Tegus: and the Shards of Solaster
Chapter 4: The Request

Chapter 4: The Request

Days past and turned into weeks. Time passed as if a moment had fallen. He learnt the use of basic spells; creating fire, ice, electricity, and how to manipulate what is there like trees, and even rocks themselves! He was the best in his class. Magic was a natural talent to Tegus.

“Magic is a way to manipulate what is there already. Great power comes from being able to manipulate what is not!” Norsewind preached over and over!

One day towards the end of the year a few of the professors called him to a meeting.

They all sat around a large wooden desk carved with griffins as they watched Tegus walk in. They all told him how he had an instinctive handling of the elements and how rare this was.

Norsewind was there and said, “In all my year’s lad, I have only ever seen one other who had as much inherent ability as you.”

Excitedly he slapped Tegus on the back with his bear-born strength andTegus almost fell down, “Report to Kalthion on Monday, he’s going to fast track you to third grade!”

Norsewind felt some pride over Tegus and pointed out who Kalthion was as the group stood up and began to walk away.

“Sir,” said Tegus, “who was the other?”

“Other what?” Norsewind said,

“Other with natural ability?”

“The Grand Master,” Norsewind said as he winked above his beard and resumed his walk away with the others.

Tegus was amazed at what they thought he could do. Only time would tell.

After the weekend, Tegus reported to Kalthion’s class. Kalthion was a tall 7ft elf. He towered above Tegus unlike Norsewind, who was about the same height. He wore rich green robes that hid his feet. The robes had a gilded trim which matched his golden hair. The hair framed his face and glided down to his shoulders and rested upon the majestic robe.

He bowed at the teacher, and Kalthion bowed his head forward in a sign of welcome. Tegus walked to the back to replace an empty desk. All of the other kids were a little older and looked at him in amazement. This feat was rare and never heard of often, as magic needed understanding. Maybe once a lifetime was someone fast tracked. He sat down. The professor coughed for attention. They all turned except one. Vakaroth the boy in black.

He just stared at Tegus and then quietly said, so the professor didn’t hear, “I was meant to be the most powerful student at this school, above my abilities, and now you skipped two years! You’ve made me look like a street performer, only able to make a small animal appear from a hat!” his tone was very sickly.

Tegus sank a little in his seat. He didn’t want to offend or upset anyone.

“Just you wait Tegus. I’ll show you who’s more powerful!”

Tegus worried a little. When he met this boy, he knew he wasn’t necessarily bad. He knew he was strange, but evil like that, seemed daunting to Tegus. He put his head down and focused on his work. He needed to work hard if he was to stay where he was. Vakaroth’s threat was probably nothing more than an attempt to make him feel unwelcome. For the last two years, Vakaroth had been the one with potential and Tegus had just unintentionally stolen the spotlight!

A month later, Kalthion halted him at the end of class.

“You are doing very well boy,” he said and paused. “Is there something we could do as a reward?”

“Something you would like?” a voice appeared from behind; it was Norsewind.

“Well...” began Tegus

“Spit it out boy!” Kalthion demanded he wasn’t fond of fumbled words.

“Well, I think the bronze statues have an unfair life.”

“They choose this fate over damnation. They agreed to become escorts for the University! It was their choice” Kalthion told him before he could go on.

“Yes, I get that, but why do they have to be statues when they aren’t working?” Tegus questioned.

Kalthion didn’t have an answer.

Norsewind just said, “It is the way it is and has been for centuries...but what’s that got to do with your reward?”

“I’d like it if they didn’t have to be statues all the time, like just on an evening! So they can move and talk to people! I get that it was their choice to do that job forever, but they chose the job, not to become statues!” Tegus explained in protest.

Both professors didn’t argue.

“Leave it with us,” Kalthion said.

“Aye lad we will see,” Norsewind nodded without a smile.

Later that night Tegus went to see Ocelot.

“Hey Ocelot,” he started, “Hope they let you move. This is no way to exist!”

Tegus walked around the side of the carriage and patted revolver on his mane, and he heard the usual clunk of the bronze metal. He looked up at Ocelot, who was still in the same pose as always upon the carriage seat. He climbed up the carriage and sat next to Ocelot.

“What good will living forever be, if you can’t move?” he said to Ocelot while looking out to the night sky.

“Well it’s not so bad when you can,” Ocelot said smiling and laughing at the same time.

Tegus spun around to see the giant bronze moustache in front of him that was hiding a grin. “Oh, sorry Ocelot, do you need to give someone a lift?”

“I do indeed,” he said.

“Pleasant to see you Ocelot,” Tegus said, “I’d better climb down and let you get on.” Tegus went to climb down.

“Decent to see you too boy,” and at that Ocelot and Revolver shot over the edge of the University with Tegus!

“Where are we going?” Tegus asked.

“Anywhere you like,” Ocelot winked.

“What do you mean?” Tegus was confused.

“You did it boy. I’m free, and we all are thanks to you. We still need to serve people and be a means of journey but other than that we are free to move! Thank you Tegus, I can feel the old magic that was cast over us has been removed.”

Tegus smiled knowing the masters had granted his request and had thought it a fair one.

“Ocelot, you’re welcome.” Tegus said through a smile from cheek to cheek.

At that they flew around the University. The other bronze statues waved and cheered as they landed on the front platform.

