by M. L. Forman
“Two members of my company dead, and our adventure not yet near its end,” said Virgil, glancing at Alex. “I must have been a fool to accept this adventure.”
“It was my plan that brought you into the desert,” said Alex. “I should have thought things through more carefully.”
“Stop that, both of you,” Dain interrupted. “You’ll forgive me if I’m out of place, Virgil, Master Taylor, but it’s no good you two blaming yourselves for what’s happened. Adventures are dangerous at the best of times, and from what I’ve seen of Nezza, these are not the best of times.”
“Dain’s right,” said Skeld. “We all know the risks. We don’t talk about it, we try not to even think about it, but we all know what might happen.”
Virgil and Alex exchanged a glance and then nodded. Alex knew his friends were right. Adventures were dangerous, people got killed, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Alex was troubled, however, because Virgil and the others looked to him for answers, and he wasn’t even part of their company. He didn’t want to be in charge, and he didn’t want to offend Virgil by acting like he was in charge. What he really wanted was to be part of the company, but that was not possible.
There was something else Alex knew, something he didn’t feel ready to share with his friends. Their quest to find Rallian and take him north had become something more important. They were fighting for the future of Nezza, even if they didn’t know it. He would have to explain things to them soon, but for now he didn’t have the words.
“Another day in the sun and sand, then,” said Skeld as they started off after their meal.
“And how many more days before we find what we are looking for?” Tom questioned.
No one offered a reply to Tom’s question. None of them knew how long it would take to find Tempe, and it was no use guessing.
Alex walked behind the company as they traveled. He wasn’t sure what he wanted or even what he should do. All he knew was that he felt alone, even though he wasn’t.
Chapter Ten
Tempe
For two more days, the company followed the river into the desert, and to Alex each day seemed a little longer than the one before. At night he sometimes wondered why and how he had been chosen to save Nezza from evil and to find a true king for the land. Surely there were other wizards who could do a better job. Wizards with more knowledge, more experience—wizards who actually looked like wizards.
Alex knew he was young to be a wizard, and he was painfully aware that he looked even younger than he really was. How could he possibly convince all the kingdoms of Nezza to follow one true king?
Alex had come to find Skeld and help him, and that was done. Virgil and his company had come to find Rallian, and that was done. Alex knew there was more he still had to do, but he didn’t know how he could do it. He traveled forward looking for answers, talking little and laughing less as the days passed.
Skeld tried to cheer Alex up, but Alex would only smile at his friend’s jokes before returning to his own thoughts. Alex was grateful for Skeld’s efforts, but there were too many dark thoughts in his mind for him to remain happy for long.
On the morning of their fifth day in the desert, the company was sitting around the fire that Alex had conjured, eating their breakfast, when a large raven landed on Alex’s shoulder. Alex was as surprised by the sudden appearance of the bird as everyone else, and was even more surprised when the raven spoke to him.
“Greetings, young wizard and dragon lord,” said the raven in a croaking voice. “Greetings from Tempe, the Oracle of the Red Lands.”
“My greetings to Tempe,” said Alex, shaking off his surprise.
“Tempe has sent me to answer any questions you might have,” the raven continued, “and to say that though you will reach her house by midday, she will greet you this evening.”
“Alex,” said Skeld suddenly, his eyes wide with wonder. “Can you understand this bird?”
Alex looked around at the others and noticed the amazed—even stunned—looks on their faces. He didn’t understand their looks, as the raven seemed to be speaking the common language clearly enough despite being a bird.
“Of course I do,” said Alex. “Can’t you understand him? He’s speaking plainly enough.”
“They can’t understand me,” the raven croaked. “They don’t know how to listen properly, so they hear only a raven’s rough caws.”
Alex turned his attention back to the raven. “What do you mean they don’t listen properly?”
“Their minds are tangled with unimportant things. Too busy to listen.”
“I see,” said Alex. “Tell me, most noble bird, what questions can you answer?”
“Almost any that you have,” the raven answered, hopping up and down a few times on Alex’s shoulder.
“Well then,” said Alex, “why is it that Tempe will not greet us until this evening?”
“She will greet you when evening comes,” said the raven, cocking its head at Alex. “The others will not be greeted until tomorrow.”
“Why is that?” Alex asked.
“The others are not wizards and would not have come this way without you, so she will not greet them until tomorrow.”
“I see,” said Alex again. “What is your name? How should I address you?”
“I am Stonebill,” answered the raven, flapping his wings slightly. “And you are Master Alexander Taylor, wizard, elf friend, dragon slayer, dragon lord, and many other things as well.”
“You seem to know a great deal about me, Stonebill,” Alex remarked.
“Tempe told me some,” said Stonebill, tilting his head. “I can see most of it for myself.”
“Then you see more than most,” said Alex.
“I do,” said Stonebill.
“Alex,” Skeld said in a nervous tone, “what does the raven say? How is it that you can speak the language of the bird?”
Alex turned to Skeld, confused. “I’m not. I’m speaking the common tongue.”
Skeld shook his head and looked nervous. “Your voice . . . it croaks like the raven’s.”
