To see Great Wizard Rowan

Ishi and I ride along the path in between the forest, departing Shorm. As the wind sailed within my hair and we passed by the wheat fields, I reflected on the events that had transpired in the past 24 hours. Only yesterday I was there, toiling away and believing my life would never progress further. But something about seeing the wheat fields grow smaller caused my excited to expand. I was quite literally leaving my old life behind.

Despite already being tested by Great Wizard Rowan for any magical abilities (and nothing coming up), Ishi truely believed what happened to me was something related to the arcane arts. His time as a solider and warrior of war had given him experience, and even he knew magic when we saw it.

We came to a halt at a spiralling tower that stretched high into the sky. It's old, mossy bricks covered with vines gave the tower an ancient feel but contrasted with it's blue pointed roof and colourful glass stained windows. The towers were known as a Wizard's Rise, and one of Great Wizard Rowan's sanctuaries he used to practice and test potential mages all over Averlon.

We left the horses tied to a nearby tree and entered the gloomy tower. Dim, almost out amber candles illuminated the space. Around us was a collection of bookshelves with old texts and scrolls, alongside tables of strange magical items. From orbs, cloaks, daggers and skulls - each item seemed oozing with magic and yet, covered in a thick layer of dust.

It was clear Rowan didn't visit this part of Averlon very often...

Ishi walked to the ornate, stone crafted chalice of ocean blue water in the Tower's middle. He reached out his hand, drawing a small drop of blood with his fingernail. The droplet fell into the chalice and the water glowed brightly.

"I call upon you, Rivarim. Allow the safe passage of the Great Wizard Rowan..." He whispered.

Suddenly, a hand jolted out from the chalice! I couldn't help but shout in surprise, as a body crawled out from within the water, slowly unfolding itself! Ishi stepped back to allow the body to step out - revealing a greying man with a long white beard, pointed hat and bright purple cloak.

"Well, it's been quite some time I've been requested." Rowan mused, running a finger in a line along the dusty bookshelves.

He snapped his head up, seeming delighted to have been requested. Whether it was out of genuine interest or more gaining some use out of his decaying Wizard Rise in the countryside.

"Thank you for your time, Great Wizard Rowan." Ishi spoke, bowing to him. "I have called upon you to test the magical abilities of this lad here, Oren."

Rowan turned his head towards me, arching his eyebrow. "It would be my pleasure!"

Ishi encouraged me to explain all that had happened in the forest, with Rowan nodding at each detail despite the strangeness. Once over, Rowan stepped forward. His cloak billowed behind him, stirring the dust that had settled around the room. He reached out the tip of his oak wood staff, the top adorned with a sparkling white crystal that touched my forehead lightly.

Rowan thought deeply for a moment before saying "I've tested you before, boy. You're that mother's son, aren't you? Well I am truly sorry, but your test last time determined your magical abilities to be non-"

He suddenly stopped. All of us watched stunned as his crystal began to turn dark. I watched stunned as the smokey black clouds suddenly filled with crystal's inside.

"Impossible! This can't be!" Rowan stammered.

He snatched his staff away, stroking it frantically as it slowly faded back to its usual pure white colour. I looked to Ishi, who had a troubled look on his face.

"What is it, Great Wizard?" Ishi asked.

Rowan glanced up, looking nervously between me and Ishi.

"Well, speak! What does that mean?" Ishi demanded.

Rowan wet his lips, letting out a shaky voice. "The last time I tested you, the crystal did not change colour..."

I nodded, remembering back to when my mother brought me to this tower years ago.

"And yet, the crystal determined you do have magic within you..."

I looked up, brightened by his words. "So I do have magic?! Which area of magic is mine, Great Wizard?"

"That is the question. I don't know..."

An awkward silence filled the room.

"What?" I croaked.

"I do not know. Based on your story and the result here today, I can only assume one thing - your magic is a variant form. I have only ever seen the most powerful Mages wield variant magic but not like this. Your magic is rare, Oren. And if I had to guess, it is a variant of Karnath, the God of **** and Shadows. However..."

Rowan trailed off, an odd look crossing his face.

"It seems this variant magic wasn't awakened within you...it was given."

"Oren was given magic? Is that even possible?" Ishi pressed the wizard.

"I do not know. But I sense some sort of magical contract on you, Oren. Someone has given you this magic capable of controlling others. Whether this was a gift or a curse, I do not know..." Rowan replies gravely.

Suddenly, he turns swiftly and hurriedly makes for the chalice again.

"Where are you going?!" I ask, stumbling after him. "What do you it was a gift? And what is this magic, exactly? How do I use it?!"

He turns back, giving one last look of...fear?

"Goodluck Oren. I hope we never cross paths again." He speaks with a stone cold stare.

With that, the Great Wizard Rowan leaves me and Ishi alone in the tower as he vanishes into the chalice he once appeared from.