The Howl of Avooblis

by Charles Streams

  Lita studied Dagdron’s face and, deciding he had told the truth, slugged his shoulder and smiled at him. Dagdron was surprised, because he had always considered Lita’s massive frame as having already made her fit to be an adventurer. But over the past three years, her skill set had developed her into a more well-rounded lady warrior adventurer. While she was still prone to rushing in with her sword swinging at first thought, she had become a very capable quester. Dagdron scowled at himself.

  “I know me and you aren’t the sentimental type,” Lita said. “But I’m grateful that I met you and Earl. Our experiences at the academy are what made me into the lady warrior I am today.”

  Dagdron nodded, and Lita slugged him on the shoulder again before leading the Thornrimians off on the rest of the tour of the academy.

  Dagdron had fifteen minutes of peace in his tree before the humming of a levitation spell disturbed him.

  “What’s going on with Earl?” Elloriana asked as she found a sitting spot.

  “He’s fine,” Dagdron said. “Stop asking about him.”

  Elloriana sat quietly for a minute as Dagdron tossed his dagger.

  “I know you don’t want to hear stuff like this, but I’m thankful for everything,” Elloriana said. “And I don’t just mean for letting me be in on the quests for the Arches of Avooblis. I know you never gave me permission to come in your tree, but the times we talked…I mean the times I talked.” She smiled. “They really changed my life. Even though I wanted to, I don’t know if I would’ve ever been able to really leave Lordavia and become an adventurer if I hadn’t met you and Lita and Earl. But anyway, I really am grateful.”

  Dagdron had sat calmly, holding his dagger without throwing it as Elloriana talked. He glanced at her, seeing the sincerity in her face. She had been such a richy snob their first year at the academy, but she had changed, too. Her magical ability had helped them on numerous occasions, and her attitudes weren’t as arrogant as before unless Dagdron goaded it out of her.

  “I think we’ve all changed,” Dagdron said. Elloriana looked amused that he had responded so politely, but Dagdron ignored her. “What did your parents say today, anyway?”

  “They weren’t acting like richies much at all.” Elloriana chuckled as Dagdron lost his emotionless expression. “My mother is still freaked out about me being an adventurer, but I can’t blame her. I’m the youngest child, and all my siblings have stayed right in Lordavia all their lives. But we didn’t talk about that. They told me how the Solloughbys are out of the pyramid, and out of Lordavia, actually. My dad banished them as traitors. Other than that, my parents really just praised all four of us for how we stopped…delayed Avooblis from being freed. Even you. Did you know that they offered Earl’s family their nobility status back?”

  “Earl didn’t tell me that,” Dagdron said.

  “They turned it down anyway. And now I understand why. Earl’s parents seem so happy. I want to be an adventurer to help the land, but I hope it makes me happy like they are now.” Elloriana paused pensively. “I better go get ready for the ceremony. Are you coming?”

  “No,” Dagdron said.

  “Yeah, right,” Elloriana said as she prepared to cast a levitation spell. “Earl told me and Lita that he knows you’re going. And out of everyone, Earl knows you best.”

  “Out of my tree, wench,” Dagdron said, pointing his dagger at Elloriana.

  Elloriana smiled and lowered herself to the ground.

  Dagdron couldn’t deny that he wanted to skip the graduation ceremony just to spite Earl, but he had always raced straight back to Cliffmount after his first and second years, so he had never been to one. So, his curiosity getting the better of him, he went inside the academy when he heard the procession of parents coming up the trail from Bodaburg.

  Rows of chairs filled the entrance hall, facing a platform that had been erected on the south side. As soon as Dagdron walked in, he saw Earl waving both hands vigorously to attract his attention. Dagdron put his hood on, crouching slightly as he headed to the front row where Earl, Lita, and Elloriana were sitting.

  “I saved you a seat because I knew you’d come,” Earl said.

  “I already heard,” Dagdron said, taking out his dagger. Earl ignored the weapon and yanked Dagdron’s hood from his head.

