They camped early that first night away from the White Tower, finding a sheltered place a short distance off the road. There was less laughter now than there had been, but they all remained in good spirits.
“We should keep a watch again,” said Bregnest as they ate their evening meal. “These wilder lands have many dangers.”
“That is true,” Thrang said. “Though I doubt we’ll find any trouble so close to the White Tower.”
They agreed that keeping a watch would be a good idea, and Bregnest marked eight stones and placed them in a bag for each member of the company to draw their watch as he had done before. Alex, with his normal luck, drew the stone marked for the first watch, which made him happy.
As the others prepared for sleep, Arconn remained by the fire with Alex. He asked Alex to bring out his books so they could continue their lessons. Alex was happy to do so since the book that Iownan had given him was turning out to be interesting, now that he could read parts of it. Arconn also insisted he try to read from the magic book, even though it was much harder to understand, even with Arconn’s help.
“The book of magic is written with letters similar to the elfin,” Arconn explained, “though they are not exactly the same. You will need to learn both. Learning the one will help with the other.”
“Do the words mean the same thing in both books?” Alex questioned.
“At times they do,” said Arconn as he considered the question. “But magic words are not elfin in nature. They are more difficult to speak and read, but also more powerful.”
“There is power in the words?” Alex asked.
“All words have some power, whether written or spoken,” Arconn replied with a soft laugh. “You know this already, as do all who can read or speak, but perhaps you have never thought of it that way before.”
“Words have power to communicate and to tell us what things are,” said Alex, thinking hard.
“Yes, that,” Arconn agreed. “But words can do more than explain what things are. Words can give us knowledge and understanding. They can tell us of things as they once were, as they should be, or even as they might be.”
“And that is power?” questioned Alex.
“Understanding and knowledge are the beginning of all power,” answered Arconn. “It is late, and your watch has passed. Go sleep. We will continue tomorrow.”
Alex left the fire and sat down on his blankets. He considered Arconn’s words about understanding and knowledge. He wondered what Arconn meant by “should be” and “might be.” He didn’t see how understanding what something might be could be magical. Arconn’s lessons were not nearly as simple as Thrang’s infernoand quenchcommands had been. Alex’s questions and the magic letters continued to bounce through his mind as he slowly fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Alex woke early, his thoughts about magic vanishing in the night, but Arconn’s lessons continued. As the company rode, Arconn would occasionally ride to one side or the other and climb off his horse. When he caught up to the group again, he would stop next to Alex and Andy. He would hand a leaf or twig or a seed to Alex and ask him to identify it. Most of the items Alex recognized from studying Iownan’s book. When Alex could not tell Arconn what an item was and what it was used for, Arconn would simply smile and place the item in a leather pouch that hung from his saddle. Alex knew Arconn would bring these items out again when he had read more and could identify them.
By the end of their third day away from the White Tower, the weather turned wet once more. Low clouds filled the sky, and the wind picked up from the west. The road led them more to the south, though their main direction remained east.
“Summer rains are coming,” said Tayo as they ate their dinner.
“At least it’s not cold,” Skeld replied with a laugh. “Though wet is wet, no matter the temperature.”
“Wind and rain are allies to bandits,” Bregnest commented thoughtfully, scanning the area around their camp.
The hills they had been riding through were small and had spread out. The small meadows had grown into wide open fields with only a few clumps of trees and small hills between them.
“We should stay alert,” Bregnest continued, returning his gaze to the company.
“Alert and quiet,” Thrang added, glancing at Skeld.
That night, Alex had a hard time reading as he sat beside the fire with Arconn. His mind was occupied with thoughts of bandits and the trouble that could mean. Arconn seemed strangely watchful as well, as if he were waiting for something. He would gaze into the darkness for long periods of time as Alex read aloud, seeming to pay no attention to what Alex was saying.
“Are there really bandits this close to the White Tower?” Alex asked as he finished his reading.
“We are far from the tower now,” replied Arconn, his eyes fixed on the darkness. “Bandits have little respect for anything, even an oracle.”
“Will they try to kill us?” Alex questioned nervously.
“Perhaps. Though I think they would try to steal our horses first. A company on foot is easier prey.”
“Andy said bandits would attack first and steal our horses later,” Alex commented, remembering Andy’s words at the Troll’s Stream.
“Andy has little experience with bandits. Though at times they will attack first and steal later.”
Alex stood beside Arconn and looked into the darkness, but he couldn’t see anything at all. He listened as hard as he could, but all he heard was the wind moving through the nearby trees.
“Perhaps we should build the fire up.”
“That would draw them like moths, if there are any about,” said Arconn. “Take your rest. Your watch has passed and mine is just beginning.”
Alex did as Arconn said, putting his books back inside his magic bag as he moved to the tent he and Andy shared. They had been sleeping under the stars, but with the threat of rain, they had set up their tents as a precaution. Alex looked back at his friend before entering the tent; Arconn remained still and silent, gazing into the darkness.
They followed the road for several more days, seeing no sign of anyone or anything as they went. Each night, Arconn would teach Alex, who was learning quickly; Arconn seemed happy and impressed with his progress.
“Soon you will be able to read elfin as well as any man, and better than many elves,” said Arconn with a smile as Alex put his books away.
“You are a good teacher,” Alex replied.
Arconn did not reply, his eyes turning suddenly from Alex to the darkness around the camp. Alex followed Arconn’s gaze, but he could see only darkness.
“What is it?” Alex questioned softly.
“Perhaps nothing,” replied Arconn, his gaze remaining on the darkness. “Perhaps something. I have felt for several days that we are being watched.”
“Should I wake the others?”
“No,” said Arconn. “The danger is not close. Not yet.”
Alex felt nervous and tense as he lay down on his blankets. Anticipation filled his mind and he found it difficult to sleep. He pulled his sword closer to him, letting his hand rest on the hilt. The cold metal seemed to ease his worries, and slowly he fell into a fitful sleep.
A hand covered Alex’s mouth and he jerked awake, wanting to cry a warning to his friends. His hand gripped tightly around his sword.
“Stay quiet,” Thrang’s voice whispered. “Trouble’s close. Pull on your boots and come outside. Quickly.”
Alex could hear Andy moving in the darkness, but his eyes would not focus. He pulled on his boots and rubbed his eyes, trying hard to shake off sleep. Fastening Moon Slayer to his belt, he followed Andy out of the tent. He could breathe better in the open air, but he was still having trouble seeing. Clouds filled the sky, hiding the moonlight, but he could make out the gray outlines of his companions standing near the cold fire pit. As quietly as he could, Alex moved toward them, his senses becoming sharper with each step.