The second house was a simple, massive stone pavilion. The front was completely open, the view overlooking the courtyard and the gardens beyond. Heavy wooden panels were folded like an accordion at both sides of the opening to cover the front of the house in cold or stormy weather.
As Alex entered the second house, an overwhelming mixture of smells greeted him. A banquet had been laid out for them on three large tables. Eight comfortable-looking chairs were placed around a smaller, fourth table in the center of the room, waiting for them to arrive.
“The Oracle knows the way to a man’s heart,” Skeld commented, piling food on his plate.
“The way to your heart is no great mystery, Skeld,” said Tayo, looking happier than Alex had ever seen him.
The food on the tables, as Alex found out from his friends, was from many different lands. Alex tried so many different dishes, he had trouble remembering what any of them were called. He was a little worried about some of the food however, because he wasn’t sure what it was made of and Skeld kept joking about what the ingredients might be.
Some of the food was easy to identify, and the taste of even simple things like potatoes or peas seemed more intense to Alex. There were all kinds of meat and vegetables that Alex had never seen before, and several kinds of fresh, warm bread. Sweet, sour, spicy, and even smoky flavors turned up in the different dishes—each new flavor better than the last.
“If this is refreshment, what will dinner be?” questioned Thrang, refilling his mug with some aged red ale that he seemed to enjoy.
“I doubt it will be so grand as this,” Arconn replied with a knowing smile. “It is said the lady eats little. I doubt so many foods will be brought to her table.”
They left the banquet behind them, moving into the third house—the bathhouse.
The company entered a room with several small changing rooms inside it. Each of the changing rooms had a stack of clean, white towels, as well as a place for Alex and his friends to put their things. On the far side of the room was another doorway, leading to a room with a dozen enormous brass tubs. Low walls separated each of the tubs for privacy, but still allowed the adventurers to talk to each other while they bathed. Eight of the tubs were already filled with steaming water.
“A blessing indeed,” said Skeld as he dove into the tub nearest the door, splashing water everywhere.
“The water is meant to stay in the tub,” growled Thrang, whipping water out of his eyes.
Alex thought the hot bath was even better than the meal. The hot water was wonderful and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so clean and comfortable. He made a mental note to add a bath to his magic bag as soon as he had a chance.
Clean and full, they left the room with the brass tubs and returned to their clothes. There was a moment of stunned silence when they re-entered the first room. Next to each companion’s dirty travel clothes was a fine new set of clothes waiting for them. New leather boots were waiting as well, shining from fresh polish.
“The Oracle’s kindness continues,” said Arconn, looking at a sky-blue shirt that was sitting by his things.
“Why does the lady favor us so?” Tayo questioned, looking at his new silver-gray shirt. “We have done nothing worthy of such honors.”
Alex dressed in a dark green shirt that fit him perfectly, and his new belt had a bright silver buckle on it. He pulled on his new boots, and looked at himself in one of the large mirrors near the entrance of the building.
“A proper adventurer,” said Skeld from behind him. “And a perfect fit all around.”
“It seems strange,” Alex commented, looking at Skeld in the mirror. “Are oracles normally so kind?”
“At times,” Skeld replied. “Though perhaps not so often as some would hope, and rarely so generous as this.”
“The ways of oracles should not be questioned,” said Thrang, pulling on a dark red shirt. “If there’s a reason for this kindness, we will learn it soon enough.”
“Whatever the reason, we seem to have won the lady’s favor,” said Bregnest, pushing Skeld away from the mirror so he could look at himself.
When they finally left the bathhouse, the sun was already moving to the west. Alex and his friends walked into the sleeping house where they found eight large beds ready and waiting for them. Each of them chose a bed, and Alex noticed that the others put their magic bags and weapons on their beds. Alex did the same, though he wasn’t too happy about leaving the magic bag behind.
“It’s tradition,” said Thrang, seeing Alex’s look. “The bags are for travelers, not guests, and weapons are for warriors, not friends.”
Alex nodded, then followed Thrang out of the sleeping house into the shady courtyard where they waited to be summoned. They did not have to wait long; as soon as the sun touched the western hills, a young woman appeared from the tower.
“My mistress bids you welcome,” she said in a voice that sounded like falling water. “She asks that you follow me to the dining chamber of the tower.”
“We are honored,” replied Bregnest, bowing to the young woman.
The rest of the company followed Bregnest’s example and bowed. The young woman seemed pleased and smiled as she turned back to the tower.
Bregnest led the company as they followed their guide into the tower. On entering the tower, they ascended a wide, stone staircase that looked polished and new. Alex wondered how old the young woman was and how she had come to work at the Oracle’s tower. He felt the strange tingling in his hands and feet again and guessed that he was feeling the magic of the tower.
At the top of the stairs, their guide turned to the right and, after a short walk, the company entered a large room with
a round table in the center. On one side of the table stood a high-backed silver chair that was flanked by eight plain, wooden chairs.
