Gulin's Gift

The two travelers went on their way enjoying the light breeze and the sunshine where the trees parted enough to allow the light to shine through. The path was soft and free of stones. Luther watched his companion as Tolwen lead the way for a time, Tolwen was a contradiction within him self, Tolwen spoke of worldly travels yet he seemed more like a child. Luther displaced the thought for he felt it was the unfairness to judge a man he hardly knew.

Both travelers were startled by a sudden movement in the trees; three men appeared from the shadows. Each man had a sword drawn and pointed at the two travelers. Luther and Tolwen reached for their swords but were meant with points of swords inches from their faces.

One man said, “Steady gentlemen all we want is your gold and coin.”

Luther responded, “You’ll find neither here thief.”

Tolwen, said, “Be off we are just poor travelers.”

The man touched Luther’s robe, “These are fine garments for poor travelers.”

Luther said, “You heard my friend, you have picked the wrong travelers to rob. We have nothing of value to the likes of you. ”I’ll be the judge of that, empty your pockets and bags, but first draw your swords slowly and carefully and drop them to the ground.”

Just as Luther and Tolwen were drawing their swords a puff of white smoke appeared behind the thief and from the smoke appeared King Gulin. With a jester and waive the thieves swords turned into hissing snakes and the thieves dropped them to the ground and took off running down the path away from Gulin and the travelers.

Tolwen, “King Gulin thank you, thank you very much.”

Gulin, “You are welcome my friends.”

Luther said, “How did you know we were under attack?”

Gulin smiled, “I didn’t know, I was following you to assure that you cleared my forest without incident. Then I saw these thieves holding you up and I was not about to let you waylaid in my forest.”

Tolwen, “Well we are grateful for your protection.”

Gulin, Not, that you need it do you my friend?”

Tolwen looked puzzled at Gulin, “I don’t understand.”

Luther looked at Tolwen and then at King Gulin, “I too am puzzled King Gulin, what do you mean?”

Gulin smiled down at Tolwen, “You have not told you traveling companion?”

Luther now with a puzzled look on his face said, “Told me what Tolwen?”

Gulin placed a hand on Tolwen’s shoulder, “Tell him Tolwen.”

Tolwen swallowed hard, “That I am a wizard, of sorts.”

Gulin laughed, “A wizard of sorts, which is hardly the whole story.”

Tolwen looked at Gulin and then at Luther, “I was the wizard for King Lother of the Kingdom of Harlkon.”

Gulin patted Tolwen on the shoulder, “I Tolwen and a great wizard you are, I have heard of you and I hear tails of magic that would make a dragon bow his head.”

Luther, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Tolwen sheeplessly smiled at Luther, “That was all in the past and in another life.”

Gulin chuckled a little, “My friend you can no more change what you are then you can change the wind.”

Tolwen walked a few steps away before turning to face Gulin and Luther, “I would rather not discuss this anymore.”

Gulin, “As you wish my friend but, I have a gift for you to help you on your travels." Gulin reached into his robes and produced a glowing orange globe about two inches across. Tolwen’s eyes lit up and a smile crossed his face. As if he had forgotten himself for a moment Tolwen cleared his throat, “Is that what I think it is?”

“Yes, my friend it’s a journey stone, simply hold the stone in your hand say an incantation  and you will be transported several miles along your journey.”

Tolwen took the glowing stone form King Gulin, it felt warm in his hand. “This is grand gift King Gulin are you sure you want to part with it?”

Gulin, “I would consider it an honor for you to except this gift as a token of my respect from one wizard to another.”

Tolwen smiled up at Gulin, “Very well King Gulin, as you wish. But I must give you something in exchange.” Tolwen began reaching into his robs.

“Your friendship is all I request.”

Tolwen smile deepened, “That you have my friend.”

Luther interrupted, “Excuse me but you’re a wizard?”

Tolwen looked at Luther, “Don’t be so surprised wizard come in all sizes you know!”

Luther, “Yes of course, I didn’t mean that. Those thieves were going to rob us and you could have stopped them?”

