The old man sighed, staring at the floor, then looked at Thomas. “Alright kid. Looks like I have some work to do with you guys.”
Henry looked at Alanna and Thomas as if seeing them for the first time. “On second thought, maybe it would be better if you got some rest first. You guys don't look so good. I have a room upstairs that's not being used. It might be a little... oh I don't know... dusty. No one has stayed there in over a hundred years. Believe it or not I don't get around to housekeeping all that often.”
“You're offering us a room?” Alanna said in relief. “We really appreciate this.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, big softy and all that.” Henry shrugged.
Thomas didn't have the energy to argue. He wanted to know why they were here, but he was feeling dizzy, hot and tired. Alanna pulled him up off the chair which sent his world reeling. “We need to get you upstairs Thomas.”
“Yep. Top of the stairs, turn left, first room on your right. Breakfast call will be whenever the heck I get up and decide to make it.” Henry shuffled off to another room downstairs.
The room waiting for Thomas and Alanna was exactly as Henry had described it. Unlikely to have been lived in for the previous few centuries. The dust covered the bed and dresser in the room in a layer so thick, that everything had a homogenous greyish brown colour. Alanna's mouth hung open and her frown was so deep that her forehead resembled a stepladder of wrinkles.
“He can't be serious!” Alanna gasped.
“He doesn't hit me as the kidding kind.” Thomas grabbed a corner of the top blanket on the bed and pulled it back. He immediately wished he hadn't. Dead bugs and unidentifiable stains adorned the inner moth eaten sheets.
“I suppose this won't be too much worse than staying outside. At least we're out of the rain and reasonably warm.” Thomas swayed again. “Or maybe it's just me that's warm.”
“Oh Thomas, you have to lay down.” Alanna grabbed his pack and pulled out his sleeping roll. None of his provisions had gotten wet in the rain or the flood. Thomas had really packed his stuff well. She yanked it out and covered the dust laden bed.
Thomas immediately lay down on the roll and felt the world rush around him. Alanna sat beside him. “One roll.”
“There are some pink pyjamas in there as well.” Thomas offered. “They are girls pyjamas, so they'll probably look better on you then they did on me.”
Thomas smiled weakly. He turned his head to allow Alanna to get dressed.
Alanna quirked an eyebrow. “I really would like to know the story behind you wearing these.” Thomas turned to look at Alanna. He was right. She looked incredibly cute in the pyjamas.
“I'll share it with you someday.” Thomas nodded and everything went out of focus.
“Are you alright!” Alanna placed a hand on Thomas' arm. “You're freezing!”
This was news to Thomas, he felt burning hot.
Alanna laid down beside Thomas and held him close.
Thomas doubted that anyone would notice him blushing in his current condition.
“I never thanked you for saving me Thomas.” Alanna was talking so softly that Thomas couldn't be sure it wasn't part of his fever.
“I wouldn't even be here to save you, if you hadn't pulled me out of the water.”
“We've come a long way together. I would hate to have lost you so soon. Life is interesting when you are around.” Alanna winked at Thomas. Things went silent for a little while. Thomas was just about to fall asleep when Alanna spoke again.“Thomas? How did you get rid of the Shadow?” Alanna asked carefully.
Thomas didn't say anything.
“I read your book. I really am sorry. I just don't understand. You said you aren't a wizard. It doesn't make sense, what you did back there, that had to have been your magic.”
Thomas brought his hand up to look at the ring that he had found with the pyjamas. It may have been him at the helm, but the magic wasn't his.
“I'm not sure. I think it has something to do with this ring.” He hoped fervently that she hadn't found the 'other' part of the journal. “I could barely do anything right before I got this ring. Now here I am, with you, at a crazy old seer's cottage, on top of a mountain, battling Shadows and preparing for the next part in our little ruse.”
“I think you sell yourself short Thomas. I have seen you do many brave things. Maybe your ring helped you with the Shadow, but I'm talking about your character. You've taken good care of me. Throwing yourself in harms way to save someone? The ring has nothing to do with that.”
