by Chris Africa
Vornole held up a hand, forestalling Henny's attempt to yank Chassy's ear off his head. "Leave them here with me for a bit. Wizards have a quite a... persuasive... manner when dealing with wayward children."
So Vornole was the wizard. The old man's brown eyes seemed to grow deep and greedy as they stared at Chassy. He felt Henny hesitate a bit.
"Well, now, I don't see the need to trouble you with this," she said.
Neither did Chassy. It was bad enough that he was going to hear it from both Lora Smyth and his own father, and probably do extra chores for a month, besides whatever Henny had cooked up for them. He looked over at Nita, whose eyes were as wide as he imagined his own must be. Was the wizard going to turn them into slimy, hopping toads? If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to help with the harvest or travel the world. On the bright side, he wouldn’t be marrying some boring village girl...
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. I do insist. In fact, there was another young man in here earlier, the brother of this one." The wizard pointed to Nita. "I suspect he was a co-conspirator. Please send him in to join us."
Chassy looked at Nita. How could Vornole know that Andrev was her brother?
Henny released his ear and stuck her face down by his. Maybe he was just imagining it, but Chassy thought Henny's eyes looked as big and scared as Nita's. "Don't you go causing Master Vornole any more trouble, you hear?" she hissed at them. "You just wait until your father hears about this!"
Chassy hoped he didn't have to wait long.
2: A Departure and Another Arrival
Before Andrev arrived, Vornole managed to gobble all of the food Henny had brought, right there in front of her and Chassy! Nita felt the urge to snatch something off the tray, and she heard Chassy's stomach making noises. The wizard must have known they hadn't eaten all day. Lyear was silent and sulky in the corner chair, his nose stuck in a book, just like her brother. He glanced up, as though he had sensed her looking at him, and stared her down. His eyes were cold and angry. She dropped her eyes and shivered.
Andrev was certainly taking his time getting here. The window over the bed showed the twin moons high in the sky. Surely, he wouldn't be asleep in this moonlight. This was his favorite time to read.
"You know, we haven't eaten all day," she said. "Are you planning to starve us to death?"
Vornole sucked gravy off his finger and stared at her. "My goodness, you are a bit plainspoken for the amount of trouble you seem to have stirred up."
Nita wished Chassy would shut his gaping mouth. She kicked him in the leg again. "Well, I get a little grumpy when I'm hungry. You would be grumpy, too, if you were starving, plus you were being punished by a mean old wizard and then you were going to get punished by your own mother, and Henny besides."
Her voice sounded a little huffy—not that he didn't deserve it. But now her face was getting hot, and if someone didn't say something else, she was going to embarrass herself even more by crying.
"I am old." Vornole seemed thoughtful. "But I don't think I've been all that mean so far. And as far as the bit about starving, I appear to have eaten all the food. I was quite hungry, you know." He looked around like he was searching for some escaped morsel.
"Vornole, I'm going for a walk," Lyear announced, grabbing his cloak and a small pack. "I'll send the cook back in."
Nita almost sighed with relief at being rid of him, and again when she remembered that Henny would be back with more food.
As the door closed, Vornole perked up in his chair, eyes opening wide. "One leaves and another arrives. Oh, this is the very day of my death, of that I am quite certain."
Nita looked at Chassy, who shrugged. Who was arriving? This wizard was acting a little touched in the head. Then again, she'd never met a wizard before. Maybe they were all odd.
"Now, if only your brother would come, so you could all be on your way." Vornole turned his shiny eyes on her, and she leaned back a little. He smelled like turnips. Nita felt Chassy grabbing her hand, and she pulled it away, still feeling cross. He was probably going to run off with the traders and leave her to face the punishments alone.
The door opened. Andrev stepped through with a book under one arm and his finger holding a spot in another. Henny bustled in behind, the aromas from her food tray so rich Nita thought the smells alone might be enough to fill her aching stomach. They weren't.
"Oh, good, now we can all have a nice meal and discuss your punishments." Vornole smiled toothlessly.
"Punishment? Why am I being punished for their eavesdropping?" Andrev asked.
