Free The Contention by Jeremy Laszlo Page A

Seth again spoke the command.
    “Release!” Seth said and watched as the breastplate responded. A fireball nearly identical in size shot out from the breastplate without warning and crashed, hissing and smoking, into the far wall, leaving a scorch mark upon the stone. Another success, and with it came much understanding. Though these were some of the easiest symbols to create and connect into chains and patterns, Seth had garnered a lot of useful information from just these few tests. With that information came hope that with enough time and the right supplies, Seth could create objects unlike anything the world had ever seen before: objects that in the right hands could sway entire battles and end wars. Though he was in desperate need of rest, this new hope drove Seth to remain alert throughout the day as he studied the ancient weapons within the room, and practiced enchanting items to different effects time and again.
    It was during one such experiment that Seth realized the error of his previous thinking. Earlier he had imagined himself enchanting weapons by the thousands to create an invincible army for Valdadore. Now he realized that such a deed would be in error. For any one nation to be vastly more powerful than another would upset the balance in Thurr. The entire world would be afraid of that particular nation, and through their fear, all would grow to hate those who held the power. This in mind Seth began rethinking the way he assembled the chains of symbols upon his breastplate. As he toyed with this new direction he came to a conclusion. Either one man in the nation, who was trustworthy and incorruptible, should be trusted with the power of highly enchanted weapons and armor, or the entire nation should be equipped with a limited resource of power to dissuade their enemies. They were more for show than for real tactical advantage, perhaps both. With this in mind, Seth set himself to designing a new chain of magical symbols, both simple and easy to replicate. It was a chain of five symbols: absorb, magical realm, containment, illumination, command. After having completed the simple chain, Seth performed a simple test upon his breastplate for the final time that day.
    Unleashing first a fireball, and then a burst of raw power at the piece of armor, Seth watched as both manifestations of his power were absorbed into the breastplate’s aura. Then speaking the command he had infused the armor with, the breastplate flared to life with blinding white light for near a quarter of an hour until all the power it had absorbed was consumed. His test successful, Seth waited an additional several moments for his eyes to stop watering, readjust and focus before he stood to exit the vault. Collecting his breastplate, Seth exited the room, closing the secret door behind him.
    Turning, Seth could not help but to grin to himself as he noticed Borrik leaning heavily into the corner of the room, fast asleep. Some guard he made, Seth thought. But immediately Borrik’s ears twitched having caught some sound inaudible to Seth, and his eyes popped open as he quickly got his bearings and surveyed the room for danger.
    “My prince, the afternoon grows late and your troops have come as commanded,” Borrik growled.
    “Yes, my task was more time consuming than I had imagined it would be, but let’s get to business, shall we? Where are the men?” Seth asked, one eyebrow rising slightly.
    “They are here within the temple, my prince. Shall I take you to them?” Borrik asked, stretching his muscles.
    “No, Borrik, that is fine. You can tell the men to come to this room in pairs, and then you yourself may retire and get some much deserved rest. I don’t think I have seen you sleep in weeks,” Seth added.
    “I rest when I am able,” Borrik admitted. His head turned slightly askew, as if listening to something in the distance. He paused briefly before he continued speaking. “The men have been given your orders, master, and the first