'How lovely' the young man thought, as he watched the birds chirping and
singing their morning songs. He staring out into a vast meadow, with
poppies, lilies, daisies and roses as far as the eye can see. The air was
fresh and cool, and it was just the perfect temperature, not too hot and
not too cold. It was his garden, and he couldn't have been happier to be
able to witness such a sight everyday. He looked down and saw a perfect
white rose among many of the other flowers. He picked the white rose and
smelled its beautiful scent. Little did he know, he was being watched.
The blonde beauty that was eyeing the green robed, sneaked up slowly behind him. Nearing the man, until she was right up behind him. She moved her lips, close to his ear, and yelled, "BOO!" And the man turned around as startled as he could be.
"Maerien! You startled me," he said. "I thought you were still sleeping"
The beautiful Maerien was just standing there laughing, "I couldn't help it, I just love teasing you!"
"I'm sure you enjoy yourself infinitely" he said. "Actually, I have a gift for you" he said handing her the white rose.
Maerien gasped at the sight of it "By the gods, it's beautiful!"
"Well, 'tis no where as beautiful as you, my love"
"You were always the romantic, my sweet Xzar" she giggled.
He brushed his hand across her face, and they both leaned in a deep kiss. When they pulled away, she whispered to him "I love you"
"As I, you" he replied, and yet again, the lovers were drawn into a kiss.
"Ahem!" a dark-haired elven mage interrupted them. "Xzar, you asked to be my apprentice. You need to concentrate on your tasks, rather than your love life."
"Uhh, I-I'm sorry Etaylin, but."
"And so long you are my apprentice, you shall refer me as 'master', as a respectful apprentice should"
Maerien giggled, "I guess your master calls" she whispered and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"But." Xzar try to say, but was cut off when Etaylin came up to Xzar and yanked his ear.
"Let's go," he said, dragging Xzar by the ear.
Maerien just stood there waving "Bye honey!"
********************
When Etaylin was confident that Xzar would not try to go back to his love, he let go of his ear. As they entered the house, Etaylin finally broke the silence between them and spoke. "Alright, now where were we? Ah yes, I believe I was explaining to you the usefulness of the spell, 'Larloch's Minor Drain'. Now, as you know very well, Larloch created other spells. He was a great and powerful necromancer. Now, both 'Larloch's Minor Drain' and 'Cure Light Wounds', are very." Etaylin stopped talking and looked at Xzar, who was blankly staring outside. "Sigh, what is wrong Xzar? As of late, you have not been paying attention to me at all"
"I-I'm sorry master, it's just that I've been troubled with several things as of late. Everything just seems so horrific"
"What do you mean, child? What has been troubling you?"
"Well, for one. it's. well." Xzar said stumbling, trying to find the right words.
"It's what, Xzar? Spit it out already!"
"It's, sigh, Maerien"
"Yes, what about Maerien? Ahhh, I think I know. I've seen how you look at her, wishing that you can forever with her, and never leave her side, as if she would be gone the next minute. You wish to ask her hand in marriage don't you?"
"Uhh, well yes. But."
"But what? Ask her already. You two have been lovers for two years now, you live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, why would she say no?"
"Well, that leads me to my other troubles. You see, I have been having dreams lately. Dark, dark dreams"
"What do you see in these dreams?"
"My death, and I was on the street, in a busy city, and not a single man stopped by my body to see if I was alright. It was frightening, and, there was no one with me. I was alone"
Etaylin, just stared at the distressed young man for a while, and then finally laughed mockingly. "Don't be silly lad, dreams can often be misleading things, and normally come in symbols and hints, so as visual as you described"
"And then there's the."
"That's quite enough, Xzar. You should go back to your own home for today, and spend some time with Maerien. Besides, I could use the break, now get out!"
"Thank you master" and Xzar left and returned home.
********************
Xzar was sitting down in front of the fireplace. He had to admit he was enjoying his free time, staring at the flames, even though it was still day. His house was rather nicely decorated on the inside, much as it was on the outside. It originally belonged to his parents, but after they 'passed away'; he inherited the house and their money. Xzar's parents were nobles. Maerien came by and sat down next to him. "The master gave you a day off today?" she asked.
It took Xzar a couple of moments before he answered "Yes, it was rather peculiar of him".
"Why are you inside? You're normally outside all the time"
There was another moment of silence before he replied "I've never realised just how bright the sun can be"
"Heh, that's odd, you seemed just fine this morning"
"I know." and a long silence followed. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, Montaron will be dining with us tonight"
"Wow, it's been such a long time since we last saw him. That halfling almost never leaves his home unless he's off to a tavern. Haven't seen him for a good couple of years."
