Lair of the Unidragon, Page Twenty
You follow the directions to Kyshandra's house, and stare in shock at the woman who opens the door. She is a Human, but very tiny and delicate-looking for one of them, with golden-brown skin, long, silky black hair down to the backs of her knees, almond-shaped black eyes, and dainty features--and she also just happens to be your ex-WIFE!
"Questor!" she exclaims when she sees you. "Kill any nobles lately?" You grin. What a team you two used to make, you remember. With your fighting skills and her magical powers, you used to be able to clean out an entire town in one night. People used to run inside and lock their doors when they saw you coming (not that that helped) and you have fond memories of slaughtering your way through many a palace. Ah, those were the days.
"'Kyshandra'?" you laugh. "Is THAT what you're calling yourself today?" It was long a running gag in the underworld that "Kyshandra" changed aliases about as often as she changed clothes--and what a WARDROBE she had!
Today is no exception, as she glides smoothly across the floor in a flowing rose-coloured silk gown. "You're here for the Sorcoress's Apprenticeship, right? Never mind that. I'll just teach you something useful as quickly as I can, then wait for a real apprentice to answer my advertisement after you've left. Now, where did I put that book...Ah, here it is." She leafs through a dark green, leather-bound tome. "If you're going to fight the Unidragon, you're going to need this when you're done. Assuming you're not already dead, that is."
It turns out to be a healing spell. It takes you a couple of weeks to master it, which is pretty good considering you're not normally into magic at all. At the end of your last lesson, Kyshandra hands you a small square of white linen, edged with gold thread. "Here. If you're going to cross the ocean, take this."
You don't bother to ask how she knows so much about your plans--she's always been able to read your mind. In fact, that's one of the reasons you got divorced.
Instead, you stare down at the cloth. "Well, that's very sweet of you, the damsel giving her Knight her handkerchief before he goes into battle and all that, but--"
"Oh, brother," groans Kyshandra, snatching it away. "Now, watch carefully." She sets the handkerchief on the ground and commands, loudly, "FLY!"
The square grows into a full-sized magic carpet, floating a few inches above the floor. As you gape, Kyshandra commands, "STOP!" and it falls gently to the ground. She folds it, the entire thing, back into a little thin pocket-sized square.
"Convenient", you remark, tucking it inside your tunic. "Thanks," you say belatedly, and, pecking her on the cheek, you leave.
The carpet takes you quickly across the ocean--a little TOO quickly. You almost become airsick and, when you land it on a large island, you feel as if you're still swooping up and down for several minutes more. You shake your head and try to get your bearings. All you can see is a grassy plain. The only visible landmark for miles is a well-made road that starts nearby and leads off in six directions...you shake your head...no, only three--you're still quite giddy.
Well, you've never even heard of this place, so one way is as good as another.
Which way?
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