From: ignacio@thunder.cs.odu.edu (Anthony Ignacio)
Subject: Kelanen Aldorion: Departure
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 18:50:34 GMT

[ADMIN: WARNING!  New character alert!  ;-)]

* * *

"Kelanen.  Kel, are you listening to me?"

Kelanen looked quietly up at the speaker.  "I'm sorry Archmage.  My mind was--
elsewhere."  He quickly pushed aside the riot of thoughts and images floating
like pin-points of quickfire light in his vision.  Looking back up he watched
the Archmage pace the length of the small study's chill stone floor.

"Keep your mind on the here and now, Kel.  Even with the Dark gone we must all
keep our wits about us.  We are far from being out of the clear yet."

Kelanen gave a slight nod in agreement, the feeble glow from the hearth high-
lighting the prominent cheek bones on a face too young to have so many lines of
worry etched on it.  "So when am I to depart?"  He waited silently as the Arch-
mage continued pacing, the soft swish of his robe's hem on the dull-grey stone
floor the only sound in the room besides the soft crackle-hiss from the dying
embers in the fireplace.

"It would be best for you to depart soon.  With the Church now re-established it
is even now more crucial for you to leave as soon as events permit."

"You don't believe that he would carry out his threat do you?"  Looking out the
room's only window he saw that night's embrace had enfolded the city.  A chill
draft swept underneath the oak door, exciting the dying embers to a short-lived
jig that died as quickly as it started.  For a moment, shadows lept large and
menacing against the bare back wall of the study but left with the draft's pas-
sing.

"Men will do many things in the name of their god.  Not always--pleasant things,
mind you.  The new Arch-Bishop does not strike me as the type of man to make
threats lightly."

Kelanen sighed resignedly.  "Are we, Mageborn, always to be thought of as the
tools of the Crooked One, even after all we have done to preserve this Realm
during the Time of the Dark?!"  Anger seeped into his words, the frustration of
being judged unfairly nearly drowning his thoughts.  "It's not fair!"

"My son, men fear what they don't understand.  You above all should know this.
That is why we take care of our own.  Why the bond between the Mageborn even
runs stronger than the blood-ties of relatives.  Of all people, we are truly
the most alone."

Silence descended over the study like a wool blanket, slowly snuffing out all
sounds save those of the fire and the night-cries of birds in the distance.

Almost afraid to break the silence, Kelanen turned to the Archmage.  "I can
leave by morning.  I have already packed all that I'll need."

"Good.  I must go attend to other Council matters now.  I will see you off in
the morning.  Sleep well my son."

Kelanen watched the retreating form of the Archmage.  When he was lost to sight,
Kelanen stood up from where he had been seated behind his cluttered desk.  Going
to the door he shut it with an soft click.  Turning back to the room, he made
his way to the feather-down bed that dominated the south wall.  Settling in to
sleep, he pulled up the patched quilt to cover his lean frame.

Sleep was a long time in coming.

* * *

"Remember, once across the Void you will be on your own."

Kelanen nodded solemnly.  "I understand, Archmage."

"Good luck my son."

Turning on the knoll upon which he stood, Kelanen looked back to see the Arch-
mage leaning wearily on his staff.  The morning sun shone through the few wisps
of clouds in the clear-blue sky, slowly dispelling the early morning mists.  He
prepared himself for what he was about to do.

Focusing his thoughts, he turned to the task of opening a passage through the
Void.  Ever so slowly, the scene of sky, clouds, mist, and knoll peeled back to
reveal a dark opening.  A tear in reality.  Looking back one final time he
caught an image of the Archmage standing once more erect on his feet looking
like the leader he was.  Turning back he plunged into the depths of the Void.

Reality refolded behind him and total darkness enveloped him.

Then something went wrong.

All Kelanen could register was PAIN, searing hot and livid through his mind...
then he blacked out.

* * *

Anthony Ignacio
ignacio@cs.odu.edu
Kelanen Aldorion