by Mike Ezekiel
“Damn Elvin Wizards!” turning to face Master Sernett who had just cursed the elvin wizards, Kerwyn saw the serious look on his Master’s face.
“What is it, Master Sernett? Will I be ok?” Kerwyn asked again.
“Will you be ok, will you be ok, you ask?... how should I know, I have never before in my life seen such a thing happen to anyone. Do you have any idea what happened when the Elvin wizards were filling you up with the One Power? No, well let me tell you. You not only have two eyes that are different colours, but each one glows with a bright inner light. Your black eye glows with a red light from within and it is as scary as anything. Almost like the Dark Wizard was here looking back at me. Your blue eye has gone such an intense blue that it is glowing and is such an icy blue light that it is almost too hard to stare into. No wonder the lights hurt you. I bet you could see in the dark with your glowing eyes. Also, I think some of the wizards’ life force transferred to you as well because you now have the look of an elf about you. If I didn’t know who you were I’d swear that you were Elvin born. I must say that you look more Elvin then some of the half -elves that I have seen through out my years. Mark my words: when I’m through with those Elvin wizards, they are going to regret doing whatever they did to you,” said Master Sernett as he turned on his heels and stormed out of the room in search of the Elvin wizards.
Turning to face Erlina, he saw her flinch and look away from the direct contact with his eyes.
“Erlina, am I so hideous that you cannot look at me?” asked Kerwyn while withdrawing his hand from hers.
“You are not hideous at all Kerwyn, you are very attractive. The Elvin change in you has made you much more handsome then you were as a straight human and you were handsome to start with. But it is your black eye that disturbs me. I can almost feel my own demise when looking into that eye; it is like looking into death itself. While looking into your blue eye is like looking into the eye of a god, it’s like you can see straight through me and into my soul,” said Erlina, her eyes still not looking into Kerwyn’s.
“Erlina, when I look at you, all I see is kindness and beauty in a very strong and proud woman. You are right though, I can see right into your soul and I see a very dedicated princess to her people and her family; someone who would do almost anything to ensure they are kept safe,” said Kerwyn.
“How could you possibly see all that when you look at me?” asked Erlina looking up and catching his blue eye while avoiding his black eye.
“You seem to forget that we have been in battle together. I do not need special sight to see all that about you. Erlina, you are the most wonderful women I have ever met. You were the first person to cast a spell when your mom was hurt. You were right there there during the battle with the trolls. You have been here by me since I was brought in here and even my master said that you have hardly left my side. If that doesn’t tell me who you are, what would? My special sight? Hardly! I do not need special sight to see how perfect you are,” Kerwyn blurted all this out without thinking. Erlina threw her arms around Kerwyn and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the blue-eyed side of his cheek. Whispering that she was very happy that he had survived and how upset she was when they couldn’t wake him earlier.
Just then there was a commotion outside of his room and it was coming closer. They could hear Master Sernett yelling at someone and then the door to Kerwyn’s room banged open. There stood Master Sernett with his staff out and it was glowing an intense green.
“Get in there you scoundrel and take a look for yourself if you don’t believe me. But next time you call me a liar, I swear that it will be the last time you ever call anyone a liar,” Master Sernett said in a very angry voice.
“Master Sernett, you have no authority here in the elvin domain. I am the head wizard and what you say is impossible. Please put up your staff and let’s discuss this like reasonable wizards,” said the newcomer to Kerwyn’s room.
“Just look at him and tell me I am lying again,” dared Master Sernett.
“Forgive the intrusion, Master Kerwyn, but your Master seems to think that you have been corrupted by elvin magic,” said the elvin wizard who had not yet looked at Kerwyn.
Turning to finally look at Kerwyn, the wizard drew in a quick breath and backed up. Holding up his hands he began to draw on the One Power. There was a sizzling sound behind him and Master Sernett cast a shock spell at the wizard before he had a chance to cast a spell at Kerwyn.
“Now there, Master Wizard, I told you that I would protect my boy and protect him I will,” said Master Sernett.
