Wizard in the Woods

by Jeffrey M. Poole

  “There’s more damage here than I had imagined,” Lissa observed as she eyed the burned trees and scorched grass. “That must have been a huge fire.”

  A large shadow fell over the ground. Both he and Lissa turned around and then looked up. Pravara was standing directly behind them. She lowered her long serpentine neck down until her head was resting on a section of unburned grass.

  “You must be Lissa,” Pravara observed. She gently inhaled.

  Clutching Mikal’s arm tightly in her own, Lissa nodded her head.

  “And you are Pravara? Daughter of the Dragon Lord?”

  Pravara’s huge head nodded.

  “I am.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you. I’ve never met a dragon before.”

  A distant roar caught everyone’s attention. Peanut quietly woofed a warning. Pravara lifted her head off the ground and turned to face west.

  “Jasmyre approaches.”

  Mikal could easily recall several dozen stories Steve and Sarah had told him over the years about how dragons could move about in extreme stealth and quiet, often masking their arrivals. He remembered Steve telling him about the time when Kahvel, Pravara’s sire, escorted them north to find Maelnar, the dwarf keymaker. Kahvel surprised the group of men on more than one occasion, even sneaking up on them while they were simply walking out in the open.

  Mikal eyed the large black dragon with silver blotches all over its body. It had landed so hard its claws had dug huge gouges into the earth as it had tried to come to a stop. This dragon turned to look at Pravara and sniffed disdainfully at her. Its nose lifted high into the air and, Mikal was sure, gave Pravara a scornful look.

  “There’s nothing I can tell you now that I didn’t already tell you before,” the huge dragon rumbled. Its nostrils flared as it picked up unfamiliar scents. The huge black snout briefly oriented on Mikal and Lissa before turning back to Pravara. “Why am I here?”

  A second dragon landed, much more elegantly than the first. It was smaller than the black dragon and even smaller than Pravara. It was solid blue with the exception of the tips of its wings, which were white. This one, Mikal decided, was female, as it was significantly smaller than the black dragon, but not much smaller than Pravara. Another young dragon, perhaps?

  They are both female.

  Oh. I thought the black one might have been a male.

  No. Jasmyre is female. Do you see her markings?

  What about them?

  Only females can have three different colors on their scales.

  Three? I see only two. Black and silver.

  Note her wingtips. They are white, like Catrin’s.

  Oh. I didn’t notice.

  The blue dragon gave a noticeable cough. Pravara leveled a gaze at the newcomer.

  “Catrin.”

  The sky blue dragon nodded. She folded her wings against her back and regarded Pravara.

  “Why am I here? I thought we were done with this interrogation.”

  “As did I,” Jasmyre rumbled.”

  “That makes three of us,” Pravara confided. “However, my father believes there is more to learn here. Therefore we will all revisit what has happened.”

  “Again?” Jasmyre groaned, which came out as a loud growl. “There’s nothing to tell. I fell from the sky and woke up here, with the woods burning.”

  “That’s precisely what happened to me,” Catrin added. “I was hunting. I had located a stray bolger and was preparing to dive when I suddenly awoke on the ground and everything was burning.”

  “Where did you fall?” Mikal asked, curious.

  Jasmyre’s great black head swung over to stare at him.

  “Who are you, human? Why do you feel you may address me?”

  “Humans are our allies,” Pravara coldly informed her. “You will address them with the respect you’d expect to be given in return. To answer your question, this is Mikal, son of the human king. The female is his mate, Lissa.”

  Mikal choked. “Umm, she’s not exactly my mate.”

  Lissa fixed him with a steely stare. She put her hands on her hips.

  “We are in a committed relationship, are we not? We have both agreed to not see other people. Does that not qualify us as being mates?”

  Mikal’s eyes widened. His felt as though his face was on fire. He didn’t have to look around the clearing to know that three pairs of wyverian eyes were boring into the back of his skull. A small cough sounded from his right. Lissa was waiting for him to respond. What was he supposed to say? That he considered her to be his mate? Didn’t married people consider their husbands or wives as mates?

