Magicfall: A Study in Magic Chapter Two: The Trackers I continued into the woods, but I didn’t see anything else. Nothing to suggest this was the legendary forest so many people had gone missing in. I slipped a small knife in my pocket before I left, just in case. Though if there is a bloodthirsty monster in this forest, I doubt a small knife is going to stop it. Of course, I’m not that far in, so I shouldn’t be in any danger. I eventually decide that’s enough for today. I make a couple notes on my map, then head back. Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. I whirled around. Forestscales aren’t usually hostile, but their scales are very sharp, so I’m not taking any chances. But I don’t hear anything else; the forest is eerily quiet. Ugh, I don’t like this feeling. Maybe there is some kind of bloodthirsty monster. I grip my knife, ready. But what comes charging at me is not a bloodthirsty monster. It’s a human. He charged through the undergrowth of the forest, racing in my direction. When he got closer, I saw a scar on his neck. Wait.. not a scar. Stars, he’s been branded. Only the most dangerous magical criminals are branded. And there’s one running right at me. I duck out of the way as quickly as I can, then freeze time in the surrounding area, chaining him to the spot. What should I do? Leave a dangerous criminal that could possibly hurt other people? After all, he must have done something terrible to get branded. But I can’t hold time back for long, and then he could come after me, even kill me. So I decide to run. Then, just as I turn around, I hear more footsteps. Oh, no. More criminals?! Then another man comes out, but he isn’t a criminal. No, he has a zircon pendant. Only the Trackers wear that. So he must be chasing the criminal. I feel my hold on time break. (Continue Below)
The criminal snapped up, but before he could do anything, the Tracker tackled him and bound his hands with… glowing ropes? Or maybe some form of magic? The Tracker looked at me. He had blue eyes and dark brown hair, and wore a dark-green cloak with a sword strapped to his leg. His gaze was unreadable. “Did you freeze time?” He asked. I swallowed. “Um, yeah. I’m a Timebender.” “And an inept one at that.” “Well, you’re welcome for catching a criminal even a great mage like you couldn’t catch.” I bit back, instantly regretting even speaking. Why in the realms did I say stuff like that? No wonder I’m a peasant. “Ha ha! She’s got fire, admit it!” A cheery voice said from behind me. I turned to see another Tracker enter. He had lighter hair and wore the same outfit with a dagger instead of a sword. “Never met a peasant willing to talk back to a mage, especially one like you.” “I don’t see why you like to turn everything into a joke, James.” The other Tracker said. “And I can’t see why you don’t, Oleander.” The Tracker - James said. Oleander grimaced. “Anyway, I’m James Wood. And who might you be?” He held out his hand to me. “I’m Tourmaline Hemlock. Nice to meet you, Ja - Mr. Wood.” I said, shaking his hand. “And very formal as well. So, Timebender, am I right?” “Yes, sir. I can freeze time.” “How interesting. Oh, and please call me James. Did you single-handedly catch this criminal?” “... Well, I froze the time around him. But Oleander is the one who really caught him.” “Hmmm… and how would you like to join Euclyptia?” “James! You can’t be serious! Inviting a peasant?” Oleander protested. I bristled. So what if I was a peasant? That didn’t mean I was some magicless fool. Though he did have a point. Euclptia was a top-notch academy, and peasants were usually invited. But I wasn’t really a peasant, and I had magic. “Oh, come on, Oleander!” James said, jerking me out of my thoughts. “A Timebender! The only other one is the apprentice! And she helped you catch this branded criminal right here.” “... She’s still a low-born peasant. And she’s had no training.” Low. Born. Peasant?!! “Nightlock didn’t join until she was eighteen and she’s Head Mage. And she doesn’t need that much training. She’s a clear natural.” Oleander sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. But you can contact Azeena and you have to take care of it.” I couldn’t believe this. I was going to Euclyptia?! The greatest academy in the Realm of Night and Stars?! This was the greatest day of my life! But there was one more thing… “I have a friend named Sylvia Wiren who also has magic. Could she join?” Oh, right, I haven’t mentioned her. Slyvia Wiren has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She has light pink hair with silver streaks (which I’ve always thought is so cool) and hazel eyes. She’s an Elemented (electricity) and actually developed magic long before I did. It’s always been her dream to attend Euclyptia. We could go together! “We’ll pay her a visit. Sylvia Wiren, you say?” James inquired. “Yes. She can control electricity. Elemented.” “Oh, great, more magicless peasants.” Oleander muttered under his breath. James shot him a look. “We’ll consider her. In the meantime, take this,” he handed me a pendant. “But know you don’t just get to join Euclyptia. You have to be one of the five who pass the Night Trial.” Ugh, the Night Trial. How could I forget? I would be competing with mages with far more training. And there were only five pendants. The first five to each take a pendant were allowed to join. The rest were not. “I know,” I said, my stomach sinking. “Great. We will deal with the criminal. I hope to see you at the Night Trial. Remember, it’s the next Moonnight.” I nodded. Then he, Oleander, and the branded criminal promptly disappeared, leaving me by myself. Chapter Three:
