manipulate his own.
He saw the wizard grin in triumph as his spell's hold tightened around him. However, the magic was relatively simple to pick apart.
Not wanting to reveal what he was doing, Lucius picked at two threads of magic, trapping and holding them firm under the presence of the existing spell. Then, feeling the wizard was coming to the end of his ritual, he triggered his own spell.
The magics expanded quickly, blasting the binding spell apart. Lucius quickly channelled the magic forward, repulsing the force of the spell the wizard was preparing back at him.
The wizard held out a hand to dismiss the attack, but he had not counted on its raw strength. He was thrown backwards against the wall, and buried in an avalanche of bricks and dirt as the roof of the tunnel came down on top of him. Everything suddenly went black.
Gasping for air and gagging against the stink of the sewer, Lucius called a small ball of flame to his palm. He saw that the tunnel had completely caved in ahead of him, the passageway blocked by a wall of brick and earth. Lucius whistled quietly. He had not intended to cause major damage to the sewer itself, but the amount of energy needed to break the wizard's binding spell had been greater than he had first thought. When released, all that power had had to go somewhere.
Resolving to take a little more care in shaping his spells when in confined areas, Lucius started down the sewer again, the ball of fire in his hand lighting the way to the docks.
Chapter Eight
Stretching uncomfortably in the chill morning air, Lucius drew his cloak closer around him. Sounds of people talking animatedly started to penetrate his sleep addled mind, then he snapped open his eyes, suddenly remembering where he was.
Another heap of cloth started to stir within a doorway opposite, and the stink of last night's alcohol washed over him as a vagrant growled irritation and rolled over. Lucius sat up and scratched at his hair, conscious that he still reeked of the sewers himself.
At the far end of the alley, he saw people moving in the main street, and gradually became aware of a low, deep chiming. It took him a further moment to realise he was hearing the newly installed bells at the Cathedral, now used to summon the people of the city to the Square of True Believers. Standing up and shaking the last dregs of sleep from his system, he wandered out to see what was happening.
After leaving the sewers the evening before, Lucius had not found Hengit and the other thieves at the docks, nor had they been present at the pre-arranged meeting point behind the silversmiths' near the cliffs. He was not overly worried, as he knew Hengit was an extremely capable thief. Perhaps another Vos patrol had been close on their heels as they left the sewers, or maybe they had run into soldiers above ground and Hengit had decided to lay low for a while. He was sure he would get a chance to rendezvous with Hengit soon.
Rumours were running rampant, it was clear from the excited chattering of the crowd, as friends and strangers alike tried to guess what was going on at the Cathedral. Some were saying that it was to be an open trial of a group of rich wizards, while others opined that a city-wide carnival was in the process of being set up. One old woman told anyone who would listen that the stipend granted to beggars was being extended to all common people, though at a lower rate of course, to demonstrate the generosity of the Empire. Lucius grabbed a young man by the arm to ask him for clearer details, but all he received was a shrug.
He arrived at the square just as the bells stopped tolling, and saw the area was packed with people, the crowd heaving as individuals jostled for the best position. The guard were present in force, their red uniforms and spears or halberds acting as islands in the press of people. However, Lucius doubted any pickpockets or malcontents would dare to make their presence felt today, not after recent
He saw the wizard grin in triumph as his spell's hold tightened around him. However, the magic was relatively simple to pick apart.
Not wanting to reveal what he was doing, Lucius picked at two threads of magic, trapping and holding them firm under the presence of the existing spell. Then, feeling the wizard was coming to the end of his ritual, he triggered his own spell.
The magics expanded quickly, blasting the binding spell apart. Lucius quickly channelled the magic forward, repulsing the force of the spell the wizard was preparing back at him.
The wizard held out a hand to dismiss the attack, but he had not counted on its raw strength. He was thrown backwards against the wall, and buried in an avalanche of bricks and dirt as the roof of the tunnel came down on top of him. Everything suddenly went black.
Gasping for air and gagging against the stink of the sewer, Lucius called a small ball of flame to his palm. He saw that the tunnel had completely caved in ahead of him, the passageway blocked by a wall of brick and earth. Lucius whistled quietly. He had not intended to cause major damage to the sewer itself, but the amount of energy needed to break the wizard's binding spell had been greater than he had first thought. When released, all that power had had to go somewhere.
Resolving to take a little more care in shaping his spells when in confined areas, Lucius started down the sewer again, the ball of fire in his hand lighting the way to the docks.
Chapter Eight
Stretching uncomfortably in the chill morning air, Lucius drew his cloak closer around him. Sounds of people talking animatedly started to penetrate his sleep addled mind, then he snapped open his eyes, suddenly remembering where he was.
Another heap of cloth started to stir within a doorway opposite, and the stink of last night's alcohol washed over him as a vagrant growled irritation and rolled over. Lucius sat up and scratched at his hair, conscious that he still reeked of the sewers himself.
At the far end of the alley, he saw people moving in the main street, and gradually became aware of a low, deep chiming. It took him a further moment to realise he was hearing the newly installed bells at the Cathedral, now used to summon the people of the city to the Square of True Believers. Standing up and shaking the last dregs of sleep from his system, he wandered out to see what was happening.
After leaving the sewers the evening before, Lucius had not found Hengit and the other thieves at the docks, nor had they been present at the pre-arranged meeting point behind the silversmiths' near the cliffs. He was not overly worried, as he knew Hengit was an extremely capable thief. Perhaps another Vos patrol had been close on their heels as they left the sewers, or maybe they had run into soldiers above ground and Hengit had decided to lay low for a while. He was sure he would get a chance to rendezvous with Hengit soon.
Rumours were running rampant, it was clear from the excited chattering of the crowd, as friends and strangers alike tried to guess what was going on at the Cathedral. Some were saying that it was to be an open trial of a group of rich wizards, while others opined that a city-wide carnival was in the process of being set up. One old woman told anyone who would listen that the stipend granted to beggars was being extended to all common people, though at a lower rate of course, to demonstrate the generosity of the Empire. Lucius grabbed a young man by the arm to ask him for clearer details, but all he received was a shrug.
He arrived at the square just as the bells stopped tolling, and saw the area was packed with people, the crowd heaving as individuals jostled for the best position. The guard were present in force, their red uniforms and spears or halberds acting as islands in the press of people. However, Lucius doubted any pickpockets or malcontents would dare to make their presence felt today, not after recent
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