Irwin barely saw where they were going and only snapped out of his daze when a soft, cold breeze blew in his face. Looking up, he saw they had been brought to the classroom at the far end of the building. The window's shutters were open, and the dark, gray air outside promised more rain.
Greldo jutted him in the side, and he quickly focused back on the front of the class.
Sorcerer Xourdin moved behind the small desk, staring at them briefly.
"I'll only explain this once, and it's up to you to listen," he finally said coldly.
As he spoke, he raised one of his hands, and a card glowed, revealing an eye that hovered on the back of his hand. It seemed to look around, glancing at each of the children before it flashed and faded, leaving the children staring at the hand wide-eyed.
"Sit!"
Irwin jolted and scrambled after Greldo and the others to find a seat. He dropped into the first wooden stool he saw before looking around worriedly. The room felt empty with only the twelve of them, and he knew he and Greldo stood out being the poorest from the Rats District. Even the other Rats District children looked more like they belonged there, especially Dalsin, who was the largest of the youths and somehow seemed to blend in, even with his decrepit old tunic. He sat beside Ensil, the youngest of the sons of the smith, and both were pale.
"Good, at least you can all obey orders," Xourdin said. "Now, first off, I wholly expect some of your parents to attempt to weasel you away... You had better talk them out of it. If I have to come to get you personally, I'll destroy the houses I visit. Do I make myself clear?"
Irwin felt his hair stand on end as he swallowed away a sudden lump in his throat. The classroom was deadly quiet, and Xourdin frowned, standing up straighter as he glared at them.
"Do you understand?" he said in a soft, deadly voice.
"Yes, Sorcerer Xourdin," twelve boys and girls shouted as one, some with shuddering voices.
Sorcerer Xourdin gazed at them quietly, then nodded, the intense cold danger that had radiated from him fading.
"Good. You are probably angry with me, but I suggest you keep that to yourself. Our world is overrun, and only if we all work together can we survive and perhaps somehow prosper. Although you are closing in on adulthood, you are still but children... still, this doesn't exempt you from having to contribute," Sorcerer Xourdin said calmly. "From now on, you will be part of those that must protect this world. Do you understand?"
Irwin nodded, even though the Sorcerer wasn't looking at him. "Yes, Sorcerer Xourdin," he shouted together with the others.
"Good. Now for the important things. We will be taking a temporary portal to the Azurepeak mountains tomorrow. It will be a short trip from the arrival point to the Apprentice Tower, your new abode. There, you will find a few hundred, or hopefully more, children from other towns across the peninsula. Normally, there would be a few weeks where we would drill you and teach you how to use staves and bows. However…"
Sorcerer Xourdin suddenly looked both sad and angry, and he sighed.
"Never mind, I'll explain that when we get there," he said, seeming absent before looking back up.
Somehow, the sadness in Xourdin's eyes frightened Irwin far more than the previous cold danger had done. What could sadden even the five-carded Sorcerer? He immediately found he wasn't the only one.
A soft sobbing came, but Irwin didn't look at the girl who slowly broke down, nor did he see any movement from his peripheral. Everyone kept looking at the Sorcerer, who took another deep sigh before turning back to them, his eyes growing cold and hard like sheets of ice.
"In the tower, you will be expected to create groups of six, with whom you will both follow the courses and clear the common training portals. Have you heard about these portals?"
There was no response, and he frowned as he looked around.
Training portals? Irwin thought with a frown. He knew about portals, more so than most due to Bronwyn's story, but he'd never heard of any being used for training.
"I presume you know what portals are?" Sorcerer Xourdin asked.
Clarish scraped her throat as she stepped forward. "Shimmering red swirls of magic that appeared together with the cards. Monsters and demons appear through them. If left unattended, they will eventually cause a surge of demons or monsters. They are said to grow in rank with time, and someone's cards determine what portal they can enter into. Rangers close the common and uncommon portals while the sorcerers search and close anything higher to make sure none grow to epic or legendary rank."
Although Irwin had known most of that, he saw looks of surprise from the other children. Even Xourdin looked at her with quiet approval before nodding.
