Nodwin was frightened. His father had always been there when he needed strength and protection and now he was leaving the safety of the village alone, without his father, without anyone.
There was a light knocking at his bedroom door and then Shimi entered, holding a pack. She handed it to him. “Food and drink, as much as I could fit. And other things as well. A change of clothes, some bandages and healing mud.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Just you come back, Nodwin. And bring me back my husband.” With that Shimi threw her arms around Nodwin, gripping him in a fierce hug. He felt oddly strengthened by it. His mother believed in him – believed he could succeed. That was enough for Nodwin.
He gently prised himself free of Shimi’s embrace and rose, taking the pack back out into the common rooms of the house. Grimbuck and the Mancer were waiting for him there, along with a few of his father’s closer friends who’d come to help earlier. The rest of the village, as evidenced by brief peeks through the windows, were gathered outside the house, waiting to see him off apparently.
Grimbuck spoke, “What is your plan, Nodwin?”
“I … I hadn’t really considered anything except tracking the Pixie and bringing back my father’s essence.”
The Mancer grinned. “It is good that we are here, then. We would suggest a different method. Do not track the Pixie, such an undertaking is likely impossible unless he wants to be found, in which case, you probably do not want to find him. Instead, go to Ciltandoor. It is the nearest Faerie city. Plead your case to them – we Pims have always had good relations with the elders of Ciltandoor and they should be sympathetic. The Faeries are much better equipped to find the Pixie and punish him.”
Grimbuck nodded, “That is good advice. Pursuing the Pixie alone is too dangerous. We know nothing of him and what he is capable of. But your journey to Ciltandoor will not be without danger; and for that we must prepare you.” Grimbuck motioned to one of the Pims standing to the side and a bundle was produced. Grimbuck took it and unwrapped it carefully, presenting it to Nodwin. Nodwin marveled at the contents of the bundle. Before him lay the finest shield and spear he had ever seen. The shield was made from the shell of an enormous tontak nut, and it was intricately carved with swirling and swooping patterns. It was round, with a semi-circular notch in the edge to accommodate the spear. The spear itself was another marvel. Ash wood, hardened by fire, with an obsidian point flaked sharper than iron ever could be.
“These are marvelous,” Nodwin said.
“Yes, they are,” replied Grimbuck. “They were my father’s, from a time when peace did not come so easily to Pims. They have been sung by the Mancer’s predecessor. They belonged to a great hero of our people. They will not fail you, do not fail them.”
“I will not fail your father’s legacy, Grimbuck.” Nodwin hefted the shield and spear, testing their weight in his hands. They felt solid, sturdy, and powerful, as if an energy inhabited them, waiting for a chance to come out. “I have a question.”
“Ask it,” said the Mancer. “We will not withhold anything that might help you bring Furlwid back.”
“That’s just it; how do I bring him back? I don’t even know what this essence looks like, much less how to carry it.”
“A wise one is first to admit his ignorance. Good for you, boy. The Pixie has his own way of carrying your father’s essence, in an object that they both had touched recently when the curse was performed.”
Shimi spoke up, “One of the sap cups is missing. Could the Pixie have used that to capture Furlwid’s essence?”
“Yes, that is likely the case, but Nodwin, that cup is bound to that Pixie now, and only the strongest magic could take it from him with your father remaining unharmed. And then stronger magic still would be needed to finally break the curse.” The Mancer reached into the one of the many folds of his robe and retrieved a small necklace with a pale blue stone set in silver. “Here, take this and wear it. It will be the vessel you will use to bring your father home. I cannot tell you how to move his essence from one vessel to another, but I know that if you bring him here in that stone, I will be able to break the curse. Anything else as a vessel and I will fail. Remember that, boy.“
Nodwin nodded and took the necklace, tying it around his neck.
“Now go east, and look for Faeries. Ciltandoor cannot be found on any map, you must be taken in by a Faerie. Show them the stone. They will help you.”
Shimi gave Nodwin a last hug, and the men in the house nodded their encouraging approval at him. He hefted the shield and spear onto his back along with the pack, and went out the front door. The whole village was there, and they cheered as soon as they saw him. They followed him through the town, cheering and shouting encouragements.At the edge of the village the crowd paused and Nodwin kept walking, east as the Mancer had told him. Into the forest. Toward Ciltandoor. Toward the Faeries. Toward his lost father.
Dawn broke quietly. Nodwin walked.
Long time fans of mine (all one or two of you) might recognize Nodwin’s destination from a previous (unfinished) story of mine.