The Stonemason's Apprentice- NYC Midnight 2020 SSC Round One

Today, I'm sharing my entry for the NYC Midnight 2020 Short Story Competition. I had seven days to write a 2500 word or less story based on the following assignment-

A mason/obsession/fantasy.

I competed in this competition last year, made it to round two, but not to round three.

Here are my entries for NYC Midnight 2019 SSC- Static and The Legend of Aien Thornblood if you want to check them out. 

With that out of the way, I present to you The Stonemason's Apprentice-


THE STONEMASON'S APPRENTICE

by Anthony D Farr

The dark black stone scraped as Ebel lifted it from the large stack. His fingers white with dust and caked with flecks of mortar as he handed the brick to Aethel. Aethel took the stone with his pale wrinkled hands fitting it onto the next level of the wall. As the brick settled into the mortar, Aethel scrapped away the excess. He lifted his chisel and carved an intricate symbol into the soft stone. Aethel's steadiness belied his aged appearance.

"Master," Ebel grabbed another stone, "what do these symbols mean? Why does Malweas have us building this chamber?"

"My apprentice, when you are as old as I do and become a master stonemason, you will learn to not question your patrons. Payment is payment. Daxon Malweas wants a wall built with symbols carved into each stone, so I'll do as he asks." Aethel placed another stone into position and once again carved the symbol into the side.

They continued in silence as the sun passed over the glass dome of the sorcerer's great room. As it dropped low, and the shadows grew long in the great room, Aethel marked the last etch on the final stone of the day, wiped his brow, and stood. He stretched, his ancient back cracking as he placed his hands on his spine. Ebel stood and mimicked his master. Aethel looked over his work from the day as Ebel gathered their tools and instruments into their leather satchels.

"How much longer, my dear master mason?" Daxon Malweas entered the room as the torches along the wall lit, pushing back the twilight shadows.

"High Sorcerer, we should be ready to close it off by tomorrow morning. I will start before sunrise and the last twenty stones will be left for you, according to your instructions." Aethel bowed to the sorcerer, and Ebel followed his master's example.

"Ahead of schedule? You are a wonder. When I asked the Stonemason's guild for their best, they provided." Malweas examined the black stone and ran his fingers over the intricate symbols.

"What will this chamber be used for, great one?" Ebel winced as soon as the words escaped his mouth. Aethel turned and gripped his fist, holding the hem of his tunic until his knuckles turned white.

"My Lord," Aethel turned back to Malweas, "forgive my apprentice. He forgets his place. I'll deal with him later."

"No need," Malweas strode to Ebel and placed his hand on the side of Ebel's cheek. "The boy is just curious. He is only what-" Malweas looked Ebel up and down then continued, "fifteen or sixteen summers?" Ebel did not respond.

"Answer him, boy," Aethel snapped.

"Fifteen, sire. My apologies for speaking out of place." Ebel bowed his head.

"Fifteen." Malweas turned to Aethel. "Surely, you can forgive the boy? He is still learning. I want you to bring him back, and do not punish the boy for curiosity."

"Yes, my Lord." Aethel bowed then scowled at Ebel. Malweas' mouth turned up in a half grin and he motioned to Ebel.

"Come, join me, young man. Your Master will not object." Malweas looked to Aethel.

"Ebel," the master stonemason glared at his apprentice as he spoke, "join the Master Sorcerer, but you are not done with your duties. When he is finished with you, come back and finish your job here, then return to your quarters right away. We will begin again at sunrise."

"Yes, Master." Ebel bowed to both men as Malweas escorted him out of the room, away from his scowling master.

As they walked the hallway, Malweas use a ring on his left hand to cut his finger. Malweas whispered inaudibly and the torches in the room leapt to life, their flames dancing and flickering down the long hallway.

"You noticed?" Malweas wiped the spot of blood from his finger.

"What, sire?" Ebel shook as he spoke.

"The cut. You noticed. Don't pretend you didn't. See, look here," he procured his hands, showing small scars tracing their way all over his pale skin, and continued, "I do this every time I cast a spell. Did you know power comes from blood?"

"No. No, I did not."

"Yes. I sense a modicum of power within you, young one. Small. Yet, serviceable. " Malweas stopped and looked over Ebel. "Forget your duties for the remainder of your day. Come and share food with me on my balcony. You have potential."

