“This is exceptionally made, notice the fine craftsmanship. Oddly, it only has one additional enchantment upon it: its wearer will know no fear. Yes, I believe this is what you desire,” says the dwarf.
“I must trust you, for I know very little of this trade. What must I do to obtain it?” The old dwarf shakes his head. “Now, that might present a problem. You must speak to the Guardian. He makes all the final decisions. I do not think he will like it, but I stand by my recommendation.”
“Where can I find this guardian?” Mikal asks.
“Come, I shall show you the way.”
The bearded dwarf escorts him to a small knoll. On top of it stands an immense iron, throne-like chair. There someone sits, but shadows obscure the wizard's view.
“Oh, Randolph, this gentleman is interested in one of the suits of armor.” He beckons Mikal to step forward. “I am finished here and will now take my leave.”
Mikal is taken aback when a massive, muscular man rises from the iron chair. He stands eight feet tall and carries a six foot, stone, double-bladed axe. It looks like it could crush a lion in one blow. But the most astounding feature is the head. It is that of a bull. Mikal has read about these creatures, but he thought they had vanished from the land long ago. Surprising him further, the Minotaur, like the dwarf, speaks with excellent diction and with a resonant voice.
“What is your name, traveler, and where are you from?”
The wizard bows. “My name is Mikal Novastar from the great City of Addis and this is my cat Majam.”
“Nice cat. I must ask you, do you seek the armor for yourself or for another?”
The White Wizard replies, “For another.”
The huge Minotaur bows his head. “That is good. You have just passed another test. What armor interests you?”
“It is one set apart from the others. It has a green hue to its metal. The good dwarf told me it has an enchantment against fear.”
The great creature hesitates. “That is a dangerous suit of armor you have requested. Do you understand all the ramifications of that enchantment? The warrior will have no fear of anything, including committing crimes and other unspeakable acts. It will fear no one and nothing. For whom do you seek the armor, Mikal Novastar from the great city of Addicts.”
“Uh, that’s Addis. The man who must wear this armor is Sir Rusel Ironwood.”
The mammoth Minotaur raises his great stone axe. “I know this name. He is not worthy to claim this armor. It would be disastrous. Leave now with your life.”
“Wait,” shouts the White Wizard. “I am to tell you that he fights in the name of the Lady Evalon.”
The creature hesitates. Mikal reveals the ribbon he was given.
“These are her colors which he will wear in combat.”
Mikal is shocked. The Minotaur lowers its deadly axe and bends to one knee. “If the lady wills it, the armor is yours.”
A blinding flash of light encompasses the area and…the White Wizard finds himself atop the stone tower. Next to him is his cat and a set of armor with a shimmering green hue.
Chapter 34
Sir Rusel lands on solid ground. He rolls and regains his footing. He stops, takes a deep breath, and declares triumphantly, “I am here.”
He takes in his surroundings. It is early morning. “I am sorry that I missed the dawn, for every sunrise here is special.” He smiles. “I feel young again.”
The Paladin sprints across a vibrant, green field filled with soft, tall grass. He chuckles, then breaks into a hearty laugh. He falls to his knees. “The door opened for me! I am a man reborn!”
The knight composes himself. “Now, to the matter at hand. I must find a fast, flowing river. The horses of this land gather to water.”
As Sir Rusel walks through the tall fields of grass, he plucks the longest stalks and starts to twist and bind them into twine. “I will need a small rope in order to ride.”
He travels over long, gradual hills, taking in everything his senses can detect. The sound of the wind and birds in the air exhilarates him. He savors the softness of each step he takes and the scent of the grass and flowers. The dazzling colors inspire him. He crests a pleasant hill, and before him sees the river he requires. He runs to the bank of this surging water and bends down and drinks deeply.
“I think I could live just on water alone here. Surely, this splendid river will show me the way to fulfill my quest.”
Sir Rusel Ironwood walks like a young man, following the flow. A fish with multicolored scales leaps into the air and back into the life-giving waters. The Paladin encounters more trees along the bank. They are filled with birds and small rodents, all squawking and chirping.
The knight stops. “I revel in the music of life.”
He hears the sound of splashing ahead, and approaches curiously. He sits on a boulder by the river’s edge and stares at a most wondrous site. A small herd of magnificent horses known as the Raauh gather around the river. There are six. Some are full-grown while others are just foals. All are primarily white, but one of the older stallions has other colors mixed in; a touch of golden brown and bright beige. All have thick, graceful manes and tails that flow and bound as they gallop and leap. Four of them are in the water simply enjoying themselves. The knight wishes he had some apples. Then he remembers that one of the trees he passed was a apple tree. He cautiously stands and backs silently away. Once out of sight, he starts to run. In no time at all, he picks an armful of apples and happily returns to the river.
The Raauh are nowhere to be seen. He is disappointed but soon finds their tracks in the soft grass and follows their hoof prints for some time. They lead him to a secluded glen where the horses are grazing contently. He deliberately approaches and offers the apples he has picked. The youngest colt is the first to accept the gift. The others follow, and soon are munching on the red, luscious fruit.
