Cualeden pulled up a chair, setting himself down upon it gently, sprawling out, until he found a relaxing position. He brought his smooth, pale hands to his ears, fingering there slight points, still in awe about the transformation that had come to him. His mind was more fluent, and thoughts buzzed through his brain, making him an ideal wizard. Ever since that fight on the mountains with the vampire, he had been different than normal, changed. His pupils were slitted, his ears had a slight point, and his mind worked in different ways. His theory on the matter was that when he had cast spells, he drew upon some thing more than mana. It was his heritage that he drew upon.

Deep with in his family blood lines, a elven parent had mated with a human. Now, in his family genes, was elven blood. If Cualeden was correct, when ever he casted a spell, he drew upon his blood line, using this elvish energy. And if this was true, he would eventually evolve into a full elf. Cualeden propped himself up, becoming excited as he thought about his evolution.

Changing his thoughts, he turned to the book he had selected to read. He glanced over the title again, reading its fancy writing in his mind. 'Is there More than Mana?' the title read. It was exactly the text he would want. It would unearth the answers he was looking for. He opened the first page, and began to read the text.

Ardel walked out of the temple, waving his small hands at the preists. The robed men nodded their heads, waving their hands hidden beneath the mighty robes. The small child constantly visited the temple of the goddess, eager to ask questions to the priests. Often, they would answer, but other times they would dismiss the matter, waving the child off. On this particular day, Ardel had been dismissed by the priests, who were starting a sermon moments later.

Ardel walked back to Lomedor square, still pondering exactly what to do next. 'I know!' he thought, jumping up at his idea. "I'll practice reading in the library!" he exclaimed, receiving several glances by the shoppers around the square. He pushed his way through the crowd and past the stalls until at last, he reached a quite district of the city.

He came up a large building, pillars supporting its entire structure. Ardel approached a sign, reading the black letters on the oak wood. "Par-mam-or Li-br-br-br-ary" he said aloud, sounding out the syllables. He knew how to read slightly, but with difficulty. Dagrhinna had one day shown him the library, and pointed out several sections on how to read books. For several days a week, Ardel would visit that section, and read the books among the orcs and goblins attempting to learn as well.

Ardel went into the library, gazing at all the shelves. He made his way to the back on the how to read books section, but paused at a desk a man was sitting at. "Is th-er-e more than m-m-ma-ma-na" he stuttered, going over each individual syllable. "What is mana?" he asked the man behind the book. Under further inspection, he realized this man was not an elf, but indeed had slightly pointy ears. "Whats wrong with your ears?" Ardel asked bluntly.

Cualeden pulled himself up, gazing into the eyes of the child that had pestered him so inquisitively. "Is th-er-e more than m-m-ma-ma-na," the child stuttered, looking intently at the cover of the tome Cualeden was holding. The child looked up from his intent gaze, and looked deeply at Cualeden, his childish mind racing with thoughts. "What is mana?" the child asked him, his eyes sparkling, ",And whats wrong with your ears?" Cualeden let out a soft laugh, and gazed at the child, his own green eyes reflecting the child's bright blue ones.

"Yes, the inquisitive mind of the child!" he exclaimed, a smile breaking on his face. "If we all were as inquisitive as you, we would know all!" Cualeden sat up, holding the book in front of his face, pointing at the word 'Mana.' "You see child, 'mana' is a intangible substance that all beings use to provide energy to fuel nearly impossible things. To put it simply, mana is energy! It is used to cast spells, you see!"

Cualeden set the book down, and glanced at the child again. "My ears, yes. They are pointy for many reasons. It'll be difficult to explain. But more importantly, were are your parents?" Cualeden looked at the child, trying to see if he could detect anything on him. To his knowledge, the child was not evil, nor possessing anything that he could not see. He was a simple child, with nothing odd about him. If he was a simple child, he would have parents that should be looking for him. Cualeden stood up, saying to the boy ", I'm Cualeden, what might your name be?"

"Yes, the inquisitive mind of the child!" he exclaimed, a smile breaking on his face. "If we all were as inquisitive as you, we would know all!" Cualeden sat up, holding the book in front of his face, pointing at the word 'Mana.' "You see child, 'mana' is a intangible substance that all beings use to provide energy to fuel nearly impossible things. To put it simply, mana is energy! It is used to cast spells, you see!"

The child tilted his head a little, thinking deeply. "Hmmm," he said, comprehended all that he said. "Whats 'inquisitive'? and 'intangible?' I don't know those words," he said with a smile. He repeated those two words, as if testing their flavor on his lips. "They sound funny!" he said with a chuckle. "My ears, yes. They are pointy for many reasons. It'll be difficult to explain. But more importantly, were are your parents?" Asked the funny looking man. ", I'm Cualeden, what might your name be?" He said, introducing himself

"Cualeden," he said, outstretching his hand, "I'm Ardel! Hagrhinna said that when I meet someone, we shake," he said, his tiny boyish hand placed in front of Cualeden. "Oh, and don't worry, I don't have parents. I'm an orphan," he said, gingerly saying the word 'orphan'. "I live by myself. Hagrhinna is my bestestest friend," he said, throwing his arms out to express the two's relationship. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "Whats that?!" he said pointing to a staff a man was holding. The possessor of the staff was an old wizard, and the staff itself was gnarled and inscribed with runes. "Why is that guy walking with a stick? Dagrhinna said that you shouldn't play with sticks, you could poke out an eye." he said, feeling to see if what Dagrhinna called 'a safety measure,' was still at his side. Yes, the dagger was still strapped to his belt. "That man should be more careful," observed Ardel.

"Hmmm," the child murmured, his mind obviously racing. He was defiantly one to learn. He was sponge, and would learn things in a blink of an eye, and Cualeden could figure this out just by the boys appearance. "Whats 'inquisitive'? and 'intangible?' I don't know those words," he said with a smile. He said the words again, as if testing them in his mouth. "They sound funny!" he said with a childish giggle. "I'm Ardel! Hagrhinna said that when I meet someone, we shake," the boy exclaimed, when asked his name. He placed his childish hand out in front of him, a grin on his face. "Oh, and don't worry, I don't have parents. I'm an orphan," he said. He said the word 'orphan' delicately, as if it hurt him to say that word.. "I live by myself. Hagrhinna is my bestestest friend," he said, throwing his arms out to express the two's relationship.

