.jpg)
first Wizard.
Neither the date, nor even the year of Flueric’s birth are known. It is known he was born in the Northern Kingdom. Legend says he was born in the small village of Sheol where his father worked a small wheat farm. His mother was sickly and considered odd by most. She would eventually be imprisoned on charges of insanity after she attacked a neighboring family. Tragically, she would die from dysentery less than a year after her confinement. Despite her peculiar nature, she and Flueric were always close and her confinement and death were very hard on him.
His father, a beast of a man, felt disgraced by his wife’s behavior and took to drinking and a life of complete solitude. He forced his three children to work the farm and forbid any contact with anyone outside of the family. Relatives no longer visited, no friends, no pets, there was only work. When he was fourteen, Flueric happened upon some old books and although it was a risk, he concealed them from his father. Flueric taught himself to read with the help of a neighbor who he would meet with in secret. Lily, a beautiful and innocent girl who lived two miles to the west and would sneak him new books during their secret meetings near the creek. One winter, five or so years after his mother’s death, Flueric’s father discovered the books. He was furious and beat Flueric and his younger brother severely. Flueric tried to explain his brother, Michael, was innocent and the books were Flueric’s alone. His father raged even more, shouting that the innocent must pay for the sins of the guilty. His father was so angry he cast Flueric out of the house and forced him to live in the barn with the livestock.
It was during this time his father became far more abusive, beating the children, especially Flueric, on a regular basis. Flueric hated his existence and his temper grew more violent with each beating, but he dare not fight back. Any resistance would only prolong the beating and intensify the pain. Flueric found it better to simply endure and remain as silent as possible. Within the pain and his own fury, Flueric began to feel the first tinge of the power that lay within him. On rare occasions during a beating, when his temper flared, he could see things, feel things, things he at first thought were not real. In those early days he feared he was going insane, just as his mother had, but after several months he began to realize it was something else entirely.
Flueric had heard of other children, even some adults, who also had the visions, had seen things happening around them. These people were generally locked away, for their own protection, as well as the protection of others. On rare occasions those who could not control the oddities were sentenced to death. For these reasons, and the fact he knew his father would never understand, Flueric kept these feelings a secret. At first, he tried to avoid the feelings, shun them and deny they existed. This would all change. It was a cold rainy day one fall when Flueric made a most profound discovery. These things he was experiencing, they were not simple visions, not hallucinations, he found the visions were actually a power. As time went on Flueric began to experiment, he would invite the feelings, accept them, welcome them. Very quickly he found they could be controlled, channeled, even aimed. It was not an illness at all, it was not insanity, it was a gift.
Flueric slowly began to understand. His mother had not been insane, she had simply been unable to control the visions, to see them as Flueric now did. It was obvious now she had tried to hide them, to conceal them, and that was the torment, the conflict, that tore into her soul. She had to have known, just as Flueric knew now, that her husband would not have understood. He proved that when he had her locked away. She had lost her freedom, her family and eventually her life because no one understood her, understood what she was going through. People could not have powers, could not hear voices, could not see visions, at least not without being labeled insane, without being locked away. Flueric’s rage at his father, at the world, grew deeper and hotter as he realized his mother had died, been killed, for nothing, nothing but the ignorance of others. In a just world, if the world was just at all, they would be made to pay, but they remained free, so proud, so arrogant.
Firmly set on his course now, Flueric no longer denied the power but welcomed it. Flueric found he could do amazing things. He could change rancid water to clean water, he could cast a light without the need of a lantern, and he could create a flame from thin air. As his experiments continued Flueric found certain things increased the power while others unlocked even more possibilities. He began testing everything, carefully monitoring which worked, and which were useless to him. Herbs and certain tree roots worked well individually, but when certain items were combined it unlocked new possibilities. He worked out dozens of potions that when combined with the proper spells allowed Flueric to do even more. Some spells worked well all alone, and there was no need for a potion. With other items, which would soon become known as relics, he found if he used the proper spell he could enchant the item and it could then retain certain properties or powers indefinitely.