After being zapped by Master Sernett’s shock spell, the elvin wizard dropped to the floor and then tried to stand again. He shook his head and looked up again at Kerwyn and said a little prayer to the elvish god of long life.
Slowly regaining his feet the master wizard approached Kerwyn’s bedside again. He said nothing but only looked deeply at Kerwyn. When finally he did speak it was in very hushed tones, “Master Kerwyn, how do you feel? On second thought I want to know what you feel instead.”
“I am not sure that I understand what you mean Master Wizard?” queried Kerwyn with a shake of his head.
“Please call me Faunus, and yes I am the master wizard of the forest elves. I am the oldest living being in this forest next to the forest dragon, Fafnir, and the forest witch, Druantia. I have been alive a very, very long time. But that is not important right now. Master Kerwyn, did you know that your Master Sernett is a very persuasive man? He told me about your condition and I would never have believed him if he hadn’t used that magical staff and force me up and out of my chair. Which reminds me, Master Sernett, I would very much like to inspect that wonderful staff of yours? I have never seen a finer staff in all my long years and I do believe that it is god-made. Even our elvin weapon smiths couldn’t match the quality of the staff you hold.
Anyway, I am getting side tracked again. Master Kerwyn, let me take a look at you... Humm, I see that you have indeed taken on a lot of the One Power. Truly, you are glowing like a small sun. I see what Master Sernett was concerned about. Your eyes do seem to be peculiar, hmm, one black as night and the other the brightest of days. Looks like you have good and evil living in you, Master Kerwyn. I wonder how that would have happened.
I think you may have to go and talk to the forest witch, Druantia. She may have the answers and if she doesn’t then I would go and try and talk to the oldest living creature in the forest, the forest dragon, Fafnir. Ha-ha, now remember, he is a dragon and they do like to cook and eat anything that comes within range so you might want to get his attention before he roasts you to a cinder. Dragons aren’t known for chatting first and eating after. They tend to breathe fire and cook you before you have time to say hello. Dragons are such impatient creatures; it’s a wonder that they have lived so long and have become so intelligent.
You know, I remember one time when I was just a youngling; I went to see Fafnir to ask him a question. Come to think of it, I was lucky to make it out of his forest cave without getting roasted and he never did answer my question. Hmm... I wonder what my question was. Oh my, it has been such a very long time since I have thought about that dragon.
“Master Faunus, could we get back to how do we can help Kerwyn, which is why I got you in the first place,” pressed Master Sernett impatiently.
“Master Sernett, you are always in such a hurry. As I told you earlier this morning when you came and got me; we have all the time in the world here. With that fancy magical barrier that Master Kerwyn cast, no one is coming or going from the elvin domain, so why the rush? You humans are always rushing to get here, then rush to go there, then rush to get back, always the rushing with you humans. You’re all like a bunch of flies, buzzing from here to there, then back again and then you die. It’s such a waste of life never having enough time to stop and smell the flowers as we say.”
“Master Faunus, humans do not live as long as the elves and we need to do as much as we can in the time that we have. That is
the way of humans. When something needs to be done, we get it done. We don’t have centuries upon centuries to complete certain tasks,” said Master Sernett.
“Oh alright, Master Sernett, patience is something that the human race really could use more of. Sometimes having enough time to think about a problem will eventually give you the answer you were looking for... wish I could remember what it was I went to the dragon about... oh well, that’s for another time. Ok Master Kerwyn, let me place my hands upon you and see why you have been turned into a partial elf,” Master Faunus placed his hands on the side of Kerwyn’s head the same way Master Sernett had done. Again Kerwyn did not feel the power building in Master Faunus, just the feeling of warmth under his hands.
