The Wizards of Grode

[Muhkat Lomorki]

Introduction​

On the silver-mooned summer solstice as stars twinkle above, a group of five meet at the Table of Grode, a stone monument to the ancient god. Each one dressed in robes of lustrous fabric, these curious men move only inches above the ground, the hems of their garments almost grazing the wet grass as they glide over it to their destination. They take their positions around the stone, each one sitting upon a throne carved of granite. The tallest among them, whose scarlet robes are in contrast to the cooler-hues of his fellows, stands up straight, and spoke, his deep voice like clanging iron.

"I see that my fellow magi are in attendance. Good! It is always welcome when all are present, rather than just some," he says, sending a pointed glare at the wizard in the robes of brown, who merely shrugged before summing himself a tub of cheese balls. "In any case, let us state our names, as to check; I am Exezzial, the Red Magi." He then nods to his left, at the blue-robed figure.

"And I," he said, in a raspy voice, "am Avyru, the Blue Magi," his marbled eyes gleaming in the dark. "I have to admit, this is quite a pleasant solstice moon, is it not?"

The group nodded in agreement, before continuing on over to the next fellow in robes of green, who was the shortest of the group. "I am Pertwee, the Green Magi," he said, in a chipper and youthful voice. "I have to admit, it's quite funny for me to see the feared Exezzial, who burned down the Seventh Tower, act in such a professional manner!" He laughed, although no other did. The Red Magi, Looking Pertwee in the eyes, muttered an incantation underbreadth. A small explosion flashed in front of of the green Magi's face, temporarily blinding him. As Exezzial laughed, Pertwee rubbed his eyes. "Fucker! I hate when you do that!"

As the green magi recovered, the brown magi paused for a moment as he withdrew his hand from the tub of cheese balls, his fingers coated in orange-yellow dust. After licking it off his fingers, he wiped what remained on his robe as he said, almost lazily, "...Gurnij, the Brown Magi." He then stuck his hand in again, wrapping his finger around a fistful of the cheap cheesy snack before shoving it down his mouth again, smacking his lips as he mushed it up.

The final figure, clad in grey robes, looked at Gurnij with disgust, as if he was something to be wiped off your shoe. Rolling his eyes, he stated, "I am Vayrixethe, the Grey Magi. I will be incredibly happy once we get this all over with."

"Agreed," the Red Magi said, nodding as he sat down in his chair. "However, we have matters to attend to at the moment, both important and unimportant." He then looked to the blue-robes figure, who was weaving between his fingers a Viking ship of illusory silk. "As is customary, Avyru is first to speak, and I am last to speak. So, Blue Magi, what news do you have for us?"

The eyes widened up as Avyru cracked a smile, pausing in his artistic endeavors to return the attention. "Ah! Of course, my friend! I have news!" he quickly said as he stood up. "A tale indeed, for you to listen!"

Smiling, Exezzial said, "very well, my dear Avryu; let us be regaled in your tale, so that it may help bring some light to us..."

And thus Avyru began his tale...

 

[Muhkat Lomorki]

Arvyu's Tale​

Once upon a fair morning stroll, I was on my path to the grocer from my abode westward. It was not too bright nor too cloudy, and the sky was tinted yellow as the sun's light dawned overhead. It was, overall, quite a splendid hour to walk.

However, on my way, as I was crossing over the bridge, I stopped-my bones telled to me that there was something wrong. Looking down into the river, I didn't need to think to know why-the naiad, normally vibrant and bubbling, was now sluggish and barely swirling. I did not need to be told twice-I dove down into the waters and swam over to the sickly being, who I asked, "oh, what ails you, river spirit?"

"Ails me?" she replied. "I am ill with the contents of my river," she bemoaned. "Up north stream the foul factory pumps its malignant chemicals, run by a company of fools who know not of spirits. However, I am not able to gain my vengeance; the sickness is too great and they are too numerous and armed; my constitution is weak already."

As I listened, I grew with anger-I did not stand for such disrespect to the waterways. I did not hesitate when I made my decision to help her feel better, but told her to not act out-Maybe if some of these ignorant fools could be taught, they'd be saved from what I would do afterwards.

