Digital Version of a Chronomancer Class: http://www.purpleduckgames.com/temporal-mage
How it all started:
Hi I'm Himmal Embersmith. I have always had a knack for understanding the world around me. I had no innate ability to bend time (spoons) or anything like that. I'm not an oracle, or scrying sensation, but I do understand the world around me. I've always been very well grounded. When I was 16, I finished my studies at the school in Resalund. The only thing left in my future was to take over the Wholesale Goods shop down by the docks that my dad owned. He had been a trader his whole life, with my Mom as his number one potion maker. She always had a knack for producing the best tasting and most potent potions. He many a lot of money selling those to travelers, and adventurers. Well, as I was getting ready to enjoy my last day of school, a new professor walked in the classroom. I could tell from my desk that he was some sort of wizard. Not the normal kind with big robes and huge books, or the super eclectic kind with odd cloths and a funny looking pet. No, this one wore simple clothes that seemed to reflect the most average current fashion. He seemed to fit in a little too well. Mannerisms were very gentlemen like and at the same time you couldn't quite place where he was from. He had an accent but it was almost like having many accents in one. All in all he fit right in. You could tell he knew his way around magic, it seemed to flow from him. Or he flowed from it? Anyway, back to my story. I was sitting there as our old Professor John Stumpman introduced us to Finagen Huntington. He told us that Finagen was here to issue the end of year exams. These exams will determine if we have to come back again next year, or if we graduate. As Finagen surveyed the room, he stopped on me and stared. Then he smiled. and then he passed out the tests. The smile was one of warmth, knowing and secrecy. Honestly I had never seen him in my life. When my test reached me, I looked down at it and couldn't hold back a little laugh. It was the oddest test I had ever taken. more then anything, it was full of riddles, subjective personality questions, and spacial math questions. We hadn't been taught any of this information directly, or even been told to study for it. I wasn't worried that it was hard, nothing in school was hard, but I did laugh that the test reflected nothing of the last year/years of school.
I surprised myself with how fast I finished the test. The answers to the riddles seemed obvious, the personality questions were about me so very easy, but the spacial questions took me a minute. The questions had a way of disorienting me. I would almost have to pretend gravity didn't exist to force my mind to think through them. In the end, I was able to answer them all, and with what I thought, were very good answers. When I took my test up to Finagen, he again gave me that smile but said nothing, until I went to step away, and he said wait. He handed my test back to me and asked if I had forgot something. I looked down at the test and said "No". "How can you be so sure" he said. I looked back through my head and recounted every question being answered. I said "because I know I answered them all". "Then if I asked you to switch the variables in questions 6 and 9, how would that change the answers?". It took me about 2 seconds to respond but I responded saying "The variables may change the math, but the answers will indefinitely always be the same." He smiled that same knowing smile again. He then stood up and asked me a question I thought I would never know. "Would you like to learn magic? Not just any magic, but a magic that can alter the fabrics of time and space?" I stared at him for a very long time. Time being relative and all that it sure felt like a very long time. He then pulled from his cloak a small round opal about 2 inches in diameter covered with numbers and ruins with two swirling rings circulating around. He escorted me out into the hall and closed the classroom door behind us. He began to chant a spell and as he was about to close the incantation and release its arcane power, I awoke from my shock and blurted out "but I haven't said yes yet". With that smile he finished his spell and said "of course you have. you were the one that sent me to get you."
Finagen took me to the edge of Temporal Prime that day. I saw the strands that link the multiverse, I marveled at the plane of history, and I even caught a glimpse of the Guardians. When we were all done, he brought me back to my school. But when we returned, it wasn't the school that I was used to. I explained it as a school between realms and planes and existence. It was a place where Time Mages were taught to harness the fabric of time and space. Time Mages only teach one apprentice at a time. So it was just me and Finagen most of the time. I met few other Time Mages as they would stop by to speak with Finagen and sometimes require his attention and help. When he was gone I kept to my studies. I expanded my mind, and learned the arcane arts. When I was finally ready to leave the school, Finagen didn't object. He agreed. He told me that Time Mages are not given these powers and abilities to use them willy nilly or for their own ambitions. They are to help protect this world. They are taught the Oath of the Time Guardians. This is the oath that the Time Guardians themselves gave to Time Mages in the beginning. If you can comprehend that. This oath is to protect the fibers of time. We are allowed to manipulate time but are cautioned to not take advantage of it. the Guardians are always watching. And they will not be merciful.
