Chapter 11

Just a single week had passed since Marissa's desert journey. She had completed her first solo mission, successfully delivered the bottle of dew, and was now back in Ducann continuing on with her life at the Church. However, her training was quickly coming to an end.

In order for a magical student of the Church to ascend in rank, they must complete a final student mission of their own choosing. It is the only way to be recognized as a full mage by the Church. It is also the only way in which one is properly inducted as a wizard of the Holy Protectorate.

Often these 'missions' were actually quite simple, more of a formality in actuality. Usually a long research dissertation detailing a certain magical theme, or the successful completion of a difficult spell, or the taming of a wild beast for use as a familiar were all that was needed. Only on rare occasions were the challenges suggested by the students of magic much more elaborate.

The purpose was for the student to show skill in something for which they were personally motivated. Emotion played a crucial role in the casting of magic. Strong emotions come from themes that are close to that person, and so personal projects were an accurate test of magical fortitude. And as such, a spell user was only as strong as the sums of their heart, determination, concentration, and knowledge.

Today, Marissa was intending to announce the final student mission of her choosing. She was both nervous, as well as intrigued, with what responses she might get.

The young mage climbed the northern Ducann spire as she had many times before. Her destination was a meeting room on the sixth floor. Inside of the chamber were three elder sages: Dominique, Poe, and Klaus. She rapped upon the double wooden door and was welcomed to enter.

In the center of the room was a medium sized circular table made from blown glass. It was blue in color and had been etched with purple filigree. Dazzling loops and trails dotted its exterior. Light from an open window appeared to make the ceremonial table glow.

Around the table sat the three sages, each wearing their customary robes. Each of them sat in a tall high-backed chair made from iron. Long fabric runners of different colors trailed down their metal backs. Embroidered into each were different symbols of importance to the Church.

A final seat of much lower stature had also been placed near the table.

As she entered into the chamber, the murmuring clerics began to quiet. The conversation they were having would have to wait until later. Marissa sat down in the ordinary chair and faced the three sages.

"Marissa, magi in training," Sage Poe continued as if he was reading from a memorized written verse, "It is our understanding, and the understanding of the Church, that you are ready to pronounce your final mission as a student of this institution.

"The final task is to be chosen by a student and is an important part of his or her growth in the magic arts. The completion of the task is to signify one's succession into becoming a comprehensive mage, as is so deemed by the Church.

"It is with great honor that my colleagues and I are present to witness this grand moment in your tutelage." Poe yawned as if he had done this a hundred times before. "It is to be commended that you have shown such dedication to the magical arts. The path is only available to a select few, and the path is only completed by those who are unrivaled among their peers.

"We are now ready and willing to accept your suggestion for this final mission. You have the floor."

Now that he was done with his spiel, Sage Poe took a drink of water from a copper goblet located upon the table. He kept the glass within his hand after he had taken a sip.

"Thank you for the kind words sirs. My desire for this final task is to determine the source of the Pontia."

Poe coughed and spit up some water. Dominique, whose eyes had been glazed over up until now, began to pay attention. Klaus's eyes went wide. Sage Poe continued to cough up bits of water in an attempt to catch his breath.

"Source of the Pontia?!?" Klaus responded. All the formalities were now long gone, "how do you ever plan to do that?!?"

"I plan to search…"

"Nonsense," Dominique retorted. "It cannot be done."

Poe came to Marissa's aid. "Sage Dominique, regardless of the facts at hand, let us listen to the girl." The old man paused. "Well?"

"Ahem. I plan to search the lands far northwest of Ducann, towards the Holloway Peninsula. I have read in some texts that a large concentration of Pontia used to roam across the area in the past. I…"

"Poppycock," Dominique interrupted again. "Why would anyone bother to do that, let alone a novice such as yourself? It is suicide to try."

Poe spoke, "Dominique is partially correct. Why do you wish to find this 'source'?"

"As several of you may know, my family was killed due to the actions of a large birdlike Pontia. An ash raven if you will. It is for their memory, and for the knowledge of the Church, that I wish to complete this goal."

"Personal matters should not have any sway in your final mission!" Dominique replied.

Klaus responded. "Ah, but you are mistaken Dominique, a personal stake in the matters of the final student mission is a key point of the task. In fact, it may be the most important theme of the entire testing process!"

Dominique grumbled.

Klaus asked, "Do you really think you will be able to complete this lofty goal?"

"Yes, I do. And if I don't try, then I will never know."

"I see…" Klaus replied.

Poe thought for a moment. "The other mages and I will have to think over this matter. We need to determine if this constitutes an applicable task, as well as if the task is even feasible. Please wait outside until we call for you."

Marissa closed the doors behind her and waited outside of the chamber for several minutes. Inside she could hear a heated argument between the three senior sages. Fists were slammed into the glass table and loud shouting could be heard. After what seemed like forever, the young mage was instructed to reenter.

"Mage Marissa, it has been decided that we will allow this task to be completed as proof of knowledge in the study of magic. Only when you have completed this important last mission, will you finally be deemed a true mage and be allowed membership in the Holy Protectorate." Poe spoke this final decision in the same manner as he had before: just as if it had been read from a standard statement.

"On another note, can I please have a word with you Marissa?" Klaus requested.

"Certainly Sage Klaus," she replied.

"Please come with me to my quarters, so we may discuss this task of yours in more detail."

