Story

Rampion searched his night blue robes, finally with a happy grunt he pulled out two scrolls. " Well now, here we are," he handed one to Fari and the other to Vik. " You guys better hurry, those are the times of when you have to go to the pools. Vik, I want you to stop by my office afterwards." Both students nodded and the wizard grinned, then vanished. Fargion started in surprise, and just stared dumbly at the place the wizard had been standing. He poked an experimental finger at the place and sighed gustily. " Man I wish I could learn that trick." Vikteren mumbled something as he scanned over the scroll. "By the Book I'm late! The stupid, old, decrepit wizard!" grumbling angrily he shoved the scroll into his belt and marshaled his powers, " cmon Fari, I'll bet your late as well." The red head had already unrolled his scroll and yelled a curse in frustration. "yeah by two days!" With that the two mages took off towards the pools using magically enhanced speed. From his office window Rampion chuckled and turned back to his paperwork.

They skidded to a stop just on the outskirts of the Shadow Wood, where the Pools of Lorag dwelled. Some said that the spirits of old wizards and elves lived in those Pools, no one really knew, only that they could tell you anything. If you asked the right question. The pair stared in confusion at the two trails before them, from all other accounts of students that had already gone there was supposed to be only one. " Vik, I thought there was only one trail." Fari whispered, restating the obvious. Vik shrugged and unrolled his scroll. " I'm to take the right hand trail, I suppose youre to take the left?" Fari nodded and took a deep breath, then gaped in amazement as mist settled all around him. " Whoa, way cool!" he turned to Vikteren but the green eyed mage had vanished.

"Bugs, ick." Vikteren squashed a particular big roach that scurried across the path. The shadows into the forest were deep and very dark, the only light was through the curious blue mist that shrouded the trail. Vik licked dry lips and peered around nervously, suddenly the light brightened and he was at the Pools. Matter of fact he almost stepped in one. He watch it! Were sacred y'know. Vik jumped and looked around. Down dummy. Look down, Im the pool of Aladris, I'm the one who takes special cases like yours. "What! Buta pool, water! Is talking to me!" Relax and dont make like a tree and leaf. "Huh?" Never mind, just watch, wait, you cant do that if your standing, get down here Vikteren Carlashaen . Visibly shaken Vik did as bidden and peered down and the glass like surface. " I only see myself sir." Give an old man a break, Im working on it, wheres that dang back-round music. " uh, sir?" Patience youngster, aeh, scrap the music. Suddenly the surface rippled in an ethreal breeze, Vikteren's image vanished and was replaced with that of a huge winged beast. Silver like strands fell from the azure sky as more beasts appeared. Dragons Vikteren, and your destiny. Fire erupted from the maws of bronze, brown, blue and a variety of other dragon colors. Go to the elves, they will direct you to a place called Fire Ridge Weyr, from there your destiny is your own. The image vanished and Vikterens own familiar image returned, only he was different. In this reflection he was dressed in an odd tunic and breeches, with odd leathers and a jacket. You will never be the mage your parents wanted, no, you belong here not Vikteren Carlashaen. Retain your powers you shall but you are not meant for the robes. Vik jumped back, his eyes wide and his mind reeling. Somehow he stumbled to his feet and left, whether it was by his own steam or guided by a celestial hand Vik wasn't sure.