Page 29 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

Before the war, each magical clan had their own specialties, their own spells and craft. They shared some with other families, but that knowledge was hoarded like a miser would gold. Such a practice turned out to their detriment. With the war, the clans’ knowledge died with them, a great deal having been passed down through oral tradition. What records they’d been able to recover weren’t comprehensive by any means.

Even five hundred years later, the few living mages were still reconstructing spells and potions, trying to recreate something they never knew how to do in practice. It was maddening, and the mages more than once had gatherings to mourn the loss of knowledge. Alric suspected it was more like a pity party with actual booze involved, but he did have survival skills. He never said that aloud.

The kidnappers had used common spells, eh. No way to track them through those, then. They’d have to rely on the spell elements and hope their origin would give some clue. Mages had always harvested elements close to home, as outsourcing other ingredients was problematic in various ways. The spell elements should give them a rough location of the culprits, if nothing else.

“I expect we’ll have something to go off of in a few days. We’ll need to start a proper investigation tomorrow.” Lisette put the amulet away in a pocket before folding her hands over her knee, that arch look back on her face. “My conversation with Cameron went very well, by the way. He’s more open to his own magic now. Or at least, he’s willing to think he can work magic himself. I’m not entirely sure where this mental block of his originated, but I assume it was instilled in him through his family. His great-grandmother apparently never worked magic in front of her family. He has only a single memory of her doing so.”

“So there was magical knowledge in his line at one point.” Alric’s eyes closed in fatalistic understanding. “But because she’d not passed it on, it was lost. He’d mentioned something about this to me, but hadn’t explained it.”

“His grandmother was apparently always adamant they were mages, but without any way to prove or demonstrate it…” Lisette trailed off with a grimace. “Cameron made noises along the lines of his sister and grandmother being mages, he’s sure on that. I think it’s because they have always believed in magic. Because he hasn’t, he feels he’s not magical in and of himself.”

“Belief doesn’t have anything to do with it, though,” Alric objected. His heart twinged. That amazing man didn’t believe himself magical? Didn’t believe in his own potential? Alric didn’t know off-hand how he could possibly help Cameron understand that he was all of that and more. That he could be anything he chose. He wasn’t confined to the limits he’d imposed upon himself.

God, no wonder Cameron had reacted so strongly when Alric pushed. It must have been like rubbing lye into an open wound.

“I know it doesn’t, and I think I’ve explained it in such a way that he now understands that.” Lisette’s lips pursed thoughtfully. “I approached it in a very scientific manner, as I thought it would go over better. What with his focus in engineering. He understood the basic concepts very quickly. It will be a pleasure to teach that one. Such an amazing, sharp mind.”

Alric could have told her that. Cameron was both astute and observant. There wasn’t much that went over his head. “But he believes it now?”

“I think it’s still settling in. He’s at least open to the idea and was reading over the primer book I gave him with great attention. Considering all that he has been through in the past few days, I wasn’t willing to beat him over the head with it.”

“That’s wise. I fear we’ve overwhelmed him in many ways.”

“Yes, quite. He keeps coming back and asking more questions, though.” Lisette gave a half-laugh, her eyes crinkling up into charming crow’s feet. “So, we haven’t done too badly. I’m very curious to meet the rest of his family. I have a feeling they’ll be just as keen as he is.”

“I hope so. More mages are always a blessing to any clan.”

“It is always our delight to be part of a clan, for that matter.” Lisette got that look again, as if she were going to scold or encourage him. Her mouth was open, framing the words, but fortunately a knock at the door interrupted her.

It wasn’t a knock he knew, but Alric recognized the scent. Cameron smelled of magic, yes, but also of citrus and sun. Alric’s dragon might like Cameron’s scent just a tad too much.

“Enter!”

The door swung open, and Cameron’s head popped around the frame, his hair brushing against his cheek at the movement. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. I had a question for Lisette.”

She turned and gestured him in. “What is it?”

“I, uh, okay this may be jumping the gun.” Cameron stepped fully in and eyed her uncertainly. “I read the first three chapters, and I have a grasp on what all is entailed for basic spells, but I wondered if I could maybe try something? Really basic, just a little spell. I think I need to prove to myself one way or another if I can actually work magic.”

Alric’s eyes shot to Lisette, praying she said yes. He hated this uncertainty he saw in Cameron. He wanted only confidence and an open path for the man.

Fortunately, Lisette smiled and immediately stood. “Of course. There are several simple spells you can do that only require one element to work. I can teach you the invocation for it. You said the first three chapters, so you covered invocations?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Excellent, then let’s work an invocation. Less prep that way.”

Alric felt a flash of something in his chest. It was a mix of selfish impulse and a desire to break down Cameron’s mental block. He stood and stepped around his desk, moving in closer to both mages. “How about a wind spell?”

“Oh?” Lisette knew him too well. She was already suspicious, and her eyes studied him, waiting for the other shoe to fall. “Yes, I suppose. We can light a candle, put it in front of an open window. Less chance of damage that way.”

Cameron followed this logic with a nod. “Sure, if I can blow out the candle, that’s pretty good evidence. Um, what element do I use to power the spell?”

“Why not dragon’s breath?” Alric pointed to himself with a genial smile. “Since I’m here and available.”

“That’s an element? Then sure, thanks.” Cameron looked nervous about this idea, but his shoulders were set. He was game to try.

If this took the worry and stress off of Cameron, Alric would be happy to supply him with dragon’s breath all night. Hopefully a single spell would be enough to settle the question, though.