"Hey!" he exclaimed. "Whats that?!" he said pointing to a staff a man was holding. The owner of the staff was an old mage, and the staff was old as well, with arcane runes enscribed on it. "Why is that guy walking with a stick? Dagrhinna said that you shouldn't play with sticks, you could poke out an eye." The boy reached down, feeling his belt. Cualeden looked at what the boy was feeling for, seeing a dagger strapped at the boys side. 'The life of an orphan can be hard,' Cualeden thought ', he needs to be protected.' "That man should be more careful," observed Ardel.

"Well, the word 'inquisitive' means questioning and searching. You've sure asked your fair share of questions, young lad! The word 'intangible' means untouchable. Like your feelings! You can't touch happiness, but it is just there!" Cualeden grabbed the little boys hand, and shoke it gently. The boys hands were soft, so young and pure. Cualeden released his grasp, and looked at the boy and said ", Who is Dagrhinna?"

"Well, the word 'inquisitive' means questioning and searching. You've sure asked your fair share of questions, young lad! The word 'intangible' means untouchable. Like your feelings! You can't touch happiness, but it is just there!" Cualeden grabbed the little boys hand, and shook it gently. Cualeden released his grasp, and looked at the boy and said ", Who is Dagrhinna?"

"By the name of Lothlomendil!" exclaimed the boy. He had heard that statement while at the temple, and decided that he should use it, after recently discovering its meaning. "I already said, Dagrhinna is my bestestestestestest friend!" he said, repeating the same gesture of throwing out his arms. He added more 'est's to his 'best', stressing the fact that he loved Dagrhinna, but he was not his father.

"Intangilbe," he said with a giggle, "Cannot be touched, hmmm," he pondered. "Like happiness. Hmm, I don't get it. I can touch happy things, and things that make me happy can be touched. I saw a doggie the other day, and I petted it and, and, and, and," he lost his train of thought, and after several more and's, he recovered and continued, "I was happy, 'cuz the doggie was soft and cute, but then, but then and then," again, he stumbled over his words, "and then it ran away 'cuz some, some, some," he searched for the correct words, Dagrhinna's voice ringing through his skull, 'Don't say bad words in front of strangers,' "some meanie chased it away, yellin' 'GET AWAY FROM THERE YOU MUTT'." he yelled. "It was a cute doggie though," he said.

"By the name of Lothlomendil! I already said, Dagrhinna is my bestestestestestest friend!" The child threw his hands in the air, signaling that Dagrhinna was his best friend in the world. This child was odd. 'By the name of Lothlomendil?' That was an odd expression. How did the child learn such a odd saying? Cualeden shrugged off his own inquisitive thoughts, thinking back to the conversation he was sharing with Ardel. "Intangible," he said with a giggle, "Cannot be touched, hmmm," he thought aloud. "Like happiness. Hmm, I don't get it. I can touch happy things, and things that make me happy can be touched. I saw a doggie the other day, and I petted it and, and, and, and," he lost his train of thought, and after several more and's, he recovered and continued, "I was happy, 'cuz the doggie was soft and cute, but then, but then and then," again, he stumbled over his words, "and then it ran away 'cuz some, some, some," he searched for the correct words, and said "some meanie chased it away, yellin' 'GET AWAY FROM THERE YOU MUTT'." he yelled. "It was a cute doggie though," he added.

"Haha," Cualeden said with a chuckle, his voice stirring the readers of the library. "I don't think you get it my dear child! Was the dog happiness, or did the dog make you happy? It is two different things! Happiness is intangible, because you can't touch the feeling of happiness. A dog might make you feel happy, but that doesn't mean your feeling 'happiness' itself." Cualeden sat down, and pulled up a chair beside him. "Sit down, may be I could help you with some thing?" Cualeden questioned, hinting that he could help teach the boy how to read.

Again, Ardel put his hand up against his chin and thought deep about what Cualeden said. "I don't think you get it my dear child! Was the dog happiness, or did the dog make you happy? It is two different things! Happiness is intangible, because you can't touch the feeling of happiness. A dog might make you feel happy, but that doesn't mean your feeling 'happiness' itself." Cualeden sat down, and pulled up a chair beside him. "Sit down, may be I could help you with some thing?" Cualeden questioned, hinting that he could help teach the boy how to read.

Ardel caught the hint in Cualeden's voice and sat down next to the elf/man. He kicked his legs, swinging them through the air. "So, the doggie wasn't happiness, right?" Ardel asked himself aloud, swinging his feet even faster. "Your right. Happy. Hmmm," he grasped himself trying to feel happiness inside him. "I'm happy right now and I can't feel the happy," he said, stating his observation.

"It seems your right Cualeden!" exclaimed Ardel, as if he expected him to be wrong. "I guess I owe you a thanks," he said, reciting again one of the teachings of Dagrhinna. He threw himself at the elf, giving him a big hug. "You get a hug poopy head!" exclaimed the child. Ardel had always called the receiver of his hugs 'poopy heads'. He was not sure why, but it was merely a habit he responded to.

"Do you think you could help me pick out a book and then help me read it?" asked the child sweetly. "I think that it might be fun," he said with a grin, excited about the adventures the two could explore together.

Ardel caught the hint in Cualeden's voice and sat down next to the elf/man. He kicked his legs, swinging them through the air. "So, the doggie wasn't happiness, right?" Ardel asked himself aloud, swinging his feet even faster. "Your right. Happy. Hmmm," he grasped himself trying to feel happiness inside him. "I'm happy right now and I can't feel the happy," he said, stating his observation. Cualeden nodded in agreement, feeling quite like a teacher to this young child. "It seems your right Cualeden!" exclaimed Ardel, as if he expected him to be wrong. "I guess I owe you a thanks," he said, reciting again one of the teachings of Dagrhinna. He threw himself at the elf, giving him a big hug. "You get a hug poopy head!" exclaimed the child.

