SWNOVELS Chapter 3: The Journey away
Chapter 3: The Journey away
The next morning Tegus was woken by the nanny trying to hide her sobbing and packing a bag.
“Nanny what are you doing?” Tegus demanded as the curtains were opened to wake him, and he re-hid under the covers.
“It’s time for you to go,” she said through a tear-filled smile, “me and your other housekeepers will look after your home as we always have while you’re gone”.
“But where am I going?” he demanded throwing back the covers!
“The Arcane University. You’re Mage blood Tegus and always have been. I knew this day would come but today seems too soon!” she said turning away.
“But I thought I had more time?” he protested. “I need to say good-bye to all the people from the house; maid, groundskeeper, chef and...” He sighed and gave up protesting, “and you Nanny. I’ll miss you the most!”
She turned facing him, “I will miss you too Tegus, but this is your path, its right, and you will show the world who and what Tegus Bulock is. You are special Tegus. We...” she started but rephrased, “I know it and its time to show the world!” She gave a tearful but well-meaning smile.
He knew she was sad but right. He knew this place wasn’t his life. “You’re right Nanny.” he didn’t protest anymore.
A little while later, he was in his birthday robes and dragging his huge brown leather case down the stairs. The house staff were there to see him off.
“Good-luck lad,” said the chef.
The grounds’ keeper nodded at him and puffed on his pipe.
The Butler bowed.
The old maid smiled and said, “You’ll make your daddy proud.”
The cleaner smiled and curtseyed.
Then finally his nanny stood there, “You will show the world Tegus. When you return you will be a powerful sorcerer and will bring life back to this town. Good luck!” she bent down and kissed his forehead. She normally reserved her feelings toward him but on this occasion she could not.
He flung his arms around her and said, “Thank you Nanny, I love you.”
She smiled and was a little taken back by the response but returned the hug. She welled up again in her eyes but what he had said made her happier than she had ever been. She slipped a note into his pocket.
“Farewell everyone, see you soon”
And he left thought the grand front door.
As he stepped through, there stood a huge carriage made from solid bronze. The whole carriage gave off an aura of magical energy as he walked around the side to the door and nervously said, “Hello?”
His case suddenly lifted from the ground, and he held on in panic being lifted from the ground.
“Let go, boy” a voice commanded from the top of the bronze structure.
He let go and looked up to the driver. He was a normal-looking man with a big bushy moustache and top hat. He was, however, completely made of bronze too! Tegus was so shocked he walked around looking at the man who watched back with a blank stare; this wasn’t the first time he’d gotten this reaction.
“Well boy, are you getting in or what?” He said in a grumpy inpatient manner. “The old mare is getting restless!”
At that, Tegus heard the protest of the horse as it hissed a sigh and tapped its front leg. It then shook its mane and Tegus heard the sound of grinding metal on metal! He looked at the mare, and it too was made completely from bronze!
“Get in lad, we need to get on!”
Nervous, but excited Tegus opened the door and jumped into the back. He looked out and saw Nanny standing outside the door waving. He waved back and smiled. He turned around as the cart started moving, and he put his hand in his pocket, there was the note.
“Whatever the outcome may be, the important thing is to step forward on the path that you believe is right - Nanny”
Tegus smiled and then suddenly the carriage tilted backwards. This puzzled him as his home was on the top of a hill, and the lane snaked down it. He looked out of the window and saw that the carriage had taken off from the ground. It was racing higher and higher!
Tegus put the note back in his pocket, opened the door, and clung to the side.
“What are you doing boy?” shouted the bronze man.
Tegus looked at him with his hair flying in the wind, and simply smiled!
“Get back in!” ordered the bronze man.
“NO!” yelled Tegus with a mouthful of cloud and carried on climbing over the front.
He jumped up next to the Bronze man!
“What you doing boy?” questioned the bronze man.
“Watching,” said Tegus. “What’s your name?”
“My name?” the driver replied taken back. “No one ever asks my name!”
He smiled, “I only constantly pick people up and drop them off at the University.”
“Well?” said Tegus, “What is it then? First time for everything.”
The driver smiled again and let out a laugh that sounded like bronze gears, “Ocelot.”
“Well Ocelot,” said Tegus, “What’s the mare called?”
“That’s Revolver.”
Revolver neighed at the mention of her name.
“Ok, well let’s see what you and Revolver can do.” Tegus said through a grin!
“Right you have it young Sir!”
And with a whip of the bronze reins they flew faster than Ocelot had in a long time, flying past clouds and looking down on the world!
“THIS IS AMAZING!” yelled Tegus.
Ocelot laughed! “I’ve not flown like this since I picked your father up.”
