Текст книги "Slathbog's Gold"

Автор книги: Mark Forman

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chapter fifteen

Haunted Ruins

Alex and his friends remained in the halls of King Osrik for a week, feasting and talking each night with the king. They wandered the dwarf city freely, often getting lost and having to ask directions from one of the passing dwarfs. The dwarfs were always happy to help them find their way, and many of them would take the time to lead the members of the company back to their chambers.

“Now I know what dwarf cities are like,” said Skeld, smiling at Thrang and Halfdan as they ate breakfast on their final day in the city.

“And what do you think about them now?” Halfdan questioned.

“I think they are different than I imagined them to be,” answered Skeld, still smiling. “Though not as green and open as I have been told.”

Alex chuckled to himself, remembering the comment Skeld made in Techen about “dwarf caves.” Alex had been happy in Osrik’s city and was sorry to be leaving.

Alex had another reason to be happy because, in the end, each of his companions had agreed to take a bag of the true silver Alex had received in payment for returning Umbar’s lost bag. They had each thanked him so many times that Skeld started teasing them about it, laughing at himself as well as the others.

“Our last breakfast in the city,” said Halfdan sadly. “I hope we will be able to return here one day.”

As they finished their breakfast and prepared to leave, Thrain appeared in the doorway. Alex and Andy had become good friends with Thrain during their short stay, and they were happy to see him again.

“The king wishes to bid you farewell,” said Thrain. “He awaits you in the great hall.”

“Then we will follow you to the king, Master Thrain,” replied Bregnest.

Thrain led the way, trying hard once again to look official. The company followed him, smiling and nodding to the dwarfs they passed along the way. There seemed to be a lot of dwarfs along their way this morning, smiling and waving good-bye to the company or wishing them good luck on their journey.

“Ah, at last,” said Osrik, walking down the steps from his throne as Alex and his friends approached. “A final meeting before you go—though I hope this will not be the last time we meet.”

“You have shown us great kindness, King Osrik. We will not soon forget you or your people,” said Bregnest as the company bowed to the king.

“Nor will we forget the happiness you and your company have brought to us,” Osrik replied. “You are all free to come and go in this kingdom whenever you may wish. And now my kinsman Umbar asks permission to give you each a gift.”

“A token of thanks from the house of Lanoch,” said Umbar, stepping forward. He handed each of them a small package. When Umbar came to Alex, he handed him a larger package.

“These are but small tokens of thanks for your kindness in returning the lost bag of my father,” said Umbar in a low voice to Alex. “If ever I, or any of my family, may be of service to you, please, feel free to call on us.”

“You are both kind and generous,” replied Alex with a bow.

“And now you must go,” Osrik said sadly. “I wish you a safe journey and a speedy return to my halls.”

“You have our thanks, great king,” said Bregnest. “If ever we can be of service to you or your kingdom, we will do all that we can.”

Alex and the others waited until Osrik was back on his throne before bowing one last time.

As they left the great hall, Thrain fell into step beside Alex and Andy, walking with them out of the main gates and toward the path to the valley below.

“I hope I will see you both again,” Thrain said brightly. “Perhaps we will be able to go on an adventure together.”

“That would be nice,” said Andy. “But you have not been chosen as an adventurer. At least not yet.”

“Perhaps you will return in time to go with me to the White Tower,” said Thrain hopefully.

“Perhaps we will,” said Alex in a cheerful tone. “Then I would have the pleasure of introducing you to my friend, the Oracle.”

Thrain beamed with happiness at Alex’s words.

When they approached the large barn, they saw that their horses were already saddled and waiting for them.

“Farewell, my friends,” Thrain called as they mounted their horses. “May you find your goal and return quickly to our city.”

“Farewell, Master Thrain,” answered Bregnest. “May the best of your hopes come to pass.”

Alex and Andy waved good-bye to Thrain, falling into line behind Skeld and Tayo as they rode off into the east.

“It would be nice to ride with Thrain to the White Tower,” said Andy, taking one last look at the dwarf city behind them.

“I doubt we will return to the tower soon,” said Tayo grimly.

“Always a ray of sunshine, aren’t you?” said Skeld with a laugh and a smile.

