I Light Up a Room

[00:00:01] Artifacts of the Arcane, by Jake Kerr Season 1, The Staff of Light

[00:00:13] Episode 9, I Light Up a Room.

[00:00:19] The front door opened and Mr. Ali came through with a tall, thin man.

[00:00:24] He looked on edge.

[00:00:26] His eyes darted around the room and his steps were short and jerky.

[00:00:30] I recognized him as one of the engineers due to his uniform, but I remembered him most

[00:00:36] as one of the men who was firing machine guns at the gin as we made our escape to the train.

[00:00:41] His skin was taut on his face, and as he smiled a toothy smile, he looked almost skeletal.

[00:00:48] Hello, passengers.

[00:00:50] I'm Frank Wilcox, your engineer.

[00:00:52] Welcome to King's Cross Station.

[00:00:54] He spoke in clipped sentences, which only underscored the impression of nervousness he exuded.

[00:01:00] He spread his arms out and nodded toward each window.

[00:01:04] This was an unscheduled stop.

[00:01:07] You must depart immediately.

[00:01:09] Jeremiah and I were glad to be of help, but we cannot dawdle.

[00:01:14] You will be safe here.

[00:01:16] There are friends waiting for you.

[00:01:17] He smiled his parchment smile and then motioned to the front with his arm.

[00:01:22] Off you go.

[00:01:23] As I passed him, he grabbed my arm and leaned close to my face.

[00:01:28] I cringed, but he only whispered,

[00:01:31] It was an absolute honor having you on my train.

[00:01:37] He then loosened his death grip and looked away before I could respond.

[00:01:42] I walked into the front of the train and saw the engineer Mr. Wilcox called Jeremiah,

[00:01:47] leaning against a complex array of switches and levers.

[00:01:51] I thanked him as I passed.

[00:01:53] He didn't say anything, just smiled and tapped his forehead with a finger.

[00:01:57] I followed Mr. Ali, who led us down the steep train steps to the platform.

[00:02:03] We were about ten feet onto the platform when I turned to wait for Naomi to exit.

[00:02:08] I was immediately distracted by the train, however.

[00:02:11] What was a shiny and a new sleek passenger train in the dusty foothills

[00:02:16] was now an old beaten up English steam train.

[00:02:19] I looked up and down and couldn't see a hint of the train I boarded.

[00:02:24] Mr. Ali noticed my wandering eye and whispered in my ear,

[00:02:28] It is an illusion spell.

[00:02:30] The train itself doesn't change, but how we perceive it does.

[00:02:35] I nodded and whispered to Mr. Ali over my shoulder,

[00:02:39] The whole train seems magic.

[00:02:41] It not only travels incredibly fast,

[00:02:44] that small engine car has that magical room inside.

[00:02:48] Mr. Ali looked around and then smiled.

[00:02:51] Patting me on the shoulder, he whispered,

[00:02:53] That is just further illusion.

[00:02:56] We cannot use magic to create space where it doesn't exist,

[00:03:00] or to create room where there is none.

[00:03:02] The engine car is actually quite long and has multiple rooms,

[00:03:06] but the illusion that emanates and is shaped from the source in the engine

[00:03:11] makes it look like a standard train.

[00:03:13] I nodded and looked down the train.

[00:03:15] What other secrets did the train hold that I could not see due to illusion?

[00:03:21] For that matter, what secrets did the world hold that were hidden from my view?

[00:03:26] I thought of the Persian garden, which I saw as a restaurant,

[00:03:30] but which was a magical fortress.

[00:03:32] That illusion worked, and there wasn't even magic involved.

[00:03:36] I followed Mr. Ali as he turned toward the station,

[00:03:40] swearing to myself that I would work extra hard

[00:03:43] to see if the true nature of other things was being hidden from me.

[00:03:47] Random people walked to and fro on the various platforms,

[00:03:51] while others stood waiting.

[00:03:53] There were other trains, all similar to the one we came in on.

[00:03:57] Mr. Ali paused, looking at something near the large archway exit,

[00:04:01] and then said,

[00:04:03] Very good.

[00:04:03] He understands the gravity of our situation.

[00:04:07] Who does?

[00:04:08] Cain.

[00:04:09] He is a powerful magician here in England.

[00:04:12] He sent three masters to meet us.

[00:04:15] Before I could ask anything else,

[00:04:17] Mr. Ali added,

[00:04:19] Don't say anything from here on out, Tommy.

[00:04:22] You'll learn everything soon enough.

[00:04:24] We approached three men who were dressed identically.

[00:04:28] They wore black suits with black bowler hats.

