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For Entry #1
A Light in the Darkness
A bead of sweat formed on Saeka's forehead. The young girl sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a low, round table. The object of her concentration, a small crystal ball, sat on a pewter stand in the center of the table emitting a dull glow.
Maintaining her concentration, she reached up and brushed the bead of sweat back into her hair. The motion had caused the hair to stick back, revealing more of her face than she had intended.
"Appearances, child. Your truth is showing", said the old wizard in a fatherly tone.
Annoyed, Saeka reached up and replaced the hair to cover the tiny scales at her temple. This time her concentration did falter, and the dull light that was being emitted from the crystal orb in front of her sputtered. With a hiss of displeasure, she focused on the orb again.
"Relax, Saeka. Do not push so hard. You must will the magic into the orb, you cannot command it to do so. Invite the light into the orb, do not force it."
Hovering both hands over the orb, Saeka put all her concentration into the spell . . . and the light sputtered out completely. Incensed, she knocked the crystal off its stand and it shattered into pieces when it hit the floor.
"This is stupid! Both you and I can see in the dark. We have no need for light! We should be working on that magic missile spell!"
Finael shook his head and approached his adopted daughter. "Saeka, you must learn patience. You must learn how to manipulate all of the magic schools, not just evocation. You must treat the weave as a living thing. And you must see that all magic has power."
Saeka grunted in disagreement, "What power can there be in a light spell? It's no different than lighting a torch!"
Sighing, Finael picked up the shattered pieces of the crystal ball. "Power does not only exist in the ability to destroy. The ability to protect is also a power."
"But light is an enchantment, not an abjuration." retorted Saeka somewhat haughtily.
"True", replied Finael. "The light spell is classified as an enchantment. And it is true that you and I do not need light to see. But, this does not mean the spell is powerless. There are many evil things in the night. Things which would feast on our marrow, if given the chance. Things, which even the most powerful of spells could not touch. Yet, in all their power, these creatures fear the light. When all other magics fail, light can keep at bay some of the most powerful evils in existence."
Saeka thought on that a moment while Finael wrapped the shards of crystal in a velvet cloth. The old elf mumured a few words and the sound of tinkling glass was heard from within the cloth. With a flourish, he placed the newly mended crystal ball back on its stand in front of her.
"And, the light spell is a cantrip. If you cannot master it, how can you expect to master a true spell? Now, try it again."
With a sigh, Saeka once again raised her hands above the crysal and closed her eyes. She reached out to the weave, and this time she greeted it as a person. She was good at dealing with people. Stroke their egos, focus on them, make them feel like the center of the world. Give them simple pleasures and they would do whatever you wanted and thank you for the opportunity.
In her mind's eye, Saeka pictured the weave as a workman, weary from a hard days labor. She consoled the man with feigned sympathy. Saeka invited him into the crystal orb, which she presented as a pleasant hot spring where one might soak their aches at the end of the day.
This time, she felt the power of the weave flow gently into the orb. She almost heard its sigh of relief. Saeka opened her eyes to a brilliantly lit sphere of light. A triumphant smile broke out on her face.
"Well done, child" said Finael in a voice filled with fatherly pride.
"Now, how about that magic missile spell?" Saeka asked with confidence.
"You have done well. I do believe you are ready . . . to learn the Flare cantrip next.", replied her adopted father with a smile. Saeka made a sour face at the suggestion. "Now, go and get on your training gear. It is time for your sword lesson with master Tir'Ayven."
Sighing, Saeka rose to her feet and gave her father a hug. "Yes, father. I don't know what I would do without you. Your wisdom and patience protect me everyday. Thank you." she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek and retired to her room.
Finael sat down with a small smile. He knew that the girls survival depended on her ability to manipulate and deceive the people around her. Her people had taught well in the application of those skills. She could be very charming and convincing when she needed to be. Still, he could not help but be touched by her words. He loved her with all his heart, and he would protect her . . . no matter the price.
The aging elf stood and strolled over to a window and pulled back the curtain. Outside his home, the world continued in its daily pace. Familiar faces met his gaze and he was greeted with waves and nods from many of them. He smiled in return. If any of them discovered Saeka's secret, they would not hesitate to execute her. But he would not allow that to happen. No, no matter the price . . .
