Our story begins in a different time, on another world in a
faraway land. There lived a beautiful and talented
sorceress named Hagar. The common people called her
lovingly Hagar Babar though, for Babar in that distant
tongue meant benevolent and, you see, there was not a
,kinder heart in all the land. She had lots of friends
among them the lively bard Lior, the beautiful maid Inbal
and the shape shifter Feivel who could change shape to a
hedgehog, a donkey and many other animals, he was also a
great magician and a jolly good fellow in general. He was
also very modest.
Hagar used to spend her time studying how to cast
complicated spells and brew exotic potions (this made her
quite popular at the local tavern actually) from her
teacher, the old (some would say a bit too old) magus
Shmuel Fishman. Once in a couple of months she would take
upon her a quest to far-off places (far being far enough
from her studies) to help those in need of help or just to
have a good time.
On one such time she went on a quest to help the good people
of some land to drive off a monster killing their stock. On
her way back she came upon a horrible sight. A trader's
caravan attacked by bandits it seemed. There was smoke
rising from the carts' ashes, bodies everywhere. A heavy
hoofprints trail led into the woods. She wandered around
looking for survivors when she saw a man on the ground in
rich clothing, probably the caravan master, stretching his
hand towards her.
She ran to him getting her water flask as she knelt down. He
drank a bit and then coughed a long while. She could see
there was not much life left in him. The man then held her
,hand tightly and whispered in a sore voice: ''The seed
they took the seed''.
What seed, what are you talking about?'' - asked the''
bewildered Hagar.
The seed of all life, the man in the golden armor, he''
attacked us and took away the seed'' answered the man.
Hagar's heart trembled in horror and excitement as she heard
this. Everybody knew the legend of the seed of life, the
seed of the tree of life, which was supposed to give birth
to all aspects of life. The one in whose garden the tree
would blossom would enjoy prosperity and luck in all his
doings.
''
How did you get it'' - she asked in wonder.
It doesn't matter now'' - the man replied with his last''
breath - ''get it from him, for he would destroy all life
with it''. At this point the man's face became white with
horror as if he saw something behind her. She turned in
fear but there was nothing there. When she looked back at
the man he was already dead.
I must save the seed'' - Hagar thought to herself. So she''
mounted her palfrey and rode following the hoofprints that
left the trail into the woods as these were the best clue
she had.
After a while she lost the prints but when she turned to go
back on her tracks she found that she was lost. When she
was about to abandon all hope she suddenly heard a singing
nearby. The voice sounded familiar so she made haste
towards it. After a minute she saw none other but her
friend Feivel walking the woods and singing to himself.
Feivel'' - she called happily - ''what in the world are''
you doing here''.
I could ask you the same question'' - said Feivel who was''
clearly unhappy someone caught him singing to himself.
I'm looking for a man in a golden armor, he attacked a''
''!caravan along the king's road and stole the seed of life
-
replied Hagar.
What? Golden armor? The seed of life?'' - asked the''
confused Feivel.
So Hagar told Feivel about all that happened and he gladly
agreed to help her in tracking the gold clad man, for you
see, Feivel was a master tracker among his numerous other
talents.
So together they quickly found the track again and started
their tracking again. Their journey was slow though for you
see, following someone and being the someone are different
things. After a senninght though, they followed the tracks
.to a grim looking fortress. There were guards everywhere
An old and dirty looking gatesman was at he gates (for that
is where you usually find a gatesman).
They approached the gateman and asked him to whom the
fortress belongs.
Why to the mighty lord Zwikel, the golden knight'' - he''
replied. ''But there will be no admittance to the likes of
you! Off with you!'' - he added with frown face.
Alright, alright we're going'' - replied the beautiful''
sorceress.
When they were out of sight they started thinking of a
plan.
I could turn into a mouse climb inside, cleverly steal the''
key from the guards, slip poison into their meals, open the
gates and let you in'' - said Feivel.
I could simply cast a sleeping spell on the fortress and''
teleport us in, you know'' - said Hagar with a smile.
Well that could work too'' - replied the unsatisfied''
shape-shifter.
,And so, the sorceress mumbled some magic words and puff
here they were, in the middle of the fortress with all the
guard soundly asleep.
We could get them all undressed, especially the women!''
-''
Said Feivel.
Feivel!'' - Exclaimed the overly modest and appalled''
Hagar.
''
Just kidding'' - answered Feivel
And so they made their way into the main building looking
for the seed.
There were sleeping guards and servants everywhere.
Couldn't we strip just one maid?'' - asked Feivel''
hopefully, but the look Hagar gave him silenced him.
Finally they came into a great hall and there on a pedestal
they saw the seed.
The rushed to it, when suddenly Feivel stopped, sniffing
the
air and exclaimed: ''stop, something's not right!''
''
YOU DAMN RIGHT IT'S NOT'' - a voice replied!
How dare you, come into my castle like this? And not even''
in my office hours!!!''
A man in a golden armor revealed himself to them from
behind
a large column.
He had a flowing white hair and a white beard.
He must be quite strong if he resisted my sleep spell'' -''
whispered Hagar.
Well not strong enough for the both of us!'' - exclaimed''
Feivel - ''Draw, you bastard!''
Ah this was a battle for the bards to make songs about. And
indeed Lior made a poem about it that was popular both at
the king's hall and in the simplest of taverns.
Our heroes however returned home where Feivel planted the
seed in Hagar's Garden, for only a shape shifter could
plant the seed of life and after a while a beautiful cactus
grew from it.
And after the plant emerging gave a seed of its own, he
came
to her to say goodbye.
''
What do you mean goodbye?'' - asked the saddened Hagar.
Well, I've planted the seed of life. The rules of the''
world which enable me, a shape shifter to do so, also bind
me to leave this world for now I'm forever bound with the
new seed. I'll take this seed to another world and give it
to another beautiful sorceress. And I shall make a pot for
it to grow in and put all my essence in it and make it in
the shape of a bear, for bears are the caretakers of the
land. And whenever she'll need my help I'll be there for
her'' - explained the even more saddened Feivel.
''
Will I ever see you again?'' - asked Hagar
Sure, whenever you need me, I'll be there'' - replied''



Feivel.
מתי שתזדקקי לי, אני אהיה שם ידידתי הטובה והמתוקה. יום
הולדת שמח!