They rode quickly across the open lands beyond the city of King Osrik, leaving the Brown Hills behind them. There was little talking as they went along, and it seemed to Alex a shadow had fallen over the company’s mood. The weather was warm and dry, and as the sun began to sink behind them, they stopped to make camp. After they had eaten their evening meal, they took out the packages Umbar had given them. Inside each package was a chain made of true silver with a large white diamond set in the center. In addition to the chain, there was also a true-silver brooch, which bore the emblem of the dwarf realm of Vargland. Alex’s package also contained a long dagger in a silver-and-black scabbard. When he drew the blade, he saw several dwarfish letters engraved on it.

“A blade made of true silver,” said Thrang, looking at the dagger in Alex’s hands. He pointed to the engraving. “And

a charm to keep it sharp and unbroken. It will serve you well.”

“Umbar has been most generous,” Halfdan commented, putting his chain around his neck.

“The return of his father’s bag has made him richer than many dwarf lords,” said Thrang with a wide smile. “He can afford to be generous.”

“Still, it is a kind gift,” said Arconn, pinning his brooch to his tunic. “That he has been generous to us all and not just to the bringer of the bag is strange.”

“I think he heard our young friend trying to share his reward with us,” said Skeld. “Perhaps he is trying to make up for what we would not take.”

“Perhaps,” Bregnest agreed, looking at his own brooch. “But whatever the reason, he has been most kind.”

They were all in good spirits as they drank a toast to Umbar, son of Umbar, but Alex still felt as if some shadow was hanging over them.

During his watch, Alex wondered when and if they would ever reach the end of their journey, and then remembering that a dragon waited for them, he wasn’t sure if he was really in such a hurry for the adventure to end. Thinking about what had happened so far, he had to admit the adventure had been a great deal of fun. The attack of the bandits and fighting the three-legged troll seemed almost like dreams now, and not something to be afraid of.

“So you’ve decided you like your adventure,” Arconn said with a smile, as Alex shared his feelings that night.

“It’s different than I thought it would be,” replied Alex with a smile of his own.

“But it is not over yet, and it may be very different again before we reach the end.”

“That’s true,” Alex admitted. “But I’m not as worried about the end as I once was.”

“Perhaps you’ve spent too much time with Skeld,” said Arconn, laughing.

“I don’t think I’m as bad as that,” Alex replied, laughing as well.

Alex spent the rest of his watch studying his books while Arconn sat quietly by the fire. Alex’s ability to read the magic book was improving, though he still occasionally asked Arconn about the meaning of some of the words.

The days passed quickly as they followed the road east, and it wasn’t long before the weather turned wet again. Afternoon thunderstorms became an almost daily event, and they spent most of their evenings trying to dry their clothes. It was during one of these afternoon storms that Bregnest called them to a sudden halt.

“We will camp here tonight,” he said, a worried look on his face.

“Perhaps we should move further away,” suggested Arconn, looking through the rain at the road ahead.

“It has been a long day and we need rest,” said Bregnest, sounding both nervous and troubled. “We should be far enough away—though not as far as I had hoped.”

Alex wondered why Bregnest and Arconn kept looking at the road ahead of them; Alex couldn’t see anything but rough-looking ground. That night during his watch, Alex asked Arconn about Bregnest’s troubled look and words.

“We are close to the ruins of Aunk,” said Arconn. “Bregnest had hoped to reach them early tomorrow so we could pass them in the daylight.”

“Why? Are there bandits there?”

“No, not bandits,” replied Arconn slowly. “The ruins are said to be haunted by the ghosts of men, but I do not think that is true.”

“Yet there is something you fear about the ruins,” said Alex.

“Aunk has become an evil place, and I do not think it is because of ghosts. I feel great anger and hatred coming from there, though I do not know the source of it,” replied Arconn.

“Do you think we are in danger?” Alex asked, looking into the darkness around the camp.

“I cannot say for sure. But I feel both watchful and

nervous.”

Alex put his books away, troubled and uneasy. He looked to the east and felt the mysterious shadow that had been following them since leaving the Brown Hills draw closer.

“Rest, my friend,” said Arconn. “Tomorrow we will pass the ruins, and soon we will meet my kinsmen in the dark

forest.”