Thomas smiled and felt a warmness wash over him that had nothing to do with his fever.
“You better get some rest, you need to get well quickly for the journey back.” Alanna rested her hand on his, and put an arm around him. Despite the horrible conditions of the room, Thomas had never felt so comfortable in his life. Sleep washed over him like a wave, pulling him off to into a dream of a life with Alanna that he knew he could never have, a dream he wished he didn't have to wake up from.
CHAPTER 24
BETRAYAL
Gatsby landed in the courtyard just outside the castle. It was late at night now, and he didn't want to startle the king.
He looked around with a cursory glance. Quiet. They didn't really put too much effort into their security around here. Gatsby shifted back to his human form. He had carried a pack here with all the essentials. Dressing quickly, he made his way up to the palace doors.
Standing on guard in the main doorway was a formidable man. Tretchbolt! What was he doing here? He was a loner! He hadn't served a king in a millennium. Tretchbolt grunted as he saw Gatsby approach the door.
“Well well. What do we have here? Thought for sure you would be still at home with your tail between your legs.”
Gatsby cursed. If there was one individual that could get under his skin faster than a tick, it was Tretchbolt.
“I'm here on official business Tretchbolt. I would back off if I were you.” Gatsby tried to sound confident.
Tretchbolt's eyes gleamed as he leaned closer to Gatsby. “It better be, because if it weren't, I would skin you alive.” Tretchbolt looked up to the other guard at the door and nodded. The door swung open.
Gatsby let out his breath and strode in with all the pomposity befitting of a prince. Now to find the king.
*****
Tretchbolt's eyes narrowed, following Gatsby's stride through the hall. He disappeared down the hall that led to the king's meeting room. Tretchbolt had been around long enough to know trouble when he saw it. Gatsby... back so quickly from the Red Dragon kingdom, when they should be flaying him for being away so long. His arrival in the middle of the night with Alanna and the kid wizard being away was a bad sign. Yes, trouble was coming. Tretchbolt smiled. He didn't mind trouble though. That was his forte.
“Straighten up! Tomorrow you will do double exercises.” Tretchbolt yelled at the guards in the vicinity.
“What did I do?!” the guard nearest him called back.
“You were born soft, and we need iron right now.” Tretchbolt looked again to the hall Gatsby had gone down. “And we need it fast!”
*****
Gatsby strode down the hall toward the large doors that led into the meeting room. A couple of guards were standing outside, looking rather bored.
Feeling every bit the lord of the castle, Gatsby sauntered up to the guards. “Let the king know, Gatsby Blackrock is here.”
“The king is in a meeting. I'm afraid you...”
“I said let him know I am here! I have important information for him!”
The guard stumbled over his words looking confused. “Very well Lord Gatsby.”
The guard entered the hall, and returned a few minutes later. “I'm sorry my lord. The king would like for you to wait for a few minutes. He shouldn't be too...”
Gatsby was fed up with this guard. He pushed past him and into the chamber.
The king was in discussion with several lesser lords about somethin
g when Gatsby entered. The king turned to look at Gatsby and his eyes flared in anger.
“GATSBY! I asked for you to wait outside.”
Gatsby strode forward with all the confidence of a strutting peacock. He had to show his worth, he had to confront him about Thomas and win Alanna back. Pray he wasn't too late.
“I had to see you immediately. This is a matter of great importance. It involves your daughter.”
“I see.” The king replied slowly. “what is this news that couldn't wait?”
“Your daughter is off with an imposter!”
“What?! Gatsby, I swear... you better explain quickly!”
“It has come to my attention that Thomas is no wizard. I don't know what his intentions with your daughter are, but he has lied to you. He's tricked and made a fool of you!”
*****
The king Stared at Gatsby so intensely he thought his eyes should surely bore a hole through that thick head of Gatsby's. HOW DARE he barge into the meeting with the heads of all the major houses of dragon gathered. Now he had been publicly defied. Curse Gatsby. What had brought this on?
“I swear Gatsby, you are a pontificating moron who is thicker than this wall. Thomas is on a quest with Alanna. You know this! You are partially responsible for this turn of events.”
