The odd thing is that the next part of the conversation seemed so normal. We were talking about how we chose our training. I had lived in Jhelom for what seemed like years training as a halberdier and alchemist. Wyspyr asked why I never trained as a mage. Sitting there cross-legged in the upstairs bank lobby I began to think back to my days in Jhelom....
No, I was on a scouting expedition in Despise. That's it, it was Covetous. I managed the lizardmen with no real effort. There were a few that tried to cast lightning bolts, but nothing I couldn't handle. Then there was this odd thing that looked for all the world like a shrine to a spider god or something. I was sure I could find some treasure underneath.
In a flash I was in a very different place. LAter I guessed it was a place known as Wrong. No better name has ever been applied to a dungeon. The spiderpeople were horrible. Feasting on offal and human remains that lay scattered around the place. I had to fight for my life. They offered little challenge, and they didn't seem to care much for the feeling of my halberd crashing through their slime-soaked abdomens. But they weren't alone in their little web.
I was never one to run away from a little danger. In fact, I was enjoying the newness as much as I was repulsed by the blood and gore that littered its floor and walls. I delved deeper into this place I had never been, and as I turned a corner suddenly they were upon me. About 10 scurrying, 8-legged monstrosities were leaping at me, but just behind them I saw their leaders. Djinn. I recognised them from the fairy stories I heard as a girl. Blue swirling masses of magic and hate. They were howling with glee as their spells of lightning and pain rained down on me. My little demon spirit healed me several times. We ran for our lives. First I ducked behind a pillar trying for all I was worth to bandage my wounds before the next and final spell would come and send me to that terrible gray place again.
Ducking through a bright gray portal, I managed to get enough distance between me and them to heal up and throw down that scroll of Recall which always seemed to take my back home again. I was safe finally, but I wasn't unharmed.
I didn't go scouting again for a long time. I stayed in that charity field gathering flax and food. I even started staying out of town. Every time I heard a mage casting his protection spells by the bank or passing on the streets, I started to shake. Little by little, I came to realize I was terrified of wizards and that maybe I had always been....
I didn't share this with Bayn and Wyspyr. I just got up and headed straight out. Down to Maud the banker, out to the East where I knew I could find a mage to train me. I was not going to be afraid--not this old girl, never again.
Special thanks to Bayn for his inspiration and apologies for the blatant and unauthorized use of his characters
The next morning, I woke up with my head on some dusty old book of spells. The little pool of drool from last night's studying was still fresh, and I truly felt a little different. This change of life wasn't so bad. Sure I felt like I was melting the cheese on the pizzas at lunch with the hot flashes; yes, I was pretty sure every man in town was deserving of immediate summary execution at least until the next mood swing. But I could handle these changes.
Hal, the scribe at the shop, had taken a liking to me. Later I overheard him telling the others I reminded him of his mother. I think it was meant as a compliment. Regardless, I had pressing matters. my studies had often mentioned the shrines of the Virtues and their power to keep a mage's soul safe from the ravages of powerlust that always accompanies magical might. I knew I needed to get there fast. But how? Walking all over the world would take months or years even with ship passage to most of the towns. Even as I pondered this, Hal handed me a pile of 8 scrolls. "Take these to The Haunt. There's runebooks there, and you should be able to use these scrolls by now. I can imagine you're itching to get started on life as a real mage, eh Mom? I mean, Ms. Wynne."
He fumbled for words. I fumbled for a sword, but in the end we both had a good chuckle and heading out, I kissed him on the forehead. "See you soon, Junior," I whispered with a little laugh.
The Haunt was just like I remembered, full of hawking vendors and the smell of ale and pizza. I liked this place, but somehow I never noticed the 3 little books sitting proudly on top of the bar. I cast the scrolls over and over. In flash after flash I was whisked away to distant places, quiet places. I sat cross-legged for what turned out to be hours. Time and time again I would close my eyes for an instant and open them to see that the sun had moved noticeably in the sky.
It was more than that though. Every time I opened my eyes, I felt my heart open too. This was the real change of life, and as the dawn of the third day of my journey rose I knew it was all for the better.
