The Jade Mage: The Becoming: Volume 1 by William D. Latoria Read Free Book Online Page A

it...”
    “Shine.” Tartum whispered. The coin immediately shone in a very weak light. Tears sprang up in Tartum’s eyes. He had accomplished his first enchantment spell, and on his first try! It didn’t matter that the light coming from his coin was pitiful, he had done it! He had manipulated reality and changed his universe, if only a tiny bit. The success, after years of failure, felt better than when he opened himself to the magic. He smiled happily at his master, who returned the smile with much enthusiasm.
    “Very well done, Tartum! Go get some rest, for tomorrow we celebrate! You’ve done incredibly well, my boy! I’m truly proud of you.” Isidor gushed. He knew he shouldn’t praise Tartum this much over such a small success. The enchantment really was a simple one, but he didn’t care, he loved the young man and was intensely proud of him. This one time he would allow it to show.
    Tears ran, unchecked, down Tartum’s face. Never had his friend ever lavished such praise on him. Even when he was a child and cast his first spell, he had simply patted him on the head and told him to do it again. This was unprecedented and made the success that much sweeter. Walking back to the wagon with his master, they retired to their beds. Tartum had been running on adrenaline after the enchantment had succeeded, and now that he was lying down he felt exhausted. His coin was still in his hand, as he lay amongst his bed of pillows, glowing its soft, dim light.
    Isidor was laying in his bed of pillows thinking about how far Tartum had come. His natural ability with magic was unprecedented. He fully expected his first attempt to fail. He had the words to a shield spell on his lips, when Tartum began. When he actually succeeded, he had been so impressed, he was afraid he would forget himself in the moment. When the coin lit up in Tartum’s hand, Isidor had been elated to his very core. He had never known anyone, in his entire life, he was more impressed with than this kid from this ratty little town, in the middle of nowhere. Over the years, Tartum had succeeded, even when Isidor expected nothing but failure. Each time he succeeded, Isidor would brush it off as a trifle and tell him to do it again. It pained him to belittle his achievements, but he needed his pupil humble and respectful. Now that Tartum was becoming an accomplished caster, and man, Isidor felt he could finally start letting him know he was doing well. Tomorrow’s celebration would be magnificent! Isidor would make up for his past discretions, no matter how unnecessary. Tomorrow, Isidor would show Tartum the greatest time of his life!
    His mind made up, Isidor rolled over to sleep, when the light coming from Tartum’s bed disturbed him.
    “Tartum, I know you’re happy with your new toy, but if you could extinguish it? I’m trying to sleep.” Isidor said, his old sarcasm and cynicism returning to his voice.
    Smiling sleepily to himself, Tartum muttered the word, “Dull” and the coin went out.

CHAPTER 5
    Isidor woke up early the next morning and prepared a breakfast of eggs and bacon. He sliced thick sections of bread and smothered them in fresh butter. Tartum awoke to the scents of the food. His stomach was screaming at him to feed it, so Tartum rose from his bed. Looking around, Tartum found his coin and uttered the word that would make it light up.
    “Shine.” he spoke. The coin lit up, but the light was very weak. He could barely tell it was illuminated, until he cupped the coin in both hands and looked inside. Disappointed, Tartum went to question Isidor about it, and to get some of that mouth watering breakfast.
    Finding Isidor in the kitchen, Tartum greeted him with his question. “Morning, Isidor! I don’t understand. My coin is barely lighting up. Last night it wasn’t brilliant, but it was definitely brighter than this. What is wrong with it?” Finishing his question, Tartum handed his coin to his mentor.
    “Morning, Tartum.” Taking