One of Those Days
A Tylan and Byrthe Story
by Tal Greywolf
---
A sudden scream from outside of the window cut through Master Mage Tylan ni
Horoth's thoughts. The scream was followed by a deep bass rumbling, the sound
that a geyser might make before erupting. Tylan cursed a few choice words, and
stood up from his table and went to the window.
There in the yard a rather frightened young woman on horseback was fighting with
her mount as a very large, and rather surprised blue dragon tried it's best to
keep the horse from fleeing. Instead, the dragon's actions were making things
worse, with a lot of noise and screaming.
"This is not going to be a good day," Tylan muttered under his breath as he took
to the stairs and down towards the door of the keep. "This is NOT going to be a
good day."
He strode angrily out the entrance and into the yard, bearing down on both rider
and dragon. "BRYTHE!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, cutting through the
clamoring with magic-enhanced tones. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
The dragon suddenly swiveled his head around, and a look of alarm appeared on
his muzzle. "Uh oh," he rumbled in very clear Nalaran, and started edging away.
"Ummm, Tylan, it's not what you think it looks like here."
"Brythe," Tylan growled deeply, "just what are you trying to do here? Create
another incident with the locals? Damn it, I just finished paying off the
village for that last 'accident' of yours, and now here you are causing more
trouble." There was a lot more that followed, and Tylan's tirade was making the
dragon extremely nervous.
"Now would someone explain just what is going on here?" Tylan looked from lady
to dragon, both of whom were looking rather worried. Finally Brythe coughed a
bit and lowered his head.
"Ummm, I saw the lady riding along the trail to the keep, and thought I'd greet
her. Unfortunately, I forgot a few things, and well," Brythe looked a bit
sheepish, "things got out of hand."
"Forgot a few things? Goddess, you're a dragon, you big lummox! Most folks are
frightened to death of dragons!" Tylan was warming up again to berate the
dragon, when the lady coughed delicately.
"I'm the one who should apologize," she said in a gentle, quiet voice, quite a
contrast from her earlier screams. "I didn't know that you kept a dragon as a
guard and watch..." She paused a moment, looking at the dragon, then finished
the term. "Creature."
Tylan chuckled a bit at the slightly disgusted look on Brythe's muzzle. "Brythe
isn't exactly a watchcreature, he's more a companion and friend. Although
considering some of the troubles he causes makes me wonder." The last was said
as Brythe tried to formulate some response, but quickly dropped his head again.
"All right, I'm sorry," Brythe rumbled. "But Tylan, you know how hard it is for
me to deal with human behavior sometimes. It's just so foreign."
Tylan raised an eyebrow. "Look at who's talking," he replied, then shook his
head. "Look, it's getting hot out here, and I'd rather discuss the reason why
you," and he nodded in the lady's direction, "are here. And you," gazing at
Brythe, "can take a more reasonable form. NOW." The last was said in a deep,
low tone.
Brythe took the hint. His form rippled and shrank, going from fully draconic
into something that looked human but still had a dragon's tail and horns coming
from the top of his head. The lady's eyes grew wide at the sight, then she
smiled ever so slightly. "I thank you for the offer of your hospitality," she
said to Tylan.
---
Her name was Sidela Goechard, the eldest daughter of Lord High Baron Jalik
Goechard. As she explained it, she was betrothed to a Berchard LianTyrr, who
was the first son of Duke LianTyrr. The only problem was, she wasn't in love
with him, or even knew of him until a few days ago. "It's not that I don't want
to disappoint Father, but he just doesn't understand what I want." Sidela shook
her head in frustration. "I don't want to be a Duke's wife, I want to explore
things. I want to go out and learn about the world, not be cooped up in a
palace and surrounded by little fluffheads who don't care for much other than
their husbands, lovers or children."
Tylan sighed and walked over to the window, not really looking out. "I wish I
could help you out, really." He turned around and held out his hands. "But I'm
limited in what I can do here. Yes, I own this keep and the lands surrounding
it. But I'm not a Lord or anything else, I'm still a subject of the King and
his vassals. I certainly can't interfere with the politics, not unless it's
necessary, and even then only if ordered by the King himself."
Brythe rumbled a bit and nodded. "Believe him, child," he said roughly. "Tylan
may be a very capable human and mage, but even he has limits. If I were to do
anything, half the countryside would be roused against me within a single
night."
"Not to mention me leading the charge," Tylan muttered.
