"Nerion, what are you doing out here?" My wife, Auri, came out on the veranda to share the view with me. I don't respond right away as I look out upon Ithion. I am thinking about how I have spent my life. There were so many adventures and close calls but, overall, was very satisfying. I have traveled across continents. I have looked over things that could only be of dreams to my people. Then again, some of those things could only occur in a dream. Auri breaks my train of thought asking, "Did you even hear me?" "Sorry, I was just thinking," I said. "Are you all right? You look as though you just saw a lich," she replied, with a little uncomfortable laugh. I smiled and told her, "No, just remembering all the excitement I've had. But I am afraid I won't be around much longer for fear that the town won't be safe with me here. I am starting to get this sense that he is feeding on me as I grow weaker in my old age." Auri's face immediately went from joyful to worried but she showed no emotion once our daughter, but she showed no emotion once our daughter, Xanaphia, came angrily out on to the terrace.
"The kids won't trance. They say that they want you to come say goodnight," Xanaphia said, while looking quite frustrated. I hugged them both and said that I would take care of them as I proceeded towards the misshapen wooden door. Before I could even enter, my grandkids were assaulting me with questions.
Although there was a plethora of questions, Aramil was first to bring up the business about a bedtime story. "Grandpa, would you please tell us again about Iveillos and the vile monster, Gavamira?" he said. I think he likes the hero and monster situation described in it. "If I tell you, will you finally go to sleep?" I asked. Now his sister, Lia, chimed in and they responded with both their childish singsong voices, "We promise!" So I told them, "Okay, but I will have to shorten it a little or you won't have time to meditate." They agreed with enthusiastic nods and I started to speak.
"Well, let's start at the beginning because I don't know of a better place to start. Many centuries ago, in this very town, there was a large flying monster that attacked the townsfolk, destroyed their supplies, and was just generally a threat to all that lived here. It was named Gavamira by the people of Ithion and many either fled or defended the city while the council could come up with a plan of action. The council didn't know what to do for many days but something came up that they couldn't refuse."
"Naemond the Tainted was an old wizard that lived, nearby, in this forest. He heard of the problems caused by Gavamira and traveled to the town to help. The council eagerly gave him an audience to hear of what he could do and agreed to meet his demands. Afterwards, a town meeting was called to discuss what was to be done."
"At this meeting, the council called for a volunteer to help Naemond. This volunteer will have a dangerous job and should be ready to give his life if need be, but this will take care of Gavamira for a very long time. The people went quiet and looked around to see if anyone will stand up. Many moments go by until Iveillos stood up as high as he could, for he would rather die to save his family and friends than to live and watch them suffer. No one else volunteered. So the meeting is dismissed and Iveillos says his goodbyes to his family, just in case, and starts off to help Naemond with the ritual."
"Naemond greets Iveillos and takes him to a clearing on the forest floor. There are mysterious symbols carved into the earth and different colored powders everywhere, yet a center was clearly marked. Naemond explains how the ritual will be performed and shows Iveillos to the focus in the center of the symbols. The focus is where the magic will be performed; although Naemond will be stand off to the side whilst conducting the rite."
"They could hear the screams and alarms in the town telling that Gavamira was back. Naemond said that now was the time to proceed with the ritual as he read from a large arcane book and made very deliberate movements with his other hand. Iveillos stopped watching as he started to feel a pain in his chest. The pain grew through his body and started to burn ferociously. He collapsed on the ground and started shake violently. As he did this, he could hear a deep, demon voice whispering into his head. The voice demanded that they stop and cried out. Iveillos caught a glimpse of a wispy figure pouring into him as the unimaginable pain intensified in his body and he passed out."
"When he awoke, he was in his comfortable bed at home. His wife told him how the creature, Gavamira, had cried out and died in midair. Everyone was celebrating and waiting for their hero to join them. Iveillos felt great despite the ordeal he just went through and decides to go to the banquet hall where the party was."
"The party continued on for a whole week but finally ended and their hero went back to his normal life as before except that now he was known as Iveillos the Absolute for all of his bravery and strength in the people's time of need."
"Now get comfortable and trance like your mother told you to," I said as nicely as it could be said. Aramil and Lia complied and began meditating. They're still young and loud noises will easily break their concentration, so I sneak back out on to the balcony and join up with the women.
"I wonder if they will ever hear the real ending to that story," Auri commented, "They are bound to figure out that the renowned Iveillos is none other than their loveable grandfather." I replied, "You may tell them when I am gone. I have decided to leave before I completely lose control of Gavamira. He is starting to win the constant struggle between us and I don't want something to happen like last time."
In the few days after the ritual, I lost control of the beast and I buckled under my own weight. Two friends of mine tried to help me and I lashed back at them with an unexplained fury that even I didn't understand. I wounded them both, but Nydaunon was, by far, the worst. If it wasn't for a cleric nearby, I would have lost him. The cleric said that he would have to report this to the council, not out of hate but of concern.
The council called on me and I had to see them. They said that after much debate, it was decided that I was a potential danger to anyone around me while I was in this state and, sadly, I had to leave right away. They left me with some last advice that I should visit the Queen of Alaborn. She is wise and may know of a way to cure me. She was even an elf, so she would probably help as much as she could.
Well, the wisdom of Queen Alaborn wasn't as what I hoped but it did give me an advantage over Gavamira and helped keep him tranquil. That is, until my body has grown too old to deal with him as well as before.
Xanaphia cried out softly, "Father! Must you really leave us again?!" I remained silent for a moment and gave an apologetic look as I told her, "Queen Alaborn has sent word for me that she has made progress on a cure." Auri hugged me for the last time and let me know how she felt, "I understood the first time you had to leave and I still do now." I hugged Xanaphia as she mentioned, "But, it seems that just yesterday you came home." I slipped back into the house to kiss my grandchildren goodbye while they slept. I picked up my travel sack that I have had packed for a week and set off to what could possibly be the last adventure of my life.