Life With the Wizard

"Where is his headquarters?" Jess asked.

"Past the Genlon forest, over the Hoplo Mountains -"

"In miles?"

"About 50," Chezim said.

"Is there anyplace you can park this thing outside his kingdom? I assume he lives in some sort of fortified city."

"His soldiers patrol within a two mile radius of Effeldwart. There are some meadows further away than that, but they're marshy. The Boogly River runs into them."

"There's a river?"

"Effeldwart sits on a hill so that Huskus can see in every direction. The river originates within the walls of the city," Blonders said.

"That's one way he controls us. He has some dam or spillway system he can use to cut our water off," Chezim said.

"How did you let this man get so much power over you?" Jess asked.

"To understand that, you have to understand more of our history," said Chezim.

"Tell me then."

"I can't relate our entire history in a few short minutes."

"Then tell me what I need to know."

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

"Start at the beginning," Jess said.

"No one knows how long this land, Zygamon, has existed, but somewhere many years ago it was created."

"Created? You mean by God or something?"

"Everything has a beginning," Blonders said.

"Do all of you believe in a creator?" Jess asked.

"Don't you?" said Oglethaine.

"Something had to start this."

Jess paused to let the words sink in. Then he noticed something odd. Each passenger of the bluzzard, even Chezim who piloted it, sat in rapt attention listening to every word everyone spoke.