Have a Heart

"Basic magic." Ellona stated, looking away from him. "It helps if you're lost or injured."

"And sometimes it injures you anyway." Gregory stated. "Especially if you do it wrong"

"How would it hurt you?" asked Daniel, eyeing the silver cat. It didn't appear terribly powerful, but not all dangerous things did. "Is it a summon?"

"Soul charm." Gregory stated. "Its a magic that is shaped by your soul, and the actions it preforms depend upon your stated of mind and your current desires. Sometimes it even does things you didn't know you wanted. Its a very basic spell, I could teach you too if you'd like."

"His is an owl." Ellona stated as if it explained everything.

"Sounds useful," said Daniel. "I wouldn't mind trying it. Magic's not my best skill though."

"Her's either" Gregory chirped

"Well, worth a hot either way," replied Daniel, though he wondered if it was even possible for him. He couldn't have real desires to work with, right?

"The real neat thing about this kind of spell is that even if you're dead, or missing, someone else can trigger it and it helps you convey where you are or what you wanted." Gregory smiled. "Dead useful if you ask me. We just need something that you always have on you. Like my charm is my key" He held up a skeleton key.

"Mine's my mother's locket." Ellona held hers up as well.

Daniel bought out a hunting knife that had his gilded initials on it. A gift from Curtis a few birthdays back. He usually used his sword in battle, but this was useful when preparing wild food for eating or carving something.

"Will this work?"

"Is it something you have an emotional attachment to?" Gregory asked. "It works best if you do"

"It's an old gift from an old friend," Daniel replied. "So yes."

Gregory smiled and took the knife. "Now you need a key word. Or just a name for your soul charm. Either works"

Daniel paused, debating what name to use.

"Friend," Daniel decided eventually.

Gregory nodded and bowed his head over the knife, running his hand along the smooth flat side of the blade and murmuring the spell. Whe he was done, he handed the knife back to Daniel. "Now you just say the word and find out what shape your soul charm takes."

Daniel studied the knife. It didn't seem any different than before.

"Friend," he said.

Almost immediately the knife floated out of his hand and became coated in an amorphous silver substance. It writhed and twisted until it took the form of a large horse. It stared at him, lowering its head.

Daniel stared back, surprised it had worked.

"You would have a big one." Ellona commented.

"Honestly I was thinking you'd have something like a dog, or a hawk." Gregory stated. "Now will it back into a knife"

Daniel shrugged. "I've always liked horses. Do I have to say the keyword again, or is it just a mental command?"

"Mental. you will it away." Gregory stated. "It gets easier."

Taking these vague instructions, Daniel wished for the horse to transfigure back into a knife. The horse stayed exactly how it was. He willed it more. The horse gave a defiant snort.

"Ooooooooooh. It got his stubbornness." Ellona grinned devilishly.

Now Daniel was getting annoyed. He glared at the creature, demanding it revert to its original form.

The horse gave a loud whinny and shook its head, its silver mane flowing. It proudly stomped about the room, though it was careful not to step on anyone.

"Hey!" Ellona growled, glaring at the horse. "You got about three seconds to knock that the hell off and change back. You aren't going to wreck my room."

The horse gave a proud huff, but soon changed back. The knife will the floor with a thud.

Great, it listens to her and not me thought Daniel with some irritation, going over to pick up the knife.

"Why do you do that?" Gregory asked.

"Do what?" Ellona asked, innocent enough.

"Lead. You're born to give orders, but you gave up the throne. I can't lead people like you can" Gregory frowned. "How do you do it?"

Ellona shrugged. "I just do."

"Maybe you could make her an adviser as well as a Hero," Daniel said.

"I can't make her a hero." Gregory stated. "Only a bred hero family can present the title of hero to another of deserving status. Don't you know this stuff?"