Howdy.

I should have a new chapter up by the end of the weekend.

haven't been writing much lately. I still have lots of ideas so I'm not blocked, but I just haven't had a whole lot of time recently.

Woah, very gud :). It's as if the main character is in two minds, or schizophrenic.

Thank you. :-)

It's not really " two minds " but it's definitely not schizophrenia.

Basically, what I have tried to do is to actually verbalize the running commentary that everyone ( whether or not they want to admit it ) has going on in their head.

A lot of authors just " describe " a characters thoughts. I find that to be too tedious for my taste. It's a lot easier to just make it an actual dialogue.

(((Guy))) I just opened this forum topic... It's GREAT, I'm so glad I got to read it...

I'm glad you found it and I'm glad you like it.

Chapter 32


( man. This is not good. )
[ I am the only hope? ]
( yeah. no pressure, right? )
[ no kidding ]
( well. At least we know what’s on the line )
[ yeah. nothing quite like the death and destruction of an entire world to motivate a guy ]

Brian looked at Philip with a wry grin and said “ Now why did I have a feeling you were going to say something like that? “
( saw that coming a mile away. Told ya this is like a bad fantasy novel )
[ oh stop it ]
“ I suppose you really should have known it was coming “ Philip said with a chuckle.
“ Yeah. So now what do I do? I know you say that I have to learn to control the magic, but if it overpowered a spell like that, how can I feel good about testing it out with the other spells on the scroll? “
“ You can’t “ Philip said plainly. “ The only thing you really can do is keep trying. You won’t feel good about it. But it’s something that you must do. As a matter of fact, it may turn out to work to your advantage. “
“ Advantage? “
“ Think about it, Brian. If you can get enough of a grip on the magic to tone it down a bit for simple spells, then you will be more able to keep control of it when trying to do something more substantial. “
( hey. That is a very good point )
[ yeah I know ]
( feeling any better about trying the magic again? )
[ not in the slightest ]
( didn’t think so )
Brian nodded, looking straight ahead as he continued walking along the road.

Looking around
( this really is a beautiful place, isn’t it? )
[ yeah ]
( think we could get used to living here? )
[ do we have a choice? ]
( well no. But that is beside the point )
[ no. that’s the whole point ]
( perhaps )
[ think about it. We either allow this world to be destroyed, or we save it. Either way, we aren’t going to be going home. Ever ]
( I know. But even so, this place, so far, seems to be well worth saving. Regardless of whether or not we can go home again )
[ everything we ever knew was in Manhattan ]
( so what? )
[ so…we know nothing, or next to nothing at least, about this place other than what Krager and Philip have told us ]
( and? That just means that we have new stuff to learn )
[ like what. Farming? ]
( why not? )
[ do you know anything about farming? I know I don’t ]
( again. And? )
[ I don’t know. I don’t know anything right now ]
( sure you do. You just don’t want to know it )
[ what are you talking about? ]
( you know what we have to do. You also know that you actually want to do it. )
[ what the?? I do not want to be put into this position ]
( sure you do. Deep down inside, where I happen to hang out quite often, there is a part of you that wants to know if you actually have the power and ability to save the world )
[ right. I just really want to charge headfirst into a situation I have no control over that could, quite possibly result in my death and the destruction of an entire world ]
( of course you do )
[ you are an idiot ]
( I’m in your head. Remember that )
[ how could I possibly forget with you yammering all the time ]
( quit whining. It’s not becoming )
[ well how do you figure that I actually want to do this? ]
( because it’s a challenge. We’ve always taken on a challenge )
[ dude. Learning Latin was a challenge. This is something completely different ]
( yes. It’s a much bigger challenge that any we have faced before )
[ exactly. And I have no idea how to go about facing it ]
( sure you do )
[ what. Explain to me what idea I have because I’m not seeing it )
( the magic. I can feel it floating around in here. It’s a part of you. You know it as well as I do )
[ so what if it is? What good is it if we don’t know how to use it? ]
( that’s exactly why you have to learn to use it. You have to learn to control it, and make it do what you command, rather than let it command you )
[ but how. The last time it kicked me out of myself ]
( that’s what we have to figure out )
[ which means I am going to have to try to use it again ]
( yep. You have to make a choice. Are we going to just face this thing or are we just going to hide with our tail between our legs? )
[ hide ]
( bull. You know better )
[ yeah. it was worth a shot though ]
( not with me it wasn’t )

