Chapter Four "The Elder"

     Yvayn woke to the sound of a bird singing outside his window. A gently breeze blew the curtains as he listened to the song. The bird sang a sweet melody as the young prince leaned on his pillows. He began to think as the music from the previous night ran through his head. The singing and dancing of the night before came back to his mind. He remembered dancing with the Semians in a circle. The music was an ancient Semian dance tune played on the shawm, cithara, and drums. He could not remember all the words, but the melody was quite clear in his head. Suddenly he realized the bird was gone and silence permeated the room.

     The dream he had that night ran back through his mind. The thought of it disturbed him somewhat, but why it bothered him remained a mystery. He figured out that the old man was the same strange man from Dymor, but the young lady was still a mystery. The old man’s face was well defined but hers was a shadowy mist. Yvayn remembered hearing crying but could not see who it was. He tried to block out the vision, but it came back even clearer. He tried to imagine home or sitting by the sea, but the image of the two in his dream continued to confront him. While trying to sit up he realized he still had the same problem from the night before while wearing his hose. He finally got out of bed and put on his tunic he had from the gathering. He tried to shrug off his problem. He walked across the room toward one of the windows.

     He passed a mirror along the way and stopped. Looking at himself, he realized something had changed, but he was unsure what it was. He kept admiring the clothes his father had given him. They were so much more colorful than the drab clothes he always wore around the castle. He peered into his eyes and they seemed somehow changed. He broke free of the mirror image and went to the window.

     The view was that of the garden he had walked through to the bathhouse. Beneath him were broad beds of roses, sage, yellow daisies, and asters. Bees were busy collecting nectar from all of them. Humming birds chased each other guarding certain flowers. To the young prince, it appeared that trumpet vines were their favorite. Looking up he noticed that the sky was mostly clear except for a few clouds slowly marching toward the East. He thought he could hear the sound of ships’ bells off in the distance. He sat on the windowsill for a moment before going back to the mirror. He stood again looking at himself.

     “I must find a way to speak with the tailor today,” he said to himself as he looked at his legs and manliness. He went and sat on the edge of the bed. He put on his walking shoes and pulled off the nice tunic and preplaced it with his plain one. He decided to go for a walk in the garden.

     He went to the door and looked out with hesitation. No one was there. He walked quietly down the hall and out the back door of the palace. He looked both ways wanting to find the flower gardens under his window. Butterflies flew around in front of him as he passed the various plots of flowers and blooming shrubs. He wandered for what seemed an eternity before he heard his name being called.

     “Yvayn?”

     “Yes?”

     “Where are you?”

     “I’m near a big…I guess, an apple tree.”

     “Okay.”

     Yvayn stood still and soon heard footsteps approaching. He turned to find Termâs staring at him.

     “Don’t we look a little relaxed today?” He gave Yvayn a long satirical look.

     “Oh…I haven’t bathed yet.”

     “No?” Termâs put his hands up to his face.

     Yvayn blushed a little.

     “I see you slept in some of your clothes last night.”

     “I was tired.”

     At least you could have taken off some of your clothes.” He was pointing to his legs.

     “Oh…well…I was tired.”

     “Well, to tell you the truth, I kind of liked those Semian clothes too. I’d heard about them, but I’d never needed to wear them,” Termâs admitted.

     They stood under the apple tree eyeing the red fruit.

     “I really like these Semian clothes.”

     “That’s fine but I’ll stick to my usual attire for now.”

     “How about some breakfast of fresh apples?”

     “That sounds good to me.”

     Termâs climbed up some branches and grabbed two nice fruit to share. After eating the apples, they went back to the palace and met up with Myllyof and Jullious for a formal breakfast. Jullious had a look of embarrassment on his face.

     “Good morning, son. I understand you went for a walk this morning.”

     “Yes, Father.” Yvayn was uncomfortable, like he was a child again.

     “So, what do you think of the garden?”

     Yvayn looked surprised. He was expecting a lecture on safety. “It is beautiful, but I didn’t get to finish seeing all of it.”

     “You’ll never see all of it because it is always growing and changing.”

