Circles, Chapter 2.0

Circles

Chapter 2.0

Into the Maze

"You will find that some historians claim the Maze was made by Mages," Mage Cinnamon said, fingering her long black braid as she paced in front of the class of Aspirants. "They claim the ruins at Ebongarth are proof Mages held more knowledge once than what we currently do. Perhaps, but it seems more likely the Maze was made by an ancient race that preceded man's arrival." She paused and surveyed the class. "I know this will surprise you, but the Silver Folk say the Maze predates their civilization, and they have recorded history at least three millennia before man arrived. No, it seems certain the Maze was created by an unknown race of powerful beings for reasons we cannot begin to understand."


Whatever Thomas had expected from the Maze, he hadn't expected this featureless circular room. Derry wandered around the room, pressing on the black walls. Glemma and Alissa sat in the center, the older girl with her arm around the still-shaken swamp witch. Thomas stopped at that thought. Alissa had saved his life, all of their lives. She was more than a swamp witch, a name that he instinctively knew would be hurtful.

"Well, now what?" Glemma asked.

"Maybe we broke it," Derry said. He shrugged. "One Aspirant at time for centuries before, and suddenly we four come in."

"I'm sure more than one person has been in the Maze at the same time," Glemma said. "Think of all the Testing and all the Circles."

"It's forbidden," Thomas said automatically and felt his face flush. Alissa and Derry didn't pay any attention, but Glemma quirked her mouth.

"Yes, there have been multiple entries," Derry said. "It only makes sense."

Thomas nodded, not trusting himself to not say anything else stupid.

"It's learning us," Alissa said. "I can ken it. Somewhat." She looked up. "It's like an animal. Or a living being. I've never felt anything like it." She looked surprised. "And it's surprised that I can sense it. That hasn't happened before." She shook her head. "Maybe I'm gone insane."

"Well, it is called the Maze of Madness." Derry grinned at her.

"She's the best kenner White had ever seen," Glemma said. "He told the whole class that he could teach her nothing."

Alissa shook her head again. "I have a lot to learn. My mother could ken a horse fly from a mile away."

"And Thomas is the best healer I've ever seen," Glemma said, looking at him. "Which is strange because I don't remember him doing that well on the Writtens or Practicals."

Thomas shrugged and turned away. He couldn't have this conversation. Not yet.

-I know what you are.-

"What?" Thomas said, startled. The other three looked him.

"What what?" Glemma asked.

He shook his head. Derry sat down beside Alissa, and she rested her head against him. Glemma lay down and looked at the ceiling and the light globe that floated above.

-I know what you are, Thomas Alltree of Leeson. I know why you're here. I know what the Silver Folk have planned. All your secrets are mine.- 

Thomas breathed hard. The voice was in his head. Was he going mad?

-No. No madness for you. Only pain and sorrow and finally an unending death. If you fail.-


Who are you? he thought fiercely.

-You will learn soon enough. Pay attention, youngling. The world falls toward the abyss. The only slender hope for survival is if you learn what you truly are and do so quickly enough to take action.-


Learn what? What do you mean? What? But the voice -- if he had actually heard one -- didn't reply.

"Something's happening," Alissa said. "The Maze has learned us."

On the previously wall, two wooden doors slowly materialized. Above the doors, a wooden plaque appeared.

"What's this?" Derry said.

The four moved closer together.

Words appeared on both doors and on the plaque. The left door read: This door leads to life. The right door read: The other door lies & this door leads to death. The words on the plaque read: Only one door leads to life & only one door tells the whole truth. Choose.


"It's like a bard's story!" Glemma said, excitedly. "A riddle."

"Can we trust the Maze?" Derry asked. "Maybe both doors lead to death. Maybe we should wait."

"For how long?" Glemma asked. "I conjure a little water from the moisture in the air and from our..." She blushed. "Well, we will have water for a while, but we have no food."

"I've never heard of an Aspirant dying of starvation," Alissa said.

"But the Aspirants who die don't return," Derry pointed out.

"I think the ceiling is lower," Thomas said.

"What?"

The other three craned their heads and watched the ceiling.

"He's right," Glemma said. "It's definitely lower. Can't you feel the heat from the light?"

"So if we stay, we will be crushed," Derry said. "Charming."

"It's the left door," Thomas said.

"Explain," Glemma demanded.

"If the right door is true, then the left door leads to death because it's lying and the right door also leads to death because it's telling the truth, but only one door leads to life and one to death," Thomas said slowly. "But if the left door is true, then the left door leads to life and the right door leads to death."

"But then the last part of the left door statement would be true," Glemma said.

"A half-truth," Thomas said. "Not the whole truth."

"I think he has it," Derry said. "What say you?"

Glemma looked doubtful, but she nodded her head.

"We can't stay here," Alissa said. "I'm with Thomas."

Thomas looked up. The ceiling had lowered until it hung only a couple of feet above Derry's head.

"Left door it is," Derry said.

He walked over and examined the door. "No latch." He shrugged. He touched the door. The right door vanished.

"Not dead," Derry said.

"At least not yet," Glemma said.

The door swung open revealing a dark corridor. Derry conjured a magick globe to light the way.

The ceiling suddenly descending faster.

"Go, go, go!" Thomas shouted.

The four ran into the corridor.

"Thomas, stop!" Derry shouted.

Thomas froze, his foot hovering above the floor.

Derry knelt down and took out his dagger. Carefully he cut a thread that stretched between the walls. "It's a trap trigger, I'd bet."

"The room's gone," Alissa said.

Behind them stretched only corridor, showing no sign of the room they had just exited.

Copyright 2011 by Stephen B. Bagley. All rights reserved. No copying without express prior written permission. Thanks for reading.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Amazon.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor