A moment later his father’s face surfaced, which exhibited a variety of expressions some happy, some sad. Deep in his mind he pictured a three-dimensional realm, a fathomless, empty void. He sat down, shifted on his makeshift wooden chair, and then closed his eyes once again. Traphis breathed deeply of the cool cavern air. Despite the pain and fatigue, he would try again. He tightened his grip on the wooden staff and stubbornly pulled himself upright. This was not the time for sorrow-he would take his father’s place and become the greatest wizard of all time.Ī soft breeze ran through his dark brown hair. It only seemed natural for a wizard to pass down his secrets to his son, but that no longer mattered it was too late for answers. Why his father had prevented him from learning magic, Traphis never understood. When he regained his composure, he leaned against his father’s staff and wiped the dampness from his brow.Īt this rate, I’ll never become a wizard. Breaths echoed throughout the cavern as sweat trickled down his cheeks. He wrenched forward, dropped to his knees, and gasped for air. A surge of power flooded through Traphis’ fifteen year old limbs and then vanished.

Originally published as part of the Let It Snow! Season's Readings for a Super-Cool Yule collection.THE CAVERN WALLS became visible before fading back into the darkness. Starring the characters of Troll Or Derby.

About 10,000 wordsĪ Laurents County Landfill Christmas: The Wizard bookends this fantastical tale from ruralfab Indiana. The Wizard Takes the Cake: The mysterious Wizard takes a student as his “+1” to the wedding of an old friend in this episode of the Wizard Tales, the longest yet. Originally published in Sirens Call Issue #5, October 2012. Sometimes when you say “Trick or Treat,” you get what you ask for. Lucian's First Trick is the story of a young man's last night in the childhood realm of his mundane life. The Wizard Takes a Fitness Class: A wandering wizard with regrets on his mind finds himself in a dance-off against an old enemy. The Wizard Takes a Holiday is a flash fiction humorous rural fantasy of about 1500 words. All three Wizard Tales and two bonus stories featuring the Wizard or his apprentice, Lucian.

The Wizard Tales Vol I-III by Red Tash