Brian found himself seeing things differently. He took more notice of the landscape. The foothills they had entered during the walk. The gentle meadows full of wildflowers and trees. The birds singing. A squirrel jumping through the trees that lined the road on one side. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the crisp clean feel of the air entering his lungs.
( a whole lot better than the air in Manhattan, eh? )
[ definitely ]
( told ya this place is beautiful )
[ that it is ]
( So, again. Think we could get used to living here? )
[ yeah. I think we could definitely get used to it ]
( so are we going to try to save it? )
[ yeah. we have to ]
( good man )
[ thanks ]

Brian realized that the light had changed and said to Philip “ Looks like the sun is about to go disappear on us. We probably should start looking for shelter for the night. “
Philip nodded and said “ Yeah. It’s going to get dark pretty quickly. Fortunately, I know where we can find shelter. “

just logging it so I can come back later..

LOL. Ok.

Chapter 33


Brian took a quick look around and seeing nothing that resembled shelter turned his gaze on Philip.
“ Don’t even start with me “ Philip said quickly. “ Just trust me on this. You may not be able to see it, but I know this area a lot better than you do. “
“ That’s true “ Brian replied. “ I’ll take your word for it. “
“ Thank you “ Philip said sarcastically.
“ No problem “ Brian said with a grin. “ So. Where is the shelter? “
Philip raised his head and pointed his nose in the direction of some low rising mounds that were on the opposite edge of a meadow. “ Right over there. It will only take us a few minutes to get there. “
“ Well. I suppose we should start heading in that direction, then. The light seems to be fading pretty quickly. “
“ Alright. Let’s go “ Philip said. “ Be careful to watch your step in the meadow because there are a lot of holes that, if you step in them, can break an ankle or worse. “
“ Shouldn’t we gather up some wood for a fire “ Brian asked.
“ It won’t be necessary “ Philip said shaking his head slightly.
( won’t be necessary? )
[ that’s odd ]
( no kidding )
[ less work though ]
( good point )

Starting across the meadow, Brian was careful to heed Philip’s advice and watch where he was putting his feet.
( last thing we need is to break a foot or something )
[ thank you, Captain Obvious ]
“ Philip? What made all these holes? “
Over his shoulder, Philip replied “ Gophers. “
“ Gophers? “
“ Yeah. Gophers. Remember that whole thing about ‘ borrowing ‘ stuff from other worlds? “
“ Yes. “
“ Well. Someone thought it would be a good idea to bring gophers here. “
“ Why on Earth would they do that? “
“ Who knows “ Philip said with a snort. “ There’s no telling why some people think the things they do. “
( little does he know )
[ oh shush ]
( dude…take a look around )
[ what for? ]
( look at how tall the grass we are walking through is )
[ yeah. so? ]
( you didn’t think to ask Philip if there might be something in here that could jump up and bite us )
[ oh stop it. You are just being paranoid ]
“ So, Philip “ Brian said “ what other kind of things have been borrowed from my world? “
“ Well…let’s see here “ Philip said, thinking. “ Someone once brought mosquitoes here. “
“ Mosquitoes? What happened? “
“ Let’s just say things got very ugly until we figured out a way to eradicate them. “
Shocked, Brian said “ You found a way to eradicate them? “
“ Yes. But before you ask, I can’t tell you what it is. Everyone was sworn to secrecy. “
( you thinking what I’m thinking? )
[ once we finish this, we need to find someone who will tell us ]
( you betcha )
[ but what for? ]
( we could always try to find a way to go back home )
[ we’re dead there, remember? ]
( so we just find another body )
[ no way ]
( why not? )
[ did you like the feeling when the magic took over? ]
( ummm…not really )
[ so how much do you think someone would feel if we took over their body? ]
( damn. Good point )
“ Ok. So you can’t tell me how to rid the world of mosquitoes. What else has been brought over? “
“ Well. Hundreds of things have been brought over from other worlds. Most don’t stay around. “
“ Why not? “
“ Mainly because some of them wind up being a problem. Like the mosquitoes. Some just don’t do well here for one reason or another and just fade away into extinction. Several species of birds have been brought here and done well. A few animals, like the gophers have done well and they are a bit of a pain, but they are basically harmless so we leave them alone. “

