The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (42 page)

She beamed, “Enough for a few guests, and I hope they are hungry.”

At that moment, Mark and Delphine appeared at the gate, pulling the cart full of Tvrdik’s books, clothing and medicines. “You’re all still standing outside?” Delphine called, “And we took our time, too.”

Tvrdik cocked his head at Mrs. Praeger, who chuckled with delight. “Bring them all in, Master Wizard. It is a homecoming, after all; a right grand celebration. I’ll see if I can’t scare up a bit of meat for the doggie as well.” Stewart stood very straight and raised an eyebrow, uncertain if he should be more insulted at being called ‘the doggie’, or excited about the prospect of meat. Tvrdik looked back at Tashroth, who nodded to him, benediction-like, and the rest of the party made their way inside, laughing, and commenting on the delicious scents that greeted them at the door. Inside, Mr. and Mrs. Praeger began scurrying about to lay a table for eight, including Stewart and themselves, as Tvrdik had made it clear that he expected them to join in the meal, not simply serve. Stewart stayed close by them, ostensibly to help, but most likely to look out for his own best interests.

Lynette guided the other four about the house in a little tour. Xaarus’ old bachelor’s house had never looked so homey and inviting. Lynette had put fresh flowers in vases on all the tables. There were curtains and throw rugs in every room in bright but tasteful colors. The kitchen and pantry were well-stocked, and Tvrdik even noticed several jars of preserves from recent harvest, just as he had instructed Praeger from his palace room. The bedroom would rival any at Theriole for comfort and coziness. There was a new coverlet and decorative touches all over the room; a chest for clothing at the foot of the bed, painted with flowers, and a few pictures of landscapes on the walls, one even including a waterfall. Even the fireside corner of the library where Tvrdik had enjoyed reading sported a new lamp, an oval braided rug, and a small handmade quilt that one could either sit on for extra comfort or wrap up in on a chilly evening. All the fireplaces had wood and kindling neatly stacked nearby, and the whole place had a warm, inviting feel to it that he never remembered from years before. The floors were scrubbed spotless, and every room was dusted. When Lynette reached the door to Xaarus’ old laboratory, she leaned in as if sharing a secret.

“Mama says we must never go in or touch anything in there. She says it is where a wizard does his most special magical work, and it would not do to disturb anything.”

“That’s true, Lynette, and very good advice indeed, though I am sure it would be alright if I brought you in sometime to show you things.” Lynette, eyes wide, looking solemn, nodded. Tvrdik was beginning to decide that he really liked the Praegers, and looking about, he realized just how hard they must have worked to accomplish so very much in so short a time. He leaned toward Rel, “Look at this place! Here was a man you might have had imprisoned or executed for treason. However did you know?”

She shook her head, “Good instincts, I guess. Are you happy with the way it is turning out?”

“I am ecstatic. You took a leap of faith, and I get the benefits. Quite a homecoming indeed. I shall have to pinch myself to be sure it won’t all vanish by tomorrow.”

“Oh, I think you can count on everything staying just as it is for some time to come.” She smiled.

“You’ll have to help me figure out how much to pay them. I’ve no experience with that sort of thing.”

“I’ll have Verger work up a budget and a contract. He’ll know.”

During this conversation, Mark and Delphine had taken it upon themselves to unpack Tvrdik’s things and put them away in places they thought sensible, and Lynette had vanished for a few moments. Now she came skipping back with a message, “Master Wizard, Mama says just for today we are short several chairs, and three bowls for lunch, and wonders if you had any ideas?”

Tvrdik nodded and bent low to the little girl’s level, “Go tell your Daddy there are benches in the classroom in the back wing that he can pull out and use for seats. And then, go out to the yard and see if you can find me three very big rocks.”

“Rocks?”

“Yes, rocks. They need to be big, so you might have to bring them in one at a time, alright? Don’t hurt yourself. Just do one at a time and put them on the table, and come get me when you are done. Can you do that?”

“I think so. But, on the table? Mama won’t like that.”

“Tell her I said it was alright. Go along now.” Lynette dashed away with the boundless energy of youth, mission in hand.

“Oh, she’s absolutely charmed by you,” Rel remarked.

