Tauren came-to an hour later, his eyes slowly opened, and he found himself looking up at the roof of a sandy cave. . . . He carefully rolled his head to the side and looked about himself, aware of the dull throbbing in his upper back, ribs, and shoulder. He was in a sandy, wet, mossy, mushroom filled cave, lit by a small fire crackling out toward the entrance.
He recognized it instantly. They were back in the forest.
Suddenly a figure appeared out of the haze that clouded his vision to an odd blur and stepped over to him. It was the girl, Leaenya, an almost worried frown on her face.” How do you feel?” She asked, not trying to show her sincerity.
He almost grinned.” I’ve been better, I have a question too . . . How am I?”
She almost smiled, he knew it. She had been just about to smile but had stopped herself. He had sensed it.” You’re hurt pretty bad, but Vajik says you are healing un-naturally quickly. You have a bad cut on your side, shoulder, and back . . . “She looked down at him, looking slightly revolted.” It will scar, but you should be better in another day, at this rate.” That was a brave thing you did.
Tauren frowned, the last words echoed through his mind, softer and gentler than Red’s voice. He looked up at Leaenya.” Did you just say something?”
He felt annoyance pass through her.” Yes, I did.” She stood and turned to leave.
But he held out a hand to stop her, not wanting to be left alone.” Stay please?” He said weakly.
She sighed and sat back down. He felt emotions going through his mind, and every now and then thoughts, that where not his own. . . . He frowned, he was certain that they were hers. His thoughts instantly returned to his strange talk with Red in his magical filing box/training center. Maybe one of his abilities was reading minds . . . .?
Suddenly another figure appeared, it was Detrick, looking rather chagrined.” Hey Tauren” He muttered, looking down on his friend.
Tauren looked up him, wondering what was wrong.” Hey Detrick. We’re in that forest again? Aren’t we?”
Detrick nodded. There was a few moments of silence between them, during which Tauren tried futilely to read Detricks mind. It must just work with Leaenya.” Tauren I’m sorry.” Detrick finally burst out.” I’m sorry that I didn’t stay behind like you did! If I had maybe you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. . . .” Tears glistened in his eyes.” I’m sorry, I don’t know why I didn’t, I just didn’t . . .”
13-4-19.
Tauren held up a hand weakly.” It’s okay Detrick! You did as I asked. If you’d gotten in, then we’d both be hurt, and there’d be nobody here to look after me, to hunt, to survive . . . Don’t beat yourself up about it, you did great!”
Detrick shook his head in appreciation.” Thanks Tauren”
“Really, Detrick.” Tauren tried to sit up, but fell back, pain lancing up his side.” Thanks for being here at all. . . .”
Detrick sat down beside him.” I’d advise not trying to get up, you’ll just hurt yourself.” He sighed and stood.
Just then Vajik stepped forward and knelt down next to Tauren.” You okay, boy?”
Tauren nodded.” Yeah, I’m feeling a lot better.”
Vajik smiled.” You’re healing at a very, very fast rate. You should be better soon. And Tauren, that was a brave thing you did back there, risking your life, and destroying that Death Racer. What I want to know is how you did it?”
Tauren stopped himself before he said anything, don’t speak to any of your friends about your power, he remembered Red tell him.” I guess I just got a lucky stab.” He tried to shrug it off, but Vajik still didn’t look convinced.
Out of the corner of his . . . mind . . . he felt Leaenya almost smile again.
Suddenly Detrick elbowed his way back.” Want some breakfast?” He asked cheerfully.
Tauren nodded, hunger gnawing at his insides.” Yes, I would! Thanks!” He quickly ate the heap of roasted mushrooms Detrick presented him, not paying any attention to their flavor, and only vaguely aware of the others meandering away. He was thinking about Red. . . .
A sudden urge to lay back down and try to sleep came upon him, and once he was done eating, he excused himself of their company and lay back in the soft bed of mushrooms and sand to sleep.
