The Legend Of The Wizard's Apprentice (Book 1) (34 page)

Before their conversation could progress further, Byamee came up to Kerwyn and said, “With Master Sernett down I think we should set up a defensive camp a bit further down the trail as I’m sure the smell from this dead creature’s body will bring all kinds of things that we will not want any part of. I will pick up and carry Master Sernett. Kerwyn are you ok to travel or do you need one of us to carry you?”

“I should be ok to walk and I agree we need to get out of here. Even now the smell is turning my stomach and it will only get much worse the longer we wait,” Kerwyn said.

Gathering up their things that they had dropped to make ready for battle in a hurry, the party set off down the trail.

About an hour’s walk from where the lava worm attacked them, the party stopped to set up their campsite for the night. It was still only early afternoon but they needed to give Master Sernett time to rest and regain his strength. Byamee set Master Sernett down onto his bedroll as soon as it was laid out, but he did not so much as flinch, and he was still unconscious. Kerwyn was getting worried about his master because he told him that so many wizards had died while trying to cast the spell of Pure White Energy Bolt.

Kerwyn went over to his master and placed his hands on either side of his head and, while drawing on the One Power, Kerwyn tried to heal his master. Gathering the One Power, Kerwyn started to channel it into his Master Sernett very slowly. He could see that the energy was being accepted by his master and was being absorbed but he was still deeply locked within his own mind, and not ready to awaken yet.

Giving more of the One Power to his master, Kerwyn hoped that it would act like a beacon and draw the wizard’s mind back to his body. He said a small prayer to Mother Nature for help and felt her respond. A small green light started to glow from Master Sernett as Mother Nature gave a small piece of herself to help him find his way back. Releasing his master’s head, Kerwyn knew that he had done everything that he could to help his Master Sernett’s mind find its way back to his body.

He looked up into Korowai’s eyes since she now stood very close to Kerwyn everywhere he went. Her guilt at not being the one to save him during the lava worm’s attack had really affected her. She was now compelled to stand watch over him. She had gone from just a woman who was infatuated with him into a woman that would give her life for him. She had the speed and power to keep him safe in almost any situation and she was determined to do just that.

“Korowai, we should gather some wood so that we can get a fire going to keep Master Sernett warm and be able to have a warm tea if he wakes up. I want to make sure he is as comfortable as possible. I know that he would do the same for any one of us,” Kerwyn said.

Under his breath Kerwyn whispered, “Come on, Master Sernett; find your way back soon. I can’t do this without you.”

He looked at his master for just a few more seconds before turning his back to go and look for some firewood. Had he continued looking at Master Sernett for just one minuter, he would have seen Master Sernett’s eyes twitch open for just a flicker of an instant. But that would have been enough time to see that his master’s mind was trying to come back.

Kerwyn and Korowai returned and got a nice little fire going. Kerwyn pulled out the pot to boil some water and to make some tea for his master.

While they were heating up some water, they also took the time to heat up some food and eat. Their little fire could not be seen from the trail as they were in far enough; that they couldn’t be seen from the road. The smoke was only a little trickle going up into the sky and unless you could fly above the thick canopy of the tees and you had a very sensitive nose, you would not have been able to detect it.

Everyone was a bit edgy not having Master Sernett up and around giving orders. He was after all the leader of this whole adventure. Also everyone looked up to him as the most experienced person who should be looking after the planning and direction the party took. Presently, everyone was missing Master Sernett’s wisdom and guidance.

All of a sudden there was a noise from high above the trees' canopy and it was a roar unlike any they had heard before. It was very deep pitched and the sound travelled for miles. Leaves started to fall from whatever was up there shaking the trees trying to get through. The party began to get worried after hearing snap after snap as the branches started to break and parts of the trees were falling to the ground around them. The sounds did not last long as the trees seemed to be stronger than the creature that was trying to break through. After a while all the noise coming from the upper canopy stopped and stillness returned to the forest.

“What was that?” asked Kerwyn out loud, hoping someone had an answer.

“I have no idea; I have never heard of a sound like that before. Whatever it was, it must be big,” Korowai said.

“Aye, I never heard anything like that before either!” exclaimed Durin.

Looking over at the Cyclopes he saw that all were shaking their heads with a very concerned look on their faces. Kerwyn realized that no one knew what that creature was. He also knew that this spot wasn’t going to be the best place to stay for much longer, especially with something that big and scary chasing them.

“Ok everyone, we need to get moving. If whatever that was comes back, who knows if the trees will protect us? Let’s take some firewood just in case we find a good spot to stop later on. We should try and get some distance between us and that thing,” Kerwyn said to the party.

Everyone gathered up their belongings and put the campfire out.

Byamee picked up Master Sernett and cradled him in his arms. With that everyone started to follow Kerwyn down the path in the direction they hoped was to the dragon’s lair and, after what seemed like a very long walk, they finally came into a clearing just off the path.

Byamee setting Master Sernett back down onto his bedroll just looked at him and thought how frail this old man really was. He knew that Master Sernett had amazing magic powers but he just looked like a frail old man right now. Byamee was amazed at such a small person being so powerful and this frail human had been given the Sanctus Abbas title along with Kerwyn – the most holy of Fathers of the entire Cyclops' people and the ultimate ruler of all the clans. He shook his head and hoped that Master Sernett woke up soon. They needed him far more then he would have ever admitted. But this small human was not only powerful and smart; he was one of his best friends. Master Sernett had spent a lot of time with Byamee and Celie learning about their culture and beliefs. His respect for this human was the highest he could give any mortal creature and how he missed his advice and guidance right now.

