by M. L. Forman
“I carry the crown with me even now,” Alex went on, ignoring Illius. “I am prepared to return it to you, King Thorgood, but first I must ask you something. What promise did you make? What did you promise in exchange for the return of the crown of Set?”
“Ah, the promise,” Thorgood said with a nod. “It was a promise made by all the kings of the dwarf realm, and a promise I will not turn away from now. My lords all know the promise, which is simply this: one-half of all the wealth of the realm is to be given to the one who returns the crown of Set; or, if he wishes, one-half of the realm to rule as his own in the king’s name.”
“A great promise,” said Alex thoughtfully. “More, perhaps, than any crown is worth.”
“I am prepared to fulfill the promise,” said Thorgood proudly. “You need only say which you wish—half the wealth of my kingdom, or half of the kingdom to rule as your own.”
“And if I should ask for something else?” Alex questioned.
“What else would you ask? You have only to name your price,” Thorgood answered firmly.
“It’s all a lie,” Illius shouted as tears of rage ran down his face. “There is no crown. It is lost for all time.”
“King Thorgood and lords of the dwarf realm of Thraxon,” Alex spoke loudly enough to be heard over Illius. “In return for the crown of Set, I ask simply this—that you will swear to always be a friend to the Oracle of the Empty Tower. To aid her if she should call, to defend her if she is in need, and to always allow those seeking the oracle to pass through your realm freely.”
“That is all you would ask for so great a prize as the crown?” Thorgood questioned in disbelief. “Nothing for yourself, or for your company?”
“That is what I have asked, and the only thing that I will accept,” answered Alex.
“Then I swear as king of the dwarf realm, that we shall always be a true friend to the Oracle of the Empty Tower. I swear that we will aid her if she should call and defend her if she is in need. I swear we will do all that you ask and more,” said Thorgood, his voice shaking with joy, and his eyes glistening with tears. “And I swear that your name will always be remembered in this kingdom with the greatest of honor.”
“I will take you at your word, great king, the true heir of Set,” said Alex as he reached for his magic bag. “And I will tell you something more. The crown of Set will remain with your people forever, unless they break the promises you have made this day. If ever the dwarfs of Thraxon turn against the oracle, the crown will be lost once more.”
“So be it. How say you, lords of Thraxon?” Thorgood questioned.
“No, no, no, no,” Illius shouted wildly. “It cannot be.”
“We will keep the promises that have been made,” all the dwarfs, except Illius, replied firmly.
Alex bowed to Thorgood, and speaking into his magic bag, he produced the beautiful crown of Set. Bobkin, Belkin, and Dobkin had done a wonderful job repairing it, and Dobkin had figured out what magic had been in the crown before it had been broken. Alex had renewed the old magic, and added a bit of his own. It was his magic that would keep the crown in the dwarf realm, and his magic that would make it vanish if the dwarfs broke their promise to him.
The true-silver crown shined and sparkled in the sunlit chamber, and Alex held the crown up for all the dwarfs to see. The star sapphire on top of the crown glowed faintly with the inner light of magic. Thorgood dropped to one knee in front of Alex, his eyes fixed on the crown.
“Will you honor me by placing it on my head?” Thorgood asked. “What more could any king ask than to be crowned by a true wizard and dragon lord.”
“As you wish,” said Alex with a bow. He gently placed the crown on Thorgood’s head. “Rise, Thorgood, as the true king of the dwarf realm of Thraxon. And always remember the promises you have made this day.”
“No!” Illius shrieked in agony. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I was to be king! It was mine for the taking.”
Thorgood got back to his feet, and the star sapphire in the crown seemed to come alive, shining like a flame from the top of the crown. The dwarf lords began to cheer wildly, but Illius fell silent, shaking with both rage and fear.
“Summon the guards,” Thorgood commanded. “Illius must pay for his treason, as will all those who conspired with him.”
“King Thorgood, I must speak,” Alex said quickly. “I have spent the night searching your city, discovering the truth of what was being done. Illius is alone in his treason, and even the soldiers he sent to Darvish did not know why they had been sent. Illius told them it was by your wish that they were going and that they would receive instructions once they reached the city.”
