The priestess recalled an argument that Kodachi had had with Akane once when her sister had wanted her to cast a spell to achieve some effect or another.
"You can read it and understand it, right?" Akane had asked. "Why can't you cast it? It's not like you have to have it granted to you like my sister."
"No, I have to do it myself," Kodachi had answered. "My master has outright admitted that I do understand the mechanics of magic much better than he does himself. There are spells I can look at and comprehend in moments that he will never be able to lay hold of, but that doesn't mean I can cast them now."
"Why not? You just have to say the words, right?" Akane asked irritably.
"There are exercises I must do, meditations, tests, ordeals," Kodachi said. "Neither my body, nor my mind are properly prepared for the magic you want me to cast. I could start the incantation, I could even start to channel the power, but I wouldn't be able to handle it. I'd lose control and the power would tear me apart, if I'm lucky it'll JUST be my body. You'd be left with a souless cripple rather than a mage, does that sound useful to you?"
What Kasumi was looking at was proof of that argument. In a burst of desperation, Kodachi had tried to save them from the attack by casting a spell beyond her level of preparation. There was a flash and a piercing scream and then Kasumi was alone with Kodachi as the wizardess collapsed to the floor like a rag doll, bleeding from her eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
Kasumi had managed to ascertain that Kodachi's soul was still intact. She hoped the mind was likewise. She sighed and shook her head. This was the girl's brother's fault, she hated to admit it of a fellow servant of Lathander, but she wasn't certain Tatewaki was still on that path.
It was his stubborn refusal to listen to the guides that had put them in the middle of that battle. He was falling prey to the arrogance that brought about the fall of many a good paladin. She hoped, if they survived this, that the male Kuno would take this as a lesson.
"Unnhh," Kodachi moaned, finally awakening.
She started to move, but was gently pushed down by Kasumi.
"No, don't move," Kasumi said. "And don't try to talk. Your throat is still hurt, I've healed what I could, but any more and I fear I shall be useless to defending us until the others find us. After I rest, I'll heal you further."
Kodachi nodded weakly and settled back down, simply breathing and sleeping again.
Kasumi meanwhile looked about the dark around them and hoped the others were still alive.
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(Posted Sun, 18 Jul 2004 13:26)
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