Well, here be #3 of 7.
be afraid, be very afraid.
jazz
"It's not our fault."
Chapter 6 All Good Things...
"There is never an ending, just new beginnings."
-unknown
"Okay...1...2...3...4...5...help!"
-Phillip Moyer-Serendipity 2
Several more weeks passed without too many incidents. After
another hard day of instruction, Jazz retired to his customary
thinking location, a parapet overlooking the central courtyard,
heavy thoughts becoming prevalent.
[All I hope is that Felicia will be happy...] he thought,
with slight regret. Earlier in the week, Jazz had told her that
they shouldn't be a couple anymore.
Felicia asked him why. As the tears streamed down her
cheeks, Jazz sought for the answer. Not being good at dealing
with people on the intimate scale he and Felicia were getting to,
Jazz fumbled badly.
"Fel-chan, I would still like to be friends but right
now...I...I don't know what to think. So much has changed in my
life recently that I don't know...how to proceed with what's
happening with us..." echoed the words he had used in his head.
"Why didn't I handle that better?" asked Jazz no one in
particular.
"Yes, why didn't you?" asked a chilling voice above him,
sarcastically.
Stepping back involuntarily, Jazz looked up to see Karlos,
the wizard of wind, water and ice, floating on the air, a smirk
on his face. [Gotta trust my hunches from now on.] Jazz mentally
noted.
"Wha...what do you want?" tried Jazz, looking for help.
Waving his hand towards Jazz, Karlos took a reading of the
young man. "So, you're the boy that all the talk in
Metallicana is about. Too bad."
"Why too bad?" asked Jazz, looking for an escape route.
"You could have made a good ally but we have opted to kill
you instead."
"By we, you mean Abigial and yourself?" asked Jazz, hoping
to stall the wizard.
"Maybe...now die." shouted Karlos, casting a freeze spell.
Looking back to where he had been, Jazz saw the frost
encrusted stone. [Gotta keep dodging. Not cool to be a
Jazz-cicle.] he thought, looking at the wizard. "Was that your
best shot? Couldn't even hit the broad side of a barn with that
one." taunted Jazz, trying another option.
Reciting a long string of sounds, Karlos let fly with a
blizzard of ice projectiles. Able to dodge most, Jazz fell to
the ground in a curled ball as one last spear ripped into his
side. Casting a healing spell, he managed to staunch most of the
blood flow.
"Ha, another foolish magic-user destroyed." sneered Karlos.
"I...I..." tried Jazz, feeling the floodgates of power open
within himself. "I don't think so." said Jazz, regaining his
feet and getting into a defensive stance.
"How can you survive that?" asked Karlos in disbelief.
"Call me Timex. I can take a licking and keep on ticking.
Now leave before I have to get rough." commanded Jazz, hoping to
sound tough.
Felicia came from the watch tower staircase to see the
battle brewing between the two magic users. She also took in
that Jazz had begun to glow. Two sides suddenly began to war
within her, trying to decide whether to get help or to watch.
Casting his own version of "Riot", Karlos easily destroyed
the wall around Jazz. Jazz on the other hand managed to get a
shield up in time to deflect most of the blast.
Feeling his clothes becoming tattered, Jazz returned a spell
he had developed with Darschu. Chanting, Jazz said "Kikakoo
micha, ni cra so ta, megra chiso, PETRA!!!!!"
Jazz's high hopes soon dashed themselves upon the rocks as
Karlos took the hit and canceled it out.
For three minutes, the two magic throwers tossed spell after
spell before anyone noticed. Getting desperate, Karlos tossed a
high level force bolt at the land bound Jazz, knocking him back
several feet. Suddenly a rain of energy strikes fell from the
heavens, striking Jazz multiple times, draining his already low
reserves.
Then Karlos noticed the fight's observer for the first time.
Jazz watched in confusion as Karlos cast an ice storm at a target
off the field.
Seeing the intended target, Jazz screamed "NNOOO!!!" as he
cast a quick shield spell around the young lady.
Felicia screamed as she saw the ice spell flying towards and
covered her head with her arms. Not feeling an impact, Felicia
cautious lowered her arms to see a golden shield about her.
Looking towards Jazz, she saw him with is arm pointed at her.
Turning back towards Karlos, Jazz yelled "This is between
you and me, homeboy. Let's rumble."
For another minute, the two mages, one experienced, one
wannabe, tossed spells back and forth.
[Damn, where is everyone? Almost out of energy...gotta
recharge.] thought Jazz, falling to his knees tiredly.
"So kra barada niktoo, zodo nicha clikto, SLAYER!!!!"
chanted Karlos. Jazz looked up to see Karlos gathering a
purplish energy and braced himself
The purple force bolt slammed into him like a runaway
freight train, blasting him outward over the castle wall.
Landing several feet from and several yards below where he
original kneeled, Jason skidded to a stop, the rocky ground
rending his clothing and scraping his skin. [Faceplant!! Record
Pain!!! Ow ow ow ow!] his mind screamed.
[You asked for it, not running away from a superior
opponent.] another part screamed.
Looking back towards his assailant, Jason slowly worked his
way to his feet. Pulling up what little energy he could, Jason
managed to form a small shield to partially deflect the icy
fireball flung at him.
Screaming as the ice fire bathed his skin, blisters forming.
Letting his unconscious in, Jason's power level's rose slightly.
[You already used your supply of energy. There is no more.] his
sub-conscious said.
