By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Two
Enchanter was in a state of mild confusion. he had followed the troll-like plainswalker for almost three days hoping to find his other allies - but no one seemed to surface. To make matters even worse - in a brief moment when his attention was diverted - he had gone missing. Enchanter was tempted to return home to begin his search anew - but he remembered what had happened last time.
"How could such a stupid little troll - elude me?" he asked himself in disbelief. He looked around through the forest and saw a small town in the distance.
"It's as good a place as any to start." he muttered as he made his way towards the town. It was then that he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes slowly looked down to something that was half covered with autumn leaves that had fallen earlier that day.
"What's this?" he asked. he bent down and pulled an unrolled scroll out from the wet ground. half of the document was completely illegible - the other half was written in an ancient language. He looked at the alien markings for a few moments. he whispered the words to a learning spell - all of a sudden the markings became legible.
"The tale - of the Dreaming Djin...? In a land to the west...I live and wait for you..." he read. The document then turned into mush in his hands. Enchanter was beside himself. In his schooling he had learned of a race of Djins known as Dreaming Djin. They were extremely powerful - yet very passive. It had always been a secret passion of his to find one of these ellusive Djins and make its power his own.
"By the stench that was on that - the troll must have dropped it. But what could he know of a Dreaming Djin?" he asked himself as he slowly got up. What started out to be so simple was starting to become complicated. That wasn't something that Enchanter appreciated.
"Find the troll - get the answers. Get answers from people." he rationalized as he quickened his pace towards the town. As he approached - many of the locals looked at him oddly. At first he wasn't sure why. Then he looked down at his arms and saw the wounds that he had endured in his conflict. Many of the people that were watching walked away - one maiden remained.
"It looks worse than it is. I was wondering if you could - advise me about some of the local sites." he asked. The maiden that was nearest looked around to see if she was being addressed.
"Yes - you. I am known as the Enchanter my dear - how are you called?" he asked poetically.
"Mellanie." she answered hesitantly.
"That's a pretty name - it suits you." he replied as he walked over and gently kissed the back of her hand.She quietly sighed and looked at the back of her hand. It seemed to be glowing.
"Are you - one of those wizards?" she asked nervously.
"Yes. is that a bad thing?" he asked.
"I - I - uhm, no. I guess not." she replied as she smiled at him.
"I'm glad. Would you mind showing me the sites of this wondrous place? I'm sort of new here." he requested as he extended his arm to her. She smiled and happily hugged his arm.
"I'd be happy to. Follow me. I know this great place. It's huge! Everybody goes there." she replied.
"Sounds absolutely pleasant. Lead the way." he requested as his enchanted victim walked with him through the small town. Once on the other side he could see the place that she was refering to. It was a huge city that was about ten times the size of his castle.
"Nice. Do any wizards live there?" he asked.
"No. They don't like magic there. It's run by ogres and other such creatures." she replied.
"You don't say. Any trolls there by any chance?" he asked.
"I don't know. they all look ugly to me." she replied as they made their way towards the city.
"You got me there. How about this then - have any of those ugly things been around your village?" he asked curiously. Mellanie thought back and shook her head.
"Oh well, what say we get you something absolutely stunning to wear - and then check out what that huge place has to offer? That sound like fun?" he asked coyly. Mellanie giggled and nodded.
A short while later - the two were walking through the crowded streets. Mellanie was dressed in the finest silks that Enchanter could find and was adorned with various jewelry to make her look like a princess.
"You are too kind." she aid happily as she admired her reflextion in a mirror. Enchanter stood behind her and kissed her on the cheek.
"I know. Come on. i'm thirsty and i liked the look of that tavern we passed back there." he requested. she nodded and followed him towards the tavern in question. on the other side of the street a heated debate was going on between one of the vendors and a customer.
A short while later, inside the bar, Enchanter was surrounded by all of the women that were in the place. The men that were there were not as amused as the ladies seemed to be. Enchanter told his captive audience a funny story that seemed to have them all enthralled. He was about to finish his story when someone stormed into the place and glared at him.
"You!" he shouted as he pointed his finger accusingly at him.
To be continued...
