by M. L. Forman
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 not, 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.”
“That is our hope as well,” said Bregnest. “Though to be honest, I have doubts about a speedy return.”
“Oh, one more thing,” said Usel, paying no attention to what Bregnest was saying. “Unless you have a great deal of food for your horses, it would be unwise to take them into the frozen waste. Almost nothing grows there, and the mountains will have less still.”
“We carry little for our horses,” said Bregnest. “Though I would be unwilling to leave them behind and uncared for.”
“Well, it may be more difficult for you, but leaving them would be best,” said Usel, looking serious. “If we thought you were taking them to die in the frozen waste, we would not allow you to pass through our woods. Horses are kindred spirits to us, after all, and we will not see them harmed if we can stop it.”
“And we would not willingly harm them,” said Bregnest. “Our young wizard would not allow it, even if we had minds to do so.”
“Yes, I see,” said Usel, looking at Alex. “My people noticed his unusual conduct toward his horse. We see a great kindness in him.”
“You see truly,” Bregnest agreed. “Could we leave our horses in your care until we return? Again, if we can compensate you for this service, we would be pleased to do so.”
“Yes, we will care for your horses until you return,” said Usel after a moment of thought. “As for compensation, we care little for treasure, and the woods hold all that we need. Now, it is time to sleep. In the morning we will discuss your plans further, and perhaps I will think of some kind of payment.”
“Very well,” said Bregnest. “Where would you have us sleep so as not to disturb your people?”
“You may remain here by the fire.”
Without another word Usel rose from the ground and trotted away from the company. They all sat silently and watched the centaur go. Then they all took blankets out of their bags to sleep on.
“We know more than we did,” Bregnest commented, as he sat down on his blankets. “Though leaving the horses will cost us time.”
“Leaving them here will save us time,” Alex corrected.
“In the greater scheme of things, you are probably right,” Bregnest agreed. “But the trip across the frozen waste promises to be long and hard. And on foot it will be an even longer journey.”
“We’ve walked long, hard roads before,” said Halfdan in a confident tone.
“But what about fire and hot meals?” Val asked.
“We don’t need to worry about that,” Halfdan commented. “We have a wizard with us.”
“And we can take extra wood in our bags,” said Andy with a yawn.
“Sindar, you have said nothing,” said Bregnest turning to the elf.
“There is little that has not been said,” Sindar answered. “And I agree with most of what has been said.”
“Elves,” Halfdan muttered and rolled into his blankets.
For a long time Alex lay awake, looking into the night sky. His thoughts drifted, but he could not focus his mind. He felt safe and comfortable, but there was something at the back of his mind that troubled him. Something dark, like a long- forgotten dream that he couldn’t remember no matter how hard he tried.
* * *
Usel woke them the next morning and invited them to breakfast. Once again the table was made ready for them and the centaurs left them alone. Alex could see that several centaurs remained nearby, occasionally glancing at the company. He wondered if this was to see if they needed anything, or just to keep an eye on them.
While they were eating breakfast, a geeb suddenly appeared on the table in front of Al
ex. Val was so surprised that he almost fell over backward, which caused the rest of the company to laugh. Alex retrieved Whalen’s message from the geeb and sent it away. He didn’t really want to read the message in front of his friends, but he had little choice.
Dear Alex,
I received your last message, but I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for your biggest question. The fact that the shaman you destroyed did not see your magic leads me to believe that he was not a true shaman, but only a lesser one. Try to remember everything you can about the shaman you fought. True goblin shamans carry a staff and wear dark colors—browns and blacks, mostly. Lesser shamans often wear bright colors—reds and greens.
Keep up the good work and keep me informed. Let me know if you can remember any details about the shaman you fought.
Yours in fellowship,
Whalen
Alex folded the letter and stored it in his magic bag without speaking, then returned his attention to his breakfast. Bregnest watched him for a moment, but did not ask any questions. As Bregnest had not said anything, no one else made any comment about the letter.
As Alex and his friends were finishing breakfast, Usel returned to the table. He looked more serious than he had the night before, and when he spoke it was in a more businesslike tone.
“You will move on then?” Usel asked, but it didn’t sound at all like a question.
“We will,” Bregnest answered.
“Then I shall lead you to the far side of our woods. And I hope that you find what you seek.”
“As do we,” said Bregnest. “But there is still the matter of our horses and compensation for your care of them.”
“Yes, there is,” said Usel. “And my counselors have advised me that I must ask for fifty silver coins and one large emerald from each of you, to be paid on your return to our woods.”
“Is this all they ask?” said Bregnest, sounding slightly relieved.
“This is the price we ask for the care of your horses while you are away,” Usel answered. “Though, between us, we would care for your horses even without payment.”
“Your price is fair and we agree,” said Bregnest. “And if fortune smiles on use, we may wish to pay more.”
“Oh, no,” said Usel, sounding slightly alarmed. “We have little need, and anything more would be, well, silly.”
“As you wish,” said Bregnest.
“Very good,” Usel said. “I will show you the way to the frozen waste.”
