Let’s Be Reasonable
by Jared Buck
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Table of Contents parts 1, 2, 3 |
conclusion
We arrived at Krilda’s house with just an hour or two of daylight to spare, as Krilda was coming back home. She was hunched over, walking with her gnarled cane in one hand and a brown sack in the other.
“Ah,” she exclaimed with a gap-toothed smile. “Back so soon? Not seen enough of old Krilda’s beauty, have you?” She giggled. “Just returned with some choice mushrooms, old Krilda has. Have you come over for a taste of Krilda’s mushroom stew? The best there is in all the kingdom.”
I was about to say something, but Thandy silenced me with a gesture. “Let me do the talking, Velmore.”
Krilda looked at Thandy, seeming to notice her for the first time.
“And who is this pretty little thing?” Krilda looked her up and down.
“I am Thandy Irno, daughter of the merchant Iramore Irno and Benran’s fiancée. I’ve come to talk with you, Madam Krilda, about the... the situation we find ourselves in.”
Krilda chuckled. “Situation, eh? Well, get on with it then. Talk.” The humor seemed to have flushed from Krilda’s face at once as she spoke to Thandy.
“In private, if you please,” said Thandy.
Benran grabbed Thandy’s arm. “No! Thandy, that’s not a good idea. You alone with her? There’s no telling what she might do.”
“Oh, be quiet, Benran. She has nothing against me.”
“Master Velmore, talk some sense into her,” Benran begged me. “I don’t trust Krilda one bit.”
“Nor do I, Benran. But I don’t think she’d harm Thandy. She has no reason to. Besides, time is short. The risk seems worth it.”
Krilda cleared her throat loudly. “Krilda may be old, but she’s not deaf!”
Before anything else could be said, Thandy strode towards Krilda. I admired her decisiveness.
“Thandy!” shouted Benran.
Without looking back, Thandy shouted, “Don’t worry about me, Benran. I’m just going to talk to her.”
With that, the two of them disappeared into Krilda’s house. They were in there for two hours. We heard them speaking, but could not hear clearly anything they said.
Orty prepared a light meal for us: some bread and dried fish, a bit of cheese, and of course some wine. That certainly helped me feel better; one needs something to take one’s mind off things now and again.
Poor Benran, however, was downcast. He hardly nibbled at the food in front of him, although he drank his wine a little too quickly.
“Cheer up, Benran,” I said at last, unable to bear his dour look any longer; it was contagious, and I felt myself beginning to feel down as well. “You have a wonderful fiancée.”
Benran shrugged. “You’re right, Master Velmore. But I can’t help but feel all of this is my fault. If I hadn’t been such a lout to Krilda in the first place, Thandy wouldn’t be in there right now.”
“Well, you’re right,” I said. Benran gave me a peeved look. “Oh, come now. You know you were terrible to Krilda. She certainly overreacted, but I am glad to see that you can recognize your faults. That’s a sign of growth all too rare in people these days.”
The two women emerged from the house after dark. Thandy came out first. Her expression was hard to read at first, but I thought she looked a bit glum. Krilda, on the other hand, flashed a wicked smile for a split second. It was there and gone so fast that I almost thought it was only in my imagination.
Benran ran up to Thandy. “Are you all right? Did she do anything to you?”
Thandy shook her head. “I’m fine. Really, I am.”
Benran took her hands in his.
“Ahem!” They turned to look at me. “If you please, Thandy, pray tell us the result of your efforts.”
“Master Velmore! Old Krilda is surprised at you. Can’t you give the two young lovers a moment to themselves?”
“No, that’s all right,” said Thandy, letting go of Benran. “I might as well just get right down to it.” She took a deep breath. “Benran, Krilda has agreed to undo the spell, but with one condition.”
Benran grew excited. “Of course! Anything! What is it?”
I gritted my teeth. I did not like how eager Benran was without first hearing what would be asked of him; even less, I disliked how Krilda’s smile broadened.
Thandy hesitated and her hands trembled. “You are to journey north, farther into Maerkier’s Wood and find Grengon the Goblin. He lives near a patch of rare mushrooms. You’re to bring Krilda Grengon’s head and as many of the mushrooms as you can carry.”
Benran’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “Mushrooms? She just wants some mushrooms?”
“And that fiendish goblin’s head!” Krilda said with a snarl. “Don’t you forget that! And they’re not just any mushrooms; they’re black-speckled gold-flecked mushrooms rare in these parts. And ever since a little disagreement Krilda had with him years ago, Grengon has kept Krilda from those mushrooms, Krilda’s favorite.”
“I presume you need them for one of your witch’s brews,” I said.
Krilda shook her head. “No, a witch’s stew, in fact.”
Benran sucked in his breath. “You want me to risk my life against a monster... so you can make some stew?”
