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“Oh, one more thing,” said Usel, paying no attention to what Bregnest was saying. “Unless you have a great deal of food for your horses, it would be unwise to take them into the frozen waste. Almost nothing grows there, and the mountains will have less still.”
“We carry little for our horses,” said Bregnest. “Though I would be unwilling to leave them behind and uncared for.”
“Well, it may be more difficult for you, but leaving them would be best,” said Usel, looking serious. “If we thought you were taking them to die in the frozen waste, we would not allow you to pass through our woods. Horses are kindred spirits to us, after all, and we will not see them harmed if we can stop it.”
“And we would not willingly harm them,” said Bregnest. “Our young wizard would not allow it, even if we had minds to do so.”
“Yes, I see,” said Usel, looking at Alex. “My people noticed his unusual conduct toward his horse. We see a great kindness in him.”
“You see truly,” Bregnest agreed. “Could we leave our horses in your care until we return? Again, if we can compensate you for this service, we would be pleased to do so.”
“Yes, we will care for your horses until you return,” said Usel after a moment of thought. “As for compensation, we care little for treasure, and the woods hold all that we need. Now, it is time to sleep. In the morning we will discuss your plans further, and perhaps I will think of some kind of payment.”
“Very well,” said Bregnest. “Where would you have us sleep so as not to disturb your people?”
“You may remain here by the fire.”
Without another word Usel rose from the ground and trotted away from the company. They all sat silently and watched the centaur go. Then they all took blankets out of their bags to sleep on.
“We know more than we did,” Bregnest commented, as he sat down on his blankets. “Though leaving the horses will cost us time.”
“Leaving them here will save us time,” Alex corrected.
“In the greater scheme of things, you are probably right,” Bregnest agreed. “But the trip across the frozen waste promises to be long and hard. And on foot it will be an even longer journey.”
“We’ve walked long, hard roads before,” said Halfdan in a confident tone.
“But what about fire and hot meals?” Val asked.
“We don’t need to worry about that,” Halfdan commented. “We have a wizard with us.”
“And we can take extra wood in our bags,” said Andy with a yawn.
“Sindar, you have said nothing,” said Bregnest turning to the elf.
“There is little that has not been said,” Sindar answered. “And I agree with most of what has been said.”
“Elves,” Halfdan muttered and rolled into his blankets.
For a long time Alex lay awake, looking into the night sky. His thoughts drifted, but he could not focus his mind. He felt safe and comfortable, but there was something at the back of his mind that troubled him. Something dark, like a long- forgotten dream that he couldn’t remember no matter how hard he tried.
* * *
Usel woke them the next morning and invited them to breakfast. Once again the table was made ready for them and the centaurs left them alone. Alex could see that several centaurs remained nearby, occasionally glancing at the company. He wondered if this was to see if they needed anything, or just to keep an eye on them.
While they were eating breakfast, a geeb suddenly appeared on the table in front of Alex. Val was so surprised that he almost fell over backward, which caused the rest of the company to laugh. Alex retrieved Whalen’s message from the geeb and sent it away. He didn’t really want to read the message in front of his friends, but he had little choice.
Dear Alex,
I received your last message, but I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for your biggest question. The fact that the shaman you destroyed did not see your magic leads me to believe that he was not a true shaman, but only a lesser one. Try to remember everything you can about the shaman you fought. True goblin shamans carry a staff and wear dark colors—browns and blacks, mostly. Lesser shamans often wear bright colors—reds and greens.
Keep up the good work and keep me informed. Let me know if you can remember any details about the shaman you fought.
Yours in fellowship,
Whalen
Alex folded the letter and stored it in his magic bag without speaking, then returned his attention to his breakfast. Bregnest watched him for a moment, but did not ask any questions. As Bregnest had not said anything, no one else made any comment about the letter.
As Alex and his friends were finishing breakfast, Usel returned to the table. He looked more serious than he had the night before, and when he spoke it was in a more businesslike tone.
“You will move on then?” Usel asked, but it didn’t sound at all like a question.
“We will,” Bregnest answered.
“Then I shall lead you to the far side of our woods. And I hope that you find what you seek.”
“As do we,” said Bregnest. “But there is still the matter of our horses and compensation for your care of them.”
“Yes, there is,” said Usel. “And my counselors have advised me that I must ask for fifty silver coins and one large emerald from each of you, to be paid on your return to our woods.”
“Is this all they ask?” said Bregnest, sounding slightly relieved.
“This is the price we ask for the care of your horses while you are away,” Usel answered. “Though, between us, we would care for your horses even without payment.”
“Your price is fair and we agree,” said Bregnest. “And if fortune smiles on use, we may wish to pay more.”
“Oh, no,” said Usel, sounding slightly alarmed. “We have little need, and anything more would be, well, silly.”
“As you wish,” said Bregnest.
“Very good,” Usel said. “I will show you the way to the frozen waste.”
“Is it far?” Bregnest asked.
“On foot, it will take perhaps until midday to reach the edge of our woods.”
“Then we will follow where you lead.”
Alex and his friends fell into line behind Usel and started off through the forest. Alex wanted to say good-bye to Shahree and explain things to her, but he had no idea where the centaurs were keeping the horses. Somehow, Usel seemed to know Alex’s thoughts, because he led the company to a large open space where their horses were grazing.
“I thought you might need to collect things from your saddlebags,” said Usel, looking at Alex. “And I believe your elf friend might be able to explain things to the horses as well so they won’t worry.”
“You are very kind,” said Bregnest.
Alex went to Shahree and patted her forehead. He was sorry to leave her, but he knew the centaurs would take good care of her.
“So we must part again for a little while,” Alex said softly. “You will be safe here, and I’ll return as soon as I can.”
Shahree nuzzled Alex’s shoulder affectionately and seemed to understand what he was saying. Sindar made his way to each of the horses as well, whispering something to them that Alex didn’t understand. Once they had gathered their things and stored them in their magic bags, they all returned to Usel, ready to continue their march.
The trek through the woods was difficult for Alex and his friends, and Usel would often have to stop and wait for them to catch up. As midday approached, however, the woods around them began to thin. Alex could see that there was a great deal of sunlight ahead of them, and it was clear that the edge of the forest was near.
“It will take you two weeks to cross the waste on foot,” Usel commented as they moved forward. “Perhaps a little more or less, depending on your pace. You should move as fast as you are able to, however, as summer is already growing old. You should have six weeks before the snows start falling once more.”