Slathbog's Gold - Forman Mark L (читать книгу онлайн бесплатно без .TXT) 📗

“Ding! Ding! Ding!”

“But I don’t know anyone who’d send me a message,” Alex said, looking at Thrang. “Everyone I know who’d know anything about geebs is here.”

“Never mind that now,” said Thrang. “Ask the geeb to give you the message.”

“May I have the message?” Alex asked.

“Ding.”

A thin hole like a mouth appeared in the middle of the geeb and a long envelope emerged, flopping into Alex’s hands.

“Thank you,” said Alex.

The geeb remained standing on Alex’s legs.

“Is it waiting for something?” he asked.

“Payment, of course,” said Thrang.

“How do I pay a bottle-necked geeb?”

“Oh, they’ll take silver or gold coins,” Thrang answered. “But they prefer gems if they can get them.”

“Gems?” questioned Alex.

“Ding!”

“Yes, gems,” said Thrang. “Geebs know a fair price for any gem you may give them. If the gem is worth more than you owe, they’ll give you back the difference in gold and silver coins. Try it.”

Alex retrieved a small emerald from his bag and held it toward the geeb, who simply stood on its leg and waited.

“Toss it up,” Thrang instructed, amused by Alex’s puzzled look.

Alex tossed the emerald in a high arc, and the geeb jumped off Alex’s legs and caught the gem in midair.

“Ding,” the geeb sounded as it landed back on its single leg. The geeb bent down for a moment and Alex saw six gold coins and three silver coins on the blanket.

“I told you. A fair price,” Thrang laughed.

The geeb remained motionless while Alex collected the coins and put them in his bag.

“Now what?” Alex questioned, assuming the geeb would leave once it had been paid.

“Are you waiting for an answer?” Thrang asked the geeb.

“Ding!”

Alex looked at the envelope in his hand. Carefully he opened it and removed a single folded piece of paper. Looking once more at the geeb and Thrang, he began to read.

Master Alexander Taylor, Esq.,

Please accept this invitation for yourself and your company to dine with me on your arrival in two days’ time.

Awaiting your reply.

At the bottom of the note was a drawing that looked like a tower with some strange writing next to it. Alex showed the letter to Thrang, who seemed stunned.

“What’s all the noise about?” Andy asked as he rolled over in his blankets.

“Best reply quickly,” said Thrang, handing the letter back to Alex. “Do you have paper and pen?”

“Yes,” said Alex, reaching for his magic bag. “But who’s the letter from?”

“The Oracle herself,” said Thrang, in a tone of wonder. “Didn’t you see how it was signed?”

“What are you two talking about?” Andy questioned again.

“Here,” said Alex, handing him the letter he’d just received.

Retrieving his writing things from his bag, Alex looked at Thrang. “What should I say?”

“Just say you’re happy to accept her invitation, and you’re sure the rest of the company will accept as well,” Thrang answered. “And don’t forget to sign it.”

Alex wrote as carefully as he could.

I am pleased to accept your invitation and am confident the rest of the company will accept as well.

                                  Alex Taylor

“How’s that?” Alex asked, handing his note to Thrang.

“No, that won’t do,” said Thrang, looking it over. “Doesn’t sound right.”

“This came for you?” Andy interrupted, holding the Oracle’s letter and looking as stunned as Thrang had.

“Yes,” said Alex.

“Arconn,” Thrang called. “We need your assistance.”

“How may I be of help?” Arconn asked as he walked into camp carrying two large rabbits. Laying the rabbits next to the fire, he moved toward Thrang and Alex.

“Read this,” said Thrang, snatching the letter from Andy’s hand and giving it to Arconn.

“Impressive,” said Arconn with a smile. “It’s not often that one is invited to dine with the Oracle. And to include the entire company . . .”

“Include the entire company in what?” asked Bregnest as he walked into camp carrying several water bottles.

“It seems our young friend is better known than we thought,” replied Arconn, passing the note to Bregnest.

Bregnest’s eyes widened as he read the note. Then he carefully refolded the paper and handed it to Alex. “Best make a reply.”

“That’s what we’re trying to do,” said Thrang, sounding put out. “I thought Arconn could help as he’s best with letters.”

“Pleased to assist,” said Arconn, taking Alex’s writing things and thinking for a moment. “Let’s put it like this.”

I am honored at your favor and pleased to accept your kind invitation. I am confident my companions will feel as honored and pleased as I do.

                                  Your servant,

“Now sign the bottom ‘Alexander Taylor, Esq.’” Arconn handed the pen back to Alex.

“I knew an elf would have the right answer,” said Thrang with a smile. “Always clever in language, the elves.”

“You are most kind,” said Arconn, bowing to Thrang.

“Now what do I do?” Alex asked, as he carefully folded the note and placed it in a new envelope.

“Here, let me,” said Thrang, taking the envelope. Turning to the geeb, he held the envelope carefully by one edge. “Please take this reply to the Oracle,” he said to the geeb. “And if you require payment, please deliver the note and return. We will be happy to pay you.”

“Ding,” the geeb sounded and accepted the envelope from Thrang.

With Alex’s reply accepted, and Thrang’s instructions understood, the geeb hopped off Alex’s legs and, with a slight popping sound, it vanished into thin air.

“Remarkable creatures,” said Thrang happily.

At breakfast that morning, Thrang told Tayo, Skeld, and Halfdan the news of Alex’s message. The three warriors had been taking care of the horses when the note had arrived, and they insisted on hearing the entire story with every honk and ding in place.

“Seems our young wizard’s made quite a name for himself,” Skeld teased. “First he single-handedly kills a three-legged troll, and now he’s been invited to dine with the Oracle.”

“We’re allinvited,” Alex corrected.

“Yes, but the message came to you,” Tayo commented in his normal somber fashion. “Which I think is odd. I would have expected it to come to Bregnest, as our leader.”

“It is of small concern who the message came to,” said Bregnest, waving off Tayo’s comment. “I think it is odd that we were all asked to join the Oracle for dinner.”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” commented Halfdan, without looking up from his plate. “Must mean something special.”

“It is odd, but not unheard of,” said Arconn, winking at Alex. “And as far as it meaning something special, well, who can say?”

“I don’t know what to think,” said Alex.

“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” said Andy, slapping Alex’s shoulder.

“As do I,” Thrang added, putting his cooking pots away. “And it’s a sign of good fortune as well.”

“Only time will show our fortunes,” said Tayo, standing up and looking down the road to the east.

“And it is time we were on our way to seek them,” Bregnest added. “At the very least, we will have a grand meal.”

* * *

As they traveled that day, Alex thought of the Oracle’s note, wondering why it had been sent to him and not to Bregnest or one of the others. There was no special reason he could think of for the Oracle to be interested in him. Ever since Mr. Blackburn had said he could use a staff, Alex’s friends all thought of him as a wizard in training, but Alex had his doubts. He knew he had some magical ability, but he still knew so little about magic. Surely not enough to interest an oracle.

“Have you read about the Oracle and the White Tower?” Andy questioned as they rode along.

“A little,” Alex replied. “The Adventurer’s Handbooksaid there are many oracles, but the Oracle of the White Tower is one of the best known. I haven’t finished reading everything yet.”