Through constant experimentation, Flueric found the use of a tool helped focus the energy, the power. He carefully crafted a piece of maple, intricately carving it down to a size he could easily conceal. He caressed it for several days, transferring a small portion of his energy into the wand, empowering it, enchanting it. By the end of the sixth day he could feel the wand had acquired a portion of his power and it had taken in more, but from where, Flueric was yet uncertain.
Flueric soon found he could control a great many things, alter their appearance, enhance their abilities. He also found he could inflict pain. He tested these new powers on old man Harrington’s dairy cattle. He began with just a slight sting that was little more than an irritant to the cows, then worked his way up to knocking the cows off their feet entirely. One spring day Flueric made a most amazing and unexpected discovery. He found by carefully channeling his new-found powers, he had the ability to kill. He at first thought the cow was simply stunned, but it never rose, never breathed again. The experience left Flueric exhausted for several hours, barely able to perform even the simplest task. He had learned the true extent of his power, and its limitations. He learned a great deal more that day. No longer was he weak, no longer did he have to be afraid. Now, now people would be forced to respect him, to acknowledge his power, even to fear him.
Flueric shared much of his new knowledge with Lily, but not everything. He feared she, and people in general, would not understand or appreciate all of his discoveries. His confidence and abilities continued to expand until one day he began discussing with Lily his plans to move away, to leave the farm and his abusive father behind forever. The thought of the adventure was enticing and fascinated her, but to leave home, forever? She confessed her strong feelings for Flueric, but to run away with him, to become a couple, this was a huge and terrifying step for Lily. She had never been with a man, had only kissed Flueric twice, now to do this? She knew if she left with him the implication would be they would become lovers, would belong to one another. She found the prospect terrifying, yet so exciting at the same time.
Flueric continued to practice his craft through the winter months. With the ground frozen there was far less work to be done and he had more time to practice. His father, not overly fond of the cold, took to staying near the fire in the study. Flueric had the pot belly stove in one corner of the barn. He was allowed to keep the barn warm enough to keep the animals from freezing, but no warmer. That would have been a waist of valuable firewood. In the solitude of the barn Flueric developed more spells, more potions, carefully refining each until they were as close to perfect as humanly possible. Flueric had to smile at that thought. He barely considered himself to be human. He had risen so far above the average human, certainly the people of these parts, that few of them could even imagine what he was doing, what he was capable of doing. Except for when chores called, Flueric spent every minute of the day working on the potions and spells. He would work well into the night and would rise before dawn.
Unable to get out with the freezing temperatures and blowing snow, Flueric was forced to test his new creations on the animals in the barn. He had told his father a fox got into the barn while he was out gathering water. Two chickens were missing. His father was upset, but not nearly as upset as he would have been had he known the truth. Flueric himself wasn’t sure where one chicken had gone. All that Flueric was able to find was a few feathers. The second chicken Flueric had buried in one corner of the barn. The ground outside was far to hard to dig even a small grave for a chicken, if you could call what he buried a chicken. It resembled something far different than a chicken, although there was no name for what it had become, Flueric was still quite pleased.
Flueric had to halt some of his experiments when the dairy cow stopped producing milk. Apparently, there were limits on what a cow would endure, Flueric told himself, but he told his father he thought the cow had gotten to cold. This news had resulted in a new beating for Flueric, but it was minor as his father drank very little milk so it was only a minor inconvenience.
Spring was just a few short weeks away and Flueric had three books of notes filled with drawings, measurements, incantations, and recipes for more than one hundred potions. He had also perfected many of the spells he had been working on. He found with each spell he perfected, it opened the way for a new spell. The possibilities seemed endless. With spring would come the nearly endless hours of work to get the cultivating and planting done. Despite the cold, Flueric and Lily had continued to meet as often as possible. Then one day, when the weather was just a bit warmer, Lily had suggested she come to Flueric’s home to visit, secretly of course. She was well aware of Flueric’s living arrangements and the constant danger from his father. Flueric was intrigued and agreed to the risky meeting. He had high hopes the meeting would somehow move their relationship to the next level. He also hoped it might allow them to be just a bit more physical.
Flueric’s excitement continued to grow as the day neared. Nature was cooperating when the time finally arrived. It was a sunny and far warmer day. Birds were darting about looking for food and nesting materials. The family of dwarfs that lived down by the river were already planted potatoes. They had very little need for potatoes, but they were an easy crop to grow and even easier to trade for a bit of goat meat or white-tailed deer. Flueric tried to remain as clean as possible a he hurried through his chores. Then just past noon, just before Lily was to slip into the barn, Flueric’s father called to him. He needed Flueric to go down to the Rebners’ place and get a new harness for the horse so they could start plowing first thing in the morning. Flueric tried to makes an excuse to wait, several in fact. He continued to look for any way of avoiding the trip until his father punched him hard on the left cheek. Flueric went down and thought for a moment he would pass out. The punch had cut his cheek just below his left eye and blood trickled down his cheek. Knowing any further delay would result in more pain, Flueric staggered to his feet and started down the dirt path toward the Rebners. Even though Flueric had now reached the age of eighteen, he still had nothing of his own and could not simply walk away. He had no real choice but to obey, at least for the moment.
Flueric had been gone less than twenty minutes when his father was certain he saw him sneaking into the barn. Furious, his father snatched up the horse whip and started toward the barn. He jerked the door open and charged inside, whip at the ready. He came to a halt a few feet inside when he saw only Lily standing in the center of the hay covered floor. She wore a nice white dress with a belt at the waist. Her flowing hair was tied back in a ribbon and he was certain she was wearing, yes, she was wearing make-up. Her face showed her total surprise at seeing him, as well as a hint of terror. She knew all too well of the beatings he had inflicted on Flueric, she had seen the many scars and bruises. Now, she saw only the whip in his hand and the look of disgust in his eyes.
He shouted an insult at her and accused her of stealing, sneaky, of being up to no good. Lilly tried to explain, tried to come up with an appropriate lie that might satisfy, might calm him down just a bit. He cut her off before she could even begin, shouting at her, accusing her of being a cheap trap with her fancy face paint. Lily’s fear overpowered her and she wanted only to escape the barn. She hesitated a brief moment then tried to dart past the much larger man. He was quicker than she had expected and he reached out and caught the shoulder of her dress. He pulled her in tight to him, so close she could smell the ale on his breath and the stench of his sweat. He cursed several obscenities at her, then with a powerful jerk tossed her back across the barn. The force ripped her dress all but completely removing the top half. Lily had little time to concern herself with the dress as she landed hard on the ground. She quickly rolled over and faced him as he took a step closer. He paused a moment as he saw her exposed breasts. A new fear shot through Lily as he stared down at her. He stared at her large breasts for several long moments as she tried to crawl back. She was terrified he was more interested in what he saw and what he might do, but those fears vanished as the view of her bare-chest seemed to only enraged him further. He shouted several more obscenities as he raised the whip and started toward her.
Lily knew she could not escape and her breathing became heavy as the whip hung over her. He was just above her when there was a sudden flash of light and a loud crash as two boards were blown off the back of the barn wall just behind Lily. The sun shone in brightly as dust and smoke filled the air. The horse bucked and kicked at the stall walls as several of the chickens fly about, sending up more dust and feathers. Flueric’s father lowered his arms and slowly looked down at his chest. His face showed his shock as he saw the gaping hole where his heart should have been. He could both see and hear the skin sizzle around the hole as small flames licked at his tattered shirt. He staggered back a step as he turned back toward the barn door. Standing in the door, leaning against the doorframe was Flueric. His arm was outstretched and he still pointed his wand at his father. The two stared at one another, neither of them certain what had just taken place. Flueric’s father took a single step toward his son, then collapsed to his knees before falling face down to ground with a loud thud.
Flueric’s knees were weak as his arm dropped to his side. He stared at his father’s lifeless body, the hole in his back still smoldering. A moment later he was brought back to the present as Lily’s screams filled the barn. Still weak, Flueric stood up straight and took a deep breath as his head began to spin. He let his head clear, then started toward Lily as fast as his wobbly knees could manage. He had nearly reached her when her partial nudity caused him to hesitate. Lily also recovered, at least somewhat, and began trying to cover herself. Flueric knelt down beside her and helped her pull the ripped dress back into place. Very slowly they began to gather themselves. Lily had so many questions, and Flueric explained as much as he could, finding much of it hard to put into words. He was terrified she would flee, run from the barn and find the magistrates, telling them how he had murdered his father. To his surprise she stayed and even seemed quite calm, perhaps even calmer than Flueric.
They made their way outside and to Flueric’s total surprise Lily almost instantly began discussing what they had to do. Flueric retrieved a shovel from the toolshed and the two took turns digging a grave only a few paces from the grain silo. They dug until the hole was deeper than Flueric was tall. Both were filthy and covered in sweat by the time they were done. They then placed his father in the quickly fashioned grave and filled it in. Flueric moved several large stones to the grave to act as a marker, a sort of headstone.
Once the grave was filled the two went and broke the news to Flueric’s brother Michael. They had not wanted him to see his father in that condition, and as it turned out, he had no real desire to see him at all. The trio then made their way into the village and to the local magistrates’ office. They had worked on their stories and believed they had them down pat. They kept it very simple, and they hoped very believable, simply telling the magistrate that their father collapsed while tending the field and they had buried him. The magistrate seemed somewhat surprised to find their father was still alive, well until today. It seems most people had thought he passed away years before. As a result, no one took much note of his passing, no inquiries were made, no fuss, no mess. No one even wanted to see the grave. Legalities seemed to be a greater concern, but as Flueric was of legal age the property passed to him.
It was at this point that Flueric’s life took another major turn. Michael went to live with an aunt and uncle a hundred miles or so to the north. They had invited Flueric as well, but he had declined. With absolutely no interest in farming, Flueric sold the land and home, keeping only the one horse and a sturdy wagon. He packed up his things, meager as they were, and prepared to set out to find his own place in the world. It had taken some convincing for Lily’s parents to allow her to leave with him, but since she was almost nineteen, they had little legal recourse but to wish them well.
Four months later the two were married. Young and in love they traveled the countryside as Flueric continued his studies and became more and more proficient, and powerful. When they needed money, Flueric would put on a little magic show in whatever village they found themselves. They had very little but they got by, happy just to be together. Then, a year or so before they moved to the northern capital, they came into some money. That is putting it rather lightly. In truth, they came into great wealth. While Lily alluded to it in her diary and letters to her parents, neither she not Flueric ever confirmed the rumors. Many, well after the fact, believed Flueric had become the first, and to date, only person to ever successfully create an elixir that allowed him to turn common metals such as bronze, tin or even copper, into pure gold. If Flueric did create such an elixir, he took the secret to the grave, having never shared it with anyone. If he did not invite such a thing, there is no accounting for the vast wealth he and Lily accumulated seemingly overnight.
The couple moved to the capital and purchased a fine home. Flueric was very secretive with how he accomplished his seemingly magical feats, but he was not shy about performing them in public. He was also not shy in assuring the audiences his feats were not an illusion, not slight of hand, but real. Few could argue, and even fewer bothered.
Some people began to call him a Sorcerer, but Lily felt that had very dark and evil undertone to it. Flueric then decided he wished to be called a wizard. No one was quite sure what a wizard was, but soon Flueric would set the standard by which all other wizards would be measured. With his wealth he dressed in the finest clothes, purchased flowing capes and overcoats, many of which were brightly colored and some were even enhanced with precious jewels. Fame soon followed and the couple were honored guest at any event worth attending. Flueric would often dine with the royal family just to display his latest spells.
