by M. L. Forman
“Strange,” Sindar said in a thoughtful tone. “I think, before you use any more magic, you should send a message to Vankin. He might be able to explain what has happened, and I’m sure he will want to know about your bowl being filled again so rapidly.”
“You are right,” said Alex. “I’ll write to him tonight when we make camp.”
The rest of the morning was spent putting packs together for the three soldiers to take with them. Having no horses, they would have to walk, and it would take them some time before they would reach a town or city. Bregnest gave each of them a small bag of money so they could buy more food when they reached a town.
“What would you have us tell Kappa when we return?” one of the soldiers questioned.
“Only that you were attacked by goblins and managed to escape,” Bregnest answered.
“He will ask about you and your company, Lord Bregnest,” the man went on. “How would you have us answer?”
“Tell him that you did not see us,” Bregnest replied. “Tell him that you don’t know how we could have escaped the goblins when most of your company was destroyed.”
“As you wish,” said the soldier with a bow.
After the midday meal, the soldiers said good-bye and wished the company good luck before heading south. Alex and his friends followed the goblin path for most of the afternoon, turning more to the north a few hours before the sun set. If they were lucky, Alex thought they might be able to make their way through the woods and reach the road in two or three days. But how long it would take them to reach the Tower of the Moon was still a mystery.
Chapter Ten
Centaurs’ Woods
It was late afternoon on the third day when Alex and his friends found the main road, and after riding north for a few miles, Bregnest had them set up camp for the night.
Alex had started to worry as they traveled. He was worried about the time it would take them to find the Horn of Moran and return it to Alusia. He was worried about his magic, too. Was it right that he felt full of magic and not tired or drained in any way? He had written a long letter to Whalen, explaining everything that had happened and exactly how he had felt, but so far Whalen had not written back.
They followed the road northward for three more days, and Alex was relieved that there were no signs of goblins or anything else that might be trouble. Alex’s early morning watch remained his favorite time of the day as well, now that the company was together again. Alex continued his studies, but thought it best not to use any magic until he heard from Whalen, and Sindar agreed. Alex enjoyed talking with Sindar as much as anything. Sindar would answer questions he had and tell him stories of times long past. Sindar seemed to know a great deal about a great many things, and Alex thought he must be extremely old, even for an elf.
On the morning of their fourth day on the road, a geeb from Whalen finally arrived just as Alex was preparing to study his magic books. He was glad that the others were still asleep so he could read the letter in private.
Dear Alex,
I was pleased with the way you handled the return of Jonathan Cain’s bag. It sounds like you returned it at a time when it was most needed. Your generosity and kindness to the Cain family will both increase your honor and your fame. I’m sure your friends have mentioned this to you.
I am disturbed and troubled by the goblins you met. Goblins have always been rare in Norsland, and the fact that they had a shaman with them is alarming. I am also puzzled by the fact that the goblin shaman did not see you for what you are, at least not until it was too late. Magic knows magic, and the fact that the shaman didn’t know you had magic is odd and interesting. More important is the fact that you were able to destroy the shaman. An impressive feat for any wizard, and I am pleased that you were able to do it with the limited training you have had. We will talk more about this when we meet. For now, well done.
I would hope you have learned a valuable lesson: namely, emotions can be powerful tools, so long as you control them and they do not control you. You were able to control your anger and use it as a tool. Remember that lesson.
Now, about you feeling strong and refreshed after doing a great deal of difficult magic. I can’t be completely sure, but I think I know what has happened. Simply put, the magic you used to seal the soldiers’ oaths did much more than just that. When magic is used for great good, it tends to energize the person using the magic. You don’t need to worry, and you don’t need to stop practicing your magic. I’ve told you how you will feel when your magic is near its limit, so please continue to practice.
I am enclosing more instructions for your reading. You are doing well, and I am impressed and pleased to hear about your increased abilities with transfiguration. I should warn you, however, not to try to transfigure any of the guardians of the tower that you may meet. Transfiguring magical creatures can be more dangerous than you know.
Yours in fellowship, Whalen
Alex refolded the letter once he was done reading it and stored it in his bag. He told Sindar what Whalen had said, and Sindar was relieved to know that they didn’t need to worry about Alex’s magic anymore. Alex asked Sindar if goblins might be traveling in Norsland from some other land.
“They don’t use the arch, do they?” Alex questioned.
“They have some magic of their own,” Sindar answered. “Traveling to new lands is difficult for them, but not impossible. Goblins seldom move to new lands, however, unless they are forced to.”
“What about the shaman? Whalen was troubled by the fact there was a shaman with the goblins.”
“True shamans are rare,” Sindar replied in a thoughtful tone. “Even more rare than wizards.”
“A true shaman?” Alex questioned.