[00:04:31] Each of them had a large walking stick in their right hand,

[00:04:34] and stood as still as statues.

[00:04:37] Despite Mr. Ali's warning,

[00:04:39] I couldn't help myself and blurted to the two on the right,

[00:04:43] You are Persian!

[00:04:44] They reminded me of the kind staff of the Persian garden,

[00:04:48] and I felt immediately at ease.

[00:04:50] The two masters didn't say anything.

[00:04:52] They just stood still and looked at us.

[00:04:55] Mr. Ali leaned down and whispered,

[00:04:58] Yes, Tommy.

[00:05:00] Magic was born in my homeland,

[00:05:02] and it is the home of the most powerful magicians.

[00:05:06] I was disappointed that they didn't share the jovial nature of Mr. Oz or Mr. Ali.

[00:05:12] I guess I expected all Persian people to be jolly

[00:05:15] and act like those I knew from the Persian garden.

[00:05:18] But of course, that was silly.

[00:05:20] The masters looked stern and serious,

[00:05:23] like undertakers waiting for some poor souls

[00:05:25] who were being transported in their coffins via the train.

[00:05:29] They didn't look evil,

[00:05:31] but there was a coldness about them.

[00:05:33] The English one on the left pulled a watch from his pocket,

[00:05:37] and I noted that they all had similar accouterments

[00:05:40] with pocket watch chains and shiny silvery buttons.

[00:05:43] The one who looked at his watch spoke up.

[00:05:47] You made very good time.

[00:05:49] Mr. Ali bowed.

[00:05:50] We did indeed, Richard.

[00:05:52] I am glad you came.

[00:05:53] As strange things are afoot.

[00:05:56] Have you searched the station?

[00:05:57] The one Mr. Ali called Richard,

[00:06:00] ignored his question,

[00:06:01] and looked at me.

[00:06:02] I recognize the staff,

[00:06:04] so this must be the new archmage.

[00:06:06] But who is this other?

[00:06:06] We were not informed that there would be more than you and the boy.

[00:06:10] Before Mr. Ali could say anything,

[00:06:13] Naomi stepped forward.

[00:06:15] I'm Naomi Bergeron.

[00:06:17] I'm a magician.

[00:06:18] Mr. Ali's eyes opened wide,

[00:06:20] and I got the impression that he was not only surprised

[00:06:24] that Naomi was there,

[00:06:25] but that her stated reason was unexpected

[00:06:28] and not very welcome.

[00:06:30] You brought a domestic mage for the trip, Ali.

[00:06:32] The man smiled for the first time.

[00:06:35] Domestic mage?

[00:06:37] Naomi started to move her hands.

[00:06:40] Richard and and the other two mages raised their hands

[00:06:43] and lowered their body slightly to a crouch.

[00:06:46] Stop this foolishness.

[00:06:49] She was to return with the train.

[00:06:51] I'm not sure why she's here,

[00:06:53] but we will make arrangements.

[00:06:56] Naomi took two brisk steps forward

[00:06:58] and looked up at all three of the masters.

[00:07:00] I am here to avenge my mother.

[00:07:03] Tell me where I can find Jin.

[00:07:05] That is the only arrangement you need to make.

[00:07:08] Her face was fierce,

[00:07:10] but her voice was in complete control and measured.

[00:07:14] Mr. Ali looked mortified

[00:07:16] while all three masters looked down at Naomi in silence.

[00:07:20] I didn't know what was going to be said next,

[00:07:22] but I was horribly afraid that they would send Naomi away.

[00:07:25] So I spoke up.

[00:07:27] I am the archmage,

[00:07:28] and she is with me.

[00:07:31] I tried to speak in a firm voice,

[00:07:33] but the response indicated that I did anything but.

[00:07:36] All three masters,

[00:07:38] even the two stone-faced ones,

[00:07:40] burst out in laughter.

[00:07:41] One of the formerly quiet masters spoke up.

[00:07:44] Let the boy bring his girlfriend.

[00:07:46] It makes no difference to us.

[00:07:49] I was about to object,

[00:07:50] and I heard Naomi stammer,

[00:07:52] but Ali's voice again boomed out.

[00:07:55] Enough.

[00:07:56] You will not speak this way to the archmage.

[00:07:58] I may not be a master,

[00:08:00] but I am a lord of Persepolis.

[00:08:03] The demeanor of the men in the black suits immediately changed.

[00:08:08] The one named Richard bowed his head and replied,

[00:08:10] Of course,

[00:08:11] Ali.

[00:08:11] We mean no disrespect.