One apple remains, so Rusel takes part in the feast. He stands apart from the Raauh at first, but over the next few hours each horse gets close enough so that he can pat and stroke their backs. The glorious sun starts to set as Sir Rusel stares transfixed at the picturesque site. The Paladin beds down for the night with the horses not far away.
***
He is awakened by the sound of the young colts running and playing and neighing. He marvels at the glorious sunrise and he feels it will be a good day. Soon the horses are off, and he follows eagerly.
After a short time, he realizes their direction and returns to the river. He sheds his chain mail and boots and dives into the cooling, rippling water. When the horses come close, he playfully splashes them. They are confused at first but the younger ones come over time and time again. He can tell they enjoy it.
The stallion snorts and the small herd leave the revitalizing water. They move to a bright area and begin to sun themselves. Master Ironwood carefully approaches one of the older Raauh. The magnificent creature studies the man with the bright, blue eyes.
Rusel pats and gently strokes the back of this resplendent equine. The horse is skittish at first, but settles down and begins to enjoy it.
The man starts to brush out mats in the mane. One by one, the others approach and he brushes and pats them down as well.
A distant howl is heard, and the horses are off in an instant and are gone from site. Sir Rusel ponders what he should do. Only now does he become aware of his hunger. He spends the next hour or so fishing with his bare hands in the flowing river. After some time, he does meet success and captures two colorful trout.
He builds a fire, scales the fish, and feasts. He regains his clothes and heads back to the secluded glen. Just before the fall of the sun, the herd returns. They all snicker and come close enough so that Sir Rusel can give them quick brushing, using a handful of stiff grass plucked from the field.
They sleep peacefully the second night.
***
A pleasant rain falls just before dawn, and, with the rising of the sun, ceases.
The knight appro
aches the herd. “Hear me, Raauh. My need is great or I would not ask this of you. The land I come from has evil festering in it. I have been chosen to combat a dark creature who rides a formidable steed. He is an abomination. I know I am not worthy, but I ask would any of you carry me to battle? I'll return you to this land as soon as I am able, if we succeed, of course.”
The herd stands frozen for many minutes. The youngest colt strides and leaps and rears up on his hind legs. It lowers his head before the ancient Paladin.
The warrior returns the bow. “I am sorry but I cannot allow you to come. You are too young, but know you have the heart of a champion.” The colt seems insulted and sulks back to the others.
“I thank you, though. You honor me.”
The small group slowly turns as one and leave the glen. Sir Rusel runs in a different direction. He finds the apple tree and again fills his rucksack. He returns to the river and is relieved to see that the Raauh have returned.
He watches the horses frolicking, but does not enter into the sport. Eventually the Raauh leave the water and start to sun themselves on the bank. Master Ironwood offers each an apple, which is eagerly accepted.
“Please, bear with me. I thank you for letting me spend this time with you, but my need is great and I must return to my home.”
The knight looks for rocks and firewood to place in the river. Unexpectedly, he feels a nudge on his shoulder. He turns, and before him stands the full-grown mare. Her knowing, emerald eyes look deeply into his. She lowers her great head and Sir Rusel Ironwood bows ever so low.
With a tear in his eye, he manages, “I'm forever in your debt.”
He pats and brushes her snow white coat and straightens her impressive mane. He returns to the river bank and places boulders in the river. He gathers large pieces of firewood and positions them on the rocks and sets them ablaze.
He turns to the great equine. “I ask you to trust me and carry me through the fire.” He grabs soil in his left hand and expertly vaults onto his mount. The great horse hesitates, and backs up a few strides.
“Now, run and leap!”
Rusel points to the flame. The impressive horse understands, neighs, rears up on her hind legs, and gallops fearlessly toward the portal. She bounds high into the air while the Paladin recites the incantation to return him to his land.
They travel through fire and are gone.
Chapter 35
Talon looks around. “I wish we were not out in the open like this.”
“I agree.” Sebastian nods. “But if I may make a suggestion?”
“Please.”
“We should travel at a steady pace. Any abrupt change of movement often catches the eye of a predator.”
They agree, and set a deliberate cadence.
Mairin grabs Talon’s arm, a concerned look on her face. “Talon, my father was going to that dreadful place from which we just escaped.”
The half-elf nods. “Yes, that was the information we received, but Tamarix sensed nothing of him there. I believe he is safe.”
“I desperately want to believe you,” Mairin responds, holding his arm tighter.
“My best recommendation is to return to Stonegrove, his last known location. I know people there and I have made some friends.”
Sebastian points east. “If the City of Stonegrove is our destination, I believe we should go this way.”
They travel through most of the evening, only hearing night birds and howls of wolves in the distance. They are exhausted when they come upon the camp they had made a day earlier.
Talon shakes his head. “We have little water and no food. I suggest we get some rest and then scale the valley wall. There is water above and I can hunt.”
“I agree,” says Sebastian, “An hour respite, and we begin our assent.”
Talon looks to his cat. “Tamarix, guard.”
The Elven cat sniffs the air and leisurely circles the makeshift camp. Mairin falls fast asleep. The half-elf relaxes and tries to meditate on the waning stars above. Sebastian Wolfram watches them both. A half an hour later, Tamarix returns and demands Talon’s attention.
