Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy Read Online Free PDF

immediately.”
    There was a murmur of surprise at this statement.
    “Yes,” said the arch mage. “It sounds easy, doesn’t it? But when the odds are against you it isn’t that simple at all. The mages who will be testing you won’t merely be distracting you like the children in the square. They’ll be doing everything in their power to put out your flame!”
    At this there were sounds of disappointment.
    “Furthermore,” stated the arch mage, “the draw of magical power from that simple flame will seem like a chain around your neck! Especially when you are casting spells to defend yourself!”
    Now several of the apprentices were holding their heads in their hands, groaning at the thought of failure.
    “Do not be afraid!” yelled the arch mage.
    The strength of that shout caused many to lift their heads in surprise.
    “You have been taught all that you need to know to pass the test,” he continued in calmer tones, but still loudly. “If you remain calm and quell your fear, and concentrate on keeping your flame alive, you will do just fine.”
    “What about the stories of the mages who died during the test?” called out one apprentice.
    “There have been fatalities and injuries during the test,” conceded the arch mage, “but very rarely. Those who were injured or killed made a foolhardy attempt to cast some magical spells that were beyond them. In later levels of the test you will have to do battle with various enemies and the wrong selection of spell could weaken your defence enough to allow opponents to injure you. We will have clerics ready should any of you be injured. Approach each part of the test with caution and you should prevail.
    “Unfortunately, I cannot tell you any more about the test. I will give each of you a pouch of spell components, some of which you may need during the test. Each pouch has a magical seal which cannot be opened until you enter the test area. This prevents tampering by anyone, including arch mages. You will also be given a plain staff—remember your fighting skills! You must leave your personal staff and pouch with us before entering the test area. They will not be permitted. Neither will any magical artifacts that you might have in your possession. If any of these items happen to enter the test area, they will magically be sent to a holding area where I will determine what to do with them. This prevents anyone from cheating. Before beginning the test, you must create your flame with the flint and dried leaves I have here for that purpose. Do not let it go out! One last thing: All of you will remember the test but none of you will be able to tell anyone about it. The knowledge of the test is magically protected and no matter how hard you try to tell someone about it, whether by word of mouth or by letter, you will not be able to do it. This goes for those who fail as well. Anyone who attempts to take the test more than once will be magically prevented from doing so. The test room remembers who has entered once before.
    “I wish you all good luck and remember: don’t let the flame go out. I can’t stress the importance of this,” said the arch mage sternly, shaking his staff at the apprentices. Without another word he went to the back of the lecture hall and chanted a spell. A door appeared where there wasn’t one previously and so did a table filled with pouches of spell components. On the wall appeared several racks of staves, all plain and unadorned. “Who’s first?” he asked, turning around to face the nearest apprentices.
    Finally Kazin’s turn came to begin the test. He strapped his pouch to his side, picked up a plain staff; cast the flame spell in his hand using the flint and dried leaves supplied by the arch mage, and cautiously entered the test room. As soon as he entered, everything became pitch black within a few feet of the flame in his hand. He turned around to see the room he had just exited but nothing was there. Suddenly a strong gust of wind