October 12- 2013
By: Dakota R. Hammond
Part One
Dramard Aniuage
Human/Shade Touched
The sunlight came in through Dramard's window falling on his face. Waking to the pleasant warmth, he stretched his arms in front of him. His back popped with a satisfying crack, and he got out of his small bed. He felt his excitement from they day before come back to him in a rush.
His mother had told him she felt he was ready to go to the Magus college in Great Falls, and had sent a letter to the Elder Mages there requesting an interview. It will be the furthest from his home he will have ever been if they except him. And why would they not? He thought to himself. He was extremely adept at learning the Arcane arts that his mother had been teaching him since his Fifth winter. Though as he became older, he noticed that behind the pride in his mother's face at ease he learned with magic was an anxiety and maybe fear. He told himself that it was just her being protective, not wanting him to get hurt or hurt others with the dangerous art.
She had given him one of her most treasured possessions last winter. A tome from her master. It contained a great deal of knowledge of the Arcane. Not just spells, but histories and much more. After his everyday reading and studying of the book, he felt he needed more information on subjects that had been touched on but not really elaborated upon.
His mother was the the villages' local healer. As a mage of the Red Order, she was trusted more than most magic users, but folk still kept their distance. Dramard craving companionship, and always wanting to know more about magic, would leave his mother's shop when she was busy with other people.
In his twelfth winter he had met Daljeo. A young girl who, for being the daughter of a retired city Guard of Parker, was very easy going and accepting. He could talk to her openly without fear of judgement. Dramard believed she was like this due to her own difficulties being different in a small village. Her father and mother had had her after their son had died. and her father took to training her in the way of the sword. Most folk in this area are not used to a female doing manly things.
She was always talking of adventures she was going to have. Including Dramard as her partner sometimes.
Dramard dressed quickly and went to the kitchen. Grabbing a hunk of cheese and a half loaf of bread, he quietly stuffed them into his pack-sack with his notebook and the Tome of Arcana. Slipping out the kitchen door into the chill morning air, he set off into the woods behind his home. After a few minutes he came to a clearing by the river, and as he expected, Daljeo was there in a boy's tunic sweating with exertion. She always practiced her battle stances here in the mornings. She didn't have a chance to say hi before Dramard explained what his mother had told him the day before. Gasping for breath he realized he hadn't really paused for a breath during his short speech.
Daljeo just smiled at him and said, "You sure are excited Dram. I can even see a shimmer in your eyes," and she laughed with a voice like bells chiming.
He brought out the food he had packed and split it with her. They sat down and began to chat about his news. Then she brought up the adventures again. She seemed even more enthusiastic about him going with her now.
"Well you'll be officially trained won't you? We could really benefit working together ya know. Steel and Magic together."
Dramard was just warming to the idea when they heard a low growl coming from behind them. Turning to look, Dramard was shocked to see a Mountain Troll. He had only seen sketches in his book, but the artist had captured the creatures likeness perfectly.
