Bendegan The Wizard

This excerpt courtesy of the author. 

Fables Of Mantos

Book One

 Bendegan The Wizard

A 

Book 

By

Nick Ramsey

Copyright 2015

Bendegan Books

Cover Art 

by 

Josh Chris

Original Character Design

by 

Rhonda Frank

Edited 

by 

Jay Sizemore

Self Published by Bendegan Books

Leitchfield, KY 42754

(C) 2015, Nick Ramsey

All Rights Reserved

For Audrey

Bendegan The Wizard

Bendegan wasn't always a wizard. In fact, for most of his life, he was just an ordinary dwarf, of no real importance. He spent most of his days climbing apple trees and collecting leaves and grubs. By age nineteen he had such a unique collection of leaves that he was offered a trade by a passing traveler; the traveler offered a set of dusty old books in exchange for the many colorful leaves. Having no attachment to the leaves, Bendegan jumped at the trade and took the books back to his favorite apple tree where he began to look them over with wonder. There were fourteen books in all - alchemy, fairy tales, histories, but the one that caught Bendegan's eye was a book entitled "How To Become A Wizard" and this is where our story really begins...

1

The Sunless Sky

It took Bendegan a mere few decades to properly become a wizard. There were several stages of the learning process. First he had to fashion a wand from his favorite tree (apple of course), second he had to master the spell-casters language, and finally, and perhaps what took the longest, he actually had to execute the spells and wizardry from memory. 

By the time Bendegan was ready to call himself a true wizard he had aged fifty three years and he mostly used his magic wand as a cane to help him walk. One morning he awoke to find that it was still sort of dark outside even though it was ten in the morning. He checked the sky and noticed that there were thousands of clouds but there was no sign of the sun. He became very worried as the sun had never failed to shine in Mantos. After three days without sunshine Bendegan decided that he should go and speak to a friend about this right away. The problem with spending all that time practicing to become a wizard was that he hadn't made much time to make any friends. He did, however, know of one person who lived in the Dufflands whom he thought may be able to help.

                                                        

2

Into The Dufflands

Bendegan usually packed light for a trip and the journey to the Dufflands was no different. He grabbed a knapsack and threw in his elderberry pipe, a blanket in case he got cold, and seven apples from his favorite tree. The Dufflands were a day’s walk from his cottage in Pan’s Keep and he wasn't even sure if he would be able to find the person he was looking for when he arrived. 

The journey was rough and tiring on an old dwarf but Bendegan passed the time humming to himself and collecting leaves. He had not collected leaves since he has a teenager and decided that now was as good a time as any to pick it up again. Four apples, a long walk, and a night's sleep later, Bendegan arrived in the Dufflands. Inside the barricade of trees was a beautiful place called the Marsh Meadow where all kinds of exotic plants and delicious fruits grew year ‘round. Bendegan found the first hollow oak in the center of the Marsh Meadow and knocked three times. Suddenly, a door opened and a green, furry, tall being walked out.

"Joonbudee?" Bendegan asked.

"That's my name," the being responded.

"I came to seek you out. I'm hoping that you can tell me what happened to the sun. It has been hidden by clouds for days now."

Joonbudee put his hand on his chin and thought for a moment. Eventually, he spoke.

"The Butterbyes were passing through two days past and spoke of the missing sun. They said that the evil Grawch has cast a spell over the sky and hidden the sun."

Bendegan had never heard of the evil Grawch but he was not very pleased to learn of another wizard in Mantos and an evil one at that.

"Joonbudee, we have to do something about this. Without the sun the plants and the flowers won't grow. The animals and people will die without the food and warmth and it will be dark and cold forever. We can't let that happen."

Joonbudee thought for a moment and he put his hand over his chin as he looked at all of the beautiful flowers and animals in the Marsh Meadow. Finally he replied: "I will help you."

3

Ammee

Bendegan and Joonbudee decided that the best thing to do was to find the evil Grawch and break his spell. The problem was that they didn't know how to find him. Joonbudee suggested that they visit the Butterbyes in the Whispering Willows - only a few miles from the Marsh. This made sense to Bendegan since the Butterbyes were the ones who first told Joonbudee of the evil Grawch's spell. 