[00:08:13] The youthful enthusiasm of the archmage is refreshing.

[00:08:16] I glanced over my shoulder at Naomi.

[00:08:19] She was oblivious to the conversation,

[00:08:22] staring at me.

[00:08:23] Our eyes met,

[00:08:25] but she didn't react at all.

[00:08:26] I wish I could have read her mind at that moment,

[00:08:29] but her thoughts were a mystery to me.

[00:08:32] Mr. Ali relaxed a bit and stated,

[00:08:34] We should go.

[00:08:35] The master on the right nodded,

[00:08:37] and all three of the men in dark suits turned

[00:08:40] and started through the arch toward the exit.

[00:08:43] Mr. Ali walked behind the three of them,

[00:08:46] with me next to him.

[00:08:48] Naomi tagged along behind,

[00:08:50] and I kept looking back to make sure she was still with us.

[00:08:53] I seemed to be the only one who cared.

[00:08:56] We were in the middle of the station

[00:08:58] when Mr. Ali stopped and said,

[00:09:00] Something is wrong.

[00:09:01] Immediately, the three masters fell back around us.

[00:09:05] I had become familiar enough with magic by now

[00:09:08] to know that all three were doing something magical.

[00:09:11] I had seen magic done before,

[00:09:14] but this was something else.

[00:09:15] The master next to me

[00:09:17] was moving his arms and hands so quickly

[00:09:20] I could barely see his fingers.

[00:09:22] While the movements were purely physical,

[00:09:24] the fluidity and speed looked otherworldly.

[00:09:28] It reminded me of Naomi in the train station.

[00:09:31] Jin are here.

[00:09:33] Mr. Ali nodded and slid his knife out of its sheath.

[00:09:36] I looked around and noticed that the people in the building

[00:09:39] were quickly leaving.

[00:09:40] Some had left belongings behind.

[00:09:43] This works for me.

[00:09:45] Naomi muttered.

[00:09:47] She was bouncing on the balls of her feet

[00:09:49] and stretching her fingers.

[00:09:50] A smile on her face.

[00:09:52] One of the Persian masters stretched his fingers.

[00:09:55] Speaking to us, he said,

[00:09:57] I will shield us.

[00:09:59] It is foolish for them to send Jin,

[00:10:01] but that fact alone worries me.

[00:10:04] He began mumbling to himself

[00:10:06] while he performed the shield spell.

[00:10:08] Mr. Ali sheathed his knife

[00:10:10] and knelt down, facing me.

[00:10:12] Tommy, Jin are mighty creatures, as you've seen,

[00:10:15] but an army of them are no match for three masters.

[00:10:19] This is a very open,

[00:10:20] so it is more difficult than defending a single door.

[00:10:23] But please don't be afraid.

[00:10:25] You are safe.

[00:10:27] And with that, Jin swarmed into the building.

[00:10:30] They came in from every direction,

[00:10:32] and I couldn't possibly see how we would survive.

[00:10:35] It was one thing to defend a door,

[00:10:38] as Mr. Ali had said,

[00:10:39] and it was another thing to defend a swath of land

[00:10:42] between a building and a train with two machine guns.

[00:10:46] But this was a huge chamber,

[00:10:47] and we were being assaulted from all sides.

[00:10:50] While one master continued to create a shield,

[00:10:52] the other two stood quietly,

[00:10:55] crouched down,

[00:10:55] their hands still,

[00:10:57] and extended in front of them.

[00:10:59] The Jin flooded in,

[00:11:00] yet approached attentively.

[00:11:02] I could see claws extended toward us

[00:11:04] as a group approached on the ground.

[00:11:07] Others took to the air and flew around us,

[00:11:10] keeping their distance.

[00:11:11] There was a flash of fire,

[00:11:12] and in the distance,

[00:11:14] a Jin disappeared in a puff of air.

[00:11:16] Naomi turned to me.

[00:11:17] Warning shots are so much more effective

[00:11:20] when you kill something with them.

[00:11:21] She winked,

[00:11:22] and I caught my breath.

[00:11:24] She was beautiful,

[00:11:26] but grim.

[00:11:27] Her attitude reminded me of Grandfather,

[00:11:29] his wild hair framing a terrible smile

[00:11:32] as he destroyed creature after creature.

[00:11:35] Richard turned and scowled at Naomi.

[00:11:38] Be patient.

[00:11:39] Simon's illusion may be enough.

[00:11:41] Mr. Ali put his hand on Naomi's shoulder

[00:11:44] and whispered,

[00:11:45] Simon has created an illusion

[00:11:47] that may frighten off the Jin.

