Chapter 2

  When Caspian woke, he was laying in a large bed made of silk and wool. He looked around groggily, finding that he was in a dim room made of a dark spruce. Several dressers and tables lined the corners of the large room, each having items that Caspian had never seen before. Many of the items glowed with different colors, others pulsed gently with a warm light.

  Caspian’s eyes were drawn to a specific item, a small glass drop about the size of a small coin. It glowed brighter than the rest of the items, a warm yellow glow like that of the sun. It radiated heat, warming up the room as if a fire had been lit.

  It seemed to pull to him, drawing him to take it into his hands. He tried to rise from the bed, but his body shook with aching pain. He winced as a sharp pain stabbed through his stomach, looking down he saw thick bandages wrapped around his midsection. He carefully inspected the rest of his body, finding bandages covering his limbs and chest as well.

  “Wha-” Caspian coughed as he tried to speak, his mouth was dry and his throat burned with pain.

  He froze as the heavy door at the far end of the room creaked. He watched with careful suspicion as the doorknob twisted and the door swung open. A man who looked to be in his 70’s stood in the doorway, his balding head and sapphire eyes being the first things Caspian noticed about him. His skin was tanned and he wore thick red and silver robes.

  “Good morning, young man. You’ve been asleep for a while” He said, his voice light and whimsical. “I am Ray Balman, the leading healer of the Sorcerers Guild.”

  Ray stepped into the room, he held a tray filled with small cut sandwiches and a cup of water. He walked over to Caspian who flinched as he grew within arms reach. Ray seemed to ignore this as he pulled a hidden table from the bed, setting it up above Caspian’s lap and placing the tray down on it.

  “I would recommend drinking the water first, you’ve been surviving on healing magic for the past 2 weeks.” He said, pulling up a chair and sitting next to Caspian.

  He watched as Caspian tentatively poked at the cup and food, sniffing both. He slowly took a sip of the water and his shoulders dropped as the glorious liquid made its way down his throat. He chugged the entire cup before moving to the sandwiches, with no hesitation he devoured them in moments. The meats and cheeses melted on his tongue as he chewed, often swallowing whole bites.

  As he swallowed the last of the sandwiches, his eyes were once again drawn to the glass drop on the table. He made no move to reach it this time, but only stared at it. Why did it draw him in? Several other items in the room were more ornate or even had effects that should be more interesting. But that glass drop had snagged his attention and wasn't letting go.

  Ray followed Caspian’s gaze, seeing the Sun Drop sitting on a table at the far corner of the room. He stood and walked over to it, gently taking it into his hands and returning to the chair. He held it out for Caspian to see, the boy’s eyes gleaming with curiosity.

  “It’s called a Sun Drop.” Ray said, a smile crossing his face as he watched the boy. “It is a magical item used by Sorcerers to enhance their aura and abilities.”

  Caspian looked up at Ray, a confused look crossing his face. “What’s… what’s an aura?” He asked shyly, his face turning a light shade of pink as he realized how dumb that question must be.

  Caspian had heard the word before, his parents and other adults mentioning it offhand, but he didn't really understand what it was. Though, something about the word drew his mind back to that feeling in the forest, the pressure in his chest. The gleam of perverse glee in the bandit’s eyes. The sound his mother made as she choked on her own bl-

  Ray clicked his fingers, snapping Caspian out of the trance he found himself in. Ray had a look of worry on his face, the wrinkles on his face growing larger as he squinted slightly at Caspian.

  “Thinking about the forest? It’s best not to let your mind wander there. At least not yet.” He said, his voice soft.

  Caspian nodded, taking a slow breath. He fidgeted with his hands for a moment before Ray cleared his throat, drawing his attention.

  “Would you still like to know about auras?” He asked, Caspian nodded again, curiosity returning to his face.

  “The aura is a projection of a sorcerer’s soul, it has various effects and uses but is most often used to control a situation.” Caspian nodded along. “The stronger the sorcerer, the more powerful the aura. Auras can’t be used by non sorcerers as their soul isn't strong enough to project anything.”

  “What can you do with them?” Caspian asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity once more.

  Ray smiled and continued his explanation. “Auras, as I said, can be used for a variety of purposes. You can use them to sense souls in their range, attack souls, suppress another’s aura, influence emotions and feelings, and even apply actual physical force if the sorcerer is strong enough.”

  Caspian was elated with the explanation, seeming almost giddy about the new knowledge. Ray smiled warmly at his successful attempt to distract the boy. He felt sorrow for him, losing his parents like that at such a young age. Rolund Manir had been the one to save the boy from the bandits, almost immediately bringing him to Ray for healing.

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  “Hey kid, what’s your name? I told you mine, it seems only fair.” He said. Ray grasped his hands together and placed them into his lap as he waited.

  Caspian stopped for a moment, seeming cautious once more of this stranger. Then he seemed to make up his mind, turning his attention to Ray.

  “My name… my name is Caspian, sir. Caspian Induin.”

  Ray nodded to himself, noting that name for later.

  “So, Caspian Induin.” Ray said, making Caspian’s name sound bold. Caspian raised his shoulders slightly, which Ray noticed. “How would you like to go explore the rest of the place? This room is fun and all, but it's nothing compared to the rest of the Sorcerers Guild.” He said.

  Ray let out a laugh as Caspian practically jumped from the bed, the table moving away on its own as he skipped across the floor. Caspian stopped when he felt the pain come back, wincing and leaning on a table.

