Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

Not sure how to respond, he says, “I’ve had better days than the last few.”

Chuckling, the creature responds, “I’m sure you have. But you’ve done well, my master is pleased.”

Curious, James asks “Just who might your master be?”

“I haven’t been directed to tell you that as yet.” Plunk! Another strikes the water, sending ripples across the surface of the pond. Holding up his hand to forestall any more questions, the creature says, “Nor have I been given permission to answer any of your questions.”

Reaching into his vest pocket, the creature pulls out a silver medallion on a chain and tosses it over to him. “This is for you. Consider it to be a gift of sorts.”

Catching the medallion, James looks at it and finds that one side has a raised pattern of lines that sort of looks like a stylized star. Turning it over, James discovers the back to be smooth, without design.

“What is this?” he asks.

“Like I said, a gift,” it replies. “Though should you desire to, you may give it away or even sell it, though I’d advise against that at this time. You may need it later on.” Plunk!

“What do you mean, ‘later on’?” James asks. Not entirely liking the prospect of what that might foretell.

“Later on, as in a future time,” explains the creature with a grin.

“What am I suppose to do now?” James asks. “Obviously I’m here for some purpose, would you care to enlighten me?”

“Just do what you feel is right and I’m sure everything will turn out for the best,” replies the creature.

“Yeah, and if I think it feels right to toss this medallion into the pond, should I?” he demands irritably. He wants some answers not all this cryptic god stuff.

“Not suppose to answer questions, remember?” The creature stands up, “You should be fine. I’ll see you later on.” With that, he hops in the air and disappears just like he did before.

James stares at the spot where the creature had just recently stood for a moment before lying back down on the grass. He examines the medallion more closely and mulls over his choices. The design looks to be the same as the one that had been on the cover of the book explaining magic, the one he inexplicably lost back in the forest. The loss of that book still bothers him. He could sure use it now.

Not for the first time he wonders why he was in this world, not to mention what forces brought him there. He has difficulty to believe that it is for some nefarious reason for the creature had told him to ‘do what you feel is right’. Hardly the advice one would expect a minion of evil to give. But still, you never know.

How long he spent mulling things over he wasn’t sure. But before long, Mary’s voice reaches him calling everyone to dinner. Coming to his feet slowly so as not to be overcome with dizziness again, he begins making his way back to the house. He puts the medallion around his neck for safekeeping and tucks it inside his shirt. When he returns to the house he doesn’t mention the little creature or the medallion to Corbin and his family.

That night after dinner as he lies in bed trying to drift off to sleep, he can’t quit thinking about the medallion and why it was given him. There must be a reason., he insists to himself. There must! Sometime before drifting off to sleep he comes to the conclusion that he needs to find the answers to the many questions plaguing him, and that the answers will most likely not be answered in Trendle.

Early the next morning when he wakes and goes out to the front area, he finds Corbin and family eating breakfast before heading out to the fields.

“Good morning all,” he says as he approaches the breakfast table.

“Feeling better this morning?” asks Corbin.

Mary brings a plate for James and he helps himself to the eggs and biscuits. “Much better, thank you. It was probably Mary’s cooking that did the most good.” James smiles over to her who then grins back at him.

During breakfast, he sits quietly at the table, absentmindedly picking at his eggs and biscuits while he tries to come up with the right words to say.

Corbin asks, “Something on your mind, James? You seem to be a bit preoccupied, barely even touched your breakfast.”

Realizing that he has been pushing his food around, he says “Well, as much as I have enjoyed your hospitality, I think it’s time for me to be moving on. I was wondering if you could go into town with me and help me pick out some traveling gear?” He takes a bite of his eggs while he waits for Corbin’s reply.

“I guess I could,” responds Corbin. “Where are you planning to go, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I’m not sure where anything is in this area,” replies James. “Where is the nearest major city?”

“The closest city of any size is Bearn. It lies two days south along the Kelewan River. Three days further south out on the coast you will find Castle Cardri, our capitol. If you go east about a week, you’ll come to the city of Trademeet, a bustling city where merchants of many nations meet. It lies at the foot of the mountains separating Cardri and Madoc.”

“Do you think Castle Cardri would have a library or something that I could use?” he asks.

“Probably,” he replies. “Though it’s unlikely you would be permitted inside. Only the nobles or known scholars are allowed entry. Or so I hear.”

“Well,” says James, “it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

He finishes his breakfast and together they go to the barn to saddle their horses. This time James does a decent job of it, proud that he didn’t require Corbin’s help. Climbing into the saddle, he directs his horse out of the barn. The kids are there with Mary as he nears the house. She comes up to him and hands him a sack filled with bread, dried meat and fruits. He takes the sack of food and gives her his heartfelt thanks.

Devin brings out his spear and backpack. Reaching down, he grabs the backpack but tells him to keep the spear. “I really don’t think I’m going to need that. You go ahead and keep it,” he tells him.

Devin smiles up at him and nods, gripping his new spear.

He looks to Mary and says, “I appreciate your hospitality and have enjoyed being here more than you know.”

“Goodbye James,” she says, “and be careful.”

“I will,” he assures her.

With a chorus of goodbyes, James turns his horse and follows Corbin down the lane. Looking back he sees Elizabeth and Cyanna still waving goodbye. He raises one of his arms and waves back, then turns and catches up with Corbin who’s already at the road leading into town. The dogs follow them, barking and jumping until the end of the lane where they turn back and race for the house. He and Corbin then ride side by side as they continue on into town.

Upon approaching the outskirts of town they see a column of soldiers marching along the main road heading east.

“Who are they?” asks James.

“Cardri soldiers,” he replies. “They must be heading east to reinforce Dragon’s Pass. The siege is still raging at Saragon, at least that’s the rumor. If it falls, they may swing our way. Doubtful, but best to be prepared.”

“I suppose so,” he agrees.

Once the soldiers pass, they make their way through town to Alexander’s. Arriving at his establishment they dismount and tie their horses to the front post before entering. Within they find Alexander at the counter dealing with an elderly woman so they wait a few moments until she concludes her business.

When she is done and turns to leave, James steps to the counter. Alexander looks up at his approach and says, “Why, it’s James. How may I be of service today?”

“I’m leaving town so need to withdraw the rest of my money,” he explains.