Six Months of Questing

Jefferson Marlowe was riding along the sandy trail from Quinto Rock to Batahausen, when his horse reared up and flicked him off her back.

As Juniper galloped off into the distance, Jefferson blinked away the dust from his eyes and stumbled to his feet.

"Stay down," a familiar voice boomed from over his shoulder.

Jefferson shot back down and buried his face in the dirt. He dared not turn around.

"Do you know who I am?"

"No," lied Jefferson.

"I am Alfonso Barsquador. Now hand over the keys."

Jefferson reached into his right trouser pocket and fished out the keys to Outrock Cave. He tossed them away to his right.

"And now the book."

Jefferson reached into his left trouser pocket and fished out The Ancient Book of Caldidot. He tossed it away to his left.

"Now stand up and walk away."

Jefferson stood up and walked away.

After ten minutes of silence, he decided that it was probably safe to turn around. The wizard had disappeared, as had the keys and the book. Six months of questing, all gone up in smoke.

Jefferson shouted out for Juniper, but she was long gone.

Batahausen was seventy-eight miles away. He wiped away a tear and started to walk.