The Magi

With just a few days left of term, Elijah had to force himself to concentrate. The excitement of his upcoming meeting with Roddick was starting to consume his thoughts. Elijah reread the note a hundred times, it seemed. He wondered what Roddick meant by teaching him more than he could imagine. And what about the Magi? If they were real, who were they?

Elijah had to take deep breaths when the questions buzzed like this. Just meet. Roddick will answer the questions then.

It almost seemed unreal when the last day of term actually arrived. Elijah could hardly sit still, which was bad because he had four back-to-back exams. Things didn’t get any easier with Corgan breathing down his neck during his science exam, but eventually, he was done. There seemed to be a collective exhale from the students the minute exams were completed.

After he finished, he didn’t relax or go out and play in the snow like all the other students in case there was an inspection that evening. He made sure the bathrooms sparkled. He even cleaned them twice. One student actually slipped and fell from the huge amount of cleaning solution Elijah used on the second scrubbing.

Elijah wore his clothes to bed so he could get up without making noise. Thankfully, Samuel didn’t notice. Then, at fifteen minutes to midnight, he grabbed his belongings and quietly shut the door behind him.

He tip-toed down the hall in his socks, looking back and forth until he reached the bottom of the stairs. He carefully opened the big wooden doors and snuck out of the hall. Elijah put on his shoes and darted across the snow-covered path toward the enormous fountain. The low clouds covered the moon, which made the night warmer, but without the moonlight, Elijah could barely see. He hid by a tree to wait for Master Roddick.

At almost exactly midnight, Master Roddick appeared through the trees on the other side of the fountain. Elijah glanced around to make sure he was safe then joined him.

“I’m glad you decided to come,” Roddick said as Elijah approached. “Are you ready to hear what I have to say?”

“I’ve been ready for weeks,” Elijah said.

“Now, I warn you, the things I am going to tell you will be hard to believe and even harder to understand.” Roddick looked at Elijah very seriously.

“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” Elijah said.

“And you won’t for quite a while,” Roddick explained. “What I tell you will be hard to take in all at once, especially in your case. But you’re going to have to trust me, even if you don’t believe me at first. Can you do that?”

Elijah nodded.

“First of all,” Roddick began, “we need to leave Saint Phillip’s Academy.”

“Okay,” Elijah said. “For tonight?”

“Forever,” said Roddick. “And we have to do it now. C’mon!”

Roddick started to walk away from the fountain when a shriek came from Elijah’s hall. Roddick ducked and commanded Elijah to do the same. A second shriek followed. Then, a small voice pleaded for help. Elijah and Roddick crept around the fountain to see from a better angle. A hundred yards away from Phillip’s Hall A, the pale-faced man who beat Elijah with the Thorn Stick stood over a young boy, aggressively swinging a short whip with six or seven separate ends. Elijah squinted. The young boy was Samuel.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT OF YOUR ROOM?” the pale-faced man growled as he swung at Samuel. Samuel managed to dodge the first swing. “TELL ME!!” The man swung again and this time, the whip connected. Samuel fell to his knees.

“Please!” Samuel pleaded.

The pale-faced man made a horrible, mangled-looking grin.

Master Roddick stood up. “Back up, Elijah.” Elijah did what he was told. Roddick raised his arms slowly over his head and closed his eyes. He looked like he was in a deep meditation. Then something incredible happened. The ice-cold water from the fountain began to spill out and gathered around Roddick. The way it moved made it seem as though Roddick actually controlled it.

The water gathered above Roddick in a fantastic tower, growing higher and higher. Elijah watched in awe. Just as the pale-faced man was about to whip Samuel again, Roddick made a violent punch with his right palm and all the water above him shot forward in a furious stream. It barreled toward the pale-faced man. In an instant, the force of the water hit him so hard his whip ripped from his hand, and he was carried through the wooden doors of Elijah’s hall. The water instantly flooded the first floor.

Samuel ran toward Master Roddick and Elijah. Roddick looked strangely calm as he lowered his arms.

“Are you okay?” asked Roddick out of breath. Samuel nodded but didn’t speak. “Okay then. Let’s go. Both of you!”

Roddick grabbed a nearby stick and had a torch lit in seconds. He gathered a pack of belongings and shot out into the trees. Elijah glanced back. The wreckage had awakened everyone, and the pale-faced man, though dizzy and confused, was being helped to his feet. Elijah had seen enough. He followed Roddick away from the school.

Roddick looked back from time to time to see if Elijah and Samuel were still keeping up as they twisted and turned through the Canadian forest. The trees were thick and the snow made travel difficult. Elijah had a tough time keeping up.

After what seemed like miles of running, Roddick slowed down. The trees thinned out ahead and a large snow-covered meadow came into view. On the other side of the meadow was a small cave. The trio headed that way, keeping close to the tree line. As their pace slowed to a walk, Elijah suddenly got the creeps. The only sound came from the snow crunching under their feet. The only light came from Roddick’s torch. A few times, when he was last in line and looked back into the blackness of the forest, Elijah’s imagination got the better of him. All kinds of monsters and creatures materialized in his head, which encouraged him to speed up.

