Under the Light of the World at War: Early chapter 42

There was a lot of talk that went over my head among the Magisters. But that was okay. El’Tela had eventually pulled me out of the Glyph, and we were currently looking at other things as the Magisters all discussed… Me.

“You actually wrote this?” I asked, interested as she handed me the book.

“I did. Many centuries ago. It’s out of date now, but it was acceptable work at the time.” She demurred, but I grinned looking over the book. 

Just reading the forward gave me a drastically different look at my Great Great Grandmother.

She’d been a firebrand. I realized. Her forward was scathing and energetic. The energy of someone absolutely sure of themselves, and angry at others for being too stupid to listen.

“Too stupid to listen?”

“It was an apt statement. Even now.” She agreed, but she was definitely a bit embarrassed by the way I pointed it out. 

This room, and library had hundreds of books, all of them basically treatises on the Arcane. 

“It’s a lot of books.”

“Most of them are required reading if one wants to be a Magister.” She revealed, and I looked at the books.

I liked reading as much as the next elfling, but holy crap that was a lot of probably very dry literature to read.

“Pass.” I decided then and there, and she chuffed at my statement.

“Much of the knowledge in these tomes is useless, yes, but some could reveal great secrets to you.”

“It’s okay.” I denied even so. “I’m not interested in the secrets of the Arcane, but the more practical applications.”

“Even practical applications exist here. Books of spells, and workings that would give you centuries of distraction.”

“I don’t have centuries. Three years, maybe four. Then I will go to war.” I said simply, with the complete surety that my path was set. 

“War isn’t a game.” She grumbled at me, and I looked at her.

“I know.”

“There isn’t any honor, or grandness to it. It’s dirty and messy, and horrible.”

“I know.”

“You don’t.”

“I know enough. I know that people are dying and if I don’t go to protect them who will? Them?” I asked, not bothering to keep my voice down, but the Magisters were still talking, distracted and not listening to me. “They could go right now, to try and stop the Trolls, but they don’t.”

“They aren’t that sort of Magister.”

“They can get on a flying carpet, and throw spells.” I shook it off. It didn’t matter, and El’Tela was just grumbling. “Besides, even if the war wasn’t happening, I’d be getting ready to go exploring instead.”

She didn’t say anything in turn, just watching me for a while until I got distracted by the book in my hands again.

Heh. She wrote this a long time ago, when she was younger. It was a discussion about her philosophy on Mages. That sustaining Mana is the most critical method for any Mage. Running out of Mana was death.

So don’t run out of Mana.

It made perfect sense to me, but I think she was a bit too focused on just that. It was important, maybe the most important, but not the only thing that was important.

“We have decided.” The voice of smiley, called out and I looked up putting the book back on the shelf as I did. “The alterations made by Alah’Dorah Dawnspear are accepted, as the primary path. The merit goes to her.”

“Took you long enough. And it’s Arkhana’Shola.” El’Tela remarked casually, and I couldn’t help but blink as I looked at her. She was pointedly not looking at me.

“Is that so? Was there a mistake?”

“Yes, but not one made by you.” El’Tela said then looked at me. “The issue with your father is resolved. You are a Dawnspear no longer.”

I hesitated, because… This wasn’t something she had brought up with me before this. I would have liked to, you know, know.

“You are displeased.”

“Surprised.”

“I should have mentioned it before. No, better your father should have. But I am done waiting, and I handled it myself. You are your fathers daughter, and he is an Arkhana’Shola.”

“Okay.” I said. Accepting the change, El'Tela looked pleased. “You’ll need to write your name on the spell scroll.” She said, and the Magisters were looking on, mostly irritated at the hold up.

“What? You wasted enough of my time.”

“Do not pretend not to understand. She is a child. It is not a simple matter” Smiley said, and then looked at me. “The Hall of Theory has accepted the Spell into the Athenaeum. The spell is submitted, and accepted.”

All the Magisters went silent as if this was a grand pronouncement.

“Cool?” I replied, not sure what I was supposed to say, and El’Tela chuckled at my weak response. 