  He moved to the seat next to Earl and was surprised to see Wendahl, Grizzard, and Egon sitting in the three chairs next to his. Wendahl and Egon were leaning across Grizzard, making remarks to each other, and the old rogue kept jabbing them with his dagger. When Grizzard saw Dagdron, he pushed his brothers aside.

  “There you are, sonny,” Grizzard said, smiling his almost toothless smile and letting out a short cackle. “Old Grizzard wondered if you’d become an adventurer or not.”

  Dagdron smiled at his old friend before sitting down. Wendahl immediately asked in a whisper what his plans for the summer were, so Earl put his arm around Dagdron, squeezing his far shoulder to remove him from whispering distance from Wendahl.

  “Did you see your parents?” Earl asked.

  “No,” Dagdron said.

  “They’re here.”

  “Who cares?”

  “They are so proud of you,” Earl said, keeping his arm around Dagdron.

  Before Dagdron could stab Earl with his dagger, Headmaster Gwauldron walked onto the platform, motioning with his hands for the audience to quiet down. The headmaster was wearing a brilliant blue robe and his goatee looked freshly spiked. He stood front and center behind the podium, with the row of teachers behind him. Dagdron recognized the three rogue teachers, Enchantress Higgins, and Warrior Sawkett, but he didn’t have any recollection of having seen the other warrior, lady warrior, enchanter, or enchantress teachers. He shrugged, feeling sure Earl had mentioned them one time or another when he hadn’t been listening.

  “The Adventurers’ Academy has always been a school of action, so I will make this short. A time of change is already upon us. I am, however, extremely pleased to see so many of you have arrived safely for our graduation.

  “I originally established the Adventurers’ Academy so many years ago in order to instruct enchanters, rogues, and warriors so that they could successfully venture out and fulfill quests in order to bring peace to every city, town, and village in the land. As the years passed along the way, I lost sight of what truly makes the academy and what it stands for. And while there are indeed other aspects to consider in balancing the relationships of the numerous cities throughout the land, I have recently realized how easy it is to forget what the most important aspect truly is and always will be: the individual adventurer.

  “And, while I am the one who was inspired by three men to construct the Adventurers’ Academy, there is one student who exemplifies better than any other who has ever graced the corridors of this school what an adventurer from this academy should be. And that is why I have asked him to lead us in the recitation of the Creed of Honor and to speak to us this day. Earl Valorington.”

  Headmaster Gwauldron nodded his head toward Earl and motioned for him to come forward before retreating to his seat in the middle of the teachers.

  Dagdron threw Earl’s arm off him and poked him in the back with his dagger as his friend stood up. As Earl walked up to the platform, he stumbled over his boots, but after taking a few crooked steps, he caught his balance and made it to the podium without falling.

  Before starting the Creed of Honor, Earl looked directly at Dagdron, and Elloriana and Lita glanced over at the rogue as well. Dagdron scowled and put on his hood.

  Earl lifted his hand, dropping it as he started so the other students could join in.

  “Adventure and journey through all the land,

  Quest and defend with one’s own hand.

  In hopes of riches, fame, and glory,

  Lauded in song, script, and story.

  Heroics with sword, magic, and dagger,

  Always with courage, dignity, and honor.”

  As the crowed settled down, Earl lo
oked down for a moment before lifting his head and giving his speech from memory.

  “I have known about the Adventurers’ Academy my entire life. As a boy, my father often took me to Adventurer Plaza in Lordavia, where I found myself mesmerized by the songs and tales that were told about legendary warriors, lady warriors, enchanters, enchantresses, and even rogues. And on my fifth birthday, my parents gave me a small painting of the Adventurers’ Academy. I have kept it as my most treasured possession, because it represented my biggest dream in life, which was to become an adventurer.

  “Over the years, I kept that dream alive, even when I was unsure if I would be accepted at the academy. Shortly before my fourteenth birthday, I received the greatest news of my life when a parchment arrived telling me I had been accepted into the Adventurers’ Academy.” Earl’s characteristic grin broke out on his face as he remembered that exact moment in his life.

