{"id":625,"date":"2014-01-07T00:01:23","date_gmt":"2014-01-07T05:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=625"},"modified":"2014-01-14T10:35:28","modified_gmt":"2014-01-14T15:35:28","slug":"mageborn-chapter-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/mageborn-chapter-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Mageborn, Chapter One"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello everyone! \u00a0I am pleased to reveal to you the first venture into the past with Tales of Tellest<\/em> and Mageborn<\/em>. Mageborn<\/em> was conceived when Rhianna Brennan asked me to go into more detail about what happened with Adelia Kreegan, one of her favorite characters. \u00a0The other four Tales of Tellest also fell into place because of this concept.<\/p>\n

In Mageborn<\/em>, Gaston Camlann has agreed to tutor Adelia Kreegan and foster her strange new ability. \u00a0Along the way, she learns about magic in many forms, including how to harness it. \u00a0It is a whimsical tale, but it explains how Adelia became so confident, and what she did following the fall of her family.<\/p>\n

I hope you enjoy reading Mageborn as much as I enjoyed writing it!<\/p>\n

Chapter One: Introductions<\/b><\/p>\n

The bluebird sang upon the stone windowsill, mere inches away from the jars of ancient substances.\u00a0 Looking at the nearby dried roots, it would quickly hop toward them and then abruptly back away.\u00a0 After each cycle, it would tweet its song as though it was trying to remain discreet.<\/p>\n

A sweet-smelling spring breeze turned a page in the large nearby tome, and the small creature hunched low, considering a hasty flight.\u00a0 The man who sat at the desk began to whistle.\u00a0 His song seemed to soothe the bird \u2013 perhaps because it was identical to the earlier tune.<\/p>\n

Gaston Camlann was known for such precise observations.\u00a0 He was a man of great renown, gifted in many arts, both ancient and modern.\u00a0 It was a wonder at all that he was able to excel at so many things.\u00a0 He was, after all, human.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t live forever.<\/p>\n

The wizard, who fancied himself more a scholar, was beginning to show his age.\u00a0 His once attractive features had been replaced with wrinkles and rosy cheeks.\u00a0 He wore a long, dark grey beard and moustache to hide most of his weathered face.\u00a0 Long, wavy locks had been stricken a little brighter by the sun, nearing the color of snow.\u00a0 He hid that indicator of his age underneath a wide green hat.<\/p>\n

As he whistled a second verse to his winged companion, a series of knocks upon the door played the percussion in their song.\u00a0 Gaston was so engrossed in his studies that he was ill-suited to notice, even when the rapping on the door grew louder and more frequent.<\/p>\n

More aware than the sage, the bluebird hopped off of its stone pedestal, diving into the northern wilderness.\u00a0 Gaston, shaken from his task by that sight, chortled to himself.\u00a0 How easily Homer has trained me<\/i>, he thought, recalling how often the bird returned to him.<\/p>\n

Another series of knocks on the door had his full attention then.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, come in,\u201d he pleasantly permitted.<\/p>\n

The sturdy slab of elm slid open, and a well-dressed man walked in, his polished boots tapping across the floor.\u00a0 To his left, a lazy feline laid peacefully, its tail floating to and fro as the visitor entered.\u00a0 After removing his leather glove, the man reached out, petting the cat on its side.\u00a0 Rolling over, the feline gleefully accepted the attention.<\/p>\n

Gaston placed his quill down and turned to acknowledge his guest\u2019s arrival.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Edric,\u201d the sage said, standing quickly and slamming his legs into the desk.\u00a0 He winced but worked at ignoring the pain.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preoccupied with the animal, it almost seemed that Edric would not find the focus to reply.\u00a0 The black cat had wrapped its arms around the man\u2019s wrist and was contentedly licking his knuckles.\u00a0 \u201cThat it has, my friends,\u201d the visitor finally said, giving a quick, rough little scratch to the cat\u2019s belly before retrieving his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what brings you to my dusty old closet on this beautiful day?\u00a0 It\u2019s not often that a White Knight of Gardone visits a meager hamlet like Forsynthia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cForsynthia is anything but meager, and I believe it has evolved from a hamlet some time ago.\u00a0 Also, my time in a white cloak has long passed.\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile crossed Gaston\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cJust as always, you focus on the corrections while you ignore the questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything to gain a few extra moments to speak with an old friend,\u201d Edric said.\u00a0 \u201cOne of Jonathan\u2019s birds came through.\u00a0 Apparently, your pupil had just arrived at the toll road.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think she\u2019ll arrive too long after I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd depending on the driver, the poor girl will be arriving without a coin in her pocket.\u00a0 What a foolish idea those roads were.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edric paused, considering how to react.\u00a0 A moment later, he was shaking his head while smiling.\u00a0 \u201cYou know the countryside better than most, Gaston.\u00a0 Between the beasts and the brigands, all of Daltain is a dangerous place.\u00a0 But with paid patrols on watch\u2026 well, you know what Lord Kerrigan says.\u00a0 Good roads b \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuild a better country, yes,\u201d the old sage finished.\u00a0 \u201cAnd there\u2019s quite a bit of wisdom there too.\u00a0 Far more than this wizened old wizard cares to admit often, anyway.\u00a0 And I\u2019m sure those pampered, spoon-fed princes from Sungarden were happy to keep the hands out of their pockets.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but I\u2019m rambling again,\u201d Gaston said.\u00a0 \u201cAre you staying for some time?\u00a0 Can I offer you some tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

