Slathbog's Gold

by M. L. Forman

  “It seems strange,” said Alex as they sat around the central table. “She asked us as Iownan to return the crystal, but then accepted it from us as the Oracle.”

  “Not so strange,” said Thrang. “As Iownan, she could ask us to return the crystal. As the Oracle, she would have had to command us.”

  “Would anyone say no to an oracle?” Alex wondered out loud.

  “Perhaps not,” Arconn answered. “Though by making it a request and not a command, she allowed us to choose.”

  They said nothing more about the crystal, because Thrain, Melnoch, and Nitek walked in, dressed in their finest clothes and looking nervous. They hardly ate anything of the midday meal, and Skeld and Tayo took great pleasure in teasing all three of them.

  After the meal, Thomas arrived to take the three dwarfs to the Oracle. He told the company that Iownan would not be able to join them for dinner that night, but would come the following night.

  When Thrain, Melnoch, and Nitek rejoined the company for the evening meal, Alex could tell they were happy with what they had learned. Thrain seemed ready to burst with excitement. He looked like he was hoping someone would ask him what the Oracle had said, but nobody did, and as he ate, his excitement seemed to cool, but only slightly.

  The three young dwarfs said they would be leaving in the

  morning and were disappointed that they couldn’t stay another day.

  When morning arrived however, the excitement and happiness of the three dwarfs had returned in full strength. They thanked Bregnest and the others for allowing them to travel with them to the White Tower and then said their farewells.

  “Perhaps we will ride together again some day,” said Thrain, winking at Alex and Andy as he mounted his horse.

  “Perhaps so,” replied Andy with a knowing smile and a final farewell.

  The next night, the company dined with Iownan and their meal was mixed with laughter and talking. Arconn told of Alex’s encounter with the wraiths, his recovery, and the feast the elves held in his honor. Alex was glad Arconn left out the part about how he almost took Calysto with him across the wall, though he suspected Iownan already knew about it. After all the stories had been told, Iownan wished them all good night and then asked Bregnest for a private word.

  “What were you two whispering about?” Skeld asked when Bregnest rejoined his companions in the sleeping house.

  “Planning another adventure already?” Tayo guessed.

  “Nothing so grand as that,” Bregnest replied with a secretive smile.

  “What then?” Thrang questioned.

  “When we were last here, I sent a letter,” replied Bregnest. “Iownan wished to tell me that an answer had come.”

  “What was this letter about?” Halfdan asked.

  “No secrets among the company,” Andy added loudly.

  “You will find out tomorrow morning,” said Bregnest, acting suddenly tired and laying down on his bed. “Now, I think I will get some sleep.”

  The others yelled and demanded an answer, but Bregnest would say no more. As Skeld and Tayo tried to wrestle an answer from Bregnest, Alex left the sleeping house to say good night to Shahree. He knew before he reached the stables that Iownan would not be there.

  The next morning they all resumed questioning Bregnest about the mysterious letter. He seemed unwilling to answer any questions until after he had eaten, which meant he had to endure Skeld and Tayo throwing bits of food at him while he ate.

  “Very well,” said Bregnest as a piece of toast hit him on the nose.

  He stood up, rubbing his nose, and rang the gong in the second house. Thomas soon appeared, carrying a large package wrapped in brown paper. He set the lumpy package down on one of the main tables and departed as quickly as he had come.

  “The letter I sent was to Whalen Vankin, a wizard I know of some reputation,” Bregnest said.

  “Some reputation indeed,” said Thrang, as if this did not describe Whalen Vankin properly.

  “In any event,” Bregnest continued, ignoring Thrang’s comment. “I asked Whalen if he would be willing to take young Alex on as his apprentice. Whalen has agreed, but says he wishes to meet Alex in person before making any final arrangements.”

  “Wonderful,” said Thrang.

  “Outstanding,” said Skeld.

  “Incredible,” said Halfdan.