Falling back to his knees, Jason felt the power ebb away
from him. Looking at Karlos, Jason accepted his fate as he
powered up another force bolt, this one glowing blue with power.
Karlos let fly as Jason bowed his head, a single tear
forming, for not being able to do the job he had taken up.
Suddenly a figure leapt into the path of the bolt, casting a blue
lit shadow over Jason. Looking up, he managed to raise his arms
enough to catch the blasted, broken form of Felicia.
Looking down at her, his mind spun, a single word coming to
his lips. "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Looking back at Karlos, his mind took in that Karlos had
fallen under the assault of two wizards and small force of
troops. The cognizant part of his mind recognized Darschu and
Arshes Nei and several Metallicana troops.
Seeing that he was under assault by superior forces, Karlos
turned and advanced to the rear, but not before yelling "This is
not over, young one. There will come a time I will defeat you."
Jason didn't care. He leaned over Felicia, tears raining on
her face. Looking up at the sound of approaching footsteps,
Jason recognized Geo and Tia, both with looks of great concern.
"Say there is something you can do for her. PLEASE!!!!"
Jason asked, his voice pleading.
"Jazz, I'm...sorry..." said Geo, regretfully.
"NO! There has to be something you can do!" screamed Jason,
looking between Geo and Tia pleadingly.
"We're sorry." whisper Tia softly.
Looking down at her face, Jason sobbed, "Fel-chan, I'm
sorry...please forgive me..."
"j...jazz, s...sorry...luv you..." whispered Felicia,
touching the side of his face weakly much to Jason's surprise.
Suddenly Jason's mind started racing once again, recalling
all his knowledge of force bolts. [This society is based on
magic. Force bolts take away a person's magical essence when
they get hit. She needs an infusion of magic to keep going.]
Geo and Tia noticed the look of fiery determination entering
Jazz's gaze and his lips drew back in a slight snarl. "Jazz,
what are you thinking of?" asked Tia, worriedly.
"Tia, please lend me your dagger. We may be able to save
her yet." Jason insisted, his eyes turning hard.
Tia pulled the dagger from its sheath hesitantly as Geo said
"No one has survived a force bolt, much less the magnitude of the
one she absorbed."
Snatching the dagger from Tia's hand, Jason replied with
grim determination "Today, someone just might."
Before either could do anything, Jason ran the dagger along
the underside of his left arm, just deep enough the draw a little
blood. Jazz clamped his eyes shut hard, trying to ignore the
pain, focusing on his plan.
"Jazz, stop it. There is nothing you can do." pleaded Tia,
as he drew the dagger down his other arm. Suddenly Jazz's aura,
golden this time, flared into existence, centered on his arms.
"Today will be different." replied Jason, a deep power
resounding in his voice.
The entire assembled group stared in disbelief as Jazz's
aura got brighter and brighter with the power it drew upon. Geo,
Darschu, and Arshes Nei drew back involuntarily at the power
Jazz called upon. Darchu knew in his heart that he would never
be able to counter this level of power. If he, Arshes, and Geo
worked together, they might, MIGHT, stand a chance.
Cupping his left hand, a small spot of golden energy began
to form, growing brighter as his hand moved towards the still
form of Felicia, her life light almost out.
Placing his left hand over her heart, Jason laid his right
hand on her forehead and whispered "Accept..."
A bright flash of multi-colored light erupted from the pair,
blinding everyone within several yards for several seconds. When
the light faded, Jason looked almost dead on his knees while
Felicia seemed to be coming fully awake.
Scanning both quickly, Geo couldn't believe his senses.
Looking at Arshes Nei and Dark Schneider, the looks he saw
matched what his senses told him. Felicia had not only regained
her magic, but significantly more as well. Jason, in turn,
appeared to be completely drained of magical essence, with no way
of regaining it, ever.
Tia rushed forward as Jason fell on his side, exhausted.
Seeing him fall, Felicia reached out suddenly stopping his
descent to the ground.
Looking into his face, Felicia's ears picked up "I..it
worked...thank the...goddess..." Jason suddenly went limp in her
grasp. Looking up at Geo, Felicia demanded "What did he do?"
"We have to get him back inside the castle, now!" order Geo.
"If he is to survive."
"What did he do?" insisted Felicia.
"Fel, he gave of himself to save you." said Tia, bowing her
head regretfully as a pair of troops approached with a makeshift
gurney.
Jason awoke to the morning sun beating down on his face.
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, noticing an overall body ache.
Hearing a faint rustling at the end of his bed, Jason looked to
find Felicia, sitting in a chair and having slumped onto the bed
asleep. Reaching out to caress her hair, Jason pulled his arm
back as the bandages revealed themselves.
[Why hasn't my healing power kicked in yet?] his mind asked
itself.
"I probably just over tapped myself yesterd..." mumbled
Jason, stopping in mid-sentence, as a flood of memories from the
day before filled his mind. The events of the entire day
scrolled by starting from the Karlos' attack and challenge up to
the point Felicia had...fallen into his arms, nearly dead.
"Fel-ch...chan..." he mumbled again, looking slightly(okay,
more than slightly) confused at the figure lying at the foot of
his bed.
As if on cue, Felicia opened her eyes. "Jazz, you're
awake!"
"Fel-chan, what happened yesterday after the wizard left??"
asked Jason, wanting yet not wanting to know the answer. "The
last thing I remember was holding...you as..." Tears started to
form in his eyes.
