Slathbog's Gold - Forman Mark L - Страница 27

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“Enough of your foolishness, Skeld,” said Bregnest in a loud voice. “We will each see the Oracle today. It won’t do for us to be covered in food.”

“My apologies, master wizard,” said Skeld, bowing to Alex and offering him a napkin. “My aim was off—I meant to hit Arconn.”

“Enough!” commanded Bregnest. “Your jests drive all thought from my mind.”

Skeld returned to his breakfast without comment, though he winked at Alex as he sat down. Alex was troubled by Bregnest’s stern words; he seemed to be in a dark mood this morning, as if some great weight was pressing down on him.

Alex and his friends ate their meal quickly and quietly. It felt to Alex like they were all waiting for bad news—bad news they knew would be coming soon.

“My apologies, Skeld,” Bregnest said softly as they were finishing their meal. “I am troubled by what the day may bring.”

Skeld bowed to Bregnest, accepting his apology.

Alex was nervous. Last night, he’d felt at ease around Iownan, but today, she would speak to him as the Oracle. He wondered how different she would be. He hoped that, as the Oracle, she would answer some of his questions.

“You’d best collect your ring,” said Thrang as they walked toward the tower. “The Oracle should be able to tell you what it is and if it has any magic in it.”

Alex had forgotten about the ring in his magic bag, and he hurried back to the sleeping house to retrieve it. When Alex returned to his companions, Rothgar was waiting. He held a tall silver lamp that looked out of place in the early morning sunlight.

“The Oracle will speak with you individually,” said Rothgar in a somber tone. “First, she will speak with Master Bregnest. Then, she will call the rest of you in turn. I will remind you all that what the Oracle says to each of you is for you alone. You may, in time, wish to share her words with others, but I would urge you to do so only with those you trust completely.”

Bregnest stepped forward and bowed to Rothgar. Rothgar returned the bow, and then led Bregnest into the tower without another word.

“Have you spoken to many oracles?” Alex asked Thrang.

“A few,” Thrang replied. “Though none as well-known as the lady of the White Tower.”

Alex felt nervous and excited, like he was waiting to see the dentist on Christmas morning, only better and worse at the same time.

“Relax or you may pop,” said Skeld, jabbing him in the ribs. “You should not worry before the ax falls.”

“I’m just excited,” said Alex with a weak smile.

After some time, Rothgar appeared again, carrying his silver lamp. Bregnest did not return with Rothgar, which added to Alex’s nervousness.

“The lady asks that Master Goodseed come next,” said Rothgar.

Alex watched as Andy and Rothgar exchanged bows. Without looking back at the company, Andy followed Rothgar and soon disappeared from view as he entered the tower.

“Where is Bregnest?” Alex questioned.

“In the gardens I should think,” Arconn answered. “It is customary not to rejoin your company until all have spoken with the Oracle. Then, none will enter with expectations that may not be met.”

Alex thought about Arconn’s words for a moment and decided that they made sense. If Bregnest had returned to the company unhappy, the rest of them would believe the worst and expect bad news from the Oracle. However, if Bregnest returned happy, they would all expect good news, and that might not be the case either.

“What kinds of things will the lady tell us?” Alex asked Arconn.

“It is not the lady you see today,” Thrang replied instead. “Today she is the Oracle.”

“So what kinds of things will the Oracle tell us?” Alex persisted.

“An oracle’s words are often vague,” said Tayo. “Seldom are they simple to understand.”

“And they are often misunderstood,” Halfdan added. “Sometimes an oracle’s words mean nothing until much time has passed.”

“And sometimes they truly mean nothing at all,” said Skeld with a grim laugh.

“You don’t believe in oracles?” Alex asked.

“I don’t disbelieve,” Skeld answered. “The future is not yet written, so none may know what it holds. The Oracle gives guidance, but seldom a clear answer.”

Alex remembered what Iownan had said to him the night before and he smiled at Skeld’s reply. He thought Skeld might understand oracles better than any of his other friends.

It wasn’t long before Rothgar reappeared, this time asking that Halfdan follow him. As the sun rose slowly into the sky, each member of the company was called into the tower. Tayo, then Skeld, and then Thrang, until only Arconn and Alex were left waiting.

“Is there some meaning in the order we are called?” Alex questioned, his nervousness almost unbearable.

“If there is, only the Oracle knows it,” answered Arconn. “Though it is often thought best to be first or last to see an oracle.”

“Why is that?”

“First is considered a place of honor, usually reserved for a leader or a king,” Arconn answered slowly, considering his words. “Last is considered a place of respect, reserved for the wise, or wizards, or even other oracles.”

“Have you spoken to many oracles?”

“Many more than our friend Thrang,” Arconn replied with a laugh. “Perhaps more than all the others as well, though I

seldom seek oracles for my own reasons.”

“Then why do you seek them?” Alex asked.

“Mostly, as now, because the company has come here. You must remember that I am of the elder race and our fate is not the same as men or dwarfs.”

“The elder race?” Alex questioned.

Before Arconn could reply, Rothgar appeared, though this time without his silver lamp.

“The lady asks that you join her, Master Taylor,” said Rothgar, bowing low.

Alex returned his bow and followed Rothgar into the tower, not looking back at Arconn as the others had not looked back at him. He thought it odd that Rothgar had bowed to him first instead of waiting as he had for the others.

Rothgar did not speak as he led Alex down a corridor and up a long, spiral staircase. Alex was glad he had not been called last because that would mark him as a wizard for sure in his companions’ eyes. As much as he liked Skeld, he was getting a little tired of his constant jokes.

He followed Rothgar up another staircase, sure they were high up in the tower. He wondered why Rothgar had been carrying the lamp before because the staircase was well-lit by windows placed at regular intervals. Eventually, they reached the top of the staircase and Rothgar stopped, turning to face Alex.

“I cannot lead you further,” said Rothgar. “Climb the stairs at the end of this corridor. The Oracle awaits you at the top.”

Alex wondered if this was normal, but Rothgar started down the stairs before he could ask. It seemed strange that Rothgar would leave him alone, but then he wondered if perhaps there was some greater meaning he didn’t know about. It seemed to him almost everything surrounding the Oracle had some meaning he didn’t understand.

At the end of the corridor, Alex climbed the stairs, counting as he went, trying to distract his worried thoughts. When he reached three hundred and sixty steps, the stairs ended. Alex stepped forward into a small, dim room.

“You wonder about many things,” said Iownan’s voice from in front of him. “You look for reasons and answers, yet find none.”

“That is true,” Alex replied.

“Why do you look?”

“So that I may understand.”

“Will understanding help you?”

“I . . . I don’t know.”

“What is the one thing you wish for above all else?” asked the Oracle as she pulled back a curtain and let sunlight fill the room.

Alex blinked in the bright light. The figure standing before him looked like Iownan, but somehow he knew she wasn’t the same person who had spoken to him last night in the stable. He knew he stood before the Oracle of the White Tower. Alex swallowed hard.

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