Submitted: 29 June 1999

Memories Speak

by Qualinius Al'Kai'Distai

"So, you want a memory, do you?"

Shifting in his chair, the old man coughs into a white handkerchief. While he refolds it and tucks it into a hidden pocket, you notice blood staining the pristine white cotton, both new and old.

"Shalnhh... I can tell you of my first face to face meeting with Shalnhh."

A thin smile stretches the old man's lips, and cracks the delicate skin in one place, causing a slight trickle of blood to seep forth.

"I was a young apprentice mage, back in the days when the roads only went from the Crossing to Riverhaven and back. And the shelves in the Observatory that held the spell volumes were much more bare than they are today."

Qualinius waves his frail, bony hand toward the shelves holding many thick, leather-bound volumes.

"I was speaking with Ksarhh about learning a new spell when, from nowhere, appeared a man I'd only heard tales about: the man known as Shalnhh. He dropped two large volumes onto Ksarhh's desk, then disappeared equally as quickly. He did, I am sure, wink at me quickly before he left."

Qualinius rises slowly to his feet. Bones and joints crack dangerously, and you are sure he might crumble to the ground at any moment. Oddly, his walk is as fluid as any young mans. He quickly returns to where you sit carrying two thick volumes. He sets them down before you.

"These are the volumes Shalnhh introduced to me, that I was the first Ksarhh taught in their use:"

The titles read:

Refractive Field

Telekinetic Throw