A tall, dark-haired woman stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes moving around the table to look at each of them. She wore a pure white dress edged in silver, and a wide, happy smile. The adventurers stared, dumbfounded, as the woman gracefully crossed the room and took her place in the silver chair.
“Please, be at ease,” said the woman. “I am Iownan, Oracle of the White Tower. I welcome you here, and I thank you for joining me.”
“It is our great pleasure,” Bregnest managed to reply as he started to rise from his chair. “The honor is truly ours.”
“You are most kind, Silvan Bregnest,” replied the lady with a smile. “Please, be seated.”
“May I introduce my company?” Bregnest asked as he returned to his seat.
“I know them all,” replied Iownan. “I have watched as you have traveled in this land, and I know of your quest.”
“You know much, great lady,” Bregnest stammered. “And we are in your debt for the kindness you have shown us.”
“You need not be so formal, Master Bregnest,” Iownan replied. “This is but a dinner party. Tonight I am simply your host, not the Oracle.”
“Your pardon, lady,” said Bregnest, inclining his head. “Though I must say, we have felt somewhat troubled by your kindness. We have done nothing to deserve your generous gifts.”
Iownan laughed happily before she replied. “I have shown you a small kindness, though some would think it great.”
She clapped her hands and several servants carrying trays entered the room. The table was quickly filled with an assortment of food and drink, and Iownan laughed again as she looked at the company.
“I hope you see something you like,” said Iownan. “It’s not often my cooks have reason to prepare such a meal.”
“Lady,” Bregnest stammered, “we are overcome with your kindness.”
Iownan smiled and invited them to help themselves to whatever they liked. Though the company had eaten a great deal earlier in the day, they each made an effort to at least sample everything on the table.
Alex noticed Iownan herself ate little of anything.
“Don’t worry about me, Master Taylor,” said Iownan, looking Alex in the eyes. “I will not go without. Please, have some more.”
Alex was impressed with Iownan, and it seemed that all his friends were as well. They all took great pains to show proper respect, remaining silent whenever Iownan spoke.
“You are excellent guests,” Iownan commented when the trays had been picked clean. “I hate for this evening to end, but end it must. Before you rest, though, I will answer the two questions that you all would ask.”
Alex and his friends straightened in their seats as Iownan spoke, looks of wonder on their faces.
“The first is why my invitation was sent to young Master Taylor, instead of Master Bregnest,” she said, smiling at Alex. “This was because Master Taylor has the power of a true wizard in him, though he doubts it himself. And a wizard, even one untrained, should always be given respect.”
Alex’s face flushed red as Iownan spoke, and he looked down at his napkin.
“You need not feel shame or embarrassment here,” said Iownan, reaching out her hand to lift Alex’s chin. “You are among friends and what I say is true.”
Alex continued to blush as he looked at Iownan, but now he didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
“The second question,” she continued, looking around at the company, “is what I would ask of you in return for my kindness.”
Iownan paused for a moment before continuing. Alex noticed that his friends looked worried. He wondered what Iownan would ask of them.
“Ask what you will, great lady,” Bregnest said sincerely. “If it is within our power, we shall do it.”
“You speak before you know what I would ask,” said Iownan in a thoughtful tone. “I will not hold you bound to this now, nor will I speak of what I will ask until a later time. Be content to know that I will ask, and I believe you will do as I ask for friendship alone.”
“You are most generous, lady,” replied Bregnest. “Your counsel is your own. We will await your request.”
Iownan smiled. “Go now and find your rest. I will speak with each of you tomorrow as the Oracle of the White Tower.”
The company stood and bowed as Iownan left the room. For a moment, Alex thought the light in the room seemed to dim behind her.
“My lords,” said a young man from the doorway. “I am Rothgar, and the lady commands I should see to your needs this evening.”
“The lady is most kind,” said Bregnest, nodding to Rothgar. “Though I feel that sleep will be our only need this night. I thank you for your kindness, and the lady for sending you.”
“As you wish,” Rothgar replied with a bow. “I will guide you to your rest.”
They followed Rothgar down a corridor for some distance, then turned left, climbing a flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs, they turned right and suddenly found themselves outside the tower entrance.
“But we went upstairs when we entered,” said Alex, looking up at the tower in puzzlement.
“The inside of the tower changes,” Rothgar replied. “The rooms and corridors never remain the same for long.”
“Ingenious security,” said Thrang. “Anyone not trained in how the tower moves would soon be lost.”
“That is true, Master Silversmith,” said Rothgar. “Though that is perhaps the simplest protection the tower employs.”
Alex and his companions said goodnight to Rothgar and returned to the sleeping house. They were tired after the long day and there was little talk as they prepared for bed. One by one, they put out the lamps and went to sleep.
The others were soon snoring softly. Alex’s body ached for sleep, but his eyes would not stay closed and his mind was full of questions. Finally, he gave up and climbed out of bed and pulled on his new clothes. Quietly, he walked to the entrance of the house and slipped out into the moonlight. He thought Rothgar might be there, but the courtyard was empty and quiet.
Alex walked to the stable to check on Shahree. The moonlight was bright, and he had no trouble seeing his way. Inside the stable, several lamps were still burning. Alex wondered why they had not been put out.
“Well, Shahree,” said Alex, patting the horse’s neck. “Have you eaten as well as the rest of us?”
Shahree nuzzled Alex’s shoulder affectionately but made no sound. Alex leaned against her neck, rubbing it gently, but said nothing more. His mind was buzzing with questions and he desperately tried to make sense of them.
“You show this horse great kindness,” a voice said from behind him, “though once you feared her.”
Alex spun around, surprised that he was not alone.
“There is a great bond between you two,” continued Iownan, smiling at him from the stable door.
“I have grown to trust her,” Alex stammered, unsure of what to say or how to act.
“And she puts great trust in you as well,” Iownan replied, walking over and patting Shahree’s forehead. “I am surprised that such strong feelings have grown so quickly between you and this noble steed.”
“Perhaps need has quickened the growth,” replied Alex.
“Perhaps.” Iownan continued to rub Shahree’s forehead. “What keeps you from your sleep?”
“I have so many questions. I was trying to make some order of them,” Alex answered.
“And some doubts as well?” Iownan’s blue eyes seemed to look right through him, but they were soft and kind.
“Yes,” said Alex, looking away.
“Do not be troubled,” said Iownan, stepping away from Shahree. “You will find the answers you need, in time.”
“And if the answers are more than I can bear?” Alex asked, voicing his greatest fear before he could stop himself.
“Then you will break,” Iownan answered in a matter-of-fact tone. “Though I believe you are much stronger than you think.”
“I doubt it,” said Alex, turning away again from Iownan’s gaze.
“As do all who have not been tested,” replied Iownan with a kind smile. “You will have trials, that much is certain. How you deal with your trials . . . only time will tell.”