Red Mage: Ascending: Tournament of Mages, #1

Red Mage Ascending

Copyright © 2024 by Cleave Bourbon

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events,

and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are

used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,

events, or locals is entirely coincidental

Contact info: cleavebourbon@gmail.com

Front Cover Design by Sanja Gombar www.fantasybookcoverdesign.com

Print Cover Design by Sanja Gombar www.fantasybookcoverdesign.com

Editor: Courtney Umphress www.courtneyumphress.com

THIRD EDITION : JANUARY 2024

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

Red Mage Ascending

Tournament of Mages Book 1

Cleave Bourbon

Shadesilver Publishing

Contents

1.The Rise of Ephaltus

2.The Ocularius Magnus

3.Hana

4.Thelee’s Training

5.Origin

6.Servants

7.Heart of Fire

8.Into the World

9.Vestia

10.Tamania

11.Ag Caderan

12.The Magic of the Mages

13.Warden of Talt

14.Visitors

15.Thessa

16.Loss

17.In the Dark

18.The Song and the Protector

19.Nightmares

20.RUN!

21.The Arena

22.Down

23.Children of Blood

24.Tharen and Gwade

25.The Bone Key

26.The Gift

27.Renewal

28.Wanted

29.Turnabout

30.Equal and Opposite

31.Blood Feeders

32.The Truest Path

33.Journey of the Chosen

Also By Cleave Bourbon

34.Glossary

Amoss-covered tree trunk with an old weather-beaten door etched into its bark marked the way to the Earth Chamber, a hollowed-out residence descending deep below the forest floor, still, and unused for a century. Inside, dust coated shrouds of linen draped over lavish furnishings and accouterments. One shroud covered the glass top of a sarcophagus under which the body of the one called Ephaltus, Tourney Master of the Tournament of Mages, lay in his century long sleep. Long ago, he had become the special emissary of the gods when the first six sought to end the warring between their peoples. Ephaltus belonged to no god and to all gods at the same time.

The steady autumn wind blew the newly fallen leaves on the forest floor as a sisterhood of dryads devoted to the caretaking of the Earth Chamber and its tree appeared. They were little more than the height of young children before the age of ten. Their greenish brown skin and wide green eyes made them look eternally young even though they were thousands of years old. They approached the weathered doorway, the three of them, and began the magic that would open the chamber. Once inside, as happened every century, the dryads would begin their magical ritual to resurrect the wizard. Each day of the magical sacrament the wizard would become stronger and stronger, and his breathing would get steadier until it stabilized. Soon after, he would awaken to perform his duties once again.

As he slept, the child-like dryads removed the shrouds from the furniture and began the preparations. Everything had to be ready for the wizard upon his rising. Each of the six kingdoms depended on him to find their champions for them once again, and to unite them in the tournament of all tournaments, the Tournament of Mages. A contest that would climax in the selection of the new highlord of the six kingdoms who would rule for the next one hundred years.

This century also marked the millennium. Ephaltus would be able to train his successor and live out the remainder of his life as he chose. As such, his awakening was earlier this time than in centuries past. Since only the gods could appoint a Tourney Master, his successor had already been selected. The chosen one would be invited to attend his awakening and begin their training as Apprentice Tourney Master.

Once the dryads finished their work the day came. The time of the awakening had begun. The dryads assembled at the foot of his bed and performed the final ritual. Ephaltus began to stir. He breathed in deeply and then sat up glancing around.

It’s the millennium. The time has finally come! Has my successor arrived? The time he had spent sleeping made his voice broken and scratchy. He cleared his throat loudly.

One of the dryads stepped forward. She was a lighter shade of green, greener than brown like leaves in summer, and her hair appeared to be a cascade of Birch leaves. She has, my lord.

She? Ephaltus repeated. This is the first time I’ve heard of a female Tourney Master.

She waits in the antechamber. Shall I show her in? the dryad asked.

Ephaltus inspected himself and dusted off his robes even though the dryads had already cleaned him too. May as well.

He stood from the bed, his legs a bit wobbly. A few moments later, the dryads showed in the girl. "My lord, I present to you Thelee, the choice of the gods to be your apprentice.

Ephaltus inspected her. By his estimate, she stood but a few inches above five feet, with fiery auburn hair and a pleasant face, complete with a smattering of flattering freckles on her rosy cheeks. She genuflected.

Thelee—that’s a Tamanian name, is it not?

Yes, Master, very good.

He brushed back her hair to reveal a pointed ear. I thought so. You are an elf.

All my life, sir.

Forgive me, child, but it has been a hundred years, and I must visit the outhouse. Remain here. Have the dryads make you something to eat or drink or whatever you like.

Well, I wasn’t going to go to the outhouse with you. She said before laughing awkwardly.

Ephaltus turned back to her. What was that again?

I’m sorry. You said remain here. I wasn’t going to follow you out…there.

Ah, yes, I understand. He left without saying anything else.

Thelee nodded to the nearest dryad. I am a bit nervous.

Would you like breakfast? The dryad replied.

I would like to try some orange juice. I don’t suppose you have that do you? I know it’s rare. I have only seen it once.

We have anything you desire. The dryad bowed before disappearing into the kitchen.

Ephaltus returned to see the dryads had brought Thelee some fresh squeezed orange juice. She was wincing with every sip. You have never seen orange juice before, have you?

No, it has a pleasant taste, though.

Remind me, Thelee was it? He sat at the table where the dryads began bringing in his breakfast.

Yes.

Remind me. How were you chosen to be my apprentice? Which god challenged you?

The girl cracked a smile. I suspect you remember your apprenticeship well, my master. You test me, you know how I was chosen?

Well, I do remember. But I asked you a question.

"Very well. Andiel and her brother Asrion sent me on the task of awakening. I have identified the Red and Black Mages already, master, while on my way here.

The Red Mage and the Black Mage, impressive. Do you understand the task I, and then you for the next millennium, must perform in addition to the identification of the mages?

I do.

Explain your understanding so I may be certain you do. He motioned for her to sit in a comfortable oversized chair. Get us some water to drink, he instructed one of the dryads. "I assume you’ve eaten since the dryads were not busy feeding you when I returned from the outhouse.

The girl sat in the chair. I have eaten already, yes. To answer your other question, we find out which of the mages have which of the magic disciplines and oversee their training.

Let me stop you there. I want to hear this from the beginning. Start with the whys and go from there.

All right. She nodded as she accepted the cup of water from the dryad. The six kingdoms constantly warred and conquered each other for centuries until their six gods stepped in and proclaimed they would enact a way for all the kingdoms to have an equal chance at ruling. Every century, a champion more powerful and noteworthy than any other, who could use magic, would rise from each kingdom. Each rise to prominence would be unique. It is the job of the Tourney Master to find each mage and bring them to the arena where one will rise to defeat the others and be proclaimed leader of the kingdoms for the next one hundred years until the process begins again.

Andiel and Asrion taught you this?

Yes, among others. The tournament is known by everyone. I’m not sure why you’re testing me on it.

General knowledge. You’d be surprised how many people ignore the tournament now.

Well, I find it fascinating.

Probably a reason the gods saw fit to choose you no doubt.

Yes, well, I can’t wait to learn more.

Ephaltus nodded. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it?

Thelee nodded.

Well, it isn’t! he said acidly. It’s damned hard! Although the Red Mage always uses blood magic, you don’t know if the mage is a girl or a boy, or which kingdom the mage is born in. It’s the same with all six of them. Of course, each kingdom also produces successors to take the place of a fallen mage. Their abilities sometimes lie dormant, but that’s not to say they don’t have magic to use confusing you into thinking they may be the current mage when they are not. Furthermore, not one of the chosen mages will want to come to the tournament. On top of that, each god will endow their champion with extra abilities, and consequently, that means they, the gods, cheat like crazy! The mages live their own lives until we find them, so many have romances and whatnot, sometimes even families, and you must convince them to leave them behind. Some of them, if not all of them, will die in the tournament except the winner. Twice in my tenure as Tourney Master, the Black Mage has killed his former rivals for no good reason. Not to mention as soon as the Black Mage begins to show magical talent, he or she will begin to inadvertently unleash horrible, dark creations on the kingdoms to try to slow the development of the other mages. Moreover, the current king of the six kingdoms almost always tries to sabotage the tournament because they know they will likely die when the new winner is declared, and they don’t want to give it all up.

Really? Has the current leader ever succeeded?

The two hells no! Not on my watch, anyway, but it won’t stop them from trying. This is a long, difficult job.

The Black Mage unleashes dark creatures without knowing what they’re doing? Thelee didn’t sound convinced.

Sometimes yes, but sometimes the Black Mage does it as soon as they learn how. Either way, it usually happens.

There’s nothing to stop them?

Well, the Red Mage can. I will get into all that when we get around to it. Still think you can do this job?

I can do it!

Ephaltus eyed Thelee with consternation. Let’s get into the meat of it, then, if you think so highly of yourself. Do you know the magic disciplines you face? Earlier, you said the disciplines appear at random. That isn’t entirely true.

Are you asking me why? I thought the mages all developed magical powers that manifested at puberty.

