Kelsee sat alone in her room on Desmonia, not truly alone as she was educated enough in the Minlavian Council's ways to know that she would have bodyguards near or with her every place she went. She was alone in the sense there was no one to talk to and no one that could truly share her thoughts.
She had been on Desmonia for almost two days; her instructor was en route to Desmonia even as she sat there. Who was it she wondered and how on Minlas are they going to be a better teacher then her mother she pondered?
The thought of her mother brought tears to her eyes, as she missed her and her father so much. She knew this was where she needed to be, but she also couldn't help but think this was not where she wanted to be. Literally alone on a satellite that was packed to the rim full of people and yet she was truly alone no friends to talk to and no one to be with.
It was here that she was supposed to learn more on the art of wizardry from a perfect stranger than her mother had taught her over the last twenty plus cycles of teaching.
Just then Kelsee saw a flash of light from the outer foyer of her apartment, she thought for a moment that perhaps she should use her scrying bowl to request help but something inside her told her that whatever it was it did not mean her any harm. So instead, she made her way to the outer foyer, her wand in her hand just in case.
As she entered the room, she saw an Elven Spirit standing there, it was of a woman so beautiful that Kelsee could barely take her eyes off of her.
"Why hello child, I have been sent to you by Tunare herself. She has told me that you are in need of help and none in this world or any other can give divulge to you that which needs to be learned," the spirit lady said to her.
Kelsee just stood there unable to speak or really move.
"Ah I see you have inherited my Wand. It is good to see it has landed in the hands of such a worthy companion, I am sure it is eager to get to business as it has laid dormant for a very long time. Are you well child," the spirit asked as she had noticed Kelsee had neither moved nor breathed for near a minute?
Kelsee nodded that she was OK.
"Are you McKenna Everhart," she stammered about as graciously as she could.
"No," the spirit corrected her. "I was McKenna Everhart. Now I am a spirit in the service of Tunare, which let me assure you is a much higher calling then any mortal can imagine".
"Wow, you are a legend to my people, you are the greatest Wizard the Elves of Minlas have ever known," she said amazed at her new guest.
"You flatter me child, but I am afraid that another legend is about to be written, it will be a legend of another young Elven Princess only this princess will not only save the Elves but quite possible an entire planet. Are you up to the journey child", the spirit questioned her?
Kelsee shrugged, "I am not really sure what you mean".
"Why Kelsee you are about to embark on a journey so remarkable that my legend will seem somewhat trivial standing beside it", she exclaimed to the young Elven Princess.
"Why I don't think I could ever do that", she responded.
"You can and will or this world as we know it will fall into a tailspin that even the gods in the Pantheon cannot quickly remove it from. Fear not for me and my story child, it has been told for some many generations. Do not feel remorse or pity for me my time has now been spent and the time for Kelsee and the chosen draws near. You, Kyjus, and Skarnum will live on as the world's greatest heroes if you live up to your potential", the Spirit stopped as she saw the wrinkled-up face of Kelsee.
"What is wrong child, why do you make such a face," she questioned.
"Well, I do not see why I have to be paired with a human and who is Skarnum I have never heard of this person. That is a very strange name for an Elf", she asked of the spirit.
"I see you have got a bit of your fathers spunk in you. I noticed it from the start but with it also comes the belief that Elves are racially superior that we are above anyone else. Kelsee you must believe me when I say we are not, we were in fact slaves ourselves for over one thousand years, a fact that too many Elves today have forgotten. You must look past these silly notions of superiority; looking toward other races and their many redeeming qualities is how you must proceed from this point on. If you are too full of yourself to see this when the time arrives well let's just say you will never truly know what opportunities have been missed. Do you understand me Kelsee?" the spirit asked of the young princess.
Kelsee merely nodded that she understood. Before her was the spirit of the greatest Elf that had ever been written about, who was she to argue. With a resounded nod she determined that she would do her best to follow the Spirits advice.
"Very good, Kelsee. I am pleased to hear that you will give Kyjus and Skarnum a chance. Now onto your teaching, since I am in spirit form, I cannot reside in this realm very long as it is very taxing to my corporeal being. I will however be able to, with the help of Tunare," she said as she pointed to an ivory idol that sat upon the table in front of her "come back and instruct you when the occasion is necessary," the spirit waited for a question or response and when she got neither she continued.
"How did that get there", the princess asked of the spirit.
"I had given the idol to Syrus. He alone will know when it is necessary that I be summoned. When the idol is given to you, I will be compelled to journey to this realm. I will impart what wisdom I can prior to my return, understood," the spirit asked of Kelsee.
The princess nodded.
The spirit continued, "Your first test will be in two parts, one will be educational in terms of spell casting practicality. You will make your way to Master Sheplin's study it is near the library in the inner world of Desmonia. I have made arrangements for an escort to show you the way. It is imperative that you are there as the sun comes into view of Desmonia. Once there you will locate the book An Awkward Spellbound by Merlin Ambrosius."
Kelsee gasped.
The spirit seemed irritated somewhat, but she continued, "Yes a human author and one of the greatest wizards of anytime. You will read this book from cover to cover twice and then you will report back to me your findings. I have taken the liberty of having Syrus put a spirit sconce on your lounge table this will ensure my route here and make my staying here somewhat easier do you understand what I am telling you child?"
