Chapter 3

“No, what you did won’t kill him, but what you did hasn’t been done in centuries. I think we should go to the council,” the spirit said.

“NO! I will not have someone telling me what to do with my body or powers anymore!” shouted Tom, knocking the spirit off balance.

“I apologize, but you know that if you do this enough times, it will gain notice. The short battle drove your shield power to 30%—unheard of in a new mage. From what I can feel, your powers are only at 15%. You defeated the other like you were at 50 or 60 already.”

The spirit was excited. Maybe this one could stop this war; it had claimed too many.

“Let’s go home. I am exhausted,” the spirit shook its head affirmatively, and they started walking to Tom’s new home.

Staring out from the bushes not far from them, a soft flutter of wings sounded, then a brief flash before all was quiet. Back home, Tom made sure the blanket was over the house before he made dinner appear. Eating like a starving man who hadn’t been full in years, Tom finally began to feel better. Checking, the spirit saw that Tom was up more on his total power. She was glad; he was going to need it higher soon, she felt. Things were stirring in the air, and they weren’t good. Damn it! He needed help, she thought, and soon, or the dark mages were going to eat him alive.