Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #21 December 2015 | Page 26

be Manfred the Magician.
Two Rivers was a small town and everyone
there knew Manfred. The two ruffians fell over
themselves to lead the travellers to the only inn in
town. The Fisherman’s Arms was as rough as the
rest of the shabby town and its inhabitants, but to
Manfred it was a veritable palace. The innkeeper, by
name of Trout, was a stout ruddy fellow, with a bald
head and a dirty apron. Manfred thought that he must
suffer from high blood pressure. Trout fussed over
them. He gave them his best rooms, organised hot
baths, and provided clean clothes while he had their
travelling clothes washed. All except for Manfred,
whose clothes seemed to have miraculously cleaned
and dried themselves. That evening they relaxed in the
bar. The ale was weak and the food very average, but
to Manfred it seemed like a feast. Ubadah complained
that his bread lacked salt and that the beef in his stew
was too tough. His bed was also too lumpy and his
room was too small. Manfred contemplated sealing
his lips together. The locals crowded round, seeking
news. Manfred had cautioned them all to say nothing
of their travels. Kris was called into service to recount
the story of Gilgamesh. The story went down well and
they drank and swapped tales until late in the evening.
They slept well and late, drugged by the ale
into dreamless oblivion. Their clothes were ready for
them when they awoke. After a hot breakfast of bacon
and eggs, washed down with lashings of tea, Trout’s
young apprentice appeared with four horses for them.
Not bad for a one-horse town. Manfred’s credit
was good and Trout knew that the horses would be
returned with ample reward. By evening, they were
safely home in Elannort. Manfred immediately looked
for Simon. He found Taran and Dawit in the Keep and
Jhamed keeping vigil in the High Tower. There was no
sign of Simon.

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