Cualeden returned the hug to the child, a warm feeling spreading across his body. A child's love was indeed the strongest. "You get a hug back, ya poopy head!" Cualeden retorted, a smile on his face. This child had hit his soft spot. He liked this boy, and hopefully, the could share some adventures together. "Do you think you could help me pick out a book and then help me read it?" asked the child sweetly. "I think that it might be fun," he said with a grin, excited about the adventures the two could explore together.

Cualeden grinned at Ardel, and stood, walking to a section of the library, and pulled out a book. It was titled 'A goblin and a Boy.' Cualeden returned to his seat, and sat down. "This story's called 'A goblin and a Boy.' You read the a bit, and then I will!"

Cualeden rose to his seat and brought back a fairly large book. It was larger than anything the child had even thought about reading. It would be a challenge for him.

"Woh," said the child airly. "I've never read anything like that before!" exclaimed the child, weighing the book in his hands. "The Go-go-blin and a boy" mouthed the child. "A goblin and a boy!" he said, right before Cualeden could say "This story's called 'A goblin and a Boy.' You read the a bit, and then I will!" Ardel jumped up and down in his seat, ready to read.

"OH! I WANNA READ FIRST!" he roared, excitment brimming over. A passing patron came by Ardel and pressed her fingers to her lips, making a 'shhh' sound. "Oh, woops," Ardel said softly with a giggle. "Ok, onto reading! I get to go first cuz I'm the one learin' to read," he said pointing to himself.

He dragged the book in front of his and opened it up to the first page. On the page that was against the cover was a series of text and on the other side, a picture. Only a few sentences were on that one page. First, Ardel inspected the pictures. A goblin was walking through a field. He turned back to the actual words. "One day," he said, familiar with the phrase, "a, a, a go- go- goblin was walkin' throw, throw, through!" he exclaimed, finally pronouncing the word right, "was walking through a field until he met a boy," he finished, pointing to himself. "A boy like me!" he exclaimed with a giggle.

"Woh," said the child airly as Cualeden pulled out the book. "I've never read anything like that before!" exclaimed the child, weighing the book in his hands. "The Go-go-blin and a boy" mouthed the child. "A goblin and a boy!" he said, right before Cualeden could say "This story's called 'A goblin and a Boy.' You read the a bit, and then I will!" Ardel jumped up and down in his seat, ready to read. "OH! I WANNA READ FIRST!" he roared, excitement brimming over. A passing patron came by Ardel and pressed her fingers to her lips, making a 'shhh' sound. "Oh, woops," Ardel said softly with a giggle. "Ok, onto reading! I get to go first cuz I'm the one learin' to read," he said pointing to himself.

"Very well," Cualeden said with a smile. He opened the book. On one page was a picture, and on the opposite, several lines of text. The first picture was that of a golbin walking through a field. Ardel began to read, starting with "One day," he said, familiar with the phrase, "a, a, a go- go- goblin was walkin' throw, throw, through!" he exclaimed, finally pronouncing the word right, "was walking through a field until he met a boy," he finished, pointing to himself. "A boy like me!" he exclaimed with a giggle.

"Very good," Cualeden exclaimed. He turned the page. On this side, the goblin was talking to a human boy. He turned to the text and began, saying ", The goblin introduced himself as Gobo to the boy, as he parents told him to do. The human boy did the same, saying his name was Catrlin." Cualeden handed the book off to the orphan, saying ", Now you read a page!"

Ardel looked at the pictures on the next page. It was the familiar green goblin, but across from it was a boy with black hair, unlike his own brown hair. "Uh oh!" he said, referring to the boy in the story's hair, "I guess I can't be the boy in the story. I've got brown hair!" he said, grabbing a lock of his own hair. "Oh well, go ahead and read!" he demanded, still slightly bouncy from his previous excitement.

"Very good," Cualeden exclaimed. He turned the page. On this side, the goblin was talking to a human boy. He turned to the text and began, saying ", The goblin introduced himself as Gobo to the boy, as he parents told him to do. The human boy did the same, saying his name was Catrlin." Cualeden handed the book off to the orphan, saying ", Now you read a page!"

"Ok, my turn then," he said, grabbing the book and flipping the page. First, he took reference from the picture. The goblin, or Gobo, was holding a necklace with teeth and fangs in front of himself, showing them to the boy, Catrlin. At first, it was hard to make out the picture for Ardel, the picture was very crude and difficult to understand. But after several moments, he was able to make out exactly what it was.

"Gobo took off his necklace," he said, pronouncing the 'c' in necklace as a hard 'c', as in cat. "Oh, wait, necklace," he said, using the correct pronunciation. "Gobo took off his necklace and showed Catrlin each tooooth" he said, over exagerating the amount of 'o's in the word. "Each tooth repre-represented?" he said, in a inquisitive tone, "represented a monster he killed," he finished, handing the book over to Cualeden. "Did I do it right?" asked Ardel, unsure about 'represented'. "What does 'represented' mean?" he asked, scratching the top of his head.

"Ok, my turn then," he said, grabbing the book and flipping the page. First, he took reference from the picture. The goblin, or Gobo, was holding a necklace with teeth and fangs in front of himself, showing them to the boy, Catrlin. At first, it was hard to make out the picture for Ardel, the picture was very crude and difficult to understand. But after several moments, he was able to make out exactly what it was.

"Gobo took off his necklace," he said, pronouncing the 'c' in necklace as a hard 'c', as in cat. "Oh, wait, necklace," he said, using the correct pronunciation. "Gobo took off his necklace and showed Catrlin each tooooth" he said, over exagerating the amount of 'o's in the word. "Each tooth repre-represented?" he said, in a inquisitive tone, "represented a monster he killed," he finished, handing the book over to Cualeden. "Did I do it right?" asked Ardel, unsure about 'represented'. "What does 'represented' mean?" he asked, scratching the top of his head.

