Hump unfolded the cloth-wrapping carefully, revealing a wooden box within. It was made of dark wood and inlaid with a silver pattern on top. Opening it, there were two items inside. A leatherbound book and a ring with a dark blue stone that shimmered with specks of bronze light within, as if particles of earth essence were trapped inside.

“The stone is a special kind of opal found only in Sheercliff,” Countess Daston explained. “We call it Osidium Opal, for it formed from the power Osidium left behind after he created Sheercliff. The sand within can be infused with earth essence. Once infused, one can manipulate the sand outside of the stone to create a series of lights—it’s a beautiful effect, and quite useful in dark places. I have even seen experienced wielders use it to create images. Though, perhaps more useful in an emergency, the essence stored within can act as a reserve to be drawn upon.”

Hump picked up the opal ring nervously. It was about half the size of his thumb, and easily the most stunning gemstone he had ever seen, though that wasn’t saying much. The bronze light trickled through the dark blue stone like raining stars through the night sky, flowing back and forth as he tilted it. It would have been worth a fortune for its beauty alone, but with its abilities on top of that, Hump didn’t dare guess a price. He wondered what his spellbook would say about it.

He swallowed, trying not to shake as he held the ring. “I’m only a hedge wizard. This… I’m not sure I trust myself with it.”

Even as he said the words Hump felt like slapping himself.

Countess Daston laughed, and it made it clear where Marcela got her laugh.

“In which case, I shall make it easy for you,” she said. “It is yours, Humphrey. You have no choice in the matter, and I would have it no other way. I hope it serves you well on your path.”

“My thanks, Countess.” Hump gave an awkward bow from his chair, his heart racing at his newfound wealth. He was taken aback at how easily someone could give away something so valuable. It felt too good to be true, as if this was some trick or a dream, yet there was still a second part to her gift.

Hump placed the ring back in the box and picked up the book beside it, titled: Spell Tree: Rivers of Lava.

His eyes widened—he’d heard of spell trees but never seen one for himself. Only incredibly powerful wizards had the skill to create them, as they detailed a line of connected spells that each built on the same foundation.

Countess Daston took a sip of her tea. “Marcela told me that you favour both fire and earth magic. After speaking with Vivienne, she believed this to be most suitable for you. Please, go ahead and look inside.”

Hump nodded, barely listening as excitement built in him. He opened the leatherbound book. From the outside it didn’t appear to be anything special, easily mistakeable for a journal or notebook. The writing inside though was near priceless.

Dear Reader,

Here I write of my studies into earth and fire in its most fluid state, uncovering the secret of creating Rivers of Lava. Little is feared more than the power of lava. Unmastered, this magic is as dangerous to the wielder as it is to its target. Once mastered, there are few things more devastating in our world.

Proper mastery of the five core spells outlined in this book is key to the casting of Rivers of Lava. Each spell incorporates an aspect of control, power, and will necessary for the final spell. Even to the most experienced practitioner, I advise caution. For your own safety and the safety of those around you, ensure you master each spell as I had to, because each one builds upon another.

Best of luck.

Alaric Harred

Contents:

Tier 1 – Melt Stone

Tier 2 – Control Lava

Tier 3 – Molten Shower

Tier 4 – Lava Coils

Tier 5 – Magma Pit

Tier 6 – Rivers of Lava

Hump itched to turn to the next page and read the description of each spell. He wanted to study their formations and details; unravel the mysteries this wizard had uncovered. It was even more precious than the opal. A Tier 6 spell was only just below the peak of modern wizards. Such magic was devastatingly powerful, and if Hump was lucky, he might have the talent necessary to achieve it. There was almost nothing more prized by practitioners, and for the most part, spells of this rank were handed down only to family and disciples. The countess wasn’t just gifting him six spells—she was giving him the chance to become a Rank 5 wizard. Of course, that was only if he succeeded in learning the full spell tree.

Somehow, he held himself back, turning back to Countess Daston who watched him curiously.

“Is it to your liking?” she asked.

“This is beyond anything I could have asked for, my lady. Thank you. I’m sure you are aware of how precious a gift this is, but you’ve given me an opportunity with this that I could have only dreamed of. I cannot even guess at its cost.”

“The price does not matter,” she said. “This book has been a part of my family library for more than a century. Its value lies in its use, and whatever value that is, it is incomparable to the life of my daughter. The Dastons are in your debt, and if you are ever in need, all you need do is ask. I will ensure the sentiment is passed on to my husband in the Fallen Lands if you are ever unable to reach me.”

Hump saw the seriousness in her eyes. She truly meant what she said. This was a promise of aid from nobility, and not just any noble. The Dastons were royalty. His heart raced at the thought.

Hump bowed his head, attempting to replicate some of the etiquette he’d seen from Bud. “You honour me, Countess.”

