Category: Fountain Pen Related

Background

For some bizarre reason, many fountain pen ink reviewers write pangrams as sample text.  Pangrams are useful for learning to type, but they're somewhat absurd for demonstrating fountain pen writing - it's not as if the fountain pen will write differently depending on the letter of the alphabet.  Anywho, it's a common practice.

So, when I started doing ink reviews, I decided to have fun with these pangrams.  One of these pangrams is "The five boxing wizards jump quickly."  Eventually, this morphed into stories about "the fifth wizard", who was given a name by the user "yazeh" on the Fountain Pen Network.

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Read more: The Adventures of Quin and Makhabesh: Introduction

Category: Fountain Pen Related

< back to Part 6: The Voyage Home

Part 7: The Grey Spot Adventure

319 Nemosine Black
As they stepped out of the portal, six palace guardsmen jumped to their feet. “Wizard Quin, the High Wizard has ordered you to report for questioning,” one said. Quin heaved a sigh. … As they reached the palace, the lead guardsman said, “You wizardesses will have to wait—” “I am Wizardess Doctor Heilari, the Chief Healer of the College of Healing and Medicine at Inkabar University, and this is Wizardess Doctor Laikni, Doctor of the College Hospital and expert in magical illnesses. We have information the High Wizard will want to hear.” She marched into the palace, forcing everyone else to follow.

320 Jinhao Bluish Violet
“Please announce us, guardsman,” Heilari said when they arrived at the High Wizard’s office. The guardsman looked at her sideways, then entered the High Wizard’s suite. He returned shortly and escorted them in. “You have information for me, Wizardess Doctor?” “We assumed you would want to know we were in Lamyton when a grey spot appeared…” When Heilari and Makhabesh finished their parts of the story, the High Wizard glared at Quin. “How do you explain your presence at both instances?” Quin shrugged. “I can’t. I have no idea who’s doing this or why.” After more questions Quin couldn’t answer, the High Wizard dismissed them.

321 Jinhao Red
The doctors insisted on escorting Quin out of the city, just in case another grey spot appeared. After they’d parted ways, Vika said, You should tell Makhabesh and Essri the truth. The secret would just be a burden, Quin answered. It’s already a burden. To avoid answering. Quin said, “Essri, we promised to help you find a new village, where they wouldn’t make fun of you. There’s no reason to put it off now.” After a short pause, Essri said, “I already found a new village.” Makhabesh’s voice rose an octave. “What?” “Where?” Quin asked. When? Vika added.

322 Jinhao Blue
After Heilari finished her account, the Chief Librarian said, “Hmm,” and sat in silence. “Should we worry?” Laikni finally asked. Zenod looked up and said, “I don’t know. The book says Quin’s staff is from the oldest tree in the grove. It may well be the oldest tree on Earth.” “Surely that’s a good sign,” Heilari said. “Unless the Earth is upset with us,” Zenod said. “The book suggests a staff from this tree can command other staffs.” Heilari and Laikni inhaled sharply. “Whatever else is true, I think it better if Quin joins our efforts.” The doctors nodded vigorously.

323 Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite
Essri grinned. “You guyth are my new village.” Quin let out an audible breath. That’s a relief, Vika said. “Warn a guy, next time.” “Heh heh heh.” Essri’s laugh sounded almost exactly like a snake shedding its skin. As they turned up the walk to Aiyana’s house, Quin said, “Are you sure, Essri? If the doctors are right, these grey spots may get me into trouble.” “Then you’ll need friendth to help.” “Yeah.” Makhabesh smacked the back of Quin’s head with a wing. “Hey! I guess I’ll do an inventory then. See what we need for another adventure.”

324 Rohrer & Klingner Document Black
Quin set his pack on the bed. He pulled out a simple wood box he had no memory of, then another, much larger box. He pried the top off the first and found waxed paper. Inside the paper, he found his mother’s honey-nut pastries. “Mom,” he whispered. He couldn’t quite manage a smile. He pried open the next box. It was too much. He slid to the floor, head in his hands, eyes burning. They love you. He heard a thump and looked up to see Essri and Makhabesh in the doorway. “Quin?” Essri said. “What’s wrong?” Makhabesh asked. Quin told them everything.

325 Lennon Tool Bar Sesame Oil
After some commiseration, and a few pastries, Makhabesh said, “So what’s in the coffin?” Quin couldn’t manage to laugh, though the description was accurate. The larger box was long, but narrow on two sides to fit in his pack. He removed the lid and named all the magical builders his father had included: walls, bridges, even a tower and a small safe room. They were worth a fortune and must have taken his father over a year to make. “We can help,” Essri announced as he slithered toward Quin’s pack. With Quin outside and Essri and Makhabesh inside, they finished the inventory.

326 Diamine Night Sky
The next morning, the green squirrel showed up at a window, followed shortly by the Chief Librarian at the door. He held up a sack. “I brought breakfast.” While they ate, Quin kept his agreement and told the full details of healing the Source. “Hmm.” The Librarian stared at his half-eaten breakfast for what seemed a long time before finally saying, “Quin, unless you intend to go into hiding in some obscure corner of the Wizardlands, there are things you need to know.” “I’m not going to hide.” Makhabesh smacked a paw against the table. “We’re not going to hide.” “Yeah,” Essri added.

327 KWZ Foggy Green
The Chief Librarian nodded. “Two generations ago, wizards began taking over the Council Magica. They gradually changed it to the Wizards’ Council you know today, pushing out the sorcerers...” The Librarian told a tale of political scheming that led to the less-educated workers of magic being pushed out of power until wizards ruled the land. “I believe the sorcerers have organized to try to take power. If we cannot arrange for a peaceful agreement, we may be facing assassinations, random acts of terror, even a war of magic. I want you to help prevent that.”

328 Stipula Ebony Black
Quin stared at the Chief Librarian, trying to think what to say. “Me? I’m not a diplomat or politician.” “Criminals, all,” Makhabesh whispered loudly enough for all to hear. “We don’t need more politicians,” the Librarian answered. “We need to find out who’s behind the grey spots and convince them to talk to us.” “Who’s us?” Makhabesh asked. “There are several of us who think that we should go back to the old Council Magica, with representatives for the sorcerers as well as the wizards. You wouldn’t have to negotiate, just find them and convince them to talk with us.”

329 KWZ Green #3
After the Librarian left, everyone went to the cellar to consider enchantments. Enchantments related to your natural abilities will be strongest, Vika told them. For Makhabesh: confusion, clarity, air, flying, and speed. For Essri: finding, hiding, silence, and venom or poison. For Quin, everything that doesn’t relate to you two. Complementary enchantments are best. Essri tilted his head to one side, then said, “So, I could get an enchantment to heal someone who got poisoned or envenomated?” Yes. Vika sounded pleased. “Envenomated?” Quin asked. “What? I’m a snek.” Makhabesh jumped to the workbench. “Open that book, Wizard Boy!”

...to be continued, every Tuesday.

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