"Shhh. Jazz, I think Geo can better explain what happened.
Sit still till I get back." Going to the door, Felicia sent the
servant who was positioned there to get High Priest Geo.
Jason cupped his hands together in his lap, his mind
following multiple thoughts. Ten minutes past before Geo
arrived.
"I see you are awake, Jazz. We weren't sure...but you
pulled through." said Geo, trying to stay away from a subject he
knew he would encounter sooner or later.
"Geo, what happened? Why haven't I healed yet?"
"Jazz, you remember a few weeks ago when you did research
down in the catacombs we have under the castle?"
"Yes..."
"You remember the tome about the effects of a power bolt on
a human and other creatures, which makes them so effective."
"Yes. The power bolt destroys the spirit, or magic if you
will, of whatever it hits. What does that have to do with me,
lying here in bed?"
"How much of the battle do you remember?" Felicia stood
quietly along the wall, watching the two men talk.
"Well...the wizard came and challenged me. We fought, he
being considerably better than me. From then, everything is hazy
until I caught Felicia in my arms, her eyes almost dim."
"To save you, Felicia..."
"...took a power bolt for you." she finished stepping up to
the bed.
"Then why...Geo, what did I do?" Jason asked, looking
between the two with determination.
"You remember the question you asked Dark Schneider about
doing a power transfer?"
"Yeah, I asked him if it was possible, in order to save the
life..." Jason croaked off, looking at Felicia. "No, I
didn't...I couldn't have..."
"Yes, you did." replied Geo, Felicia only nodding her head
slowly, on the verge of tears.
"Ayi-yi-yi..." replied Jazz softly, suddenly going into deep
thought mode.
"Jazz..." tried Felicia, laying a hand on his shoulder.
Feeling him draw away from her, she kept her hand there, sitting
on the edge of the bed.
"Please leave..." whispered Jazz after a few minutes.
"Jazz?" inquired Felicia gently.
"Please leave now." said Jazz, becoming insistent.
"I don't think..." tried Geo.
"I don't care...I just want to be left alone for a
while...is that okay??" yelled Jazz, his anger suddenly coming to
the forefront.
Drawing back from his outburst, Felicia asked "Why?"
"I need to think some things through and can't do that when
people are crowding around me. So...please...leave..." finished
Jazz, his teeth gritting.
"Fine! Can't tell when the only people he knows are worried
about him. FINE!!!" yelled Felicia, storming from the room.
"God dammit. Give me a chance and I screw up." whispered
Jazz, his forehead meeting his knees.
"Jazz."
"I...I'm sorry, Geo. I...I just some time to think some
things out and how much things have changed."
"Okay...but get some rest. I will have your meals sent up.
Now sleep." said Geo, exiting the room.
[Great.] Jazz thought sarcastically. [The first real
relationship I could possibly have and I mess it up royally.
Some good guy I turn out to be...] Holding his head in his
hands, Jazz tried to banish certain thoughts from his mind.
Extracting his body from the bed, Jazz hobbled over to the
window to watch the setting sun. [I hope this isn't symbolic.]
he thought, marveling at the color schemes in the sky.
Looking down into the courtyard, he saw the curled up form
of Felicia, her knees up to her chest and her arms wrapped around
her knees, sitting on stone upcropping. Closing his eyes hard,
Jazz wanted to his very center of his being to go down to her but
the fear...anger...jealousy returned. Opening his eyes, he
noticed the figure of Sir Crodyn approaching Felicia, concern
almost readable in his gait.
Once again, Jazz's anger reared it's ugly head but became
quickly squelched by his conscience. [Maybe she would be better
with him. What did she see in me anyway?? A nobody who
doesn't fit in here any more and can no longer cast magic.]
resigned Jazz, trying his best to angst. Watching Crodyn lead
off a sobbing Felicia, Jazz ducked away from the window sill
before Felicia looked up towards it.
Returning to bed, Jazz fell into a fitful, dreamless sleep,
waking only a few times during the night.
The next five days passed slowly. Silently glad for
constructing the lapdesk after his first few lessons with Lord
Ironroot, the castle woodsmith, Jazz worked on several varying
designs, for both weapons and armors.
Coming up with a suitable design, Jazz began to figure out
the necessary construction time and materials needed. Jazz could
get over how the design looked like a six wheeled bug. [I must
have been watching a little too much Nadia, but hey, whatever
works. I just hope the alternate modes work as well as I hope
they will. My luck, Hanson'll show up and sue me for copyright
infringement.] he thought with a chuckle.
The diagram on paper looked like an oversized beetle.
Rolling around on six wheels, the curved armored carapace ended
with a fin of metal towards the back. On the front and back, two
large metal cylinders were mounted on swivel housings, ready to
engage at a moments notice.
[Now to find the necessary parts...] Jazz thought as the
door opened.
"So Jazz, ready for your magic lesson?" asked Darschu,
entering the room non-chalantly.
"No." His mood suddenly shifting.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Darschu asked "No?? Why??"
"Why teach me something I will never be able to use again?"
replied Jazz, somberly.
"Jazz, you never know."
"Darschu, this time, I DO know. The best person to receive
your time right now is the person I saved with the magic I had."
said Jazz bitterly, his head bowing.
"..." replied Darschu, at a loss for words. First time for
everything. Excusing himself from the room, Darschu beat a hasty
retreat, not quite understanding Jazz's mood.
