Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,189

was planted in the ground, and the orb at its top was providing light. The older woman took a step back and watched as Shalee commanded Precious to rip a massive tree from the ground and send it high into the air. Foreseeing a bad outcome, Helga grabbed her staff, pulled it out of the ground and then put up a protective barrier.

The trunk, almost three paces in diameter, smashed into the ground. The area around them shook. The noise was deafening, and the tree limbs splintered in all directions. Wooden missiles thumped against Helga’s magic and fell to the ground as harmless pieces of kindling.

The ladies rolled with laughter. After a few exchanged glances of amazement, the foolhardy women wondered if the people in town had heard the collision. They decided it was best to stop training for the night and started a fire after collecting the kindling. They would sit for a bit and talk.

“Oh, my Lord, that was loud,” Shalee giggled as she held her stomach.

“I know, Child. I hope no one comes out here to yell at us. I had no idea you were going to send it that high. I bounced when it hit.”

“You should’ve seen your face. Your eyeballs were popping while it was coming down. I’m glad you put up a wall. We could’ve been punctured.” Shalee pointed in the direction of the town. “I’d bet those fire worshippers would love us for making all this kindling.”

Helga knew the younger sorceress was commanding power most students would never command in their entire lives. How was such a thing possible? Sure, Bassorine had said Shalee could handle an exponential growth, but to develop this fast did not make sense. Shalee had long since passed Helga’s abilities, and there was no real reason the student needed her around. She felt so close to the young woman, and this was the main reason why she stayed.

Helga thought back to what Shalee had said in West Utopia. She knew Shalee viewed her as a mother, but was this bond strong enough to survive the news? The moment had come to let her student know that she had surpassed her abilities.

“Shalee, I have something to say. I must admit, I’m nervous about telling you this.”

Shalee could see the worry in the eyes of her friend. “What is it? Why the long face?”

“Child, I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you that I cannot teach you any longer.”

“Why? Do you have someplace to go? Did I mess up? I can fix it if you’re upset. I don’t have so much pride that I can’t apologize.”

“No, no, no, Child. It’s not like that. I’m not mad, nor do I want to stop being around you.” Helga took a deep breath. “Your power has grown beyond mine. I cannot teach you because you’re stronger than I am.”

Helga scooted next to Shalee, pulled her close and then hugged her. “I’m sad to say this, but I fear I’m not much use to you any longer.”

Shalee returned the embrace. After a moment, she pulled away with tears in her eyes. “I already knew my abilities were beyond yours. Remember, you bonked your butt. I just didn’t want to say anything.” She smiled and wiped her eyes. “Just because you can’t teach me magic any longer doesn’t mean I can’t learn from you. You, BJ, and Sam are all I’ve got. I need you now more than ever. Who else would I shop with when Sam needs to buy me stuff?”

“Then, you want me to stay, Child?”

“ Lordy, Helga, aren’t you listening? Of course I want you to stay. I need you.”

An enormous sigh escaped Helga’s lips. “Then it’s settled. You’re stuck with me for good.” They embraced again.

A long series of moments went by before Shalee questioned, “If you’re not able to train me, then who is ... and where do we find this person?”

After a moment of thoughtful consideration, Helga answered. “We’ve already been to a town where there’s such a person. His name is Amar, and he lives in Lethwitch. He’s much stronger than me, and he could continue your training. He is the only man on Southern Grayham who has traveled to Luvelles to study the arts. If you’d like, we can seek him out.”

Shalee shook her head. “I don’t want to leave Sam until after he has met with the King of Brandor.” She groaned. “All this fighting Sam has to do makes me sick. I hate