Page 75 of A Conduit of Light
“Hmm.Ihave not.Shallwe have a little experiment this morning, my boy?”
Revichraised his brows, unused to such a term of endearment from theBaron. “Byall means, lead the way.”
Whenthey arrived at theBlight, reassuring their lumens with ear scratches,Revichcould see the small patch of black vines that jutted out from the perimeter whereKarushad stood the day before.
Themorning summer sun shone down from the east, casting long shadows across the forest floor, but somehow still, theBlight’sshadow was darker.
Blacker.
Colder.
“Let’sfirst try illumination magic.”
BaronHeimlenheld a gloved hand out before him, the silvery gray orb of magic he possessed floating above his hand as he mumbled, “Illuminare.”Theorb began to pulse with his own heartbeat, growing in size as well.
Heneared the edge and bent down, closer to the vines that created a thick barrier around theBlight.Hemoved his orb of magic closer, the pulse of it rising slightly as his heart beat quicker.
Thesilvery light illuminated the nest of vines, but they did not draw back into the abyss asRevichhad hoped.
“Itseemed too easy a solution,” he sighed, squeezingBaronHeimlen’sshoulder in reassurance.
“Soit did.It’syour turn,Revich.Whatcan you do to produce sunlight on this spot?”
BaronHeimlenstood, his quickness surprisingRevich.Sincebeginning daily training withKarus, he had seemed so weak.
“Iwas researching inViridislast night and found something that might just work to act as sunlight.”Revichinhaled deeply, focusing his magic, thinking of his purpose. “SimulairSolem.”
Justas it had happened inViridis, beams of golden light spread from the very tips of his fingers.Heposed them downward at the edge of theBlight.
Theeffect was by no means instantaneous, but he was determined to see something work.Thesimulated sunlight was warm on his fingers, the effect threatening to burn his skin if he held it any longer.
“Steady.Steady,Revich.Look—there!”
BaronHeimlenpushed aside a layer of vines with his gloved fingers, immune to the protruding thorns.
Revichsquinted, the light bright in his eyes, but the evidence of his work was there was all the same.Theblackened soil of the forest floor sizzled and withered under the replicated beams of sunlight, the inky layer retreating from the glow he produced, leaving behind a patch of brown earth.Itwas identical to the one he stood on outside of the abyss.
“You’vedone it!”
Revichlet go of the spell, blisters forming at the tips of his fingers, but he hardly cared.
Ithad worked.
Smallthough the patch was, it was there still, before both of their eyes.Thegreatest of hope was restored in his chest as he heaved heavily, the effort of such magic draining him as he wiped sweat from his brow.
“Howdid you come across such an enhancement?”BaronHeimlenreached down between the vines, grabbing a fistful of rich, brown soil in his gloved hand, bringing it to his nose and holding it before them.
“Afterspeaking withMoiralast night,Iheaded straight toViridis—to theAgricolaConduitHall.IknewIhad read books before about using simulated sunlight to grow crops in harsh springs and summers.”
Hepinched the soil with his blistered fingers.Itwas warm and smooth, healthy to his eyes, and he brought it toRauca, letting her sniff his hands.Shedid so with enthusiasm, pausing a moment to lick the tips of his raw fingers before following the scent to whereBaronHeimlenbent down, pulling the thorny vines back from the patch of new ground.Shehesitated a moment, sniffing the vines before sinking her large snout into the hole theBaroncreated, rummaging in the dirt.
Shesneezed loudly andRevichsmiled.Shelooked to him then, whining in her high pitch, running to him joyfully, almost knocking him down as she managed to get her massive paws up to his shoulders, licking his face eagerly.
“Well,IthinkRaucaapproves!”
BaronHeimlen’slumen joined into the revelry soon after, making the same sound of excitement as theBarongathered more of the soil onto a wide strip of bark he took from a nearby tree.
“Wemust not become too encouraged yet.Iwill bring this soil back to theFortress.Sylvahas a knack for agricola magic.I’llsee if she can grow anything from it, but—”Heclasped a gloved hand acrossRevich’sback, jostling him slightly, his smile reaching across his face. “You’vedone well today,Revich.Iam proud of you.You’vedone this all yourself because that’s all you need, my boy.That’sall aBaronever needs.”
