Chapter 2
Alan ran down the main street of Carmen, avoiding loose cobblestones. His house, like many in this small village, was stone with a thatch roof. It sat just north of a small fountain in the village square. A windmill stood just west of it and a store just east of it with a weathered sign displaying crossed swords creaking in the wind. Flanking the village gate stood a two-story inn and a small dome of stone, the Dragon shrine. He ran to the house next to his and banged on the door.
"Go away unless someone's dying!" yelled a scratchy voice.
"Doc, it's Alan!" he replied.
The bolt on the door was unlocked and Doctor Kurt, dressed in a blue robe with dark green trim, squinted down at him. His gray hair was an unruly fringe around the back of his head and his moustache drooped, hiding his mouth.
"You're late my boy," said the Doctor.
"I forgot my books," said Alan, shifting his feet.
Kurt's expression softened a bit. "Come in my boy."
Alan followed him into a large study. A long table stood in the middle of the room, covered with books, herbs, mortars and pestles, jars of odd looking liquids, and some fearsome looking knives.
"I'm brewing some herbal remedies today," said Kurt, taking a seat at the table.
"And you need some ingredients?" asked Alan brightly.
Kurt nodded. "Yes. I'm making an analgesic, so what would I need for that?"
Alan thought it over and spoke carefully. "White acorn, vitamin, and holiday fruit."
Kurt winked. "Good boy! I'm out of fruit. I need you to get some for me."
"Where is there a holiday tree?" asked Alan as he set his books on the table.
"Due south, along the shoreline," said Kurt, "It's a few miles, so are you up to it?"
Alan nodded. "Just don't tell Mom. She doesn't like me leaving the village on my own."
"It'll be our secret," said Kurt smirking behind his moustache.
Alan picked an empty knapsack off the table and slung it over his shoulder.
"I'm ready."
Kurt put on his glasses and began leafing through a book. "Be careful Alan."
"Sure thing Doc."
He walked past the fountain through the main gates down a dirt path that meandered through grassland that overlooked the ocean to the west. It was a warm summer day but there was a light breeze. Alan always enjoyed exploring the world outside Carmen and hoped he would get to do a lot of it, if he ever did become a doctor. A long shadow across the road caught his eye. To the east loomed an enormous tower on top of a mountain. From this distance it looked like a black spire, the top hidden in the clouds. Tock was haunted, at least according to the legends he had heard, the stories usually involving mad wizards and disembodied bird heads. He made his way again, trying to get rid of that uneasy feeling.
Eventually he came upon a lone tree standing by itself in the middle of a grassy plain. Square stone foundations of what had been buildings surrounded it, but they were now only piles of rubble. He walked over to the tree and looked up at the ripe looking fleshy yellow fruit that dangled from the branches. He nimbly clambered up the lowest branch and began methodically picking fruit. Within a half-hour he had the bag filled. He climbed back down and sat in the shade and munched on one, surprised by how sweet it was. As he ate the second one he noticed Tock again. From the south it looked more iron gray than black, with a ring of trees concealing the base. He could barely make out the windows carved into it the structure, which he estimated it was a good ten stories tall at least.
"I'm not afraid of some mad wizard," he said getting up and dusting himself off.
He started walking toward the tower.