Chapter two: Second Warning

Chapter two: Second Warning

Several days later Alistair felt another twang in his mind. It was still faint, yet it made him uneasy. Everything looked peaceful, but his sense of unease intensified. There was something familiar about the twang, but he couldn’t place what it was.
He walked around the cabin, inspecting everything. The herb garden on the east side of the cottage looked dreary. Last week the beds were full of plants. Now the herbs were harvested, dried and carefully stored in his cupboard to preserve their power. Only bare ground and twiggy stems remained.
He was certain the twang came from the southwest, from Woodville, or maybe Tunnelbee. He cast his mind further than he had since he was a student. It didn’t feel like another mage. Besides, it would have to be a very powerful mage—one from the High Assembly. There was nothing in the area to warrant a visit from one of them.
He stretched his mind to its limits and felt the busy minds of dwarves at work. Nothing unusual at Tunnelbee. He shifted his mind towards Woodville and suddenly felt the magical mind that made him uneasy. It became aware of him and created a connection. Alistair knew it would seek him, even though it was many days away.
Alistair wondered why making the contact made him so uneasy. The familiar feel of the twang meant it was probably someone he’d met in school. Was the High Assembly calling scattered mages to gather for an emergency? If so, why was there was no personality in the contact? He shrugged. He’d find out soon enough.
He kept walking to the door, looking southwest. His sense of unease was growing. What or who was coming to meet him?
He’d picked carrots, beets, tomatoes and peppers for his evening stew. An eagle had dropped off a rabbit in payment for Alistair mending her broken wing a few weeks ago. He cut some vegetables and set them aside for Rusty. Then he made a larger stew than normal. Lots of leftovers for later.
He was eating his last bite when he noticed a tingle in his right hand. He wiggled the fingers. Nothing. Shaking the hand didn’t help. Neither did exercise. The hand kept tingling. Then his mind fogged over and he felt sleepy.
Alarmed, he pulled his crystal ball from one of his many pockets. The small sapphire globe sat in his hand, quiescent. No fog, figures or reflections marred its perfect surface. It shouldn’t be blank. Despite the sleepiness clouding his mind, he recognized he was under attack. It was a spell meant to drain his power. He raced to the cupboard so recently filled with fresh herbs. Their smell cleared his mind.
“Agrimony. Used in teas, for protection spells. Banishes negative spirits, and reverses spells.” He thought as he searched through the packages for the one he needed. When he found the agrimony, he stuffed some in the cloth bag he wore around his neck. Then he took a few large pinches and dropped them into his teapot. While he waited for the elixir to steep, he pulled out an extra cup. He sensed he would have company soon.
Rusty entered the cabin with his usual acrobatic grace. “Wiz, Reddy brought her babies out of the nest, and two of them look just like me. They are so handsome, and smart, too. One of them…”The squirrel took in the extra cup, the acrid smell of the tea and Alistair’s mood. “What’s got you spooked?”
“Something’s wrong. Something magical is coming and I’m beginning to think it means harm.”
“I think you’re right.” The squirrel looked thoughtful. Something’s wrong in the woods. A fairy’s wandering around the forest. Saw it glowing as I came through the trees.”
“Why didn’t you bring it here, you dim-witted mammal? Fairies aren’t safe in these woods. No fairy would risk coming here unless it was an emergency.”
Rusty ignored the mage and picked up a small tomato, munching rapidly as the red globe disappeared into his mouth. “Didn’t want to without asking you first. Somethin’ wrong out there.” Rusty finished the tomato and carefully licked his paws clean.
“All the more reason to help the fairy. Now use that speed you’re so proud of and bring that fairy to me before the pixies find it, you thick-skulled rodent. Go! Go!” Alistair threw a pillow at the squirrel. Rusty was out the door and in the trees before the pillow hit where he had been standing.
Rusty carried the tiny fairy into the cabin and carefully lowered her limp body to the table. Alistair went to the cupboard for an acorn cup. He poured a few drops of tea into the miniature cup and set it before his tiny guest. Then he poured some into a saucer and set it before Rusty.
“Did the pixies hurt her?” He asked as he examined the unconscious fairy. There were no bruises on her fair skin and her dragonfly-like wings looked perfect.
“No Wiz. Somethin’ scared the pixies and they’re hiding in their homes. They won’t be playing tricks on anyone tonight.” Ten years as the mage’s companion caused Rusty to be aware of things even humans couldn’t sense. “It’s something magical and something bad.”
“Drink your tea.” Alistair told Rusty. He turned back to the fairy. She wasn’t strong enough to drink, so Alistair took a spoonful of tea from his cup and started cooling it. When it was cool enough, he gently poured it over her.
She sat up, sputtering and angry. “What is the meaning of pouring that vile stuff on me?” Sparkles of rainbow-colored light flashed from her wings as she flapped them dry.
“You were under a spell. It was the only way to break it. Get warm and dry by the fire. And drink your tea.” Alistair looked over at Rusty, and noticed he hadn’t touched his drink. “Drink it, Rusty!”
“If you think I’m going to drink that bitter stuff you call tea…” Rusty stopped when he saw the mage had a wand pointed directly between his eyes. He realized this wasn’t the time for one of their good-natured arguments. He bent his head and drank every drop of the nasty tasting liquid.
“Now we wait. We can’t talk until everyone’s here and safe.” Alistair said. He stirred the fire and looked at the squirrel. His nose was twitching and his whole body was trembling with the effort of not speaking. But Alistair knew Rusty understood how transformarium worked and would restrain his normal chattiness.
They sat in silence as the mage drew out his crystal ball. To Rusty and the fairy, it was a featureless blue jewel. But Alistair saw into its depths, and what he saw disturbed him.
Alistair returned it to his pocket and stared into the fire, trying to make plans. He couldn’t stay here, so he needed to arrange for a neighbor to care for his garden. He pulled out his flute and played a song of safety and help for the traveler he knew was trying to reach his house.