Centaur Love Ch. 09

They went over the spell several times, not finding the problem, then Mathew explained how he throttled the spells reach too not include Sir Fellis's farm. Zane smiled, "When you throttled the range, did you do by forcing the spells boundary or powering down the spell?

Mathew grinned, "I guess I should have powered it down instead of forcing the boundaries."

Zane laughed, "I take it the eastern spell lets you force the boundaries and pulls the required power. Since the spell opens a straight channel from the ley line, you have to throttle the power back to get the right range, then you can modify the boundary, but keep in mind, if you pull in one side, the other has to move out the same distance. That is a trial and error method to get the right coverage as you modify the circle into a different shape. "

"Best that you shut the spell down, then remove the boundaries, then slowly power it back up to get the right coverage, then if you have to modify your circle, you can pull back five feet here, and push out five feet on the opposite until you get the right zone of control you want from the spell."

Mathew shut the spell down and removed the boundary markers he mentally placed. Then he slowly opened the power to the spell, mentally seeing the boundaries of the spell. It took a little work and a mental < I love you > from Felicia as he played with the spell to cover the entire grove and not get part of the Fellis farm. By the time Mathew got the spell set, Master Sexitorius sat back looking over the spell. He looked to the mug beside him, "Is this mine? Did someone bring me a beer and didn't tell me?"

Zane nudged Mathew and grinned, who smiled back at him.

"Well, Mathew, this should one take a minute. What you first need to do and connect to the spell and drain the power reserve. They left them unprotected; all the mage had to do was drain it before attempting to wrestle control of the grove. So drain the reserve, then encompass the old spell and alter it by canting this spell. It places the destructive reserves behind the genetic identifier. That way a clever mage cannot drain it without the spell knowing who he or she is. He said go ahead and alter it, while I try to find out why your clairvoyance spell is blazing.

Mathew took the scroll and read the spell in sections. None of the words was unfamiliar, so he reached out to the main ley line stone and brushed it with his thoughts. He touched the spell and followed it to the deleterious part. He made a small link back to the downstream ley line and slowly drained the reserve. Once the reservoir was drained, he closed off both links. He let his thoughts surround the spell. Opening his eyes, he brushed the ley line link and canted the new spell. As before the spell formed around the main node that split the ley line in hundreds of little ones and the northern node that reattached the little ones to the primary ley line.

The spell slowly took shape around each node, filling it with power from the ley lines like the last time. He watched the spell form over both this time as it flared to life. When he felt the spell lock into place he went over both nodes making sure they were secured. He felt another mind gently probing both nodes for openings. Each time he found a small opening in the spell it went through a complicated route that led to a dead-end with a wicked stun spell at the first opening, the next one was a shock spell ready to trigger as soon as someone touched it. The last several openings had several powerful paralyze spells waiting to go off if the mage wandered in this far looking to take it down.

If all else failed the last deleterious part remained the same, the spell would channel the reserves and the main ley line through the mage to the cairns overloading both into a very big explosion. Looking over he saw a smile on Master Sexitorius's face, "Let those idiots in Kingsholm try to get by this spell."

"I would rather they not Sir, I hope that they just leave me and mine alone. Felicia and I are finally making a home together, and a life. We are making new friends," nodding towards Master Sexitorius and Zane, "and learning magic together. They are making a mountain out of a molehill."

Zane shook his head no, Master Mathew you control...,"

"Please just Mathew, Zane you are a guest in our home."

"Thank you, Sir, but as I was saying, you control one of the most valuable crops out there. Draconis Claw is needed for any heal over one, six. All major healing potions require some Draconis powder. In their minds, they see you as a human farming this valuable herb. The council reasons that in an emergency, you should align yourself with your fellow humans, for the better good of the people. It could be racial bias, bigotry, but more likely, it can fall under the Cross race effect. Since Elves, Dwarves, Centaurs, and some of the fey folk do not look like humans, when in an emergency, most think of themselves first, then family, then friends, and only after that do they think of other people, but only after that do they even think of other races.

