Realization

Al-Berion, Sorcerer of the Covenant, looked patiently at his apprentice, Hevern. His furrowed brows went up and down below his grey hair as he tried to teach the boy how to lift the book off the table using only his mind.

Hevern stared at the offensive book. Despite his efforts, the book simply wouldn't rise or make any motion at all. Hevern's face was framed by somewhat disorganized curly dark brown hair. He had blue eyes, and a slender build. He wasn't really particularly notable.

However, ever since Al-Berion had first seen Hevern, the sorcerer had known that Hevern's mind was structured in the way needed to be able to use the power of the spirit world. But unlocking that potential was a frustrating process that threatened both Hevern's future career in sorcery and Al-Berion's treasured peace of mind. He remembered what his master, Al-Zerinon had said: "If unrealized potential were wings, we wouldn't need roads."

"Hevern, remember what I told you. First draw in the power. When you feel like you've got it, just imagine the book in your head, and then lift it," Al-Berion said, his voice awash with patience.

"I'm trying, but I just can't." Hevern said, seething with frustration. Al-Berion could feel the energy building in Hevern, but he just couldn't harness it, get past the block that most people have. He decided to try another tack.

"Do you want to lift the book?" he questioned Hevern.

"If I wanted to lift the book, I'd pick it up, Master." Hevern did so.

Al-Berion considered the various techniques that he had used when he was teaching for the Covenant at Harn Alorien. There was no agreement as to the best way to make a boy or girl's <i>kana</i> go beyond the bounds of the physical body. No hard and fast rule as to how to go about it had ever been discovered, and it was mainly left up to the discretion of the teacher. It was a matter of utmost delicacy, because if the student failed too many times, they would believe themselves incapable of doing it. And that belief killed any chance that they ever would.

One technique which Al-Berion had used with great success was that of distraction. Frequently, the stress of being called upon to perfor would freeze up the mind, preventing the sort of confidence and freedom that would allow use of the <i>kana</i>. Running his fingers through his beard, Al-Berion decided on a plan.

"Well, Hevern, you've made great progress today," he said with great sincerity.

"I have?" said Hevern, surprised.

He hadn't, of course, but Al-Berion wanted to place him in a receptive frame of mind. "Yes, you did. Not many apprentices come so far in such a short amount of time. You've done well."

Hevern sat up straighter, beaming. "Well, thank you for your praise, Master."

"Think nothing of it, Hevern. But," he paused, "in our zeal to iniate you into the sorcerous arts, we have neglected other portions of your education. Namely, mathematics."

Hevern's proud expression sank. "Mathematics? We learn that in school."

"Oh, yes, of course. But a vital part of education is support at home. Don't you know what the Minister of Education was saying in his speech the other week?  I remember it well: "The teachers of our kingdom's schools can not do it all on their own. Education depends on a commitment on the part of the parents as well as the children."

Hevern looked at Al-Berion suspicously, wondering to what dire conclusion his master was leading to. He didn't remember any speech like that, which was natural, since Al-Berion was making it all up as he went along.

"Anyway, I think it's time we went over the multiplication tables. You should be able to recite these tables perfectly at any time and any place."

With that, Al-Berion has Hevern go through the tables, backwards and forwards. Then he had him answer random problems, while interspersing other commands, such as making him stand or sit down or touch his head. All of this done at such speed that Hevern had no time to think.

"Three times twelve."

"Thirty-six."

"Nine times nine."

"Eighty-one."

"Sit on your hands."

Hevern did so.

"Twelve times six."

"Seventy-two."

"Eight times five."

"Forty."

"Pick up the book." The book that had been the subject of Hevern's failed attempts at levitation was still lying on the table in front of the apprentice. Since he was still sitting on his hands, Hevern did exactly what Al-Berion meant him to do, which was, without thinking, to use his mind. Sweat beading on his neck, the book briefly rose in the air and then dropped on the table.

Hevern sat in shock at what he had just done. He looked up and saw Al-Berion smiling enigmatically at him. The apprentice realized his master's true intent.

"You didn't care about the math at all," he accused his master. "You just wanted to distract me."

"Exactly." He pointed at the book. "Do it again."

Hevern concentrated, and Al-Berion could, with the second sight that all sorcerer's posessed, see his <i>kana</i> reach out and lift the book.

"It's easy," the boy said.

"It is. Of course, you will find that not all sorcery is so easy. But it's an excellant start." And this time, Al-Berion was sincere.

Hevern stood up, meaning to stretch his arms, but he nearly lost his balance and had to catch the table edge for support.

"What happened? Why am I so tired, all of the sudden?"

"At your present stage of experience, even just lifting a book off the table drains much of your <i>kana</i>. That's why it's very important not to do too much at once. Now, go to the farm down the way and ask for some preserved meat."

Hevern obviously wanted to do more, but he went without question. But he went down the front path to the road with a spring in his step.

Al-Berion had a satisfied look on his face as Hevern went out to the door. The old Sorcerer was relieved that Hevern had finally broken through the first barrior to becoming a Sorcerer. Many students were never able to free themselves and take the first step of releasing their kana from the confines of the body. No matter how great the potential of the student, if he was unable extend his mind's power, then he would never be a sorcerer. Fortunately, Hevern had overcome that particular hurdle.

Al-Berion remembered the day he had found Hevern, ten years earlier. It had been just after the War of the Magician-King and he had been looking around southern Vilnor for clues as to the identity of the mysterious invader and his army. He had just spent the night in a small village near Mara Geln and was walking in the village square when he saw a crowd of men, women and children. They were refugees from villages destroyed by the war. One young boy of about six immediately caught Al-Berion's eye, or more accurately, his mind. An experienced sorcerer could usually detect a mind which was promising for Sorcery. The boy Al-Berion saw was the most promising he had ever seen. He asked the boy his name and the reply was Hevern, a common Vilnorik name.

After a potential student was spotted by a member of the Covenant, the parents would be told and arrangements made to send the candidate to the School of Enchantments in Harn Alorion if the parents agreed, which they almost always did since being asked was a great honor. However, in Hevern's case, both of his parents had been killed by goblin raiders and his family was unable to be traced. Al-Berion talked to the woman in charge of relocating the refugees and placing orphaned children. Once she found out that he was a Sorcerer of the Covenant, she was only too happy to let him adopt Hevern. Normally, Al-Berion would have then sent him to the School. However, he had something else planned for Hevern.