That much is true, but each mage follows a pattern. The Red Mage always has blood magic and can do just about anything they set their minds to doing. They can boil your brain right inside your head. The Blue Mage commands the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. They can freeze you as well as burn you alive at their whim.

They can do all that to me?

Rhetorical you. Try to keep up! The Grey Mage is all mental and can see the immediate future. Try sneaking up on someone to convince them to join you at the arena when they can see you coming, not to mention they will mess with your head. The Black Mage will make you wish you were dead while they conjure up all sorts of dark creatures, and one of them might very well be your beloved, dearly departed grandmother! The White Mage can manipulate you with the sweetest melodies and lyrics, and if you somehow silence them, they can dance and move their bodies to do even worse things to you. Don’t even ask me what they can do with a musical instrument! And finally, the Green Mage. They use nature magic and shapeshift into any animal, plant, or race on the face of the earth. Anything of nature follows their every command. Try not to let them turn you to stone or trap you within an earthen prison.

How do you convince them? How do you do this job if they are so powerful? Thelee asked.

Well, most of the time, when I find them, they have yet to reach their full potential. So, we must be quick at finding them. Also, we are not without our own unique protection. I will teach you our own magic.

As Tourney Master, are you immune to any of their magic?

Ephaltus cleared his throat. I won’t lie to you, yes and no, more yes than no. I’ll get to all that if you make it through training. I can’t hand out all my secrets all at once. Some knowledge and trust you must earn. You say you have found the Red Mage and the Black Mage?

Yes, I have, Master.

Good. You see, we already have a head start on them. Do you know which one we need to go after first?

The Black Mage?

The two hells no! The Black Mage will not understand what is happening for quite some time. No one sets out to be dark or evil, and even though the Black Mages are not always evil, they will struggle with their dark magic. It’s rare for a Black Mage to be the kind of person they need to become from the outset. No, the Red Mage is the more urgent of the two. Blood magic is addictive; the more they use it, the more they like it, and the more they like it, the more they use it, and so on and so forth—often using it when they don’t need to.

Is blood magic easier to defend against?

No, all the magic disciplines are deadly. How they use their gifts depends a lot on their moral upbringing. Some have it and some don’t. The gods try to choose the best of the best for their champion, but there are all sorts of factors involved. The other gods interfere a lot, trying to sabotage the other. You will see. Ephaltus took a deep breath and slapped his hands on his knees. That’s enough for right now. I have been asleep for a hundred years. It’s time to eat something. Are you certain you don’t want anything but orange juice and water?

Yes, I’m fine, thank you.

Suit yourself. He dug into the feast the dryads had been busy putting out for him.

Ephaltus took the pipe one of the dryads had prepared for him. He brought the bowl up to his nose and enjoyed the rich aroma of the tobacco before placing it back where he found it. Deire, he said to the Birch leaf dryad, thank you but I will smoke it later. First, I would like to speak with you. I want for Thelee to stay here at the Earth Chamber with me, but I think it might be inappropriate to have her sleep in the same quarters with an old man.

We can prepare her a room within our tree-home. She replied.

That would be most hospitable of you. Thelee, please follow Deire and get settled then return to me in my study. It’s time for your first lesson. He sighed, hesitated, and then spoke again with an irritated tone. I suppose I should show you that infernal machine before we get much further into your training. It will be important to master given the tasks ahead.

Machine? Thelee asked.

Yes, the Ocularius Magnus. There’s one in the upper reaches of this Earth Chamber. There is also a larger one in the Arsenal of the Way near the arena. It has more features and it’s a bit more challenging to control so it’s best I teach you how to use the smaller one upstairs before we attempt to use it.

What does it do?

Go on and get settled. I will show you what it does when you return.

Thelee followed the dryad outside.

Ephaltus took his pipe and headed to his study located on the second floor of the Earth Chamber. Once inside, he lit it and puffed on it as he began sorting through papers on his desk. He organized them by significance and then prioritized them with the most important tasks on top. While organizing, he lost track of time because it seemed as though Thelee had just left when she appeared.

That was quick.

I was gone more than half an hour. She saw the papers. That’s a lot of paperwork.

Ephaltus examined the scrolls and parchment strewn about on the desk. This is nothing. I have been awake for only a short time. This pile of papers will continue to grow as we prepare for the Tournament of Mages set to take place five years hence. It sounds like a lot of time, but it passes quickly. He abruptly got up from the desk and took up his staff. Might as well get to it. Thelee. Follow me up these stairs. He didn’t hear her moving as he was climbing. He stopped. Thelee? Are you following me?

"I’m here, Master. I almost tripped on one