“As I understand it, true goblin shamans are born with their powers,” Sindar explained. “They need little training, and their power grows slowly for as long as they live. A true shaman can choose a lesser shaman and teach him to use magic. Lesser shamans have limited powers, but can still be deadly. I can see why Whalen is worried. If the goblin you destroyed was a lesser shaman, that means that a true shaman is still hidden somewhere in Norsland.”
“And if I destroyed a true shaman?”
“That would be my hope,” Sindar answered. “But I don’t know any way we can be sure of that.”
Alex didn’t ask any more questions. Before the rest of the company woke up, Alex sent another message to Whalen, asking if there was any way to know what kind of shaman he had destroyed. He was worried that a true goblin shaman in Norsland would mean trouble for his friends, but he didn’t know if he could do anything about it.
The company was soon on the road once more, and Alex’s thoughts turned back to how little time they had. They had been in Norsland for nearly three months, and he knew that there were never more than six months of good weather here. He hoped that they would reach the Mountains of the Moon soon and find the Horn of Moran. If they were lucky, they could make it back to Ollvi or maybe even Oslansk before winter set in. If they were unlucky . . . well, spending the winter in the pine forests didn’t sound like much fun to him.
Days went by, but the distant mountains never seemed to get any closer. Alex wondered how much further they would have to go once they reached the mountains to find the Tower of the Moon when a deep booming voice called out.
“Hold!”
Alex looked around but could see no one. He looked at his companions, but they were as surprised as he was.
“State your name and your business in our woods,” the voice called.
“I am Silvan Bregnest, the leader of this company,” Bregnest answered. “We are adventurers, seeking the Tower of the Moon.”
Alex was shocked that Bregnest had said where the company was going. He hadn’t even told Skeld and Tayo the details of their quest.
“And why do you seek it?”
“We seek a treasure that was lost there.”
“What treasure?”
“The Horn of Mora
n,” Bregnest answered again, a slightly dreamy quality to his voice. “It was carried there a hundred years ago and has not returned.”
It was so unlike Bregnest to talk about their final goal that Alex was certain there must be some kind of magic at work.
“Bregnest,” Alex said sharply, before the voice could ask anything else.
He turned toward Alex, looking as if he had woken up from a wonderful dream and longed to return to his sleep.
“Bregnest,” Alex said again, in as calm a voice as he could manage.
“What?” asked Bregnest, shaking his head.
“What are you doing?”
“We see you have a wizard with you,” said the voice, before Alex could say anything more. “His wits are not so easily confused.”
Bregnest and the others looked around as if they were hearing the voice for the first time. Alex was surprised and a little amused by the looks on his friends’ faces. Something in the sound of the mysterious voice made him feel safe and unafraid.
“Forgive us,” said the voice, as a large creature stepped out of the trees and into the road in front of them. “We are not trusting of outsiders.”
Alex looked at the creature and started to smile. The lower half of the speaker was a sleek black horse, but where the horse’s head should have been there was the torso of a man.
“I am Usel, leader of my people,” the centaur said proudly. “I ask your forgiveness, and swear that neither I nor my people will repeat what you have said.”
“There is nothing to forgive, Usel,” Bregnest replied, slightly shaken by the centaur’s sudden appearance. “You must look to your own security. We know that you and your people will not share what you have learned.”
“You are most kind, Silvan Bregnest. Will you do us the honor of dining with us? We have much to talk about.”
“The honor is ours, and we will openly speak of our plans and goals with you and your people.”
“Come then,” said Usel, turning and starting off down the road.
The company followed Usel, and Alex saw several more centaurs move out of the forest and into the road behind them.
Usel led them a short distance, and then turned into the forest. They rode single file behind the centaur, but even so the path was difficult to follow. After a mile or so, they entered a clearing with several enormous dome-shaped huts in it.
“Welcome to our village,” said Usel, as he turned to face the company. “First we will eat, then we will talk. I will have a table made ready for you.”
Usel trotted off as soon as he finished speaking, leaving the adventurers alone. Alex and the others climbed off their horses and gathered together, waiting for Usel to return.
“You don’t remember anything?” Alex asked the others in disbelief.
“Not until Usel said we had a wizard with us,” said Andy.
“I remember,” Sindar commented. “It was strange, as if I were in a memory of another time. I could hear what was being said, but I could not speak. And it didn’t seem to matter. All that mattered was the memory.”
“And you weren’t affected at all?” Bregnest asked Alex.
“No,” said Alex. “I was a bit confused when you started answering all the questions and telling Usel about our goal. That’s when I asked if you knew what you were doing and you all seemed to wake up.”
“Do you think we can trust them?” Halfdan asked quietly, looking around the clearing.
“Centaurs are very trustworthy,” said Alex, remembering what he had read about them. “They are both honorable and noble. We needn’t worry.”
“You speak kindly of us, master wizard,” said Usel, trotting back to the company. “I hope your words will put your companion’s minds at ease.”
“I meant no offense,” said Halfdan, bowing to Usel.
“Then none is taken, master dwarf,” replied Usel. “Come, let us share a meal, then we will talk.”
