December 30, 2024 • 22 mins
Artifacts of the Arcane:
The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn’t abandoned the world.
Can Tommy escape from the Citadel of London?
----
Find out more about series writer Jake Kerr:
https://jakekerr.com
Check out our other drama podcasts!
The Thieves Guild
An epic fantasy centered around the city-state of Ness
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thievesguild
Thursday
A cyberpunk VR Thriller
No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday
----
Find out more about series writer Jake Kerr:
https://jakekerr.com
Check out our other drama podcasts!
The Thieves Guild
An epic fantasy centered around the city-state of Ness
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thievesguild
Thursday
A cyberpunk VR Thriller
No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday
The world has abandoned magic, but magic hasn’t abandoned the world.
Can Tommy escape from the Citadel of London?
----
Find out more about series writer Jake Kerr:
https://jakekerr.com
Check out our other drama podcasts!
The Thieves Guild
An epic fantasy centered around the city-state of Ness
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thievesguild
Thursday
A cyberpunk VR Thriller
No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday
----
Find out more about series writer Jake Kerr:
https://jakekerr.com
Check out our other drama podcasts!
The Thieves Guild
An epic fantasy centered around the city-state of Ness
Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thievesguild
Thursday
A cyberpunk VR Thriller
No one can be trusted when nothing is real.
https://podcastalchemy.studio/thursday
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Artifacts of the Arkane by Jake Kerr, Season one, The
Staff of Light, episode seventeen, a surprise show of fear.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
I considered following my great grandfather, but I knew that
I had no time. Mister Ali wanted the Staff to
destroy it. Cain wanted the staff to use it. They
were probably looking for me, and no one seemed to
care about finding or rescuing my grandfather, not even his
own father. The best thing for me to do was
to look for him on my own. Wait, not on
(00:42):
my own with Naomi. I quickly put my shoes on
and rushed back to her room. I rapped on the
door and it opened after the first knock. You will
not believe what happened. She waved me into the room.
I considered Kin arriving and warning her about me, or
Ali chasing me down, or someone else ruining our plans.
(01:05):
What She walked over and fell onto the cot. The
headboy stopped by.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
He told me that if i'd reconsider my unreasonable refusal
to learn some domestic spells, he was given permission to
teach me some elementary shields.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it, shaking her
head back and forth, her hair flying about her face.
She stopped and tossed the pillow next to her.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I needed that.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
She looked at me, smiled, and then frowned again as
she continued speaking.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
He acted like he was going out of his way
to do me some great favor, and when I asked him,
he couldn't even do the blessing of Kaeva. My mother
taught me that when I was ten. The entire academy
is filled with incompetence.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
You should have illustrated how to cast a detonation using
him as a target. Of course, I was tempted. I
sat on the chair. I had a visitor too. Naomi
sat up. Who was it, kin, No, it was my
great grandfather. I then described his visit and the history
of the staff. I left nothing out because I wanted
(02:10):
to see what Naomi would say.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
A gardener in a street light doesn't sound very powerful
to me.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I knew she was teasing because she was smiling when
she said it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Oh, well, you may as well use your instrument of
oppression to free us. You can deal with your wicked
family legacy later.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Well, I knew that Naomi was teasing. The truth was
uncomfortably close to the surface. I decided to change the
topic to more practical concerns. So how am I to
free us? Naomi smiled and held up her index finger.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You blind everyone with the staff, and we could just
walk out while they stumble around.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
She held up another finger.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I could send a detonation off through a window near
the main building here as everyone runs to investigate, we
could sneak out.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
She held up a third finger.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I could just blow up everyone as we fight O
way out.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
She dropped her hand, and when I didn't reply, she added.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Actually, I rather like the third idea.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I think there may be too many soldiers for you
to blow up everyone. I shrugged.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
You're right, looks like you get to blind everyone.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
I don't like that idea either. I don't want to
blind anyone. I actually wouldn't have minded blinding Cain, but
I didn't mention that I think we should just sneak out.
Naomi stood up. I could tell that I angered and
disappointed her. Again, are you kidding? You expect to just
walk out? She waved her finger at me.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
And you're worried about blinding people when Cain set you
on fire and Ali set shadows to attack you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
She stood above me, her hands on her hips and
her blonde hair a tangled mess and yet still magnificent
as it framed her angry face. I wanted to do
nothing more than to impress her, but the thought of
hurting innocent soldiers as we escaped was repugnant to me.
For the first time, I challenged her that always your
solution isn't it hurt others so things are easier for you.
(04:04):
I stood up, and her eyes went wide. Well, you
know what, Sometimes hurting people doesn't get the job done.
It was my turn to point my finger at her.