“He tricked us all sire, but to dupe you....”
Alkamire ground his teeth on hearing the word 'dupe'.
“...well that's inexcusable. If he should return....”
“IF he returns that is my business, not yours Gatsby. You may be a prince where you come from, but here you are nothing. It would be well if you remembered that.”
The damage however, had been done. Alkamire knew that Thomas was no wizard, but he had hoped to have the help of the Red Dragon as well as the wizard world. Wizard or not, Thomas was kin to one of the most powerful beings in the realm. Curse Gatsby. What had happened? Gatsby had gone home. He would have told his father that Alanna was going to marry a human.
That was information worth chewing on. A human who would be tied by blood to the BlueShift Dragons. That may not have sat well with Ganton, who didn't particularly like humans at the best of times. Ganton must have sent Gatsby back to regain his position. Gatsby was an unknowing pawn in a very serious game. This confrontation in front of the other dragon races was no accident. He was forcing Alkamire to confront Thomas publicly.
“I am not about to make any decisions with Thomas not here to defend himself.” Alkamire proclaimed.
“That is fine with me. When he comes, we'll confront him and you'll...”
“I SAID I WILL DEAL WITH HIM!”
Gatsby shrank back from the king momentarily, then regained composure.
“As you wish.”
The king looked away from Gatsby and turned his attention back to the lords. “If that is all Gatsby, you may see yourself out.”
Gatsby shot the king a resentful glare and walked sulkily out of the room.
Things were already complicated enough, but this latest development could put a severe hiccup in the king's plans.
*****
Gatsby stormed out of the meeting room. What was wrong with the king? He was supposed to be thankful for the news that Gatsby had brought to him. Instead, he acted like it was his fault. Well, it was, he supposed, sort of his fault. But the king didn't know that.
Gatsby retreated to an inn just outside of the palace. It didn't matter. As soon as the king confronted Thomas, he would know that what Gatsby had said was true. Alanna would be furious that Thomas had lied to them, and would end up thanking Gatsby for saving her from a big mistake.
As the night wore on, Gatsby sat on his bed, imagining how thankful Alanna was going to be that Gatsby was here to save her. He chuckled to himself and kept envisioning the moment that Thomas would be discovered to be a fraud. He didn't need sleep. He had Alanna.
CHAPTER 25
VISIONS
Thomas was having a wonderful dream. Alanna was dancing a waltz with him through a glen and all the kingdom was there to celebrate their marriage. Then a foul smelling cloud descended. He couldn't escape it no matter which way he turned. Gasping for breath he woke up with a start. Staring right back into his eyes was the old man, Henry.
“Breakfast-time Peaches.” Henry breathed into his face.
Good lord, he hoped breakfast didn't smell like Henry's breath. “My name isn't Peaches! It's...”
“Yeah yeah yeah. Whatever Skippy. Look, are you getting up anytime soon? Your girlfriend has already been up for hours, and frankly, I need you to distract her.”
“Why? What's the matter?”
“She's driving me a little batty. She insists on cleaning things. I have VERY particular places for things, I can't have her go messing up centuries of organization.”
Thomas sighed. “I will be there in a minute alright?”
“Thank-you.” Henry replied with as much mustered, insincere sincerity as he could manage.
Thomas was feeling better. It seemed that the fever had passed in the night. His legs were still sore, but he could stand without flinching.
Henry had been right about Alanna. The room that had been covered in dust the night before, was as clean, if not cleaner than the rest of the place. That was quite an accomplishment. Alanna had hung out Thomas' wet clothing the previous night. They were now dried and wearable again, though they were still stained and smelt like leather that had been worn by a sweaty man for months on end. In short, they made him smell like an authentic adventurer.
As Thomas descended the staircase, he saw the cause of Henry's discontent. Alanna had been into everything. All the empty bottles and garbage that was lying around the previous night had disappeared. The half done paintings were now stacked in a corner awaiting the time that Henry decided to actually complete them. Alanna was trying to enter the kitchen now, and Henry had his arms spread apart in an attempt to block Alanna from heading through the doorway.