     “Can we walk through it later?”

     “I’d love to, but we need to go visit with Velsusi now.”

     The young prince perked up in his seat. His eyes grew wide with anticipation.

     “I forgot to tell you,” Myllyof continues, “that we are going to see him today at his tower. It’s a good walk, especially since we are going through the market on the way. I also need you to pack your things because you are going to stay the night with him.”

     “Yes, Father.”

     They ate bread with honey, fresh grapes and nuts. Myllyof ordered music to accompany their breakfast. After they finished eating together, they sang a few songs before getting up from the table.

     “I want all of us to go this morning including you, Jullious.” Myllyof was leading the way with Jullious behind him and then Yvayn and Termâs.

     “I noticed Jullious is rather quiet this morning,” Yvayn turned to his guard and whispered.

     “I think last night got to him.”

     “What do you mean?”

     “Your father gave him the same clothes we had.”

     “Oh…oh, I see.”

     “Yeah, I think he had a religious breakdown.”

     “I heard that.” The older guard turned with a look of fierce anger.

     “I don’t want another word between you two,” Myllyof barked at the guards. Yvayn tried not to laugh.

     He packed a bag for the journey including some new clothes he found in a chest by his bed. He slung the bag over his shoulder and met the others by the front entrance.

     The roads of Careath were wide and lined with street vendors and small pubs. The people loved to dine, and even more they liked to drink. Myllyof led them through the most diverse area of the city, an area known as The Bottom. It was called that because it was built along the winding boggy area between the Mondo River and Elnor Creek. Many of the businesses in The Bottom dealt with traders coming down the Mondo, especially during late summer. That was the peak time for mountain harvest of apples and pears and the start of the fur season.

     Old wooden buildings hovered along the streets of The Bottom. Many were grayish and leaning one way or another. Some were simply boarded up and left to rot. A strong smell of sewage and trash lingered in the air as they walked the narrow streets. Beggars rushed at the four, holding out hats or cups looking for change or scraps of food. Prostitutes leaned out of windows asking for business as sailors climbed from the windows and headed back to the docks.

     “This is appalling.” Jullious had his nose up in the air. “I just don’t see why you had to take us this way.”

     “I wanted to see if someone was down here.” Myllyof was looking ahead.

     “I would never associate with such…such disgusting people.”

     “That is why you are my guard and not the Emperor.”

     “Well…” The pious guard continued to snub off beggars by reaching for his broad sword.

     “How do people end up like this?” Yvayn looked a bit pale and confused.

     “Well, it’s a long and very complicated explanation. I think you should ask Velsusi when we get there.” Myllyof continued looking around.

     “Ah ha…there it is.” He stopped in front of a fading old white house. An old man sat on the porch smoking a long pipe. He had long dark hair streaked with gray and a full beard of equally dark gray whiskers. His eyes were deep and gray. He was wearing a pair of old leather pants and an equally old brown tunic.

     “Myllyof, you old fool. What are you doin’ here?” The man’s voice was surprisingly clear.

     “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d say hello. I brought Yvayn with me so you could see him again.”

     The young man looked puzzled.

     “Let me see the little prince.”

     “Come here, Yvayn. I want you to meet someone who has not seen you since you were a little baby.”

     He stepped forward toward the house.

     “This is Enor.”

     “Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand. The gray-haired man stood up and grabbed the younger man into a big hug.

     “Enor was your grandfather’s personal guard years ago. I told him to come live with us after your grandfather died, but he declined the offer so that he could return home.

     “I miss ol’ Myrmidon. You look a bit like the ol’ warrior, Yvayn. You have his eyes and nose.”

     The young prince looked at his father.

     “Yes, and I think he’s got his mouth too,” Myllyof laughed.

     “What do you mean?” The prince looked embarrassed.

     “I see Jullious is still with you. How’s he holding out? Is he getting too sensitive?”

     “I can answer that.” Termâs stepped forward.

     “No…Enor,” Myllyof continued, “this is Termâs, Yvayn’s personal guard.”

     “Nice to meet you, Termâs.”

