Rhiann’s Affliction… an “Elf-nap” of Parallan
Caye Klarje gently urged her son, “You don’t want to be late for the first day of school. Your breakfast is ready. The blue blooter eggs are getting cold!”
Rhiann Klarje stretched, rubbed sleep from his eyes, and hopped out of his comfy bed. The six year old sorcerer hurried to the ornate looking glass that hung on his bedchamber wall. His heart sank. The little bloke sighed and moaned, “Oh, no, it’s still there. So much for wishing! I’m doomed.”
The child glowered at his reflection. The heart-shaped cherry-red birthmark remained on his chin.
A feminine voice soothingly flowed from the mirror, “Young Rhiann, what did you expect?” The boy grumbled, “I’d wished it’d be gone, but it’s still there.”
The voice from the mirror responded, “Rhiann, you are young, but even you should know that wishes are rare, and true wishes are rarest of all. Furthermore, idly wishing…”
Rhiann interrupted, “Who asked you? You haven’t had to put up with this birthmark! I hear about it every time I go to the playground. The three ‘sorcerer-teers’ give me constant grief. Now I’ll be starting school with them! The great wizards! Jethro, Bo, and Dean! They are never apart and always ready to hassle me!”
The mirror’s voice countered, “Don’t you have other friends?”
Rhiann rubbed his chin vigorously and answered, “Most stay clear of me for fear of incurring the attention of the terrific trio. It’s more than just the kids. Fingers point toward me everywhere I go in Thynna. I’m marked!”
Caye Klarje’s voice reiterated, “Rhiann! School! Come down!”
The mirror said compassionately, “Best get moving! We’ll talk when you get home.”
Rhiann slipped on his tunic and robe and grumbled, “If I get home!”
benjamintowe 