Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance by J. Steven Young Page A

we need to memorize all these words? I feel no power from them,” Shuran complained.  
    “The words are for focusing power. They do not contain any Essence of course, but they give you a way to concentrate on your intent and bring forth the will to make it happen,” Andra answered.
    “Your mind works faster than your mouth boys and what comes out of it don’ always come out the way you wanted!” Codger interrupted when he noticed the confused look on the boys faces.
    “Just so, and imagine your mind working a weaving without words and you lose focus as quickly as a stray thought crosses your mind,” Andra continued. “The resulting cast would not be as intended and often disastrous. Only the most focused mind can weave with thought alone,” Andra finished.  
    “But Shuran created that obscuring ring without words,” Mally said.  
    Andra turned to Shuran. “That was something other than weaving I suspect.” Andra ended the discussion then and the boys went back to practice what they had learned thus far.  
    While the lessons progressed, Codger noticed a passage and diagram in one of the pages toward the back of the book of spells. On the page he saw a drawing of a crystal shard much like the now dead one he had used on the Melammu Nanna.  
    He read the paragraphs below that described them and named them as ABNU EMUQ or power stone. They were basically the same as those he found in the ancient texts back in the ruins of the Northern outpost. These new descriptions however, seemed to describe their origins. When he turned the page to continue reading, several pages of the vellum had been removed from the binding. He looked over to Andra knowing they had been removed on purpose. He would need to have a talk with their guest when the time was right.
    “How much does Shuran know of his blood?” Andra asked Codger and Moona later that evening, after the boys went off to rest their exhausted minds and bodies. To say that Andra was putting them through grueling lessons would be understatement.  
    “He doesn’ know anything of his background beyond his mother dying after his birthing. He knows of the basics of Essence but not beyond the stories of the Lalli Mah. We ain’ told him of his own heritage. Truth is, beyond being of the seven, we don’ know much of where he comes from. Sulura never talked much of it or his father,” Moona admitted.
    “He must be told what runs in his body if he is to understand what he must learn. Eventually he will know everything but not yet. I know much of his parents story so I will share what is necessary for now.” Andra finished and got up and headed outside to sleep in the tent that was preferred over a cot in the crowded cabin.
    Codger stopped the man that Andra was wearing. “There are sheets of vellum removed from the book,” Codger called out.  
    “Yes, there are,” Andra, replied while continuing out the door. Codger followed Andra out, not ready to accept the closed ended answer.  
    “And why would that be? I assume that it was you who removed them,” Codger stated more than asked.  
    “Which pages would be more of a question and that answer should end the inquiry,” Andra turned and said.  
    “I am only referring to the instructions for creating power stones, ABNU EMUQ.”  
    “We call them source stones but your translation fits I suppose. The pages are safe and will be returned when needed as will the others.”  
    Codger did not seem satisfied with the answer and moved to question more.
    “Codger, please trust in what I do. Shuran is far to curious and that is a danger to us all. You see already the circle he created without a spell weaving.” Andra could see the realization cross Codger’s face.  
    “He is wielding the Essence and commanding the elements without even realizing it. He must be taught to know the difference and soon. This is not all. Has Moona told you that he transferred power to me? I see from your expression that she has not.