A weak frown could just barely be seen upon the retired knight\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAlas, my friend, I haven\u2019t come to Forsynthia just for reprieve.\u00a0 I\u2019m moving a caravan of weapons up to the Basalt Flats.\u00a0 Lydick should be awaiting me in the armory if he\u2019s been properly advised of my arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gaston nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAlways too short, these visits.\u00a0 No matter.\u00a0 It will give me some time to stretch these old legs in preparation to meet the young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m sure there are a great many surprises you have prepared for this one,\u201d Edric mused.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m staying in Forsynthia for the night.\u00a0 If my task is kind to me, perhaps we can meet for the tea later this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should like that very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following a polite bow, Edric turned and began out of the room.\u00a0 He stopped beside the black cat and gingerly scratched beneath its chin. \u00a0\u201cFarewell, Merlin,\u201d the retired knight said.\u00a0 \u201cKeep your master from falling too deeply into those tomes of his.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once Edric had gone from the room, Gaston turned to his pet, glee etched upon his face.\u00a0 \u201cWorry not, my old furry friend.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have a new companion to play with.\u00a0 There will be time for books later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merlin let out a contented meow but remained on his side, even as his master stepped clear of the door and drew it mostly closed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The young lady had stuck her head out of the carriage for most of the journey.\u00a0 As the massive gates of Forsynthia parted, she considered that she had never traveled farther south.\u00a0 Those thoughts quickly passed as the vehicle rolled into the town.<\/p>\n

Although it had once been merely a fort for Daltainian soldiers, it had grown to serve as one of the jewels of the country.\u00a0 Despite its rapid rise, it still preserved much of its rural origins.<\/p>\n

When she had passed through the town\u2019s gates, the young lady realized the entryway was merely for show.\u00a0 There were no walls beyond that point, though a border of trees provided a sense of Forsynthia\u2019s boundaries.<\/p>\n

She swept a strand of blond hair out of her eyes.\u00a0 Her focus shifted to the large keep at the center of the town.\u00a0 Other buildings surrounded that one, varying in their distances.\u00a0 Still, the place didn\u2019t seem stripped of country.\u00a0 Trees provided shade and natural gaps between homes and stores.\u00a0 Gardens seemed to wind and intersect in beautiful arrangements.<\/p>\n

The young lady couldn\u2019t help but be enamored by the sights.<\/p>\n

Before she realized it, the carriage had stopped just several hundred feet from the keep.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve arrived, miss,\u201d the driver called out.<\/p>\n

Blowing out a sigh, the young lady opened the door and stepped from the carriage.\u00a0 A small breeze swept the bottom layers of her blue dress aside for a moment before she felt steady on her feet again.\u00a0 Approaching the driver, she held out her hand.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for taking care of the toll for me.\u00a0 I had no idea you had to pay to use a road in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached out, accepting her offer.\u00a0 When he saw the shining pieces of silver in his palm, he began shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, miss.\u00a0 I can\u2019t take this from a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s yours,\u201d she said, sounding much more assertive and wise than her age imparted.\u00a0 \u201cI get the feeling that over the next few months I won\u2019t get many opportunities to use money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, he nodded, accepting her offer.\u00a0 \u201cI do hope you find what you\u2019re looking for.\u00a0 If the rumors are true, you\u2019ll go far in life.\u00a0 Master Camlann could be no better teacher.\u00a0 If you\u2019re ever in Viscosa again, I\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re looked after.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Francois.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding once again, he clicked his tongue and snapped the reins.\u00a0 His pair of horses began forward.<\/p>\n

The young lady turned around, looking at the long gardens that led to the keep.\u00a0 Sighing yet again, she proceeded forward.<\/p>\n

Wildflowers filled the air with a lovely spring aroma.\u00a0 Forsynthia seemed brighter than most cities, as if the grass itself was somehow warmer.\u00a0 Paths twisted and turned, spiraling back within themselves in confusing notions.\u00a0 More than once, the young lady was forced to backtrack, finding herself lost at a dead end.<\/p>\n