  “Yes,” said Bregnest, holding up one hand and motioning for silence. “Unfortunately, Whalen is in the middle of an adventure of his own and won’t be able to meet Alex for some time. He has, however, sent along this package for Alex, which I believe contains several magic books and other items, including a letter of instructions. Whalen asks that the package not be opened until Alex is safely at home.”

  “Oh, but that hardly seems fair,” Andy complained loudly.

  “Fair or not, it is what Whalen asks,” Bregnest replied sternly. “And I don’t think any of us—Alex included—would like to go against the wishes of Whalen Vankin.”

  “No, of course not,” Andy admitted quickly.

  “Very well then,” Bregnest said. “Alex, I suggest you put the package in your bag somewhere where you won’t be tempted to open it before you get home.”

  Alex did as Bregnest said, placing the heavy package inside his magic bag in a corner behind some of his old clothes. He was curious about what might be in the package, and he tried to feel anything he could through the paper as he put it in his magic bag.

  They remained at the White Tower for three more days, resting, relaxing, and dining each night with Iownan.

  The morning of the fourth day, as the company prepared to leave, Iownan arrived to say her farewells. She thanked them all for returning the crystal to the tower and wished them all a safe journey.

  Then, bowing to Alex, she spoke in a lowered voice. “I hope we shall meet again,” she said softly. “And I hope Whalen Vankin can meet with you soon.”

  Alex returned her bow, his heart heavy knowing that this adventure would soon be over. He didn’t want it to end, but he knew it was time to go home.

  chapter twenty

  Home Again

  As the company rode back to the great arch, Alex thought about everything that had happened to him. The adventure had lasted little more than a year and a half, but almost everything was different now. He wondered when he would be able to find a new adventure to go on, and if any of his friends would be able to join him.

  When they rode past the Troll’s Stream, Alex looked toward the hills. He knew that the stone troll would still be there, and part of him wanted to see it again.

  “You seem strangely quiet, Alex,” Arconn observed that night as they ate.

  “Oh, just thinking,” answered Alex.

  “Thinking how you’ll spend your fortune, no doubt,” Skeld commented with a laugh.

  “No,” said Alex. “Just wishing the adventure wasn’t over.”

  “It’s not really over,” said Thrang. “After all, you’ve still got to meet with Whalen Vankin and learn to be a true wizard.”

  “I suppose so,” Alex admitted. “But it won’t be the same.”

  “Because he won’t have Thrang’s cooking to keep him going,” Tayo laughed happily.

  “Nor a pair of jokers who don’t know when they’re well-off,” Thrang replied.

  Alex laughed, happy to be with his friends. He tried not to think about leaving them to go back to his old life. He thought it would be the hardest thing he’d done so far.

  “Don’t worry,” said Andy, throwing a biscuit at Tayo. “I’m sure we’ll all meet again.”

  Alex smiled at Andy’s words and then joined in the sudden biscuit battle that broke out. Thrang yelled madly at them for wasting food, but that only made him a target for everyone else.

  Their last days in Vargland passed quickly and Alex realized Thrang was right—his adventures were only just beginning. He had the package from Whalen Vankin to open when he got home, and he was looking forward to that. He also needed to meet wit
h Whalen, and that might be quite an adventure all by itself.

  They finally reached the great arch, and as they rode through it, the dismal colors of fall magically turned into the happy greens of spring. The lands around Telous seemed to be exactly the same as when they’d left.

  They arrived in Telous in time for a midday meal at the Golden Swan. After lunch, Bregnest left to arrange for their rooms and to order an evening feast. Andy and Alex wandered into the streets of Telous, leaving the others talking happily in the bar.

  “I want to see the bag maker,” Andy said. “I need to add a couple of rooms to my bag. And you can ask him about the six lost bags while we’re there.”

  Alex quickly agreed; the thought of returning the lost bags gave him hope for new adventures.

  “Ah, gentlemen,” said the bag maker when Alex and Andy walked through the door. “What can I do for you today?”

