Fire Mage by John Forrester Page A

Father narrowed his eyes at the expression on Talis’s face. “What is it, what are you feeling?”
    “I’m not sure,” Talis stammered, fighting the power.
    His father’s eyes sparkled. “You’re sensing the power within the sword—”
    “It’s magical?” What did his father know of such things? He was a man of commerce and trade.  
    “The magical gift runs deep in our family history.” Father took the sword from Talis and raised it to the firelight. “This is no regular sword…it possesses great power. The red color is not from blood, there's Fire Magic within.” Fire Magic…Master Viridian said his element was fire.  
    Father returned the sword, and Talis stared at his father, tears welling in his eyes. “I never imagined I'd have a treasure like this.”
    “Take care of the sword, it’s part of you now. There's an old saying, 'As the bearer wields, so he holds his life in his hands.' So beware, I don't give you this gift lightly.”
    “Thank you, Father.” Talis reached out and shook his hand, still not believing Father had entrusted such a gift to him.  
    “Are you truly willing to embark on such an important mission?”
    It was the question Talis had been waiting to hear from Father for many years. A chance to prove himself and make his father proud. Of course he’d go; of course he’d do anything to protect Naru and his family. This adventure was what he’d been dreaming about his whole life.
    He simply gazed into his father’s eyes and said, “I am.”  
    “Good, don’t fail to make me proud, son. Much rests on your shoulders.”  
    Talis embraced his mother again, then stepped out into the dimly lit streets. Down through the upper and lower city and out past the northern gates, he followed a soldier that led him north until they reached the first traces of the Nalgoran Desert. Torches illuminated the area where men loaded supplies onto the horses. He was really leaving. There was no going back now.
    He stared back at the city, the massive stone walls were painted in a surreal orange glow from the torches. Those ancient walls, designed by men of science and magic to withstand the strongest physical and magical attacks. Over twenty feet thick, those walls scintillated with the power of warding runes.  
    But as he studied them, a cruel thought struck him. Will those walls hold until I return ?
    Talis turned north and stared at the faint glow lining the horizon. A meteor flared across the field of stars. He shivered at the cold and gazed up at the sky, wondering what was out there. He didn’t feel alone when he looked at the stars, but tonight, and for how long he didn’t know, he would be alone. He didn’t even get to say goodbye to Mara. Just like that, he was leaving.
    “Star-gazing?” Rikar swaggered over and covered his head with a black hood. “The desert holds a chill.”
    “What are you doing here?”
    “What? Your father didn’t tell you?” Rikar laughed. “I suppose Master Viridian failed to mention that Nikulo and me are coming. Did you honestly think they’d leave the task all up to you?”
    “The map was given to me.”
    “A mistake. Must have meant to give it to me instead. Maybe out in the desert, that mistake will be corrected.” Rikar turned and strode away, humming a dark tune, a song of jealousy and the fate of the blade. Why did the Elders invite them? Talis felt his face flush as he clenched his hands. The politics of the Royal Houses….
    The men preparing the horses finished cinching down the packs, whistled, and waved everyone over. The soldiers came first. Talis recognized a few men and women from his father’s company. He strode over to the horses, admiring their fine sheen. Talis stroked his mare’s grey mane and inspected the packs. Scanning the horizon, he felt a presence out to the northwest. Like a hand searching the desert.  
    Something was out there.  
    Talis turned as Nikulo waddled towards the party, wiggling his fingers in his