Cualeden approached the shore of the lake, and peered at the the dark blue waters, his inquisitive mind exploding with thought as his mind explored the knowledge that he could obtain about such a substance. Cualeden's minds was always explorative, searching for an answer for all questions. What was life, and why was he chosen to live? How come clouds were in the sky? How come trees were green, and the sky blue? So many questions floated in his mind, yet so many remained unanswered.

He had forced himself to restrict his learning, to a simple grouping. He had chosen magic, and he would learn all he could in his small, human lifespan, to learn the most he could. He could have specified more, and instead of choosing such a thing as general as magic, and rather, chosen summoning, or nature magic. To him, such sub categories were pointless, for the topic of magic was indeed, greatly specified. He would focus on magic, in general, and learn a little about each sub school of the category of magic. He wouldn't spend hours on the library reading about history, or swordsman ship, these hours would be spent studying magic.

Cualeden stepped backward, tottering slightly as he swayed backward. He sat on a rock, and pulled out his spellbook, which he spent many diligent hours coping spells into it, so that he could master them, and use them to defend himself, and learn better. There was a problem that approached, he had not mastered them. Out of the three, he had only managed to successfully cast one spell, which was Light. He had yet to learn how to cast the spells Magic Missile and Polymorph Self.

He flipped open his spellbook to the first page, revealing his title page, which he had decorated himself. Intricate designs were drawn on, all around the borders and in the center. A small space was left in the center, were in his personal arcane writing was the words The Tome of Spells. Underneath this was his name, in smaller print. He admired his work for a few minutes, before turning to the next page.

He had set his spellbook up to an exact standard. The name of the spell was written on top, and on the pages to follow was instructions on how to cast the spell, while on the next pages was the arcane words which needed to be spoken. He skipped the instructions for the first spell, and flipped right to the arcane words. He chanted them perfectly, while holding his staff in the air. A bright light shone from it, as he had intended. With satisfaction, he ended the spell, causing the light to disappear abruptly. He began to read the section labeled Polymorph Self, his nose buried inside his spellbook.

Valynna was beginning to get the feeling of loneliness as she continued her own private travels. Her master seemed to have left this world, or left her, whatever the reason the half demon was on her own yet again. Though things were different this time around, before she was still pretty young in personality and experience she didn’t know how the outside world was going to react to her. This time she did, she knew how to defend herself much better then before, she even learnt enough spells to give herself the advantage in some battles. Yet she still found herself remembering times with her master Xanthia, and the bizarre things she would maker her do in the name of training. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone but she actually did help.

With no place to call home Valynna continued to wonder this world, it was at this point she found her way to Lake Aelin. The waters were a deep shade of blue, and the plant life around it was thick and plentiful. Taking a moment to rest she found herself sitting on a fallen tree, a ways back from the waters edge yet still in perfect side of it’s beauty. This place held such an atmosphere that made Valynna relax into almost a meditative mood. Her mind raced around in circles, trying to make some sense of her life thus far. It kept going back to her identity, both a curse and a gift in her mind, but it was only half of her. Words from the Dragon she had encountered a while back haunted her thoughts, they way her analyzed her every word, and turn her words around and the like. He was very annoying. Then there was the Half-Drow, if anything she would like to encounter her again, she gave Valynna hope that her dreams of power could come true. If ever she needed a real teacher, she would be the one. But by the sounds of it, she was able to pull the best out of both her races….Valynna didn’t know what was the other race in her that made her only half-demon.

Allowing a deep sigh to escape her lips, she sat in total silence, listening only to the wind and other animals around her. But she then heard something along the lines of a male’s voice, speaking arcane. Was she that lonely that she was going to intrude on someone’s study….but if he was speaking arcane…maybe he has some spells she could learn. That temptation was enough, she was always the sucker for a spell. Getting up from her spot, she moved as stealthy as she could through the terrain around the lake to where the voice came from.

Once she found the man, she waited in the bushes, still unsure what she was going to say. Her staff was in one hand, she began to stretch her free hand, she had learnt Claws of Darkness, maybe she could surprise the man with that magic. But then he would be inclined to protect himself, even though she wasn’t going to hurt him. Finally giving up on the scare tactic, she stood up from her spot and approached the man in the open, but he didn’t seem to notice her.

