Mage Rites of Passage – A New Beginning

Ondekodo, Linvak Massif
Soloclaim 18, 519 P.Y.

Mother,

Saylah

Rites of Passage - A New Beginning

Saylah materialized at the summoned lifestone preceded by a loud swooshing noise. Her ears were still ringing from the long journey through portalspace. A white-hot glow emanated from her body as it slowly solidified. With her back to the Ondekodo lifestone, she stood still while her eyes accustomed themselves to the sunlight. This was her first journey to Linvak Massif. The air was crisp and dry. The flesh of her exposed arms pimpled from the cold. When she could see clearly, she spun in a full circle, taking in her surroundings. Behind the lifestone, she saw a portal to Nepath. To her right she saw West Gate portals to Linvak Tukal and Gurokora. Directly ahead, the small trading outpost of Ondekodo stood against an austere landscape of barren trees.

From Saylah's vantage point, the outpost appeared to be formed in the shape of a square and bordered by a high stone wall. A cobbled path that began at her feet seemed to run straight into the outpost and cut it half - its buildings set on either side of the path. Tired, Saylah shifted her bulging rucksack to her left shoulder and leaned some of her weight on her staff. Remembering that she'd had her hand on her trunk she'd first entered the summoned portal, she looked down to confirm that it was resting nearby. When she looked up again, she saw two figures walking down the path toward her.

The figure on the left was small in stature and wearing a full set of armor. A massive bow swung in the knight's right hand as purposeful strides cut the distance between them. As they approached, Saylah could tell that the figure on the right was a human female. She was wearing a dark blue robe with pelts draped around her shoulders. Her brown hair was tied into a ponytail high on the top of her head, and it swayed as she walked quickly beside the knight. A silver scepter gleamed in her right hand. Saylah assumed she was a mage. The two strangers bowed when they reached Saylah and she bowed in return.

The mage spoke first. "Greetings, I'm the Enchanter Preceptor for this outpost. You may call me Eurreka."

Saylah shook Eurreka's outstretched hand. "I'm Saylah, recently of the Mayoi Allegiance of Mages."

"Welcome among us, Saylah. We've been expecting you." There was warmth in Eurreka's brown eyes and she smiled. Her skinned was tanned and her cheeks looked flushed from the blistering winds of Massif. Turning toward the knight she continued, "This is the Outpost Captain, Irulaen."

When the knight's helm was removed, another human female was revealed. Piercing green eyes were set above a pert nose and thin lips. The face was pleasant but stern. Irulaen reached out to shake Saylah's hand and said, "Greetings and welcome." Resting her helm on her hip she added, "We're glad for your arrival. Another mage is sorely needed."

Saylah was reserved in her response when she returned Irulaen's greeting. She'd learned to be wary of mortals and their true intentions. Unwarranted dismissals from a half dozen fellowships combined with an unexplained, yet palpable and growing discord between Master Gilmer and herself, had resulted in this hasty appointment. She was a skilled and experienced mage, who'd progressed rapidly. However, she shouldn't be mentoring with an enchanter this soon, but here she was in Ondekodo. She saw Irulaen and Eurreka exchange a look at her less than enthusiastic greeting.

"Well," Irulaen said breaking the silence that had fallen, "I'll leave you to it. I need to speak with my Knight of Arms." Raising an eyebrow, she cast a questioning glance toward Eurreka, bowed and walked stiffly back toward the post.

Saylah watched as Captain Irulaen strode away. When she returned her attention to her new mentor, she wore a guarded expression on her face. "I'm at your disposal," she said to Eurreka.

"You must be tired from the journey." Pointing toward Saylah's trunk she said, "Leave your things here. I'll send someone to fetch them. Let me give you a brief tour of the outpost."

Saylah shrugged her rucksack off her back and placed it on the ground beside her trunk. With her shoulder free, she was able to pull her cloak more snugly around her body. "Ready."

Eurreka started down the cobble path that led to the town itself. Her voice was light and cheerful as she pointed out the various aspects of the outpost. "We are an essential trading outpost for the southern region of Massif." Pointing a finger to the Linvak Tukal portal she continued, "And a vital gateway to the capital city."