The two of them left the Marsh Meadow and traveled towards the Whispering Willows but the trip was not as sure footed and straight forward as they would have hoped. Within the hour they became aware that something was amiss.

"Joonbudee, I believe we are being followed," Bendegan whispered as they continued on their path. Joonbudee couldn't help but look behind him, but he saw nothing. This went on for ten minutes or so where Joonbudee would quickly snap his head around but then the follower would disappear out of sight. The two of them were sure that someone was following them but as the time passed they were growing confident that they were not in any danger.

"You can come out now," Bendegan called out to no one in particular but no one appeared. Joonbudee was flustered and finally gave in.

"Why don't you just use one of your spells?" he asked.

Bendegan smiled, "I hadn't even thought of that."

He waved his wooden wand and chanted hinum hoon-num hum and suddenly out of thin air a girl appeared right in front of them.

"Who are you?" Joonbudee asked.

She was startled that they had caught her and quiet at first. Bendegan looked her over. She appeared to be about fourteen, with dark hair, and a warrior of some sort judging by the blade and the armor. Bendegan decided that they could use a warrior on their quest.

"Do you know how to use that sword?" Bendegan asked her - already knowing the true answer.

"I'll use it on you if you're not careful, wizard!"

The girl pulled her sword from its scabbard and pointed it at Bendegan's chin.

"I had something else in mind."

Bendegan reached into his knapsack and threw his last three apples into the air. The girl, without hesitation, sliced the apples four ways each before they fell to his feet. Joonbudee and Bendegan looked at the apples lying at their feet.

"What is your name?" Bendegan asked.

"Ammee," she replied, sheathing her sword.

"Ammee, have you noticed that the dark clouds have blocked away the sun for several days now?" Bendegan asked, pointing upward.

"Of course I have," she said.

"The two of us are on a quest to break the spell that has hidden the sun and we could use a warrior like you. Would you join us?"

Ammee looked to the sky briefly and squeezed the locket around her neck, a locket Joonbudee had not noticed before. She nodded silently and the three of them set out for the Whispering Willows.

4

The Butterbyes 

The Butterbyes were the ancient beings of Mantos. The No'en Scribes say that it was The Butterbyes who first pollinated the Marsh Meadow and planted the entire Whispering Willows. They are small creatures, gifted in flight and wisdom, and they have never known enemies. 

Their wise council of elders plans the seasons and the gardens. The highest member of this council, Ferdge, was known to be stubborn in his ways and hard to approach. This was who Bendegan, Joonbudee, and Ammee would have to speak with in order to find the answers that they were seeking. As the three of them traveled on foot towards the Whispering Willows they soon realized that the closer they got, the colder the air became. 

"I feel like we should turn back," Joonbudee thought out loud.

Ammee smirked and drew her sword with a metallic scrape, gripping it with both hands. Bendegan looked side to side knowing that they were exactly where they were supposed to be, but not sure how welcome they were. Suddenly, what little bit of light the Willows had soon disappeared, leaving them in utter darkness. Joonbudee began to shiver in terror.

"Don't be frightened, Joonbudee. My wand will light the way." 

Bendegan waved his wooden wand and, with a bit of dazzle-bazzle, his wand lit the forest and there they were...

Hundreds of Butterbyes surrounded them and for a moment Joonbudee smiled in relief as The Butterbyes had always been his friends. But now something was different. The Butterbyes were stern faced and held pikes. They looked very angry and worried. Ammee gripped her sword even tighter but Bendegan was way ahead of her with his wand. Hinum hoon-num vom.

"What are you doing?" Ammee whispered.

"I'm casting a spell of protection over us and then I'm going to reason with them." 

Bendegan leaned on his wand and began to address the crowd.

"Don't worry, my friends. We have come to help. You all know Joonbudee of the Marsh Meadow, this is the young warrior Ammee, and I am Bendegan the Wizard."

