Will of the Mage (madlittlealice and maidenroseheart)
 

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Name: Lady Elizabeth of McGarth Forest
Age: 25
Bio: Her father is away protecting one of the kingdoms' forts. Her mother is ill and often in bed. Elizabeth (Beth) often stays at the manor to care for the household. Her butler takes care of the estates in her father's absence. Often lonely, she will go to a nearby town to talk with the academy's instructors or to listen to music at the outdoor stage. She uses her education to pick up on some of the new taxes being unfair or unbased. With those suspicions that someone is manipulating the king as well as organizing armed bandits to rob and molest the populace, she begins her search for answers.
Mage abilities: Telekinesis (pick up objects with mind), Flight, Wind/Healing Magic.
Strengths: Stamina and speed.
Weaknesses: Fire, lightening, and Hand-to-hand combat. Not physically strong or agile.
Fears: Storms, Loud and crowded situations, and riding moving objects (animals are the exception).
Personality: Prefers to not be the one talking in light conversation, observant when fearful, studious, likes to keep hair and clothing well-kept, and has a love of music, plays, and art.
Trademark: Is drawn to music like a moth to a flame... always.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Icewizard.jpg

Name Sir Jack of Augur University
Age 27
Bio Jack worked for years under his friend and mentor until the day he graduated and left on a trip around the globe. Having only returned a year ago to attend the funeral of his old mentor take up his position. Jack relishes his new teaching position, he feels it is his duty to pass on the learning's of his teacher and spread his own experience. His only regret is not having been there for his master in his final years.
Mage Abilities water magic, transformation
Strengths strong and agile
Weaknesses blind in one eye his right side is his weak spot
Fears anyone finding out about his affliction
Personality he is a quiet introverted person everywhere except in front of his class, he is always scatterbrained his living quarters cluttered with the books and items he found on his travels.
Trademarks Always wears the necklace his master passed onto him

Beth floated above the scene, her skirts fluttering about her in the wind of her anger. The blood and carnage covering the road sickened her. Suppressing the sickness in her stomach, she used her abilities to create a small whirlwind. Knocking over the last of the marauding bandits, what was left of the group of farmers jumped forward to finish the job. Lightly landing gingerly where there was no blood, she straightened and anxiously looked towards those lying on the ground. Beyond she could take a step, one of the farmers held out a warning hand, "Lady Elizabeth. They are gone. We are grateful that you saved our lives." He turned and looked at his companions who still stood. They nodded in agreement to him and turned to express their gratitude.

Accepting their thanks with sad blue eyes, she pulled her long blue hair back into her cloak to prepare to heal their injuries. "I'm sorry for your comrades. Thank goodness that you are alright. Has the bandits gotten worse?" she inquired as she carefully healed shut the bleeding. To do more than that would cause more pain than needed. They weren't going to die, so she wouldn't put them through more agony. Forcing a body to heal wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.

The farmer who had first spoken to her grunted, "It would seem that way. You shouldn't be out. Either stay in town or stay at the manor." He might sound gruff but she could see the concern in his grieving eyes. Sighing she nodded in agreement. Once finished, she headed on her way towards town. Though she could fly, it was better to walk. This was the reason she had left her home in the first place, to stretch her legs. Perhaps she could stay the night in the town's academy. They had dorm rooms for guests for just such occasions.

His voice reigned over the classroom in a combination of passion, enthusiasm, and energy that made the class as excited to learn from him as he was to teach them. The amount of students taking his class had doubled since the time he had started, mainly girls who had heard about the cute new teacher, until they found out he actually knew what he was talking about. Teaching was truly his calling he reveled in it, imparting wisdom to young students, it was truly what he lived for. He only ever really came out of his shell when in front of a classroom giving a lecture.

The bell rang startling him, glancing up at the clock he was surprised to find classes over for the day, time really seemed to zoom by when he was teaching his classes. Sweeping his arm over his desk he swept the pile of papers into his bag ignoring the crinkle that told him some papers were getting bent out of shape... literally. "Alright guys seems we are done for today, time sure did fly. Now go home and don't let me see your ugly mugs until tomorrow" the chuckles from the class told him his little joke had hit its mark. Smiling he turned and was one of the first one's out of class, or would have been had be not been stopped by three or four students with questions about the homework.

After he had managed to get away he secluded himself in his study and poured himself a glass of spirits. The perfect end to a nice long busy day. Looking over a few papers he still had to grade he tossed back the drink and took out a pen, it was over an hour before he was finished with twenty of the papers. Rubbing his eyes he set his pen down and stood going to the window, his back to the cluttered office. Various items from all over the globe decorated the shelves, along with books and brick-a-brack. Looking out over the road he though he saw a traveler coming towards the academy. Didn't really matter to him turning away he went into his living quarters to make some dinner.

