Lyndel

When the clan decided to stop using the services of an untrustworthy witch, Lyndel was one of the members ordered to learn spellcasting for the benefit of the clan. Originally a doctor and quite content with his job, he was wary of learning the craft, but with the help of Polyhymnia he soon was learning to heal with potions and words as well as bandages.
Though he was new to the craft, he found that due to his repeated and lengthy exposure to it, magic had begun to seep into his dreams. It started with vaguely prophetic dreams, and soon lead to astral projection. He took to astral projection with ease, at first not knowing what he was truly doing. After coming to an understanding, he started practicing nightly. Soon he was skilled enough to leave his body even while awake.
His frequent trips to the spirit world soon led him to encounter another living being, Rhiwallon. The two went on journeys together in the spirit world, and became fast friends in life.
Their professions were night and day, Lyndel the witch doctor and Rhiwallon the necromancer, but they worked well together all the same.
Lyndel's nightly trips to the spirit world caused him to ignore his prophetic dreams. If he had paid attention, he would have seen the war coming that would take his mate from the world.
Lyndel tried with all his power to bring Shadern back, but he was not as skilled in healing as he was in spirit work. Rhiwallon could bring her body back, Lyndel could bring her spirit back, but their powers could not coexist in the same body. The only option Lyndel could see was to find Peron.
As always, she was right where he needed her, right at the edge of the battlefield in a little tent. She could bring Shadern back, certainly, but Death would not be cheated. If he wanted his mate back, he must make an equal sacrifice. His only option, she explained, was to trade Shadern's life for their new child, Shadow. Lydel agreed in desperation, and gave his child for his mate.
When Shadern awoke, her first request was for her child. When Lyndel explained, she could not forgive him. She raced back to the battlefield, but the tent was no longer there. Peron was satisfied, had no need to reverse her spell even if she could.
Lyndel followed, but Shadern was no where to be found either. When he did find her, it was too late. The spell and the sacrifice were all for nothing.
He had lost everything, and sought the only comfort he had left: the spirit world. He wandered for days, planning to let his body starve, until he heard the one word he thought he'd never hear again.
"Daddy?"
He had found his son, stumbled across him really. It took many more days, and the help of Rhiwallon, but the two managed to bring Shadow back to the life realm. His body was gone, but his spirit came through anyway by the pure determination of the spirit workers.
Lyndel then made a silent vow to always take time to dream, so that he could prevent the deaths of any more loved ones.


Art by Fizzywits (#202677)