of heart pain, and was frightened at thought.
“My heart is going to burst,” he cried through gritted teeth.
You will be fine, Khalid. Your heart is rebuilding itself. Every organ in your body is becoming stronger and better than it was before. Soon, you will be perfect and unspoiled by age. Be patient.
Khalid continued breathing heavily as his lungs burned. The breaths were shallow and painful, like stab wounds in his back and chest. He writhed, struggling to draw in breath. There was a feeling of suffocation that seemed familiar to him, as if he were reliving having drowned as a child. Through the blur of pain, he could almost see his mentor leaning over him after bringing him back from death. But the vision was an illusion brought on by his pain, and as he reached up to touch his mentor’s face, his fingers found nothing. Frustrated, and in agony, Khalid collapsed into darkness.
Chapter Six
Jodocus and Farouk stood amidst a great magical circle inscribed in the tile atop Jodocus’ tower. The circle had archaic symbols carved along its circumference, and a large triangle was centered within it. The two were just inside the inner circle, standing at the points of the triangle. Jodocus held his staff straight out before him, resting its base on one point, and Farouk stood in the same fashion at the point to Jodocus’ left. The remaining point was empty, and both Druid and apprentice waited for its occupant to arrive.
Several hours earlier, Jodocus had summoned Maedoc to join them in this communion. Though perfectly capable of communing with the Dragon themselves, summoning the Great Mother required the power of three. In times past, Jodocus, Maedoc, and Traegus had taken their places in the circle. But now, with the departure of Traegus, the trio had been incomplete, and neither the Druid nor the Seer were able to commune with the Earth herself.
Lately, however, with Farouk’s power growing, Jodocus had hope of communing once again. Farouk’s mastery of the abilities he had been given were a telltale sign that he was ready to assist in the ritual. Maedoc had not questioned Jodocus’ suggestion, fully believing that if the Druid had faith in his new apprentice, then he could as well.
“He is coming,” Jodocus stated.
Farouk turned to look at the vacant point on the triangle, watching as the wispy figure of Maedoc faded into existence with the appearance of a growing bubble of energy. Maedoc was transparent at first, but as he fully materialized, he grew more solid, and small, residual flashes of energy sparked over his body. The man was somewhat older, possibly in his sixties. His hair was long and unkempt, dry and graying. His robes were gray, plain and inconspicuous. The only decoration was the belt Maedoc wore. It was purple silk, emblazoned with white dragons. His staff was black, made of a light metal, and bore a resemblance to a great spear with a four bladed point.
“Welcome, Maedoc,” Jodocus greeted him. Maedoc nodded in respect at the Druid, and then turned to Farouk.
“This is my apprentice, Farouk,” Jodocus continued.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Maedoc,” Farouk said, nodding his head.
“And you, as well,” Maedoc returned the greeting. “Jodocus has told me your story, and I am intrigued. From what he says, your abilities as a Druid are innate.”
“Nature has always been in my blood,” Farouk said. “It was only when I came here that I realized I was meant to preserve it.”
“Then I welcome you, my friend,” Maedoc said, smiling.
“Now that the pleasantries are done,” Jodocus said, “let us begin. Farouk, focus on the spirit of the Earth itself, as you did with the willow. Your thoughts will assist in opening a portal for the Great Mother to project her energy. She will appear to us in the center of the triangle, and we may speak to her.”
“How will she appear?” Farouk asked, curiously.
“She may take any form she wishes,” Jodocus said.
“My heart is going to burst,” he cried through gritted teeth.
You will be fine, Khalid. Your heart is rebuilding itself. Every organ in your body is becoming stronger and better than it was before. Soon, you will be perfect and unspoiled by age. Be patient.
Khalid continued breathing heavily as his lungs burned. The breaths were shallow and painful, like stab wounds in his back and chest. He writhed, struggling to draw in breath. There was a feeling of suffocation that seemed familiar to him, as if he were reliving having drowned as a child. Through the blur of pain, he could almost see his mentor leaning over him after bringing him back from death. But the vision was an illusion brought on by his pain, and as he reached up to touch his mentor’s face, his fingers found nothing. Frustrated, and in agony, Khalid collapsed into darkness.
Chapter Six
Jodocus and Farouk stood amidst a great magical circle inscribed in the tile atop Jodocus’ tower. The circle had archaic symbols carved along its circumference, and a large triangle was centered within it. The two were just inside the inner circle, standing at the points of the triangle. Jodocus held his staff straight out before him, resting its base on one point, and Farouk stood in the same fashion at the point to Jodocus’ left. The remaining point was empty, and both Druid and apprentice waited for its occupant to arrive.
Several hours earlier, Jodocus had summoned Maedoc to join them in this communion. Though perfectly capable of communing with the Dragon themselves, summoning the Great Mother required the power of three. In times past, Jodocus, Maedoc, and Traegus had taken their places in the circle. But now, with the departure of Traegus, the trio had been incomplete, and neither the Druid nor the Seer were able to commune with the Earth herself.
Lately, however, with Farouk’s power growing, Jodocus had hope of communing once again. Farouk’s mastery of the abilities he had been given were a telltale sign that he was ready to assist in the ritual. Maedoc had not questioned Jodocus’ suggestion, fully believing that if the Druid had faith in his new apprentice, then he could as well.
“He is coming,” Jodocus stated.
Farouk turned to look at the vacant point on the triangle, watching as the wispy figure of Maedoc faded into existence with the appearance of a growing bubble of energy. Maedoc was transparent at first, but as he fully materialized, he grew more solid, and small, residual flashes of energy sparked over his body. The man was somewhat older, possibly in his sixties. His hair was long and unkempt, dry and graying. His robes were gray, plain and inconspicuous. The only decoration was the belt Maedoc wore. It was purple silk, emblazoned with white dragons. His staff was black, made of a light metal, and bore a resemblance to a great spear with a four bladed point.
“Welcome, Maedoc,” Jodocus greeted him. Maedoc nodded in respect at the Druid, and then turned to Farouk.
“This is my apprentice, Farouk,” Jodocus continued.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Maedoc,” Farouk said, nodding his head.
“And you, as well,” Maedoc returned the greeting. “Jodocus has told me your story, and I am intrigued. From what he says, your abilities as a Druid are innate.”
“Nature has always been in my blood,” Farouk said. “It was only when I came here that I realized I was meant to preserve it.”
“Then I welcome you, my friend,” Maedoc said, smiling.
“Now that the pleasantries are done,” Jodocus said, “let us begin. Farouk, focus on the spirit of the Earth itself, as you did with the willow. Your thoughts will assist in opening a portal for the Great Mother to project her energy. She will appear to us in the center of the triangle, and we may speak to her.”
“How will she appear?” Farouk asked, curiously.
“She may take any form she wishes,” Jodocus said.
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