Go Quest Young Man

by K. B. Bogen

Devydd glanced at Erwyn. “Is that the talisman you were talking about? The Tetraliad?”

  Erwyn nodded.

  Devydd, for once, was at a loss for words.

  “How come you know so much about the Tetraliad?” Kerissa’s tone was still belligerent.

  “Professional interest. It pays to know what to steal, and what not to steal. The Tetraliad comes under the latter category.”Devydd looked thoughtful for a moment. “How long ago did your thief supposedly arrive at Perbellum?”

  “Two weeks. Why?”

  “There was a man in Perbellum a short while ago, I’m not sure how long. I heard the guards talking about another thief. I thought I was going to have company in my cell, but they never brought him. As near as I can figure, they smuggled him out of town.”

  “They helped him?”

  “Something about taking him to see someone. But I never heard a name.”

  Kerissa’s hand tightened on the hilt of her sword. “I’ll tear down that stinking hellhole! I’ll take it apart brick by brick.” She stalked over to her horse and swung herself into the saddle.

  “Wait!” Erwyn ran to catch up with Kerissa. “Wait a minute. There’s no point in destroying the town.”

  “What do you mean? Why not?” She glared down at him.

  “Have you ever heard of a woman called Sharilan?”

  “She’s a sorceress, an evil one. But her domain is far to the east of here.”

  “Not any more. According to the women of Perbellum, everything started to go to hell a couple of months ago, after the town had a visit ... from a woman named Sharilan.”

  “What difference does that make?”

  “Don’t you see? The Tetraliad was stolen a few weeks earlier. The thief brought it to Perbellum, and I’ll bet the men helped get him out. There was also a second thief conveniently incarcerated in the jail at the same time.” He turned to Devydd and asked, “Why were you in that jail, anyway?”

  “I’m not sure. I think it was for walking on the wrong side of the slimepits, or something like that.”

  “Not for stealing anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “How’d they find out you were a thief?” Seeing the expression on Devydd’s face, Erwyn wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

  Finally, Devydd admitted, “I told them.”

  “You what?!?”

  “I didn’t mean to, kid. It’s just that ... ”

  “What are you getting at?” Kerissa apparently wasn’t in the mood to wait.

  “The men of Perbellum are under some kind of spell. That’s why the thief came here. That’s why the men helped him. And that’s why you shouldn’t destroy the town. Sharilan’s at the bottom of this.”

  “So you think it’s Sharilan I should be after.”

  “I’m positive. Well, almost positive.”

  “And just how am I supposed to find her?”

  “Well, you could hang around with me.” Erwyn winced as he thought of spending the rest of his journey with the entire Marlian army tagging along. He wasn’t even certain he was right.

  “That will help me find the sorceress? How?”

  “She’s sort of following me around.”

  Kerissa’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Why would she be following you?”

  “Well, it’s like this ... ” Erwyn launched into a narrative of his adventures since leaving The Sorcerer’s Apprentice School, with frequent interruptions from Chesric, whose addition to the group had somehow gone unnoticed.

  “So you see,” Erwyn concluded, “I’m fairly certain she’ll probably turn up again. Unfortunately.”

  Kerissa sat silent for a moment. Then she dismounted, yelling for her lieutenants at the same time.

  “Pack my bags. Saddle two other horses and outfit a pack horse. Have them and Gallerian ready and waiting in half an hour.” She patted her horse affectionately, then turned to Erwyn and Chesric. “Come with me.”

  They followed the Marlian captain back to her tent. This time there was no sword on the table. That was encouraging. Unless the sword wasn’t on the table because it was going to be used.

  Kerissa excused herself and left. After several minutes, Erwyn found himself shifting nervously from one foot to the other. Chesric was unperturbed, as usual. He stretched out on a convenient chair, arms crossed, chin on his chest, for a short snooze.

  Couldn’t he work up a little sweat just once? Waiting was murder.

