The Journey is More Important than the End ( Closed for Sweetp4u and Myself)

[ArchaicJay]

OOC: First time posting here, so please be kind *grins* Hope any and all that may follow this little thread enjoy it.

Bio:

Name: Eleran Mideo
Height: 6'2
Weight: 195 lbs
Medium build, though a little thin. Long, lean muscled. Crimson hair that was long and chunky. Blue eyes that gleamed with golden flecks.

IC:

The sun rose over the majestic city of Feldane, bathing all below in the warmth of it's golden rays. Feldane was a city, much like any other, though in it's heart rose a tower of gleaming, pristine marble in a shade of white that could be called nothing less than pure. Twisting stairs, rising spires, beautiful buttresses adorned this God-like structure, and on it's very top was a gleaming staff cast in gold that seemed to pierce the very sky. Each morning when the sun crept over the horizon, that staff would glow, burnishing brightly as if receiving the sun's energy itself and harnessing it for those who dwelled within. Were that the case, the inhabitants of the mighty tower would have been happy indeed, for they were the Mageborn, those who would wield the energies of the world, bending them to their whim with only their mental strength and imagination to limit them.

This morning was like many other's for Eleran, a Magister's apprentice like so many other students that lived in the tower. When the sun's rays illuminated the city, they found him upon his knees in the expansive floral gardens surrounding the great keep, plucking weeds from the rows of meticulously planted herbs. Watering here, weeding there, his mind soon was lost in the task, as it was every morning since he had become apprenticed to Master Cedan. One might wonder what a mage would do with herbs, being able to cast bolts of fire from his fingertips, or call mighty strokes of lightning from the Heavens at his whim, yet few knew the Craft, who were not of the Craft, and those that did knew that without components, most, if not all spells, were an impossibility. This was the reason for Eleran's devotion to the herb gardens of his master, for with these plants, he was able to learn, and only by keeping them in the best of health did his Master deign to keep him. His position as apprentice, afterall, was never one to go unfilled long as young men and women eagerly sought out to learn about the powers that the mighty Magi wield.

"Lor, but the warm spring rains have done wonders for the betany, though you, poor thyme, seem to be getting more water than you need." He spoke softly to the plants, as he did every morning, feeling that he was helping them along with his voice, as well as his hands. Gently he eased the dirt about the small row of thyme, making mounds about the base to ward off the water, diverting it into others that may need more of the life-giving liquid when next it rained. "There, that ought to help you keep a bit dryer in the days to come. Though not too dry, of course, Master Cedan would not appreciate your failing on him. What would he season his fowl with then?" Eleran laughed softly to himself before he stood, brushing his long, slender fingered hands upon his light leather trousers, knocking the rich, dark earth from his skin and his clothes. Raising his hands to the air he gave himself a much needed stretch, wincing in bliss as his back popped in relief, only to sigh as he felt a hand land upon his shoulder. Turning to look to his side, his sapphire eyes shining in the light of the sun, he gave another sigh, though this was not one of relief.

"The Master wishes to see you, Apprentice Eleran", came the deep voice from within the depths of the cowled cloak the Mage wore. Eleran bowed, his hands steepled before him, long, chunky locks of his crimson hair falling before his face to hide him for a moment. "Thank you, Master Mage. I will go at once." With nothing more to be said, Eleran turned away, walking briskly towards the tower, his leather boots making no sound upon the stone, for it had been warded to prevent noise so as not to disturb those who studied. It would not do to have a fireball flung carelessly in an open courtyard when it could incinerate any who stood before it just because someone's loudly clicking heels had disturbed the concentration of the spellcaster.

<i>"I do hope it is nothing bad this time. The Gods know that I have been giving my all to this Craft, though at times it does not seem so. Yet, do not get ahead of yourself, Eleran, perhaps you are to be rewarded." </i>His thoughts flowed through his mind like the rainwater flowed through the carefully constructed canal of his Master's herb garden, moving from one place to the next and never staying long. With glimmering eyes and a couched expression, he made his way to his Master's Quarters, though it was a long climb of many stairs.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Rissa Dane
5'5" 125
22 y/o
Brown hair, blue eyes


Katriana sat staring out the window, the forgotten missive in hand, across the vast valley separating her from Feldane. Her fingers curled into the crisp parchment, her temper spiking but controlled. It was so long ago, and yet not.

Master Vicern’s message was grave, and a little startling. Had she known he was ailing sooner…

“Cedan…” The name fell softly from her red hued lips almost in a snarl. Once upon a time, she had been a student as much as Cedan, but when they disagreed on the use of magic verses natural gifts.. They still tell tales to this day of the fireworks between the pair of them. The great Master Vicern too had summoned them, they too shared a journey without known purpose to reach him… and now the final journey would begin. She had only to wonder which of her pupils would be worthy enough to attain Vicern’s teachings?

But why had Vicern sent missives to both her and Cedan? Surely he was not losing what senility he had left to think that they would work together? If Vicern’s teachings were not so valuable to all wiccan , she would for go this whole scheme of Vicern’s.

And loathe be to any whom felt such treasured knowledge would be useful in the hands of a mage!

“Bring me Rissa.” Katriana’s voice was soft, she had learned years ago to still the temper she gained with her fiery mane, and never to think of Cedan.

Rissa would do nicely, a talented young woman as well as sharp in wits and agile in body. Brilliant beyond her years, an apt choice. Katriana knew eventually she would have to hand the reins over to another, Rissa was her choice.

Her eyes fell from the ivory tower, refusing to think of what might have been between her and Cedan.. had Cedan been a reasonable man! She would focus instead of preparing Rissa and returning to her herb gardens.

