Free Battle Mage Visions (A Tale of Alus Book 12) by Donald Wigboldy Page A

sword made in an afternoon, but I suppose magic makes it look easy.
    "It isn't, however, so I think it is time for us to retire to our inn. We can take it up in the morning again if you wish."
    His almost formal dismissal of the idea of another sword elicited frowns and furrowed brows from the Red Hall wizards. Unfortunately, they could hardly argue with him. He was the only one to master the magic to create a Hollow Sword, so only he knew how much energy Sebastian had truly used.
    After a long day made longer dealing with the attitudes of the wizards, Sebastian was ready to relax at the inn. A little dancing with Ashleen and perhaps time alone before bed, was just what was needed to put the work of the day behind him to get some sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
     
     
    Chapter 5- Uneasy Peace
     
    They hadn't escaped the Red Hall wizards as quickly as he had hoped. Persistence on their part kept him at the forge for nearly half an hour longer answering their questions. Most were pertaining to the new sword, the runes and his belief of what sort of wizard was likely to be able to make a Hollow Sword.
    The last question was hardest to answer. No one had really taken to the magic when shown so far. If earth, fire and research wizards couldn't figure out his methods, then would it require a healer like the runes or maybe a nature wizard? Water and air were less likely aptitudes to likely work with metal, but Sebastian supposed anything was possible.
    Beyond the wizards was the possibility that battle mages would be naturals at using the magic. They knew swords better than wizards, so they might have a feel for what it took to make an exceptional blade. The only drawback would be a lack of power to finish the prolonged magic to make the swords.
    As the five walked back across the city to the inn, Elzen complained aloud, "What a bunch of stuck up stiffs. If you hadn't proved you could do it, that Gefflen would still be looking down his nose at us... you."
    The young mage had skills and the ability to be a great falcon. Only Elzen's attitude, too often that of a jokester, held him back; even so the mage had gone to the wall at seventeen and convinced those in charge that he was worthy of becoming a falcon.
    Unlike Sebastian, he hadn't created new spells or been under the test of fire which had given the other battle mage a chance to prove he was more than just a swordsman. Elzen could get down to business as much as any falcon, however, and was likely to become a leader as he aged and grew out of some of his boyish foolishness. For now, he followed Sebastian and had learned about as much of his new spells and magic as any other wizard or mage.
    "Red Hall is far away from Hala," Sebastian said stating the obvious as he tried to make a point. "Gefflen and the others haven't been here to see what you and I can do. They are just now starting to see what battle mages in general have the potential to become."
    Ashleen grunted in annoyance and agreed with Elzen as she countered, "Well, that will save you from his arrogance perhaps, but I doubt he will ever see a wilder as anything but trash."
    "I think trash would be pushing it," he replied, though even Sebastian wasn't sure that the girl was wrong.
    Elzen was looking at the ground without truly seeing it as he thought aloud, "I know that they are teachers at Red Hall, but I don't feel like we can truly trust them."
    Looking up at Sebastian, the younger man asked, "Why do I feel like that?"
    As he thought of their experience with the Red Hall wizards, Sebastian's gut told him to be wary of them as well; but they had proper clearance. He had been ordered to show them what he could of his magic, but the mage knew that there would be certain things he would have to hold back as well. Talk of merfolk or using a staff to tap the earth's power was certainly off the table.
    "Unless Raven Leros or the high wizards suddenly change their minds, I don't have much choice. I have to show them