God Mage - D.W. Jackson Page 0,1

strong and supple, giving it more range, but even then, an arrow would not fly very far.

Notching the arrow Bren pulled back on the bow and took aim as he pulled in more magical energy. Once he was sure that everything was ready, Bren let the arrow go. The arrow flew straight and continued on, well out of sight of everyone else, but Bren still followed it as it continued on its magically designated path. The hare looked toward the arrow as it flew toward it and tried to jump away, but Bren altered the arrows path ever so slightly skewering the hare straight through the heart.

Bren felt a slight sadness as he felt the life leave the small creatures body. He could have as easily shot at a tree but Bren wanted to test more than just his skill with a bow. He watched as the small amount of ethereal energy left the hare’s body. It looked like a mass of energy far beyond what could have fit inside the creature’s body. Bren followed the mass of energy as it floated into the air and began to dissipate. Bren tried to see where the energy went, but it was almost as if the universe itself had soaked it up like water spilt upon the ground.

Bren had a few ideas about where the energy went, but he wanted proof. He was sure it was part of a cycle that sustained the universe. As far as he knew, energy was seldom destroyed—it could be—but to do so would be dangerous, and not even Bren was sure what would happen if he committed such an act, even if he could. When one used magic, one simply changed elemental energy into a different form, and as soon as it was used, it was soaked back into the universe.

On the other hand, energy could be created, though Bren couldn’t do it. It was a product of the life and growth of natural creatures. One might call it a soul, but it was simply a mass of natural energy that grew with the body and one’s experiences. This did not just apply to humans and animals but trees and grass as well. It was an odd thing that Bren had only recently noticed. His main question was not why it grew, but what the universe did with this ever expanding amount of energy.”

“That was one powerful shot,” Cass said with a low whistle. “How far did the arrow go?”

“It landed in a forest off in the distance,” Bren said handing the bow back to Hayao who looked at him with a look of reverence.

“The forest should still be over twelve miles away,” Hayao said with a since of awe. “How can you even see it let alone land an arrow near it.”

“Magic,” Bren said with a fake smile.

“A coward’s tool,” Arashi said distastefully. “A real man relies on his own strength and skills.”

“Magic is a skill and power that I can command. What is wrong with using it to keep myself and others alive?” Bren said emotionlessly.

“Don’t mind him, my lord,” Hayao said, his voice steady and even. “Samurai all tend to look down upon any form of battle that is against their so-called code of ethics. If it was up to them all, war would be done on open battlefields with just the strength of their sword to win the day.”

“Sounds fun to me,” Cass said laughing. “No wonder the Katanga love to come here to fight. It is truly the perfect place for them to hone their skills. Speaking of which, you should really start working on your own skills with a sword some.”

The idea of practicing with the sword seemed pointless, but Bren pushed that thought aside. No matter how strong his magic was, it was not a cure all, though he couldn’t imagine a time when there would be instances where a sword would be preferable to magic. “You might be right. How about tonight after we make camp?”

“Really, you’re not going to start up your other practice instead?” Cass asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think I need to practice the other right now,” Bren said with a shrug of his shoulders. “I have learned what I need to in that area; the rest I can train anytime now, but sword work is something best done with a partner.”

“That is good to hear,” Cass said, patting him hard on the back.

“My lord, by tonight we will be in my village,”