The Legend Of The Wizard's Apprentice (Book 1) (35 page)

Kerwyn feeling good vibes from this creature, allowed him to look at his master. At this point Kerwyn was getting desperate and wanted his master back to full health. Rinfaf bent over and put Master Sernett’s head between his hands and closed his eyes. After a few seconds Kerwyn saw a yellow golden glow coming from Rinfaf’s hands and noticed Master Sernett moving. After what seemed like forever Master Sernett opened his eye and just looked at Rinfaf with wonder.

“I was lost and then I saw you. You were calling to me and I knew that if I followed you that I would be set free. Thank you for helping me. Can I have your name, good sir?” Master Sernett asked sitting up.

“My name is Rinfaf and I am from the Mountain Elves' domain. Your good friends here allowed me the chance to try and help you. I noticed that you were lost within your mind; I have seen this once before in someone who drew too much of the One Power. Are you a Master Wizard then?” asked Rinfaf.

“I am a Master Wizard and again I thank you for helping me find my way back,” said the wizard. Looking over at Kerwyn, Master Sernett smiled and said to him that he was very happy that he wasn’t dead. Getting up, Kerwyn and Master Sernett embraced.

Rinfaf just looked around, a bit confused. Durin made it clear for Rinfaf by saying. “Aye, that is his son, and he thought he had been killed by the lava worm that we battled. It sprayed lava and coated him. He is just an apprentice but he is still a powerful wizard as well. Master Sernett thought that Kerwyn was killed, as the last thing he saw was his son going down under a spray of lava,” explained Durin.

“Ah, now I understand; the father was enraged that he thought his son had died and cast a spell that was too powerful for him. I understand the rage that losing a child could bring to a father and I would have done exactly the same thing. I too would have used my most powerful magic to kill the creature responsible.

That explains the smell that was coming from the forest; it is the dead lava worm’s body starting to decay. Well I am glad that I was able to help your master come back to the land of wakefulness,” Rinfaf said, smiling.

Byamee called out to everyone that the deer was cooked and they could start eating now that everyone was awake and able to.

They all started to eat the deer and talk about the travels that Rinfaf had been on. Rinfaf was a great storyteller you could tell that he had been alive for a long time. Master Sernett just put his arm around Kerwyn and told him that he was sorry he wasn’t able to help and asked how he escaped the lava.

Kerwyn showed Master Sernett the ring of Fire Protection that he was given by Master Faunus. Rinfaf was very intent on the ring and the story of it protecting Kerwyn form the lava worm, and also that he had received it as a gift from one of the great Forest Elvin wizards.

Shaking his head, Rinfaf said that was a very special gift and one that he should cherish, especially since it saved his life. He said that there were only a few of the old rings of power still remaining in the world of man.

He said that he had heard of this one ring many years ago and that it had been stolen from the great dragon, Fafnir, who would be very interested in finding one of his prized rings again. Kerwyn said that he would gladly trade the ring for a chance to have a conversation with the dragon. They explained why they were looking for the dragon Fafnir in the first place. Rinfaf seemed to be impressed that Kerwyn wasn’t a thief and was willing to trade the very expensive ring back for some simple information.

As they talked well into the night the party picked who would do first watch and so on. Rinfaf said that in the morning he would most likely be gone as he had some distance to travel and things to attend to. But he wanted to thank the party for the wonderful company and conversation. He wished them well before everyone turned in for bed. Just before Kerwyn went to bed Rinfaf called him for a private conversation.

“Kerwyn, did you mean what you said that you would give up that wonderful ring, just for some answers to some of your questions?” asked Rinfaf.

“I am a man of my word, Rinfaf. If the dragon is willing then that is what I will barter for my answers. We mean him no harm and we are not going there to steal from him either. We need these answers so that maybe we can find the legendary wizard and help him get rid of the Dark Master once and for all,” Kerwyn said.

“I don’t understand, what do you mean that you need to find the Legendary Wizard?” asked Rinfaf with a perplexed look on his face

“Well, as legend has it, the Legendary Wizard is the only one who can defeat the Dark Master in battle, and the battle has returned to our land. That is why there is so much evil around here these days,” Kerwyn said.

“Ah... I understand, so you are just an apprentice wizard who, with your master, are trying to locate this Legendary Wizard to defeat this evil Master and return the land back to good?” asked Rinfaf.

“Well it does sound kind of crazy I know, but no one else is doing anything about it. Someone needs to try or all is lost to evil,” Kerwyn said almost in a defeated voice.

“You are very honourable man Master Kerwyn; one that will change the world forever. I'd almost like to say that you were Legendary yourself. I for one would say that the dragon Fafnir would be silly not to answer your questions. After all, you are trying to save the world. Well good night, Master Kerwyn, it was a great honour to meet you and thank you for not only sharing your camp but your friendship as well,” Rinfaf walked away from Kerwyn and moved closer to the fire, laid down and he was asleep before Kerwyn even pulled his bedroll up around him.

chapter sixteen

INTO THE BELLY OF THE DRAGON

When it was Kerwyn’s time to take his shift at night watch, he noticed that Rinfaf was already gone. Walking up to Elden before the cyclops went to sleep, Kerwyn asked, “When did Rinfaf leave?”