When they arrived at Klaus's office, both of them sat down on a couch found in his study. Klaus began to speak to the young woman beside him.

"I was almost certain you would take the research path of the final task, but never did I think you might choose an adventure such as this!"

Marissa responded, "Honestly sir, I did not know that I would follow this path until just after my prior task. It was there, at the grave of my parents, that the thought came to me.

"Sitting beneath the wreckage of the once great Fontail Elevator, memories of the past came into my mind. I remembered the day they were killed, and I remembered the horrific bird of fire. The pain that the beast has caused me, the lives of my family that it took away from me, and the other atrocities the monster has caused over time made my blood to boil. I had to find a way to stop them, even if I had to travel to the end of the world!

"As far as choosing this adventurous task versus the expected safe research project, I came to an astute realization about my studies. I have read many books, but have not yet experienced much of the world.

"I have found that there is very little written about the Pontia in our numerous tomes. It is certain that the Pontia are our greatest enemy, yet we do not know nearly enough about them. We do not know of their source, we don't know exactly how they are created, and we don't know why they even exist.

"I chose this particular path because we must learn more. I must venture out in an attempt to further my knowledge, as well as the knowledge of the Church.

"I also believe that if I can determine this mythical location, then there will be a multitude of benefits available to us.

"For one, we might be able to destroy a significant portion of their kind. By knowing their location, we can stage an attack and wipe them from the land thereby saving hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

"We could also use their point of origin as a hub for research. That research may help us to better deal with their threats head on.

"Finally, if I do happen to come across such a place then we can quarantine the area and at least try to contain a large part of their race. We'd be able to live more peaceably without their constant interventions."

"Hrm. It seems you have put a bit of thought into this whole matter. Do you really think you are up for such a task? I know what you said in the session below, but honestly do you really think you are able?"

"On that exact point, I do not know. It is a daunting task. It does scare me, but I feel it is something that I must do."

"And if you fail?"

"If I fail…," she paused. "If I fail, then I will be able to join my family up in Heaven. I will have died under the will of God, and I will have died according to his wishes..." Her confidence for this particular mission, regardless of her words, definitely was waning.

Klaus noticed this, "Fear not child, God and the Heavens above will be watching you. They will make sure you do not come to harm.

"Of course, their help will not be the only thing by your side." Klaus stood up and walked over to a large chest located next to his personal library. The box had been built from a cherry wood and tied together with gilded metal. He lifted the latch, creaked open the top, and dug inside. He pulled papers and different swatches of fabric from the box as he rummaged.

The senior sage stood up and within his hands was a warped piece of driftwood. Long dry crevices traced its surface like grooves in the sand. It was about four feet long and not decorated in any way.

"Do you know what this is?" he asked.

"A staff?" she wasn't quite sure.

"Aye, it is a staff. A very basic staff with one particular difference: it is made from the wood of a Sylaalian tree. I'd assume you do know that word."

Marissa most certainly knew of the Sylaalian tree. "The wood is magical. It is the same wood that was used to fashion the Box of Moddiad. How did you come to own such a large piece?"

"Well I may not look it, but I have seen my fair share of adventures. None quite as intense as the one you are about to embark on, but I did spend quite a bit of my youth traveling. As luck would have it, I found this staff here one night along a beach to the northwest. It looked exactly the same as it does here right now. Its subtle glow caught my eye as I walked along the sands. I guess my light casting spell reacted to the wood. It still does react quite well to any magical auras. Those little grooves glow something fierce.

"I had always planned to add a bauble or two to accentuate its appearance. But seeing as how I ended up as part of the higher clergy, it wouldn't look anywhere near as 'pretty' as those white staffs they hand out to us geriatrics."

"Sir I wouldn't call you a…"

"Is it only in my presence that you do not have a sense of humor? Maybe that will be another little additional skill you can learn from your quest, among others."

"Yes sir." She chuckled under her breadth.

"Yes, that's much better. Try to practice. Maybe find a joke book or two within the town. Now, where was I? Oh yes. This, my dear is for you." The sage handed the long wooden staff to Marissa.

"But sir, this staff must be of immeasurable wealth. I cannot just take it."

"Of course you can. It is a gift from me. That is enough reason to take it."

"But how can I ever hope to repay you?"

"You can do one thing: make sure you make it back here alive. Even if you fail to find the elusive source, at least make it a point to survive. I will not have one of my pupils dying before I do."

"But if I do fail sir, what then?" The mage had not been able to find anything documenting a student failing this final task.

"While rare, a student will fail their final chosen test on occasion. In those uncommon cases, the student will have the opportunity to retry a different task of the Church's choosing, a year after the first. Keep in mind, the task ordered by the Church will be far different than any suggested by the actual student. I recommend not keeping the idea of re-testing as a crutch. You will not enjoy the test the Church gives for failure." The sage's words were ominous.

"So I recommend you go test that new staff of yours. Make sure you are familiar with its properties before you take one step out of Ducann. The object may very well be crucial to your quest."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."

"One thing before I let you go. I have one final request."

The aged cleric stood up. His lifted his arms and motioned for Marissa to come to his side. She lifted herself from the couch and walked towards him. The two embraced in a warm hug. The sage's long robes wrapping around her thin frame.

"God be with you my dear. God be with you."

Continue reading onto Chapter 12