Albrek's Tomb

When they had all washed, and the water was starting to cool once more, Alex conjured up a pile of dry, fluffy towels. After they had all slipped their old clothes back on, Alex had them stand in a line. Slowly he moved down the line of his friends, touching each of them with the end of his staff.

“These clothes are too fine,” said Thrang, looking at himself in a mirror. “You’ve made us all look like great lords from distant lands.”

“Which is exactly what you are,” said Alex.

“And what about yourself?” Arco

“I’ve been giving that some thought,” said Alex. “Perhaps something like this . . .”

There was a flash of light around Alex, and his friends looked slightly stu

“A bit much, I think,” Alex said at last.

“You made such wonderful clothes for us, and this is what you choose for yourself?” Thrang questioned.

“It looks a little out of character,” Arco

“Yes, you’re right,” Alex agreed. “Let’s try this instead.”

There was another flash of light, and Alex’s clothes changed into the soft white pants favored by elves. A soft leather belt circled his waist, fastened with a true-silver buckle. His white shirt was covered with a pale silver-gray robe. With his staff in his hand, he looked very much like a wizard, and Arco

“Now we look like five lords and a wizard,” Nellus said.

“Five lords and a wizard is what we are,” said Alex.

When Kathnar appeared to lead them to di

“Lords,” Kathnar began, his voice shaking slightly. “The lady of the tower asks that you come.”

“We are at her service,” said Thrang.

Kathnar led them to the tower, trying hard not to stare at them as they walked. They went up several flights of stairs and soon entered a large, brightly lit dining room. Kat sat in the large silver chair at the head of the table, looking a little pale and a little nervous. She smiled as they took their seats, and once Kathnar had left, she spoke.

“I see Alex has been practicing his craft.”

“I wouldn’t want tramps coming to your table,” said Alex with a laugh.

“You would be welcome however you came,” Kat answered. “But you do look better now than you did this morning.”

“And you are now the Oracle of the Empty Tower,” Thrang said. “We are honored to be your first guests.”

“Yes,” Kat said, her smile fading. “I hope this will not be the last time we dine together.”

“As do we all, I’m sure,” said Arco

Kat smiled and clapped her hands. Servants appeared with trays of food, which they placed on the table before quietly leaving the room. Kat watched them go, her smile fading again.

“They’ve been working all day,” Kat said softly. “There are so few of them, and they try so hard.”

“A meal fit for any king,” said Thrang.

“Yes,” Kat agreed. “Yet I don’t know how many more such meals the tower can afford.”

“Surely you remember the treasure we collected from Kazad-Syn?” Thrang said with a shocked look on his face. “We will divide it as soon as you wish. That should be more than enough to pay the tower’s expenses for many years to come.”

“Yes, of course, you are correct,” said Kat, her smile returning.

“And there is the reward promised by Thorgood for the return of the ring,” Alex added.

“And all good patrons of the tower will make gifts,” Arco

“All that you say is true,” Kat said. “Yet I worry still.”

“Let your worries rest,” Alex said softly. “There are more important things to think about right now.”

“The days of celebration,” Kat said, nodding her head. “Yes, the preparations have been going on all day. I almost wish I could skip them.”

“We will be there with you,” Thrang said.

“And that will be enough,” said Kat. “Forgive me. This should be a happy feast, not a time for me to worry. Let’s forget all of that for now. As Alex says, there are more important things to think of.”

Kat tried hard to look happy as they ate their meal, and she even asked Arco

Kat said good night, and Kathnar arrived at the door to show them the way out of the tower. As the others made their way to bed, Alex remained in the sitting room. After a few minutes of silence, he walked out to the courtyard, and, leaning on his staff, he looked up at the tower.

“Lord Taylor?” a soft voice questioned from behind him.

Alex turned to find a young woman standing in the shadows. She was extremely nervous, and she was clutching her hands as if afraid.

“I am Alexander Taylor.”

“The lady of the tower said I might find you here,” the young woman said softly. “She told me to ask you to join her.”

“And where does the lady wish me to meet her?” Alex questioned.

“At the top of the tower,” the young woman answered. “I would show you the way, but . . . but I don’t know it. The lady said you would find your own way, but I don’t know how you can.”

“The lady knows me,” said Alex. “Do not be troubled, I will join the lady as she asks.”

“My lord,” the young woman managed to say. She bowed and hurried away.

Alex watched her go, and when she was out of sight, he changed himself into an eagle. His wings lifted him with little effort, and he was soon circling the top of the empty tower.

Kat was there, looking out toward the sea. Alex glided down softly, returning to his own shape as he landed beside her on the tower.

“I’m always amazed when you do that,” Kat said with a smile.

“And you couldn’t resist having me do it now.”

“A small pleasure in the middle of dark times,” Kat answered softly.

“What darkness do you foresee? You’ve become the Oracle of the Empty Tower—what more do you wish?”

“Peace.”

“I knew it was more than money that troubled you,” said Alex.

“The lords and kings of Thraxon will soon know there is an oracle here,” Kat said in a soft voice. “They will come or send messengers. Some of them will want answers that I might not have. Others will want to take control of the tower and make the oracle their servant. Even good King Thorgood will be tempted by this.”

“You do not know your full power yet,” said Alex. “Inside the walls of this tower, your power ca

“Only because you are good and kind,” said Kat in a mournful tone. “Others may not have such an honorable soul.”

Alex shrugged. “In the city of Darvish, you will have great power, more than kings or lords. Perhaps even as much as a great wizard.”

“You seem so sure.”

“I am certain of what I say,” Alex said firmly.

“And if wars are started by men attempting to control Darvish and the tower?” Kat questioned.

“I will do what I can for you, as I promised, but it is your job to prevent the wars that might come,” Alex answered.

“Already the weight of being the oracle is so heavy.”

“It will become less in time, and I can give you two powerful allies to call on if you are ever in need.”

“Two?” Kat questioned.

“I will make sure that Thorgood and the dwarf realm will always stand at your side,” Alex answered. “Thorgood has made a great promise for the return of something I carry, something that was lost long ago. I will give it back to him only if he promises to always be an ally to the Oracle of the Empty Tower. And I will place a spell on the object so that if the dwarf kings ever turn against the tower, it will be lost once more.”