I hope it is all right for me to place my humble work here as well. Though I admit I'm after more than constructive criticism. I'm testing my writing ability. I'd like to see how I do by writing based on other people's opinions. At the end of each chapter I'll put up questions about how the next chapter should proceed and they'll be in the poll. Based on the poll results I'll write the next chapter.



The Rapsodel Chronicles



Prologue:About the World of Rapsodel

The History
The world of the Rapsodel Chronicles has many historians the simple problem is that they all have their own opinions of It's history. However the most reliable recent History is that of the forming of the Five Nations. The five nations are as follows: Cronial; Zalmir; Tilyre; Malzune; and Raldiore. Each nation was named for the monarch who formed it after the Archaic Empire was abolished. Though the wars fought by these monarchs is lost in the opinions of the many historians it is simply understood that there must have been wars to form the boundaries that now lie in place.

The Geography
There many geographical marvels within the five nations. Great waterfalls, massive mountains, ancient canyons, and more. However, there are three that are the most renowned of all. The Mystic Three geographical landmarks are the False City, a massive cliffside system of caves that seem to be shaped like houses and rooms complete with seemingly hand carved windows; the Firefern Chasm, a canyon renowned not for its depth or width but for the fact that its base is growingplace of the legendary Firefern the leaves of which are said to be able to burn through even the strongest magically enhanced metals; and finally the Crystal Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world it is also renowed for the vast amount of gems that can be plucked from its base during times when the water is subsided. These three landmarks have respectfully been granted their own land area outside the nations.

Avatars
Avatars are spiritual manifestations of elements created by or born with an individual. Any person can create an avatar with the right amount of ability and an affinity with the element in question. However, in some cases a parent's or even an ancestor's affinity is so strong it is passed on to the child and creating an avatar born with the child. These avatars are more powerful and can become much more powerful than created avatars. Avatars have two forms or manifestations a spiritual and a physical. When an avatar is spiritually manifested it is in its normal state bonded with the mage it serves lending that mage the use of its elemental energy. During this normal state the avatars presence is represented by a fingernail sized sphere of glowing colored light floating close by its user. A different color for each element Red=Fire
Blue=water, Yellow=thunder; Brown=Earth; Lighte Blue=Ice; Green=Wind; White=Light; and Black=Darkness. Each Avatar has its own consciousness and thereby can interact with its mage, other people, and even other avatars. During Physical manifestation the Avatar takes on the form of a warrior or beast with the powers of its element and fights for its mage in physical form. While within this physical state the magics that avatar is capable of doing are completely controlled by the avatar.

Places and People
Here are some important places and people to know before you begin reading. First and foremost is Rapsodel itself it is the largest city in Raldiore named for the last name of Raldiore's first monarch Rapsodel has since become known as The City of Music due to the fact that the Melodist's guild has been established there. The second place or in this case places to know are the guilds. There are many guilds such as the Warriors Guild, the Hunters Guild, etcetera. The largest of the guilds is the Mage Guild where our story begins. The Mage Guild is the largest because it is open to anyone who is born with or wants to create an avatar. The Mage Guild is run by a sole person known as The Grand Magus. The Grand Magus is a mage who has proven himself by mastering four avatars' powers and by passing the selection of the Three Factions. The Three Factions are the three greatest of all the factions of the Mage Guild in terms of size and capability. They are as follows The Sages, The Prodigies, and The Rogues. The Sages are elders who have proven themselves by many years service to the guild. It is said that the youngest member of the Sages is the only one under a hundred at the age of ninety-seven. The Prodigies are almost the opposite they are young prodigies of magic with so much capability that their members are selected at times for the Grand Magus's personal guard. Finally the Rogues are mages who are not only very talented mages but choose also to wield bladed weapons. As a result of their weaponry this faction is frowned upon by the snobs who think a blade is an extravagancy when you have magic.

