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| Yenwolk in The Fourth Lesson |
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| I, Gnome—Rising of a Wizard
Synopsis
Word is quickly spread throughout the Cutoff area about the difficult birth of the gnomish child, Yenwolk Stonesmith. Being attended by the son of the Wizard Basil of Whitestone, he is soon deemed ‘special’ by those in the Cutoff area. As the lad grows, rumors are quickly spread about the ‘Watcher’—a mysterious dragon that protects the boy. In his fourteenth year, the gnome is stricken ill by a terrible fever. Yen is then visited by a faerie who instructs him to “collect the burning stone”. He has now had his first contact with Benjamin of Whitestone.
After recovering, the wizard’s stone opens his eyes to a world he had seen before. Soon, being a blacksmith and herb grower like his father no longer interests him. He then sets his sights on being a Healer, like the man who saved his life at birth.
Late one afternoon while looking at the ‘burning stone’, the gnome is given a vision of one who is soon to be in trouble. With bow in hand, and backed up by his younger brother, Yen rushes to her aid only to be captured by several forest trolls. Narrowly escaping, Yen’s brother runs for help. After treating Yen very roughly, the trolls soon realize not only who they have, but also what is supposed to be watching him. In near panic, they leave him bound, beaten, and dazed in the woods alone. Now, finally realizing that the quest to satisfy his hunger has cost him to loose track of the gnome, the dragon, Pandahar, finally finds him passed out. Having no other recourse, he then carries the lad to the cabin of Marie, a very close friend to the gnome. As the Pan lands in front of the cabin, Marie notices whom he has brought to her and her fear subsides.
Now, the word is not only out, but confirmed that the stories and rumors of Yenwolk are true. The healer, Durand Gray, treats Yen’s wounds but Benjamin sends for him anyway. While there, Yen learns that Benjamin is not only a healer, but also every bit a wizard as is his father, Alvis of Whitestone. Now, faced with the rumors of the dark side of wizardry, the lad seeks help from Benjamin. The younger wizard of the Alvis family assures the young gnome that a wizard is known and judged by the work he does in this realm, be it good or evil. Noting that he is still troubled, Benjamin instructs the lad to go into the forest alone and at night, sit by an old oak tree, and seek the answers he needs.
Yenwolk does this that very night. After waiting a while, hundreds of tiny lights gather in the old oak above him, illuminating the ground under the old tree. The Pan then comes to him and explains that the fae people fear the loss of a wizard. Seeing their support, and knowing they were concerned about him, Yen decides to become Benjamin’s apprentice.
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