The sound of the water lapping against the shore and the smell of fresh water brought back memories. He remembered coming here for numerous holidays, travelling from Estolad and staying here for weeks at a time. He usually took a few books with him, fictitious tales that had nothing to do with his regular studies. He usually occupied a room in an alehouse that overlooked the lake, watching the sailboats and fishermen at the busy harbour below. He also remembered the muddy beach, coming down to the shore and sitting on a rock to meditate. He remembered hearing voices from the other side of the lake miles away and smelling the sweet aroma of apple pies sitting on windowsills and pigs turning on the spit. The abundance of fish made someone who had never caught a fish before look like an experienced angler. Rye had caught twenty in one day and he had no idea what he was doing, the fish biting his hook immediately after he dripped the line in the water.

The angel laughed as he remembered those times, staring at the deep blue water of Lake Aelin and feeling at peace with the world. He felt like he could fly right across the waters to the other side and stare at the moving waters as he flew overhead, watching the fish jump from the depths and splash back to the safety of there homes. Rye looked away, tying his silver hair with a root band and turning his back to the majestic wonder of Mother Nature. The water was calm and the weather was warm, not a single cloud blowing through the sky above. It was the perfect day to relax and take in the beautiful country he called home. Rye noticed a man sitting on a rock, reading a book that the angel couldn't make out. He decided to say hello to the traveller, smiling as he approached.

He cast a spell before Rye reached him, the man standing and using a staff to create a glowing light that stopped seconds after it began. The angel smiled widely as he continued to approach along the shoreline, the water lapping at his bare feet and the mud squelching at his toes. The novice was obviously practicing amateur spells, the light nothing more than something that shone brightly. Although he didn't seem like an experienced spellcaster, he didn't look young. He also seemed quite wealthy, his spellbook covered with decorations and his staff made from rich Oakwood. He was also adorned with expensive travelling clothes, but not so much as to be nobility. Rye stood at his side as the man sat on a rock, not noticing the large angel for his face was in his spellbook, reading the arcane words and trying to remember the intricate wording.

"Hello there, what brings you to the lake traveller?"

Rye asked in a friendly manner, his voice loud and energetic. He grinned with delight, happy for the freshness of his clothes and the sweet smelling aroma that came from his skin. Rye had took the honour of bathing in spices and getting his clothes cleaned by a serving maid earlier this morning and he hadn't felt this fresh in years. He put his right hand on his hip and raised his head to the warm sun above, waiting for the man to continue the conversation.

Cualeden sat with his nose deep within his book, ensuring his line of sight was only the pages in front of him, with complete and total concentration. The sounds of birds cheeping, fish jumping, and feet squishing were completely drowned out. 'Wait, feet?' he thought to himself as he read through the pages. He shook his head with a smile, his hair draping over the book he had spent so many hours designing. 'I must focus on these spells. I have yet to master Polymorph Self. If I plan to be the most powerful wizard, I must be able to cast these simple spells!' he thought again, with determination.

"Hello there, what brings you to the lake traveller?"

Cualeden sprang up with speedily, surprising for his age, sending his spell book flying, his staff clattering to the ground, sending nearby birds flying in every direction. He shouted words in Arcane rapidly, from memory, yet slightly disorted, and from his outstretched hand, a small blob of purple energy fell to the ground, with a small hissing noise. Cualeden let out a small gasp, after seeing the face of the speaker, and assumed the being was of good alignment.

He exhaled deeply, and said ", I am very sorry, traveller. I did not mean to be startled so, but I must be ready for everything, and you see, I'm relatively new to adventuring on the road." He pointed down to the dissipating purple blob, and added ", That is a failed Magic Missile I'm afraid. You see, I'm new to spell casting, and you see, I used to be a farmer. Only a few months ago did I receive this spell book from my parents, and only a couple of weeks did I have these new spells."

Cualeden bent down to pick up his staff, and then his spell book. The spell book looked in perfect condition still, for his family, even though they were farmers as well, had saved to buy this spell book. It was resistant to food stains, slight water stains, and dirt stains, to allow the reader to fully comprehend its contents. As he did so, something caught his eye. It was a women, standing in the nearby bushes.

"Why hello there," He said cheerily to her, waving in her direction. "Come on over, and introduce yourself. I am Cualeden Nefridit, a novice wizard, what might be your names," he inquired, his spell book grasped tightly under his arm, his staff in his other.

