Myrddin's stuff

[Myrddin]

Here's a short story I am working on. I have some other short stories I am working on that could hopefully tie in with this. Plus this probably needs some editing. Okay I am done, hope you enjoy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tesslon stretched his back with a groan. After hours of being hunched over stacks of books searching for elusive answers, he decided it was time for a rest. He had been looking through his library trying to understand the secrets and significance surrounding odd markings found on a set of twelve emeralds. The gems had been recovered in the Darken Woods not more then a weeks ride from his tower.

The guardsmen, who had cleared out the bandits, spoke of their unusual determination in defending their meager holdings. The bandit camp was nothing more then some lean-tos and run down shacks. Normally, when threatened by the King’s guards most such groups would either flee or surrender. Especially when obviously outnumbered by better equipped forces.

Once the camp had been cleared and searched, upon first examination, no reason could be found for the group’s resistance. Nothing of value was present. After a more thorough search of the camp, a secret cache was discovered, containing the small nondescript wooden box with the stones inside. Unsure of what the gems actually were, the guards decided such matters were best left in the care of wizards.

This was where he was now stuck. The gems radiated strong magic and the runes inscribed upon their surfaces were from an ancient language not used for a thousand years. Not since the nation of Kahlan last stood. Unfortunately, his books didn’t contain the knowledge to decipher the runes or give any other clue as to their meaning.

Tesslon decided his library simply wasn’t adequate for the task of unraveling this mystery. Tomorrow, he would travel to the Palace of Knowledge and search their extensive resources. Till then he would rest and gather his strength for the trials ahead.

He left the library and headed for his private chambers. While walking he sent a magical summons to the servants for food. As he entered his private study and bedchamber, the water for his bath was already beginning to warm. With a quick wave of his hand the candles in the room sprang to life.

The box, containing the stones, sat on his desk. The protective magic surrounding the box shimmered faintly. Aside from the power of the magic emanating from inside, one would never be able to tell this simple box held anything of import.

A knock at the door distracted Tesslon from his musings. The door swung open on its own allowing a servant to hurry into the room bearing a plate of various meats and vegetables. He bowed to his master as he entered and hurried across the room. He set the tray down upon the table set up on the balcony. With another bow he hurried from the room, wishing to disturb his master as little as possible.

Tesslon sat down to eat. The sun was beginning to set over the plains, turning everything a soft golden rose color. From his balcony at the top of his tower, he could the see countryside for miles around. The site never ceased to take his breath away, distracting him, if only for a moment, of his worries.

Night was in full bloom by the time Tesslon finished his meal and nightly ablutions. Before he could climb into bed he had to set the protective wards around the tower for the evening. Each morning the spells were lessened to allow the servants to go about there daily tasks in and around the tower. His final tasks were finished and his bed was calling when he heard a crash come from the balcony.

The glass doors to the balcony flew open with a quick gesture. Tesslon strode angrily outside. The table, where he had eaten dinner, looked as though something had tossed it aside. Impossible, he thought, nothing, not even the wind, can come near my tower with out my knowledge!

“Nothing is impossible,” a hollow voice chuckled from behind Tesslon. “I believe you have something that belongs to my master.”

With a quick word, Tesslon spun releasing a bolt of white magic towards the intruder, his mind racing as to how he had been so thoroughly surprised. Once the magic held the intruder he would have his answers. Although, instead of freezing the intruder, the magic seemed to dissipate mere inches from the figure standing in Tesslon’s bedchamber, leaving Tesslon stunned.

Standing before him was an ethereal being clad in a breastplate and open faced helm. Chain mail covered his arms and legs. In one hand he held an ornate long sword, in the other one of the emeralds from the now open case. The gem seemed to float in the air when compared to the intangibility of the intruder.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion? How did you pass my wards? I will have answers!”

Tesslon chanted more words of power, causing fire to strike out at the apparition. This too disappeared before harming its target. The ghost merely smiled at Tesslon’s efforts.

With a wicked grin the intruder placed the gem into an empty slot in the swords pommel. The sword began to glow with a sickly green gleam.

“Resisting is foolish. As you can see your magic is useless. The less you struggle the easier this will be for the both of us,” spoke the ghost as he advanced upon Tesslon.

Tesslon unleashed even more energies into the advancing spirit, each attempt seeming to have no effect. Worry began to creep into Tesslon’s mind. His most powerful spells were useless, leaving him with few options and little room to move. The advance of the spirit had pushed him back to the balcony railing, leaving escape as his best choice.

He had just begun the spell of teleportation when the ghost pointed the glowing sword at him. A beam of green energy struck Tesslon in the center of his chest. A terrible scream escaped his lips as pain seared through every inch of his being. His entire essence was being ripped from the shell of his body. Seconds later his body collapsed in front of the balcony rail.

The stream of energy returned to the sword, sliding along its length to center on the gem which now glowed with a life of its own. The ghost removed the stone from the sword’s pommel and looked inside its depths. If he looked closely enough he could almost see a face swirling inside.

He returned the gem to the box, the shell of protective magic having long since vanished at his touch, just as nearly all magic did in his presence, with a few exceptions. With great focus he lifted the corporal box in his spectral hands and placed it inside a special bag at his side. Once inside he wouldn’t have to focus to maintain contact with the box.

He walked out onto the balcony passing through Tesslon’s crumpled form, an almost imperceptible whistle escaping his lips. Within moments a winged shape appeared in the sky.

The creature settled upon the tower top, its two massive legs gripping it as though it was necessary to keep it there. The beast was about fifteen feet in length that shared its master’s same ethereal qualities. At one time the creature’s scales would have glittered in the moonlight. Now, the moonlight passed easily through its hide. It raised its serpentine head back and let out a ghastly roar upon seeing its master’s approach.

The ghost gently floated to his mounts back. Once he was seated the creature leapt to the air, the beat if its wings not raising the slightest wind.