“You knew my father?” questioned Tegus
“Aye lad, he was adventurous just like you,” he said and gave a grand wink!
They travelled for an hour or so, passing clouds, mountain tops, and several towns below. Rivers wound across the land, and Ocelot took them so close to them Tegus could reach down and touch the water. After a while, they rose back above the cloud line.
“There’s the University!” said Ocelot pointing.
’Wow!” yelled Tegus.
The University was a building like nothing he had seen before. For one thing, it floated high among the clouds.
The carriage flew in a slow arc around the numerous towers, which were all different in their own unique way. Tegus tried to count them all as they passed each one, but lost count somewhere around thirty. One tower stood out more than the rest. It was perfectly central within the campus and stood much taller than any other.
“That’s the master’s tower,” said Ocelot.
Tegus looked on in amazement. He looked down as they started to descend and saw the huge platform where four other bronze carriages with drivers stood frozen, facing outwards on an oval platform.
“Ocelot, is that what happens to you when you’re not needed?” Tegus questioned worriedly.
“Aye we sit in wait for our duty to take people to or from where they need to go,” said Ocelot plainly.
“That’s unfair!” said Tegus.
“It’s a life lad,” replied Ocelot.
“No it’s not!” Tegus protested.
“Look lad. We are trapped in the state because we did something bad in our previous life. As punishment, our souls were placed in these statues and only allowed to move to serve the University. We all chose it thinking it a better option than death.”
“That’s not right! Punishment or not, no one should be made to stay like that. You should at least be able to talk to each other,” Tegus protested again.
“We accepted it as punishment and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it, not even you!” said Ocelot with a note of finality in his voice.
Tegus shut up as the carriage landed. He jumped off and his suitcase magically landed next to him. “See you Ocelot” he said looking backwards at him.
Ocelot turned his head to Tegus and smiled as he turned to a solid bronze statue. Tegus knew Ocelot was about to say good-bye, but hadn’t had the chance.
Dragging his suitcase, Tegus struggled to the top of the stairs leading from the landing platform. As he reached the top, he was met with his first incredible sight of the students of The Arcane University.
At first glance there was a clear abundance of humans and elves among the students, but looking more carefully he started to make out other races. There were nymphs and dryads, sprites and pixies. Faeries fluttered next to gnomes, who looked comical carrying text books on their back that seemed overly large. He even spotted a few a dwarves amongst them, but nowhere near as many as he would have expected. He later learned that due to their innate racial resistance to arcane magic, a lot of the high elves frowned upon them learning magic. He even saw some creatures amongst the students that he had never known or believed to have really existed, like one older boy who very closely resembled a very large lizard.
In the main courtyard of the University he started following the path still dragging his old suitcase. Suddenly, a middle-aged dwarf appeared.
“New here are we?” said the rather large, yet short dwarf.
He clearly was unlike any dwarf Tegus had heard about. He had heard they were smelly, ugly, rude and drank a lot. This dwarf however, was clean, smart, polite, and didn’t at all smell of beer.
“Err yes,” said Tegus, “I’m Tegus Bulock.”
“Ah,” began the dwarf, “I’ll be watching you, and I hear promising whispers from the world. I’m Professor Norsewind. I’m the head of elemental magic, and I’ll be teaching you to listen to the world around you, and how to use it. Glad to meet you,” he smiled and held out a big hairy hand to shake Tegus’.
Tegus shook the hand that about ripped his arm off, which showed Tegus this dwarf had both brains and brawn.
“Here lad, first spell I’ll teach you,” Norsewind said as he closed his eyes and whispered, “Il Flu Skaa.”
He blew air from his lips like a whistle and then said, “Basic levitation spell using the power of wind.”
As the spell hit his suitcase, it lifted from the ground, and Tegus could move it as if it was a feather.
“Thanks a lot,” Tegus said amazed.
“Your room is down in that tower over yonder,” Professor Norsewind pointed out the group of towers.
“How do you know that Sir?” questioned Tegus.
“Those’re the resident towers. They go from 1st year up to 10th year; the years are mixed up though so you will be with students of all ages. There is also a huge hall toward the back of this flying rock. It’s big, but nothing to what us dwarves can build!” he said letting out a laugh, “That’s where you will get your meals, and any assemblies are held, when we have them.”
“What’s the big tower in the middle?” Tegus asked wanting to know more.
“That’s the Grand Masters study. Not even staff go up there uninvited.”
“Oh?” said Tegus curiously. He knew he should not let his curiosity get the better of him on this one.
“I’ve got to go, take care lad,” said Norsewind
’Thanks Sir,” Tegus said as he set off towards his tower.
Not much further on Tegus bumped into a flying creature. It was bright red and looked angry.