It could not be helped.\u00a0 Besides the gorgeous flowers, exquisite topiary animals had been placed in the gardens.\u00a0 She could not prevent herself from being drawn in by the distractions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are beautiful, are they not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her body had gone slightly rigid at the sound of the unexpected voice.\u00a0 She had to fight back against all of her instincts, knowing that violence would likely be unforgivable.\u00a0 \u201cCaptivating,\u201d she said as she turned to address the sudden stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be Miss Kreegan,\u201d the man said, bowing slightly, for his old bones might not have allowed him to bend much farther.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdelia,\u201d she confirmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to our quaint town.\u00a0 I am Gaston Camlann.\u201d<\/p>\n

She extended her hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou are well met, sir.\u00a0 And truly, this place is greater than I could have imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI find that hard to believe, considering your stay in Viscosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grinned at the mention of the capital city of Raleigh.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a magnificent place, to be sure.\u00a0 I rarely saw any of the more impressive sights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes.\u00a0 Due to your time spent among the\u2026 Would you care to walk with me back to the keep?\u201d<\/p>\n

With a slight nod, she fell into place beside the old sage.\u00a0 He knew the way better than her, yet he still seemed to weave a path in odd directions.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy time was spent among the streets,\u201d Adelia said.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know anyone in the city when I arrived, so for the first few weeks, I hid in an alley, almost in the trash.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCurious,\u201d he said.\u00a0 As she passed an inquisitive gaze his way, he continued.\u00a0 \u201cYou seem a bright young lady, not at all as na\u00efve as most your age.\u00a0 You\u2019re soft on the eyes as well.\u00a0 One would think you could have easily found an employer at an inn or a tavern that would have bartered a sleeping arrangement for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I didn\u2019t want to throw myself into a situation out of any undue necessity.\u00a0 A few nights in the streets\u2026 well that\u2019s just like camping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell put,\u201d the sage offered with a smile.\u00a0 He stopped, urging the young lady to do the same.\u00a0 \u201cI must ask you, Adelia.\u00a0 Why do you want to be a mage?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pondered the question for a few moments before grasping her shoulder, shrugging.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cThe people who found me using magic seemed to think I was special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, and that you are, child.\u00a0 But magic is special too.\u00a0 There are a wide variety of them out there, and some will require much of your time.\u00a0 That is the difference between a trick,\u201d he said, producing a bouquet of flowers from behind his back, \u201cand the arcane arts themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he finished his statement, the topiary animals behind him almost seemed to move.\u00a0 All at once, flowers bloomed upon the hedges.\u00a0 Adelia\u2019s eyes brightened to behold them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would choose not to waste either of our time, Adelia,\u201d the old wizard asserted.\u00a0 \u201cIs this something you truly wish to pursue?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without hesitation, the young lady nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent,\u201d he said, guiding his hand behind her back.\u00a0 They began toward the keep once more.\u00a0 \u201cI had already invested quite a bit of time in studying up on you, you see.\u00a0 I\u2019m truly sorry about your parents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you\u2026\u201d she began to say.\u00a0 Recalling who she was in the presence of, Adelia let the words trail off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know much about you, child.\u00a0 Perhaps more than you do.\u00a0 How well aware are you of your ancestors?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged again.\u00a0 \u201cI never knew any of my grandparents.\u00a0 They had all passed away before I was born.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your father told you nothing of them?\u201d\u00a0 He hummed to himself but nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMost likely for the best.\u00a0 You see, Balthaszar Kreegan, much like yourself, displayed some level of arcane acuity.\u00a0 And, much like you, his first spell was that of a\u2026 frigid nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone has the propensity to study magic,\u201d he explained, \u201cto learn the arcane arts \u2013 to bend and shape reality.\u00a0 There are very few who present such a gift without ever having turned a page on the subject matter.\u00a0 You are a curious case but so, too, was Balthaszar.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are here to study the elements of sorcery,\u201d Gaston asserted.\u00a0 \u201cYou must know that I will be studying you just as intently.\u201d<\/p>\n

They had reached the entrance of the keep.\u00a0 A stone walkway led beneath a drawn portcullis and through a pair of grand opened doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could promise to be interesting,\u201d Adelia said.\u00a0 \u201cI fear I may make a boring subject.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside the courtyard, several people were busy with their daily routines.\u00a0 Gaston didn\u2019t give her much time to dawdle.\u00a0 He guided her to a flight of stone steps toward the second level of the keep.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would be surprised, young lady.\u00a0 While a wizard\u2019s studies are never truly over, we begin to sway from the arcane slightly in our old age.\u00a0 We begin to\u2026 specialize in a particular field of normal study.\u00a0 I know a fellow up north who studies dragons.\u00a0 He actually coined a name for himself \u2013 a dracosage.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt one point in my travels,\u201d he continued as he led her up a flight of wooden stairs, \u201cI met a man who searched the world for various magical artifacts.\u00a0 I\u2019ve even run across a gnomish alchemist that sampled hundreds of different water sources across Tellest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you?\u201d Adelia asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is your specialty?\u201d<\/p>\n

