Page 53 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

Noah shook his head again. Orrick could see the boy was too frightened to tell him, so he figured he’d try another approach.

“Were you in here playing again when I was out?”

The boy shook his head. Orrick held up the wand. Noah nodded.

“Noah, I’m sorry I haven’t been paying much attention to you lately, but I’ve had a lot on my mind. I’ve also been spending a lot of time on the practice field.”

“I don’t like that,” said the boy. “You used to be my good friend.”

“And I still am.” Orrick held Noah out at arm’s length, looking into his big, blue eyes. “Noah, I am going to ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth, all right? It is very important.”

“All right.” Noah sniffled and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.

“When you were in here playing yesterday, did you take anything from the room?”

Noah shook his head, his curly hair bouncing.

“Don’t lie to me. It’s very important that you tell me the truth.”

“I didn’t take anything,” he cried.

Orrick let out a breath, releasing the boy and walking over to the table. “Do you remember that candle I had on the table? The one I let you blow out?” He turned and faced the boy.

Noah sat on the edge of the bed wringing his hands and kicking his feet, staring down at the ground.

“Noah? I asked you a question.”

“I remember,” he said.

“Well, did you take it?”

“Nay.” Noah grabbed his wand and bolted off the bed. “Will you show me how to do a spell? I want to turn someone into a toad,” said the little boy excitedly, waving his wand around in the air.

“Noah, this is important.” Orrick reached out to still the boy’s arm, holding on to him. “I asked you what you did with the candle, now tell me.”

“You’re hurting me,” cried the boy, wiggling out of his grasp.

“I’m sorry,” said Orrick, releasing him. “I tend to forget I’m stronger in my younger form.”

“Orrick would never have hurt me! I don’t like you like this. I want my old friend back.” He turned and ran to the door.

“Nay! Noah, wait.” Orrick hurried after the boy as he disappeared from the room. “Noah, come back here.” As he stepped outside the door, he crashed into Lady Hope, almost knocking her over.

“Oh!” she cried, grabbing on to his arm with one hand, holding a basket of healing ointments in the other. Their eyes met. Instead of seeing admiration in her gaze, or even lust or attraction, she looked at him as if he were a stranger. “I’m sorry, Orrick, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“It’s quite all right. You told me you were coming here.” When her eyes flashed up to his in shock, he had that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach again. Orrick, she’d called him. Nay, it couldn’t be. His hand flew to his chin and he moaned aloud when he felt the long beard that he hadn’t even realized was there. Looking down at his bare chest and legs, he felt highly embarrassed. His skin hung in wrinkles on his body and there was no muscle tone under that skinny flesh at all.

“I told Sir Rick, not you, that I was coming here.” Her eyes settled on his hand. “Y – you hurt your hand?”

“Aye,” he answered, clearing his throat.

“It’s the same one as Sir Rick.” She placed the basket on the ground and stepped back from him with her eyes opened wide. When she did, she twisted her ankle and tumbled down the steep staircase.

“Nay!” Orrick cried out, running after her, certain her neck was broken. “Hope, are you hurt?” he asked, trying to reach out and pick her up in his arms but he couldn’t. He forgot he was the old sorcerer now and didn’t have the strength to lift a woman.

“I should go,” she said, sitting up and brushing off her gown. “I’ll just get my basket and be on my way.”

“Nay,” he said, helping her to her feet. “I’d like you to come up to my chamber.”