Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [91]
She didn’t want to spend the rest of her days bottled up in Rumbard City. If she couldn’t marry Bealomondore, she didn’t want to be continually tempted by their romantic relationship. The man was the most charming she’d ever met. He made her toes curl when he kissed her.
She wanted out!
Fleeing the emotions that confused her, she sought another subject. “Is Orli better this morning?”
“He went with Bealomondore and several of the other dragons to fetch breakfast.”
“Didn’t it arrive upstairs for you to bring down?”
Old One glared at her. “I’ve suffered a trauma to my system. It was all I could do to bring myself down. Bealomondore made tea.”
Ellie shivered at the thought of the black beasts. “Have you ever seen those wusstbunter things before?”
“Of course I have. The wizard thinks them.”
“He must be a very disagreeable wizard.”
“No, he’s ordinary.”
Ellie felt her eyes widen. “An ordinary wizard? I shouldn’t think those two words go together.”
“I mean he’s like most wizards. Bent on doing what pleases Wulder, but weak enough to fall into doing exactly what doesn’t please Wulder.”
“But sending those wusstbunters is evil.”
“He doesn’t send them. Not on purpose anyway.”
“I guess you’re going to have to give me more information.”
Old One’s face sagged, and he looked incredibly sad. Again, Ellie came close to hug his leg, carefully avoiding bumping the tray this time.
“You wouldn’t believe it now,” said Old One, “but I used to be quite a talker. Too many years alone, I guess. Too much confusion in my brain.” He sighed. “I’ll try.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Bree Dan crossed the wizard, determined to do things his own way. At the time, I was caught up in the plans and didn’t weigh the consequences of our actions. You see, the wizard’s plan was actually Wulder’s plan. So by tossing aside what the wizard told us to do, we tossed away what Wulder had ordained. That’s a pretty serious act of disobedience. But we didn’t see it, although all of us knew better. We made plans, and we rushed forward.”
“I don’t know much about Wulder.” Knowing the urohms had a great reverence for Wulder, Ellie watched Old One’s face to see if that admission bothered him. He appeared not to be disturbed by her confession, so she continued. “Last night, when we did the healing circle with Laddin, I felt His presence, and I don’t ever want to be too far from that feeling. I want to learn more about Him. What I did come to know in that brief encounter is that Wulder is good, not someone to be afraid of.”
“He is good. In fact, in the Tomes, it is said that there is no hint of darkness in Him. He casts away evil.” Old One nodded his head, seemingly lost in thought.
Ellie was about to suggest that she find Bealomondore when the urohm spoke again.
“Wulder doesn’t have a temper so much as a clear-cut sense of right and wrong. When something is wrong, He will do what is necessary to make it right.”
“Like what?”
Old One was silent. Ellie waited, wondering if he would continue with his explanation. He picked up his cup.
“My tea is cold.”
“Do you want me to get you some more?”
“No. If you go away, I may forget what it is that I have to tell you.” He grabbed the tray and twisted to set it down on the table at his elbow. “Come sit on the arm of the chair.”
He helped her get situated before continuing.
“Have you ever taken care of a baby?” he asked.
Ellie rolled her eyes. “I am the oldest of eight. I’ve taken care of lots of babies.”
“Suppose you came to the cradle and found a dozen snakes in with the babe. What would you do?”
“I’d scream and pull them out. I’d probably stomp on them or whack them with something.”
Old One nodded. “Only the venom would hurt the baby. Why kill the snakes?”
“The snakes carry the poison. The baby could be killed.”
He nodded again. “The horror you feel toward the snakes is something like the horror Wulder feels when evil threatens His good creation. Sometimes He acts swiftly, and sometimes He allows time to pass as the situation unfolds.