by R. W. Weston
This was unusual that the weather would change so quickly. The wind was picking up making high pitched whistles as it blew through the nearby trees. The force of the wind was blowing some of the dead branches off trees, some of the trees falling over completely. His father picked him up and ran into the house. The shutters on the windows started banging against the walls so his father locked them down to prevent the glass from breaking.
His mother still stood where she was unmoving, he noticed how her dress was still hanging only gently blowing not like it should be. He shouted for her to come into the house, his voice getting lost in the gale force winds. His father seemed to pay no attention to his mother. He started to cry, fighting against his fathers’ strength to run out and hold her.
He was awakened by the knock on the door. Wiping tears from his eyes he lay there, wanting to know why his mother didn't hear his cries or be affected by the winds. Who it was that was trying to tell him something, and angry with his father for not letting him go to his mother’s side.
A servant brought in his morning meal of fresh baked pastries, fresh fruit, spiced cider and fresh goats milk. He sat down at the table idly eating his meal, thinking of the dream he just woke up from. It bothered him, not having dreamt of his family, especially his mother for so long. Why now were those dreams returning, and why couldn’t his mother hear him.
He finished his morning meal and retired to the private library to begin his studies. He still felt weird in his new room. The size was huge compared to the apprentices’ rooms, and he was still not used to not having to go do the chores or have a patlin standing over him ever second.
He sat back in his chair and relaxed thinking back on the dream he had that night. A few hours later he decided he better go back to the library to start his studies. He found his way back into the far reaches of the library, the light from the skylights affording him ample light. The books in this area gave off a musty smell. Some were covered with several layers of dust, proving they had not been looked at for several decmen.
He took out the ring placing it on his finger again. He was very weary of using it again after the little display in his room the day before. He was glad there were no large fires or open flames in the library with all the ancient manuscripts; he figured they would light up faster than a child’s face at festival. Most of the titles were well worn off the bindings, so he had to pull them out individually, reading over the first few pages of each.
He happened by one that talked about the city of Prindley and so he decided to read more on it. Seeing as he was studying one of the oldest remnants from there. The city was one of the first known cities. By its close proximity to Mt. Locna it afforded a stable and mild climate. The nomads were able to develop the specialized tools from the heated rock of the volcano, thus providing means of basic agriculture.
The fertile landscape around the base of the mountain provided the early inhabitants with a constant means of providing food without having to travel. He found a large chair in a secluded corner of the library and sat down to read some more. As he sat there reading he didn’t feel the power leaving him, the book acting as a marklon channeling the power itself. He started to fall asleep as his energy was depleted.
“Heclomon sid trebli,” someone said behind him.
“What?” he replied turning around, seeing a man standing there, clothed in a tunic made from several pieces of hide.
“Heclomon sid trebli,” the man repeated, placing an arm over his chest his fist closed then extending it out to him.
He looked at the man strangely, trying to figure out what he was saying. The man looked at him with the same look of confusion, not being able to understand why he was not responding. They looked at each other for a few minutes, trying to communicate with each other, neither one understanding the other.
The man finally gave up trying to talk to him, instead motioned for him to follow him. Roland understanding what he was trying to say he followed him. He was led down through a forested path, reminding him a lot of home. He listened to the sounds of the forest, picking out the different types of birds and forest animals by their sounds. The cool wind feeling so good on his face, it only blew hard enough to ruffle the bottom of his cloak.
Coming out of the forest they walked into an open field. He could see some simple dwellings outlining a river, there were a few children running through the field being chased by what appeared to be some dogs. The women were sitting around a small fire, some sewing, others cooking and preparing foodstuffs. A few of the other young men were standing next to some tanning racks, stretching the hides of freshly killed animals.
They all stopped when the man called out to them. Some of the kids were running up talking in their strange language, pointing and looking at him. The dogs approached more cautiously, smelling the air for anything that would suggest he was a threat. Sniffing around his legs, he reached out to touch one of them, when he sensed and heard the guttural sounds behind him. Standing behind him the male dog was going on the defense, still weary of this stranger with the new scents among his owners.
As they approached the small village more people started to show their curiosity toward him. The women pointing at the way he was dressed, never seeing something like that before. He was taken to the largest house in the village, located in the very center. Standing in the doorway was an older man, his snow white hair falling to his shoulders, his white beard to his chest. He came walking out, relying heavily on his staff to help him walk.
The man that found him, walked over to the old man, talking and pointing in the direction from where they had come. The other village folks were talking amongst themselves, some pointing at him. Some of the older children walked closer to him looking at his strange clothes, still weary of this strange person that was now in their village.
“The time has arrived, you have found your way,” said the older man, looking him over.
“You can understand me,” he said, still shocked at what was going on.
