A FIRE MAGE DIES
STAR WARS - INTERLUDE EIGHTEEN
"A Fire Mage Dies," written by Steve Bowden and edited by Mark L. Stinson
I was sitting in the middle of a room with all the fire mages surrounding me. I was wearing an embroidered bird
of fire on red robes and a signet ring with a bird of fire on it also. To the left of the room stood a stand with
a medium sized hawk. The hawk wore a pendant of a flame around it's neck. The eldest simply said, "That is
Flamestrike, he will be your guide, friend and your responsibility until you leave the Circle of Fire...by choice
or by death. He was Jordan's familiar and now he must be yours. Please explain the events that led to Jordon's
death. Understand that this is not a trial...but a judgement will be rendered as to your actions, just the same.
The bond between teacher and student is strong, and we seek to ensure you fulfilled your responsibilities."
I spoke:
This morning the outer room was full of injured rebel soldiers. These men had fought bravely in the last attack.
Most of the wounds at this point had been reduced to the status of superficial, thanks to Wala's medicine and herbs
and with a little help from my powers. But there were still many who needed looking after. Walla had left hours
before to get some much needed additional medicine and herbs. We were running out of supplies at an alarming rate.
This make-shift hide out was not going to last much longer...all the men were healing but infection was definitely
going to be a problem if Wala didn't get back soon.
As I bent over to help one of the soldiers, I could see Lorza and Tevin out of the corner of my left eye. They
had finally fallen asleep, huddled in a corner. Then I heard my name and turned to see Jordon the youngest of the
fire mages, and my teacher, standing behind me. I had been his apprentice for some time now and a strong friendship
had grown between us. I turned and told him that my studies would have to wait a bit...and that I would make up
for every lost minute. I was needed here, at least until Wala's return.
Jordon, stood about 6 feet, with red hair and a smooth complexion unlike most red heads I had ever seen. He had
no freckles to speak of, and was very impressive in his red robes. His robes were delicate looking and embroidered
with a bird of fire on them. He wore a signet ring with the same bird on it. I believe a Hawk of some kind. Come
to think of it all the mages had similar rings and robes with animals of some sort...each of them outlined in a
blaze of fire. I had never really thought about it before, but maybe I should ask when we continue my studies what
significance the animals have to the fire mages.
Jordon, asked where Wala had gone and when I told him that she had went to get medicine he didn't seem too concerned.
So then I asked what I thought was a simple question. "So, I shouldn't be worried thatshe has been gove for
a couple of hours?" The frown that crossed his face could not be mistaken, there was definitely a problem.
Jordon explained that Wala's home was just four blocks away and she should have been back in no more than half
an hour. I asked if we should send out a group to look for her. He thought about it for a moment and then answered,
"No, it could be nothing and it would not be wise to send out the soldiers this soon into the streets. It
would be best just to let everyone know that we were heading over to Wala's house and see if there was a problem.
This made sense, so I told Ranar what was up and that if Jordon and I weren't back in 45 minutes, to come looking
for us. I stressed though that we didn't expect any trouble. He seemed fine with this. I met Jordon at the door
he was armed with his wooden staff that was carved in an image of a living flame. So I reached to my side and felt
the confronting feel of the staff hanging from my belt.
Jordon and I started down the street. We stuck to the shadows as much as possible. Jordon could not help but stand
out in a crowd, so staying in the shadows was a neccessity. Jordon seemed to think this would be a good time to
discuss my studies. He told me that if not for my temper and the need for delicate control of the fire magic, I
could be an excellent mage. I just had to learn to detach my feelings from the magic or it could consume me. But
so far he was pleased with my progress. This made me feel very happy, but the most surprising thing was that the
rest of the Mages had taken an interest in my progress and that they were impressed also. He stated that after
the War was over he would like for me to stay and become part of the Circle. I dreaded telling him that this was
not possible that my path was someplace else. But I had too much respect to lie or not say anything...so I told
him the truth. He paused for a minute then smiled. He then said it was nice to see someone who could stand for
his convictions even if that person didn't know what they were yet.
He then stated they the council was very interested in the boy, Tevin. I was a little concerned by this but he
explained that they would do nothing unless it was the boy's decision. And that he was still too young and untrained
in the spiritual matters to make a decision yet. But one day, if he wanted it, he could make a good addition to
the Circle of Fire. Thinking on this I really had no problem with it. I had been around the Mages enough to know
they wouldn't try to use the boy for their own ends...they would help him learn what he might one day become.
By this time we had walked about two or three blocks staying mostly in the shadows. We turned a corner and out
of the shadows walked two men of the Hindar clan with a Hound at their side. One of the men had Wala's hair in
one hand and her limp body dragged the pavement. They showed no fear from what I could tell.
The individual who had Wala by the hair spoke, "Would you believe that this bitch would not tell us where
your men are hiding and we actually can be quite persuasive. DO YOU TWO UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TELLING YOU!?! If this
woman is important to you, you might be interested in telling us what she would not. I noticed that Wala was still
breathing. She had her clothes completely ripped off her body and was bleeding from head to toe but she was still
breathing. I could feel my anger beginning to boil. Jordon looked at me and touched my shoulder with his hand and
said under his breath to control my temper...every thing in life was a test of some sort, and if I failed this
it could be my last. So I controlled by temper with great effort as I forced the rage back inside myself.