"Clarish Uldrot, granddaughter of Sorcerer Doukyser Uldrot, one of the most powerful sorcerers in the towers. I should have known you'd know more. You are right. That is what we do, but let me elaborate slightly. Only common-carded people can enter common portals, while uncommon-carded people can enter the uncommon portals. This goes up all the way to legendary, which is why we are on a time frame. We must enter the places beyond the portals, searching for cards while closing them before they grow too powerful."
That got a gasp from the other children while Clarish turned pale. Irwin saw that a few of the nobles were looking at each other with weary glances as if they wanted to say something.
Irwin had a pretty good idea of what that was. Xourdin made it sound like finding cards was a given, while he knew from his brother that sometimes only a single card was found in a portal. That meant if the party lost even a single person, it was a net loss.
"You know my grandfather?"
Clarish's soft whisper made Irwin look up.
Sorcerer Xourdin looked at Clarish, nodding softly. "Yes. When he knew I was coming here, he told me to bring you," he said, seeming unbothered by her interruption. When she said nothing else, he looked back at the others.
"Now. As you have probably heard, many common-carded people were lost in a stealth raid some weeks ago, and we are struggling to keep up. We need to get more people to clear the common portals before they grow out of hand completely," the Sorcerer said before frowning again.
"The day after you arrive, you will start drilling with the weapon masters while learning how to use your cards to kill the most common monsters and demons. Most likely, the best of you will enter your first true rift within a month. Now, something the instructors will tell you, but that you probably won't believe… The group you start with is very important. More so than you can even know right now. I am telling you this now so you can begin preparing! Make sure you pick people you trust over those you think are powerful. If you don't, you will probably not survive the first portal!"
Irwin felt his mind jitter all over the place as it tried to keep track of all the Sorcerer was telling them. How could they be expected to enter portals within a month? The rangers trained for a year before they were even allowed close enough to one.
"Right. Now, all of you, tell me how many cards you have. I know four of you have none yet. Don't worry about that. I have brought a few common cards," Xourdin said, causing everyone to sit up straight.
He pointed at a youth Irwin knew from the other part of the Rats District.
"You will start. Tell me the number of cards, their rank, and their type. Don't tell me the details, and never tell anyone. Cards that look alike can still have different effects, and sometimes it's better to keep your secrets close to your chest."
As if anyone besides the nobles has more than one card, Irwin thought.
"Desmond Telrin," the boy said, swallowing as he shook his head but stared at the Sorcerer with gleaming eyes. "I have no cards yet."
"Okay, stay behind after we finish, and I'll give you one. Next, you!"
Irwin barely heard the next children as he gazed at his hand in disbelief. Seriously, he could have had something else if he had just waited a day? The chances of the card being better than what he had were almost guaranteed!
Greldo poked him in the side, and he looked up to see Xourdin staring at him.
"Irwin Roddington, one card… common, utility," he said slowly, almost as if the words were dragged from him.
There was a surprised grunt when he said he had a card, followed by a burst of soft laughter when he continued.
Xourdin frowned, and for a moment, Irwin hoped he'd tell him to stay behind so he could get a second, combat-oriented card. Then the Sorcerer turned to the next person and pointed at Greldo. Irwin wilted, though he knew it'd have been too much to hope for. Cards were hard to come by, especially on this part of the peninsula.
"Greldo Domnyr, no cards," his friend said, sounding almost happy.
Time continued in a haze as Irwin dully listened. Even when a few of the nobles hesitantly said they had multiple uncommon cards, he wasn't able to get excited.
A few minutes later, all the children were done, and Xourdin looked at those who had none before turning to the rest. "Right. Now, go outside and see your parents. Say your goodbyes, but remember what I said. Don't make me come find you…"
The youths nodded before rushing out. Irwin listlessly followed the others through the hallways, trailing behind them and trying not to catch anyone's attention.
I wonder what those training portals are, he thought. Xourdin hadn't told them what was inside, but it had to be monsters… besides, how were they supposed to close them? Or weren't they?
"Clarish, can you tell us some more about those training portals?"