“Yes son, I am Ynordial, principal Wizard of Prindley,” he said extending his hand.
His vision started spinning the world turning black suddenly. He woke up in Ynordial’s dwelling, lying on a soft bed of cut grass. A healer was watching over him, giving him some herbs to clear up his head. His mind felt fuzzy and clouded; as he started to wake up he could hear the people around talking and chanting. He wasn’t able to understand what they were saying so he figured now that he wasn’t dreaming.
He sat up slowly taking in his surroundings. The healer and wizard walked over to him. The healer felt his skin and looked him over as the wizard stood back smiling. He knew better than to interfere with Glinannas work. She finished her duties and allowed Ynordial to speak with him, warning him that he better be quick because this stranger needed to rest.
“So you have finally found your way I see,” said Ynordial, sitting down on the bed next to him. “I have been waiting many cycles for another traveler to find their way here, you know people like you and I have this rare talent.”
“Wizard, I don’t even really understand where I am, or how I got here. The last thing I remember was sitting in the patlin library, reading a book about Prindley. The next thing I knew here I was,” he said almost on the edge of hysteria again.
“It’s alright son, calm down. I understand how this can be confusing for you. You have found a special gift, the ability to mind travel into the past. As I said this is a very rare talent, even among the wizards. What you do with this gift is up to you, many wonderful lessons can be learned through mind travel, but it does come with risk,” he told him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“My only question is how did I get here and why did I come? Is there something that I’m supposed to do here? Am I supposed to do something that will affect the future?”
“You mean you didn’t intentionally come here on your own?” he asked surprised.
“No, and what do you mean mind travel and what is the risk
?” he asked Ynordial, confused about what was going on.
“Mind travel is a rare and almost forgotten means of communication. Even among the most ancient of wizards it was greatly misunderstood. Only those who had a special purpose were ever found to have it, which means you must have something very important to do in life.”
“But what is the risk?”
“If you stay in the dream too long your mind accepts it as reality. Once that happens you may never get back to your own reality, that’s what happened to me,” he said walking around the room with his head down.
“It must have been the book,” he said still in shock.
“What book?”
“I was reading a book on the city, and the next thing I know here I was trying to talk to some strange person, and now here I am.”
“Why were you reading on the history of a lost city?”
“I am studying a marklon, the Perrimon ring, it is said to be made from the molten rock from that mountain. So I figured why not try to learn more about the people and the place that it came from, seeing as I couldn’t travel there. I was hoping to learn something new.”
“The man who brought you to the village that is Partromon, head of the Prindley clan. They are the ones who will eventually help raise the city to one of the greatest in the world.”
“How can I be here before the city is even created then?”
“It may be why you were sent here, that is one of the oldest known marklons around, which I’m sure you know. What made you think you would be able to learn anything new?”
“Really I’m not sure, I just felt there was something more to this ring,” he said holding up his hand; surprised that it was still there.
“May I see it?” he asked, looking at it with a great deal of desire.
Roland hesitated long enough that Ynordial could see his reluctance. The idea of giving the ring to him was difficult, especially seeing the glazed look in his eyes. He pulled his hand back, almost putting it behind his back.
“That ring is very powerful, how long have you been in possession of it?”
“Two days now.”
“And you have learned not to give it up, you are wise. The marklons will work only for those who remain true to the promises made upon their receipt. To give them to someone else is to deny your rights to them, did you know that?”
He just shook his head no. Glinanna came back into the room, pushing Ynordial to the side. From what Roland could gather she was telling him that it was time to leave. She checked him again, making sure he was able to stand on his own. After passing her scrutinizing exam, she allowed him to leave.
“Before you leave, let me give you something,” said Ynordial. “Interpretium lidium exlica lidium, now you will be able to understand any language, and in turn they will be able to understand you.”
He wasn’t used to the sun, after being inside all day. His eyes took some time to adjust to the bright sun. He was amazed by the small village, it was surrounded by the wide open fields, the children playing with dogs, the women gathered by the hot spring washing and taking care of the community’s necessities of cooking and preparing. He saw some of the men gathered around some animal carcasses. Each person focused on the tasks at hand, the older men sitting around seeming to just talk.
He figured there were around a hundred or so people living in the village, the houses spreading out from the edge of the hot spring. Now that he wasn’t so shocked he noticed all the people were wearing animal skins, rather than the cottons that he was used too. The clothing seemed lightweight and very durable, allowing for the quick movements needed for hunting.
He walked out among the people enjoying the fresh clean air. After being cramped in the house of learning for such a long time, he had to continually remind himself that this was only a dream, to be careful and not get trapped in his own mind.