Sidela sighed deeply. "Then there's nothing you can do to help me? You can't
work a spell or something that'll help me out of this mess?"
Tylan shook his head. "I'm sorry, but there's really nothing I can do. My
hands are truly tied here, and if I did try anything like a spell the Guild
would come down hard on me." He sat down across the table from her and tried to
reassure her. "Look, you can stay here the night, and tomorrow I'll go with you
to your father and see if he'll listen to another voice. Maybe he'll listen to
me if he won't listen to you."
She didn't like it, but she nodded slowly. "I'll accept that much," she said
grudgingly.
Brythe smiled a bit. "I could come along as well," he said, catching Tylan off
guard. "You think her father would argue with a dragon?"
"Brythe," Tylan warned him, "don't even think it. Don't even pretend to think
it. The last thing I need is nobility to be angry at me, because of one of your
stunts."
Brythe looked injured at that. "I promise you I won't do anything other than
look menacing."
"That's what I'm worried about." Tylan glared at the dragon, who had shifted
into a pure human shape, looking for all the world like some barbarian
swordsman. "You and your 'menacing' looks are trouble enough."
Sidela chuckled softly and looked at the two. "Are you always like this?" she
asked suddenly, making them both grin a bit.
"Yes." That came from Brythe, who gave her a dazzling smile. "I've known Tylan
for, what, some 40 years now?" Tylan shrugged and nodded, then Brythe gave
Sidela a sly wink. "It's a partnership, with him providing me protection as I
teach him some of the draconic magics."
Tylan placed his feet on the table and kicked back. "Actually, it's been a
fairly good arrangement. Oh, he gets into trouble often enough, usually with
folks who don't know he's mostly harmless, and I have to bail him out of it.
And his polymorphic gifts I'm still learning a lot about, it's something I've
been specializing in for years now."
Sidela suddenly looked curious. "Polymorphic? As in shapeshifting?"
Tylan nodded. "I don't think there's but a handful of mages in the Known
Kingdoms that even have half an understanding into shapeshifting. It's not a
widely studied discipline, even with as much of it out there. Between the were-
creatures, various demonic forms and others, you'd think more mages would be
interested. But they aren't even the least bit, instead all they worry about is
their own little corners."
Sidela nodded slowly. "But why are you so interested in it?"
Tylan shrugged his shoulders again. "I just am. Some folks have hobbies
involving butterflies or collectibles. Me, I'm interested in shapeshifting,
always have been." He sat down at the table across from Sidela and poured her
another glass of juice.
"Most mages have a specialty of one kind of another," Tylan continued. "Some
are power specialists, some in defensive magics, others in the magic of war.
Myself, well, I know the spells but I've never been interested in those ways.
Instead the simple things fascinated me, and shapeshifting was one of those
interests that grew in me."
"Like a vine," Brythe mumbled.
"Look at who's talking," Tylan shot back. "You get into so much trouble for a
dragon, it's a wonder you're still alive sometimes."
Brythe looked sheepish again. "Yeah, well, you're entitled to get into trouble
when you're young."
Tylan shook his head and turned back to Sidela. "So I'm a specialist in
transformation magics, shapeshifting and the like. I really have a nice library
for research, and usually get things from my fellow mages that know of my
interests in this."
Sidela smiled gently. "Ah, I see." She stood up and brushed away a crumb or
two. "I shouldn't keep you from your studies any more, actually. If you would
be so kind to show me the room you offered?"
"Of course." Tylan stood up as well, and walked around the table. "Just follow
me, m'lady."
Brythe followed behind, staying discreetly silent. Tylan led the group up the
stairs and to the next floor. "You can take the room on the right," he said,
pointing to the door. "The room across from you is my library. You're welcomed
to look, but please don't touch anything inside." He bowed low along with
Brythe as she nodded, and headed off into the offered room. Tylan twitched his
head upwards and headed to his rooms on the next floor.
---
"Gods, what a mess." Brythe shook his head at Tylan and literally plopped into
a chair. "Lord High Baron Goechard. Man's about as thick as my hide."
"Thicker, actually." Tylan took a more comfortable seat and sighed. "I don't
know how many times I've heard his blustering at Court in the King's Castle.
Always going on about something that doesn't have anything to do with him at
all."
Brythe rumbled something about selective reproduction, getting a chuckle out of
Tylan. "Oh, I agree. He's mule headed, stubborn and impossible to reason
with." Sighing, Tylan shook his head. "And likely won't listen concerning
Sidela."