The Rapsodel Chronicles



The weaving of a tale must be done as intricately as any weaving of fabric. The only difference is that the thread used for weaving a tale is words and the needle the mind of its author. However, some authors have a deft ability with thread and needle and are able to weave something beyond a tale. Beyond even legend or myth there are some authors that have the talent necessary to Weave a World of Words. While this humble writer does not claim to be so deft he hopes that with the help of others this world will be weaved.



Chapter One: Departure Preparations

This tale begins in the great palace which holds the Mage Guild here two young men are about to be sent on an assignment which will shake the foundation of their beliefs and turn the two of them from enemies to rivals and possibly even to friends. Olivar Melsand Kaltros Grand Magus of the Mage Guild has just recieved a missive from the Melodists Guild in Rapsodel and sits in his study even now reading its unnerving contents.

Sir Magus,
I am writing to inform you that the Assembly of Shadow is moving in Raldiore.
They have siezed ten of the outlying villages near Rapsodel and seem to be preparing
to move on us here. I requested the aid of the Sage you sent to the King of Raldiore,
and he advised me to ask you and your guard to come personally to aid us in the coming
battle. I hope that you will come Olivar we need your help.
With loving regards,
Auralyne Sandene Kaltros
Mistress of Melodies

"This cannot and will not stand," Olivar said as he folded the paper and placed it back into the envelope that had held it. "I will not have the Melodists Guild threatened barely a year after it and my sister broke away from the Mage Guild to start on their own." He deftly wrote a return message, folded it into another envelope, and dripped a bit of sealing wax over the flap. Rather than impressing the staff and sphere of the Mage Guild on the wax he took from his pocket the signet of the Kaltros family the hands of two people grasping one sword seemingly to direct it against a common enemy. "Krausch I expect you to get this to Rapsodel at least a week ahead of me and we are leaving on the same day." He said handing the letter to a man who had the look of a secretary but was clearly given away bye the two glowing spheres green and blue respectively.

"As the Grand Magus has said I will do with all haste," the bespectacled Krausch said taking the envelope and literally rushing from the room. Not ten minutes later the Magus himself was up and heading for the door followed by his four avatars red, green white and blue.

~A short time Later~

Young Zak Maldris walked through the halls of the Prodigies sector in the Mage Guild. This morning after breakfast he had been told the head of the faction wanted to see him In the faction head's study. The only times he could think of that any of the Prodigies had been sent to the head's study was that they were in trouble, very big trouble. He hurried on worriedly wondering what he could have done. True he wasn't the best behaved of the faction but it wasn't like he had stolen one of the duty staffs. He knew those were off limits except during the avatar festival when the prodigies were allowed to train on their own. Sensing his discomfort the small blue sphere that had been floating by his head took the form of a three inch tall angel. She was the avatar he had been born with.

"What's wrong Zak?" she asked bubbly as ever. Even though Lyly had be born with Zak she always seemed to be about three years younger, always full of energy and wanting Zak to smile more than anything. In this case though he couldn't smile.

"I've been called to the head's study you know that." He said refusing to give in this time. "I could be in big trouble and I don't even know why, or what for." She just looked at him with those big eyes of hers. "Darn it Lyly will you stop that I would smile for you but I'm in trouble don't you understand that?"

"Have you done anything to deserve being in trouble." she asked matter'o'factly. He shook his head, truth was that he hadn't done anything that called for this but he was sure he was getting in trouble for something. Just as he was thinking this she chymed in again, "Well if you haven't done anything to get yourself in trouble then you're not in trouble problem solved. STOP FROWNING!" She went back into the blue sphere shape. She always did that when she was mad at him, but he couldn't worry about that now he stopped in front of the door to the head's study, took a deep breath, and went on in as he had been told to do.

No sooner was he in the doorway than he heard something that made his already high fear shoot through the roof, "Ah, this is the one Grand Magus," the head said. The Grand Magus! He must have done something terribly wrong if the Grand Magus was here. As if on reflex he got on his knees and tried to choke out repentence for whatever he had done. "Get up Zak you aren't in trouble," the head said in an shocked and slightly exasperated tone.

