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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 14, 2008 22:20:56 GMT -5
Jaclyn's eyes were staring hard at the ground before her as she soaked this all in, processed it, and stored it away. She glanced up when Nyra paused, and gave a slight nod that she was understanding so far.
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Post by jenee on Aug 14, 2008 22:34:19 GMT -5
"It was quickly discovered that my sorcery differed from most others'. You and Jyrra are known as Charter Mages, but I don't think this kind even has a name, so I'm not entirely sure what to call it. I've referred to it as 'energy magic' in the past. You see, while most sorcerers draw power and strength from within themselves to cast spells and use magic, I can draw energy from my natural surroundings and manipulate it into the energy I need to use magic. So, I rarely ever draw on my inner strength. Instead, I have a bond with nature. It's known to be especially useful in battle, because I can drain a weaker opponent's energy from them, too. However, if someone is skilled enough, they can block this effect. Many magic-users can, so I bet you could, too, because sorcerers have a strong sense of mental strength. But, while this magic is viewed as conveniant by most, it also has its own effects on the user." She paused again to let Jaclyn process her thoughts.
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 12:46:25 GMT -5
Jaclyn nodded again, more slowly this time, her face thoughtful. "It's similar to Charter Magic in the way that you draw things from your surroundings- but, we draw the magic from the Charter. We just have to have the eternal energy to handle the Marks and magic we use. Some are more powerful than others, and thus harder to contain and control. That's why it makes it so dangerous sometimes..."
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 13:04:38 GMT -5
"I see," Nyra said, thoughtful. "I'm certainly no expert on Charter Magic, but it does sound rather similar in the area of using your strength to guide magic. While I use natural energy to fuel my power, I still have to have the strength to actually apply the spells to anything." She paused, then continued. "However, like I said before, 'energy magic' still has it's own side effects on the user, though its not something that can be helped. You see, while I can draw energy from my surroundings, the energy is naturally attracted to me when I don't even have a need for it. Like right now, for example, I can feel the energy from those trees." She gestured at her surroundings. "I can feel other sources of energy, too, of course...that's only one example. But a human being can only contain so much energy. That's why my ability is as dangerous to me as it can be to others, so have to constantly be alert of my surroundings, and direct certain amounts of energy away fom me. As a child, I was constantly on the move, awake at early hours...I couldn't sit still for long. However, I wasn't really in danger then because most of the energy of the natural world was blocked from me by the stone walls of the labyrinth. Anyway, I progressed in my studies with the guidance of my mentor. He taught me how to control energy until it became like a second nature to me...but I still have an unusual amount of energy in me, no matter what. I can't sleep for long because of it...I don't need more than a couple hours of sleep every night. Why do you think I get up so early in the morning? It's not just because it's a habit."
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 13:13:04 GMT -5
Jaclyn chuckled softly. "You are kind of a cheerful little freak in the morning, aren't you?"
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 13:22:59 GMT -5
A small smile broke across Nyra's face for the first time that night. "Yeah, sure," she said with a small, somewhat-forced laugh. "Anyway, remember when the circus performers put on their show? When the fire-spinners came out? I doubt you and Varen noticed...I was trying to hide it...but I came close to fainting. Fire consists of light and heat energy...fire is just natually full of it. And there was so much fire...I'd accidentally let my guard down, and I paid for it. I'm not even sure I could have blocked it all, either. Jamison noticed, too, but I just told him that I get dizzy sometimes...and that wasn't a lie, either. I just didn't tell him the entire truth. However, magic also consists of energy. After being with Xoran's followers for so long--with so many magic-users--I found out that I could sense things about their power based on the amont of energy their internal supply of magic has. The spell mark disrupts that supply of magic...it binds it...and I could sense how strong a spell mark was based on how it affected the magic energy. When I first met you in the eating area, I knew instantly that your magic supply hadn't been affected, but I chose not to say anything."