The other coach drivers were all chatting and shaking hands. Some had beards and moustaches, some had top hats and others’ bowler hats. They all stood and clapped the boy, and all thanked him in turn. Then as the moving bronze silhouettes cleared from him, Kalthion stood there.

“The master would like to see you,” the crowd went silent, “in his quarters.” Kalthion said blankly.

Norsewind piped up from behind, “That’s a privilege lad! No one goes in there unless they have been honoured or expelled, and I doubt it’s the latter!” he smiled wildly.

He looked up at Ocelot. The bronze man looked back at him and gave him a nod, “It’s a new-age Tegus Bulock and you will certainly see it in.”

Tegus walked away with Kalthion as Norsewind stayed to chat with the carriage men properly and shake their hands.

“Do not mess with anything in the masters’ quarters.” Kalthion warned as he put his hand on the boy’s shoulder as a kind gesture. “The room is an extension to the Grand Masters mind and looks however he wants it too. There is a Shard, known as the Shard of Solaster. Solaster was the first Grand Master and founder of the University. Not much is known of Solaster as it goes back far beyond any history book, the only known thing about him is that he was exceptionally gifted and a natural magic user. The shard allows the will of the last user to be created. It is a powerful gift but if someone of ill will or more so in your case... Weaker mind used it. You would not be able to control it, and destruction could bestow upon our University and possibly worse. So again I will say… do not touch! Now off you go!”

Tegus after his grilling had a few questions about the shard. For one, would it bring back his father? He pondered the idea and knew within his heart that it could not. He would replace a way to connect to his father one day, but through false magic and illusion wasn’t the way.

Nearby, Vakaroth, now growing jealous of the younger wizard’s talents, was crouched and hidden behind a mist-berry bush. His hate growing inside like an egg going bad, looks fine from the outside but the inside is rotten after too long.

“Seka Divight” Vakaroth whispered to the wind.

He blew on his hand and a faint grey dust blew towards Tegus and laid itself over his clothes and joined the fibres.

Tegus oblivious of what had joined him walked on next to Kalthion ignorant.

Vakaroth slowly closed his eyes. As he did he saw the world around him switch to the world around Tegus. He could see Tegus’ surroundings. He could see the path in front of him, the sun setting and Kalthion striding along next to him. He even felt the wind blowing against his…no Tegus’ face.

“What you doing down there lad?” came a grumble.

His vision flew back as he opened his eyes. It took him a couple of seconds to see straight, but there stood Norsewind, lower than him.

Norsewind repeated, “Well lad. What are you doing?”

Vakaroth thought fast, “Collecting ingredients for a potion.”

“Well lad it’s not the time or place. It’s after class time, be off with you!”

Vakaroth bowed, “Sir” and walked off towards the dorms.

Norsewind stroked his beard and frowned as he watched the young lad stride away.

Meanwhile, Tegus reached the foot of the grand master’s tower. He took one last look at Kalthion, who lowered his head with a bow of respect and acceptance.

Tegus looked toward the door and back at Kalthion again. He was on his own, and Kalthion had vanished.

He pushed the door to the Tower, and it opened easier than he thought. He only opened it enough to fit through. His curiosity pushed him in more than anything else.

The layout was the same as his tower, with the Desk and one of the keepers here! Instantly the keeper changed shape without warning!

He grew bigger and bigger just like the one on his first day... Tegus watched in amazement! It hadn’t even asked him who he was! It grew and grew and Tegus just watched in amazement! As it grew its skin turned to stone and his muscles grew to huge boulders! He became some kind of rock elemental monster! He had no facial features besides a mouth! He was completely made of stone now. All of this happened within 6 seconds!

“STATE YOUR BUSINESS!” growled the giant moving rock.

“The Grand Master sent for me? It’s Tegus.”

With a pop the boulder man disappeared and the Keeper stood there once more, “Ah pleased to meet you, sorry for that. I got to be cautious; people want to know the secrets of the masters’ suite.”

“No worries” said Tegus.

At that the Keeper clicked his fingers, and Tegus rose above the ground about a foot or so...then below him a purple phantom platform appeared.

“Just stand still Sir,” the keeper said smiling and clicked his fingers once again.

Tegus sped off towards the stairs, thinking he was going to crash he closed his eyes but stayed on knowing what the keeper had said.

As he reached the stairs, the phantom disc stayed level but started to climb the steps, getting quicker as it went. It flew faster and faster and Tegus felt his hair being pushed back from the force!

Outside Vakaroth had found a bench in the courtyard that was quiet, as night was slowly setting in. He had opened a book and lowered his head to make it look like he was reading; no one could see his eyes because of his hair.

He closed his eyes, and again saw the area around Tegus. He saw the foot of the stairs as Tegus was carried by the phantom disc. He felt the motion of Tegus being flown forward and getting quicker. He felt the force as Tegus got faster and at that moment, the magical dust was blown off and Vakaroth stopped. All he could see now was the cornering staircase rise up and subside down. His plan had failed!

He opened his eye and with a growl, he stormed off towards his tower. In his rage, he got to the tower and slammed the door. He pulled out his black crystal and imagined his room. He appeared at his room in a second. His room was black from top to bottom with areas of grey for decoration.

“If I cannot see in there I will get the answers from Tegus when he comes out!” Vakaroth said aloud, “I will listen to him and wait for him to speak of his time in there or give me a way in! I must know what is there! Whatever it is it, will make me more powerful than any who lived before!”

At that Vakaroth’s anger subsided and he laughed at how simple his plan was.