The Hero’s Right Hand

The carriage rocked less with four riders. Wind whistled by as our horses trotted along the road. The way from Wolden to Sespik was well traveled. Years of natural flattening and shifted rubble created a relatively smooth path. Unfortunately, stepping off it made the lack of pavement even more jarring. Setting camp in open areas was the norm for any adventurer. With a proper party, we could even take turns sleeping knowing we were being watched over. It didn’t take long for us to figure out a system of unpacking and packing the carriage. Including tools for our various pastimes. Aisha was adamant we get moments to breathe and relax.

She would spend the time as she had since we were kids — in a nice empty space laying down to watch the sky. Day or night didn’t matter; only a clear view. Sariel, on the other hand, took notes. A pouch in her bag I thought held crafting tools was actually for a small notebook. Whatever fauna we passed was documented inside. I caught a glimpse once and was amazed at the detailed drawings. Though she wasn’t ashamed to show its contents, Sariel didn’t allow anyone to hold it.

I often joined Vofric near whatever body of water we camped by. He fished while I meditated. The sound of flowing water helped me drift to a state of complete calm. Vofric sometimes recounted stories about his old adventures or lessons from his grandmother. Regardless of the topic, his smooth voice put my mind at ease.

“Sariel, no!” Vofric said suddenly. The change in topic pulled me from my trance.

“It’s important!” Sariel barked back. She had snuck up on me during my meditation. “Kargon! Your egg is cracking.”

“What?” I asked while rising to my feet. I ran back to camp with the others in tow.

Aisha stood over the opened chest with an intense stare. I could tell something was amiss. The egg had a crack running along its side. As I approached, the crack widened. Faint growling permeated from within the egg, weakly asking for help. The heat of the chest was no longer present. I stared at the dark figure inside as it slowed down. It seemed like the crack on the egg was shrinking.

“Kargon, heat it up,” Aisha said.

“I burn too hot,” I replied.

“You only have one temperature?” Sariel asked incredulously.

I nodded sadly. “I told you before. I haven’t had a conduit for long.”

Vofric grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. “Shut your eyes,” he commanded sternly. “Ignite your body and meditate. You can do that much, correct?”

“Y-yes.” I said and ignited without a second thought. The dirt shifted as Sariel and Aisha stepped back. Vofric quickly released my arm but I felt his presence near me.

“Imagine a raging fire in a sealed room. Don’t think about anything but how hot it burns,” Vofric instructed. 

(insert Kargon action here)

“Now force it to shrink. Do not wait for it to happen naturally. It is under your control. Make it into the size of a candle flame. Recognize the warmth it provides.”

In my mind, I stood by a flaming torrent that threatened to break out of the room I created. With outstretched arms, I strained to hold it back. Slowly but surely, it shrank. 

“It’s almost nothing,” I said.

Vofric grunted affirmatively. “Yes. But a dozen candles-”

“Can warm you.”

“Good. Now open your eyes.”

A warm orange flame wreathed my entire body. A soft trail of embers followed my every move. They didn’t burn anything so I assumed they were a trick of the eye.

“Remember this feeling,” Vofric said. “I’m sure you recognize the difference from your combative flame.”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Now, lift the egg. It needs you.”

I wavered and my flames briefly burned brighter. A few steady breaths centered me before I lifted the egg. It was heavier than I remembered. Or maybe the chest was enchanted to be lighter. It was possible I was misremembering.

“Focus, Kargon,” Aisha said calmly, doing her best to match Vofric’s tone.

“It’s moving again,” Sariel added in kind.

I could see the crack widen again as the figure inside shifted. I expected light taps as the creature looked for the opening. Instead, I found myself bracing against the forceful shifts of a beast being held in a cage. Whatever was inside the egg wanted to be released. My flame was giving it the energy it needed to fight with its full strength.

“Can someone help it break the shell?” I asked.

“No,” Sariel grunted. “This is the first test of any beast. You are helping enough by warming it. Do not make it complacent.”

The beast growled in agreement from within the egg. It was heartier than before. Another fierce attack broke part of the shell and revealed a beak surrounded by wet fur. The mass moved again and tore through the opening with a small paw. Unrefined claws protruded from it.

“Put it down,” Sariel commanded.

 I gently placed the egg on the ground and remained close. With intense focus I raised my temperature slightly for it to reach the egg. The beast let out a sound similar to a laugh. The egg rocked back and forth slowly. Sounds of furious scratching eked out from the crack. More pieces of the shell started to break off. Once a large opening was created it didn’t take long for the egg to fall apart.

Dark brown fur caught on pieces of the shell as the creature stepped out. It stumbled while rising to its feet. Four stubby legs carried surprising strength, holding up a body that looked too large for a cub. Soft white fur covered the beast’s underbelly, ending at the bottom of its beak. It tilted its head and stared warily at our party with large round eyes. An owlbear cub. It growled softly as the feathers on its back stood nervously.

