Forbidden Magic

Chapter 20

"We're needed on deck," Myam appeared in her doorway.

Prudence swallowed hard and pushed herself off her bed, setting the bucket on the floor as she did so. Myam pushed off the doorframe, he moved like the rocking of the boat did not disturb him. Prudence, on the other hand, used her arms to brace herself as she wobbled down the hall. She clung to anything she could as she made her way to the surface of the ship. The sight that greeted her stunned her. The sky was pitch black, only illuminated when lightning raced across the thick clouds. The water had turned dark as it rose in large waves and crashed against the side of the ship spraying sea foam in all directions. The deck was soaked, as was every person standing on it. In the distance, a large wall of water moved across the water's surface, threatening to demolish anything in its path.

"Remember the shielding technique I taught you?" Myam pulled Prudence's stare away from the deadly wave; she gave him a nod, "Good, follow my lead."

A translucent globe appeared around Myam and then began to surround the ship. It engulfed the masts and disappeared beneath the ship. Prudence took a deep breath and searched for the magic within herself. When she felt its tingling sensation spread through her body, she conjured up a sphere of her own and forced it to blend in with Myam's.

"Whatever you do, do not lose your focus on this shield." Myam hollered over the roar of the storm.

Prudence's body swayed with the movement of the ship, widening her stance, she let her knees and hips roll with the boat. She focused on her breathing and maintaining a steady heartbeat. The wave crept closer and closer, towering over the ship, making the craft suddenly feel more diminutive than it was.

The wave slammed into the barrier; Prudence felt the power of the water against her shield as if she had been thrown against a wall. It knocked the wind out of her and caused her muscles to shake. The wave cascaded around the barrier in angry torrents of white foam. She looked at Myam, who seemed to be struggling with the weight of the water as well. His body leaned into the pressure of the wave. As if feeling her stare, Myam looked at Prudence.

“Don’t… lose… focus!” he reiterated, seeming to struggle to hold onto his shield as well. Prudence closed her eyes and concentrated on keeping her barrier erect.

The boat started to lean at an odd angle and the water bared down onto it. Prudence tried to adjust her footing to stay standing, but the ship continued. Her feet began to slide, and soon she found herself belly down, slipping across the boards of the deck. She screamed as her shield burst and the full weight of the wave landed on Myam’s, knocking him off his feet as well, and he too slid across the tilted deck. Water rushed across the deck, and she could hear the crew members of the ship cry out. The warm tingling sensation of her power surged to life within her, and she surrendered to it.

Prudence’s eyes shot open, glowing white. Using her magic, she affixed herself to the deck of the ship and shot out a hand to grab Myam as he skidded by. He looked up at her surprise and fear contorting his features.

“We have to do this together,” Prudence declared in the same tone he had heard when she lost control in his study. She then stood up, pulling Myam along with her.

“We have to push the ship down, otherwise it will capsize!” She called out to him, as she focused on the deck and moved her hands as if pushing on an unseen wall. Myam stared for a moment, before gathering himself and joining her.

The ship groaned as the side that was raised out of the water began to lower. When she felt the boat land back onto the water, she stepped toward the middle of the deck, just between the two masts. Prudence took a deep breath, then squatted as she seemed to gather something in her arms. Then she let her breath go and forcefully stood up, shoving her hands into the air. A golden light shot from her palms and rose high above the rigging and crow’s nest. Then it began drizzling down, again covering the ship with a protective barrier. The sea directly beneath the boat even seemed disconnected from the rest of the ocean, as the swaying of the waves stopped.

Myam looked over the railing. The storm raged on outside the shield, but the waters contained within it were calm and serene. Even the noise from the storm was muffled and he could hear the whispers of the captain and crew. Myam glanced back at Prudence, his jaw hung slack. This essence within the girl was even more powerful than he originally expected. She stood as still as a statue, with hands still raised. Her dress rippled around her form from the force of her power. The glowing of her eyes was fixated upon the sky above the ship.

“Make sure no one interrupts me, I will hold it for as long as I can,” Prudence spoke loud and clearly to the people on deck. Silence followed as all eyes were fixated on her. Myam snapped out of his state of shock.

“You heard the girl,” Myam’s voice boomed. “Keep your distance and she’ll keep us safe.”

“You heard the mage!” The captain finally joined in. “Let's take advantage of this opportunity. Check the ship for damage and re-secure everything we can!”

Myam stood around Prudence like a bodyguard. Making sure she was able to concentrate on her spell. But after about an hour, the shield began to flicker.

“I-I can’t hold it… much… longer,” she growled through clenched teeth. She looked at Myam through her drenched hair, “I’m sorry.” She blinked and her eyes returned to normal.

The shield dissipated as Prudence collapsed onto the deck. Myam dove to catch her, before her head hit the wood.

“Are we... are we okay?” Prudence puffed as she glanced about slowly. Her breathing was labored as if she had run laps around the town. She felt weak, like she had been stripped of every ounce of energy she had.

“We’re okay,” Myam reassured her.

"Good," She sighed in relief before drifting off to sleep.