"You see?" Vornole said to Henny. "I told you he was a co-conspirator. As you are going to the kitchen, could I please trouble you for more of that wonderful cider?"
Henny eyed him suspiciously, but nodded and closed the door behind. Andrev was scowling. He'd probably just stonewall his way out of it. Most people gave up on him when they learned how surly and uncooperative he could be.
Vornole gave them chunks of bread, and Nita did her best not to gobble it. She was the daughter of the innkeeper, after all. Chassy's cheeks were stuffed so full he couldn't close his mouth. She frowned at his manners, and he shrugged.
"What do you want? I'm in the middle of something." Andrev was scanning the pages of his book, completely uninterested in food.
"Of course you are, my dear boy, of course. But I have things I want you to do, which are much more important than reading Gildor's Theory of Alchem for the seventh time."
Andrev's face turned red, and Nita wondered how the wizard could even know such things. It wouldn't surprise her to learn that Andrev had read the book seven times. He tried reading some of it to her once, but it was even more boring than his other favorite hobby, star watching.
"Look, Andrev really had nothing to do with the eavesdropping," she said finally. "He didn't even know."
Vornole put down a piece of bread that had been on its way to his mouth. "Child, I am no fool. Even an old wizard can smell lavender soap and the oil used on the Masterweaver's looms. He saw you while he was lighting the lamps. Now, sit, all three of you. The day has been long, and I'm eager to die and have this curse over with."
Die? That was the second time he had mentioned dying. Nita wondered if Master Vornole was just exaggerating, or if he really thought he was going to die. He was making an awful lot of drama for a little eavesdropping.
Andrev and Chassy plopped down, and Nita sat with her knees folded to the side like her mother had always insisted. If she tried to sprawl out like Chassy, they'd all have a good look at her underclothes—not that she cared, really, but her mother would pitch a fit when she found out. What good were skirts, except to get in the way? She tucked the ripped part into a fold to make it less noticeable.
"You aren't really going to die, are you?" Chassy asked.
"Why, yes, I suspect I am. You see, there is the matter of this curse, which causes me to sleep, and while I'm sleeping, not to eat. Surely you've noticed my thin presence, my rather sallow appearance?" He turned side to side, showing them his profile. His robes hung limp from his stick-like frame, clearly meant for a much larger man. "I believe—I am absolutely convinced—that the next time I fall into the accursed sleep, I shall simply not awaken. But fortunately, I have the three of you to carry on where I will leave off."
He seemed far too cheerful to be dying.
"What do you mean?" Nita asked. "Are we going to be cursed?"
"No, no. I mean that for your punishment, I am going to set you a task. All three of you. More of a journey, really."
"You're sending us on an errand?" Andrev asked. "You really think our parents are going to let you send us off to do your bidding because these two were stupid enough to get caught in your room?"
"No," Vornole said. "I think you are going to go of your own accord, because it's the right thing to do."
Yep, he was definitely touched in the head. Andrev's lips were pressed into a little line, and his forehead was creased with angry wrinkles.
&nbs
p; "What's this journey all about?" Chassy asked, his eyes shining. "Does it have something to do with the magical amulet and the wizards you were talking about?"
"Chassy!" Nita scowled at him.
"Well, if it's about doing the right thing and magical amulets—"
Vornole held up a hand. "I shall fill your ears with the facts, yes? And you shall fill your stomachs with bread and cheese and tea in the meanwhile. Now, my good friend Lyear—in fact, the friend of my life, as you may recall from your eavesdropping moments—has just left Waet Tree Village with the amulet of which we spoke."
"What amulet?" Andrev asked.
"It is called the Amulet of Hope," Vornole said. "The leader who wears it inspires hope in his followers, however trying the circumstances. As you can imagine, any leader in dire straits would find such an artifact useful. An enemy with some skill could invert the effects of the amulet, causing entire peoples to despair."
"But you said you wouldn't let him take it," Nita said. "And it seemed like he genuinely cares about you."
"Yes, I did say that."
"And he took it anyway? He stole it?" Chassy asked.
