DragonKnight - Donita K. Paul [142]
“So I heard.”
“And we were trapped in this cavern.” Bromptotterpindosset slowly shook his head. “So many things I don’t understand. For instance, we walked some distance.” He glanced from one end of the cave to the other. “We should have covered miles, and yet, we are still in this one space.”
“When trapped in an illusion,” Librettowit explained, “you think you are traveling in a straight line, but you are actually going in circles.”
The mapmaker nodded toward the two old wizards. “Can they get us out of this mountain? Can they return us to civilization?”
“Oh yes. But first I think their plans include rescuing the knights. They were quite put out when Risto commandeered Strot’s castle for his own evil purposes. We all were under the impression the castle-fortress had been destroyed eons ago.”
Librettowit scratched his nose before continuing. “I suspect a blinding spell was cast over many written records of the castle and its history. I’ll be doing some research when I return.” Librettowit’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “And there will be the library in Strot’s castle to examine.”
The mapmaker’s shoulders slumped once again. “I have done a foolish thing.”
“What is that?”
“I vowed to accept Wulder’s existence and seek a knowledge of His ways if we were rescued.”
“Foolish?” Librettowit clapped the man’s shoulder. “Probably the most intelligent thing you have yet to do in your life.”
“Ha!” The word came from the mapmaker’s lips without his typical bluster. “A coincidence has put me in this position. A coincidence and fear and my own stupid words.”
The librarian shook his head. “Nay. Do you not realize that Wulder Himself was in pursuit of you?”
The guttural grunt in reply only made Librettowit smile more broadly. “You’re still under the influence of years of disbelief. You’ll soon see that what you call coincidence was a carefully laid plan devised by Wulder to bring you to a place where you had to accept Him for who He is.”
The same grunt rumbled in the mapmaker’s throat. “What makes you think so? Why should I change?”
“Initially, because your pride will force you to honor your vow. But more importantly, Wulder has begun a work in you, and He will not abandon you.”
“The meech said something similar. He said Wulder had not abandoned us in the illusion.”
Librettowit nodded. “Smart fellow, our meech wizard.”
Movement inside her cape drew Kale’s attention away from the two tumanhofers. The minor dragons crawled out of their dens and flew from one member of the rescue party to the next, chirruping greetings.
Pat dove into Fenworth’s beard, searching for a snack of insects. Kale started to call him out, but the old wizard held up his hand. “He’s a growing dragon.”
“He’s growing round,” said Kale with a smile.
Fen’s eyes wandered around the gathering. Kale felt compelled to follow his gaze and knew her mentor was impressing her with his thoughts.
Regidor stood tall with his tail swishing across the ground. Three of their group were squat. The tumanhofers seldom topped five feet, and their bodies often resembled the shape of boulders. Furry Toopka barely covered Bardon’s arm with her small frame. Two male wizards had aged, and the two female wizards had not. The squire looked healthy, strong, and ready. Kale’s eyes lingered on how mature and reliable her friend looked. The various minor dragons flashed a variety of colors as they flitted about.
“I believe,” said wise old Fenworth, “that Wulder appreciates diverse sizes, shapes, and colors in His creation. And if He does, then who are we to pass judgment based on such criteria?” He turned to look Kale in the eye. “Let Pat be round.”
Fenworth strode over to Bardon, using his walking stick, but by no means depending upon it. “Young Squire,” he boomed, “I am the oldest, and by rights, should be the leader of this quest. But, as you may have heard, I am retired. So, I defer to you. I have been informed that Paladin chose you to head this party.”
Bardon studied the old man’s face