“Magic is strange at times,” Stonebill said to Alex. “There are few who can talk to birds, and there are many stories and legends about such a gift. Your friends have probably heard stories that ravens are ill omens, but those are only stories.”
Alex nodded. “Allow me to explain things to my friends, then you and I will have a long talk as we walk to Tempe’s house.”
Stonebill did not reply but fluttered down to land on Alex’s knee.
Alex explained to his friends that the raven had come from Tempe, and that they would reach her house by midday. That much was easy for the company to understand, but they did not understand why she wouldn’t greet them until the next morning, or how Alex could talk with the raven.
“Does the oracle not wish to speak with us?” Tom asked.
“Oracles do as they please,” said Dain. “It is not our place to question Tempe.”
“But why send a raven and not a geeb?” said Virgil, looking at Stonebill.
“I’m sure it’s all right,” said Alex in a reassuring tone. “Stonebill said that ravens are not bad omens, so you can stop worrying about that.”
“Ravens are respected in Norsland,” said Skeld. “Many people offer them shiny objects and other such things that they like as gifts. They hope the ravens will bring luck to their homes.”
“They are feared in Barkia,” said Tom nervously. “It is said they can cast spells and bring evil on people.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Alex. “I am sure that Stonebill is not here to bring evil on us.”
“Ravens are rare and noble creatures,” said Rallian suddenly. “There is a raven on the royal seal of Nezza, and there is a story that the first king of Nezza had a raven he could talk to.”
“Perhaps he did,” said Alex. “We should be on our way. We can discuss ravens and the stories about them when we reach Tempe’s house.�
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The others agreed, but only Skeld, Virgil, and Rallian seemed pleased by the raven’s presence. Tom and Dain both continued to look at the bird nervously. Personally, Alex was happy that Stonebill had come. He spent his time talking with the raven as they marched forward.
“Around the next bend we will see Tempe’s house,” Stonebill said to Alex a few hours later. “It is a fine house.”
Alex told the others what Stonebill had said, and they all walked a little faster, wanting to see the house of the oracle. Around the next bend, they came to a high waterfall with steps cut into the red stone beside it. The steps led down to a lush green oasis.
“An unexpected find in these harsh lands,” said Virgil, reaching the top of the steps and looking down toward the oasis.
“Not at all what I expected,” said Dain, admiring the stonework of the steps and path.
Alex looked down the steps as well, remembering the dream he’d had. Several fine-looking buildings were visible from where they stood, but the most impressive building was the massive red pyramid that stood at the center of the oasis.
As they moved down the steps, Alex felt a familiar tingling in his hands and feet. He smiled, remembering the first time he’d felt it. Back then, he had been on his first adventure and hadn’t known anything at all about oracles. It seemed a long time ago, and he now knew a great deal about oracles and their powers.
“The large house to the right has been made ready for you and your friends,” said Stonebill in Alex’s ear. “There will be food waiting, as well as baths and beds and anything else you might need.”
“Tempe is most kind,” said Alex.
Alex directed the others to the large house, and as Stonebill had said, everything they could need or want was waiting for them. Alex was a little surprised to not see servants in the house, but Stonebill told him that Tempe’s servants were seldom seen. Alex nodded and continued to question the raven about Tempe and her household.
By the time Alex and his companions had finished bathing and eating, the sun was sinking. Stonebill had given Alex directions to a fountain near the pyramid and told him Tempe would meet him there. Then Stonebill flew out the window and vanished into the shadows.
“You should all remain here,” said Alex to the rest of the company as he prepared to leave for his meeting with Tempe.
“Is there danger?” Virgil asked.
“No,” replied Alex. “Tempe has prepared this house for us, so I think it best that everyone remain close to it.”
“As you wish,” answered Virgil with a bow.
Alex left, suddenly realizing that while telling the others to remain at the house had been the right thing to say, Virgil should have said it. In fact, Alex felt sure that Virgil would have said it, if he hadn’t spoken so quickly. Now he worried he had taken away from Virgil’s honor.
“You are greatly troubled for one so young,” said a soft, kind voice.
Alex looked up in surprise, not realizing that while worrying about speaking out of turn he had already reached the fountain. Tempe was standing beside the fountain. She wasn’t at all what Alex had expected. She was short and plump, with a round, happy face and pure white hair. He stopped to look at her for a moment, and then, remembering his manners, he bowed.
“You’re not what I expected either,” said Tempe, her smile widening as she spoke. “I look so little like your friend Iownan, and even less like your other friend, Katrina.”
Tempe laughed as she finished speaking. It was a warm, good-natured laugh, and Alex felt himself relax.
“I know enough to not judge oracles by their looks,” said Alex with another bow.
“There’s no need to be so formal,” said Tempe, waving off Alex’s bow. “I may be an oracle, but you are a wizard and a dragon lord. If we can’t speak plainly to each other, then to whom can we speak?”
“There is wisdom in what you say, but plain speech can be a dangerous thing.”
“You also show wisdom, but I think there is little danger for the two of us,” said Tempe. “Come now, let us sit by the fountain and discuss deeper matters.”