  “What do you suppose we’re waiting for?” Devydd’s voice behind him almost made Erwyn jump.

  He hoped it didn’t show.

  “What’s the matter, kid? Nervous?”

  It showed.

  “Just a bit.” Erwyn managed to smile. “They sent me to get a thief. They said they would kill us if I didn’t. I got the wrong one. Therefore ... ”

  “So you think they’re just going to off all of us and that’s it, huh?”

  Erwyn winced. “Something like that.”

  “Do the Marlians know you’re a sorcerer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do they have any idea just how much magic you can work?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He looked to the old man for support, but Chesric didn’t move from his chair.

  “So tell me, if you captured some strange sorcerer, and you had no idea how powerful he was, would you just up and try to kill him without gauging his powers first?”

  “Well ... ”

  “Especially if he just freed an inmate from a supposedly impregnable jail?”

  “But ... ”

  “In a town where several of your warriors had been killed trying to do the same thing?”

  “He’s got a point, ye know.” Chesric couldn’t resist any longer. He had to stick his nose into the conversation.

  “I would, if I could do it without his having a chance to zap me first.” Erwyn glared at the two of them as he finally got a word in edgewise.

  “And if you couldn’t, would you try to kill him, anyway?”

  “I guess not.”

  “Then relax, kid. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  “Right. Sure.” Erwyn wasn’t quite convinced.

  “Besides, didn’t you just tell the lady with the big sword that you could lead her to this Sharilan broad? If she wants the Tetraliad as badly as it seems, she’ll probably want to keep you alive.”

  Erwyn relaxed a little. “True.”

  Devydd smiled wickedly and added, “Even if it’s in an iron cage.”

  “Thanks ever so much for the comfort and encouragement. I don’t know what I’d do without you. But I’d like to try.”

  Devydd looked as though he were about to reply when Kerissa returned. She still carried her sword and her usual pointy objects. But she had also added a bow and arrows to her arsenal.

  Chesric bounced to his feet expectantly.

  “What’s going on?” As if Erwyn didn’t already know. Devydd had just told him.

  “I’m going with you.” Kerissa replied, as though daring him to argue the point.

  It happened that he was in an arguing mood. The fact that he had practically told Kerissa to follow him in the first place didn’t matter at all.

  “Just what are you going with me for? To find Sharilan?” Erwyn marched up to the Marlian. This time, no one shoved a sword in his face. “And what are you going to do when you find her? As I already pointed out to Lariyn, steel and iron are no protection against magic, no matter what the old wives’ tales say. How do you plan to get your talisman back?”

  “I’m not. I’m going with you to make sure you stay alive long enough to get it for me.

  Five’s a Crowd

  A Rolling Stone Probably

  Got Kicked at Some Point

  “THERE ARE TIMES WHEN BEING A GOOD SAM
ARITAN IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. LEARN TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.” — Sorcerers’ Almanac, Section Four: On How to Have a Safe Trip

  Kerissa gave orders to her lieutenants to take the rest of the troop home. “Tell Queen Ireda that I will find the Tetraliad, or die trying.”

  The three of them, Chesric, Kerissa, and Erwyn, headed out of the tent and toward the horses. Erwyn eyed his mount suspiciously. He never had gotten along well with horses. He fervently hoped that this one was better-tempered than the ones back home.

  Oh, well. Might as well get it over with. He started to swing himself into the saddle.

  “You don’t think you’re going without me, do you?” Devydd stood with his hands on his hips. “I’ve got an interest in this expedition, too, you know. If your theory is right, this sorceress of yours is responsible for my spending several miserable weeks in that rotten jail cell. I’m coming with you.”

  “Me, too.” Lariyn already had her horse saddled and ready. “With your permission, Captain. I thought you might need an extra sword.”

  Kerissa nodded curtly. “As you wish.” Then, glaring at Devydd, she said, “Have a horse readied for the thief, as well. And hurry.”

