by R. W. Weston
The last wolf sat ready to attack with its teeth bared. Joran heard a low growl come from the wolf’s throat a moment before it sprung in a deadly attack, biting and clawing to get to his neck. The wolf hit him with a strong blow, pushing him back with more force than he had anticipated. When it hit him he dropped his sword to protect his face and throat from the razor sharp teeth. He knew that if the wolf got a hold of his neck he wouldn’t have a chance.
Fighting in this style was difficult for him; the wolf had gotten on top and was now biting and clawing his body. His arms were getting tired and he was about to give up when the wolf suddenly went limp and fell on him. He looked up to find his son standing over the wolf, his face as white as fresh fallen snow. He was slowly backing up with his father’s sword in hand, now dripping with the fresh drawn blood of the wolf.
Outside Maglin had destroyed all the black knights, the only creature that survived was the black hawk, it alone carried the message back to Marcolin who now sat and waited on the edge of the forest. After seeing the lightening and the fireballs he thought to himself, this cannot end well.
When Maglin walked back into the house he saw the dead wolves lying on the floor and immediately took them outside and burned the bodies to keep their evil from taking hold in the house. He knew that even after a creature of the Legion is dead it still holds the power of the black magic that was used to create it. Joran and Roland took the opportunity to sit. Both were in shock at what had just happened in their home.
"What was that, that just happened?" asked Joran, wandering around the room still in shock.
"That I'm afraid to say, were some of the black knights, I'm afraid they were after me, I do apologize for bringing them here," stated Maglin, sadness on his face and in his voice.
"Why are they after you, and who are you really?" demanded Joran.
"As I said, my name is Maglin, but in truth I am not a merchant, not anymore at least. I am Maglin lon Wilian, wizard of the sixth house. I am seeking new wizards for the sake of our cause. I assure you that this will not happen again too you two, once I take my leave."
"Master Maglin, you're a wizard?" asked Roland, surprise in his voice, anxious to learn more. "You say you're out looking for new wizards? What do you mean, and, how do you know when you find them?"
"We have a way to sense the potential in young people. We have a way to know if they posses what it takes to control the elements."
"Can you test me?" he said, full of excitement.
"Well I will need your fathers’ permission."
"Dad what do you say?"
"Yes, you may," he said, turning to go clean his sword and see what needed to be done for repairs on the house.
Joran knew deep inside that Roland would have what it took to be a wizard, after all his mother had been one of the most powerful sorceresses in the last four ages. When they met he had been wounded in a battle with the Crioltian's, and the High Lord had a healer in his care. He still remembered the first time he saw her, walking down the rows of the injured, some dead, others dying.
He had taken a blow in the chest from a battle-axe. He too had been severely wounded and was dying, but she had compassion on him and healed his wounds. From that time she continued to check in on him and a few months later they were courting, shortly after they were married. He received many accommodations for his valor, and then was released from the regime.
"Now Roland, remember to just relax this will take but a few moments. I will be doing all the work; you may feel a slight tingle go through your body, but do not worry, that is just the magical probe. The only way to tell if you can handle magic is by letting the probe enter your very essence and read what it tells me. Here we go, relax."
Roland didn’t feel anything different at first. It was when Maglin started his soft chant that he could feel the slightest of tingling, as though his feet were falling asleep. The sensation continued up the rest of his body, leaving kind of a cooling sensation as it passed. When Maglin reached his mid-section, around his heart he stopped suddenly, with a stunned look on his face.
"Master Joran, can you please come in here," he called into the next room. "Sir, your son indeed does posses what it takes to control magic. In fact I sense it stronger in him then I have in anyone I have tested in a long time. I'm surprised he hasn't accidentally done something with it."
"That doesn't surprise me Master Maglin, please sit down both of you there is something I should tell you," he said pointing to the table. All three sat around the table and Joran began telling them all about Roland's mother.
"Son, it is time you know the truth, your mother’s name was Gwenlyn lon Olean, that was before we were married," he started. Maglins face looked puzzled, as though he was trying to remembering something.
"Gwenlyn and I met after I had been wounded in a battle with the Crioltian's, this was many cycles ago. She was the healer to the High Lord. We both fell in love quickly, and after she had healed me we left and came here. We both decided that we would keep her identity from everybody. The fact was she more than a healer, she was a sorceress."
"My mother was a sorceress?" Roland asked not believing what he had just heard.
"Wait," said Maglin, "that name I remember it now, she was the daughter of the Keeper of the Gate, and Possessor of Keys, but she left our order, so many cycles ago. That would make him the heir to both callings. That explains the great force he has. More than that, I think he may be the one I've been searching for."
Chapter 4
The Adventure Begins
aster Joran, if it’s okay with Roland, I would like to take him back with me to the house of learning. If he is who I think he is, then he must be trained and become a wizard."
"That decision is up to him. I’ll support whatever decision he makes," said Joran, looking at his son in wonder. "What could he possibly be?" he asked himself.