Cualeden let out a small laugh, and then said ",Represented means, well, shown for. Like each tooth on the necklace symbolized each monster he had killed. Now my page," Cualeden said, gently removing the book from the child's hands. He turned the page, and on this page, the picture showed the boy holding some thing out to the goblin. It was a belt, with rocks attached to it. Cualeden turned to the side with the words, and began to read.

"The boy took off his belt, and showed it to the goblin. He said that each rock represented a good deed he had done for the day. Cartlin and Gobo decided to become very good friends!"

Cualeden let out a small laugh, and then said ",Represented means, well, shown for. Like each tooth on the necklace symbolized each monster he had killed. Now my page," Cualeden said, gently removing the book from the child's hands. He turned the page, and on this page, the picture showed the boy holding some thing out to the goblin. It was a belt, with rocks attached to it. Cualeden turned to the side with the words, and began to read.

"The boy took off his belt, and showed it to the goblin. He said that each rock represented a good deed he had done for the day. Cartlin and Gobo decided to become very good friends!" Ardel screwed up his face in disbelief. "Why would he carry rocks. Rocks are heavy. And Dagrhinna says don't throw stones cuz they hurt and if it hurts and you hit someone and then and then and then," he searched for the right words again, stalling with, 'and then,' "and then they get hurt and you feel bad and stuff, so yah. He shouldn't be doing that," Ardel said, correcting the book.

"And goblins and children being friends? Dagrhinna said goblins are evil monsters!" he said with a gasp, as if a goblin would strike that very moment. "My page!" he exclaimed suddenly, continuing on. He immediately went straight to reading, not bothering to inspect the pictures. "Then the goblin got angry and ate Cartlin!" the boy lied. The book did not really say that. In fact, the picture depicted the two eating lunch together. But Ardel thought his story was much more interesting. "He ate Cartlin and then and then and then, and then!" he exclaimed, and then he used his bones as floss, and put his teeth on his necklace!" he said, proud of his story.

"The boy took off his belt, and showed it to the goblin. He said that each rock represented a good deed he had done for the day. Cartlin and Gobo decided to become very good friends!" Ardel screwed up his face in disbelief. "Why would he carry rocks. Rocks are heavy. And Dagrhinna says don't throw stones cuz they hurt and if it hurts and you hit someone and then and then and then," he searched for the right words again, stalling with, 'and then,' "and then they get hurt and you feel bad and stuff, so yah. He shouldn't be doing that," Ardel said, correcting the book.

"And goblins and children being friends? Dagrhinna said goblins are evil monsters!" he said with a gasp, as if a goblin would strike that very moment. "My page!" he exclaimed suddenly, continuing on. He immediately went straight to reading, not bothering to inspect the pictures. "Then the goblin got angry and ate Cartlin!" the boy lied. The book did not really say that. In fact, the picture depicted the two eating lunch together. But Ardel thought his story was much more interesting. "He ate Cartlin and then and then and then, and then!" he exclaimed, and then he used his bones as floss, and put his teeth on his necklace!" he said, proud of his story.

Cualeden let out a laugh, grabbing the book from the boy, reading the words for real. "Your right," he said to the boy ", your story is MUCH more interesting! Here, lets go out for lunch, I'll buy what ever you want!" He placed the book on the shelf, and approached the boy again, and gave him his hand, saying ", Lead the way!"

Cualeden let out a laugh, grabbing the book from the boy, reading the words for real. "Your right," he said to the boy ", your story is MUCH more interesting! Here, lets go out for lunch, I'll buy what ever you want!" He placed the book on the shelf, and approached the boy again, and gave him his hand, saying ", Lead the way!" Ardel snatched up the elf/man's hand.

He lead him out of the library and headed out into Lomedor square. After a little bit of thought, he paused. "Why do you wanna help me?" asked the small boy. Ardel thought that no one really cared about orphans, didn't care about charity, yet this man, Cualeden, whom he barely knew, was offering to buy him lunch. Why would such a stranger want to help an orphan like Ardel.

"I mean, your really nice and were friends and stuff like that," he continued, his head hanging him down low, "But why would you buy me lunch. Dagrhinna rarely helps me and were BESTESTESTESTESEST friends!" he stressed, and like all other times he had said that, he threw out his hands, expressing the level of their relationship. "But why would you help me?" he repeated, tilting his head slightly.

"My favorite food is fish! I love fish and fish isn't cheap, at least thats what Dagrhinna says. You don't have to take me, I don't mind. But my favorite fish stands over there!" he said, pointing to a small stall across the square. "You like fish?" he asked, accidentally leaving out the 'do' you like fish.

Cualeden followed the boy as he lead him to the square, in search of an adiquite meal. "Why do you wanna help me?" asked the small boy. The question came suddenly, and unexpected. The boy was wondering why he would help a poor orphan child, with no family, and no one to love him. It struck a nerve in him, it hit him deep. A child should never wonder why some one would help him, a child should only think of the future, and be happy and knoledgable. "I mean, your really nice and were friends and stuff like that," he continued, his head hanging him down low, "But why would you buy me lunch. Dagrhinna rarely helps me and were BESTESTESTESTESEST friends!" he stressed, and like all other times he had said that, he threw out his hands, expressing the level of their relationship. "But why would you help me?" he repeated, tilting his head slightly.

Cualeden's gaze turned even more friendly as he looked upon the small child. "My favorite food is fish! I love fish and fish isn't cheap, at least thats what Dagrhinna says. You don't have to take me, I don't mind. But my favorite fish stands over there!" he said, pointing to a small stall across the square. "You like fish?" he asked, accidentally leaving out the 'do' you like fish. Cualeden released his grip upon the child, and looked into the boy's eye's. "You see," he said, his tone gentle and caring ", I like you. You're a good person, and every chance I get to help some one in need, I take that chance. You should do the same. Now, lets get some fish!"

