The Doormaster's Apprentice

by Zerelda's Children

Chapter 9

  It was long after sunrise when the boys awoke to a banging on the door.

  “Ho, you lazy bones. The sun is up and so should you be. Breakfast and the master waits you down the stair.”

  There was more thumping on the door. Liam rolled over with a loud groan.

  “The master has news,” Hodekin called as he clattered down the hall.

  Mica sat up holding his head. “Is it always this noisy around here in the morning?”

  Liam struggled to his feet. “Might as well go down or he'll be back. And believe me he gets even louder.”

  The boys splashed a little water on their faces. Liam wanted to check Mica’s bandage but all he got was a growl. “You did a good job last night, now let it heal.”

  Liam was still a little worried, but he decided it could wait. Together they headed down to breakfast.

  Liam gingerly picked his way down the stairs, his sore muscles complaining with every step.

  “I had no idea it took so many muscles to row a boat,” he grumbled.

  He heard Mica chuckle behind him. Liam glanced back. Mica had the bracelet box tucked securely under one arm. Except for the bandage on his head, the older boy didn't look much the worse for wear.

  Liam straightened his back and forced his complaining muscles to walk normally. “Sleeping on the floor probably didn't help much either.”

  Mica grinned back. “Your bed was real comfortable.”

  Laughing they entered the kitchen. The smile fled from Mica's face and he slid the box behind his back. There at the table across from the Doormaster sat Willow.

  She rose to her feet. “Mica. You're hurt,” she said, her voice heavy with concern.

  The Doormaster looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened. “What happened?”

  Willow quickly crossed the room to examine his head. Mica shuffled sideways trying to keep the box out of her sight.

  “Hold still and let me see,” she said. Her fingers brushed against the bandage and Mica ducked his head. “Ouch!”

  “Is it a deep wound? Are you hurt badly?”

  “It's not too bad,” Liam said. “A goblin just tried to share his drink with him.”

  Willow suspiciously raised an eyebrow. “Goblins are dangerous! What have you two been up to?”

  Mica shot Liam a warning look.

  The Doormaster crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, do tell. We'd all be interested in hearing more about these goblins.”

  Liam looked up at Mica. The older boy shrugged. “You've stuck your foot squarely in it now.”

  Liam nodded. “We couldn't keep the trolls and the wizard a secret anyway.”

  Willow's dark eyes flashed. “Did you think I was not to be trusted with your secret? Or maybe you thought I would be a burden on your adventure?”

  Liam could see the hurt on Mica's face as he struggled to find an answer.

  Hodekin jumped down from the counter, his boot heels clacking on the floor. Leaning sideways he tried to see behind Mica. “There appears to be even more secrets behind your back.”

  Mica sighed and brought out the box. He held it out to Willow. “I was hoping for a grander moment...”

  Willow looked down at the box. “What is this?”

  Mica pushed it towards her, his face turning scarlet. “It wasn't meant to be an adventure. I just wanted to get you something special.”

  Gingerly she took the box from Mica's hand. She slowly ran her fingers over the inlaid design. “This is very old,” she said. “I have seen these symbols before but never together. It is elven made.” She looked up. “Where did you find it?”

  “I bought it from a strange little merchant. Open it.”

  Her fingers found the hidden latch and the lid slowly opened. Hodekin and the Doormaster leaned forward.

  Hodekin said, “Rather fancy box for plain silver bracelets.”

  The Doormaster patted him on the shoulder. “Let's not be too hasty my little kobold. Elves are a clever race and not always quick to share their secrets.”

  Willow glanced around at their faces. Then she reached in and lifted out the smaller bracelet. Turning it over slowly in her hand, she examined the engraved rose on the oval. Questioningly she looked at Mica.

  He took the box and handed it to Liam. With a smile Mica removed the heavier bracelet. Turning the oval towards Willow he triggered the catch. The cover slid back revealing the mirror. His smile grew even larger. He nodded toward her bracelet and winked. She found the catch on her bracelet and the cover slid back noiselessly.

  Liam watched Willow's eyes widen with delight as she discovered the bracelet's secret. Slipping it on her wrist she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Secret adventures will be more difficult now,” she said softly.

  Mica put on the other bracelet. “Might work both ways.”

  The Doormaster cleared his throat. “Now let's hear about the trolls and goblins and the wizard.”

  “Can't it wait 'till after breakfast?” Hodekin whined. “I'm starving.”

  After breakfast the boys told about their trip to the lake. When they finished, the Doormaster leaned back and stroked his beard. “Tell me about this door.”

  “Sorry sir, I couldn’t see much in the dark. Just a lot of dancing trolls and drunken goblins” said Liam. “Mica might have had a closer look the first time he saw it though.”