"Sire," Ebel stumbled with his words, "Sire, Aethel, my master, he… he would not approve. I've already angered him-"

"Think nothing of your master, my little stonemason. He can always get another apprentice. Worry not." Malweas waved a hand toward the end of the hallway. "Come now, and follow me. Let us retire to my balcony."

Ebel followed him through the serpentine hallways until they stepped out onto a balcony overlooking the city. The grand imperial palace, white against the low sun, shone white.

"Look upon it, Ebel," Malweas said with his eyes closed. He took a deep breath and exhaled. The vapor swirled, illuminated by the final rays of the sun low on the horizon. Malweas nicked his hand with his ring. Blood welled up from the pinpoint on his palm. Malweas stared at the vapor, and the mist coalesced into a small translucent sparrow, flapping its wings, shimmering in the light. Ebel gasped as the sparrow flitted around the balcony until landing on the marble railing.

He reached a tentative hand out to the bird, but as his fingers passed through it, the sparrow dissipated into the air.

"You've not seen much magic before, have you?"

"No, my lord."

"Such formalities. Call me Daxon, boy. Come now, try it." Malweas thumped Ebel's shoulder. He stood in silence before laughing deeply. "Here's where you say my name, right?"

"So.. so sorry, High Sorcerer… I mean, Daxon?" Ebel's voice cracked.

"Come let us sit." Malweas led Ebel to an empty table. They both sat and Malweas lead forward. "I bet you’re hungry, aren't you Ebel? Would you like some food?"

"Yes, sire… I mean, Daxon."

"Are you wondering where it will come from?

"I'm sure you have a servant ready to bring it." Ebel leaned to look at the door, but no one waited in the white hallway.

"What is your favorite thing in the entire realm to eat?"

"I don't understand."

"It's simple really," Malweas leaned back in his chair smiling. "I'm asking what you want to eat this morning. It's easily comprehendible."

"There are some pastries Cima makes at the bakery near the guild. I would sometimes go there to fetch breakfast for Aethel, and Cima would give me an extra pastry. She looked after all of the apprentices."

"Good. Good. Hold the thought in your mind. Think of your Cima and the pastries she makes." Malweas drew a small paring knife from the folds of his cloak and drew a line along the back of his arm the length of a finger. Blood welled from the cut, and Malweas spoke in a hushed whisper.

What looks like dust appeared in the air and swirled in a small quiet funnel before collapsing in on itself in a flash of light. As Ebel's vision cleared his mouth hung agape as the once empty table overflowed with fresh pastries. They gleamed in the sunlight peaking over the railing. Malweas took out a roll of white linen and wrapped his arm tight.

"What is this?" Ebel poked at the nearest pastry.

"It is breakfast." Malweas took a bite of one from the pile and nodded. "Very good choice, my friend. Very good choice." He nodded to Ebel. "Well, eat up. We don't want it to go to waste, do we?"

"No, sire." Malweas raised an eyebrow and Ebel corrected himself, "No, Daxon." He grabbed a pastry and tentatively nibbled at the edge. As the flaky breading touched his tongue, his eyes grew wide and he looked up at Malweas. "This is even better than Cima's." Ebel ate with vigor after his first taste. He devoured three of the pastries in quick succession.

"I'm glad you approve," Malweas said with a chuckle. He finished his pastry and continued, "I'm sure you've wondering why I've taken an interest in you, Ebel." He paused while Ebel nodded and mumbled around a mouthful of food. Malweas laughed and leaned forward on his elbows while he spoke, "I'll tell you two things about magic only known to few." He held up a finger and continued, "One. Not everyone can do magic. Everyone believes if they had proper teaching, they could cast, but very few can do it. I have my theories. I believe before the Elves disappeared, they intermarried with our kind and their descendants are those among us capable of doing magic. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes. Possibly, but why are you telling me this?"

"Have you had your fill?" Malweas stood. Ebel nodded and stood as well. Malweas turned toward the door and gestured to it, "Follow me." He strode off the balcony with Ebel in his wake. They wound their way through the serpentine halls in silence until they found themselves in the room with unfinished chamber. All signs of Aethel and his tools long gone as his work was finished. Malweas picked up one of the remaining stones. All of the remaining bricks bore the same arcane symbol as their kin already in place on the wall.

"Daxon, what is this for?"

