Here Comes the Storm: Karagon’s Awakening

Gardeena is a quiet, yet mystical place, built upon the fertile fields of Lampuria, forged by its ancient people between the eastern oaks of the Manglarian Forest, and the cliffs of Margar. It’s location has provided both privacy and sustenance for it’s inhabitants for generations, which in turn, has allowed for the cultivation of many of it’s rich traditions, most notably the mastery of the elements and culinary arts. At the heart of town lies a garden that is both immense and diverse in it’s offerings, many of which can be found on the menu of Stormhelm, the town’s best and only tavern, and a hidden gem of the realm for those who’s paths have brought them to it’s door. The lush fields which encompass most of the town, provide throes of golden wheat for the tavern’s famous, Earth and Fire Ale, a nod to the Storm bringers, a modest in number, yet powerful clan of elemental masters who reside and train upon the abundant grounds of Gardeena. Most of the townsfolk are born into a life of farming and fishing, but those who bear the mark of the storm, and are able to complete the trials of Margar, may pursue the vocation and life of a Stormbringer.

Karagon, the most powerful, but least battle tested of the remaining storm-bringers serves as a beacon of hope not only for Gardeena, his home, but for all future storm bringers both born and yet to be. His mastery of the elements, which vastly outshines his willingness to take on an apprentice or to teach younger generations, is a mark on his otherwise sterling character. Eleven years ago, a battle waged just outside the towns reaches between storm bringers and giant, giants whose dwindled resources led them to covet the vast resources that Gardeena possesses. The battle, ultimately won by the storm bringers, resulted in heavy losses, including 5 out of the 8 living elementalists. Karagon, Thorum “the wolf,” and the eldest, Shorgut, were the only ones to walk away, albeit with scars, both physical and mental, from the clash better known as “Margar’s Stand.” Thorum, often referred to as the wolf, left after the encounter with the giants, and has not returned to his homeland, although stories of his feats in distant lands have made it’s way into townsfolk mouths at Stormhelm’s tables. Shorgut, who first saw Karagon’s promise, took him on as his apprentice many moons ago, and is now, weathered and worn by the life he has lived and unable to command the elements required to teach. Mastering the elements brings with it, great power, but its toll on the body is immense, along with its responsibility to answer the call of the great order when needed, which often puts those who answer in certain peril. Shorgut spends most of his retirement urging Karagon to pass along his knowledge and valuable experience but is oft turned away or ignored all together. It is following another one of Shorgut’s pleas, that Karagon would be put to the test and nothing would be the same again.

There is a pass along the base of Margar’s Cliff, which cuts through the outer edges of Manglarian Forest, and leads to a river basin, a prime destination for fishing and meditation. Karagon, with rod and bait in hand, casts out his line and set down on the banks of the river to meditate and hone his craft, as he waited patiently for a Lampurian bass to latch. Fishing for a storm-bringer is a bit trivial, as Karagon could certainly use his control of water, his preferred element, to wash an unsuspecting bass upon the shore, however, he views the act of fishing as an opportunity to test and grow one’s patience and to connect more deeply with the natural order of things. As Karagon laid back onto the soft embankment, the once radiant sun was suddenly blotted out by something far less warming, the silhouette of Alagon, the Gargantuan. Just as Karagon’s eyes had adjusted to the sudden change in light, and a good thing to, the cracked, and leathery sole of Alagon’s right foot came crashing down upon him. Pressing his hand to the ground, he used a swift gust of wind to sweep his body down the embankment and into the cool waters just below, narrowly escaping certain death. Without hesitation, Alagon let out a thunderous growl, and advanced quickly towards Karagon. Having a moment to finally assess his circumstances, he funneled a vast amount of the river basis’s crystal-clear water into a cylindered stream that crashed into Alagon’s chest, knocking the ill-tempered behemoth back, and momentarily stunning him. During “Margar’s Stand,” the last time he encountered a giant, his youth and inexperience had almost cost him his life. Now, facing the largest and most feral of the giants, Karagon knew that anything short of his best, would not be good enough on this day.

Having let his guard down after landing a definitively powerful strike to the giant, he failed to notice that Alagon had uprooted a nearby tree while getting to his feet and hurled it in his direction. He quickly lifted the earthy soils of the embankment just a few yards in front of him, slowing but not stopping the oak’s flight. He was now trapped, under the weight of both the trunk and shallow waters of the basin, a dire predicament to say the least. The giant once again stood over him, smiling down upon Karagon, content with watching him grasp for air. Karagon thought about what Shorgut had told him before left the village, and in that moment, his body caught fire, instantly evaporating the water around him, causing a rush of steam to engulf Alagon, and blind him. Alagon let out a scream, that was soaked in pain, and deafening, then turned and retreated towards the forest’s edge. Karagon, safely on dry land at this point in time, did not give chase, but watched as the Gargantuan creature hastily fled into the woods he came from. Thoughts of chasing the wounded beast, quickly faded, as Karagon wisely acknowledged that it was best he let his body recover, as the encounter with the giant, had taken a toll on him. Fishing would have to wait to another day, dinner at Stormhelm with a story to tell seemed like a safer proposition.

The End

I hope you enjoyed the story. Remember to prioritize your needs and make time to pursue that which makes you happy and fulfilled. Please check out my From WOLF to ALPHA process, and other short stories on my website.

Written by Man with a Plan aka Jeffrey Kalinoski