He awakens Mairin and whispers, “Quiet, there is danger.”
Sebastian moves closer to the two. “I know something is not right. I believe there are creatures out there stalking us.”
The half-elf readies his bow. “By the way Tamarix is acting, he may have sensed a wererat.”
Sebastian holds his pointed nose high. “There is more than one and the cat is correct: wererats.”
Talon’s bow starts to glow faintly.
“You stay here, Talon, and guard the girl. I will try to outflank them. Oh, and please, try not to hit me with an arrow in the darkness.”
Sebastian Wolfram moves away without making a sound.
“Mairin, stay low. I will let them come to us. They may be surprised that my cat and I can match their night vision.”
Minutes pass and the night is still. Tamarix’s ears perk up and he stares in a fixed direction. The half-elf archer readies an arrow and follows his cat’s line of sight. Talon’s enchanted bow glows with greater intensity. The young archer eyes a target.
He lets his arrow fly: a lethal hit. Two more humanoid rats spring up and charge Talon and Mairin’s location. The half-elf releases four more deadly darts, each scoring devastating wounds. Mairin looks over her shoulder and screams. The Elven cat is at her side and hisses menacingly. Talon turns and readies another arrow, but somehow this wererat is already upon them.
The wizard’s daughter points and flings a light spell at the creature's eyes. Tamarix leaps on this rodent creature, biting and clawing. Talon takes aim and is careful not to strike his cat. The mystical arrow bores into the creature's heart, killing it instantly.
Everything stops and becomes unnaturally quiet, save for Mairin’s ragged breathing. Talon hears a commotion that he believes is a struggle.
“Do you think it’s Sebastian, Mairin? Do you think he needs our help?” He looks to his cat. “Tamarix, search for Sebastian Wolfram.”
The loyal feline sets off, sniffing the ground. Within a surprisingly short amount of time, Sebastian returns, closely followed by the cat. He surveys the area.
“I see you have been busy this night. You are, indeed, a deadly archer.”
The teenaged girl asks, “Are you injured? What happened to you?”
“Oh, I encountered only one of those lowly creatures. I believe he was the leader of this failed escapade. Their main group seemed to be stalking you two. May I ask why?”
Talon unstrings his bow. “I will explain later. You said you believe you encountered the leader? You seem no worse for it.”
The white-haired man smiles. “This is not my first encounter with these large vermin. When my opponent saw his underlings getting cut down, he started to shy away. Most of these rats are cowards and...”
Talon interrupts, “I thought only magic or silver could harm them.”
“Yes, that is generally correct, but this one did not know what I possess. Like I said, I confronted him and he ran. I believe the path that leads up the valley wall is now safe to scale. Let us take advantage of this now.”
Midway through their assent, Talon presses Sebastian, “Did you talk your way out of a confrontation with wererat leader?”
“Oh no, my dear boy. I threatened him with my sword and knife. Like I said before, when he saw his minions die, doubt grew inside him. I showed no fear, and he simply fled.”
Mairin asks, “So you've had some experience with these creatures?”
“If you must know, yes I have. I have traveled many places. I have spent time in the City of Umbra, a strange, interesting, and dangerous place. I have been to the borderlands, where there is only rock and sand. The people there are harder than the terrain,” the white-haired man snickers. “I have even spent time in the City of Addis, a pleasant place to visit. I have been to anywhere and everywhere where there are coins to be made and challenges to be met.”
Talon announces, “I will hunt. I won’t be gone for long. You two should wait here.”
Sebastian nods his head. “I find that most agreeable. We shall fill our water skins.”
Talon and his cat leave immediately. The white-haired man with the pointed nose asks, “Young lady, when we were captured you used healing spells. You must have been trained in that art. Where was this, may I ask?”
Mairin looks to Sebastian. “Yes, I have had formal training... but where exactly I would rather not say.”
Master Wolfram smiles. “Let me guess then. Definitely not Stonegrove. Perhaps from the School of the Three Moons in the great City of Addis, hmm? Am I correct?”
The young girl does not respond. Sebastian’s smile widens.
Talon enters the camp holding two small pheasants. “This is not very much, but it should be enough to get us to our destination.”
As they pluck and clean their late breakfast, Sebastian inquires, “Now would be a good time to explain to me why you attract wererats.”
The half-elf takes a slow, long, deep breath. “Weeks ago my traveling companions and I encountered, how should I put this…a superior breed? They were much larger and even more vicious than any I have encountered and had grandiose schemes of conquest and domination. One escaped and swore vengeance upon us. Ever since then they have been on my trail, and no doubt, my friends’ as well.”
“A strange tale, indeed.” The white-haired man brushes back his hair. “What did you do to them to have them pursue you so doggedly?”
Talon shrugs his shoulders, “Well, we did kill two of them and, like I said, one was unlike any other. Add to that, we foiled their designs.”
Sebastian presses the issue. “What do you believe their designs were?”
The half-elf answers, “I'm not sure, but I believe they were being directed by some other powerful, maleficent creature.”
The Warrior and the Wandering Wizard (The Way of the Wandering Wizard Series Book 2) Page 21