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Thursday, 18 March 2010
Saturday, 27 February 2010
The Light
Felix blindly followed the path on and on, higher through the chill, crisp air. The blustery weather grew more vicious as the biting cold managed to gnaw its way through Felix's feeble clothing. The only way that Felix knew he was still on the path was the occasional wisp of light and the sound of his tread cutting through the constant wailing of the wind. The straps of his bag were rubbing so he stopped to adjust them.
There was the sharp sound of a footstep on the path.
Felix held his breath and listened. His body stood frozen, but not through cold. The sound came once more; then stopped. Felix didn't know how to react. This could be somebody who could take him away from here, return him to his home. It could be someone sent to help him, or a kind stranger. On the other hand, it could just as easily be Shandor himself, checking Felix's progress, or even planning to make things more difficult. There was no certainty that the footstep even belonged to a human. Felix didn't know what kind of wild animals or monsters lived here. Should he call out? Try to make contact? Or should he hide?
Felix did nothing.
There were no more footsteps. The uneasy feeling remained.
A brief memory of the morning entered Felix's head, in particular he recalled his mother in the kitchen before they set off. He hadn't been thinking straight but he remembered her packing the bag that was now causing him extra discomfort. He had a flash of inspiration and scrabbled with the fastenings. He fumbled until the bag was open and gently groped inside. His fingers reached the softness they had been seeking and grasped the blanket. Felix pulled gently. In this poor light he wanted to make sure that he didn't let anything else fall out. The blanket was freed and Felix gently ran his hand over the dark, rough ground. He didn't find anything lying there, but waited for the next shaft of moonlight to appear before he felt confident enough to move on.
Felix used the blanket to shield his head and shoulders from the worst of the gusts and continued to make his way towards the fork in the path. From there he knew he would need to find the wise man's house. He also knew that it would not be easy. He consulted the map once more and realised with surprise that he was almost there. He grasped the map tightly, keeping it ready for the next chance to look, and stepped forward carefully.
As he walked, eyes fixed in the blackness, Felix noticed a tiny, yellowish glow far ahead of him. It seemed to sway from side to side. Hardly believing it, Felix became mesmerised, watching the light swinging, moving forward. After walking for so long in the dark, it was a wonder to have something to focus on. Felix moved faster and with less care than before, onwards towards the light. His feet no longer made the crunch that had been his companion for so long and the next time that the moon cast her light Felix realised he had left the path behind. A quick look at the map showed that he was in the area between the two branches of path and a glance ahead showed the outline of a small wooden house with a cheery glow flooding out through the window.
There was the sharp sound of a footstep on the path.
Felix held his breath and listened. His body stood frozen, but not through cold. The sound came once more; then stopped. Felix didn't know how to react. This could be somebody who could take him away from here, return him to his home. It could be someone sent to help him, or a kind stranger. On the other hand, it could just as easily be Shandor himself, checking Felix's progress, or even planning to make things more difficult. There was no certainty that the footstep even belonged to a human. Felix didn't know what kind of wild animals or monsters lived here. Should he call out? Try to make contact? Or should he hide?
Felix did nothing.
There were no more footsteps. The uneasy feeling remained.
A brief memory of the morning entered Felix's head, in particular he recalled his mother in the kitchen before they set off. He hadn't been thinking straight but he remembered her packing the bag that was now causing him extra discomfort. He had a flash of inspiration and scrabbled with the fastenings. He fumbled until the bag was open and gently groped inside. His fingers reached the softness they had been seeking and grasped the blanket. Felix pulled gently. In this poor light he wanted to make sure that he didn't let anything else fall out. The blanket was freed and Felix gently ran his hand over the dark, rough ground. He didn't find anything lying there, but waited for the next shaft of moonlight to appear before he felt confident enough to move on.
