I always enjoyed being out in nature.
There's something very primal and instinctual about it being out here.
Our elders contributed this feeling to magic itself surrounding us, enveloping us allowing us to better harness it.
" N-non .. nonsense. "
I answered the the question the forest never asked.
Nature is where we ultimately from, humanity's birth place. It's where we all ultimately end. All things will crumble and our remains will nourish the land we left behind.
It's where we magicans feel at home they said .. at least me it's the truth for me.
Not even the sounds of carnage so close it hurt my busted ears or the slow realisation that I'm losing my consciousness from the blood loss couldn't steal this pleasant feeling from my chest.
By the way, I'm Ferith.
The stereotypical protagonist of the story. How do I look? What's my ultimate potential? Will I save the damsel in the crucial moment?
Will my tale inspire others?
Does this story differ from the thousandth others in any meaningful way?
Lame as that sounds, those come after me will be the judge ..
" D-damn you uncle .. I was happy in that f-forest, should've lef .. left me there .. "
Murmuring to yourself about life's regrets while fading away into oblivion is a sure sign of the end of your road.
How did I end up here?
Thats right ..
I got mail ..
———
" Oyy Ferith.. there's an owl for yaa! "
I looked behind me following my instincts .. a foolish mistake .. and lost the tether to his mind.
( BANG )
Big Leonard .. the name of my soon to be Gryphon didn't appreciate the images I made him see, and once it was free of my control .. he let me know.
The impact of his beak hurt, it was strong enough to draw tears in my eyes I landed with my arms in a stiff outward position without grace, my muscles failed me and I buckled forward face first into the mud.
" Ferith!! .. LOOK OUT!! "
I didn't need to look .. but Rimel as a trusted friend who knew my quirks should have more faith in my abilities.
( GONG )
A light blue, transparent shield appeared just as the razor sharp talons of the bird landed and bounced back.
Shields save lives, people! Never tame ancient beast without them.
Leonard looked more confused as the seconds passed wondering what exactly happened and why his prey is absolutely un bothered by his antics.
In fact the mud I almost swallowed made me forget the deadly beast and even the fact my head felt like it was splitting in half.
His confusion didn't last long, now given the chance. Leonard quickly took to the sky and was out of view in just a few seconds.
I got up to see him disappeare over the horizon, it was heartbreaking to watch.
" Damn you .. I wanted to do that. " I lamented my bad luck.
I was just a few more minutes away to have my very own Gryphon! Illegally .. but still.
I heard footsteps and the cracking of foliage behind me.
" Umm .. I guess that was partially my fault, huh? "
I heard the embodiment of the last two hours wasted behind me. Even his voice hit my ear wrong.
" Noo .. no. " I sighed dramatically. " It's my fault not putting signs everywhere that I'm doing important work .. yet again! "
I turned around and walked slash tumbled towards Rimel, stopping only a few inches from his face.
" .. People usually take a quick glance before they start shouting, but ..
" This situation would be super easy to misunderstand.. "
He cut me off looking anywhere but me.
With my rant cut short, and my afternoon ruined I sat down the nearest flat surface and let the mental fatigue wash over me.
My head hurt. My arms hurt. My pride trampled on by mud. Most importantly the chance to be a Gryphon rider slipped away.
My magic slowly recovered with every breath I took. Imagine if he used his claws attacking from the get-go .. him being a bit of an idiot and trying to beak me to death actually saved my life.
" Huh .. huh .. "
The sounds of the river and tranquil ambience of the animals and insects were broken by my careless friend.
.. I took a look at the unfortunate man sweating near me and sighed again.
" .. Tell me. "
" What? " He raised an eyebrow.
I gave him the award for worst jokes.
" The owl Rim. You screamed, cough cough ..damn it .. mud .."
I tried to explain but had to spend sometime cleaning my mouth.
" By the way, why is that something you need to scream at me!? Or to give the news in person? "
" ..It's your uncle, mate. " he said it under his breath.
He took out a magically sealed letter and waited.
Instead of further words, I took the letter he offered and walked down toward the river to wash away the mud and annoyance.
We were currently tucked away in the deep woods of Transylvania. The owl must've seen some amazing things on the journey from France to here.
I knelt down near the river, washed my hand and face, and allowed some squirrels to take a peak from the otherside of river. One of the two tilted his head and remained unmoving until I splashed some water towards them.
Noisy little shits. I don't trust them.
After a few extra scoops of clean crisp water to wash the last taste of nasty of my mouth.
I used magic to slash the seal.
As the tiny puff of smoke left the wax, a familiar feeling enveloped me.