     “And you, Enor. I have heard some stories about you.”

     “Mostly true, I bet.”

     “So how is Alys?” Myllyof asked.

     Enor looked off for a moment. “She passed away a few years ago.”

     “I’m sorry. I wish I’d known.”

     “It’s Okay, Myllyof. She wasn’t well and her suffering is over now. I miss he though.”

     “Does Lyssie visit you any?”

     “Yeah, but she’s awful busy these days in the market.”

     “We’re headed that way now.”

     “If’n you would, tell her hello and to bring me some fruit. I hadn’t been too regular these days.” He leaned up as he said that and brushed Myllyof’s arm and winked.

     “I will. Well, it’s good seeing you.”

     “You take care, Myllyof, and it was good to see you, Yvayn, and to meet you Termâs.” He looked at Jullious. “You take care of my boy here, or I’ll hunt you down myself and whip you.”

     “I always do my job.”

     “I’m sure you do…you ol’ pompous windbag.”

     Termâs and Yvayn laughed. Jullious just glared at the old guard.

     “Bye for now, Enor.” Myllyof hugged the old guard and led the other three down the road.

     “What an interesting man.” Termâs cleared his throat and walked beside Yvayn.

     “Quite so…” Jullious sounded offended.

     “Next stop, the old market for lunch.” Myllyof picked up the pace.

     The old market was just that, old. The origins of it remained lost in the web of tales that often explained the beginning of Careath itself. Men stood guard over wagons of fruits and vegetables while quarreling over freshness and price. Women danced about enticing customers to buy jewelry while snake handlers sat at nearly every corner. An occasional fire-breather or sword-swallower jumped about to stir up the crowd. Annoying jugglers flung countless objects in the air pushing people with their baskets looking for handouts.

     The four walked through quickly and grabbed up some fresh bread and fruit to eat. There was no time to stop and really make deals. They met Enor’s daughter and relayed the message with some hugs and kisses from her.

     “The Wizard Domain is not far from here.” Myllyof was stepping around various people trying to get to an open path. He led them down a narrow street and past several small shops until they reached an open plaza.

     “We’re supposed to meet Velsusi here.” He looked all around; his head turned quickly watching for a signal. The grandfatherly figure had a knack of hiding in plain sight, but not so today.

     Through the years the old wizard had educated the young prince in history, especially Menian lore. He also told him about the many other wizards. But Yvayn knew in his heart that Velsusi was special. He considered him to be his adopted grandfather: wise beyond Yvayn’s imaginings and full of unending love and affection. This feeling resulted from the fact that Myrmidon died before the prince was born. Velsusi often made the trek to the castle to work with Yvayn. The two had a very good understanding of one another, or at least the young prince thought so.

     “If I were a snake, I’d have swallowed you whole.” A voice came from behind a stack of crates.

     “You ol’ street robber!”

     A short white-haired man appeared in front of them. His long white beard shook in front of him. His blue eyes twinkled behind his wrinkled cheeks and a smile stretched across his face. He was dressed all in purple and carried a long narrow wooden staff. He reached out his long skinny arm and pointed to Yvayn with a long bony finger.

     “Welcome, my young prince. Welcome to Careath, my home away from home.”

Yvayn bowed to the old wizard.

     “It is good to see you young man. Now give me a hug.” Yvayn stepped up and hugged him and kissed him on both of his hairy cheeks.

     He was wearing a long purple satin robe trimmed in a band of golden flowers backed in a layer of blue satin. He wore a skullcap of purple satin that was trimmed in a golden rope and divided into twelve pie-sliced shapes each divided by a thin gold band. He had on a matching purple tunic under his robe that was trimmed with golden flowers and a golden rope wrapped around his waist. On his legs he wore long black leather boots that were turned down at his knees with dark purple hose underneath.

     “Welcome Emperor Myllyof; Jullious, the Zealot; and you too Termâs, the Warrior.” They all greeted the elderly wizard with a bow.

     “Come, we will all go to the Tower of Gwarth to talk.” The old wizard led them all down the wide street to an ancient walled part of Careath. He stopped at the gate and turned to Yvayn.