Walking along the path, Elizabeth paused. The gates of the town were right there. However, her beloved school that she had attended over a year ago was off to the side. The beautiful buildings and low walls beckoned her toward them. Turning, she made her way towards the increasing familiarity. This place could be second home to her. She smiled as she opened the door to the main building. Walking into the lobby, she debated going straight to the library. There was no point to it though. She wanted answers and the library didn't have the right kind of information for that. Instead she headed down a hall towards the teacher's offices. Each had their own of course, but their doors all opened to a main common room the teachers shared and used like a waiting room. There were several here who might be able to help her.

His meal turned out to be nothing more then some quick and easy bread, meat, and cheese. Cooking wasn't exactly his strong suit. Munching on his meal he strolled back into his office stopping briefly at his desk to look at the papers stacked in a haphazard pile. Deciding he had done enough for the day he left his office and journeyed into the common room that was shared by all the teachers. They each had rooms leading off from the common room, but this was a place where many came to relax and chat with their colleagues. Most nights Jack kept to himself and stayed in his office grading papers, or researching for a new paper he was writing. But none of that really appealed to him tonight, so instead he took a seat for himself near the window where he could look out over the University grounds. The sun setting on them was a beautiful sight indeed. Finishing his small meal he rubbed his eye, the eye that irritated him most, the glass one the exact color of his other eye. He had lost it long ago in an accident, no one knew about his glass eye save his old Mentor, and he preferred to keep it that way.

Opening the door to the common room, she looked at all the teachers sitting around. There were some who were familiar by reputation only. Then some who had worked closely with her in her studies. Picking out one of her teachers sitting at a table near the walls with windows, she greeted those between her and her master. Finally reaching the table, she saw Angela recognize her and stand eagerly. They embraced while murmuring happy greetings and then took their seats. Angela asked, "What brings you so near to town Lady Elizabeth? Your family's estate is a ways out in the countryside." Nodding in reply, Beth said, "I just had some errands to run when I came across bandits harassing farmers. The bandit attacks have become more numerous lately. I've been hearing that they are more organized. I had hoped to learn of answers or where to find answers here." Angela shook her head, "You are the heir to your estate. A lady of good breeding. It is not wise for you to be traveling alone much less trying to solve a mystery best left to others." Beth narrowed her eyes, "This isn't a flighting fancy. Lady or not, I want to help."

The door to the common room opened with a creak of aged wood to admit a young woman garbed in clothes that while simple were finely made. She seemed to know exactly what she was looking for, crossing the room with a sure step she greeted Angela a fellow colleague of his. She didn't seem like a student, and from the way the two embraced it seemed as though they were close friends. Shrugging he turned his attention back to the scenery outside the window. Already the sun was sinking behind the mountain range leaving the grounds in dusky twilight. Getting to his feet he bade a good night to the older professor who had taken a spot in the chair across from him. Not many words had been exchanged they just sat in companionable silence. Nodding his head at the older man Jack headed for his rooms and his books.

Lighting a few lamps he sat down at his desk shifting through the many papers until he located the one he was searching for. It was a letter from an old friend he had met on his travels, frowning he studied the words he had read so many times the paper was worn where he had unfolded it and smoothed it out then refolded it when he couldn't make heads or tails of it. It was a short letter with only a single sentence on it. Beware the lion's twin

(this could be taken two ways, as either the mage in the guise of the king, or maybe the king has an unknown twin brother who became a mage and wants the kingship for himself. What do you think?)

(I really like both ideas. We can play with it if you want. Is there one you prefer?)

They could argue about it all day. However Angela knew Elizabeth enough to know that such a course of action would only push her young friend away. Instead she thought it over quickly for a few minutes before suggesting, "Come with me. Let's stop by my quarters and get something to eat, then we will go to the library together. There is a communications section that might give us clues at least in what direction to look." Grateful that she wouldn't have to fight her mentor, Elizabeth nodded and stood to follow. They went to the housing section of the campus and grabbed sandwiches. Simple fare that was to tide them over until this recent obsession settled enough to allow them a better meal.

Eating as they walked, they were done before they reached the library. Entering the deceivingly simple doors, Elizabeth felt a shiver as she walked through and knew that spells had scanned her before allowing her to pass. There were spells against a variety of disguises, attitudes, and even possessors of certain types of magic. All to ensure the safety of both the contents of the library as well as the school itself. Elizabeth followed Angela towards the communications corner full of newspapers, copied messages, and invoices. Angela waved a hand, "For all the good it will do, help yourself. This is raw data and will take time to sift, analyze, and evaluate. Just be careful. As you know from your history studies, there can be more than one interpretation of text." Elizabeth nodded and headed for the newspapers. She would get a baseline first with those.