Note: Lowell's story was originally a songfic based on the song Pilgrim by Enya. I have removed the lyrics to comply with the new rules of but where they were, I will put a v#-# so that should you wish to follow along with the song (after finding the lyrics online), you can. The song goes pretty much in order, with eight lines at a time- I have used four lines at a time. So, when you see a 1-4, that means the first four lines, 5-8 next four, 9-12- next four and so on.

452 H.E. A Story

"I was a young boy once, too. I was traveling with my parents to a city for the first time. As we were walking to Mithros' temple, I saw a man in a shop making something. I turned away from the path my parents were taking and went to watch the man. He was making jewelry. It was the prettiest thing I had ever seen. He was making jewelry, sword hilts, dagger hilts, mages' staffs, knife hilts, and all sorts of accessories for boxes and clothing.

"I asked him, 'What are you doing?' He told me he was a gold- and silversmith. 'What do they do?' I asked.

"'They make jewelry as you see me doing,' the man replied. I watched in fascination as he fitted a sapphire to a pendant for a ring. Once my family realized I was missing, they immediately turned back and found me assisting the smith. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be a smith just like that man. So, that's what I did. When I was old enough, I became an apprentice to the smith in my town. He taught me all there was to know about jewelry crafting and more. And, since I had the Gift, he taught me how to attach a bit of it to one of my creations.

"My Gift lets me see the future and what once was. It also lets me read minds and change others' thoughts so they say what I want them to. But the most amazing thing my gift lets me do is to know the truth about things and protect me from harm or evil intent by warning me about it before it happens, including murderers or poison. That's why the knife you found is so important. I had attached a bit of my protection and truth magic to it so that it would warn me if there was poison in my drink or if someone was attacking me from behind. The person who stole it wanted to use it to protect their boss. I know who stole it and let me tell you, their boss would have gotten a nasty surprise when he found out it doesn't work.

"You see, it only works for those who have never committed an evil act in their lifetime. Only those who live as honestly as they can and who possess the Gift can use it. Another safety precaution I put on it was that it could only be held by someone who possessed the Gift. That way, not just anyone could get their hands on it. If a person without a Gift tried to take it, it would immediately turn very hot.

"That must mean that you have the Gift," said Alexander suddenly after a pause.

"But, Alex, I don't have the Gift! I've never done magic of any sort in my life!" cried Lowell.

"Well that's impossible. You couldn't have picked up the knife if you didn't. You would have severely burned yourself if you did pick it up, but I don't see any evidence of burning," stated Alex, matter-of-factly. "I think we should get you tested for magic right now. Who knows what kind of magic you possess. If we let it go untrained, the results could be disastrous. Didn't anyone ever teach you that? All right, let's go. We're going to find a tester and find out what kind of Gift you have." With that, Alex suddenly stood and took Lowell's hand.

They went to the stables and Alex gave Lowell his very own pony for the trip. They mounted and rode out of the city and back along the road that Lowell had just come from. Within an hour, they were at a small town. Alex rode up to a small house that was marked by a sign that had a circle with a lightning bolt and a mage's staff crossed over each other to form an X that was dividing the circle into quarters. In each of the quarters was a leaf, an eye, a flame, and an assortment of animals including a bird, dog, and cat.

Alex dismounted and tied up their horses outside the door. He led Lowell into the building. There, at a desk, sat a woman with dark hair, dark eyes, and sun tanned skin. Her hair was tied back in a horsetail. "What can I do for you gentlemen?" she asked, getting up from behind her desk. First she shook hands with Alex, then she shook hands with Lowell. But as she did so, she was gazing deeply into his eyes.

Lowell looked away while Alex began, "I came because this young boy, Lowell, claims he does not have magic, but I have proof that claims otherwise." He produced the knife that had declared Lowell's possession of a Gift and handed it to the woman. "Test it if you like. This knife was created to warn the user of an attack or of poison. Only a person with the Gift may handle it. Otherwise, the person would burn themselves badly. As you can see, this boy has not been burned."