Finagen then gave me a gift. It's the same gift every Time Mage receives when they finish their training, a set of Time Robes and a Temporal Compass. The Time robes are a set of robes infused with illusion magic that shift and change to whatever the current time fashion is. The Temporal Compass is like the compass Finagen has. This will tell me the exact time in history it is at any given moment. I Thanked him profusely for my gifts. He actually thanked me. This surprised me. I tried asking him why, and all he could say is, "you'll know why soon enough".
Finagen took me back to the day I finished the test. Right to where we had left. He shook my hand and then walked away. I walked out of the school and into the streets of Resalund. Everything seemed as normal. Even the kings servants were still putting up decorations and making preparations for the Day of the Tricentennial Crown Celebration. All seemed as it was. Or I mean as it should be. or as it is. Like I said, I was a newly trained Time Mage, so everything seemed to be making my head spin ever so slightly.
Character interview:
1. How old are you?
30, Human
2. Tell me about your family life. Are you parents still alive? Who raised you? Siblings? What do they do?
Parents still alive. Father owns the Feathered Goods store in Resalund. My Mother makes potions and sells them in a story. They are sort of natural food hippy types. I have no siblings. I'm an only child. I was raised well, I worked in the shop a lot, so i know a lot about trade and economics. I also know much about potions and natural healing methodologies. Parents paid for a good education for me.
3. Explain your closest relationships, especially those that you've dated or courted. (We all have 'em.)
I was never much for the dating scene. I was always so busy with working the shop and school that I didn't get out much. The only girl I have ever had a crush on was Elsa Tworivers. She was always very nice to me, but too high class to notice me. I've talked to her a few times, but she never seems very interested. My best friend is Kesa Littleship. We've done everything together. Her dad owned the Blacksmith Ship AngleIron next door to my dads shop. Kesa and I are very tight. But we've never had that spark to be more then friends.
Hi I'm Himmal Embersmith. I have always had a knack for understanding the world around me. I had no innate ability to bend time (spoons) or anything like that. I'm not an oracle, or scrying sensation, but I do understand the world around me. I've always been very well grounded. When I was 16, I finished my studies at the school in Resalund. The only thing left in my future was to take over the Wholesale Goods shop down by the docks that my dad owned. He had been a trader his whole life, with my Mom as his number one potion maker. She always had a knack for producing the best tasting and most potent potions. He many a lot of money selling those to travelers, and adventurers. Well, as I was getting ready to enjoy my last day of school, a new professor walked in the classroom. I could tell from my desk that he was some sort of wizard. Not the normal kind with big robes and huge books, or the super eclectic kind with odd cloths and a funny looking pet. No, this one wore simple clothes that seemed to reflect the most average current fashion. He seemed to fit in a little too well. Mannerisms were very gentlemen like and at the same time you couldn't quite place where he was from. He had an accent but it was almost like having many accents in one. All in all he fit right in. You could tell he knew his way around magic, it seemed to flow from him. Or he flowed from it? Anyway, back to my story. I was sitting there as our old Professor John Stumpman introduced us to Finagen Huntington. He told us that Finagen was here to issue the end of year exams. These exams will determine if we have to come back again next year, or if we graduate. As Finagen surveyed the room, he stopped on me and stared. Then he smiled. and then he passed out the tests. The smile was one of warmth, knowing and secrecy. Honestly I had never seen him in my life. When my test reached me, I looked down at it and couldn't hold back a little laugh. It was the oddest test I had ever taken. more then anything, it was full of riddles, subjective personality questions, and spacial math questions. We hadn't been taught any of this information directly, or even been told to study for it. I wasn't worried that it was hard, nothing in school was hard, but I did laugh that the test reflected nothing of the last year/years of school.
