I've always been close to the land. My father is a smith, and a farmer. My mother, a healer. Both are known well beyond our little village for their skills.
I have talent in both areas, but my real expertise is Earth Magic. I can encourage a freshly planted field to produce a bountiful harvest in mere weeks. Rock and soil will move at my request, allowing crops to be irrigated.
Imagine my surprise when Wizard Ruillen gave me a quest well outside of my expertise. I always knew he would find something difficult (if not downright impossible) for my final challenge before official apprenticeship. But I'd always assumed that it would be something tailored to my skills...
I was sitting on the chopping block in my front yard when the visit which was to change my life forever occurred.
The man in the flowing black cape just seemed to appear. Even old Shep was startled, and he's the best watchdog for miles. "Hello, young William. The last full moon I told you it was almost time to go on your quest. I'm pleased to say that I've found the perfect one."
The old man was actually beaming! This made me nervous - the only time he ever seemed happy was when he was making my life miserable!
I got up, and bowed respectfully. "What would you have of me, Master?"
He smiled in such a way that most would take as friendly. But I knew better. Those twinkling blue eyes meant trouble. "Ah... always so helpful. There's a wyvern nest up in the hills, at the base of Mistdom Mountain. The roosting pair lost their clutch, and stole a dragon egg. I want that egg, before it hatches."
For a few seconds, I couldn't speak. My stomach clenched, and I struggled to keep my knees from buckling. I finally managed to say a few words, as I gagged up a little of my morning oatmeal. "Why would you want a dragon?"
Wizard Ruillen clapped me on the shoulder, as if we were old friends. "The better question is, why wouldn't I want a dragon? It could easily carry me on long journeys. If anyone tried to harm me, it would kill them instantly. I've wanted one for centuries, but I wouldn't dare to risk stealing an egg from a dragon nest. They almost always find their babies..."
I latched onto the last part as if my life depended on it. Because it did!
"They're sure to come looking for this one too. Maybe they've already reclaimed it," I insisted.
Wizard Ruillen shook his head, still smiling. "The parents won't be looking for this one, I saw the whole thing from the cave I was sleeping in. Some crazy knight came along while the wyverns stole the egg. He hid until the two were gone, then went in and smashed the rest of the eggs."
I whistled. "That was a stupid idea! I'll bet the dragons hunted him down."
The old man's smile was gone. "They didn't have to, the mother caught him in the act. The knight died in the nest."
His unusually grim expression told me that it had been an especially horrific scene, so I didn't press for details. Instead I continued to impress upon him why this quest would be entirely wrong for me.
"Even if the dragons believe their egg was destroyed, the wyverns are just as deadly. What's the difference between being fried or torn apart?"
I was shocked when Wizard Ruillen's smile returned.
"Young William, if I thought you would fail, I wouldn't send you. Your gifts are especially strong."
I blinked. "Master, I can make crops grow. I can prevent floods from destroying homes. But I'm not a warrior."
He somehow managed to look proud and disappointed at the same time... "I've seen you in action, William. You don't even realize that you can use those very same gifts in battle if necessary. That's why I'm giving you this quest, instead of claiming the egg on my own."
"I can't do it, Master. At least not yet. May I please have another year before I go on a quest? Or at least attempt one better suited to me?"
Wizard Ruillen looked at the ground for what seemed like an eternity. "No, this feels right. You will bring me the egg."
My knees buckled, but I still didn't see any sympathy in those smiling old eyes.
"I'll loan you my staff, and five of my most powerful healing potions. Don't worry, boy. You'll do fine!"
I gasped. "Master... I can't take your staff. You've not been away from it since you were my age!"
Without a word, he helped me up, and placed my hand atop the smooth wood. "There now, you get used to it. Spend a couple of days practicing, while I prepare your potions."
I did precisely that. You see, when my master gets an idea, there's no talking him out of it. So I tried to find ways to use my powers for combat - but I had very little success.
My attempt to throw dirt at an imaginary opponent resulted in my needing to jump in the creek, fully clothed. I'm not even going to talk about what happened when I tried to convince the land to open up underneath a boulder...
Three days later, Wizard Ruillen returned. I still hadn't mastered the powerful staff, but it definitely amplified my power. I just needed more time...
"Hello," I greeted him. The first thing I noticed was the small package he carried. This meant I wasn't going to get a reprieve...
"Hello, I trust you have become well acquainted with my staff, young William?" he asked, as he handed me the package.
"I've been practicing, but I can't seem to get the control I need. Maybe if I had a couple of weeks?" I tried hopefully.
Wizard Ruillen shook his head. "No, the skill will only come when there is great need. This part of your education can't be taught, or learned through practice."
I slumped. This wasn't going to be a good week.
When I didn't make a move to pack, he picked up his staff. He whispered something, then tapped the staff against the chopping block. A cloud of thick black smoke slowly became my pack - and to my dismay, it was full.
Soon I found myself heading towards the distant Mistdom Mountain. The staff and potions gave me some security, but I was still confident that I would never set eyes on home again.
Locating the wyvern nest wasn't difficult. The problem was that one of them always stayed behind.
I decided to face the male, despite his larger size. It's a well known fact that mothers of any kind are the most fierce creatures ever to exist.
I waited until she was well on her way, then I tried the boulder sinking spell again. The results were... spectacular!
To be continued!
Cover image made in Canva Pro using their gallery
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