“Osric, what can I do for you?” Greyback had noticed him standing there and attempted to stand to address him, worried that he would be upset with her.
“Don't get up, you could hurt yourself.” Osric motioned her to stay down as he approached rapidly. “I'm here to speak to Ero.” He was thankful that Greyback was there to witness the conversation. He had a strong feeling that he would get better results talking to Ero in the presence of the dragon. The intense gazes of the eagles gathered around them put him on edge. Greyback's proximity helped to ease his anxiety about the tense situation.
“What makes you think that you can interrupt her healing!?” Ero was clearly annoyed by the disturbance. “What do you want?”
“No disrespect intended. We just got dropped off on the side of a mountain after being attacked. We would be grateful for shelter or supplies. All of ours were lost when Greyback was injured, and we will freeze to death without them.” Osric tried to sound respectful, but assertive.
The expression on Ero's face went from anger and frustration to understanding, and then rapidly back to anger. It was as though he realized the responsibility he had and wanted to resolve it without speaking to Osric.
“Oh yes, I need to make sure my passengers survive.” Greyback tried to get up again.
“No, beautiful.” Osric tried to show the dragon the same respect that Gus had. Hopefully it would curry some favor with the eagles. “The eagles are responsible for the trouble we all face, as well as your injury. We will never hold you at fault for this. We will find a way to offer you more for your troubles, as well.”
It was evidently the wrong approach as several eagles cried out in anger and charged toward him. They separated him from Greyback, who screeched in protest. Osric gripped his sword hilt, prepared to draw it if the eagles provoked him. He drew his wand defensively and erected a shield charm around himself. The shield would not last long if it came to an attack by talon and beak, but it would last long enough to give him a chance to react. Osric felt power surging through him as he stared into the eyes of his would-be attackers. It was the same intense power he had felt when he cast the spell to dry his tunic. He thought quickly; it must have something to do with necessity, as he had needed his clothing to dry quickly, and he obviously needed to defend himself from the eagles. That was something he would have to explore later, as right then he needed to focus on fending off an attack.
“How dare you treat a creature of the air like that?!” Ero raged.
“What, with respect and concern?” Osric was baffled by the accusation.
“Ha! You are trying to prostitute her!”
“Prostitute her? Is that what you think?
“You offered her money in front of us! How could you deny it?”
“Extra gold for saving our lives? You are all fools if that is what you saw.” Osric let out a nervous laugh.
“We witnessed it with our own eyes!”
“What you saw was me offering my friend a gift for saving my life! Are you the authority on what friends she can have as well?” Osric had begun to sense where their anger had come from. They thought it shameful to fly for payment. If he wanted the eagles to understand and respect them, Osric thought he would need to take the moral high ground for now.
“Friends? Ha! You call your slaves friends? We have never lowered ourselves to service of another species! We are the authority in the air!”
“Because you separate yourselves from the rest of the world! You think yourselves better?” Osric turned slowly, looking each of them in the eyes. Power was coursing through him, the hair on the back of his neck stood up, and chills ran over his skin. “We offered her what she wanted in exchange for what we wanted, and now we offer her more in thanks. What is wrong with that arrangement?”
“How dare you!?” The angry eagles began to close in on him. He could hear Greyback protesting. The entire crowd seemed ready to attack. Resentment filled their eyes as the gap between them and Osric narrowed to only a light toss of a stone.
Then, from somewhere deep within, Osric felt a calming sensation as well as a certainty of movement. His vision seemed to cloud and get clearer at the same time. The eagles noticed a change in him as well, as he sheathed his sword and wand on instinct. Osric completed his last rotation, taking time to stare into each one of their eyes. Then he walked directly to Ero, who looked terrified, and timidly backed away. The spectators gasped, their eyes wide. Osric placed his palms on each of Ero's feathered cheeks, and there was a hoarseness to his voice when he spoke.