Felix used the blanket to shield his head and shoulders from the worst of the gusts and continued to make his way towards the fork in the path. From there he knew he would need to find the wise man's house. He also knew that it would not be easy. He consulted the map once more and realised with surprise that he was almost there. He grasped the map tightly, keeping it ready for the next chance to look, and stepped forward carefully.
As he walked, eyes fixed in the blackness, Felix noticed a tiny, yellowish glow far ahead of him. It seemed to sway from side to side. Hardly believing it, Felix became mesmerised, watching the light swinging, moving forward. After walking for so long in the dark, it was a wonder to have something to focus on. Felix moved faster and with less care than before, onwards towards the light. His feet no longer made the crunch that had been his companion for so long and the next time that the moon cast her light Felix realised he had left the path behind. A quick look at the map showed that he was in the area between the two branches of path and a glance ahead showed the outline of a small wooden house with a cheery glow flooding out through the window.
Monday, 22 February 2010
The Discovery
Once in the cool air,Felix felt the breeze begin to wash his temper away. He unfolded the map and attempted to get his bearings. On the map he saw a tree, this was located to his left. He saw the building behind him and, slightly ahead and to the right, he could make out a sandy path marked on the map by a dotted line. He let his eyes follow the path far into the distance. There didn't seem to be anything else marked on the map, so he began his journey. After all the light was fading quickly and he was not getting any warmer by standing around.
After he had trudged along for what seemed to be ages, Felix pulled out the map once more. He had been climbing steadily for some time, amongst rocks and boulders. The way was getting steeper and the ground was more uneven. He didn't expect to see anything different, but he had a niggling feeling that he needed more information and all he had was the map. Perhaps he had missed something, or not joined up clues that were to be connected. The dark of the cloudy night had closed in now and once again, the importance of his task flooded into Felix's mind. He peered closely at the diagram, struggling to make out the shapes that had been so clear. Felix traced the dotted line along the page but it did not meet the Warlock's house and the tree, as it had earlier. Instead, Felix could see the shape of a large ragged boulder, central to the page and slightly off the path. He couldn't remember seeing that before. A strange notion flickered through his mind. He raised his eyes and extended his arm. A few steps further, groping through the darkness, Felix's fingers found their mark. The brief shock of cold shot up his arm before he had a chance to retract it, followed by the shock of the discovery about the map. Felix stood for a moment, hand tucked into the warmth between his body and opposite arm, frozen in thought. He backed onto the path as a pale watery light was released from behind a cloud.
Felix seized this opportunity to unfold the map and examine it fully. The map appeared to show his location as central. With his eyes focused on the paper, he continued along the path. Unsure about his findings, Felix glanced up and began to speed up, staying on the strip of course sand. He ran until he was breathless. The moon was still battling for power over the cloud, and another silvery beam managed to escape to where Felix panted. Now the boulder was represented near the bottom of the paper that was quivering in his hands. As the light flickered, Felix thought to check what to expect up ahead. The path-line made a few sharp bends moving in an S shaped pattern. Very strange, thought Felix. Near the top end of the map, the path branched and, much later, met again, forming a oval island between. Within the oval was the shape of a building labelled "The Wise Man's House". The last of the light disappeared before Felix could make out anything else. As he was suddenly plunged into the dark, a breeze whipped its way past Felix. He pulled his arms tighter about him, hunching his shoulders to draw his head down near to the relative warmth of his body. There was little protection from the biting wind as the path climbed even higher and even the rocks abandoned Felix. He pushed forward, because he knew he had to, but mostly because he couldn't bear the idea of letting the warlock beat him. Each time Felix considered going back, he only had to think of his mother, alone, not knowing his whereabouts and his determination returned. By now, Felix had worked out why the path snaked its way upwards - it was simply too steep to go another way. He had stumbled several times already and he didn't like to imagine how dangerous a straight path would have been. It was so dark, and Felix was so tired that he hardly knew whether his eyes were open or closed. His legs staggered on. He knew he could rest when he found the house.