But in a cross race society, some narrow-minded people will differentiate between races, when thinking of other people, and think humans first, then choose among those they are most familiar with or perceive that look closest to. It is a form of bigotry, which they will adamantly deny. Saying a variety of things to justify their decision. Or they may see this as a way to justify their inaction over the current situation, and claiming they are in preparation mode. Either case they will see you as a lone human defying his people and will try to rally the troops around that issue with hopes to find a way to force you to submit to their will, justifying their inaction, or bigotry.

Zane looked at Master Sexitorius, who just nodded yes, "And you Mathew see their edicts as an intrusion into your life and business. You reason that they do not supply any support or protection to your farm that they are intruding where they have no right too. In some aspects, you are right. In another way, you are wrong since they did provide the backbone to your education and help with gathering supplies and other necessities to make your life easier. Even though in your mind you buy those from independent stores, it is through their structuring that you have access to them.

Also, keep in mind they are one of your prime customers and are only trying to secure enough of your product in case of an emergency. However, at this point, both sides need to negotiate an understanding. We are both facing a common enemy and don't need this little strife between us to distract us from that."

Mathew nodded yes in agreement.

"Well said," Master Sexitorius said. "Mathew, what did you do to fix your Clairvoyance spell?"

"Zane here provided the insight; I am not used to spells that draw vast amounts of power. So when I set the clairvoyance spell I failed to regulate its size with power draw, instead I forced it into the size alone while drawing the maximum power it wanted."

Sexitorius nodded yes, "That is something you will need to adapt your thinking too...,

Felicia yelled interrupting Master Sexitorius, "Boys, lunch is ready."

Master Sexitorius pushed Mathew and Zane out of the way saying, "Bacon!"

A laughing Zane and Mathew followed the older Mage as he was running towards the kitchen repeating the word "Bacon."

Felicia and Maddie had made a single sandwich out of a long loaf of fresh bread, and then sliced it into little sandwiches. She also made a small pot of five-grain for herself. She made a small bowl for Zane to introduce him to the centaur staple. After lunch, they retired to the front salon where Felicia started introducing Zane to Centaur life and customs. After several hours, Master Sexitorius and Maddie had to teleport back to Woodshome, but promised to visit again. Zane expressed interest in seeing the grove, Mathew pulled his father's old charm, and once all three were magically masked from the grove, they introduced him to the grove. Zane was excited to get his first look at growing Draconis Claw.

After an hour, Felicia had to pull Mathew out of the grove, as he always found things to fiddle with up there. He was pulling fallen branches and pulling weeds when she told him it was hot and humid and she wanted to take a swim. On the way to the pond both Felicia and Mathew laughed, it seems Zane was one of the younger people who liked to cut off the back of their flip flops to make that slapping sound.

Felicia was a little worried about how Zane would react about their casual dress at the pond. He did not seem to have a problem, she consciously moved to the deeper end to stand near the walkway as Mathew and Zane swam in the deeper end. When they finished swimming, she brought up Centaurs casual dress in a longhouse, in case he had to stay with a host family. That evening Felicia continued explaining little things in centaur life that he might encounter.

The next morning Felicia had Zane saddle his mare and both trotted down to the Fellis farm. Mathew stayed behind and went up to work on the grove. With the carthorse and the silver-hooped un-sprung cart, he was able to clear a dozen rows before noon. As he was leading the pony down the stairs, he felt someone writing in his global book. This puzzled him, he was not expecting any deliveries, maybe it was Uncle Robert with some news.

He racked the collar and harness then brushed the pony before throwing some grain and hay into the trough. One inside, he went into the magic room. It was a message from his uncle but written by his Aunt Cyril

Mathew: Expect council guests this afternoon. Be on your guard, some will be unfriendly. Robert will not be attending. Not sure who is coming. Secure the drying room and your magic room. Be safe.

Mathew stared at the short, terse message. Why would his aunt be writing and not his uncle? He closed up all the cabinets and then locked the magic room. Nothing was out in the drying room. He closed his eyes, < Some of the mage council is coming >

< Trouble? >

< Do not know, Aunt Cyril wrote in our book, not Uncle Robert. >

< I will tell daddy and Zane, will be on my way home. >

< Stay at your fathers. You will be safer there. >

< No, we are in this together! >

< No love let me face them, I don't want you hurt! >

Felicia did not answer, he tried touching her mind, but she closed off the connection. Mathew took a quick shower. He contemplated putting on his armor but went with a new outfit and mage robes. He was just settling his daggers when someone touched the clairvoyance spell and teleported in. Felicia, Zane, and possibly her father had just passed the crossroads. They were nearing the first step above the alpha field. He carefully set his shields and walked out front.

