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The Distance Fires by Sean Osborne
 (1 rating)
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"COME WITH ME" Aonis spoke, in a demanding voice, and motioned for the five men to follow. Aonis then waved his hand at the underbrush they were approaching, which then cleared away, revealing a small path through the thick underbrush. The only light given was that of the moon. As they walked Ezrin decided to ask the question that was burning in his mind since they were told of this most peculiar mission. "Master Wizzard Aonis, can we not just use the spell of farsight to spy on the city from here?" Aonis sigh'ed as he replied "Every attempt we have made to see ahead of the army has been blocked for the past three days, by some powerful spell we have not, yet, been able to counter or dispell...that reminds me, and ALL of you listen closely" he looked back, towards bendrin. "do not use the spell of farsight on this mission. To one of you, it would be extremely painful... potentially deadly. Is that understood?" The five men responded in unison "Yes, Master Wizzard Aonis" As Aonis spoke he raised his staff and pointed it ahead of him. Ezrin was unsure why, until a bright, white light, slowly began to shine from the end, lighting their way. After a few more minutes of walking, the men suddenly found themselves in a small clearing. In the middle was eight wooden posts, in a circle, standing about three feet high. There were two more posts to the right of the circle, Standing side-by-side. Without a word Aonis, again, waved his hand. This time for the five men to position themselves in the center of the circle. As they gathered, Aonis placed himself between the two posts off to the side. When everyone was in place, Aonis began to speak in a deep and ominous voice. Ezrin could still hear Aonis' normal voice, but there was another voice behind his. A voice, very powerful and ancient. "LET THE DISTANCE FIRES OF FENRAGOR BURN ONCE MORE!" Instantly, a deep blue flame lit the top of the eight posts, and a dark red flame atop the two others, to the side. Aonis, then began, slowly, walking arround the posts in a counter-clockwose motion. As he walked, he began chanting something, but Ezrin could not make it out. it was to quiet and in a foreign language to him. As Aonis passed the first post he slammed his staff into the ground. As he did this the flame on top of the post flared, as if a small amount of gunpowder had been thrown into it. As it flared an intense red beam shot from the top of the post to the post on the opposite side. However there was no reaction from the other post, or flame. As Aonis passed the second post, he again slammed his staff into the ground and another beam shot to another post. This time, though, Ezrin noticed a small wind began blowing arround the entire clearing, in the same direction as Aonis was moving. with each post Aonis passed and each new light, the wind grew more and more intense. By the time Aonis passed the sixth post, the wind was howling. Aonis was now screaming the chant at the top of his lungs, but Ezrin still could not make out what he was saying over the rushing wind. By the seventh, the men were holding onto one another with their right arm, to keep from falling. Their other arm was over their face to protect themselves from small tree branches and rocks, picked up by the wind. Then, Ezrin, ventured a peek to see where Aonis was. As he tipped his head, that is when he caught a glimpse of something moving in the shadows, just beyond the clearing. He could not make out what it was, before everything went dark. when his eyes readjusted, he looked for Aonis. That's when he realized nothing was the same. Aonis and the posts were gone. The wind had suddenly stopped, the clearing had a different shape, the tree's were of a different kind. They were somewhere completely different, far from where they were moments ago.
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