Vornole sighed and rubbed his monstrous beard with the back of his hand. "He didn't steal it, so much as I allowed him to take it. You see, Lyear is compelled by his nature, and unfortunately, his nature has always contained a good portion of greed. He wants to sell the thing and thinks nothing of the consequences. I could not have stopped him, in any case. I am too weak. Lyear has strong magic of his own."
"This has nothing to do with us," Andrev said flatly. "I wish you would stop wasting our time. I have important things to do."
Nita ignored his blustering. "Why did you let him take it?"
But Vornole was staring at Andrev with narrow eyes. "This has everything to do with you," he said. "For unto you—the three of you—it is appointed to save Lyear, from himself and from those who would take advantage of his weakness. You must recover the amulet, and in doing so save your own village from certain destruction."
Nita’s head spun. Save the village from destruction? Who would want to destroy the village? How could she save anyone from anything? She was just an innkeeper’s daughter. Chassy’s face had turned white, and he looked like he was going to pass out. Andrev was just staring hard at Vornole, as though he could shut the man up with his willpower.
Vornole was looking over their heads, at the open door.
"Ah, the Nydwon is here, to see the three of you, I expect," the wizard said. He stood and bowed. "Good Nydwon, I do hope you have a bit of patience for the follies of youth."
3: Strange Words from a Stranger
Chassy imagined himself lopping off the head of an evil slime monster while the village residents cowered behind, cheering him on. But there weren’t any slime monsters in these parts, or any monsters at all, really. Not even any scary wild animals or bandits. So from what—or whom—would they save the village? This would be even more exciting than traveling with Mayvis. Nita would be with him!
"Only one who has been youthful may be patient with youthful follies," said a voice that might have been either male or female. "For the rest of us, we must hope not to experience any such thing."
The creature entering the room on a litter was so buried in cushions and silks that Chassy could barely make it out at first. The litter was hoisted on the shoulders of four short, thick-limbed guards with bald heads and squashed noses. The bearers set it down gently, folding the carry posts down like table legs. They parted the filmy white curtains to reveal a hairless lavender head with numerous tentacle tattoos stretching around its head and neck. One of the tentacles had ruby stones set in at regular intervals. The creature was as small as a child at tenyear, with an overly large head and piercing silver eyes.
What was going on? Chassy looked at Nita, but she was staring at the purple creature with her mouth wide open. Andrev’s forehead furrowed in confusion, which was an odd look for him, considering he was such a know-it-all.
Vornole shook his head like he was trying to clear it. "Well, um… yes, let us hope."
"Are these the three?" the Nydwon asked.
"Three what?" Nita demanded.
"These are the three. Have you any advice to guide them on their journey?" Vornole said. He leaned toward Chassy confidentially. "She knows things, you know."
How could this Nydwon know what Vornole had said to them only moments ago? Things were happening too fast and not making any sense. Pookana always knew things too, and those things usually got him into trouble. He shifted uncomfortably.
"What—" Chassy started.
"You." The creature motioned to Chassy, and he shuffled forward a half step. The Nydwon wore a tattoo shaped like a sea creature draped over her head. She had a graceful mouth and small ears. Tattoo tentacles flowed down her head and wound around her left eye, ear, mouth, and throat, some disappearing into her tunic. Red gems embedded one of them. The tentacles seemed so carefully placed that Chassy wondered if there was some significance.
"Your hope is in the trees and carried as ash on the wind. Your destiny takes you to the sun and stars. Protect that which is important, not that which you desire."
"I don’t understand." Chassy’s heart banged against his ribs. Whatever had possessed him to eavesdrop? And now all these strange things were happening. He wished he could apologize it all away. He wished his parents would hurry up and come looking for him.
"Foretelling is not to be understood. It is to be used at the right time, under the right circumstances," the Nydwon said. She looked away from him. Reaching up to her forehead, she displaced one of the gems and a tiny dot of blood filled the hole.
Chassy cringed, but the Nydwon looked like she was just breaking a fingernail. Blood trickled down her cheek, seemingly unnoticed.
