The Troll War

Chapter 33 - Mid-Cold Season

It had been several suns, and Bannon was getting better. He would leave his room once or twice a day for food, and sometimes walk the halls for a little exercise, but then back to his room and more rest. It was taking much longer for him to heal than anyone had expected, but he was improving. King Potts and Leaf visited at least once a day, which Bannon appreciated, but also wished they wouldn't be so concerned.

It had been freezing cold for the past couple of suns, and the trolls who had been sleeping outside, were now inside away from the howling winds, freezing rain, snow, and ice. Inside was warmer, but extremely crowded with trolls lining the halls to sleep. Moving quickly through the passages was out of the question.

Outside the gate, a weary voice called out, "Hello. Anyone Home?"

The guard looked down, "Yes?", his teeth chattering so much it was hard to speak.

"May I come in and rest, and perhaps a bit of food?"

"Certainly, old man come in and have some rest."

The old man walked through the courtyard as snow started coming down so hard that you couldn't see two steps in front of yourself. Somehow, the old man walked straight to the entrance proper without bumping into anything or slipping on the ice-covered stones under his feet. It was as if the blinding snow didn't prevent him from seeing.

Once inside he navigated his way around and through the trolls until he found a guard, "Where is the healer Leaf?"

"Probably in the dining hall," pointing in the general direction, "go that way until the second hall on your left. Follow that towards the sounds of talking and the smell of food. He generally sits at a table in the far-left corner. Sometimes he eats with our King."

The old man gave a slight bow, "Thank you kind sir, I'm sure I can find him now." With a smile and a wink, the old man headed down the hall.

The wink was highly unusual, and concerned the guard some, but he quickly dismissed his concern and continued with his duties thinking, "Humans are strange creatures."

The old man found Leaf and Korb as they were getting ready to leave, "Sir Leaf, may I have a moment?"

"Certainly." The old man seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember where he knew him from.

"The Wizard Thorn Berry has heard of the young bat's sickness, and prepared this potion," handing leaf a small bottle with some liquid, "you are to give it to him once a sun until it is completely gone. Only a very little at a time, too much could cause a relapse ... or worse. I am told that there is enough in the bottle to last at least five suns, possibly more."

"Thank you, it was very kind of you to venture out in this weather to make such a delivery."

"Anything for a friend."

Korb, who had been standing beside Leaf listening, "Friend? Are you a friend of Bannon?"

"No," with a mischievous smile, "I came at the request of the Wizard."

"You know him!?", by this time April and Vivian had joined them, and of course they, like most, were very curious about the Wizard.

He smiled and went to sit down, "I have done errands for him during the warm Seasons, rarely during the heights of the cold season. How does one get food around here?"

Leaf put the bottle in a pocket, "I'll see that you get some immediately, and headed towards the kitchen.

The others crowded around the old man and began peppering him with questions about the Wizard, but all he would say, "The Wizard has asked me to not reveal anything about him, what he does, how he does it, nothing. I honor his request, so I'm afraid you'll have to just keep your questions for someone else."

Korb looked the old man hard in the eyes, "Sir, are you the Wizard?"

The old man was taken aback, stunned by the question, but quickly regained his composure, "Now that is an odd question young halfling", then noticing Leaf returning with a tray of food, "oh!, great, some food and drink have arrived." He then proceeded to concentrate on the food, eating quickly so that any time a question was asked, he'd be putting something into his mouth.

Leaf took Korb's arm, "Let's let him eat in peace, we need to get this potion to Bannon." Then the lads and their ladies headed out of the dining hall towards Bannon's room.

It was Korb who broke the silence as they walked, "That was the old peddler who came through town on occasion. He would always want to know what had happened since his last visit, and would sometimes bring things for one individual or another. Very friendly, but never stayed for very long. People would offer him food, but he rarely took it, and I don't think I've ever seen him sit down and actually eat. A few have tried to follow him, but he always seemed to elude them."

Leaf, "That's where I know him from! His visits to Glenn. You're right, he just checked on people, sold a few things, and then walked away."

They arrived at Bannon's room and Leaf knocked, "Bannon, are you awake?" There was some sort of mumble from inside, so Leaf opened the door and stuck his head in, "The Wizard Thor Berry heard about your sickness and has sent you a potion to help heal you. May we come in?"

Bannon was weak, but always polite, "My friends are always welcome, no need to seek permission, just come in any time." Once all four had entered, "Bannon always likes it when Sir Leaf comes, and you brought such attractive ladies to brighten my day. Thank you, my friends." He was clearly not feeling well, his breathing was irregular, and his voice reflected the pain he was feeling. "You say the Wizard Thorn Berry sent me a potion? You know the Wizard? Tell me what is he like?"

Leaf walked over to Bannon as the rest stood at the foot of his bed, "No, I don't know the Wizard at all, I thought you might."

Bannon shook his head, "Have never met him, only heard stories."

"Us too." Leaf took the potion out of his pocket, and handed it to Bannon, "The instructions were to only take a small taste, there is enough for several suns."

April interjected, "I believe he said five suns."

Bannon took a small sip, and handed the bottle back to Leaf. "I am not well, please keep the bottle for me and see to it that I take a sip each sun. That way, I won't miss a tasting, or have too much on any given sun." He smiled at each of them, "Dear friends, it pains me to ask, but I am weak and tired and need some rest."

"Certainly", said Leaf, "I'll visit again next sun. Please let me know if you need anything." With that, the small group left his room, and headed down the hall.