Cualeden jogged to the stand, and approached the vender. "Two cuts of your best cooked fish please," he said, taking out a few coins and handing them to the shop keep. He handed one to the boy, and began to eat his own.

"You see," he said, his tone gentle and caring ", I like you. You're a good person, and every chance I get to help some one in need, I take that chance. You should do the same. Now, lets get some fish!" Ardel squealed in excitement. "I LOVE FISH!" he exclaimed, receiving even more glares than he did when he shouted in the library. He rushed and sat next to Cualeden, eager for his meal.

"Two cuts of your best cooked fish please," he said, taking out a few coins and handing them to the shop keep. He handed one to the boy, and began to eat his own. Ardel grabbed his plate of fish, picking up a fork in a nearby dish. He sat on the stool, the aroma of the cooked fish wafting up into his nostrils. He sniffed the scent deeply, and without a moments hesitation, took a massive portion of fish and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Cualeden," he said, still chewing, but then remembering the words of Dagrhinna, held out a finger and finished chewing. "Cualeden," he started again, "About mana, do you know anything that is powered by mana," he recollected his memory trying to remember exactly what it was that was powered by mana. "Spells!" he exclaimed. "Do you know any spells Cualeden. I thought only wizards knew spells. How do you know so much about mana and not be a wizard. Are you a wizard?" he asked, curious. "I mean, you know a lot, and I thought wizards knew all about magic and spells and curses and hexes and and and, stuff like that," he said, in a somewhat wondrous tone.

The boy took a massive bite of his fish, and then began to say "Cualeden," he said, still chewing, but then remembering the words of Dagrhinna, held out a finger and finished chewing. "Cualeden," he started again, "About mana, do you know anything that is powered by mana," he recollected his memory trying to remember exactly what it was that was powered by mana. "Spells!" he exclaimed. "Do you know any spells Cualeden. I thought only wizards knew spells. How do you know so much about mana and not be a wizard. Are you a wizard?" he asked, curious. "I mean, you know a lot, and I thought wizards knew all about magic and spells and curses and hexes and and and, stuff like that," he said, in a somewhat wondrous tone.

Cualeden let out a laugh. "You are an inquisitve young lad, aren't you? Why, yes, I am a wizard! I don't know any thing really about curses and hexes, but I do know magic and spells! Here, let me show one of my ablities!" He grabbed the hand of the child, looking at his palms. His eyes glazed over with a light blue film, as he explored the childs future. His trance broke, and he began to say, with his eyes there normal color ", you will grow to be intellectual, and you will have a companion, very soon!"

Cualeden patted the young child on his shoulder, and began to speak again. "Now for a spell!" Cualeden sent mana throughout his body, along with elven energy, and he transformed to a dog. He ran in circles, and let out a bark, before ending the spell. He looked to Ardel, hopeing the boy liked his show.

Cualeden let out a laugh. "You are an inquisitve young lad, aren't you? Why, yes, I am a wizard! I don't know any thing really about curses and hexes, but I do know magic and spells! Here, let me show one of my abilities!" He grabbed the hand of the child, looking at his palms. His eyes glazed over with a light blue film, as he explored the childs future. His trance broke, and he began to say, with his eyes there normal color ", you will grow to be intellectual, and you will have a companion, very soon!"

"Now for a spell!" Cualeden sent mana throughout his body, along with elven energy, and he transformed to a dog. He ran in circles, and let out a bark, before ending the spell. Ardel giggled and laughed as the wizard transformed and barked. He let out a pitiful noise when he changed back, "Awh, I wanted to pet you," he said, a smile still plastered on his face.

"Wait, a companion!" he yelled, remembering the prophecy of Cualeden. "I don't wanna a companion!" He said with a frown, tears forming at the edges of his eyes. "Ainanna is Dagrhinna's companion and all she does is yell. Plus, girls have cooties," he said, pouting. He crossed his arms across his chest. "Your not right. You can't be a wizard. Wizard's are old and gnarled and have long white beards, like that one in the library," he said, recalling the old man with the staff. "How could you cast that spell though?" he asked, confusion bubbling in his mind.

"Awh, I wanted to pet you," he said, a smile still plastered on his face, as Cualeden morphed back into his human form. "Wait, a companion!" he yelled, remembering the prophecy of Cualeden. "I don't wanna a companion!" He said with a frown, tears forming at the edges of his eyes. "Ainanna is Dagrhinna's companion and all she does is yell. Plus, girls have cooties," he said, pouting. He crossed his arms across his chest. "Your not right. You can't be a wizard. Wizard's are old and gnarled and have long white beards, like that one in the library," he said, recalling the old man with the staff. "How could you cast that spell though?" he asked, confusion bubbling in his mind.

Cualeden erupted in laughter, getting attention from the square. "Don't worry, Ardel, prophesies can be interpreted in many different ways. You could find another boy to travel with you! You could find a pet that wants to spend time with you, or I could be your companion, just for now! Prophesies are unclear, and it is up to you to interpert them for your self. And I am a wizard, you poopy head! All wizards aren't old and have staffs, even though I wield one my self. I'm younger, but only know a few spells. When I get old, I'll know a ton of spells, and have a big white beard and long white hair!" Cualeden unslung his staff from his back, and held it at his side, showing it to the young boy.

Cualeden erupted in laughter, getting attention from the square. "Don't worry, Ardel, prophesies can be interpreted in many different ways. You could find another boy to travel with you! You could find a pet that wants to spend time with you, or I could be your companion, just for now! Prophesies are unclear, and it is up to you to interpret them for your self. And I am a wizard, you poopy head! All wizards aren't old and have staffs, even though I wield one my self. I'm younger, but only know a few spells. When I get old, I'll know a ton of spells, and have a big white beard and long white hair!" Cualeden unslung his staff from his back, and held it at his side, showing it to the young boy.

Ardel merely frowned when Cualeden erupted in laughter. But after his explanation, Ardel laughed along with him. "A pet!" he exclaimed, "I would love a pet!" he said, hoping that this prophecy indeed came true. "Sooo you are a wizard," he said, holding out the 'so'. "When you get old, you'll have to visit me cuz I wanna see you all grey and white and beardy!" he said, inventing the word beardy on the fly.

