Avondale by Toby Neighbors Read Free Book Online Page B

and slice the skin with a sharp knife. Then, chant the spell out loud, visualizing in your mind’s eye the cut skin of the fruit coming back together.
    Sano Grasilis Abscido
    You will notice that your mind takes on a much greater level of focus as you chant the words. Saying spells out loud isn’t necessary for an experienced wizard, but for a novice, saying the words and hearing them spoken brings the untrained mind into alignment with the magical power you are invoking. Things around you, sights, smells, sounds, activities, should all fall away until all you can see or consider is the fruit. It may help you to continue saying the spell over and over. Eventually, as you master the pronunciation of each spell and become more sensitive to magic, saying each spell a single time will call the power to you and simultaneously focus your mind on the subject of your magic.
    If the spell is cast successfully, you should see the fruit’s skin seal up. Once this happens be sure to inspect the fruit for any sign of the original cut. There should be no mark or scar upon the skin of the fruit; likewise, it should not be thick or hardened where the skin was healed. Cut the fruit open and inspect your work. Human or animal skin consists of many, subtle layers and the amount of power, focus, and self-control is much higher. A wizard should be able to heal cuts in fruit easily and without exertion before trying the spell on another person.
    Magic takes a toll on the wizard, just as any activity would. The amount of concentration can be taxing at first, and novice wizards must pace themselves as they practice in order to remain in control. Sana Magus is the easiest of all the magical Orders because as creatures, our bodies are made to heal themselves. Many times an individual will recover from sickness all on their own given enough time. Likewise, even grievous injuries can eventually be overcome because of our body’s natural inclinations to function properly. Sana Magus invokes not only the magical power that exists all around us, but the divine spark that each living creature carries. There should be no backlash or carry over from healing spells, as there is in the other Magical Orders, but novice wizards would still be wise to take precautions in their efforts as they begin their practice of the magical arts.
     
    Tiberius leaned back in his chair and looked at the apple that was sitting prominently on his table. It was time to put his newfound knowledge to the test. His heartbeat sped up as he picked up the apple and then the dagger. He was about to do something no one had done in Avondale for over a century. He slid the dagger along the skin of the apple. It was so ripe a bead of juice seeped out and ran down the apple like a teardrop.
    He sat the apple down on the table and stared at it. He knew there was no turning back, but he felt a shiver of fear as the words of the spell danced in his head. He closed his eyes, thinking about the words, focusing on the spell. Then he opened his mouth, his lips were dry and his tongue felt thick, but he spoke the words of the spell in a quiet voice, almost a whisper.
    “Sano Grasilis Abscido,” he said.
    Nothing happened. He opened his eyes and the fruit was just as it had been, the cut in its skin gaping slightly. He felt a sense of foolishness, as if he’d been tricked. The book could be a fake, he thought. It could just all be made up. He fought hard not to let his frustration get the best of him. He decided to try again. The book said a novice might need to chant the spell over and over again.
    “Sano grasilis abscido, sano grasilis abscido, sano grasilis abscido…”
    At first nothing happened and he began to grow embarrassed. He was alone in his room chanting nonsense words. He didn’t know if it was worse that he was attempting magic, or failing so miserably.
    Then, without warning, he felt something. It was intangible, like the warmth from the sun, but just as real. He felt movement