Chapter 10 (Original edit)

Chapter X

"Well, it would appear that we have a great deal to discuss," said Brianna without preamble once the eight adventurers had been shown to their lodgings. Usually more taciturn, the cleric had come to the same realization that Jerrod had aboard the Mermaid's Tit and decided that it was time that the company grew a little more organized and developed a more detailed plan than the rather relaxed one which they had been following. No longer satisfied with the simple notion that "we'll collect the artifacts and then we'll use them to rebind Iskandar," Brianna wanted a strategy that was more detailed, more specific, and more proactive than that rather vague dictum.

Enki agreed wholeheartedly with the shaman. It was not in her nature to be so happy-go-lucky about her fate. That was her brother's province. Up until now, she had felt that she should be deferential and let someone else assume the leadership of the little band since their were so many older and more experienced heads available. It seemed though that although all were extremely talented and capable individuals, none of the others had the sort of bent that suited them for the command of others. Or if they did possess such an attribute, it hadn't deigned to show itself. Now, the young female mercenary decided, was the time to take charge.

"Right," Enki declared. "It is time to develop some sort of cohesive plan of action, Brianna. Ordolf laid out some of the choices which face us very well out there. We are confronted with three different paths which we can follow. Each has its dangers and pressures. Each has some sort of potential gain. First, we can continue to follow the scent which we have been and seek the guardian and the weapon it defends among the pirates isles. If we do that, we must face the reality that we do not know which isle is the isle we seek and that we must reconnoiter amongst the pirates in order to find out. To do so might well put Derazha in mortal danger, given the pirates deep enmity toward ilfs. It will certainly put her new charge, Berit, at grave risk since her ilvan heritage is more obvious than that of our green-skinned companion."

"The second option that we have is to search out this disappearing island and the blade which it is reputed to hold. If we are to do that, we must do so right away because the isle will appear and disappear again within the fortnight. We could do that and then follow the first option, but the risks attendant for Derazha and Berit would still be unabated."

"The third option is to abandon our hunt for the blade at this time and head to Hanpon and pursue the more solid lead on the whereabouts of the Ring of Transformation which Springbuck just gave us. If we do that, we may well find ourselves once more in the Islands of Despair seeking the Sword of Might. And if we take a detour for the ring, we may well lose the blade all together if it is on the phantom island."

"It would seem, then, that we must opt for the second of the choices which you have so succinctly laid out," Urki interjected. "For if we do not, we may lose the sword altogether and if that should come to pass, Iskandar will most certainly make the world just a bit chillier for all of us." The young warrior grinned and continued, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I, for one, think I would prefer to keep my night time companions there for sport rather than to serve as mere bed warmers."

"True," his sister replied as she began to pace. "Although my brother put it a trifle more colorfully than I would have, we do have to follow up the rumor about the shadow island immediately. But do we all have to do so? The ilfs claim to know when and where the island will appear and they are willing to transport us there. I'll wager that they would also be willing to lend us some armed support should we need it. I would also be willing to wager that a part of our strength would be sufficient for that investigation."

"So you think that we should split our strength?" said Wolf shaking his head. "That doesn't often prove itself to be a particularly wise strategy. What would you have the remnant of our company do while the others are off looking for the blade on the isle? They certainly can't follow the third option unless you are willing to accept the possibility that we might never unite as group again. Or did you have some sort of long-term rendezvous in mind?"

"No," Enki replied, "while I had planned on a rendezvous, it should be, I believe, be much sooner than later. And you are right, the third path would necessitate long-term separation and as you suggested that is rarely wise."

"What I had in mind was this: we split our forces in as close to half as we possibly can. One group, perhaps Wolf, Ordolf, Brianna, and Urki, should go to the pirate islands and learn more of the weapon that is reputedly somewhere in that territory. The rest of us should take the ilvan ship and crew and seek the transitory island and the blade which it holds."

Having made her proposal, Enki lapsed into silence. Looking at her comrades to try and judge their reactions, she could see a wide gamut of responses limned on their faces. Urki looked pensive at the decision with which he had been presented. Enki had little doubt that her brother would accept her proposal. She usually did their planning for them and while her brother would sometimes quibble with her stratagems, he almost never opposed them. As his earlier words had suggested, Wolf seemed less sanguine about her suggestion. His features fairly radiated doubt. From the look on her face, the woodsman's wife seemed to share his misgivings. Derazha seemed willing to accept her recommendation as it stood. Enki could see approval in her eyes. Neun Ja merely waited passively. There wasn't a trace of emotion visible on her features. Ordolf seemed a bit irritated, almost as if her assumption of the leadership role galled him. He didn't appear determined to oppose her, however. The annoyance in his eyes seemed relatively moderate and it didn't seem to prevent the necromancer from considering her plan. Jerrod merely looked impatient as if he didn't really care one way or another, but just wanted to get on with their task.

