Adventum Interruptus

This one was a dream. She rushed out with a smile as soon as she saw me, doing her best to suppress her own ravenous beast. In exchange for the couple of easy to carry rations, she passed me a few silver pieces.

In the end, Karina had barely managed to stop before we were on our way again, the pockets of my cloak jangling, no one having avoid paying for my services today.

We’re following the path through the trees, but I find myself lost again. I let Karina keep going in the hopes that I eventually recognize my surroundings.

“Just keep following the path. You’ll know where you are at the fork.”

The voice sounds familiar, but I can’t quite place it as Karina stops. I turn her around to find the sorcerer sitting cross-legged in the grass, his pristine, white robes a stark contrast to the greens and browns of nature all around him.

How could I have missed that? “Were you there when I rode past a moment ago?”

He shrugged as he stood up, brushing long, grey hair out of his face. “Have you made enough pocket money for the day?”

Almost as if he were cued by the conversation, a raven popped into existence on Karina’s head.

I motion to the bird. “There are always people to be helped.”

The sorcerer nodded. “Right. You do it to help people.” He paused, his sarcasm almost physical in the air between us. “Have you helped enough of them for the day?”

I want to be offended, but he makes a fair point. Once upon a time, adventuring was about helping people mostly in need. Now, maybe not so much.

The raven cawed again, but I still ignored it. “Do you need help with more of your papers?”

He smiled. “I had something else in mind for today. Meet me at the shop.” He waved his arms dramatically, his robes fluttering through the air. “Could you grab that for me?” The robes fell gently to the ground, the sorcerer nowhere in sight.

I climb down from Karina to pick up the robes. How strange. He was sitting in the grass and dirt, but not a stain to be found on the fabric. I look around for spying eyes for a moment as I consider trying it on. I shake my head and drape it over the saddle. I turn Karina around and we wander down the path.

The sorcerer was correct. I suddenly recognize my surroundings at the fork in the path. The left leads back to my encampment and signal fire. The lack of ravens along the way tells me it’s likely gone out on its own.

I’m nervous, but I’m unsure why. I’ve done this plenty of times before. I pat Karina’s neck, her dark mane course against my fingers. “Head home girl.”

I slide the robes off her saddle as she saunters down the left path. I halfheartedly roll them up as I take the right path. The sorcerer has always been able to provide tasks for me to complete, but never has he searched me out. I’m not sure what he has waiting for me.

I continue to wonder as I pace along the front of shop. The decision has already been made, but I’ve been hesitating just outside the door wondering what awaits me on the other side.

The bronze knob is warmer than I was expecting. Or perhaps my nerves have made my hands cold. I push my way through.

“I was wondering how long you’d stay out there.” The sorcerer had been standing just inside the door waiting to greet me. “To be honest, I was concerned I’d offended you and you wouldn’t come.”

I nod slowly. “You did, at first, but the truth can be brutal.”

He laugh. “Right you are, my child.” He took the robes from me. “It’s always good to have a spare.”

I nod. “So I thought I’d see what you needed. Looking for an apprentice?”

“No.” He looks me over. “Not yet, at least.” He guides me to the back of the small shop again. “Your scribe work has been great. I was thinking we could try expanding on it a bit.”

I sit at the same long table as the last time I was here and pick up a quill. “Let’s give it a shot. If nothing else, the ravens will be there if I go back.”