Dear friend,
It has been a long time since we last spoke. I hear everything is going well. Everything is just as good for me, but I MUST tell you of a man we met on one of our adventures. The 3 of use (me, Stahn and Shemal) all met this strange old man. Well, it's a long story but he started talking to us about all these strange things. Apparently he plans to visit Moorgate. Anyway, Shemal decided to scribe everything that happened. I copied it up for you.
"I wasn't always this age, young mages, do not forget, your elders are your ties to the past, and to knowledge." He nodded soberly towards us.
"There once was a time when I was a young adventurer like yourselves. Slaying colossal dragons with the elements. I was no Sorcerer; I could never match their power for wielding the elements. However many were clever, but then again many were so confident in their spells they wouldn't think about strategies or diplomacy. Their policy was to wield a spell and rush to battle. Don't get me wrong; they wielded spells of grand power and might and indeed they did slay many a creature."
He let slip a merry chuckle and then paused for a second, perhaps for effect or perhaps he was thinking over what to say next.
"I knew I could never wield such supremacy over sorcery as they did. I knew, if I wished to become a master I would need to use what I know, Wizardry. I learnt all I could of their spells and I brandished them well, but I knew something was missing. I could not help my roots, or my training, I was a wizard."
He had a strange glint in his eyes as we all watched him carefully as the words he spoke were like a spell capturing our thoughts.
"It was one night when I was out on the forests, there were much smaller than you know them now. Anyway, I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye and when I turn I saw a small man. I recall him well; hair as red as the great dragons fire, eyes as green as emeralds and his clothes as black a coal. From nowhere came an arrow. It hurtled past us, but it was obvious it was meant for us. I turned and looked at the arrow, and then back at this man, and he was gone. Three bestial Orcs emerged from behind a few trees and began to advance on me. Within a few seconds the man reappeared, slaughtered one of the Orcs and disappeared to the shadows again. Again he emerged, slew and disappeared. After the final Orc was dispatched he took the gold and vanished once more."
We were looking at each other with strange little looks, thinking perhaps he was just an old man who was lonely and enjoyed telling stories. No doubt it was the truth; however, it didn't really seem relevant. Then he continued...
"Many hours I thought about this disappearing man and I finally came to realize something. I could never wield the elements as well as any Sorcerer, but then I have no need! I wish to slay a creature, I can do it with strategy."
"Boy, are you listening?"
I looked up with a start, and I looked about for the old man. I looked all around me but I did not see him.
"I'm glad I have regained your train of thought. As I was saying, I could kill a beast before it could even see me. I neglected much of my training as a wizard, I overlooked such spells as lurk and invisibility. From the shadows I could strike first or choose not to strike at all, I could just watch and learn what they do, how they do it and how fast. I could know more about them, their strengths, and their weaknesses."
Interesting as this was, we were in a hurry; we couldn't listen to this old man ramble on about hiding from monsters. I was about to speak up at tell him that either he gets to the point, or we go, but he emerged from the shadows and looked at me and spoke, almost angrily:
"Young mage, you do not understand. I am not rambling along, telling stories to make me feel good. Listen to me and learn. Wielding spells with such elemental power is fine; you can get by with just that power. But you are a MAGE, you wield more than magic, you wield intelligence. Strategy is the key to success. I did not slay foul beasts with strength alone, you must learn to use your mind."
Suddenly it all made sense, what he said, how he told it... everything fell into place. Sorcerers may wield the strongest attacks, and the longest holds, but everyone, with the proper strategies can become a master of sorts.
Anyway my dear friend, I must end for now, I just thought the lesson might help you learn a little. Ha ha! It has been good to write to you again, reply soon.
Dearly,
Theca's apprentice Heron, Wizard of emissary.
Alley back to the library foyer.
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