Master Roddick gave the torch to Samuel and ordered the boys inside the cave while he looked around. It started snowing. The wind picked up and made eerie whistling noises as the gusts passed through the mouth of the cave. Even though he had done it many times already, Samuel continued to check behind them to make sure they were alone.

Elijah touched the walls of the cave. It felt slimy. The ground, however, was dry and covered with dead pine needles and small sticks. Roddick returned with a bundle of wood. He dropped it at the mouth of the cave, and then vanished back into the snowy wilderness.

Elijah decided there wasn’t any use just sitting around. He made a small teepee with nearby twigs and lit them with the torch. Samuel threw on pine needles for kindling. In a few minutes a blazing fire heated the cave. Master Roddick came back with more sticks and logs, damp from the snow, and placed them near the fire.

“Great fire, lads!”

Samuel beamed at Roddick’s compliment.

“Do you think anyone is following us?” asked Samuel.

“I doubt it,” answered Roddick. “We got a pretty good head start. Besides, I’d be surprised if that pale-faced ghoul could remember his own name now anyway.” He knelt down and considered Samuel. “You sure you’re okay, lad?”

“Yeah,” said Samuel, although he was trembling. “He only got me a couple of times.” There was an awkward silence that filled the cave. Elijah still hadn’t registered what he’d seen. It was terrifying and amazing at the same time. He couldn’t talk. Part of him was afraid to talk.

Roddick broke the silence. “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag. Let me start off by saying what you saw is not supposed to be seen by common people. I’ve been trained to protect. Simple as that. And when I saw that horrible man hitting you, I reacted.”

“I’m sorry,” Samuel said. “I know I wasn’t supposed to be out of bed, but I heard Elijah leave and I wanted to see if he was okay.”

“It’s fine, lad. What’s done is done.” Master Roddick took a deep breath. He threw a couple logs on the fire and rubbed his hands together. “Alright. I know you both have a million questions. Elijah, I hoped to explain this differently to you, but it seems I have no choice but to start now. Before I go on, however, you both must make a promise right here, right now. You must promise that whatever happens, you will not tell a soul what you saw tonight or what I’m about to tell you now. Is that understood?”

Elijah and Samuel nodded.

Roddick took another deep breath. “I’m taking you to a place called Savenridge. It’s about a day’s walk from here. Now understand, the people of Savenridge are very different from anyone you’ve ever met. They don’t like surprises. Elijah, the reason I left a few weeks ago was to ask them if I could bring you with me. I believe you will flourish there. You have an amazing mind! It took me weeks to get them to agree, but I have their permission.”

Samuel looked worried. “What about me?”

“You’re going to be a surprise to them,” Roddick admitted. “I’ll have some explaining to do, that’s for sure. But don’t worry until you have to, lad. Let’s get to Savenridge first and see how everything plays out. Either way, both of you will have to make another big promise. Once I explain to you who I am—once you are taken to Savenridge and meet our people, you must keep our secrets forever. Am I clear?”

The boys nodded again.

“The knowledge we have has been kept a secret for almost three thousand years.” Elijah’s eyes widened. “What I’m about to tell you is powerful. It’s history. Therefore, once you get to Savenridge, you can’t come back.”

Roddick sighed again. “I am a Magi. Despite what you may have read, Elijah, the Magi are not possessed by evil spirits. That’s ridiculous. We’re not another race. We’re not another species. We’re human. And we’re good. Are you with me so far?”

“I think so,” said Elijah. “So, what’s the difference between the Magi and everyone else?”

“Nothing,” answered Roddick. “The Magi are the same as common people, except we have knowledge of a power they don’t know about. You saw just a small portion of that power tonight.”

“You mean moving the water?” asked Samuel.

Roddick nodded. “Yes. That is my power.”

“Your power?”

“Each Magi chooses a power to train with that fits their personality.”

“What do you mean by personality?” asked Elijah.

“I’m not really the best person to explain that part,” Roddick answered. “But I can give you the basics. You see, our world is broken up into four parts. Each part has its own personality. One part is water, which has a particular personality. Another part is fire, which has another personality. The third part is wind, and the last part is the earth.”

“Water, Fire, Wind, Earth,” said Samuel. “The four elements.”

“Yes,” Roddick said. “But the Magi know them as much more. We can control these elements because we’ve acquired the knowledge of their personality on a much deeper level.”

“What do you mean a deeper level?” asked Elijah.

“Most people don’t really understand the world. They’re too busy with their own conquests and self-interests. The Magi, however, spend a lifetime trying to understand the rules and personalities of the four elements. We believe if the world is to be used, it should be for goodness and protection—not for greed.”

Elijah was fascinated but still confused.

“Now here’s where the power comes in,” Roddick continued. “When you’re able to understand these rules, you can stretch them and use them in ways that aren’t normal.”

“Was what you did with the water considered stretching the rules?” asked Samuel.

“Have you ever seen water do that?”

Samuel turned red.

“I was able to use the water the way I did tonight because I understand the rules of water. Therefore, when I needed to, I stretched the rules. I manipulated the water in ways common people can’t. Does that make sense?”