     “This is the Domain of the Wizards of the Order of Aurum. It was built soon after the death of my teacher, Pashtan, the Blue. Velsusi opened the old creaky gate and led them inside the Domain. Once inside, the old wizard shut the gate and turned around with his arms outstretched. “Welcome children to a sacred realm.” He put his arms down and looked at Yvayn. Meanwhile, Jullious tried to hide a scoffing look on his face.

     “Come here, young man.” The young prince quickly went to his side.

     “See here.” The old wizard pointed in front of them. “That pond there is the very spot in which Pashtan was killed during the Battle of Careath. And over there,” he pointed to his right, “that is a statue of the founder, Pashtan, the Blue.”

     The area between and around the pond and statue was a large decorative garden of flowers and herbs. A path of stones wound around the edge of the garden and beyond, through some bushes to a tall tower.

     “Come and we will go inside for now.” He led them down the stone path to the door of the tower.

     “This old gray tower is called Gwarth.” He pointed to the hexagonal tower with its slate roof. “I once heard that Gwarth was one of the original clansmen who founded Careath, but I’ve never seen an official document of proof one way or the other. Once a watchtower, it was given to The Order just before our master’s death. Let’s go inside the old thing and talk a bit.”

     Velsusi opened the door and directed the prince and the others to enter. He closed the door and pointed to some stairs. The inside was plain. The main entrance was a large oak door with bronze hinges. Walls were made of large granite blocks stacked up to the roof. The staircase was also made of oak, but it was covered in many intricate carvings. Some were of animals while others showed men in suits of armor on horses. The stairs circled upward out of site. The old wizard was still pointing to them as Yvayn began to climb.

     Velsusi was quite old; no one really knew for sure exactly how many years he had lived, and he never told. His custom was always to wear purple clothing. He was the elder teacher in The Order of Aurum. The Order, for short, was made up of several wizards. Each had chosen a color representing the order of nature. These wizards were called the ‘spectral wizards’ and there were twelve of them in all. They did not all live in The Domain; actually, only Velsusi did and had for many years. He used to live far in the North in Semia in a land called Durmelon in what was known as the Vale of the Auroral Aurum or Land of the Wizards. Ages ago after the Great Quake, Pashtan, The Blue, built the Auroral Aurum as a sort of schoolhouse for wizards where he was to be the trainer. But he died before he was able to do so. Velsusi lived there for many years as The Elder before finally moving to Careath. The other spectral wizards were scattered throughout the Menian, Semian, and other lands. They hold onto the wisdom and understanding of an ancient knowledge that was timeless, being both old and new.

     After climbing several flights of stairs, they came to another door. This one was covered in carvings, which Yvayn recognized from Menian history. The scenes were from stories the prince was told as a young child. Velsusi reached into his cloak and pulled out a black key and placed it in the lock. He turned it slowly. There was a squeak, then a thump and the door opened. It creaked as the old wizard pushed on it to force it open. The room on the other side of the door was large. There were several bookshelves along the walls and a fireplace opposite the door. As Yvayn moved into the room he noticed the ceiling was quite high and circled up to a center point. It was made of wooden beams covered by the roof. The floor was also wooden and dotted with an assortment of exotic rugs. There were six windows, one on each wall. The prince walked over to one and looked out over the city.

     Velsusi made a gesture to some candles on a table in the center of the room and they lit up. Yvayn could now see faint colorful paintings on the walls of the room

     “Would you three care to stay, or do you have other things to do?” The old wizard faced the men standing near the open door.

     “I think we will leave you two to talk.” Myllyof looked at Velsusi. “When it is time tomorrow, we will come and get both of you.”

     “Take care.” The wizard bowed.

     “Yvayn,” Myllyof looked at his son, “listen to him and mind him.”

     “Yes, Father, I will.”

     Myllyof, Jullious, and Termâs quickly turned and left the room. Moments later Yvayn heard the door downstairs open and then shut. He looked out the window again and watched the three men walk out of the garden and back into the streets of Careath.