---
Sidela slipped out of her room, and walked over to the library door. Gently she
opened it, expecting some fog of dust to come rolling out but was surprised at
the relative cleanliness of the room. Books were stacked on shelves, all neatly
catalogued and notated. Several chairs were positioned in the room for comfort,
along with a central table that held a crystal ball, several small pewter
objects and a small wooden box.
The box caught her attention, as she noticed that there was no lock or mechanism
holding it closed. Slowly opening up the lid, she saw a finely crafted silver
amulet on a silver chain, the central stone a milky white that shimmered a
multitude of colors when the light struck it.
---
"Look, I agree with what you're saying," Tylan grumbled. "She's deserving of
something better than being betrothed to someone she's never even met. But what
can I do about it? You know the Guild strongly disapproves of anything that
interferes with politics in the Kingdom."
Brythe shook his head. "Tylan, what about a curse?"
Tylan blinked. "What about a curse?"
"Well," Brythe rumbled, "couldn't we find one that could affect her so that she
wouldn't be able to marry?"
Tylan shook his head. "Not that easy any more. Most of the cursed items were
taken out years ago as the area became more civilized. Not that you won't find
the occasional pool or forest that's still cursed, or the rare knife or sword.
But it's getting harder, and with the Guilds trying to make life safe for
people..."
---
Sidela smiled at the amulet, holding it up gently by the chain. It looked so
lovely, she thought. Surely Tylan won't mind me wearing it for a little while.
---
"Carrying her off might be the only option, then." Brythe rumbled deeply,
shaking his head at Tylan's arguments. "Look, if her father's not going to
agree to anything, then just getting her as far away as possible is the only
option. She might not have told anyone she was coming this way..."
"...and it's likely her father's soldiers will be here by tonight," Tylan
replied sharply. "We can't expect her not to have said something to her
father's people. Carrying her off would only add to the problems, not solve
them. Because I'd have to answer for them, and I'm not willing to do that."
"Then you're going to do nothing for her?"
"I didn't say that!"
---
She placed the amulet around her neck, shivering a bit from the cool touch.
Glancing in a mirror, she admired the view, seeing the amulet glittering again.
She blinked, and looked down as the stone started to glow slightly. Her hands
reached up to take off the amulet...
---
"Damn it, Brythe! I do want to help her! But charging off is not the answer!"
A sudden wave of old magic made both their head jerk up in surprise. "What the
hell was that?" Brythe hissed. "That felt like nothing I've ever seen."
"Neither have I," Tylan muttered. A sudden look of horror flashed on his face,
and he tore off out of the room. "THE LIBRARY!" he shouted, making Brythe jump
up as well and chase after him.
Tylan pulled up short of the door and flung it open. Looking at the sight in
the room, he groaned and leaned against the wall. "Gods, no... I don't need
this. I don't need this today."
Brythe trotted up alongside of Tylan and looked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
Tylan pointed to the room. "Look."
Brythe looked in, and his jaw dropped. There, standing in the middle of the
room was a very nervous Sidela. Nervous, because she stood there on four
hooves, her tail twitching slowly behind her. She was unchanged from the waist
up, a perfect female centaur.
"Ummm... I'm sorry," she said slowly.
Tylan looked in the room again and sighed loudly. "Sidela, just what did you
do?"
"Uhh, I just was looking at this amulet, and wanted to wear it for a moment."
She lifted up the silver charm, then let it fall back down. "Before I could do
anything, I ended up this way."
Both Brythe and Tylan groaned and looked at each other. "Now what?" Brythe
asked.
"I don't know," Tylan admitted.
"You know what that amulet is?"
"Of course I do!" Tylan said defensively. "It was from that estate we purchased
a few weeks ago in Hanterdon, along with the books I was studying." He looked
at Sidela, who shuffled her forehooves. "It was an amulet with a special spell
on it. For shapeshifting."
"Oh." Sidela said that in a squeaky voice. "Then... I'm stuck?"
"I don't know." Tylan shook his head, but a light tapping on his shoulders made
him look up at Brythe.
"Tylan," he said gently, "let's talk about this a moment."
---
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S STUCK THIS WAY?" Lord High Baron Goechard's face was
red as he shouted that last at Tylan. For his part, he managed to stay calm and
controlled.
