Fable: The Tale of Tolmen
The force of the magic took him by surprise and threw him off balance. He rocked backwards on his heels, arms wheeling, and landed with a hard thump. The pebble he had so painstakingly sculpted shot out of his hand and scittered away like an escaped small animal; frantic. He lunged after it, plucking it out of the air just before it leapt off the edge and into the chasm.
Taking a more solid stance and grasping the pebble firmly with both hands, he approached the hole once more. Held the pebble in place, pausing to feel the invisible bubble of power repelling against him. Then, with an almighty effort, he leaned all of his weight behind the pebble and heard a satisfying 'click!' as it snapped perfectly in place. The heat of the magic faded and the distant sound of the current deep underneath him yawned and shuddered as a portion of the flow was finally restored. He dusted his hands, and stood, basking in a wave of satisfaction. But his smile quickly faded as he turned his gaze out across the land. As far as the eye could see the holes and cracks had spread, and there were more repairs needed than he could count in a lifetime. He thought longingly of his love, waiting patiently under those gold-dripping autumn boughs, and sighed. He had work to do...
“I wear my Tolmen amulet every day. I love having a reminder of the power of perseverance and patience. Taran’s story is interwoven with The Tale of Briar - and he appears in many different myths as he travels the length of the land on his quest. ”
The world's magic once ran in deep channels through the bones of the land, and at this time there lived a wanderer named Taran, who was charged with a sacred duty.
Over the ages, the magic of the Earth had begun to leak from tiny holes and cracks in ancient stones, and the land was growing faded and weary. Taran spent many lonely years journeying to where the old rocks slept. Though he was alone and exhausted, he set to work with quiet determination, to mend the scars of the earth.
His work was long and silent; known only to himself and the stones. He would take a smooth river rock and with a patient hand, polish it until it shone and sparkled, infusing it with his determination and care. Then he would place it carefully into a hole, sealing the magic within so that it would no longer drift away. His task was long and slow, but after much toil he finally healed the last stone, restoring the natural flow of magic to the ground. Upon completion of his quest, he finally returned to the Great Eastern Forest, where he would spend the rest of his days with the one he loved.
The Tolmen Amulet is a token of Taran’s journey. May it serve as a reminder that true strength lies not in ostentation and spectacle, nor in the victories of war, or great suffering, but in the patient art of healing that which is broken.
The ancient stones, filled with Taran’s shining pebbles
Initial design & writing
The Tolmen Amulet:
Rainbows reflect off the stones when bathed in sunlight
