When I finished Dueling Notes and Legacy, I turned my attention to the last story of October, a tale of suspense. As with both of my previous stories, when I sat to outline this tale, I didn’t know what I wanted to highlight. However, after Dueling Notes, I knew another duel would be fun, but I wasn’t sure who to use for this fledgling story at first. As October’s end drew near, an idea popped into my mind, and I latched onto it immediately.
In other stories, I’ve highlighted hints about Tiatha’s journey in the Academy, and with this story, my patrons will understand what’s been percolating in my mind. Ever since she entered the Academy, she’s been at odds with another of the school’s teachers, Volodar. In fact, the last entry in this sorceress’s journey, Balancing the Scales was simply the tip of the iceberg. After the impromptu duel, he was driven to become Tiatha’s better.
As evening and the inevitable trick-or-treaters march ever closer, find a comfortable chair and join me as we witness a crossroads in Tiatha’s life. Then may you have a Happy Halloween!
While wandering through the Academy, Tiatha senses something looming behind her. With a brief utterance, she resumes walking…
Tiatha pulled her jacket around her shoulders as she peered over her shoulder, studying the vacant corridor. After a brief utterance, she shook her head and resumed her walk down the hallway. When Tiatha reached for her classroom’s door, a thunderclap erupted behind her. Instead of turning, she placed a hand on the doorframe and closed her eyes. Several seconds later, a pulse of brilliant light crashed down upon her, but flowed down her body like water tumbling off a sheet of metal.
With a deep breath, Tiatha brushed her shoulder. “Volodar, aren’t you growing tired of these antics?”
“There’s no way you could have defended yourself. You couldn’t know how to counter my spell without looking.” Volodar inched forward as more energy engulfed Volodar’s hands. “You should be on the ground writhing in pain.”
Tiatha folded her hands over her waist as she spun towards the assailant. “Leodor, while intelligent, doesn’t appreciate the chasm that truly separates us.”
“In our duel I fought you to a draw!”
“We aren’t on the same level,” Tiatha said, shaking her head.
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