Chapter 6

Within a flash, fourteen years had passed since Marissa's test in the Box of Moddiad. Year after year the young girl grew both in age as well as skill. She took to learning the magical arts quite well and partially enjoyed the process. Through training and discipline Marissa had become an excellent mage.

It of course had not been her decision to become a wizard. The Church had chosen that path for her. She did however decide to make the best of it, and spent countless hours researching the arcane arts that were the specialty of the Ducann school. Whenever an elder sage would visit the great white spires, she was always there trying to glisten whatever knowledge she could during their stay. She constantly hounded her teachers and read from the oldest of books in order to excel in her craft.

The once little girl had grown up a bit as well. No longer frail and weak, the training given to her by the Holy Protectorate helped to hone her into not just a great magical defender, but also a keen physical fighter as well. She still could not hold onto a sword with any kind of success, but ranged weapons and basic hand-to-hand contact came easily to her.

Marissa also looked quite different from how she did as a child. The small girl was now a fully grown woman. Her frame was sleek and slender, as well as a bit shorter than her female peers. The young mage was not muscular, nor did she have curves to speak of. All in all, she looked to be similar to most girls her age.

The long locks of jet black hair were now no more, and instead she kept her hair short and tight. She didn't keep it trimmed extremely close to her head, but it was shorter than normal. Futhermore, she had kept a few longer bangs that visibly draped over her face. The long wisps of black framed her adult face and gave her an aura of mystery. These midnight tresses kept her emotions masked behind their shadowy forms as well.

She also chose not to wear the billowy robes that a majority of the wizarding world traditionally wore. The young woman thought that looser fabrics got in the way, and usually they were just a complete bother. A pair of dark leather pants and a simple sleeveless vest were the bases for her traditional day-to-day attire. Her garments snuggly fit to her thin frame. She thought that she could move as easily in the wind in such clothes. Her arms felt free and open, and she believed that they gave her a better sense of her surroundings.

Her visage had also changed. The desert heat no longer tanned and dirtied her skin. In its place was a very pale flesh that was almost ivory in appearance. The primary cause for this change was due to all of the time she spent indoors studying book after book. Her skin was smooth and free from any blemishes. Not even a single birthmark dotted her immaculate face.

The same deep brown eyes were still present from when she was a child, and they usually penetrated deep into a person's emotions should she happen to gather their eye contact. Their dark centers were both beautiful and mysterious.

At a glance, Marissa was very beautiful in a natural way. Both mysterious and alluring, younger male pupils would often gaze upon her from a distance. However, she did not make any effort to improve her looks nor did she try to gather the attentions of those around her.

However, even with all these changes the friendly demeanor from the once cheerful girl never returned. Her spirit was very low key and she didn't spend much of her time with others of her age. She did not find it enjoyable to socialize with her peers. Instead she continually focused on her training, ever thirsty for more knowledge.

Today, she had been called into the office of one of her teachers, a high sage named Klaus. Klaus's office was found near the twenty-second floor of the northern tower. The young mage slowly made her way up the structure's center staircase. When she arrived at the door leading into his chambers, she knocked upon it.

A voice answered, "Yes, please come in Marissa. I've been waiting to speak with you."

As she entered the room, she saw the familiar face of sage Klaus. She had been under his tutoring for well over a decade. The man, while not as old as the elders, had come on in years. The once russet beard of her mentor had begun to gather bits of grey. Wrinkles dotted the edges of his eyes and forehead.

He wore robes of white trimmed with golden thread. The fabric draped off of his form in large sheets, obscuring most of his body. Only two worn hands and his cheerful face were visible. Large grey stains streaked across the hanging portions of the fabric, and threadbare patches lined the bottoms.

"Master, you really must clean those robes. They are far too dirty," the young wizard commented as she sat down.

"Oh are they now? And why does the deterioration of my favorite robes bother you so?"

"Well it doesn't, I was just making a suggestion…"

"I know dear, I know. I am only teasing. You know me, always trying to pry a wee bit of emotion from a shy pupil."

A small frown peeked out from behind her dark bangs.

"I don't mean to offend my dear. It's just that one cannot study for every moment of one's life. I just wish that you were a little more open to the outside world, a bit more… friendly I would say."

She challenged him back, "And why do you think that I need to be 'friendlier', sir?"

"Take it from someone who has seen much in his life. Everyone needs some sort of contact, some sort of friendships in order to live life to the fullest. We are not whole unless we have."