"I'm...not?" Zak said in disbelief, "But then why was I called to your study and why is the Grand Magus here and...and-" the other man in the room cut him off with the wave of a hand. He must be the Grand Magus Zak thought he doesn't seem much older than me though he looks 17 maybe 18. Zak realized by the looks on their faces that his must be one of puzzlement and he quickly lowered his head. Just then of all times Lyly resurfaced.

"See I told you sooooooooooooooooo." She half sang appearing in her three inch angel form, "I told you you weren't in trouble but do you listen to me noooooooooooooooo. You keep moping around trying to find out what you did wrong. You should listen to me more often." Zak looked at the two men pleadingly though he didn't know whether he was asking for forgiveness or trying to see if either one could shut Lyly up.

"Well I see I got what I asked for Garyn," the Grand Magus said a broad smile spreading across his face. Zak was mortified by Lyly's chattering. "I told you to find someone with a close relationship to their avatar and you supplied him. I can't thank you enough."

"What do you mean?" Zak asked going back into the puzzlement stage of emotion. "You need me for something a job or......" He trailed off. What could the Grand Magus, leader of the Mage Guild and Governor of Guild City need with him.

"You Zak Leodre Maldris are to be one of the Grand Magus's personal Guards on an important mission to Rapsodel," the head said grinning congratulation at him, "Your job will be to protect and aid him in the fight with the Assembly of Shadow." Zak was stunned and thrilled all at the same time. Lyly began jumping for joy, an odd thing to see done from mid-air, and shouting unintelligible squeaks of excitement. Just then his other avatar came out from it's usual hiding place in his pocket.

"So this will be an important mission great we'll finally have a chance to get in some real training." Core was Zak's Ice avatar created barely three weeks ago and already jealous of the sync and skill Zak and Lyly had.

"Yes, it is important. We have one more person to collect and then we'll be leaving with all the pomp and ceremony such an jaunt deserves." The Grand Magus said Walking to the door and opening it, "If you will follow me I'll introduce you to the young man you will be partnered with throughout the length of this endeavor." Zak followed the Grand Magus out of the Prodigie's halls. To his surprise, however, rather than heading to the right toward the Sage's quarters the Magus headed left toward the Rogue's quarters. They didn't got to the head's office here though instead they stopped at the fourth room down the hall where the Magus knocked on the door. He KNOCKED!?! Why was the Grand Magus knocking on some rogue's door. A voice from inside the room interrupted Zak's shocked study.

"Come on in Olivar I know that it's you none of my other friends knock they normally barge in." Zak was amazed, insulted, and infuriated. This rogue was talking to the Grand Magus as if he were an equal. This rogue was talking to the Grand Magus through a door. Worst of all insults this rogue had called the Grand Magus by his first name! As Zak steamed on in his internal rant he recieved what seemed the tenth shock of the day. The Grand Magus, rather than calling down this insolent rogue who was being given the honor of being the Magus's messanger to the other guard for a very important mission, opened the door as asked and walked in beckoning Zak to follow. Zak shook his head, not to contradict, but to try and make sense of all this. Upon seeing this the Grand Magus grinned-grinned!-and shook his own head.

"I came to let you know to get ready to leave," the Grand Magus said just inside the door, "You know what to bring. I'm going to take the guard's newest member to Mystil's outfitter." Zak couldn't believe his ears. This rogue was one of the Magus Guards. Wait a second he was a member. He almost forgot the rogue's disrespectful attitude. Then he found himself embarrassed.

"I guess you aren't the one he meant seeing as your half the building behind," the rogue said and oddly there was no sarcasm, "My name's Jason by the way Jason Savra not rogue or that rogue or rightforsaken wannabe mage. I've been called those before and they aren't my name its kinda wierd." That did have a lick of sarcasm, but Zak didn't have time to rebuff he was already halfway down the hall catching up to the Grand Magus. How dare that rogue, Savra was it, tell him what to say to a mage who felt magic wasn't enough.