I know you're alone and it hurts. I'm alone and
it hurts. But my solution isn't to just destroy things.
I turned and threw my hands up and walked away
from her. You're a powerful magician. Maybe you can just
(04:27):
cast an illusion spell. I said the words more out
of frustration than as a real idea. Naomi was quiet,
so I turned to look at her. To my shock,
the furious clench of her jaw that somehow made her
even more pretty, transformed into a smile.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yes, that's a good idea.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
She shook her head, slid her hair behind her ears,
and then rolled up her sleeves. When I didn't say anything,
she added, I can get us out of here, and
I believed her. I had never seen her cast an illusion,
and it was obvious that the various magicians all seemed
to focus on one aspect of magic. The masters were
an example of that. Naomi seemed to embrace the mastery
(05:06):
of destructive magic that Master Richard did. But I had
also seen her shield spell, and also the spell she
did for Lord Gort. Why couldn't she be as mighty
as three masters? She knew more about magic than any
one other than perhaps Kan. What do you have in mind?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
It is a spell that will have us fade into
the background. I have only cast it on stationary items,
and it will be very difficult to maintain while walking.
I will need to keep my eyes closed while I concentrate.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
She turned to me.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
You will need to hold my arm and guide me
as we walk.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
She held out her arm and I fumbled with the
cane as I moved it to my left hand. I
took hold of her arm and Naomi then closed her eyes.
It all seemed a bit sudden, but Naomi seemed impatient
to get going.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Let me know when you're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Naomi was already making motions with her right hand and
moving toward the door. I open the door and I
guided Naomi through. I guided us down the stairs and
almost jerked us to a halt when I saw Felise
pacing around the entryway as if she were waiting for someone.
I trusted Naomi, however, and continued to walk steadily toward
the door. Felice didn't notice us when her gaze wandered
(06:17):
our way. She just continued to look around, just like
Naomi had said, we had somehow faded into the background.
We exited the building and I considered whether I should
try to find some other way out, but the front
gate was closest. Her arm constantly moved under my hand,
and I did my best to guide her while not
interrupting her spell. I noticed trouble in the distance. I
(06:40):
could see the three masters moving in a group toward
the door we just exited. I did my best to
increase our pace, but we were still a long way
from the gate. It was at that point that I
realized the illusions surrounding the citadel had completely confused me.
I looked around, I saw the gate clearly ahead, but
as I looked elsewhere. It moved to my left. I
(07:02):
had just assured myself that the gate was ahead of
me when it appeared to the left again. Surprised, I
jerked Naomi's arm as I tried to change directions and
get our bearings correct. She exhaled an oh. I steadied
both of us, but it was too late. Naomi's hands
started to move even faster, and as I looked at her,
perspiration formed on her forehead. We took another few steps
(07:25):
before Naomi whispered. Her voice strained, the illusion is failing.
After a few more steps, she opened her eyes and
looked right at me.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Run.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
We ran. There were shouts, and soldiers swarmed across the
field toward us. There were a few dozen soldiers at
the gate, and the nonchalance of how they stood waiting
for us was more disturbing than the soldiers chasing us.
It underscored the absurdity of our position. We were just
running into their arms. It was then that I saw
a flash and an explosion above the gate. Bits of
(07:56):
stone rained down on the soldiers, and their nonchalance quickly
turned to attention. Some fled through the gate, while others
dropped to their knees and raise rifles to their shoulders.
I looked at Naomi. She was preparing another detonation. The
ratitat of machine gun fire sounded and I could see
the bullets hitting the dust behind us. They have machine guns.
(08:17):
We can't beat them with force. I looked at the
staff in my hand, and I knew what I had
to do. Cain would kill us for the staff, there
was no doubt. I didn't want to think that mister
Ali would kill us to destroy the staff, but he
had attacked his own family at the Persian Garden for it.
Our situation was desperate. I knew I could blind everyone
with the power of the staff. They would not be dead,
(08:39):
but they would live the rest of their lives in
permanent darkness. Was that something that I could accept. We
ran toward the wall as the words of my great
grandfather entered my head. I was the most powerful arch
mage in history, but all I could do was create light. Wait,
he said I could do more than that. I could
bend light. And what was that about absence of light?
(09:03):
Then it hit me, could I absorb light? Could I
blind everyone temporarily not by burning their eyes with light,
but by taking the light away? I squeezed the staff
and everything went black. No, it was darker than black,
a phligenous deepness that was impossible, the total absence of light.
I stumbled and threw my arms out.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
What happened? Have you blinded us too?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
I grabbed Naomi's arm. I shook my head in disbelief.
I had blinded everyone, all right, including us. You idiot,
You did it, didn't you? You have blinded us too.