     “It is a splendid place you have here.” He looked at Velsusi. The old wizard looked at him and pointed to a chair in which he wanted Yvayn to sit. His look directed at the young prince was one of slight irritation.

     “I must explain more about myself to you, more than you already know.” He sat down in a chair on the opposite side of the room. “I told your father not to tell you much of the truth,” he continued uninterrupted, “Until I was ready to speak with you. You have led a secluded life up to now, and it is time that you find out about a few things.”

     He directed the youth once more to sit in the chair. Yvayn moved away from the window and sat down. He had never seen the old wizard as serious as he was now.

     “Yvayn…I am not,” he was hesitant, “Who you think I am. I am a wizard and your friend, but you have no knowledge of my past.”

     The young prince looked at the wizard with a questioning face. The elderly wizard got up and began to pace the floor in front of the young prince. “I am sure you have heard rumors that I am old. Well, for the most part they are correct. In fact, I am…let me see…” He pretended to count on his fingers. “Oh, it doesn’t really matter.” He stopped pretending to count. “Truth be told, age doesn’t matter and is overrated but I am older than anyone else in Menia. And I knew your grandfather, his father, and his father, and so on for generations.”

     Yvayn’s eyes grew wide at that moment. There was silence in the room for quite a while. Velsusi was still pacing the floor; then he went to the window that was facing north and looked out to the city below.

     “Yvayn…I am The Elder. I am the one who trains all who are in The Order. In fact, Pashtan, the Blue, taught me. He was my mentor for many years, but unfortunately, he was killed before I was finished with my training. At least I thought I wasn’t finished.” He sighed and rubbed his spindly fingers together. “I still miss him very much…I had to take over for him and I was not a leader…I was a coward in the robes of a leader.” He looked at Yvayn with a tender glance. “In many ways I was much like you are now.”

     Yvayn looked upon the old white bearded man as though the wise old man that used to play magic games with him was gone. Yvayn now knew the truth. Velsusi was The Elder, the one about whom he had heard stories. He felt their friendship would never be quite the same again. Just the word ’elder’ conjured up images that were frightening; but to be in the same room with him was almost more than the young man could take. He also knew that Velsusi was once like him: young and inexperienced in worldly matters.

     The old wizard turned to see that Yvayn was looking rather shocked. He walked over to him and put his hands on his shoulder. “I’m not always subtle, as you will find out. I have held much inside because of your father’s wishes.” The informal lesson continued with a new understanding between the two.

     “Your father got very worried about heirs after your sister died and your mother could no longer have children after your birth. It is natural for him to think that way, but even he doesn’t know that he cannot fight what is nature. You can see why he would want to protect you at all cost. But I’ve always felt it kept you too much in the dark about life and the world, not to mention other things I’ve kept secret even from him.”

     Outside, the sun began to set and cast a reddish glow into the chamber room. A bell tolled and Yvayn turned to listen to the night watchman’s evening song. Velsusi went to a cupboard and got out some bread and cheese and set them on a board. He poured some water out of a pitcher into two goblets and brought all the provisions to the table where the youth continued to sit.

     “Have some dinner. I know it isn’t much but we’ve more time for feasts later.”

     “Thank you.” He took a sip of water and began to eat. Velsusi looked at Yvayn again.

     “I do not believe leaders are born.” He went back to pacing the floor but this time he started to stroke his long white beard. “Rather, I believe they are made from what is their essence or soul. You were born into the nobility of Menia, but as yet you are not a leader. I can teach you the secrets of the world, but you must be the one to decide when to use them and how to use them.”

     Velsusi stopped his pacing and stood directly in front of the prince. He looked into his eyes and continued. “A true leader is one who forgets himself and becomes the people, the land, and the messenger of the faith. You have it within yourself to become just such a person, Yvayn. Your father is just such a person and your grandfather was as well; that is why they shall always be remembered. You, however, are reluctant to accept your role in life. Some say you are a slave to your position, but I say you are not. A slave cannot make decisions, and you can.”

     Yvayn looked puzzled.

