Chronicles of the Overworld Book 1 — Nihal of the Land of the Wind Read Online Free PDF Page B

to connect with the primordial spirits of nature; this is where we derive our power. We appeal to the vital force that permeates the world and, if we are able to do so in a way that merits response, we are granted its goods in return. The ability to communicate with nature can be trained and refined, and that is where a teacher comes in, but it must be innate to start with. The trial will test for this ability.”
    This was beginning to sound interesting to Nihal. She interrupted Soana. “Are you saying that a sorcerer’s power depends on the will of the spirits of nature?”
    “At first,” responded Soana, pleased to see the light of curiosity in Nihal’s eyes. “The formulae for the simplest spells are nothing but prayers to the spirits of nature. The milder healing spells and some of the simpler defense spells belong to this category. One must master them first before moving on to the next level.” Soana’s voice took on a serious tone. “The end goal is to dominate nature and bend it to your own will. At that point, it’s no longer the spirits who guide the sorcerer, but the sorcerer who mobilizes the elements. All of the combative spells, for example, belong to this category, including the spells used to set enchantments on weapons. The name of sorcerer is granted only to those who are able to do this.”
    “And does it take a long time?”
    “It depends. Sennar has been my student since he was eight years old and he’s still not ready. And yet, I’ve never met another sorcerer with such a marked talent for magic. I still spend time studying because nature is an infinite book, rich in mysteries and power.”
    Soana’s words inspired Nihal to the point of forgetting that Soana had spoken of years of training. She felt ready for anything. “Okay. Tell me what the trial is.”
    “You have to go into the Forest and there, in the deepest, thickest part of the woods, look inside yourself for communion with nature. I’ll give you two days and two nights. If you don’t manage in that amount of time, it means the magic does not belong to you, and you’ll have to give up. If you do manage, we’ll begin your training.”
    Nihal’s determination melted entirely away, like snow in warm sun. She had imagined that the trial would be difficult, but what Soana was proposing was terrifying. All the stories she’d ever heard about those woods came back to mind—that no one ever came out alive, that terrible evil spirits lived there, not to mention criminals, the absolute dregs of humanity.
    A reassuring thought came to dispel her fear. “Well, if we’re both going …”
    “No, Nihal. You’ll be alone.”
    Terror gripped her again. “But … but why do I have to be alone? People say a lot of terrible things about the Forest, and I … uh …”
    “Do you think that your father’s sister would send you to a dangerous place? Believe me, the Forest is probably one of the safest places in the region. People with bad intentions are just as frightened of the Forest as honest folks are, and there aren’t any ferocious beasts. The stories you’ve heard are just fairy tales to frighten children. I can’t stay with you. You must be alone in order to concentrate.”
    Nihal stuttered something else. “I can’t … please …”
    Soana smiled. “Come on. Cheer up. Go ahead and face the trial like a good warrior.”
    They turned to a discussion of what Nihal needed to do to get ready. Soana gave her a knapsack with a few basic items. She only let Nihal take her sword after much debate.

    They walked through the quiet woods.
    The sun filtered through the bare branches of the trees and projected spots of light onto the dry leaves of the forest floor. Nihal was still terrified, but every now and then her fear subsided as she noticed some detail of her surroundings. Then the shadows and rustling sounds that filled the woods would bring to mind the scary stories she’d heard, and her fears would return.
    Nihal began to