"Heh, he craves company more than any other man in the realm"
"Oh dear, I better get started cooking right now, he has an appetite of a dwarf" she kissed Xzar on the cheek, and got up to head for the kitchen. Xzar loved her ever since the day he met her. He was only 10 at the time, and did not understand the concept of love. Soon after, he dozed off.
********************
Xzar woke up quickly to feel a sword point to his throat. The man who held the sword quickly said "Lead me to all your valuables, or you and your wife will die!"
"Okay, I buried them all outside, you can go find them yourself Monty"
The sword dropped from Xzar's neck as the halfling revealed himself. "Damn it all to hell! How did you know mage!?"
"Because you haven't changed one bit" Xzar laughed.
"And just what do ye mean by that!?"
Xzar eyed him curiously, and a look spread across his face as if he was trying to retain his laughter. "You haven't grown at all"
"Bah! Again with the short guy jokes! Oh well, where's the food?"
"I believe Maerien will have it ready soon"
Montaron gave Xzar a sceptical look. "Maerien's making the food, in your house? Some host you are. Well, mark my words, you'll be dead before ye force me to do the dishes"
Maerien then walked in, "Oh, Montaron! It's so good to see you again"
"Aye, tis fine to see you too lass. So, when did the mageling start forcing you to come over and cook for him?"
"Since I moved in with him two years ago" she said, going up to Xzar giving him a hug.
Montaron's jaw dropped down, he was blubbering dribble before he could manage to say, "I knew this would happen, but so soon? Aye, it has been a long time"
Maerien giggled, "Why don't we tell you about it over some food?"
"Fine, but chances are, I'll be paying more attention to that instead of the two of you"
********************
Flashback
'Well, truly, the beginning of the love between Maerien and myself started exactly two years ago, after our parents' death. It was dread wolves that killed them, five of them to be exact. You see, my family was invited to visit Maerien's for a change, since she always came to my home, it was a nice change. But their family was not rich like mine. Plates were piling, dirt was everywhere, and they had no fireplace, which made the winter horrible. It was also only one story high'
'Our parents would go on and on about government officials, and how corrupt Faerun was getting each year, the poor state of affairs and so on and so forth. But we were sixteen, we didn't care about those kinds of things, so we excused ourselves and left. We did not wander far from the house, so when we left, Maerien showed me the most beautiful dagger I've ever seen. It was a family heirloom of hers, and was apparently, given to her for keeps.'
'However, we stopped awing over the beauty of the dagger, after we heard the screams from the house. It was our parents, so we rushed back to the house to discover 5 dread wolves tearing our parents' bodies to shreds.'
'The dread wolves seemed to stop what they were doing when they noticed us, and charged towards Maerien. She was in complete shock. When one of the wolves jumped to pounce on her, out of what seemed to be instinct, drove the dagger she had through the dread wolf's neck. However the other four already surrounded her after the death of the first. Even though she seemed brave against the first, she was very frightened. This may have been different if they were wolves, but these were Dread Wolves.'
'She started begging me to go and leave her, to save myself. Then, as the wolves advanced with caution, she broke down crying. Then, in the most silent, and scratched up voice, she said these words "Xzar, remember, after I die here, remember that I love you, and that I always had. Now please flee!" and when I heard these words for the first time in my life, from the woman whom I always adored, maybe me so happy'
'But my happiness quickly changed to anger and hate. I wanted vengeance on those wolves, and I certainly wouldn't let them take another life, let alone my friend that I have known since I was ten. For every tear she shed, counted for how much of the wolves' blood I wanted to shed'
'Then before I knew it, a red globe flew out of my hand and hit one of the wolves. I had no idea how to cast arcane spells, but somehow, I was casting magic missile. And they were coming five missiles at a time! All of the wolves died after the spell was re-cast an umpteen number of times. But from that day, I forgot how to use magic missile again.'
'Maerien rushed to hug me, and then I whispered to her, "I love you too, I always had, and always will" and with that, we shared out first kiss.'
********************
"After that day, Maerien, since she had no other home, moved in with me. And I, went off into the pursuit of the arcane studies" Xzar concluded, and sipping his after-meal wine.
However, Montaron, was drinking mead instead, as if his host's house was a tavern. "My deepest apologies for the lost of yer parents. That must've been tough on the both of you. But Xzar, tell me, are you studying any field in particular?"