Valynna was just about to make a noise, to somehow pull the bookworm from his book but just as she was going to make her move an angel appeared suddenly approaching the man who was ready more quickly then she did.

Well, she thought to herself, she lost her chance on gaining some more arcane magic spells. She didn’t have too many good experiences with angels, she wasn’t going to start something with this one. She was turning around to head away when the man who answered the angel’s question turned to her and invited her into the group.

Valynna paused, her back to the two men, her long black hair covered her pointed ears, but she knew as soon as she looked to the group, her red eyes and small fangs will give her away. She took a risk, she turned, resting her red eyes on the angel, a cautious look in her eye as if she was entering a pit of poisonous snakes. She moved slowly out of the bushes towards the man and angel. She wore a short black skirt with a fitted white shirt over a black tank top and a dark cloak over that. Her staff was in one hand, her backpack over her shoulders.

The man didn’t seem to notice her tension of approaching the group, suddenly investigating this kid seemed a bad idea. What was he going to do once he finds out her heritage? Well, she reconsidered that thought, if that was his best magic missile she should be alright, but the angel was another matter.

“Valynna.” She said with a calm and level voice. “Your gonna need to work harder on that magic missile, if your going to survive this world. I hope you have perfected some other spells.” She said, finally pulling her focus off the angel and to the man, a smirk on her face. “But if your just a novice, then that wasn’t half bad.” She said this with a bit more cocky attitude. It was strange to her that wizards require so much studying to master spells, for her it came more easily. She was told it was because that she was a Sorceress, she still didn’t fully understand the difference between the two.

The man jumped from the rock, dropping his spell book and oak staff in a dissolutive horror. He quickly tried to power a spell but fortunately failed miserably, the magic missile falling from his palm and landing on the dirt infront of him. Rye smiled as he watched, the man giving a clumsy first impression. The angel didn't care much for first impressions and quickly forgot the situation as the amateur wizard spoke.

"I am very sorry, traveller. I did not mean to be startled so, but I must be ready for everything, and you see, I'm relatively new to adventuring on the road."

He seemed short of breath as he looked at Rye with embarrassment, the man tripping over his own words as his heart slowed down and the excitement wore off.

"That is a failed Magic Missile I'm afraid. You see, I'm new to spell casting, and you see, I used to be a farmer. Only a few months ago did I receive this spell book from my parents, and only a couple of weeks did I have these new spells."

Rye didn't move as his new acquaintance bent down to pick up his belongings. He stared at the magic missile that was dissipating in the mud. The angel looked at it closer, realising that the power of the spell was greatly underestimated by both of them. It seared the mud, burning the earth deeply as it sizzled. Rye did not take notice of Cualedens words as he spotted someone moving towards them. The lightbringer stared at the blob and understood that this man could be one of the most powerful wizards the world has ever seen.

The spell vanished and Rye looked up from his trance of amazement, finally taking notice of the person that had joined them. He caught the last of her words and smiled for she too underestimated what the wizard had just done.

"Do not mock this man, demon. That spell was greater than anything you could conjure. Although its flight is weak the magic in this man is strong, maybe even stronger than it is in me."

Rye had lost his smile for he had discovered someone who could, if correctly trained, help him bring the light back to Arda. Who would have guessed, a farmer who had discovered magic a few months ago having the mana power fit for an element. Rye wondered who Cualedens parents were and what they were hiding from him, but that wasn't important for the only thing that mattered was him. He would now request something of the man.

"My name is Nofurye Mando and I wish for you to become my apprentice."

Although this was quite upfront for the two had just met, Rye was chosen by the gods to lead him to where he was meant to go. Besides, the request was not a question but rather a demand for the angel would not let him say no. He knew that Cualeden would be shocked and confused but he had to face the fact that he was going to become a great wizard if Rye had anything to do with it.

The women who he had addressed spoke to them, saying her name.“Valynna,” she told them, her voice stable. “Your gonna need to work harder on that magic missile, if your going to survive this world. I hope you have perfected some other spells," she said to him, tearing her gaze from the angel towards him. “But if your just a novice, then that wasn’t half bad," she added, a sense of cockiness in her voice. 'A sorceress, most likely,' he thought to himself. 'If she was a wizard, she would understand, but since she is a sorceress, the fact of studying spells to cast them must seem abstract.' "Do not mock this man, demon. That spell was greater than anything you could conjure. Although its flight is weak the magic in this man is strong, maybe even stronger than it is in me," the demon said aloud.

