Alexander Taylor pulled Dar Losh to a halt at the top of a grassy hill, just as the White Tower came into view. He leaned forward and absentmindedly rubbed the strong horse's neck as he gazed at the stunningly beautiful tower.
Dar Losh whinnied softly, as if he were thinking the same thing. Alex grinned down at him. "It is beautiful, isn't it, boy? It's been so long since I've been here last…" He trailed off, remembering the last time he had been here, in his first company of adventurers. The best company he could have ever asked for and one of his finest adventures to recall.
He had been travelling alone through the hills of Vargland for the past week, ever since he had received the strange letter from Iownan, the Oracle of the White Tower and Alex's friend. He frowned, still wondering what exactly it was Iownan wished to speak with him about. Her letter had been very vague, and while that was not strange for an oracle, he still wondered why she had not given him the slightest idea.
He had just returned to his home in Alusia from meeting Silvan Bregnest, the leader of Alex's first two adventures and one of his oldest friends, to discuss the possibility of him joining a new adventure Bregnest was putting together. As exciting as the adventure sounded, and as happy as he would have been to accept it, he had put all plans on hold when he had read Iownan's strange letter.
He had recognized the oracle's handwriting as soon as the geeb had delivered it to him, and had found it odd that she would write to him after all this time.
Master Alexander Taylor, Esq.:
It is with my most humble apologies for any inconvenience that I must ask you to journey to my tower as soon as you are able. The matter is urgent; not only that, but I believe you would wish to hear it. Come on horseback; it will be less troubling to you.
Your friend,
Iownan
His eyebrows crinkling as he read the letter, Alex tried to make sense of it. After several minutes, he gave up; he decided that the only thing to do would be to do as the oracle asked and travel to the White Tower.
He sent a quick letter to Bregnest, apologizing and explaining his absence, and then grabbed his magic bag and immediately saddled Dar Losh, who had flipped his mane and snorted in pleasure at the thought of a long journey.
Now, he took a deep breath and started his horse trotting down toward the Tower. He broke out in a smile. No matter what happened with Bregnest – whether he joined his adventure or not – he had a special feeling about this visit with Iownan.
Who knew, maybe this would result in an adventure itself!