"Exactly what I said, your Lordship." Together with Brythe and Sidela, they had
traveled the three days to the Baron's keep, and had plenty of time to go over
what was to happen. "She's under a spell, one that I can't break. At least,
not immediately."
Baron Goechard was about to shout again, when the Seneshal nodded. "How long
would it take you to break the spell the Baron's daughter is under?"
Tylan thought a moment. "Two years, at least."
"TWO YEARS?" the Baron exploded. "YOU CLAIM TO BE A MASTER MAGE AND YOU SAY
SHE'LL BE THIS WAY FOR TWO YEARS?"
Tylan sighed inwardly and looked at Sidela and Brythe. For his part, Brythe
looked every bit the hired sword role, big, beefy and stoic, while Sidela gave a
good impression of being distraught over the situation. That alone made him
snicker mentally before turning an impassioned look on the Baron.
"It's not that simple, my Lord Baron. We are talking a spell that is at least
several centuries old, and notes that were written in a language that wasn't
current for as long. In addition to that, trying to break the spell without
understanding it might leave her in her present condition, or worse."
Baron Goechard fell back in his chair at that. "So," he said in a more
tolerable tone, "if I'm to believe what you're saying, you can do the job, but
that it's not going to be immediate."
The Seneschal nodded in Tylan's direction. "Master Mage Tylan is a fully
recognized mage by the Guild, my Lord. He is without peer in this respect."
The Baron nodded slowly. "All right, I agree. Two years of your services in
order to remove the spell from my daughter. But that still leaves me with a
problem that'll be arriving soon." The Baron glanced at the Seneschal, who
shrugged discreetly.
Tylan took a chance. "My Lord, I did learn that you're expecting the son of
Duke LianTyrr soon, is that correct?"
"It is," Baron Goechard rumbled through his beard. "I had betrothed Sidela to
him to seal a joining between my lands and his."
Tylan nodded. "You do have a younger daughter, do you know?"
"Faylyn? She's three years younger than Sidela if that's what you mean."
"And did you see fit to mention which daughter you were betrothing, my Lord?"
Tylan managed to keep a straight face, although he could see the Seneschal's
lips suddenly twitch in amusement.
Baron Goechard blinked in surprised. "No, I didn't." Then sudden realization
came to him, and the looked shrewdly at Tylan. "I think I understand what
you're hinting. Let me think about this."
---
Tylan, Brythe and Sidela walked slowly down the road towards home. "Well, that
wasn't too bad," Tylan said to himself, placing the small sack of gold coins in
the pack Sidela was wearing.
"At least Father was being sensible for once," Sidela said, flicking her tail to
keep the flies away. Brythe laughed softly and shook his head.
"Actually, the sensible one was the Seneschal. He realized what was happening
but managed not to give it away."
"Well, I'm glad." Sidela sighed and shook her head. "You didn't mention
anything about the amulet, though."
"Didn't have to," Tylan admitted. "Your father thinks it's a spell I can
remove. I never said I would remove it, only that I'd find a way to." He
chuckled softly and winked at Sidela. "But you can do so any time you want to.
That amulet isn't cursed at all, it just gives the wearer the ability to change
forms."
Sidela chuckled softly and clip-clopped along the road. "Well, I'm not planning
to give it up right now," she said. "I'm enjoying this for once."
"Oh, it can be a fun shape," Brythe said with a bit of amusement. Looking over
at him, Tylan sighed softly at him, now a centaur and keeping pace with Sidela.
"Hold up... HOLD UP!" His shout made them both stop in their tracks, and he
walked over to Brythe. "If you're going to be a show-off for our new
apprentice, you're going to work." With that, he grabbed Brythe and heaved
himself up on his lower back.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing there?"
"Getting a ride, which you so kindly offered." Tylan grinned at Sidela, who
winked back. "And since you're wanting to show off so much, you can be her
instructor in the art of shifting forms."
Brythe chuckled deeply and started on down the trail. "Now that I could agree
to," he said cheerfully.
Sidela smiled and trotted alongside, giving Tylan a light kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Tylan smiled warmly, then looked at Brythe. "And I better
not hear about any funny business with her, or that you're going off into the
woods for anything other than lessons."
Brythe gave his best offended look. "Now would I do a thing like that?"
Tylan didn't buy it. "You want me to answer that in front of the lady?"
Brythe looked pensive, and gazed up at the clouds. "On second thought..."
-----
One of Those Days
copyright 1997, by Tal Greywolf
all rights reserved.