“Ero of the majestic ones; from the time of the beginning, your species has watched, but those below do not see what you see. They do not know what your species knows. Share with them what you know of what has passed. Your aid is essential to their success. Look to the one who grasps your sight, for your future lies with him.”
Osric's vision began to return to normal, as his hands fell slowly back to his sides. His muscles began to tense again, and he was uncertain what had just occurred. The memory of the moment rapidly faded, and it drifted through his thoughts like sand in the wind. What did I just say? He thought silently in confusion.
He maintained his gaze into Ero's eyes, as he had a strong feeling that was the only reason he remained unharmed. The last thing he wanted to do was reach for his sword or wand. He stayed poised to draw them if the situation called for it, but resisted arming himself in response to his fear.
“You are a strange man,” Ero said cautiously, “but yours is the only kind trusted by eagles. Follow me and we will find you cover, then we will show you things of interest.”
Ero flew slowly toward his friends and he followed as quickly as he could. The events that had occurred just moments before still drifted through Osric's mind. Why could he not remember what had happened? The thought that he could do something, and then not remember it, troubled him. Ero had said he would show them things of interest, but what did that mean? What did he mean by ‘my kind' is the only one trusted by eagles? From behind the crowd of spectating eagles, as he skirted around them, he heard a giggle.
“We's got's a magic Wand.
They's got's to figure's it out.
Riddles and rhymes, ‘til we run's outa time.
We's got's a magic Wand.”
Pebble sang as he wove his way through the eagles' legs. Osric was surprised to see him there, but laughed at the childish nature of the song. It was cute to watch him skip along, singing it aloud for all to hear, and refreshing to have it put in such a lighthearted, simple way. The pressure of the mystery was growing daily. He took advantage of the moment to smile, and watch childishness at its finest.
Pebble continued humming the tune for a time, until he noticed a rather fierce looking eagle. With some help from Osric, he climbed up onto his shoulder for protection.
“Wanna play ‘I's see somethin' you's don't?” Pebble cheerfully inquired once they were out of sight of the eagle that had scared him.
“Sure, why not?” Osric couldn't help but laugh. Things had just taken a turn for the better, and he was growing attached to the pup, even if his game was impossible to win.
“I see's somethin' you's don't,” Pebble initiated the game, while looking around with an intense gaze, “and they's are two's green circles.”
Osric laughed out loud again. Pebble had ended his gaze at his face before announcing his discovery, so it would be an easy guess. Osric pretended to look around in concentration before he replied.
“My eyes?” Osric guessed with a smile.
“You's look'sed!” Pebble bounced up and down on Osric's shoulder. “Now it's you's turn.” He said with a giggle.
They continued with their game until they reached the cold, scared group of travelers. Osric hadn't guessed any more correct answers by the time they arrived.
“Archana's bones!” Gus shouted. “How dare you run off without telling someone! We looked everywhere for you!” He ran to Osric's feet and glowered up at Pebble from the ground.
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Bridgett came running to Osric. Pebble jumped into her hands for protection from Gus. He burrowed into her warm, folded arms, and stuck his head out cautiously to look around. Bridgett's eyes were rimmed in red, as though she had been crying. Osric felt a twinge of nervousness as he stepped up and put an arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
“It's alright everyone. He was in no danger that I witnessed. He was just curious.” Stated Osric, and then directed his gaze at Pebble. “You should tell somebody next time.” Osric rubbed his head, lightly ruffling his fur. “The eagles have agreed to shelter us.” Osric took note of the fact that Ero was standing close by, watching them, and waiting for them to be ready to move.
“They have?” Gus looked a bit confused. “Now, how did you get them to do that? They haven't so much as acknowledged our existence.” He argued, directing his glare toward Ero.
“Right now, the important thing is that we will have shelter. We can leave the hows and whys for another time. Pack up; we need to move quickly, it's getting colder out here.” Osric said, as he headed toward their gear.
