by M. L. Forman
Awaiting your reply.
At the bottom of the note was a drawing that looked like a tower with some strange writing next to it. Alex showed the letter to Thrang, who seemed stunned.
“What’s all the noise about?” Andy asked as he rolled over in his blankets.
“Best reply quickly,” said Thrang, handing the letter back to Alex. “Do you have paper and pen?”
“Yes,” said Alex, reaching for his magic bag. “But who’s the letter from?”
“The Oracle herself,” said Thrang, in a tone of wonder. “Didn’t you see how it was signed?”
“What are you two talking about?” Andy questioned again.
“Here,” said Alex, handing him the letter he’d just received.
Retrieving his writing things from his bag, Alex looked at Thrang. “What should I say?”
“Just say you’re happy to accept her invitation, and you’re sure the rest of the company will accept as well,” Thrang answered. “And don’t forget to sign it.”
Alex wrote as carefully as he could.
I am pleased to accept your invitation and am confident the rest of the company will accept as well.
Alex Taylor
“How’s that?” Alex asked, handing his note to Thrang.
“No, that won’t do,” said Thrang, looking it over. “Doesn’t sound right.”
“This came for you?” Andy interrupted, holding the Oracle’s letter and looking as stunned as Thrang had.
“Yes,” said Alex.
“Arconn,” Thrang called. “We need your assistance.”
“How may I be of help?” Arconn asked as he walked into camp carrying two large rabbits. Laying the rabbits next to the fire, he moved toward Thrang and Alex.
“Read this,” said Thrang, snatching the letter from Andy’s hand and giving it to Arconn.
“Impressive,” said Arconn with a smile. “It’s not often that one is invited to dine with the Oracle. And to include the entire company . . .”
“Include the entire company in what?” asked Bregnest as he walked into camp carrying several water bottles.
“It seems our young friend is better known than we thought,” replied Arconn, passing the note to Bregnest.
Bregnest’s eyes widened as he read the note. Then he carefully refolded the paper and handed it to Alex. “Best make a reply.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” said Thrang, sounding put out. “I thought Arconn could help as he’s best with letters.”
“Pleased to assist,” said Arconn, taking Alex’s writing things and thinking for a moment. “Let’s put it like this.”
I am honored at your favor and pleased to accept your kind invitation. I am confident my companions will feel as honored and pleased as I do.
Your servant,
“Now sign the bottom ‘Alexander Taylor, Esq.’” Arconn handed the pen back to Alex.
“I knew an elf would have the right answer,” said Thrang with a smile. “Always clever in language, the elves.”
“You are most kind,” said Arconn, bowing to Thrang.
“Now what do I do?” Alex asked, as he carefully folded the note and placed it in a new envelope.
“Here, let me,” said Thrang, taking the envelope. Turning to the geeb, he held the envelope carefully by one edge. “Please take this reply to the Oracle,” he said to the geeb. “And if you require payment, please deliver the note and return. We will be happy to pay you.”
“Ding,” the geeb sounded and accepted the envelope from Thrang.
With Alex’s reply accepted, and Thrang’s instructions understood, the geeb hopped off Alex’s legs and, with a slight popping sound, it vanished into thin air.
“Remarkable creatures,” said Thrang happily.
At breakfast that morning, Thrang told Tayo, Skeld, and Halfdan the news of Alex’s message. The three warriors had been taking care of the horses when the note had arrived, and they insisted on hearing the entire story with every honk and ding in place.
“Seems our young wizard’s made quite a name for himself,” Skeld teased. “First he single-handedly kills a three-legged troll, and now he’s been invited to dine with the Oracle.”
“We’re all invited,” Alex corrected.
“Yes, but the message came to you,” Tayo commented in his normal somber fashion. “Which I think is odd. I would have expected it to come to Bregnest, as our leader.”
“It is of small concern who the message came to,” said Bregnest, waving off Tayo’s comment. “I think it is odd that we were all asked to join the Oracle for dinner.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” commented Halfdan, without looking up from his plate. “Must mean something special.”
“It is odd, but not unheard of,” said Arconn, winking at Alex. “And as far as it meaning something special, well, who can say?”
“I don’t know what to think,” said Alex.
“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” said Andy, slapping Alex’s shoulder.
“As do I,” Thrang added, putting his cooking pots away. “And it’s a sign of good fortune as well.”
“Only time will show our fortunes,” said Tayo, standing up and looking down the road to the east.
“And it is time we were on our way to seek them,” Bregnest added. “At the very least, we will have a grand meal.”
* * *
As they traveled that day, Alex thought of the Oracle’s note, wondering why it had been sent to him and not to Bregnest or one of the others. There was no special reason he could think of for the Oracle to be interested in him. Ever since Mr. Blackburn had said he could use a staff, Alex’s friends all thought of him as a wizard in training, but Alex had his doubts. He knew he had some magical ability, but he still knew so little about magic. Surely not enough to interest an oracle.
“Have you read about the Oracle and the White Tower?” Andy questioned as they rode along.
