Enchoron sat down and settled in at the table stacked high with books. His robes billowed out comfortably around him, looking a little less dense with whatever he kept under them. Still, the many layers drooped down around him and made it always look as if he was in bed, covered in comfortable blankets.
Enchoron took the top book off of the stack and set it in front of him and started to casually flip through it, not reading but instead looking up at Max. So, you’ve had a chance to look through a few things and I assume something may have caught your eye.”
Max starts to take the books off of the stacks of the many piles in front of him, and even a few off of the floor as there was just not enough room for them all on the table.
Max spoke up as he plopped down a book about The Pantheons and another about the History of the World. “Well, I’ve never really gotten to learn much about the world outside of the Hamlet. For a while, I was a bit confused by the talk I kept hearing about other Gods. We only ever knew of the Goddess and we gave her a few names. But also, history is such a strange concept to me. We had legends. Legends that our home was settling many generations ago by explorers and adventurers that sought to have a simpler life, but I never really gave it much thought more than that. The elder of our home would get a little tight lipped when we asked for more specifics about our origins.”
Enhcoron nodded, “That is plain and clear. In all fairness, a little place like your home generally doesn’t have much of a history unless something incredible were to happen there. Or someone influential came from there.”
Max contemplated as he started flipping through pages, emulating Enchoron. “Do you think... I could put my home on the map some day?”
Enchoron nods, “There is always a chance. I still have yet to test whether you have magical talents as well as your gift. And even with your gift, I want to see the limits of what you have. So, on that note, we are going to spend our time over meals in the tavern trying to have you read people.”
Max stopped flipping pages and brushed his fingers over the manuscript as he looked up at his teacher. “I just don’t want to hurt or offend anyone.”
Enchoron replied confidently, “I don’t intend on that happening, I just want you to try to feel what they’re feeling. Sometimes, that could be a good thing, because someone could be in pain and perhaps you might be able to help them. But... in the mean time, we are going to concern ourselves with educating you a bit.
“The history of the ancient world and the pantheons wind together quite nicely, so that is probably a wonderful place for us to start. And once you improve on your reading skills, you’ll be able to get so much more without my tutelage. Then, we can start to work on that fundamentals of magic book and lessons.
“Most historians agree that civilization as we know it started a little over a thousand years ago. What we can truly comprehend as this world and our place in it was a consequence of a series of cascading events. Back before there were pantheons, there was a Creator. The Creator is what built the foundation of everything we see around us. They were a being a unlimited power and potential. That potential was tapped into by their very servants, one that would one day become a pantheon known as the Nobilis. The Nobilis were one day the angels of the Creator. They each were made with a purpose each their own. The Creator could build, yes, but what we believe the Creator wanted was to witness and watch what others would do. This curiosity further passed down the line and the Nobilis then created the sentient species that we all know so much of today.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“So many minds then added that could have such influence on making the world what it is today. The chaotic energy of so many creative minds though are believed to be what caused the Shattering. The Creator in all its power was exponentially copied again and again in small pieces of power. And this caused cracks in reality. Those cracks then led to the destruction of the Creator in the Shattering.
“At any rate, that is basically how the world came to be what it is today. That Shattering was violent not just on the originator of all, it fragmented the world as well. Many say the planes or fragments that orbit around Sargovia were once a part of this place. No one really knows for sure. If you learn powerful cosmology spells, you can study the orbits of these around our world.”
Max watches Enchoron speak and enjoys the wisdom and that little bit of flare that he adds with his hand gestures. He can almost imagine that bleed through of patrons in the tavern instead being others sitting there entertained by the stories too.
**
That next meal that they took in the tavern was the first time that Max started to focus on opening up his mind to reach out to those around him. Enchoron and he worked on a delicious bowl of rabbit stew so piping hot right from the cauldron that rested on the warm hearth.
“You need to learn, Max, to empty out the thoughts that are filling your own mind. Once you do that, you’ll be able to better understand another’s mind. I’ve seen it in you even in our brief weeks that we’ve traveled together. You confuse what you feel from others with yourself. You need to learn to put up a barrier between the two. If you don’t, well, there is a reason that people with your gift are so rare. You’ll go mad if you don’t learn to properly control it.”
Max still sometimes couldn’t believe this was a gift he actually possessed, wondering if he was just reading subtle signs or even jumping to conclusions.
Enchoron talked him rhythmically through some breathing exercises and some calming ones. As he did this, it was almost as if the floor under Max dropped away metaphysically and he could feel a pocket of himself folding up down there. He could feel that he was safe and that this moment brought comfort to him.
Enchoron could see a change in him, “Good good. You’re doing so well. Now, why don’t you try to first close your eyes and just imagine tendrils reaching out from your mind. Now, mind you, I’ve only read of this in books, so I can’t guarantee this is right.”
Max closed his eyes and tries to focus on his mind being larger. He hears the sounds grow louder and then suddenly go dim. He isn’t so sure anything is happening with his eyes closed. It seems almost as if everyone has just gone silent and must be staring at him being so strange.
Max feels a hand on his, and then feels a different hand on his other one as well. He hears the soothing voice of Phaedra. “I’m here too Max. You’re doing just fine.”
He must have been sitting there in silence for some time, but he could tell he had not moved. Max tries to not just push out all of his mind, he tries to focus it as if his mind is walking the room. And that’s when he senses it. A barmaid, she’s tired but pleased with her work. She is flirting with a man nearby. She’s happy and she seems to wonder if this is going to be someone more to her.
He reaches to another direction. That is when he nearly falls out of the chair. If it was not for both of his hands being held, he would have fallen right onto his back. The chair screeches under him and he gasps. His eyes open and they dart about the room, trying to know who he’d just felt.
Phaedra squeezes his hand and Enchoron moves to look into his eyes. “What is it? Max? Did it work? You look spooked.”
Max nods, “Someone in here is malicious. The feelings were of hatred, fear, and um... uh... violent intent. I can’t tell who it was. It.. makes me shiver.” And Max indeed did start shivering.
“Lets get you back to your chambers.” Phaedra said as she stood and helped Max to his feet. His knees were weak and he wobbled and Phaedra’s hands held him steady.
Moments later, he’s laying in bed and he goes to sleep rather quickly, exhausted from the exertion.