“We will have your things brought to you. Now come, you need to start a fire for warmth.” Ero stated with an air of impatience.
“We will need food and blankets brought to us immediately!” Gus walked right up in front of Ero. “Your kind has cost us everything in the attack.” Then he spat on the ground in front of the eagle. “Now, are you going to take us to shelter, or just stand there like a bloody statue?”
Ero merely looked down and appeared to contemplate Gus, as he stood there in defiance of the eagle's size. Osric saw significant irony in Gus' confrontation with the large bird. Ero must have been pondering the same question he was. Why would a creature that size be so brash toward his natural predators? Osric almost wished that Ero would eat him and save him the nuisance of Gus' attitude. Osric stole a glance at Bridgett. She had an amused yet contemplative expression on her face. After a brief moment, Ero turned away from the arrogant prairie dog and took flight, leading them slowly along the hazardous mountain ledges.
They each gathered what dry wood they could as they followed the eagle's measured flight. Ero guided them along narrow ledges to the opening of a large cave. He led them inside and indicated that they should enter the chamber immediately to the left of the opening. It would provide the best shelter from wind, as a cold breeze could be felt flowing toward the other three chambers. They piled the wood they had gathered against the wall on the right and Kenneth set to making a fire pit in the center of the chamber. Kenneth had a blaze started quickly, and Ero left them in the cave, warming themselves by the fire.
They stood rubbing their hands together over the flames, huddled as close to its heat as possible without getting burned. Osric was starting to feel warmth returning to his hands as the circulation restored itself, and he attempted to relate the tale of his encounter with the eagles and Greyback. He told them of the confrontation and how the eagles had grown more and more upset with every word he spoke. His apprehension grew as he recounted his memory loss.
“Then I did something, but I can't remember what it was. Ero told me I was strange, and he looked shocked at my behavior, then he told me that my kind was the only one the eagles trusted.” Osric shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in bewilderment.
“Wait, you don't remember any of it?” Kenneth asked, confused.
“Well, I remember that I felt confidence in what I was doing. I think I said something, and I tried to remember the words, but they slipped away too fast.”
“Did you eat any wild mushrooms, boy?” Gus shouted.
“Gus, I think that is quite enough of that for today.” Bridgett came to his defense as Osric glared at Gus. “This is serious, can't you see? What if it has to do with the wand, and the prophecy?” She spoke calmly, but her tone conveyed the importance of her questions.
“I'm sorry, you are right.” Gus conceded the point quickly, shaking his head, and turned toward Pebble. “Pebble was with you. What did you hear son?”
“I's no hears nothin'.” Pebble was excited to be included in the conversation, offering his information with youthful enthusiasm. “I's just see's him.” He said with a giggle.
“Cursed strands!” Gus swore. He put his paws on his head to think while growling low in his throat. Then he calmed and slowly raised his head and dropped his hands. “Were you using your gift?”
“Yeper's, Pa!”
“Smart boy, well done. You see, everyone, what good parentage can do?” Gus said with pride. They all stared at Pebble, eagerly waiting to learn what he had seen. “Can you tell us anything interesting about what you saw?” Gus asked, smiling.
“Yep, he's is different now.” Pebble pointed right at Osric.
“Different?” Gus spoke to himself more than to Pebble, looking at Osric's stunned face and then back at his son.
“Look's at him.” Pebble pointing again at Osric. Reluctantly, Gus raised his gaze to meet the hesitant expression on Osric's face.
Osric stood there in shock. He had been telling them all along that he had the wand. He knew it was the best opportunity to prove it to them, but he hated the idea of Gus peering within him with his gift. He steeled himself for the intrusive scrutiny.