Tolwen, “Yes and I would have, when it was time.”

Luther let out a moan while staring down at Tolwen, “Just when the time would have been right?”

Gulin, “Luther, Tolwen would have reacted when the thieves let down their guard.”

“Of course”, Tolwen said with a smile.

Luther said, “Just how would have you reacted, can you tell me that?”

Tolwen stepped back and produced handful of green dust, “Much like this.” Tolwen throw the dust into the air and it burst into flames that enveloped Tolwen. The flames roared high into the sky then Tolwen simply waived his hand and the flames disappeared. Luther nodded his head, “Oh, OK I see what you mean.”

Gulin laughed, “I see both of you are well protected and the night is coming I must return to my Lady.” With that a puff of white smoke and King Gulin was gone.

With Gulin gone the two travelers decided to camp there for the night. Luther went looking for wood and Tolwen decided that since his secret was out there was no reason he and Luther should be uncomfortable so he said an incantation and a tent complete with bedrolls and thick blankets appeared. Tolwen then walked to a nearby spring among a rocky out-cropping to fill his canteen with water. When he returned Luther had returned too with a good supply of fire wood and was starting a fire. Luther looked at the tent and just shook his head. Tolwen said an incantation and piece of meat appeared on stick over Luther’s fire. The two sat and eat dinner without saying a word.  After they had ate their fill they entered the tent and went to sleep again without saying a word to each other.

As the morning sun broke through the trees the two travelers woke and packed up their camp. Tolwen waived his hand towards the tent and it disappeared. The two started their walking again Luther held back on purpose to watch his curious companion. Luther had seen many wizards and knew there were good and bad wizards, he wondered which one his friend was and why he didn’t tell him earlier about being a wizard. Luther’s father the king had always taught him to ask question if he wanted an answer. It was clear Tolwen was a powerful wizard and appeared to be a kind soul but he had to ask.

Luther asked, “So why did you not tell me you were a wizard?”

Tolwen stopped walking and turned to face Luther, “In my years of traveling I have found it is not always best to advertise that I am a wizard. Some people are afraid of wizards while others want to use my power for their own gain.”

“And which one do you think I am”, asked Luther?

Tolwen studied Luther for a second, “Neither, you accept people for who they are, a truly rare person. Forgive me for not trusting you, I should have seen you for the person you are.”

Luther stared at Tolwen for a second then said, “Apology accepted.” Then Luther started down the path. Tolwen shook his head smiled and took off to follow the Prince.

As the day went on into the afternoon the two travelers reached the edge of Gulin’s forest. Both stopped and looked back over the path they had traveled.

Tolwen asked, “Think we’ll ever come back this way?”

“I’m sure we will.”

“I would like to see Gulin and his fine lady again someday.”

“We will, I doubt this is the last we will hear or see of Gulin.”

The two smiled then turned around and continued on their journey. As the path had ended at the forest edge so had the smooth and rock free path, now the path was uneven and stones protruded from the ground.

“Ouch,” Tolwen said as he tripped over a rock in the path, nearly falling.

“Best watch your step there wizard wouldn’t want you to get hurt”, Luther said then laughed. Tolwen smiled and laughed too.

“Could you use your powers to make the path smooth and stone free as Gulin did?

Tolwen smirked, “Powers are best not wasted on small matters which the body can handle.”

“I see, so you can’t smooth out the road.” Luther said with a grin.

With the wave of Tolwen’s hand, Luther found himself tripping over a large stone that wasn’t there before.

Luther caught himself before falling, “OK, my friend point taken.” Luther said and chuckled.

The two continued to work their way along the not too friendly path through the open field of tall grass. About half way across the field both men stopped, both seemed to be listening for a sound then they sniffed the wind as if hoping to pick up on a scent in the air.

Luther said in a volume just above a whisper, “I fear we have company,”

As do I”, Tolwen agreed.

