The next night, Tayo told of an adventure to rescue a young prince who had been wrongfully imprisoned. And though his tone was not as animated as Thrang’s, Tayo’s story was still cheered at the end.
“He rules his kingdom still,” Tayo concluded in a satisfied tone. “And remembers his friends when they visit.”
Alex wondered about Tayo as he prepared for bed that night. He thought it was strange that Tayo always seemed to be in a dark mood, seldom showing any sign of happiness beyond a smile and rarely laughing or joking like Skeld and Andy. Alex thought some deep sorrow must be in him, or perhaps he simply worried too much.
On the third morning from the crossroad, Alex heard a strange dinging noise. He thought he must be dreaming, but when the sound came again, he sat up, rubbing his eyes and wondering if his friends were playing a joke on him.
Something dropped onto his legs. He looked down at his blankets and blinked. Standing on his blankets was a strange-looking creature. It was the size and shape of a bowling pin, but bright yellow, with a red strip zigzaging around its middle. It had a single bird-like leg.
“Um, Thrang?” Alex called in as normal a tone as he could manage. “What’s this?”
“What’s what?” Thrang asked, turning away from cooking breakfast.
“This,” Alex replied, pointing.
“Oh, that,” said Thrang, smiling as he hurried over. “It’s a geeb, of course. Well, a bottle-necked geeb to be exact. Wonderful creatures.”
“So they’re not dangerous?” Alex asked, his surprise replaced by curiosity.
“No, they’re messengers,” Thrang replied. “Good ones too because they’ve got a bit of magic in them.”
“More magic?”
“’Course they can only answer yes and no questions,” Thrang continued. “When they honk it means no, and when they ding it means yes.”
Alex nodded his understanding without looking away from the geeb.
“Watch,” said Thrang, turning to the geeb. “Do you have a message for our company?”
“Honk,” the geeb replied, its head transforming into the shape of a small bicycle horn.
“Are you just visiting then?” Thrang questioned.
“Honk.”
“Then do you have a message for a person in our company?” Thrang asked.
“Ding,” the geeb replied, its head changing into a small bell.
“Do you know who the message is for?”
“Ding.”
“Excellent,” said Thrang. “Is the message for Bregnest, our leader?”
“Honk.”
“Very odd,” Thrang muttered. “Is the message for Arconn the elf?”
“Honk.”
Thrang scratched his head. “Well then, can you find the person who the message is for?”
“Ding.”
Thrang looked at the geeb for a second before continuing. “Have you already found the person your message is for?”
“Ding.”
“Your message is for me?” Alex asked in surprise.
“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.”