The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare by April Leonie Lindevald Page A

might revisit you someday, and once again enjoy your unique gifts.” Tvrdik removed his hand from the stream, shook the water from it, and with much reluctance, turned to go.
    “Excuse me.”
    It was a small, unfamiliar, musical trill, enough to stop him mid-step, but not enough to convince him that he had actually heard anything. It must have been the warble of a passing bird, or the song of the water on the polished stone. He took another step.
    “Excuse me, Lovely Man…”
    There it was again – a tiny voice speaking unmistakable words. Eyebrows raised in curiosity, Tvrdik turned back to the cataract slowly…and found himself face to face with a little blue girl. At least, that is what she most resembled. She hung suspended in the waterfall, somehow resisting its downward force, naked and blue. Or green. Or blue-green. Her hair was a profusion of frothy curls which were not quite distinguishable from the water’s foam, and her features had an otherworldly caste that seemed ageless and somehow charming: a very wide, thin-lipped mouth, a little button of a nose, and disproportionately large eyes that were long and narrow and slanted up at the outside edges with a trace of mischief. She stood, or floated, before him, no bigger than the length of his face. But some of the details of her shape were less defined, blending in and out of the moving water. Eyes wide in wonder, Tvrdik queried, “What… who are you?”
    “I am Ondine. I am naiad…water fairy. My sisters and I live here, in this waterfall.”
    An incredulous smile crept across the wizard’s face. “Water fairy? I didn’t realize there were any of you left. I knew this place was special. Well, Ondine, a pleasure to meet you face to face. I am called Tvrdik.” He gave a slight nod of his head in gentlemanly greeting. She wrinkled up her whole face in distaste.
    “Teh-vur-dik” she scowled, “That is strange name. What sort of name is that?”
    He shrugged, “Well, it is my name…”
    I will call you ‘Lovely Man’. I always call you this…”
    He was startled. “You know me?”
    “Yes, yes, of course. You are Lovely Man who comes here many seasons ago. I watch you come and go here often.”
    “Well, why haven’t you ever introduced yourself before, Ondine? I would have so loved to have gotten to know you better before it was time for me to go.”
    She tilted her little head, “My sisters and I, we do as we like here. Not bother anyone – wish for no one to bother us. Ways of men strange to us, good for us to learn. We stay close, safe – watch.”
    Tvrdik blushed, “Well, I hope I have been a good representative of my race. In any case,” he reassured, “none of you have anything to fear from me.” He leaned in conspiratorially, “I will keep your secret, I promise. And I am most honored that at last you chose to come out and say hello. It has been a great privilege for me to make your acquaintance, but now, I must be on my way. Be well, Ondine.” He smiled, and then turned to walk away. A cold splash hit him in the back of the head. “Owww! Why did you do that?”
    “Excuse me, Lovely Man, you are leaving this place? Going away?” She was frowning now.
    “Um, yes. I have work to do in a place far from here, so I must make my farewell…”
    “You do not come back?”
    “I wish I could say. Right now it seems I might be away for a good long time. But, if I am ever again in the neighborhood, you can trust that I will surely come to call.” He was struggling to comprehend what she might be getting at.
    “Lovely Man, you will take me with you.”
    “Excuse me?” Tvrdik had in no way anticipated this. “And please don’t call me that. Look, Ondine, why would I want to do that? You are perfectly happy here. Believe me, I wish I was staying too.”
    “My sisters happy here. I am weary of all play. I think big things happen now in the world outside – want to see and learn. I go with you.”
    “Oh, I see – an adventurous