“HALLUCK! Wake up!” Sion yelled through Hallucks bedroom door, continuing to pound on the thick wood.
A loud crash could be heard on the other side of the door, followed by some even louder cursing.
Flinging the door open, making Sion jump back startled, Halluck roared, “WHAT! Why are you pounding on my door at this ungodly hour on a Saturday?”
He stood there in a pair of sleeping breeches, chest bare, hair messed up from sleep. His face was a snarl of frustration at being awaken before the sun was properly over the horizon.
“I’m worried about my parents. It’s been a week and a half since they’ve left and we have yet to hear word from them. Whenever I ask one of their advisers, no one can give me a straightforward answer.” Sion said quietly, worry etched all over his face.
Halluck, having calmed down some, finally looked at his best friend. Sion stood hunched over in the same clothes he had worn in yesterday evening's classes. He looked exhausted and was barely standing. 
Sighing, Halluck ushered him into his room closing the door behind him. “There has to be some reason they haven’t made contact. Maybe wherever they went, their messenger birds can’t reach us.” He said in a calming voice while he put on his riding gear.
Sion went over to Hallucks water basin and splashed his face with cold water. “Your right. My parents are probably fine and just couldn’t reach us yet. I’ll go and get dressed. A ride and some fresh air will do me some good.”
Smiling now, Sion rushed out to get ready. After he had hastily thrown on his gear, they meet up at the stairs.
Breathing in the scent of fresh hay and the underlying smell of spring, Sion finally relaxed. He and Halluck silently got their sleepy yonsi ready for an early morning ride. Brushing them down and settling their harnesses, the boys mounted and rode toward the city gates.
“So where shall we go today?” Sion asked happily, feeling the breeze blow through his short hair, finally relaxed.
Halluck didn’t immediately answer, because just then he had heard a voice floating along the breeze…..come to me young one. So bright is your heart...come to me. Glancing around uneasily, he couldn’t seem to place the source of the voice, but could feel a tugging in his heart to go east.
“Let’s go east….into the woods. I have yet to fully explore that part of your lands for my book. I would love to see if I can discover anymore creatures.” Halluck said slowly, still looking around for the voice.
Sion glanced at him curiously, before shrugging, “Sure whatever you want. There shouldn’t be any dangerous animals that way, though very few people go through there.”
Halluck seemed utterly oblivious to his surroundings, lost as he was in his thoughts. They walked along in silence, Sion glancing occasionally at Halluck, wondering why he wasn't reacting to the new animals. As the sun hit its halfway point across the sky, they finally stopped for a snack. Sion looked around worriedly,realizing he didn't recognize this part of the woods.
“Hey Halluck I don't think I've been out this far before. Where are we?” He mumbled around his bread and cheese.
“I'm not sure. I felt in my heart that I was supposed to come here to a cave.....” Halluck trailed off uncertainly at the look on Sion's face.
“You felt in your heart to come here?” Sion asked aghast. Sion was feeling a mixture of anger and confusion at Halluck's very strange behavior. But just as he was getting ready to further question his actions, Halluck jumped up and ran off into the trees. Startled, Sion chased after him calling his name frantically as he lost him in the trees.
Halluck tore through the trees as a faint pounding could be heard getting louder in his head as he drew closer to what looked to be a cave set into low hill. Eventually he stopped at its entrance, panting as a furious Sion came up alongside him.
“What the devil is wrong with you!” Sion shouted angrily as he got his breathe back.
“Something is drawing me to this cave Sion and I need to know what it is. So either you're with me or you can stay out here.” Halluck said defiantly as he walked determinedly into the cave.
Sion hesitated, then quickly followed after his friend. Glancing back at him, Halluck smiled, glad that he wouldn't have to do this alone. The cave was well lit with glowing moss, so the boys progress was relatively easy as they pushed deeper and deeper into the cave. Halluck could feel the pounding almost deafen him as the came into a cavern filled with water. Abruptly the noise stopped. The cavern was only tall enough for them to stand up straight in, but a vast pool spread out before them. A deep sinister red glow could be seen at the bottom of the pool of water. The boys looked around briefly before Halluck started undressing.
“You're not seriously about to go into that water are you?” Sion asked skeptically.