  “That’s just great!” Erwyn, with one foot in its stirrup, groaned. It wasn’t bad enough he was traveling with an eccentric knight. Now he had to deal with two man-hating female warriors and a thief of doubtful qualifications.

  His horse gave him a reproachful look as he hung there. Self-consciously, Erwyn finished mounting the beast. The horse took a deep breath, then expelled it loudly, reminding Erwyn of his father during a particularly disappointing round of lessons.

  “His name is Bandal.” Lariyn caught him off-guard.

  “Huh?” Very intelligent.

  “Your horse. His name is Bandal.”

  “Oh. Uh, thanks.” He watched Bandal suspiciously for hostile movements. The horse just waited patiently for things to get started. Erwyn never knew a horse could look so bored.

  One of Kerissa’s warriors arrived leading a horse for Devydd. Erwyn noticed as the thief swung into the saddle that everyone else seemed to be right at home on horseback. He began to regret the hours spent trying to avoid the lessons his father had tried to cram into him. One more regret among many.

  The entire camp had gathered to watch the group ride off. Erwyn rode hunched over his saddle. He knew what he’d said to Kerissa was true. Sharilan probably would be looking for him. But if his party got much bigger, he might as well start waving a flag and shouting, “Here I am. Come and get me!”

  “Why so glum, my friend?”

  Erwyn hadn’t been very talkative in the days since they left the Marlian encampment. Chesric’s sudden question brought him out of his reverie. But not out of his depression.

  He was finally ready to talk about the problem, though. “I don’t get it, Chesric. All I wanted was to stay out of trouble and see the sights for the four years I’m stuck out here. Alone.” He glanced at the old man. “No offense.”

  Chesric smiled indulgently.

  Erwyn continued. “But trouble seems to be following me. I know you said that it’s part of being a journeyman sorcerer but, well, what’s with all the people gathering around? I mean,” Erwyn shrugged, having no better way to express his exasperation, “here we are, traveling with two Marlian warriors who, under the circumstances, should have killed us outright, especially since I’m a magic-user. Instead, they’ve decided to travel with us, and provide us with horses, and supplies, and weapons. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Well ... ”

  “And another thing. Why is this sorceress picking on me? What did I do to her? I just don’t get it.”

  “Well ... ”

  “And how did the Marlians just happen to find us to capture, instead of some other poor dupes? I mean, why us?”

  “Well ... ”

  “And while I’m on the subject, what about you? How did you just happen to stumble onto me in the middle of a forest which, supposedly, no human ever goes near? And why didn’t you ever answer me about your changing accents?”

  “Well ... ”

  “And another thing ... ”

  “Hold on there a minute, Erwyn! I can’t answer all of your questions at once. I can’t answer half of them at all.”

  Erwyn stopped talking. It was the first time he’d ever heard Chesric raise his voice.

  “First of all, as I understand it, it isn’t just journeyman sorcerers who attract these situations. It’s magic-users in general.

  “It’s got something to do with the flow of magical energy. Magic attracts adventure, for want of a better description. Good magics attract evil magics and vice versa. Nature just jumps in to provide the opportunity for both sides to meet.

  “Journeymen attract trouble more than others. Teachers protect the apprentices, and Masters know how to keep the balance, so they don’t run into the unexpected.

  “As for why it’s you caught in the middle of all this, it could be that you are the only person in this area that the energies have to focus on. Or maybe there’s something special about you, something important. I don’t know. You’ll find that out in due time. I do know that you will have to see it through. You have no choice.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s like rolling down a long, smooth hill. The only way to stop is to make it to the bottom. Or die trying.”

  “That’s so comforting.”

  “Cheer up. That’s why they send young journeymen out unarmed and unprotected. So they’ll have to use magic to survive. The magical energy they expend attracts adventures and the journeymen are forced to learn new tricks, or die.”

  “Who are you?” It was becoming more and more important that Erwyn find some answers about Chesric. He hated being in the dark. “And why do you know so much about magic?”