Endil, the smith's son, was looking at Clarish. His jaw was squared, and he seemed to expect an answer, projecting a sense of calm self-assurance Irwin usually only saw with the nobles. Then again, his father was the most renowned smith in town, and most folks did all they could to keep on his bad-tempered good side. The fact he had an uncommon card didn't help much either.
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Irwin perked up as he focused on the group ahead of him. He kept back, willing himself to be invisible and almost holding his breath as Clarish started talking. If someone saw him, they might chase him off before he could learn more.
"I don't know that much. Father told me some of Grandpa's stories, and most of them dealt with fighting monsters and finding the linchpin to close the portals. They are supposed to be similar to true portals."
"What's a linchpin?" Dalsin asked, stepping beside Endil.
She just said it's the thing that closes the portal, Irwin thought, holding back a derisive snort.
"It's the item keeping the portal open that you need to destroy, though sometimes it's a monster," Clarish said, now the center of attention but seeming unbothered. "Father said in most of the common portals, they resemble large, mutated beasts, like those from Gloomforest."
"Fantastic," Dalsin said with a sigh as he turned to Endil. "Let's go to your father and ask him for wooden weapons and armor. Our few cards won't be enough if we need to fight, and who knows if the sorcerers will actually give us anything."
Endil nodded, then turned to Clarish. "Come with us. I'm sure Father has some gear for you if you want."
Clarish smiled, and the room seemed to turn a little brighter for a moment.
Irwin stepped back in the shadows as the others moved away, listening to their slowly disappearing conversation. It all dealt with preparation, and he heard no talk about trying to hide. He wondered what their parents would think. His Mum always said that the nobles didn't take kindly to being told what to do.
When the group of youths disappeared around the corner, Irwin snuck into a nearby classroom. His mind was a mess, and it took him all of his effort to keep focusing on the first problem. Bast. He reached the window and looked out to see if Bast and his friends were waiting, only for his eyes to widen in surprise.
A host of people stood on the square, almost as many as on the previous Gelwin's eve. It took him only a few moments to spot his Mum and Bronwyn looking around anxiously. As soon as he saw Bronwyn, he felt a tiny bit of relief. Even if Bast was around, he'd not risk angering Bronwyn.
Irwin ran through the hallways before hesitating as he reached the exit. He snuck to the door and looked around.
There was a loud wailing and shouting from the different parents, and Irwin saw a few of the nobles glare at the building, seeming ready to storm inside and demand their children remain. Still, none moved, and Irwin wondered if any would actually dare. Even if some had two or three cards, or perhaps one of the higher nobles had four, none would be willing to anger Xourdin. Even if they could somehow handle him, the Sorcerer Towers would not take kindly to their transgression.
Seeing nothing troublesome, he dashed across the square to his mother, who immediately spotted him.
"There you are!"
Irwin slowed as he closed in on his Mum, her eyes red and a stink of Shril thick around her. He stopped in shock, staring at her, and only when he saw Bronwyn shake his head quickly and beckon him over did he snap his mouth shut and continue ahead. Before he could even think about asking her what had happened, she shocked him again when she wrapped him in her arms. The sharp stench of Shril almost made Irwin gag, but he held it back as he felt his Mum shiver. She barely ever showed her emotions in public, and even in their house, hugs were uncommon.
"My little boy is leaving," she whispered. "I'm so sorry, Irwin. If only Whyrdin were here, he'd know what to do."
Irwin froze at the mention of his father. He looked up, gaping at his mother. Something was definitely wrong. She'd never talked about his father, never as much as mentioning him. The only reason he even knew his name was because Bronwyn told him. His mother didn't seem to notice his shock, stroking his hair while tears flowed from her eyes as she stared at something only she could see.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright," she whispered.
As she continued muttering, Irwin felt himself grow uncomfortable. His mother barely ever drank, and when she did, it was one cup. Now, she was very obviously heavily doused. Should they bring her home?
Bronwyn was looking at the ground, tears dripping from his eyes as he shook his head. As if sensing Irwin's gaze, he looked up, quickly wiped the back of his hand across his eyes, and stepped forward.
