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. Setting Out

As Lowell slept, Alex sat up, watching the boy. According to the tester woman, Lowell had a difficult path to face. Alex couldn't just let him go off on his own after he was finished training him. If Alex knew what he was doing and didn't work Lowell too hard, he would be able to fully train the boy in his magic by the end of next month. But what of after that? What would become of Lowell? Alex couldn't bear to think of the look on Lowell's face when he was told he had to go. Right then and there, Alex made up his mind. He would take Lowell in and give him a home. He would be the father Lowell never had. He smoothed his hand over his neatly trimmed brown hair and ran a hand over his chin and fashionable goatee. He smiled, his hazel eyes shining with pleasure and pride. He was willing to help Lowell in his difficult life.

V21-24

The next day dawned clear but cold. Lowell woke to the sound of birds chirping outside. Alex had his suitcase on the bed beside him. He was packing. "Where are you going?" Lowell asked, worriedly.

"I'm traveling east into Galla and you're coming with me," Alex replied. "If you're to get a proper education, I can't teach you here. We need to go somewhere where there will be no distractions and plenty of resources for us to use while I'm teaching you. After that, we're going back into Tortall and south to Carthak. There's a great University there that I think you would be interested in seeing. They also have the most realistic menagerie."

"Really?" Lowell's eyes were wide with excitement. "I've never been there! I've lived in Corus and Dunlath Valley all my life. I've never been anywhere else." He was silent for a moment then said, "But wait. Daine is probably looking for me. I should tell her that I'm okay. I need to send her a message."

"I think I can help you there. You see, I can just tell her with my mind-changing abilities not to worry about you and that you are safe. Do you agree to let me do that or would you rather send a note?" asked Alex.

"Could we do both? I think it would be better," replied Lowell. "But I can't read or write, so you'll have to do it for me."

"Agreed," Alex said, smiling. "Now, what is Daine like? I need to know so I can find her. What kind of magic does she have?"

Lowell began to tell Alex all about Daine. When he was finished, Alex asked not to be disturbed, shut his eyes, and set himself to finding Daine. He found her. It wasn't too hard, she was thinking about animals and she was the only one with copper fire. Alex used his influential magic to change Daine's worried thoughts. He made her see Lowell sitting safely on the bed next to him. He made her say to herself that Lowell was okay. Once he was sure Daine wouldn't worry anymore, he let go of his magic and came back to reality. "So, what do you want this note to say?" he asked Lowell while reaching for a piece of parchment and a writing brush.

Lowell dictated a letter. Alex couldn't help smiling. The thoughts this boy had and the concern he felt for Daine was just so adorable. Alex then realized that even though this boy's path would be long and difficult, it would be made easier by the big heart that Lowell had for everything. When the letter was finished, Alex folded it and sealed it, using a seal that he had made which had his trademark on it. It was a dagger and a mage's staff crossed over each other.

Alex sent Lowell to give the letter to the head servant while he continued packing. Lowell returned and Alex cut down some of his own shirts to fit the boy. "We're going to have to buy you some new clothes before we leave," Alex chuckled, cutting down the last shirt and packing it in Lowell's own bag.

Not more than three hours later they were ready to leave. Together they had spent the morning looking at ponies for Lowell. At last they had settled on a placid brown mare with a long forelock that flopped over her big, innocent brown eyes. Lowell did not know how to properly ride a horse, so after they were all packed and Alex was leading the packhorse, they set out at a slow pace. Shadow, Lowell's new pony, meekly followed Alex's big palomino horse, Sunshine.

By noon on the fifth day, they arrived in Cría, the capital of Galla. There they stopped for lunch and some quick shopping for more supplies. By nightfall, they were sitting at a table at an inn a few hours outside the capital in a small town called Lake's Edge. Alex had said this would be their home for the next month.

That month passed very quickly, at least to Lowell. He was a fast learner and was always fascinated at what Alex had to teach him. Within that month, Lowell had learned to read and write as well as safely control his magic. He was able to read other's thoughts and start impressive fires. He learned to see the history of any object he touched with just a thought. He could even dissolve illusions that were placed around something and tell when a person was lying. Alex even taught the boy how to ride properly. Soon he was able to gallop with the best of the men of Lake's Edge. Alex had begun in the middle of the month, as a treat to Lowell for his excellent learning ability, to teach him the art of smithing. By the end of the month, Lowell could make a very pretty pendant or a fine-edged knife. Alex promised that within time, he would teach Lowell, as his teacher had taught him, to put bits of his magic into whatever he created.

