‡ Sorina Voras ‡
It wasn’t often that Sorina felt
Deep Magic, but the sensation was so brilliant that she would never be able to forget it, and always be able to identify it. Usually, the only form of
Deep Magic Sorina could feel was at the Stonehenge, when the Peace Ceremony took place. Other than that place, it would be astounding to even catch a glimpse of
Deep Magic . Very few artefacts existed that held such power. One such artefact was Windhelm’s very own Sword of Peace, and it only released its magic when there was a true threat nearby. The sword’s activation gave Sorina plenty of reason to become worried, and immediately she began to search for Alana.
The princess’s gaze was focused on a window, her hand on the hilt of her sword. Sorina narrowed her eyes, catching sight of twin lights beyond the glass, but they were too far away for her to make out what they were. Unconsciously taking a few steps in Alana’s direction, Sorina wordlessly invoked a spell to sharpen her eyes, to see far into the distance. She didn’t want to wait until those lights came closer to find out what they were. The sword was threatened, and a power like that isn’t threatened easily. It would be safer for everyone in this room if she found out what they were before they arrived.
The sight made her blood freeze. Sorina had read about these creatures before, seen drawings in various books, but she never had the privilege of seeing the actual beings. Frankly, from what she read, Sorina was fine with never seeing them, but things don’t always work out as people hope.
’Hellhounds.’ Sorina thought to herself, as though she actually needed to confirm what she saw. Instantly she cut off the seeing spell and worked on a new one, the words softly flowing out of her mouth. All these flamboyant nobility would get in the way if they stayed, and that would put them in danger. A lot of them may be dull and pompous, but their lives were now officially her responsibility. No one deserved to be devoured by a hellhound, and so she would make them leave.
Or rather, suggest that they leave. Mind magic, the power to influence a person or animal’s mind, was a magic often frowned upon by the general population. Therefore, it was strongly suggested by those in authority that mages should not practice it, and by “strongly suggested”…well, it was pretty much forbidden. Sorina, however, was fascinated with all kinds of magic, and thought that it would be disadvantageous to
not learn of mind magic. She knew would never abuse the power, so she took it upon herself to teach herself the spells. Casting such magic took a lot of effort, and with this many people, Sorina would have to physically say the spell. A spoken spell, after all, was stronger than an unspoken one.
The weaker the mind, the easier it was to influence them. As Sorina began to chant, she felt another magical presence, and instinctively threw up a barrier as the people around her began to faint on the spot. Startled, she spotted a silver-haired man, a musician, that she didn't recognize. As she watched, the musician grabbed Alana's hand and pulled her out of the room.
"A good priority to get the princess," Sorina said to nobody in particular, and sighed as the remaining people in the ballroom snored on the floor. "But now you've left everyone else to suffer a morbid fate." She shook her head and dropped the barrier around her. Finding the princess would have to come later, since the more immediate problem was laying in front of her in a multitude. Sorina spoke a counter-spell, waking all those who fell asleep, and began to cast her mind magic, chanting it a firm conviction. At least, with their drowsy minds, it made it easier for her to give them all the same idea. Perhaps it is time to leave, they thought, and soon all the nobles and servants began to file out of the various doorways. Even those with stronger minds left, their thoughts clouded with the remnants of a magical sleep. It didn't take long for the ballroom to empty.
Now all that was left to do was see what the hellhounds did next. Sorina knew from her books that they were summoned to hunt, and with the ballroom empty, they would change direction unless their prey was her. She couldn't think why it would be her, though, and all those pompous nobles were not nearly important enough to be hunted by such creatures. The only conclusion would be the royal family. Sorina felt an urge to go after Alana and that strange person, but she decided to wait. Her actions would depend on what happens next.