All around me was darkness. I felt alive but somewhat detached from myself, as though I were a puppet with a cut string. I couldn't really hear much, but I could sense a lot of activity near me. It continued for what seemed like an eternity before that sense disappeared. I suddenly felt very alone in the emptiness and was there for what felt like a life age of the earth.
And then I woke up. The room was dark, but one curtain drifted outwards to reveal a perfect full moon through the window. A gentle breeze nipped at my nose. The bed I was laid in was very comfortable, with the room ornately furnished with flowers and a large framed mirror. I peered into it. Gosh, I looked terrible. I noticed a faint glow of orange from above me, so I looked towards the high ceiling.
A rune was cast above me and faintly glowing a warm amber. I recognised it from my study books - revive. The way the spell worked was that, over time, the magic seeped into the air itself from the rune. A person would then breathe in that air over a certain amount of time and, eventually, be revived. I had seen it many times drawn in spell books and had heard of it through my teachers, but I had never seen it for myself.
Then I started remembering. I had cast thunderbolt.
Only now was the regret beginning to seep in as I realised the seriousness of my actions. I had never tried to use thunderbolt before. I had used spark, which was a similar rune but much weaker. But never had I attempted to create lightening, let alone use it against someone.
I knew all about thunderbolt, though, from my spell books. My teachers called it 'the rune that splits the earth'. I could see why now. It had blocked out the sun and produced a relentless barrage of unavoidable, powerful shots.
With my indirect hits against his shield, Artemus would suffer at most broken bones and maybe some burns. But with a direct hit, the worst could happen. And I didn't know if I had hit him or not. All I could remember was red fury and a feeling of unstoppable power. I didn't believe myself capable of successfully casting thunderbolt, but my carelessness may have cost a life.
I couldn't believe it. I had to find out what happened to him! I began to move and my feet were about to touch the floor. But I didn't have to move any further.
The doorknob turned slowly and clicked. The door swung open gently, creaking slightly on its hinges.
The King, my father, had entered the room.