Surprisingly, it was again Brianna who broke the silence. "I asked for a plan and you have offered one, Enki. I'm not sure that I agree that splitting our forces is a good idea, but at least now we have something to work with."

Wolf chimed in. "And work it needs. I have already expressed my misgivings about dividing our strength. I reiterate my reluctance. Granted, Berit and perhaps Derazha face grievous peril in the pirate islands. However, with only part of our strength on either of the two paths as you propose, Enki, the danger to all of us is multiplied. I contend that if we follow your suggestion, we are far more likely to suffer casualties, something we can ill afford. Wouldn't we be better off if we all sought the ephemeral island, and then went on to the pirate lands? We could send a few of our number in to their holds to investigate the rumor which Kahlan and Springbuck related and leave Derazha and Berit to wait on board ship until we determine where the guardian and its ward lair. I believe that the course I am proposing, while perhaps a bit slower, is far more likely to end happily for us."

Enki nodded, "You are probably right, Wolf. I share your qualms about splitting our party, but I feel I should point out that while our hosts have offered us a ship and crew to take us to the disappearing isle, they have not offered to place a vessel indefinitely at our disposal. Even if they had, taking an ilvan craft into pirate waters without a battle fleet to support it would seem even more dangerous than splitting our forces. No, I can see no way around a division of our strength."

"There is truth in that. Perhaps you are right, but I still have an uneasy feeling that great harm will come of such a course," Wolf growled. "However, since no alternative springs readily to my mind and since no one else seems to have an alternative approach to offer, I suppose we may as well work with the strategy that you have proposed."

As the ranger finished, Neun Ja spoke up. "If the course which Enki has offered is the one with which we shall follow, I have one or two small amendments which I should like to broach. Meaning no disrespect to Brianna and her extraordinary magical and healing talents, I think my own humble abilities at stealth and information gathering might serve us better in the buccaneers' ports than her skills could. I would also suggest that perhaps a balance of two men and two women arriving and seeking employ as corsairs might be a possible approach once we arrive at the marauders stronghold. I believe that a balance would be more ultimately harmonious and it might even appear a trifle less conspicuous than three men and a woman doing the same."

"If you agree with my humble modification, I have a further one to add. Namely, in order to achieve a balance such as the one which I suggest it is necessary to replace either Urki or Wolf with a woman. Ordolf must remain among those going to pirate lands for without him, that group would be desperately short of magical skill and I humbly submit that Jerrod does not yet have the necessary experience to be able to replace Ordolf in a clandestine operation. That leaves Wolf and Urki as possible candidates for replacement. Both have skills with the blade which we may well need. If we are to succeed, we must replace those skills as well. Therefore I suggest that you accompany us to the land of the buccaneers."

Enki frowned, "You may be right. I hadn't considered some of the things that you deem wise. One point that you make is definitely true, though. Your skills would be invaluable in ferreting out information among the pirates. If as you suggest, I am to replace either Urki or Wolf, perhaps it should be Wolf. That way he and Brianna may remain together."

"Don't be silly," interjected Brianna. "Wolf and I have survived being separated before and we will do so again. And should the trail in the corsair's lands lead into the wilds, like Neun Ja's, Wolf's skills at information gathering will be indispensable in finding out the location of the weapon and its protector. It would seem to me that the best group for such an undertaking must necessarily include both Wolf and Neun Ja as well as yourself and Ordolf."

"She's right you know," put in Ordolf. "We might well need the ranger in the pirates' stronghold. We will certainly need Neun Ja, and the makeup of the group she suggests seems like the best possible one to me."

Enki stood, "Alright then. Unless there are some objections left that have not been raised, it seems that we are all agreed that we should split our party and that Wolf, Neun Ja, Ordolf and I should go seek the guardian and the weapon which it defends. That means that Derazha, Jerrod, Urki, Brianna, and Berit must seek the blade that the rumor which Springbuck passed on to us claims will appear at the next full moon -- a time which is less than two weeks hence. We'll need to inform our hosts of our plan and take them up on their offer of a ship and its crew. Then we'll need to plan our courses in more detail. For now, the hour for supper approaches, so let's repair to our individual chambers and prepare for it. I believe out hosts are preparing a banquet in our honor."

