Tom Crelious' Tale

Tom Crelious' Tale

["… there were many stories, some quite fantastic.  Like the night when old Tom Crelious had seen the Wizard…"]

(From The Orkanian Chronicles)

The fire was burning low on the hearth in the public room of the Red Rooster.  Most of the guests had already retired to their rooms for the night. A few of the locals remained, reluctant to wend their way home.  Each for his own reason.

Tom Crelious sat on a low bench looking sadly at the empty tankard in his hand.  It was late, but he had no desire to face the sharp tongue of Madam Crelious.  He sighed, and looked around the nearly empty room.  Samis, the Innkeeper was watching him.

He knew that Samis would never eject a paying customer.  But alas, his purse was as empty as the tankard in his hand.

In a corner, several of the City Guardsmen sat laughing together over some private joke.  But there was no point in approaching them.  They had heard his story too many times already.

But there was a stranger standing by the hearth.

Tom eyed the man by the fire.  He was a stranger, but obviously a man of importance.  Surely he could spare the price of a pint for Old Tom.  Tom walked over beside him and pretended to warm his hands over the coals.

"Bit cool t'night yer Lordship," he said.

The man looked up.

"Cool?  It is quite pleasant to my mind."

"Indeed, Yer Lordship, 'tis a beautiful night."

The man turned to face Tom.

"What do you want?"

"Is Yer Lordship a stranger to these parts?" Tom asked.

The man sized Tom Crelious up.  He was obviously a drunkard in search of another pint.  But the night was long, and he might provide a bit of amusement.

"Perhaps I am," he replied waiting to see what would come next.

"Then you should know to beware of the Sorcerer in the Tower."

"Sorcerer?"

In fact the man did know of Kazarro the Wizard, having met him at Court on several occasions.  But sensing a story here, he feigned ignorance.

Tom's eyes moved from the man to his empty tankard, and back again.  With an amused smile, the man motioned for the Innkeeper to refill Tom's mug.

"As I was saying, milord, in this city there is an old stone tower, the lair of the Sorcerer, Kazarro."

Tom gave the man a significant look, and took a long drink of ale.  The man waited for him to continue.

"You may doubt, if you wish, sir.  But I have seen it myself!  Weird lights flashing from that tower at midnight!  And only under a full moon.

"And then one night, some years ago, I was on my way home, from this very inn.  They may say it was the ale, but I know what I saw!"

There was another pause.  Tom seemed to have lost his train of thought.  He was staring off into his own world.

"And that was?" the man prodded.

Tom's eyes focused again.

"A bat, sir, as big as a horse!  Perched on the tower - at the very top."

"A giant bat!" the man repeated, trying not to sound too sarcastic.

Old Tom gave him a dirty look.

"Oh yes, you can laugh.  Most folks do.  But that's not the half of it."

"Oh?" remarked the man, waiting to hear what would come next.

"This bat, sat there with folded wings.  He was saddled, and in his mouth was a silver bit, Moonsilver, I'm certain of it."

"Moonsilver?"

"What else could it be?  How else could anyone control such a beast?"

The man shrugged.  He had never considered the question.

Tom became more excited as he continued his story.  The Guardsmen had stopped their conversation to watch.

"A cloud passed before the moon," he said, slopping ale as he gestured.  "It was only for a moment.  But when the light returned, I could see him!"

There was a snicker from the corner where the Guardsmen sat, but Tom didn't hear.  He was caught up in his tale now.

"There he was, silhouetted against the moon, the Sorcerer himself, sitting up in the saddle!  He looked straight at me for a moment.  I wanted to run, but couldn't move a muscle.

"Then with a terrible shriek, the creature leapt from it's perch, and dove straight for me!  And now I could run, and run I did!

"I felt the wind from it's wings as it passed over me.  I ran like the devil was behind me, for he was!  And then as he passed over me once again, the Sorcerer struck me a mighty blow with his staff!

"I woke the next morning, next to my own door, with a lump the size of a turnip!"

There was an explosion of laughter in the room.

"It was his own wife!"

Then more laughter.

"I know what I saw," Tom said sulkily.

Then he made his way shakily to the door.

He turned with one last word.

"I know what I saw!

Then he went out into the moonlight.