The Joys of Morwen be upon you both! Its a boy, a beautiful baby boy! Oh!
Donal O Cavan, overseer of the town which bore his great grandfathers name, looked at the Sister in concern. What is it, Aideen? he asked, fearing for the health of both his beloved wife and his new born son. His last son, Liam, was cursed with coughing fits and even seizures, and he hoped that this new life did not share Liams fate.
His eyes are already open! The childs wail filled the room as the midwife cleaned him, and wrapped him in the swaddling clothes. The infant quieted as his exhausted mother clutched him to her. Bevin, his wife, made cooing noises to the as yet nameless infant.
Thus it was with Megan. It seems magic has touched this one, said Aideen. Now begone, good sir, while I tend to your wife.
************************
And that, good sirs, is how the life of Mahon OCavan began. From the beginning of my life, I was aware. Time has faded the memories quite a bit, but I still recall looking into my mothers eyes with perfect clarity.
And good Sister Aideen was correct. I was found to have some small talent for magic, as my good sister Meagan had as well. One child born to magic in the realm was rare enough, but two in the same family was almost unheard of outside of Darkwell. If it had been any mother but my own, Im sure that we would have been unmanageable. My mother, on the other hand, was smart as whip, and strange powers or no, was always willing to let me know that conjuring in the house was not allowed. Despite my gifts, I had a mostly uneventful childhood. I played with my siblings: serious Bryan, my elder by six years, always willing to help his brothers with a bit of work, and chores, fair-haired and wild Megan, who ended up studying with the Decavi, Liam, poor Liam, whose health failed him ten winters ago, and younger brother Collin, who shared my sisters temperament, and had a Players talent. But I also had playmates my bothers and sisters did not. The nameless animals of the forest also were my companions, as were its ancient oaks. When I was done with my chores and Sister Aideens lessons, I spent my time in the arms of nature.
It seemed only natural that I saw the Circle as my future home. That fact wasnt lost on my parents as well. When I came to the age of apprenticeship, my father called for the leader of the nearest Hallow. A few days later, a young Watcher by the name of Galway arrived at our door step. How mysterious she seemed to me at the time! I had never known that a caster of such power could exist. Even though she walked in human form, you saw the eyes of the hawk she shifted to staring right back into your eyes. She took one look into my eyes, and told my parents that they should send my clothes and things to the Hallow, as they would take me into apprenticeship.
As we left my home, Galway turned to me, and told me to hold still. I heard her chanting, I heard her invoke, and felt a light touch. Soon, I saw the world in a whole new perspective. Galway had turned me into a mouse! Calm yourself, little one. Tis easier on me to carry you this way. Soon you will be in your new home. With that, she herself shifted to a hawk, and scooped me up. I will never forget that flight! The whole of the world rushing beneath me, terror and delight intermingling in equal measure. In but an hour we approached the Hallow.
Ah, but I see you wish me to be brief! Too late I say. Needless to say, that Hallow was my home for the next five years as I gathered the needed discipline to focus my magics. Master Druid Shaemus Finster, my mentor, and friend, showed me the wisdom contained within the whispering winds, and how to seek the true voice of Ai. For the most part, my time not spent training was spent in quiet contemplation of the grandeur of nature. It was also about that time that Brother Gwydion introduced me to the fine art of brewing as well, which I maintain as a hobby.
When I turned eighteen, I, with the blessings of the Master Finster, journeyed to the Grand Hollow in Kenwall, where I have continued my apprenticeship to the current day. I grow restless for adventure, though. Though I have ranged far in the lands of Taus, I long some day to see the whole of Archaea, protecting nature from the ravages of those who would abuse it. It is my fondest hope that my meager powers will be of some assistance in the protecting of the Realm.
Donal O Cavan, overseer of the town which bore his great grandfathers name, looked at the Sister in concern. What is it, Aideen? he asked, fearing for the health of both his beloved wife and his new born son. His last son, Liam, was cursed with coughing fits and even seizures, and he hoped that this new life did not share Liams fate.
His eyes are already open! The childs wail filled the room as the midwife cleaned him, and wrapped him in the swaddling clothes. The infant quieted as his exhausted mother clutched him to her. Bevin, his wife, made cooing noises to the as yet nameless infant.
Thus it was with Megan. It seems magic has touched this one, said Aideen. Now begone, good sir, while I tend to your wife.
************************
And that, good sirs, is how the life of Mahon OCavan began. From the beginning of my life, I was aware. Time has faded the memories quite a bit, but I still recall looking into my mothers eyes with perfect clarity.
And good Sister Aideen was correct. I was found to have some small talent for magic, as my good sister Meagan had as well. One child born to magic in the realm was rare enough, but two in the same family was almost unheard of outside of Darkwell. If it had been any mother but my own, Im sure that we would have been unmanageable. My mother, on the other hand, was smart as whip, and strange powers or no, was always willing to let me know that conjuring in the house was not allowed. Despite my gifts, I had a mostly uneventful childhood. I played with my siblings: serious Bryan, my elder by six years, always willing to help his brothers with a bit of work, and chores, fair-haired and wild Megan, who ended up studying with the Decavi, Liam, poor Liam, whose health failed him ten winters ago, and younger brother Collin, who shared my sisters temperament, and had a Players talent. But I also had playmates my bothers and sisters did not. The nameless animals of the forest also were my companions, as were its ancient oaks. When I was done with my chores and Sister Aideens lessons, I spent my time in the arms of nature.
It seemed only natural that I saw the Circle as my future home. That fact wasnt lost on my parents as well. When I came to the age of apprenticeship, my father called for the leader of the nearest Hallow. A few days later, a young Watcher by the name of Galway arrived at our door step. How mysterious she seemed to me at the time! I had never known that a caster of such power could exist. Even though she walked in human form, you saw the eyes of the hawk she shifted to staring right back into your eyes. She took one look into my eyes, and told my parents that they should send my clothes and things to the Hallow, as they would take me into apprenticeship.
As we left my home, Galway turned to me, and told me to hold still. I heard her chanting, I heard her invoke, and felt a light touch. Soon, I saw the world in a whole new perspective. Galway had turned me into a mouse! Calm yourself, little one. Tis easier on me to carry you this way. Soon you will be in your new home. With that, she herself shifted to a hawk, and scooped me up. I will never forget that flight! The whole of the world rushing beneath me, terror and delight intermingling in equal measure. In but an hour we approached the Hallow.
Ah, but I see you wish me to be brief! Too late I say. Needless to say, that Hallow was my home for the next five years as I gathered the needed discipline to focus my magics. Master Druid Shaemus Finster, my mentor, and friend, showed me the wisdom contained within the whispering winds, and how to seek the true voice of Ai. For the most part, my time not spent training was spent in quiet contemplation of the grandeur of nature. It was also about that time that Brother Gwydion introduced me to the fine art of brewing as well, which I maintain as a hobby.
When I turned eighteen, I, with the blessings of the Master Finster, journeyed to the Grand Hollow in Kenwall, where I have continued my apprenticeship to the current day. I grow restless for adventure, though. Though I have ranged far in the lands of Taus, I long some day to see the whole of Archaea, protecting nature from the ravages of those who would abuse it. It is my fondest hope that my meager powers will be of some assistance in the protecting of the Realm.