“A little,” Alex replied. “The Adventurer’s Handbook said there are many oracles, but the Oracle of the White Tower is one of the best known. I haven’t finished reading everything yet.”
“They say she is a thousand years old,” Andy said in a thoughtful tone. “Though many things are said, and few there are who can say what is the truth.”
“What do you want to ask the Oracle?” Alex questioned, lowering his voice so the others wouldn’t hear. “I mean, if you don’t mind my asking.”
Andy thought for a moment before he answered, a look of inner struggle on his face. “I would rather not say. Not that I doubt you to keep my thoughts, but because I doubt myself in speaking them,” he added quickly.
“Fair enough,” said Alex with a smile to ease Andy’s troubled look. “I should not have asked.”
“Each man’s question is private and personal,” said Andy, returning Alex’s smile. “Difficult to explain to anyone but himself.”
There was little talking as they traveled that day. They ate their midday meal quickly, and it seemed they all were in a hurry to move on once more. When they camped that night, they remained restless and eager.
“It seems we would all rush to the White Tower,” Skeld laughed, as much at himself as the others. “Even I would give up sleep if I thought tomorrow would come sooner.”
“It will come soon enough,” Tayo replied glumly. “Though I fear it may not bring what we hope for.”
“Always a worrier,” Skeld laughed. “Your wisdom may be sound, my friend, but you’re always a cloud of darkness.”
“And I am seldom disappointed,” Tayo answered with a slight smile.
“Enough,” Bregnest interrupted. “We must start early tomorrow.”
As the others rolled themselves in their blankets, Arconn remained seated next to Alex by the fire, humming softly to himself but not speaking. When Alex woke Thrang for the next watch, Arconn’s strange humming remained in his ears and he fell asleep thinking about the happy tune.
The next morning, the eastern sky was
still black as they quickly ate their breakfast and started off. They rode faster that morning than normal, and with each bend of the road or small hill they passed, they looked forward in hopes of seeing the White Tower.
The road became more rugged as the day passed, and the path twisted between hills that slowly grew larger on either side of them as they traveled. Alex thought it was well past midday when Bregnest suddenly stopped in the road.
“My friends, we have arrived,” Bregnest said over his shoulder.
As they gathered around Bregnest, Alex and the others could see a great white tower standing in a wide, open valley below them. Pure white walls ran out from the tower, encircling lush orchards and gardens around its base. Beyond the wall, on the southern side of the tower, was a small city made of sand-colored stone.
Bregnest led them down the hills and into the valley, following the road toward the city. As they drew nearer, a rider came racing toward them from the direction of the tower. He carried a large green banner with a white tower in the middle of it.
“Are you the party of Silvan Bregnest?” the rider asked politely, reining in his horse.
“We are,” Bregnest answered.
“Well met, Master Bregnest,” said the horseman with a slight bow. “The lady of the tower bids you welcome, and asks that you and your companions follow me to the tower gardens. There you will be given accommodations for your stay.”
“We are honored,” said Bregnest, bowing his head slightly to the messenger.
“Then come, honored guests,” said the horseman, turning his horse toward the tower. “The gardens are not far, and all has been made ready for your arrival.”
They left the road and followed the horseman without speaking, all of them looking up at the massive tower in front of them. When they passed through a large gate in one of the walls, Alex noticed a strange tingling feeling in his hands and feet, but he quickly forgot about it as they entered a vast orchard full of sweet-smelling blossoms.
As they emerged from the orchard, the horseman halted in front of four white buildings that looked like small houses compared to the enormous tower next to them.
“The lady of the tower asks that you rest here,” said the horseman, nodding toward the buildings. “You will find all that you require in the west houses. If you need anything, ring one of the gongs and it will be brought to you.”
“What of our horses?” Bregnest asked.
“The westernmost house is a stable,” the rider replied. “Refreshments have been laid out for you in the second house. The third house is for bathing; the fourth, for sleeping.”
“The lady is too kind,” said Bregnest, bowing once more.
“You will be summoned for the evening meal when the sun touches the western hills.” The horseman nodded once and rode away toward the tower.
“The lady shows us a great kindness,” said Arconn as the company rode toward the first house.
“Indeed,” Bregnest agreed. “I wonder why we should be so favored.”
“Because of our young wizard friend, of course,” Skeld laughed, climbing off his horse and looking into the stable. “This is finer than many inns I’ve slept in,” he added.
“Yes, but you’ll sleep anywhere,” Thrang replied with a laugh of his own.
They all laughed at Thrang’s comment as they led their horses into the stable.
“You should be comfortable here, Shahree,” said Alex, patting the horse’s neck. “I don’t know much about stables, but this looks like a first-class one.”
Shahree whinnied loudly in agreement and stepped out from under her saddle as Alex lifted it from her back. She was a clever horse, and Alex was quick to tell her so. Putting aside the saddle, he quickly brushed her down, then hurried out of the stable to join the others in the second house.
The second house was a simple, massive stone pavilion. The front was completely open, the view overlooking the courtyard and the gardens beyond. Heavy wooden panels were folded like an accordion at both sides of the opening to cover the front of the house in cold or stormy weather.
