ok, so this is gonna be an entertaining blog with a story excerpt. comments are welcome. :)
Prologue
Geras looked down at his small companion, a hint of a sinister smile beginning to form across his
thin lips. He had toiled long and hard these last 20 years to find and unlock all of the pieces to the puzzle
that held power beyond his wildest dreams. Most had forgotten the evil wizard, Algaroth, imprisoned for
centuries in a magical limbo. Upon his binding, Algaroth had sworn power to the one that released him
and total devastation to those that opposed him. 'Yes', Geras thought, 'Luck was with me the day I found
the location of Algaroth.' Small hints of moonlight illuminated his twisted face, creating dark shadows to
match those of his even darker heart.
"Lots of shinies?!" The small figure waved his hands in the air, trying to contain his excitement.
"Yessss.." rasped the bony figure of Geras, now crouching beside of him. "More shinies than any
Droll has ever seen!" He whispered, pulling a crystal rock from his pocket and placing it in the Droll's
hand. A cross between a Dwarf and a Troll, Drolls were known for their love of shiny rocks and trusting,
child-like innocence.
"Dwidgett only need to go to cave by big white rock and hold magic stick above his head to get
more shinies?" He asked, through wide eyes. "Then we can free friend of Geras from...." He paused as if
afraid to say the last words, then looked cautiously left and right as if he was expecting something to leap
out of the bushes. *evil people.." came the barely audible whisper
"Something like that." said the wizard, a cold smile on his face. "Once we get past the magic
barrier and the bars and chains, that is exactly what I need for you to do. I have already found the scrolls
with the magical incantations I need"
Widgett nodded in understanding. "Widgett will help Geras."
"Excellent! " Geras laughed triumphantly. "It has begun!"
Chapter 1 "Ye Gods!" The old man barked, fanning the thick, acrid smoke with his hand and coughing slightly. "Tanin, what, in all of BellWood were you doing in here?!" He ran to open the tower window, mouthing a minor wind spell to try and filter the smoke away. "I.. I'm sorry Master Tork..." The young dwarf stammered. "I was merely trying to practice my potions. It was an accident, I swear by all that I hold dear..." He lowered his emerald eyes, not only in a futile attempt to keep them from tearing up from the sooty particles in the air, but to avoid Zedarin's face. He could hear The Elf snickering in the corner and his shame would not allow him to risk a humiliating glance. The Wizard scowled. "Magic is not a trifle to be toyed with by an unsteady hand!" "Here now, Master Tork, You've encouraged us to practice in the week that we have been here." Zedarin stifled a chuckle, trying not to embarrass his friend anymore than he was already. With an exasperated wave of his hand, Tork turned and stomped for the door, mumbling something about Dwarves needing to stick to mining and smithing. Tanin looked to Zedarin as they hurried to follow their teacher, his face alight with silent thanks for the Elf's gesture. He tried not to show the sting of Tork's words. He knew that they were spoken in frustration over the accident, but, he was also painfully aware that a Dwarven wizard was not only rare, but not readily accepted in their world. "Gentleman," Tork said as he hurried out of the Tower's side door and towards the stable. "The other students are arriving today and since the pair of you have had a week to familiarize yourselves with the grounds and the surrounding area, I would like for you to go out and meet them and bring them here." "Tanin, You will take that route and meet the majority of the bunch." He pointed to the dusty trail beside of them. "Yes Master Tork." "Zedarin, you will greet the other two students by the Eastern road." Zedarin smiled. "It would be my pleasure Master Tork." The teacher nodded and turned back towards the school. "Mayhap you are getting too old to have the patience for the young ones." He muttered under his breath then thought himself ridiculous. "Nonsense. You are barely Five hundred and seventy-five. a youngling among the Elders of the order." He reasoned. "Even if it were so, You will have the honor of teaching the seven most gifted for the craft in the Five Kingdoms. Better to make the most of it." He reasoned aloud as he made his way back into his study. He knew that his purpose was not to teach the skills themselves, or the potions, or the spells and incantations. His was the task of teaching the younglings the control of their craft, the mastery of their art. After all, one could not have, say, an ice elemental freezing the ocean because they lacked control of their powers. "Still talking to yourself old man?" said a bemused feminine voice from the shadows. "When it suits me." Tork quipped. "Still lurking in corners Arzelia?" "As only a Seer can." She laughed, forgetting for a moment the seriousness of her visit. Tork smiled back at her, thinking how beautiful she had remained in all of these years. She was 527, a bit younger than he, but unlike himself, her hair was not gray, nor was her face riddled in wrinkles. There was the slightest touch of white hair among the chestnut strands, but that was the only sign of her age. Humans born of the Magi nature enjoyed an extended lifespan due to their magical abilities, but they did not share the nearly eternal youthful appearance of those of the strong magi races. "It has started, has it not?" He brought them back to the harsh reality before them. "The Princess of the Fae..." "Still eludes me!" Arzelia hissed, bringing her staff to the ground with a thud, her amber eyes burning with despair "Ellindria has strong magic! She has covered her tracks well! She is one of the TRUE seven. One of the others..." "Is fated to play another role in the Prophecy... As is the 8th student to come here.* Tork lowered his head in sadness. "Yes, I know..." "What if we cannot find her?" "She will surface when the time is right." Tork said with firm resolve. "We have to believe that it will be so."
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