“Go sign it.” She prompted again, and so I did. I walked over and they handed me a scroll that they had all been working on, it was my version of my current Evocation. They handed me a quill and ink, and I signed… Alah’Dorah Arkhana’Shola. 

“Then it is done. Good. I expect there will be no complaints about my granddaughter's age from here on out?”

“None. She submitted a spell that has been accepted, as you know, that means she has earned a Meritorious Deed.”

“Good.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, suddenly because that sounded important.

“It means, your record has been given a Meritorious Deed.” El’Tela said, which answered nothing. My look at her in complaint at her lacking description made her grin.

“The answer is somewhere in this library if you want to find it.”

“Pass. Not that interested.” I denied because no way was I going to be stuck here for that long.

“Then we shall go. My stupid Grandson will still be waiting to take us back across.”

“Magistrix.” Smiley spoke up as El’Tela made to leave. “The Hall of Theory is still open to you, whenever you like.”

“I’m too old.” She countered without missing a beat and moving along which had me following her. But where she walked forward without a look back, I did. The Magisters were watching us leave. Each of them had different looks on their faces. 

Some were annoyed, some smug, but some were sad. 

And they all watched until we turned the corner and out of sight. 

—--

“Well how did it go?” Zo’Talana asked, uncrossing his arms, his armor making a light noise at his shifting.

“It is done. Alah’Dorah Arkhana’Shola has earned a Meritorious Deed, for submitting a spell to the Athenaeum.”

He stared at El’Tela for a moment at her words, giving her a rather piercing stare that she ignored.

“Grandmother.”

“Whine at me on the way. I am sick of standing.” She demanded, having walked right past him towards the carriage.

He sighed, and followed after her, helping her inside, and then helping me.

When he climbed in he glared at El’Tela.

“You should not have done that.”

“I will do as I like, there are none that can second guess me.”

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Is that not something you once taught me?”

“I spoke those words to a boy that kept taking his training sword and beating other boys older and younger than him because he thought it made him powerful. Or am I mistaken?”

“I was a child, and I stopped when you punished me. I learned. Should you not have learned?”

“You forget I am the one that makes the rules.”

“Grandmother.” He replied utterly flatly.

“Obviously the fool boy was taking too long, and I wasn’t going to allow it. I told him to handle it or I would. So this morning I sent in the message. Aran’Alah Arkhana’Shola has returned to our family, as it should have been.”

“And the trouble that he caused, that was put aside because he was exiled? Shall we just pretend that it doesn't exist?”

“Trouble? Minor squabbles of children, that are of no import. If they cause trouble, then berate them and move on. Are we the Arkhana’Shola, or not?”

“Grandmother, saying ignore the repercussions is foolish.”

“I am not ignoring them. I am stating they are nothing compared to the gains. When was the last time our family earned a Meritorious Deed? Hmm?”

I felt like I was watching a tennis match bouncing back and forth, and finally I decided I’d had enough.

“Enough!” I snapped, startling both adults. “I don’t know what is going on! What is a Meritorious Deed, why is it important, and does Papa even know that you un-exiled him?”

“He will be informed when we return.” She admitted, and I glared at her.

“This isn’t okay. I don’t know what you are thinking, but this is really bad.”

“I removed his exile, he will be thrilled.”

“You did it because of me, you wanted something from me, and now you got it!” I snapped at her, and she flinched. 

We all went quiet for a while. The carriage once more ended at the boat and we all got in, although I just glared out over the water not looking at El’Tela.

“I should have spoken with your father first. You are right. It is cruel of me to decide this like I did… I’m sorry Alah’Dorah.” I blinked and looked at her… Has she been mind controlled? Was she a doppelganger?

“What?”

“You’ve never apologized for anything, ever.”

“I apologize for things.” She grumbled. And I just stared at her, and even Zo’Talana got on board giving her a look. “I have apologized for things! I simply do not often make mistakes.”

I gave my Grunkle a look, one that he shared.

“Tsk! Girl… I am proud of you, and wanted there to be no confusion. You are of my blood. Always. Regardless of your fool grandfather's decisions. I simply ensured none could ever assume differently.”

