Luck in the Shadows

something."
    Nysander turned to Alec. "Ready to give it a try?"
    "What do I do?" Alec replied eagerly.
    "Remove your clothes first, I think. As you saw, they can be a hindrance."
    Excitement overcame Alec's modesty for once and he disrobed quickly. In the meantime, Nysander changed Seregil back; the restoration was as sudden as the initial change.
    "It's been a while since we've done that," Seregil said, grinning happily as he pulled on his breeches. "I spent a week as an otter once. I'd like to do that again sometime."
    "There is no great trick to this," Nysander assured Alec as he took his place in front of the wizard. "Simply clear your mind. Think of water, or a cloudless sky. Before we start, however, I must know your full name."
    "Alec of Kerry is all I've ever gone by."
    "He's the son of a wandering hunter, not a lord," Seregil reminded him. "That sort hasn't the use for long names that we do."
    "I suppose not. Still, the lad ought to have a proper name if he is going to trail about with you. Alec, what were the names of your father, and his father, and his father before that?"
    "My father's name was Amasa. I never knew any of the others," answered Alec.
    "In the southern fashion, that would make you Alec i Amasa of Kerry," said Nysander. "I suppose that will have to suffice."
    "He's not likely to use his real name much at all if he runs with Seregil," Thero observed impatiently.
    "True." Nysander placed his hand over Alec.
    Alec thought of clear water as hard as he could and heard Nysander say, "Alec i Amasa Kerry, let thy inner symbol be revealed!"
    Alec staggered, found his balance, braced for flight.
    Everything appeared in varying tones of grey, yet the slightest movement caught his eye. More overwhelming still were the scents. The pool gave off the sweet message of water and there were horses nearby, mares among them. The countless plants of the garden wove a green tapestry of aromas, some stinking of Poison, others succulent and inviting.
    Most emphatic, however, was the warning stink of the men. Some new part of him signaled innate alarm. He couldn't understand their ridiculous noise or the strange grimacing that accompanied it.
    Then the smallest of the three moved closer, making calmer sounds. Watching the other man creatures with suspicion, he stood his ground, allowing this one to come close enough to stroke his neck.
    "Magnificent!" exclaimed Seregil, looking over the young stag Alec had transformed into. Its nostrils flared nervously, scenting the breeze as he touched its powerful neck. Tossing its antlered head, it looked at him with wide blue eyes.
    "Remarkable," Thero admitted, taking a step closer. "Bring him over to the pool so that he can see—"
    "Thero, no! I think he's—" Seregil hissed, too late.
    At the young wizard's sudden approach, the stag reared in panic. Seregil threw himself back out of reach of the flailing hooves.
    Grasping at the back of Thero's robe, Nysander managed to yank him to safety just as the startled animal leapt forward, lashing out with its antlers.
    "Change him back!" yelled Seregil. "He's lost in the shape. Change him back before he bolts!"
    Nysander shouted the command, and the stag form shifted and dissolved, leaving Alec in a dazed heap on the grass.
    "Easy now," Seregil soothed, wrapping a cloak around the boy's shoulders.
    "Did it work?" Alec asked, feeling dizzy and odd. "Things went all funny for a minute."
    "Did it work?" Seregil rocked back on his heels, laughing "Let's see now. First you changed into as handsome a stag as I've ever seen, then you tried to gut and trample Thero. Nysander stopped you, of course, but otherwise I'd call it a grand success!"
    "The transformation was rather too complete," said Nysander less satisfied. "How do you feel?"
    "A little wobbly," Alec admitted. "I'd like to try it again, though."
    "So you shall," promised Nysander, "but first you must learn to govern your mind."
    Left to himself that afternoon, Alec wandered out into the gardens again. He had still not entirely thrown off the morning's disorientation; the world seemed rather muted after experiencing it through the senses of an animal.
    As he neared the centaur's grove he caught the sound of harp music and paused. Mastering his shyness, he entered the trees. Hwerlu and Feeya stood close together in the clearing, Feeya leaning languidly on her mate's back as he played.
    There was an intimacy to the scene that made Alec halt, but before he could withdraw Feeya caught