"Do you hit people with that staff?" He asked suddenly. "Cuz wizards go on adventures and they cast spells with their staves, at least I thought, cuz you didn't cast it with your staff so the staff must be your weapon," he said, catching his breath. "I would think a staff wouldn't hurt, cuz Dagrhinna gave me a safety dagger, and that would easily stop someone from hurting me, but a long piece of wood, that wouldn't hurt," he pointed out, a puzzled tone in his voice. "But spells, do spells hurt? Are spells a wizards main defense?" he asked.

Ardel merely frowned when Cualeden erupted in laughter. But after his explanation, Ardel laughed along with him. "A pet!" he exclaimed, "I would love a pet!" he said, hoping that this prophecy indeed came true. "Sooo you are a wizard," he said, holding out the 'so'. "When you get old, you'll have to visit me cuz I wanna see you all grey and white and beardy!" he said, inventing the word beardy on the fly.

"Do you hit people with that staff?" He asked suddenly. "Cuz wizards go on adventures and they cast spells with their staves, at least I thought, cuz you didn't cast it with your staff so the staff must be your weapon," he said, catching his breath. "I would think a staff wouldn't hurt, cuz Dagrhinna gave me a safety dagger, and that would easily stop someone from hurting me, but a long piece of wood, that wouldn't hurt," he pointed out, a puzzled tone in his voice. "But spells, do spells hurt? Are spells a wizards main defense?" he asked.

Cualeden smiled, and said to the boy ", Why yes, I will visit you when I'm old and wrinkly, and I'd expect the same from you! And my staff, is more of a walking stick. Since I travel a lot, I use this to help me walk, and then, if I need to defend my self, I hit people with it. Your right, it wouldn't hurt as much as your safety dagger, but it would hurt. But a wizard primarly uses spells, like you said."

Cualeden smiled, and said to the boy ", Why yes, I will visit you when I'm old and wrinkly, and I'd expect the same from you! And my staff, is more of a walking stick. Since I travel a lot, I use this to help me walk, and then, if I need to defend my self, I hit people with it. Your right, it wouldn't hurt as much as your safety dagger, but it would hurt. But a wizard primarly uses spells, like you said."

Ardel wrinkled up his nose in thought. "Soo, you must use spells to kill people right?" he asked. He did not excpect a response. Often, when he had a conversation with an adult, he would make the conversation more uncomforatable without realizing. He merely wanted the truth. "You know some lethal spells, right? Wizards go on adventures, and beat up bad guys and stuff, right?" he asked. "You probably won't answer, or say 'I'm to young to think about stuff like that, huh?" he asked, still keeping a cheerful tone.

He always seemed to oversimplfy matters, yet he did not care. He generalized matters with the words 'stuff' and often lost his train of thought, repeating the words 'then,' and 'and.' But that was Ardel. He was the goofy boy that asked morally upsetting questions, too many questions period, and a clumsy oaf that constantly forgot what he was saying. Yet he still managed to nudge his way into the heart of Dagrhinna, and this new man/elf, Cualeden. How he achieved that, he would never know.

Ardel wrinkled up his nose in thought. "Soo, you must use spells to kill people right?" he asked. He appeared to not expect a response. He merely wanted the truth. "You know some lethal spells, right? Wizards go on adventures, and beat up bad guys and stuff, right?" he asked. "You probably won't answer, or say 'I'm to young to think about stuff like that, huh?" he asked, still keeping a cheerful tone. Cualeden's smile was wiped from his face, a grim look replacing his previously cheerful smile. "Ardel, you must under stand some thing," he said, in a grim voice. "In adventuring, you must kill, you must slaugher, you must destroy. You are young, your mind doesn't have tainted with such things."

He let out a sigh, and faced the young boy, a worried gaze in his eyes. "I do know offensive spells, to kill people. But I'm worried. Why would you ask such a question!?! Is there some thing you need to talk about, that is making you think about death, or is that you inquisitive mind again! But please, if there is some thing on your mind, tell me so I can help you make things right! I am strong, I can help you if there is any one who is hurting you, or making fun of you." Cualeden wrapped his arms around the boy, a feeling of love swarming over his body. "I really do like you, Ardel," he whispered in the boy's ear.

"In adventuring, you must kill, you must slaugher, you must destroy. You are young, your mind doesn't have tainted with such things." He let out a sigh, and faced the young boy, a worried gaze in his eyes. "I do know offensive spells, to kill people. But I'm worried. Why would you ask such a question!?! Is there some thing you need to talk about, that is making you think about death, or is that you inquisitive mind again! But please, if there is some thing on your mind, tell me so I can help you make things right! I am strong, I can help you if there is any one who is hurting you, or making fun of you." Cualeden wrapped his arms around the boy, a feeling of love swarming over his body. "I really do like you, Ardel," he whispered in the boy's ear.

Ardel smiled and embraced Cualeden back. "Ok, poopy head I'm sorry!" he exclaimed playfully. He released his grasp and returned back to his fish and took a bite from it. After waiting several chews, he got fed up and began to talk anyways while he was chewing, ignoring his manners, "Well, I like you lots too, Cualeden. Your pretty smart!" he exclaimed. As he did so, a small chunk of pre chewed fish flew out of his mouth and landed on Cualeden's lap. Quickly, Ardel picked the piece up and threw it in his mouth. "Woops, sorry," he said in a chuckle.

Ardel smiled and embraced Cualeden back. "Ok, poopy head I'm sorry!" he exclaimed playfully. He released his grasp and returned back to his fish and took a bite from it. After waiting several chews, he got fed up and began to talk anyways while he was chewing, ignoring his manners, "Well, I like you lots too, Cualeden. Your pretty smart!" he exclaimed. As he did so, a small chunk of pre chewed fish flew out of his mouth and landed on Cualeden's lap. Quickly, Ardel picked the piece up and threw it in his mouth. "Woops, sorry," he said in a chuckle.

