Page 19 of Legends of Sorcery
“Good morning,” he said cheerfully. “I have another one hundred doses for you today.’
“Do you think there’re still that many out there that need it?”
“I have no way of knowing for sure, but they seemed plentiful yesterday so would rather have too much than not enough. I’ll get another batch started, just in case. The apothecaries in villages will be pleased for it if we don’t need them.”
“That is true. I’ll finish up here and be on my way then.”
“Very well. Good luck today. You did well yesterday,” the wizard said before turning to leave.
Two compliments in as many days? That was beginning to worry Arion.
There was a knock at the door just as Arion was setting off to leave. He opened it and found Garron there clutching his side and trying to catch his breath.
“What’s happened?” Arion asked as the hair on his arms rose.
“It’s Valaria. She and her father argued, and she’s disappeared again. The King seems more worried than usual this time. He wants Zallon to run a location spell on her and I thought maybe you’d know where she is.”
“Why would I know where the princess is?”
Garron shrugged. “I thought the two of you were close. You looked a bit cozy yesterday.”
Arion sighed. “Well we’re not,” he said adamantly. “Go to Zallon and have him run a location spell. I have work to do.”
“Aren’t you even a little concerned for her safety? I mean she is your friend even if nothing more and there’s a murderer on the loose,” Garron argued.
“A unicorn murderer,” Arion clarified.
“Someone willing to kill a unicorn will stop at nothing. They are the gentlest creatures in Amaria.”
Arion snorted. “Clearly, you’ve never angered one, but I get your point. I’ll keep an eye out for her while I’m out today.”
“You’ve going back out there? Alone?” Garron asked.
“Yes Garron. There’s still work to be done.”
“But it’s not safe,” he insisted.
Zallon walked in carrying a sword and scabbard. “Arion, before you leave, I want you to carry this on you at all times today. It’s just precautionary should you encounter the less savory type on your mission. Plus, tomorrow we’ll have to arrange a journey for you to reach any of the unicorns further out in the kingdom. I just want to know you have some protection.”
Arion tried not to laugh. He’d never even held a sword in all his life. He was more likely to injure himself trying to battle with it, but if it calmed Zallon’s nerves for him to carry it, he would.
Taking the sword from him, Arion secure the scabbard around his waist surprised by how comfortable it felt to wear.
“I’m going to be fine, Zallon. I’ll be back late tonight.”
“Oh, Garron,” Zallon said as if he was noticing him for the first time. “Good, good I’m glad you’ll be traveling with him today.”
“Um, no sir. The King sent me to see you about a location spell. The princess is missing again.”
Zallon sighed. “Of course, she is. Give me just a moment.”
He left the room and Garron stood there awkwardly so Arion stayed to talk to his friend while he waited.
“You should go. You have a lot to do today. I wish I could come with you again, but I have other duties to tend to.”
It amazed Arion how sincere Garron sounded. He felt like he had a real friend for the first time in his life.
Zallon returned and clapped his hands together. “Looks like our stray princess is headed for the Falls of Healing Water. I imagine you’ll find plenty of unicorn there, Arion, so I might suggest you start there and convince a certain pampered princess to find her way back home and make amends with her father. Garron, tell the King that his daughter is in good hands.” He gave Arion a wink and turned on his heels to walk back to his laboratory.