After he had trudged along for what seemed to be ages, Felix pulled out the map once more. He had been climbing steadily for some time, amongst rocks and boulders. The way was getting steeper and the ground was more uneven. He didn't expect to see anything different, but he had a niggling feeling that he needed more information and all he had was the map. Perhaps he had missed something, or not joined up clues that were to be connected. The dark of the cloudy night had closed in now and once again, the importance of his task flooded into Felix's mind. He peered closely at the diagram, struggling to make out the shapes that had been so clear. Felix traced the dotted line along the page but it did not meet the Warlock's house and the tree, as it had earlier. Instead, Felix could see the shape of a large ragged boulder, central to the page and slightly off the path. He couldn't remember seeing that before. A strange notion flickered through his mind. He raised his eyes and extended his arm. A few steps further, groping through the darkness, Felix's fingers found their mark. The brief shock of cold shot up his arm before he had a chance to retract it, followed by the shock of the discovery about the map. Felix stood for a moment, hand tucked into the warmth between his body and opposite arm, frozen in thought. He backed onto the path as a pale watery light was released from behind a cloud.
Felix seized this opportunity to unfold the map and examine it fully. The map appeared to show his location as central. With his eyes focused on the paper, he continued along the path. Unsure about his findings, Felix glanced up and began to speed up, staying on the strip of course sand. He ran until he was breathless. The moon was still battling for power over the cloud, and another silvery beam managed to escape to where Felix panted. Now the boulder was represented near the bottom of the paper that was quivering in his hands. As the light flickered, Felix thought to check what to expect up ahead. The path-line made a few sharp bends moving in an S shaped pattern. Very strange, thought Felix. Near the top end of the map, the path branched and, much later, met again, forming a oval island between. Within the oval was the shape of a building labelled "The Wise Man's House". The last of the light disappeared before Felix could make out anything else. As he was suddenly plunged into the dark, a breeze whipped its way past Felix. He pulled his arms tighter about him, hunching his shoulders to draw his head down near to the relative warmth of his body. There was little protection from the biting wind as the path climbed even higher and even the rocks abandoned Felix. He pushed forward, because he knew he had to, but mostly because he couldn't bear the idea of letting the warlock beat him. Each time Felix considered going back, he only had to think of his mother, alone, not knowing his whereabouts and his determination returned. By now, Felix had worked out why the path snaked its way upwards - it was simply too steep to go another way. He had stumbled several times already and he didn't like to imagine how dangerous a straight path would have been. It was so dark, and Felix was so tired that he hardly knew whether his eyes were open or closed. His legs staggered on. He knew he could rest when he found the house.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
The Instruction
"No more time-wasting, now, my boy. Let us begin." Felix rubbed the remaining crumbs from the side of his mouth and listened attentively. This was his way back home and he needed to concentrate. Shandor walked over to the shelf and carefully drew out an envelope, which he presented to Felix. "Here is a map indicating your first destination." He said calmly. "Your whole task is to retrieve three magical items. As I mentioned, you have twenty-four hours to deliver each item back to me. That is the end of the instruction."
Felix became aware that his forehead was crumpled down over his eyebrows and his jaw was hanging loosely. Surely he would be given clearer direction.
"How will I know what to bring?" He eventually managed to bleat out. "What are the objects? You've got to give me more chance than that." He immediately regretted it.
"No, Felix!" Shandor shot back at him, "I do not have to do anything. This is your task to pass or fail. I do not doubt you have the ability to succeed, however it appears that you have less faith. You will have to place a great deal more confidence in your own judgement if you aim to complete this task satisfactorily!"
A raging heat bubbled up inside Felix. He clenched his teeth together and his eyes burned directly towards the warlock. He seized the envelope and without another word Felix snatched up his bag and stormed through the door, slamming it behind him. It wasn't fair. He hadn't asked to be here. He didn't want to do this stupid task. He was exhausted and the dusk was turning to evening. Soon it would be dark. He may as well just get on with it. He knew he had no choice.
