Welcome to a six-part series featuring Nazim, his quirky companion Bubbles, and Bones Calamity. Originally conceived for the Forgotten Runes universe, I have since revised and enriched the characters and their stories.
Writing this series has been a tremendously enjoyable experience for me, and I hope you grow as fond of these characters as I have. Enjoy the adventure!
Chapter 1
In the peaceful confines of Nazim's study, the afternoon idly passed. The wizard was comfortably settled in an armchair sipping a home brew of Troll Tear Chamomile. His sidekick, and sometimes nemesis, Bubbles, slumbered at his feet. Nazim savored the uneventful peace of the day, a rarity at his keep, deep within the mysterious territory known as “The Thorn."
Then there was a knock. Not the timid rat-ta-tat of a forest fairy or the thunderous blows of a stone giant. No, it was the narcissistic pounding of someone who believed the world revolved around them. Bubbles' furry ears shot up in alarm, and Nazim jolted out of his tea-sipping stupor, dousing himself with the putrid chamomile blend.
Suddenly, the door burst in. Disoriented, Nazim squinted at the darkened figure standing in the doorway. When his eyes finally adjusted, he recognized the human-sized shadow of Bones Calamity.
Bones took a step forward and loudly exclaimed, “My old friend Nazim!”
Nazim rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Princess Petunia of Avalon has been kidnapped!" Bones announced, forgoing all courtesies. "Taken by Synthiax, the Mind Devourer, set on making her his bride."
Nazim let out an exaggerated gasp and his hand fluttered to his chest. "Oh my, a stolen princess? How original. And why would this concern a gentleman of leisure like myself?"
"Come on, Naz," Bones' voice meekly whined, "I've got a crick in my back. I can't even sneeze without seeing stars. I need your help."
Nazim snorted derisively. "You want me to enter the princess-saving business? After our last adventure? Do you remember? Nearly lopped my head off!"
“You know that was an accident,” replied Bones, “Besides, it'll be fun!”
“The last thing I want to do is help an egotistic…”
A small voice suddenly interjected, "Really, Beardy? You have the backbone of a snail on a salt trail. I'll go with this pathetic human if you aren't up to it. It's getting dull around her anyway."
Nazim and Bones looked down at the bunny who appeared to be itching its unmentionables.
"I think the bunny just called you a coward. And it definitely just called me pathetic,” uttered a bewildered Bones.
"Fine," Nazim curtly retorted. “But if we do this, Bubbles, you need to start cleaning up around here. And for God sakes, leave that squirrel alone."
"As for you, Bones, you must promise to leave me alone for good.”
“That’s a deal!” Bones grinned and extended his hand. Reluctantly, Nazim returned his grasp. The two stared at one another for a minute. Then Bones winked at the wizard and it was settled.
Bubbles, annoyed with their manic fraternity, again spoke up, "alright mortals, let's get a move on."
With that, the demon bunny shoved some carrots and snacks into a bag and signaled at Nazim and Bones to do the same. Nazim's face turned a bright red as he glared at Bubbles. "Fine!" he eventually managed as he threw a travel bag at Bones. "Well, what are you waiting for. We have to pack."
And with that the adventure began.
***A version of this story was originally published via the Forgotten Runes Wizard Cult Book of Lore. You can find the original version here: https://www.forgottenrunes.com/lore/wizards/9611/2
Parts of the story have been changed -- and it is likely the stories will further diverge going forward.
