The room is quiet and gloomy, lit only by the flames of an open fire on the hearth, and the flickering glow of a small lamp, beside which is a large, dusty tome, upon which a title - 'The Histories of Avalon' can be made out. A figure, sitting silently and still in the shadows, suddenly leans forward into the light, opens the book and starts to read. As she reads, occasionally the corners of her mouth will turn up, and when she finishes reading, a broad smile is on her face. She is thinking to herself....
"All these people, absolutely sure of what they wanted, and in control of their own destiny, a marked contrast to my own experiences, things always seemed to happen to me, and rarely were they what I expected or had initially intended..... let me think, what was my first memory? Ah yes, I have it now.......
"I was wandering, cold and confused, in the open spaces of Central Park in Thakria, when I was met by various people - not all, in fact few of them, Thakrian, for in those days there was a lot more mixing between those of different city and alignment. Some names I remember were the ladies Arback and Aredhel, Eshkadeth and Nebuchnezzar, Sixpack, and above all, Blodwyn, who was to become a close friend, and help me much in my time in Avalon. Those first years were spent getting equipped, and hour upon hour of lessons from her, getting my skills to an adequate standard. I was often in the company of many others, for Blodwyn was often to be seen leading new arrivals to Avalon all over the land, training them (and, yes, herself too....) which caused some dark muttering, as many of them ended up enlisting in her own guild, the Seers, but I was never under any pressure from her to join any particular guild (until later, that is...).
"During this time I became aware that other beings were taking an interest in my activities, the Deities, at first Aldaron, and Genesis, in an amused way, trying to prevent me making too many costly mistakes (not always successfully), but more and more, the Dark Lord, the Diabolus..... I became aware of his interest and that of his High Priest, Helkarakse, someone whom I had heard many chilling tales about, who's attention I was not eager to attract, but one day I found myself summoned to the void and took part in a conversation the result of which was that I became a young Sorceress and disciple of the Diabolus. As a result of this, many people with whom I had been amicable, drew away slightly at first, often growing into bitter enmity, especially Psycho - a Mercianaean Mage, and to a lesser extent, his Guildmaster, Eshkadeth, but I frequently found myself receiving painful lessons from many others, although they tended to toy with me - my skills being far inferior to their own... During this period my usual suffix was . At this time my beloved patron was taking a more active role again, and I found my enthusiasm rekindled, although, as my guild was at a very low ebb, progress was sometimes slow, or even negative....
"After much exploration, new cities had been discovered, and when I found out that Mephisto had become the patron of one, called Gant, I resolved to journey there and make a fresh start for myself, and , after much sulking and pestering from myself, I was allowed to become a citizen, much though it grieved me to leave my beloved Thakria. Alas, although I had many fine intentions, yet again, there was a period when commitments in other places prevented me from taking an active, or to be perfectly honest, ANY role at all in my new home, even though I had been installed as Cardinal, and when I returned again it was to find Gant merely a memory, my Patron again an almost forgotten presence, and a need for change. Having been returned to the city of my birth, I have yet again sought a new profession, though I find it difficult to find the time to learn, and the funds necessary to pay for my tutors, but I feel that I may have found the right guild at long last, and eventually I hope to be of some small use to my City and guild when my powers return.
"So I sit here, remembering, thinking of all that has happened, reflecting on the many people I had known well, or counted as friends, who have gone on to join the immortals. I have seen many momentous events, and been fortunate in the opportunities I have had in the past. Now however, I stay on the periphery of events, occasionally bitter when I feel that life has now passed me by, but unable to completely sever my ties to this land that , despite its demands on my time and resources (which I cannot always supply) , I still love and must oft return to, sometimes dismayed, occasionally delighted, always pleased by its constantly changing content."
"The Woman closes the book, stirring up a cloud of dust that brings on a spasm of coughing, and sits back, withdrawing into the shadows once more. The lamp now burns low, guttering occasionally, picking out the silent, still figure on the seat, sparking reflections from the half closed, but still alert, eyes in the tired, careworn face."
Written by Belit