“Deeper matters?”
“You hide your thoughts well. Some you even hide from yourself,” said Tempe, moving to the side of the fountain and sitting down. “Yet in your heart you know these hidden thoughts, even if you doubt them.”
“Yes,” said Alex, nodding. “I have thought about many things these last few days, and many of those thoughts I’ve tried to hide.”
“I will dig them out for you,” said Tempe, motioning for Alex to sit down.
“A simple enough task for an oracle.”
“A wizard’s mind is no simple thing,” said Tempe, her smile fading and her tone serious. “I will try to help you, but in the end, only you know your own mind.”
“Help is always welcome,” answered Alex, sitting on the edge of the fountain.
“Then I will ask, why do you think you are here?”
“I came with my friend Rallian to seek you out.”
“No, not here in the desert—here in Nezza,” said Tempe, looking into Alex’s eyes.
“I came to help my friend Skeld. He and his companions were in trouble, and I came to help them.”
“That is done. Why do you remain?”
“I . . . There is more for me to do here in Nezza. This land is in danger of falling into darkness. The land needs a true king, and I must confront Magnus of Karmus and try to destroy him.”
“Good, you see the bigger picture,” Tempe said softly. “Unblock your mind. Share your thoughts and feelings with me.”
Alex focused his thoughts, then slowly let his troubles melt from his mind. For a long time there was silence, and then Tempe spoke again.
“You should not doubt your feelings. They are often correct and should be followed.”
“But it is not my place to choose the king of Nezza.”
“You are a wizard, and in most places that is enough. You are also a dragon lord, and that should be more than enough.”
“A young wizard with little experience,” said Alex. “How can I choose a king when I know so little about this land?”
“The land of Nezza has chosen him,” Tempe said matter-of-factly. “If this land has also chosen you to help the king rise to power, then I think it has chosen wisely.”
“Perhaps,” Alex allowed. “But, wizard or not, I am still young.”
“Age does not matter. You are a wizard and so must do those things that only a wizard can do.”
“It will be difficult, even dangerous, for my friends.”
“They have paid a high price already, and that price may grow larger still. Everything of worth is difficult. Your friends know why they are here. They have already chosen this danger for themselves.”
Alex listened to the water falling in the fountain, pondering what he should do next. Tempe did not interrupt his thoughts, but let him sit in silence.
“I know little of Nezza and its people,” Alex said at last, “but I would not force a king on them, even if they need one.”
“Then we agree that the prince should be king,” said Tempe, understanding what Alex was trying to say.
“Yes. But with things in Nezza as they are, I cannot see how Rallian will win the crown.”
“If he can win the crown, it will still be difficult to hold, at least at first,” Tempe added. “There will be those who claim to accept him, thinking to betray him later.”
“Will you tell him that he is to be king?”
“I will tell him he can be king,” Tempe answered with a smile. “Will be is very definite, and I have not grown so old that I would say something like that.”
“Then what path should I take? How should I lead him?”
“Lord Talbot is a good man,” said Tempe. “He is honored by all the lords of the outer kingdoms and feared by most of the inner ones. If he will accept Rallian as the true king, the path to the crown will be smoother.”
“Then I wil
l take the prince to Lord Talbot,” said Alex. “That will make Virgil and his company happy.”
“A company that you wish to be a part of?”
“There is a bond between adventurers. I am not a member of this company, and I miss the bond. I feel like an outsider, an outsider that they all look to for answers.”
“Get to know them. They all respect you, but they fear you as well. Even your friend Skeld is a little afraid of you.”
“Perhaps a little fear is a good thing.” Alex laughed.
“Not fear, but perhaps wonder.”
“Wonder, then,” agreed Alex.
“Now, I must ask you about the curse that fell on you and Rallian when you set the river free,” said Tempe. “Have you discovered what it is? Do you understand the price you’ve paid?”
“The curse that was on the river was not Magnus’s doing,” said Alex.
“No, it was not,” said Tempe. “But you did not answer my questions.”
“I had a moment of great pain, as did the prince,” Alex answered slowly. “I can find no other trace of the magic, or what it was meant to do.”
“The river was cursed many years ago, when the last true king of Nezza left this land. Your pain was part of the pain this land has endured. You felt it because you broke the curse. Rallian felt it because he is of the royal line. The true kings of Nezza are connected to the land. As the king prospers, so does the land. If the land is in pain, the true king will feel it.”
“Why was the river cursed?” Alex asked. “Did the magic do something more than just cause pain to Rallian and myself?”
“The river was cursed because I failed,” Tempe answered. “The last true king of Nezza came to me, seeking counsel. I warned him about what would happen if he left this land in search of a dream that could never be. He would not listen to my advice, and the river was cursed—broken, just as the kingdom was broken. Now you have removed the curse, and by doing so you have released another magic into this land, a magic that is a danger to all who live here.”
“How so?”
“The magic is a spell of remembrance,” said Tempe. “The spell that you set free moves across Nezza even now, reminding the people of the past. They will recall old injuries, old hatreds. This magic will make men seek revenge on old enemies, and it will drive all the kingdoms to war.”