Arutha looked around and said, “I think we have seen all of interest we are likely to. Perhaps we should return to the ship.”
When none disagreed, the Prince said, “What of you, friend traveler?”
The stranger spread his hands in a general gesture. “I continue my habit of solitude, Your Highness. I have enjoyed this small visit, and the boy’s news of the occurrences of the world outside, but I doubt that you would find me tomorrow if you were to seek me.”
It was evident he was unlikely to provide any more information, and Arutha found himself growing irritated with the man’s obscure answers. “Then we bid you farewell, traveler. May the gods watch over you.”
“And you as well, Prince of Crydee.”
As they turned to leave, Pug felt something trip his ankle, and he fell hard against Kulgan. Both went down in a tangle of bodies, and the traveler helped the boy up. Meecham and Gardan assisted the stout mage to his feet. Kulgan put weight upon his foot and started to fall. Arutha and Meecham grabbed him. The traveler said, “It appears your ankle is turned, friend magician. Here.” He held out his staff. “My staff is stout oak and will bear your weight as you return to the ship.”
Kulgan took the offered staff and put his weight on it. He took an experimental step and found that he could negotiate the path with the aid of the staff. “Thank you, but what of yourself?”
The stranger shrugged. “A simple staff, easily replaced, friend magician. Perhaps I shall have the opportunity of reclaiming it someday.”
“I will keep it against that day.”
The traveler turned away, saying, “Good. Then until that day, again farewell.”
They watched as he walked back into the building, and then turned to face each other, expressions of wonder upon their faces. Arutha was the first to speak. “A strange man, this traveler.”
Kulgan nodded “More strange than you know, Prince. At his leaving I feel the lifting of some enchantment, as if he carries a spell about him, one that makes all near him trusting.”
Pug turned to Kulgan. “I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I didn’t seem to be able to make myself.”
Meecham said, “Aye, I felt that also.”
Gardan said, “There is a thought in my mind I think we have been speaking to the sorcerer himself.”
Pug said, “That is my thought.”
Kulgan leaned on the staff and said, “Perhaps. If it is so, then he has his own reasons for masking his identity.” They talked about this as they walked slowly up the path from the villa.
As they reached the cove where the boat was beached, Pug felt something brush against his chest. He reached inside his tunic and found a small folded piece of parchment. He withdrew it, startled by his find. He had not picked it up, as well as he could remember. The traveler must have slipped it inside his shirt when he had helped Pug to his feet.
Kulgan looked back as he started for the boat and, seeing Pug’s expression, said, “What have you there?”
Pug handed the parchment over, while the others gathered around the magician. Kulgan unfolded the parchment. He read it, and a surprised expression crossed his face. He read it again, aloud. “I welcome those who come with no malice in their hearts. You will know in days to come that our meeting was not by chance. Until we meet again, keep the hermit’s staff as a sign of friendship and goodwill Seek me not until the appointed time, for that too is foreordained Macros.”
Kulgan handed the message back to Pug, who read it. “Then the hermit was Macros!”
Meecham rubbed his beard. “This is something beyond my understanding.”
Kulgan looked up to the castle, where the lights still flashed in the single window. “As it is beyond mine, old friend. But whatever it means, I think the sorcerer wishes us well, and I find that a good thing.”
They returned to the ship and retired to their cabins. After a night of rest, they found the ship ready to leave on the midday tide. As they raised sail, they were greeted with unseasonably light breezes, blowing them directly for Krondor.
TWELVE - Councils
Pug was restless.
He sat looking out a window of the Prince’s palace in Krondor. Outside, the snow was falling, as it had been for the last three days. The Duke and Arutha had been meeting with the Prince of Krondor daily. On the first day Pug had told his story about finding the Tsurani ship, then had been dismissed. He remembered that awkward interview.