by M. L. Forman
Arconn nodded and the three of them hurried after their friends. Alex felt certain that Kat would want to return and try to enter the tower after their adventure was finished, even once she knew what might happen to her. He was also troubled because he knew he could do almost nothing to help her if she tried and failed.
Chapter Fifteen
The Third Bag
Thrang’s prediction of when they would reach Kazad-Syn was correct. Just before midday on the ninth day out from Darvish, the company stopped at the top of a hill. Spread out before them was the dwarf city of Kazad-Syn, shining like a jewel, just as Thrang had said.
“It’s beautiful,” said Thrain with breathless excitement. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Do all dwarf roads lead up hills before reaching cities?” asked Nellus. “It seems the roads are designed to give us the most impressive view of the city possible.”
“I don’t know if the roads were designed that way.” Thrang laughed. “But it is a splendid view.”
Alex agreed that the city was beautiful, and to his surprise, it was also very green. The city was built close to the mountains, and a long wall stretched out from the mountainside to enclose part of the city in a half circle. The wall was a pale and milky green color; it looked more like a giant hedge than a wall of stone. They could see many large buildings inside the wall, most of them made of the same jade-colored stone as the wall. There were also many trees growing in and around the city, which only added to the effect of the green stone.
“Kazad-Syn is known for its jade-colored marble,” Thrang said as they started forward once more. “Stone from this area has been shipped to most of the known lands.”
“It is impressive,” Arconn said. “I never thought a dwarf city could look so vibrant and alive.”
“Wait until you see the underground parts of the city,” said Thrang with a smile.
When they reached the city gate, the guards greeted Thrang as an old friend and let the company pass without hesitation. It didn’t take long for news of the company’s arrival to spread through the city, and they were soon being followed by dozens of young dwarfs who were all calling Thrang’s name.
“I have a bit of a reputation here,” said Thrang with a grin. He reached into his pocket and took out a handful of silver coins, which he tossed over his shoulder to the youngsters following them. “I always toss a few coins to them, and I always have good luck,” he explained.
“A custom?” Arconn questioned, looking back as the young dwarfs rushed in to gather up the coins.
“It is for my family,” said Thrang. “My great-grandfather started the practice, and now, whenever anyone from my family returns here, we carry it on as a tradition.”
Thrang looked like he was going to say more, but at that moment, a crowd of happy dwarfs shouted greetings to him from the street. Thrang called back, waving to them, and Alex could see that Thrang was glad to be home once more.
They followed the main road through the city, but as they went, the crowd around them grew, and soon they could hardly move at all. Alex wondered if Thrang always had this kind of reception when he came to the city, but decided it might not be a good question to ask. Instead, he rode slowly behind Thrang, smiling at the dwarfs who were so happy to see Thrang and his company.
It took some time, but they were finally able to move away from the crowds and turn off the main road onto one of the many side streets leading toward the mountains. After a short time, Thrang stopped in front of a fine-looking house built right up against the mountainside. There was a high wall around the house, and the gate was closed. Thrang climbed off his horse and banged loudly on the solid wooden gate.
“Cousin Thrang!” the young dwarf who opened the gate exclaimed in surprise. “We didn’t know you were coming. I would have had the gate open for you.”
“I didn’t have time to send word,” said Thrang, smiling at his young cousin and motioning for the others to follow him through the gate.
“Thorson will be happy to see you,” the dwarf went on, apparently unaware of the rest of the company. “He was saying just the other day that he should write and invite you to come and stay for awhile.”
“I hope there’s room for my friends as well,” said Thrang, turning to gesture at the others.
“Always room for your friends,” the dwarf answered, also turning to look. At the sight of the group of adventurers, his eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open. Alex thought that the dwarf might have lost the ability to speak.
“I didn’t know you were on an adventure,” the dwarf managed to say after several seconds. “Forgive me, cousin, I shouldn’t keep you and your friends waiting here in the courtyard.”