Maybe he was dreaming. He’d once dreamed about a fish that flew out of the river and turned into a blue storm cloud. This felt like that dream, not quite real. The storm cloud had dropped a gentle rain on all of Waet Tree Village, turning everything a fairly nice shade of blue. There was a little girl whom he didn’t know sitting on the riverbank crying blue tears. In his memory, her face turned into the Nydwon’s face.
Chassy shook his head clear. He would wake up soon.
"This is not for you," the Nydwon said as she put the gem in Nita’s trembling hand. "It is for a dying enemy. Use it wisely, for you shall have many, and it is only for one."
The Nydwon snapped her fingers and her bearers lifted her litter. Nita opened her hand, and Chassy saw the tiny red stone glittering in her palm.
"Wait!" Andrev stepped forward and touched the Nydwon's shoulder, his eyes wide open and curious. "I thought you wanted to see all three of us. What would you say to me?"
The Nydwon turned her silver eyes on Andrev, and Chassy shuddered. Her face was cold, dangerous.
"You want to know, then? Yes, you should know. You shall be the fall of the Waet. You shall draw the vengeance of Ana and Asa. Your power is an abomination, and your blood shall mend the divide."
Andrev frowned angrily and shook his head in obvious disbelief.
Nita yanked Chassy forward as she rushed to the Nydwon. "What kind of thing is that to say to someone?" she scolded. "You should be ashamed of yourself for being so rude and—and—"
Chassy tugged her hand, trying to pull her away, but one of the bearers kicked out with a foot, hitting Nita in the stomach. Nita flew backwards, and Chassy fell in a heap beside her.
"The foretelling is not a gift, it is a command," the Nydwon intoned. "The purpose of my life is to follow the command. The purpose of yours is to save your people. He is not of your people. If you save him, your parents shall die. If you save him, the Mother Tree will burn and the groves will scream as they are consumed by her flames. Best you leave immediately. The journey is long, and the elf has a good start on you."
Nita gasped for air, her body curled into a tight ball around her stomach. Chassy pulled on her legs, trying to stretc
h her out. Andrev crouched down at the other end, stroking her hair.
"Nita, relax and let your muscles uncramp," Chassy said. "Nita, relax!"
After a few seconds that seemed like hours to Chassy, Nita took a deep breath and sat up slowly. Her eyes looked teary, but Chassy knew she’d pick another fight to avoid crying in front of them. He stood and stretched out a hand to help her up.
Ignoring his hand, Nita jumped to her feet, staggered once, and shouted, "You better not be planning to stay HERE tonight."
The Nydwon and her bearers, long gone, did not respond.
4: Destiny
"This is a lot of nonsense," Nita said. It came out sounding like a gasp, frustrated and painful. She forced herself to breathe slowly. "My mother is going to take a piece out of that Nydwon when she finds out about this."
Her chest ached, and she wondered if anything was broken. That little brown man had a powerful kick in him. Surely, her parents didn’t know she was here, or they would have already come to retrieve and punish her by now.
"Nita, are you okay?" Chassy and Andrev were boxing her in.
"Stop that, I’m fine." She shoved Andrev’s hand off her shoulder. Vornole was leaning over the bed, rummaging through a large pack.
"Oh, dear, the Nydwon does not like to be threatened," Vornole mumbled as she approached.
Nita stormed out of the room and up the stairs to the study where her father would be tending the accounts this time of day. Chassy and Andrev called after her softly, but she ignored them. The study door was ajar, and she could hear her mother sobbing.
"Mama, I’m here, it’s okay!" she said, squeezing into the room. Mama was sitting on the chair, and Papa knelt in front of her, holding her. Nita rushed over to them. "What’s wrong?"
"It’s not okay, it’s not okay," Mama wailed, wringing her hands. "The village is going to burn! That’s what the Nydwon said. The Waet will be lost forever!"
Nita put her arm around her mother’s shoulder. Andrev stood on the other side, fiddling with the tail of his shirt. "Nydwon speak in riddles, all the books agree," Andrev said. But he looked nervous. Andrev knew so many things, and he was nervous.