Slathbog's Gold - Forman Mark L. Страница 53

“I will leave you here,” said Calysto. “Your friends are waiting for you inside.”

Alex noticed for the first time that they had come back to the wooden house the company was staying in. He smiled at Calysto, trying to think of a way to thank her for all she had done.

“I am in your debt,” he said at last. “If ever you have need, I will always answer your call.”

Calysto bowed slightly, a smile in her bright eyes. Then looking up into the star-filled sky, she said, “You are more like an elf than any human I have ever met.”

With a last look at Calysto, Alex turned and entered the wooden house.

* * *

How long the company remained in the dark forest, Alex was never sure. He remembered many feasts and long nights of singing and laughing with the elves. He remembered walking and talking with Calysto several times, but the days seemed to blend together and he could not count them. When at last the company prepared to leave the forest, the trees were changing color. Summer had passed and soon fall would be arriving.

“We have stayed too long,” said Bregnest the night before they were to leave. “Though it is difficult to say good-bye, we must press on.”

“Sad will be the parting,” said Arconn softly. “Though the return will be more welcome for it.”

“You’ve become more elfin again,” said Thrang in a disgruntled tone. “We need to get you away from here so you’ll speak plainly again.”

Arconn laughed at Thrang’s comment, though Alex could see the deep sorrow in his friend. He knew how Arconn felt, leaving the dark forest behind and facing an unknown future. It would be a sad parting for them all, but Alex knew that they all had hopes for a quick return.

The next morning as they were saddling the horses, Calysto came to say good-bye to them. She was smiling, though Alex could see that she, too, was sad to see them leave.

“May good fortune ride with you,” Calysto called as they rode into the trees. “And may you return safely to our happy land.”

chapter seventeen

Slathbog

None of the company looked back as they rode into the woods. They were all sad to be leaving, and even the hope of successfully finishing their quest did not brighten their thoughts. They followed the path the elves had told them about, a path that would lead them quickly to their final goal.

As the days passed, Alex noticed that the trees had completely changed color from lively greens to bright yellows and reds. There was a chill in the air as well, and each morning seemed a little colder than the one before.

“It will be difficult to cross the wastes in winter,” said Tayo one morning.

“It would be difficult at any time,” replied Halfdan grimly. “The wastelands around the dragon will test our resolve.”

“Then let’s make sure we pass that test,” said Bregnest as he climbed into his saddle and led them forward.

Slowly the thick forest changed back to meadows, then to open grassland. After a week of hard riding, the grasslands ended suddenly in front of them. The land was bare, empty of grass or trees; only gray rock and brown dirt could be seen.

“We will have to leave the horses here,” said Bregnest, unhappy. “We do not have enough food for them, and there is little or nothing that grows in the wasteland.”

“I have spoken with them. They know where we are going,” Arconn replied. “They will remain close, waiting for our return.”

“I hope their wait will be a short one,” said Skeld with a smile.

The mood around camp that night was grim and solemn. Now that they were so close to their goal, everyone’s thoughts seemed to be on the danger that waited for them, a danger they could almost taste. Even Skeld found little to joke about so close to the wasteland of the dragon.

“We should each add some dry wood to our bags,” said Thrang softly, taking his seat next to the fire. “We may need it before we return.”

“A fire in the wasteland would be dangerous,” said Bregnest. “Though, with winter coming, we may have to risk it.”

“And when we slay the dragon, we’ll need light to sort the hoard,” added Skeld in a positive tone.

“Cold food from here to Varlo,” commented Halfdan, picking at his dinner. “Not a happy thought, even for Skeld.”

“It need not all be cold,” said Arconn, glancing at Alex. “Our young wizard has learned to conjure up fire. If we use his magical fire only in daylight, we should be safe enough.”

Alex smiled weakly. Since they’d left the dark forest, he had been practicing spells from his magic book. He was surprised how easy some of them seemed to be. One of the spells could conjure up a bright blue flame, and he was already good at working the magic.

“We should rest,” said Bregnest. “Tomorrow we will gather wood and fill our water bags. Then we will begin our journey into the wastelands.”

The next morning, Alex spent some time with Shahree. She didn’t seem to like the idea of being left behind.

“It’s only for a short time,” said Alex soothingly. “And I’ll be happier knowing you’re safe. I know what you did for me in the dark forest, and I will return for you as soon as I can.”

Shahree whinnied loudly and nuzzled Alex’s shoulder. His words seemed to pacify her, though he could still see a sad look in her eyes.

They put their saddles inside their magic bags, letting the horses wander freely on the open grass. Arconn whispered something into each of the horses’ ears and they seemed to understand what he said. Then, with one look back, Alex and his friends walked into the wasteland of Varlo.

Their road was not a difficult one to follow because no plants had grown over it. In fact, Alex couldn’t see anything growing at all in the wasteland around them. The land for miles around them appeared completely dead. Alex felt a great sadness inside as he walked through the barren and empty land.

“Dragons usually destroy everything for miles around their lairs,” said Andy as he walked beside Alex. “It makes it difficult for anyone to sneak up on them.”

“Like we’re trying to do,” replied Alex with a half-smile.

“It has been many years since anyone has dared bother Slathbog’s rest,” said Skeld from in front of them. “Perhaps he has grown less watchful over time.”

“And perhaps he has grown more,” replied Tayo, looking unhappy as he walked beside Skeld.

“If he is watching, perhaps he will meet us on open ground,” said Skeld, with a note of hope in his voice. “That would be to our advantage.”

“Why?” Alex asked, shifting his bag on his shoulder.

“Slathbog will know the tunnels and ruins of Varlo well,” replied Skeld. “On open ground, our chances would improve.”

“Time will not have made him so foolish,” said Tayo in a grim tone. “He will wait for us in a place of his choosing.”

“Wherever he is, we will find him soon enough,” said Andy, sounding worried and nervous.

They quit talking and continued to walk. The dead land seemed to press in on them, and their movements seemed loud in the overpowering silence. Alex caught himself looking at the road ahead several times, as if expecting to see the dragon waiting for them. He wasn’t the only one. They all seemed to be nervous and watchful, even though there was nothing to see for miles around.

For three days they walked, but there was no sign of the dragon. At mealtimes, Alex would conjure up a bright blue fire for Thrang to cook on, putting it out as soon as the cooking was done. There was little talk as they traveled, and no laughter at all. On the fourth day into the wasteland, it began to rain softly, turning the road into a muddy stream.

“We should turn south,” said Bregnest as they slipped and sloshed along the road. “We are near the city. If there is any truth to old Eric’s tale, we should look for it.”