Wandering into the chapel, Darschu ran into Tia, who was
going over some scrolls for her session with Jazz. "Tia, what's
wrong with Jazz?" asked Darschu.
Noticing his worried gaze, Tia replied "Darschu, think about
it. High magic ability one day and no magic whatsoever the next.
Right now, Jazz is in a magic society without any magic. I would
have to say he is depressed."
Nodding, Darschu asked "What can we do to help him?"
"There's nothing we can do." Tia said, regretfully.
"How is our patient doing?" Gara wandering into the room.
"Not good. All he is doing is working on is some drawings
on that lap desk of his and looking wistfully out the window."
replied Tia, saddened and longing to help, but not knowing how.
"I tried to get him interested in another session with me,
but he didn't want to." said Darschu.
"Maybe..."
"Maybe, what, Gara?" asked Tia.
"There maybe a way to break his current mood."
"How's that?" asked Darschu, beginning to grin evilly.
"I think all he needs is a visit from a certain half
dark-elf..." said Gara, hintingly.
Grin achieving full bloom, Darschu said, suggestively, "He
does seem to have something for her. Let's do it."
"Just as long as it doesn't drive him away." said Tia
sternly.
"Trust me." said Darschu with a grin. Tia shook her head
sighingly, while rolling her eyes.
After yet another low key session with Jazz, Shiela and Tia
were about ready strangle him.
Walking away from Jazz's room, Shiela asked "Tia, what are
we going to do with him?"
"I...I don't know. His current mood is getting on my
nerves. I liked him better before. Right now, he's even making
me depressed."
"True..." replied Shiela with a nod.
Going down a set of stairs and following a hallway to the
church, Tia said "Ever since he gave up his magic potential, he
has been this way."
"I miss his usual light hearted banter he would throw into
our sessions. He could always get a laugh out of me." said
Shiela with a sigh.
"Yeah, he always had a pun ready but...now..."
"Now, his mood is dark. Is there any way to give him back
at least some magic?"
"No. Geo and I tried right after the incident with Karlos
but it didn't work."
"I wonder..."
"Wonder what?"
"Wonder what it's like not to have magic."
Shaking her head, Tia said "He probably feels useless here."
"Useless, how?"
"Like I told Gara and Darschu, Jazz is now a magic-less
being in a totally magical world. He is one of a kind and
probably feels lacking."
"Tia, since we are heavily dependent on magic, how is he
able to survive here?" asked Sheila, concerned.
"Sheila, I don't know..."
"Could it be with where he is from?"
"Possibly. He did say that where he was from, there was no
magic. He might survive...I just wish wouldn't barricade us
out..." said Tia, sighly regretfully.
"Yes. Tia, did you notice that he seemed to pull away from
us today when we reviewed court etiquette?"
"Yeah. He has always seemed to have a great respect for
everyone he worked with, and for you especially, Shiela. Today
it seemed like he was afraid of us."
"Well Tia, he probably feels afraid because like how you
said, he is unique and can't do magic. Whenever he called on
magic, it seemed that is was to defend himself from assault.
Without that magic to call on, he mostly likely feels defenseless
against us now."
"I just hope what Gara and Darschu have planned works."
"What are they planning?" asked Shiela suspiciously.
"They didn't say...except that it would most likely happen
tonight."
"I hope it doesn't alienate him further."
"I already warned those two that it better not."
Listening to his two teachers leave, talking about him, Jazz
thought [I'm sorry...for getting on your nerves...]
Climbing from his bed and moving easier, Jazz ambled over to
the window, looking up at the clouds. [Maybe it would be better
if I wasn't here. First Felicia, now you two...who's next that I
get to alienate?]
Punching the wall in anger, Jazz suddenly felt his anger be
replaced by pain. [What good is a non-magical person here
anyway? Maybe cannon fodder, but not much else.]
Turning back to the interior of his room, Jazz remembered
what a friend had told him about magic and technology. [Stacy,
in a lot of ways, you were right. I may not have magic but maybe
I can make up for it with technology. Unfortunately, I don't
have decent enough facilities to do anything proper.] Jazz's
idea of "proper" being available in Mega-Tokyo, or the WDF, or
other high level technological societies. Anywhere but the
medieval society of Metallicana.
Seeing his lute lying on a chair, Jazz picked it up and
began to strum at it lightly. [Maybe I can get a job as a court
musician if nothing else.]
Stopping briefly for supper, Jazz continued to play well
into the night. That was until...
Chapter 7 The best medicine...
"
"When all else fails, get a mallet."
-Anonymous
"If you wanna hear our other plans, we'll have to switch to
a secured channel.
-Gryphon-Rite of Passage
Arshes slowly, quietly entered the room, not wanting to
disturb the musician at work. Jazz for his part was completely
enthralled by the music he played. Working for memory, he did a
few changes to the chording to make it fit for the lute as his
bass baritone voice joined with the lute:
<In Your Eyes: Project A-Ko>
Looking in your eyes
How I hope that you will see my heart
That our lives will meet -- never have to part
Feelings here inside
How I wish the world would go away
All would disappear -- but you and I would stay
And I'd be -- forever In Your Eyes
Standing in the dark
Wanting only to be next to you
Shine your light on me -- nothing else will do
Deep inside my heart
I believe that you and I could be
Friends forever more -- thru eternity
And you'd see -- me forever In Your Eyes
The two of us together
I see it in my dream
Nothing could tear us apart
Thru any kind of weather
It's always you and me
Together we can stand the test of time
Feelings here inside
How I wish the world would go away
All would disappear -- but you and I would stay
And I'd be -- forever In Your Eyes
The two of us together
I see it in my dream
Nothing could tear us apart
Thru any kind of weather
It's always you and me
Together we can stand the test of time
Standing in the dark
Wanting only to be next to you
Shine your light on me -- nothing else will do
Deep inside my heart
I believe that you and I could be
Friends forever more -- thru eternity
And you'd see -- me forever In Your Eyes
Slowing down and ending with his head bent over the lute, a
single tear escaped his eyes. [WhyWhyWhyWhyWhy did this have to
happen?] raged his emotions.