Saylah listened as Eurreka explained the various functions of the small outpost town of Ondekodo. The outpost was home to the Ondekodo Allegiance of Knights. Like other allegiances, only a small contingent was at the hall on a regular basis, most of their Knights having been assigned to fighting campaigns throughout Dereth. Captain Irulaen was responsible for the outpost itself and a member of the local allegiance. Along with her Knight of Arms, Artemus, they trained new recruits, patrolled the surrounding area and protected the outpost and its visiting tradesmen.

Eurreka stopped in front of the Ondekodo Allegiance Hall. An entrance portal glowed in the front of the gray stone building. From the outside, it appeared to be a single story dwelling, with thick stone pillars at its corners. "I'm not a member of the local allegiance," Eurreka said. "I was assigned to the post by the Ministry of Mages to train enchanters."

Saylah looked at the allegiance hall and wondered if they were going to enter it now. "I see."

"There are others here that are scholars, teachers or masters of their trade who are temporarily assigned to duty at the outpost. Like Kunara, the current Warder Surveyor." Eurreka pointed back the way they'd come. "As we are not members, we are not housed in the hall." Eurreka walked diagonally across from the allegiance hall to the south side of the square, and stopped in front of a forge.

More to herself than the Preceptor, Saylah said, "A Smith workshop."

With pride in her voice Eurreka said, "We are one of the few outposts with three working forges." Pointing ahead to the north side of the square then back to the south she said, "There's the refining workshop and the other is for spellbinding." Looking at Saylah she asked, "Have you seen a spellbinder at work before?"

A small amount of interest and curiosity played across Saylah's face before she masked it. "No, I haven't had the pleasure."

"It's an amazing craft to watch. And we have one of the most renowned masters at residence here."

Offering her first piece of unsolicited piece of conversation, Saylah offered, "I was told that a Master of Cartography is assigned here."

"Ah, that would be Sir Norbert. He is the Cartomancer at present." Tapping her chin with a forefinger Eurreka added, "But I don't believe he's a master yet."

"I must have misunderstood."

"Do you have an interest in the craft?" Eurreka inquired

Saylah responded with a single word, "Yes."

Eurreka opened her mouth as if to continue the conversation but turned instead and continued walking down the path.

Saylah noticed how little activity seemed to be taking place in an outpost that was supposedly so important to the area. Her hands were becoming numb from clutching the outside of her robes. Although encased in fur-covered boots, her feet were stinging from sloshing across the icy ground. The sun was just passing its zenith. The day was clear and bright, but Saylah's mood was dark. She was still brooding over her final confrontation at the Mayoi Allegiance Hall with a former master.

Master Gilmer had tried to insist once again, that she be assigned to the High Rangers Guard. A shouting match had ensued when she'd refused to take a fellowship he appointed her to lead as a ranger. If not for Master Brunim, who was sympathetic her situation, she'd have been expelled from the allegiance. As the Master Mage Scholar and Saylah's current mentor, Master Brunim took issue with Gilmar attempting to allocate one of his mages to a fellowship without his permission.

The controversy surrounding members training as two different fighting classes rippled through the allegiance - members taking sides on the argument. Many argued that it prolonged training and delayed the knights' progress and entrance to the battlefield where knights were in short supply. Others disagreed and proclaimed that as volunteers into service, they had the right to choose as they saw fit. Saylah was at the center of the storm, along with three new inductees who intended to train as archanters. Fueled by the open hostility between Saylah and Master Gilmer, differences in philosophy raged through the hall, becoming a major distraction. Two of the would-be archanters relented and went into sorcerer training. The third, showing weak ability, was dismissed from the allegiance. Master Brunim hurriedly advanced Saylah to enchanter rank and placed her into the hands of a former student, now servicing as the Enchanter Preceptor of Ondekodo. Saylah's eyes burned as she remembered how quickly she'd been dispatched, with no time to send word to Makenya or Mariposa of her whereabouts. Before stepping into the summoned portal, she'd pressed a folded piece of parchment into Master Brunim's hand. It was a quickly scribble message to her family. She'd pleaded a promise from him that he'd see it delivered to her mother. She was grateful for his agreement to perform this final act of aide.