“No harm done,” Thrang said with a laugh. “And as you are here, you might as well meet everyone. Everyone, this is my cousin Dain. Dain wants to follow in my footsteps and become an adventurer, but he’s not yet come of age.”
Dain bowed to the company, blushing slightly as he rose. Thrang introduced each member of the company in turn, saving Alex for last.
“Alexander Taylor?” Dain repeated. “The wizard who defeated Slathbog?”
“The very same,” said Thrang, smiling and winking at Alex. “And he’s done a great deal more than that as well.”
“A great honor, sir,” said Dain, bowing to Alex.
“The honor is mine,” said Alex, returning the bow and Thrang’s wink.
“I’ll take your horses to the stables for you,” Dain said to Thrang.
“And who will tell Thorson we’ve arrived?” Thrang questioned.
“Well, I . . .” Dain began, then trailed off.
“Go on, then.” Thrang laughed. “Take the horses for us, and I’ll let my brother know we are here.”
Dain took the reins of their horses and started off across the courtyard.
Thrang motioned for the company to follow him in the opposite direction. Alex could see that the house was large on the outside, and he guessed that a great deal more of it was either underground or inside the mountain, which was close to the back of the house.
Thrang seemed to know exactly where his brother would be at this time of day. He led them through a small part of the house and out into a large, walled-off garden. Several dwarfs were sitting at a stone table near a fountain, talking loudly.
“I don’t care if he is of age. He’ll have to wait until arrangements can be made for his trip to an oracle,” said a dwarf who looked a great deal like Thrang.
“He doesn’t want to wait, cousin,” a second dwarf said. “He says he’s of age and will do as he likes.”
“Then he can go by himself and without my help,” the first dwarf answered. “Tell him to be here this evening and I’ll tell him so myself.”
“Who wants to go to an oracle?” Thrang asked loudly.
“What’s that?” said the first dwarf, turning to see who had spoken. “Thrang, you old rascal, when did you get here?”
“Just now,” said Thrang, moving forward and embracing his brother. “Dain met us at the gate and has taken our horses to the stables. We haven’t come at a bad time, have we, Thorson?”
“Ah, a company,” said Thorson in delight. “You should have sent word; I’d have had a feast prepared.”
“The feast can wait,” said Thrang with a laugh. “Do you have room for the seven of us to stay? We’ll be in the city for a week or two.”
“You know I have room,” said Thorson. “And if you’re staying for at least a week, there will be time for several feasts.”
“You are most kind,” said Thrang. “Let me introduce my friends to you.”
Thrang introduced the company to his brother and to the other dwarfs in the garden, once again saving Alex for last. Thorson was happy to meet them all, and the dwarfs all smiled and bowed as they were introduced. Alex tried to remember all of their names, but Thrang’s relatives looked so much alike it was hard to keep the names and faces straight.
Thorson gestu
red to the table by the fountain. “Please, make yourselves at home. I’ll have the midday meal brought out here as well as have rooms prepared for all of you.” Thorson quickly turned to one of his cousins and rattled off some instructions. Alex thought the cousin’s name was Bulbur, but he wasn’t completely sure.
“Now then,” said Thrang, walking over to the table. “Who is it that wants to run off and see an oracle?”
“Your nephew, Fivra,” Thorson answered, shaking his head. “Just came of age last month, and already he wants to run off and find an oracle.”
“That’s natural enough,” Thrang said, taking a seat. The rest of the company joined him around the table.
“So it would seem, but he doesn’t want to go and see just any oracle. He wants to go to Vargland and see the Oracle of the White Tower,” said Thorson, joining Thrang at the table. “Halfdan’s trading company will be going that way, and he’s already agreed to take several young dwarfs with him.”
“For a price,” said Thrang, nodding.
“One hundred gold coins each,” Thorson said. “I told Fivra if he would save half the money, I’d give him the other half, but I don’t think he has two coins to rub together.”