“I do wish that was all I asked you here for today,” she continued, “but there is more. I hope it is clear to you that we speak today in good faith, for I have some questions for you now that may seem rather like interrogation.”

There’s always something, Hump thought. I knew it was too good to be true.

He smiled, but he felt the corner of his lips twitch. “I’m happy to help anyway I can. What do you need to know?”

“To begin, I should explain more about my blessing, and more importantly, its limitations. It allows me to sense when important moments are approaching, and people that may play a pivotal role in said moments, however it tells me nothing of their affiliation or what role they may have. Only that it is significant.”

“You want to know if I’m related to the Blackstone Warlocks,” Hump said. “I assure you I am not.”

“We would not be having this conversation over tea if I thought you were. Rather, why do you think you might be important? What role do you think you may have to play? As you said, it is certainly unusual for a person of your strength to catch my eye. Does any reason come to mind as to why?”

Hump hesitated. There were reasons, of course. His mind went to the imprints on his soul, his spellbook, the egg in his pouch. So many unknowns that felt over his head and at least could plausibly have some role to play in the fate of Sheercliff. Whatever it was though, he did not know, and he did not want to share. Countess Daston had promised him her aid, but he was confident that would not extend to fighting off Dragon Keepers for him, especially not if she knew he was a warlock too.

However, there was one thing. A secret he’d been sworn to.

“Before I continue, I should say I was ordered by Overseer Oswald not to speak of this,” Hump said. “Though I suspect at the time he did not predict I would speak with you.”

She smiled. “No, I think it likely not. You may speak freely though. If it ever comes up, tell him you spoke only upon my instruction.”

“In which case, my connection to Prince Kassius comes to mind.”

Countess Daston raised her eyebrow. “Oh?”

“We’ve spoken briefly on what happened to him in Bledsbury Dungeon,” Hump said, referencing the first time they had spoken. She’d quite clearly stated she knew it was him behind the prince’s death, but he still felt nervous discussing it openly.

“Ah yes,” she said. “How he didn’t die quite as heroically as most were led to believe.”

“Prince Kassius was the necromancer,” Hump said. “He acted as if he was in Bledsbury to help the expedition, but in fact he was there to absorb the undead soul of a dragon. We later discovered that it was through his actions that the dragon was first turned, and the dungeon manifested. He was a warlock, and I believe he may have been connected to these Blackstone Warlocks too.”

“Did you find the same stone on his body as the other warlocks?”

“That’s the thing. You know that I was the one…” Hump hesitated. He wasn’t sure how best to put the events of that day.

“That killed Prince Kassius,” she finished. “You have nothing to fear from me. Speak honestly, and it shall remain between us. I told you before, I have ears in high places. Little will truly surprise me.”

“Very well,” Hump said. “There was no body. People said that I burnt him to ashes, but that isn’t what I saw. In that moment where Kassius lay on the ground, wounded, it was as if time stopped. A rift opened in the room, and a shadowy figure stepped from it, taking Kassius back through the rift with him.”

“You do not think Kassius is dead?” Countess Daston said, shock reaching her voice for the first time.

Hump shook his head. “He wore enchanted armour, and my magic is far from powerful enough to completely remove all evidence of someone. He was taken.”

“Who else saw this?”

“Only me. Even my party only partially believes me, but I know what I saw.”

“Describe it to me.”

It wasn’t hard to think back. There was no forgetting the being he saw that day. Its power. He described the black tear in the world and the long-limbed figure masked in shadows that stepped from it. The way the world turned grey, and how everything but him had become still. The way it had looked around, and how Hump had felt as if each of their lives could have been taken purely on a whim. By the time he was finished, Countess Daston’s face had turned pale.

“Do you think it’s related?” Hump asked.

She turned her gaze to the city below, and Hump gave her a chance to think it over. “It’s possible. What you described sounds very much like a riftwalker—a being that has mastered the ability to move between realms. And if that is truly the case, then I believe our situation may be even more dangerous than I first thought. Is there anything else you can tell me?”

“Only that he was powerful,” Hump said. “Far more powerful than Vivienne, and anyone else I have met.”

“I see.”

“I don’t understand,” Hump said. “If this being is truly involved, what difference can I make? I’m just a Rank 2 hedge wizard. A nobody.”

Countess Daston sighed. “Well, I’m sure you will find out. The moment is growing close, Wizard Humphrey. I feel it now more strongly than ever. When you find it, I implore you to act. Trust your instincts.”

“My instincts tell me to run. I want no part in a war between warlocks and Chosen.”

She gave him a sympathetic smile. “The gods have already decided your role. Whether you flee or remain, your path is predetermined.”

“I don’t believe that,” Hump said without thinking, though the countess didn’t seem to notice his rudeness.

She stood and walked over to the glass, her eyes transfixed on the people below. “I have seen moments like these play out hundreds of times. It does not matter what you believe.”