I surprised myself with how fast I finished the test. The answers to the riddles seemed obvious, the personality questions were about me so very easy, but the spacial questions took me a minute. The questions had a way of disorienting me. I would almost have to pretend gravity didn't exist to force my mind to think through them. In the end, I was able to answer them all, and with what I thought, were very good answers. When I took my test up to Finagen, he again gave me that smile but said nothing, until I went to step away, and he said wait. He handed my test back to me and asked if I had forgot something. I looked down at the test and said "No". "How can you be so sure" he said. I looked back through my head and recounted every question being answered. I said "because I know I answered them all". "Then if I asked you to switch the variables in questions 6 and 9, how would that change the answers?". It took me about 2 seconds to respond but I responded saying "The variables may change the math, but the answers will indefinitely always be the same." He smiled that same knowing smile again. He then stood up and asked me a question I thought I would never know. "Would you like to learn magic? Not just any magic, but a magic that can alter the fabrics of time and space?" I stared at him for a very long time. Time being relative and all that it sure felt like a very long time. He then pulled from his cloak a small round opal about 2 inches in diameter covered with numbers and ruins with two swirling rings circulating around. He escorted me out into the hall and closed the classroom door behind us. He began to chant a spell and as he was about to close the incantation and release its arcane power, I awoke from my shock and blurted out "but I haven't said yes yet". With that smile he finished his spell and said "of course you have. you were the one that sent me to get you."
Finagen took me to the edge of Temporal Prime that day. I saw the strands that link the multiverse, I marveled at the plane of history, and I even caught a glimpse of the Guardians. When we were all done, he brought me back to my school. But when we returned, it wasn't the school that I was used to. I explained it as a school between realms and planes and existence. It was a place where Time Mages were taught to harness the fabric of time and space. Time Mages only teach one apprentice at a time. So it was just me and Finagen most of the time. I met few other Time Mages as they would stop by to speak with Finagen and sometimes require his attention and help. When he was gone I kept to my studies. I expanded my mind, and learned the arcane arts. When I was finally ready to leave the school, Finagen didn't object. He agreed. He told me that Time Mages are not given these powers and abilities to use them willy nilly or for their own ambitions. They are to help protect this world. They are taught the Oath of the Time Guardians. This is the oath that the Time Guardians themselves gave to Time Mages in the beginning. If you can comprehend that. This oath is to protect the fibers of time. We are allowed to manipulate time but are cautioned to not take advantage of it. the Guardians are always watching. And they will not be merciful.
Finagen then gave me a gift. It's the same gift every Time Mage receives when they finish their training, a set of Time Robes and a Temporal Compass. The Time robes are a set of robes infused with illusion magic that shift and change to whatever the current time fashion is. The Temporal Compass is like the compass Finagen has. This will tell me the exact time in history it is at any given moment. I Thanked him profusely for my gifts. He actually thanked me. This surprised me. I tried asking him why, and all he could say is, "you'll know why soon enough".
Finagen took me back to the day I finished the test. Right to where we had left. He shook my hand and then walked away. I walked out of the school and into the streets of Resalund. Everything seemed as normal. Even the kings servants were still putting up decorations and making preparations for the Day of the Tricentennial Crown Celebration. All seemed as it was. Or I mean as it should be. or as it is. Like I said, I was a newly trained Time Mage, so everything seemed to be making my head spin ever so slightly.
Character interview:
1. How old are you?
30, Human
2. Tell me about your family life. Are you parents still alive? Who raised you? Siblings? What do they do?
Parents still alive. Father owns the Feathered Goods store in Resalund. My Mother makes potions and sells them in a story. They are sort of natural food hippy types. I have no siblings. I'm an only child. I was raised well, I worked in the shop a lot, so i know a lot about trade and economics. I also know much about potions and natural healing methodologies. Parents paid for a good education for me.
3. Explain your closest relationships, especially those that you've dated or courted. (We all have 'em.)
I was never much for the dating scene. I was always so busy with working the shop and school that I didn't get out much. The only girl I have ever had a crush on was Elsa Tworivers. She was always very nice to me, but too high class to notice me. I've talked to her a few times, but she never seems very interested. My best friend is Kesa Littleship. We've done everything together. Her dad owned the Blacksmith Ship AngleIron next door to my dads shop. Kesa and I are very tight. But we've never had that spark to be more then friends.
4. What social class are you from? How has that shaped who you are?
I am from the middle social class. We've always had enough to get by, some years better then others. We've never wanted or begged. But we definitely don't come from the royal castle. Though, I have been there many times. I take orders there once a week. We sell the most potions to the castle. They always try moms new concoctions first. Between you and me, my dad milks this relationship for all its worth. He even has signs that say "Royal approved", or "If they drink it, so should you". It honestly works and generates a lot of business for them.
5. How did you get started doing what you do now? (Your character class.)
See above.