Alex turned slowly back to the camp. He walked to his tent, glancing east once more, before ducking inside. The nervous feeling continued to grow in his mind, and he remained fully dressed as he lay down on his blankets.

It was still dark when Alex woke with a start. The sound of Andy snoring next to him was comforting, but his thoughts remained troubled. He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but his mind buzzed with strange thoughts and he didn’t feel tired anymore.

Quietly, Alex got up and stepped out of the tent. The clouds in the sky blocked any light from the moon or the stars. The ashes of the campfire were gray and cold, and when Alex looked around, he couldn’t see any of his companions on watch. Sensing trouble, he wondered if he should wake Bregnest when a soft voice broke the silence.

“Your companions are tired,” the voice whispered. “They have failed to keep the watch.”

Alex turned toward the voice and saw a tall, dark figure

standing a short distance from the dead fire. He opened his mouth to warn his friends, but something inside kept him from speaking.

“You have chosen strange companions,” the figure continued. “I would not think that one as great as yourself would be seen in such company.”

“I didn’t choose them, they chose me,” replied Alex. “And I am not great, I’m only a first-time adventurer.”

Soft laughter came from the dark figure, but it was like nothing Alex had ever heard. His skin crawled at the sound of it, making him feel like hundreds of tiny pins were sticking him.

“If they chose you,” the voice continued, “it was only so they could use your power.”

“What do you mean?” Alex questioned.

“I mean you could be great—far greater than any of these who call you friend,” the voice sneered. “You need only find your true self and your true friends. Friends who will help you to greatness.”

“These are my friends,” Alex replied defiantly.

“Friends,” the voice scoffed. “Friends who take treasure that should be yours. Friends who laugh at you behind your back.”

“They have taken nothing but their fair share—less than that at times,” said Alex, anger building inside of him.

“But it was youwho killed the troll,” the voice replied softly. “It was youwho defeated the bandits, and it was youwho returned the lost bag to its heir.”

“We have an agreement,” Alex said. “I only did what had to be done. As any of them would have done.”

“Do not be deceived, my young friend,” said the voice in a soothing tone. “None of them could have done what you did. When you faced the troll, where were they? Hiding in the bushes, no doubt, waiting to see if you would survive.”

“They were searching for our horses,” said Alex, his thoughts returning to the night he’d fought the troll. He remembered now that the others had appeared suddenly, once he’d defeated the troll.

“And did not your leader offer to take the so-called burden of the bags from you?” the voice asked. “Did not this leader seek to take your honor and glory?”

“He did it as a favor to me,” answered Alex, only half-believing his own words. “He said the reward would be mine, even if he carried the bags.”

“He has said many things, but that does not make them so,” the voice hissed. “Did not the elf say that Bregnest is seeking to fulfill a prophecy? Yet the company has not heard what this is.”

Alex thought for a moment, confused. Bregnest had said the company would have no secrets, yet he knew nothing of Bregnest’s prophecy. Were the others using him for their own purposes? Could it be they were only pretending to be his friends? His mind felt clouded and he was having difficulty focusing his thoughts.

“Your true friends would be more open,” the voice continued. “We would tell you what we seek, and what we could do for you.”

“And what is that?” Alex questioned. He felt a coldness creeping into him, like ice-cold claws tearing at his insides.

“We want you to be great,” said the voice. “We know you can be the greatest wizard who has ever lived. You can be the greatest king in all the known lands.”

“And what price would you ask for this greatness?” Alex asked, more to himself than to the shadow.

“A small thing that another has asked of you,” replied the voice. “The simplest of things to look at, though it is strong in magic.”

“What?” Alex demanded.

“The crystal the Oracle would claim as her own,” the voice hissed. “It was not stolen as she pretends, it was taken by its rightful owner.”

“But I have sworn an oath,” said Alex. He remembered Iownan’s face, her kind words and her smile that made him feel safe and happy.

“An oath to a liar has no meaning,” said the voice. “And with the crystal we can show you the way to greatness. The Oracle saw what is in you, but she said nothing. We will tell you all.”

“The others have sworn an oath as well. They believe what the Oracle told them,” said Alex, his mind feeling more confused and muddled. Was it possible the Oracle had lied to them? Could an oracle tell a lie? Alex didn’t know.