[00:11:48] She rolled her eyes,

[00:11:50] but didn't object.

[00:11:51] The Jin approached,

[00:11:53] but they seemed cautious

[00:11:54] and even frightened.

[00:11:56] I looked again at the Masters.

[00:11:58] The unnamed Master's shield

[00:12:00] was unlike the one that Naomi created

[00:12:02] and visibly glowed around us.

[00:12:05] It also didn't muffle the sound.

[00:12:07] He continued his magical movements,

[00:12:09] while the Master that was named Simon,

[00:12:11] presumably,

[00:12:12] was maintaining an illusion.

[00:12:14] The Master named Richard stood at the ready.

[00:12:17] The illusion failed as a horrendous screech

[00:12:21] filled the now empty chamber.

[00:12:22] Another joined in,

[00:12:24] and like that,

[00:12:25] the Jin attacked.

[00:12:26] I suddenly realized part of the danger of Jin.

[00:12:30] Their voices.

[00:12:31] In a closed chamber full of them,

[00:12:33] the volume and harshness of their screams

[00:12:36] was painful.

[00:12:37] I covered my ears with both of my hands

[00:12:39] as I watched the three Masters at work.

[00:12:42] Master Richard finally jumped into action,

[00:12:45] and it was extraordinary how fast he moved.

[00:12:48] He was casting the same spell that Naomi cast,

[00:12:51] but at a much higher speed

[00:12:53] and with a wider effect.

[00:12:55] Each detonation took out three or four Jin.

[00:12:58] He would unleash a spell,

[00:12:59] and I felt a slight breeze through my hair.

[00:13:02] It would project out like a ripple in a pond,

[00:13:05] and every Jin it hit

[00:13:07] would disappear in the vacuum of air I learned

[00:13:09] meant that they had been destroyed.

[00:13:11] Three of the spells in succession

[00:13:13] cleared whole sections of approaching Jin.

[00:13:16] I felt a whoosh from behind me,

[00:13:18] and I turned to see Naomi launch spells at Jin

[00:13:21] approaching from behind.

[00:13:22] The three Masters all turned

[00:13:25] and looked back at Naomi,

[00:13:26] shock on their faces.

[00:13:28] The shield spell was clearly powerful,

[00:13:31] as the Jin could not get closer

[00:13:33] than its iridescent shine

[00:13:34] about twenty yards beyond us.

[00:13:37] They clawed and bit at the shield,

[00:13:39] but it held.

[00:13:41] Meanwhile,

[00:13:42] the unnamed master and Naomi decimated them.

[00:13:44] As long as the shield spell held,

[00:13:47] I couldn't see how the Jin had a prayer

[00:13:49] of doing anything other than dying.

[00:13:52] Mr. Ali glanced at me

[00:13:54] and then placed his mouth next to my ear

[00:13:56] and spoke through the wails.

[00:13:58] Remember this, Tommy.

[00:13:59] The power you are seeing here

[00:14:01] is trivial compared to the might

[00:14:03] of your grandfather

[00:14:04] when he wielded the staff.

[00:14:07] He nodded toward the staff

[00:14:09] I held in my hand against my head

[00:14:10] as I covered my ears.

[00:14:12] I certainly didn't feel mighty at that moment.

[00:14:15] Naomi continued to relentlessly attack Jin.

[00:14:19] As far as I could tell,

[00:14:20] she was doing more than the illusionist master,

[00:14:23] who was looking around the room

[00:14:24] but not casting spells.

[00:14:26] I forgot about the danger,

[00:14:28] the screams in my ears,

[00:14:29] the teeth and claws.

[00:14:31] I forgot about everything but Naomi.

[00:14:34] She spun around,

[00:14:35] moving with a devastating grace,

[00:14:37] her hair flowing out

[00:14:39] as if she were dancing

[00:14:40] at the Savoy ballroom.

[00:14:42] She glanced at me

[00:14:43] and I turned away,

[00:14:45] embarrassed.

[00:14:46] The attacks must have had an effect

[00:14:48] because the room wasn't as full

[00:14:49] as it was before.

[00:14:51] More Jin were flying, however.

[00:14:53] I couldn't understand

[00:14:54] what they had in mind

[00:14:55] as they didn't attack

[00:14:56] and the detonations

[00:14:57] eventually destroyed them.

[00:14:59] There was a screech

[00:15:01] that sounded like otherworldly joy.

[00:15:03] This was followed

[00:15:04] by the sound of a huge chandelier

[00:15:06] that crashed to the floor

[00:15:07] about 20 yards from us.