“Oh my, Master Kerwyn, you have a lot going on inside that head of yours...very peculiar. I can sense multiple entities living within you. There are at least three separate beings roaming around in your head. I can sense you, Mother Nature’s presence and one other; an evil presence that I cannot identify. It is like the evil has attached itself to your soul at birth and has been inside you growing along with you. Hmm, I wonder whom, or what has become a very real part of your life, but it’s one that wants you dead,” concluded Master Faunus as he took his hands off of Kerwyn’s head and turned to look at Master Sernett, a very serious look about his eyes.
“Master Sernett, I think you and I will need to have a conversation in private,” said Master Faunus and, with that, he started to walk towards the door. Stopping and turning around he said to Kerwyn, “Now Master Kerwyn, I would suggest you get up and get something to eat, and get some exercise. I have a feeling that if you can open that barrier anytime soon; you will be heading to see the witch. I think it would be very wise to get well rested and very well fed, as it is a perilous trek to her tree. Be safe, Master Kerwyn, and please drop in to see me before you leave. I think our paths will again merge and I think I like you the way you are now. Let’s try and keep you that way, shall we?” Master Faunus turned and walked out without another word.
Master Sernett was speechless and he didn’t know what to say. So he turned and walked out the door after Master Faunus trying to make some sense out of the whole conversation. At a loss, Kerwyn turned to look at Erlina and asked her to find his cloths because he needed to use the facilities and then they should go find something to eat. Erlina went over and collected his clothing. Feeling very self-conscious he asked her to turn around while he quickly jumped out of bed and got dressed. Erlina thought that this was very funny as she had seen naked elves many times before in the bath houses and when swimming in the rivers. Elves were not as modest as humans were when it came to nakedness. They regarded a good naked physical shape as one would admire a beautiful flower and to be in excellent physical shape went along with the long lived. It was just a part of who and what the forest elves were.
After dressing, Kerwyn and Erlina made their way downstairs for something to eat. Upon reaching the kitchen, Kerwyn realized just how hungry he actually was. The smells of roasted boar, bar-b-q’d venison, grilled partridge, stuffed duck and all the wild vegetables such as leeks, potatoes, carrots and mushrooms filled his nose. The smell of freshly baking bread tantalized his taste buds and brought a growl to his stomach and saliva to his lips.
“Oh my, Erlina, all the smells are wonderful! I want to try a little of everything!” Kerwyn said with love in his eyes.
“You are funny, Kerwyn, and yes, you can try a little of everything. You are our guest and all this food is in celebration of having honoured guests in our domain,” said Erlina with a big smile on her face.
As Kerwyn walked up to one of the cooks, he asked her if he could have a plate of food. She looked up at him and tried to stifle a small scream, failing that, she looked down quickly and asked forgiveness from him and the princess. Kerwyn could tell that she was visibly shaken. Remembering his black eye, he looked away and became very self-conscious of it. It didn’t feel any different, but he noticed that he was now very light sensitive and when he looked into the shadows he could see all the spaces that could be hiding something in the darkness. Erlina seeing the look on Kerwyn’s face about his evil looking eye stepped in between the cook and Kerwyn making it so the cook could not see him. The cook was relieved and thankful for the princess’s intervention and quickly gathered up a huge plate of food and handed it over to them. As an extra special treat she added a couple of pieces of fresh apple pie. Turning around, the cook went back to her duties as it was only a few hours away until lunch and there was still plenty of work to do. Also, keeping busy kept her from having to look at Kerwyn again.
Sensing the tension in the kitchen, Kerwyn and Erlina turned and walked back out the same way they had come in. Taking Kerwyn by the hand the Princess pulled Kerwyn up a path that ended up leading them into the gardens. Here the aroma of roses, hibiscus, daisies and lavender filled Kerwyn’s nose. Breathing in deeply, Kerwyn shut his eyes for just a quick second to take all the smells in. Not only had his eyes become more sensitive, but his nose had as well and the smells were almost captivating and very peaceful. Tilting his head just a little, Kerwyn picked up the sounds coming from the little stream that ran through the gardens. He could hear the birds chirping and the frogs croaking. When he put his mind to it, he could almost understand what they were saying to each other. He was sure that the frog was warning the blue jay to stay away from its tadpoles and he was certain that he heard the blue jay call back that it didn’t like the taste of swamp hoppers. But Kerwyn dismissed it and thought to himself that he must have just been imagining the conversation and, opening his eyes, he followed Erlina deeper into the gardens.