“You think so?” Tvrdik smoothed his hair and straightened his glasses in a mock gesture of self-appreciation, but he was blushing. “Well, at that age, their affections are so very fickle. Tomorrow it will be another tall, handsome fellow, and I’ll be out with the trash.” They laughed.

“What are you going to do with rocks, anyway?”

“You’ll see. We’d better go and find her.” They worked their way back to the big communal dining area, where Lynette was just placing the last of three rather large, heavy stones on the dining table, her mother scowling at her from the hearth, where she stirred a giant pot. The woman’s eyes met Tvrdik’s, and she threw up her hands and scurried off into the kitchen. The little girl was struggling to boost the flattish rock onto the tabletop, but she managed the task by adding some rather well-executed grunts. Tvrdik examined her work, “Oh, these will do just fine. You follow instructions very well.” She gave him a little curtsey in response. “Now, stand right back there, and watch carefully…” Lynette stood very still and fastened her eyes on the table. Tvrdik gripped his staff, closed his eyes and visualized, concentrating on detail. Then, with a wave of his left hand over the stones, he mumbled something unintelligible. Before their eyes, three rocks reformed themselves into sturdy, earthenware bowls that matched almost exactly the others that had already been placed on the table. Lynette blinked and shook her head, but bowls still sat there where stones had been a moment before. She gasped.

“How did you…? You just….Oh!”

The wizard laughed at her amazement, and then made a worried face, “Oops! I forgot something.” He laid his hand over one of the bowls, and when he drew it away, it had changed: painted white with little figures of pink flowers and blue bunnies all around the outside edge, and letters deep in the bowl that spelled out L-Y-N-E-T-T-E. It was lovely.

“Oooooh,” cried the little girl, clapping her hands, “is that one for me?”

“Of course, because you are special. Can you read, Lynette?”

“Not always, but I know what my name looks like. See, there, L-Y-…”

“Never mind. In this house, you will learn to read. I will teach you myself, yes?”

“Oh, yes, please.”

“Would you take these bowls in to your Mom, Lynette, and ask her if she needs anything else?” She was still staring at them with saucer-round eyes, almost afraid to touch them. Tvrdik laughed to see the awed expression on her face. “Go ahead. They won’t bite.” He turned away, back to Jorelial Rey, who was standing behind him with exactly the same expression. “What?” he chuckled, “Did you want a bunny bowl too, my lady?”

“I just can’t get over how casually you do these remarkable things.”

“It’s a simple trick, really, but useful. Nice to know this hand still works.” He flexed the fingers of his left hand a few times, “They won’t stay in that form forever, but they will be fine for today. Eventually, I shall have to get her a
real
bowl like that, or she’ll be terribly disappointed.”

“You’re very good with her.”

“I suppose I’m a bit of an overgrown child myself. It’s ironic, since in my youth I was far too serious.” A loud scraping sound interrupted them, and Mark hurried to help Praeger drag the heavy classroom benches in from the closed off section beyond the kitchen.

“Could use a good dustin’, but they’ll do,” Praeger wheezed, “Och, they are that heavy.””

“Oh, yes. I spent a lot of time on this very seat in my schooldays, and we were often shoving them around the room for different vantage points. I am familiar with their heft.”

No sooner did they place all the chairs and benches around the table, when Mrs. Praeger called out, “Lunch, everyone!” She didn’t have to invite twice. Delphine and Mark, Tvrdik and Rel, Stewart and the three Praegers converged around the big table, passing bowls, cups, spoons and knives, and sorting out seating. There was a huge pot of the lentil stew, which Mrs. Praeger ladled out generously. Then, trays of warm potato bread, fresh butter, and goat cheese, pitchers of milk and apple cider, and a large bowl of sliced strawberries. Stewart got a special plate made for him, which included pieces of cheese and some sort of cooked fowl. Being a tall dog, he preferred to eat standing up, his bowl placed on the edge of one of the benches, just at the perfect level for him. Everyone else helped themselves to the bounty before them, and enjoyed a peaceful hour of good food, good company, good conversation, and laughter. Compliments abounded for Mrs. Praeger’s cooking. Tvrdik marveled that all of this was happening in
his
home, and he harbored a secret wish that such fellowship would be a regular occurrence here. In his heart, he blessed the house, the food, the Praegers, his friends, and was grateful.