  “From that point on in my life, every single moment lived up to the enormous boyhood expectations I had built up in my mind for almost ten years. Seeing the academy in person on my first day was just as amazing as I always dreamed it would be. Walking through corridors, visiting Bodaburg, and dining in the eating hall were exactly how I had always imagined them. And then classes started. I began to develop adventurer skills and that, in turn, made my dreams seem even more obtainable. Because it wasn’t just about coming to the academy. I had long dreamt of becoming an adventurer to fulfill quests and receive the honor, fame, and fortune that come along with it. I began to believe that I could truly be an adventurer. That I could truly be a hero.

  “But over my three years at the academy, something changed inside me. And I would like to quote one of the wisest people I have ever met in my life.” Earl paused, looking down as he choked up, which gave Wendahl enough time to straighten his back proudly and gave Egon enough time to scowl over at him and flex his muscles. “Who cares?” Earl continued with some difficulty.

  Wendahl and Egon’s shoulders dropped as Grizzard jabbed them in the sides with his dagger. They both scowled at Dagdron, but then they smiled.

  “Yes, being at the Adventurers’ Academy lived up to my very dreams. And, yes, I was actually on the pathway I had desired from boyhood. But who cares if the academy is the most amazing building in all the land? Who cares how awesome the Bodaburg Tavern is? Who cares if the Winter Carnival is the greatest festival in all the land? Because what truly made my time at the Adventurers’ Academy so incredible were the things I couldn’t dream of before. I had the most exciting unexpected adventures. I gained skills and abilities that surpassed what I could’ve ever expected. And I met the best friends in the whole land.” Earl looked straight at Dagdron, Lita, and Elloriana. “I never imagined I would be so lucky.

  “And just like in my time at the Adventurers’ Academy, as we journey out now as full-fledged adventurers, our lives will be much the same. Who cares if we garner riches? Who cares what fame we gain? Who cares if bards laud our heroic deeds in song across the land? We may receive all those things, but our true reward will be seeing the peace and happiness we bring to the lives of the individual villagers throughout the land. Whether that means rescuing a city from a troll or jagtaur or reuniting a long-lost couple after fourteen years, or simply returning a precious locket to an elderly farm couple with a picture of their only daughter, our individual quests as adventurers that bring peace to individual inhabitants are what will spread peace through the land in this new age of darkness. That’s what being an adventurer and hero is and always will be.”

  Earl gave a short bow of his head as he finished.

  As applause broke out, Headmaster Gwauldron was first on his feet, clapping vigorously, and the entire chamber followed suit—except for Dagdron, who remained seated, watching Earl’s face turn red. In three years, Dagdron had never seen his open-book friend show any sign of embarrassment. Dagdron stood from his seat, brandishing his dagger in a threatening salute to Earl.

  When the applause died down, Dagdron quickly dropped back into his chair, and Earl returned to his seat.

  “That’s not what I mean when I say ‘who cares’,” Dagdron said.

  “It most certainly is,” Earl said, reaching over and yanking Dagdron’s hood from his head.

  Chapter 39: Touching & Heartfelt

  True to his word, Headmaster Gwauldron didn’t say another word, and he motioned for all the graduating adventurers to come to the platform. Dagdron stayed seated, but Earl and Lita grabbed him and dragged him along.

  “Remember,” Earl said. “We’re all going to open our quests together, so don’t open yours without us, Dagdron.”

  But then Earl was distracted when the first name Headmaster Gwauldron called was Wendahl’s. Wendahl proudly paraded across the platform, twirling his hoe to receive his honorary quest diploma and Adventurers’ Academy badge after so many years. He was followed by Egon, who drew his sword and flexed as he crossed the platform to the headmaster. Grizzard was the third, and he cackled loudly as the headmaster handed him is quest scroll and pinned his badge on his cloak.

  The headmaster moved onto the current students, and Dagdron was surprised when Cort’s name was called. The small rogue was still cut and bruised from the final quest, but he must have passed.

  When Byron’s name was called, there was a mild commotion when he reached the headmaster, so Dagdron joined Earl, Lita, and Elloriana in sticking their heads out to see.

  “Where’s my quest scroll and badge?” Byron asked in mid-handshake with the headmaster. His tone was upset and carried where the other students could hear.

  “Are you going to fulfill quests?” Headmaster Gwauldron asked.

