A Journey Of A Lifetime
"YOU DID!" Boy was I surprised to hear that. "How?"
"All great magic users in Shapeir had the very same dream as you and I did."
"That would explain how paranoid Keapon and Styll were acting. I knew it wasn't because of DragonFury!"
"Yes, Erasmus meant to send that image to me, but it passed a barrier over Thebes, and was distorted. It also sent the image to all Mages, not just me. I spoke to Erasmus. He said a Hero of Magic is needed in Silmaria." Aziza explained to me.
"Okay, but why did he contact you about that?"
"Let us discuss this over tea, yes?" she offered. I agreed, and thanked her for the tea. She seemed disturbed when she continued. "According to Erasmus, an Evil Wizard is in Silmaria. It is evil enough to cloak its magical identity, thus, magic cannot detect it. The Kingdom is in need of a Wizard to seek out this person, and destroy them, or the evil that surrounds it. I suggested you to Erasmus as the most suitable person I know of. You are physically fit, and a clear thinker. Those traits fit the part."
"Me! My dad doesn't even trust me in Raseir. He won't even think of letting me go to Silmaria!"
"I have spoken with your father. He did not want you to go at first, but I told him you are Silmaria's only chance. He agreed. He also gave me a few items for you to take with you." She waved her hands, and a pile covered in a beautifully decorated cloth appeared on the table. She reached under the cloth, and pulled out a familiar shield. "He left his shield, LifeShield, here for me to give to you. He told me that you are to learn to use a sword, and told me to give you it." Again, she reached under the cloth, and pulled out a leather pouch. The cloth lay flat on the table. "Also, he gave me some money equivalent to 5,000 Silmarian Drachma's here for you." She reached for the cloth and rolled it up. "Finally, he left the Magic Carpet, which was owned by Harun Al-Rashid." She handed me the three items. I added the money in with my own. I put LifeShield on my back, on top of DragonFury. I carried the carpet, which was surprisingly light for it's size. "I suggest you go and get some other belongings of yours before you leave. I will summon you when Erasmus is ready for you." By this time, it seemed like I didn't have a choice but to go. I accepted it as reality. Anyways, I have always wanted to go to Silmaria. Who am I to argue with Aziza? We said our farewells, and I exited her house. I opened my map, and went to Fighters Plaza. I noticed Issur's shop and entered it. I was instantly surrounded by intense heat. I saw many shields, with inscriptions on them, hanging on the wall. Issur was in front of an anvil pounding on an axe.
"Issur," I said, trying to get his attention. He stopped his work and turned to face me. He bowed slightly.
"You know, it's great to see a new face in here every once and a while. What can I do for you, Erik?"
"I need some supplies for my journey. How much are your daggers?" I asked my friend.
"Journey! What journey? You don't even know how to use your sword yet!"
"It's a long story. All I know is that Aziza is sending me to Silmaria soon. Dad even said I could go. As for sword use, I think DragonFury can teach me herself." I joked. We both laughed. Issur walked over to a metal cabinet and opened the door on it. He pulled out a tray of daggers. Some were longer than others; some had zigzag edges, called Dragon Tooth daggers. Some had thick handles, while others had thin blades. One looked like a super sharp fork. "How much are the Dragon Tooth daggers?" I asked.
"For you, my Prince, 10 Dinars." He said. I noticed the inscription 25D on the end of the tray where they were held. "How many do you need?" I told him I needed five. I paid him 75 Dinars, he went to give me the 25 back, but I told him that even though I'm prince, I shouldn't be treated special. I also purchased two flasks of oil, to keep my weapons in good condition. I shook his hand, he wished me luck, and I left the shop. At this time, I was having trouble carrying around the carpet and the daggers. I decided to get some things from my room. I got out my Mystic Magnet and teleported back to my room. I sat my newly acquired items on my bed: the magic carpet, the 5,000 Drachma's, the Dragon Tooth daggers, and the two flasks of oil. I was too excited to take off DragonFury and LifeShield, so I left them on my back. I went to my chest in the corner of my room and opened it. I took out 5 leather flasks, my Acme Carry All Pouch, and two paintings. One was of my family, and the other was of my ex-girlfriend, Arisha, who was killed by a Brigand ambush on her way back to Raseir. She was the daughter of Zayisha, the ruler of Raseir. I reached into the corner of my chest and took out a package. My Dad gave me the package when I turned 10. He told me not to open it until I left home. I sat it on my bed with the rest of my stuff. I packed my belongings into my pouch. I carried the magic carpet downstairs, where I saw Dad. "Erik, my son, I wish you best of luck on your adventure in Silmaria! Give the carpet to the King; I heard he has ridden it. Your mother wishes you luck as well. Alex thinks she should be the one going, so she's out wandering the streets again." I gave Dad a hug and told him farewell. I exited the Palace and the guards all said good luck to me. I thanked them. I opened my map and felt a shiver; then I heard Aziza's voice in my head.
"Erik," the voice of Aziza said, "are you ready?"
"Yes!" I said aloud, all the guards stopped and looked at me.
"Good luck, my Prince!" Aziza told me. I felt a strange sensation. It felt like I was turning inside out. The view of the Katta merchants in front of me became distorted. I saw purple and blue sparks fly around me. Then, all was black except for the sparks. I felt like I was flying. Suddenly, I was surrounded in purple. It seemed like I was swimming, but I could breath. Then I heard a voice, a voice from my dream. "So this is the Prince!" It was the voice of Erasmus. I looked at him. He was floating in a blue armchair, drinking some tea.