[It's called living. Both good and bad must happen in order
to keep a balance.] replied his logical side.
"Why do life's lessons have to be so tough?" Jazz whispered
to himself, hoping to find an answer.
Selecting her words carefully, Arshes replied softly "If
they were easy, we wouldn't learn anything from them."
Looking towards the door startled, Jazz drew back slightly
into the bed, trying to almost hide in the blankets. "Is..is
there anything I can help you with, m'lady?" asked Jason, almost
in fear.
Walking over to the bed and coming to stand directly before
him, Arshes said "Maybe..."
Trying valiantly to calm his racing heart, Jazz looked up at
her questioningly. "Why "maybe"?" he asked. [Like as if I could
ever help you...] he continued mentally.
"That song you just played, an original?" asked Arshes,
trying for a neutral subject, seeing the effect her proximity was
having on Jazz.
Taking a deep breath trying to steady his nerves, Jazz said,
a blush coming to his face, "No...just a song I heard many times
back where I come from."
"That song must have special meaning for you..."
Bowing his head and looking back at his feet, Jazz said
softly "Yeah, it does."
Sighing and shaking her head, Arshes said, deciding to get
right to the point, "Jazz, why are you moping up here?"
"Who said I was moping. I'm just trying to keep in touch
with the situation. If I'm out of everyone's hair..."
"You are causing more problems now than before. We all care
for you and here you are, barricading us out. Why??" interrupted
Arshes, starting to get slightly fed up with his behavior.
Trying to sink even deeper into the covers, Jazz mumbled "I
don't know."
"You think you're the only one who lost something vital and
important?? You aren't. Gara lost his clan, I lost my heritage,
and many have lost a lot more than that trying to bring peace to
this land."
Delving into his anger, Jazz said "Yeah, so. I lost the
only thing that puts me in touch with the land and everyone here.
Right now, I am about as useful as a fucking bump on a log. If I
could go back in time and change the things that have hurt people
I would but God Blessedly I CAN'T."
Taken slightly aback by his anger, Arshes tried "Jazz..."
Realization hitting home, Jazz whispered, his head bowing
once again, "Arshes, I...I'm sorry..."
"Jazz, you have several friends here and a young lady who
cares for you greatly. Please talk to us." said Arshes softly,
sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I doubt Felicia wants anything to do with me any more. Her
and Sir Crodyn seem to make a much better pair anyways."
"Why? What happened?"
"I told her...that maybe we should see a little less of each
other. And then I snapped at her when I woke up after my battle
with Karlos."
"Why'd you snap at her?"
"She...she now has the magic I once had and I guess...I was
jealous of her." said Jazz with a sigh.
"Okay...but why are you still up here? Geo reassured us
that you are completely healed."
"I...I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Of you, Geo...everyone."
"Why?" asked Arshes, not believing her ears.
"With the magic I had, I could easily be a match for each of
you. Without magic to act as a balancer, the scale is tipped
greatly in your favor now."
"How so?"
"Let's say you cast a spell against me. Before, with magic,
I could counter it. Now, the spell will roll over me like a ton
of bricks. If I stay away from everyone, I can't make them angry
and am therefore safe from any spells thrown my direction."
"Jazz, I was told that if I didn't get you out of your room,
Gara, Tia, and Darschu are going to find their own way of getting
you out of here." stated Arshes, looking about the room
"Oh sh...boy."
"Yeah, so, are you going to rejoin the land of the living or
are you gonna stay cooped up in here?"
"I think it's time I rejoined the land of the living. Meet
you at breakfast?"
"No, Gara and Darschu asked that I make sure you leave this
room. I am going to stay here until you leave." Seeing Jazz's
wide eyed expression, Arshes continued with a laugh, "It's to
make sure you don't find another place to hide. Now, how are we
going to accommodate sleeping conditions?"
"I..I'll sleep in the chair or on the floor. You can have
my bed." said Jazz, shuffling over to the chair, covering up with
the blanket that had been in the chair.
"No, you could still slip out."
"As if you wouldn't hear me. The door is probably
booby trapped as well. So, where am I supposed to sleep?"
"In bed..." she replied, waiting to finish. Seeing Jazz
nod, Arshes finished "with me..."
Never before in all her days did Arshes see someone
faceplant into the floor. Not on, but into. "D'oh!!" rumbled
Jazz.
Picking himself from the divot he had driven into the floor,
jazz asked, his voice quivering in fright and eyes wide, "Did you
just say "with me"?"
"Uh-huh." nodded Arshes, with a slight grin.
Blushing brightly, Jazz whispered "okay...that's what I
thought you said."
"Like as if anything is going to happen...unless you...want
something...to happen." replied Arshes, adding a little
seductiveness to her voice and the occasional wink.