As Alex entered the second house, an overwhelming mixture of smells greeted him. A banquet had been laid out for them on three large tables. Eight comfortable-looking chairs were placed around a smaller, fourth table in the center of the room, waiting for them to arrive.
“The Oracle knows the way to a man’s heart,” Skeld commented, piling food on his plate.
“The way to your heart is no great mystery, Skeld,” said Tayo, looking happier than Alex had ever seen him.
The food on the tables, as Alex found out from his friends, was from many different lands. Alex tried so many different dishes, he had trouble remembering what any of them were called. He was a little worried about some of the food however, because he wasn’t sure what it was made of and Skeld kept joking about what the ingredients might be.
Some of the food was easy to identify, and the taste of even simple things like potatoes or peas seemed more intense to Alex. There were all kinds of meat and vegetables that Alex had never seen before, and several kinds of fresh, warm bread. Sweet, sour, spicy, and even smoky flavors turned up in the different dishes—each new flavor better than the last.
“If this is refreshment, what will dinner be?” questioned Thrang, refilling his mug with some aged red ale that he seemed to enjoy.
“I doubt it will be so grand as this,” Arconn replied with a knowing smile. “It is said the lady eats little. I doubt so many foods will be brought to her table.”
They left the banquet behind them, moving into the third house—the bathhouse.
The company entered a room with several small changing rooms inside it. Each of the changing rooms had a stack of clean, white towels, as well as a place for Alex and his friends to put their things. On the far side of the room was another doorway, leading to a room with a dozen enormous brass tubs. Low walls separated each of the tubs for privacy, but still allowed the adventurers to talk to each other while they bathed. Eight of the tubs were already filled with steaming water.
“A blessing indeed,” said Skeld as he dove into the tub nearest the door, splashing water everywhere.
“The water is meant to stay in the tub,” growled Thrang, whipping water out of his eyes.
Alex thought the hot bath was even better than the meal. The hot water was wonderful and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so clean and comfortable. He made a mental note to add a bath to his magic bag as soon as he had a chance.
Clean and full, they left the room with the brass tubs and returned to their clothes. There was a moment of stunned silence when they re-entered the first room. Next to each companion’s dirty travel clothes was a fine new set of clothes waiting for them. New leather boots were waiting as well, shining from fresh polish.
“The Oracle’s kindness continues,” said Arconn, looking at a sky-blue shirt that was sitting by his things.
“Why does the lady favor us so?” Tayo questioned, looking at his new silver-gray shirt. “We have done nothing worthy of such honors.”
Alex dressed in a dark green shirt that fit him perfectly, and his new belt had a bright silver buckle on it. He pulled on his new boots, and looked at himself in one of the large mirrors near the entrance of the building.
“A proper adventurer,” said Skeld from behind him. “And a perfect fit all around.”
“It seems strange,” Alex commented, looking at Skeld in the mirror. “Are oracles normally so kind?”
“At times,” Skeld replied. “Though perhaps not so often as some would hope, and rarely so generous as this.”
“The ways of oracles should not be questioned,” said Thrang, pulling on a dark red shirt. “If there’s a reason for this kindness, we will learn it soon enough.”
“Whatever the reason, we seem to have won the lady’s favor,” said Bregnest, pushing Skeld away from the mirror so he could look at himself.
When they finally left the bathhouse, the sun was already mov
ing to the west. Alex and his friends walked into the sleeping house where they found eight large beds ready and waiting for them. Each of them chose a bed, and Alex noticed that the others put their magic bags and weapons on their beds. Alex did the same, though he wasn’t too happy about leaving the magic bag behind.
“It’s tradition,” said Thrang, seeing Alex’s look. “The bags are for travelers, not guests, and weapons are for warriors, not friends.”
Alex nodded, then followed Thrang out of the sleeping house into the shady courtyard where they waited to be summoned. They did not have to wait long; as soon as the sun touched the western hills, a young woman appeared from the tower.
“My mistress bids you welcome,” she said in a voice that sounded like falling water. “She asks that you follow me to the dining chamber of the tower.”
“We are honored,” replied Bregnest, bowing to the young woman.
The rest of the company followed Bregnest’s example and bowed. The young woman seemed pleased and smiled as she turned back to the tower.
Bregnest led the company as they followed their guide into the tower. On entering the tower, they ascended a wide, stone staircase that looked polished and new. Alex wondered how old the young woman was and how she had come to work at the Oracle’s tower. He felt the strange tingling in his hands and feet again and guessed that he was feeling the magic of the tower.
At the top of the stairs, their guide turned to the right and, after a short walk, the company entered a large room with
a round table in the center. On one side of the table stood a high-backed silver chair that was flanked by eight plain, wooden chairs.
“Master Bregnest,” said the young woman, indicating the wooden chair directly to the left of the silver one.
The woman continued calling each of the company by name and indicating which seat they should take. Lastly, she asked Alex to take the chair on the right of the silver chair.
“My mistress will join you shortly,” said the woman, bowing to the company and departing.
“You are highly honored,” Thrang said to Alex, sitting down on Bregnest’s left.