Naomi tried to pull her arm away, but I held strong.
We are not blind. There is just no light. Keep walking.
They still know where we are. I could hear shouts
(09:51):
in the distance, and the sound of boots stumbling about
where does the darkness end? Her voice was hushed, and
my heart leapt as I took her tone as meaning
she was impressed. I don't know, but I wanted darkness
for as far as I could see. So I believe
it is to the horizon.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Nice job, but it would be nicer if we could see.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I considered the idea of just letting light enter our
eyes but no one else's, but I sensed that it
would be impossible. I then considered creating a cocoon of
light that only surrounded us and As soon as I
thought of it, I realized that the staff could make
it so light exploded around us and I had to
cover my eyes. It wasn't that the light was extremely bright,
(10:34):
it was that our eyes went from no light to
light in an instant. The contrast was painful, and both
Naomi and I stumbled. As my eyes got used to
the light, I could see that we were surrounded by
a perfect sphere of light that extended about five feet
around us. Beyond was perfect black. The light emanated from
(10:54):
the tip of the staff, and as I moved the staff,
the sphere moved. I walked forward a step, and the
light followed street light. While it was her insult of
choice for me, I could see that she was smiling
when she said it. We made our way toward the gate,
and that was when we ran into someone. As the
soldier entered the sphere of light, he threw his arms
(11:14):
over his eyes and cried out, what is it? The
voice came from just beyond the circle. We retreated backward
from the soldier, once again plunging him in darkness. I
found them my wonderful magic didn't seem to be very effective.
After all, we could find our way out with the light.
But there were too many soldiers for us to get
away without alerting them to our position or allowing them
(11:36):
to see.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Us make for the field. It is so large that
our likelihood of running into someone is low.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
After about thirty yards, Naomi stopped. Her eyes were darting
around us.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Could you make the light smaller that would lower the
chance of others finding us.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
I nodded and reduced the size of the sphere to
just outside our grasp. As the light settled around us,
I heard a metallic voice. The slight echo the baritone.
The last time I heard the voice was in an
alley back in New York. The only difference was that
the voice was now speaking in English, Vingrosh ouch Mage.
(12:17):
The voice came from just beyond our circle of light.
I squeezed the staff in my hand, considering destroying him
immediately by filling the entire countryside with a blistering magical light,
but I stayed my hand. I wanted to know of
my grandfather, and I had hoped that Vingrosh would know
his whereabouts.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
I've been following you much made, but I feared to
a prooge.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
The idea that Vingrosh feared me, made me smile even
as it awed me. Vingrosh was afraid of me. I
was not just a street light. Perhaps my great grandfather
was correct? Where is my grandfather? My voice was not
just steady, but commanding. Understanding my power over the sh
(13:00):
shadows gave me confidence. I may still have been weak
compared to Cain, but for creatures of darkness, I was mighty. Indeed,
the Pentagon.
Speaker 4 (13:08):
Is safe, but the Gin have taken him and his shield.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
His shield, he must have meant, mister Oz, I cannot.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Order the Gin to return him. They followed their own counsel.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
The voice had moved behind me. I swiftly turned to
face it. While that would have frightened me before, now
I considered it as an indication of Vingrosch's fright.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
This darkness you have created.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I want my grandfather back. I extended the light around
us slightly. There was a metallic cry, and before he
could reply, I added, and mister Oz too. I thought
of the last time I saw them both bruised and
bloodied in the Persian Fortress in Manhattan.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
I belead you to them, but can do no more
than that. It is up to the Gin. I will
speak to them on your behalf. But you must, you
must build this a home of this darkness you have created.
I have followed you to discuss the staff, but this
is something else, entirely this darkness. I have never experienced
(14:13):
anything so tranquil and beautiful. You must build us a
home of this darkness.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
It took me a moment to understand what he was saying.
I had removed all light. I had created a shadow
deeper than any possible for a shadow. The magical darkness
I created must have been like heaven. VN Grosh wanted
me to build that for him and presumably his people.
I considered the idea I could do it. That was obvious.
(14:43):
The staff told me so. This was the price of
freedom for my grandfather and mister Oz, and perhaps others.
But what of the staff. Vn Grosh attacked us for
the staff. Would he still try to take it? You
will take the staff.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
No, Archmage, Your power is great. No one can defeat you.
We can only hope to beg your kindness. Provide us
with the dark that is darker than dark, and we
will depart this world to live there.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
I looked at Naomi and she shrugged. I will do
this for you, but you must lead me to my
grandfather and mister Oz. I looked around, and we must
escape this place first.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
The citadel's electrical light defenses were silenced by your magic.