  “No, you know very well I’m returning to Broodavia now that our other plans came to naught.”

  “Then you’re welcome to graduate from the academy, but there is no need for you to receive a blank quest scroll or wear a badge that no one outside of Broodavia will ever see,” the headmaster said.

  Byron scowled, and the headmaster placed his hand on his shoulder and cast a gentle whirlwind spell that blew Byron off the platform.

  Elloriana was the first of their group of four. She walked across the platform gracefully and, although there was a muffled sob from where King and Queen Loftloomburg were seated, the headmaster beamed at her as he handed her the scroll and pinned her badge on her robe. There was an outburst about favoritism from where King and Queen Fortigroff were sitting, but the headmaster and Elloriana ignored it, and the enchantress descended the platform with her scroll in hand.

  Dagdron’s turn was next. Earl gave him a rough pat on the back, sending him at a quick pace toward the headmaster. Dagdron tried to grab the quest scroll and hurry off, but the headmaster cast a fetch spell, forcing Dagdron into a handshake.

  “I won’t blame you if you always despise me, but I’m glad you came to the academy,” the headmaster said as he pinned the Adventurers’ Academy badge on Dagdron’s cloak. The brown insignia was designed with the academy and its towers in the center, pine trees on the bottom and sides, and the mountain as the backdrop. “You and Earl’s abilities in particular reminded me of why I built this academy in the first place when my original plans for the arches didn’t pan out. I really am proud to call you an adventurer. If there is anything I can do to let you know that how sincere I am, please let me know.”

  The headmaster held out the quest scroll for Dagdron to take.

  “Can I slice you?” Dagdron asked. “That might help.”

  “If you must,” the headmaster said, pulling up the sleeve of his robe.

  Dagdron pulled out his dagger and gave him a small slice on his arm. There was a gasp from the crowd and Earl yelled out, but the headmaster smiled.

  “Nope, it didn’t help,” Dagdron said. “I still despise you.”

  “Perhaps with time.”

  Dagdron did his best but he couldn’t keep a small smile from creeping onto his face until the headmaster placed his hand over the cut, cast a blue spe
ll, and healed his arm. Dagdron scowled as he took his quest scroll and left the platform.

  Lita and Earl were the final two adventurers. Lita’s parents and the group of Thornrimians that had made the journey yelled raucously as she received her scroll and badge. Earl strutted with the utmost pride across the platform, shaking Headmaster Gwauldron’s hand firmly before taking his quest scroll and puffing out his chest as the headmaster pinned on his badge.

  “Thank you for not expelling me,” Earl said with a smile.

  “Thank you for helping me not be expelled by Avooblis,” the headmaster replied, smiling and nodding.

  Earl squeezed the headmaster’s hand again before taking his scroll and returning to his seat as his parents, siblings, and niece and nephew cheered loudly.

  Dagdron planned on using his best sneaking skills to get out of the academy as fast as he could, but even he couldn’t escape all the people stopping him.

  “Look at that, sonny,” Grizzard said, cackling. “You and old Grizzard are adventurers now.”

  “Hurry, Dagdron,” Wendahl cut in. “Before Earl gets here. What are your plans for the summer?”

  “I’ll come to Coastdale after I fulfill my first quest,” Dagdron said. “Make the corn extra tall this year. I liked hiding in there.”

  Egon shook Dagdron’s hand proudly, and then Dagdron slipped off, only to run into the entire Valorington family. Dagdron patiently stood there while everyone greeted him and then pretended to threaten Kevan and Layla with his dagger when they mentioned playing statue with him. They laughed at him, so Dagdron slunk off.

  He was almost to the back corridor when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned to see King Loftloomburg. Dagdron glanced around and saw Elloriana comforting her crying mother a short distance away.

  “Thank you,” King Loftloomburg said. “I already expressed my gratitude to Earl and Lita when you first returned from Central Crossing a month ago, but Elloriana told me you would never agree to talk to me, but I had to thank you. The entire land might never know, but I have met with Headmaster Gwauldron, and he told me how you not only saved Lordavia but at least delayed the entire land being overrun by darkness.”