“Master Bregnest,” said the young woman, indicating the wooden chair directly to the left of the silver one.
The woman continued calling each of the company by name and indicating which seat they should take. Lastly, she asked Alex to take the chair on the right of the silver chair.
“My mistress will join you shortly,” said the woman, bowing to the company and departing.
“You are highly honored,” Thrang said to Alex, sitting down on Bregnest’s left.
Alex didn’t understand what he meant, but he remembered how the company had been seated around Bregnest at their dinner in Telous. There seemed to be some meaning to the seating arrangement then, and there was now as well, but Alex didn’t know what it was.
“Welcome, honored guests,” a warm, friendly sounding voice said.
A tall, dark-haired woman stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes moving around the table to look at each of them. She wore a pure white dress edged in silver, and a wide, happy smile. The adventurers stared, dumbfounded, as the woman gracefully crossed the room and took her place in the silver chair.
“Please, be at ease,” said the woman. “I am Iownan, Oracle of the White Tower. I welcome you here, and I thank you for joining me.”
“It is our great pleasure,” Bregnest managed to reply as he started to rise from his chair. “The honor is truly ours.”
“You are most kind, Silvan Bregnest,” replied the lady with a smile. “Please, be seated.”
“May I introduce my company?” Bregnest asked as he returned to his seat.
“I know them all,” replied Iownan. “I have watched as you have traveled in this land, and I know of your quest.”
“You know much, great lady,” Bregnest stammered. “And we are in your debt for the kindness you have shown us.”
“You need not be so formal, Master Bregnest,” Iownan replied. “This is but a dinner party. Tonight I am simply your host, not the Oracle.”
“Your pardon, lady,” said Bregnest, inclining his head. “Though I must say, we have felt somewhat troubled by your kindness. We have done nothing to deserve your generous gifts.”
Iownan laughed happily before she replied. “I have shown you a small kindness, though some would think it great.”
She clapped her hands and several servants carrying trays entered the room. The table was quickly filled with an assortment of food and drink, and Iownan laughed again as she looked at the company.
“I hope you see something you like,” said Iownan. “It’s not often my cooks have reason to prepare such a meal.”
“Lady,” Bregnest stammered, “we are overcome with your kindness.”
Iownan smiled and invited them to help themselves to whatever they liked. Though the company had eaten a great deal earlier in the day, they each made an effort to at least sample everything on the table.
Alex noticed Iownan herself ate little of anything.
“Don’t worry about me, Master Taylor,” said Iownan, looking Alex in the eyes. “I will not go without. Please, have some more.”
Alex was impressed with Iownan, and it seemed that all his friends were as well. They all took great pains to show proper respect, remaining silent whenever Iownan spoke.
“You are excellent guests,” Iownan commented when the trays had been picked clean. “I hate for this evening to end, but end it must. Before you rest, though, I will answer the two questions that you all would ask.”
Alex and his friends straightened in their seats as Iownan spoke, looks of wonder on their faces.
“The first is why my invitation was sent to young Master Taylor, instead of Master Bregnest,” she said, smiling at Alex. “This was because Master Taylor has the power of a true wizard in him, though he doubts it himself. And a wizard, even one untrained, should always be given respect.”
Alex’s face flushed red as Iownan spoke, and he looked down at his napkin.
“You need not feel shame or embarrassment here,” said Iownan, reaching out her hand to lift Alex’s chin. “You are among friends and what I say is true.”
Alex continued to blush as he looked at Iownan, but now he didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
“The second question,” she continued, looking around at the company, “is what I would ask of you in return for my kindness.”
Iownan paused for a moment before continuing. Alex noticed that his friends looked worried. He wondered what Iownan would ask of them.
“Ask what you will, great lady,” Bregnest said sincerely. “If it is within our power, we shall do it.”
“You speak before you know what I would ask,” said Iownan in a thoughtful tone. “I will not hold you bound to this now, nor will I speak of what I will ask until a later time. Be content to know that I will ask, and I believe you will do as I ask for friendship alone.”
“You are most generous, lady,” replied Bregnest. “Your counsel is your own. We will await your request.”
Iownan smiled. “Go now and find your rest. I will speak with each of you tomorrow as the Oracle of the White Tower.”
The company stood and bowed as Iownan left the room. For a moment, Alex thought the light in the room seemed to dim behind her.
“My lords,” said a young man from the doorway. “I am Rothgar, and the lady commands I should see to your needs this evening.”
“The lady is most kind,” said Bregnest, nodding to Rothgar. “Though I feel that sleep will be our only need this night. I thank you for your kindness, and the lady for sending you.”
“As you wish,” Rothgar replied with a bow. “I will guide you to your rest.”
They followed Rothgar down a corridor for some distance, then turned left, climbing a flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs, they turned right and suddenly found themselves outside the tower entrance.
“But we went upstairs when we entered,” said Alex, looking up at the tower in puzzlement.