Andrew was taken slightly aback by Annalisa’s display of charm and pleasantry. However it quickly worked in the exact way that the wizard intended. The apprentice’s ego seemed to have been stoked back to full roaring capacity the minute they stepped out of the purview of his Master’s work spaces.
“He’s the Mistress’s favorite. He’s convinced her that he’s worthy of her attention when he clearly lacks any real magical talent. It’s maddening and constraining against someone of my talents when I can help her with breakthroughs his narrow mind can’t possibly conceive.” He sniffed dejectedly but it was quickly brushed aside. Anyone with a basic education could see that Andrew was very much full of his own pride and ambition. It made him as much of a loose cannon as it did an easy tool to manipulate. At the Wizard’s questions though he perked up listening intently for a moment as he considered them.
“I once studied Ixam in Zeltiva. Part of an archaeology course I pursued in the interest of furthering my Malediction craft. From what I know, even the smallest of adult Ixam are easily nine feet in length with the largest of them reaching upwards of twenty feet. Their height is of the same comparative range going from four feet to upwards of seven.” Those were certainly not small proportions. The sheer size of this creature was intimidating enough and from the look on Andrew’s face he had more to say about the creatures.
“They’re fast over short distances and not normally aggressive. For the most part they are a docile creature but as before, if this one is mutated then who knows what it could be like.” That was certainly a disturbing thought. Had this been a natural Ixam the likelihood that they were in severe danger would have been minimal at best, especially given Annalisa’s prowess with magic. With the added unknown of the mutations caused by Sahovan experimentation it would be best to act swiftly and without mercy. Their objective was of course to retrieve a bone from the beast so simply destroying it utterly was out of the question. It would either have to be killed and then dismembered or relieved of a limb then sent on its way to nurse its wounds.
“My fear is that if this Ixam is of the Plain species then it is traveling in a pack. They are usually in herds of eight to ten and that would not bode well…” The idea of facing down eight to ten mutated, massive, lizards made the apprentice shiver. The last thing he wanted was to be ripped to shreds by a beast twisted by the magic of the island or worse, something left over from the Djed Storms.
With his explanation of the beast finished, Andrew lapsed into silence. Likely he was considering how to defeat or at least retrieve a sample from the creature without getting killed. The citadel faded around them until the two mages were on their way to the Training Grounds. The harsh landscape of the Isle of Sahova lay before them. It was not unpleasantly warm outside, the breeze whispering over the island provided a nice reprieve from the steady gaze of Syna. Before long the two were meandering their way toward the Plains and what awaited them there.
“He’s the Mistress’s favorite. He’s convinced her that he’s worthy of her attention when he clearly lacks any real magical talent. It’s maddening and constraining against someone of my talents when I can help her with breakthroughs his narrow mind can’t possibly conceive.” He sniffed dejectedly but it was quickly brushed aside. Anyone with a basic education could see that Andrew was very much full of his own pride and ambition. It made him as much of a loose cannon as it did an easy tool to manipulate. At the Wizard’s questions though he perked up listening intently for a moment as he considered them.
“I once studied Ixam in Zeltiva. Part of an archaeology course I pursued in the interest of furthering my Malediction craft. From what I know, even the smallest of adult Ixam are easily nine feet in length with the largest of them reaching upwards of twenty feet. Their height is of the same comparative range going from four feet to upwards of seven.” Those were certainly not small proportions. The sheer size of this creature was intimidating enough and from the look on Andrew’s face he had more to say about the creatures.
“They’re fast over short distances and not normally aggressive. For the most part they are a docile creature but as before, if this one is mutated then who knows what it could be like.” That was certainly a disturbing thought. Had this been a natural Ixam the likelihood that they were in severe danger would have been minimal at best, especially given Annalisa’s prowess with magic. With the added unknown of the mutations caused by Sahovan experimentation it would be best to act swiftly and without mercy. Their objective was of course to retrieve a bone from the beast so simply destroying it utterly was out of the question. It would either have to be killed and then dismembered or relieved of a limb then sent on its way to nurse its wounds.
“My fear is that if this Ixam is of the Plain species then it is traveling in a pack. They are usually in herds of eight to ten and that would not bode well…” The idea of facing down eight to ten mutated, massive, lizards made the apprentice shiver. The last thing he wanted was to be ripped to shreds by a beast twisted by the magic of the island or worse, something left over from the Djed Storms.
With his explanation of the beast finished, Andrew lapsed into silence. Likely he was considering how to defeat or at least retrieve a sample from the creature without getting killed. The citadel faded around them until the two mages were on their way to the Training Grounds. The harsh landscape of the Isle of Sahova lay before them. It was not unpleasantly warm outside, the breeze whispering over the island provided a nice reprieve from the steady gaze of Syna. Before long the two were meandering their way toward the Plains and what awaited them there.
NoteFeel free to take what creative liberties you like with the setting.