"What!?!" Cualeden blurted, slightly confused. "My name is Nofurye Mando and I wish for you to become my apprentice," the angel said to him. Cualeden looked at the man, slightly dazed. 'Why would he want me as his apprentice, I'm just a normal wizard?' he thought, still confused. The feeling of confusion was quickly washed away as the reality struck him. He would get a chance to have some one teach him these spells, to allow him to become a better wizard. It didn't matter why this angel wanted him to be his apprentice, only that he was offered that position.

"Yes! I would be honored to be the apprentice of such a being! Thank you," he said, ecstatic. "You should know what spells I have in my spell book, if you're to be my master," he said giddily. Without waiting for a response, he opened his spell book, and said ", I have the spell, Light, which I have mastered perfectly, since it is such a simple spell. Then I have Magic Missile, which I haven't managed to master just yet, as you have seen. I have Polymorph Self spell as well, which I have mastered to a certain extent. You see, I can change into the animal, yet no matter what, the fur color, or scale color matches my hair color, and not that of the animal. Here, let me show the both of you," he finished, slightly winded from talking so fast.

He flipped open his spell book, and began to chant the magic words, and channeling energy throughout his body. Some strange energy began to flow through his body, something he wasn't used to. "Whats happening,' he thought, ' is this what it feels like to have mana flowing through your body, or is this something else?' He shrugged these feelings aside, and finished the spell. His body shrunk to the size of a human arm, and silver scales grew over his body. Fins formed were his arms were, and gills on the side of his body. He had transformed into a fish, perfectly!

He flopped around, and into the water, darting through the blue substance. He jumped up into the sky, flailing with joy of the successful transformation, without the side affect of his scales being brown. He landed on the ground were he had originated, and cut the energy flowing through his body, transforming back into a normal human, slightly wet, bet joy full. "I did!" he shouted, looking at the other two expectantly.

Valynna’s hard glare swung quickly back to the angel as he scolded her for not seeing the potential in this human. What potential she thought to herself as she watched the magic missile eat away at the dirt, as if something that powerful could be conjured in the heat of battle to defend yourself or others. Valynna had experience, being out on her own for the past 25 years, she had learnt that a spell is useless if you can’t cast it when it counts. The kid needed to practice more before he truly explored the world they were in. Alone he was a prime target to be attacked by Demons, Drows or other races and creatures that lurk in the wilderness.

She almost growled at the angel as she summoned her own magic spell, Claws of Darkness. A dark force began to grow from her fingertips in large claw like forms. She my not know the magic missile spell, but she did have this one. She wondered if the angel wanted to test her powers against his. She was game for that.

But before she could attack, or let out a warning the angel blurted out he wanted the kid to be his student. The shock completely shattered Valynna’s concentration over her spell and the dark claws vanished from her hand. She then began to laugh.

“Since when do Angels take humans as apprentices?” Valynna asked bewildered at his proposal to the human. Looking at the human she couldn’t believe it but the kid was actually taken in by this offer. She didn’t trust angels, though she didn’t trust anyone on the Light Alignment. Something that her mother drilled very hard into her, so hard that it truly did make an impact on Valynna’s outlook.

Cualeden was so enthralled that he began showing the angel his spell book, if Light was the only spell he had mastered so far, perhaps he was suited to follow an angel around. He then went so far as to show them his morphing spell. Valynna had read a few books on Polymorphing, and couldn’t understand why anyone would want to change into an animal. Perhaps because being a half demon she had inherited many senses that humans don’t have, so to her changing into an animal was less appealing then to a human.

Cualeden turned into a fish, of all creatures, and began flapping on the land until he go into the water. If he was going to turn into an animal, how dangerous could a fish be? If anything he could suffocate himself for being out of the water. Valynna and the angel, Nofurye, were left onshore together watching Cualeden swim as a fish until he jumped out on to the ground before them, morphing back to his original human self, a gleeful expression on his face.

Valynna fought with her first impulse to mock his abilities, after all he did seem to successfully complete the spell. But her attitude and expression made it clear that she wasn’t impressed. Now if he had turned into a dog, or a bear then she would have been impressed.