“Whatever has been making that noise and drawing me here is where that creepy light is at. I've got to find out what it is.” Halluck replied as he finished stripping down to his under clothes.
“Fine but if you're longer than five minutes I'm coming in after you!” Sion shouted as Halluck dived into the water.
While Sion sat and waited impatiently for him to return, Halluck swam quickly to the source of the light. As he drew closer to it, he realized It was a giant tome. Curious he reached to grab it, entranced by the fact that a book was glowing underwater. When he touched it a bright light flashed and words raced across his mind while a burning sensation spread across the back of his neck. Crying out Halluck struggled to breath, trying to swim desperately to the surface before he suddenly blacked out.
Sion was getting uneasy as time ticked away. Just as Hallucks five minutes were up, a bright flash seared through the cave blinding him. When his vision cleared Sion squeaked in shock to see Halluck's unconscious body next to him on the shore with a book besides him.
“What the.....” Sion whispered as he checked to make sure Halluck was still breathing. After making sure he was alive, Sion glanced fearfully at the book that had come with Halluck. Sliding over to it something compelled him to he trace his finger over the title, Warrill. Searing pain burns the back of his neck as words slide through his mind. The pain was so bad that Sion passed out, blackness sliding across his vision.
“Sion.....Sion! Wake up!” Halluck urgently whispered as he shook his friend awake.
“Ugh. What happened man?” He mumbled while sitting up shakily.
“Come look what I found. It's amazing!” Halluck said, excitement evident in his voice. As he turned away from Sion to reach for the book, Sion gasped in shock.
“What is that on the back of your neck Halluck?' Sion asked in fear as he gazed at what looked to be a upside down V with a double sided scythe running through it and two black dots inside each curve.
“Hold on, Alliki will explain everything.” He said confidently, grabbing the giant book off the ground. It was a leather bound tome of an unknown age. Set into its leather cover was the title Warrill. Sion looked confused as he glanced around the cavern looking for this other person.
I am Alliki, young human. Don't be frightened, I am here to guide you two down the pathway of enlightenment.
Sion leaped up at the deep voice that seemed to echo in his head. He looked over at Halluck's grinning face and calmed down a little.
“Is that.....the book talking to me?” He asked stepping toward Halluck and the book slowly.
No, it's your mother. Of course it's me! The only magical object around here.
Sion gaped at it, it's snarky response catching him off guard. Halluck burst out laughing at the books remark.
“You can hear him to?” Sion asked looking lost as these events continued to unfold.
“Yes and we can respond in the same way. Isn't this cool! This is magic Sion! Alliki says that he has something important to tell us.” Halluck said breathlessly, childish like glee plain in his voice.
  Yes, now If you two gentleman are done talking? Finally. As I have said before my name is Alliki. And I am from the race of Nithians. Unfortunately I am the last of my kind. In the year 10 HEK magic was banned so that a cult of evil creatures could take full control of the royal houses. But I must tell you this on the road because now we must leave.
“Leave? Leave and go where?” Halluck said his smile finally dying
I am sorry, but when I put my mark onto your necks, it activated your abilities. Sending a signal to our enemies who have been searching for me for years.
“Wait abilities? What abilities are you talking about? Because magic doesn't exist.” Sion said on the verge of hysteria.
Yes. Your right magic doesn't exist and I'm not real. Your both hallucinating and will wake up soon. OF COURSE MAGIC IS REAL!
“His sarcasm is getting old fast.” Sion mumbled dryly finally thinking logically, “ So what you're saying is that these marks are going to allow us to use magic, but at the same time it alerted you enemies to your location.....which happens to be us?”
Yes, basically. If you want to live we must leave now. The Lezga will be after us soon and if they find us now, without you two being properly trained then we are all doomed.
“We will go back to the castle, but when we get there you have a lot of explaining to do. We won't do or go anywhere till we have the full story.” Sion stated decisively.
Halluck nodded in consent, “Yeah I wanna know more before we make any rash decisions. Problem though. How are we gonna get you back? You're to heavy.”
As I continue to state you both have abilities now. All you have to do is will me smaller and it will be done.
Sion and Halluck glanced at each other in doubt. They closed their eyes and willed with their minds for a smaller book. When they opened their eyes, the book, or Alliki was smaller. The marks on the back of their necks burned a little at the magic use.
