Deaglan paused before the doorway. Being summoned for a private audience before
the Grand Master Eero was no small occurrence.
In his twenty-two years at the monastery the only people he had seen
taken in for a private audience were the rare appearance of dignitaries from
far off lands and the yearly gathering of other Grand Masters from across the
world. No other monk has seen the
interior of the Grand Masters sanctum.
The Grand Master himself spends his days mingling among the fold, watching
students in their classes and training, and even chatting and dispensing sage
advice outside of studies. Most would
say he is a kind and almost jolly person.
Even so he can be very strict and unforgiving. This is usually only seen during the nightly
open convocation or the monthly evaluations of students.
As Deaglan stood there his eyes wandered across the double
doors. Carved from a rich dark wood not
native to these lands, he had only seen this wood on the Grand Master's doors
and the doors to the convocation chamber.
Multiple slats of carved and painted pieces were inset on the doors and
the walls surrounding them. Each slat
depicted major events in, not only the history of this monastery, but of the
other monasteries. Deaglan knew their
stories well, having studied them as a young apprentice. The founding of the monastery was split
across two slats at the top of the door, the defense against the Orkish armies
of the monastery in Fairhelm, the golden dragon that nested for a time at the
monastery in Mizuna, and the loss of the monastery in Novambora. As he scanned the doors a shout from within
startled him.
"Will you stand out there until dust layers on you or
will you come in?"
Deaglan composed himself as he reached for the door
handles. "How did he know I was
here?" he thought. The sanctum had
no windows. And even though Grand Master
Eero's sight and hearing had been deteriorating with age for years, and in
recent months he had started using a walking stick to get around. Many have been surprised at what he still
hears and sees; even going so far as still being active in Kitonu matches.
Pulling the door open Deaglan peered into the unknown.
There were only three sources of light in the sanctum. A sconce on the left illuminated scrolls and books
on shelves, he could faintly make out more but the darkness masked them. Similarly to his right another sconce lit up
shelves, but these held relics and weapons.
On one of the lower shelves he could make out a faint blue glow around a
sword, highly unusual that a sword would be here. Edge weapons were forbidden, the only knives
allowed were in the kitchen.
The final light source was a single candle on the low table
of Grand Master Eero. It lit up his face
as he read through a massive tome. Smoke
from an incense burner wisped around his side and disappeared behind him. He
looked up from his tome; aged as he was Grand Master Eero still had a spark to
his eyes and energy in his smile.
"Sit," he said as he motioned to the cushions near
the table. Deaglan quietly sat down.
"Master Cea tells me your skills with the quarterstaff
are quite good. She has also stated your
acrobatics and stealth are very exceptional.
She thinks it might be wise to put bells on you so we know where you
are."
"Master Cea flatters me, but I don't know if I could
live up to her legend."
"Humble."
Eero paused; a more thoughtful look came over his face. "Deaglan do you remember anything of
your arrival here?"
"Only what you, Grand Master, and the other Masters
have told me. That I was brought here by
my parents and left in your care for my own safety."
"Yes..." Eero's voice trailed as he sat back. The silence hung as Eero looked at
Deaglan. Deaglan began to wonder if he
may have erred.
"Deaglan it is time you know what I can tell you. Your parents did indeed bring you here partly
for your own safety, but also for their own.
Theirs was a forbidden relationship; High Elf royally and human
commoner. It was never accepted, but it
happened. They managed keep your birth a
secret, but caring for you was another matter.
Travelling far they brought you to us to raise. They did not want anyone to know that you
were their child. They had not even
named you for fear it would link you back to them. I did choose names though, to reflect you
obvious ancestry"
"I was not wanted"
"Oh no, you were wanted. You mother did not want to leave for many
days and cried most of the time she was here.
Both of your parents have observed you from afar, but will never make
contact for fear that you could be used as a tool against them and shatter a
delicate peace between kingdoms.
"Why are you telling me this now Grand Master?"
Eero paused, again thoughtfully regarding Deaglan. "I am telling you this now because you
will be leaving us."
A slight feeling of shock struck Deaglan. "But Grand
Master, no monk leaves unless they have had their vision of
enlightenment."
"This is true, but all of the men and women here came
of their own accord. You were brought to
us. You are different." Eero stood and walked towards the shelves of
books. "I have been observing you
closely for the last five years. Master
Everard mentioned that he noticed that you had a curiosity while gathering
herbs that would lead to you becoming oblivious to your surroundings. At first he thought it a lack of focus, but
he said it seemed to make you more focused.
Master Tavey also noticed something similar in your jeweler
training. As I started watching you I
saw this curiosity, a sort of mix cat and crow."
"But why would this mean I have to leave?"
Eero turned and faced Deaglan. "Because you have not seen the world
beyond; you cannot find enlightenment from inside a shell. You must experience a world first. Your curious nature means you must
leave. Even you had to have felt it
during meditation."
"I have felt oddness, but thought it only a phase..."
"It isn't a phase; it is nature, your nature. Deaglan Galanodel, you must seek your vision
of enlightenment outside of these walls and off of this mountain. You will grow your hair. When it reaches your shoulders you will go
with the weekly dwarven gem traders from the neighboring kingdom. I will provide you with the supplies I feel
you will need. From there you should be
able to find an expedition to a city.
From there seek out adventurers and explorers. They will, in a way, help you seek your
enlightenment. Remember your teachings,
do good, continue your arts, and you shall eventually find your vision and
return."
Deaglan stood.
"I shall Grand Master. I
will honor your word and this monastery."
"I know you will.
And Deaglan remember, scent is a factor in stealth. I could smell your cornbread and cheese
sandwich in your belt pouch that you stole from the kitchen as you arrived at
my door. Now go, you have more training
with Master Cea tomorrow. She has
informed me she will be pushing your acrobatics in defense to its limits. Be prepared."
"Yes Grand Master, thank you," Deaglan said as he
bowed.
He turned and exited the sanctum. As he walked down the stairway he looked over
the walls at the twilight sky. Soon he
would go beyond those walls, far beyond the normal herb gathering to places
unknown. A smile crept across his
face. Many of the masters spoke of
stories of adventure before their arrival.
Now Deaglan would have some of his own to tell.
