Just a thought in Time: contest book

High Fantasy Prompt: Magic and Moons

My boss is gone. The moon is at its highest, and he is gone. He went to town and never returned. I paced all night in our study, waiting before I grabbed a pack and set out. Now, when in town...I am unsure where to begin. I feel uncomfortable with the looks the locals are giving me, almost as if they know something.

"Sir? Are you lost?" An elderly woman came up to me.

"Yes, no. No, but my master is. He came to town last night and has not returned."

The old woman's eyes twinkled slightly, "I see. So you are the wizard's apprentice. I recall seeing your master in the tavern." She lifted her cane off the ground, pointing me in the direction I needed to go.

"Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?" I smiled at her; she patted my hand and shook her head before shuffling away.

I could hear the noise of the tavern before I found it, but once I stepped foot in there, it went silent. I walked up to the bar and asked the bartender if they had seen my master. "He said he was going off to some cave, but the only caves near here are werewolf dens. Be careful."

I sighed, "Werewolves?" Silver, I will need silver. Boss said they are not all bad, at least during the rest of the moon cycles. "Do you know which direction?"

"North."

"Thank you."

"Wait..." the bartender lifted something from underneath the bartop, "take this with you." A silver dagger flashed in the lamplight, nothing ornate but straightforward enough that it won't attract attention.

I took it from him. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

The bartender flashed a gap-tooth smile, "Actually if you could bring some blueberries back for you, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Blueberries got it." I pulled my hood up and trekked north.

The moon waned and then began to wax as time went on. I referred to my pendulum and runes as I poured over the map, closing in on the cave system that was well-loved by the area's lycanthropes. My little spare coin purse held the blueberries that I found.

I had half a day before I found my master, according to my divining. I only hoped that I would not be too late; werewolves grew more agitated the closer to the full moon.

Near the end of the day, I found the mouth of the cave. I conjured a small light to follow me as the darkness swallowed me. "Master?" I called softly, my voice echoing back to me.

Something shuffled next to me; I whipped around to be greeted by a menacing face. A man who was ravaged by scars."A baby wizard." He huffed, "Over here."

I followed him and saw my master lying on the floor. He was stirred as I drew nearer, "Welcome! You found me. Good for you." His eyes glimmered in the light, "You pass."