~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~

The morning was warm, but the indoors were much cooler, and so Rissa was seated in the keep’s library bathing in the golden light coming through the only window uncovered. Her small hands careful with the ink and quill as she transcribed the old texts into fresh volumes.

”Life on a mountain top is never dull.” Rissa’s smile was cynical for a moment.

Many students had gone to their homes for the brief spring break, but since she was an orphan, her home was here. She did not think of Katriana as her mother, but since the wee years that was what Katriana had been to her. So when asked to do a tedious job such as this, Rissa had smiled brightly upon being asked and was grateful to assist in any way possible.

Perhaps she had paid more than what she owed, but she was happy here. Learning all the ways of Wiccan, to cure whatever ailments were brought their way. Being a healer was not the easiest task in the world, but a service she would gladly do until she was too old to help. She had already passed up her chances to marry fresh and young a few years ago, but that did not bother Rissa. Her commitment to Katriana had stayed her heart from longing for more than she had.

Although Katriana would not admit it, she was lonely. Rissa helped ease the older woman’s ache by being family to her. The least she could do, Rissa thought, was return her blessings by remaining here as Kat wished her to do.

“Rissa? Katriana would like to see you in her private gardens.” Molly vanished as quickly as she had come, the house maid here was never a lax position.

No chance to nod or acknowledge she had even heard Molly, Rissa carefully applied sand to dry whatever ink might still be damp and sealed the bottle. Wiping her hands as clean as she could, she straightened her simple dress and scurried after Molly.

The woman no where is sight, Rissa could not ask the reason behind the summons, or even inquire if she had done something to upset Katriana. A little frustrating, but not much she could do now but go and see.

 

[ArchaicJay]

Cedan summons Eleran

Master Cedan paced within his room, high within the tower as all the Master's quarters were, though they were not too extravagant. He did not need many luxuries in his life of scholarly pursuit, for when one depended upon ease in their life, they lost their edge. And that edge, more often than not, was what saved you when a spell went awry or you found yourself facing dire straits. Cedan was well known for his hard, honed edge, like fine steel tempered in the hottest forges, beaten until all impurities had left the metal of his will, and ground upon the wheel until his wit was as sharp as a razor. He was quite the formiddable spellcaster, though within him lay a burning coal of bitterness, eating away at him. That coal was his old friend, and fellow student once upon a time, "Katriana". Even as he whispered her name he grimaced, for in her was the knowledge that he had not overcome all obstacles laid before him as many thought. Yet that was not a memory to dredge up now, he was reminded as he looked at the written missive in tight, angular script that he held in his hand, the paper rumpled from many viewings.

His old mentor had written to him, requesting that he send one of his pupils on an errand to reach him, for there was knowledge that he had to share once more before he passed from this world. Cedan could hardly believe when he read that Vicern had written to Katriana as well, no doubt informing her to do the same as he. The old man was still meddling, trying to force Cedan and Katriana to work together, even after their disastrous departure some years ago. Yet the power that Vicern promised was not to be denied, and Cedan had just the apprentice in mind to send. "One astute enough to learn from the old man, and yet malleable enough to share with me all he learns without giving it a second thought. Yes... Eleran will do well... he has always been a good student, very sharp, but horribly naive..." His thumb was stroking along his chin, free of any sign of hair from a fresh shave earlier this morning, when Eleran knocked gently upon his door. "Come in Apprentice Eleran, come in. Time is of the very essence and you've wasted enough of it on your knees in the dirt as it is today."

Eleran stepped into his master's quarters, his head bowed, looking at the ground as he often did when confronting the man who taught him seldomly, but always left a strong impression upon him. There was something abuot the presence of Cedan that put Eleran on the defensive, as if the man was out to devour his very soul, though Eleran had no way of justifying the feeling. The man had always been kind to him, if strict, and had given him a gift far better than any he could have imagined. The wonder that Master Cedan had shown to Eleran through the weaving of the Elemental still thrilled the young man, pushing and driving him to bigger and better ends, always striving to follow in the footsteps of his esteemed teacher, Master Cedan. Slowly he brought his gaze up to that of his Master's, staring into the man's deeply green eyes, like an endless sea of spring grass. "You have summoned me, Master and so I have come." Again he bowed his head, yet keeping his eyes upon his teacher, for that was the only way Cedan would speak to him, eye to eye.

"That I did, young Eleran. I have just been given a dire missive and there are matters that I need you to see to immediately. The time is drawing short, and ever shorter as I stand here talking to you and I fear that we may already be far behind the moving of the great Wheel. You must quickly gather unto you those things that you would need for an extended journey from the Tower. What you will face, I cannot tell you for certain, but know that there will be peril of the utmost seriousness, yet I know you have within you the skills to prevail. Afterall, you are my student and I know your character better than you do yourself. Come, Eleran, and I will help you gather your things together. You will first travel to the wood across the valley, there one will meet you, though I know not who she may be. Certain though I am that it will be a female, and you two will set out on a journey that neither of you are soon to forget. Yet again I tell you, Eleran, that you have it in you to see the journey through to the end and I know I will see you again once your duty is done." The elder Mage clasped his hands to the younger apprentice's shoulders, looking him the eyes to show him the sincerity of his words with his gaze.

Softly did the Master smile, one of the few times Eleran had seen Cedan do such, the sight more than a little unsettling as his mind whirled with the implications of what he had just been told. Going? Where? Why? Surely he must know more that he is not sharing, and yet what choice do I have? To deny him would be to face banishment from the Tower, and that would be like a death to me. Nothing I face in this journey would be as bad as giving up the magic. He shook his head softly to clear the terrifying thoughts from it as he nodded to his Master who was even now turning him, maneuvering the man out of his rooms and through the halls. Eleran could only barely manage to put one foot in front of the other as he felt his life shifting all too suddenly to a destination, and purpose that he knew not.