The Legend of Alexandros: Belen by Mr. A. C. Hernandez Page B

Winston waited for Alexandros and Raphael.
    “And that is how I got my name,” Winston said proudly. “Now let me tell you how I learned to fly.”
    “By the gods, Dragon!” Bixbin interrupted. “Will you not shut up? I would rather jump off a mountain then listen to one more of your eternity-long stories.” Bixbin’s voice filled with annoyance. “I am sorry, my lady, but one more story and my ears would have begun to bleed.”
    “Believe me, sir Bixbin, it is more than fine with me,” Elora said, gently.
    “Well, you are the rudest little dwarf I have ever met,” Winston snapped.
    “I will show you rude,” Bixbin said as he slowly reached for his hammer.
    Just then, Alexandros appeared.
    “I am going to see the merchant,” he said. “Would you like to accompany me, my lady?”
    Elora quickly jumped at the opportunity to get away. The two left together as the morning sun shone upon Ezdacir. As they walked down the road, Princess Elora slowly reached down to take Alexandros’ hand. His heart began to race and sweat ran across his forehead. He had not one clue for what to do or say.
    By the gods, she is holding my hand! What should I do?
    Elora then leaned towards Alexandros… for a kiss. She leaned in closer and closer, and as she was about to kiss Alexandros, they reached the forest where the merchant lived.
    “Oh, look!” Alexandros said, nervously. “We have arrived.”
    Elora sighed.
    They hiked until they reached the merchant’s old hut, and what they saw horrified them. Standing in front of the hut was the merchant…completely nude, stretching in the morning sunlight.
    “Old man, put on your clothes…please,” Alexandros said with fear…and disgust.
    “Oh, dear…” Elora whispered and hid her face behind Alexandros’ shoulder.
    “My dear friends!” the merchant said with joy “How good it is to see you!” The merchant jumped into the hut and put on his grey robes. The three then shared breakfast together and had a small conversation.
    “Old man, you must leave these woods. Goblins are invading, and it is not safe here anymore,” said Alexandros.
    “Hmm, not safe you say? Well, I am not afraid; I can run like the wind.” The merchant laughed.
    “This is serious, old man, you must go.”
    “My home is here my friend…I will not go…I cannot,” said the merchant with a serious tone.
    After breakfast Alexandros bade the merchant farewell.
    “Well old man we must be on our way,” he said. “Protect yourself and stay safe.”
    “Will you please stop calling me old man…it makes me feel well…old.”
    Alexandros slightly smiled. “Very well. What is your name, friend?”
    “Finally!” The merchant said with excitement. He jumped up to his feet, spit in his hand, and sleeked his messy grey hair back. “Well, friends,” he said. “My name is Alistair.”

CHAPTER VIII

    THE MARSHLANDS

     
    A lexandros stared sternly at the merchant almost not believing him. “This cannot be the great wizard Alistair…it just cannot be,” Alexandros thought. This entire time Barbarious’ mentor was a smelly old somewhat annoying merchant?
    “What a lovely name you have; it sounds very mystical,” said Princess Elora.
    Alexandros glared at the merchant, which made the merchant extremely uncomfortable.
    “What did you say your name was old man?” Alexandros asked. The merchant knew Alexandros had figured out who he was, so the merchant stepped back and slowly began to move away from Alexandros and Elora.
    “Well, I cannot remember,” the merchant said in a jittery voice. “Oh, yes, now I remember. I said my name is Bobert. Yes, that is my name. It is Bobert.”
    The merchant tried to run off into the woods, but before he could make it three steps, Alexandros lunged forward, yanked the merchant by his messy grey hair, and sat him down.
    “Belen!” Elora cried. “You let go of Alistair…I mean
    Bobert…I am so very lost.”
    Still firmly holding the merchant’s hair,