"Yes, my lady I do but you said there will be two lessons, you have explained only one. What is the other lesson?" Kelsee asked of the spirit.
"Ahh that lesson is for you to learn yourself child and of the two it may very well be the most important. I bid you farewell, Kelsee. May Tunare's gift of guidance be with you in the days and events to come?" With that the spirit dissipated, leaving Kelsee in her chambers to contemplate her thoughts.
Soon after the spirits departure there was a knock on her door. She walked over to the door and opened it. Syrus was standing at the door, "May I come in he asked".
Kelsee nodded and opened the door.
"My magical senses have told me that you have just had a visitor", he stated more as a fact then a question.
Kelsee nodded just the same.
"I see, I see. Well enough of the small talk I guess and onto the real reason as to why I am here. I have a gift", he said to her somewhat excited.
"For me" she asked quizzically as she pointed to herself.
"Yes, for you", he said as handed her a package.
Kelsee ripped opened the package and inside was a not so fantastic and altogether pretty ordinary looking belt. Needless to say, she was somewhat unimpressed with the gift at first but did her best to mask the feeling.
Of course, she failed miserably so Syrus had thought he better explain before this ended up at the bottom of a scrap heap pile.
"Let me tell you a bit about this belt if I may", he said as he gently whisked the belt form her hands and began to wrap it around his waist.
"This belt has the ability to adapt to its user's needs. What I mean by this is that it is the only belt you will ever need. If you want a loose cloth belt the belt will change to meet your needs if you want a fancy belt with diamonds again the belt changes. It will change shapes, styles, and lengths and yes it will change colors. Now what do you think of my gift," he said as he handed the item back over to the princess.
"It is truly beautiful" she responded to him."
She began to put the belt through a series of tests and the belt shifted and changed to meet her requests.
"Oh, there is one more thing, since your people have long ago lost the gift of darkvision you might be interested to know that the belt helps the user literally see in the dark. Better than any Dwarf or so I am told," Syrus bowed to the princess and began to exit when she noticed something on the belt.
"Syrus, If I may, the belt has an MA embroidered into the seam on the buckle and I have noticed that no matter what kind of belt it is the initials may change in writing style and color, but they are always there. What does the MA mean?" she asked.
"Oh that," he mentioned somewhat nonchalantly, "well that is the belts creator & original owner Merlin Ambrosius."
Kelsee was somewhat astounded that this was a Wizard legends belt.
Syrus continued, "It was Merlin's wish that you have the belt and that I give it to you when you arrive in Desmonia for the days of the chosen."
"But Syrus Merlin died almost fifty years before I was born, how could he possibly know to give this to me", I don't understand.
"I don't know but if I were you, I would consider reading the card. It's from him you know, it was one of the last things he did in his life here. I remember it like it was yesterday; he was in my cabin on", oh sorry child the Mage said showing signs of bereavement in his voice. "Read the card Kelsee I think your questions will be answered."
Kelsee now noticed a card in the bottom of the box. The princess began opening the card; her hands trembled as she opened the flap of the envelope pulling out the letter contained inside. One of the most notable wizards, albeit a human, had left her a magnificent gift and a note. A million thoughts raced through her head as she opened the letter and focused on the text that resided within.
Kelsee Everhart,
I am glad to see that your family has seen fit to allow you the privilege of coming to Desmonia. I say this because it's not everyone that can claim to be a chosen having the destiny of saving the world.
I take it that since you are reading this you have not only just been visited my good friend Syrus but you also are holding my gift to you.
You have things well in hand I am sure seeing that your instructors includes not only one of the finest living Wizards but also one of the finest Wizarding Spirits.
At any rate let's get back to the belt shall we? You have seen, by now, the many shapes, colors and sizes it can be and yes that is truly amazing in its own right, but I am sure you are asking yourself why would I go to all that trouble to create a belt to just change shapes, colors and sizes. Well, the fact of the matter is I would not.
The belt is a little more than Syrus has eluded. Now don't go blaming him. He did not know the belts full potential, as I never stopped to tell him all the belt could do, it's not that I didn't trust him mind you as I have trusted him with my life on more than one occasion. It's just that with Syrus I never saw the need; he was a Mage of simple pleasures so simple is the way I always left things.
I can see you're somewhat different though and luckily for you I am always eager to show off a bit so below is the list of things the belt can do for you. If the line has a asterisks beside it then this task can only be performed once every revolutionary cycle of Desmonia, or roughly 28 Earth days. The belt will momentarily gleam blue when the powers have been restored.
- creates food enough for two humanoids (fresh bread and cheese) thrice per day. You must say the words "transmogricus sustenance."
- creates water enough for two humanoids thrice per day. You must say the words "transmogricus liquidicus."
*enables wearer to render themselves or another person invisible for approximately one hour (time frame may be less depending on the size of the intended target.) you must say the word "transparencia" and be thinking about the target you wish to make invisible.
Worn Ability- the belt also has the worn ability that allows the wearer's mind to fatigue slower and regenerate faster from the uses of magic. It also does all the cool stuff Syrus showed you.
This gift I freely give to you in the hopes that it will be of some use in the trials to come. Use it well.
Sincerely,
Merlin Ambrosius (aka. Fizzleroot)