[00:15:10] Several Jin had loosened it

[00:15:11] from the ceiling

[00:15:12] and dropped it to the ground.

[00:15:14] I couldn't understand their goal, however.

[00:15:17] The glass didn't block any exits

[00:15:19] and it wasn't close enough

[00:15:20] to hurt us as it fell.

[00:15:22] It did achieve one effect, however.

[00:15:23] It led to the Jin fleeing the room.

[00:15:26] After the painful screams,

[00:15:28] the silence was somehow

[00:15:30] even more ominous.

[00:15:32] I couldn't hear any Jin nearby,

[00:15:34] either by the scratching

[00:15:35] of their claws

[00:15:36] or their screaming.

[00:15:37] The masters stood at the ready,

[00:15:39] their bodies not moving,

[00:15:41] but their heads

[00:15:41] scanning the chamber.

[00:15:43] Mr. Ali grabbed my shoulder

[00:15:45] and as I looked up at him,

[00:15:47] he closed his eyes tight

[00:15:49] and put his thumb

[00:15:50] and forefinger

[00:15:51] to the bridge of his nose.

[00:15:53] I was about to ask him

[00:15:54] what was wrong

[00:15:55] when his eyes shot open

[00:15:56] and he exclaimed,

[00:15:58] Shadows approach!

[00:15:59] The master stood upright

[00:16:01] and all three reached

[00:16:02] into their suits

[00:16:03] and pulled out flashlights

[00:16:04] like I had never seen before.

[00:16:06] They were cylindrical

[00:16:07] and much smaller

[00:16:08] than the boxy flashlights

[00:16:10] I was used to.

[00:16:11] They still had a large light

[00:16:12] at the end, however.

[00:16:14] They flipped switches

[00:16:14] and the ends glowed yellow.

[00:16:16] They approach

[00:16:18] from their corners.

[00:16:19] Everyone form

[00:16:20] a tight group.

[00:16:22] The masters

[00:16:22] can defend us

[00:16:24] with their light.

[00:16:25] I looked out

[00:16:26] and the memory

[00:16:27] of the encounter

[00:16:28] in the alley

[00:16:29] filled me

[00:16:29] with a paralyzing dread.

[00:16:31] From the distance,

[00:16:33] black flowed toward us

[00:16:34] like spilled oil.

[00:16:35] I took a step closer

[00:16:37] to Mr. Ali.

[00:16:38] Naomi backed up

[00:16:39] to us as well.

[00:16:40] She looked terrified.

[00:16:42] We stood together,

[00:16:43] the masters

[00:16:44] surrounding us,

[00:16:46] moving

[00:16:47] on the balls

[00:16:48] of their feet

[00:16:48] and swinging

[00:16:49] their arms around,

[00:16:51] sending light out

[00:16:52] in one direction

[00:16:53] after another.

[00:16:54] They had given up

[00:16:55] any pretense of magic

[00:16:56] and were simply

[00:16:57] waving the flashlights

[00:16:58] around to cover

[00:16:59] as much ground

[00:17:00] as possible.

[00:17:01] It was a hopeless task.

[00:17:03] The masters

[00:17:04] could swing

[00:17:05] their light around,

[00:17:06] but there was

[00:17:06] too much open space.

[00:17:08] The shadows

[00:17:09] seemed to be

[00:17:09] biding their time,

[00:17:11] testing our defenses.

[00:17:12] They would flow in

[00:17:13] and then out

[00:17:14] as the masters' lights

[00:17:15] would swoop toward them.

[00:17:17] By now,

[00:17:18] the entire room

[00:17:19] was oozing black

[00:17:20] along the walls,

[00:17:22] the floor,

[00:17:22] and even up the walls.

[00:17:25] In fact,

[00:17:26] I was the only one

[00:17:27] that noticed

[00:17:27] that the shadows

[00:17:28] were flowing

[00:17:29] along the ceiling.

[00:17:30] I had remembered

[00:17:31] how they had congealed up

[00:17:32] into stalagmites

[00:17:33] in the alley.

[00:17:34] Now shadows

[00:17:35] started to slowly

[00:17:36] flow down

[00:17:37] from the ceiling

[00:17:37] toward us,

[00:17:38] like stalactites

[00:17:39] above our heads.

[00:17:40] I stammered out

[00:17:42] a,

[00:17:42] look up,

[00:17:43] but the masters

[00:17:43] ignored me

[00:17:44] as they darted

[00:17:45] their lights

[00:17:45] around the room,

[00:17:47] desperately trying

[00:17:47] to stop the flow

[00:17:48] of black toward us.