“But he still wants to go, and he still wants you to pay for it,” said Thrang, nodding once more.
“He says he’ll go if I pay or not,” said Thorson in a slightly worried tone. “Has his mind made up, and you know how stubborn he is.”
“Even if he gets to Vargland, there’s no promise the oracle will talk to him,” said Thrang, glancing quickly at Alex.
“No, there’s not,” said Thorson. “But I refuse to pay the entire price, and now he’s off sulking about it somewhere.”
“He always was a bit of a sulker,” Thrang said.
“And he’s never been any good with money,” Thorson added. “He’s got it in his mind that he’ll be an adventurer, like you and Halfdan. Seems to think adventures are an easy way to get rich quick.”
“I’ve told him a hundred times that being an adventurer is hard work,” said Thrang, shaking his head. “Even if he goes to Vargland, and even if the oracle speaks to him, odds are he won’t be chosen as an adventurer.”
“I know,” said Thorson, shaking his head as well. “I’ve tried to explain it to him, but he won’t listen. Now, with you and your friends here, I know he’ll be more determined than ever to go.”
“Perhaps we could talk to him,” offered Arconn. “We could tell him how hard adventures can be.”
“A kind gesture,” said Thrang, smiling at Arconn. “It might not hurt, but I hate to bring you all into family matters.”
“It is the least we can do,” said Nellus.
“But he mustn’t think we put you up to it,” Thorson warned. “If the subject comes up naturally, fine, but don’t bring it up.”
They all agreed, and Thorson thanked each of them individually. Just then, the midday meal arrived, and they were soon eating and talking about other things.
“So, an adventure in Thraxon,” Thorson said, glancing at Thrang. “Can you tell me anything about it?”
“You know I can’t,” said Thrang with half a smile. “But there is something you can help us with.”
“Anything, anything at all,” said Thorson.
“My friend, Alex, is carrying a lost bag. We need to find the heir and arrange for the bag’s return.”
“Do you know the heir’s name?” Thorson asked Alex.
“Haymar Glynn,” said Alex, pushing his plate away and leaning back in his chair. “The bag maker in Telous gave me the name.”
“Haymar Glynn,” Thorson repeated. “Yes, I think I know him. Nice fellow. I’ll send word this afternoon that you wish to speak with him.”
“Excellent,” said Thrang. “With any luck, we can take care of this task and be on our way. Oh, yes, I should ask one other thing.”
“Just the one?” said Thorson with a laugh.
“We need information about the Lost Mountains,” said Thrang. “Anything will be helpful, but we don’t want every dwarf in the city knowing that we’re going there.”
“Yes, of course,” said Thorson, looking more serious. “I’ll see what I can find out. Make it sound like business of my own, if that’s all right.”
“That would be wonderful,” said Thrang.
Later that afternoon, Alex was sitting in the garden talking with Kat and Arconn when Thrang and Thorson came looking for him.
“We’ve run into a bit of a problem,” said Thrang, a troubled look on his face. “It seems there is some dispute about the bag you want to return to Haymar Glynn.”
“What kind of dispute?” Alex questioned.
“Haymar’s half brother, Halbrek, is disputing Haymar’s claim as heir,” said Thorson. “He claims that their father was going to change his will and name him heir to his bag, but he died before he had the chance.”
“The bag maker gave me Haymar’s name,” said Alex. “As far as I know, Haymar is the heir and should receive the bag. If his half-brother wants to make a claim, he’ll have to do it some other way.”
“It’s not as simple as that,” said Thrang as he took a seat. “Halbrek has made a public claim, and now the claim has to be settled before you can return the bag. It’s a very old dwarf law, and I don’t think anyone has tried to enforce it for several hundred years.”
“Who decides the dispute?” Alex asked, looking from Thrang to Thorson.
“Well, there are two ways,” Thrang began. “The king can hear both sides of the story and then make a ruling, but that might take months, or even years.”
“And there’s no way to know if the king will choose the true heir or not,” Thorson added. “There is always a chance he might make a mistake.”