  Mikal desperately wanted to clarify to everyone present that he and Lissa were not married, only judging from the fire in Lissa’s eyes, this wasn’t the time or the place to attempt it. His expression softened as he looked into his girlfriend’s deep hazel eyes. He really did care for the girl and it showed in everything he did. Lissa’s eyes lost the fire they had previously held and she smiled back at him. He was really smitten with her and she knew it.

  “Aye, she’s my mate.”

  “Why have you enlisted the help of the humans?” Jasmyre derisively asked. “Can you not figure this out yourself, Pravara?”

  Mikal cringed. While he wasn’t sure why Jasmyre would try and provoke his wyverian companion he certainly didn’t want to see anyone try and degrade her, either. He took a breath, ready to fire off an angry retort.

  Be at ease, friend Mikal. I can handle this.

  Mikal’s mouth snapped closed.

  Pravara took three steps and was suddenly nose-to-nose with the larger black dragon.

  “Are you challenging my authority in this investigation, Jasmyre? Are you insinuating you have something to hide by this aggressive behavior? The Dragon Lord knows full well the two of you almost destroyed the alliance we have with the humans. He doesn’t accept the answers you gave me yesterday. Therefore I agreed to meet with you again to see what you might be withholding. If you don’t wish to discuss the matter with me, that’s fine. You’ll find yourself standing before the Dragon Lord, answering his questions. In front of everyone.”

  Twin plumes of smoke leaked out of Jasmyre’s nostrils.

  “What will it be?” Pravara continued. “You may choose to talk to me, and anyone else I deem worthy, such as my human companions here, or you may deal directly with my father. Personally, I think I am more reasonable, but I may be biased.”

  Lissa stifled a giggle as she hurriedly bit her lip.

  “I will answer your questions,” Jasmyre grudgingly agreed. “However, as I said before, I have no additional news to impart.”

  “You may start by answering Mikal’s question. You said you fell from the sky. Where did you fall? Do you remember?”

  The black and silver dragon cocked her head a few times as she struggled to remember the events that felled her from the sky. Her head rose skyward as she looked around the area. Her snout pointed northwest.

  “It was that way.”

  Pravara looked over at Catrin.

  “And you? Do you remember where you were? I assume you fell, too?”

  Catrin shook her head.

  “I apologize. I do not recall.”

  Mikal caught the giant black dragon’s eyes as she continued to look around.

  “Could you show us the exact spot?” Jasmyre growled, so Mikal hastily added, “It might help us.”

  “Very well. Follow me.”

  The black dragon turned about and headed north without bothering to see if she was being followed. The small group of dragons, humans, and canine walked along the forest’s edge for nearly twenty minutes. Jasmyre was clearly content to walk in silence, and while Catrin didn’t remember what had happened to her, she didn’t want to feel left out. Therefore the sky blue dragon brought up the rear of their group.

  “It happened here,” Jasmyre announced, coming to a stop. “I remember I smelled humans nearby and knew I had to alter course. I saw those boulders over the
re and briefly wondered if a dwarf door might be concealed within. Then I felt a pain in my wings, as though I had overextended my abilities. The next thing I knew I was on the ground and a fire was blazing before my eyes. I cannot explain it.”

  Mikal looked around the quiet valley. A gentle breeze was blowing from the west, bringing scents of fresh pine trees and various aromatic shrubs. While he felt an overwhelming sense of peace envelope him and wanted to linger so that he could appreciate the beauty of the forest he knew that he had other matters to attend to. Three dragons, one corgi, and one girlfriend were staring intently at him.

  “I don’t see anything spectacular about this spot,” Mikal admitted.

  He squatted and scratched behind Peanut’s ears. The dog instantly rolled over and presented her belly. Mikal had just given her a few scratches when the corgi twisted about and was on her feet. Her ears perked up as she looked at the woods. She whined and pulled at her leash.

  Everyone present, including all three dragons, immediately turned to look at the quiet forest.