“Okay. I forgive you, but talk to Papa and make sure he’s okay with this. He might want to stay out of the family. I don’t know. I’ve never really talked to him about it.”

“I will when we return.”

“And what the heck is a Meritorious Deed?”

“You don’t know?” Zo’Talana asked, surprised.

“She refuses to tell me!” I pointed at her, and he rolled his eyes.

“Of course she is playing a game.”

“I simply wanted her to make some effort to understand.”

“And of course you do things completely backwards! I should not be surprised.”

“Hey! What does that mean!?”

“A Meritorious Deed is given to Elves who have done something to advance our Kingdom. Knowledge, Defense, craftwork. Anything that none can argue against. You submitted a spell that was accepted as such. You have improved our Kingdom for the better and your name will be remembered forever because of it. Although one usually does all the other things first.”

“She is Arkhana’Shola.” El’Tela said, sounding proud, but Zo’Talana just sent her a look.

“The girl has done the hardest part first. As per usual.”

“What does that mean!?”

“You learned SpellSteal before going through the process of becoming a Spellbreaker. What do you think it means?”

“Okay that is your fault, not mine.” I countered and he sent me a powerful look that I pointedly looked away from.

“You have completed the final step one needs to become a Magister, without even taking a step on the path. It is absurd.”

“Oh… Is that what this is all about? I don’t want to be a Magister though.”

“Yes, that is why I am surprised girl.” He grumbled at me.

“Well… Sorry?”

“Don’t be. You have done much for our name. Not that many will actually believe this is your doing.”

“It’s not the first family that has created a Meritorious Deed for a young member. Everyone will simply assume we faked it somehow.” El’Tela agreed and I felt my shoulders loosen.

“So everyone is just going to assume this isn’t anything important, and continue to ignore me?”

“Unfortunately that is likely.”

“Oh good then. Whew! You almost had me worried there for a second! So hey want to sword fight when we get home? You do still owe me a week of training you know.” I poked a finger into Zo’Talana’s armor to mess with him.

“Stop that… Fine, I shall see how much you have lost in our time apart.”

“I’m bigger and stronger now!”

“We shall see.”

The boat stopped and off we all got, moving back into the Carriage and back home.

What a weird morning.

—---

Papa swallowed me in a big hug. Holding me tightly. I’d made El’Tela tell him what happened right away when we got back to the Atelier.

And Papa hadn’t responded at first, just listening as El’Tela spoke and then he’d gotten up and just pulled me into a tight hug.

So I hugged him back.

He was silent, not saying anything, just holding me close for a long while. Long enough I was wondering if he was okay when he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry Dorah. El’Tela shouldn’t have pushed that on you… You can be Arkhana’Shola, or Dawnspear. Don’t think the choice is forced on you.”

“I don’t really care Papa. Really? It’s just a name. You and Mama are the ones that matter to me, so whatever is fine.” I argued, making sure to meet his eyes despite how hard that was sometimes and he nodded. Pulling me back into a hug. 

“Then I’ll talk with Felomin about this when she gets back. El’Tela… That was cruel.” Papa said, and I watched as she sort of squirmed.

“I’m sorry. I simply made the decision… I should have spoken with you before we left.”

“Yes you should have. I… I’m not sure I am open to accepting.” He said bluntly, and El’Tela and Zo’Talana both looked surprised.

“Boy? You know thi-”

“I once made a promise I would make him regret exiling me. That I wouldn’t come back until he came to me himself to apologize and beg for me back. It was a foolish daydream, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t right to want it.”

“Papa… I just want you to be happy… So if it makes you happy, we should do it, and if not, we shouldn’t. That simple.” I said, and he looked down at me.

“That simple?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you Dorah.”

“I love you too Papa!” I chirped, and he hugged me once more. 

“I’ll talk to Felomin.” He said and that was that.

El’Tela grumbled as she walked off heading upstairs, probably to her drawing room, but Zo’Talana stuck around. 

“Uncle?”