The pair stopped just in front of a slightly opened door.\u00a0 With a grin, the sage turned to his young pupil.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer to see what makes people tick.\u00a0 Every one of us is different, and some are much more peculiar than the rest.\u00a0 You may consider yourself dull, but I assure you, I will learn as much from you as you do from me.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, this room will be yours for the duration of your time spent in Forsynthia.\u00a0 After long days of studying through tomes, attempting new spells, and collecting reagents, you\u2019ll find this place very endearing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Master Camlann,\u201d Adelia said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been very hospitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust Gaston will do,\u201d the sage said, opening the way for the young lady.<\/p>\n

She took a single step inside but froze when she saw the black beast upon her bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d the sage asked.\u00a0 Upon receiving no response, he stepped into the room.\u00a0 A wide grin crawled upon his face.\u00a0 \u201cI see you\u2019ve met Merlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it?\u201d she asked before shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this is the kind of human element that interests me,\u201d Gaston said.\u00a0 \u201cWhy such a fear of a small cat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Blowing out a large sigh, she steadied herself.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I was a little girl, I had an\u2026 experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter,\u201d the sage said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s perfectly understandable to be a little apprehensive of them.\u00a0 They did, after all, descend from dragons.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at him quizzically.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t tell if you\u2019re having a laugh at my expense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d Gaston asserted.\u00a0 \u201cOnce, all of Tellest was overrun by dragons.\u00a0 They were the fourth race that the gods created \u2013 after men, dwarves and elves.\u00a0 In the beginning, all of them were friendly and worked in harmony with us.\u00a0 But we grew fearful.<\/p>\n

\u201cLegend has it,\u201d the sage said, \u201cthat an elven wizard named Sarisla found the means to transmogrify creatures.\u00a0 One day, he approached the largest, meanest looking dragon and ensnared her with a lovely song.\u00a0 While she was captivated, he set his magic loose on her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore she knew it, she had shrunk down to a fragment of her size.\u00a0 Scales had given way to fur.\u00a0 Horns shifted and stretched until they sufficed as whiskers.\u00a0 She was with a litter, but of course, all the young inside her had transformed too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Sarisla had created a brand new race,\u201d Adelia mused.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider it,\u201d Gaston said.\u00a0 \u201cCats have dragons\u2019 eyes.\u00a0 They can fall from up high as if they\u2019re almost flying.\u00a0 There\u2019s even, supposedly, a group of kaja in the south seas who apparently learned how to breathe fire once more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Merlin meowed, as if giving credit to the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, it would also explain some of the caution that felines prefer with us.\u00a0 Perhaps it\u2019s a good idea that you give this terrifying beast a wide berth,\u201d he said, winking indiscriminately somewhere between the cat and the young lady.\u00a0 \u201cCome, Merlin.\u00a0 Let us give Miss Kreegan some solitude.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she must be quite exhausted after her long journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

The slender black cat did as instructed, hopping off of the bed.\u00a0 Before it left the room, however, it rubbed against Adelia\u2019s leg.\u00a0 She quietly sighed as it continued into the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cRest easy, child,\u201d the sage offered.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow is an important day.\u00a0 It marks the beginnings of your studies.\u00a0 Today ends the quiet life of the country girl.\u00a0 Tomorrow\u2026 Tomorrow you become initiated in the arts.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be one of the greatest witches this world has ever seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the meantime,\u201d he said, \u201cfeel free to explore Forsynthia a bit.\u00a0 If you manage to get lost, the people are incredibly kind.\u00a0 If you need me directly, I\u2019m the last door on the right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adelia nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a smile, he shut the door behind him.<\/p>\n

The young lady was left alone to ponder her decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter Two<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hello everyone! \u00a0I am pleased to reveal to you the first venture into the past with Tales of Tellest and Mageborn. Mageborn was conceived when Rhianna Brennan asked me to go into more detail about what happened with Adelia Kreegan, one of her favorite characters. \u00a0The other four Tales of Tellest also fell into place […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[145,146],"tags":[62,234,232,69,152,233,212,61],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/MageBorn_Title_Update.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1UVey-a5","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=625"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":628,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/625\/revisions\/628"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}