6. Who is your greatest hero or inspiration?
I don't have one. I don't see the world full of heros. I see the world full of time, and anyone can change that time. The past is written, though it can be re-written, the future is for us to decide.
7. What precious items do you carry with you always?
Three things: My Time Robes, Temporal Compass, and a necklace Kesa game to me. it's the sun carved out of Ivory. It reminds me that there is more to this life then just time passing. It helps me stay grounded to wherever I am.
8. How to religion and prophesy play into your life?
They are there. Gods are real. But I follow a much different path now. My parents follow Pelor, I used to. Now I play with time. I do not interfere with the Gods, but I also don't outwardly worship them. I realize that no matter what they do, I must do what I need to to serve and protect.
9. What do you feel about magic?
I love it. Really I do. Understanding how the arcane energy flows through this world is amazing. I use magic, I control magic and I do what I must with it.
10. Tell me about your dealings with the military.
I've never served in it. I'm glad its there to protect my family and friends. I believe all things have laws. I also believe that sometimes you have to go around them to get things done. When I bend time, they usually don't remember what happens/happened.
11. Tell me about your run-ins with the law.
ummmm, it happens on occasion. It's just that they don't remember it. Technically I have a clean record. But if I were counting, I've probably been in trouble on accident several times. I don't do it on purpose, but sometimes i miss judge my time manipulations and land in the wrong spot, or in the wrong time period. Its complicated.
12. Who is your greatest confidant?
Finegan and Kesa.
13. Tell me about someone in your past you'd prefer to avoid. Who, and why?
Ace Stonewall. He used to beat me up as a kid. I've got many scars from him. But ever since we graduated school, he's left me alone. He joined the palace guard, and is on the night watch in the south tower. I keep tabs on him now and then, but I really don't like him. If he ever came back to give me trouble, thats one person I would bend my oath and show him a lesson or two.
14. When you finally leave this life (hopefully a long time from now), what do you want to have been known for?
Nothing. Honestly, the less people remember me the better. I know that sounds weired, but in my craft, being remembered isn't the best thing. So I don't want to be remembered. I do however want to do as much good as I can. I know my future is full of "calls". Which are being called to alter time and space to save someone, help someone, track someone, or even elimanate someone to better the future of Cymuria.
15. You see a large bar of gold sitting in the street, and no one else seems to notice it. You think you have a moment before anyone else sees. What do you do?
Hahaha, thats funny, this was one of my test questions for my final school exam. Answer: I wink back in time, find out who's it is, and either give it back to them, or take the rest of the gold and give it back to the bank. This is a silly question. I thought you would have known the correct answer to this.
16. Which side of the bed do you roll out of? How come?
Right. I always roll out to the right cause then my body is rolling clockwise. This helps me orient myself in the morning better. You never know where/when/in what existence your waking up. So the sooner you orient yourself the better.
17. Of the following choices, choose one at the expense of the rest: WEALTH. POWER. RESPECT. WISDOM. STRENGTH. FRIENDSHIP.
I choose: Understanding. Understanding the worlds around you, understanding people motives from life past, understanding past, present, future. I don't need wealth, power, respect, or strength. I like friends, and wisdom is good, but Understanding brings the greatest gifts.
18. What was the worst day you've ever had, you ask?
That's tough to explain. . . . . . .OK, so I lied. Kesa was my neighbor yes, but has always been more than a "best friend." We grew up together that's true, we were friends that's true, but ever since we were small we both knew we'd marry. There's never been anyone in this world that's understood me better, more fully, and loved me more then her. She's a year older then me and thus graduated a year before I did. The year after graduation, she worked with her father running the buy/sell side of the business while he worked the forge. She got very good at negotiating with surrounding traders and understanding the ebb and flow of the trade routes. I was always impressed with her understanding of economics and her ability to discern peoples expectations and wants. It was one of our dreams to move out of our parents house and get our own place. We both knew we would have to help our parents run their businesses, that's just what you do as the only child. But we were determined to have our own place together. The night after I got back, I mean after I took my final test and came home was the worst night of my life. I had just finished my very long and intense training with Finagen, and returning to our time was very disorienting. Even with all of my mental training it took me the long walk home to reorient myself to this old, I mean current life. It took me several blocks to remember that I had just graduated, that Kesa had planned a party and that I was actually back.
