The Dive: Birth of a Wordsmith (20 page)

“
What do you mean?”

“
If these are a gift
for graduation, I can understand why it is so rare to pass the test.
Apologies, it seems it is my turn to explain. This is not simply a
spellbook, as you were told. If I were to guess, there are no more
than two hundred of these books in existence, and only a handful have
reached their full potential.”

“
You’ve lost
me. So, what else can the book do?”

“
At the moment,
nothing. There are two methods of unlocking the abilities within
these books. The first is to fill its pages with numerous spells.”
She flipped through the book quickly. “You’ve got a few
to go before you reach the first goal with that. The second method is
to have the book itself blessed by one of a different race. In doing
so, it gains a mark on the cover. Currently, you only have the human
mark, which allows the recording of new spells. Each race’s
mark will grant a different effect.”

“
I see… and
what would it take to earn one of these blessings?”

She smiled to me at that.
“If this alliance succeeds with the human village, I will do so
personally as thanks. Though be warned, finding a mage among the
small people will be far more difficult.”

I figured she was grouping
goblins and dwarves together as ‘small people’, and
nodded. “I understand, and thank you. But back to the question
from before, would the spell I mentioned be enough to trade for a bow
my companion can use?”

Dariel looked to Denise,
and smiled. “Yes. If the spell is as you say, then it is worthy
of a fine bow.” As she stood up, I moved to join her but she
stopped me with a motion. “Please, stay. I must request a
meeting with our leader to discuss these matters further.” With
another smile she handed me back my book, and stepped outside.
Though, she didn’t move very far.

Watching her, I saw that
she cast some spell that called a dove to her. Then, after whispering
to the dove, it flew off and she returned inside. “I’ll
be meeting with him tonight hopefully, after he finishes talking with
the humans.”

“
Alright. So, if I
may ask, what exactly is elven magic? I assume it is what you used to
bring us up here, the thing with the vines, but I must admit that
with how few human mages there are, I haven’t been able to
encounter many types of magic.”

Dariel smiled slightly to
me. “I think it would be better to wait to tell you about our
magic until tomorrow. For now, let me treat you both to dinner.”

I chuckled and shook my
head. “Never let it be said that I turned down a free meal.”
Denise thought that was funny, as she laughed lightly at the comment.

“
Oh yeah. This guy
is good at getting free meals.” She smirked in my direction. “I
don’t think he’s ever actually paid for one.”

“
And who’s the
one that always offers?” I teased her back, and we both
laughed. Dariel smiled to the two of us, and walked out of the
hollow. For a few moments I was wondering just what it is that elves
usually eat.

“
You sure make
friends easily.” Denise smirked to me.

“
Hey, it’s
better to make friends than enemies, right? Besides, I have to admit
my outlook has changed since I first came here.”

“
Oh? What do you
mean.” She scooted up next to me, looking curious.

“
You see, where I
come from, when we go to places like this, it’s common for us
to play a certain role that we determine. Think of it as becoming
characters in our own story. And at first, I was going to do the same
thing. But now? I can’t pretend to be someone else when this
could very easily become my world now. So instead of pretending to be
a part of this world, I thought I should actually do it.” I
smiled to her, and she nodded. “And besides, I’ve made
real friends here, and lying to them about who I am would feel
wrong.”

Denise smiled again,
“Thanks.”

After that, Dariel came
back, carrying what looked like leaf-wrapped packages. “Sorry
it took me so long. Had to stop and talk before I could return.”

“
It’s no
trouble, you really weren’t gone that long at all.” I was
still wondering what she got, even moreso now that I saw the leaf
packages. “I’m curious. Elves don’t eat meat,
right? Sorry if that’s a rude question, it just hadn’t
occurred to me before now.”

Dariel nodded, “That’s
right, but we have other delicacies. We live at one with nature
without harming it. That’s part of the reason for the trouble
with your hunters. Killing the forest animals for food has always
been frowned upon in our clan.”

I smirked, despite myself.
“Oh, I can just imagine how the foreigners that entered this
world as elves would react to that.” At Dariel’s confused
expression I quickly explained. “Sorry, where we come from
there are only humans, and meat is a large part of our diet.”

“
I see. Well, I do
hope you will enjoy this regardless.” She still had that
pleasant smile as she handed both Denise and myself one of the green
packages.

When I carefully unwrapped
the package, my first thought was
It’s
bread
, but I carefully broke off a piece to
taste it, and smiled. Denise seemed to allow me to accept the role as
official taste-tester, and waited for my response. “It’s
good. Sweet.” Denise looked suddenly at the loaf of bread-like
food that was in her hand, and then tried it in the same manner I
had.

A few moments later, her
entire loaf had suddenly vanished!
Never get
between a girl and her sweets.

I made sure to eat my own
loaf at a more leisurely pace, to actually
taste
the food, rather than inhaling it. “You know, Dariel, I never
thought I’d say this, but this is actually really good even
without meat.”

The elf woman giggled a
bit at that, and nodded. “You should never discount something
just because it’s different. While I understand that there is
much we can learn from the humans, I also believe that there is much
you can learn from us.”

I nodded to her,
diligently working to finish my meal. I don’t want to be an
impolite guest, after all! “Well, hopefully we can have a
better discussion tomorrow, after everything is settled. Even if the
hunters are freed, we still have to go back to the village to explain
what happened to them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they already
thought we were dead, with how long we’ve been gone.”