Krilda nodded. “It’s very good stew, lad. If you live, maybe Krilda will let you have a bowl.”
As Krilda laughed at her own dark humor, Orty and I held Benran back. He had his sword with him this time, and I didn’t want him to do anything foolish. Gods forbid if he actually killed Krilda; not only would that make him a murderer, but he would never be able to return to his normal state, as the only one capable of breaking the spell would be dead.
At last, he relented. “I’ll do it. I shall set out at once.”
Without another word, he mounted his horse and began heading north.
“Wait a moment, Benran!” I shouted after him. “Before you go, let me do something for you.” He stopped and looked back at me.
“What is it?” he snapped.
Without answering, I slipped up to him and grasped his sword. I muttered a spell over it and then another spell over his tunic.
“What was all that?” Benran asked with a tone of annoyance.
“I’ve enscorcelled both your sword and clothes. It won’t make you invincible against the goblin, but your sword will be unbreakable, and the goblin will have a hard time cutting or stabbing through your tunic.” Since he wasn’t wearing armor and had no time to go back home and change into it, this would have to do. “But make haste, Benran; the spells will hold for only a few hours, until dawn at most.”
With that, Benran went off on his quest.
* * *
Thandy accompanied Orty and me back to Xim-on-the-Orno, but once we reached town she took her leave of us. “I had better return home. My parents will be wondering where I’ve been.”
I agreed with her; it wouldn’t do for Thandy and me to be seen together, for word would then certainly get back to Baron Collaran, and I was anxious to avoid another visit from him if I could help it. After Thandy departed, Orty and I returned home to await Benran. The wedding was to take place the next day, so Benran had precious little time.
I was in no mood for supper that night and hardly touched what Orty prepared. Hoot picked at it more than I did. I tried to distract myself by poring over some books but, in the end, I found I was only staring at the words, not really reading them. Benran was only a client perhaps, but I felt genuine worry for him. At heart he was a good lad. He was simply full of that youthful foolishness and impulsiveness so many of us have at that age. I was no exception in my own youth, though I never got myself into such a pickle as poor Benran had.
The night was dark, moonless, and unusually quiet. Orty took away my half-eaten supper and I bid him retire for the night. He turned to go, but then he lingered at the door.
“Orty, we’ve known each other for decades,” I said. “You’re the closest I have to a friend in this world. If you have something to say, feel free to.”
He turned around. “I’ve never seen you this concerned for a client, Master Velmore.” He set the tray down on a small table nearby and came over to my desk. “Some things are out of your control, you know. Even with magic, you can’t fix everyone’s problems. Benran’s a young fellow; he’s got a lot to learn. I think it’s best this way, that he learns to solve his own problem instead of running off to someone for help.”
“Even if he could be killed?”
Orty grimaced. “It’s unfortunate he has to face such a danger. But life always has its risks. Besides, I wouldn’t worry too much about him on that front, Master Velmore. He’s well-known around these parts as one of the best swordsmen there is. His father was, too, back in his youth.”
Orty’s reassurance made me feel a little better, and I had enchanted his sword and tunic, which would give the goblin a harder time against Benran.
“Thank you, Orty,” I said.
Orty nodded, went and picked the tray back up and started out the door. “More wine?” he asked.
“No,” I replied after a moment’s hesitation, “I should like to be clear-headed when he returns.”
* * *
Orty’s shouting woke me up. It was early morning, and dawn was just breaking. “Master Velmore! Come quickly!” he called from downstairs.
It took several moments for the fog of drowsiness to lift and for me to realize what was going on. At once, I hurried downstairs. There, I saw Orty helping Benran to a chair.
The wound to his leg was not grievous, although it was quite painful. It was because of that wound that I did not at once notice the great change which had come over him. He was returned to normal! The curse was broken! Instead of a bestial countenance, here was the true Benran: a somewhat handsome youth with auburn hair.
He winced as he sat down with Orty’s help. The wound was well-bandaged.
“I presume Krilda bandaged that for you,” I said.
“She did,” replied Benran with a simultaneous smile and wince. “I brought her the goblin’s head and a bag of those mushrooms. The goblin had quite a few of them in his shack, it just so happened. Lucky for me, otherwise I’d have had to search around in the dark for them.”
Benran told how he had found the goblin easily enough. It was not as large or fierce-looking as he had imagined, but still proved a formidable foe. It attacked him with a spiked club, which surely would have bent or broken his thin duelling sword without my enchantment.
“He got in a few good whacks on my chest and back with that club of his,” said Benran. “If you hadn’t enscorcelled my tunic, he’d have broken a few of my ribs — or worse.”
He’d run the goblin through and then brought its head and the mushrooms back to Krilda as quickly as he could, where she patched him up, broke the curse, and promptly sent him on his way with hardly a word.