The sage continued before she could interrupt, "It is for this reason, as well as another, that I am sending you on a mission. A very simple mission. I need something delivered."

Marissa slightly panicked, "But master, I haven't been outside of Ducann in years. Not since I was a child! I don't know if I can…"

"This task is very simple dear, and it is something you will be able to handle very easily. I need you to take this flask to the city of Takait to the south."

Visions of the desert flashed before Marissa's eyes. "Takait?"

"Yes, I have a fellow priest at the chapel in Takait who has requested the contents of this flask. All in all, not a very difficult mission at all. Take a horse, head south, cross the desert, deliver the flask, then return. Should not take you more than a week at the most."

The inquisitive nature of the mage kicked in, "And may I ask what is inside the flask?"

Klaus laughed. "Always curious my dear Marissa. Always thirsty to know the entire mechanisms of the world.

"The contents of the flask includes a little under a liter of dew gathered from Mount Gilliean. The waters that flow down from the mountain contain healing powers of some sort. We don't quite know if its magical, or because the runoff is due to something more chemical. Priest Holland in Takait has asked for a sample to study. I, and the Ducann Church, are more than happy to apply.

"Does that answer your question?"

"Yes." Marissa didn't have anything else to add.

"And will you to travel to Takait like I have asked?"

"Yes."

"Good, it is settled. I suggest that you leave in the morning. Please see Jeremiah down at the stables so that he may help you on your way. Good luck my dear…"

Marissa stood up to leave.

"… and I hope you do have an enjoyable trip." Kluas let out a deep laugh as she left his office.

The scared young mage grumbled as she climbed down the circular staircase. "How am I supposed to make it all the way south to Takait? Sage Klaus can be so stubborn sometimes. Forcing me to do things he feels are necessary. Arrrrh!"

The next morning, Marissa showed up at the stables located on the church grounds to talk with Jeremiah. She spoke of the journey she was about to take and asked what needed to be done. He recommended some basic supplies, and then led her down the stables so she could choose a horse that she may ride.

The paddock contained a number of different horses. They ranged in wildly varying colors and sizes. Some of them were used for breeding, but most were purposed as work horses. About half of the horses within the stable belonged directly to the Church. The others had been put up by travelers whom were visiting Ducann.

While not a fan of people per se, she did appear to have an affinity for horses. She believed that they did not ever seem to judge you, or force you, like a person would. The creatures would simply perform the duties that they had been assigned. They rarely disobeyed, and always attempted to do their best. She felt closer to these majestic creatures because of these reasons.

"Ere's a nice pony," said Jeremiah. "She'll get you through the desert no problem. Prolly quite swiftly too. Nice coat she's got here, and her gait should make traveling smooth."

Marissa shrugged.

"Okay, lessee here. How bout this one." He pointed at a medium sized and sturdy brown gelding. "He'll work out okay I suppose. Not the best, but he'll do the trick. Not as fast as…"

Marissa shrugged again.

"Sigh, then do you have a suggestion missus all-n'-mighty mage. Any of these blasted animals that you thought would work for ya?"

The young wizard walked towards a young black Appaloosa found at the end of the stables. He was mostly black except for a blotchy patch of white spots on his rear. He looked to be a little over a year old. She picked up one of his hoofs and checked to see if he had been reshod recently.

"I might have known. He's a tricky one, but you know that already dontcha. Want a challenge do you?"

She began to stroke the side and lower mane of the beast. Her thin fingers twirled the many hairs of his crown. The horse closed its eyes with a look of satisfaction.

"Fine. Be that way. I'll get him properly saddled up." The handler paused then walked over to a wooden table.

On his return, Jeremiah lifted a lightweight saddle onto the back of the horse. "I'll give yeah one thing, he sure is bomb-proof. It takes something real fierce to set him off." He paused again as he attached the saddlebags. "But mark my words, it's your own arse if he throws you!"

With the rest of the tack put onto the horse, Marissa climbed into the saddle. With the help of Jeremiah, she was able to lift up a small pack which she then attached to her back. Now quite comfortable in her seat, she grabbed both of the reins. She tugged gently to the left and made her way out of the church grounds.

Jeremiah hollered as she left, "Good luck young missus. Hopefully Faerun there works out for ya. Safe journey!"

And with that, Marissa exited towards the southern gate of Ducann and out to her first solo adventure outside of the Church's protection.

Continue reading onto Chapter 7