As I walked up to my house/shop I heard a yelp come from the smith shop next door. Kesa burst out of the front door arms wide and almost tackled me to the ground. She kissed my face and then gave me a strange look. I must have had a look of seeing a ghost or something because she asked what was wrong. In my mind, it had been weeks, months or even years since I had seen her. I shook my head and smiled back hugging and kissing her. "Nothing's wrong, everything's finally right. Of course it's right, Your here, I'm here, and were together." She let out a big laugh, then asked, "So did you graduate? I've been waiting all day to hear. I've been praying to Pelor that you'd pass. Not that I needed to, your a genius. A handsome genius. So how did it go?" All I could do was smile at her. Her long curly brown hear bouncing as she smiled. I've never met anyone more beautiful then her. I told her I had passed with flying colors. She gave me a great big hug and congratulated me.
Look, this is really hard to talk about. These memories are still so fresh. They are some of my favorite memories. She was so happy for me.
That night, she had put together a great party at the Black Mug inn where all of our family and friends had come to celebrate graduation. We sang, we danced, we drank and we all enjoyed the evening. A lot of congratulations and cheers were exchanged. As the evening ended, we said goodbye to friends and family and left the inn. As we left I went to walk towards our homes/shops, but she stopped me and said she had a surprise. I asked her what it was, and she said she had earned more then enough money over the last few months of trading with the cities to the east, to buy her/our own apartment. I picked her up and kissed her. At that moment, I don't know what came over me, but I knelt down and asked her to marry me. I know this all sounds so silly. But it was young love, it was true love, and we had our whole lives ahead of us to live. Together. She said yes of course. I pulled the sapphire ring out of my coat pocket. I had received it from my grandmother months, I mean weeks back when I had told her of my desires to marry Kesa. She gave it to me as a pre-wedding gift and a blessing on our marriage. I pulled it out of my pocket and held it out to her. She started to cry and smile and laugh all at the same time. We embraced for a long time.
As we walked through the streets with elation nearing our new home, we turned the last corner to our apartment, and there he stood. Sword in one hand, and crossbow in the other. I don't know who he was, and the was a cloth covering his face. All he wanted was our gold. We didn't have any. I had just graduated and Kesa had spent most of hers on the apartment. Really we didn't have much to our names besides each other and our new apartment. We tried talking to him but he wouldn't listen. He saw the sapphire ring on her finger and demanded we give it up. I said "NO" and he put the sword to my throat. She struggled to pull of the ring. In that struggle my anger, fear, and frustration I cast a spell to speed up my senses. In essence it helps me see several seconds in the future and anticipate his actions. I saw for a brief moment that he would lower the sword from my neck as he reached for the ring. In that moment I slipped out of his reach and cast a missile of force at his face. It hit its mark perfectly and he fell. This is the truly terrible part though. I didn't even see the next part coming. The crossbow bolt also hit its mark. Kesa's lungs were pierced and instantly started filling with blood. I caught her before she hit the ground and held her tight. I used every spell of magic that I could think of, but I didn't understand how to manipulate the flows of magic to heal. She died there in the street. The same street that held our new life. The man got up and ran away.
I am still not strong enough to travel back that far to save her. I've been warned that it's very dangerous and very few chronomancers if any have ever done it. I will find a way. I will travel back and save her. I will kill that man and take from him what was taken from me. But he will never get it back. I will. I will get that life back, I will get Kesa back.
19. What are those scars on your back?
One scar for every time I've tried to save her. The Guardians of the Temporal Prime space protect the past. If we chronomancers try to alert the past too much, they hunt us and force us out of that space. Usually with much force. I wear these scars proudly. I know I'm obsessive, but that's what drives me.
20. What do you do now?
Good question. The old school closed years ago, I bought it cheap and run a premonition shop out of it. You know, tell people's future, connect people to dead family. Most of it just pays the bills. I'm usually right though. I also sell my moms potions in my shop. Dad died a year back from a nasty fever, so we sold the shop and mom moved into the old school with me. I occasionally sell my services as a wizard to local festivals, military issues or adventures that need an extra spell or two. I've taken some time to learn the healing arts so when I return to save Kesa I can heal her if I can't stop the bolt. I'm no cleric, but I can do my share.
I am from the middle social class. We've always had enough to get by, some years better then others. We've never wanted or begged. But we definitely don't come from the royal castle. Though, I have been there many times. I take orders there once a week. We sell the most potions to the castle. They always try moms new concoctions first. Between you and me, my dad milks this relationship for all its worth. He even has signs that say "Royal approved", or "If they drink it, so should you". It honestly works and generates a lot of business for them.