The two drew their swords and went back to back ready to defend from all sides. There was a slight rustling in the tall grasses to the north, then from the south. From the shadows of the tall grasses images begin to form of women dressed in long flowing robes and veils about their faces, the robs were brightly colored and fancy necklaces and bracelets adorned the women. Five in all appeared from the grasses. Above the veils dark black eye pierced with a haunting glow. The women stopped and stared at the two travelers. One woman spoke, “Fear not gentle men we seek only the company and protection that traveling together will provide.”

Luther stared at the women that was talking, “Protection from what or who?”

“Why, protection from the highway men and other travelers that may take advantage of five women traveling along.”

Luther looked at the five women standing before him, “How do you know we won’t take advantage of you?”

“We have watched you and you seem to be kind and honest men, hardly the type to take advantage of us. We are unable to defend ourselves. We lost our escorts to a band of highway men yesterday. If any survived they have not caught up with us yet.”

“Where were you headed?”

The women smiled, “To the land of Doren on the far side of the mountains.”

Luther soberly nodded still with sword in hand, “Doren is several days walk from here, have you no horses?”

“They were ran off in the raid of our group. We find ourselves afoot and with few supplies and fewer ways of defending ourselves should those highway men catch up with us.”

“What business do you have in the lands of Doren?”

“I am lady Jade from the east we are travelers like you selves we are in search of husbands. We are told that the prospects in Doren are good for ladies like ourselves.”

Luther looked at Tolwen who stood with a wide grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye he had never seen before.

Tolwen lowered his sword and said, “Come now Luther we can hardly turn away five lovely ladies in their moment of need.”

Luther lowered his sword but was still on edge, “Very well Lady Jade may you and your companions join us?’

Tolwen stepped forward to meet Lady Jade and the other ladies. “We were just headed for Doren ourselves we would be proud to be your escorts.”

Luther said, “We were? We would?”

Tolwen turned to Luther and whispered, “We had no plan, no destination selected, Doren is as good a place as any. And we will have the company of five beautiful ladies along the way.” Tolwen smiled up at Luther.

The seven greeted each other and decided that there was a good place to have lunch and rest before heading off for Doren. While Tolwen made his way from the group and in hidden from site he said a incantation and basket of berries and roots appeared in his hand. Smiling he walked back towards the group and shared his basket of food. Luther and Lady Jade talked while they enjoyed the berries.

Luther said, “Lady Jade where do you hail from?”

“The lake town of Shauron on the west edge of the great lake was my home.”

I have never been to you home town but I have heard of it.”

“And where do you come from?”

“Oh, from here and there I don’t come from any place particular.”

“Oh, a man of mystery. And what of your friend, he seems a curious man.”

“Tolwen is a man of many surprises.”

“I see, two men of mystery how lucky are we to be traveling with such men of the world!”

Luther smiled at Lady Jade and wondered what the full story was behind Lady Jade and her lovely ladies.

They broke camp and started off for Doren, Luther noticed that the path was suddenly much smoother and free of rock than it had been before meeting up with Lady Jade and her companions. He thought of asking Tolwen but he would never admit to it or deny it. The path went on and on through the tall grasses and pass an occasional tree or two but little change for the rest of the day light.

Come night fall Tolwen explained to Lady Jade and her companions that he was a wizard of limited ability but abilities enough to create tents and bedding enough to make their nights comfortable. With the wave of his hand four tents appeared of wool and satin. The ladies hurriedly checked out the tents and made themselves comfortable. Tolwen made a fire and with a incantation tables and chairs and small banquet of fruits and meat appeared. When the ladies came out of the tents they squealed with delight at the spread before them. They all sat and feasted on the bounty Tolwen had set for them. After the meal Lady Jade and Luther sat about the fire and talked.

“Lady Jade, how did you expect to make this journey after losing your escort?”

“We hope to meet up with fellow travelers like you and Tolwen, but of course we did not expect to find a wizard that could make our journey so comfortable.”

“Yes Tolwen has been a welcome surprise to us all.”

“How long have you two known each other?”