"I suppose Jason got to you. He usually does get to the new guardsmen. He was the first of my guards that would make him your captain now. Lets not talk about him now though I want to ask you a few questions." The Grand Magus was talking as if to an equal. Condescension may be a good quality in a leader but this was odd it was as if the Magus was going out of his way to befriend him.

"If you don't mind my saying Sir," Zak said, "You don't have to put yourself out on a limb just to make sure you can trust me." That must be it why else would the Grand Magus go through all this to make a friend of him. "I will obey your orders and do as you direct such have I sworn as a mage as well as upon my entry to the Prodigies." The Grand Magus grinned and shook his head again.

"You misunderstand me Zak I'm not going out of my way, and I don't distrust you." I want to be friends with all of my guardsmen. I want to have the same relationship with you that I do with Jason. I will have you calling me by name by the time I'm done with you." He actually laughed at that. Zak resolved in that defiant section of his mind to uphold all the respect due to the Grand Magus no matter what he wished.

"Whatever you say Grand Magus," Zak said hiding the edge in his voice, "I will heed." The Grand Magus smiled and communicated pleasure at the effort Zak had made to hide the defiant edge. Perhaps the Magus had been corrupted by the affrontery of that rogue.

"On to those questions," the Magus said without missing a beat, "First off what type of staff do you normally use I don't know much about staffs but I can spot quality and I'm buying equipment for you?" On this account Zak would be open it wouldn't do to be too defiant.

"I use your typical scepter type staff about the length of my leg give or take an inch." He said resolving that maybe being respectfully friendly with the Magus might be worth trying.

"I figured as much but I wanted to be sure," the Magus said nodding at Zak, "Alright next question and don't trip over your feet with this one. Would you like to trade knowledge with me? I don't know much about the Water element Aqaras was given to me by one of the Sages so that I could be raised to the station and I haven't had much practice. So if you have some experience with the element I could probably benefit. Do you have a fair amount of experience with Water?" Zak nearly did trip over his own feet. Not from the suggestion He would love to teach and be taught by the Grand Magus. It was the last question that staggered him. Sure the Magus knew Lyly had been born whit him. Then, as if the thought of her name had been enough to summon her, Lyly appeared in her three inch angel form.

"Of course he would he has experience with the Water element I was born with him ya'know." The tone made Zak cringe but only slightly she was an avatar after all and had every right to be ticked. The Grand Magus smacked his forhead tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.

"Thats right, I'm sorry miss it had slipped my mind. I don't recall you introducing yourself earlier either would you diegn to give me your name?" He smiled at her as he would a person just met. Of course technically that was what this was.

"Lyly," She said as she flew over to float between them, "And if Zak won't teach you I will I am the water element after all." All avatars were like that. Saying that they were this or that element but Lyly really had a right to say it. She was one of ten incarnate avatars for the water element. Which meant simply that she was water spiritually incarnated. Which made Zak Water physically incarnated through harboring Lyly's spirit. Which was why the prodigies had sought him out.

"I'll be happy to trade knowledge with you Sir." but what could you teach me that I could learn I have absolutely no affinity with wind or fire, and I don't believe I have any knowledge of light let alone an affinity," As Zak spoke those last words the Magus grinned.

"Actually you have a very strong affinity to light. Altris has been going nuts about it this entire time. That's what I want to teach you. So do we have a deal Light for Water?" the Magus stopped and proffered a hand. Zak took it without hesitation he wanted to learn. More than he wanted to instill respect in the rogue or defiantly respect the Grand Magus. His true passion as a mage was to learn and attain the power that came with learning of the elements.

