The cart creaked steadily down the dirt road, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the rolling hills. The horses plodded along, their steady pace reflecting the day's length. Emery leaned against the edge of the cart, her wide eyes taking in the expansive landscape, while I sat quietly, replaying the events of the past few days in my mind.
Ulrik broke the silence, his deep voice commanding attention. "We're about two hours out from the eastern war camp."
I straightened at his words, curious. "War camp?"
Ulrik gave a curt nod. "The Wolf Clan is always prepared for war. Resources, land, or grudges—it doesn't matter. The other clans aren't going to stop trying to take what's ours, and we won't stop defending it."
"The Elder of the Wolf Clan," he continued, "has five Knights and three Magus under his command only with thousands of other warriors and magi. The Knights and Magus are his generals, the ones who ensure our borders stay secure."
"Generals?" Emery asked.
Ulrik grunted. "Two Knights and one Magus stay in Vargshold with the Elderman. They guard the heart of our territory. The other three Knights, including myself, and two Magus command war camps along the borders. We're the wall that protects our people."
His words were sharp, filled with a sense of duty.
---
"So you're stationed in the east?" I asked.
"That's right," Ulrik said. "The eastern war camp is my responsibility. It's where I've spent most of my life, ensuring our lands remain secure."
"And the other Knights and Magus?" Emery asked.
"They're stationed in camps on the other borders," Ulrik replied. "But that's not your concern. What matters is what you'll learn under my watch."
His words carried an unspoken promise—one that felt both reassuring and intimidating.
---
Vidal, who had been silent until now, leaned forward with a smile. "Since we've got some time, how about we start your first lesson in magic?"
Emery perked up, her curiosity evident. "A lesson?"
Vidal nodded, his tone lighter than Ulrik's. "Yes, a basic introduction. You'll need to understand the fundamentals if you're going to master anything."
He raised a hand, and a faint blue glow began to form above his palm. "Magic, or spells specifically, allows Magi to manipulate Mana and shape the world around them. Spells are composed of two key components: arrays and power runes."
---
"What's an array?" I asked, leaning forward.
"An array," Vidal explained, "is the framework of the spell. It controls the magic—its direction, aim, and purpose. Think of it as the skeleton of a spell."
"And power runes?" Emery asked.
"Power runes," Vidal continued, "draw Mana from the environment and amplify the spell's power. They ensure the spell's stability and strength. Without arrays, the magic is wild and uncontrollable. Without power runes, the magic is weak."
---
As he spoke, the glow above his hand intensified. "Watch closely," he said. "I'll go slow so you can see the process."
We leaned in, captivated, as a circular pattern formed in the glow—a simple array, its lines and symbols elegant in their precision. At the center of the array, a single rune began to pulse faintly.
"Do you see it?" Vidal asked, his voice steady.
I nodded, my gaze fixed on the intricate design. Emery's eyes sparkled with fascination.
---
Suddenly, a small flame burst to life above Vidal's palm. It danced there, flickering gently, its warmth brushing against my face.
"This," Vidal said, his tone calm, "is the Flame Spell. The most basic spell for those with a Fire affinity."
Emery gasped softly, her expression a mix of awe and wonder. "It's incredible," she whispered.
"It's simple," Vidal corrected, extinguishing the flame with a flick of his wrist. "But simplicity is the foundation of mastery. Every Magi starts here, building their understanding one step at a time."
---
I glanced at Emery, noting the determination in her eyes. I could tell she was already imagining what she might accomplish with such power.
"Can I do that?" I asked, my voice firm I had a fire affinity after all.
Vidal smirked. "You'll have your turn soon enough, Warlock. But for now, just watch and learn."
The cart continued its steady journey as Vidal's words lingered in the air. The road ahead was uncertain, but the knowledge we had begun to gather promised to shape everything that lay before us.