5. How did you get started doing what you do now? (Your character class.)
See above.
6. Who is your greatest hero or inspiration?
I don't have one. I don't see the world full of heros. I see the world full of time, and anyone can change that time. The past is written, though it can be re-written, the future is for us to decide.
7. What precious items do you carry with you always?
Three things: My Time Robes, Temporal Compass, and a necklace Kesa game to me. it's the sun carved out of Ivory. It reminds me that there is more to this life then just time passing. It helps me stay grounded to wherever I am.
8. How to religion and prophesy play into your life?
They are there. Gods are real. But I follow a much different path now. My parents follow Pelor, I used to. Now I play with time. I do not interfere with the Gods, but I also don't outwardly worship them. I realize that no matter what they do, I must do what I need to to serve and protect.
9. What do you feel about magic?
I love it. Really I do. Understanding how the arcane energy flows through this world is amazing. I use magic, I control magic and I do what I must with it.
10. Tell me about your dealings with the military.
I've never served in it. I'm glad its there to protect my family and friends. I believe all things have laws. I also believe that sometimes you have to go around them to get things done. When I bend time, they usually don't remember what happens/happened.
11. Tell me about your run-ins with the law.
ummmm, it happens on occasion. It's just that they don't remember it. Technically I have a clean record. But if I were counting, I've probably been in trouble on accident several times. I don't do it on purpose, but sometimes i miss judge my time manipulations and land in the wrong spot, or in the wrong time period. Its complicated.
12. Who is your greatest confidant?
Finegan and Kesa.
13. Tell me about someone in your past you'd prefer to avoid. Who, and why?
Ace Stonewall. He used to beat me up as a kid. I've got many scars from him. But ever since we graduated school, he's left me alone. He joined the palace guard, and is on the night watch in the south tower. I keep tabs on him now and then, but I really don't like him. If he ever came back to give me trouble, thats one person I would bend my oath and show him a lesson or two.
14. When you finally leave this life (hopefully a long time from now), what do you want to have been known for?
Nothing. Honestly, the less people remember me the better. I know that sounds weired, but in my craft, being remembered isn't the best thing. So I don't want to be remembered. I do however want to do as much good as I can. I know my future is full of "calls". Which are being called to alter time and space to save someone, help someone, track someone, or even elimanate someone to better the future of Cymuria.
15. You see a large bar of gold sitting in the street, and no one else seems to notice it. You think you have a moment before anyone else sees. What do you do?
Hahaha, thats funny, this was one of my test questions for my final school exam. Answer: I wink back in time, find out who's it is, and either give it back to them, or take the rest of the gold and give it back to the bank. This is a silly question. I thought you would have known the correct answer to this.
16. Which side of the bed do you roll out of? How come?
Right. I always roll out to the right cause then my body is rolling clockwise. This helps me orient myself in the morning better. You never know where/when/in what existence your waking up. So the sooner you orient yourself the better.
17. Of the following choices, choose one at the expense of the rest: WEALTH. POWER. RESPECT. WISDOM. STRENGTH. FRIENDSHIP.
I choose: Understanding. Understanding the worlds around you, understanding people motives from life past, understanding past, present, future. I don't need wealth, power, respect, or strength. I like friends, and wisdom is good, but Understanding brings the greatest gifts.
18. What was the worst day you've ever had, you ask?
That's tough to explain. . . . . . .OK, so I lied. Kesa was my neighbor yes, but has always been more than a "best friend." We grew up together that's true, we were friends that's true, but ever since we were small we both knew we'd marry. There's never been anyone in this world that's understood me better, more fully, and loved me more then her. She's a year older then me and thus graduated a year before I did. The year after graduation, she worked with her father running the buy/sell side of the business while he worked the forge. She got very good at negotiating with surrounding traders and understanding the ebb and flow of the trade routes. I was always impressed with her understanding of economics and her ability to discern peoples expectations and wants. It was one of our dreams to move out of our parents house and get our own place. We both knew we would have to help our parents run their businesses, that's just what you do as the only child. But we were determined to have our own place together. The night after I got back, I mean after I took my final test and came home was the worst night of my life. I had just finished my very long and intense training with Finagen, and returning to our time was very disorienting. Even with all of my mental training it took me the long walk home to reorient myself to this old, I mean current life. It took me several blocks to remember that I had just graduated, that Kesa had planned a party and that I was actually back.
