ArcaneStar

Courtier Tales: ArcaneStar

Draca had another task for you. This one was not quite a job it was training. Something about integrating the mind and the body. Considering what happened last time you did something like that you were a little nervous. However Butterfly was not too bad right? Well it had been a little mind stretching and perhaps a little mind destroying but well it had been kinda nice to be seen as smart. Also you were informed that Butterfly was using your answers in a work that was going to be out on the shelves in the next moon cycle. And Butterfly promised you that she would sign a copy if you brought one by. So perhaps you were feeling in a pretty good mood about it now. However this task was about using the mind and body so perhaps you should be a little more nervous. Yet you were feeling just a touch cocky so you pushed that sense of warning aside.

Soon you were going to the location. The Cathedral of the MindSoulBody. You were a little curious on why there was no spaces in the last three words. But well it seemed to you that people could name just about anything pretty much whatever they wanted. The dragons mostly seemed to have unique names anyways. And your target dragon also has a name of words merged together as well. So you go in and ask for ArcaneStar. And you are shown to a circular stairway and told that ArcaneStar is at the top. You then go up what feels like seven flights of stairs. You find yourself a little nervous as the stairway is missing the outside rail. You had been assured there was a spell that would keep you from falling off but you were not really sure how much you trusted it. No cancel that you knew exactly how much you trusted it: about as far as you could throw an adult snapper dragon. In other words not at all.

Finally you are at the top of the stairs and move over to the large open door at the top. You go in and see a pearlcatcher dragon that seems to be the colors of either bananas or lightly shot with other colors. And red angry looking wings. You find the look striking. You naturally ask to make sure you have the right dragon and well you do. What you do not expect was that not only is ArcaneStar expecting you. But her response is "Yes yes now lets get started. Now I want you to go get a mat and lay it out and stand on it. Face the diagrams at the front." You are startled but you obey and are soon put through a grueling physical workout while also being questioned in a philosophical nature. And the most obvious answers don't appear to be getting you any headway. In fact some of the questions lack sense as well. How in the blazes could you fit a camel through the eye of a needle? And why would you want to? And how could an ox's horns, body and hooves go through a door yet the tail not fit through. Last you checked the widest part of a cow was the body and horns and the highest up was the horns and hooves. The smallest bit of the beast was the tail. Was the door shrinking? The onslaught continued for what felt like an entirety complete with rest time, snack and water breaks. But there were no brain brakes.

When the flow of questions stopped and your body was about ready to give out you look up praying that this was over. That was about the last coherent thought process you could manage. The dragon looked at her toying with the pearl in her hold. "Good you are making progress." That startles you a bit but you will take what you can get. "Draca was right about you. You do have promise. A jolt of anger energizes you a little as you realize that Draca knew that this was going to happen to you to some degree. But if this is what she does to people who hold promise you are scared to even consider what she would do to those who don't. ArcaneStar approaches you offering you the pearl. "Touch it...." You obey as there is little other choice. You somehow feel recharged and your brain and body recovers somewhat. The strange and slightly disturbing yellow and blue drink she offers you next finishes the job. However you are feeling a little nervous. What exact is going on? Yet you realize that you can only wait understand. ArcaneStar looks at you again and speaks. "You will find out the reason for this later. But Draca is not the monster you might think she is. However sometimes a lot has to be done before a person is ready to understand the purpose of why a person does things the way they do. Keep heart. Next months session should be easier." Your gut suddenly sinks as you realize that this event is going to be repeated. You are certain you did not sign on for that. But it seems you have no choice. However at least now you are allowed to leave and limp home to shower and rest. You know you are going to feel this tomorrow.