He loved to draw. He always had a whole pencil case of coloured pens with him. At the moment, he was engrossed in finishing his Paladin figure. Thanks to his 'punishment', he had 45 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete his character.
He was so deeply focused on his work that he was almost touching the paper with his nose. Every now and then, he would step back and admire his work. It seemed to him that the paladin's cloak began to flutter as if blown by the wind. He rubbed his eyes. A character - he was convinced - he had drawn sideways - started walking straight towards him. Not knowing what was happening he sprang to his feet - and then the paladin grabbed his trembling hand and pulled him into his world.
To one side he saw a white wall with light blue checks like his maths notebook. Just as he was about to touch it - someone grabbed his arm firmly and turn him around - it was his Paladin! Only... alive. He was two heads taller than him. He was wearing armour that was bent in many places - as if it had seen many battles already.
-Son!
-yyy... what?
-Son, today is your day! I wish you the courage and strength of a lion!
The paladin walked a few metres away along a trodden path, mounted his horse and rode off.
Mark did not know what was happening. He quickly realised that he was holding a shield in his hand and had a sword strapped to his wide leather belt. He took the sword out of its scabbard and looked it over - it was identical in detail to one of his recent drawings. He wore a helmet, a chainmail, slightly too large for him, and a steel breastplate. Stamped on his shield was a lion's head with a scar instead of one eye. Mark looked around him. The white checked wall had disappeared. He was in the middle of a clearing in the forest. He stood at a crossroads. He turned - a pony was standing in front of him. Mark sheathed his sword, fixed his shield on his back using the leather belt that girdled his breastplate. He reached out tentatively towards the pony's head. The pony widened its nostrils and snorted a few times. He walked over to him and nudged him on the shoulder with his head.
-Are we... friends?
The pony was saddled up. He was carrying several leather bags and panniers. He looked through them - there was food wrapped in linen cloths and water in a beaker. Without thinking much - he mounted his pony. He did not even manage to grab the reins - the horse trotted off. Although Mark was terrified - he was relieved - the pony made the choice for him.
They rode like this for quite a while. The landscape didn't change much. Trees changed from oaks to pines, giant boulders from time to time and fallen trees that had to be avoided. They were trotting along like this foot by foot when, just ahead of them, the road began to slip, and a great chasm rose up before them. Out of the abyss emerged a strangely dressed gentleman in a crazy hat and dressing gown.
-Could use a bridge, eh?- strange figure said.
-Who are you?
-How dare you speak to me like that! Show respect to the great magician of the elements!
-Come on, you look like my Grandmother getting ready for bed.
-Unworthy! How dare you insult the great Mage of the Elements!
-Listen Dude, my name is Mark. I go to 3rd grade and I have no idea how I got here. Just this morning I was sitting in maths class and now I'm sitting on a pony and riding into the unknown. You really need to do better to impress me!
-Ok, ok, why so nervous? I am the Great Mage of the Elements! You can call me Michael.
-Michael?
-Why, Mark sounds better to you?
-You got a point here.
-Do you want to cross this chasm or not?
-You're the one who created this abyss, it's up to you to fix it now.
The Great Mage of the Elements raised one eyebrow, raised both hands in the air like a prophet and the ground closed.
-I have been looking for you! - the mage said in a singing voice.
-You have found it! Well done! - Mark burst out laughing
-I've got a tips for you on your quest!
-Quest? I don't know anything about any 'Quest'.
-You will be put to a great test. The Test of Valour!
-Are you serious now?
-Hey!
-What?
-This is a momentous occasion. You should celebrate it with dignity!
-Be that as it may. What's your task, venerable Elemental Mage?
-You must save the kingdom from destruction!
-Er, no thanks.
Mark grabbed the reins and turned the pony around.
In front of him, the ground cleared again forming a giant ravine anew.
Mark turned the pony around again and saw the Mage standing in his way with a mocking smile.
-Ok, what's the task?
-To save the kingdom!
-You already said that!
-Save it from extinction!
-Dude, be clearer!
-You have to slaughter that mean lizard living in the cave, right there on the hill!
-You should have said that right away. Would you like to help me, perhaps?