"Come on, Mom, it's not good doing all this out in the open. Let's head home so Irwin can tell us what he's heard."
Irwin felt his mother slowly unwrap her arms, then step back, muttering something that he didn't catch. Then she grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Irwin didn't bother resisting. He was nowhere near strong enough. Instead, he let himself be dragged away alongside his brother.
His Mum kept rambling all the way to their tiny house. When they entered, she sat down, slumped on the table, and almost immediately began snoring softly.
"What happened?" Irwin asked stupidly, staring at her. She'd not even taken off her shoes!
"She is in pain, Irwin," Bronwyn said as he lifted two stools and put them opposite each other near the door, far from the table. Then he sat down and pointed at the stool.
"We heard some things from your classmates, but I want to hear it from you. Did that Sorcerer really select over half of the noble and crafter's children?"
Irwin sat down, nodding. "Yes, even Endil and Clarish!"
Bronwyn blinked. "Wow. No wonder the nobles looked ready to attack. I wonder how that Sorcerer thinks he's going to do this- he should know the nobles will just keep their children hidden until he leaves and-"
"He is one-from-full," Irwin said with wide eyes, still not believing he'd seen someone with five cards.
Bronwyn's mouth fell open, and it visibly took him a lot of effort to regain his calm. "By Gelwin's beard, that explains a lot… So what else did he say?"
Irwin began talking, then stopped when Bronwyn's eyes widened.
"What?" Irwin asked, confused.
"That's my line! When did you learn another language? What was that?" Bronwyn asked as he waved his hands.
"I'm not using another language!" Irwin said with a frown. "I just told you what Xourdin told us about the portals, and-"
His brother shook his head wearily. "He hexed you," Bronwyn said. "I don't know what he told you, but apparently, it's not supposed to be common knowledge."
Irwin had no idea what Bronwyn was talking about and sputtered something, but his brother just laughed.
"Don't bother. It's not going to work. I saw something like that a while ago when they captured a demon. Couldn't get him to tell us anything useful, no matter what they did to-" Bronwyn stopped talking and shook his head. "Never mind that. I've got another little present for you. It was supposed to be for Mom, but I'll get her some more next year…" he held out his hand, putting a few copper pieces into Irwin's hand.
Irwin fell back in his chair, clutching the coins, which were more than he'd ever held. Right. He probably wouldn't be here next year… or the year after. Sorcerers never came back until they had at least a full-hand.
Probably because they can't enter the common and uncommon rifts anymore by then, he thought.
His mind kept spinning, and he barely heard all the things his brother said. Only when it was quiet for a few minutes did he realize Bronwyn was staring at him, and he focused again.
"What?"
"I asked you if there's anything I can do for you," Bronwyn said with a weary smile. "And put those away before you lose them," he added, pointing at the coins still clutched in Irwin's hand.
Irwin blinked, then stuffed the coins into his pocket.
"Thanks," he said lamely, unsure what to say, then remembering the question.
He tried to come up with something. He almost asked for a card but then shook his head. His brother had none to give. Besides, now that he had one card, he couldn't just slot any random thing anymore. If it didn't resonate with his first card, it would be rejected by his body. He at least knew that much. As his Mum's soft snoring continued, he looked at her and smiled.
"Just look after mum," he said, trying to sound tough but unable to stop his voice from cracking up. "... Who… who is going to take care of her if we are both gone?" he asked.
"She doesn't need anyone to take care of her," Bronwyn said with a shake of his hand. "She's got more cards than I do."
Irwin sighed. Although Bronwyn was right, it was also not as simple as that. He absently stared at his mother's hand. The first card outline was that of a broom or something that resembled it. Beside it was the middle one, which looked like a tiny pile of dust, while the third and final showed a faint, slightly skeletal hand. He knew them all like the back of his own hand: utility cards, the lot of them, and so faint she didn’t even bother covering them. Still, with three, it made his mother somewhat special. If they hadn’t all been as common as commons got, she’d have been able to find a great job.