"Master Maglin, can I have a little while to think about it?" Roland asked.
"Yes, a day or so but if you are to go with me we must hurry, I’m afraid there is little time for what must be done."
The sun was now starting to raise, day's first light showing over the crest of the mountains. All three men were extremely tired from what had transpired during the night. They decided to sleep for a few hours before starting the necessities of the small farm. Roland didn’t go to sleep easily. He could still remember the look in the eyes of the hawk that had been outside his window, it looked like it was preparing to kill him.
Aside from that, his whole world had been turned upside down. The thought of leaving home with this stranger was scary. Although he did save their lives he didn’t like the thought of leaving his father to care for the farm and the work by himself. Eventually sleep did come, and for once he slept with no dreams that he could remember.
Joran lay in bed contemplating what had just happened. Now with Maglin's request to take Roland; he wasn’t sure what to do. He knew that if his son were important to this guy, then the dreams he had been having had some meaning to them.
“What if the attack that had happened that night wasn’t meant to kill Maglin, instead to kill his son,” he thought. He knew there would be no way he could protect the both of them if they came again. "Blessed be the light, that Maglin had come that day," he said to himself.
All three men slept well into the day. When they woke up the sun had already crossed the mid-day apex, starting for early evening. Joran and Roland started to clean out the cart and take care of the animals. They decided that they would take it easy for the day and only do the chores that had to be done to keep the animals safe and healthy.
Maglin stayed at the house with them, constantly watching Roland for any signs of magic. Roland thought at times the old man must be crazy because it looked as though he was talking to himself. The next few days passed catching up on the work that needed to be done before the heavy part of winter came. All the while Maglin was talking Roland into leaving with him, and shortly at that.
> "Dad, can we talk?"
"Yes son, what's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking a lot about what Maglin has told me, about becoming a wizard. I do want to go learn, but I'm afraid to leave you and the house. I mean who will keep you company and help around the farm and in the shop?"
"Oh son, your Mother would have been very proud of you. I understand this is something that is very important for you; it may even help you to learn more about your mother. She was always better at giving people advice than I am. But all I know son, is you need to follow your heart. Our lives are not much different from these leaves, at first we try to hold on strong to what we believe will give us life and all we know. In truth their real adventure begins when they let go, and let the wind carry them where it wills, and in doing so possibly giving new life to itself."
Three days later Roland and Maglin set out on a new adventure.
"Master Maglin, can we please go into town before we leave. I want to say goodbye to a friend of mine, you know so he knows that I'm leaving and that I'll be okay."
"Yes, but as I said we must hurry we can only stay a short time; we have a long way to travel. I still have so much to teach you before we reach our destination."
"Thank you. By the way, where are we going?"
"Some place special. You will see when we get there; we don’t speak much about it for fear of evil coming upon us."
The two men traveled back into Kirchwin on the horses that Master Loran lent them for their return home. The snow had started falling, leaving a small blanket on the ground. Only the strongest of spring flowers were showing through. The wild winter roses were now in full bloom, and would be until the heavier snowfalls came.
The wind was still blowing, as it always did in the mountains. It was a gentle breeze. Both men had dressed in some sturdy clothes for the trip. The longer thicker wool cloaks helped to keep the winds and snows from reaching into their bones.
The trip took two days to make, a bit longer than normal. They had to take it slow because Maglin didn't know the mountain trail, and was afraid of falling from the mud as the snow melted a little. When they got into town the moon was just passing high apex and was now descending.
They went to the mill to find the family asleep. Because Ty was the only boy in the family he got his own sleeping quarters. Roland knowing where this was woke him by tapping on the window.
"Roland, what are you doing here, and at this hour of the night?" he asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
"There's no time, can you come out to the barn for a few minutes? I need to talk to you."
"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute, let me put something warmer on."
"What are you going to tell him?" asked Maglin, while they walked to the barn.
"Just that I need to leave for a while, I don’t want anyone to worry. I also want to see if someone could check on my dad in a few days, you know to see how he is doing."
The barn door squeaked a little on its rusty hinges when they opened it. It was considerably darker inside until Maglin produced a small flame that seemed to dance above his hand. Roland quickly grabbed a lantern, which Maglin lit then let the flame disappear from his hand. Roland was still amazed at what he saw. Ty came into the barn as Maglin and Roland were getting comfortable.
"Roland, do mind telling me what this is all about now? And who is this?"
"Ty sit down please, this is Maglin. I guess you could say he is an old friend of my mother. I just wanted to let you know that I'm.. well I'm leaving for a while. He is going to take me to meet some other people that knew my mother. I'm hoping to learn some more about her. I just thought you needed to know, and to ask if you could make sure somebody checks in on my dad in a few days."
"What do you mean you’re leaving? Where are you going? When will you be back?" he asked. Feeling confused and hurt that his best friend was leaving to the creator knows where, and for how long.