"Yes, actually, I'm studying necromancy. I always figured, I guess, that I could do more good that way. Healing others, raising the dead, etc."
"Oh great, not only are ye going to become a mage, but ye're going to be a necromancer to boot!"
"Well, what about you old friend? I remember you set off to become an adventurer am I not correct?" Maerien asked.
Montaron's face darkened at the mention of it, and his mood instantly dropped from joyful to solemn "Uhh, yes, about that. Xzar, may I speak with you? In private."
"Oh, okay fine, I can take a hint when given" she said, "I guess I'll just clean up then" She grabbed the dishes, and head for the kitchen.
"What is it Montaron? You look troubled."
"Sigh, after I set out 'adventuring' I seemed to have kept running into trouble. I eventually wound up in the streets and learnt to fight and steal. Well, the way of thief eventually seemed more profitable than adventuring. I was starting to get pretty good at it, but then one day, I stole from the wrong guy"
"Who?"
"Not too sure as to what his name is, but the word around is that he's a very powerful necromancer, and, not one very interested in helping others"
"Go on."
"Well, he didn't seem like that much trouble, but 2 of his body guards stopped me. One who seemed to be a tall, black-haired human, the other seemed like a halfling, but he was all cloaked up, and couldn't be revealed." Montaron paused a bit out of fear from the memory before he continued.
"The first one changed his face into that of an elf instead, and the second one removed his hood to show that he was not a halfling at all but rather a goblin. And they both had these evil grins on their faces before the shape- changing man said 'If I were you, I'd be running right now. Because we will hunt you down and find you. And you wouldn't want that would you?' So I ran, as fast as I can, and headed towards here for refuge"
"What!? You've come here solely to doom us all?"
"No, no, no. You got it all wrong, what the man meant was that I should leave the city and never come back. It's not like they're going to hunt me down or anything. So may I please stay with you and you're lovely wife for awhile?"
At the comment, Xzar blushed "Well, she's not actually my wife. I have not yet asked"
"Really? Do ye have a problem in there? You two are already practically man and wife already!"
"Well, umm., we'll see. Wait a minute, how long do you need to stay with us for?"
"Uh, heh heh, a year, or two?"
"What!?"
Montaron got right down to his knees and begged "Please! Xzar, these men will kill me!"
"Oh, alright. But that means you have to do some work, and you follow the rules"
"What rules?"
"Okay, I'm going to rephrase that. You have to do some house work and follow the laws"
"Heh heh, fine."
The blonde beauty that was eyeing the green robed, sneaked up slowly behind him. Nearing the man, until she was right up behind him. She moved her lips, close to his ear, and yelled, "BOO!" And the man turned around as startled as he could be.
"Maerien! You startled me," he said. "I thought you were still sleeping"
The beautiful Maerien was just standing there laughing, "I couldn't help it, I just love teasing you!"
"I'm sure you enjoy yourself infinitely" he said. "Actually, I have a gift for you" he said handing her the white rose.
Maerien gasped at the sight of it "By the gods, it's beautiful!"
"Well, 'tis no where as beautiful as you, my love"
"You were always the romantic, my sweet Xzar" she giggled.
He brushed his hand across her face, and they both leaned in a deep kiss. When they pulled away, she whispered to him "I love you"
"As I, you" he replied, and yet again, the lovers were drawn into a kiss.
"Ahem!" a dark-haired elven mage interrupted them. "Xzar, you asked to be my apprentice. You need to concentrate on your tasks, rather than your love life."
"Uhh, I-I'm sorry Etaylin, but."
"And so long you are my apprentice, you shall refer me as 'master', as a respectful apprentice should"
Maerien giggled, "I guess your master calls" she whispered and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"But." Xzar try to say, but was cut off when Etaylin came up to Xzar and yanked his ear.
"Let's go," he said, dragging Xzar by the ear.
Maerien just stood there waving "Bye honey!"
********************
When Etaylin was confident that Xzar would not try to go back to his love, he let go of his ear. As they entered the house, Etaylin finally broke the silence between them and spoke. "Alright, now where were we? Ah yes, I believe I was explaining to you the usefulness of the spell, 'Larloch's Minor Drain'. Now, as you know very well, Larloch created other spells. He was a great and powerful necromancer. Now, both 'Larloch's Minor Drain' and 'Cure Light Wounds', are very." Etaylin stopped talking and looked at Xzar, who was blankly staring outside. "Sigh, what is wrong Xzar? As of late, you have not been paying attention to me at all"
"I-I'm sorry master, it's just that I've been troubled with several things as of late. Everything just seems so horrific"
"What do you mean, child? What has been troubling you?"