Going as white as a bleached sheet, Jazz sputtered
"Nopenopenope nothinggonnahappen noma'am,uh-uh."
"Okay. Now get into bed." said Arshes, with a giggle.
Jazz eased his way into bed, pulling the covers around
himself tightly, wishing they could be turned to sheets of iron.
Watching Arshes as she made her way around the room
extinguishing the candles one by one, Jazz felt his heart begin
to race with increasing fear and something else, causing him to
clamp his eyes shut. [Putitinthehappybox Putitinthehappybox
notgonnathinkthatway uhuhnotgonnadoit.] screamed Jazz mentally.
When the last candle flame became a spiral a smoke, allowing
darkness to claim the room, Jazz heard the faint rustle of
clothing.
Fighting hard to remain coherent as he felt the covers draw
back and bed sag slightly, Jazz offered up a prayer to whatever
deity might be listening, praying that nothing would happen.
Lying flat on his back, Jazz became as still and as stiff as
a statue, his eyes closed in concentration. Seeing this, Arshes,
lying on her side, gazing at the young man, laid a hand on his
shoulder. She was however not ready for his reaction.
"GGGYYYYAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!" screamed Jazz as he cleared the bed
and bedding, landing hard in the divot he had made a few minutes
earlier.
Giggling, Arshes said "Jazz, calm down and relax."
Trying to slow his heart down and regaining his feet, Jazz
looked at Arshes and shot back "Yeah right. NOT GONNA HAPPEN."
"Jazz, you need your sleep. Now come to bed."
"Okay..." replied Jazz, climbing into the bed nervously.
Pulling the sheets and blankets up around his neck, Jazz
closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Having slowed his heart
finally, Jazz eased his eyes open, gazing at the ceiling.
"Better?" asked Arshes, her voice gaining a slightly
seductive sound.
"Yes...good night." replied Jazz, ignoring the seduction
with an iron will and a sigh.
"Good night." came the suddenly sleepy reply. After a few
moments, the soft, shallow breathing of sleep(definitely,
definitely sleep, definitely) echoed in Jazz's ears.
Rolling up on his side to face her, Jazz studied the half
dark elf's face extensively by the pale moonlight, his eyes
adjusting to the darkness. Finally giving into a strong urge
after a few moments, Jazz caressed her cheek with the back of his
right hand. Feeling her cheek and face move into his caress much
like a cat having it's face petted, Jazz rolled back onto his
back, his eyes closed firmly. [Why me?] he thought, regret heavy
in his heart, knowing there wasn't an answer.
Finally, sleep was able to partially claim him, and Jazz
fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming barely.
About twenty minutes before sunrise, Jazz awoke suddenly in
a cold sweat. His conscious mind fought to hold onto images that
had entered his dreams. Images of war, armored knights,
creatures of great evil, and other assorted pictures fading with
each passing second.
Slowly easing his way from the bed, being careful not to
wake the other sleeper, Jazz stepped lightly to the window to
watch the sunrise. [What symbolism can we get from this?] he
thought wistfully as the horizon began to lighten. Lost in
several other thoughts, Jazz didn't hear the bed move again,
giving up the last of the weight upon it. Brought back to
reality by a hand on his shoulder, Jazz grazed the hand with a
slight kiss, giving into an impulse. As the sun cleared the
horizon, he finally asked, blushing slightly, "Sleep well,
m'lady?"
"Sort of...it got a little hot during the night so I threw
off the top blanket."
"Okay. I was wondering why the blanket was on the floor. I
guess I got a little to warm last night." Jazz replied with a
sigh, his shoulders sagging. Looking over his shoulder to see a
confused expression, Jazz continued "I am a very warm blooded
person. I wasn't use to having someone else," his blush
brightening, "in bed with me."
"Okay. Let's go get ready for breakfast."
"Yeah." responded Jazz hungrily. "You can go get ready
first if you want." he finished, turning to see that, thankfully,
she had slept in her customary one piece bodysuit.
Nodding, Arshes said, retrieving her stuff and heading for
the door, "If you disappear. I will hunt you down myself and do
something you will regret later." Before the door closed
completely, she heard "Wouldn't dream of it...meet me back here
in a little bit." She swore she heard what almost sounded like a
high pitched gopher laugh but dismissed it.
Getting cleaned up and dressed quickly, Jazz looked out over
the courtyard at the increasing morning activities when a knock
reverberated on his door. "Enter." said Jazz, still watching the
courtyard with fascination.
"Ready to go eat?"
"Yeah, let me grab my stu..." said Jazz, turning to look at
Arshes. His mind faulted and took his vocal chords with it.
Wearing a cream colored shirt/short skirt combo he had seen Tia
wear many times, cinched off with a light blue belt, Arshes
struck a pose.
"You like?"
"I...I...Ayi-yi-yi..." defaulted Jazz to Alpha Five mode.
"Well?? Ready?"
Doing a quick warm reboot, Jazz responded affirmatively.
"Arshes?" asked Jazz, an evil grin forming.
"Yes?" said Arshes, not liking the grin.
"Will you...help me play a joke on Gara and Darschu?"
"What do you have in mind?" asked Arshes, eyeing Jazz
suspiciously.
"Nothing too serious. It's kinda related to what those two
had set you up to do and what happened last night."
"Okay..." she said hesitantly.
Leaning close, Jazz whispered "First, I need you to..."
