From: ignacio@sirocco.cs.odu.edu (Anthony Ignacio)
Subject: Kelanen Aldorion: Departure
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 20:04:41 GMT

[ADMIN: New character on the loose.]

* * *

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

Kelanen looked quietly up at the speaker.  "I'm sorry Archmage.  My mind was--
elsewhere."  He quickly quelled the riot of thoughts and images that floated
like pin-points of quick-fire lights in his vision.  Looking up from where he
sat behind his oak wood desk, Kelanen watched the Archmage pace the length of
the 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 danger yet."

Kelanen gave a slight nod of agreement.  "So when am I to depart?"  The soft
blue-white glow of the ball of magelight hovering over his shoulder overlap-
ed the light cast by the dying embers of the small room's hearth.  The resultant
double shadows lept large and menacing over the study's four walls.

The Archmage stopped pacing.  "It would be best for you to depart soon.  With
the Church nearly re-established, it is even now more crucial for you to depart
as soon as events permit."

"You don't believe that the Arch-Bishop would carry out his threat do you?"
Kelanen saw the lines around the Archmage's eyes tighten as he voiced his query.

"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
idle threats."

Kelanen sighed resignedly.  "Are we still to be thought of as the tools of the
Crooked One, even after all we have done during the Time of the Dark?"  A chill
draft swept beneath the oak wood door of the room, enticing the slow-buring
coals in the hearth to one last jig.  Kelanen pulled his robes in closer.  Look-
ing out the study's only window he saw that night had enfolded the town in its
black embrace.

"Unfortunately... yes.  Men fear what they don't understand.  You of all people
should know this, Kelanen.  That is why the bonds between the Mageborn are oft
times stronger than even ties of blood.  We of all people, are the most alone
in this world.  All we have is each other..."

Silence descended upon the room.  The only sounds heard was the hiss-crackle of
the fire and the distant night cries of nocturnal birds.

Hesitantly, almost afraid to break the silence Kelanen spoke, "I can leave by
dawn tomorrow.  I have packed all that I will need."

"Good."  In a kindly gentle tone the Archmage added, "I will see you off in the
morning then.  There are other Council matters that I still have to attend to."
Preparing to leave, he looked back over his shoulder, "Sleep well my son."  The
oak wood door swung noiselessly shut behind his retreating form.

Rising from his seat behind the desk, Kelanen rubbed his weary-worn eyes.  The
dim blue-white ball of magelight over his shoulder started to fade to oblivion.
He picked his way through the study to the feather-down bed and sat down.  Shak-
ing off his boots, he lay back upon the sheets.  The soft popping noises of the
hearth fled to the background as Kelanen's thoughts flitted through his mind's
eye.

Sleep was a long time in coming.

* * *

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

"I will remember."  Looking down from where he stood atop the round knoll,
Kelanen saw the Archmage's robes wreathed in undispelled morning mist.  The sun
shed diffused white light throughout the valley.  The surrounding green foot-
hills loomed like unseen breakers in stormy waters.  Waving one final farewell
to the Archmage, Kelanen turned to concentrate on his task.

Slowly, a thin vertical line formed in the air before him.  Then, the edges
spread to either side revealing a dark gaping maw.  The scene of knoll, mists,
sky, and foothills peeled back like paper.  The edges of the opening burned like
iridescent fire but the heart was black as pitch.  It was toward this darkness
that Kelanen walked.  Stepping through, reality re-folded behind him as he was
consumed by the Void.

Then something went wrong.

The last thing Kelanen remembered before he blacked out was PAIN.  SEARING HOT
PAIN.  Then he slipped into the waiting embrace of blissful unconsciousness.

* * *

Anthony Ignacio
ignacio@cs.odu.edu
Kelanen Aldorion