"Well, for one. it's. well." Xzar said stumbling, trying to find the right words.
"It's what, Xzar? Spit it out already!"
"It's, sigh, Maerien"
"Yes, what about Maerien? Ahhh, I think I know. I've seen how you look at her, wishing that you can forever with her, and never leave her side, as if she would be gone the next minute. You wish to ask her hand in marriage don't you?"
"Uhh, well yes. But."
"But what? Ask her already. You two have been lovers for two years now, you live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, why would she say no?"
"Well, that leads me to my other troubles. You see, I have been having dreams lately. Dark, dark dreams"
"What do you see in these dreams?"
"My death, and I was on the street, in a busy city, and not a single man stopped by my body to see if I was alright. It was frightening, and, there was no one with me. I was alone"
Etaylin, just stared at the distressed young man for a while, and then finally laughed mockingly. "Don't be silly lad, dreams can often be misleading things, and normally come in symbols and hints, so as visual as you described"
"And then there's the."
"That's quite enough, Xzar. You should go back to your own home for today, and spend some time with Maerien. Besides, I could use the break, now get out!"
"Thank you master" and Xzar left and returned home.
********************
Xzar was sitting down in front of the fireplace. He had to admit he was enjoying his free time, staring at the flames, even though it was still day. His house was rather nicely decorated on the inside, much as it was on the outside. It originally belonged to his parents, but after they 'passed away'; he inherited the house and their money. Xzar's parents were nobles. Maerien came by and sat down next to him. "The master gave you a day off today?" she asked.
It took Xzar a couple of moments before he answered "Yes, it was rather peculiar of him".
"Why are you inside? You're normally outside all the time"
There was another moment of silence before he replied "I've never realised just how bright the sun can be"
"Heh, that's odd, you seemed just fine this morning"
"I know." and a long silence followed. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, Montaron will be dining with us tonight"
"Wow, it's been such a long time since we last saw him. That halfling almost never leaves his home unless he's off to a tavern. Haven't seen him for a good couple of years."
"Heh, he craves company more than any other man in the realm"
"Oh dear, I better get started cooking right now, he has an appetite of a dwarf" she kissed Xzar on the cheek, and got up to head for the kitchen. Xzar loved her ever since the day he met her. He was only 10 at the time, and did not understand the concept of love. Soon after, he dozed off.
********************
Xzar woke up quickly to feel a sword point to his throat. The man who held the sword quickly said "Lead me to all your valuables, or you and your wife will die!"
"Okay, I buried them all outside, you can go find them yourself Monty"
The sword dropped from Xzar's neck as the halfling revealed himself. "Damn it all to hell! How did you know mage!?"
"Because you haven't changed one bit" Xzar laughed.
"And just what do ye mean by that!?"
Xzar eyed him curiously, and a look spread across his face as if he was trying to retain his laughter. "You haven't grown at all"
"Bah! Again with the short guy jokes! Oh well, where's the food?"
"I believe Maerien will have it ready soon"
Montaron gave Xzar a sceptical look. "Maerien's making the food, in your house? Some host you are. Well, mark my words, you'll be dead before ye force me to do the dishes"
Maerien then walked in, "Oh, Montaron! It's so good to see you again"
"Aye, tis fine to see you too lass. So, when did the mageling start forcing you to come over and cook for him?"
"Since I moved in with him two years ago" she said, going up to Xzar giving him a hug.
Montaron's jaw dropped down, he was blubbering dribble before he could manage to say, "I knew this would happen, but so soon? Aye, it has been a long time"
Maerien giggled, "Why don't we tell you about it over some food?"
"Fine, but chances are, I'll be paying more attention to that instead of the two of you"
********************
Flashback
'Well, truly, the beginning of the love between Maerien and myself started exactly two years ago, after our parents' death. It was dread wolves that killed them, five of them to be exact. You see, my family was invited to visit Maerien's for a change, since she always came to my home, it was a nice change. But their family was not rich like mine. Plates were piling, dirt was everywhere, and they had no fireplace, which made the winter horrible. It was also only one story high'
'Our parents would go on and on about government officials, and how corrupt Faerun was getting each year, the poor state of affairs and so on and so forth. But we were sixteen, we didn't care about those kinds of things, so we excused ourselves and left. We did not wander far from the house, so when we left, Maerien showed me the most beautiful dagger I've ever seen. It was a family heirloom of hers, and was apparently, given to her for keeps.'