I haven't felt his magic signature since I was a child. It used to feel comforting and warm now it carried nothing but the strength of the man.
The parchment unfolded itself, and his voice was clear as day cut through the ambience of the forest.
< Brat! .. nice to see you still alive, I'm kidding. I always know. I bet you wonder why that old, geniusly talented bastard after all these years want from me? Well.. a favour, of course! .. Listen ..
I lifted my fist, and magic crumbled the paper, stifling his voice.
Favour my ass ..
His world is not compatible with mine.
I swiped my hand.
As the paper caught on fire, I walked back toward the still waiting Rimel.
" So? .. W-what did he want? " He asked.
He showed signs of being a fan of his, but I forgave him since he rarely tried to annoy me with it.
" I burned it before the letter got there .. "
The shock on his face was good enough to eat. Watched him gaping like a fish for a little for a while then I smiled, grabbed his shoulder, and turned him around.
" Come on. We can't miss supper again. Can't eat those berries anymore. "
———
The Transylvanian Border Control of Magical Beasts and Oddities was a government sponsored organisation with a single goal of protecting the country of Romania from the most dangerous and ..
Who am I kidding? They were magical forest rangers.
But I loved it here all the same.
The language was a pain in the ass but after 2 years of hearing it in TV and radio, I was able to converse if needed .. but it wasn't needed since you barely found any local magican work here at the ass end of nowhere.
Once I was told, this place is where people come to hide from the real world, to work out their deep issues, or to live with unfinished business.
What a tool. Maybe stop trying to be sudo philosophical and work on your own issues, or just work ..
The place was built on the side of the Carpathian mountains over a hundreds of years ago .. The funny thing is that not one person could tell me who built it.
Its towers loomed over the entire mountain able to house hundreds, a visual and literal masterpiece, and its creator lost to history.
Well, whoever it was made a superb job, and had a special talent, considering the artistry it was put into it.
Every inch of the building was made entirely of magically reinforced wood and carved by hand, I guess they could've used magic, but somehow I doubted that.
Over time, the locals came to call it the Taj.
We talked little walking up the stairs, Rimel was a close friend, one of two, who actually knew some things about me, so he understood, I wasn't going to talk about the letter or my uncle unprompted.
We passed a few fellow officers politely, nodding, they were all wearing the same badge that decorated our clothes.
Inside the dining hall theres very few people left. It was Sunday. Walking futher in, we were spotted by our roommate, Pelit.
" Ferith, you have a ..
" I already gave it to him. " Rimel stopped him.
We made our way to the food line and got the weekend usual .. porridge with fruit. At least they were consistent if not plentiful.
But I had a trick.
" Martha dear, you look particularly delicious today .. pardon my crude way of delivery. "
My flirting earned me smile and an extra scoop of fruit plus some weird looks from the man standing behind her. I think she looked fine .. if slightly large.
We took our trays back, and I attacked the plate.
" So what did the lett. .
" Hush Hush.." Rimel made a few suggestive moves towards Pelit shutting him up.
Or at least trying.
" ..er from your uncle said? " He finished it with a grin.
I stopped eating and decided to share since it didn't take long and I knew they were interested as well.
...
" .. I can't believe you burned the letter. The poor animal must've travelled like 3000 miles to get here! .. that's cruel. "
I took the jab from our animal right activists Pelit and waited for the other one to chime in. Rimel gave a little shrug.
" .. Well, I think you should've at least listened to the whole letter before deciding to dispose of it. "
As always, one was loud, the other sensible.
" Maybe so .. but it's too late for that. "
I pretended to be disappointed than went back to my now cold food.
" .. maybe not. "
I put down the spoon and started massaging my temples.
" What the hell are you talking about, man? "
Rimel took out his wand, and soon my porridge was steaming hot again.
" Well, we can use magic and reverse the process. All we need is the ..
" Stop, I get it. " I put my hand up since it was a long explanation. " .. but it's irrelevant what he wanted, it's all ashes .. let's eat and ..
As if destiny trying to mock me, an owl flew in just then landing at the end of our table. It's large eyes were filled with resentment. As if it's my fault he had to make the trip.
" Look .. it became relevant. " laughed Pelit.
I had half a mind to incinerate the letter than and there, but Rimel was faster, his wrist flicked.
The letter with the owl itself flew up unnaturally fast, making the poor bird panic and land in front of him softly.
After taking the letter, he let the bird have some of his porridge and water patting its head, then held the letter towards me.
" Come on, Ferith .. at least be fair and read it fully. "
As if God cursed me with the one friend who was the constant voice of reason .. and another who was wearing an unnatural smile watching me.
There's no escaping fate ..