Your journey to Issar Roon's study is greeted by pleasant weather for the first time in many weeks. Though there is still a stiff cold that hangs in the air, there is no wind, and the moon shines brightly in a clear satin sky. The illumination along your path has been relit since your last visit, and the walk passes quickly. When you arrive at the old man's door, you knock and wait for his voice.

Come in, come in, but close the door quickly.

You open the heavy oak door to a rush of warm air. Along with the welcome heat comes a smell that you have not noticed in a long time—that of old books. It could simply be the weather, but if your sense of smell were the only judge, the old man must have added numerous books to his collection since your last visit.

Make yourself comfortable over there, I will be free momentarily.

The old man gestures to your usual spot, then returns to his books for a few moments. After closing his current book, he turns to you with his steady gaze.

Well, I imagine it would be kind of me to return to the story of the Carthalions, now, wouldn't it? I will oblige, though do not assume it will become habit. Today I will tell you of Adam's son, Jared.

I recall saying at the end of my previous tale that when Adam defied Ravidel at the eleventh hour, he entrusted his only son to his spellsquire, Ezer. Ezer was to take Jared to Arathoxia and his rightful place in House Scarlet. Ezer followed his master's orders dutifully, but fate had a different plan for the young Carthalion.

Not trusting Adam to give into him so easily—or perhaps just impatient at letting things take their course—Ravidel had begun insinuating himself into Arathoxian society much earlier, when Adam, the ruler of House Scarlet, began to distance himself from his birthplace. Ravidel's own spellsquire, the Scarlet Vizier, exploited Adam's absence by casting a mind spell upon the interim leader of House Scarlet, Liana of Minorad. This convoluted spell allowed Ravidel to gain a modicum of control in Arathoxia, and to sway events to unfold as he wished.

When Ezer the spellsquire appeared at the doorstep of House Scarlet with baby Jared in his hands, he was turned away. House Scarlet declared that Adam had neglected his duties and responsibilities as ruler, and that the baby—though they said it was not Jared, the rightful heir—and Ezer had no place they could call their home. So Ezer was left to wander the streets of his former city as a beggar, raising the young Carthalion as best as he could.

The old man spits out the last line as though he is disgusted by the turn of events. Though he often gets emotional during his stories, you find the old man extremely sensitive to the stories of the Carthalions.

For many years, Ezer and Jared lived on the streets of Arathoxia, while Ravidel resided in Adam's former seat of power, Castle Melmereth. Though they lived solely off of the kindness of strangers, Ezer refused to tell Jared of his rightful heritage, ashamed that they had turned him away as a baby. Though some searched for the young Carthalion, including Ravidel himself, none knew where he had gone. He remained hidden among the city rabble until Ezer grew ill some sixteen years later. It was then that a series of events would cascade in a chain that changed his life and brought him to his birthright.

Jared, caring and loyal to his mentor and father figure, sought to heal Ezer. His determination brought him to the door of House Scarlet once again. This time, he was granted an audience with the Mistress of House Scarlet, and told her of his plight. Knowing who he was and fighting Ravidel's mind spell, Liana bestowed an alabaster potion upon the young Jared and showed off the House's Black Lotus. Much to her happiness, he later returned and stole what was already his.

Despite her belief that the mind spell had weakened, Ravidel was still able to discern Liana's actions and thoughts. Knowing he had found Adam's son at last, the mad planeswalker razed the entire city of Arathoxia in an attempt to kill the young Carthalion. While Arathoxia was ruined beyond repair and many of its inhabitants were stripped of their lives, Jared remained unscathed. But now he had a purpose.

Jared, still unaware of his heritage, desired revenge for the destruction of his homeland. He and his loyal friend Yorgo led a large group of refugees from the city against Ravidel in Castle Melmereth. Using a Fellwar Stone, they were able to infiltrate the castle, but still had to fight their way through the passageways.

In the ensuing battles along the way, Ezer was killed, and the young Jared became even more determined to destroy Ravidel. When he finally confronted the planeswalker, Jared wasted no time, and summoned a Shiva Dragon with the aid of his Black Lotus. The powerful dragon unleashed a blazing attack on Ravidel, and when the smoke and flames dissipated, the planeswalker was nowhere to be found.

The old man turns away as if the story has finished, but just before his face becomes set in a distant gaze, he looks again in your direction.

Jared and the others believed Ravidel to be dead, but he had merely escaped. While the Arathoxians moved on with their lives, the planeswalker continued his personal plans in other lands. Though he did not know it yet, Jared's path would once again intersect with the man who had murdered all of his loved ones, but that is yet another tale for yet another day. Today's tale has finished, and it is time for you to leave this old man to his studies once again.

You quietly thank the old man, and take your leave. Though it has grown colder during your time in the warm study, the moon remains bright and follows you along your journey home.

This is a work of fiction based on the stories and entries provided by Wizards about some of the early characters. The author takes some liberty with the story for dramatic purposes. So the story portrayed here may not be the exact story according to Magic Canon. The author has found references and art to use in the following locations: Encyclopedia Phyrexianna and the MTG Salvation Wiki. Written by Brendan Weiskotten.