“EY! Watch what you’re doing!” an odd, yet common voice spoke, “I may be small, but I can still sock you one!”
“Sorry, sorry,” Tegus apologised.
“No harm done,” the creature said as it turned blue.
Tegus carried on amazed by the odd creature.
People hurried past him, busy with their studies and tasks they had. Some were collecting plants, some casting spells and conjuring phantom animals that ran all around, and some were levitating things, including each other! He smiled thinking of the wonders that he would find along his path.
He reached the resident towers and pushed on the large wooden door. It was heavy and opened slowly. He peered in. It was a huge square room with stairs running against the walls. There was a long purple carpet striding from the front door up to a desk. There was a small man sat on top of the desk. He was no bigger than a puppy, about 2ft high. He was very round, and his features seemed to centre on his nose. On top of his nose sat some huge glasses that were much bigger than his face. He was also bald but wore robes that were a bit too big and trailed behind him. The small man looked up.
“Yes?” he said in slow somber voice. “Can I help you?”
“Errr..” said Tegus
“Well boy, last warning. Who are you?” he said.
Tegus stayed silent and wondered what he meant by ‘last’ warning.
The man jumped down from the counter, walked halfway to Tegus and clapped his hands. He began to change becoming taller and taller and taller until he was 8ft high. Then his arms and legs seemed to burst into fur, and his head broke into a snout, which sprouted row upon row of teeth. The glasses fell upon the floor!
LAST CHANCE BOY!” yelled the small man who now had become an 8ft Lycan!
“Tegus Bulock,” Tegus whimpered.
The 8ft monster subsided in seconds and returned to the small 2ft man.
“Why didn’t you say so?” he said in his normal voice, joking about as he picked up his glasses, “We’ve been expecting you.”
Tegus a little nervous now, followed the man to the desk.
The small man cleaned his glasses and jumped onto a book across the desk and said, “Ah yes. Floor 67, I’ll send your bag up.”
He clicked his fingers and the bag disappeared. He put his hands behind his back and looked at Tegus.
Tegus looked back and said, “How did you do that?”
The man took his glasses off and cleaned them some more unsatisfied with his first attempt and simply said, “It’s something my race can do. Each of us can shift into something as well as being very powerful with magic. We are also very good with numbers and facts.”
He breathed on the lenses of his glasses, “my race is the Fryzalick, but we get nicknamed as the keepers as we tend to look after things and places. We enjoy it. My job is to look after this tower. Anyway welcome to your first year.”
He held out a hand to greet Tegus and took his tiny hand and shook it.
“Thanks,” Tegus replied.
“That’s your key,” said the tiny man as he pointed to a small black gem. “Hold it, picture your room, and it will teleport you there. Don’t lose it!”
“How can I picture my room when I’ve never seen it?” he asked.
The keeper smiled and just pointed toward the stairs.
It took Tegus a while to climb the 67 stories to get to his room and was thankful he didn’t have to climb that many steps every time.
He got to the top step and almost collapsed from the mountain of a tower. He struggled with the door of his dorm. He reached for the handle then stopped; there was no handle, no obvious way to open it. Tegus stared blankly at it, looking at it from every angle. Then he heard very light footsteps coming from behind him.
They stopped, and he turned around to see a silhouette of a boy. Taller, but not that much older, his face was drawn out, and his eyes were white with the darkest of pupils. His face was half covered by the long dark hair that came to his chin, and only his ears poking out identified him as an elf. He wore black like there was no other colour within existence.
“Will it and it will open,” said the older boy.
Tegus looked towards the door and imagined it opening as he held the stone, and it did.
“Idiot” the stranger mumbled as he walked away.
Tegus never heard but would have let it go either way.
“Wait,” cried Tegus calling after the boy, “Who are you?”
The robe and hair were all Tegus could see.
"Vakaroth," the voice said calmly.
He stopped for a moment and looked back over his shoulder at Tegus.
"Vakaroth", he repeated again.
With a chill, Tegus noticed that this time the deceptively calm voice had a deadly quality to it. He watched in apprehension as Vakaroth turned with a flourish and walked into the shadows.
Making sure Vakaroth was really gone, he entered his room for the first time and there stood a large wardrobe of oak. All the other furniture matched. There was a set of drawers, a bedside table and coat stand.
There was also a desk in the corner with an ink well, quill and parchment already laid out. This would be his home for the next 10 years. He liked the thought of this as home. He saw his suit case sat on the floor. I’ll do it later he thought and jumped onto the bed. He peered out of the window and thought about the black-robed student with the piercing eyes. He knew he shouldn’t judge, but he felt a great deal of sorrow when he saw that boy in his mind and the longer he thought of him the more he began to worry.