised; she'd always been a fast reader. She stood quietly and put the book away before exiting the room. She walked to Master Tarkin, "I'm done reading Master," she said with a smile and he nodded. He gestured to the fire he was sitting in front of and she sat in front of it cross legged. "Feel the heat." He instructed and she looked to him confused. He pointed back to the fire causing her to return her gaze; "search out every effect the blaze is having on you. Everything you are feeling."

Lauren closed her eyes and did as Master Tarkin told her to. She realized that there was much that she had been missing; she'd known that her skin would feel heat, but with her eyes closed she could feel how even so far away the fire was singing her slightly. Leaving a slight sting behind wherever it turned it's gaze. There was a smell that she hadn't noticed before rising from the fireplace, and she could only describe it as an arrogance so strong it came off as sweet. Even the popping embers combined into a song like rhythm that had her nodding slightly to the beat.

Her fingers stretched out against the carpet towards the fire and she was so entranced by the flaming attack on her senses that she didn't even notice Master Tarkin rise and leave her side. She started leaning closer to the den of flames and smiled as the stinging on her skin got stronger. It happened quickly, almost like the flick of a switch, she felt the arrogant element flood through her veins. She opened her eyes and smiled as the flames danced before her. She had made a connection; it was small and it might go out like a candle deprived of oxygen, but it was still there. She took a deep breath and leaned back into her sitting position, returning the careful distance between her and the fire before scooting slowly forward. After tucking her hair up into a bun and her dress under her legs she gazed deeply into the flames again and began the practices she had started at the beginning of the day...