"Before that, I want to tell you my second secret about magic, and maybe you've already guessed." He raised an eyebrow at Ebel, then shook his head. "Or maybe not. Magic comes at a cost. A cost of blood as I've told you. It is the Elvish blood running through our veins. Their power gives us the ability to cast. Something small, like the bird or torches, takes a small amount, but conjuring the pastries took a bit more. Do you understand?"

"I do, but what's the connection?" Ebel stared at the semicircular opening in the black wall, wide enough to fit a man.

"Ever since I discovered I could cast using my blood, everything I've done has been to rise in power. I am now almost equal to the Emperor in power, but it's not enough."

"Not enough?"

"No, Ebel, my boy. It's never enough, not until this." He slapped the wall.

"What is it?"

"First," Malweas drew the knife from inside his cloak and extended it to Ebel, "take this." Ebel reached out with his left hand and took the blade from Malweas. Then the sorcerer picked up one of the dark stones in his hand and held it palm up toward Ebel and said, "I want you to make this brick float into position. Just one. We cannot seal the chamber yet."

"How do I do it?"

"It's simple. A bit of your blood will cast the spell. Prick your thumb with the tip of the knife." Ebel pricked his calloused thumb and a small drop of blood welled up.

"Now what?"

"Now imagine the brick floating into place. Your natural instincts will take over."

Ebel closed his eyes and pictured the stone moving through the air into its place in the wall. He felt a stirring deep within the confines of his chest. A warmth extending from his heart racing through to his finger where the blood seeped from his skin. Ebel felt his mouth forming words unfamiliar to his tongue. Ancient and arcane words. He opened his eyes as the stone lifted off Malweas' palm and floated into place in the wall. Malweas clapped his hands.

"Just as I thought. You are a natural."

"Now will you tell me what the chamber is for?"

"Yes, yes, but first let's go inside." They ducked into the chamber. As his eyes adjusted, Ebel saw a faint glow from the inside of the stone.

"What is this?"

"In all my years as a sorcerer, I've been bound by my blood. My life force has limited my power, but this is something I found in old texts left behind by Elvish mages. I needed another person of magical ability to finish it, and as the fates would have it, you came along. I was unsure as to how long I would have to wait, but here you are."

"What does this do? Why do you need me?" Ebel traced his hand along the brick. A warm sting traveled from his fingers up his arm.

"This will allow me to harness the power of another. It will create a loop of energy powering a single mage for hundreds of years." Malweas positioned himself between Ebel and the exit.

"Wait?" Ebel paused and faced the sorcerer. "What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry my boy, but you are my power source. You will ensure I become more powerful than the Emperor." He drew his knife and made a slight cut on his palm. Ebel felt himself pushed back by an unseen force pinning him to the rear wall. The interior glowed brighter and Malweas' face broke into a crooked grin. "You should feel proud. You are serving a greater purpose than becoming a stonemason could ever have given you."

"Please don't," Ebel strained against the force to speak. As the pressure built and the light intensified, Ebel fought against the weight to bring his hand to his mouth. He brought his palm to his teeth and bit, tearing a chunk of flesh away causing blood to spurt against his face. He honed his thoughts on pushing back against Malweas and felt the pressure diminish. Ebel fell to the ground and Malweas stumbled back and fell to his rear.

"No. You can't be doing this. You can't," Malweas screamed. He lifted the knife to make another cut, but it flew out of his hand into Ebel's. The glow intensified. Malweas crawled toward the opening. Ebel quickly slashed at his forearm and flung Malweas back against the wall.

"I'm not going to be your power source," Ebel said, spitting blood onto the chamber floor. He cut at his arm again and held Malweas in place as he crawled out into the room beyond. With a prick on his finger, Ebel sealed the opening with the remaining stones and a bell tone echoed.

Ebel dropped to his knees at the cascade of power he felt emanating from the chamber. Wave after wave of magical energy and arcane knowledge pulsed into his small frame. Once his bearings returned, Ebel stood and stretched his hands before him. Closing his eyes, he imagined his injuries healed. Opening them, he found his skin knitting back together until he stood whole. Ebel walked out of the room, through all the hallways, tracing his way with unseen senses until he stood on the balcony.

He looked over the city and the palace as Malweas' power surged through him and wondered if it would ever be enough. 

Thanks for reading. Be sure to comment down below or on whatever social media you found this on to let me know your thoughts.

If you liked the story and you want to help support my writing habit, I've just signed up for Ko-Fi, which is like an online tip jar. So, no pressure, but if you are feeling so inclined, I would appreciate any amount. 

-Anthony

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