[00:17:50] As much as I missed

[00:17:51] my mom and dad,

[00:17:52] I really wanted

[00:17:53] my grandfather.

[00:17:54] He had faced down

[00:17:56] the shadows once before

[00:17:57] with such cleverness

[00:17:58] and agility.

[00:18:00] He was the mightiest

[00:18:01] archmage ever.

[00:18:03] He could save us.

[00:18:04] Naomi was smiling

[00:18:05] as she looked

[00:18:06] directly at me,

[00:18:07] her eyes glinting

[00:18:08] in the ambient light

[00:18:09] of the moving

[00:18:10] flashlights.

[00:18:11] We need a

[00:18:12] streetlight.

[00:18:14] She emphasized

[00:18:15] the word streetlight,

[00:18:16] and just as I was

[00:18:17] feeling thoroughly

[00:18:18] useless in her eyes,

[00:18:19] I finally understood.

[00:18:21] I stood up

[00:18:22] and grasped the staff

[00:18:24] with a sure hand.

[00:18:25] I was still

[00:18:26] but a novice

[00:18:27] in understanding

[00:18:28] the complexities

[00:18:29] of the staff.

[00:18:30] But this,

[00:18:31] the language of light,

[00:18:32] I was fluent in.

[00:18:33] I took one look around.

[00:18:35] The masters

[00:18:36] were frantic,

[00:18:37] swinging their arms

[00:18:38] wildly,

[00:18:39] trying to get the light

[00:18:40] to cover more ground

[00:18:41] than was possible.

[00:18:43] The entire room

[00:18:44] was black as pitch,

[00:18:45] and the ceiling

[00:18:46] looked like it was

[00:18:47] oozing black paint,

[00:18:48] which was slowly

[00:18:49] dripping down upon us.

[00:18:51] Mr. Ali had felt me

[00:18:53] pull away from him,

[00:18:54] but he immediately knew

[00:18:55] what I had planned

[00:18:56] the moment he saw me

[00:18:57] extend the staff

[00:18:58] upward like a beacon.

[00:19:00] Of course.

[00:19:01] What a fool I have been.

[00:19:02] Tommy,

[00:19:03] you can use the light

[00:19:04] that lit our way

[00:19:04] to keep the shadows

[00:19:05] at bay.

[00:19:06] Then we can make

[00:19:07] our way out

[00:19:08] to safety.

[00:19:09] I closed my eyes,

[00:19:11] and all the frustration

[00:19:13] from Mr. Ali

[00:19:13] trying to train me

[00:19:15] in the staff

[00:19:15] fell away.

[00:19:17] I was one with the magic

[00:19:18] coursing inside it.

[00:19:20] I called forth light,

[00:19:22] pure and bright

[00:19:23] as the sun.

[00:19:24] It was so clear

[00:19:25] and so simple.

[00:19:26] I smiled,

[00:19:27] and without a word

[00:19:28] or motion,

[00:19:29] I made it so.

[00:19:30] It was almost as if

[00:19:32] the staff knew

[00:19:32] I was eradicating shadows

[00:19:34] and delivered

[00:19:35] a different light

[00:19:36] than the one

[00:19:37] I had used

[00:19:37] to blind the gin

[00:19:39] back in the way station.

[00:19:40] From the top

[00:19:41] of the staff,

[00:19:42] a pure light

[00:19:43] filled the entire room.

[00:19:46] Every crevice,

[00:19:47] every crack,

[00:19:48] every corner.

[00:19:50] If it was the light

[00:19:51] from any other source,

[00:19:52] we all would have

[00:19:53] been blinded,

[00:19:54] but it didn't

[00:19:55] affect us.

[00:19:56] One moment,

[00:19:57] the shadows filled

[00:19:57] the enormous room,

[00:19:59] seconds from destroying us,

[00:20:00] and the next,

[00:20:02] they were utterly gone.

[00:20:03] I returned the light

[00:20:05] to the normal beacon

[00:20:06] that led Mr. Ali

[00:20:07] and me on the staircase,

[00:20:09] the river,

[00:20:10] and the mine.

[00:20:11] Not bad,

[00:20:12] Streetlight,

[00:20:13] Naomi said,

[00:20:14] but she turned away

[00:20:15] before I could smile at her.

[00:20:17] Mr. Ali slapped me

[00:20:18] on the back

[00:20:19] and shouted,

[00:20:20] All hail the Archmage!

[00:20:22] The masters stared at me,

[00:20:24] their mouths wide open.

[00:20:26] Richard then spoke,

[00:20:27] We can't dawdle.