Jordon spoke to the man, and to be honest I wasn't hearing exactly what was being said. But I really didn't have
to; the outcomeof this meeting was clear from the start. Then in an instant Jordon's staff started to glow. I summoned
my power and extended my staff for the battle that I knew was about to happen. The monsterous dog jumped at Jordon
and a wall of flame appeared encircling the creature. The two men started to pull weapons, a knife came out and
began plunging down towards Wala with deadly accuracy. I used my power at that instant and the knife stopped in
mid motion and the two men flew into the air and landed against the building. To my amazement one of the men must
have been caught off guard and knocked out. Wala landed on the ground with a thump as the man released her long
blood soaked brown hair. I could hear a groan escape from her body clear across the street.
At this point I looked in an instant to one side and saw that the hound was trapped but the trap was not going
to last long. The only thing keeping the dog in place was a natural fear of fire. But that fear was not going to
last. I figured Jordon would have to take care of the dog, and that I would have my hands full with the other Hindar
running towards me. He had a pistol brandished now and took aim. I summoned my power again and he shot and the
bullet stopped not a foot from me in mid air then dropped to the ground. It was unable to penetrate my shield thank
Kib that it was not my day to walk with Mung. He unloaded his pistol in a fit of rage, bullet after bullet hitting
my shield once the pistol was empty...his anger must have gotten the best of him because he drew a sword and charged.
It figures I would bring a staff to a sword fight. I dropped my shield and we began the dance, staff and sword
swinging and blocking. By this time the beast had escaped or gotten up enough courage to jump through the flames.
I saw Jordon in staff to fang combat with the hound. Jordon seemed to be holding his own against an opponent he
had very little chance of defeating without some help. I had to get rid of this Hindar pig before things got too
deadly for Jordon.
In that instant I was knocked off balance. His blade ran down my staff and sliced my left hand. In that moment
of panic I summoned the flame and a pillar came down from above and engulfed the Hindar. It seemed to surprise
the pig. While the effect did not do any real damage, it still had the effect of causing him to drop his weapon.
I summoned my power again instantly lifting him up into mid-air. I then pushed him into the beast's path. The hound,
unaware of what was going on, was surprised and snapped at the man. Mung was here for my enemies! The hound bit
right through the man's neck instantly killing him.
This gave Jordon a second to regroup, sweat running down his face. He summoned spell after spell and it seemed
not to be doing any real damage against the hound. The beast was now in battle with both of us and it seemed to
be doing better than we were. I was bleeding from claw marks down my chest and arms. Jordon was in no better shape
than I. I would summon spell after spell, some working and some not working due to the nature of the beast. I suspected
he had some partial immunity to the effects. Then all of a sudden I was hit in the side of the face by a claw knocking
me senseless and to the ground. Jordon looked at me and I could see the fear in his eyes. He motioned with one
hand for me to stay on the ground and the other he lifted up to the sky. The dog jumped in mid-air and froze. Jordon
looked down and said this spell is a minor one and will not last long. We are not going to win this battle without
help and it is too soon to expect any aid from Ranar or his company. Watch what I am about to do and remember what
you see. This will be my last lesson to you. I am going to show you what could happen if you ever lose complete
control of your power. You will always be able to release your power with no constraints, this I am about to show
you, but the cost is deadly and very similar to losing control of your emotions.
Jordon, then began a chant, the bird on his robes and his ring glowed with the power of a sun. I yelled, "Stop
this! You can't let this happen!" Jordon apparently could not hear my words. All of a sudden a bird of flame
shot out of his ring and engulfed Jordon entirely. Then the hound was free of the spell but I couldn't see Jordon's
body through the flame. I could only see the flames of a bird like the phoenix of legends. I summoned a shield
and threw it around myself, crawling over to Wala. When I reached Wala I extended the shield to cover her. Then
the bird or Jordon, I am not sure which, rose up into the air in a blaze and engulfed the hound. There was an explosion
that must have rocked the entire neighborhood. I remember extreme heat. The next thing I remember is waking up
in the make-shift hide-out surrounded by my friends. Somehow Wala had managed to drag not only herself but me also
back to the shelter of the rebel hideout. I was stunned by her dedication to the cause. I asked what had happened
to Jordon and the eldest Fire mage said that Jordon had sacrificed himself for the cause. I knew that was not the
whole truth, Jordon had sacrificed himself for Wala and myself. This was one lesson I would never forget.
The mage handed me a bundle. The eldest then spoke, "Jordon was your teacher and you his apprentice. These
are now yours along with the responsibility they entail. I unfolded the bundle and found a ring and a robe. I looked
up at the eldest with confusion, he simply said, "Rest, your studies will begin in a couple of hours.
I said, "What studies? Jordon is dead and he was my mentor and teacher in your ways not to mention a friend.
He's gone now...."
The eldest mage frowned and said, "Jordon believed in you, now your studies will be with the entire group.
DON'T make Jordon's sacrifice meaningless. You will learn control and you will do it with the aid of the entire
circle and we are not as patient as Jordon was...so don't be late!"
(to be concluded in a second story)
(GM's NOTE: This story is continued into a second story, where Tevin's (the young boy) destiny is decided. Steve's
character is serving as a means to the boy's destiny...this story in many ways is more about Tevin's future more
than it is about Steve's character's future. He wanted everyone to know that he isn't writing this story to get
a cool cloak and ring!)