“Wow........what else can we do?” Sion asked excitedly.
Anything you put your minds to, but we must be off.
Nodding in agreement, the boys grabbed the book off the floor and ran through the tunnel that led to the cave. Bursting out in the open, they saw how late it was. The sun had began to set casting the woods into shadows. Quickly grabbing their mounts, they got up into the saddles and set off back home. As they neared the village surrounding the castle, they saw fire and smoke billowing out from some of the houses.
Something is wrong......NO! The Lezga have sent one of their agents.....He is number Seven, but could still do you both harm. We must flee!
Fear and shock spurred them on as they galloped past the gates of Resulu. The commoners and knights were running back and forth trying to desperately to put out the raging flames. Screams could be heard from people who had already lost their belongings and their families.
“Stop! What has happened?” Sion commanded a running commoner.
“Your Majesty! A figure dressed in a blood red robe came through here asking about you and your friend. He did something with his hands.....and that's how the fires started.” the commoner gasped frantically. Sion waved him on, fear written all over his face.
You must flee! That figure the man talked about is the Lezga. He is after you both and will kill without mercy or a second thought. If you want your villagers safe we must leave.
They continued past all the mayhem, trying desperately to make it to the castle to pack. When they made it into the courtyard, they jumped down from their yonsi and looked around. Nothing moved or stirred.
“Halluck gather food and medical supplies for our trip. I will get some money and clothes for us and our swords.” Sion said quickly as they ran into the castle.
“OK. We'll meet back in the courtyard and leave after.” Halluck shouted while he ran into the dining hall.
Sion ran upstairs to his room and gathered clothes and money stuffing both into a bag. After he had ransacked Hallucks room as well he ran back downstairs. Meeting Halluck just as he had finished gathering his items.
“Sion.....where is everybody?” Halluck whispered fearfully, looking around. Sion stopped what he was doing and realized that he had a point. It was empty in the entire castle. Not a sound could be heard.
“Let's get out of here. Got the book?” Sion asked worriedly. Halluck nodded grabbing his bag from Sion and stuffing the food and medical items into each bag. They raced out the doors when Halluck stopped abruptly on the stairs causing Sion to crash into him.
“What's wrong with....” Sion stopped as he realized they were no longer alone.
Fear shot through him like ice as he gazed upon the one that Alliki called the Lezga. It stood about 5'8” with a blood red robe that covered its entire body hiding its face. It stood by the stables uncomfortably close to their yonsi.
“Give....Me....The....Book...” It rasped in a voice that indicated it didn't talk much.
When he raises his hand hold me in front of you. I will try to protect you has much as I can, but you must reach your mounts and run.
They boys both nodded their understanding, but the Lezga caught them off guard. Instead of raising his arm and aiming at them he turned toward their mounts. Their eyes widened in horror as he said something in a strange language and their mounts collapsed where they stood.
“NO! SPECK! TORNEW! NO!” Sion and Halluck howled tears running down their faces.
“Give....Me....The....Book....And you will be spared.” It rasped at them stepping closer.
He lies. You have seen what he is capable of. He has no heart, no remorse. RUN!
With that shouted command, the boys took off running headlong toward the Lezga, bags bouncing on their backs. It raised its arm and shouted something in that same language. A bolt of light shot toward them and Halluck held the book in front of them while they still ran. Alliki sucked the magic into himself, protecting the boys as they made it through the castle gates. The things howls of fury could be heard as they ran through the town.
They stopped, gasping as tears flowed over the loss of their friends. They looked around to see where they were at. They had conveniently stopped at a stable in town where normal horses were held. Going inside quickly Sion paid the shocked man and grabbed two of the horses. Fires still raged around town as they mounted up, settling their things into the saddle bags.
“Let's get away from here.....” Sion mumbled still in shock at today's events. Halluck just nodded as they galloped out of Resulu. Sion glanced back at his home. Smoke billowing in the wind as the sun finally set. It was a new moon tonight so it was pitch dark as he rode away from the only home he had known.