It took what seemed like ages for him to finally fall asleep, so intent upon that goal was he. But the instant his eyes closed of their own accord, he found himself back in that white space. Red! He called into the emptiness.
The figure that appeared beside him was indeed ‘Red’, a smile etched onto those flame shaped lips. That didn’t take long. He said.
Tauren nodded. I’ve been wondering a few things. First off: Who are you? Are you . . . human?
Red nodded. I am indeed human, I can only access your mind when I sleep, but yes, I am human, quite human.
Tauren wasn’t surprised, but he quelled his questions that where aroused by the other’s answers. Next: What are you here for?
Red turned away from Tauren, his voice, when it came, seemed ancient. There’s really a very, very long story to that question. One that I don’t have the time to tell, or the heart, let it suffice for me to say: I’m here because I believe that you are our last chance. I’m here because Jacob thought so as well. But to unite our people’s again, you must be able to fight your enemies. That Death Racer you faced today was nothing, but an ant in comparison with what you may have to face if you’re planning to defy Halavarde. I’m here to train you in magic, and in weapons, until you’re able to carry out your task without relying on your friends. Until you don’t have to survive off of their help. Until you won’t need their help when you’re hurt, until you won’t ever get hurt in the first place.
There was a long silence during which Tauren carefully thought over what had been said. You know Jacob? Tauren finally asked.
Red nodded, we’ve had our differences, and still do. But yes, I can say that he is my friend, if only on the inside.
Well! Tauren exclaimed finally, rubbing his hands together, when do we start my training?
Red smiled, well, a bit of enthusiasm always helps! Your grandfather taught you the basics, so that gives us a head-start over the absolute beginner. We need to start with what you’re going to need, not the formalities!
The landscape about them suddenly changed, now they were in a plain of short, dark green grass, white tassels covered in seeds waving in a soft breeze that came out of a featureless blue sky. The horizon stretched about them, completely featureless. Where is this? Tauren asked.
Red smiled again, this is a figment of my imagination. I’ll teach you how to do it in due time, but right now we’re doing something else. Combat. We do not have time for you to get all the skill needed to face down the beasts you will undoubtedly have to face in the ordeals that lie before you. As a compromise I’ll be teaching you a few basic, but very useful spells.
First: a word about most monsters that are used in battle. If and when you face the few of them that cannot use magic themselves, you will have a distinct advantage against them, and I doubt that you will be unable to beat them. But if you should ever have to face some of the many beasts that can use magic, you must understand that you will not be any sort of a match for most them. Those of them that have power of their own are ancient, they are very wise, and know far more than any human. Only the most experienced of our peoples can hold them at bay.
In fighting Halavardes you will have an advantage, I’ll be teaching you spells that your average Halavarde warrior is not taught. But should you have to face an older, more experienced officer, chances are that you’ll do best using a combination of both weapons and magic.
Now, for a basic Stunning spell . . .
Tauren absorbed everything he was told, it was as though he was taken in his most alert state then frozen at it to learn these spells. After what seemed like an hour or two, Tauren knew the essential technique for a simple, Air Stunning Spell, Air Shield Spell, Heat and Cold Concentration Spell, and Air Dart Spell. From what he heard, he could use his mind like a mist that could clench around matter, and manipulate it to do things. . . .
Now! Said Red, when he was done with telling Tauren about these four basic spells, these are your four essential basic spells, using the spells you can beat pretty much anything that cannot use magic. But understand, knowing how to use these spells is different than actually practicing them, and practicing them is far different from killing or blocking with them. Remember: the only limitation to their use is your imagination. Now! We are going to practice these spells. Red suddenly disappeared and then reappeared about thirty yards in front of Tauren. Stun me! He called.
Tauren took a deep breath, he held out his hands in front of him, just like Red had shown him. Keep your eyes on the target. Concentrate. Red called to him. Tauren took another deep breath and took his first try, there was a pop, the sign that magic was being used, and the air in front of him shimmered. For an instant, and only an instant, his concentration wavered, but that was all the time it took for the spell to dispel.