The woman handed the knife to Lowell, who took it meekly. When it did not burn him, she nodded. "Come here, boy. Sit," she commanded, pointing to a chair. "Do not move or I will not be able to do my job," she said as she knelt to gaze into his eyes once more. She held Lowell's chin in her hand so he could not look away. He couldn't have looked away, though, even if his head was free. It was as if she had locked his body in one position just by looking into his eyes. She was searching his mind for answers. He could feel it; it was like a tiny hand was wiggling around in his brain to find something. It was most uncomfortable. He couldn't blink; couldn't think of anything. Suddenly, he was free. He could look away and he did so. "Stand up. Turn around slowly; all the way around. Let me have a good look at you. He did so, feeling very silly. "Very interesting," the woman remarked. "Very interesting indeed. You have a great purpose in life. What's even more interesting is that while you most certainly do posses the Gift, there is nothing that physically indicates it. Your mind has the knowledge of the Gift, it even tells what kind it is. However, there is no magical aura or color to even let others know that you have the Gift. Here," she said, producing a candle. "Light it."

"I- I don't know how," replied Lowell.

"It doesn't matter if you know how or not. If you have magic, you will be able to do it. Imagine the candle burning and then want it to burn," instructed the woman.

Lowell tried. He was amazed when a tiny plume of smoke rose from the candle just before a small flame appeared on the wick.

"Well done, Lowell. Well done," exclaimed Alex, clapping.

"Now," said the woman. "Try to see my aura. Tell me what color it is. Close your eyes and think. Listen for my presence. Find me. When you open your eyes, you should be able to see my aura."

Lowell did this. He closed his eyes. He listened. He didn't know what he was listening for. He heard a dog bark outside; then he heard Alex clear his throat.

"Come on, Lowell. I'm over here. Find me with your mind. You can do it."

There- there was the woman. He could sense her mind, her thoughts, her heartbeat. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at her. "It's brown. Your magical aura is brown."

"Excellent!" exclaimed the woman. "Now. Look at yourself. You should see nothing but yourself. There will be no aura; not even a colorless one. Colorless ones you can still see because the air around the person will be slightly distorted." Lowell looked at himself. He looked at himself all over. What the woman said was true. He had no aura. "Now look at Alex." Lowell did. Alex's magic was green.

"But why don't I have an aura?" asked Lowell.

"You have a very difficult road ahead of you. There are many great things planned for you. I could read it in your mind. Because of the things planned for your future, there is a need for secrecy about your Gift. That is why you have no aura. You have not had one since the day you were born. Now, as for what you can do with your magic, there is quite a number of things. In time, you can learn to find the truth of what people say or how things appear. You can light fires and read minds. You can even see the past simply by touching an object. You cannot see the future, though. For some reason you have not been given that Gift. It is unclear at this time why that is so. You need to find a proper teacher to instruct you in the use of your magic. I think Alex will be able to help you there. Won't you?" she asked, turning to glare at Alex.

"Yes. Yes, of course. I can teach the boy how to use his magic," Alex agreed.

"There is just one thing more before you may leave. Lowell, look at me." Lowell met the woman's eyes once more. "If anyone offers you a life of riches and easy living, do not accept their offer. Things in life are meant to be earned by hard work. Never accept the easy way out. Work for your keep. Do all you can to help others. It does not have to be physical help like cleaning or carrying things. It can be emotional help, too. If someone is sad or upset, lend an ear and actually listen to their troubles. Give people the comfort of knowing you care. Never ever turn your back on someone in need because one day when you are in need, that person may not come to help you." She released Lowell from her gaze by looking now at Alex. "That will be five silver nobles."

Alex grudgingly handed over the money and guided Lowell outside. "Good luck, Lowell, and gods all bless," was the woman's last remark.

V9-12

That night, in bed back in the city at Alex's home, Lowell thought about all that had occurred today. He wondered what the woman had meant. It had all made sense, but what to make of it he did not know. How was his life going to be great? Why were their things planned for him in the future? Who planned them? The gods, surely, but why? He soon fell asleep to dreams of great things.

V13-16

V14-20