Meanwhile, while his mind was thus wandering, and his attention was turned inwards, Mrs. Praeger kept glancing at him sideways and whispering to the other guests at the table. Soon, everyone was lifting their stew bowls to examine them top and bottom, comparing them to their neighbors’. Mark quipped, raising his voice, “Well, I suppose I’d better hurry up and eat my stew before the dish turns back into a rock, and I end up wearing it.” This startled Tvrdik from his reverie. He turned beet red and, with utter seriousness, exclaimed, “Well, I think they should last a little longer than that!” The entire company roared with laughter, in which, as soon as he realized he was being teased, Tvrdik joined them. Everyone started shoving their bowls around the table, trading and switching them and guessing who would end up with a rock, while Lynette clutched her painted one in her tiny fingers crying, “Mine is bee-yoo-tee-ful.” Sporadic eruptions of laughter continued around the table until everyone’s face was wet with tears, stomachs ached and all were spent. And then, out of the breathless silence, someone said, “Could you pass the strawberries, please?” and started the howling all over again.

And so, the meal passed in fun and fellowship until everyone present was well-fed, sleepy, and glowing with a sense of well-being. They offered to help Mrs. Praeger clean up, and insisted, even over her objections. They let her give the orders though, in the kitchen for which she had so recently assumed responsibility. It became obvious that her sense of propriety was confounded that the Lady Regent of the entire kingdom, her younger sister and brother-in-law, and the Court Wizard should all be washing dishes and wiping up crumbs right along side of her, and she made it clear that she would allow that sort of nonsense only this once. In the midst of all this, Tvrdik remembered that he had already invited perhaps a dozen guests to the house for an important meeting that very afternoon. He took Mrs. Praeger aside to inform her, apologizing for the late notice. If the weather held, he explained, his intention was to assemble on the back lawns, so that Tashroth could attend. The only things he wished to request was that benches and chairs be moved out there, and perhaps, if there were any more cider or tea to serve the visitors so that they might feel comfortable. He also wanted to invite her and her husband to the meeting, if they could make some provision for Lynette, since a matter of great importance would be discussed that he thought they should be privy to. Her eyebrows rose at that last part, but she seemed unfazed by the idea of more company, and replied that he was not to worry one jot about surprising her with this immediate request for hospitality. She had known what she was getting into when she proposed the idea of running his household, and wanted him to feel free to have people in whenever it suited him. She assured him that her husband could attend the meeting, and would fill her in on all the details later, while she and Lynette would make sure the guests had everything they needed.

“Don’t trouble yerself, Master Wizard. ‘Tis an honor for us to make yer days that much easier.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Praeger. You are a treasure.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek and she waved him out of the kitchen, blushing.

With many hands, all the lunch things were clean and put away in record time. They were just wiping down the last of the counters when a strange sound drifted in through the open windows. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and heads tilted to better catch the remarkable strains. It seemed to be some sort of music – distant, but sweet, exotic, and wild – like nothing most of them had ever heard before. Stewart figured it out first, barked once, and ran out the backdoor, across the lawns to the river bank. In a flash, Tvrdik had the same realization and followed close behind. Mark and Delphine, Rel and all the Praegers stumbled after them, mystified. What they all saw in the slow-moving waters appeared to be a small, blue girl with curly hair, surrounded by a number of grayish-green creatures, all floating about and singing. The lyrics were in some ancient, liquid tongue that none of them comprehended, but the sweet little voices, all blended in perfect harmony, were enchanting. Ondine was leading a rather large contingent of her city cousins in a special performance to welcome Tvrdik home. Stewart and the humans paused at the river’s edge, letting the unearthly music wash over them, mesmerized by its strangeness and sheer lovliness. Mark was particularly attentive, head cocked and eyebrows tented on his furrowed forehead as if he were attempting to commit the entire experience to memory. Lynette and Delphine merely stood together in wonder, grinning in delight. And then, with a heart-wrenching crescendo, the music ceased. There followed a respectful, tangible silence where no one dared stir, breathe, or even blink. Seconds passed, and then Tvrdik squatted down on the bank to be closer to his serenaders. In an explosion of spray, the little blue girl leapt from the water and planted a wet kiss,
smack
on the wizard’s nose, turned a summersault in the air, and dove head first back into the water. A moment later she emerged, all smiles.