  “Quite a bit, I hope,” answered Alex.

  “Oh? Had some good fortune on your last adventure, did you?”

  “Yes, we did,” said Andy. “We both would like to add some rooms to our bags.”

  “Excellent,” replied the bag maker. “Do you know which rooms you would like to add?”

  Andy ordered five new rooms for his bag, though he had only planned on three.

  The bag maker handed Andy’s bag back to him and then turned to Alex. “Now, what can I do for you?”

  “I would like a bathroom, a bedroom, an ice room, and a library added to my bag,” answered Alex.

  “Very good,” said the bag maker. “All useful rooms to be sure.”

  It didn’t take long to add the rooms to Alex’s magic bag, and Alex wondered how hard it might be to learn that bit of magic.

  The bag maker smiled as he accepted his money from Andy and Alex. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

  “Yes, there is actually,” said Alex. “On my last adventure, I was able to recover several lost magic bags. I was hoping you could tell me who they belonged to, and where their families or heirs might be found.”

  “Of course,” answered the bag maker. “Returning lost bags is a great honor. I will be happy to tell you all that I can. Please, if I may see the bags you’ve recovered, I can write you a list of heirs and locations.”

  “Thank you, that would be most helpful,” said Alex.

  It didn’t take long for the bag maker to identify the owners of the lost magic bags, but it did take him some time to find the named heirs and to write everything down. Alex was happy to wait. At least now he would have some idea of where the heirs of the lost bags might be found and that might lead him to future adventures.

  Alex and Andy returned to the Golden Swan in time for the company’s final feast, which was a long and happy event. They joked and laughed late into the night until Bregnest finally insisted they all go to bed.

  “We will meet as a company in the morning to divide what is left of the share for expenses,” Bregnest said. “I have already delivered the share that was set aside for the Widows and Orphans fund, though you may wish to make your own contributions as well. Then we will declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end.”

  Alex went to bed both happy and sad, knowing that tomorrow the company would be no more. As he slept, he dreamed of his friends in Vargland. He saw Iownan in her tower, and Osrik on his stone throne. He could hear Thrain pestering Osrik to let him go on an adventure, and he wondered what the Oracle had said to Melnoch and Nitek. Last of all, he dreamed of Calysto in the dark woods. He wondered when he would see her again.

  When Andy shook him awake the next morning, his sorrows were gone and he felt happier than he had in weeks. He knew one day he would return to Vargland and see all his friends again.

  At breakfast, Tayo and Skeld were already teasing Thrang about his retirement, asking how they could survive their next adventure without such a good cook. Thrang insisted he was too old for adventures and it was time to settle down, but his smile seemed to say he was just joking.

  “It is time to divide the last of the share set aside for expenses,” said Bregnest loudly so the others would stop making so much noise. “I have decided to divide it evenly between us. There are two reasons for this—first, because you have

  been a wonderful company and have made this a first-class adventure.”

  The company exploded in cheers at Bregnest’s decision and praise.

  “The second reason,” Bregnest said, holding up his hands for quiet, “is because I know our young wizard would complain loudly if I tried to give more to him than to the rest of us. So, to keep him happy, we will share equally.”

  Another cheer went up from all of them, and Alex blushed as Bregnest bowed to him with a smile and a wink.

  Bregnest had already sorted and divided the remaining treasure into eight large piles, which the company found waiting for them in a room at the back of the inn.

  After they had stored their treasure, Bregnest led them out of the Golden Swan and across the road to a large building where they could make their donations to the Widows and Orphans fund. Alex had read about the fund in the Adventurer’s Handbook, so he had a good idea of how much he should give. He hoped it wouldn’t be more than Bregnest’s donation, because if he gave more than the company’s leader it would be an insult. Bregnest was generous and Alex was relieved that he could give as much as he had planned.

  The company wandered off through the streets of Telous. There were a few hours left before the midday meal, and Alex asked Arconn and Thrang to come with him to the bookshop. He wanted their advice on some new books about adventures and magic.