“Is it far?” Bregnest asked.
“On foot, it will take perhaps until midday to reach the edge of our woods.”
“Then we will follow where you lead.”
Alex and his friends fell into line behind Usel and started off through the forest. Alex wanted to say good-bye to Shahree and explain things to her, but he had no idea where the centaurs were keeping the horses. Somehow, Usel seemed to know Alex’s thoughts, because he led the company to a large open space where their horses were grazing.
“I thought you might need to collect things from your saddlebags,” said Usel, looking at Alex. “And I believe your elf friend might be able to explain things to the horses as well so they won’t worry.”
“You are very kind,” said Bregnest.
Alex went to Shahree and patted her forehead. He was sorry to leave her, but he knew the centaurs would take good care of her.
“So we must part again for a little while,” Alex said softly. “You will be safe here, and I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Shahree nuzzled Alex’s shoulder affectionately and seemed to understand what he was saying. Sindar made his way to each of the horses as well, whispering something to them that Alex didn’t understand. Once they had gathered their things and stored them in their magic bags, they all returned to Usel, ready to continue their march.
The trek through the woods was difficult for Alex and his friends, and Usel would often have to stop and wait for them to catch up. As midday approached, however, the woods around them began to thin. Alex could see that there was a great deal of sunlight ahead of them, and it was clear that the edge of the forest was near.
“It will take you two weeks to cross the waste on foot,” Usel commented as they moved forward. “Perhaps a little more or less, depending on your pace. You should move as fast as you are able to, however, as summer is already growing old. You should have six weeks before the snows start falling once more.”
“Do you have any idea how long it will take us to climb the mountains to the tower?” Bregnest asked, looking troubled.
“No,” Usel answered. “Much will depend on how rapidly you pass the first and second gates. If you begin your return across the waste within five weeks, you should be safe enough. If you can’t start back until the sixth week from now, it would be best to spend the winter in the enchanted woods. You don’t want to be in the frozen waste when the heavy snows come.”
“You give wise counsel,” said Bregnest. “I hope that we shall return before the snows come.”
“If you wish to travel south before spring, you must return here before six weeks have passed,” Usel replied. “We will keep watch on the waste while you are gone. If you are near our woods when the snows come, we will do what we can to help you.”
“You have shown us great kindness,” said Bregnest, looking into the frozen waste. “We will not soon forget you, or your assistance.”
“I will leave you then,” said Usel, looking at each of the company in turn. “I wish you luck in your journey, and a speedy return.”
Without waiting for a reply, Usel turned and walked back into the woods. Alex and his companions watched him go, and then looked out into the frozen waste.
“We’ll eat here and gather wood for our bags,” said Bregnest. “We have little time before winter comes again, so we should use it wisely.”
Halfdan began cooking at once, while the rest of them gathered dry wood to add to their magic bags. As they prepared for their long walk, Alex wondered about Usel’s warning. The frozen waste looked unpleasant enough, but surely they could cross it even after the first snows of winter fell. Though he knew little of Norsland winters, he didn’t think the first snowfall would be any problem for the company.
Halfdan called them all to eat, and Alex’s thoughts about Usel’s warning were soon lost.
Chapter Eleven
The First Gate
It didn’t take long for Alex and the others to learn why it was called the frozen waste. The ground was rock hard, but some spots were slick with a thin layer of moss, which often hid glass-smooth ice that was slightly melted by the sun. The path they followed was a poor one, hardly more than an animal trail, but it led directly toward the Mountains of the Moon. Alex thought he could see a spot of green far off in the distance that might be the enchanted woods, but when he blinked, it was gone.
“Two weeks of slipping and sliding across this,” Halfdan grumbled. “We’ll all be lucky not to fall and break our heads.”
Halfdan’s prediction was all too correct. The first day of walking everyone except for Sindar fell several times. There was no talking as they traveled because all of their attention was focused on the next few steps they would take.
Sindar was light on his feet and would seldom slip, even on the smoothest ice, so he often moved ahead of the company and then stood looking across the waste until they caught up with him.
The frozen ground was uncomfortable enough to walk on, and almost impossible to find a level spot to lie down on to sleep.
Five days into the frozen waste, Alex received another message from Whalen, which cheered him up considerably and took his mind off his sore feet and body.
Dear Alex,
As you are now approaching your goal, I need to tell you a few things. First of all, be prepared for a sphinx and at least one griffin to be guarding the road to the tower.
The sphinx will ask a riddle before letting you pass, and it might help to know that the riddle will often have something to do wi
th the person being asked. Also, don’t try to make the riddle harder than it is. Sphinx riddles are often simple—so simple that people can miss an obvious answer—and thinking about the riddle too much will only confuse your mind.
It is most important to remember that griffins are proud creatures. Do not give them any reason to think that you are insulting them. Griffins seem to have a soft spot for wizards, however, so that might be a great help to you and your friends. Griffins can also see what kind of person you are, so if any of your friends have any evil intentions, the griffins will likely bar your path. That shouldn’t really be a problem, but you never know.