“You do not need the others,” answered the voice. “Your true friends will take care of them. Then you can recover the crystal for us. When we have the crystal, we will tell you why you are so great.”

“What do you mean—take care of?”

“We will drive them away. Once they are gone, you can fulfill your destiny,” said the voice urgently. “It is your destiny to slay the dragon. Only you can do this. We will help you. We will guide you to victory and greatness.”

For a moment, Alex could see himself in a strange dream, sitting on a beautiful golden throne, crowds of people bowing and cheering for him. He could see every wild wish he’d ever had coming true, his every desire fulfilled.

“Leave the others and come with us,” the voice said, low and persuasive. “We are your true friends. We are the ones who want to see you become all that you can be.”

“But the others . . .” Alex said. “What will become of them? What will they think?”

“They will think whatever you tell them to think,” the voice replied coldly. “They will do as you command, or they will die.”

Alex’s hand automatically grabbed his sword. The cold feel of Moon Slayer under his hand helped focus his mind, and the magical fire began to burn inside of him, clearing his thoughts as the dreams of greatness slipped away.

“Slay your enemies,” the cold voice said softly. “They mean nothing. Only your greatness matters. We will help you. All creatures will know you as their king.”

The words rang inside Alex’s head as the heat of the sword grew more intense. Bregnest and the others were not his enemies, they were his friends. They had not taken advantage of him, but had shown him great kindness.

“Slay them and join us,” the dark voice screamed in Alex’s mind. “Together we will rule all the known lands.”

Alex drew his sword, looking around as the magic heat burned like a raging fire inside of him. There was not one dark figure standing beyond the cold ashes of the campfire, but many. They stood motionless, watching Alex as though they were made of stone. But the sound of their evil laughter filled the air around him.

“I will slay my enemies!” Alex yelled back at the dark figures, the flaming heat of his magic sword burning away his clouded thoughts and doubts. “I will destroy them all!”

Jumping across the cold ashes at the dark figures in front of him, Alex saw Moon Slayer shining like a blue flame in his hands. He swung the sword at the figures closest to him, and as the blade passed through them, they melted away like mist. Terrible screams and howls of pain filled the air as he moved forward, swinging his sword at any movement.

Alex felt like he was on fire, but the power of the sword kept him on his feet, moving and hacking at the dark figures that surrounded him. The screaming grew louder, though the figures did not try to fight back or run away. Soon only one figure remained. One last shadow standing tall, waiting for Alex in a dark mist blacker than any night.

“Join us,” the cold voice begged. “We are your path to fame and glory. If you stay with them, you will become nothing. There is much more in you than you know. Only we can show you what you really are.”

“You lie!” Alex yelled back in anger. “You are full of hate and lies!”

Alex rushed forward, swinging Moon Slayer with all his strength at the last of his enemies. As the sword passed through the last shadow, a terrible shriek ripped through the air, filling Alex’s mind completely. The heat that had been burning inside him went out like a light, and he felt like his insides had turned to ice. He was so cold—so very cold and tired.

Alex tried to remain standing, but his legs felt weak and unsteady. He remembered the dream that had scared him out of sleep in Telous so long ago, the painful cold that had filled him. Struggling to turn back to camp and his friends, Alex stumbled and fell forward with his sword under him. He remembered nothing more.

chapter sixteen

The Dark Forest

              “Alex,” a voice called from far away.

              He was so comfortable and didn’t want to answer,

            but the voice kept calling. Maybe if he ignored it, the voice would go away.

“Alex, can you hear me?”

“Yes,” Alex answered reluctantly.

The voice seemed to be coming from the strange light behind him. Alex didn’t want to look at the light because his eyes were tired and the softly shaded land in front of him looked so pleasant. If he moved forward, across that low stone wall, then perhaps the voice would leave him alone.

“Alex, you need to open your eyes,” said the voice, desperate and worried. “Turn to the light.”

“Very well,” Alex said slowly, his brain struggling to remember the words as he spoke.

He turned away reluctantly from the gray lands and the low wall. Facing the light, he discovered it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. The light was gentle, soft and warm. Perhaps he would feel warmer if he moved toward the light.

“Alex, open your eyes,” the voice pleaded.