Still, I had a patient to cure; the river spirit was still weak, and needed to be healed of the malodorous slick. Drawing it out into a gross thread, I freed the river of its chemical infection, weaving it into a ball. It grew quickly, becoming a behemoth of foul odors the size of a house. However, I knew it was worth it, as the spirit grew more full of life, her form more clear, until she was just as fresh as she was before when I was done, with a grotesque orb hanging above me.

With only a few small gestures of my hand, I compressed the rancid thing down to the size of an apple-seed, before letting it land gently in my hand. Closing my fingers around it, I whispered an incantation and opened them up-it vanished, sent to another plane.

The naiad, now smiling, embraced me. "Thank you, Blue Magi," she whispered into my ear before letting go. "However, I know that there is much work to be done, and so I shall try to find a proper reward for you oncee you come back."

Waving goodbye as she receded back into the waters, I journeyed northward, up the river's path to the place she had told me was the source of her blight. It was aftetnoon now, the sky pale blue and hazy. The clouds were growing grey, however; a storm was beginning to brew.

I reached the factory she had spoken of soon enough-it was an ugly mark on the landscape, dingy grey and artificial in form. The chimneys pillowed with blackish puffs, as its pipes drooled out maliginant fluids into the river's waters. My disgust could not be stated more.

As I approach, the guards tried to apprehend me, but I quickly webbed them up in my mystic threads and did away with their weapons. I pushed past them, into the factory itself as I shouted, "Fools and despoilers, heed my words; leave now! I have seen what you have wrought upon the riverway! If you wish not for it's vengeance-leave now so you may not suffer the consequences of your ignorance! Otherwise, you shall be swept away, and I shall spare you none of my pity!"

A silence was brought on to the room, until a tall-haired man in a suit walked out from high-up on the balcony. Upon seeing my visage, he started to laugh, almost unable to keep himself steady, before twos burly security guards approached me. In his ignorance the suited man thought I was a simple old man. Unfortunately for them, I was not, and with mystic threads I brought both low to the ground, tying around their ankles and bringing their footing off the ground.

With great alarm the workers fled, leaving behind their machinery as the man in a suit, now knowing of what I was, rushed into his office, locking the door behind him. It didn't take long for me to deal with the present opposition, as I made my way up to him-while they may have been trouble for a sickly water spirit, for me, they were little trouble, if any at all.

I ripped the door from its hinges as I entered into the office, only to find it was empty-the suited man had by that point made his escape, leaving me alone in the factory. As I investigated further, however, I heard a mysterious ticking noise from the desk. Having a bad feeling about why such a thing might be ticking, I wrapped up the furniture and tossed it out through the window, where it explodes into wooden shrapnel. As its remains drifted down to the ground, I felt fortunate for my magical abilities-if not for them, I would have not survived I'm that room.

Leaving behind the building, the clouds were gathering-it would be a true storm that night. I went to the river spirit and told her what had occurred; as I finished, her expression was one of grim resolution and, with me at her side, we journeyed up to the factory that stormy night.

Rain torrented from the sky, as the wrathful spirit came down upon the factory. She tore its walls down and mangled its engines, leaving it inoperable and unable to function. The abomination now crippled, it became my turn to aid in its destruction, as I cleansed out the chemical filth. Then, with one final blow, together we resolved what had once been a producer of poison into a reservoir, an aid for the future.

Looking upon the remains, the naiad smiled, pleased with the results. "You have truly done a service for me, and therefore I must give you your reward." Pulling a hair out from her head, she gave me it. "May this provide you with good fortune."

Nodding, I pocketed away. "Thank you for your favor, even if I do not seek it-after all, I am not one for the affection of woman. Still, I am more than happy to heal and make a spirit smile." Bowing, I then made my goodbye.

We still meet up on a daily base is, and she is looking lively as ever. Apparently, she has found someone who appreciates her favors, although she is keeping it a secret who. Still, it makes me happy that he has found love, and I wish her well.