HOME | DD

Description
"You've got to be joking. There's no way he said that." "I'm telling you, Tarik. That's what the Headmaster said." "I can't believe it's come to war..." Tarik said, running a hand through his hair. "Especially against such tough foes as the Fire Barons. It's a Wood Forger's worst nightmare to so much as cross paths with one." "Thar's for sure." Gami replied. "But we've faced threat after threat from those bullies, & the Wood Forgers have emerged victorious every time. Headmaster Viragor won't let us down. He never has." "I hope you're right, Gami." he said. "Because if you're wrong, it could mean the destruction of not only the School of Paper Arts, but the entire Magi Oar Forest." Grinning, she winked & replied, "Am I ever wrong?"

Waving goodbye to his friend as he exited the empty classroom into the packed main courtyard, Tarik sighed deeply & joined a large group of Forgers as Viragor lighted down in front of the amassed crowd. The Headmaster's appearance always startled him a bit-the enormous head of a ravenous vulture perched atop a gargantuan lion's chiseled form-but he was the most kindhearted & caring person he'd ever met, & defended the forest with unmatched ferocity. "Brothers...Sisters...I come bearing dire news." he bellowed. Tarik loved the sound of his voice...So powerful & commanding. "Our negotiations with the Fire Barons have failed, & they now prepare to march on our beloved forest." Viragor continued. "But we will not falter. Time & time again, our intelligence & teamwork has overcome the brute strength of these fierce warriors from the Land Beyond."

"These trees are alive with the spirits & stories of those who came before us. As Guardians of the Forest, it is our duty to ensure these spirits have a home in their roots, & they are able to share their wisdom with many generations to come." he roared. "Join with me, my brothers, my sisters, my students who are just as much a teacher to me as I am to you. Join me, & show them just what it means to cross the Wood Forgers!"

A thunderous wave of cheers & applause erupted from Viragor's still-growing audience, & Tarik himself started whooping & hollering with joy & excitement. "Thank you, thank you." the Headmaster said as the crowd dispersed & returned to their daily rotations. "Tarik! Wait a moment." Viragor called. The young Wood Forger stopped in his tracks & looked back in surprise & confusion. He had expected to be called to serve in the war, but when Viragor personally picked out students & teachers alike, it usually meant they were going to serve as an officer of some sort. What was unusual was that if the Headmaster did pick students, they were usually the older, more experienced ones. Tarik was barely out of his 5th year of training at the School, & had turned 16 less than a week ago. Though his teachers said he had impeccable talent, he knew Forgers with twice his skill & even more experience. So why him? For now, at least, his questions would have to wait.

"Yes, sir?" he replied, walking back to where Viragor still sat. "Can I expect you in my quarters tonight? I have a matter of grave importance I need to discuss with you & several other students." the Headmaster whispered. Heart now racing with excitement & fear, Tarik nodded & said, "Yes sir. Of course, sir." Bowing quickly, the young Wood Forger joined a small passing group & clutched a hand to his chest, trying to calm his beating heart. Tarik had never wanted anything to do with this war. He had come to the School to learn, to study the secrets of the forest's magic & how to harness it, use it for good & protect people. Now it seemed like he was getting involuntarily dragged deeper & deeper into this war. It didn't matter now, he supposed. He had already accepted by agreeing to speak with Viragor. For the sake of the School, & of the Magi Oar Forest...He would play the part, at least for now.

"Hello, Tarik. Come in." Viragor's gruff boom answered Tarik's knock at the door. "Thank you, sir, but..." "All your questions will be answered. I promise." the Headmaster interrupted. Looking around, he recognized a few people-Gami was the first he noticed, but there were a couple others. Declan from Folding class, Malachi from Enchanting instructions...It seemed like there were only students here. "I'm sure you're all very confused as to why you're here." Viragor continued. Declan raised a hand & said, "It's kinda obvious. We're becoming officers. That's the only reason you call students up to your quarters during wartimes." "Hold your tongue!" he snapped. "Now then...The reason I've assembled you is not because you are going to become officers. I've gathered you because I have a very special assignment for you." "What's the mission?" Malachi asked. "Your mission is to retrieve the Swordmaker of the Plains, the most legendary blacksmith in all of Third Earth, & recruit him to our cause. We're going to need more than paper arts to defeat the Fire Barons this time. I hear he goes by the Drifter nowadays."