It is dark.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Seconds later I heard screams, both near and far. I
didn't want him to kill anyone. Vingosh, do not kill them.
We just need to escape.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Say I'm not dead.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Archmage Vingrosch's voice came from in front of me, and this,
more than anything, calmed me. He knew I could destroy
him in an instant, yet the hope I heard in
his voice led him to trust me.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
We hope them in our darkness. They are elsewhere. We
will return them after you depart.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
While vn Grosh assured me that no one was hurt,
I remembered the horror of losing all feeling in my
hand as it passed into a shadow. The thought that
someone's entire body would be in that void without any
feeling or sight filled me with sadness and revulsion. Naomi
interrupted my thoughts. We need to go, Tommy. I don't
(16:22):
know if he is telling the truth, but we need
to get out of here. She grabbed my arm and
tugged me toward the gate. I nodded and followed her lead.
After a few steps, she punched my arm.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
Not bad street light shadows are good allies to have.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
We were quiet until we passed through the gate and
were a few yards down the road leading away from
the citadel. Naomi broke the silence.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
As soon as I know where we are, I'll get
us to a way station.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I've changed my mind. We are not taking a train.
The words of my great grandfather about the trains running on,
the tortured magic of mariads, and the memory of the
wail I heard away the whale I now knew was
of horrific pain were reasons enough for me. Using one
again was something I would never do.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Got a better idea.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Naomi looked at me, a look of annoyance on her face.
The look bothered me. I wanted her to look up
to me, to respect me, to want to be near me,
And yet I was about to tell her that her
dead mother's life was dedicated to the propagation of slavery.
But I had to no. I don't have another plan.
(17:30):
But I need to tell you why we can't use
the trains.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
You must use the Railsachmage.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
The voice of Vingrosh came from nearby.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Your grandfather is a perceptitous near Shuras in Persia. There
is no better way to get there.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
I realized that we were still surrounded by a cloak
of blackness. I wanted to see Vingrosh better and wondered
if we were safe. I am going to lift the
darkness as you wish.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
We are away from the lights and full of those
that were chasing you.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
I let light return and saw ving Grosch a massive
black at the edge of the road. I turned to him,
But the Merid, this is about the Marid. You are
concerned about that. I ignored Naomi and waited.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
You know of the slaves. Your concerned is noble, But
there is no other option that will put the staff
at risk.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
So that was it. Then it wasn't about the slavery
of the Merit for ving Grosh either. It was about
the staff, and it appeared my ability to create a
perfectly dark and safe home for his people was I
the only one who cared. I shook my head. We
don't appear to have a choice if I'm to save
my grandfather. But I will talk to the Merit before
(18:47):
we go.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
The merit will not listen, Ouch Maje your words.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
And slaves them talking to the engine. This I have
to see. I found Naomi's callousness painful. Did she not
see magical creatures as people? We were having a conversation
with one she had called the shadows great allies? How
could she not see that enslaving them was evil? Knowing
(19:12):
this wasn't a conversation we needed to have at that moment,
I changed the subject. We still have to find a
way station. First, I look down the road. Maybe we
can find a street sign or something. In response, Naomi
strode ahead and didn't seem inclined to have me catch up.
After a few minutes, I spoke up, why are there
(19:33):
so few magicians? It was a question that had bothered
me since I discovered that beyond Cain there were only
three masters in England, and two of them were Persian.
Naomi slowed down and answered, although she still didn't turn
to look at me.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Perhaps it is because it is almost incomprehensibly difficult.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
She kicked at the dirt.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
And why bother training five years to learn a single
detonation spell when they are no more powerful a rifle
which any idiot can use.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
The bitterness in Naomi's voice was thick. I didn't reply
and gave Naomi her space. Her answer reminded me of
my experience with my grandfather at Coney Island. He had
told the illusionist to use magic on the water that
couldn't be replicated by science, and the magician couldn't do it.
Was that the secret to the disappearance of magic, that
(20:24):
it was archaic and ineffective compared to technology like a
horse drawn carriage or gas street lamp. The thought that
it was all just a waste of time made me
realize how hard it must be for Naomi. She spent
her life studying something that was completely useless. I felt
bad for her, even as I still found her attitude
toward the plight of the marriage troubling. Maybe it was
(20:47):
all of a piece. She was desperately clinging to magic,
no matter what the source. I found it all too
complex and difficult to understand. Luckily, I saw a road
sign in the distance, which was not only an opportunity
to get our bearings, but was also a way to
get our minds off our troubled thoughts. There's a road ahead.