After a time they came to the center of the garden and here Kerwyn was amazed to see the stream had a little waterfall in the middle of it. He wasn’t entirely sure how the water climbed the waterfall to flow over the front of the falls to make the pleasant waterfalls but turning he looked at Erlina and she was smiling.
“Kerwyn, this was a present to my mother from my father. He had a lot of the Elvin magic, which we call Alured. With his Alured, he created this waterfall to bring my mother happiness and peace when he had to be away fighting wars or defending our domain. As king it was his duty to ensure our domain was always safe from evil and creatures like orcs and goblins that wander the forest,” said Erlina.
“Erlina, you never told me what happened to your father. I believe that I heard that he was dead but I don’t know how he died. If it is too painful for you, you do not have to tell me,” Kerwyn said sincerely.
“No Kerwyn, it isn’t too painful but truly I’m not exactly sure what happened. My father was out patrolling the forest and one day he just never came home. My father and his entire party were never seen or heard from again. My mother sent out a hunting party to try and find him but when they came back all they said was they had found a massive battleground where there were hundreds of goblins and orcs dead. But there wasn’t any sign of the Elvin party or my father. It was like once the fight was over they just ceased to exist. There was no blood or any bodies to be found. That was a very long time ago. I was just a child at that time, maybe eight or nine years old,” said Erlina.
“Do you remember him much, Erlina? I really don’t remember my real parents much and sometimes I have flashes of memories with pictures of their faces. But I couldn’t tell you what they were like or who they were as people. I know my mother was a beautiful woman and my father was a handsome man but I don’t really remember much else about them.
All I really remember is Master Sernett. He has been my Master for as far back as I can remember. I once called him father but he didn’t like when I called him that. He told me that I had a father out there somewhere and that one day he would come back and get me. He has told me that for almost the last seventeen years of my life. I don’t think he really thinks that they would come back for me but I think he just feels uncomfortable when I call him father and prefers it when I just call him Master,” said Kerwyn.
“Kerwyn, you are lucky to have Master Sernett in your life. Just think; you have become a powerful wizard and he has been there for you since you were a very young child. He must love you a lot but just doesn’t tell you. I saw how worried he was when you went unconscious and I also saw how mad he was at the Elvin wizard’s who wouldn’t stop. My mother had to intervene because your master was so mad that he was going to take all the wizards on in the forest if you didn’t wake up, and you know something, with that staff of his, he might just have won. I think he is almost as powerful as you are with that staff.”
Laughing uncontrollably, Kerwyn couldn’t focus on what Erlina was saying, “Master Sernett is almost as powerful as I am, ha-ha! That’s funny Erlina; my master is almost as powerful as his apprentice. I can’t even get a simple light spell to work right. I’m lucky if I don’t kill someone or myself every time I cast a spell,” laughing so hard Kerwyn had to sit down, as tears were running from his eyes and his stomach had started to hurt from all of his laughing. Erlina was getting very mad at Kerwyn that he would laugh and make fun of her, how dare he make fun of a princess. Not only that but an Elvin princess, who has been alive longer than he has been by almost two centuries.
“Kerwyn, please stop laughing at me, I don’t find it funny that you are making fun of me. Here I am telling you that I think you are the most powerful wizard that has been around in a thousand years and you laugh at me. I give you honour and you show me disrespect,” said Erlina sternly.
Stifling his laughter quickly by almost swallowing his tongue, Kerwyn stopped and just looked at Erlina with a serious expression.
“Erlina, I’m just an apprentice wizard. I have been learning magic from Master Sernett for the last nine or so years; ever since Master Sernett felt that I was old enough to start learning how to wield the One Power. I am a far cry form being the most powerful wizard in a thousand years,” said Kerwyn simply.