A dull gong came from outside, signaling the start of dusk, and Irwin looked up in surprise. "It can't be that late!"
"We talked for a long time. Well, I did," Bronwyn said with a mocking smile. "I think you were sleeping on your chair!"
"No, I wasn't. I was just thinking," Irwin grunted before his body betrayed him by yawning. As he looked at his hands, he realized he was very tired.
"You should go and sleep, maybe practice your card a bit," Bronwyn said. "You know, I thought about that. I know it seems weak, but having fire whenever you need it can be a massive benefit. Try and get a body-enhancing card for your next card. They usually mesh well with anything. Also, learn how to wield a bow. You could light your own arrows on fire."
Irwin stared at his brother, then looked at his card with a sudden renewed interest. That wasn't even such a bad idea.
"Also, there are some solid fire-based cards that most people can't slot because they don't mesh well with most other cards. You might have an easier time trading in the towers if you focus on that," Bronwyn continued. "Besides, there's more cards there than out here."
Irwin nodded, surprised at how much sense Bronwyn was making. How had he not thought of that? It took him only a few moments to remember why he hadn't.
"As long as I can stay alive," he said softly.
"Yes," Bronwyn said as he got up and pulled Irwin into a solid embrace. "You will survive," he hissed, seeming to want to make it so simply by force of will.
"I'll try," Irwin said.
A few minutes later, he was lying on his cot, staring at the ceiling. Suppressing another yawn, he briefly debated whether to fall asleep and practice tomorrow. Then he shook his head. Bronwyn had been right.
He shouldn't just write off his card!
He pushed himself up and looked at his hand. Perhaps he could use it to become a scout. Bronwyn had spoken about those types of rangers and how they had cards that allowed them to see in the dark. Having a light at hand was almost as good, right? Still, the idea of wielding a bow seemed far-fetched.
Raising his arm and staring at his bone-thin arm, he knew he'd need a body-improvement card focused on strength to even draw one.
No, he needed to find out what the card could do so he could decide on the feature.
Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed his mind and focused on the card. The sensation of that morning returned, the card almost seeming like a muscle and a balloon at the same time. With some focus, he squeezed the card when an idea popped into his head, shattering his concentration.
It's like a bladder, he thought with a grin.
It took him a few moments to regain his focus, and then the sparks appeared again until he pushed harder. When the tiny flame erupted above his finger, he felt the warmth. Wondering how long he could hold it, he kept the flame up, staring at it. It flickered softly, swaying left and right…
Left and right…
Left and-
...
...
"Irwin?"
Irwin shuddered as he looked up, gasping for breath as the flame on his finger whisked away. He was drenched in sweat while his mother stared at him from the doorway. She was waving cool air into her face as she did in the summer, staring at a spot to his side with wide eyes while blinking. Her silhouette was slightly red in the shadowy darkness, which was odd.
It had to be pretty late, almost evening if it was this dark. How long had he sat? Two hours?
"You didn't have to dismiss it right away! Now I can't see anything," she hissed, angrily waving her hand about. "Put that flame on for a moment so I can light the candles- better yet, you come and help me!"
Irwin didn't move, staring at his mother, who was reaching for the door frame before slowly stepping back into the room. How could he see her? Was it the card? But that made no sense! Common cards gave no passive physical benefits like these.
"Irwin, stop sleeping and come help me! I've got something for you!"
Irwin jolted, got up, and quickly and effortlessly stepped forward, around his mother and towards the table. A few half-burned-through candles stood there, and he focused on his card. The flame appeared instantly, with barely any sparks, and he quickly lit the candles. Then he turned to his mother, who was looking at him thankfully.
Irwin managed a smile, but all he could think about was that he was able to see in the dark. He quickly walked to the tiny window in the far wall, usually bolted shut. There was a tiny gap in the bottom, and he leaned forward, glancing through it. A few stars sparkled in the sky, not enough to give off much light, but to him, the world outside was a mixture of gray and red, as if the setting sun's final rays still illuminated the world.
I can see in the dark! Irwin thought as a big grin tucked the corners of his mouth up. It's not a normal common!