Everyone soon got to know the young boy. He was always eager to learn and willing to do what he was asked. He soon found that no task was impossible. As sure as he was alive, there was a way to get things done. The people of Lake's Edge soon realized that no matter what obstacle was in the young boy's way, he would find a way to pass it. When he wasn't having a lesson or with Alex in the smithy, he could be found helping a stableman groom horses or helping someone with their daily chores of chopping wood, cooking, and cleaning. Lowell always knew, though, when people were taking advantage of him. His magic would tell him so. If that were the case, he would politely decline the offer that the person made and would wander off in search of someone else who needed something done for them.

Little did Lowell know, all the practice with his magic and skills would soon be put to the test. Reaching Carthak would be the beginning of his long and difficult journey to fulfill whatever it was that mysterious lady, whom he had met on the road that night he had escaped, had in store for him. She had said to remember her, but he didn't even know who she was. She said all he had to do was ask for something and he would get it. He knew, though, that was not how things worked in this society. He had to work for things. He had to work really hard.

Late one night, in the middle of the second month at Lake's Edge, as he was pondering what that mysterious lady had said and what the magic tester had said, he was suddenly blinded by a brilliant flash of light. The light dissipated as quickly as it had come. Standing there, at the foot of his bed, stood the woman again. He quickly sat up. "Who are you?" he asked, hesitantly.

"I am the Great Mother Goddess," she replied. "Surely you've heard of me?"

"Oh, yes, of course, but I never knew what you looked like. No one ever told me," replied Lowell, lowering his head and his eyes.

"Do not be afraid, my child. I'm not angry at you for not knowing who I am. I'm merely displeased that no one ever taught you. You were thinking of me, were you not?" Lowell nodded. The Mother smiled. "I am here to tell you, since you have come a long way in both distance and character, what you are to do once you reach Carthak. I cannot give you details as that is your choice to make. I can only tell you what must be accomplished. Those immortals which have, until recently, been roaming about your land were brought here by spells and by men who wished nothing but to wreak destruction upon the land. But that much you already know. The men of your country already know that, too. They know what the spells are and what the intent of the people was. They do not know who was responsible for the destruction that was caused. They do not know the truth of what went on. They have only gathered conclusions based on what the evil men had planned for just such a situation.

"You must find out the truth of what really happened. You must bring them to justice. Us gods cannot help you very much as we do not know ourselves how the recent events had unfolded. We, too, were blinded by the traps set by the men who unleashed the immortals. We cannot say what will happen as you search for the truth because we do not know the future, either. It is as ever-changing as the patterns of the clouds in the sky. You must not fail or further destruction could arise. I told you that you possess something so great that no one can have it but you and only those whom you choose to share it with. Figure out what that gift is; only then will you know how to use it to your advantage." She looked at the table across from Lowell's bed. On it was a silver pendant that Lowell had made that day. It was in a star-shaped pattern with a large, dark blue sapphire in the middle. It was strung onto a silver chain that Alex had made to go with it. It was studded with diamonds and sapphires of the lighter blue kind.

The goddess picked it up and touched the dark blue sapphire with a long, slender finger. It shone brilliantly as she whispered some words over it. As she handed it to Lowell, the light faded until it was glowing dimly. "Keep this close to you as a token of me. If you need me, just hold it and call, but only if there is no hope left and if all else fails. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask for it; not just from me, but from any of your friends. Those who consider you equally a friend will be willing to give you assistance in a time of need. No bond is as strong as that of friendship. It can get people through anything. Keep safe, my son, and remember your duty." With that, the lady vanished, just as she had the first time he met her.

Lowell slipped the pendant around his neck and lay down in his bed once more. He would have to tell Alex of this in the morning. But now he was tired, more tired even than before the goddess came. He rolled over on his side and was instantly asleep.

The next morning, over breakfast, Lowell told Alex about his encounter that night. When he finished, Alex made the quick decision that they should leave instantly. They packed up all their things, and after a rapid good-bye to the townspeople who had gathered to see them off, they rode along the path towards Tortall and the road that would eventually lead them south to the boat that would take them to Carthak.

V25-28