“Or that he or one of the officials hearing the claims will accept a bribe,” said Thrang in a troubled voice.
“And the second way?” Alex questioned, afraid that he already knew the answer.
“As a wizard, and the bag holder, you can decide who the true heir is,” said Thorson, smiling weakly.
“How would I do that?” Alex asked.
“The ceremony to return the bag would be much the same as you’ve done before,” said Thrang quickly. “However, in this case, both Haymar and Halbrek would come forward to claim the bag. The simplest way would be to have them both tell you the passwords to the bag, and if they’re different, the one with the correct passwords would be the true heir.”
“And if they both know the correct passwords?” Alex questioned, feeling that he’d rather have the king resolve the dispute.
“Then you’ll have to come up with your own test,” Thorson answered.
“Oh,” said Alex, looking down at the ground. “What kind of test could I use?”
Thrang shrugged. “This law is very old, and there have been only a few cases like this in our history. Perhaps there is some magical way to find out who the owner of the bag wanted to be his heir.”
“There might be,” said Alex, not looking up. “Or I could use magic to force both Haymar and Halbrek to tell the truth. But, of course, if they both believe what they’re saying is the truth, that magic is useless.”
“It will be a difficult task, that is for sure,” Thorson agreed. “However, both Haymar and Halbrek have asked to speak with you. Perhaps you can find the truth some other way.”
“Did they both want to talk to me at the same time?” Alex asked.
“No, they each requested to speak to you alone,” said Thorson. “No doubt they each want to press their own case with you, hoping that you will decide in their favor.”
“When do they want to see me?” Alex asked, feeling a weight settle in his stomach.
“Haymar said he will come whenever you ask him to,” said Thorson. “Halbrek insisted on seeing you only after you have spoken to Haymar.”
“Very well,” Alex agreed reluctantly. “Ask Haymar to come tonight, and Halbrek can come tomorrow morning. I will listen to what
they both have to say and see if I can find a solution to their dispute.”
“It will be as you request,” said Thorson with a bow.
“There must be some way to find out who’s telling the truth,” said Thrang after Thorson had gone.
“They both must believe what they’re saying is true or else they wouldn’t have invoked the ancient dwarf law,” Kat pointed out.
“That’s true,” Thrang agreed. “But even if they both believe in their claims, they are taking a huge risk. The one you decide against will lose a great deal of honor.”
“Yet Haymar’s claim is already the stronger,” said Alex thoughtfully. “His name was given as the heir.”
“What appears to be true is not always true,” Arconn said in a thoughtful tone.
Alex nodded but didn’t say anything more. He wasn’t happy about the turn of events. He thought that returning the lost bag would be a simple task and a happy event. Now he feared that returning the lost bag might tear a family apart. He wondered if perhaps he should refuse both Haymar and Halbrek, at least until they agreed on who the true heir should be.
Alex had little time to think about what he should do, because Thorson arranged for Haymar to arrive less than an hour later. Alex remained in the garden alone, waiting for Haymar and thinking over his options.
As the sun was going down, Haymar Glynn walked into the garden. He looked nervous. Alex was sitting by the fountain, watching as the dwarf approached.
“Master Taylor?” Haymar questioned, a look of surprise on his face.
“Yes,” said Alex, trying to look wise.
“I’m sorry. I . . . I thought you would be older,” said Haymar, bowing. “Of course, I’ve heard the stories, but
still . . .”
“I seem young to be a wizard,” Alex finished for him.
“I mean no offense,” said Haymar, bowing once again. “It is not my place to judge wizards or their ways.”
“But it seems that it is my place to judge you and your half-brother,” said Alex.
“I am sorry for that,” said Haymar. “I’ve tried to talk to Halbrek, but he won’t listen to me. I’ve offered him an equal share of anything the bag holds, but he won’t accept. He insists that he is the rightful heir of the bag and that the honor of receiving it should be his.”