Elijah and Samuel sat silently, processing what they heard, trying to mix what they witnessed back at the academy with what Roddick explained to them now.

“You say anyone can do this?” asked Elijah.

Roddick shook his head. “The Magi spend years training to use the elements appropriately. Children are taught from birth. Teenagers are sent to train with special teachers. For a common person to learn these things, it would take a very special mind. However, I believe you have that mind, Elijah. That is why I asked you to meet me tonight.”

“What about me?” Samuel asked.

“Well, lad, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you until now. Training can be quite frustrating, even for Magi. Are you willing to work hard?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a good start,” Roddick said. “But I’m afraid the decision will rest with the elder council.”

The fire began to die, and the cave started to get cold. Roddick threw another log on. In a few minutes, the cave warmed up again.

“Why do you work at the academy if you’re a Magi?” Elijah asked.

“Do you remember why I said I helped Samuel?” Roddick asked. “The Magi protect the good in the world, but there is also evil. Unfortunately, there’s another group who know our power. They believe in destruction—hatred—greed. They call themselves Maliphists.” Elijah remembered reading that word in his parents’ book. He was even more curious now.

“Maliphists?” asked Samuel.

“Yes. They are very powerful and very dangerous. To go back to why I work at the academy, the school has been, in recent years, a training ground for the Maliphists. Only, the students don’t know it. There’s a Maliphist city close by that collects angry, bitter young men and women to brainwash into joining their way of life. I won’t get into it all tonight, but some of the Magi work at the academy to keep that from happening. We’re at war at Saint Phillip’s. Every day. We fight for children and they have no idea.”

“What do you mean you’re at war?” Elijah asked. “I’ve never seen any fighting.”

“Not all wars are physical. The one at the academy is mental. The Maliphists try to manipulate the students who are the most angry and self-destructive into joining their cause.

“What’s their cause?” Elijah asked.

“Not tonight. That, I’m afraid, should be a discussion with an elder.”

“So what about the students? What happens to them?”

“The Maliphists move them to their own city to brainwash and train them.”

Elijah’s eyes widened. “During the time you were gone, Master Corgan took a student away from class. Was that—”

“Yup,” Roddick stated. “Corgan’s a Maliphist. “It wasn’t the first time, either. That student was most likely someone Corgan thought would make a good Maliphist—someone who would easily buy into the power of hate. Unfortunately, we can’t stop all the Maliphist deliveries, but that’s exactly why I work at the school. Can you imagine how many kids would be taken if I didn’t?”

“Is Hawthorne a Maliphist?” asked Samuel.

“Yes. And as long as he’s the chancellor, the war continues. So it’s very important for the Magi to stay at the school.”

“Are you in danger of being replaced?” Elijah asked. “Since you left?”

“Pennington is a Magi as well. We trade off so we’re not replaced.”

“So let me see if I get this straight,” said Elijah. “The Mali—”

“Maliphists.”

“Right. Mali—whatever. Anyway, the bad guys feed on orphans because they think we’re prone to being brainwashed. Does this happen at every boarding school?”

“Saint Phillip’s is unique,” said Roddick. Almost all the kids who are brought here are hand-picked by a deliverer.”

“A what?”

“A deliverer. Someone who brings you to the school.”

Elijah looked shocked. “So, you’re saying I was handpicked? I was…delivered?”

“Who brought you to the academy?” asked Roddick.

“Detective Scott,” said Elijah.

Roddick snorted. “You mean Nick. Yeah, he’s a Maliphist. I’m sorry Elijah. It appears your arrival at Saint Phillip’s wasn’t a coincidence.” Elijah’s couldn’t keep his anger from showing. All three jumped when the storm outside the cave grew stronger and the thunder roared.

“It’s getting bad out there,” Master Roddick said, peering out. “Hope we don’t have too much trouble tomorrow.”

“How does he do it?” asked Samuel.

“Who?”

“That detective guy who delivered Elijah. How does he just bring kids there?”

“He’s crafty,” Roddick answered. “He’s able to manipulate whoever he needs to in order to take you. There aren’t many people who’ll argue with a detective, right?”

“So every orphan is basically done for?” Elijah fumed. “There’s no hope? They come here to become part of this little game?”

“Many are,” Roddick admitted. “But the Magi have people to stop the deliveries. It’s a dangerous job, and many Magi involved in the delivery raids are captured by Maliphists. Some are even killed. We do the best we can, but sometimes it’s not enough.”

Roddick looked outside the cave at the falling snow and stretched his arms. “Well, not to end on such a sour note, but we need some rest. We have a brutal hike tomorrow. I know you’re a little mixed up still. I warned you. But don’t worry. The elders of Savenridge can better answer your questions when we get there. For now, let’s just get some sleep.” Roddick threw another couple logs on the fire and they each stretched onto the ground.

For Elijah, sleep did not come quickly. He had so many things to think about. The new knowledge of Detective Scott infuriated him. The threat of the Maliphists worried him, and his upcoming journey to Savenridge made him nervous. But eventually, his tired body overpowered his thoughts, and though he didn’t dream a thing that night, Elijah Hawk slept soundly.