Mayard said, “There’s a few more of you than I expected. Not to fear. It’s nothing a Rock to Mud, Enlarge, and Stone Shape Spell won’t remedy. Mayard said then, “I’ll be right back.” The old sorcerer briefly exited and returned with an irregular rock from the courtyard. He used a small piece of clay and a bit of water, uttered a gruff conjuration, and softened the rock. He then took a pinch of powdered iron, uttered another incantation, and cast an Enlarge Spell, He followed with a Stone Shape Spell and formed seventy-five small objects, the exact number of students watching the class. Mayard took a piece of string from his rucksack and replicated it. He made odd motions with his hands, uttered more odd phrases, and moved his hands over the little pieces of clay. The old sorcerer then said a single word, “red.” Now seventy-five little red objects rested in front of him. Mayard said, “Join.” The strings combined with the little red objects. Mayard said “rise” and seventy-five amulets slowly rose from the stone floor and levitated about three feet above the floor. Mayard said, “A memento of my visit! There should be one for each of you. Rhiann, take one please.”
Rhiann stood and approached his uncle. Mayard said, “Don’t be shy. It won’t hurt you. In fact, it’s an amulet of protection. It’ll serve you as long as you stay true to Magick and use it thoughtfully. Look closely, Rhiann.”
Rhiann took and held the near weightless object. The little cherry-red, heart-shaped stone was precisely the size, shape, and color of the birthmarks on Rhiann and Mayard’s chins. Mayard’s tale asserted the mark graced the chin of the first sorcerer of Sagain Cydney Klarje.
Mayard said again, “One for everyone. Tomorrow I’ll tell you of Cydney Klarje’s first spells.”
benjamintowe 