They walked a bit further in silence until Philip stopped and said “ Well, here we are. “ He pointed his nose toward a small stand of bushes at the base of one of the mounds that Brian had seen from the road.
Brian looked, but didn’t see what Philip was referring to. “ Where? I don’t see anything. “
“ That’s pretty much the point. We will be sheltered and hidden for the night. “
“ Hidden where “ Brian asked.
“ Inside “ Philip said cryptically.
“ Inside what? “
With a slight chuckle, Philip said “ Look closely Brian. You’ll see. “
Brian tired to look as Philip instructed, but still couldn’t see anything. He looked back at Philip who said “ You must learn to look with your eyes, but see with your sight. “
( what the heck does THAT mean? )
[ I have no idea ]
Seeing the look of confusion on Brian’s face, Philip took a step back and said “ You have to learn to look beyond what you can actually see. There are things beyond what your eyes show you. Now, take a look again and try to see what your eyes aren’t showing you. “

With a sigh, still confused, Brain looked at the stand of brush again
( look beyond what we see )
[ so, I guess he means it’s camouflaged? ]
( that would be my guess )
And gradually began to see what Philip was referring to. Like magic
( who knows? It probably IS magic )
[ probably ]
Brian began to see the outline of what seemed to be a cave entrance. He reached toward the brush to push it aside, but Philip stepped in front of him and said “ Whoa. Easy there. We have to make sure this one isn’t already occupied. “
“ How do we do that “ Brian asked.
“ Well, one of us could go in there to check it out. But that’s really not the greatest idea. Never know what could be in there. “
“ Is there another option? “
“ Sure “ Philip said casually. “ You can just use your magic to take a look. “

Wow this is really awesome I want to read more and see how it ends it's got my attention.Great writing keep it up.You do have a special talent.

Awww shucks.

I dunno how talented I am. I just found a way to put the stuff in my head into words.

28 days since I posted anything. I wanted to bring this topic back up top so I could find it again within the next couple of days.

I'll have a new chapter to put up by then.

Chapter 34
 
 
      [ he cannot be serious ]
( sounds like he is to me )
[ did he not see what just happened with that rock? ]
( pretty sure he did )
[ then why would he think I should try to use the magic again? ]
( because you have to learn to control it )
[ I know I do. I accept that ]
( then why waffle now? )
[ because it hasn’t been very long since the last time I tried ]
( so what? )
[ you are no help ]
( if you mean that I am no help in allowing you to be a coward, then you are correct )
 
      “ You’re kidding, right “ Brian asked in astonishment.

“ Not at all “ Philip said seriously. “ You’re magic could very easily determine whether or not there is anything in there that would be dangerous to us. “

“ Maybe “ Brian said. “ Or maybe it’ll just bring the whole cave crashing down. Maybe it will cause us to be struck by lightning. Maybe it will just vaporize us both. “

“ Oh, stop being dramatic “ Philip said derisively.

“ It may be dramatic, but it’s accurate “ Brian said vehemently. “ Neither one of us has any idea what is going to happen if I try to use it again. “

“ No. We don’t. But there is only one way for you to learn to control it, and that is to use it. “

Brian, struggling with the words he didn’t want to say, but knew to be true,
( you’re afraid )
[ yes. Yes I am. Aren’t you? ]
( of course. But you know as well as I do that you can’t allow fear to immobilize you )
[ yeah I know. But that doesn’t make it easier to not be afraid of it. We have no control over it ]
( not exactly true. We do have a little bit of control )
[ I didn’t feel it ]
( maybe not, but it was there. )
[ I’m not seeing what you mean ]
( you got back in didn’t you? )
[ well, yes. But it’s not like I forced my way back in ]
( do you really think the magic would have let you back in if you didn’t have some kind of power over it? )
[ maybe it just let me back in because without me, it has no vessel ]
( oh come on. You know better than that )
[ do i? ]
( stop being dense. You can control it if you try )
finally threw up his hands and said “ Fine! I’ll try it again. I am scared to death of what it might do. But I’ll try. “

“ Brian “ Philip said gently, stepping closer to him “ I know you are afraid. I was afraid of my magic when I first started using it too. There is nothing wrong with being afraid. Actually, it will be a benefit to you because it means that you will be that much more careful while learning it. “

“ You got that right “ Brian said. “ Will you do me a favor and stand back a ways? “

“ Not this time “ Philip said. “ This time, I am going to stand right beside you. I know you are very afraid, and I am going to be right next to you to do whatever I can to make sure you don’t lose control again. “