Cualeden was having such a good time with this young child. He too felt young again. He felt like the pain of the world was off his shoulders, and that he was a child again. He was having fun with a seven year old. People must think he was wierd, but he loved to explore the minds of children, and the minds of his own, and he was having a blast.

Cualeden chuckled as well, and finished his fish quickly. It tasted disgusting. He really hated fish, but he wanted to keep the kid happy, because he was happy whenever this child was happy. Cualeden looked at the kid again, and grabbed a small chunk of his own piece of fish. He gazed at the boy with a playful kind of stare. "If your gonna throw fish at my, I'm gonna throw fish at you!" He grabbed what was left of his fish, and chucked it gently at the boy, aimed for his chest.

Cualeden slowly picked at his fish, obvious disgust on his face. Ardel ignored the looks of disgust and kept devouring his fish. If your gonna throw fish at my, I'm gonna throw fish at you!" He grabbed what was left of his fish, and chucked it gently at the boy, aimed for his chest. Ardel quickly attempted to catch the flying fish, but missed, it landing on his lap.

It slid off his lap and fell on the ground. "If your not going to eat it, I will," said Ardel, wiping the dirt clean off the fish. He set it on his own empty plate and began to spear it with his fork. "I'm used to eating stuff off the ground," he stated, ignoring the looks of disgust by the passer byers and the other patrons of the fish stall. He screwed his face up at the first bite, for it had the most dirt on it. The rest of the fish only had a small layering of dust on it.

"I have another question!" he declared, jumping up. "If your a wizard, can you see the future?" he asked, a quizical look on his face. "I mean, you kinda forsaw my future, but that was a guess really. Can you actually see the future, not in riddle or stuff, or are you not good enough yet," he asked bluntly.

He did not mean to hurt the wizards feelings by saying "are you good enough," but always asked obviously blunt questions without much thought.

"If your gonna throw fish at my, I'm gonna throw fish at you!" the boy shouted as Cualeden threw his fish at him. He grabbed what was left of his fish, and chucked it gently at the boy, aimed for his chest. Ardel quickly attempted to catch the flying fish, but missed, it landing on his lap. It slid off his lap and fell on the ground. "If your not going to eat it, I will," said Ardel, wiping the dirt clean off the fish. He set it on his own empty plate and began to spear it with his fork. "I'm used to eating stuff off the ground," he stated, ignoring the looks of disgust by the passer byers and the other patrons of the fish stall. He screwed his face up at the first bite, for it had the most dirt on it. The rest of the fish only had a small layering of dust on it.

Cualeden laughed at the little boy, glancing at him as he did so. "Silly," he said, wiping tears from his eyes ", I was starting a food fight, not because I don't like it!" "I have another question!" the boy declared declared, jumping up. "If your a wizard, can you see the future?" he asked, a quizical look on his face. "I mean, you kinda forsaw my future, but that was a guess really. Can you actually see the future, not in riddle or stuff, or are you not good enough yet," he asked bluntly. Cualeden gazed at the boy, a gleam in his eyes. He wasn't offended, yet this boy was definatly blunt. "Well," Cualeden said. "There is no judge of how good you are at telling the future. The future is always unclear. And I don't have any tools! I'm sorry, but reading your palm was the most I can do. But how bout the food fight!" He ordered two more pieces of fish, and he flung a chunk at the boy's head.

Well," Cualeden said. "There is no judge of how good you are at telling the future. The future is always unclear. And I don't have any tools! I'm sorry, but reading your palm was the most I can do. But how bout the food fight!" He ordered two more pieces of fish, and he flung a chunk at the boy's head. 'Wow, he's childish!' thought Ardel. "I'll fight you wizard!" yelled the boy, as if he was someone who stood a chance in a real fight.

The fish stall vender merely sighed and handed the two each a fish. The boy ducked, avoided the fish that flew over his head. Rather than throw his fish, he grabbed it by the tail and aimed it directly to slap the wizard in the face. He laughed as he swung the fish, its scales falling off from the velocity in the air.

He was forced to stop in mid slap and began to cough as scales flew into his face and mouth. He coughed, putting his fish on the counter and pulling the scales out of his teeth. "Yuck!" he exclaimed. "I don't wanna fight," he said with a chuckle. "Instead, I'll kill you with a hug, poopy head!" he said, lunging on the man, his arms wrapping around him.

He chuckled, laughing as he squeezed him tight. "Why are you soooo fun. Most adults are boring." he said, amazed at the man's willingness to play and have fun.

"I'll fight you wizard!" yelled the boy, as if he was someone who stood a chance in a real fight. He dodged the piece that was flung at him, and rather than throw a piece of fish, he swung it like a bat at his stomach. Scales flew off the fish as he did so, landing in the boys face. Yuck!" he exclaimed. "I don't wanna fight," he said with a chuckle. "Instead, I'll kill you with a hug, poopy head!" he said, lunging on the man, his arms wrapping around him. He chuckled, laughing as he squeezed him tight. "Why are you soooo fun. Most adults are boring." he said, amazed at the man's willingness to play and have fun.

Cualeden returned the hug, and lifted the boy up high, swinging him in the air as if he was his own child. He set him down gently, his laughter subsiding as he did so. He was having a blast, and was enjoying the hour or so they had been together. He was certain that he would look for this boy whenever he visited the city. He was actually uncertain if he would leave, he was having such a good time. "I've never had so much fun!," Cualeden exclaimed, gazing at the boy, his cheeks bright. He looked at himself, but only to find that he was filthy. He had dirt all across his body, and under his finger nails, and now, a fresh layer of smelly fish scales. The boy was the same way. "Hey," Cualeden said to the boy ", how bout we take a stop at the bath house! We could clean up and swim a bit!"

