I smiled. “As you wish, Your Majesty. I mean Sharald.”
“Good. I know you must be tired, but let’s have breakfast. After you three clean up, come to the dining hall. I can tell by the looks of you, you have much to tell.”
Guards escorted me to another room where I cleaned myself up. They offered me a new tunic and breeches. I was thankful, glad to have some clean clothes that fit, even if I wore them under my wizard’s robes. When I was ready, they led me to the dining room. Flowers decorated a long oak table. An elf led me to the head of the table where the others waited for me.
Sharald motioned for me to seat myself, then said to the servants, “Please bring us our food. We’re all famished.”
Breakfast consisted of fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains, and cheese. There wasn’t a single piece of meat. The elves thought it wrong to kill animals unless it was absolutely necessary. That suited me fine, since wizards didn’t eat meat either.
After breakfast, Prastian told the story of what had happened to him. His words danced on air while his tongue provided the music. His yarn-spinning refreshed me. I didn’t even yawn, despite how tired my body was.
“This is very alarming,” Sharald said. “Very alarming indeed.” He sat in silence while he pondered the elves’ story. His emerald eyes rested on Prastian. “Things are getting worse. We’re having to send out more hunting parties, and people are dying.”
Prastian nodded.
“Yet the gods have given us hope and a sign.” King Sharald turned his fading green eyes on me.
“Sire?” Prastian said.
“I'm delighted to have the services of a wizard among us again.” Sharald’s voice was kind and inviting, if not accurate. “It’s been ages since I’ve last seen a wizard. Not since I was a young boy and my father sat on the throne. Despite all that’s happened, this is a great day indeed.”
“That’s how you were able to cast aside our net and defeat the ogre,” Behast said. “Magic.”
My two companions stared, boring holes through me.
“I have never seen or met a wizard before,” Prastian said.
I opened my mouth to counter his statement and say I wasn’t a wizard yet. Master Stradus’s words and their expressions told me not to. I remained quiet, not offering any answer and praying that King Sharald wouldn’t push me further on the matter. If he did, I’d have to tell them.
After a few awkward moments, Behast said, “The attacks are getting worse. We need to do something.”
“I know,” Sharald said, frowning. “We need to go and find out what has happened to Alexandria and to the earlier expedition.”
My ears pricked up at this. I wanted the conversation to go this way, but didn’t know how to get it there. King Sharald might question why I wanted to know about Alexandria, and why I, an outsider, should be a part of their plans. Thankfully, Sharald seemed willing to let the conversation continue.
“Perhaps we can send another group, cousin,” Prastian said. “And I can lead that group?”
“You called me cousin,” Sharald said. He smiled. Prastian’s cheeks turned a dark green. “It has been a while since I heard that.” Sharald laughed. “I take it you must really want to go.” He took a heavy breath. “I’m going to miss hearing that more often before I return to the earth. You may go to Alexandria, Prastian.”
“Thank you, Sire.”
“While I trust your expertise, something up there’s amiss. You're going to need a little more help. Maybe help of a wizardly kind.” Sharald put up a finger and smiled. “Hellsfire, I already owe you for what you've done, but I have one more favor to ask of you. Could you please accompany my elves to the kingdom of Alexandria?”
My eyes widened. I was already going to Alexandria, but going by myself to check on things and being a part of an envoy were far different. Something was clearly wrong in Alexandria, and as yet I had no idea what it was. While the monsters were getting by Alexandria’s defenses, the city hadn’t fallen. Otherwise, there would have been refugees in Sharald, and I hadn’t seen any. If I went alone, I could move freely. As part of Sharald’s envoy, there would be a lot more politics to deal with. Whatever I did, for good or ill, would reflect on King Sharald. On the other hand, as a royal envoy, I would have a better chance of getting an audience with the princess. If she remembered me, I was sure she would see me.
I felt I should heed Master Stradus’s words. It was bad enough the elves knew of my abilities, but I didn’t want those in Alexandria to know. Even if I wasn’t a wizard yet, my power could sway things and make them a lot worse. I didn’t want to be like Renak during the War of the Wizards, when he defied the Council and took matters into his own hands, thus starting the war that divided the land. Lastly, the elves in Sharald were friendly to wizards. The people in Alexandria might not be.