Gus could sense the resistance in Osric from the expression on his face. Normally, he would never use his gift on someone who did not welcome it, but the situation called for drastic measures. He hesitated, knowing that if the boy was different, he would have to admit that the prophecy had been real and they would all likely die on the journey. Gus' recent experience in the eagle's talons had reminded him of his own mortality, and even as he welcomed the thought of dying in a predator's grasp, he felt he still had much to learn. He glanced at his young son, thinking of Pebble's potential to carry on his legacy as Archana's greatest Wand-Maker, and shivered at the idea of him being torn limb from limb. As he braced himself to learn the truth and redirected his gaze back to Osric, his intended inspection was interrupted.
“If you are all warm enough, we would like to show you some things you may find interesting.” Ero entered the cave and noted the awkward silence and uncomfortable stares between Osric and Gus. “Gentlemen, if you would, please come with me.”
Kenneth tossed a few more logs on the fire so that heat would continue to build up in the cave while they were gone, and lit the end of another to take along as a torch. Then he slapped Osric on the shoulder in quiet sympathy to his reservations at being inspected, before joining Bridgett at the mouth of their cave. Osric looked away from Gus uncomfortably, as they were both keenly aware that the examination must still take place. For the time being, they had gained a short respite from the inevitable magical probing. They joined the others, curious about what Ero had in store for them. Pebble tugged on Bridgett's skirt, and she lifted him up onto her shoulder with a smile as they set out.
Much to their surprise, they were not led back out onto the windswept rocky ledges from which they had arrived. Instead, Ero led them deeper into the main cave, winding their way into the heart of the mountain itself. After a few moments of walking along a smooth, narrow path the ground began to slope downward beneath their feet. They followed closely behind Ero, afraid that they could easily lose their way in the myriad of twisting tunnels. Osric attempted to keep track of the sequence of left and right turns, but soon he gave up and just focused on keeping the group together.
Ahead of him, Bridgett inhaled deeply as a warm breeze could be felt flowing through the tunnels from somewhere ahead of them. The passage had widened significantly as they descended deeper into the mountain. Ero took them around a final bend and they got the impression that the tunnel ended abruptly in a cavern. The ceiling of the cave looked as though it had just broken away, and the walls swept outward creating sheer rock cliffs to each side of the path they stood on. At first, they thought Ero had led them to a dead end, but he indicated that they should continue down a narrow stairway which had been carved into the
cliff face to their right. As they approached the precipice to gain the stairs, they were able to look down into the massive cavern.
The sight that unfolded before them was beyond their imagining. They were still obviously within the network of caves, but the steep, crude stairway led down into a lush oasis. Osric could just make out the opposite wall of the cavern, thanks to the cloud of mist at the base of a waterfall cascading down the wall. They could see stars in the night sky through many voids in the cave ceiling. The light was too dim to make out the source of the water, but he could see the pool it formed on the rocks below, and a river flowing away from it through the center of the space. The rocks were heavily blanketed by green moss, and the tops of trees were nearly even with their perch in the cavern wall. Their torch light reflected off of massive crystalline stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and from smaller crystals in the cliff face along the steps.
“You are the first outsiders to see these caves in a very long time.” Ero stood at the top of the stairs, but not a single eye looked his direction as he spoke. They were stunned by the beauty before them. “Welcome to the Caves of D'pareth.”
10 – Lessons Learned
The air smelled of sulfur and steam rose from several small ponds scattered between the trees and rocks. The frigid cold they had been exposed to on the cliff ledge was easy to forget in the warm humidity of the subterranean paradise. From the base of the stairs they followed a trail along the wall, ducking under hanging vines and sweeping large fronds of ferns from their path. A loud roaring could be heard as they walked, but Osric could not identify its source until water suddenly burst from a crevice high up in the wall ahead of them. The spray dampened their hair and clothing and lit on their eyelashes as the water cascaded down the wall and splashed upon the rocks at their feet. They jumped back in surprise and Ero took flight to avoid wetting his feathers. They trekked into the heavy vegetation to cross the stream created by the newest waterfall, and then veered back again.
The Wand-Maker's Debate: Osric's Wand: Book One Page 10