(21:09):
She didn't say anything, but didn't increase her pace to
get away from me either. It was something There was
a sign at the intersection London Road.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That's not very helpful. It's probably miles long and extends
all over the city.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yes, but that is I pointed up London Road. There
was a sign that said Wentworth Club. Is there a
station in Wentworth? No, but there's one in Sunningdale. She
pointed to a smaller sign that had an arrow pointing
down London Road. In the other direction, it said Sunningdale
Golf Club. We turned up London Road and marched along
(21:46):
the side. A few automobiles and horses passed us, but
for the most part we continued on in silence, the
sniping of our previous conversation not being something that I
at least wanted to repeat. We reached the station and
I knew what I had to do, whether it permanently
alienated Naomi from me or not. A Podcast Alchemy production
Artifacts of the Arkane by Jake Kerr, Season one, The
Staff of Light, episode seventeen, a surprise show of fear.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
I considered following my great grandfather, but I knew that
I had no time. Mister Ali wanted the Staff to
destroy it. Cain wanted the staff to use it. They
were probably looking for me, and no one seemed to
care about finding or rescuing my grandfather, not even his
own father. The best thing for me to do was
to look for him on my own. Wait, not on
(00:42):
my own with Naomi. I quickly put my shoes on
and rushed back to her room. I rapped on the
door and it opened after the first knock. You will
not believe what happened. She waved me into the room.
I considered Kin arriving and warning her about me, or
Ali chasing me down, or someone else ruining our plans.
(01:05):
What She walked over and fell onto the cot. The
headboy stopped by.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
He told me that if i'd reconsider my unreasonable refusal
to learn some domestic spells, he was given permission to
teach me some elementary shields.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it, shaking her
head back and forth, her hair flying about her face.
She stopped and tossed the pillow next to her.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I needed that.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
She looked at me, smiled, and then frowned again as
she continued speaking.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
He acted like he was going out of his way
to do me some great favor, and when I asked him,
he couldn't even do the blessing of Kaeva. My mother
taught me that when I was ten. The entire academy
is filled with incompetence.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
You should have illustrated how to cast a detonation using
him as a target. Of course, I was tempted. I
sat on the chair. I had a visitor too. Naomi
sat up. Who was it, kin, No, it was my
great grandfather. I then described his visit and the history
of the staff. I left nothing out because I wanted
(02:10):
to see what Naomi would say.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
A gardener in a street light doesn't sound very powerful
to me.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I knew she was teasing because she was smiling when
she said it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Oh, well, you may as well use your instrument of
oppression to free us. You can deal with your wicked
family legacy later.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Well, I knew that Naomi was teasing. The truth was
uncomfortably close to the surface. I decided to change the
topic to more practical concerns. So how am I to
free us? Naomi smiled and held up her index finger.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You blind everyone with the staff, and we could just
walk out while they stumble around.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
She held up another finger.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
I could send a detonation off through a window near
the main building here as everyone runs to investigate, we
could sneak out.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
She held up a third finger.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I could just blow up everyone as we fight O
way out.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
She dropped her hand, and when I didn't reply, she added.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Actually, I rather like the third idea.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
I think there may be too many soldiers for you
to blow up everyone. I shrugged.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
You're right, looks like you get to blind everyone.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
I don't like that idea either. I don't want to
blind anyone. I actually wouldn't have minded blinding Cain, but
I didn't mention that I think we should just sneak out.
Naomi stood up. I could tell that I angered and
disappointed her. Again, are you kidding? You expect to just
walk out? She waved her finger at me.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
And you're worried about blinding people when Cain set you
on fire and Ali set shadows to attack you.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
She stood above me, her hands on her hips and
her blonde hair a tangled mess and yet still magnificent
as it framed her angry face. I wanted to do
nothing more than to impress her, but the thought of
hurting innocent soldiers as we escaped was repugnant to me.
For the first time, I challenged her that always your
solution isn't it hurt others so things are easier for you.
(04:04):
I stood up, and her eyes went wide. Well, you
know what, Sometimes hurting people doesn't get the job done.
It was my turn to point my finger at her.
I know you're alone and it hurts. I'm alone and
it hurts. But my solution isn't to just destroy things.
I turned and threw my hands up and walked away
from her. You're a powerful magician. Maybe you can just
(04:27):
cast an illusion spell. I said the words more out
of frustration than as a real idea. Naomi was quiet,
so I turned to look at her. To my shock,
the furious clench of her jaw that somehow made her
even more pretty, transformed into a smile.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yes, that's a good idea.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
She shook her head, slid her hair behind her ears,
and then rolled up her sleeves. When I didn't say anything,
she added, I can get us out of here, and
I believed her. I had never seen her cast an illusion,
and it was obvious that the various magicians all seemed
to focus on one aspect of magic. The masters were
an example of that. Naomi seemed to embrace the mastery
(05:06):
of destructive magic that Master Richard did. But I had
also seen her shield spell, and also the spell she
did for Lord Gort. Why couldn't she be as mighty
as three masters? She knew more about magic than any
one other than perhaps Kan. What do you have in mind?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
It is a spell that will have us fade into
the background. I have only cast it on stationary items,
and it will be very difficult to maintain while walking.