Cualeden returned the hug, and lifted the boy up high, swinging him in the air as if he was his own child. He set him down gently, his laughter subsiding as he did so. The amount of enjoyment Cualeden was having was very apparent. Ardel chuckled as he was flung through the air. "I've never had so much fun!,

"I've never had so much fun!," Cualeden exclaimed, gazing at the boy, his cheeks bright. He looked at himself, but only to find that he was filthy. He had dirt all across his body, and under his finger nails, and now, a fresh layer of smelly fish scales. The boy was the same way. "Hey," Cualeden said to the boy ", how bout we take a stop at the bath house! We could clean up and swim a bit!" The idea of swimming lit up the boy's face. "I wanna learn how to swim!" he exclaimed. "I've never really bathed before, but I'm sure it will be loads of fun!" he declared, throwing out his arms.

"I'd love to go to the bath house! I've never been before!" he exclaimed, veiwing how dirty he was. He was surprised on actually how dirty he really was. His body was plastered with dirt, his fingernails grimy and his skin a dark tan from the mud and soot on his body. "Lets go!" he exclaimed, tugging on Cualeden's hand. It was past the square, in a building several blocks away.

"Hurry up poopy head!" he exclaimed, trying his hardest to tug Cualeden off his seat.

"I'd love to go to the bath house! I've never been before!" he exclaimed, veiwing how dirty he was. He was surprised on actually how dirty he really was. His body was plastered with dirt, his fingernails grimy and his skin a dark tan from the mud and soot on his body. "Lets go!" he exclaimed, tugging on Cualeden's hand. It was past the square, in a building several blocks away.

"Hurry up poopy head!" he exclaimed, trying his hardest to tug Cualeden off his seat. "Alright, alright," Cualeden exclaimed with a hearty chuckle, standing up as the boy pulled him off his seat. He led them both to a big building, made of white granite. He led them inside. There was a bunch of people swimming, with a few diving boards. "Alright," Cualeden said ", there are rules here! I know there stupid, but we have to obey. First, don't use the restroom in the pool, second, don't run, and thrid, don't wear cloths. Just your body, okay?" Cualeden took off his own cloths, and hung them in a desginated area, and entered the warm pool, the waters soothing his skin.

It was so relaxing. Even though it was filled with other people, the warm waters were extremly pleasing. They cleansed his body of dirt and grim, making him clean and sparkly. He hoped that the boy would enjoy the warm waters as well, and the cleaning of the body. It was definatly crowded, but still, enjoyable.

"Alright, alright," said Cualeden. Ardel knew the way to the bath house, although he had never entered inside the building. At last, the came into the building, the pool of water in the center. Inside, people were swimmming naked. "Ewh, why are they naked?" asked Ardel to himself. He murmered this, so that the naked swimmers couldn't hear him.

Soon, his question was answered by what Cualeden had to say. "Alright," Cualeden said ", there are rules here! I know there stupid, but we have to obey. First, don't use the restroom in the pool, second, don't run, and thrid, don't wear cloths. Just your body, okay?" Cualeden took off his own cloths, and hung them in a desginated area, and entered the warm pool, the waters soothing his skin.

"Ok," said Ardel compliantly. He stripped down his own clothes nevously and placed them in the designated area. They were dirty and, like the boy, were plastered with dirt. He walked into the pool, the dirt slowly rising off his skin. He let out a small sigh as he stepped into the pool. He sat on one of the steps, his body warmed by the warm waters. Steam wrapped around the pool, rising to the top, exiting out of a small hole. The stuffy atmosphere created a feeling of content.

"Cualeden?" asked the boy. "Can water be used in magic?" he asked, wondering the properties of magic. "I mean, can wizards cast spells involving water?" he asked, curious about the substance he was in.

"Ok," said Ardel compliantly. He stripped down his own clothes nevously and placed them in the designated area. They were dirty and, like the boy, were plastered with dirt. He walked into the pool, the dirt slowly rising off his skin. He let out a small sigh as he stepped into the pool. He sat on one of the steps, his body warmed by the warm waters. Steam wrapped around the pool, rising to the top, exiting out of a small hole. The stuffy atmosphere created a feeling of content.

"Cualeden?" asked the boy. "Can water be used in magic?" he asked, wondering the properties of magic. "I mean, can wizards cast spells involving water?" he asked, curious about the substance he was in. This boy surely did care about a lot of things. Cualeden wouldn't doubt if he became a wizard one day. The boy was smart, and had potential to learn a lot.

Cualeden laughed, paddling around in the warm waters of the pool. "Of course, silly! Water can be used in magic, like lightning, fire, energy, and sound! Magic can use pretty much every substance you can think of to hurt thier foes! Magic is powerful!" He paddled to the edge of the pool, and climbed up a diving board, and leaped off. He swan to Ardel again, and said ", You give it a try! Its fun, and easy! Just splashing into the pool is a blast! Get off that step you sour sport, and swim around! And if you can't swim, you'll learn in a heart beat, its a sinch! Come on in!

Cualeden laughed, paddling around in the warm waters of the pool. "Of course, silly! Water can be used in magic, like lightning, fire, energy, and sound! Magic can use pretty much every substance you can think of to hurt thier foes! Magic is powerful!" He paddled to the edge of the pool, and climbed up a diving board, and leaped off. He swan to Ardel again, and said ", You give it a try! Its fun, and easy! Just splashing into the pool is a blast! Get off that step you sour sport, and swim around! And if you can't swim, you'll learn in a heart beat, its a sinch! Come on in!"

"Ok," said Ardel hesitiantly, and then took a test circle around the perimeter of the pool. He sped up whenever he swam past a stranger, uncomfortable in his naked state. He was a very shy boy when it came to lack of clothes. He ran out of the pool, but then stopped at the noise of a shout. "NO RUNNING!" yelled a old man. The boy stopped immeadiatly, looking for the source of the noise.

"Oh, woops," said Ardel apologetically. He slowed to a walk and then climbed the diving board. He bounced up and down on it, feeling its springiness. At last, he decided to jump. He gained momentum by pusing his small feet down, and then releasing himself as the board sank down and began to spring back up. He splashed into the water, colliding with the water in a 'smack'.