Brian, feeling afraid of what could possibly happen to Philip if he got in the path of the magic, started to say something but, seeing the look on Philip’s face, decided against it. Instead, he just said

“ Thank you. “

“ You’re welcome “ Philip said gently. “ Now get on with it. “
 
      Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Brian nodded and took a step toward the bushes. Taking one more deep breath, he closed his eyes and concentrated on bringing the magic to him. He felt the same rush he had felt the first time, and focused his energy on not allowing it to carry him away. He could feel the magic pulling against the restraints he was putting on it
      ( man, this is strong stuff )
      [ I know ]
      ( have you got a good grip? )
      [ so far so good ]
      ( alright. I will help all that I can )
[ thank you. I think it’s going to take all of our strength to keep it in check ]

But he used every bit of his will to hold it back and only allow it as much movement as he wanted it to have. Once he felt he had a tight grip on it’s reins, he slowly, carefully, let the magic have a little more freedom. He consciously directed it toward the cave opening and was more than a little pleased to feel it going where he was directing it to.
     
( be careful. It’s tough to keep hold of )
[ I know. We still don’t have full control. But it’s a lot better than last time ]
( no kidding )

He could feel the magic straining harder against his control, but continued to allow it to run that one small feeler into the entrance of the cave. He felt it rounding corners and lightly floating against the walls, all the while trying to test the limits it had been put under. The rush that he had felt the first time was just as strong, but not quite as intense. He knew better than to think that meant much of anything.
 
      Feeling nothing of any importance inside the cave, he began to call the magic back to him, but quickly realized that, although he had allowed only a little of it to be released, calling it back was going to be more difficult than he imagined.
     
      ( wow. This is tough )
      [ stop being stuck in awe of it and help me pull it back ]
      ( alright. Let’s see what we can do here )

With a supreme mental effort, Brian slowly began to reel the magic in. As he did, he found himself wondering what could happen if he ever let it completely loose.

( I think that could get really ugly if it happens before you know what you are doing )
[ Yeah. I think so too ]
( Hopefully, we won’t ever find out )
{ agreed ]

With a final push, Brian managed to put the magic, against it’s will, back into the box that he had created in his mind and locked it inside. He could still feel it, like a wounded animal straining against a leg trap, trying to get out and be allowed to run free. He fell to his knees, almost completely exhausted, and put his head down, trying to catch his breath.

Philip moved over to where Brain kneeled, gave him a slight nudge with his nose and said “ Are you alright? “

With great effort, Brian raised his head to look at Philip. “ Yeah. I’m ok. I just didn’t realize how much that was going to take out of me. “

Philip gave a small smile of understanding, “ I know. You must realize by now that your magic is extremely powerful. To control something like that takes great strength of both mind and body. “
Brian huffed a laugh “ No kidding. “

“ Rest assured, though, that you showed that you have the strength of mind to do it. Now that you have shown control and know what it takes to do so, your body will get stronger and less susceptible to exhaustion each time you use it. You’ll just have to be very careful not to use it before your body can recover from the previous use. “

“ I’ll be sure to remember that “ Brian said, still trying to catch his breath.

“ I will make sure that you do, Brian “ Philip said softly. “ Did the magic find anything in the cave? “

“ Nothing that I could feel would be a danger to us “ Brian said with a slight shake of his head.

“ Alright. I think the best thing for us to do right now is to go inside and let you get some rest. “

“ Sounds like a good idea to me. “

“ Can you stand up? “

“ I think so. Just give me a second. “

“ Once you are up, just grab my mane and you can lean against me. I’ll help you walk in. “

“ Thank you. “ With a great effort, Brian go to his feet and wound his hand into Philip’s mane. Together, they walked through the cave entrance. The entrance was relatively narrow, with just enough room for the two of them to pass side by side. But once they got a few yards in, it opened up into a wider area about the size of a city bus, but twice as wide. Seeing a ledge that looked like a good place to lie down, Brian let go of Philip and stumbled his way over to it. Shrugging out of the backpack, he put it on the ledge for use as a pillow and then sat with his head hanging down for a couple of minutes. Finally, gathering just enough energy to make himself lie back, he rested his head on the pack and closed his eyes.
Just as he was almost completely asleep, a thought struck him.

