The Lemon Bar

(from Chapter 18: "A Lemon for Immortality")

Credit: Saschas Traum (Twitter / Twitch)

A Glimpse From Chapter 18

“I’ve done it to myself.” Rum confessed. “If your mind is working like normal it’s a little unpleasant when it’s over. But then again I’m not a person who has issues with numbness or a lack of passion. I might be among the worst candidates for this spell. But I would imagine it could do wonders for someone like you, as I’m sitting and listening to you right now. I could make you stay pretty much yourself, just more… positive. For a few days you could experience being someone else, and you’d have joy back in your life. Then the spell ends, and you will gradually turn back into your old self, but with new memories that may, possibly, bring some passion back into you. I can’t promise anything, but I know for a fact this spell is powerful.”

Urvanom looked down at his drink. He lifted it up a little, then slammed it back down. He took a big deep breath, then put on a look of determination. “Alright” he said, nodding to himself enthusiastically and nervously. “Your first spell didn’t turn me into a goose, and it worked quite well. So yeah. I feel like it – I feel like trying it! Only a few days right? Then right back again? Nothing permanent?"

Rum shook his head. “Nothing permanent that I can tell of that isn’t just new memories. A few days and right back to yourself.”

“ALRIGHT!” Urvanom shouted, nodding ever more nervously, “Hit me with it before I change my mind! I’m ready for this. I’m ready to feel different!”

Rum was taken aback by the sudden intensity of Urvanom’s character, but he did as the elf asked and put his hand to the old pointy-eared man’s back. “Positive Mind” he said softly. Golden-yellowish magical mist puffed out of Rum’s hand and started immediately climbing up towards Urvanom’s neck. Once there the misty stream of magic snaked itself up along Urvanom’s head, before eventually being sucked in through his nose, ears, mouth and right through the skin of his forehead. The elf gaped wide, his eyes filling with a momentary golden glow, and he looked upwards towards the darkness of the late evening. Laverra gasped at the magical spectacle, and with a worry breathed heavily a couple of times. But as the magic show died down, and a smile formed around Urvanom’s mouth, she started calming down too.

“How are you feeling?” Rum quizzed, the only one not feeling any particular worry.

“Heh. He-he-he. Positive.” Urvanom smiled broadly and looked around at both Laverra and Rum, and then at Royath who’d turned around to catch the magical spectacle. “Absolutely positive. Yeah! This works. Damn you are a fine mage, Rum. My head feels lighter somehow, like a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders. But my mind – it’s also… emptier? I feel almost like a blank slate. What should I do, Rum?”

The old elf turned over to Rum, his expression full of hope that Rum had an answer – no – THE ANSWER. Such was the intensity of his hopeful expression Rum was sure that if he said “JUMP!” then Urvanom would’ve jumped just for the heck of it. But mindful his own influence, he just decided to ask a question, and let this temporary Urvanom be guided by the old Urvanom hidden within. “Is there something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, Urvanom, but been too hesitant or too filled by anxiety, to do?”