     “Think about what I have said…I have seen many fail because of selfishness. Think of others and not of yourself. Be of the one faith and not of the worldliness that abounds these days.” He held out his hand to him. The young prince held it and Velsusi pulled him out of the chair. Yvayn was about to speak, but Velsusi held his finger up to the old mouth much like that strange many did in Dymor. He took him to a mirror and made him face it.

     “Tell me what you see Yvayn.”

     The young prince looked deep into it, and then turned his head side to side. “I see myself.”

     “You do? Do you think that is you?”

     “Yes.” Yvayn said with hesitation.

     “What you see there is merely a reflection of an image…it is not you.”

     Yvayn felt stupid. “Oh…I see.”

     “You do, do you?”

     “That is my reflection, and I am me.” He pointed to himself. Velsusi touched the young boy’s shoulder hard. “That which you call yourself is merely an image as well reflected into this world. You are not simply flesh and blood my boy but much more.”

     “How’s that?”

     Velsusi rubbed his beard and looked out at the setting sun. “That knowledge will come in time if you seek from within yourself and stop imagining that you really know anything.”

     Yvayn looked completely puzzled and frustrated.

     “Be patient my young prince.”

     “Now you must rest. Go to sleep and we will talk again tomorrow.” The Elder led the youth out of the room and down the stairs to another room with a bed. This room was smaller and also had a table, a chair, and a small window facing east. He went inside. Velsusi closed the door behind him and walked back up the stairs. Yvayn sat on the bed; it reminded him of his room back at the castle. He missed his old room, but he found that he missed the room at the palace even more. He took off his boots and clothes and lay down on the bed. It was a hard bed and he tossed around quite a bit before finding a comfortable spot. He was tired from all the walking he had done earlier. He wished he had on the Semian clothes to sleep in to relax his sore legs. He thought about Enor, the old guard, and wondered about his own grandfather. His thoughts went back to Velsusi. He remembered a time when the old wizard visited the castle and pretended to be a wolf and chased him around the courtyard.

     “Oh, I miss the old man,” he thought. Velsusi had been like a grandfather to him but now he realized that he was also a wise teacher of many ages. “I guess I can get used to that.” He yawned and rolled over in the bed and shut his eyes.

     Yvayn awoke the next morning with the sun shining in his face. He then realized why the room had an east-facing window. He felt rested because he had not had that dream during the night. There was some rustling going on above him. He got up, dressed and went upstairs. He knocked on the door.

     “Come in, Velsusi’s voice rang clear from the other side, “good morning and what can I get you to eat?”

     “Good morning,” the youth’s voice cracked a little, “I would like to wash up first and then I would like some fruit, if you have any.”

     “The washroom is down the stairs and to your left, and yes, you can have some fresh apples and grapes from my garden.”

      “Thank you.” Yvayn quickly went down the stairs and cleaned himself, then ran back up the stairs with a new feeling of vigor. He went into the chamber room and sat down at the table Velsusi had prepared for him. “The others will be here early this morning. It’s time to get a move on with your journey.”

     Yvayn felt that familiar twinge of emotions at the mention of the journey, but this time he felt a little more at ease. The Elder brought a sense of relaxation to him.

     Velsusi was all business this morning. “Did you sleep well?”

     “Yes…”

     “Good, you need your rest.” He put a few things into a bag and went to a corner and picked up his old familiar staff. Then he stood by the prince who was wiping his mouth.

     “Are you ready?”

     He chewed his fruit. “Yes…but…”

     “But what?”

     “I want to ask you about something…but I don’t know how.”

     The Elder sat down next to the young prince and looked into his eyes. “Is it the journey?”

     “No. I have come to accept that.” He looked around the room. “It is about a dream I keep having.”

     “Is it bad?”

     “Yes…I always see two figures…a man and a young girl. Also, I see a darker figure that appears to be quite evil. I just don’t understand.”

     Velsusi looked at him closely. “It is probably your nerves, my young prince. Did you have it last night?”

     “No…”

     “Well, you see. I’m here now and everything will be just fine.”

     “But…

     “But what, Yvayn? We have to go.”

     “I just…never mind.”