Seeing a depressed looking Arshes enter the dining area,
Gara and Darschu instantly figured out that things didn't happen
as they had tried to make them happen the previous night.
Looking at each other and nodding, both decided that option "B"
was now to be implemented, a.k.a. tossing him into the moat.
"Arshes, what happened?"
"Gara, he didn't respond to me. He became like a statue
when I tried to talk with him." said a despairing Arshes, not all
that far from the truth.
Getting a wink from Arshes, Tia caught on after few moments,
saying "Okay. What else can we do with him? He has in all
purposes locked us out."
"We could toss him in the moat."
"Darschu, please! I would like to keep him alive. He did
save a few lives." replied Sheila, getting a wink from both
Arshes and Tia, understanding that a joke was about to be played.
"What else can we do? He has just plain given up..." tried
Gara, being cut off by the sound of heavy feet approaching at a
dead run.
"HIYA!!!!" screamed a blur, launching itself from the
doorway at Arshes. TackleGLOMPing her effectively, everyone
could see that Jazz had completely enwrapped Arshes with his arms
and legs. Arshes staggered a little under the weight until Jazz
put his feet back on the ground. "Next time Arshes, you are one
who gets tried up and _I_ use the whip."
Gara and Darschu both went wide eyed. [Tied up?? Whip?
What did she do?] both thought, though for slightly different
reasons.
"So, Jazz, finally come out of your shell?" asked Tia,
allowing Gara and Darschu time to recover.
Releasing the GLOMP on Arshes, Jazz bowed "Aye m'lady. Lady
Arshes made me see the light of my errors and brought be back
from the realm of the terminally dead. But, things will be a
little different where I am concerned from now on."
"How so?" asked Sheila.
"Well, first off, I will no longer need magic lessons. I
gave up all the magic potential I had to save Felicia's life. I
see it as why teach me something I never will be able to use
again. I have made plans to spend that time wisely in the
library and in a forge instead."
"The library I can see. But why a forge?" asked Tia.
"Well, I might as well as start putting the book knowledge I
have to good use and practice my skills. Darschu, as a favor to
me, could you please instruct Felicia about the power she now
wields?"
"Sure. Does she know how much power she has?"
"No. Please approach her gently and instruct her carefully
because now she has the potential to match you if not outright
beat you, Darschu. Oh, and Darschu, one more thing, no pervert
stuff with her or you WILL regret it. Is this understood?"
"Yeah..." [What can you do without magic against me if I
do?] wondered Darschu.
Turning towards the Princess, Jazz asked "Princess Sheila, I
have a major favor to ask of you."
"Yes??"
"May I please have your permission to use a forge for my own
private projects? I don't wish to take up unnecessary space in
the forges already in operation."
"I will see what I can do. What sort of projects do you
have in mind?"
"Well, since magic is no longer an option for me, I'm gonna
try my hand at doing a little tech. A friend once told me that
in many levels, tech and magic can be seen as the same thing. I
figure it's time I put my effort where it would do the most
good."
"Okay. I will talk it over with my father."
"Thank you." replied Jazz, taking a seat at the table, upon
noticing that breakfast was about to be served. While enjoying
slices of a cantaloupe like melon, Jazz stole the occasional
glance at Arshes, smiling privately.
After breakfast, Jazz, Gara, and Arshes headed out towards
the central courtyard for what Jazz still labeled "Frequent
Flyers 101". Finding it slightly strange they weren't going
outside the city's walls, Jazz figured they wanted a change of
environment.
Going through a basic routine, Gara and Jazz warmed up with
a little hand-to-hand work. Suddenly Jazz's emergency senses
went off, causing him to slide to the right just as sword stroke
hit the dirt where he had been standing.
"ARSHES!!!" yelled Jazz, distracted by the sword strike.
Giving Gara the chance he needed, Jazz soon found himself
airborne. [Darn. Jazz, you gotta keep your mind on all of your
opponents.] he thought at himself, plowing into the turf.
Picking himself up and facing his teachers, Jazz said "I'll
be back in a little bit. I need to go get my stuff."
"If you don't have it now, you can't use it." replied Gara,
stepping towards Jazz.
"Yeah, right. Exit stage left, running all the way." cried
Jazz, running towards his room at full tilt.
"Get him." Jazz heard Arshes cry as he hit the first
stairway. Getting to his room roughly thirty seconds ahead of
his two teachers, Jazz quickly barricaded the door with a chair.
Picking up a large plank, he slid it into the two brackets on
either side of the door before Gara slammed into it. [That
should do it...now to get my equipment.]
Walking over to his vanity, Jazz picked up and slid on his
right arm bracer that also acted as his staff holder. Looking at
the staff, Jazz remembered how he had crafted it.
[Flashback Sequence Alert!]
After his third session with Master Ironroot before he had
given up his magical potential, Jazz went out into the forest
around Metallicana, looking for a piece of timber that would make
a good walking staff.
Searching for about three hours, he came across an ancient
looking tree that had recently been blown down. Having run into
a briar patch just before getting to the tree, Jazz's magical
potential had reached a decent level. Winding up with a dual
spell, Jazz unleashed a flame formed saw into a section of the
tree. As the spell encountered the tree, the spell evaporated,
being absobed by the tree. [Okay, looks like it's gonna have to
be done the old fashion way.] Breaking out his handy axe, Jazz
set to chopping off a proper sized hunk. Four hours later, he
finally severed a smaller branch. Totting it back to
Metallicana, Master Ironroot informed him that he had piece of
Iron Oak, one of the strongest trees found in Metallicana. For
the next three days, Jazz spent all of his available time shaping
it to the size he needed. He found out why is was called Iron
Oak. Combine the qualities of iron into that of an oak tree, you
get the idea of what the wood is like.
