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Ben Medinets / story2d

Chapter 4: Learning More about the MAGIC GUILD

It was just afternoon when they had returned from the market. Poor Benny was so fatigued from pondering the occurrences that he fell into a mid-day slumber.

From all the early day hustle and bustle, Cletus also succumbed to mid-day sleep as well. Just out the window ledge, a medium-sized eagle was screeching. It was holding to a parchment. Benny roused out of his slumber, opened the shutter beside the bird, and was allowed to grab the parchment.

Upon retrieving the parchment, the eagle launched itself into flight. As Benny waved and bade farewell to the bird, the bird screeched once more. The parchment said to come to Soren’s Abode, at sunset (which today was approximately 7:00).

So they went down to the kitchen and got out some provisions: a bag of wheat and a piece of beef. The wheat was ground up and fried, while the beef was roasting directly over the fire. Within the hour, dinner was ready and both munched down on the dinner both of them helped to cook.

After finishing the meal, both of them prepared to meet Soren. After finishing up their preparations, they mounted the horses, and headed for Soren’s Abode.

Outside the abode, a friendly creature was welcoming their arrival. It was none other than the eagle that had delivered the parchment.

“Come in!! Come in!! I’ve been expecting you two,” welcomed Soren.

So they entered the small-sized house of the old enchanter. Not sure what to do, the two guests just stood dumb-founded.

“Don’t just stand there. Follow me up to the study and make yourselves at home,“ exclaimed the elder host.

So the three of them climbed up the stairs and entered the study. All of them sat down at the same time, like it was a practiced ritual.

“What the Emperor says is very likely the situation, I fear. My old band of magicians is up to some tricks again,“ said Soren softly.

“Your band…? I mean…you guild??” asked Benny.

“Well not mine anymore,” answered Soren, “but if you should know I once held position of GUILD MASTER. That wasn’t too long ago. But alas, age has caught up to me, and I stepped down and retired from the GUILD. I was then asked to be the Emperor’s Chief Advisor.”

“So why all this negative recent activity by the GUILD?” asked Cletus.

“Well, once I retired, the leadership was up for grabs. The GUILD MASTER is chosen by unanimous vote. I suspect my old acquaintance and at times adversary, Claus (the BLACK MAGE) used a number of means including some questionable tactics and some supernatural help to secure the leadership of the GUILD.”

“Like how??” asked Benny, fearing he already heard the answer.

“Hmmm…tricky question. Well, I left and relinquished not only the leadership but also the GREEN MAGIC CRYSTAL. I suspect my leaving wasn’t the only reason for Claus’ unanimous election…well you’ve probably heard the rumors already, Claus has more than likely conjured up the spirit of an evil warlock of old. This is as much a rumor to me as it is to the rest of the you…..I guess only he can confirm or deny the rumors. Strange things have occurred after my departure, so we can only assume that that is the most likely explanation to the situation at hand. As for William, Malcolm’s son, I think the GUILD is very much involved. Again, I cannot verify exactly how or why, but 99% certain they are behind it,” said Soren gravely.

“Then that is where I need to go,” said Benny.

“You mean of course ‘we’”, corrected Cletus.

“’we’ indeed,” agreed Soren. “However, before you youngsters get yourselves into trouble, you need to heed my advice. The GUILD will not take kindly to uninvited guests, especially under the current circumstances, and if you intend to ruin their plans. I, however, have the tools that will greatly help in recovering the Emperor’s son if he indeed is in the custody of the MAGIC GUILD…..well, I don’t have all of what you need. I do, however, have one of the items you’ll need.

The GUILD hall is likely where William is being held. It is on the south end of this Island, in the District of Kensington on the eastern and uninhabited part of the harbor. The hall is guarded by physically and magically strong creatures. The building itself is virtually impenatratable. With the right tools and timing, you should success at the mission at hand. You’ll need more hands than you have, that’s why you’ll need Cletus. You won’t always have your mounts, but you’ll probably will always want to carry around the essential tools of this mission just in case.”

“As I said before,” continued Soren, “I have only one of the vital tools you’ll need. It is the Specter’s Box. It will drive away even the bravest and strongest living creatures once the specter has been released from its box. It also controls any undead creatures. It is easily controlled by whomever is the possessor of the box. This tool is very critical to your mission. You must retain control of this object, even to the point of death.

This isn’t the only tool you’ll need. You’ll also need to journey to the next Island and visit the tribal temple. There is a special Ruby Staff that will also help you enter the hall. You must also maintain control of this tool also and not allow it to fall into enemy hands.

Once you make it into the hall, you’ll need your third and final tool, ‘the Mirror of Truth’. Fortunately, you won’t need to go far to get it. It is being concealed at St. Mary’s Chapel. You should be able to use the staff and Specter’s Box with no problem. The Mirror of Truth is another story altogether. It will only work for the pious at heart. If William is indeed there, the mirror will assist in removing any enchantments on him, and have him follow you, provided he is indeed around. Good luck to you two. I don’t have anything more to say, see me again after you complete your tasks of retrieving the other two tools and after completing the recovery.”

With that, he took a deep-breath and sat back in his chair. Benny and Cletus took it as a sign to descend the stairs and leave the abode.

Upon exiting the abode, they returned to the townhouse. They had another big day tomorrow. So both went straight to bed, despite the mid-day slumber they both had had earlier.

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