A Day by the River

A Day by the River

Zelnard could hardly contain his excitement as he hurried down the sandy path leading from Zouken Monastery to the coastal river. Dawn had only just broken, and the rising sun painted the rolling dunes with ribbons of gold while the fresh scent of saltwater drifted inland on the cool morning breeze.

He had been looking forward to this day for weeks. Ferson, one of the kinder Mage elders, had promised to take him and several of the younger boys fishing if they worked hard through the winter Knowledge classes. It wasn't just about catching fish. Today they would also learn new ways to use their water magic, and Zelnard was determined to impress.

Jabar trudged behind him, wearing an expression that was equal parts excitement and disgust.

"Do we really have to dig around for sand worms?" he asked, wrinkling his nose.

"Yes!" Zelnard replied without slowing down. "How else are we going to catch anything? Besides, it's good practice for when we have to use our powers in battle."

"Battle? Against what? Giant worms?" Jabar quipped, shaking his head. "I'm not squeamish. I'm just... selective about what I touch."

"Like your nose?" Gavid muttered under his breath.

The boys burst into laughter.

Ferson chuckled as he walked alongside Gavid. Though still only eight years old, Gavid looked up to Zelnard and Jabar, who were more than a year ahead of him in their studies.

"You'll get used to it, Jabar," Ferson said with a smile. "Every great mage needs to understand the world around him... worms included."

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Zelnard grabbed a small spade and plunged it into the soft, wet sand beside the riverbank.

"Come on, Jabar. It's not so bad."

He lifted a scoop of damp sand, and within it several pink sand worms wriggled frantically. Brushing away the loose grains, he proudly held out his open palm.

"See? They're harmless."

Jabar leaned back instinctively but managed to keep his composure.

"Fine," he said. "But you're handling the bait. I'll... supervise."

Gavid giggled.

"Maybe one day I'll learn how to control worms with magic," he said. "Then we won't have to touch them at all!"

Zelnard grinned.

"Now that would be something. But until then, we do it the old-fashioned way."

Thy Quests
Bait? For what? Write down your prediction for what you think the boys will catch with their worms. Enter your prediction in Thy Quests to continue the adventure.