“ Hey, Philip? “

“ Yes? “

“ You knew there was nothing in this cave, didn’t you? “

With a low chuckle, Philip said “ Yes, Brian. I knew there was nothing here. Nothing lives in these caves. “

Smiling slightly and nodding gently, Brain said “ That’s pretty much what I figured. “
 
      With that, he sighed deeply and let the darkness take him.
 

Bump

Just a note, give me some time. My computer is currently out of commission, but one thing I've noted through the entire write is unnecessary spaces; such as: ...well, for you only taking up a “ little corner “, you sure do make a lot of noise. --The quotes don't have to be spaced from the phrase inside the quotations.

It also shows up with parenthesis but you don't have that here so it could be a formatting issue with OpenOffice.

I actually used Word for the majority of it. I only copied to Open Office to have a backup.

I will admit to having put the spaces in there. Not sure why, but I think it was a remnant from high school Composition classes...lol

Something like that isn't anything really major, though. That's a relatively easy fix.

No hurry D. I am still hammering away at it and it's far from finished anyway.

I do appreciate the effort.

Ok....it's been a while...but I have written quite a bit more so I am pretty sure it'd be ok to post another chapter. :-)


Chapter 35
 
 
      Dark, windswept streets. Cold. The air totally still.  Brian found himself walking along empty streets. Empty of people anyway.  There are cars all over the place. Parked normally along the street, but also abandoned in the middle of the street as if the owners had all decided that this looked like a good location to start a used car lot.
 
For some reason, there was an odd sense of familiarity to this dream. Not a déjà vu type of feeling. Something more deeply seated. He can’t quite put his finger on where the feeling is coming from, but it’s there, just beyond his reach.
 
 He wanders along looking around, trying to figure out where he is. He looks to his left and sees a sign that says Penn Station.
      ( Penn Station? )
      [ are we back in Manhattan? ]
He looks up for a street sign and sees that he is at the corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue.
      ( I’ll be damned. We really are in Manhattan )
      [ how is that possible? We’re dead here ]
      ( don’t ask me. I have no idea )
He takes a right and begins walking down 7th Avenue toward the Theater District. He doesn’t consciously choose a direction. He just turns that way. He walks past a few stores, their display items still in the windows. He turns toward one of the stores and tries to open the door. To his surprise, it opens easily. The small bell hung over the door sounds like a gong in the eerie silence. It’s loud enough to startle him and make him jump. He finds himself in a fine clothing store. Men’s hats and suits on display on numerous mannequins standing along the edges of the sales floor.
“ Hello? “
      ( no one here )
      [ there’s no one anywhere ]
Brian turns back toward the door and heads back out to the deserted street. He continues North until he gets to 40th Street. He turns right once again, now heading toward Bryant Park and the library. He doesn’t have any reason for heading that way. It just seems like a good idea.
A few minutes later he crosses the Avenue of the Americas and enters Bryant Park. He still doesn’t know why, but he feels as if this is where he needs to be. He walks deeper into the park into a small copse of trees. He notices, between a couple of trees, what looks like a pile of clothing that someone has discarded. He walks over toward it, unable to get a good look at what it is until he’s right on top of it.
To his astonishment and dismay, he finds himself looking down on his own body. His clothes are torn, but other than that, there appears to be no ill effects from the accident he had been in. His face looked, to him, peaceful and calm. He pulls his eyes away momentarily to take another look around. Still seeing no people, not even a stray dog or cat, which New York has many of, he glanced back down at his body. He tries to grasp what he’s seeing.
      ( Krager told us we are dead here )
      [ I know }
      ( still kinda strange to be seeing it though )
      [ definitely ]
Suddenly, a breeze kicks up, fluttering the clothing that covered his dead body. He sees the clothing start to shred and tear as the breeze grabbed it and then saw that something strange appeared to be happening. The wind began to pull away small pieces of his body, which then floated into the air then scattered as if made of dust. As he stood there, Brian watched his entire body, clothing and all, scatter in the wind as if it had never existed at all.
 
      Still somewhat dismayed, Brian looks to the sky and turns in the direction of the library. In the far distance, he sees
      ( what the heck IS that? )
      [ I don’t know ]
utter blackness. No clouds, no birds flying through the sky.
Only blackness. As he continued to look, a cold tendril of dread started climbing it’s way up his spine. He began to feel that he was not only completely alone, but he was lacking a sense of self.
     