“He left about an hour ago, said all he needed was just a little cat nap and he was good to go. He said that it was nice to meet some new friendly and honest people and that he would have loved to stay with our party longer but that he had to go; as he had some things that needed to be taken care of before his company arrived. Oh one other thing he said was that he will see us again soon,” Elden finished shrugging his shoulders.

“Hmm, I wonder what that means. He was a really nice Elf and he did tell some really great stories. Maybe he’s a storyteller or maybe even a bard guildsman. I have heard that bards travel the world telling stories and singing old songs from long ago. They are like walking history lessons but they are actually fun to listen to. Or maybe he’s just an elf that likes to meet new people.

Oh well, it was nice to meet him and I am sorry to see him go. He would have made the trip so much more entertaining.” Remembering some of the stories from the night before, Kerwyn turned and walked back to where his master was sitting to check on his health, and to see how he was doing.

Across the clearing a pair of sharp golden eyes watched the party in silence and was listening intently to Kerwyn and Elden’s conversation. With as much of a smile as it could muster on its face, it turned away from the clearing. The sheer size of the creature was enormous and it startled a pair of sleeping crows as it took flight and headed for home.

Kerwyn and Elden jumped up as the crashing sound through the forest came and went just as quickly. All they knew for certain was that it had been very big and was heading away from them fast. Looking at each other they started to wonder if it was the same creature that was above the canopy of the trees yesterday. They were also wondering if they were still being hunted, or if it was just a coincidence that the sound was so close. Elden lay back down and shook his head as he was going to try and get a bit more sleep. Kerwyn thought that they would have to talk to Master Sernett about this creature in the morning. Maybe he will have some idea as to what to do about it.

The rest of the night was uneventful and Kerwyn on many occasions went by Korowai in tree form and just ran his hand along her bark to reassure her that he was ok. He could feel her shiver with his touch, letting him know that she knew he was there and safe. Kerwyn felt that he owed her that much respect as she had dedicated her life to protecting him. Also, if Korowai and Erlina were both making a claim for his affections, then he could do no less for them. Kerwyn was no ladies’ man but he was enjoying the attention that both these beautiful women were showing him and he thought that it was hard not to be extremely flattered by it.

As the sun started to shine through the canopy of the trees overhead, a beam of sunlight was catching Korowai’s tree form in almost a halo-like effect.

Kerwyn watched the beautiful sight as Korowai started to change back into humanoid form. With each second passing her beauty was enhanced by that little beam of sunlight. Kerwyn started to blush as he could not help himself from staring at her. When Korowai was fully humanoid again she just stood there catching the light in her bark hair.

Closing her eyes, Kerwyn watched her draw in a deep breath, which filled up her chest and accentuated her figure. His eyes took in her whole form; she was very lean and very well muscled but not overly as to look too much like a boy. She did have that hourglass shape that all men hunger for and all women dream of having. There was no doubt in Kerwyn’s mind that she was a beautiful woman and one that had said she was his. Korowai opened up her eyes and caught Kerwyn staring at her.

With a shy smile and a flutter of her eyelashes, she asked him, “What are you looking at? You saw me transform last night and you didn’t stare this much; what’s different about today?” Looking down at herself, Korowai didn’t see anything out of the normal about her outfit. It was part of her magic to transform her clothing and equipment as well as her body to tree form and back with no damage to either.

“Kerwyn stop staring, you’re making me blush,” Korowai said this last in a voice that wasn’t angry or hostile. She actually enjoyed having Kerwyn stare at her. Brushing her hair over her left ear, the sunlight finally moved into a different position, breaking Kerwyn’s trance that he had been in.

He looked down at Master Sernett who had been watching the exchange between Kerwyn and Korowai and said, “Oh Kerwyn, my boy, you are in big trouble and you do not even realize it yet. When a man stops to stare at a beautiful woman and the sunlight is involved, you know that Mother Nature has had a hand in that moment. Your trance-like state will only get worse and you will fall helplessly in love with that woman. I’ll give you some advice, my boy; whatever you do, don’t try to fight it because Mother Nature will always win.” Laughing at his own joke, Master Sernett got up and started stretching.

“I can’t believe how good I feel after being unconscious. Rinfaf has some amazing healing magic. I just wish we had the chance to learn how he did what he did. Also, he would have made for a good companion to our group.

Well we had better get breakfast into us and get back on the road,” Master Sernett said.

“Master, are you sure you are alright? I thought for sure that we would be here for at least a few days until you regained your strength?” questioned Kerwyn.

“Nonsense, I feel great. In fact, I feel better than I have in a few weeks. Nope, that Rinfaf ’s magic was something else. I feel great and I am ready to go see the dragon. I want to get this adventure over with and we need the answers as to where the Legendary Wizard is. We need to learn what’s with the evil spirit inside of you and how to get rid of it and, most importantly, how do we get this bloody Tree of Life acorn to grow.” Master Sernett called out for the rest of the party to get breakfast started and that he was as hungry as an ox. Master Sernett looked revived and healthy as he made his way over to the fire to make himself a cup of tea.

Kerwyn saw but could not believe how healthy his Master had become in just one night’s sleep. He almost couldn’t keep the smile from his face at how his master was acting. The wizard seemed at least a few years younger then he had been even just the other day. Not paying much attention to his new vitality of his master’s step, Kerwyn was just grateful that he was alive and well. Without his master, this adventure might have come to a halt and that meant that perhaps the world would succumb to the evil that was rising to claim its prize.