As fame and fortune will often do, it attracted followers. People who wanted to be associated with Flueric, those who sought to learn his skills, and then there were those who felt they had a similar power. Flueric hand-picked his inner circle of followers, apprentices, if you will. If they possessed ‘the gift’ he showed them how to embrace it, how to enhance it, how to master it. Fame, fortune and followers, life was certainly good and far far different from life on the farm. As fate is often fond of doing, it reminded Flueric there was a balance to life that even the most powerful wizard must endure.
Flueric and Lily had been living in the capital for more than a decade and Flueric had more than one hundred followers who showed great promise. The couple felt the only thing missing were children. Flueric desperately wanted a son, and despite their best efforts, no children were brought into their lives. Flueric began to resent anyone who did have children, certain if anyone deserved to have an heir, it was him. It was at this time that the dark side of life made its presence known. Lily became weak and was not herself. Soon the weakness turned to illness and the doctors were at a loss as to the cause. As her condition became worse, the doctors informed Flueric that there was nothing they could do for Lily and that he should prepare himself for the worst. Flueric cast the doctors out of the house, cursing them and their families. Within two years all three of the doctors had developed a serious illness that would eventually take their lives. Tragically, several members of their immediate families also developed
maladies. Some would recover, most did not.
Flueric did the only thing he knew to do, he delved deep into his potions and spells in search of a cure. He worked day and night for months as he attempted to find the correct potion, the power to create a panacea. This elixir of life would cure any illness and if he could perfect it, there was the real possibility it could prolong life, perhaps, perhaps even offering immortality. Flueric was certain he could find the answer, certain he had the power to control all aspects of the world, of life, and even death. He felt he was close, so very close to the answer, his experiments were showing promise, the power was there if he could only control it. Tragically, they ran out of time. On the evening of an otherwise beautifully spring day, Lily passed away.
It was during this period that Flueric began to realize something else. He had always been aware of a difference in the powers he felt, the powers he used. Some seemed to be far more taxing on his physical and mental strength, while others were far more malevolent. He would come to know these as white and black magic. The white magic seemed weaker, but Flueric came to realize this was only on the surface. White magic could heal, mend, sooth the soul. Black magic was far easier and was far more destructive. Flueric slowly realized had he used more white magic, he may have been able to save Lily. Now, with Lily gone, he had no use of white magic. It had failed him, remained hidden when he needed it the most. It was the enemy. More and more Flueric began to delve deeper into the black magic, the dark arts. Within just a few years it had taken a toll on his body. He now looked far older than his true age, his skin wrinkled and worn, his hair completely gray, his fingers gnarled to the point he could no longer write and he was forced to dictate his extensive notes.
Despite the effects, Flueric did not stop. In fact, he pushed himself deeper and deeper into the darkness. He once described it as diving into a dark body of water. What he searched for, what he desired was always just a little deeper, just out of sight, just out of reach. All he could do was swim deeper, hoping to someday find the elusive answers he craved so badly.
Rumors began to swirl as Flueric’s followers grew older, and many passed from this life. Flueric however lived on, older, grayer, but he seemed to become just a bit more powerful with each passing year. Twenty years became fifty, eighty, then a hundred. All were certain he had indeed found the elixir of life when he passed two hundred years of age. At some point his body stopped changing. He looked old, but no older than he had eighty, ninety, perhaps a hundred years ago. He was nearing his three hundredth year of life when fate once again stepped onto the stage.
Over the course of his many years Flueric had trained hundreds of young wizards. Many of these had gone on to have apprentices of their own. Flueric had trained many women as well, but he refused to bestow the title of wizard on any of the women. Most felt this had something to do with Lily, but no one was certain. Rather than calling them wizards, Flueric called them witches. If a witch trained a man in the arts, he could not be a wizard. Instead, he was called a warlock. It was not meant as a derogatory title, it was simply a recognition of their training. Flueric had also identified inherent weaknesses in all magical folk, be they wizards, witches or warlocks. All wizards were not created equally. Just as some men were physically stronger than others, some wizards had more capacity for magical knowledge than others. Flueric had learned that dark magic was easier for most beginners. Other creatures thought of as magical, such as fairies and nymphs were not truly magical. They had certain powers certainly, but they were more what one would call an oddity of the natural world. Wizards on the other hand went beyond the natural world to the supernatural. It had also come to Flueric’s attention that one creature and only one creature seemed to be immune from any magical spell or potion. Dragons.
