To the Island!

A little ways away from the village you find a small boat resting on the shore. It is unguarded and untethered, just sitting on the sand as if waiting for you. You call out but no one answers. Wondering who left this strange little boat here, you decide to climb aboard and investigate.

It is a small craft without sail or mast but well made and richly decorated. The smooth wood is polished a decorated with carvings of waves and fish. The benches are covered in cushions of rich, red canvas. You sit down on one and look about for oars.

Before you can locate them, however, the boat slips into the water of its own volition. You find yourself quickly gliding across the lake, against the wind, towards the island and the tall, dark towers of the castle which stands there. Alarmed at first, you eventually decide to sit back and enjoy the ride.

In no time at all the boat moors itself at a small, wooden dock. An old man in worn overalls sits, his feet dangling over the side into the water, a fishing rod in his hand.

"Well, what are you up to? Come to see the wizard, I suppose? Everyone has a wish," he cackles. He casts his line into the water. "Would you get me my tackle box?" he asks, indicating a rusty bucket on the rocks a few feet away. "If you do we can sit for a spell. Have you ever seen a spotted great lake herring?"

You don't wish to be drawn into this old man's fish stories so you politely inform him that you have business with the wizard and you must be going.

or

You don't have time for this, "Get your own bucket, you lazy old goat!" you snort.

or

You obligingly reach down and retrieve the bucket for the old man.