Evin grinned, picked up the food sack, and began to head down what was once the main cobblestone street that ran through Curston’s wealthiest district. “Probably just some wizard experiments. You know what they always say about magic-users and their studies.”

Evin stopped and turned around when he realized Jorick hadn’t moved from his spot near the willow tree. The shorter boy looked up at the distant tower with suspicion.

“Come on,” Evin called back. “Your dad’s waiting for you to save him!”

Shaking his head as though breaking out of a stupor, Jorick sheathed his sword. “Coming!”

Together the boys ran north, following the old road since the wilderness and fallen buildings made making a beeline to the tower an unwise plan. In the center of the ruins lay a wide clearing that must have once been the town square. On the western edge of the square lay the crumbling remains of what must have once been a church, what with the fallen flying buttresses and bits of colored glass lying about. Part of an old, circled cross lay splayed across the overgrown main square.

Evin led the way from that point, veering right and heading east down another barely visible old street. The building remains in this new section of old Curston were decidedly less classic than those of the rich quarter they’d trudged through earlier. The bits of old architecture still visible were unusual and spindly in ways Evin had never before seen. Surely this part of town must have been for the more unique citizens. Evin wondered what lay hidden beneath the rubble. Ancient magic relics? Buried treasures? He decided to come back and explore the city once the villagers were saved.

Finally, after climbing over fallen walls and rounding a forest of trees, Evin and Jorick reached the base of the unusually pristine tower.

It seemed even larger now that they were so close. Looking up at its roof, Evin felt dizzy, as if he might fall over from trying to take in the immensity of it all. There were no cracks in the stone that made up its round walls, no vines snaked up its side. A small white house stood attached to the base.

“Now what?” Jorick asked. His giant sword gestured to the house’s red door. “Should I kick it down?”

“I think,” Evin said, “that maybe we should try knocking.”

“What about that noise we heard?” Jorick asked. “This guy could be dangerous.”

Evin winked at his friend. “All the more reason not to startle him.”

He strode to the door and rapped against it three times. After a moment with no answer, he called out, “Hello? Master Zendric? Are you home? We need your help!”

Another long moment. Still no answer.

Jorick came to Evin’s side. He put his hand on his hip and said, “Something isn’t right. We heard noises coming from here, so we know he’s inside.”