Several of The Butterbyes shrieked in terror at the word wizard and Bendegan quickly realized why.

"I am Bendegan the Good Wizard," he corrected.

The Butterbyes lifted their pikes to their sides and a sense of relief washed through the crowd. Ammee put her sword away, realizing that the danger had subsided. 

"We have come to speak with Ferdge of the High Council. Is there anyone who can take us to him?" Bendegan asked, in his most polite of tones.

The Butterbyes moved like mysterious clockwork, shuffling from the surrounding circle into a two-sided linear path, leading them directly to the council chamber. It was a short walk, but without help in the Maze of the Whispering Willows they may have never found it. When they arrived they were announced to the council by Yanow, the oldest of all The Butterbyes. 

"O, Great Ferdge, your council is requested by Bendegan the Good Wizard and his companions, Joonbudee of the Marsh Meadow, and Ammee the Warrior."

Ferdge sat upon a throne of twisted roots, as forty Butterbyes stood on either side of the council chamber. He squinted at them as if they were much farther away than they were, as they strode up to the podium.

"Speak," he said, sounding as if his mouth was full of spit.

Bendegan explained the situation as best he could, and how the three of them came to be in his presence. When he was finished Ferdge sat on his throne seemingly unimpressed by the events that had transpired in Mantos. Finally, he leaned up and mumbled through trembling lips. 

"Although I am of the belief that my people are worrying over nothing and that our sun will shine tomorrow I am reasonable and I will offer you what I can. The Butterbyes have protected a small artifact for centuries that may be of some help to you. It is called the Stone of Pulvar and it is quite powerful. It can eliminate any magic or danger of nature but you can use it only once."

Bendegan looked to his companions and back to Ferdge with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you know how to find Grawch?"

Ferdge leaned back in his chair and his trembling lips curled up into an insidious grin.

"Of course. He resides in the Lost Mountain....."

The whole room gasped and suddenly Bendegan, Joonbudee, and Ammee were afraid, though they didn’t know why. Ferdge stood up to leave the council chamber but just before he left he turned around and said:

"The only way to get there is through The Desparos."

5

The Desparos

Fifty miles east of the Whispering Willows sets a wasteland unlike anything else in Mantos. Centuries ago the Bu'Vyans burned the once peaceful town of Ronik and left it to rot. Since that time, frightening creatures, black tar, and sludge had taken it over. Henceforth, it was known as The Desparos, and it was no place for three unlikely travelers. 

Bendegan, Joonbudee, and Ammee reached the wasteland after two days on foot. The Butterbyes had given them apples, honey, and bread for their journey as well as the Stone of Pulvar that had been under their protection for over a thousand years; yet they were still ill-equipped for The Desparos. 

"Step lightly, my friends. A thousand terrors could fall around us," Bendegan croaked as they entered the wastes. Blud Bats began circling above them in packs waiting to pounce at any moment. 

"I'm ready for anything," Ammee announced - brave as ever. 

"I'm not," Joonbudee said, hiding behind her. 

Soon the air grew cold and the ground wasn't as solid as before. Bendegan grabbed his wand and started to cast a spell but it was too late. The ground had swallowed them.

"It's some kind of quicksand!" Ammee shouted, struggling to free herself.

"We are sinking fast!" Joonbudee yelled to Bendegan.

Bendegan stayed calm and looked around for a solution but everything was starting to look dark and helpless. Above them the Blud Bats continued to circle and squawk and then came the most frightening noise that they had ever heard. Lightning lit up the sky in all directions and an evil gigantic face appeared in the clouds. It was Grawch. 

"SO YOU HAVE COME FOR ME? GOOD LUCK! YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE THE WASTELAND! HAHAHA!"

Grawch disappeared from the sky and the land grew dim once again. Joonbudee tried to reach for the nearest tree limb but it was no use. 

"We're not going to make it," Ammee gritted. They were up to their necks in quicksand. 

Fables Of Mantos: Book One 'Bendegan The Wizard' is available in the Kindle Store on Amazon.com