  Chesric laughed, but it was laughter without humor. “That, my young friend, is one of those questions I can’t answer. Not to your satisfaction, anyway.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “I’m just an old soldier traveling in search of a lost dragon, adding his sword to the fight when needed, giving a few words of advice where possible, helping the poor and infirm and unfortunate ... ”

  Erwyn thought he heard violins playing in the background.

  “ ... giving aid and comfort where it will help, providing dry firewood on cold nights, defending the right, punishing evil, and battling for truth, justice, poetry, and the right to drink beer with dinner on weekends.”

  Erwyn looked at Chesric for a moment. “You’re right. It’s not a satisfactory answer.” He sighed. “But I guess it’ll have to do, since you’re not going to give me a better one. Come on, let’s catch up with the others.”

  “You’re learning, young Erwyn, you’re learning.”

  “And you might as well slip your accent back into place, before the wrong person starts asking about it.”

  “Ye’ve got a point, boy.” He grinned, the ends of his mustache nearly touching the corners of his eyes.

  The rest of the party had ridden well ahead while Erwyn and Chesric talked. Now the two companions kicked their horses into a trot to catch up. As they crested the next hill, they could see the others at the top of the next rise.

  Kerissa turned in her saddle and waved. Erwyn waved back and continued down the slope as the captain and the others disappeared behind the hill.

  Suddenly, Erwyn reined in his horse. “Did you hear that?”

  “Hear what?” Chesric leaned forward, listening.

  “That.” It was barely audible, but Erwyn felt sure it wasn’t his imagination.

  He was certain he heard a tiny voice yelling, “Help!”

  It seemed to be coming from a clump of bushes to Erwyn’s left. He dismounted and approached the vegetation cautiously.

  “Help! Save me!” The voice was nearer now, almost directl
y below Erwyn.

  Erwyn looked down. There, half-hidden by long strands of horse-grass, was a tiny woman with gossamer wings folded against her back. She couldn’t have been much larger than Erwyn’s little finger.

  She wore a delicate shift of shimmering spider-silk decorated with tiny pink flower petals that were partially obscured by cascades of light blonde hair. Her feet were clad in miniature slippers of the same silk as her shift. She was tiny, beautiful, and in trouble.

  She shrank against the stone behind her, biting her finger to keep from screaming again. A dragon was stalking her. A dragon perhaps six inches high, with translucent wings.

  The creature hissed and spat tiny bursts of flame, his slivery wings fanning the air behind him. Closer and closer he came.

  Erwyn wondered why the girl didn’t just fly away. Then he discovered the reason. Her ankle was pinned beneath a pebble. A pebble the size of a large boulder, from her perspective.

  Wasting no more time, Erwyn reached forward and batted the dragon away. Then he flicked the pebble off the girl’s ankle.

  “My hero! You’ve saved me! I’m yours forever.” She flew straight into Erwyn’s face, showering him with little kisses. “Oh, you wonderful human, you! How can I ever repay you?” She flew around his head a few times, then rained another shower of kisses on the hapless lad.

  “Come on, cut that out!” Erwyn ducked a third wave of kisses, resisting the urge to swat her. “Is that really necessary?”

  “Of course, it is,” she replied sweetly, “My name is Viona. I’m a damselfly.

  Damsels, Damsels Everywhere

  And Not a One Can Think

  “MAGIC HAS A MAGNETIC EFFECT ON THE WORLD AROUND YOU. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU ATTRACT ATTENTION, SOME GOOD, SOME BAD, SOME MERELY ANNOYING.” — Sorcerers’ Almanac, Section Six: On the Successful Use of Magic

  “Please! Tell me you’re joking.” He just wasn’t up to damsels today. Even little ones.

  “Why would I joke about a thing like tha ... ?”

  “Help! Save us!” A tiny chorus of cries sounded from a tree stump ahead.