Vofric quietly passed me a fish he’d caught. He gestured for me to offer it to the owlbear. Carefully, I kneeled in front of the cub, fish in hand. It approached cautiously while keeping everyone in its field of vision. Sariel and Aisha stood as still as possible at my side with Vofric on the other. None of us dared to scare the cub. 

It slowly gripped the fish in its beak and pulled it to the ground. After a small taste the cub eased up and devoured its meal. It let out a cheery growl and approached me. Owlbear fur was known to be incredibly soft but I didn’t dare touch it for fear of scaring the cub away.

“He trusts you,” Sariel said and crouched next to me. “By proxy, us as well.”

“How do you know it’s a he?” I asked. Sariel stared at me dumbfounded.

“How can you understand him?” Aisha asked .

“I can understand animals. I’ve been able to as long as I can remember,” Sariel explained.

I nodded and carefully placed my hand on the cub’s head and ruffled its fur. It chirped softly, playfully pushing against my palm.

“You can stop your flames. I’m sure he will recognize you without them,” Vofric said.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure but decided to trust my ally. The cub didn’t care and lightly pawed at my arm. Thankfully, he retracted his claws. The overwhelming urge to weep hit me but I held back.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Do you have a habit of asking newborns what their name is?” Sariel snorted.

Vofric chuckled, “He just gave birth. He’s not thinking straight.”

Aisha lightly sighed, “We have our work cut out for us.”

The owlbear growled in a way that mimicked a laugh. It reminded me of my mentor from the monastery.

“Sariel, I figure he can understand me so translate what he says, okay?” I asked then turned to the cub. “I’ll call you Avant, how’s that sound?”

The cub grunted.

“He says it sounds strong,” Sariel stated.

“We’ve got a long road ahead of us, will you travel with us?” I asked.

Avant replied with another grunt followed by high pitched whine.

“He asks if there will be fish?”

Vofric laughed and petted the cub, “I’ll make sure there is.”

Avant growled and nodded.

I gestured to the carriage and said, “Sariel, Vofric. Can you please go pack up the rest of the carriage? I need to talk to Aisha.”

Normally they wouldn’t listen to me but could tell it was important. Avant stared at me with wide eyes wondering what to do. He opted to plop down near my legs. I turned to our leader and asked, “Is this okay?”

Aisha smiled softly and nodded. “The only thing I know for sure is that this journey will be long with unexpected encounters.” She knelt down and poked Avant’s beak. He let out a soft trill. “At least with you by my side, this’ll be fun.” With a smooth movement she lifted the owlbear into her arms and made for the carriage. “Come on, I think this break has been long enough. We need to get back on the road.”

My position as the carriage driver was much more enjoyable with Avant perched next to me. Every little thing intrigued him. A handful of leaves fluttered on the breeze and he caught one out of the air. It softly crunched between his paws while he sniffed it. His demeanor was that of a mage trying to solve the realms’ secrets. When he wasn’t unraveling the mysteries of the universe he would sleep on my leg or request to be pet. If I was focused he’d hop into the covered wagon and spend time with the party.

Aisha opted to lift Avant whenever he walked around the moving wagon. She worried he’d fall and hurt himself. Sariel spent a surprising amount of time educating our leader on an owlbear’s capabilities. Vofric always had a snack for Avant and tossed it over if the cub chirped. While the cub ate, Vofric settled down next to me.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, were you a student at the Sanctuary of Spiritual Combustion?” he asked.

My ears perked at the name, “Yes. How’d you know?”

“About two centuries ago I briefly traveled with an Aarakocra. He had a taste for berries like our little friend here. Always mentioned starting a monastery in Mount Iana. He-”

“Liked how close it was to the sky!” I exclaimed. “Master Avant was an adventurer! He tried to deny it but I knew!”

Vofric chuckled, “I’m surprised you only trained for five years with a bird like him watching over you. He always said people needed at least ten years to grasp astral projection.”

“I mean, Master Avant might’ve been strict but understood I left to take care of my sick father.”

“I’m so sorry,” Vofric said sadly.

“He’s fine now,” I replied hastily. “My mother panicked and asked me to come home. It was a rough few months. Once everything settled down they saw no reason to send me back.”

“Why did they initially send you?”

Aisha poked her head out of the carriage and said, “As punishment for bad behavior. The combination of monastic training and taking care of his parents really calmed Kargon down.”

I blushed and nodded. “I failed to inform my parents that I was being trained to control my magic. But If I can lessen the intensity, I’m sure I can increase it as well. There’s not much else to learn.”

Vofric looked at me quizzically and asked, “Avant had to approve of you being his disciple, correct? He swore to only teach individuals capable of astral projecting.”
I replied absentmindedly. “I guess.”

My attention was pulled away by the sound of roaring waves in the distance. Long shadows from stone buildings stretched onto the road. Groups of people actively walked through the bustling streets of Sespik. Ships of every size floated softly at the dock. Workers rushed from one to another with crates. The distinct smell of fish carried through the air.  It was impossible to take in everything happening. I never turned back to Vofric but his words rang in my ears.

“Kargon, I believe there is more to your magic than you know.”