Ginger nodded her head in agreement. Alvin sighed. “How about you? Are you okay? Wait, dumb question. Does anything hurt?”

Ginger shook her head. Alvin nodded. “Good. Don’t worry, okay? We’re going to see this witch, and get you changed back.”

Ginger mewed and rubbed her head against his chest. Alvin smiled and stroked her fur. She purred. “Heh, you like that?” Alvin asked. Ginger nodded.

Alvin made his way down the stairs, showing the scroll to guards and maids he met, and got directions to the armory. When the guards let him in, he and Ginger stared in awe at the vast array of weapons and armor that were laid out on tables and hanging on the walls. A man was standing at one of the tables, polishing a sword.

“Excuse me,” Alvin said. “Could you help me select some armor and a weapon?”

The man turned to look at him. “What is a kid like ye doing here? This is a man’s area! Come back when ye are older!”

Alvin made a face and showed the man Abraham’s message. The man raised his eyebrows. “That old man is senile! Sending a boy like ye out to the forest! Madness! But I see I have no choice. The king trusts Abraham explicity, and it is not my place to oppose. Very well, let’s get ye fitted up.”

Alvin put Ginger down on the table, and went through the process of finding a suit of armor that fit him. Ginger sounded like she was laughing as he walked around the room, testing out one of the lighter suits available, which had a vest, leggings, and a helmet, all made of metal. Alvin’s progress around the room was slow, though.

“Man, this thing is heavy!” Alvin complained as he returned to the man.

The man rolled his eyes. “Of course it is! It’s designed to protect ye from attack! Would ye prefer a paper suit?”

Alvin shook his head. “No, no, it’s fine, thanks.”

The man grunted and picked up a sword from the table. “Have ye ever used a sword before?”

Alvin swallowed. “No.”

“Bow and arrow?”

“No.”

The man gave him a look. “Knife?”

Like a kitchen knife, right? “Yes,” Alvin said.

“Good.” The man picked up a sheathed dagger and tossed it to Alvin. “There ye are.”

“Thanks.” Alvin stuck the sheath through his belt, and picking Ginger up, left the room. He made his way to the front of the castle, his heart thumping as he crossed the moat. On the other side of the bridge, Abraham was waiting for him, with a horse.

“Ah, excellent!” the wizard said, smiling. “Ye look ready for the journey!”

“I guess you could say that,” Alvin said. He climbed onto the horse, doing so as if he had done it a hundred times before. Ginger sat in his lap. “Is there anything else, sir?”

Abraham nodded, and handed him a bag. “The lass will need equipment when she becomes herself again. This bag contains some stuff she can use. Also…” he patted the sacks attached to the saddle, “there’s some supplies in here. And, finally, I want ye to have this dagger.” He gave Alvin a sheathed dagger, and took the one Alvin already had. “I feel it will suit ye better. Whatever ye do, do not lose it, understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Alvin said. “Thank ye!”

“Farewell!” Abraham slapped the horse, and it took off with a neigh. Alvin hung on to the reins, making sure not to let go, as they made their way through the city and into the fields.

[word count for the weekend: 585 words. Man, that sucked. I'll have to make up for it.]

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Feel free to explore."If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident and the whole evolution of man was also an accident. If so, then all our present thoughts are accidents... I see no reason for believing that one accident should be able to give me a correct account of all the other accidents."
- C.S. Lewis