Koda stepped on the familiar shore of the mystical island of Nashoon. A weight of emotion dragged down on his mind for the loss of his grandfather, but at the same the sense of wonderment of returning to his old home. He had not walked these forests since the end of the first Estinian War, but nothing seemed to change.

Nashoon was ever the vibrant sight in spring and although the island has been experiencing other seasons thanks to the dying Arcane Guardian, it regained some of its luster with the introduction of the new guardian.

Koda watched as Wildeye, his colorful wolf, sniffed the trees and bushes.

“Smell anything interesting, girl?” Koda called out to her.

Wildeye looked back to the elven king. Her tail wagged and her tongue hung out in joy. “I can smell my pack! Would you mind if I visited them? I won’t be gone for too long,” she responded back to him in her telepathic Magi.

Koda gave her a kind smile. “Take your time Wildeye. It has been far too long for you.” He watched as his familiar playfully dashed further down the path.

“King Dawnedge!” a light voice sounded behind him. He turned to find An elven maiden with azure tinted skin and frosty white, long hair jogging up to him.

Koda gave her a gracious bow. “You must be the Arcane Guardian of Nashoon. My grandfather mentioned he took an ice elf as an apprentice last time I spoke with him.”

The ice elf matched his bow. “Aye, my king. I am Lore Starfrost.”

Koda brought his hand to his chin and peered closely at Lore. Her Magi felt faint, much weaker than his own or his grandfather’s. How could she be expected to defend Nashoon with such a lower grade of Magi?

“I am thankful that you made it for the funeral. Xile has no other living relatives, save for you,” continued Lore. “I mean, he has made many friends across his lifetime. Some of which are here today. Dordiac Baines of the Northern Territory, Silverpaw of the Risen Forest, Leo Frost of Villaconterra, and even famed wandering swordsman, Farusto.”

Koda nodded. He knew nothing of his grandfather’s past, but Lore…she knew everything. Why did Xile trust her over him? Someone so weak?

Koda shook away the thought. “I-I should find my place at the funeral. It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Lore Starfrost.”

“Indeed, Koda Dawnedge. The pleasure was all mine.”

***

Koda strolled down the winding gametrail, minding roots and scurrying animals. He ducked under low hanging boughs and climbed up loose, rocky hills. Finally he made it to his destination, the ancient rune stones at the center of the island. This is where the first elf was created, where Xile was born.

At the foot of the giant stone monuments lay a wooden pyre where the body of the ancient elf rested. A calming breeze stirred the site as forest creatures ranging from the Wolves of Eclipse, to the tiniest mouse formed a circle around the sacred ground. Several elderly elves hummed a low tune. Each of the guests formed around the pyre. Koda found a spot far in the back.

Lore walked to the center of the ring and sang a soft hymn, but loud enough for all that came to the funeral to hear.

‘Alanna, take my friend to where the moon never sets

Alue, clear his mind of any lingering regrets

Peace go with you, my love I send on wind

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

And when the sun has slept and sky has dimmed

I will remember you and the joy we shared

May you forever know, that I have always cared’

A tear slipped down Koda’s cheek with each moving word. He never saw eye to eye with his grandfather the older Koda got. The ancient ways of the Arcane Guardian was not the life he chose to live, but his respect for his first teacher still remained.

A stern voice called out to Koda from behind him, “He was a great man.”

Koda turned to find a tall human with dark skin and long, jet black dreads. He wore a silver duster and a long broad sword slung around his back. By his side stood a large wolf with a shimmering rusted coat.

The man patted Koda’s shoulder.

The elf glanced up to him, “Who are you?” Koda whispered, not wanting to disturb the ceremony.

“Just a simple mage.”

Koda raised his brow in doubt. The silver jacket, the red wolf, the long sword. He was no simple mage. Koda’s eyes lit up with wonderment. He knew who he really was. “You are Arrelion, hero of the Arcana War,” said Koda, star struck. “How could I have not recognized you before?”

“Hero?” Arrelion gave a long sigh. “Is that what I am?”

“You put an end to Mateo’s tyrannical reign,” Koda shook his head, still in disbelief that his childhood hero was at his grandfather’s funeral. “What are you doing here?”

Arrelion folded his arms. “I am here to pay my respects to the first Arcane Guardian.”

“Did you know him?” Koda asked.

“I did.”

“I didn’t know my grandfather was associated with any mages, especially those on the High Mage Council?”

“I wasn’t a mage at the time,” answered Arrelion. “I was training to be a Guardian with my brother.”

Koda’s eyes widened even more. He recalled his grandfather mentioning he took in two humans for his first apprentices, but he never went into any more detail than that. Arrelion was one of the two that his grandfather trained. Did that mean that Mateo was the other?

Arrelion bent over Koda and pointed to the new Arcane Guardian. “Her name is Lore Starfrost.”

“I met her earlier today,” Koda said.

“Do you see her potential?” asked Arrelion. “Do you see the Magi within her?”

Koda shrugged. “I sensed it well enough. I do not know what you mean by ‘see’.”

“Peer closely. Truly sense her power,” Arrelion instructed once more.

Koda pursed his lips but decided to humor Arrelion. What harm could it do to measure Lore’s potential?

Koda closed his eyes and straightened his palm flat. He reached for particles of the Magi from all the living creatures that stood or sat on the ground. He searched each lifeform, concentrating on their Magi signatures until he found the magic of Lore Starfrost.

Koda frowned with sudden disappointment. For an Arcane Guardian, her potential with the Magi was far lower than what he sensed before. She had barely any at all. How could this be? Why would his grandfather choose someone so magically inept?

“Do you sense her potential, Koda?” Arrelion asked once more.

“I do. What little there is at least,” answered the elven king. His grandfather always placed a mistrust in the Magi, but to choose his next apprentice with next to none? How foolish he was in his old age.

“Even I know one must have some potency with the Magi to be an Arcane Guardian,” said Arrelion.

Koda looked at Lore again. It was true, This Arcane Guardian would be inadequate to deal with Dead of Winter. She either did not possess the will to wield the Magi as Koda did or her connection with it was naturally weak, either way, Sable and Calsoon would overwhelm her.

“Why have you pointed this out, Arrelion?” asked Koda, not so much concerned with Lore’s situation, but more curious of what Arrelion planned on doing about it.

“Megan wrote to me about how you want to start your journey to become a Master Mage.”

Koda nodded. “Indeed. I was hoping to start as soon as my duties would allow me.”

“Good,” said Arrelion. “You need to become stronger and more adept with your magic in order to truly protect this world and the seals. Perhaps one day, you can train as a Silver Mage under my tutelage,” finished Arrelion.

Koda nodded with a wide grin. “I would like that very much,” Koda replied.. “But I do not know when I will get around to gaining my other colors…maybe never.”

Arrellion took a hold of Koda’s shoulders. “One day you will do great things as a great mage. I know you will, it is in your cards. It is your destiny.”

Koda turned back just in time for Lore to light the pyre. A long, collective howl echoed from the forest as the Wolves of the Eclipse let loose their cries.

I am sorry grandfather, but Arrelion is right, I am destined to become a Master Mage!