~Meanwhile~

As he watched the little prodigy run down the hallway Jason wondered what the Grand Magus had chosen him for. Whatever Olivar was thinking it didn't matter. Although the little snob was all gushing with respect for the honored Grand Magus it wasn't too long ago that the twerp would have passed him by nose in the air the way he did the other Rogues. The way they all did the other Rogues. Jason walked to the closet and opened it. He placed two changes of clothes in his travel bag, he could buy more in Rapsodel if need arose. Then he took out his leather belt pack. Rather worse for wear it was still the same large acommodating satchel he'd used in his past. Even back into the past he had recently started remembering. He reached into the pocket on the inside and pulled out what looked like a five inch long/half inch broad stone spearhead scrolled down the middle on both sides with those strange signs Empyre called Avarunes. The Mageshard one of three shards of the timestone for time is made up of magic, light, and darkness. The whereabouts of the Lightshard He did not know but he was pricked in the back of the brain when he thought of the Darkshard. A transluscent image flashed across his mind. A pale oval, a face maybe, but this face was different from those he often remembered it wasn't twisted in pain, horror, or revulsion. This face was barely identifyable but it seemed to look-proud. Jason didn't know who it was, but no sooner had he seen the half formed image than it vanished leaving only the ghostly imprint to fade from memory.

"Are you going away?" A girl's voice asked from the door. It was Milid the Rogue who's sister had left not so long ago to be with her fellow melodists in their own guild.

"Yeah Olivar and I are going to Rapsodel and here's the good part. He's decided to bring along someone to stand on my last nerve." He said tossing her a ring from the counter. "I found your ring in the gutter of the east courtyard figured I'd return it before I left."

"That was kind of you Jason," She said turning the ring over in her palm, "But this isn't my ring."

"Yeah it is," He said, "and here's the one I found." He tossed her the other ring. "The first one is a gift I had meant to give you at dinner this evening, but seeing as I won't be at chainbound dinner I gave it to you as a remember me while I'm gone present. Rightforsaken on-call duty." He couldn't remember having cursed twice in one sentence before. He must like her more than he thought.

"Well it was a nice thought but you could've waited till dinner. I'm coming with you." She said putting both rings on her right index finger her red and brown avatars floating around her hands as she did. Great now he'd have to deal with a snobby brat breathing down his neck and the girl he loved making idle conversation with him and not one but two other guys. The thought almost made a far worse curse bubble up from his past. "Now then if we get moving now we'll be in the Departure court at the same time Olivar and the brat get there. Let's go." She said picking up the bag he hadn't seen and indicating his. He took out three bags of coin and two small change pouches. The coin he put into the satchel and one of the pouches. He tossed the other to Milid.

"We'll be getting something to drink on the way out of town if I know Olivar." He said as his reason for the pouch. He had seen the satchel tied to her bag but no pouch. She nodded a thanks, unconsciously rubbed the dual rings with her thumb as she did, and headed down the hall. He followed after tying the satchel on the back of his belt and placing the Mageshard in the small pouch on his left coatsleeve. Picking up his bag as he walked.

~Departure~

They were all there. Zak brimmed with pride at the pomp of it all. True their first leg was only as far as the inn on the edge of Guild City but that was only a short stopover for a sort of private departure celebration. Besides no one else had to know that. It was then that the hammer struck. Without any forewarning or respectful request for attention the rogue said to the Grand Magus, "If we're going to go we should go now." That was the last straw Zak had had it he would teach the rightforsaken rogue right there that respect was due to the Grand Magus.

"I've had it with you rogue," He all but screamed at him,"I challenge you to a duel of avatars right here I don't care who's watching." The entire Guild bubbled excitement at the challenge. All but the Sages, but then the Sages never liked dueling anyway. Another shock came when the Magus and Savra spoke in unison both grinning ear to ear.

"Choose your avatar." They both said and he did. He chose the one avatar he knew he could rely on.

"Lyly," You will be my avatar for this battle. The blue sphere changed once more into her three inch angel form while Core slinked back a ways. Core knew why Zak had chosen Lyly but for some reason he was a little anxious. The rogue had turned around looking over his three avatars Red, Green and Yellow each. He adressed them each by name.

"Empyre, Fujinn, Zot which of you wants to take him?" The offhanded tone prickled at Zak's last nerve.


~Chapter end~
DECISION TIME!!!!

Which Avatar will Jason use Empyre(fire), Fujinn(wind), or Zot(thunder)?
AND
Who will win the fight?