* * * * *

That evening Springbuck and Kahlan did indeed host a banquet in honor of the eight adventurers from Seremoreh. As one might expect, they had had quite a lavish spread laid out for their guests. The repast was set out in the same room that ilvan nobles had first greeted their guests. While the food provided itself was enough to stir the blood of even the most jaded hedonist, when Jerrod arrived he was even more impressed by the changes in the room's decor. It had completely changed since the company's earlier audience. The couches and divans had been miraculously transformed into a massive banquet table with attendant chairs that must have been fifteen strides in length. Each of the new pieces of furniture was replete with subtle, yet tastefully intricate, adornments. While the mossy carpet was still there as were many of the other decorations, new artwork had also magically appeared. The friezes depicted new scenes. New faces had replaced many of the old on the statuary. Jerrod was even more intrigued than he had been before by the ilvan skill at manipulating living plants. For the ilfs to have created such a drastic transformation in so short a time was not a surprise. Any competent archmage skilled in either thaumaturgy or wizardry could have cast a spell which could transform the room. No, what amazed Jerrod was the way that the ilfs appeared to have accomplished the changes. As far as he could assense, no single spell had been cast. Instead, he could detect the residue of dozens if not hundreds of small spells which seemed to fuse themselves with the wood almost as if they were encouraging the changes that were wrought rather than forcing them. Jerrod had never seen anything like it. It seemed to be a strange combination of the talents that he knew. There were traces of shamanic energy and wizardry combined. Yet Jerrod could sense that there was but a single mage at work. It was a form of artistry that used magic and living wood as a brush and canvas. Jerrod vowed to learn more about it if he could.

As the others arrived, Jerrod's attention was drawn away from the chamber's transformation to the newly grown table and the other guests. As he had surmised from the tables' length, he and his companions weren't the only guests. Perhaps a score or more ilvan aristocrats had also appeared including Berit, and her warrior-mage mother, Nynaeve.

The ilfs milled around conversing with one another and their host and hostess. As the adventurers came in, the ilvan crowd seemed flow around them like a fog bank swallowing trees. As each of the company approached a tendril of the crowd would enfold them and engage them in conversation. As soon as the entire group of heroes had arrived, Kahlan and Springbuck seated their guests. One of their hosts was at each end of the table, Springbuck at the head and Kahlan at the other head. To Kahlan's right was Ordolf and to his right was the lady Nynaeve. Nynaeve's daughter, Berit, followed and then came Jerrod. To Jerrod's right was an older ilvan lord. Across from Jerrod sat Urki who had two beautiful ilvan ladies on either side. Derazha sat to the right of Springbuck and on her right was an elderly ilf who bore a striking resemblance to Kahlan. He was seated next to Brianna who was seated next to her husband. Enki sat on Springbuck's left and Neun Ja on that of Kahlan. Each of them had a dashing ilvan gallant who was doing his best to be charming on their other side.

It seemed to Jerrod that whoever had laid out the seating chart had done so with two things in mind, romance and mischief. The romantic streak was obvious to Jerrod. There was no other explanation for the seating of Wolf and Brianna together or the attractive companions provided for the other youthful members of the group. Even in placing of Ordolf next to Nynaeve there seemed to be a sense of romance although it appeared leavened with an equal part of mischief. That taste of mischief became stronger when Jerrod considered who sat to his own left. Berit, indeed! She would probably never forgive him! Or worse still, she would and then she would talk his ear off for the rest of the night! Kahlan had said that Berit was a mage, though. Perhaps he could pick her brain about the ilvan nature magic. She wasn't bad to look at either. In fact, she was rather attractive in a tall, coltish way. If she would just take a breath once in while, she might actually be pleasant company.

"Daydreaming again?" Berit's words jarred Jerrod back to reality with a thud. "I've decided to forgive you. My mother reminded me that humans don't live as long as elves and so sometimes they can be a little insensitive because they don't really have time to learn to be truly empathetic like we do. So I'm going to pretend that you never insulted me and talk to you like nothing happened."

Jerrod groaned inwardly.