“The kitchen's fine! Why can't you just leave one room? Everyone needs at least one room to retreat to without worrying about other people messing with it!”
“Are you going to feed us from there?”
“What do you think Sunshine?”
“Then the kitchen gets cleaned!” Alanna finished her flourish with a stamp of her foot.
Thomas had become fairly adept at anticipating trouble when it came to Alanna, and this was going to be a full blown storm soon if he didn't step in.
“Hey guys! What's to eat?”
Alanna just glared at Thomas.
Henry snapped his intense stare away from Alanna for the moment. “Hey! Uh. Wizbang! You're just in time for a breakfast that you'll never forget!”
“You're not seriously thinking of eating anything in that kitchen, are you?” Alanna asked Thomas incredulously.
Thomas shrugged. “I'm hungry!”
“And you won't be disappointed!” Henry zipped in to the kitchen laughing excitedly to himself.
Alanna rolled her eyes.
Henry's melodramatic voice called out from the kitchen. “I'm not about to bring the food out there, come on!”
Alanna visibly tensed as they entered the kitchen, and she had every right to. The dishes were piled here and there. An after odour from centuries of cooking left a distinct smell that gave the kitchen its own personality. The table was cleared away in a hurried fashion, but obviously hadn't been wiped down in some time. Crumbs from this, and smudges from that, adorned the table in an intricate pattern that, if you squinted hard enough, made it look like it had a snowflake patterned tablecloth on.
Thomas and Alanna sat down carefully, trying not to end up on anything they didn't want to carry around with themselves for the rest of their voyage.
Henry whirled around in a ridiculous white chef's hat with a half mad grin on his face. “Omelettes!” he cried. He held an old cast iron frying pan in one had and a spatula in the other.
“You are in for a treat!” Henry laughed
to himself excitedly. “I have been researching omelettes for centuries!” He flipped an omelette in the pan and started to serve Thomas and Alanna who eyed it suspiciously.
“One for you!” Henry slid an odd looking omelette out onto Thomas' plate. “And one for you!” Henry swung the pan behind his back and flipped it over his head on to Alanna's plate, much to her dismay.
Thomas didn't much care what was in the omelette. He was really hungry. The small bit of magic he had done the previous day had somehow drained him enormously. Of course the flood and landslide could have had something to do with it as well.
The omelette looked remarkably similar to the ones that his grandfather would make for him. It looked like it had cheese, bacon, and other strange veggies in it. Thomas dug in.
Alanna was a little more reluctant. She poked at it as if it were going to fight back before braving a mouthful.
“Ah the omelette. Truly a culinary masterpiece. You really can put anything you like into an omelette you know.” Henry served himself an omelette and sat down to eat. “I started out the same as everyone else. The basics. Egg, veggies, cheese, etc. That gets pretty boring pretty fast. Especially when you live as long as I have been around.”
“It does have an interesting texture.” Alanna said frowning as she tried to chew.
“Right, I was getting to that. You see, I started to branch out. Not just eggs, but lizard eggs, not veggies, but leaves, weeds etc. The last experiment,which led to today's feast I am particularly proud of. Tree bark.”
Thomas coughed as he tried to swallow. His stomach was at war with his mouth, his mouth, luckily, was winning, but only marginally. The food managed to stay in his stomach. “I guess that explains the slivers.” Thomas coughed.
Alanna outright spat what was in her mouth back onto the plate and shot Thomas an 'I told you so' look.
“Ah, as you get older, you need to increase the fibre in your diet. I thought to myself, what has more fibre in it than bark? A little tough chewing, but once you get past that, there's a world of flavour possibilities”
Thomas couldn't stop coughing. “You wouldn't have something to drink would you?”
“Ah, I can treat you to another fine concoction of mine. I have been working with leaf and grass extracts to create a new flavour of juice.”
“Uh, that's okay. I'm feeling much better. Actually, not that hungry at all it seems.”
“Neither am I.” Alanna quickly agreed.