 
      With a start, Brian began to come awake and realized, slowly, that he had been dreaming.
      ( that was one bizarre dream )
      [ you’re telling me ]
      ( dude. Our body blew away )
      [ yeah, I know. ]
      ( did you find that as creepy as I did? )
      [ totally ]
He swung his legs over the edge of the ledge he had been sleeping on, stretched and stood up. Yawning hugely, he began to make his way toward the entrance of the cave so that he could go outside and get some fresh air. His mind felt somewhat dull, his ability to think slowed a bit. He hoped that when he came out of the cave the sun would be shining and the clean air would help clear his head a little.
     
      ( wait a second )
      [what? ]
      ( dude. Take a look around )
[ what? Why? ]
( seriously. Just look )
Brian looked around and finally saw what he had missed seeing due to the exhausted state he was in when he entered the cave. All around him, coming from every surface in the cave, was a soft, light blue glow.
 
      Curious, he moved closer to a small stalagmite and leaned forward to take a better look. As he got closer, he saw that the light was emanating from small threads of a glowing substance that wound it’s way through the rocks that made up the cave. The threads weren’t much bigger around than a human hair, but they were so numerous that the light they gave off made it seem as if they were much larger. He carefully put out his hand and pressed it lightly against the stalagmite. Feeling that it wasn’t hot, he ran his fingers along one of the threads. He realized that he couldn’t actually feel the thread, but he couldn’t understand how the light came through when the rock didn’t appear to be transparent, even on the very surface.
      ( there is all kinds of cool stuff in this world )
      { I kinda noticed ]
      ( just making sure you are appreciating it )
      [ absolutely ]
 
      Thinking that he would ask Philip about it when he talked to him, Brian made his way toward the cave entrance. As he approached, he thought he heard voices.
      ( other than mine? )
      [ oh, very funny ]
He continued to move closer, and as he did, he thought he could hear Philip in conversation with someone else. He couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, but a few words here and there made their way to him.
He heard Philip saying “ …understand, but…”, then the words faded away again.
A few seconds later he heard another voice, small yet forceful, say “ …careful…Krager believes…” but the rest was lost to him.
Brian stopped and steadied his breathing in an attempt to be more quiet so that he could pick up more of the conversation. Unfortunately, it seemed that the conversation had ended because he heard nothing more than his own breathing. The sound of voices had stopped. Taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it, he started toward the entrance once again.
 
      Stepping outside, he saw Philip standing by a nearby tree. Hearing his approach, Philip turned toward Brian and said “ Well good morning. It’s about time you decided to join the waking world again. “
“ How long was I asleep? “
“ Just overnight. It’s still relatively early in the day. So, how are you feeling? “
“ Pretty good, actually. I was shocked at how much trying to keep a grip on the magic took out of me. I have never felt that tired or mentally exhausted. “
Philip nodded in understanding. “ That’s the way it always works. The magic is a part of you. Trying to keep it under control was basically a struggle against yourself. “
      ( guess you know how that feels better than some would, eh? )
      [ oh, you’re just hilarious ]
      ( thank you. I’ll be here all week )
      [ if only it could be that short a time ]
      ( whatever. You would be lost without me and you know it )
      [ yeah, yeah. hush. ]
      ( just admit it )
      [ never ]
Brian snickered and nodded “ I pretty much gathered that. I just didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. “
Philip smiled and said “ Now, Brian. You know as well as I do that nothing worthwhile is ever easy. “

Yeesh. Almost two full months and I haven't put anything here.

Time to remedy that, methinks.

Chapter 36
 
 
     