As I walked up to my house/shop I heard a yelp come from the smith shop next door. Kesa burst out of the front door arms wide and almost tackled me to the ground. She kissed my face and then gave me a strange look. I must have had a look of seeing a ghost or something because she asked what was wrong. In my mind, it had been weeks, months or even years since I had seen her. I shook my head and smiled back hugging and kissing her. "Nothing's wrong, everything's finally right. Of course it's right, Your here, I'm here, and were together." She let out a big laugh, then asked, "So did you graduate? I've been waiting all day to hear. I've been praying to Pelor that you'd pass. Not that I needed to, your a genius. A handsome genius. So how did it go?" All I could do was smile at her. Her long curly brown hear bouncing as she smiled. I've never met anyone more beautiful then her. I told her I had passed with flying colors. She gave me a great big hug and congratulated me.
Look, this is really hard to talk about. These memories are still so fresh. They are some of my favorite memories. She was so happy for me.
That night, she had put together a great party at the Black Mug inn where all of our family and friends had come to celebrate graduation. We sang, we danced, we drank and we all enjoyed the evening. A lot of congratulations and cheers were exchanged. As the evening ended, we said goodbye to friends and family and left the inn. As we left I went to walk towards our homes/shops, but she stopped me and said she had a surprise. I asked her what it was, and she said she had earned more then enough money over the last few months of trading with the cities to the east, to buy her/our own apartment. I picked her up and kissed her. At that moment, I don't know what came over me, but I knelt down and asked her to marry me. I know this all sounds so silly. But it was young love, it was true love, and we had our whole lives ahead of us to live. Together. She said yes of course. I pulled the sapphire ring out of my coat pocket. I had received it from my grandmother months, I mean weeks back when I had told her of my desires to marry Kesa. She gave it to me as a pre-wedding gift and a blessing on our marriage. I pulled it out of my pocket and held it out to her. She started to cry and smile and laugh all at the same time. We embraced for a long time.
As we walked through the streets with elation nearing our new home, we turned the last corner to our apartment, and there he stood. Sword in one hand, and crossbow in the other. I don't know who he was, and the was a cloth covering his face. All he wanted was our gold. We didn't have any. I had just graduated and Kesa had spent most of hers on the apartment. Really we didn't have much to our names besides each other and our new apartment. We tried talking to him but he wouldn't listen. He saw the sapphire ring on her finger and demanded we give it up. I said "NO" and he put the sword to my throat. She struggled to pull of the ring. In that struggle my anger, fear, and frustration I cast a spell to speed up my senses. In essence it helps me see several seconds in the future and anticipate his actions. I saw for a brief moment that he would lower the sword from my neck as he reached for the ring. In that moment I slipped out of his reach and cast a missile of force at his face. It hit its mark perfectly and he fell. This is the truly terrible part though. I didn't even see the next part coming. The crossbow bolt also hit its mark. Kesa's lungs were pierced and instantly started filling with blood. I caught her before she hit the ground and held her tight. I used every spell of magic that I could think of, but I didn't understand how to manipulate the flows of magic to heal. She died there in the street. The same street that held our new life. The man got up and ran away.
I am still not strong enough to travel back that far to save her. I've been warned that it's very dangerous and very few chronomancers if any have ever done it. I will find a way. I will travel back and save her. I will kill that man and take from him what was taken from me. But he will never get it back. I will. I will get that life back, I will get Kesa back.
19. What are those scars on your back?
One scar for every time I've tried to save her. The Guardians of the Temporal Prime space protect the past. If we chronomancers try to alert the past too much, they hunt us and force us out of that space. Usually with much force. I wear these scars proudly. I know I'm obsessive, but that's what drives me.
20. What do you do now?
Good question. The old school closed years ago, I bought it cheap and run a premonition shop out of it. You know, tell people's future, connect people to dead family. Most of it just pays the bills. I'm usually right though. I also sell my moms potions in my shop. Dad died a year back from a nasty fever, so we sold the shop and mom moved into the old school with me. I occasionally sell my services as a wizard to local festivals, military issues or adventures that need an extra spell or two. I've taken some time to learn the healing arts so when I return to save Kesa I can heal her if I can't stop the bolt. I'm no cleric, but I can do my share.