They had stopped in a clearing a good two hours from the city of Resulu. The sun had set long ago and with a new moon it was pitch black. Sion gathered firewood while Halluck got some food out for them. With a fire lite and food cooking they settled down and got the book out.

I am sorry for the way events have unfolded. I had not meant for them to discover you so soon. They must have been closer to finding me than I suspected.

"We want to know everything you can tell us about this group that you keep talking about. Please...." Sion begged sorrow still laced in his voice.

Halluck opened Alliki up to a page halfway through the book. At first the page was blank, but then vivid streaks of color shot across the page. They began to leap off the page building a world the boys had never seen.

Long ago in 9 HEK a spell was started by the royal class of the kingdoms of Lispace, Karworth, Resulu, Terwa, Nelter, and Vicals. A spell that would take a year to fully complete, but would have dire consequences. The spell once completed would grant eternal life to the casters and bathed the kingdoms in gold and gems. But the price was thousands of souls from the cities surrounding the kingdoms that cast the spell. In 10 HEK when the spell was finished, the royalty ruled that all magical items be burned and magic casters have their abilities sealed. At the last second, the witches and wizards who were the strongest were forced to lift the land of the kingdoms who cast the spell into the air away from the cities where the people souls had been stolen. The land was cast into a protective bubble, the people involuntary had their memories wiped and were left alone for years.

"Wait...I don't understand. Are you saying out parents cast this horrible spell?" Sion asked in disgust.

"No, my parents would never do something like this. They care too much about our people." Halluck said angrily.

Calm yourselves! They did not do this themselves. As a matter of fact they were controlled. There are a race of powerful creatures that worship a dark god. They are the called the Dark Cathifars and just a single bite from them allows them to control your mind. Their bite takes a year to fully develop into a mark that allows them access to their victims minds. My theory is they caught the royalties off guard and bite them. These creatures are not humans, they stand at an average of six foot even. They worship a dark three headed dragon god called Skivern. He demands sacrifices of his followers such as body parts which is why you'll never see the Cathifars without their robes. And no one knows what they look like. Now the Lezga are humans who have had their memories completely wiped and one purpose put into their minds, to find and destroy me. They are ranked in order of power and skill. There are seven of them and they are adept in destruction magic and tracking magic. Seven is the weakest while One is the most powerful. They do not have names and are incredibly dangerous to you both right now. But what I don't understand is why after all the souls were collected the Cathifars vanished.....till now.

Silence seemed to echo throughout the clearing as the boys digested this shocking news. They sat and gazed off into the darkness, feeling hopeless.

"What do we do? Where do we go? We aren't safe anywhere." Halluck whispered

There is a group of skilled wizards and witches who were somehow able to avoid the memory wipe. They call themselves the Harmor. And they are against everything the Cathifars have done. We must go to them. Last I had heard they were located in the swamplands of Terwa. On the way I will proceed to teach you the wonders of magic.

"Do you think my parents are gone because of the Cathifars?" Sion asked, holding his breath hoping the answer was no.

The Cathifars have collected all the royalty in the land of Fawno.

Halluck gasped, "No..."

I am not sure why they have done this after all this time, but if we want to find out we must locate the Harmor as quickly as possible. Again I am sorry.

Sion slowly went through his packs looking for the maps he had grabbed. He was determined not to think about his missing parents or worry about how they were doing.

Finally finding one, he spread it out in front of the fire. Grabbing rocks to hold it down, he stated,"So in order for us to get to Terwa, we have two options. One is that we can cut through the deserts of Lispace and cross the Lake Skai, which will put us in the middle of Terwa. But if we're being hunted it'll also allow our enemies to find us due to the passenger records on the ships. The second option is the best, but most dangerous. It involves going through the Irkran mountains in Vicals and hitting Terwa that way."

Halluck gazed in doubt at the distance they would have to cover to find the Harmor. Sighing he shook his head tiredly and began getting ready for bed.

Gentleman. It is important that we set up a barrier for the night. It is late and I know you are tired, so for now I will do it. But in the morning your training begins properly.

"Great more school. At least I'll like these lessons." Halluck grumbled as the lay in his sleeping bag. Sion rolled his out as well watching the book as it began to glow. Strange words could be heard in their minds and then a burst of light engulfed the clearing. When they blinked the dots from their vision they could see a barrier encircling their camp.

"Oh yeah we'll love these classes a lot." Sion said sleepily.

************************************************************************************************

The sun hit the horizon, violently lighting up the clearing in a burst of light. Groaning, Halluck rolled over and sat up. The events of the day before washed over him like ice water. Despair almost overwhelmed him, before he shook himself refusing to give in.

Good job boy. A strong mind is a must in the magic world.

He grunted and got up to relieve himself, ignoring the book for now. As he shuffled back, Sion sat up bleary eyed and looking exhausted.

"Didn't sleep well?" Halluck said as he started packing up his things.

"No. Let's go. We've slept to late and there's no telling how close behind us number Seven is." Sion grumbled testily as the grabbed his bag.