I will need to keep my eyes closed while I concentrate.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
She turned to me.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
You will need to hold my arm and guide me
as we walk.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
She held out her arm and I fumbled with the
cane as I moved it to my left hand. I
took hold of her arm and Naomi then closed her eyes.
It all seemed a bit sudden, but Naomi seemed impatient
to get going.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
Let me know when you're ready.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Naomi was already making motions with her right hand and
moving toward the door. I open the door and I
guided Naomi through. I guided us down the stairs and
almost jerked us to a halt when I saw Felise
pacing around the entryway as if she were waiting for someone.
I trusted Naomi, however, and continued to walk steadily toward
the door. Felice didn't notice us when her gaze wandered
(06:17):
our way. She just continued to look around, just like
Naomi had said, we had somehow faded into the background.
We exited the building and I considered whether I should
try to find some other way out, but the front
gate was closest. Her arm constantly moved under my hand,
and I did my best to guide her while not
interrupting her spell. I noticed trouble in the distance. I
(06:40):
could see the three masters moving in a group toward
the door we just exited. I did my best to
increase our pace, but we were still a long way
from the gate. It was at that point that I
realized the illusions surrounding the citadel had completely confused me.
I looked around, I saw the gate clearly ahead, but
as I looked elsewhere. It moved to my left. I
(07:02):
had just assured myself that the gate was ahead of
me when it appeared to the left again. Surprised, I
jerked Naomi's arm as I tried to change directions and
get our bearings correct. She exhaled an oh. I steadied
both of us, but it was too late. Naomi's hands
started to move even faster, and as I looked at her,
perspiration formed on her forehead. We took another few steps
(07:25):
before Naomi whispered. Her voice strained, the illusion is failing.
After a few more steps, she opened her eyes and
looked right at me.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Run.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
We ran. There were shouts, and soldiers swarmed across the
field toward us. There were a few dozen soldiers at
the gate, and the nonchalance of how they stood waiting
for us was more disturbing than the soldiers chasing us.
It underscored the absurdity of our position. We were just
running into their arms. It was then that I saw
a flash and an explosion above the gate. Bits of
(07:56):
stone rained down on the soldiers, and their nonchalance quickly
turned to attention. Some fled through the gate, while others
dropped to their knees and raise rifles to their shoulders.
I looked at Naomi. She was preparing another detonation. The
ratitat of machine gun fire sounded and I could see
the bullets hitting the dust behind us. They have machine guns.
(08:17):
We can't beat them with force. I looked at the
staff in my hand, and I knew what I had
to do. Cain would kill us for the staff, there
was no doubt. I didn't want to think that mister
Ali would kill us to destroy the staff, but he
had attacked his own family at the Persian Garden for it.
Our situation was desperate. I knew I could blind everyone
with the power of the staff. They would not be dead,
(08:39):
but they would live the rest of their lives in
permanent darkness. Was that something that I could accept. We
ran toward the wall as the words of my great
grandfather entered my head. I was the most powerful arch
mage in history, but all I could do was create light. Wait,
he said I could do more than that. I could
bend light. And what was that about absence of light?
(09:03):
Then it hit me, could I absorb light? Could I
blind everyone temporarily not by burning their eyes with light,
but by taking the light away? I squeezed the staff
and everything went black. No, it was darker than black,
a phligenous deepness that was impossible, the total absence of light.
I stumbled and threw my arms out.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
What happened? Have you blinded us too?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
I grabbed Naomi's arm. I shook my head in disbelief.
I had blinded everyone, all right, including us. You idiot,
You did it, didn't you? You have blinded us too.
Naomi tried to pull her arm away, but I held strong.
We are not blind. There is just no light. Keep walking.
