Free Stranded Mage by D.W. Jackson

wouldn’t say I threw him either, the pompous fool just happened to get in the way of my spell.”
    Thornwood laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. After a few moments he composed himself and clasped Thad on the shoulder. “Well done boy, well done. Reinwood needed a good kick in the pants. Are you here to petition the council to have Reinwood’s nobility rescinded?”
    “No nothing of that nature, Lord Thornwood. Our young mage is here to request to go through the rite,” Emeriss said, stepping between Thad and the extravagant lord.
    “Ah, I should have guessed. Well the others should arrive shortly so until they arrive why don’t you regale me with stories of your travels my young friend.”
    Thad didn’t know to start so he began at his time in the Academy. As his story unfolded other elves began to enter the room but Thad was so focused on his tale he paid them little heed. When he told of his stay in the Farlan palace dungeons a cry out outrage came from those who listened. When he told of his short stay with the Ablaians the elves were shocked and gasped at his treatment and a few gagged when he explained how his foot had been taken from him.
    Thad listened to his own story as if he was a bystander instead of the storyteller. He felt a great pain well up within him as he continued on. His trip through the Underearth tugged at his heart, and when he came to the first time he met with Brianna a solitary tear rolled down his face. When he reached Brianna’s death he wept openly. Great tears flowed down his face, his voice broken by sobs but he continued on. Had Thad not been so absorbed in his own pain he would have saw that every elf in attendance wept with him, some so fiercely it nearly drowned out his words. When Thad finally reached the point where he awoke in Reinwood’s estate and the treatment he had received, cries of outrage filled the room.
    His story finished Thad came back to himself and for the first time since he had begun he looked around the room. Every chair had been filled and many other elves filled the chamber, their normally golden faces were now red and blotchy and their gem-like eyes were swollen and puffy.
    “That is a tale that could make even the hardest of hearts weep my young friend,” an elf wearing a simple white robe said as he placed his hand comfortingly on Thad’s shoulder.
    “Now brothers let us all sit and listen to why a Son of Moriudonius has chosen to visit us.”
    Once everyone was seated Emeriss stood and motioned for Thad to do the same. “Thaddeus Torin of Farlan has come to request us to let him perform the rite of passage.”
    There was a slight murmur throughout the room. With all the mingled voices it was impossible to tell what any one elf was saying but from the tone of the room he doubted there would be a problem. After some time the elf who had called everyone to attention stood again and gave Thad a brilliant smile. “It will take us some days to get ready for the rite, but you shall have what you desire.”
    “May I ask another boon from my gracious hosts?” Thad asked, his voice humble and pleading.
    “What more can we do for you my friend? If it within my power I will render any aid you require,” Emeriss replied, her statement quickly repeated by the others within the hall.
    “I regret that I will not be able to spend an extended stay without your marvelous city, but I have pressing matters calling upon me. Though I have run into a problem, I have no ship to take me where I need to go.”
    “A ship, is that all you require?” one of the elves replied, his voice full of mirth. “We have plenty of ships moored in the dock that have not seen use in ages outside of some fishing. Most of them are too big for a single person to sail but I am sure we can send along a few of our lesser children to see you safely to your destination.”
    Thad saw Emeriss flinch at the mention the term lesser children. “I would be greatly honored my Lords, and