"Why us?" Tarik inquired. "Surely there are many more capable than a few fifth-year students. And what did you mean that we'll need more than paper arts to defeat the Fire Barons?" Sighing deeply, the Headmaster whispered, "The Barons have enlisted the help of the Duelist." A collective gulp filled the room as the very name of the legendary swordsman sent chills down the spine of everyone inside. Even without his infamous sword collection that had been lost many years ago, this man was still a nightmare on the battlefield for whomever he fought against. "So you want us to find this Swordmaker...So he can build us weapons to rival those of the Duelist & his allies?" Gami asked. Nodding his massive head, Viragor replied, "With the combined might of our paper arts & our new weapons, those lumbering oafs won't stand a chance, Duelist or not. You'll leave first thing in the morning to begin your search. Good luck, Wood Forgers. May the magic of the forest keep you safe on your journey."

Later that night, Tarik stood on the balcony of the small dorm he shared with his roommate Olikan, clutching & examining the helmet that he had hand-made when he'd first come to the School. There was an old legend that the intricate symbols a Wood Forger carved into his helmet disappeared when its wearer died in battle. This was not only a failsafe against copycats, but also a way of preventing spies from penetrating their lines by masquerading as one of the fallen. The story had quite frightened him as a child-the thought of losing his style, his individuality in his technique, sent chills coursing through his veins. Now, he was better beginning to understand why they did it. Of course, it could happen to him very soon, what with the war & all...

"Do you always stay up this late on the evenings of important missions?" Gami asked, dropping down onto the railing of the balcony & causing Tarik to jump back. "It's late." she continued. "You should be sleeping." "I would if I could." he growled, placing his helmet back in its place on his shelf, taking care not to wake Olikan. "And what is it, I may ask, that has turned you into an insomniac?" she joked. "Well, it's...It's just...Why us? We're so young, & we've got our entire lives ahead of us." "Not like we're going to be doing anything important, besides taking care of some crummy old forest..." she grumbled. "That's not my point. My point is...I know there's an ulterior reason behind Headmaster Viragor's choosing of the four of us, but I just can't seem to figure out what it is." "Maybe I can help." Gami replied, & for the first time, Tarik noticed the thick stack of papers clutched in her left hand.

Tossing the sheets over the railing, Gami raised a hand & moved every last piece into a certain position in front of the moon. "What do you see?" she asked. "Doesn't look like anything to me." Tarik replied. "This is what I'm talking about. Seeing is about perspective." she continued. "When you're not seeing the forest for the trees, what are you seeing?" As Gami's palm swished through the air once again, the pieces of paper began to rearrange themselves, & the image became clear to Tarik. It was a drawing-more specifically, a drawing of him, Malachi, Declan, & Gami, all standing together, all smiling. "It's...It's us." he whispered. "Details are important," she said, "But only when you step back can you see the big picture." "Is that something your father taught you?" he asked, immediately regretting his choice of words as his friend hung her head in sadness.

"I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by..." "No, no...It's ok, Tarik." she said softly. "I've come to terms with what my father was. His mission was just...But in the end, power corrupted him. History repeating itself, eh?" "All who gain power are afraid to lose it." Tarik replied. "Even those who claim to use it for good." "What do you mean?" "Well, when you think about it, good is a point of view. It's all based on one's beliefs & morals, their very nature. What one person may consider ok or alright may be something that is unacceptable to another. So who are we to give such simple, misguided terms to our actions as 'good' & 'evil?'" he explained. "Tarik..." "Yeah?" Grinning, Gami replied, "You're starting to sound like Professor Frost." "Ugh...Don't ever compare me & him again." Tarik groaned. Giggling, she kissed him lightly on the cheek & said, "Until tomorrow, it was great talking to you. Try to get some sleep, 'kay?" Pressing a hand to his face, Tarik nodded silently & smiled as he watched her clamber back up to her room.

Flopping down on the bed, the young Wood Forger stole a glance at his helmet, still perched on the shelf. He smiled again. Maybe things weren't as bad as they seemed. Viragor was right. They had faced the Fire Barons time & time again & still came out victorious. Tomorrow, he would find the Swordmaker & bring him back to the School...And then they would truly show those brutes what it meant to cross the Wood Forgers.