Curse of the Shadowmage - Mark Anthony [90]
Morhion had known Kellen's shadow magic was different than Caledan's, and last night's display had demonstrated it was more potent as well. Yet it was not so much the boy's raw power that intrigued the mage. It was Kellen's great control. More than ever, Morhion was convinced that Kellen's special qualities came from being both mageborn and a descendant of Talek Talembar. Even now, it appeared that the two powers-sorcery and Shadow magic-were waging a battle within the boy's body.
"Is there any sign of the fever lessening?" Morhion asked quietly.
Mari shook her head grimly. "I'm afraid not. In fact, I think it's getting worse."
He nodded in reply. Rummaging around in his saddle-bag, the mage pulled out a book. There was no telling when Kellen would be well enough to travel; he might as well put the time to good use.
Morhion sat on the ground and rested the ancient tome on his knees. It was the book the witch Isela had given him in Talis. Before opening the tome, he paused to examine Isela's ring. Last night, the silver ring's magic had helped protect them against the shadowhounds but not the shadowdragon. Why? Despite the dreary day-light, the ring's purple gem shimmered with light. Yet when Morhion peered deeper into the stone, he saw the center of the gem was dark, just as Jewel had pointed out earlier. He shut his eyes and heard Isela's words once more.
You seek to destroy a great shadow. Yet shadows can exist only when there is light to cast them. To destroy the shadow, you must destroy the light as well…
In his mind, Morhion ran over last night's events. The ring had altered his spell of protection so that it harmed the shadowhounds. A protection spell had components that were both light-a visible aura-as well as dark-an invisible barrier. However, he had attempted to attack the dragon with a lightning spell-magic forged solely of light. That time, the ring's magic had failed to have an effect. It seemed that the ring's enchantment required both light and dark to function properly. Just like the creatures that had attacked the Zhentarim in Iriaebor Morhion realized-creatures conjured by Caledan's shadow magic. He put the ring away and turned his attention to the book.
Morhion had no idea what knowledge the tome contained.
It was penned in the dead language Talfir, and so far the mage had not had time to translate anything but the intriguing title: On the Nature of Shadows. However, as he bent over the time-darkened pages and began to painstakingly translate the ancient words, he had a hunch be would find something of interest between the cracked leather covers.
When he finally lifted his gaze from the book, he was surprised to see that it was growing dark.
"Hey, you're back," Ferret said with a crooked-toothed grin. "I was beginning to think it was actually possible to drown inside a book. Mari and I were about to draw straws to see who would dive in and pull you out." The thief squatted beside a small fire built in an alcove in the stone wall, stirring something in an iron pot. Mari had taken on Ferret's place atop the wall and was keeping watch. They had moved Kellen's motionless form near the fire; he was still unconscious. The mage blinked his bleary eyes. "I think you'll both want to hear what I've read in Isela's book."
"Can't it wait until after dinner?" Ferret asked. "I'm famished."
A spicy aroma arose from the pot. Morhion realized he was fiercely hungry. He nodded his assent, and the three gathered around the fire to eat. Miraculously, the thief had turned jerked meat, a handful of dried tomatoes, and a few wild-growing herbs into a delicious stew. When they set aside their wooden bowls, Morhion began explaining what he had read in the book the witch of Talis had given him. "The book is entitled On the Nature of Shadows," Morhion said in his rich voice. "It is penned in the dead language Talfir. At first I had a difficult time translating it,until I made a rather intriguing realization. In this particular dialect of Talfir,