Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 29

DynDoeth managed to blurt out, “Well done Joulupukki, that is enough,” over the growing din that surrounded him. “Put your magic away.” Joulupukki was reluctant to stop. It felt so natural and made him feel so alive, but he respected the elf's request and let his energy drain. The ceiling slowly faded back into view as the sparkling lights snuffed out and all of the crystals lost their glow. There were so many more elves in the room than had been there before he started, crowding in to witness the spectacle. DynDoeth stood looking at him, a mixture of awe and concern on his face. He stepped into the circle and reached for his staff. Joulupukki handed it to him without hesitation and asked, “Is that what you wanted?” He nodded his head. Then from a distance they heard what sounded like a battering ram hitting a stone wall, over and over and getting closer. “Rian?” said the oldest Elder to DynDoeth. “I don't know. The magic is not his, but be prepared.” Most of the elves left the room with only a few remaining to face the threat. They waited as the sound grew louder, until they knew it was on the other side of the wall. All at once it broke through and left a long narrow hole in the wall. The sound of the elves was furious. “Where is it,” asked Lumi? “What is it,” was Pukki's response?” Then in a week voice, Joulupukki uttered, “I am so very, very sorry DynDoeth. I just thought of it for an instant.” DynDoeth's confused look quickly disappeared when he saw Erlenkönig's staff in Joulupukki's hand. Stunned for a moment he just looked. Then with relief and disbelief he let out a resounding laugh. “It is OK.” With a wave of his hand the holes all disappeared. He turned to Lumi, “Make sure no one was hurt, please, Lumi.” “No one was,” Joulupukki offered. “How do you know,” inquired DynDoeth? “I would have felt it through the staff,” was his response. “Well, I am completely dumbfounded,” started DynDoeth as he, Joulupukki, Pukki, Lumi and several other elves sat at the table in the safe room. “I have never seen the like of it.” “Nor I,” said the Elder sitting beside him. “What does that mean,” inquired Joulupukki? “Oh, forgive me, but may I inquire as to your actual name,” he asked the elder sitting across the table. The old elf chuckled, “Do you not see me as a goat anymore. Have I become more than Pukki to you?” Joulupukki lowered his head, “Forgive me, in defense of a friend, I sometimes let my anger get the best of me. If you are a goat let us be goats together.” The Elder looked at Joulupukki with a smile on his face, “Call me Gwaldon.” “The Gwaldon, who stood with my father?” “One in the same,” DynDoeth responded. “As for your question, I have never seen magic like yours. Much of what I saw you do today should not be possible. Manipulating another elf's staff is unheard of, but you not only controlled my staff but you used, how many six, seven additional staves at the same time. None of which were yours with crystals that have already been imprinted on other elves, and all with the tiniest trace of magic. I reached out and touched my own crystal while you were casting your energy through it. It did not try to reject me like it would if another elf tried to use it. It was as if the crystal was unaware of your magic coursing through it. I touched that force and it was like granite, completely impenetrable. My power had no affect on it at all. Then when Erlenkönig's, ah, er, your staff came crashing through the wall, well, I...,” He was at a loss for words. “I think because of time constraints we need to concentrate on teaching you some basic offensive and defensive magic for now, and explore your unique powers later. I'm sure you will have no problem learning these.” “I'm ready when you are,” Joulupukki said.