  “Wow, she made us all look,” Mikal chuckled. He snapped his fingers a few times to get the dog’s attention. When Peanut refused to turn around Mikal again looked in the direction she was facing. “Does anyone see anything that way?”

  Lissa held a hand over her eyes as she peered at the trees.

  “I don’t see anything.”

  “Nor do I,” Pravara admitted.

  “Tsssk, tsssk,” Jasmyre grunted. “You have much to learn, young Pravara. No, do not growl at me. I do not offer offense. I see that which you have missed.”

  Pravara returned her gaze to the west and stared silently at the trees.

  “Do you see it yet?” Jasmyre asked in a surprisingly gentle voice. “Look not at what is before you. Allow your eyes to unfocus and imagine what you’re looking for lies behind the line of trees before you.”

  Pravara was silent as she tried to follow Jasmyre’s instructions. Mikal was shaking his head.

  “I only see trees. Why would unfocusing your eyes help a person to see something behind the trees?”

  “You are not wyverian, human,” Jasmyre impassively told him. “It does not matter if you unfocus your eyes, refocus them, and repeat the process as many times as you can. You will still only see what’s before you.”

  Pravara huffed out a small cloud of smoke. Her eyes had widened with surprise. Jasmyre grunted with approval.

  “Do you see it now?”

  Long sinewy tendons rippled in Pravara’s neck as she eagerly nodded her head.

  “Aye. I see a human establishment.”

  Mikal’s head jerked up.

  “You do? How far away is it?”

  Pravara was silent as she studied what her developing vision was showing her.

  “Not far. Perhaps a quarter of the distance we walked to journey here.”

  Mikal looked back at the forest.

  “Well, that’s not far at all. I think we should go check it out.”

  “Do you think it might be his house?” Lissa eagerly asked.

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” Mikal admitted. He looked back at Jasmyre and Pravara. “Can either of you see any other houses in the area?”

  Jasmyre’s great black head slowly panned from the left to the right. After a moment she shook her head no. Pravara was quick to follow suit.

  “It’s too much of a coincidence,” Mikal decided. “I’ll wager we find that the house belongs to the boy’s aunt.”

  Jasmyre looked back at Pryllan.

  “May I assume we are finished here?”

  Pravara nodded.

  “You have been incredibly helpful. I won’t forget it.”

  Jasmyre nodded once, spread her huge wings, and took to the air. After a few moments of awkward silence, Catrin also bade them farewell and left. Pravara eyed the two of them.

  “Will you investigate the house? I do not think it prudent if I were to appear before their door to see if they’d be willing to answer a few questions.”

  Mikal nodded. He took Lissa’s hand.

  “We will. Stay close, in case we need you.”

  “I will be nearby. With your permission, I will mentally accompany you.”

  Mikal smiled at their large companion.

  “Deal.”

  The house was a simple, nondescript two story dwelling. It had been painted light blue and the trim around the windows had been left white. While Mikal could tell it was a house built in the older style favored by people from his father’s time, the building had been well cared for. He could see that the thatch on the roof had been recently replaced. Probably within the last year or so. The windows were large rectangular openings that had their protective shutters open wide. Mikal also noticed there wasn’t a single pane of glass anywhere on the house.

  “What is it?” Lissa whispered. “You’re frowning.”

  “The windows don’t have any glass. I haven’t seen a house without glass in quite awhile.”

  “Hey, glass is expensive. My house didn’t have any glass windows until last year when the king increased my father’s stipend.”

  “Oh. Uh, sorry.”

  “Not all of us are born into royalty, you know.”

  “Umm…”

  Lissa giggled. “Mikal, I’m teasing you. Stop being so serious all the time.”

  Mikal cleared his throat, cast a look at Lissa, and then rapped his knuckles on the door three times.

  Are you still with me?

  Of course.

  Here we go.

  Go? Where are you going? You haven’t spoken with the inhabitants yet.

  It… never mind.