Felix became aware that his forehead was crumpled down over his eyebrows and his jaw was hanging loosely. Surely he would be given clearer direction.
"How will I know what to bring?" He eventually managed to bleat out. "What are the objects? You've got to give me more chance than that." He immediately regretted it.
"No, Felix!" Shandor shot back at him, "I do not have to do anything. This is your task to pass or fail. I do not doubt you have the ability to succeed, however it appears that you have less faith. You will have to place a great deal more confidence in your own judgement if you aim to complete this task satisfactorily!"
A raging heat bubbled up inside Felix. He clenched his teeth together and his eyes burned directly towards the warlock. He seized the envelope and without another word Felix snatched up his bag and stormed through the door, slamming it behind him. It wasn't fair. He hadn't asked to be here. He didn't want to do this stupid task. He was exhausted and the dusk was turning to evening. Soon it would be dark. He may as well just get on with it. He knew he had no choice.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
The Introduction
"It's a relatively simple task," continued the stranger, "made up of three parts." Felix shoved another piece of bread and jam into his mouth, mostly because he didn't know quite what else to do. "You have twenty-four hours to complete each part, meaning I will be able to judge your suitability in three days time."
Felix quickly swallowed the chunk of bread and coughed. The man's eyes glowed fiercely.
"Erm...what trade will it be?"
The man's face crinkled and his lips drew back showing his teeth. He began to shake and finally released a great roar of laughter.
"Felix, Felix my boy!" He could hardly get the words out. "You mean you don't know? You haven't guessed?" He wiped his eyes, still laughing. "Forgive my rudeness, let me introduce myself. I am Shandor, the warlock!"
The ground tipped and Felix gripped the stool until he was steady again.
"You may wish to know that I choose only the most highly talented candidates. After all, you did not think that you failed Drevil's simple task by accident, did you? You were clever, my boy, but I got you in the end."
Felix quickly swallowed the chunk of bread and coughed. The man's eyes glowed fiercely.
"Erm...what trade will it be?"
The man's face crinkled and his lips drew back showing his teeth. He began to shake and finally released a great roar of laughter.
"Felix, Felix my boy!" He could hardly get the words out. "You mean you don't know? You haven't guessed?" He wiped his eyes, still laughing. "Forgive my rudeness, let me introduce myself. I am Shandor, the warlock!"
The ground tipped and Felix gripped the stool until he was steady again.
"You may wish to know that I choose only the most highly talented candidates. After all, you did not think that you failed Drevil's simple task by accident, did you? You were clever, my boy, but I got you in the end."
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
The House
Head low, Felix followed the man the remaining distance to his house. He did not speak. Thoughts raced around his head as he trudged on. Finally the man stopped.
"Welcome to my abode, Felix. First, some refreshment, then you will be anxious to begin, no doubt." Felix raised his head and looked around.
Ahead of him was a large house. The house had two floors and there were irregularly spaced windows. At one end there was a tall tower, with a steeply sloping roof. It was by far the strangest house that Felix had ever seen. Out of the corner of his eye, Felix caught a glimpse of movement. As he turned to focus, the man spoke.
"Shall we?" His voice was low, but Felix was not in any position to argue. He was simply determined to get on with the test and return back home.
The house appeared even more peculiar when Felix stepped inside. Each wall was lined with shelves which were bursting with assorted containers of all varieties. There was one section which seemed to be devoted to the storage of books of all colours and sizes. There were some unrecognisable objects suspended from the beams in the ceiling which reminded him of the village butcher's shop. He tried not to look too closely.
In the centre of the room was a huge table, filled with jars and bottles. In the hearth, Felix saw a large steaming stewing pot hanging on a chain over the meagre fire. It occurred to him that he was rather hungry now, and he was tired.
