Birth of a Wizard

 The Never-Ending Story of Slyte Ovand, Gnome Wizard of the 27th Cycle
 

Things weren't always easy in the underground city of Ak'Anon. Slybock and Tegra had just given birth to their first child. This, in and of itself, wasn't unusual. The fact that this child was born two months early was. The penchant for Gnomes was, of course, to fill their homes with as many children as possible; it just meant more hands to dig, to smith, to forge, and to tinker.

As a gesture of their love for each other, they decided to name their child after themselves, borrowing the first three letters of the name of the father and the first two letters from the name of the mother; thus, he was dubbed Slyte. Slybock looked at Tegra and smiled; Slyte was indeed a perfect name, for when he was born, he was, well, very small.

His first few days were touch and go; his early birth and diminutive size were the source of constant anguish for the loving couple. Constant trips to Felwithe were required, as the healers in Ak'Anon were unaccustomed to healing arts of this nature. It was there, the Great Gnome Wizard Gabungadorftayaku, a Wizard of the Nth Order of the Crystals of Conflagration first laid eyes upon the Gnome Child. The Wizard saw the markings, in the guise of certain warts, in the configuration of the Trident of Solusek Ro. The Wizard consulted his tomes and lexicons and realized that this little runt was destined for greatness. He touched the tiny babe behind the ear, leaving a mark with a thin, wry smile.

Gabungadorftayaku approached Slybock and Tegra and told them that this child was The Child of Fire. Slybock was stunned, Tegra was floored. The smiles slowly spread across their faces. Huzzah, they cried! We have given birth to a child who will be able to give service to the King in the Royal Tinkers. Gabungadorftayaku shook his head and said that Slyte's path was to be different. He was not destined to be an ordinary smith, miner, or tinkerer, though he would possess all those skills and more.

The Wizard told Slybock and Tegra that he would call upon them at a time after Slyte had gone through the Ordeal of the Knife. This, of course, was strange news to the parents; they knew of the greatness of the Wizard, and who were they to question the Great One's knowledge?

Years passed, and Slyte grew (only as Gnomes can) into a fine young man. His skills in many arts, especially those dealing with words, languages, tinkering, tailoring, baking, brewing, and scores of others were on the right track. He was the proverbial Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-None.

One morning, Gabungadorftayaku's form coalesced in Slybock's and Tegra's kitchen.

The couple glanced at each other, then at their eight children. It was then the cudgel of realization bludgeoned Tegra. She and Slybock had known this day was to come, they had not, however, come to terms with it.

"'Tis time," pronounced Gabungadorftayaku, interrupting the typical Gnome breakfast ritual. "Slyte must come with me now and begin his greatest journey."

Tegra was beside herself, in spite of all of Slybock's efforts to assuage her fears and pain. Slyte's youngest sister, Spricka, somehow found herself approaching the Great Wizard and reached up to tug on his wispy beard. Gabungadorftayaku, taken aback at such a bold maneuver, looked at the young one with a glimmer in his eye.

"This one, too, is destined for great things. She may become the Greatest of all Healers, in due time," he said. "But not today."

Slyte remained quiet, calmly taking in the entire situation. Somehow, this Great Wizard is very familiar, he thought to himself; keeping his own counsel at the time. For some reason, there was a burning sensation behind his ear; it was not unpleasant; it was just there. The Great One beckoned Slyte to rise and approach.

Slyte cast a look at his father, who nodded his assent while tears flowed freely from Tegra's eyes. The young Gnome got up, closed his book on Great Gadgetry and Other Sundry Tidbits of Gnome Lore, and walked toward the Wizard, stopping first at his mother. He laid a gentle hand upon her shoulder, this simple gesture indicating that things were going to be all right. He hugged each one of his brothers and sisters, telling them not to worry, to make sure they continued their studies, and to always make the family proud.

"I so swear," began Gabungadorftayaku, "by the Great Dangling Testicles of Solusek Ro's Great Grandfather, no harm shall come to this child as long as he remains under my tutelage. He will command Lightning and Fire! He shall rule over Frost and Earth! He shall become a Master of Research in the Arcane Arts! He will bring greatness not only to himself, but also his family, his race, and to Wizards everywhere! His name shall be known throughout the Universe! He no longer belongs only to the race of Gnomes, for he his now the Chosen One of Solusek Ro, The Burning Prince! This I hereby do promise!"

With the final utterance of these words, glowing strands of living blue light came forth from the Great One's fingertips as a mystical portal opened up. Gabungadorftayaku motioned for Slyte to step through, the Wizard followed and they were gone, the portal closing behind them. The last thing Slyte saw was Slybock and the look of pride in his father's eyes.

