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

spirit. Very commendable. But I am going on a mission where there may be grave danger, and there is no way I can look after a little creature like you…”
    Her face grew stormy, and she did something like stamping her foot, only underwater. Immediately, the pools became roiled, turbulent. Water bubbled up over the rock where Tvrdik stood, soaking his boots and feet. “Hey!” he yelped, dancing in place.
    “Can take care of self, thank you,” she seemed to control her temper with effort, and the water receded. “I watch you many seasons. You are mage, I think. I know old magic, too. Can help…help you do mission.”
    For a moment, Tvrdik considered this, thinking she could be an asset at that. But he dismissed the fleeting thought right away. It was just too uncertain ahead, too dangerous. “I’m sorry little naiad. It’s simply out of the question. I promise to come back and tell you all about it when I have finished. Farewell.” Again he turned to go. This time his entire back was slapped with a very large wave. Dripping and aggravated, he slowly turned back. But before he could chide her, she shouted at him in her piping little voice.
    “Lovely Man, you owe me. I save your life. I claim my debt now. You take me with you.” She screwed up her face in a pout and thrust it straight at him, eye to eye.
    Tvrdik blinked first, “What in heaven’s name are you talking about?”
    “Long time ago, when you first come here, I watch you. You stop at our waterfall, spend long time here. You like our waters. You think to come swim here with us. I see you – I think you are very lovely man (Tvrdik winced); maybe not so bright not to think of rough waters below, hard rocks. I make waters come up high to catch you, lay you softly down on grass.” She blushed a sort of purplish shade, “I am happy you are not hurt in water here.”
    Tvrdik squatted down on the flat rock, silent, as the answers to his own personal mystery were revealed at last. He kept his head lowered as the truth of what had happened those long years ago washed over him. He saw no reason to explain to this little elfin being how her version of the story was not quite the way things had gone. But it seemed he did owe her his life. He looked up at her, one blonde eyebrow raised behind the spectacles. “Well. It seems we do have a situation here. I remember that day well. I never knew how I came to that bank in safety. It appears I do owe you a debt – and my deepest gratitude.”
    She nodded to him with a rather self-satisfied expression. He continued.
    “But, how can I ever hope to repay your kindness now? Even if I thought it wise to let you come along – and mind you, I’m not saying I do – how could it be possible? Unless I forget my fairy lore, you cannot survive out of water.”
    “You take me in water,” she insisted. “For travel I only need small amount – you can carry.” It was obvious she had thought this through.
    “Ondine, I am sent on a difficult quest which could take us far from here. Perhaps we might not get back to this place ever again. There is danger everywhere. I might not survive to come back.”
    “This is important?”
    “Oh, very important. Vital, in fact.”
    “I will come. Help you with important task. Save you again if danger comes near, Lovely Man.”
    Tvrdik looked at the feisty little fairy, and his heart warmed with appreciation. Somebody was on his side already. That had to be a good omen.
    “So, you are quite set on this course? There is nothing else I can say to dissuade you? Nothing else I can do to repay you?”
    “I say farewell already to my sisters. I come with you.”
    “To be honest, it would please me well to have some company on the road. And, as you mentioned, I do owe you. Wait here.”
    She did, but poised and vigilant in case of some trickery. Tvrdik stepped into the woods a few paces and glanced around for inspiration. He found a sizeable piece of birch bark, flexible and intact, rolled