Role

Chapter 9

It didnt take long for an obstacle to fall in Ishuntals path. He had been thrilled that he was able to
access all of the Village powers upon his induction, however, this didnt last long. Not long after his
induction Ishuntal began to get the feeling that the bloody head was actually paying attention to him. It
almost felt as if it were staring at him from its place locked within the throne. Then, to his dismay, he
realized that the spellbane ability was now beyond his reach. He could still use the other powers
afforded to him through the head, yet, when he did he felt that eerie feeling that the head was watching
him. When he tried to call upon the spellbane, however, the head was too distant.

This was very disconcerting to Ishuntal. What did it mean to his theory? Certainly there was still some
truth to it, as he was able to call upon other Village powers, but, the spellbane he could not. Was this
because of his lack of hatred? Had a hatred for magic really become a necessary ingredient over the
years for access to the anti-magic powers? Or had he misjudged the nature of the head? He had always
assumed the head to be some sort of artifact, similar to a magical talisman that provided the powers.
Now he was not so sure. The head seemed to have a mind of its own, which caused him to wonder, why
would it care? It was the severed head of a magician. If it did have a life of its own, it would seem logical
to assume that it would hate the Battleragers for what they had done to it and would welcome someone
like Ishuntal drawing power off of it, but, this didnt seem to be the case. It was all very mysterious.
Ishuntal decided it was even more necessary than before to study all he could about the head, including
its history and origin. He would have to do so in a way not to arouse suspicion against him, which would
be tricky. He would need a plan.