Years passed, and Slyte's power and intelligence grew beyond anything Gabungadorftayaku could imagine. Of course, he had his share of set backs, but Gabungadorftayaku always had a cleric on call for those occasions. He had the power, but as yet he couldn't control it completely. He traveled often with the Spell of Transport, meeting wizards who showered him with great gifts to aid him in his Mastery, often stopping at home for Tegra's special Gnome Spirits Soufflé and Candied Sarnak Vomit. He slowly conquered the elements at his beck and call: Lightning, Ice, Fire, and Earth. He learned to craft shields using Cat's Eye Agates and Bloodstones and to levitate with the aid of Batwings from the Continent. He learned to call up Bonds of Force from the Earth, enslaving his enemies as well as creatures that thought of him as food. When the time had come to meet the challenges of his 20th cycle, Gabungadorftayaku called him into The Chamber of Passage.

"Slyte," he said, "thou art more of a Wizard now than was I at thy age! Thou hast done thy family proud, thou hast done me proud." Slyte beamed under the uncommon words of praise from his teacher. "The time has come," continued the Great One, "for thee to choose thy name. Think carefully, for you have but one choice, and with that choice comes great power and responsibility!" Before Slyte could even fathom the meaning of his Teacher's words, the Mighty Wizard raised a finger and pointed toward his young apprentice. An intense purple fire rose from the tip and it became a small ball of pure light which bolted across the room into Slyte's forehead. Slyte dropped to the floor like a piece of mined ore and he began to dream.

When he awoke, he found himself in his humble cot; Gabungadorftayaku was standing over him, offering a bowl of Froglok Tongue Soup, the preferred choice of Wizards when coming out of a trance. His eyes were gentle and he sported a mischievous smile behind his graying beard.

"Well, M'Boy?, he queried, "Tell me of thy experience in Solusek Ro's Temple of Revelation."

"How long have I been asleep?" Slyte asked, his head still muddled and his speech a bit slurred.

"It has been a year," was the reply, "and close thy mouth, we have all had to undergo this ordeal!"

Slyte began to tell Gabungadorftayaku everything that happened. How he had entered the Temple of The Burning Prince, how he met with Solusek Ro Himself to ask questions and receive answers, which Slyte himself, was under a solemn, sacred oath not to reveal to anyone. He recounted the Trials he underwent, constantly interjecting with "Was it real? Did it truly happen?" There was the Trial of The Flame and The Frost, The Enigma of Earth and Sky, and The Lore of The Lightning Bringer. His words were a torrential outpouring of adventures he could scarcely believe were real. He told his Master of the incredible power he felt burning, churning inside of him. He told of how Solusek Ro, The Burning Prince, laid a hand upon his head, depriving him of most of his hair. He reached up to feel his scalp, which of course, was hairless. He told his Mentor of the goodness, the greatness he felt and the control he now had. It was then Slyte realized his hands were cramped; he was clutching his Tome of Spells and Conjurations tightly to his chest. He unclasped them, with Gabungadorftayaku's help, and noticed the Escutcheon of Solusek Ro burned deeply in his left palm.

The Wizard gasped uncharacteristically, which brought Slyte even closer to full consciousness.

"What is it, Master? Why do you look at me that way?", was all he could muster.

"Do you realize the power you now possess?" exclaimed Gabungadorftayaku, "You have been given the Sacred Scar! You are truly The Child of Fire!" With that, The Great Wizard fell to his knees and wept great tears of joy.

"Tell me," he rasped, "Hast thou chosen a name?"

While asking his young Student, The Great Wizard pointed a finger at the wall, upon which hung a magnificent tapestry of all colors, hues, and tints. With a simple flick of his wrist, the wondrous carpet rolled up to reveal etchings in Old Wizard-Tongue. He told Slyte to point his finger at the wall while making his Declaration of True Calling. Slyte closed his eyes, then opened them slowly. He got up and drew himself to his full height, which by Gnome standards was upper-middle short. He looked at his left palm and said, "Since my hand is marked with the Escutcheon of Solusek Ro, it is thus I declare my name! I am hereby to be known as Slyte of Hand! "

Bursts of lighting, fire, frost, and earth jumped from his fingertips as Slyte rose from the ground. The concoction of elements, a mixture of purple and gold, found their way to the wall and began inscribing the Wizard's new name.

When the fires had died and the wall had cooled, the two of them approached the smoldering stone and peered closely. Slyte looked at his Mentor, the Great Wizard who had treated him so well lo these many years. They both stood there, mouths agape as they read the words: Slyte Ovand

"What happened?" he asked, "That is not how I intended it to be!"

Gabungadorftayaku laid a gentle hand on the young Wizard's shoulder and said, chuckling under his breath, "Well, it's too late now."

Slyte shrugged, glanced at his Teacher, and the two of them burst out laughing. After their mirth subsided, Slyte looked at his teacher and said seriously:

"'Tis no matter, I will be known for my deeds, not my spelling!"