Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,80

ball a shout. Y’all ready for this?”

Helga motioned for Mosley to move back. Commanding the staff, Shalee hollered, “Precious, karon!” The ball launched from the floor and flew across the room. It hit the target with such a tremendous force that the padding was destroyed—but the ball did not stop there. It blew through the wall and struck a large, wooden barrel of water that was sitting across the alleyway. The barrel exploded, drenching a woman and her children who were standing near it. The woman screamed, grabbed her children and ran.

Shalee bent over, dropped Precious onto the mattress beneath her feet, put her hands on her knees, and trembled as she received the benefit of the successful command. Her body quaked as she laughed and cried during the same moments. It was a while before the sensation subsided. But when it did, she looked up at her astounded audience. A large smile appeared on her face as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Woo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo!” she shouted. “That was incredible! Oh my Lord in Heaven ... I’m loving this!”

Reaching down, Shalee retrieved her staff and oozed, “How precious are you, Precious?”

Mosley walked over and sniffed Shalee. Before he could get too carried away, Shalee reached down and grabbed hold of his snout. She lifted his head until their eyes met. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The wolf allowed his jaw to rest in the palm of Shalee’s hand as he responded. “The scent of your success is intoxicating. Does my curiosity bother you? Or perhaps my nose is too cold?”

Shalee released his jaw and stood up straight. She pointed a finger and drew an X across her mid-section and across her behind. “Wolves not allowed in this vicinity!” she exclaimed in a stern voice. “Keep your nose away from there. Otherwise, you can sniff whatever you want.”

Still stunned, Helga broke her silence, “Shalee, you’re going to be powerful, Child. In all my seasons, I’ve never seen anyone complete this exercise before the end of their first season. I’ve picked up many a new sorceress off the floor. Quick, Child, let’s try something else.”

CHAPTER 11

Tough Lessons Learned

SHALEE WAS EXCITED BY Helga’s revelation that no other young sorceress had ever commanded the ball to hit the target. It was satisfying, and with Helga in a hurry to start the next lesson, she was itching to continue.

Helga moved one of the mattresses from the floor and lifted a hidden door beneath it. A dark staircase was revealed that disappeared under the school. Helga commanded, “Use your staff, Child, I need to see what I’m doing. The Elven word for light is me’u.”

Once Shalee understood how to pronounce the word, she lowered the tip of her staff in the direction of the darkness and shouted, “Precious, me’u!”

The stairway and room beneath lit up. With her eyes closed, Shalee stood motionless, once again receiving the benefit of the successful command. “I think I’m gettin’ the hang of this magic stuff,” she giggled. “Was that the next thing you wanted me to learn?”

The elder sorceress smiled and started to walk down the stairs. “That was not your next lesson. That was far too easy a command. I thought I would allow you another success before I ensure you fail. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Shalee waited while Mosley explored the hole in the wall. Suspicious of the wolf’s intent, she whispered, “Mosley, don’t do it. Helga will get angry.”

Mosley lifted his head and found Shalee’s eyes. “You worry for naught. I intend to respect that cantankerous woman’s wishes.”

From below the floor, Helga responded, “I heard that, mutt!”

Shalee could only smile as she watched Mosley continue sniffing.

Soon, Helga ascended with five pieces of dried wood. She motioned for Shalee to close the trapdoor and replace the mattress.

Helga headed toward a corner opposite the hole in the wall and prepared the area. Using her staff, she commanded the padding from the floor, walls, and ceiling to peel away. As they did, they revealed an area covered with thick, large sheets of iron.

Shalee was amazed as she watched the padding float across the room and settle in a neatly stacked pile against the opposing wall. On more than one occasion, Mosley had to duck as a few of the mattresses flew over him. When Helga was finished, all that was left was a secure spot to place the wood.

Mosley motioned for Helga to speak with him in the next room. “Are you sure this