[00:20:29] This was an attack

[00:20:29] meant to destroy

[00:20:30] any possible defenses

[00:20:31] we had.

[00:20:32] We can't afford

[00:20:33] to enjoy our luck.

[00:20:34] We need to get

[00:20:34] to the Citadel immediately.

[00:20:36] He reached down,

[00:20:37] picked up his walking stick,

[00:20:39] straightened the bowler

[00:20:40] on his head,

[00:20:41] and strode briskly

[00:20:42] toward the exit,

[00:20:43] the other two falling

[00:20:44] in step behind him.

[00:20:46] I heard Mr. Ali

[00:20:47] mumbling about luck,

[00:20:49] but he didn't argue.

[00:20:50] We fell in behind

[00:20:51] the masters

[00:20:52] as they led us onward.

[00:20:54] Masses of people

[00:20:55] were gathered outside

[00:20:56] as we exited.

[00:20:57] Several of them

[00:20:58] pointed to us

[00:20:59] and shook their head.

[00:21:00] Some had hands

[00:21:02] over their mouths

[00:21:02] in shock.

[00:21:04] All of them

[00:21:05] appeared concerned

[00:21:06] about what had

[00:21:06] happened inside.

[00:21:08] As we passed

[00:21:09] one group,

[00:21:09] I heard someone say,

[00:21:11] How did they survive

[00:21:12] the gas leak?

[00:21:13] They say it still

[00:21:14] isn't safe to enter.

[00:21:16] The masters

[00:21:17] arranged themselves

[00:21:18] around us.

[00:21:18] They handed their

[00:21:19] walking sticks

[00:21:20] to Mr. Ali,

[00:21:21] who took them

[00:21:22] without complaint.

[00:21:23] As we walked forward,

[00:21:24] I watched

[00:21:25] as they stretched

[00:21:26] their hands

[00:21:27] and scanned

[00:21:28] the ground

[00:21:28] and skies.

[00:21:29] I clenched the staff

[00:21:31] and looked for shadows,

[00:21:32] prepared to pierce

[00:21:33] them with light.

[00:21:34] Naomi walked

[00:21:35] next to me,

[00:21:36] flexing

[00:21:37] and unflexing

[00:21:38] her fingers.

[00:21:39] I turned back

[00:21:40] to Mr. Ali.

[00:21:41] Where are we going?

[00:21:42] They called it

[00:21:43] a citadel.

[00:21:44] Isn't that like

[00:21:45] a castle?

[00:21:46] A citadel is a fortress

[00:21:47] that guards a city.

[00:21:49] We are going to

[00:21:49] the Citadel of London.

[00:21:51] It is one of the

[00:21:52] greatest fortresses

[00:21:53] in the world,

[00:21:54] although few even

[00:21:55] know it exists.

[00:21:57] We reached a limousine.

[00:21:59] A stranger stood

[00:22:00] guarding the open doors.

[00:22:01] He bowed his head

[00:22:03] as I approached

[00:22:03] and swung his arm

[00:22:04] toward the open door.

[00:22:06] Everyone stood still,

[00:22:08] waiting for me

[00:22:08] to get in.

[00:22:09] I felt awkward,

[00:22:10] as these were my friends

[00:22:11] and I didn't think

[00:22:12] it appropriate

[00:22:13] that I was receiving

[00:22:14] special treatment.

[00:22:15] Still,

[00:22:16] I entered the car

[00:22:17] and slid along

[00:22:18] a huge seat

[00:22:19] to the opposite end.

[00:22:20] This was obviously

[00:22:22] another illusion.

[00:22:23] The black limousine

[00:22:25] was probably

[00:22:25] the size of a bus

[00:22:27] and as we all

[00:22:28] gathered inside,

[00:22:29] there was plenty

[00:22:30] of room for more people.

[00:22:31] The moment

[00:22:32] everyone was still,

[00:22:34] Mr. Ali turned

[00:22:35] to the master,

[00:22:36] named Simon.

[00:22:37] That was a stunning

[00:22:38] illusion,

[00:22:38] Simon.

[00:22:39] The master

[00:22:40] looked annoyed.

[00:22:41] You noticed that?

[00:22:43] Yes,

[00:22:44] but it was some

[00:22:44] of the most complex

[00:22:45] magic I've ever seen

[00:22:46] and you did it

[00:22:47] while walking.

[00:22:48] Even your gait

[00:22:49] seemed normal.

[00:22:51] The master grunted,

[00:22:53] Not normal enough,

[00:22:54] apparently.

[00:22:55] What illusion?

