“Djarai, I told you to rest.” Tereizu turns the corner, expecting to find Djarai attempting magic on the sly again. She is an expert at hiding it, but as a healer his senses are sharp.
She’s sleeping. He was sure he sensed her magic.
“Do you want to see?”
Djarai is definitely sleeping, but the voice came from her direction. “Yes,” Tereizu replies calmly.
Air swirls around and above him, taking on a hue of deep red. Streams of red flowing in intricate patterns greet his gaze. He expects their reach to stop, but they keep going. Farther and higher over an impossible distance. The reach of his own magic is considered among the furthest, but Djarai’s is easily twice his.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” A red form sits beside the sleeping Djarai. Her spirit, which does not rest as the mind and body do.
Now this he had suspected. Everyone has a spirit, but only with expert mages does the spirit manifest through magic during sleep. Thus the saying, do not disturb a sleeping mage.
“Yeah.” Djarai’s magic is a sight he doubts he’ll ever get tired of. “How do you do it?”
“We have been practicing since we were small,” the spirit answers. “The kickback principle allows this.”
Shock overcomes Tereizu’s features. “How is that possible?”
“Normally, using magic generates an energy opposite to it which hits the mage, limiting the amount of magic the mage can use at once without dying,” the spirit explains patiently. “If a mage uses this energy rather than receiving it, his magic becomes limited only by his self. It is a rather difficult skill, controlling two at once.”
The legends of the ancients hinted at such a technique, but most dismissed it as impossible. Yet here Djarai is, accomplishing it in her sleep. “Are you always moving your magic like this?”
“That’s right. It’s how we keep it hidden. It’s calming.”
Djarai’s mental control must be incredibly acute.
“One thing, before the others wake up,” the spirit speaks seriously. Tereizu gives his full attention. “Among the Hushaf, and in Durashat, the color red is abominable to the eyes. Those of Greyworld do not seem to have this aversion, but please consider this carefully.”
Tereizu nods. For her spirit to show such concern, Djarai’s feelings about her red magic must be deep seated indeed.
The spirit smiles and leaves. Djarai’s red magic disappears from his vision as well.