-The hero must carry the burden of the task alone. You and only you can do it. If you fail, no one will succeed.
-I won't tell anyone. Take off that silly robe and come with me!
-Oh, how exciting! Can I fit on a pony? I'm so bored of flying....
This is part one of the story 'From Zero to Hero', wotw challenge.
You can find all information's about it here
I wish you lovely Wednesday!
Yours,
Strega Azure
Drawing & pictures are my authorship if not stated otherwise.
All rights reserved @strega.azure ©
All rights reserved @strega.azure ©
Man, holy crap BlueDragon, you’re awesome!
I am glad you like it, means a lot @albuslucimus!
I think I am making progress:)
image sorce
I needed to write something entertaining , no strings attached this time :D
Well, you nailed it buddy!!!
🤗
I wonder if he's dreaming??? I hope not 😲
I have 2nd part in my head, but have to just sit and write it down.
I will not spoil this for you though:)
Thank you for visiting my blog:)
The Mage of Elements is such a good character lol. Unplanned adventures often have the best experiences. Mark has a great task ahead of him, boring maths class will be least of his worries now!
Great drawing as always, I had to flip by device to understand some parts of the drawing :)
I'm very fond of Pratchett's prose and I had Monty Python's 'Holy Grail' jokes in the back of my mind whole time :D
Wanted to do something different than I usually do. Not to overthinking stuff, just do something light and easy to digest:)
There you go! I forced you do do some exercises :D Good!
It is old drawing/collage really. I haven't worked with abstraction a long time, kinda miss that, you know?
Yes! No wonder the setting seem familiar, Mark is on a great task and the Master of Elements is a good match as a guide :)
You did great with it, it's a fun adventure that could lead to amazing discoveries. The humorous conversations really makes it light and easy :)
Haha, I did! I flipped it upside down and then horizontally too. Each revealing an aspect of the drawing. I like abstraction, especially when it comes to the creative process, why unpack an idea when one can leave it in packed form?
I am glad the story provided some amusement:) I should have next part ready soon:)
Thank you for popping by!
I find it amusing but it's the reality of this world. Wanna be a hero, carry a burden alone.😂🤭
The conversation is a funny bickering as I read it. And the drawing must be in the museum. It's a kind of painting that you could stare at for hours and being deep in thoughts.😌
💛Made my way here through #dreemport. #Dreemerforlife
So glad I made you laugh! For once - that was intentional :D
It is old drawing, I have found it recently on my portable hard drive. I was kinda surprised, becouse I couldn't remember what I was thinking doing that piece, and I usually do :D So very much rely now on what people say about it :)
You're a very good writer, with an impressive imagination. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you very much for popping by!
How are you doing? Feeling bit more cosy on hive?
You're welcome mate. Journey going nicely so far I think. Information overload tho with all my learnings along the way lmao. Keep well :)
Yeah, felt same way a while ago. It's getting better and easier in time, you will see.
Plus if you will learn most of it(that an exaggeration, there is always something to learn here :D) - at the very beginning - then you can roam more smoothly later on:)
Haha... From maths class to a battle field how great! I love the dialogue. It is fun to read.
I waltzed in from #dreemport for I am a #dreemer. An awesomely made #dreemerforlife.
So glad you liked it! So funny - I got your lovely poem in the mix today! 🙌
I just wanted to write something funny, you know, for a change:) I was wondering if I am capable to do so, and not to dragging plot through the mud and hardships as I usually do :D
Haha... It is. Thanks for dropping something nice.
Well, the change was made and felt. You did great Streg. You are undoubtedly amazing ☺️☺️.
🤗
Wow!! What an amazing write-up, You are such a genius, keep the flag flying, and thanks for sharing.
Pop in from #Dreemport
#Dreemerforlife
Thank you very much!
I always find your posts interesting, never boring. nice storyline
Thank you very much, hope you chuckled at list a bit!
I loved the humour in this piece, Strega! Mark treats his experience lightly at first, as if he is in a daydream - which he well might be !LOLZ and the mentor hilariously leaves him with no real choices as he faces the challenge of the quest to destroy the lizard. Staying on track nicely with the Hero's Journey Arc🙌 I look forward to reading part2! !LUV !ALIVE
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