'However, we stopped awing over the beauty of the dagger, after we heard the screams from the house. It was our parents, so we rushed back to the house to discover 5 dread wolves tearing our parents' bodies to shreds.'
'The dread wolves seemed to stop what they were doing when they noticed us, and charged towards Maerien. She was in complete shock. When one of the wolves jumped to pounce on her, out of what seemed to be instinct, drove the dagger she had through the dread wolf's neck. However the other four already surrounded her after the death of the first. Even though she seemed brave against the first, she was very frightened. This may have been different if they were wolves, but these were Dread Wolves.'
'She started begging me to go and leave her, to save myself. Then, as the wolves advanced with caution, she broke down crying. Then, in the most silent, and scratched up voice, she said these words "Xzar, remember, after I die here, remember that I love you, and that I always had. Now please flee!" and when I heard these words for the first time in my life, from the woman whom I always adored, maybe me so happy'
'But my happiness quickly changed to anger and hate. I wanted vengeance on those wolves, and I certainly wouldn't let them take another life, let alone my friend that I have known since I was ten. For every tear she shed, counted for how much of the wolves' blood I wanted to shed'
'Then before I knew it, a red globe flew out of my hand and hit one of the wolves. I had no idea how to cast arcane spells, but somehow, I was casting magic missile. And they were coming five missiles at a time! All of the wolves died after the spell was re-cast an umpteen number of times. But from that day, I forgot how to use magic missile again.'
'Maerien rushed to hug me, and then I whispered to her, "I love you too, I always had, and always will" and with that, we shared out first kiss.'
********************
"After that day, Maerien, since she had no other home, moved in with me. And I, went off into the pursuit of the arcane studies" Xzar concluded, and sipping his after-meal wine.
However, Montaron, was drinking mead instead, as if his host's house was a tavern. "My deepest apologies for the lost of yer parents. That must've been tough on the both of you. But Xzar, tell me, are you studying any field in particular?"
"Yes, actually, I'm studying necromancy. I always figured, I guess, that I could do more good that way. Healing others, raising the dead, etc."
"Oh great, not only are ye going to become a mage, but ye're going to be a necromancer to boot!"
"Well, what about you old friend? I remember you set off to become an adventurer am I not correct?" Maerien asked.
Montaron's face darkened at the mention of it, and his mood instantly dropped from joyful to solemn "Uhh, yes, about that. Xzar, may I speak with you? In private."
"Oh, okay fine, I can take a hint when given" she said, "I guess I'll just clean up then" She grabbed the dishes, and head for the kitchen.
"What is it Montaron? You look troubled."
"Sigh, after I set out 'adventuring' I seemed to have kept running into trouble. I eventually wound up in the streets and learnt to fight and steal. Well, the way of thief eventually seemed more profitable than adventuring. I was starting to get pretty good at it, but then one day, I stole from the wrong guy"
"Who?"
"Not too sure as to what his name is, but the word around is that he's a very powerful necromancer, and, not one very interested in helping others"
"Go on."
"Well, he didn't seem like that much trouble, but 2 of his body guards stopped me. One who seemed to be a tall, black-haired human, the other seemed like a halfling, but he was all cloaked up, and couldn't be revealed." Montaron paused a bit out of fear from the memory before he continued.
"The first one changed his face into that of an elf instead, and the second one removed his hood to show that he was not a halfling at all but rather a goblin. And they both had these evil grins on their faces before the shape- changing man said 'If I were you, I'd be running right now. Because we will hunt you down and find you. And you wouldn't want that would you?' So I ran, as fast as I can, and headed towards here for refuge"
"What!? You've come here solely to doom us all?"
"No, no, no. You got it all wrong, what the man meant was that I should leave the city and never come back. It's not like they're going to hunt me down or anything. So may I please stay with you and you're lovely wife for awhile?"
At the comment, Xzar blushed "Well, she's not actually my wife. I have not yet asked"
"Really? Do ye have a problem in there? You two are already practically man and wife already!"
"Well, umm., we'll see. Wait a minute, how long do you need to stay with us for?"
"Uh, heh heh, a year, or two?"
"What!?"
Montaron got right down to his knees and begged "Please! Xzar, these men will kill me!"
"Oh, alright. But that means you have to do some work, and you follow the rules"
"What rules?"
"Okay, I'm going to rephrase that. You have to do some house work and follow the laws"
"Heh heh, fine."