Halluck bristled at his rude tone, but opted to say nothing seeing as how they had been through so much already. They couldn't afford to be fighting among themselves. Instead he grabbed the book and mounted his black mare. Sion finished gathering his things and with map in hand mounted his brown stallion and spurring him onward.

While they rode, they studied the map till they finally decided to head roughly north, avoiding the major towns. Once they hit Lispace border they would get more supplies from a small town in order to survive the mountain crossing.

They started off, going further and further into the woods of Resulu. The trees stood many feet high. They harbored all kinds of critters in their branches.Fragrant flowers wafted their scents on the breeze. Leaves crunched under foot as the boys rode on. After they had put some distance between themselves and the camp site Alliki began to speak.

Our first lesson today will be on offensive magic. That way you knuckle heads can fight against the Lezga properly. Now any action, whether it is something small such as speaking or something big as in bodily movement, requires energy. Magic is the same, except you need special words to "spark" that energy and strength of will to control the energy output. But another important factor is also envisioning the action you are trying to get.

Sion I want you to see a ball of fire hovering in the palm of your hand. Then say the words, "Shalovi Nalvispa".

Sion looked unsure about the whole thing, believing and hoping for a second this was all fake. Then the remembered grimly how the Lezga had killed Speck and Tornew with just a word. Resigned to trying the move, Sion lifted his hand and concentrated. Halluck watched curiously, keeping watch around their vicinity was they rode.

"Shalovi Nalvispa." Sion said quietly feeling silly. Suddenly a bright ball of fire burst into existence in the palm of his hand. It started getting bigger and bigger expanding rapidly.

No! You must control the energy flow that each spell requires. Now concentrate and cut off the flow of energy.

Sion gasped, his energy draining fast. With an effort of will the snapped his mind away from the task.

As I've said, every task requires energy. You must learn how to balance the output of energy for each task . Halluck, now you try. Remember each action requires only a certain amount of energy. The key is finding out which action requires the most energy.

As the sun reached its highest point the sky, the boys finally stopped for lunch exhausted from training. They tiredly dismounted from their rides, throwing the reins down to prevent the horses from wandering. Picking a tree that offered the most protection from the sun's rays and shade, they sat on the dry crisp grass.

"We still have quite a ways to go, huh?" Halluck mumbled around a piece of bread and cheese.

Sion nodded his head tiredly, "Yeah a lot of miles between us and Terwa. To make it faster I was thinking we could buy a boat from one of the villages along the river and fast track it to Lispace. Do it discreetly so no one recognizes us. May have to alter our appearances a little. IS that possible Alliki?"

With magic anything you can think of is possible. It's all about the limitations of your energy levels and your will power.

Halluck snorted," You sound like a traveling salesmen."

Suddenly they could hear hooves galloping toward them in the thicket of trees. Staring at each other in shock they quickly tried mounting up before the mysterious horsemen caught up to them. It was too late. A group of four armored men bearing chains engraved on their chest plates circled them, their horses whinnying loudly.

"Slavers..." whispered Halluck in horror.

Slavery was frowned upon in the cities, but like any illegal activity, it flourished in the black markets. Often times the slavers captured lost children or wandering men and women. They were then taken into the big cities to secret locations to be sold to the fields, mountains, or as free labor at the Lord's and Ladies houses.

Without thinking Sion shouted, "Shalovi!" while pointing his palm at the rider closest to him. Before he could react Sion's magic fire struck him and engulfed him in flames, killing him instantly. The band of slavers attacked, angry about their fallen comrade. The boys, caught off guard, went on the defensive desperately trying to protect themselves and get in a hit. One of the slavers darted past Sions defense, swatting his horse harshly on the rump. Rearing up, the brown stallion neighed in fury, dumping the surprised boy on the ground before crashing away. He laid there dazed, pain radiating from his shoulder where he had landed. Halluck cried out as a slash from the enemy's sword cut him deeply on his arm. A blow to the head knocked him senseless.

Seeing Halluck looking around dazedly, Sion dragged himself up and ran past the horsemen getting ready to do the killing blow. Raising his sword in his good hand he parried the blow as he slapped the mare on her rump making her gallop away. Halluck hung on for dear life crying out Sions name.

One of the three slavers kicked Sion back down, making him cry out again as his bruised shoulder hit the hard ground. As the slavers got ready to pursue Halluck one spoke up, "Leave him. We have our dead comrade to bury and the man behind his death."

Sion shivered in fear. The was captured with nowhere to run.