Four mages stood between him and the barn, looking around the farm. The two older looking Grand Masters looked out of place standing there in full-court outfits and court shoes. The two younger Grand Master's were dressed a little more appropriately for outdoors. They were looking around when Mathew stepped out.

Mathew turned and half bowed, "Can I help you, gentlemen?"

The older mage stepped forward and bowed, "I am Grand Master Dorthan, First seat on the Council of mages. My associate here is Grand Master Morrison, second seat of the Mage Council. Also, this is Grand Master Cooper and Grand Master Peron. I am here to speak to a Mathew Lindrose."

Mathew nodded, "I know who you are, your Honor, Grand Master Dorthan. Any student or former student of the academy knows who you are. I am Mathew Lindrose."

All four walked closer with Grand Master Dorthan offering his hand. They all stopped as they heard Felicia, Zane, and Sir Fellis galloping up. Zane stopped short and dismounted next to the house with elven grace allowing the momentum of the moving horse to propel him next to Mathew as Felicia and Sir Fellis galloped up right to him.

Dorthan turned and said something to the four other mages and all of them held up their open hands showing no ill intent.

Sir Fellis looked down at the four mages with one hand on his sword, "Grand Master Dorthan, I am surprised to see you here"

Dorthan smiled, and then half bowed, "Sir Johnathan Fellis well met." Looking him over he could see he was once again at a healthy weight. The last he saw him he was gaunt and frazzled looking. "I have to say Sir Fellis you are looking better than the last time we met."

"That is a matter of perspective Grand Master Dorthan."

Dorthan smiled, he regretted speaking up about Sir Fellis to the high King but seeing him standing here was better than burying a friend too young who overworked himself. "Sir Fellis, my old friend, please do not hold the last words I spoke in malice. Seeing you standing here today is why I said them, those words saved your life from my perspective. Your duties as Marshal was killing you. You might not have seen it at that time, but as your friend, I did. You were severely underweight, and going gray years before your time."

"Now look at you, you're healthy and have a family." Turning to Felicia, "You must be Felicia Lindrose, Sir Fellis's daughter. The council has heard promising things about you, my dear. I hope in the future, we could be friends. Don't let the present misunderstandings cloud your mind about us, the mage council."

He turned and half bowed to Zane with a questioning look. Zane formally bowed back, "Mage journeyman Zane Goldenroot your Honor, Grand Master Dorthan. Currently ambassador to the Midvale Herd Masters council, or better known as the Centaur council."

"Well met Ambassador Goldenroot."

Zane smiled, "Well met your Honor. Our Eldar asked Master Lindrosa and his Apprentice Felicia Lindrosa if he could take a few days and instruct me in nuances of Centaur households, that way I would not be shocked if I had to stay with a host family in Midvale. They graciously agreed, the last two days has been enlightening and somewhat shocking to my digestive system."

Both men laughed.

"But I didn't imagine that you gentleman came to discuss my digestive tract in regards to a centaur diet, but the new rules that the mage council imposed, in regards to Master Lindrosa's Draconis claw farm. Although it is outside the scope of my present duties, it is an issue, which has alarmed my Eldar and the Elven Nations supply of Draconis Claw Powder in these troubled times, that has put the Elven Nation in a war against the Hobgoblin Nation."

Grand Master Dorthan turned to his fellow mages raising an eyebrow.

"Your Honor, Grand Master Dorthan, Honorable Mage Councilors, Master Lindrosa, might I suggest we take a seat and discuss the current situation with hopes to coming to an understanding that wouldn't pit our two nations into an unnecessary disagreement over the resources of the Lindrosa farm in these troubled times?"

Zane pointed to a long bench under the Pecan trees, as the group turned, they saw an Elder Elf sitting on the bench fiddling with a piece of quartz crystal and a file. Behind him stood a young elven woman. He pocketed both and patted the bench. The four Council mages approached slower not knowing who the new mages were.

