“Do you know how long it takes most wizards to become wizards?” Whalen asked suddenly.
“No,” said Alex, surprised. “Several years, I’m sure, but I’ve never really thought about it.”
“And do you know how much training most apprentices need before they are ready to even try to take a staff?” Whalen went on.
“No, I don’t,” said Alex.
“Most apprentices are in training for years,” Whalen said. “A great many of them never learn enough to take a staff.”
“But everyone knows there have never been very many wizards in the known lands,” said Alex.
“Yet there are a fair number of people who can do magic of one kind or another,” said Whalen. “Why do you think so few of them ever become wizards?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t able to find a wizard to train them.”
“Yes, that is true for many of them,” Whalen agreed. “Perhaps for others, the training is too difficult, or they are not patient enough to learn all that is required. Then, of course, they may not have enough magic in them to become wizards in the first place.” Whalen shook his head and sighed. “I’ve accepted any and all who wanted to be trained and who were willing to learn. I’ve been alive for almost seven hundred years, Alex, and I’ve had countless apprentices. But only two have ever gone on to become wizards.”
“What does this have to do with me?” Alex questioned.
“Ah, yes, what about you?” Whalen replied. “You used magic on your first adventure, before you understood it, before you became an apprentice. You were able to look into a dragon’s eye and defeat him with your own power—something that most wizards would not dare try even after taking a staff. You’ve learned more magic on three adventures than most apprentices learn in a dozen years of study, and you’ve done it without a wizard there to teach you.”
“I was lucky, and you’ve shown me the path I should take.”
“I gave you some direction, but you found the path yourself,” Whalen said with a smile. “You are something of a mystery, even to me. And I think your dragon friend was right—you are more than most wizards could ever hope to be.”
“Don’t say that,” said Alex. “I’m just . . . I’m just lucky.”
“Yes.” Whalen laughed. “Lucky, and quick, and a wizard that is both a man and a dragon. Oh, there are legends and myths about wizards who could take the dragon shape without fear, but I think most of them are just stories, made up by people who didn’t know better.”
“So you think I am something else?” Alex questioned. “Not really a wizard, but something else completely?”
“You are a true wizard, Alex. That much I know for sure,” Whalen answered in a kindly tone. “But it seems that you are also more than that, but all that you are, I cannot even guess.”
“If you don’t know, Master Whalen, who does?” Alex questioned in a defeated tone.
“Do not call me master,” Whalen said in a kind but serious voice. “You have no master, my friend, and I doubt there is anything in the known lands that could become your master. As for what you are, I think only you can find that answer. And I believe you will, in time.”
“Then I must continue searching for answers to my questions as I travel through the known lands,” Alex said.
“And that makes you sad?” Whalen questioned.
“Yes. I thought you would know what I am and what I should do. You’ve always had the answers before.”
“Most people, myself included, do not know what they are,” said Whalen. “I know I am a wizard, an adventurer, and a man, but what am I really? That is a question I am still trying to answer, and I’ve been asking it for almost seven hundred years.”
“But . . .” Alex began and stopped. “I don’t understand.”
“You are what you do,” Whalen said. “You are what people think you are, and more importantly, what youthink you are. If you think of yourself as a great hero, you will act like a great hero. If you think of yourself as a small thing—something that doesn’t matter—well then, you won’t matter.”
“But I don’t really think about myself,” Alex protested. “I don’t see myself as a hero or a wizard or anything like that.”
“Do you see yourself as good or evil?” Whalen questioned.
“Good, of course.”
“Friendly or not so friendly?”
“Friendly, I think.”
“Hot-tempered or reasonable?”
“I try to be reasonable, but I sometimes lose my temper.”
“You see many things about yourself already,” Whalen said as he began filling bowls with stew. “And I wish I could say I see myself as a great cook, but I’m afraid the truth is that I’m only a fair cook.”
Alex laughed and accepted the bowl. The stew was very good, in fact, and Alex thought about Whalen’s words while he ate. Whalen may not have answered his questions as directly as he had hoped, but he had still given him some answers. Alex had never considered things the way Whalen put them, had never even thought about his own self-image. Now he thought about it for a long time, and he began to see that Whalen was as wise as ever.
They spent the rest of the evening in silence, Whalen watching the stars and Alex deep in thought.
***
The next morning, they rode through the great arch into Alusia.
“What do you suppose Set meant when he said he had been waiting for me?” Alex asked as they rode along the well-worn trail.
“A wizard’s deeds are often foretold,” said Whalen in a thoughtful tone. “I’ve never sought out legends or prophesies in the hope of fulfilling them, but I have been looked for in places where I never thought I would go.”
“So I shouldn’t really worry about it,” said Alex.
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry,” said Whalen. “Though you might want to find out about the prophecies later, after they’ve been fulfilled, so you know who made them and when. Unfortunately, I’ve found that most of the details that go with legends and prophesies are often lost, and only the waiting for things to come true can be remembered.”
Alex thought for a long time before he asked his next question, hoping that Whalen would have a simple explanation for him.
“What about the books the dragon on the Isle of Bones gave me?” Alex asked.
“Ah, the dragon,” said Whalen with a smile. “An ancient and wise creature, to be sure.”
“But the books,” Alex persisted after Whalen remained silent. “What are they? Where did they come from?”
“Yes, the books,” Whalen said slowly. “I will warn you that you should keep them secret from everyone, and keep them safe. Never tell anyone you have one or more of them. If I had thought you might find one of these books on your own, I would have told you about them sooner.”
“But what are they?” Alex asked, surprised by Whalen’s warning.
“Ancient books of knowledge,” said Whalen. “Never study them where others might see them, and never ever leave one lying about.”
“Are they dangerous?” Alex asked.
“To people who have little or no magic, they are very dangerous. There are dangers even for wizards, but that comes from loving power too much,” Whalen answered. “You see, the books will teach you things. As you study the pages, the letters will begin to take shape in your mind. Eventually it will be like a dream, and you will see and hear what the books have to say. I’ve seen one book that you could smell things in, but I don’t know how common that is.”
“You’ve seen books like these before?” Alex questioned.
“Yes, I have,” said Whalen with a weak smile. “And your guess is correct—I have a few of them myself. Some of them are simple and will show you the history of the known lands, but some are full of power. Those that have power in them can teach you a great deal about magic. Others can even transfer their powers to you. Now you see why they could be dangerous to people who don’t have any magic of their own.”