"Have you had a chance to meet Kahlan or Springbuck personally? They are both very nice. It's said that they hated each other when they were growing up. Fighting and snarling at one another like two firecats battling for territory. Just goes to show that you can never tell in whom you'll find your heart's desire. Speaking of heart's desire what do you think of the banquet? Quite a spread, isn't it? Have you tried the sauteed saliko? Kahlan cooks it with a garlic and butter sauce that is superb! Or you might want to try the seafood bisque. Springbuck made that. It has just a hint of heat to that sets off the richness of the fish perfectly!"

Berit rattled on and on. Jerrod thought to himself, "Here we go again! She's never going to shut up! Oh well, I suppose I'll have to grin and suffer it. At least the food looks good. It must have taken hours to prepare."

"Wait a minute?! You mean Kahlan and Springbuck cooked all of this just for us?" Jerrod burst out aloud as he took a bite of the saliko which Berit had recommended.

Kahlan overheard the young mage's exclamation and smiled. "No, Jerrod. We didn't prepare all of it. Unfortunately, ruling Rendor doesn't always give us time to pursue some of the things we love. It is an ilvan custom, however, for a host to prepare a meal for a guest to demonstrate that the guest is welcome. Besides, as I said, both Springbuck and I do enjoy cooking!"

Jerrod blushed once more. He seemed to be making a habit of both sighing and becoming embarrassed on this trip. "Uh, I'm sorry milady. I meant no disrespect. I was just surprised. My parents are noble and I don't think either of them has ever set their hand to cooking. I was even more startled at how wonderful the saliko -- which Berit just informed me you had prepared -- tasted."

The older ilf next to Jerrod whispered, "Nice recovery, lad. You seem to be learning a thing or two about diplomacy at least on this trip. No, boy, don't look so puzzled, I don't know you. We do have a mutual friend who has told me quite a little about you, so I feel as if I do know you at least fairly well."

The ilf chuckled as he continued, "I do sound a bit mysterious, don't I, boy? Perhaps I should introduce myself before I continue to chatter on like our young friend to your left. My name is Stormwarden and I'm an old friend and colleague of your mentor, Astall. He asked me to look after you while you were here, so I pulled on Springbuck's ear and got him to invite his old uncle to the party."

"So tell me lad, what can I do for you? Trade seats with you so your other ear can get a rest?" Stormwarden winked. "Or perhaps something a little less dramatic like tell you a little about ilvankind?"

Jerrod was fascinated by the old man, who, unlike Berit, seemed to know exactly what Jerrod was thinking almost before the young mage even realized it himself. "Now that you mention it, sir, I would like to know more about the magic of this place. I have never seen anything quite like it. It seems to have traces of both hermetic and shamanic magic combined in it. Yet it seems to have been ensorcelled by a single being. How is that possible? I had been given to understand that the union of the shamanic and hermetic traditions was impossible in any one individual."

"You are right on all three counts. The magic is both hermetic and shamanic. Only one `entity' cast the enchantment. And the combination of hermetic and shamanic magic in a single individual is impossible without divine intervention. In this case, however, the problem is definitional. The single `entity' that cast the spells that shape this place is actually a pair of magicians. Because their emotional bond is so strong, Kahlan and Springbuck can work together in a way few other pairs of spellcasters could. When their auras entwine and control the mana flow, it appears to the casual astral observer as if a single entity is shaping the spell. Once they have cast their enchantment, it is impossible to separate their touches from one another and it appears that a single mage has laid the spell."

Jerrod sighed. "That is truly amazing, sir. I must admit that I am a bit disappointed. I had hopes that this was something beyond the bounds that Astall had taught me and that I might learn something truly new. I suppose that I'll just have to live without."

Stormwarden smiled. "Call me Stormwarden, Jerrod. And you might still be surprised at what you can still learn within the limits that Astall as taught you. While there are rules to all magic, and those rules cannot be broken, I think I might be able to show you how they can be bent rather severely."

"Trust me, Jerrod, what Astall taught you as the limits of magic were undoubtedly correct. And although those rules are very important for a mage to understand, they are not the most important thing his apprenticeship teaches him. No, the most important thing a young mage learns is how to think about magic. And that is something that is truly individual. For the art of magic is not in how much power you use but in how well you use your power."

"You see, Jerrod, while Astall taught you all sorts of spells and facts while you apprenticed with him, he really taught you much more -- how he thinks about magic and how he practices the art. And you were lucky to have so splendid a teacher, but the way he thinks about magic is not the way I think about magic. Nor is it the way you will come to think about magic in time. We each develop our own vision of the mage's craft. The more the influences, the more heterogenous our practice. The more heterogenous our practice, the broader our powers."

