In the Ways of Camelot fantasy series, numerous magical enchantments are mentioned. Magic in this series is something that is crafted, using elements distilled from magical plants and animals. (Those into the Dark Arts will also distill elements from magical beings that have been killed.)
Magic is a skill that can be taught to almost anyone, as long as they have an ear for hearing the rhythmic sounds of the various elements. However, it is not something that is learned easily. Most magicians go through decades of training before they even reach the journeyman level and most do not attain master magician (wizard) status before old age creeps up on them.
Below, is a list of master magician level enchantments, including brief quotes from the novel(s) they are mentioned in:
Master Level of Enchantments
1. Dark Passage– creates an area of total darkness
Quote from ROAD OF LEAVES:
Francis went aside and did his mixing in a wooden bowl. The final brew was a dark, bubbling goo that he carefully set to one side. He then retrieved a rope from his saddlebags and tied it around his waist. When ready, he stated that only the pixies should join him. “This magic doesn’t mask sound and we’ll disappear to ourselves as well as becoming invisible to our enemy. Leave your deer here and prepare your bows in advance.”
Thom became suspicious. “Is this like the dark passage we came through earlier?”
Francis grimaced. “It is, though I could never sustain anything as vast as what the sorceress made.”
2. Eagle’s Spying– a way for a magician to see things far away.
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
Thom had never witnessed the creation of an Eagle’s Spying but he knew it was used to see things at a distance. His master had used it to find him a few times when he had been much younger and more prone to scamper off into the wilderness around their cottage.
Cath mixed the magic, attuning it to himself with a drop of blood from a pricked finger. A tiny, purple-glowing sphere rose up from the mixing bowl, like a floating eyeball. It shot away from the galley, heading toward the enemy’s boat. It had a very distinct click to its fast beat and Thom wondered how long it would take before the sorcerers noticed it and reacted. Cath sat down on a crate and just stared at nothing, his vision somehow linked with the enchantment he had just created.
3. Water Fire (unnamed in the novels)- a larger fireball that is capable of burning underwater
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
“Thomas, who is on the other boats?” asked Francis in an urgent whisper. “They start enchantments that are beyond anything I have ever seen or heard. What wizards have been hiding on the other boats?”
Thom finally realized what Francis meant. Apparently, Merlin and Levitanus were crafting some great enchantment because he could hear the elements being stirred and blended. He wasn’t certain of all the sounds, but he recognized five of the magical powders by their distinct rhythms and noted at least three others. Thom had never mixed more than three magical elements together. He couldn’t imagine what it took to craft something so complex.
“They make something with fire and water combined. Who are they?” asked Francis again.
Thom dared not reveal too much. “There are two wizards among us, but I’m forbidden to reveal their names.”
The abbot grunted and Thom realized that he had been listening.
Francis raised an eyebrow at Thom’s refusal. “Well, warn the captain that they are about to release something bright and loud. Most likely some kind of fire that can burn underwater.”
4. Hand of Lightning (unnamed in novels)- An enchantment that allows a magician to throw up to five lightning bolts, one from each extended finger.
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
Gweir quickly crafted an enchantment unlike any Thom had ever seen or heard. He completed his crafting by plunging his hand into the mixing bowl. When he lifted it up, lightning sparked off each fingertip.
5. Wall of Water– an enchantment that sends water shooting into the sky. More accomplished magicians can make the Wall of Water move across a lake or sea.
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
When the Royal Lion sprang around the headland, its hastily patched sail was full of Cath’s magical wind. Before it rose Ector’s Wall of Water, geysering up from the lake and providing the lion’s roar. The boat ran toward Mordred’s galley which sat still in the water, just outside the archway exit.
Overhead, the sky was beginning to darken in the east as sunset arrived. Ector’s water wall stayed ahead of them, its top edge feathering back from the speed at which it moved.
6. White Sun (unnamed in novels)- a bright light that can illuminate a wide area
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
A great white light bloomed in the sky high above the hedge wall, a light so bright that it caused shadows. And then another enchantment was released and everyone heard a booming voice.
“Dalrake! I am here and I challenge you now. Come and fight me, you betrayer of our brethren. You call yourself the Great Sorcerer; let us see how great you are. Cease your hiding and slinking from me.”
It was Merlin. He had finally arrived.
7. Rushing Waters (unnamed in novels)- an enchantment that will dam a river or stream and then suddenly release a flood of great force.
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
Finally, he heard something- a new rhythm of magic forming. An enchantment was being crafted, but Thomas didn’t recognize it. The fog shredded, wisps caught in a sudden wind. The stiff breeze made Thom swallow nervously, for he remembered the disturbing winds of the Road of Leaves. But he heard nothing wrong with the Road of Waters’ magic.
“Hurry!” ordered Merlin, finally looking back at the others. “Cross the bridge and get up that stairway.”
He didn’t wait to see if anyone complied, but strode quickly off the bridge and to the wooden stairs that he hadindicated. Levitanus gave Thomas a commanding wave and hurried to follow. Vivien lifted her long dress and scurried over the bridge.
Thom chased after them, rushing onto the bridge. As he crossed over the canal, he looked up its length. The wind now blew so hard that his eyes watered. He noticed that the water seemed lower but he could hear a rumble a few blocks away- heard it with both his ears and his inner ear. He slowed as he tried to understand what was happening.
“Keep running!” yelled Francis.
Thom realized that the three monastics were charging past him.
“Run or drown,” shouted Francis, again urging him onward.
Thom ran, although he still didn’t understand what was happening. The four of them made it over the bridge and onto the stairway just as that rumbling turned into a roar. Astonished, Thom looked down the stairway, over the monks’ heads, to see the bridge now gone and a wall of water charging down the canal.”
8. Shield of Power (unnamed in novels)- a magical dome or covering that protects those under it from physical objects and most types of attacks.
Quote from ROAD OF WATERS:
The great sorcerer crafted an opaque shield around himself and Mordred. Arthur, splayed at his son’s feet, was also inside.
Click a book cover to learn more about the Ways of Camelot fantasy series.
Eric Lorenzen 