He cursed under his breath, don’t get angry, it’s just like in a fight, get angry and you won’t use your head! Red called to him. Stay calm; don’t worry if it takes you a few dozen tries. That’s perfectly all right!
Tauren nodded and took another deep breath, he held out his hands again and the air shimmered, suddenly a white orb appeared in front of him, about a foot across. He smiled. A flick of his wrist sent it whistling across the plain for Red, he felt a twinge of worry that it might actually hit its target, but that was quickly dispelled as Red simply flicked his own wrist and blew the ball of condensed gasses to nothing. Very good! Stunners are good tools, if you practice enough you’ll learn to kill with them, but for now you won’t be able to get them going fast enough. Though Stunners are very useful, the one more important spell is Air Shields. I’m going to send a Stunner at you, use a Shield to block it. Remember; don’t let anything break your concentration.
13-4-21.
Tauren nodded, and took another deep breath. Red held out his hands and in an instant there was a sharp pop and a white ball of air materialized before him, writhing, and twisting as though alive. Ready? Red called.
Tauren nodded, and concentrated, the air in front of him shimmered slightly and slowly began to move, then with a crack it swept together and formed a white wall. He heard a whoosh and dimly saw Red send the Stunner for him. The impact made the shield bend and almost break, but it held. Tauren released the shield and it dissipated. Very good, Red called that’s better than average for a first try, with enough practice you’ll be able to make a shield that won’t give any. Stunners are easy to block, wait till someone pitches a few thousand pounds of rock, or drop half a mountain on top of you.
You can throw mountains with magic?! Tauren asked incredulously.
Some of the very most powerful magicians in existence can do that, but it is very, very difficult and can’t be done with just any random mountain, Red replied, if I wanted to drop a mountain on top of you I’d just cause a landslide. They’re plenty difficult too, don’t worry.
Suddenly the plain about them shimmered, as though only an insubstantial hologram, and then with a click everything went white. Red appeared beside Tauren. What was that? He asked, wary.
You’re going to have to wake up soon, Red replied, now listen carefully. The magic that you have used here, in your mind, is not true magic, you haven’t really accessed your power. When the time to use real magic, in the real world, does come, you’ll be able to do it, don’t worry. But in the real world there are physical rules that have to be obeyed. If you don’t obey them, you die. One of those rules is that you cannot have magic flow directly through your body, otherwise it will destroy your mind: drive you insane, painfully! Wizards, magicians, sorcerers, charlatans and the lot use an object through which they channel the magic. Remember, if you ever use magic in the real world you have to channel it through something, just think of the spell as seen through a rock, or a ring, or whatever else you may want to use. If the object isn’t strong enough it will be destroyed, so I’d advise you to be careful about what you choose. You might kill yourself. Don’t tell your friends about your power, don’t use it unless you can help it, and remember -
Red’s voice was abruptly cut off as his form shimmered and disappeared, Tauren found himself suddenly back in the cave, looking up into Leaenyas worried face.” Vajik told me to wake you up; something’s stalking around the cave. He said he may need help.”
Tauren nodded, and without thinking rolled to the side and stood. It wasn’t until he had stood that he noticed that he was no longer hurt, he reached down and felt his shoulder, pulling his shirt back he saw that all that was left of what must have been a gruesome cut, was a thin, pale scar.” How long have I been out?” He asked half worried.
“A few hours,” Leaenya replied.” You’ve been healing at an unbelievable rate.”
“Interesting” He said, remembering what Red had told him. He shrugged and scooping up his sword, which had been lain beside his mat of mushrooms, he headed for the entrance to the sandy cave. At the massive opening to the cave Vajik and Detrick had cleared a 30 foot circle of mushrooms and lit a massive bonfire in the middle of it. They now stood, weapons at the ready, on either side of it, staring intently into the darkness.