“
I agree. And, on
that note, I hope the two of you can relax here while I am gone. I
must speak with the leader about what you told me before.”
Slowly, Dariel rose to her feet and went out the door.

Denise and I smiled to
each other, and found a quiet corner to lay down in. It would be best
to save the bed for the one who lives in this house.. tree.. place.

When we woke in the
morning, Dariel was waiting for us with good news. It seemed that the
talk with the clan leader went well, and apparently he wanted to meet
us as soon as we awoke. I was mostly surprised that my Tongues spell
was still active, but I guess I shouldn’t have been since
lasting spells like Alarm didn’t get turned off when I sleep.
I’ll just have to remember to turn it
off before combat, or the cost might get in the way.

“
Alright…
Guess we should go take care of business.” I said, and then let
out a long yawn. Hey, it was still morning, I was tired okay? But, I
gathered my things and followed along after Dariel, prepared for
various questions from the clan leader.

Our elf guide led us to
the same tree that we had met him in last time, and once again he was
sitting on the far side waiting for us. “Very good, thank you
for coming.” He motioned towards a set of chairs, indicating
for the three of us to sit. I sat in the middle, with the two women
on either side of me. “First, I must apologize for the incident
with the humans. After speaking with them last night, their stories
did seem to reinforce your theory that this was just a
misunderstanding on both parts. When we are done here, they will be
released and you can take them back to their tribe. Dariel, have you
finished learning the translation spell?”

Dariel nodded to him.
“Yes, sir. I believe I can use it now, but I would have to test
it to be sure.”

“
I see. Your name is
Jin, correct? Yes, Dariel told me. Would you mind lifting the spell
from your companion so that we can ensure it works properly?”

I nodded, and focused on
removing the spell from Denise. “It’s done. Denise, can
you say something.”

“
Uh, sure. What do
you want me to say?” She asked with a smile, but that did the
trick. The elves must not have understood her, because Dariel was
given the go-ahead to test her spell.

“
In writ and spoke,
in law and deed, let language flow from silver tongue.” She
spoke the memorized incantation, and then looked to Denise. “Can
you understand me now?”

Denise nodded to her,
“Looks like you got it.” Denise let out a sigh of relief,
and I recast the spell on Denise before we continued.

“
Okay, that takes
care of that business. Now, we may be able to send representatives to
the humans for diplomatic relations. I believe that we have learned
from this event that there are many things that we can learn from
each other. On that note, I believe you told Dariel about a spell you
offered as trade?”

“
That is correct,
sir. I take it she explained to you about the requirements to become
a mage among the humans?” When he nodded, I continued. “I
would like to teach Dariel the spell that I created to pass the exam.
I believe it would be a great help to this clan, but I would like to
make one request regarding it.”

“
And what is that?”

“
I would ask that
you do not share this spell outside of your clan. The rune created
for it is still new, and we don’t fully understand the
implications it may have yet. At least until I have had time to
explore the possibilities it presents, I would like this to remain
with as few people as possible.”

“
Yet you offer to
share it with us. I must ask, why?”

“
I admit that my
reasons are not entirely altruistic. I told Dariel last night, I wish
to learn the basics of your elven magic, as well as possibly acquire
a more suitable bow for my companion. If Dariel explained to you the
nature of this spell, then I believe that you would agree that it is
an even trade.”

“
Perhaps. It is true
that with the access to even one new rune, there are many possible
spells that may be created. Very well. There is also another matter
to discuss.” The elven leader looked to Dariel. “Dariel
informed me that she wished to make a proposal of her own to you
during this meeting.”

I glanced to the elven
woman curiously, and she nodded. “You said that you know
summoning magic. If that is true, then you know of contract spells. I
wish to make one with you, so that you may call on me to aid you in
times of need.” She smiled to me, and I couldn’t help but
return it.

“
I understand. To be
honest, the first contract I learned was a different one, but I have
also recently acquired the spell you mean. I would be happy to form
one with you. Please..” I held a hand out to her, and she
nodded, placing her own hand atop mine. “Dariel Vinehaven, do
you agree to act as my guardian and companion in times of need?”

She nodded again, smiling.
“I agree.”

“
Then, by spoken
pact, may this deal be final.” A blue line of light rose up
around my hand, spiraling around where the two of us touched, and
then sliding into her wrist.

“
Now, the matters
you requested before have also been prepared.” The leader of
the elves nodded towards the entrance, and another elf came in. This
one was carrying a finely carved bow in one hand, and a tome in
another. “In good faith, I ordered these items to be ready to
conclude our deal.”

“
I understand, sir.
Do you have something that I can draw the rune for you on? Once you
know the rune itself, the spell is simple.”

He passed me a pen and
parchment, and for a moment I was surprised that he had such things.
However, I quickly recovered and began drawing the rune. “I
named this rune Rewrite. Its meaning is to alter the nature of a
given thing. In the case of this spell, it alters the nature of one
spell into another by replacing the runes of the spell itself.”

All three elves watched
intently while I drew the rune. “It really does have a simple
shape, doesn’t it?” Dariel was the first to speak, asking
curiously. “I expected something a lot more complicated.”

I smiled over to her,
“Powerful does not always mean complex. And this is a rune I
created with a time limit, so I wasn’t able to come up with
something too elaborate.” Once the rune was done, I passed the
paper to Dariel, and the elf behind us passed the book and bow to
myself and Denise respectively.

“
With this, I
believe our business is concluded.”