“She seemed glad to be rid of me, and I was quite glad to get it all over with.”
Orty brought in some wine for the two of us, but Benran politely refused.
“I had best get home,” he said. “I have quite a lot of explaining to do. My father will want an explanation of where I’ve been the last few days.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“I’m sure he won’t.” Benran and I shared a laugh at that, but I sensed some fear behind his laughter. “In any case, Master Velmore, you simply must come tomorrow. I insist.”
“To your wedding? Oh, I don’t think your father would like that.”
“He won’t, but don’t worry about it. I’ll put your name on the guest list. Without your help, my life would be ruined.”
I saw Benran to his horse, and Orty helped him mount it. He waved good-bye and rode off, and I returned to my room for some much needed sleep.
* * *
We arrived at the cathedral shortly before midday. There was a large crowd huddled about outside. When Orty and I went in, we saw that it was quite crowded. Most of those outside, I realized, were merely curious onlookers. Those inside were the actual guests.
Benran rushed up to me and shook my hand warmly. “I’m so happy you made it!” he said, eyes wide with excitement. Before I could respond, a dark shadow passed over his face and he looked over my shoulder.
“Well, wizard, it seems you did indeed provide my son with your services,” came a low voice from behind me. I turned around to see Baron Collaran, dressed in a fine suit, with a long green cape reaching down to his ankles. He rested his left hand on a gold-hilted duelling sword. “Benran related the... events to me, such as they were. I cannot say I am pleased; I do not like people going behind my back about matters great or small. I am, however, relieved to learn all turned out well.”
I mumbled a tepid response.
“Come now, Father. This is an important day for our house. Let’s make the best of it.” Benran looked about. “Is Thandy here yet? I don’t see her family anywhere.”
Baron Collaran shook his head. “No, they’re late. That’s not like them. Her father is a merchant, noted for his punctuality.”
Benran looked concerned.
“I’m sure nothing is the matter,” I said, trying to calm Benran. “Thandy is likely busy getting ready. It is the biggest day of her life after all.”
Benran nodded but seemed little comforted.
Just then, an old man with a long gray beard and dressed in expensive-looking robes, threaded with gold trim, strode into the cathedral. He had a worried, wide-eyed look on his face.
“Ah, Iramore Irno. Thandy’s father,” commented Baron Collaran blandly. “Not like you to be late, Ira,” he said as Iramore approached him.
“Baron, it is urgent. We must speak at once, and in private!”
“What’s wrong?” demanded Benran. “Is something the matter?”
Iramore looked at Benran with a mix of sympathy and fear. “I’d... I’d better talk to your father about it first,” he said weakly.
“About WHAT?” shouted Benran.
I took Benran’s arm. “Come, Benran. We’d best let them talk. We’ll find out what is the matter soon enough.”
I led him away and sat him down on one of the pews. I tried to distract him with some idle chatter, but it did little good; his attention was fixed on his father and Thandy’s father as they spoke in hushed tones away from the crowd.
As the baron listened to what Iramore had to say, his eyes widened. “What?! What did you say?” the Baron suddenly shouted. This drew the attention of the entire cathedral. Silence swept over all in attendance. The Baron caught himself and continued to talk to Iramore in hushed tones.
At last they returned to us. Benran asked eagerly what the matter was. Baron Collaran and Iramore looked at each other anxiously. Iramore was about to speak when suddenly there were shouts and gasps at the entrance. Some children ran screaming from the doorway as a hooded figure in a white dress entered.
“Thandy!” Benran shouted and ran to her.
“No! Wait!” snapped his father. “Iramore, she wasn’t supposed to come in yet!”
Iramore said nothing. I noted his trembling hands. I ran after Benran, who caught Thandy and embraced her.
“Thandy, are you all right? Our fathers make it seem something awful has happened.”
I noticed she was whimpering. “Thandy,” I said. “Why have you got that hood on?” It was not part of the traditional bridal costume. But then, when I looked down at her hands, I knew exactly what had happened. “My gods!” I gasped.
Before I could say another word, Benran tore Thandy’s hood away. He screamed and stumbled back.
“I don’t know how it happened,” Thandy said through the tears that streamed down her fur-covered face. “She... Krilda must have snipped some of my hair when I met her the other day. I didn’t even notice. And then this morning... This morning I woke up like this!”
She fell weeping to her knees, and Benran went down with her, embracing her.
I felt a tug on my sleeve and turned to see Iramore standing there, his chin quivering. “May I ask you, Master Velmore, about what you charge for your services?”
I sighed deeply. “I’m afraid we have a witch to visit,” I said. “Let’s just hope she’ll be a little more reasonable this time around.”
Copyright © 2025 by Jared Buck
