An Unexpected Death

Zane could spout fire, water, and ice. He could spout any of the nine elements straight from the thinnest of all air. He was good and he knew it.

He didn't know how long he'd been in the back room studying that night. The candle wicks were down, almost to the table top. Books were scattered everywhere. The sound of glass shattering broke him from a zone. He'd been making such excellent progress, he almost ignored it. It was with a sign that he threw the volume in his hands down with a thud, and plodded out to investigate.

He twitched a finger and a fire blaze appeared along his line of sight. It guided him through the darkened house. It was in the red flicker of firelight that he saw him. The adolescent stood in the entryway with his head down. Glass shards were scattered around his feet. A strong wind swept through the broken window and blew his hair askew. When the boy spoke it was soft but calm voice.

"Lord Everon."

Zane narrowed his gaze. "Who is asking?"

"It's time."

Zane couldn't help the laugh, a sneering bark. For precaution he swept an arm forward, and without speaking conjured shadow. The shadows protected him. No magic could penetrate them. The whole realm knew this.

The boy's movement was quick, defiant. Fire light flashed briefly off the object before the pain exploded in Zane's gut. He staggered. His chest convulsed, the object having found a home between his ribs. Blood gushed forth, his heart now pumping its life flow around the jagged metal of a knife blade and down his robe to the floor.

He raised a hand towards the boy- fire dug into the child and reduced him screaming to the floor. His flesh crisped black. The smell was putrid as the life blazed out of his eyes.

A second convulsion sent Zane cursing to his knees. Had he been expecting the knife he could have stopped it. As the third spasm hit him, he knew all his talents had failed him. His fire spells went dark. The last thing his conscience mind recorded was the howling of the wind and the irony of the unexpected.