Jeff Inlo - Delver Magic Book III: Balance of Fate

Jeff Inlo

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2008 Jeff Inlo

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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By Jeff Inlo

Fantasy:

Delver Magic Book I Sanctums Breach

Delver Magic Book II Throne ofVengeance

Delver Magic Book III Balance of Fate

Spiritual Thriller:

Soul View

When Do I See God?

Science Fiction:

Alien Cradle

Humor:

Counterproductive Man

For Joan, thanks for being my destiny!!

Once again, I would like to offer my sincerethanks to Christine Bell for sticking with this series and doingmore than I could possibly imagine.

I would also would to thank all of thosewonderful people that have sent me notes regarding my books. It isthe encouraging words from these kind readers that have inspired meto keep writing.

I wonder what spell could possibly be castthat would allow an ordinary person to mimic your skills. Watchingyou is almost beyond belief.

Ryson Acumen shook his head and replied witha laugh. This said by a wizard that is right now flying over myhead.

Indeed, Enin was quite literally flying justabove the tree tops, but the delvers response was lost on thewizard. Swooping and gliding through the air, Enin continued topeer through the leafless branches as he studied the delver fromnearly every angle. Trying to categorize Rysons movements andmatch them to a potential spell, however, proved much moredifficult than flying and even more elusive than the cold wind thatblew through the clear blue skies of this day. Watching the delverclosely, the wizard marveled at how Ryson could leap, run, twistand turnbasically dance without rest or pause through, over andunder the myriad of obstacles the forest presented.

As he often did, Enin began to speak outloud, more to himself than anyone else, as he considered thepurpose of his desire.

So many different aspects, even animaltendencies, I see perfect qualities of nature within you. You movewith the grace of so many different animals at once, it would bealmost impossible for me to try and match your powers with anyspell, or even series of spells, that might match the particularskills of a single animal. I mean really, you move like a cat butwithout the predatory aim. You dart about like a fish in the sea,but without the haphazard defensive response.

Sounds like a catfish, Ryson offeredplayfully.

The wizard ignored him. And its not justsimulating the advantages of different animals, it goes well beyondthat. Theres definitely an instinctive quality in the way youmove, instinctive like a horse that gallops effortlessly justbecause it can. And it goes beyond animal instinct, you have thevery essence of nature within you. You have a quality of the windabout you. Your movements flow steadily yet you can changedirections with ease. The problem is you dont swirl, that means awind definition would be very difficult. No, wind movement wouldntwork. Shame actually. The problem is compounded by the fact thatyou create very little heat which amazes me to this moment, so Iwouldnt even begin to know how to add an element of fire for lift.The power that allows you to move the way you do seems to be beyondthe normal elements of nature.

Enin willed himself forward at a greaterpace. He was having a difficult time keeping up with the delver atthese speeds even though his path was clear of all obstacles whileRyson faced a continuous barrage of trees and underbrush thatfilled this section of Dark Spruce Forest. Still, Enin remainedfocused on his spell considerations and his desire to match Rysonsspeed forced him forward at a faster pace.

There are so many different facets tomagical energieswind, fire, water, air, shadow, illusion, lightIfind it amazing to see so many close connections with yourabilities, yet I still cant define with accuracy even onecomponent. I believe there is definitely an inherent connection tothe land, but its even harder for me to pinpoint that one. Somescience-loving egghead once told me about magnetism and how itmight help explain the magical energies. Well, this mans ramblingswent on and on with no clear point but.

Not like yours, of course, Ryson chuckledto himself.

Enin ignored the implication. The point ishe just didnt want to admit that magic existed, which kind ofthrew his whole perspective out of balance. I mean really, how canyou deny that magic exists when you are staring into the face of amountain shag or a river rogue? While his overall theory was trulyabsurd, he did have some interesting points. I always have to keepin mind that the physical world does intertwine with the magicalenergies. It wouldnt surprise me if somehow or other the idea ofmagnetism is somehow linked with your powers. The land has its ownmagical properties and they seem to be present in you as well.

Ryson did not stop moving, but he did callout louder this time with the obvious intention of being heard. Hefound this consideration interesting and didnt want the wizard todismiss his question. Youve said that word before when youanalyzed me, powers. Sounds to me as if you think Im using magiclike you do. Is that what you think?

Like me? the wizard sounded almost baffledat first. No, no, nonot like me at all. With that said, thewizard floated down into the trees and closer to ground level sothat he could carry on this new conversation more personally. Hecontinued to fly as it was the best way he could keep up with thedelver, but he felt the discussion at hand was now more sensitiveand he felt the need to be closer to Ryson before he spoke. One ofthe most amazing things about the magic is how differently itaffects each one of us as well as each race. You know what is mostamazing about the delvers?

Enlighten me.

You dont use the magic, you are themagic.

Ryson raised an eyebrow at the wizard. Comeagain? I am the magic. I have no idea what that means. The delvercontinued moving, albeit at a much slower pace to accommodate thewizard that now had to navigate through the trees as well. Rysondidnt want to move too far away from Enin mostly because he wantedto hear this explanation.

The wizard heaved a heavy breath as he triedto place his words in a context that Ryson could understand. Hedidnt feel he had to speak down to the delver, but there was alack of equal reference points. He understood magic in ways almostno one else in the land could. For him to speak of magic toanother, it was almost like explaining music to someone totallytone deaf. He grabbed on the story of legend that ended up being soconsequential to Ryson and the return of magic to Uton.

When Ingar made that sphere of his, Eninbegan, it was supposed to remove all the magical energy in theland. It did, but only that energy that was free. It could notremove energy that was kept internally. Thats why magic casterswere afraid to cast spells after the sphere was created. Once theylet it out of their being, it was free to be absorbed by thesphere. Magic that is held to, or stored within, was safe from thesphere as long as it is not cast free. You follow this logic,yes?

Yes.

Very good. Keeping with that thought, youshould be able to follow that magic is absorbed in different waysby different creatures. Some can store great quantities, some areincapable of storing any at all. Some are very susceptible tospells, and others are very resistant. These qualities can varygreatly in degree. For whatever reason, I was given the gift to domore that just store and use magical energy. I have a very deep andpersonal connection to it. I can store vast amounts internally andI can draw energies from various sources from great distances.