"We ilfs believe that magic and nature are intimately linked. What shaped this room in the manner which struck you as so novel is not so much the types of magic that were employed, but rather the method by which the mana was manipulated."

The old elf grinned lopsidedly. "I seem to be getting carried away again. This conversation is one which might be better held in private, young Jerrod. My sermons on magical theory tend to bore some of my compatriots. If you wish to learn more of ilvan magic come and talk to me after dinner, perhaps then I can show another of those perspectives that was talking about. Besides, I think someone else wants your attention."

With a wink, Stormwarden turned to his right and began conversing with an ilvan matron. As the old ilf withdrew, Jerrod realized Berit was tapping him on the shoulder impatiently. "I want to talk to you! After all, we are going to be traveling together for quite some time. I think we ought to get to know one another! What do you think?"

"Well, it does seem like a good idea," Jerrod ventured cautiously. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"I thought you might tell me a little about yourself. So far I've done most of the talking, I think its your turn. All I really know about you is your name and your calling," Berit smiled.

Jerrod found himself reluctantly returning a grin of his own, feeling a little charmed in spite of himself. Berit clearly was trying to friendly. She didn't have to. He was a stranger and he had insulted her, albeit unintentionally. She could have given him the cold shoulder instead of repeatedly trying to engage him in conversation. And she had a nice smile.

"Ummm, well you said you knew my name and my calling I suppose there really isn't all that much more to tell," Jerrod chuckled. "I was born of a humble noble family which was moderately influential in the politics of Gantol, a kingdom in middle Seremoreh. I was apprenticed around my twelfth birthday to Astall Demonsbane, the greatest wizard in all of Seremoreh. He taught me the laws of wizardry, of sorcery, and of thaumaturgy. He taught me all I know. Though that may change, Lord Stormwarden here as kindly offered to teach something of your ilvan magical culture after dinner."

"Oh! You're lucky! Stormie is a sweetie pie, but he doesn't ever teach other mages any more. I think Springbuck was his last pupil. Cousin Stormwarden is probably the preeminent mage in all of Rendor. Not only is the court magician, but he is the highest ranking master of the Four Realms that we have in Rendor!"

"Four Realms? What are they? Do you mean the four realms as in fire, air, water, and earth?" Jerrod asked.

"No, no, no, no. The four realms of magic, life magic, death magic, spirit magic, and energy magic." replied Berit.

"You mean you divide magic into realms rather than disciplines?" Jerrod said wonderingly. "What a strange way to look at it! But it does have some merits.....Hmmmm, I have to ask Stormwarden about that." The look on Jerrod's face began to grow more and more abstracted.

With each word, Berit could see herself fading farther from his consciousness. "He must be a very good mage." Berit thought to herself. "Stormwarden is the only other magician that I have ever seen do that sort of thing when me talked about magic. If Jerrod has even a fraction of Stormie's skill he is a puissant spellweaver indeed!" Then, the young ilvan maiden sighed. "Well, I suppose I better wait for him to wander back out among the living on his own. A mere poke won't do it, this time. If he is anything like Cousin Stormwarden, I think I'd have to hit him over the head with an oak branch to snap him back into the mundane world!"

The feast continued with Jerrod lost in the land of the abstract. No one missed him but Berit. Ordolf was busy renewing his friendship with Nynaeve. The two of them discovered that their brief tryst in the past had been based on a real attraction. Far from causing problems, the difference in race between them seemed to add mystery and a little spice to their rapport. Urki was, as usual, engrossed in the act of flirtation. In fact, the young warrior was enjoying "double trouble," having found willing participants in both the ilvan damsels next to him. Derazha was listening with rapt attention to her cousin Springbuck and savoring both the fine meal and the feeling of acceptance that seemed to wash over her here in the hall of her cousins. Wolf and Brianna never seemed to get enough of each other. As usual when they had the chance, the shaman and the ranger were lost in each others' eyes. Neun Ja and Enki were enjoying the company of their hosts and, more often, the banter which they were sharing with the ilvan gallants that had been seated adjacent to them.

So no one noticed the vague stare on Jerrod's face except Berit. And since she had decided the wait out his preoccupation, she left him alone. As a result, Jerrod was startled when his reverie finished and many of the guests at the banquet had chosen to depart -- including several of his comrades. Berit had stayed however, as had Stormwarden. Before Jerrod had a chance to ask the ilvan mage any of the questions which had been generated by his contemplations, Berit smiled and said, "Back to the world that the rest of us inhabit, I see. You seem to make a habit of immersing yourself in your own thoughts. At least it shows you are capable of thinking. You might want to refrain from slipping into trances if the situation you find yourself in is a bit risky though. You could come out of your daze to find yourself traveling to the land of the gods."