The man indicated to a stool for Felix and went through a small door next to the bookshelves. Before Felix had dropped his bag and made himself comfortable, the man returned with a tray of bread. He carried a cup and a knife. The man cleared a space on one corner of the table and placed the items there before carefully selecting a dusty bottle from one shelf and a small jar containing a red sludge.
"Elderberry cordial and strawberry jam," he explained, noting the expression on Felix's face. "So no more time is wasted, you eat whilst I outline your task."
"Welcome to my abode, Felix. First, some refreshment, then you will be anxious to begin, no doubt." Felix raised his head and looked around.
Ahead of him was a large house. The house had two floors and there were irregularly spaced windows. At one end there was a tall tower, with a steeply sloping roof. It was by far the strangest house that Felix had ever seen. Out of the corner of his eye, Felix caught a glimpse of movement. As he turned to focus, the man spoke.
"Shall we?" His voice was low, but Felix was not in any position to argue. He was simply determined to get on with the test and return back home.
The house appeared even more peculiar when Felix stepped inside. Each wall was lined with shelves which were bursting with assorted containers of all varieties. There was one section which seemed to be devoted to the storage of books of all colours and sizes. There were some unrecognisable objects suspended from the beams in the ceiling which reminded him of the village butcher's shop. He tried not to look too closely.
In the centre of the room was a huge table, filled with jars and bottles. In the hearth, Felix saw a large steaming stewing pot hanging on a chain over the meagre fire. It occurred to him that he was rather hungry now, and he was tired.
The man indicated to a stool for Felix and went through a small door next to the bookshelves. Before Felix had dropped his bag and made himself comfortable, the man returned with a tray of bread. He carried a cup and a knife. The man cleared a space on one corner of the table and placed the items there before carefully selecting a dusty bottle from one shelf and a small jar containing a red sludge.
"Elderberry cordial and strawberry jam," he explained, noting the expression on Felix's face. "So no more time is wasted, you eat whilst I outline your task."
The Terms
Felix gasped. How stupid he had been to follow this stranger. Now he was lost without any idea how to get back to the security and comfort of his home. What would his mother be thinking by now? She would be worried sick. He had to get back to her.
Felix eventually spoke, and when he did the questions that had been swimming around his head suddenly were all bursting to get out as quickly as they could.
"You mean...you want me to be your apprentice? What trade is it? Where are we going? What about Ma? How long will I be gone? What will I do?" The man glared at Felix and the questions ceased.
"One thing at a time. It is vital that you listen carefully." The man's voice was calm, but firm. "You have failed once and that has reduced your options to one. I am offering that option, and so you have little choice in the matter. However, there is still the question of my aptitude test." He paused for a moment before continuing. "If you pass my test, you will have the choice to return home and continue as before, or to stay with me and continue your training. If you fail this time, though, you will stay as my servant. Either way, rest assured that your mother will find herself provided for, there is no need to worry on that account."
Felix stood, mouth open and eyes staring. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. It took a moment for it all to sink in. His stomach churned and his breath didn't seem to reach his lungs. He had no choice.
Felix eventually spoke, and when he did the questions that had been swimming around his head suddenly were all bursting to get out as quickly as they could.
"You mean...you want me to be your apprentice? What trade is it? Where are we going? What about Ma? How long will I be gone? What will I do?" The man glared at Felix and the questions ceased.
"One thing at a time. It is vital that you listen carefully." The man's voice was calm, but firm. "You have failed once and that has reduced your options to one. I am offering that option, and so you have little choice in the matter. However, there is still the question of my aptitude test." He paused for a moment before continuing. "If you pass my test, you will have the choice to return home and continue as before, or to stay with me and continue your training. If you fail this time, though, you will stay as my servant. Either way, rest assured that your mother will find herself provided for, there is no need to worry on that account."
Felix stood, mouth open and eyes staring. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. It took a moment for it all to sink in. His stomach churned and his breath didn't seem to reach his lungs. He had no choice.
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