"Look Ty, I have to do this, I hope you understand, I’ll come back as soon as I can. As for where I'm going I can't tell you, well because I don't know myself yet,” he said looking at Maglin. “Maglin say's I have to wait to get there before I’ll know."
"You mean to tell me your running off with a stranger, and you don't know where to?"
"Yeah, that's about it."
"Well then, I'm coming with you."
"No. You can't, who will help your dad at the mill? Besides we are leaving tonight, and you won't have time to tell your family goodbye. I know your dad wouldn't let you go."
"Look Roland der Causland, I am your best friend, and friends stick together no matter what," he said angrily. "There are plenty of young boys who need work. My dad can take one of them on, as for my family, you said you'd be back, well I will see them again, I will just leave them a note telling them that I have left with you, but you can't stop me from coming with you."
"Boy's, please we must hurry," said Maglin now standing between the two of them. "I don't have time for this, son what is your name?" he asked Ty.
"Tylon der Loran, sir."
"Well then Tylon der Loran, you may come with us. Only with the understanding that you are not to interfere with anything Roland and I do after our day's travels. That means a lot of the cleanup work and camp maintenance will fall on you, can you give me your word on this."
"Yes sir."
"Then go quickly, we must leave before first light."
Ty quickly returned to his room and packed a few clothes for traveling. He could never remember being so nervous and excited all at the same time. He began to feel dizzy from everything but knew that he could not stop to rest. He quickly found something to write with and left a little note for his family. Letting them know that he would return when he could, but he had to go with Roland, as he finished the short letter he could feel a ping of sadness as he realized he may never see his family again.
The small party started out a few hours before pre-dawn set in, they traveled quickly through the woods. Maglin knew they had to get far enough away from the town to avoid any early morning searches, especially now that Ty was with them. The two boys started the journey full of excitement; this was the first time that they were leaving home.
The early morning was very cold with a light snow falling at first then picking up. They traveled on foot, leaving the horses with Tys’ father. What the boys didn’t know was this snow wasn’t natural. Maglin had created to help cover their tracks by laying a thick blanket of fresh snow over everything. It wasn't until well after first light that they were allowed to rest and eat breakfast.
They continued until high apex before they were able to rest again and take their midday meal. After which they continued until well after nightfall before stopping for dinner. They made all their meals from dried sweet meats and vegetables that Maglin seemed to be hiding. For the next few days they continued this routine until they came to a small town.
The town of Haversfield was a lot like Kirchwin, populated mostly by farmers and country folk. When they arrived they were able to stay at the town's only inn, Eye of the Storm. All three were grateful for the chance to rest and have a hot meal. After they ate they enjoyed a hot bath and a soft bed which felt like heaven, after having slept on the ground for nearly a week.
Maglin woke them early the next morning. He had purchased three horses from a local farmer to aid them in their travels. They continued traveling for three more weeks keeping away from the roads and small farms they saw on their way.
"It's time to start learning. You will need to know many things when we get to where we are going, please sit. Tylon you will now need to leave us, please clean up camp and tend to the horses. After that you may retire for the evening, this may take us awhile."
Roland and Ty looked at each other puzzled about what was happening. They had been on the move now for just over a month. Maglin seemed to be a different person today. Most of the journey he had kept quiet, all but a few ramblings to himself. Roland and Ty however were all talk, mostl
y about the great adventure they were on. They wondered how they would be received when they returned.
Not everybody in town left on such a great adventure. Ty stood up and walked back to where the horses had been tethered and started preparing them for the night. He took off their saddles and packs and gave them a rub down, and fed them some of the grains they had brought.
"Roland, what I'm about to tell you is to be kept secret. You can’t even tell your family or closest friends, even if you believe you can trust them with your life," he said, stern yet respectful.
"I swear by my own life, and the life of my father."
"Very well then; you must listen and pay close attention to what you are about to hear. Any questions I ask, you must reply quickly and honestly, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"I told you before that I am a wizard from the Sovereign Order, have you ever heard of them?"
"No sir."
"We are the users of White Magic. When the world was created we as a people were lost. We had many struggles and a difficult time with survival. The great creator saw this and granted a few people with the gift of magic. The power was pure and elemental, to help with the survival of the people. A few chosen from every race were called together and given this opportunity with a vow to use it only for good. The power was based on four basic principles.
First is Honesty, to be able to control the magic you must be honest at all times, this means to tell the truth as you know it, and to be fair to everyone. Do not judge people for what they are, but for who they are inside.
Second is Integrity, you must have impeccable integrity, so as not to be influenced by the Dark Lord, for he too can control the elements.
Third is Charity, you will come to a time in your life when you must give of yourself freely. Helping anybody at any time when they need it. This may seem like a simple task, but let me warn you now, self-indulgence and pride are the greatest of evils for someone like us. To give of yourself freely, in the end will allow you to see all that is good.