Slowly Alex obeyed, blinking several times to bring things into focus. He saw Arconn’s worried face above him. He looked old and sad, not at all like himself.

“Can you sit up?” asked Arconn wearily.

“I think so,” Alex answered, the words coming slowly.

With a great effort he tried to sit up, but his body felt so heavy. It would be easier to go back to sleep—back to the gray lands, the strange wall, and what was beyond.

“You need to get up,” said Arconn, lifting Alex to his feet. “You need to move around.”

“Very well,” said Alex, forcing himself to think about standing. For a moment he felt dizzy, and then he felt sick. His stomach lurched as he tried to move his feet, and he would have fallen if Arconn had not caught him.

“Come,” said Arconn softly. “Over to the fire, then you can rest for a bit.”

Alex struggled to walk, dragging his legs and feet forward as his stomach churned inside of him. He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind, but everything still seemed blurry.

“Drink this,” said Arconn, pressing a cup to his lips. “It will help with your dizziness.”

Alex sipped the sweet liquid and after a moment he felt steadier and less dizzy. His mind cleared a little as he sat down near the fire and wiped cold sweat from his forehead with his shirtsleeve. Things slowly returned to focus, and he could see the worried faces of his friends all around him.

“What happened?” Alex asked.

“We were hoping you could tell us,” said Thrang, looking at Alex in concern.

Alex suddenly lurched forward, his stomach retching and his whole body shaking with cold. The memory of the shadow figures returned to him, and a sudden cold stabbed at his insides.

“Shadows,” Alex managed to say through clenched teeth. “Shadows of darkness were here last night.”

“Wraiths,” said Arconn, nodding grimly. He wrapped a blanket around Alex’s shoulders, gently pulling him back into a sitting position.

Alex could see that his companions’ faces had gone white when Arconn had named the shadows, and they looked afraid.

“They are gone now,” said Alex, trying to cheer his friends. “They are gone, forever.”

“Can you tell us what happened?” Bregnest asked, deep concern for Alex showing in his face.

“I woke up in the night,” said Alex, shaking so hard his teeth chattered. “Nobody was on watch. I was about to wake you when they spoke to me.”

“You spoke with the wraiths?” Arconn questioned softly, his voice troubled.

“They wanted me to join them,” Alex said, nodding. “They wanted me to bring the Oracle’s crystal to them and join them.”

“And you refused,” said Arconn, looking into Alex’s eyes.

“They said if I joined them I could be great,” Alex stammered. “They said you were not my friends and that they would drive you all away so I could get the crystal from the dragon. They told me that you would do as I said or you would die. When they said that, I reached for Moon Slayer. I was on fire. I knew they were lying to me. I attacked them. They didn’t even try to run away. When I attacked the last one, the fire inside me went out, and I . . . I felt like I had turned to ice.”

“Enough,” said Arconn. “We will not speak of this here. We must press on to the dark forest at once.”

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. Arconn remained with him, silent and watchful.

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

“I think so,” Arconn replied. “And I think the rest of us have little to fear from Aunk now. The darkness that I felt has gone.”

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

“It is simply gone,” answered Arconn. “I believe that Alex has driven it out completely.”

Alex wanted to ask what Arconn meant, but he couldn’t remember the words. His mouth felt dry and empty. His stomach continued to turn and twist inside of him. He couldn’t seem to focus on anything. He was so tired. So cold.

“Drink a little more of this,” said Arconn, lifting the cup to Alex’s lips again. “It will help with the cold.”

Arconn carefully helped Alex onto Shahree’s back, wrapping the blanket tightly around him. Even though the sun was bright and warm, Alex shivered under the blanket. He thought Skeld and Andy rode next to him, but he couldn’t be sure. He wanted to tell them not to worry, that Shahree wouldn’t let him fall, but the words disappeared before he could speak.

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 Arconn as darkness covered the land. “We must press on quickly and hope to find my

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—Arconn’s kinsmen,” murmured Alex, more to himself than Calysto.

“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.”

* * *

When Alex woke again, he felt wonderful. Sunlight flooded the room and his heart felt light inside of him. The memory of the shadowy figures at Aunk had lost its terror, and the cold he had felt was completely gone.