Zane stepped forward, bowing, "Grandfather, Madilynn." Zane turned, "Councilors, Sir Fellis, May I introduce my Grandfather, Master Sexitorius Goldenroot, and my lovely sister, his current apprentice, slash journeywoman Madilynn Goldenroot. Grandfather, Maddie, may I introduce his Honor Grand Master Dorthan, current first seat of Mage Council in Kingsholm. I will have to ask his Honor to introduce his fellow council members, since we have not been introduced as of yet."

Sexitorius stood and formally bowed your honor Grand Master Dorthan, it is a pleasure to meet Tiberius's current heir."

Grand Master Dorthan smiles and stepped up offering his hand, it is an honor to meet you Master Sexitorius." They shook hands. "May I introduce my second, Grand Master Jeffery Morrison, and his assistant Grand Master Richard Peron, and my assistant Grand Master Donavan Cooper."

Master Sexitorius nodded as each bowed, "Come gentlemen sit, we have things to discuss." Sexitorius motioned everyone to the benches. There were three different designed long benches arranged in a small half circle. The benches ranged in age and weathering. An old fire ring sat in the center, just waiting for the fall weather.

Zane waited for everyone to sit or for the centaurs a place to stand. "Gentlemen, ladies, we all think we know why we are here today, but to make it clear, we should ask that everyone get a chance to speak? Councilors as guests, would you like to go first?

Dorthan stood after checking with his fellow councilors, "We came here today with two questions, the first has been answered, is Mathew under some governing board of magic. But you have answered that one. As a confirmed Master in the western magic, he is no longer to be considered an unfretted mage. He will be granted all rights and privileges given to Master Mages in the Elven Magical society.

With that said our second question, our demand as an unfretted mage selling Dragon Claw Root has been rendered mute, now we must come to the bargaining table to see if we can ascertain a larger portion of your current crop. We are currently facing a war on the Northern Continent, and on the southern con...,

Mathew stood feeling the grove spell release a small bit of built-up power, as a small power manifested behind Grand Master Dorthan. A small ball of blue energy surrounded Grand Master Peron as tiny bolts of lightning shocked the mage. He immediately stiffened as the spell shocked him with his mental shields down as he probed the spell laid over the grove. The young man went stiff and fainted as the higher-level stun spell went off. Grand Master Cooper who was sitting next to him jumped sideways off the bench to avoid the spell, as did Grand Master Morrison, who stood throwing on a shield. He had a wand in his right hand with a dark crystal mounted on the end, pointing it around, shouting, "Who threw that spell!"

Mathew dumped half his power into a shield to protect Felicia, at the same time Sir Fellis drew his sword and stepped in front of her. Mathew stepped next to her drawing both daggers.

Grand Master Dorthan looked at Morrison, then Mathew asking, "What happened?"

Everyone heard the laughter coming from Master Sexitorius. He stood and walked towards Grand Master Peron, he stopped and looked at the wand in Grand Master Morrison's hands, "That Grand Master is a forbidden item." Then proceeded to walk up to Grand Master Peron to check if he was ok.

"He will be ok in thirty minutes or so," Master Sexitorius said. "But he won't be throwing magic for an hour or two. The groves protection spells caught him wide open with his shields down.

Mathew mentally touched the wand in Grand Master Morrison's hand. He did not know the spell, but he felt the blackness of the spell inside the dark crystal and knew it was a necromancer's death spell. He tapped the ley line below his feet, and strengthened his shield, then called twice the mana needed, overdriving the two-handed klatha bolt. Power rushed into hands gripping his daggers, the power arched from dagger to dagger. "Drop that wand mage or prepare to face me"

Zane stood holding up two hands, "Master Mathew please!"

"Grandson!" Sexitorius shouted, "Step out of the way, This Mage violated the council's laws by owning a black spelled item, and bringing it to a peaceful negotiation."

"Johnathon!" Mathew shouted, "Take Felicia to the house now!"

Sir Fellis gripped Felicia's hand and started pulling her towards the house, "No!" she screamed, "I won't leave him." Sir Fellis outweighed her by nearly three hundred pounds as he started dragging her. "Your mate can handle this daughter, now move!"