So when a giant red dragon, the largest species of dragon known to exist, took up residence just east of the capital city, the king was mildly concerned. The dragon, for the most part, had no interest in people and seemed quite willing to ignore them entirely. Unfortunately, a handful of adventure seekers thought they could make a name for themselves by slaying the dragon and saving the city. Needless to say, things did not work out as they had hoped. They pursued the dragon, and he ate them. The king, more than slightly concerned now that the dragon was a man-eating beast, called on Flueric to solve the dilemma. Despite his knowledge of a dragon’s natural resistance to magic, Flueric’s pride forced him to accept the King’s request.
Flueric, along with five of his finest students ventured out to confront the dragon. The dragon, to its credit, attempted to avoid any confrontation. However, when pushed a dragon, most certainly a giant red dragon, will push back. It would be nice to say the wizards put up a good fight, perhaps even wounded the dragon. Unfortunately, it did not happen that way. The dragon ate two of the young wizards and burned two others to a crisp. Flueric, despite his age, gave the dragon a run for its money. He avoided several attacks and was able to cast several spells, not of which had the slightest effect on the dragon. Eventually, while the dragon stepped on the final student, Flueric attacked from the rear. With a swipe of its powerful tail the dragon tossed Flueric more than a hundred feet into a grove of young pine trees. The battle won, the dragon took flight and returned to its perch high above the city, never to be bothered again.
When they felt it was reasonably safe, several followers of Flueric went out to collect the fallen wizards. Two they found no trace of, one they had to scrape up off the rocks, and the final two they collect their ashes in a small box. It took then nearly two hours to locate Flueric and to their amazement, he was still alive. They hurriedly took him back to the city and called for the doctors. Given his past history with doctors, none came to Flueric’s aide. His students did what they could, but Flueric’s internal injuries were to severe and four hours after returning to the city, the great wizard passed from this world. It is said a great storm raged over the city as Flueric lay suffering. Only when he had breathed his last breath did the storm subside.
Flueric’s funeral was attended by his followers, several members of the royal family and several thousand curious onlookers. Rumors had begun to circulate that the grave could not contain Flueric and the crowds waited in vain for something, anything, to happen. There was no family in attendance. His father was buried in a grave marked by a common stone with no engraving. Michael had passed away centuries before. If the two brothers had ever spoken after departing one another there is no record of it. It would seem Flueric had made good on his promise to leave his old life behind. He had also never remarried after his lovely Lily died. He had remained alone, never taking another lover in the more than two centuries that he waited to join Lily in death. Though silenced by death, Flueric’s legacy, for better or for worse, lives on through the thousands of followers, wizards, who understand the power they possess because of him. Because of Flueric, the world would never again know a life without magic, without wizards.
Flueric, never convinced of his immortality, had left very specific instructions for his interment. He was to be buried in a massive marble and granite vault inside an elaborate mausoleum lined with forty towering pillars. Lily’s sarcophagus was to be brought to the mausoleum and placed just to the right of Flueric’s. Not until these requests were completed in full would any of his considerable fortune be dispersed in accordance with his last will and testament. The tomb was engraved exactly as Flueric had instructed.
Here Lies the earthly remains of
Flueric
The First Wizard
Let it be known that any who disturb these bones
will be cursed. From beyond the grave the great
Wizard will avenge any disturbance to his eternal
Slumber. – All have been warned –
The warning would prove very prophetic and the world would once again feel the wrath and power of the first and most powerful wizard ever to walk the earth. In all truth, they all should have known better.
The End
(for now)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