      “ Isn’t that the truth “ Brian said wryly.
“ Always has been. Always will be “ Philip said.
“ Yeah “ a thought struck Brian just then “ By the way. Who were you talking to just before I came out here? “
“ What? “ Philip asked, with a surprised expression and a guilty glance over his shoulder. “ Err…umm…no one. “
“ No one, eh “ Brian asked with a suspicious glance in the direction Philip had looked. “ Are you sure about that? “
“ Yes. Yes of course, I’m sure “ Philip retorted. “ Who would I be talking to out here? “
‘ I have no idea “ Brian said. “ That’s why I asked. I know I heard your voice when I was on my way out of the cave, and I could have sworn I heard someone else, too. “
“ I think your ears were playing tricks on you “ Philip said. “ There was no one out here but me. “
      ( are you buying this? )
      [ not for a second ]
      ( just checking. Are you going to call him on it? )
      [ not right now ]
( but you know we can’t trust him )
      [ I don’t know about that ]
      ( he’s lying to you and you think you can trust him? )
[ I have to think that if he’s lying, he has a good reason for it right now ]
      ( how can you be sure of that? )
      [ how can I be sure of anything at this point? ]
      ( true enough )
“ Well. Alright. For now, I’ll take your word for it “ Brian said doubtfully.
“ Good “ Philip said with a sigh of relief. “ So how are you feeling? Did the sleep help you regain your strength? “
Brian nodded “ Yeah. I feel like my old self again. That was quite an experience. I have never felt that tired. “
“ I figured as much. “ Philip walked toward Brian and said “ Do you remember asking me last night if I had known there was nothing in the caves that would harm us? “
“ Barely. I was pretty wiped out. But yes. I do remember. “
“ Have you thought about why I did what I did? “
“ Not really. But it doesn’t take a whole lot of thinking to figure out that you were trying to get me to use the magic again so that I wouldn’t be afraid of it like I was after the experiment with the rock. “
“ Yes. Exactly “ Philip said, nodding in agreement. “ I could sense how much you feared the magic after the first time, and I knew that, if you didn’t use it again as soon as possible, that fear would paralyze you and make it even more difficult for you the next time around. The longer the fear was allowed to keep hold of you, the harder it would have been for you to get past it. “
“ Don’t worry, Philip. I understand. I really was very afraid of trying to use it again. Especially because of the way it made me feel. “
“ That’s what I thought. “ Philip paused for a moment, then looked at Brian and said “ So how did you feel this time around? “
Brian stood there for a few moments, thinking about how he could describe what the magic felt like. “ Well “ he said, taking a deep breath “ the best I can do to describe how it felt this time is to say that, while it was still a struggle against myself, it was also against something” he paused, searching for the proper word to convey the thought “ organic is the best word I can find right now. “
“ Organic “ Philip said with peaked interest.
“ Yeah. It was like I was trying to hold back some immense beast with just a couple of pieces of rope. It felt like it could have overpowered me, then turned around and killed me, at any time it chose to do so. “
“ I see “ Philip said thoughtfully. “ Well. To be totally honest, and so as not to try to sugar coat anything for you, it very well could kill you. “
“ Well that certainly makes me feel better “ Brian said with an uneasy laugh.
“ Would you prefer that I lie to you? You would prefer that I let you think that there is no danger in using the magic, perhaps? “
“ No, Philip. It’s fine. I would much rather know the truth. “
“ Alright. I only ask because I could tell you that there is no danger. Then the next time you use it, you might not feel that you have to be as careful. Then the magic could completely overpower you and leave you either insane or dead. “
Brian held up a hand and said “ I get it, ok? I totally understand. “
“ Ok. Good “ Philip said gravely. “ I cannot do enough to emphasize the danger you are in. But I cannot emphasize how much you are needed, either. “ Philip looked at him squarely and said “ Brian. The magic flows through your blood. That means it draws it’s strength from you. We must make sure that you master the magic. But at the same time, we must keep you from harm. “
“ Well, gee. That doesn’t sound too hard “ Brian said with a touch of sarcasm.
“ Should be a piece of cake “ Philip said with a grin. “ After all, last night you showed that you have a lot more mastery of the magic than you thought. “
“ Not nearly as much as I think I’m going to need. That’s for sure “ Brian said.
“ True enough “ Philip agreed. “ But, the difference between the first time you used it, and what you did before we went to the cave shows that you may have a long way to go in mastering it, shows that you will be able to master it. “
“ Yeah “ Brian said hesitantly. “ But I have to admit that I am still very afraid of what it can do. It took every bit of my concentration to control it as much as I did last night. I don’t know what will happen if I have to try to control it under pressure. “
“ True. Neither of us knows what can happen “ Philip said agreeably. “ I think the main trick is going to be having you work on control before we even wind up in that kind of situation. “
“ Sounds like a good idea to me. “
“ So “ Philip said “ are you ready to get back on the road? We have quite a ways to go until we reach Prizaria. “
“ Absolutely “ Brian said with a note of determination in his voice. “ Let me just go back inside and grab the pack. “
“ Excellent. “
 
      Brian ducked through the entrance, stayed inside for a few minutes, then reappeared with the pack slung across one shoulder.
“ So “ he said with a wide smile “ let’s get this show on the road.