"Cheesed to meet ya!" the squeaky voice of Fenrus blurted out.
I was still dizzy from the transportation spell. Something about this place made me uncomfortable, yet, there was something very homely about it. I was still able to say hello over the dizziness.
"You do look like the bright young man Aziza told me about." I blushed as Erasmus said that.
"Yeah, I guess I am." I said. I could tell my face was getting redder by the second.
"I suggest you get to know your way around before you do anything. The King awaits you at his house, which is incidentally called the Hall of Kings. The gate will be opened, and the guards will let you in. King Orion wishes for you to stay at his house in the guest room. Any questions?" I shook my head no. "Okay, off you go!" I felt like I had used my Mystic Magnet. I found myself on a gazebo with a floating wizards hat atop it. It must be the portal to Erasmus's house. I looked around. I noticed a coliseum, a few fancy houses, and another large building with the gate opened. I headed for it. I felt like a fool because I was still lugging the carpet around. As I approached the gate, the two guards put their spears in an x.
"State your business!" the Guard on my left demanded.
"I have come here from Shapeir to see the King." I stated to the guard.
"You may enter the Hall of Kings!" the other Guard told me. I did just that. I was amazed by the immense size of the Hall. Banners were hanging from the ceiling. I noticed an old centaur and another person beside him. It was Orion! THE Orion! I couldn't believe it, I was in the presence of Orion. I felt a lump form in my throat.
"Are you the boy the Enchantress of Shapeir has sent?" Orion questioned me.
"Y-y-y-yes, I am he!" I said, trying to calm myself down. I couldn't believe that I was talking to my childhood idol. I have tried to become as much like him as possible. I felt like that had never happened as I stood in front of him.
"Greetings, Erik, Prince of Shapeir. I believe that you already know why you are here. First, let us introduce ourselves. I am Logos, spokesperson to the Kings of Silmaria," the centaur introduced himself.
"I am Orion, the King of this wonderful land."
"Yes, I know who you are, Orion." I bowed. "My father wanted me to give you this magic carpet. He told me you rode it once." I walked up to him and handed the carpet to him from over the ledge.
"Wow! It's the carpet that Abdulla gave to my father. Tell me, Prince, where did your father get this." He looked amazed to have this carpet.
"It was given to my father when Harun had died." I told him. He just shook his head in response. He evidently didn't like to talk about his dad's death. I could understand that. I can't bear to talk about Arisha's death.
"You are welcome in my house as long as you are in my Kingdom. I will show you to your room. But first, I would like to introduce you to my family." He motioned for me to come up the steps and follow him. Which I did. He led me past the archway into a back hallway. It was decorated in red and gold. I saw a picture of a guard wearing red. A plaque under it read, 'In memory of Kokeeno Pookameeso.' He was evidently a good friend of Orion's. We walked until we approached a pair of large, red doors. Orion opened the doors, and led me in. It was the family room. There were three people sitting at the chairs by the fire. A woman in her forties, I recognized her to be Elsa, Orion's wife, and the Queen of Silmaria. There was also a man, slightly older than me, with red hair, and a muscular build. I noticed a beautiful girl my age sitting in another chair. She seemed shorter than myself, and had blonde hair. I found it hard to keep my eyes away from her. "Elsa, this is Erik, the Prince that Erasmus had told us about." Elsa smiled when she saw her husband.
"I am honoured to meet you!" she said. "Velcome to Silmaria. I hope your stay vill be pleasant."
"It may not, my Queen. After what Erasmus and Aziza told me, I take it I have a lot of trouble ahead of me."
"Before you do anything, I vould appreciate it if you vould enjoy the comfort of our home." She made a gesture for me to sit down. I was too excited to sit, so I refused.
"This is my family," Orion told me. I kind of figured that out by now. "This is my younger son, Justin." He said as he pointed to the man in his late teens. "He is skilled in sword and spear. Elsa and I have taught him well."
"It's a real pleasure to meet you, Erik." He greeted me. He stood up and shook my hand. I nodded. He sat back down.
"This is my daughter, Amanda." He pointed to the attractive young lady. "She is a Wizard, like you, and she uses her magic to help people in Silmaria." She stood up and just nodded in recognition. I smiled, and bowed. I could tell she was embarrassed because she was starting to blush.
"My older son, Byron, is at his house in Naxos. He has wed, and left to start a family."
"It is an honor to meet you all." I said.
"Sit down, let us talk." Orion offered. I sat down in the only unoccupied chair, which was next to Justin.
"I see you have a sword and shield." Justin acknowledged. "Perhaps we will be able to train together."
"Umm" I was looking for the right words to say. "To tell you the truth, I just got these both today. I was to train to be a mixed-class Wizard/Warrior, but then I found out I was going to come here. Maybe you can train me!"
"Maybe." He said, "I'll look forwards to it." "How long have you been a Wizard?" The voice startled me. It was Amanda. Her voice sounded as though she was playing music. I couldn't help but smile.
"Almost a year." I said. "I started training at ten, and I was trained by Aziza."
"I had started training at eleven, under the guidance of Shakra." She told me.
"Is he the local magic shop owner?" I asked, ready to meet another new person.
"Yes," she said. "If you would like, I can introduce you to him. He's always glad to meet a new person."
"Just like me." I said, giving her a slight smile. I seen Orion and Elsa give each other a look, one that I could not translate. All I saw Orion do is look at Amanda and nod.
"Thanks, Daddy!" she said as she jumped up and gave her father a hug. "Come on, Erik!" she said. I didn't even hesitate, I wanted to learn as much about Amanda as I possible could learn about her.
