To Train a Summoner – Part 1

It was a hot and windy day on the plains of West Sarutabaruta, and the predominant sound was that of a battle.  Well a pretend battle.  For it was here, on the outskirts of Windurst Waters, that Ceciltaru had setup a summoner dojo.  The primary mission of the dojo was to train young summoners in tactics necessary to win the special mini-battles set up by the Aurastery, to investigate the powers the elemental avatars had.  These battles allowed those adventurers who were not as mature, the access they needed to the use of the elemental avatars.

Ceciltaru walked around the last four students in his current class.  He knew these summoners would probably not be back tomorrow, since their was no passion in their eyes, as they battled the illusion in front of them of Ifrit, the avatar of fire.  He had seen it too many times over the years, where students could not understand the methods that he used, as they would battle illusions of the avatars, until they had the techniques mastered.

Ceciltaru had found a set of tactics that would help these young summoners, as it helped him.  It was through long hours of research, and talking with other adventurers, that the master of the dojo, uncovered some secrets to approaching these battles.  With this knowledge, Ceciltaru set out, and with some trial and error, was able to secure the ability to call of the elemental avatars.  After some time had passed, Ceciltaru decided to take some of the profits being made from Cecil’s Bar, and opened the dojo.

Business however was never as good as the bar.  In fact, most of the students he would train, would either quit, or never attempt to do the battles.  Some of the other Tarutaru’s would often tease him for his latest business venture, but Ceciltaru vowed that one day, one of his students would make the dojo proud.  However, several months would go by, with students coming and going, but no success stories.  After all, most of the adventurers these days, were considered mature in their classes, and therefore, did not need to know how to do the mini-battles.  The minister of the Aurastery had on several occasions, even attempted to stop the investigations being done through the mini-battles, into the powers of the elemental avatars, and this was met with opposition from the Star Sybl.

Ceciltaru met his good friend Melkuur at the bar, to discuss his current predicament.  Melkuur had always provided sound advice in the past, and Ceciltaru was desperately seeking a way to save the dojo.  However, the bank was looking to obtain the small loan he had taken out to secure some necessary items for the latest class, and Ceciltaru didn’t have the funds to repay it.

“Melkuur, I just don’t know anymore,” Ceciltaru said.  “The kids these days, just don’t have the same fire and passion that we had when we were young.  They just want to be able to have things handed to them on a brass platter!”

“That’s silver platter Ceciltaru, and you are right, ” Melkuur replied.  “Remember when we were training Zendak back in those days?  From lowly bartender, to full-time adventurer.”

“Yeah I remember, ” Ceciltaru grumbled.  “Zendak was the best bartender I had too!  I still haven’t been able to replace him either,” Ceciltaru trailed off.

From the look in his eyes, Melkuur could tell Ceciltaru was sensing danger approaching.  But what danger, and why was it coming to the bar?  Melkuur soon had the answer to his question, as the sound of squeaking, rusty armor soon pierced the hum of the soft music in the bar.

“How many times have we told you Arcon, you have to oil and maintain that expensive armor!”  Ceciltaru shouted, attempting to bring the point across to Arcon.

“Hey, I maintain my armor just fine you old codger,” Arcon shouted back.

“I heard you were banned from showing your face in Windurst, after your last visit to the Star Sybl, Arcon?” Melkuur inquired.

“Hey, I thought she was flirting with me, what was I supposed to do?”, Arcon shot back.  “Who can resist a face like this?”

Ceciltaru almost choked on the Windurstian tea he had been drinking.  “Well if you are here for a loan, then you can just turn around, and walk out the door.  I have enough problems keeping the dojo open, and do not need to be lending money to scoundrels like you!”

“Scoundrel like me?  I’m hurt Ceciltaru.” Arcon replied, with a slight tremor in his voice.

Ceciltaru couldn’t tell if it was honest hurt, or something else.  Arcon had not borrowed money in several weeks, but it was still a possibility that he had to consider.

“Besides, ” Arcon looked up, giving a wink to Melkuur, “women just throw money at me, and I don’t need a loan from your tight wallet!”

“What!” Ceciltaru shouted in reply.

“Simmer down, and I will tell you why I am here.”  Arcon replied.  “You might remember a few years back, that I was training a young Tarutaru in the art of combat.  Well, my protege ended up, going over to the dark side, and went and joined that damned Aurastery!”

“Hey Arcon, just because you do not understand the ways of magic, do not say it is evil!”  Melkuur shot back.

“Well I didn’t say that Melkuur.  Anyway, my protege apparently went off, and has returned as a summoner.”  Arcon continued.  “However, the Aurastery will not show him what to do for that investigation they are conducting, and I just do not have the time I used to, or I would help him.  So I was wondering if you would train him?”

“Well I was going to close up the dojo Arcon.” Ceciltaru managed to stammer out, attempting to choke back any emotion he felt on the subject.

“Well I would be forever in your debt, if you could really help me out on this one.  The kid showed a lot of potential before.  I just hope the Aurastery has not removed all of his passion for learning.”  Arcon replied.

“Bring him by the dojo in the morning Arcon, and I will take a look at him.” Ceciltaru said.

“Ok, I will bring him by before lunch.”  Arcon replied.

“By the way, what is his name?” Ceciltaru wondered inquisitively.

“Its Eewok.”  Arcon said as he walked out the door, his armor still squeaking louder than it should.

“Oh great, ” Cecil mumbled, as he banged his head down on the table.

Melkuur just sat there, with a bewildered look on his face, trying to remember why that name sounded so familiar.

< Next >