  When they returned to the Golden Swan for their final meal together the mood was somber and a little sad. There was little joking as everyone was thinking about how much they would miss each other and what they would do next.

  “It is time,” Bregnest said at last. “If there are no questions or disputes, we will call our agreement complete.”

  “I have a question,” Alex said suddenly, remembering something.

  “And what is that?” Bregnest asked.

  “Arconn mentioned once that you were trying to fulfill a prophecy on this adventure,” Alex said. “Can you tell us what that prophecy was—or is?”

  Bregnest smiled and laughed softly to himself. “I wasn’t really sure it would be fulfilled on this adventure,” he said. “That is why I didn’t tell you about it at the beginning of our quest. However, I see that the prophecy has partly come true, so I will tell you what I can.”

  Bregnest paused for a long moment.

  “The prophecy was given to me many years ago, and I was never sure it was a true prophecy,” he said slowly.

  “Enough,” Thrang said loudly. “Just tell us what it is.”

  “Very well, Master Silversmith,” said Bregnest. “I was told that I would find a great wizard on my adventures. A wizard who would also be a warrior, though he would not know of his talents when I found him. The prophecy said I would help him find the path he should follow, and that he would go on to do many great and noble deeds.”

  “That seems to have come true in part then,” said Thrang, smiling at Alex. “And as soon as young Alex goes on another adventure, it may come true completely.”

  “Indeed,” Bregnest agreed, raising his mug to toast Alex. The others all followed his example.

  Alex went pink, but smiled and raised his own mug as well.

  “I declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end,” said Bregnest after the toast. “Some of you will be leaving when we finish here, and the rest of us will leave in the morning. Until we meet again, I wish you all a fond farewell.”

  “Until we meet again,” the company repeated.

  There were many good-byes and promises to visit each other in distant lands. Alex promised to visit everyone, though he had no idea how to find any of his friends once they left Telous.

  Andy, Skeld, and Tayo were leaving that afternoon, and Alex joined the oth
ers in front of the Golden Swan to say good-bye once more. Tayo pulled Alex to one side as the others crowded around Skeld and Andy to say their farewells.

  “I owe you more than the others will ever know,” said Tayo. “If ever you have need, please, feel free to call on me.”

  “You are most kind, my friend,” replied Alex. “I hope you find the happiness you deserve.”

  Tayo pulled Alex into a huge bear hug, squeezing him so tight Alex thought for a moment that his ribs would break. When Tayo released him and pulled away, Alex saw tears of happiness in Tayo’s eyes.

  “Farewell,” Bregnest called as Andy, Skeld, and Tayo rode away. “May we meet again soon.”

  Once the three warriors were out of sight, Alex went back into the Golden Swan with his remaining companions. He was just wondering when he would see his departed friends again, when he suddenly thought of something else.

  “How am I going to get home?” he said out loud as the thought occurred to him.

  “Oh, you needn’t worry,” laughed Thrang. “Bregnest, Arconn, and I will be coming with you to Clutter’s shop.”

  “You will?” Alex asked in surprise.

  “’Course we will,” Thrang laughed. “Bregnest needs to pay Clutter his share for the adventure, and Arconn and I have to update everyone’s files.”

  “What files?” Alex questioned.

  “The Adventure Shop keeps records about all adventurers. After each adventure, one or two of the company are chosen to update the files on themselves and the other adventurers. And I don’t mind saying, we’ll have a fair bit of work updating your file.”

  Another thought occurred to Alex. “What about Shahree?”

  He didn’t want to leave his horse behind, but he had no idea what he would do with a horse back at the Happy Dragon. Not to mention how he would explain how he had gotten a horse if he took Shahree home with him.

  “You can stable her here,” Thrang suggested. “The Swan keeps a good stable, and the price is fair. And if you leave her here, she’ll be waiting when you go on your next adventure.”