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 13:35:08 GMT -5
Jaclyn pondered this for a moment. "Well, you were correct that it didn't bind my magic, but that's because, truthfully, I don't have any internal magic. The Charter is what has the magic in it- I just have a special energy to direct that magic. But it's not the same energy as you use, so I think the spell mark wasn't meant to bind that kind og energy. So, it didn't work."
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 13:37:50 GMT -5
Nyra raised her eyebrows. "I thought there was something funny about you and your sister...it must have been that special energy I felt, instead. But the spell mark worked on Jyrra...is it because her own 'special energy' wasn't developed? It couldn't ward the mark away?"
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 13:42:26 GMT -5
"Perhaps... Most likely, just because it was so raw and new, and not very precisely defined. But- it's not exactly as if it warded the mark away- the mark just didn't recognize it as the magic it was supposed to be binding. Does that make sense?" Jaclyn frowned, looking a little confused with herself.
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 14:24:58 GMT -5
"I think so...that's confusing. But maybe that means that your sister can free herself from it if she gets stronger." Nyra shrugged, not entirely sure about that. "And that also leads into my other explanation...why I'm here." I remembered when and where you were supposed to meet Aaron, so I had to time my escape. But it was hard...Xoran was furious at me. To put it simply, he took his rage about the situation out on me, because Varen was already unconcious from the effects of his spell mark being raised to level three." She glanced down at her arm at the magically-inflicted bruises and cuts. She cringed and forced her gaze away. "That's the punishment for going against him, and he was all the more angry because I was one of the last people he'd expect to betray him." Nyra sighed. "But I had to stay. I knew in three days where I could find you, and when the time came, I snuck out. And that was hard, because Xoran had a few followers keeping an eye on me. I gathered my stuff together, and tried to get as much of your belongings as I could. But then I had to create a portal in my room. If I tried leaving through the main entrance, then there'd be no way I could escape without being caught. Transporting yourself out of the labyrinth is very difficult...it drains most of your internal strength, because there are spells placed all around the lair to make sure nobody can magic themselves out. I had to use my own power because there wasn't enough energy avaliable in my surroundings. After I broke through the barriers, I used the last of my internal power to transport myself here. I also missed the target a bit...I'm lucky you and that acrobat were out."
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 14:27:50 GMT -5
Jaclyn cringed at the thought of what Xoran had done to her, and what he could be doing to Varen right now... Oh, good lord. Varen. What was she supposed to think of him these days? She nodded absently at Nyra's last comment, thoughts wandering off again.
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 14:40:56 GMT -5
Nyra's thoughts had also wandered to her friend, too. "I don't know about Varen now...I didn't have any chance to speak to him since we went back. He was unconcious for a day. And I really didn't want to leave him behind--" She broke off with a slight shiver. "I had to. I had to find you and talk to Aaron...I want to tell her everything I know. I'm already facing more trouble than ever before...and there's not much more that can be done to punish me. I knew I had to try. I'm safe from Xoran right now, too. He can't control me through the spell mark right now...I've blocked him, because I'm using more energy than usual to put up my own shield against his control. Normally I couldn't do that...but magic is often weakened over a distance. He can't trace my location, and he can't force me to return or turn against you. Because of the distance between here and the Dragonlands, his power over me is a lot weaker, and I can block the last bit of it. It was a risk to try...I was't sure if it'd work. But it did."
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 14:50:04 GMT -5
Suddenly something new occurred to Jaclyn. "But... Nyra... If it comes to a battle... Won't he be closer to you? Could he... regain his power?" She gave the sorceress an uneasy look.
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Post by jenee on Aug 15, 2008 15:01:27 GMT -5
"Yes," Nyra replied. "That's why I'm going to help you all as much as I can...and if that time ever comes, and depending on the situation...I'll just have to sort it out then. I don't know what the future holds." Her eyes suddenly became more serious, urgent. "Jaclyn, if any of you ever have to face me, though...you have to fight back."
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Post by m!chelle--✗ on Aug 15, 2008 15:03:19 GMT -5
Jaclyn's eyes went wide with worry and fear. "But I-... I don't know if...." She bit her lip. "Let's just hope none of us have to."
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