A tall Lugian bowed and said, "Excuse me," after he and Saylah collided.

Jostled from her revere, Saylah stammered an apology. She glanced up and saw that Eurreka was a several paces ahead of her. She turned to the Lugian whose thick neck and broad chest were straining against his green robe. His muscled arms were bare and he appeared unaffected by the cold. A blue and gold sword glinted in his right hand. The blade was short and wide, resembling a huge axe.

"I'm Ilgerag," he offered. "Haven't seen you around before."

Wanting to move on, Saylah replied, "I just arrived," and walked passed Ilgerag.

"You the new enchanter?" Ilgerag asked as Saylah strode away. When there was no reply he shouted, "Welcome to Ondekodo!"

Saylah stopped beside Eurreka who was waiting on the west side of the road in front of a group of squat stone huts. Four huts formed a square in the corner of the southwest outpost wall. The buildings looked like miniatures of the Ondekodo allegiance hall. Each had a ramp leading to a hide covered entrance. Smoke billowed into the air from chimneys that protruded from the back of each hut.

Eurreka walked to the hut in the back corner and ascended the short ramp. "That was Ilgerag," she said.

"Yes, he told me."

"He guards the trinity of portals out front. He's one of Captain Irulaen's best sergeants." When there was no response from Saylah, Eurreka sighed. She pushed aside the hut's door covering and extended her arm indicating that Saylah should proceed inside.

The interior of the hut matched the harsh climate of Ondekodo. Rush pallets were positioned on the floor, on opposite sides of the little hut. A small fire crackled and popped from the hearth on the far wall. A low table of worn and splintered wood, sat on top of a shereth skin rug in front of the fire. From the robes hanging on the hooks and the armor piled in the corner, Saylah could tell that Eurreka slept on the left side of the hut.

"Get warm and make yourself comfortable," Eurreka said. "I know this is a drastic climate change for you." She stepped to the fire and began rubbing her hands over the flames. "I'll have a page bring up your things."

Remaining where she stood, Saylah replied, "If you wish." She took a second look at the new place that she would be calling home. Feelings of shame and sadness over took her. She'd wanted to come to Linvak Massif and study under a great enchanter but she'd hope to come with her dignity and reputation in tact. The bitterness of what she felt laced her tone at every turn. "I'm not above getting them myself."

"Of course you're not." Eurreka hesitated before continuing. "But you really should rest now. It was a long journey through portalspace, and while things are quiet here today, I can't guarantee it'll be so come tomorrow."

"As you wish."

In a matter of fact voice Eurreka said, "I assume you've started your enchanter book of spells and incantations."

"No - I haven't," Saylah replied.

"That's curious but not a problem."

Saylah's cheeks flushed and she turned her gaze into the flickering flames of the hearth. "I was only recently elevated to Enchanter."

"Ah, that explains it then," Eurreka said with a shrug. "And matters not, we'll begin one right away." When there was no further response from Saylah, Eurreka bundled herself up again. "The day is still young for me and I've much to do. I'll be back in time to escort you to the evening meal."

Saylah did not speak nor did she look up from the fire.

Eurreka paused before leaving the hut. She turned back to Saylah and said, "I say this with humility. I am an excellent enchanter and trained preceptor. I've mentored many enchanters." She stepped closer and lowered her voice. "It matters not that you haven't even begun your studies, nor the means by which you've come to me - only that you've come." Saylah looked blankly past Eurreka as she spoke. "Master Brunim wouldn't have sent you to me if you weren't prepared." Saylah remained silent as Eurreka continued. "I will teach you all that I know and keep you from harm as best I can. The rest is up to you."

Saylah gazed at her mentor coldly. In a monotone voice she said, "I'll try my best." Caustically she added, "I always do." She saw Eurreka's eyes widen.

"This is a harsh and lonely place, Yeoman Saylah. We live in constant danger of attack and death."

Saylah watched as the preceptor drew herself up to her full height but was unmoved.

Eurreka took a step back. "You'll be wanting friends. I'd think on my manners if I were you," she admonished, then turned and swept from the hut.