Free The Dolphin Rider by Bernard Evslin Page A

they?” said Circe. “Well — the eyes go last.”
    Then she came to him swiftly, raised her wand, and touched him on the shoulder, saying: “Change, change, change! Turn, turn, turn!”
    Nothing happened. Her eyes widened when she saw him sitting there unchanged, sniffing at the flower he had taken from his tunic. He took the wand from her and snapped it in two. Then he drew his sword, seized her by her long golden hair, and forced her to her knees.
    â€œYou have not asked me my name,” he said. “It is Ulysses. I am an unlucky man, but not altogether helpless. You have changed my men into pigs. Now I will change you into a corpse.”
    Circe did not flinch before the sword. Her great blue eyes looked into his. “But I think living might be more interesting — now that I have met you,” she murmured.
    Ulysses tried to turn his head, but he sank deeper into the blueness of her eyes.
    â€œYes, I am a sorceress,” she whispered. “A witch. But you are a sorcerer too, are you not? You have changed me more than I have changed your men. I changed only their bodies, you have changed my soul. It is no longer a wicked plotting soul, but soft and tender — full of love for you.”
    â€œListen to me, beautiful witch. Before there can be any love between us, I must ask you to swear the great oath that you will not harm me in any way as long as I am your guest. You must swear not to wound me or suck away my blood, as witches do, but treat me honestly. And that, first of all, you will restore my men to their own forms, and let me take them with me when I leave.”
    â€œDon’t speak of leaving,” said Circe softly.
    Circe swore the oath. She took Ulysses out to the sty, and as the pigs streamed past her, rushing to Ulysses, she touched each one on the shoulder with her wand, muttering:
    Snuffle and groan,
    Gasp and pant.
    Muffle your moan,
    I dis-enchant.
    For your captain fine
    I undo my deed,
    And release you swine
    As agreed.
    As she spoke the spell, each pig stood up. His hind legs grew longer, his front hooves became hands. His eyes grew, his nose shrank, and his quills softened into hair. Each was himself once more, with his own form, his own face, but taller now and younger. The men crowded around Ulysses, shouting and laughing.
    â€œWelcome, my friends,” he said. “You have gone a short but ugly voyage to the animal state. You have returned looking very well, but it is clear that we are in a place of strong magic and must conduct ourselves with care. Our enchanting hostess, Circe, has become so fond of our company that she insists we stay a while longer. But I don’t think we can accept the lady’s hospitality.”
    Circe seized Ulysses by the arm, and drew him away from the others.
    â€œYou don’t understand,” she said. “I don’t want you as a guest. I want you to be my husband.”
    â€œI am much obliged, dear lady. But I am already married.”
    â€œOnly to a mortal. That doesn’t count. I am a goddess — an immortal. We can have as many husbands as we like.”
    â€œHow many have you had?” cried Ulysses.
    â€œAh, don’t say it like that,” said Circe. “I have been a widow quite often, it is true. But please understand. I am immortal. I cannot die. I have lived since the beginning of things.”
    â€œHow many husbands have you buried, dear widow?”
    â€œI do not let them die,” replied Circe. “I cannot bear dead things — especially if they are things I have loved. I turn them into animals, and they roam this beautiful island forever.”
    â€œThat explains the wolves and lions outside the walls then,” said Ulysses.
    â€œAh, they are only the best!” cried Circe. “The mightiest warriors of ages gone. I have had lesser husbands. They are now rabbits, squirrels, boars, cats, spiders, frogs — and snails. See that little monkey on