The Jade Mage: The Becoming: Volume 1 by William D. Latoria Page B

known an enchantment to feed off the caster’s magic. He wondered if Tartum knew.
    “Did you feel anything when you used the enchantment, Tartum? Anything at all, that didn’t feel like it did, when the coin lit up?” Isidor asked, this new enigma overriding his concern over his injuries and fatigue.
    Tartum was confused. Isidor was acting very strange, and he was still angry at him for throwing down his staff. He knew it couldn’t be damaged by such an act, but it was the principal of the thing that upset him. This was supposed to be his moment of triumph, and his master was acting like a crazy old man. Anger started to bubble in the pit of his stomach.
    “Yes, when I touch the enchanted strand of gold, I feel it pull on the magic inside me. It feels like the enchantment is drawing it out of me and into itself. It almost completely drained me during our match.” Tartum said curtly. He felt like he was on trial.
    “Without opening yourself to the source, try to make the gold light up.” Isidor said, sitting up to observe better.
    Tartum didn’t understand, in fact, he didn’t want to be near his master at that moment. His demeanor was haunting, and all the questions over such a simple enchantment was troubling. However, Tartum still had alot of respect for the man, even if he wasn’t very fond of him at the moment. He decided he would play along, for now. He owed him that much loyality at least.
    Holding his staff out in front of him, Tartum spoke the word that would illuminate the gold.
    “Light.”
    Nothing happened.
    “Light!” he repeated. “Light! Light! Light, light, light, LIGHT, LIGHT !!!” he said, speaking louder at each failed command, until he was shouting. The gold did nothing. Tartum was embarrassed. Could the enchantment have worn off? Did it burn itself out after the last time? He didn’t know how bright it had been, he had closed his eyes. Maybe it had worn off before he said “dark” and now he would have to re-enchant it.
    Tartum looked at his master with the question burning in his eyes. Isidor saw the look on his face, and it reminded him of someone who had just bitten into a rotten lime. He couldn’t believe it. Tartum had no idea what he had done...what he had accomplished. Calming himself, Isidor spoke.
    “Now open yourself to the source, just a little bit, mind you, and try again.” he said softly. He needed Tartum to be careful. If what he thought was going to happen, happened, it could kill him. To be honest, Isidor had no idea what to expect.
    Opening himself to the source as instructed, Tartum brought forth the magic. It made him feel good, and so he let a bit more than he was ordered, and allowed it to flow inside him. His anger dissipated, and the ecstasy replaced it. Focusing, Tartum whispered the word.
    “Light.”
    The gold in the staff began to draw the magic out of Tartum. Not in the surge, as before, but it was definitely noticable. The feeling of ecstasy wasn’t as potent; weakness overshadowed the strength he received from the magic. He could tolerate it and still maintain his focus, but it was a queer sensation.
    The gold in the staff lit up, only slightly. The glow was a soft one, taking on the hue of the very material it came from. Isidor was in awe. Tartum’s magic powered the enchantment. Usually with enchantments, the power came from the components, and the magic that was channeled into the spell during the enchanting process. Once the magic ran out, the enchantment ceased to work and dissipated...just like with the coin. The more magic infused during the enchantment process, the longer the enchantment worked. It was complicated and required a certain degree of proficiency with spell casting, but that was the way they were supposed to work. The most powerful of enchantments, and those that were permanent, usually had either a tremendous amount of magic infused into the process, (which would require a caster with incredible, almost unheard of, ability) or