The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

He giggled like an eight-year old girl. He started to feel giddy. He let himself enjoy the

moment. Then the realization how close he came to dying brought him back to

reality. Must be post-traumatic stress, he thought. He realized he was lucky. If not for

noticing the creature’s vulnerability to light or if the second monster attacked with its

claws instead of its fanged mouth, he would be dead. It was a sobering thought. He

didn’t believe in third chances.

But on the other hand, his spur of the moment improvisation was a clearly

a eureka! moment. The exploding light spell. It was born out of desperation but its

success meant modification of the spells was possible. As a bonus, he also discovered

he could cast several spells at the same time. Yet the speed of the encounter worried

him. He had to learn how to cast all his spells faster and in a stronger form. In peace

and quiet if possible. He hated this kind of on-the-job training.

Then he heard Eira call him. He got out of his shelter and saw Eira was already seated at the table. He joined her, leaving his helm on the bed.

“Can you describe the creatures, Tyler? The guardian trees told me about them but

there’s only so much you can learn from a being with basic intelligence. But we’re safe.

The creature has long fled. The forest sensed it as it passed and went north.”

Tyler did his best to describe the creatures and the details of the fight. Eira seemed

especially concerned about their form.

“So, what do think? Can you identify them?” asked Tyler.

“They seem to be a form of the vord nafjardar. Night roaming evil spirits. But your

opponents appear to be something new and I know of no name for them. That’s

disturbing. That they came with the dokkalfr, I have no doubt. Those dark elves tried to

force their way into the forest. It would have been easy to prevent them. But they were

accompanied by three mages, one a night-mage. It was difficult, even for me. But

nobody escaped except for that one creature which fled.”

“Could it be that the dokkalfr have managed to change creatures into new forms?”

“That could be possible. But who would have given them the knowledge and power?”

“I doubt if we can find the answer to that now. But why in this direction? I doubt if they

were after me as they first fought with your guardians. If it was me they were after

then they wouldn’t have bothered with the trees.”

“I suspect it was the destruction of the tablets. Destroying the tablets demanded the

use of a large amount of energy. With the dokkalfr’s affinity with earth, they could have

sensed it if they were not too far away. We were unlucky enough that a band of them,

with accompanying mages, was near enough to detect it. Probably from the army which

sacked Bildsfell. Considering that the arrogant night-mage was demanding an answer

from me on what power has arisen in Fossegrim, I’d say that’s the answer.”

“I guess it wouldn’t be too much to assume that the shade or mist creatures were the

night-mage’s creation.”

“Yes, I believe you’re right. The attack on the forest borders was a distraction. But to

have the ability to create such things would only mean that their mages have become

more powerful.”

“Those creatures would be excellent assassins and spies, given enough intelligence and

cunning. But as fighters, I find them lacking with their vulnerability to light.”

“I hope they don’t become such beings. They are terrible enough, from what you described.”

An awkward silence followed. Each thinking about the revelations the night brought.

The danger appeared to have increased and the attention of yet another enemy had

been turned to them.

“Do you think they know of my existence? I mean about the cave?

“No, I don’t believe so. They may not know of the cave but they know the area where

they sensed the release of power. But we cannot stay here long. For tonight though,

we are safe. It will take a while before that creature reports back to its other masters.”

“Anyway, I don’t think it’s safe to move at night, at least for me. Come first light, we'll look for another place to put up camp. How about the cave? How do we hide it?”

“Let me worry about hiding the cave. Though I have a low affinity for pure earth magic,

it would be enough to cover the opening. Then I will fill the glade with trees and

brambles.”

With that, Tyler took his leave and went back to the shelter to sleep. Not for the last

time, he prayed for uneventful nights ahead of him.

He woke up at sunrise. Surprisingly, he slept soundly. He idly wondered about it as he

did his morning rituals. He found it weird given the last night’s excitement but still

thankful for it. As he turned to the stone table, he found a meal waiting for him. Eira

was patiently sitting and watching him.

I think the girl is starting to know me too well. Should I be worried? Tyler mused as he

made his way to the table. Breakfast was not a staple in a two-meal a day world.

If she comes up with coffee, I’ll marry her. He really missed the caffeine kick.

The two exchanged greetings and started breakfast. Tyler couldn’t resist asking.

“Eira, do you have coffee in this world? It’s a drink made out of specific beans. Arabica?

Robusta? Do they sound familiar?”

“I don’t believe so.”

Tyler slim hopes were dashed. His brain began to race through alternatives. But he

could only come up with one as of the moment.

“How about a hot drink made from roasted acorn kernels? Does that exist?”

“No, I haven't heard of it. Is it good?”

“Heavenly! Coffee made from arabica or robusta plants would be best. But acorn

coffee would do.”

Eira was intrigued. Tyler was obviously talking about something from the First World.

“Can you tell me how you make it?”

“Uuuhhh, I haven’t really done it on my own or tasted it. But I hear it makes a good

alternative to coffee. From what I remember, one uses the kernels from ripe brown

acorns. The acorns are first boiled until they no longer look brown.