Spellsinger 03 – The Day of the Dissonance by Foster, Alan Dean

“We need something, a certain medicine, that can only be

purchased in that store.”

The oldster grunted, though it came out as more of a

rusty squeak. “Well, that’s thy business.”

“Please, we’ve come a long way. From across the

Glittergeist. We need directions. Specific directions.”

Another grunt-squeak. “Long way to come to make

fools of thyselves.”

“It’s not for us. A friend of mine, a teacher and a great

wizard, is very sick and badly needs this medicine. If you

can tell us how to get to Crancularn, we’ll pay you,

somehow.”

The oldster shook his head sadly. “I’d tell thee if I

could, boy, but I can’t help you. I don’t know where

Crancularn is.” Jon-Tom slumped. “But there’s them that

do. Only, I wouldn’t be the one to go asking them.”

“Let us worry about that,” said Jon-Tom eagerly. “Who

are they?”

“Why, the enchanted ones, of course. Who else?”

“Enchanted ones?”

“Aye, the little people of the magic. The fairy folk. You

know.”

Folly’s eyes were wide with childlike wonder. “When I

was a little girl, I used to hear stories of the fairy folk. My

mother used to tell me.” She went very quiet and Jon-Tom

tried to rush the conversation to take her thoughts off more

recent memories.

“Where would we find these fairy folk?” The thought

of meeting real honest-to-Tinker Bell fairies was enough to

motivate him. Getting directions to Crancularn would be a

bonus.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to risk such an encounter,

sonny, but I can see that thee art determined.” He indicat-

ed the steep slope behind them. “They hide in the wet