They still know where we are. I could hear shouts
(09:51):
in the distance, and the sound of boots stumbling about
where does the darkness end? Her voice was hushed, and
my heart leapt as I took her tone as meaning
she was impressed. I don't know, but I wanted darkness
for as far as I could see. So I believe
it is to the horizon.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Nice job, but it would be nicer if we could see.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
I considered the idea of just letting light enter our
eyes but no one else's, but I sensed that it
would be impossible. I then considered creating a cocoon of
light that only surrounded us and As soon as I
thought of it, I realized that the staff could make
it so light exploded around us and I had to
cover my eyes. It wasn't that the light was extremely bright,
(10:34):
it was that our eyes went from no light to
light in an instant. The contrast was painful, and both
Naomi and I stumbled. As my eyes got used to
the light, I could see that we were surrounded by
a perfect sphere of light that extended about five feet
around us. Beyond was perfect black. The light emanated from
(10:54):
the tip of the staff, and as I moved the staff,
the sphere moved. I walked forward a step, and the
light followed street light. While it was her insult of
choice for me, I could see that she was smiling
when she said it. We made our way toward the gate,
and that was when we ran into someone. As the
soldier entered the sphere of light, he threw his arms
(11:14):
over his eyes and cried out, what is it? The
voice came from just beyond the circle. We retreated backward
from the soldier, once again plunging him in darkness. I
found them my wonderful magic didn't seem to be very effective.
After all, we could find our way out with the light.
But there were too many soldiers for us to get
away without alerting them to our position or allowing them
(11:36):
to see.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Us make for the field. It is so large that
our likelihood of running into someone is low.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
After about thirty yards, Naomi stopped. Her eyes were darting
around us.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Could you make the light smaller that would lower the
chance of others finding us.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
I nodded and reduced the size of the sphere to
just outside our grasp. As the light settled around us,
I heard a metallic voice. The slight echo the baritone.
The last time I heard the voice was in an
alley back in New York. The only difference was that
the voice was now speaking in English, Vingrosh ouch Mage.
(12:17):
The voice came from just beyond our circle of light.
I squeezed the staff in my hand, considering destroying him
immediately by filling the entire countryside with a blistering magical light,
but I stayed my hand. I wanted to know of
my grandfather, and I had hoped that Vingrosh would know
his whereabouts.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
I've been following you much made, but I feared to
a prooge.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
The idea that Vingrosh feared me, made me smile even
as it awed me. Vingrosh was afraid of me. I
was not just a street light. Perhaps my great grandfather
was correct? Where is my grandfather? My voice was not
just steady, but commanding. Understanding my power over the sh
(13:00):
shadows gave me confidence. I may still have been weak
compared to Cain, but for creatures of darkness, I was mighty. Indeed,
the Pentagon.
Speaker 4 (13:08):
Is safe, but the Gin have taken him and his shield.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
His shield, he must have meant, mister Oz, I cannot.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Order the Gin to return him. They followed their own counsel.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
The voice had moved behind me. I swiftly turned to
face it. While that would have frightened me before, now
I considered it as an indication of Vingrosch's fright.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
This darkness you have created.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
I want my grandfather back. I extended the light around
us slightly. There was a metallic cry, and before he
could reply, I added, and mister Oz too. I thought
of the last time I saw them both bruised and
bloodied in the Persian Fortress in Manhattan.
Speaker 4 (13:47):
I belead you to them, but can do no more
than that. It is up to the Gin. I will
speak to them on your behalf. But you must, you
must build this a home of this darkness you have created.
I have followed you to discuss the staff, but this
is something else, entirely this darkness. I have never experienced
(14:13):
anything so tranquil and beautiful. You must build us a
home of this darkness.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
It took me a moment to understand what he was saying.
I had removed all light. I had created a shadow
deeper than any possible for a shadow. The magical darkness
I created must have been like heaven. VN Grosh wanted
me to build that for him and presumably his people.
I considered the idea I could do it. That was obvious.
(14:43):
The staff told me so. This was the price of
freedom for my grandfather and mister Oz, and perhaps others.
But what of the staff. Vn Grosh attacked us for
the staff. Would he still try to take it? You
will take the staff.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
No, Archmage, Your power is great. No one can defeat you.
We can only hope to beg your kindness. Provide us
with the dark that is darker than dark, and we
will depart this world to live there.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
I looked at Naomi and she shrugged. I will do
this for you, but you must lead me to my
grandfather and mister Oz. I looked around, and we must
escape this place first.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
The citadel's electrical light defenses were silenced by your magic.
It is dark.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Seconds later I heard screams, both near and far. I
didn't want him to kill anyone. Vingosh, do not kill them.
We just need to escape.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Say I'm not dead.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
Archmage Vingrosch's voice came from in front of me, and this,
more than anything, calmed me. He knew I could destroy
him in an instant, yet the hope I heard in
his voice led him to trust me.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
We hope them in our darkness. They are elsewhere. We
will return them after you depart.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
While vn Grosh assured me that no one was hurt,
I remembered the horror of losing all feeling in my
hand as it passed into a shadow. The thought that
someone's entire body would be in that void without any
feeling or sight filled me with sadness and revulsion. Naomi
interrupted my thoughts. We need to go, Tommy. I don't
(16:22):
know if he is telling the truth, but we need
to get out of here. She grabbed my arm and
tugged me toward the gate. I nodded and followed her lead.