  The door opened and a woman in her early forties appeared. She was wearing a discolored blue flannel dress that fell to within an inch of worn wooden floors. She had on a white apron long since faded to a dull yellow. Tendrils of gray were just starting to sneak into her ash blonde hair, which had been pulled up into a bun. Something must have just made her laugh because her eyes were sparkling with merriment. She looked at the two of them and smiled.

  “Good day to you. Are you lost? We don’t get many visitors out here. We…”

  The woman trailed off as she stared at Mikal. Her eyes widened and she dropped to one knee.

  “By the stars! Kre’Mikal! You honor us with your presence! I had no idea you were in the area.”

  Mikal gently tapped the woman on her shoulder.

  “Please rise. You don’t need to kneel in front of me. This is an informal visit.”

  The woman hesitantly stood and nervously started twisting the apron she was wearing into knots.

  “What is your name?” Mikal asked. “You know who I am. This is Lissa, of Capily.”

  The woman looked at Lissa and curtsied.

  “Lady Lissa. It is an honor to meet you, too.”

  “Lady Lissa,” Lissa quietly mouthed. Her face broke into a smile. “I can live with that.” She looked at the older woman and curtsied back. “Hello. I’m pleased to meet you, too. What is your name?”

  “A thousand apologies, Lady Lissa. My name is Adyna. I am at your service.”

  Peanut gave a friendly bark, as if she noticed she hadn’t been introduced yet.

  Adyna instantly squatted down and gave Peanut a few friendly pats on her head.

  “And who do we have here?”

  “This is Peanut,” Mikal told her.

  Adyna’s face was alight with happiness.

  “A dog! How adorable! I haven’t seen one in such a long time. Aren’t you the prettiest thing?”

  Peanut’s head dropped low and her stump of a tail waggled back and forth with delight. She yipped excitedly at the woman.

  “Who’s there?” another voice called from somewhere within the house. “Dinna, who are you talking to? What was that noise?”

  Adyna turned to her right and beckoned to someone they couldn’t see.

  “Get over here. Right now! Hurry! There’s someone you need to meet.”

>   “We have guests?” the second voice asked. “How nice!”

  Another woman appeared by Adyna’s side. She was wearing a heavily faded green dress and also had on an apron. This apron must have been newer since it was whiter than Adyna’s.

  Mikal looked at the second woman’s face and then back at the first. The two of them had the same high cheekbones, the same rounded forehead, and the same dainty, if a tad elongated, nose. These two were undeniably related. Two sisters? Mikal’s pulse quickened. The boy wizard they were looking for was supposed to be living with his mother and the mother’s sister. This had to be the right place!

  “Heavens above!” the second woman exclaimed. “Isn’t that –?”

  “Your highness,” Adyna interjected, interrupting her sister, “may I introduce my sister, Delythia. Del, this is Prince Mikal and the lovely Lady Lissa. Down there, gazing adoringly up at us, is Peanut, the prince’s dog.”

  Delythia’s eyes had widened and had stayed that way.

  “Kre’Mikal! We are humbled by your visit to our meager homestead. What may we do for you?”

  “We wanted to know if there’s a…”

  Do not ask her if there is a young human wizard living there.

  Mikal pretended to rub his temples. Lissa gave him a quizzical look.

  We need to know if he’s here, Pravara.

  And if he is? Do you not think he’ll want to remain anonymous?

  What am I supposed to say?

  You’d better say something. She’s starting to think you are suffering from some type of medical ailment.

  “We, uh, we were just in the area, and we, uh…”

  Enhance your calm. If you’re trying to appear indecisive then you’re doing a marvelous job.

  Easy for you to say. You’re not the one standing in front of her. Listen, you think you can do better? Fine. Tell me what you want to say, word for word, and I’ll repeat it.

  Are you saying you want me to instruct you what to say?

  Exactly. Let’s see how well you do.

  Very well. Here’s what needs to be said. We’re here investigating the fires that happened nearby.

  “We’re here to investigate the fires that happened nearby,” Mikal relayed.

  Adyna nodded. “That was a dreadful night. I wish those infernal dragons would keep their flames to themselves.”