Glancing over at the rest of the group, Byamee saw each one of these creatures was as much a part of him now as his own family was. At first glance you would think that they all would be mortal enemies. But upon closer inspection the respect that each had for the other was amazing.

Each one had a duty to do and they did it without complaint. Looking at Kerwyn, Byamee saw this young man was growing up very fast. Also his powers always amazed not only his master but the rest of the party as well. Byamee truly believed that Kerwyn was the legendary hero of legends that had returned, but hadn’t said a word. He would respect Master Sernett and Kerwyn’s privacy. Kerwyn really seems naive and he would let him find out on his own whereas Master Sernett watched Kerwyn like a hawk and when he cast his spells, Master Sernett pushed Kerwyn extra hard to see if he could do it. Each time Master Sernett was amazed that Kerwyn had not only completed the spell but had exceeded his expectations as well.

Byamee looked up into the tree and felt the need to get up and do something as too much wondering makes for a lazy mind. Leaving Master Sernett’s side, Byamee missed seeing Master Sernett reach out in sudden motion as if he was trying to grasp onto a rock while floating down a river.

Kerwyn looked over at Byamee who had been looking down at his master and he saw the concern and respect on the Cyclops’s face. Knowing that Byamee and Master Sernett had become fast friends, Kerwyn felt bad for the big cyclops.

Looking over at his master’s still form, Kerwyn felt bad for all of them if his master didn’t wake soon. He looked up into the canopy of the tees checking to make sure that there wasn’t a huge creature waiting for them to set up camp and go to sleep. Shaking his head Kerwyn headed over to his master to sit with him. They agreed that there wouldn’t be a fire tonight, as they didn’t want to bring that creature back to their camp, especially with Master Sernett still unconscious.

“Kerwyn, how long do you think Master Sernett will be like this?” asked Korowai, “We need him and we need to keep moving. That creature could come looking for us again at anytime and we need to make sure that we are not here when it comes calling again.” She was standing so close beside him that he should have felt her touching him. She moved so fast and silently that Kerwyn wondered what else this magical creature could do. He had seen her do healing magic, and move super fast, and also move very silently. But wondered what her limits were. He was starting to wonder if she had any limits at all. She was such a strong warrior and beautiful woman that Kerwyn was glad to have her on his team and very glad that she was at his side.

“Korowai, you startled me. I was just wondering the same thing,” said Kerwyn trying to hide the fact that she had caught him completely off guard.

“Tonight is the night that I need to transform into a tree so I hope that we will not be attacked by any creatures as I will be slow to change back and be of any help. I just want you to know because I won’t be able to protect you as well as I should be able to,” Korowai informed him.

“That’s ok, Korowai, we are not having a fire tonight as we do not want to bring unwanted attention to us. We need time for Master Sernett to awaken and come back to full health. I think we’re going to have to stay here for a few days until he is well again. We are going to need his magic and advice if we are going to find this dragon and win the answers that we require from it,” Kerwyn said.

“I agree. Anyway, I need to go transform so I want you to sleep underneath my tree so at least I can be close to you. I will at least be able to protect you from the rain when it starts a few hours from now,” Korowai said.

“How do you know it’s going to rain; I haven’t seen the sky in a few days?” asked Kerwyn.

“Kerwyn, that’s what I love about you. You are very naive and forget that I am part tree, and trees know when it’s going to rain,” Korowai said as she started to transform. Raising her arms, Kerwyn watched as they grew into branches and her shape elongated as she transformed into her seven-foot tall oak tree form.

Setting up his bedroll underneath her tree form with Master Sernett, Kerwyn knew they would be out of the rain once it started. Looking again at his master, all Kerwyn could do was hope and pray to Mother Nature that Master Sernett would be ok.

Just as Kerwyn was climbing into his bedroll, a voice from across the clearing called out to them.

“Hello, can a friendly traveller join your group for the night. I can share a deer that I have caught as long as we can have a fire,” said the strange voice with a thick accent that Kerwyn couldn’t place.

The entire party was on high alert at the sound of the strange voice but it was Kerwyn who called back, “Be welcome to our camp if you are indeed friendly.”

“Thank you and I assure you I am friendly,” said the voice. As the figure entered the clearing, the party could tell that it was Elvin. As he got closer Kerwyn could tell that he was quite tall for an elf. In fact, he must have stood about six and a half feet tall. He had light blond hair that glowed almost golden in the waning light. He also had greenish eyes that glinted with the same golden colour of his hair. Looking closer at the elf he looked like he was very old and had seen many seasons.

“Friends, I am Rinfaf from the Mountain Elves; domain. Thank you for welcoming me into your party for the evening. I was dreading having to spend another night alone with all of the evil that is roaming the forest these days. Excuse me, my good fellow,” Rinfaf said while looking up at Byamee, “But would you mind helping me with this deer? We need to get a fire going and then we can have a feast fit for a king.”

Byamee looked at Kerwyn for approval to start a fire and to get the deer cooking. He was given the nod and so he asked the other Cyclopes to help him. In no time they had a good fire going and the deer was on a spit cooking.

“Thank you again, my friends. My, what an exciting group of creatures you have pulled together. But may I ask what is wrong with the old fellow over there under that tree; is he not well?” asked Rinfaf.

“Thank you for asking about him. He is my master and he is sick right now; he hasn’t woke up in over a day and we are beginning to get worried about him,” Kerwyn said.

“If I may, I have some healing abilities that perhaps you don’t have and I may be able to help him. That is only if you'd allow me to try?” offered Rinfaf.