The Elder's Curse by Andrew Walbrown (ereader for textbooks TXT) 📕

grunted. He then turned around and hugged Amantius, squeezing so hard the latter could barely breathe. “Be careful, Brother. I will see you again soon.”

“You as well, and thank you.”

Ulam pulled away, looking confused. “For what?”

“For going with him,” Amantius replied, nodding towards Mazargo. “He would have driven me mad far before we reached the top.”

Chapter 15

Ulam

“What do you think?”

After climbing a long flight of stairs, Ulam and Mazargo came to a hallway aligned with magic-infused torches. Before them were five massive blocks of black marble, each as large as any boulder and heavy enough to turn their bones to powder. Engraved into the surface of each was the same fire-red insignia of the common room, the light brighter than that of the torches on the wall. One by one they pounded the white marbled floor, shaking the ground, before floating unassisted back to the ceiling. Ulam and Mazargo watched over ten sets before proceeding, hoping they would be able to memorize the pattern. However, as they observed, they learned the sequences were completely randomized, and attempting to discover a common pattern was a fool’s errand. Luck will need to be on our side if we are to avoid being crushed to death.

“Do you think it is possible?” Mazargo continued.

“Yes, but we will need to be quick and time our run perfectly.” Quick is not something that I am, unfortunately. Luckily Amantius is not here, with his bum leg he certainly would not survive.

“Very well. Mazargo will go first. He thinks he sees a pattern. Yes, he sees a pattern indeed.”

Mazargo bolted underneath the first block, reaching the gap between the slabs as both the first and second marble blocks struck the floor. A quick jolt of fear spread through Ulam’s veins, until the first block returned to the ceiling and revealed an unscathed Mazargo. The second stone then receded, and Mazargo jumped into the next gap comfortably. Then suddenly all five blocks were hovering above the ground, giving him just enough room to squeeze past the last three as he hurried to safety. The fifth block slammed into the white marbled floor well after Mazargo had completed the course, but Ulam knew his partner was safe.

He made it look so easy. Alright, my turn. If any Gods are watching, please give me speed.

As he took a step the first enchanted block dropped, smashing the ground with enough power to cause Ulam to reassess the situation. Although he was still at least three long strides away, the tremors under his feet and the sudden blast of musty air forced him to retreat a few steps. As the blocks continued to strike the ground Ulam looked for Mazargo, mostly for support, but the mage was always obscured by at least one of the marble slabs. Being unable to see his new companion frustrated him, and for a moment Ulam thought about searching for Kona, thinking she would be better suited for this task. But as the rhythmic pounding of the enchanted stones synchronized with the beating of his heart, Ulam recovered his lost courage.

As the first block ascended Ulam dashed forward, passing underneath the first three slabs of black marble before the fourth came crashing down. He was forced to wait in the gap for only a brief moment before reaching the last of the safe havens, the final obstacle stubbornly hindering his progress. His confidence was high now, his muscles full of energy, as he lingered in the last gap. Behind him the other blocks continued to pound the floor, reminding him not to get too comfortable because danger was still at his back. But as he waited he grew impatient, eventually hitting the black marble surface out of frustration.

“Open, damn you!” Ulam yelled as he slapped the slab. Unlike the others, the lettering on the final block was no longer lit. He could still make out the engraving, tracing each letter with his finger, the rock smooth and cool. He began wondering if somehow the slab had been deactivated, if Mazargo had disenchanted it while it was down so he could continue alone. Ulam called out to the mage, but he was not met with words. Instead, he was met with something far better.

A deep rumbling came from within the black marble slab. As Ulam felt the vibrations with one of his massive hands the letters turned red again, as though some mysterious force had rekindled a dying fire. The stone begrudgingly lifted, shaking like a dog trying to dry itself, as it climbed towards the ceiling. Within seconds Ulam saw Mazargo standing on the other side, his two palms upturned, muttering incomprehensible verses with his eyes closed. The image reminded him of Priestess Issa, the woman who had caught Amantius with a spell when he tumbled from Kevea’s Spear years ago. He thought Mazargo was using a similar spell, if not the exact same one, and wondered what its limitations were. If Mazargo can elevate a boulder high off the ground, especially one this large, is his magical potential unlimited? And if that is true, how powerful and dangerous are dark wizards and warlocks?

Ulam had to interrupt his thoughts because, if he had not, he would have stood in the tiny gap between the two massive blocks of black marble all day questioning Mazargo’s magical prowess. When the slab in front of him was high enough he slung his backpack to the other side and ran, hoping Mazargo could keep the stone suspended long enough for him to clear the distance. But as he neared he saw Mazargo’s eyes suddenly open, the mage’s light gray face twisting in fear as fire slowly crawled up one of his sleeves. Then Ulam heard the black marble go silent as it cast off its shackles of possession, the block no longer required to do Mazargo’s bidding. The realization caused horror to jolt through Ulam’s body, because he knew he only had a few seconds to escape, otherwise he