  “Ow.” He groaned, clutching at his stomach.

  Ray walked to stand beside the boy, looping an arm under his and pulling him upright. He then grabbed the arm and pulled it around his neck, giving Caspian leverage to stand comfortably.

  “Thank you.” Caspian said meekly, his face turning pink again after his outburst.

  “It is more than alright to be an excited young man.” Ray said, noticing Caspian’s embarrassment. “The thing to remember is not to push yourself harder than you can give, at least not when you don’t need to.”

  They began to take slow steps, careful not to push Caspian too hard. Every few steps, Caspian stumbled but was quickly pulled back up by Ray. It took a while before they made it out of the dimly lit building, stepping out into a bright morning. Caspian squinted as the sun nearly blinded him, goosebumps ran down his back as a cool breeze flowed past him.

  After a few moments, Caspian could see his surroundings clearly. They were standing on a street made of smooth stone bricks, the houses on either side of the large road made of dark oak and chiseled stone. He could see in the distance massive tents rising into the air, each colored a glorious red. A several hundred foot tall quarts wall lined the entire town, flags every hundred feet displaying a symbol of a rainbow flame.

  “Welcome to the Sorcerers Guild’s main territory.” Ray said, turning down to the boy next to him. “Here, we train would-be sorcerers and give them a home.”

  Caspian gaped at the sight, his eyes sparkled with amazement. He turned his head as someone flew by, riding the air like a board. Other people journeyed down the road at various speeds, none used the speed he had seen previously.

  Ray helped him walk down the road, heading towards a large square with several stalls and smaller tents. At the far end was a tent that took up the entire side of the square, the smell of delicious food made its way to Caspian’s senses.

  “This is one of the many food tents on the grounds. There’s someone I want you to meet here.” Ray said with a smile.

  He led Caspian into the tent, stopping to nod a greeting at the guard outside. The guard stood at attention when he approached, his glowing blue sword dissipating.

  “Good morning, Sir Balman.” He said, the respect in his words clear even to Caspian.

  As they entered the tent, Caspian was assaulted with the sound of hundreds of people conversing, eating, and having fun. Massive tables full of food lined one end of the tent, dozens of barrels of liquid lining the other. In the middle of the tent was a set of long dining tables, each having over 80 people on either side. Ray led Caspian to an empty section of one of the tables, gently lowering him down into the worn bench.

  “I’m going to go get you a drink. Until then, you need to meet someone.” He said, turning and walking away.

  “Wait! Who am I-” Caspian hollered after him, his voice dying out in the cacophony of noise. His shoulders slumped as he watched his only comfort in this strange place leave his sight.

  “I think,” A voice said from behind him. “He was talking about me.” The voice was gruff and deep. It seemed very familiar to Caspian, who turned to see who it was.

  Before him stood the man from the forest, his chocolate skin and light brown hair easily recognizable. He wore the same clothing as before, though Caspian noted the lack of blood. The man sat down across from him, a plate of steaming buttered rolls in his hand. He set it between them and grabbed one of the rolls, biting into it with a satisfied grunt.

  Caspian stared at the man for a long moment, his face contemplative and hesitant. He grabbed a buttered roll and gently nibbled on it, his entire body seeming to melt as the flavor hit his tongue.They ate in silence for a few minutes before Caspian looked up from the remaining piece of roll in his hand, his gaze resting on the man in front of him.

  “I… You… You saved me. Thank you.” Caspian murmured, embarrassment in his expression.

  The man turned his eyes up to the boy, a soft smile crossing his face. “It’s my duty, they need help, we sorcerers give it.” His words are gentle, his voice softer than his usual gruff tone.

  Caspian stayed silent, his mind racing with the questions he wanted to ask of the man. He ignored the one blaring in his head like a siren, he already knew his parents were dead; asking would only make his roiling storm of emotions worse.

  Eventually, he took a shaking breath. “Did… anyone else survive?” He asked slowly, each word seeming to pain him as they left his mouth.

  The man shook his head somberly, folding his hands and resting them on the table.

  “I’m sorry, but no. You were in the most danger so I got to you first, but my sorcerers couldn't protect the others. You were the only survivor. I’m sorry Caspian.” His shoulders sagged slightly as the weight of his words truly rested on him.

  Caspian looked up. “How do you?” He asked, titling his head in confusion. He was happy for any distraction.

  “How’d I know your name? I'm a sorcerer, my senses are enhanced beyond human limitations. I heard you tell Ray Balman your name when you woke up.” The man answered, also perking up at the change in topic.

  “You know him?” Caspian asked, his eyes lighting up at the mention of the only person he knew in the strange place.

  The man smiled, leaning in. “Of course I know him, he’s famous.” He whispered conspiratorially. Caspian also leaned in, practically hopping in his seat.

  “He’s famous?” Caspian breathed giddily, a smile pulling at his lips.

  The man nodded, his face creasing as his smile grew. “Oh yeah, he’s one of the most gifted healers on the planet. He got his healing powers from Ymar, the God of Blessings, when he was just a kid.”

  Caspian gasped, his awe at the mention of a God apparent. “A God.” He said, astonished.

  “He even met the God once, I was there. I was a kid when it happened, no older than you.” The man whispered, his eyes gleaming with joy at the boy’s amazement.

  “What was it like? Was it awesome?” Caspian asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

  “It was divine. Being in a God’s presence is like nothing I can describe.” He said, the awe clear in his voice as well.