video;

[virginprice]

[The acute observer may notice two things different about Alcuin. The first is that there's a faint pattern of lines on his forehead that seem to form some kind of mark. The second is the bruise on his temple- the edges are fading to yellow and green, but it's still dark purple at the heart, though somewhat hidden under his hair.

But he doesn't seem to be minding either of them, instead looking pleased as he holds a small book in his hands.]

Some of the fruits of our docking at that city were sweeter than others.

[That's a joke. Definitely a joke. He hasn't been in evidence much, besides going to work everyday. Landfall was rough.]

A friend of mine was kind enough to gift me one of his discoveries- a book of poems written by my lover, Anafiel Delaunay. I cannot guess how it came to be there, but I am so glad that it was.

[He runs his fingers over the cover fondly.]

You see, back at home these poems were banned. It was unlawful to speak them aloud, or even to own a copy- not through any fault of the poetry, there were politics involved. But I would like to read you one of them, one of my favourites. It will be the first time that it has been spoken in public in many years.


O, dear my lord...
Let this breast on which you have leant
As close in love as a foe in battle,
Unarmed, unarmored, grappling chest to chest,
Alone in the glade
Where birds started at our voices,
Laughter winging airborne, we struggled
For advantage, neither giving quarter;
How I remember your arms beneath my grip,
Sliding like marble slickened;
Your chest pressed to mine
Heaving;
As our feet trampled the tender grass
Your eyes narrowed with tender cunning
And I unaware
Until your heel caught my knee; I buckled,
Falling,
Vanquished, O sovereign adored,
To be pierced ecstatic by the shaft of victory;
Sweet the pain of losing,
Sweeter this second struggle...

O, dear my lord,
Let this breast on which you have leant
Serve now as your shield.


[He closes the book, smiling softly- caught in a reminiscence of Delaunay. After a moment, he remembers the camera and turns it off.]

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[virginprice]

[Alcuin feels the lingering pain of the bruise disappear and smiles- that feels very good.] Thank you. I suppose I'll have to practice very hard to learn how to do that?

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[bindsthedead]

It will not be easy at first. But drawing forth the proper marks from the Charter becomes much simpler with practice, and I'm sure you will be ready to perform a basic healling spell in another week or so.

Let's have some tea, and I'll show you how to light a candle- that takes only two marks.

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[virginprice]

Then I shall practice faithfully. [He's very pleased that he has the ability at all, to tell the truth. He enjoys the practice.]

If you would like to have a seat? I will have it made soon. [He puts the water boiling and also gets out a beeswax candle and puts it in a holder to practice with. He likes candles- they're much more familiar than the lights of the suite.]

[bindsthedead]

Thank you. [In the meantime, Sabriel pulls out a small pad and pen, and carefully writes out some symbols in the normal shorthand used to show marks without actually invoking them.]

[virginprice]

[Soon enough the water boils and Alcuin fills the tea pot and comes over to the sitting area with a tray- teapot, tea cups, honey, and the candle.]

Are those for the healing spell, or the candle?

[bindsthedead]

The candle, and also the spell to pull water from the air.

[Sabriel circles two of the marks, and holds up her index finger. A small yellow flame dances above it, before vanishing.]

Not all spells are spoken or signed. To create the flame, you must draw those two marks from the Charter, then let them move through you, up to your fingertip, then let them combine to form the flame.

[Of course, it isn't that easy, and holding the flame for too long is draining for novice mages, since the fire is fueled by their own energy.]

[virginprice]

It sounds complex. [He examines the two marks used for flame, memorizing them and what they look like, and tries to do as she did. Of course, he doesn't succeed on the first try and sighs.]

And it is even more difficult than it sounds.

[bindsthedead]

Keep trying. You need to- [Charter Magic had always come easily to Sabriel. Unfortunately, that was not an advantage when it came to teaching those who it didn't, and Sabriel demonstrated again.]

Let them move through your arm, but keep some attention on them. Practice will help.

[virginprice]

Hmm, yes, I think I see. [He does it again and this time is rewarded with a tiny, wavering flame above his fingertips. His smile is far brighter.]

There!

[bindsthedead]

Perfect! Now light the candle and let go of the spell.

[Sabriel takes another sip of her tea, smiling proudly.]

[virginprice]

[He touches the flame to the candle's wick and waits for it to catch. It takes a moment, but then it flares up and he releases the spell.]

And with more power, this would light bigger fires as well, would it not?

[bindsthedead]

There's a limit to how much power you can put into that particular spell. Too much, and it will go out of control. [Something Sabriel has learned from experience.] Though one of the marks is also used for battle-spells that use flame.

It's mostly used as a substitute for matches, if you don't have any with you. If you put the flame to anything flammable, it will burn.

[virginprice]

I already feel a little tired from it. I shall be sure to practice. [He smiles, though, no sign of weariness showing in his face.]

What of the other- the one to draw water from the air?

[bindsthedead]

Ah, that one. [Sabriel drinks the last dregs of her tea, and circles the remaining symbols.] That one uses drawn signs.

[Sabriel carefully positions her hands above the teacup and then traces out the marks. Unfortunately, while the teacup is filled to the brim, a a great deal of water ends up on the table, and Sabriel blushes.]

It's easier when there's more water in the air, but it will work even if the air is fairly dry.]

[virginprice]

[Alcuin laughs, but it's not meant unkindly. He also stands to find a cloth to wipe away the extra water.]

I see that that one is quite powerful. I shall have to be careful.

[bindsthedead]

Well, it's useful when you can't get clean water any other way. [Or as a method to wake up the other girls in your dormitory, when you were thirteen.]

[virginprice]

Yes, I can imagine. I did not know that there was water in the air, save when it is raining or misty.

[His grasp of science is... pretty medieval.]

[bindsthedead]

There's always some. More in some places than others, but always a little bit.

[Sabriel's is... somewhat more advanced, mostly by virtue of growing up in a more technological society before she headed back to the Old Kingdom.]

[virginprice]

Will this be more effective somewhere damp, then? I imagine in dry places you must go to much more effort to get enough.

[At least he learns quickly.]

[bindsthedead]

Much more effective- and less draining. It's extremely easy to use in the Water Sector.

[virginprice]

I wonder if there is some way to use it to purify the water there.