A Light in the Darkness
A bead of sweat formed on Saeka's forehead. The young girl sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a low, round table. The object of her concentration, a small crystal ball, sat on a pewter stand in the center of the table emitting a dull glow.
Maintaining her concentration, she reached up and brushed the bead of sweat back into her hair. The motion had caused the hair to stick back, revealing more of her face than she had intended.
"Appearances, child. Your truth is showing", said the old wizard in a fatherly tone.
Annoyed, Saeka reached up and replaced the hair to cover the tiny scales at her temple. This time her concentration did falter, and the dull light that was being emitted from the crystal orb in front of her sputtered. With a hiss of displeasure, she focused on the orb again.
"Relax, Saeka. Do not push so hard. You must will the magic into the orb, you cannot command it to do so. Invite the light into the orb, do not force it."
Hovering both hands over the orb, Saeka put all her concentration into the spell . . . and the light sputtered out completely. Incensed, she knocked the crystal off its stand and it shattered into pieces when it hit the floor.
"This is stupid! Both you and I can see in the dark. We have no need for light! We should be working on that magic missile spell!"
Finael shook his head and approached his adopted daughter. "Saeka, you must learn patience. You must learn how to manipulate all of the magic schools, not just evocation. You must treat the weave as a living thing. And you must see that all magic has power."
Saeka grunted in disagreement, "What power can there be in a light spell? It's no different than lighting a torch!"
Sighing, Finael picked up the shattered pieces of the crystal ball. "Power does not only exist in the ability to destroy. The ability to protect is also a power."
"But light is an enchantment, not an abjuration." retorted Saeka somewhat haughtily.
"True", replied Finael. "The light spell is classified as an enchantment. And it is true that you and I do not need light to see. But, this does not mean the spell is powerless. There are many evil things in the night. Things which would feast on our marrow, if given the chance. Things, which even the most powerful of spells could not touch. Yet, in all their power, these creatures fear the light. When all other magics fail, light can keep at bay some of the most powerful evils in existence."
Saeka thought on that a moment while Finael wrapped the shards of crystal in a velvet cloth. The old elf mumured a few words and the sound of tinkling glass was heard from within the cloth. With a flourish, he placed the newly mended crystal ball back on its stand in front of her.
"And, the light spell is a cantrip. If you cannot master it, how can you expect to master a true spell? Now, try it again."
With a sigh, Saeka once again raised her hands above the crysal and closed her eyes. She reached out to the weave, and this time she greeted it as a person. She was good at dealing with people. Stroke their egos, focus on them, make them feel like the center of the world. Give them simple pleasures and they would do whatever you wanted and thank you for the opportunity.
In her mind's eye, Saeka pictured the weave as a workman, weary from a hard days labor. She consoled the man with feigned sympathy. Saeka invited him into the crystal orb, which she presented as a pleasant hot spring where one might soak their aches at the end of the day.
This time, she felt the power of the weave flow gently into the orb. She almost heard its sigh of relief. Saeka opened her eyes to a brilliantly lit sphere of light. A triumphant smile broke out on her face.
"Well done, child" said Finael in a voice filled with fatherly pride.
"Now, how about that magic missile spell?" Saeka asked with confidence.
"You have done well. I do believe you are ready . . . to learn the Flare cantrip next.", replied her adopted father with a smile. Saeka made a sour face at the suggestion. "Now, go and get on your training gear. It is time for your sword lesson with master Tir'Ayven."
Sighing, Saeka rose to her feet and gave her father a hug. "Yes, father. I don't know what I would do without you. Your wisdom and patience protect me everyday. Thank you." she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek and retired to her room.
Finael sat down with a small smile. He knew that the girls survival depended on her ability to manipulate and deceive the people around her. Her people had taught well in the application of those skills. She could be very charming and convincing when she needed to be. Still, he could not help but be touched by her words. He loved her with all his heart, and he would protect her . . . no matter the price.
The aging elf stood and strolled over to a window and pulled back the curtain. Outside his home, the world continued in its daily pace. Familiar faces met his gaze and he was greeted with waves and nods from many of them. He smiled in return. If any of them discovered Saeka's secret, they would not hesitate to execute her. But he would not allow that to happen. No, no matter the price . . .