Luther smiled and answered, “I’m not sure I do know Tolwen but, we’ve only been traveling together a couple of days.”

“You must know him if you are traveling with him!”

“I suppose I know him as well as anyone can after only a couple days. He seems like a kind soul and an honest man.”

Lady Jade reached out and touched Luther’s hand, “I could say the same thing about you. How rare it is to find two men such as yourself and Tolwen”, a soft smile crossed Lady Jade’s face.

Luther smiled back at Lady Jade, “we better get some sleep we have a long day ahead of us.”

Lady Jade gave Luther’s hand a small squeeze nodded and got up and entered one of the tents.

In the morning Luther and Tolwen were awakened by the snort of a horse just outside the tent. Soon the voices of several men and they faint cries from Lady Jade and her companions followed. Luther and Tolwen readied their swords and stepped out to the point of the other men’s swords.

“Steady men”, said a tall man on horseback with his sword pointed at Luther’s throat. Looking about Luther and Tolwen could see twelve men, four had swords pointed at them and the rest were holding Jade and the others in a small circle with their swords pointed at the ladies.

The man on horseback introduced himself as Kin-gee. “Gentlemen, thank you for taking such good care of the ladies but we will take them from here.”

Luther spoke up, “Lady Jade are you ok?”

“Yes, Luther we are unharmed.”

Kin-gee broken in, “And they’ll stay way as long as they do what they are told and the two of you don’t try to be heroes.”  Kin-gee pressed the tip of his sword against Luther’s chest. “Now drop those swords and behave your selves unless you want to see one of those little pretties get hurt.”

Luther and Tolwen dropped their swords and were directed to sit by the fire.

Luther whispered to Tolwen, “Can’t you do something?”

“Yes, of course I can but it must be at the right time.”

The travelers watched as other horse were brought up and one by one the ladies were put on a horse then bound to the saddles by leather straps about their hands. When the last lady was bound Luther and Tolwen were place on horses too and their hands bound to the saddles. Luther kept watch Tolwen for a sign that he was going to do something but Tolwen seemed content to go along with the directions he was given by their captures.

Soon the party of Luther Tolwen, Lady Jade, her companions and the highway men moved on through the grassy plains. For hours they rode until the grasses gave way to sandy and the sun began to beat down on the travelers. From time to time they would stop and everyone got a drink of water. During each stop Luther would give Tolwen a deep stare in an effort to make eye contact but each time Tolwen avoided the eye contact and again the party would move on.

As night fell the party set up camp and the ladies and the two travelers were tied in a large group. Luther waited until the guard stepped away before he whispered to Tolwen, “What are you waiting for?”

“Just the right time and we’ll make an escape but it must be the right time. Trust me.”

Long after night fall Tolwen whispered, “It’s time tell everyone to be very quiet.”

Tolwen whispered a incantation and the nearby guard fell asleep. Tolwen whispered another incantation and ropes binding the group fell from their wrests turned to powder and small group silently move away from the camp. After moving a few feet away Tolwen whispered to Lady Jade, “Take my hand tell the rest too.” Jade did as she was told; soon the whole group was holding each other’s hand. Tolwen pulled the travel stone from his rob and whispered another incantation and the group vanished only to reappear outside the walls of Doren.

One by one the ladies hugged Luther and Tolwen but, Tolwen got a kiss on the cheek from Lady Jade, “Thank you Tolwen for saving us you are a man of many surprises as your friend told me.”

Tolwen responded, “well, thank you Lady Jade. You never did tell us what business you had in Doren?”

Lady Jade smiled, “Was on my way to meet my new husband Prince Linfara. I am Princess Jade and these other ladies are my servants. We were traveling to Doren to my wedding date. Of course you both are invited.” Princess Jade grabbed Luther by the hand, “I am sure my future husband will be glad to have two such men of the world. He must meet those that saved us from Kin-gee and his band of cut-throats.”

Luther smiled and patted Tolwen on his shoulder, “I should have known you were right my dear friend, when will I learn to trust you?”

Tolwen snider, “When indeed.”