“What of our horses?” Alex asked, looking around for a stable.
“Leave them,” Usel answered. “My people will care for them.”
Alex patted Shahree’s neck and followed his companions. Usel led them to the center of the village where a long table had been set up for their use. Large, round logs had been rolled up to the table for the company to sit on, and several centaurs were already carrying wooden trays full of food to the table for them to eat.
“I hope you like our food,” said Usel. “We seldom have guests of any sort. We are little prepared for, well, people like yourselves.”
“You are most kind,” Bregnest replied. “We are grateful that you and your people would make such an effort for our comfort.”
Usel bowed his head slightly without comment and trotted away, leaving the company alone with their table full of food. The centaurs, it seemed, preferred not to eat with their two-legged guests.
“Strange creatures,” commented Halfdan, taking a seat and looking at the food. “Though they appear to be excellent cooks.”
The company agreed and joined Halfdan at the table. The food was very good in fact, and not at all strange. Alex quietly ate his meal, wondering what Usel might be able to tell them about the Mountains of the Moon and the tower they were looking for.
“We should talk now,” said Usel, returning as Alex and his friends were finishing their meal.
Usel led them to a large fire a short distance away from the village. More logs had been placed around the fire for the company to sit on and an open space had been left for Usel to stand. Alex could sense the other centaurs nearby and wondered why they were remaining out of sight.
Usel lowered himself to the ground and looked around at the company. He seemed to be studying their faces. After several minutes, he took a deep breath and began to speak.
“You are looking for the Tower of the Moon.”
“We are,” said Bregnest. “We are looking for the Horn of Moran. We wish to return it to its rightful owner.”
“This horn you speak of—you said it was carried to the tower a hundred years ago.”
“It was,” Bregnest answered. “A young prince carried it on an adventure to this land. The prince never returned home, and now the Horn is needed.”
“This prince—was he a relative of yours?”
“Distantly.”
“Oh, well,” Usel began, sounding a bit uncomfortable, “I’m not sure how to say this . . .”
“Do not be troubled,” Bregnest said. “I know that the prince was a fool, and possibly worse.”
Usel laughed. “I remember this prince of yours, and you are quite right to call him a fool.”
“So he passed through your woods?”
“He did. Perhaps that is one reason why we are less friendly than we should be.”
“How so?” Bregnest questioned. “If he has done any harm to your people, I will try to repair the damage.”
“No, nothing like that,” said Usel, waving away Bregnest’s offer. “It’s just that he was . . . well, to be honest, he was a little full of himself.”
“Pompous and insulting perhaps,” Bregnest added.
“That too,” Usel agreed. “We have so few visitors here. I’m afraid the prince and his attitude put us off being friendly to two-legged company.”
“We cannot blame you for that.”
“Perhaps things will change, now that you and your company are here,” Usel went on in a hopeful tone. “We are quick to forgive, though perhaps not so quick to forget.”
“You are most kind, Usel. I hope that my company and I will help ease your caution toward visitors.”
“As do I,” said Usel. “Now about this goal of yours. I should tell you that the prince never returned from the tower, and neither did any of his company.”
“Yes, we were fairly certain of that already,” said Bregnest, becoming more businesslike again. “Though we do not know if he ever reached the tower, or if he even stayed on the road.”
“I can’t tell you if he reached the tower or n
ot, but I’m sure he stayed on the road. What I know of the tower and the road to reach it I will freely share with you.”
“Whatever you can tell us will be most helpful, and if we can in any way compensate you for your troubles, we will be happy to do so.”
“You are kind, but there is no need for anything like that,” said Usel. “Now about the road. Let me see, I suppose the best place to begin is on the far side of our woods. Not far from here is the frozen waste, a wide strip of land that separates our woods from the enchanted woods on the other side.”
“Enchanted woods?” Bregnest asked.
“Perhaps that’s not the best way of putting it,” Usel replied thoughtfully. “Though there is some kind of magic there to be sure because the trees are always green, even in winter.”
“Do you know what sort of creatures live in those woods?”
Usel shook his head. “I doubt there is anything dangerous because your foolish prince got through the woods, or at least that’s what I was told. Anyway, after the woods you’ll find the road that leads up the mountains. At the beginning of the road is the first gate.” Usel paused for a moment to think before continuing. “The road up the mountain is steep and rocky, and very narrow at certain points. When you reach the upper end of the road, you’ll come to the second gate.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“Let me think, let me think. The second gate comes right before the tower, and a set of stairs leads from the gate to the tower. The torches are always lit inside the tower, or so I understand. The story is that there is a considerable treasure inside the tower as well, but I don’t know if that’s true or not.”
“Well, we know more than we did,” said Bregnest. “And we are in your debt.”
“Not at all,” replied Usel. “And perhaps you won’t need to pass through either gate, as I don’t really know if the prince made it through the first gate or not. Perhaps you will find the Horn along the way, and can return quickly.”