“I’m going to test the girl see how much she has forgotten.” He explained, sounding annoyed and Papa took that in and looked at me.

“We’re going to sword fight! I’ll beat him up! I’m bigger and stronger now.”

“I see… You should go have fun then.” He patted me on the head, and I turned to Zo’Talana who looked even more annoyed at my words.

“Come.” He turned around and walked out of the Workshop where we’d been having this conversation and into the main shop. I followed, noticing that both Sha’Narin and Tira’nore had been doing their best to pretend not to be hearing all the trouble in the workshop. Both workers had quickly escaped to the front of the shop when we had entered and started talking with Papa.

“I’ll be taking these.” El’Tela remarked without preamble, taking off a pair of swords from the wall, and then leading me back inside. Up the stairs and then up to the outer stairs. 

We ended up on the rooftop terrace, and he paused to look at all the Glyphs I’d left out, with stones, and flowers in the center.

“What is all this?”

“Me! I’m making some Enchantment reagents.” I explained and he looked from the circles to me, then back and scoffed.

“Of course. Do you enjoy always being an unpleasant surprise?”

“For you? Yes.” I said and barely caught the sheathed sword he threw at me. “You sure we should use these?”

“They are practice blades enchanted not to harm. Or have you not noticed?”

“I haven’t gone around the shop or anything. I don’t know what they are.”

“Indeed? You should know what we sell. As an Arkhana’Shola you have a reputation to maintain.”

“Pass.” I drew the blade and flourished it, getting a feel for the weight. “Wish I had my shield.”

“Do without.” Then he charged in and I laughed, as he held nothing back. As always Zo’Talan had zero chill.

I parried his first strike, delighting in the fact it was easier than it had ever been. But he wasn’t playing. Even without his shield to defend so strongly, his sword was a blur he wanted to overwhelm me.

But I adjusted, using space to keep him back and not letting him bullrush me over. 

It quickly came back to a balancing act as he realized I wasn’t going to be pushed aside like he’d hoped.

He was audibly grumbling under his breath which was funny as I parried and tried to stab him in the chest, only for him to bat it away and come back with his own chopping strike once, twice, and thrice which I only barely parried away. 

Then he suddenly flashed in magic and moved faster, faster than even I remember in fact. 

I barely managed to tumble away avoiding a swing that would have slapped me upside the head, and he wasn’t holding back either. The jerk.

Fine.

“Dispel!” I roared pointing and ripped the magic away.

Ah-hah! The same spell he always used, his speed spell!

I had the ability to examine it this time, but as I tried he rushed me, slower, but still quick enough I just threw the spell on me, to react.

Which is when suddenly it was like I was frozen, unable to move, and he smacked his sword right into my stomach.

The blade didn’t penetrate but it still hurt as he didn’t hold back.

I hit the floor wheezing, unable to breath and he stood over me.

“First lesson of using that in combat. Never, ever simply use your opponents spells. You never know what you are putting on yourself. I didn’t activate the spell you thought I did. In fact it is a spell that does the opposite, a Slow Spell. One I have created with an easy counter. Since It doesn’t work on me, anyone foolish enough to steal it ends up slowed down heavily.”

“Ow.” I wheezed out laying on the floor clutching my stomach.

“And that is something a proper spellbreaker would have learned in their early lessons. You may have learned the spell, but you know nothing about how to properly use it.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words barely came out.

“What? Girl, speak up, heal yourself and get on your feet!”

I tried to talk again but only air came out, and I could hear him shuffling around.

“What? Are you hurt? Must I find you a healer? Speak up girl!” He grumbled kneeling down to listen closely.

Which is when using Mama’s Strength Surge I rushed up, the hilt of my blade clutched in my hand as I slammed it into his stomach.

He went over wheezing himself.

“I said! If you want to play tricks I can do that too!” I yelled, then bent back over, cause my stomach hurt.

“”That… Was inappropriate.” He wheezed out.

“I’ll heal you, and myself, and we pretend this never happened?”

“I will accept the deal.” He wheezed laying on the floor beside me.