Tauren silently crept up beside Detrick and whispered in his ear.” What’s going on?”
Detrick started and jumped to the side, bringing Vajik flying around the edge of the fire with his sword readied.” Don’t do that!” His friend exclaimed.” Something’s out there, I don’t know what, but it’s . . . big, and mean.”
Vajik nodded, he looked harried.” I don’t think it’s trying to hunt us, I suspect that it’s only trying to keep us penned up in the cave while it waits for re-enforcements.”
Tauren frowned.” You think it’s some kind of smart monster?”
Vajik glared at him.” I know that it’s a Halavarde war monster, not a very bad one, but if we go after it in the dark we’re done for! If it keeps us penned up here, it can wait for another Death Racer to get here – speaking of which, you owe me an explanation!”
Tauren shook the moment aside.” Okay, okay, I’ll tell you later. Right now we need to get rid of this thing. Can you tell me exactly what it is?”
Vajik sighed and nodded.” It’s called a Cellatrunth. Thankfully it can’t use magic, or we’d already be dead! They’re, ah – they’re hard to explain. They’re like a giant man-eating lizard, they’re extremely fast, and if they bite you then you have about five minutes until you’re unconscious.”
Tauren nodded.” You don’t think we can handle it?”
Vajik shrugged.” During the day I could take care of one myself, but at night they’re just too fast. I can’t see very well in the dark, and they don’t need light to see (Don’t ask, it’s too hard to explain). Maybe all three of us could do it.”
Detrick nodded.” We can try.”
“We don’t have any choice but to try.” Tauren said grimly.” We don’t try and we’ll have to fight a Death Racer, or worse.”
Vajik nodded.” We have too. Our standard tactics for taking down Cellatrunths won’t work in this forest, what I advise . . . .
Hi! Here again!
Did the figure appear in an odd blur? Or did his vision turn blurry? This sentence is just kind of structured strangely, so that it doesn't make much sense.
So, this "Red" is the red flamed person right? I'm assuming so, but you might want to point that out a bit more obviously for slow people like me.
Why are there ellipses? I was confused as to why he was hesitant about his mind.
Using a sentence structured like this can be a little confusing, it might be easier just to say, "I don't doubt you will be able to beat them."
Overall comment... So Red can only access Tauren's mind when their both asleep? This makes it seem like it'd be pretty impossible for them to both be sleeping at the same time, unless Red had some way to know when Tauren went to bed... :/
Also, it seemed like you ended in the middle of a sentence. It was kind of an odd place to stop.
I like all this magic that's happening. Can't wait for it to continue, and to see what Tauren picks for an object to channel his magic through!
Okay so I had reviewed like almost all of these but I lost it so I don't really remember what I had put on there. But I know that I'm mad because there isn't another chapter. I wanted to go to the next one but looked and seem that you don't have one. You so need to continue this series because I really like it.
LOVER OF EMOTIONS 
~
Other than the minor mistakes that keep popping up probably in every chapter. Oh and what does (13-4-21) that mean. I'm TOTS confused but it makes me just want to read more to find out about it. Like the end of every chapter makes me want to do.
Oh and I tried my best not to cry when his grandfather died, shoot even when the horse died. I like it though, not most novels have that. Well, one of mines does, but not most of the ones I read.
I like how you have him practicing magic in his head. Makes me wonder who the red spot is. You should really keep writing this one.
~:D
I will be adding more chapters fairly soon!
The numbers are dates. The one you saw was 2013 - April 21st.
. . . I need to edit them out.
But thanks!
Try use more descriptive words to describe the character. I love the series and want to read more though so don't stop writing. Also, could you describe the side characters a bit more? I think it would help the plot a little. Most of what you're writing is great, but to fix some of your writing, you need to keep writing and practicing to get even better at it. Writing is like a sport, if you put it off for a long time, you'll get rusty. If you practice every chance you get, you'll become a "God with a Pen(cil)"
XD I know this very well.
Thnx.