He found Partromon and thanked him for bringing him to the village. Partromon showed him around the village, introducing him to many of the villagers, each one greeting him with smiles and their formal greeting. That night they held a giant feast welcoming the new traveler. They danced around a large bon fire. Roland saw some of the youth that were about his age, the boys were standing tall mimicking his movements. The girls were pointing and laughing, turning their heads every time he looked at them.
One of the girls, Mage the daughter of a hunter came over and invited him to join her in a dance. He had seen her earlier that day helping with the wash and mending. She seemed to be shy and quiet not saying much. So this surprised him. He accepted her hand as she led him out to the dance circle. Not knowing the customs or the dances he fumbled as he watched the others perform the dance. Those sitting around the side were laughing every time he tripped over his feet.
The night was filled with music and laughter. The smells of roasted pig and wild game hung in the air. He continued to dance with Mage throughout the night, talking to and learning from her. As the night grew on he really began to realize how beautiful she really was. The firelight reflecting off her dark brown eyes, her long brown hair hanging down over her shoulders moving side to side with every movement.
He had to remind himself that all this was not real, a quiet sadness crept into his heart and mind, knowing that all this would come to an end. Knowing more that it had to and it had to be by his choice. Ynordial saw what was taking place. He watched as the two of them danced, slightly fearing that the young boy was going to lose himself too soon to the dream.
The festival started to die down as the younger and older folks retired to their huts, knowing they had a full day’s work still ahead on the marrow. Roland and a few of the younger villagers stayed up talking, and laughing. Roland was telling tales of the future, everyone laughing knowing that things like that could never possibly happen. Eventually each one started to leave, returning to their huts for the remainder of the evening. He sat near the dying fire thinking of the great night he just had, Mage being on the forefront of his mind.
How could one girl, one who was not even real have such a profound effect on him. He was startled by a rustling behind him. He stood up turning around to see Ynordial standing there; he calmed down inviting him to sit with him.
“She is beautiful isn’t she?” Ynordial stated.
Roland sat their quiet only shaking his head. “Why did I have to meet her?” not really wanting the answer.
“You realize that this is all a dream, everything but myself that is, she is a manifestation of who you would like to be with,” he told him, patting him on the shoulder. “Come now, I believe I know why you have come, let’s go back to my hut so I can explain it.”
They walked through the now quiet village, only the creatures of the night calling out the crickets and bullfrogs disrupting the quiet night. Arriving at Ynordial’s hut the night started going darker, the wizard looking at the sky seeing dark clouds building. Ynordial shook his head. The boy had little time to learn what he needed too, and get back before the Dark Lord destroyed the people.
“This is the ancient text that brought me here, I have had a memory of it with me since the day that I came, and since you arrived I have been drawn once again to its pages. In my search I have found a single passage that I believe refers to you. I believe that you are the bringer of light. The Dark Lord must be close to being free. If that were not so you would not be here,” he told him.
“The Perrimon Ring is one of the most powerful focus points of fire. There is a special ability that I’m sure you will be able to learn; it’s the only thing that will be able to seal the Dark Lord’s prison once again and hopefully for the final time.”
Roland stood there looking at the ring, feeling its weight for the first time. He wasn’t sure he wanted to continue wearing it. He tried taking it off but it didn’t seem to move. He started panicking when Ynordial put a hand on his shoulder jumping at the touch and realized what he was doing.
“Now watch, take hold of the power and watch what I do, it is v
ery important that you learn this weave the first time.” He took hold of the power, enough to see what the wizard was about to do. The weave started small, the whole thing concentrated with fire. Holding the weave he started a second one combining earth and water. The weave was moving steadily away from him.
The fires weave started to grow and pulsate, pulling the other weave towards it. The patch of earth that hung over the ground melted instantly from the intense heat of the fire, steam rose from the ground as the water cooled it. He could see the threads of earth taking form, building stronger with each cycle that he put them through.
He cast the webs down onto the floor. They started to meld themselves to the undisturbed earth of the floor. He started to mix probability into the fire weave as he did it changed to a bright white flame, breaking the earth and water weave he concentrated all his energy on the fire, shooting from the ball in his hands hitting the weaves sealing them together.
They both let go of the power watching the area change from a red amber glow to the color of the earth. Ynordial looked tired, beads of sweat running down his face, making streaks in the dust as it went. Roland looked at Ynordial, amazed at what he had just seen, the weaves impression upon his mind, not eager yet to try but fascinated at what he had seen.
“Why did the fire change like that?”
“That my boy is heart fire, not many wizards can do it, it truly is a special gift. With the ability comes serious responsibility, heart fire does more than burn, it changes the pattern of destiny. That little spot of earth will remain unchanged now for at least a century. By using heart flame you will alter destiny itself. If you use it to destroy a person or place, you not only change the patterns that are still to be laid, but you change the patterns that have been laid.”
“How will I know if I will be able to do that? I mean that is a lot of magic to control?”