[00:22:57] Ha ha ha ha ha!

[00:22:58] Now that's what

[00:22:59] I was looking for.

[00:23:01] Mr. Simon here

[00:23:02] created multiple illusions

[00:23:03] of us leaving

[00:23:04] the station.

[00:23:05] Someone looking

[00:23:06] for us

[00:23:07] would have had

[00:23:07] a hard time

[00:23:08] choosing which group

[00:23:09] was the real one

[00:23:10] or even knowing

[00:23:11] there was

[00:23:11] an illusion at all.

[00:23:13] That alone

[00:23:14] is extraordinary,

[00:23:15] but he also excluded

[00:23:16] us from the illusion,

[00:23:17] which is something

[00:23:18] very few magicians

[00:23:20] can do.

[00:23:21] Parlor tricks.

[00:23:22] Naomi scoffed.

[00:23:23] She was sitting

[00:23:24] across from me.

[00:23:25] Her legs were

[00:23:26] stretched out

[00:23:26] in front of her,

[00:23:27] crossed at the ankles.

[00:23:29] She looked immensely

[00:23:30] pleased with herself.

[00:23:32] Respect,

[00:23:33] young lady.

[00:23:34] Respect?

[00:23:35] Naomi pulled

[00:23:36] her legs in

[00:23:37] and pointed

[00:23:37] at Master Simon.

[00:23:39] He didn't help

[00:23:40] at all

[00:23:41] while I was saving us.

[00:23:42] At least his friends

[00:23:44] did something.

[00:23:46] Naomi.

[00:23:47] Master Simon

[00:23:48] raised his hand

[00:23:49] at Mr. Ali.

[00:23:50] It's okay, Ali.

[00:23:52] He stared at Naomi

[00:23:54] for a moment

[00:23:54] and then made

[00:23:55] a few movements

[00:23:56] with his hand.

[00:23:57] Naomi screamed

[00:23:58] and grabbed her throat.

[00:24:00] An enormous snake

[00:24:01] was curled

[00:24:02] around her neck.

[00:24:03] Get it off me!

[00:24:04] Her hands

[00:24:05] grasped at her neck,

[00:24:06] her fingernails

[00:24:07] scratching

[00:24:08] and clawing

[00:24:08] at the snake.

[00:24:10] Enough, Simon.

[00:24:11] I looked at the master

[00:24:12] and he smiled

[00:24:13] and shrugged.

[00:24:14] Just a parlor trick.

[00:24:17] The snake

[00:24:18] was gone

[00:24:19] and Naomi

[00:24:20] was taking deep breaths,

[00:24:21] her eyes wide

[00:24:22] as she tried

[00:24:23] to regain her composure.

[00:24:24] She looked at me

[00:24:26] and I saw

[00:24:26] something in her eyes.

[00:24:28] Was it a plea

[00:24:28] for help?

[00:24:29] Embarrassment?

[00:24:31] You will never

[00:24:32] do that again!

[00:24:33] I tried to sound

[00:24:34] confident and powerful.

[00:24:35] I must have succeeded

[00:24:36] because Master Simon

[00:24:37] looked at me.

[00:24:38] Excuse me.

[00:24:40] You are not

[00:24:41] to cast spells

[00:24:42] on another

[00:24:43] in my presence

[00:24:44] unless they request it.

[00:24:46] My voice was steadier

[00:24:48] but it took an effort

[00:24:49] to keep my gaze

[00:24:49] on the face

[00:24:50] of the master.

[00:24:51] His stare

[00:24:52] was intimidating.

[00:24:53] There was a long pause

[00:24:55] and then

[00:24:55] Simon replied,

[00:24:57] As you wish,

[00:24:58] Oxmage.

[00:25:00] He then turned away

[00:25:01] and dropped his hands

[00:25:02] to his side.

[00:25:03] I looked at Naomi

[00:25:05] who was rubbing

[00:25:06] her neck

[00:25:07] with her left hand.

[00:25:08] You could try

[00:25:09] to be nicer,

[00:25:10] I added,

[00:25:11] although I was certain

[00:25:12] I sounded much less

[00:25:13] confident in my comment

[00:25:14] to her.

[00:25:15] As you wish,

[00:25:18] streetlight.

[00:25:19] I thought I saw

[00:25:20] the corner of her mouth

[00:25:21] turn up

[00:25:22] and the rest

[00:25:23] of the ride

[00:25:24] was a blur.

[00:25:24] was a woman

[00:25:24] what to do

[00:25:24] but to tell her

[00:25:24] and to tell her

[00:25:25] It was a