After a few steps, she punched my arm.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
Not bad street light shadows are good allies to have.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
We were quiet until we passed through the gate and
were a few yards down the road leading away from
the citadel. Naomi broke the silence.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
As soon as I know where we are, I'll get
us to a way station.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I've changed my mind. We are not taking a train.
The words of my great grandfather about the trains running on,
the tortured magic of mariads, and the memory of the
wail I heard away the whale I now knew was
of horrific pain were reasons enough for me. Using one
again was something I would never do.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Got a better idea.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Naomi looked at me, a look of annoyance on her face.
The look bothered me. I wanted her to look up
to me, to respect me, to want to be near me,
And yet I was about to tell her that her
dead mother's life was dedicated to the propagation of slavery.
But I had to no. I don't have another plan.
(17:30):
But I need to tell you why we can't use
the trains.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
You must use the Railsachmage.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
The voice of Vingrosh came from nearby.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
Your grandfather is a perceptitous near Shuras in Persia. There
is no better way to get there.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
I realized that we were still surrounded by a cloak
of blackness. I wanted to see Vingrosh better and wondered
if we were safe. I am going to lift the
darkness as you wish.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
We are away from the lights and full of those
that were chasing you.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
I let light return and saw ving Grosch a massive
black at the edge of the road. I turned to him,
But the Merid, this is about the Marid. You are
concerned about that. I ignored Naomi and waited.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
You know of the slaves. Your concerned is noble, But
there is no other option that will put the staff
at risk.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
So that was it. Then it wasn't about the slavery
of the Merit for ving Grosh either. It was about
the staff, and it appeared my ability to create a
perfectly dark and safe home for his people was I
the only one who cared. I shook my head. We
don't appear to have a choice if I'm to save
my grandfather. But I will talk to the Merit before
(18:47):
we go.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
The merit will not listen, Ouch Maje your words.
Speaker 5 (18:51):
And slaves them talking to the engine. This I have
to see. I found Naomi's callousness painful. Did she not
see magical creatures as people? We were having a conversation
with one she had called the shadows great allies? How
could she not see that enslaving them was evil? Knowing
(19:12):
this wasn't a conversation we needed to have at that moment,
I changed the subject. We still have to find a
way station. First, I look down the road. Maybe we
can find a street sign or something. In response, Naomi
strode ahead and didn't seem inclined to have me catch up.
After a few minutes, I spoke up, why are there
(19:33):
so few magicians? It was a question that had bothered
me since I discovered that beyond Cain there were only
three masters in England, and two of them were Persian.
Naomi slowed down and answered, although she still didn't turn
to look at me.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Perhaps it is because it is almost incomprehensibly difficult.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
She kicked at the dirt.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
And why bother training five years to learn a single
detonation spell when they are no more powerful a rifle
which any idiot can use.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
The bitterness in Naomi's voice was thick. I didn't reply
and gave Naomi her space. Her answer reminded me of
my experience with my grandfather at Coney Island. He had
told the illusionist to use magic on the water that
couldn't be replicated by science, and the magician couldn't do it.
Was that the secret to the disappearance of magic, that
(20:24):
it was archaic and ineffective compared to technology like a
horse drawn carriage or gas street lamp. The thought that
it was all just a waste of time made me
realize how hard it must be for Naomi. She spent
her life studying something that was completely useless. I felt
bad for her, even as I still found her attitude
toward the plight of the marriage troubling. Maybe it was
(20:47):
all of a piece. She was desperately clinging to magic,
no matter what the source. I found it all too
complex and difficult to understand. Luckily, I saw a road
sign in the distance, which was not only an opportunity
to get our bearings, but was also a way to
get our minds off our troubled thoughts. There's a road ahead.
(21:09):
She didn't say anything, but didn't increase her pace to
get away from me either. It was something There was
a sign at the intersection London Road.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
That's not very helpful. It's probably miles long and extends
all over the city.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yes, but that is I pointed up London Road. There
was a sign that said Wentworth Club. Is there a
station in Wentworth? No, but there's one in Sunningdale. She
pointed to a smaller sign that had an arrow pointing
down London Road. In the other direction, it said Sunningdale
Golf Club. We turned up London Road and marched along
(21:46):
the side. A few automobiles and horses passed us, but
for the most part we continued on in silence, the
sniping of our previous conversation not being something that I
at least wanted to repeat. We reached the station and
I knew what I had to do, whether it permanently
alienated Naomi from me or not. A Podcast Alchemy production
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