"You were telling me about yourself when you drifted off. One thing I have been dying to know is how you got mixed up on this quest. And how did you meet your companions?"

"Well, Astall decided that this was something that I should do. The gods know why. Everyone else seems to be far more experienced and far more in command of themselves than do I. As to how I met them, that was Astall's doing as well. He had gathered them together and then sent Enki and Urki to collect me and bring me to them."

"Don't underestimate yourself, Jerrod. I can already tell that there is far more to you than meets the eye. Let me ask you this, do you always do what this Astall tells you to do?" Berit asked.

"Well, I did," responded Jerrod. "After all he was my mentor and that is the nature of the master-apprentice relationship that we had. That relationship is no more. Astall severed it when he sent me off on this mission. I only hope that I survive it."

"A wise hope, young human. I think you might well live to see your home again if you keep that thought in the forefront of your mind -- and you refrain from drifting off when you are confronted by your foes." Berit grinned. "I'll do my best to see that you live to see Seremoreh again. Perhaps after this is all over you can show me the land in which you were born?"

Jerrod blushed. It seemed to him that Berit was making advances toward him. Truth to tell, he liked this Berit much better than the one he had insulted earlier. In fact, he was surprised to realize that he was more than just a little attracted to her. He wasn't sure whether it was her exoticism, the wine that he had been sipping as he thought, or simply that this was the first time that an attractive girl had ever shown any interest in him, but whatever it was he found himself drawn to the ilvan maiden.

"Ummm, maybe. I mean I suppose I could. That is if you would like to. After all you did show me some of Rendor." Jerrod's embarrassment was threatening to overwhelm him. As he began to blush even more furiously, the young mage continued, "But right now I have to talk to Stormwarden. I may not have another chance and I really want to learn more about ilvan magic. So if you will excuse me....?"

Berit nodded, "Don't forget though, we have a date," she said as her right hand brushed his left surreptitiously.

Jerrod turned toward the ilvan magician on his right with mixed emotions. On the one hand, he was glad to be getting out of a situation he found disconcerting and pleased that he had the opportunity to talk to Rendor's leading mage. On the other hand though, he wanted to pursue the flirtation with Berit. He just didn't know how to go about doing so.

"Excuse me? Lord Stormwarden? You mentioned earlier that you might be willing to show me a bit about ilvan magic. If you have time now, I would love to know more about the four realms of magic which Berit mentioned to me. I have several questions and if you don't mind....." With that, Jerrod began to grill the ilvan mage about the ilvan magical system and the ways in which the ilvan race manipulated mana that gave them so much control over life forces.

Soon the two were lost in an arcane discussion which could be of no interest to anyone but a theoretical magician. After a time the two mages, one young and one old but both united by their common love, got up from the table and wandered off to a sitting room just off the main hall to continue their discourse. Springbuck overheard the two mages and their dialogue as they wandered off and decided that it might be interesting to converse with his old mentor about the nature of magic once again. Picking up one of the nearly full bottles of wine, the ilvan prince slipped off to join the pair who had preceded him.

The three mages sipped and talked for hours. Jerrod learned much and although there was still much more for him to learn. He quickly began to get a glimmer about how Springbuck and Kahlan had been able to wreak the transformation of their hall which had befuddled him when he had arrived for the second time. It was based on a system which necessitated that its practitioners develop an intimate understanding of the objects or beings which they were manipulating. Instead of forcing transformation, the ilfs encouraged it. They sought harmony with their subject and, when they achieved it, they were able to accomplish wonders like those which he had seen.

It was a path that required less power. That, Jerrod understood, had both advantages and drawbacks. It encouraged skill and adroit manipulation of mana in its wielders. It didn't, however, require great strength. Jerrod understood know why the most powerful mages of legend had been human. No ilf would be likely to engage in the sort of world-shaking transformations that were told of around human firesides. They were far too integrated into the world to want to shake its balance in such a way. Still, the combination of the two approaches had enormous possibilities, Jerrod realized. If he could master the type of manipulation that Stormwarden had described to him and fuse it with the approach that Astall had instilled in him, it would pay great dividends.

"Perhaps," he thought to himself a trifle blearily, "Berit can give me some lessons while we travel to that disappearing island to seek the Sword of Might."