  “The first time?” asked the Doormaster. He leaned forward to peer at Liam over his spectacles. “I don’t recall you mentioning anything about a door in the woods before.”

  Liam swallowed hard. How could he have forgotten to tell his master about the door? “I’m sorry sir.” His eyes were drawn to his boots. “With the fighting and the dryads and the castle and Drindle and Belinda and…”

  “Yes, yes.” The Doormaster smiled and made a smoothing motion with his hand. “I can see how current events might have pushed it from your mind.” He turned to Mica. “But now that it has become more important, perhaps a more complete accounting is in order.”

  Mica scrubbed his hand across his chin and collected his thoughts. “Not a lot to tell really. The door is big, maybe 30 hands high. I didn’t get too close, but it was made from a light colored wood. No fancy carvings or bright hinges, but it was put together well. The only thing sloppy was the way it was hung. It was more or less wedged between two trees. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but it makes sense now. Either the trolls or the goblins must be dragging the thing around the woods and setting it up wherever they feel like making trouble.”

  Mica finished and the Doormaster sat in deep thought.

  After a moment Liam cleared his throat and his master looked up. “Oh, sorry,” he said. His voice sounded low and far away. Blinking rapidly he looked around as if trying to remember where he was. “I was lost in an old thought. It’s strange how past events come sneaking back into our lives.”

  Liam looked at his master expecting him to continue but the Doormaster stood and shook himself into action. “We must get word to the king immediately,” he said. “Wouldn't do for him to have uninvited guests at his next picnic.” He turned to Liam. “Don't you have a friend at the castle? Maybe you could use those clever shells of yours and she could pass the message on to the king.”

  Liam nodded. “I'll talk to her as soon as I can.”

  Willow said, “If goblins and trolls are gathering in the woods, it would interest my king greatly. I must leave immediately.”

  Mica stood up and had to grab the chair quickly to steady himself. “I'll go with you.”

  Willow's eyes softened. “Speed is urgent. If I take the paths known only by the elves, I can move quickly and safely.”

  Mica's face was pale. He looked down at his boots. “You think me a burden.”

  “Only those empowered by the king are allowed to travel the secret ways.” She laid her hand on his arm. “When the evening star rises, I'll use your gift.”

  The Doormaster cleared his throat. “It's settled then. Liam will
alert the castle. Willow will journey to her king. And as for Mica and I, rest will do our bodies good and prepare us for what is to come.”

  Liam climbed the stairs to his room. Stepping over the blankets he picked up the shell from the windowsill. He whistled softly and waited. When Belinda didn't answer he tried again. Growing bored he looked around and realized the room was a mess. Absently he began straightening up. Periodically he would whistle softly.

  He was folding the last blanket when he was surprised by Belinda's cheerful voice. “Good morning, Liam. How nice to hear from you so early.”

  The sound of her voice made him smile. He tossed the half folded blanket on the chair and flopped on the bed.

  For several minutes he just listened as she filled him in on her morning. He never got tired of hearing her voice. Then she paused. “It's not like you to call before noon.”

  “Well, I do have important news.” Liam then filled her in on how they met Miraz and went to investigate the fire across the lake. As he retold the adventure he warmed to his subject. Like any young hero he brushed over the hardships of the adventure. He didn't say much about his inexperience with boats or the long row across the lake. He hardly mentioned how scary it was being that close to a pack of goblins and a full tribe of trolls. Instead he focused on Mica rescuing the donkey and their narrow escape from the black wizard in the king's boat. When he finished he waited expectantly for her response. He didn't have to wait long.

  “Liam! You could have been killed, and Mica was badly wounded.”

  Her response was not what Liam expected. He opened his mouth to reply, but she didn't give him a chance.

  “That was wonderfully brave but terribly foolish. Trolls and goblins are incredibly dangerous. And a black wizard to lead them!”

  “I don't know what they are up to, but the Doormaster thinks you should alert the king about trouble near his new door.”

  “But I can't. The king is on a hunting trip with his cousin near the Peat Bog. He's not expected back for a fortnight.”

  “But there must be someone we can tell. The next travelers may not be so lucky. And someone should discover what the trolls and goblins are doing and why they have a magic door.”

  The shell got quiet while Belinda thought. “I will go to Alabaster. The king's wizard will know how to deal with this threat.”

  Liam blanched, “But then he will know we used the king’s door and his boat.”

  “Well...” Belinda said, “you might have a point. The wizard can be a stickler for rules sometimes.” She thought for a while. “Perhaps if Fidrych knew what to look for, his birds could find it. I will talk to him right away. Either way Alabaster must know about this before sundown.”