     The two left the tower and headed toward the gate to wait. They were not there long before they heard a familiar voice calling to them.

     “Good morning, you two.” Myllyof picked up his pace, as did the others.

     “We must get to the harbor. I have a boat reserved for us.” Myllyof was surprisingly quick and began to walk toward the river.

     “I thought you hated boats, Myllyof?” Velsusi gave the emperor a very puzzled look. “I mean, you and I almost kissed the fish on your journey. And as I recall, you vowed never to set foot on another boat.” The old wizard laughed.

     “I’ve had a change of heart my old friend. We’ve waited enough, and now I want to put some distance into this journey. Besides, I got the best captain in all of Menia to take us North.

     “You know I suggested this a long time ago.” Velsusi looked offended. “And now this change of heart? Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

     “I’m fine…just fine, old man.”

     “He is prudent and wise. It is only natural that he would make such a decision,” Jullious said in a scoffing tone toward Velsusi.

     They stopped a moment and Termâs was about to say something, but Myllyof put his hand up toward the young guard. “Jullious…for you information, Velsusi is correct. I guess I saw the wisdom in what he said earlier, so don’t try to put this into my mouth when it was his idea before you ever heard it. Now get over yourself and your dislike of The Order.”

     The older guard gave Myllyof a strange look. “I do as I am told for that is my job. So, if you say it was his decision, then that is what it must be. I can only go by what I remember, and I remember no other conversation.”

     “How convenient.” Termâs finally could not hold his mouth any longer.

     “Now it does not matter. We are going by boat and that is that. Follow me and quit acting so…”

     “Stupid?” the young guard added.

     “You little…”

     “Stop it or I’ll tie both of you together for the rest of the journey.”

     At that, Yvayn began to laugh and Velsusi joined him with a loud throat-clearing laugh. Myllyof joined in as well, while the two guards moved away from each other.

     “Let’s get going before we have to walk.” Myllyof turned toward the harbor. The five moved quickly to catch their boat.

     “So, how was your evening with the old wizard?” Termâs moved alongside Yvayn.

     “Strange…” He looked at Velsusi walking down the street. “It wasn’t like when he visited me at the castle.”

     “Nothing will be like that out here.”

     They moved along at a faster pace to keep up with the quick-stepping old men. Velsusi’s staff clicked the ground in a steady beat as they made their way along the narrow side streets of Careath.

     Velsusi returned to Yvayn’s side and looked at him. The young prince stopped him a moment.

     “What is it Yvayn?”

     “How do you put up with people like Jullious?”

     Velsusi gave the young prince a smile and patted him on the back. “I’ve dealt with people like him for many years and will continue to for many more. They rarely change their perspective…no they cannot see others’ perspective. That is really what is the source of their attitudes.”

     “They can’t?”

     Velsusi smiled and then frowned. “No…they have brought this upon themselves and they don’t even know it. They reap what they sow and don’t care what seeds they cast along the way.”

     They picked up the pace and almost caught up with the others when Velusi turned to speak to Yvayn again, but he was gone. There was not so much as a cry our shout, but he was out of sight. Termâs turned about and began to run about looking for him as did Jullious and Myllyof. Then they saw a scuffle of men rushing toward the harbor dragging Yvayn with a sack over his head. The younger guard sprinted after them and were on them faster than the others pulling out his sword and using the end of it to knock out two large men with a thud on their heads. The other two men turned and were about to put up a fight when they saw Jullious and Myllyof coming with their swords drawn. They thought a moment and ran away.

     Yvayn sat up as Termâs pulled off the burlap sack. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were wild.

     “Are you okay?” Myllyof asked catching his breath.

     Yvayn drew in a deep breath. “Yes…what happened?”

     “Your guard…” Jullious started, but Myllof slapped his arm with a look of fierce anger.

     “Pirates most likely.” Velusi said looking at the two men still in a heap on the ground.

     “What do we do with them?” Termâs asked.

     “Leave ‘em.” Myllyof said. “We have another ship to catch before it’s gone.” He grabbed Yvayn by the arm and started back toward another part of the harbor.