even have to make a significant detour from our current path to intersect it, maybe a mile or two at most. Let's go,” Zedd commanded, leaving no room for debate, and set off running again in a southerly direction, with Cole following close behind.
After about an hour of constant running Zedd slowed to walking pace and started chanting a spell to himself. After several seconds he announced, “We're here. This is the edge of where the rift started. I will prepare for the summoning, I suggest you do the same. And be ready, because I will link your power to mine if I need it.” “Of course sire,” Cole replied, bowing his head in deference. Another advantage of the rings they both wore was the ability to create a network of power between all nearby magi also wearing a ring. This meant that one powerful mage could use the magical reserves of many of his colleagues, without completely draining his own reserves. The flow of power ran only one way through the network, always to the highest ranking mage present. It was even possible for a higher ranking mage to fully drain a subordinate, and thus killing him in the process. Although rare, it had been used in the past as a disciplinary measure to kill a number of lower ranking magi for their various transgressions. And that was something all magi of the Empire were constantly aware of in the presence of a higher ranking mage.
Both men began their meditation techniques, which were always deemed prudent before such a powerful spell could be safely attempted. Once both men had attained complete concentration, Zedd began to chant the words of summoning. Quietly at first, but gaining volume and intensity as the words were repeated over and over again. At first nothing happened, and both men began to wonder to themselves if Zedd did indeed possess enough power to bridge the two worlds during daylight hours, even here at its weakest point.
Then after a few more minutes the atmosphere began to change, subtly at first. There was now a static charge in the air all around them, and the hairs on their heads were charged into standing up on their own accord. Then came the crackling sounds as the static charge in the air intensified, gaining power and getting louder and louder by the second, until they couldn't hear anything else over the primaeval roar that now surrounded them. After that came the chilling cold. Cold that instantly seeped deep into their very bones, leaving them shivering almost uncontrollably where they stood. Seconds later came the inhuman screams of anger and hatred of the Vesdari as it was ripped from its own domain, and plunged into their world. It thrashed wildly, screaming in agony at being held in the sunlight against its will.
Zedd held it at bay with his power, but he could feel himself weakening as the Vesdari absorbed the power he was using against it. He instinctively tapped into Cole's power reserves, and was immediately dismayed at his lack of power. Had he made a fatal error summoning this creature? Could he last long enough to take control? He wasn't sure any more. Anger boiled within him at the possibility of losing this battle and being left to rot here in this foreign land, away from his family. They would never know what had happened to him. They would lose their higher status within the Empire, their lands and property would be forfeit for his failure, and they would be forced to live the lives of lower class citizens for the rest of their lives. And all because he was foolish enough to think he could summon and control this creature, to use it to kill the boy mage, and gain the fame which would enable him to climb the ranks even further. Instead, now, he stood to lose everything.
'NO! I can't fail' Zedd thought to himself as he redoubled his efforts against the Vesdari . He needed to speed up the process of binding this creature to his will, and there was only one way he knew how: pain. Without a second thought he sent out a powerful blast of
After about an hour of constant running Zedd slowed to walking pace and started chanting a spell to himself. After several seconds he announced, “We're here. This is the edge of where the rift started. I will prepare for the summoning, I suggest you do the same. And be ready, because I will link your power to mine if I need it.” “Of course sire,” Cole replied, bowing his head in deference. Another advantage of the rings they both wore was the ability to create a network of power between all nearby magi also wearing a ring. This meant that one powerful mage could use the magical reserves of many of his colleagues, without completely draining his own reserves. The flow of power ran only one way through the network, always to the highest ranking mage present. It was even possible for a higher ranking mage to fully drain a subordinate, and thus killing him in the process. Although rare, it had been used in the past as a disciplinary measure to kill a number of lower ranking magi for their various transgressions. And that was something all magi of the Empire were constantly aware of in the presence of a higher ranking mage.
Both men began their meditation techniques, which were always deemed prudent before such a powerful spell could be safely attempted. Once both men had attained complete concentration, Zedd began to chant the words of summoning. Quietly at first, but gaining volume and intensity as the words were repeated over and over again. At first nothing happened, and both men began to wonder to themselves if Zedd did indeed possess enough power to bridge the two worlds during daylight hours, even here at its weakest point.
Then after a few more minutes the atmosphere began to change, subtly at first. There was now a static charge in the air all around them, and the hairs on their heads were charged into standing up on their own accord. Then came the crackling sounds as the static charge in the air intensified, gaining power and getting louder and louder by the second, until they couldn't hear anything else over the primaeval roar that now surrounded them. After that came the chilling cold. Cold that instantly seeped deep into their very bones, leaving them shivering almost uncontrollably where they stood. Seconds later came the inhuman screams of anger and hatred of the Vesdari as it was ripped from its own domain, and plunged into their world. It thrashed wildly, screaming in agony at being held in the sunlight against its will.
Zedd held it at bay with his power, but he could feel himself weakening as the Vesdari absorbed the power he was using against it. He instinctively tapped into Cole's power reserves, and was immediately dismayed at his lack of power. Had he made a fatal error summoning this creature? Could he last long enough to take control? He wasn't sure any more. Anger boiled within him at the possibility of losing this battle and being left to rot here in this foreign land, away from his family. They would never know what had happened to him. They would lose their higher status within the Empire, their lands and property would be forfeit for his failure, and they would be forced to live the lives of lower class citizens for the rest of their lives. And all because he was foolish enough to think he could summon and control this creature, to use it to kill the boy mage, and gain the fame which would enable him to climb the ranks even further. Instead, now, he stood to lose everything.
'NO! I can't fail' Zedd thought to himself as he redoubled his efforts against the Vesdari . He needed to speed up the process of binding this creature to his will, and there was only one way he knew how: pain. Without a second thought he sent out a powerful blast of
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