Slathbog's Gold

“Enough,” said Arco

Bregnest nodded, motioning for the others to finish packing up their camp.

Alex remained by the fire with the blanket wrapped tightly around him. He felt cold and weak, and he was having trouble focusing his thoughts. Arco

“Will he be able to ride?” Bregnest asked in a worried tone.

“I think so,” Arco

“Where has it gone?” Tayo asked from behind Bregnest.

“It is simply gone,” answered Arco

Alex wanted to ask what Arco

“Drink a little more of this,” said Arco

Arco

The day passed in fits and starts. Every time Alex managed to look around, the landscape had changed, his vision blurring and all the colors turning to gray.

As the sun began to set, Alex felt his insides growing colder. The blanket was an icy weight around his neck, and he could feel his legs shaking wildly. He wondered if he would ever be warm again.

“The forest is near,” said Arco

kinsmen.”

“If they are there, we will find them,” said Bregnest, sounding determined.

Alex felt so tired. All he wanted to do was sleep. Sleep so the cold would go away. Maybe he would dream of the gray lands, the shadowlands that beckoned. It would be nice to sleep, to dream, to be warm.

He didn’t know when the dream took him away into darkness.

* * *

A soft breeze blew and Alex turned slowly, standing high on a hill, looking out over the soft gray lands that spread out in front of him. The low stone wall stood at the bottom of the hill, promising rest and relief.

Slowly he made his way down the hill, the wall growing larger before him as he studied the land beyond. How pleasant it would be to explore those lands, to find a spot to rest and leave all of his troubles and worries behind.

“Alex,” a voice called from behind him. “Alex, please stop.”

Alex turned to see who had spoken. To his surprise, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen was walking down the hill toward him.

“Who are you?” Alex asked as the woman drew closer.

“I am Calysto. I have come to call you back to the land of light.”

“Why would I want to go there?” Alex asked, turning to look at the wall. “The land beyond the wall looks so nice. The light isn’t very bright, but you can see for miles and miles just the same.”

“It is the land of shadows, Alex,” said Calysto. “If you go there, you can never return to the world of light.”

“If I go there, all of my troubles will be forgotten,” Alex answered.

“All the good that you may do will be lost,” said Calysto in a worried tone. “Come. Return to life. There will be time for the shadowlands another day.”

“No,” said Alex. “I want to go beyond the wall. Come with me. Let’s explore this new world together.”

“I do not belong there.”

“Come with me,” Alex repeated, turning to look back at Calysto. “Together we will find a peaceful place to rest.”

Slowly Calysto moved forward, her feet dragging across the ground as if reluctant to do as Alex asked. Calysto looked beyond him into the shadowlands, and he could see the fear crossing her face.

“Come,” Alex commanded.

Calysto took a few quick steps toward him and then slowed once more.

“I . . . I do not wish to go there,” Calysto said as she finally came to a halt. “If you will not return to the world of light and life, then please, do not ask me to join you in the shadowlands.”

“Light and life.” Alex considered the words. “Warmth and friendship as well.”

“Yes, those as well.”

“The lands beyond the wall look so inviting,” said Alex. “So restful.”

“It is not your time,” answered Calysto. “You have things to do in the world of light. You have promises to keep.”

“Yes. I do.”

“Then come,” said Calysto. “Please, return with me.”

“I . . . I will come,” replied Alex, suddenly tired. “I have promises to keep.”

Alex slowly climbed up the hill toward Calysto. When he reached her, he paused and looked back over his shoulder toward the shadowlands. Calysto reached out and quickly took his hand in hers. At her touch, he felt stronger and warmer as well. He knew he had made the right choice to return with Calysto, and he didn’t look back at the shadowlands again as they climbed the hill toward the light.

“Return,” Calysto’s voice said softly. “Return and find

happiness.”

And then the light swallowed the dream.

* * *

When Alex woke again he was lying in a soft bed covered with a warm, green blanket. Looking around, he saw he was alone in a low-roofed room, his sword and his magic bag sitting on the table beside his bed. Pushing back the covers, he tried to sit up, but his body was too weak.

“Not yet,” a soft voice said from the doorway. “You do not have your strength back.”

Alex looked up and saw a beautiful woman smiling at him. She walked into the room, her long golden hair shining in the sunlight and her bright green eyes full of happiness.

“You gave us quite a scare,” she said with a warm smile. “We thought we might lose you to the shadowlands, but it seems you have returned.”

“The shadowlands?” Alex questioned.

“The gray lands you saw in your dreams,” the woman answered. “You were close to crossing the wall when I called you back.”

“I . . . I know you,” Alex whispered.

“I am Calysto,” answered the woman. “I am the queen of the dark woods, and your very happy—and relieved—host.”

“The elves of the dark wood—Arco

“Indeed,” Calysto replied softly. “And fortunate you were to find us so quickly. You would not have lasted the night without our care.”

“Where are the others?” Alex asked, feeling more awake with Calysto in the room.

“They are close,” said Calysto. “They will be happy to hear you are awake; they have been worried.”

“How long have I been here? I don’t remember reaching the forest.”

“You have slept for five days,” answered Calysto, looking into Alex’s eyes. “You spoke many things in your sleep, but that trial is behind you.”

“What . . . what did I say?”

“You should rest,” Calysto replied soothingly. “You have suffered much, and dark tales are best left for another time.”

“But I’m not tired,” said Alex. “And I wish to know what happened after . . . after I fell asleep,” he added haltingly.

Calysto moved to the far side of the room. She mixed something in a goblet as she hummed softly to herself.

“Drink this,” she said, returning to Alex’s bedside. “It will help you rest. Tomorrow, all of your questions will be answered.”

Alex took the goblet from Calysto’s hand, smiling weakly. The liquid seemed to warm him from the inside as he drank it, and he suddenly felt tired once more.

“Rest, my young friend,” he heard Calysto say as his eyes closed. “Rest and dream happy dreams.”