Chapter 6: Preparations

Wandering Bristol, I kept an eye open for Randalf the Blue. While Wanda and Will would be useful, I thought a more experienced wizard would be worth more. I found him near a wooden statue that bore a slight resemblance to him, excepting it was not dressed in blue. Approaching him cautiously, showing him the respect that one should show their elders, I humbly asked, "Randalf? Might I have a word with you?"

"Why certainly, young one. I'm always glad to speak to visitors to Bristol. Have a seat," he replied, gesturing to the benches near the statue."

"Thank you. I have a somewhat odd request to make of you. You see, last year, there was a young gentleman by the name of Gabriel that visited Bristol. He helped the Band of the Twisted Claw defeat Lady Tso's plot, but while traveling home, another group of the Draco Disciples ambushed him. With his final moments of consciousness, he was able to store some part of himself in a piece of amber. Somehow, I am a body living without a soul. As Gabriel put it when he somehow spoke with me, I am but a shell."

"I see. That is quite a story. But, what is your request?"

"Ah, yes. While I am Virum, I am also Gabriel in some aspects of myself. Currently, Gaia has the amber, and we are trying to determine a way to get Gabriel from the amber back into his body, which is also my body. However, we want to do so without losing my experiences. Can you meet Gaia at the Lunar Tribe encampment and discuss any ideas you have with her?"

"I suppose I can do so. It is an odd request, but one that I would like to help out with."

"Grammercy. I need find the Spellworthy siblings. They too are magic users, and while young, have much knowledge. Will knows much of various beings, mythical and otherwise, and Wanda has had training with the Band , prior to training as a warrior with the barbarians. We will speak later, and once again, thank you for your time and help."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all. It will be good to exercise and experiment."


Leaving Randalf after a firm handshake farewell, I made my way toward the fairy glade. Will was fond of drawing Puck, Mustardseed (the Hedgehog Fairy), Cobweb, Oberon, Caliban and the various other fairies, so I thought I might find him nearby with his notebook of the various creatures he'd drawn.

I spied Will from a distance, sitting on one of the many rocks near the glade. Approaching the young man, I look over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of what he's drawing. My shadow fell onto the page, leading Will to turn and see who was there.

"Good day to you, Virum! How are you?" Will asked excitedly.

"Very well, Will. Though I have an interesting sort of problem that I'd like your help with, if you've got time."

"Certainly! What's the problem?"

I explained to Will about my both being Gabriel yet not Gabriel, his face rapt with interest.

"That is quite a problem. I don't know why you think I'd be able to help, but I'm willin' to give it a try. Maybe I could have some of the fairy-folke help. They're magical, you know."

"Aye, perhaps you could. But I've never heard any of them speak, so I don't know how they'd be able to help."

"Oh, worry not. I've got a way to communicate with them. I'll ask if they'll help and then will go to Gaia to help."

"Thank you ever so much, Will. Before you go, have you seen your sister recently?"

"Ah, yes... she was sharing a cookie with Snifflewort and Stirling at the Lunar Tribe encampment."

"Really? I thought Snifflewort was evil, stealing cookies & making Stirling sick."

"Oh, no... we thought so too, but it was all a misunderstanding. We found out that Snifflewort just wanted to make friends, but didn't know how."

"Ah, so the four of you are friends now? That's good. I'll go tell Wanda about what we're trying to figure out, and will wait for you to join us. "

"Sounds like a plan. See thee anon at the Lunar Tribe camp."

I walked to the Lunar Tribe camp, where I saw Gaia and Randalf sitting at a table talking. Wanda, Stirling and Snifflewort were there as well, as Will told me, and it looked like they had just finished their cookie-sharing party. I approached Wanda's group, saying, "Good afternoon, Wanda, Strirling, and Snifflewort. How was the cookie?"

Wanda turned to me, smiling.

 "Good day to you, Virum. Gaia mentioned you have some sort of magical problem that you'd like my help with, but didn't share details, stating that you'd explain the problem to me yourself."

"Yes, that's true. As you may know, I've been going by Virum Multis Nominibus. However, Rose told me that I'm Gabriel, and Gaia told me that because of me, Gabriel is no more."

"But, how is that possible?"

"That was my question also. However, it has since been answered, though in a most unusual way. It seems that the spirit of Gabriel spoke to me last night and told me the story of my origins."

I tell the story of the prior night once more, explaining that Gabriel is somehow trapped in amber and that I need help figuring out how to break him out of the amber and get his spirit back in my/his/our body. 

"That sounds like quite a problem," Wanda stated pensively. She turns to Snifflewort and asks, "Wanna help? It'll give you something to do."

"I suppose so. Better than sitting around doing naught."

Stirling then interrupted, "Stirling want help!!! Club smash amber!"

Turning my head in Stirling's direction, I amusedly commented, "That might not be a bad idea. Right now, let's talk to Gaia & Randalf and see what ideas they have. Maybe they'll have a plan already."