The next step involved a little mining. Going to local
quarry, Jazz set about mining up about four pounds of silver.
It's easy when you use magic. Going back to his room, Jazz
inspected the staff, which had been etched with intricate
designs, for any signs of faults. Calling up a little, non-flame
based magic, Jazz bore a thin hole through the length of the
staff.
Making the silver pliable, Jazz formed a cap for each end
and connected them with a silver streak that went through the
center of the staff. In the exact, middle of the staff where it
could be balanced with one hand, Jazz carved twin unicorn-like
designs, the unicorn-beasts standing back to back. Jazz filled
in the design with silver.
The final step led to the ornamentation of the staff.
Taking several precious and semi-precious gems, Jazz set them,
with silver inlays, in the staff. With the gem, Jazz laid spell
after spell upon the staff, each gem holding onto a specific
spell, related to it's coloring. The final spell, Jazz conjured
was a size relation spell. With a simple mental command, Jazz
wanted the staff to be able to adjust in size, ranging anywhere
from 8 inches to 8 feet.
Presenting the staff for Master Ironroot to see, Jazz
encountered a question he hadn't expected. "What did you name
your staff?"
"Well...hmmm...let's see...I shall call it Defensor."
"Interesting name. Why?"
"Well. I made this staff as a defensive rather than
offensive weapon. The name Defensor seems to fit the best."
"Okay...now about you..."
Jazz was awoke from his revelry by the sounds of severely
banging on his bedroom door. Picking up his combat belt,
complete with a pair of descript war hammers, Jazz retrieved one
last item from his wardrobe. Walking over to the window, Jazz
set the hook and tossed the rope out the window.
Putting on a pair of gloves, Jazz slowly eased his way out
the window and down the rope. Hitting the ground, Jazz ran back
up the stairs, towards his room. Glancing around the corner to
see Gara and Arshes both pounding on his door, Jazz reached down
to his belt and pulled out his boomerang.
[I hope this works.] Jazz thought, letting fly.
Racing back down the stairs, Jazz got back to the rope and
started ascending back to his room. Climbing inside, Jazz heard
the sounds of a scuffle outside his door and chuckled.
Taking the plank from it's holder and moving the chair, Jazz
eased the door open. As the boomerang flew past, Jazz snagged it
and shoved it back home in his belt. Looking at Arshes and Gara
with a smirk, Jazz asked "Having problems?"
"No." shot back Gara, swinging his staff at Jazz.
[Where'd he get that?] thought Jazz, stepping back rapidly
to stay out of range.
Grabbing his staff, Jazz hoped a tonfa would be enough to
fend off a staff. Parrying a few strikes, Jazz's eyes went wide
as one he missed sailed towards his face. Suddenly his staff
extended to it's full eight foot length, defending him properly.
Looking with wonder at his staff, Jazz muttered "Alll-right
then. Staff is working. How?"
Gara and Arshes stopped attacking, seeing Jazz looking at
his staff. "Jazz, what's wrong?" asked Arshes.
"Nothing...my staff should NOT have done this."
"Why?" asked Gara, confused slightly.
"I designed my staff to use energy, magical energy, the
wielder has."
Making a connection, Arshes said "Magical...but you don't
have magic..."
"Right."
"I say let Geo deal with this."
"Right Gara, I think Geo would be the only one who might
have an answer for this." Sighing, Jazz asked "Shall we continue
outside?"
"Yes." said Arshes.
Twenty minutes later, Jazz headed for the church, in search
of the one known as Geo.
Wandering about the church, Jazz located Geo working from a
scroll in the same room he had lessons with Tia and Sheila.
Knocking on the door softly, Jazz said "Lord Geo, I have...a
slight problem that I need your help with."
"Yes, Jazz, what can I help you with?" asked Geo, concerned
at the look on Jazz's face.
"My staff...is doing things it shouldn't be able to do."
"What do you mean?"
Stepping into the room, Jazz drew out the staff and enlarged
it to full size. "This is what it is doing."
"Okay..." said a confused Geo. "But didn't you design it to
do that?"
"Yes, I did, but it shouldn't be able to do this period."
"Why??"
"Lord Geo, it has to do with what it uses for energy."
"How so??"
"It uses the wielder's magic essence to empower it."
Geo paused for a few minutes, making a connection. "So,
because you don't have magic any more, the staff should not be
able to do this."
Nodding, Jazz said "I'm hoping you might be able to give me
a few answers to this thing."
Taking the staff from Jazz's offering, Geo said "I shall see
what I can do with it." Noticing Jazz's worried/confused
expression etched into his face, Geo said "Jazz, why don't you
head down to the library. I'll come down and get you if I find
out anything."
Jazz brightened up slightly, saying "Okay." Seeing Jazz
head out at a slight jog, Geo turned his attention to the staff.
Now, what did Jazz do while creating you?' he thought, breaking
out a scroll, pen and ink well.
Jazz wasn't paying much attention to where he walked in the
library, completely missing an oversized tome sticking out from
the bottom shelf. Being large footed, Jazz's sandal caught on
the edge of the book, sending him flying into the wall before him
and...