“No, he’s lying,” Illius shouted. “I have many allies, many followers who wish for me to be their king.”
Thorgood ignored Illius’s ranting. “I will send the swiftest riders after the soldiers at once so they will not trouble the oracle. Illius will be tried for his crimes, but I will not place his evil on the house of Burnlap. Now, my friend, if you have finished, I must ask you to leave us. You have given my lords and myself many things to discuss this day.”
“As you wish, great king,” Alex answered, bowing.
Alex left Thrang in the council chamber and followed the guards who were dragging the ranting Illius away. Illius was shouting commands that the guards ignored, and Alex thought that the dwarf might have lost his mind.
“I’ll have my revenge on you, wizard. You’ve not won yet. I’ll hunt you across the known lands and make you pay for this day,” Illius shouted as the guards pulled him toward the dungeons.
“Be careful what you wish for, Illius,” Alex replied coldly. “If you live long enough to come hunting me, you will find something much more deadly than a wizard waiting for you.”
Alex turned away from his newest enemy and made his way back to the rooms where his friends were waiting. He was glad he had been able to restore the crown of Set to Thorgood, but he felt oddly sorry for Illius. Illius had not started out as an evil dwarf—no one ever started out evil—but he had let his love of power and riches destroy him.
Thrang returned to the company late that evening, looking worn out by the day’s events. As he entered the common room, he greeted Alex and quietly thanked him for all he had done.
“I have been afraid for many years that someone might find the crown,” Thrang said as they sat beside the fire. “If the wrong person had found the crown, the dwarf realm could have fallen into civil war.”
“Then it is lucky that I found it,” said Alex.
“Lucky?” Thrang questioned. “The longer I know you, the less I believe in luck.”
“Well, all is right now,” said Arconn. “How long will we remain in Benorg before returning to Telous?”
“Tired of the city already?” Thrang questioned.
“I could live here a hundred years and not grow tired of this city or its people,” Arconn answered. “Yet the adventure is complete; our work in Thraxon is done.”
“Yes, you are correct,” said Thrang. “We will stay for ten days, anything less would be rude. Then we will return to Telous and conclude our adventure.”
“Ten days of parties and stories? A high price to pay for success,” Alex said with a laugh.
In the end, Alex and his friends stayed in Benorg for twelve days, and each day ended in a grand feast and a retelling of their adventure. Alex was pleased that Thrang told the same story as he had that first night and that nobody seemed to guess the truth about the dragon that had carried the oracle to the empty tower.
When they finally did leave the city, the streets were lined with dwarfs, and the company could hear the cheering long after they had left the main gates behind them. It was only when they were well away from the city that they began to talk of what the future held. Alex, of course, was planning to meet Whalen in Telous; he had already sent a message to tell his friend when he would be arriving. Arconn would be going to Vargland with Thrain to visit the elves who
lived there. Barnabus and Nellus both planned to return to their own homes, and Thrang would wait in Telous for a company of dwarfs traveling from Vargland to Thraxon.
“Though perhaps I will ride with Arconn and Thrain into Vargland,” Thrang said. “I can meet the trading company on the road.”
“That would be nice,” said Thrain. “I wish Fivra could come as well.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure young Fivra will find an oracle to visit soon enough,” Arconn said with a smile.
For a moment, Alex thought he might like to return to Vargland and visit his friends as well, but he knew that was not possible right now. Whalen had found a new home for him in Alusia, and he wanted to see it and start getting settled there. He also had a great deal to tell Whalen, things he had been unable to put into writing.
“I suppose you will be thinking about retiring again,” Alex said to Thrang on their last night in Thraxon. “The payment for this last adventure will surely be enough to keep you comfortable for many years to come.”
“It will indeed,” said Thrang with a grunting laugh. “Yet I would miss the open road and the chance to be with good friends.”
“And it would be too easy for his relatives to find him if he settled down.” Arconn laughed.
It had been a pleasant night, and Alex didn’t want it to end. It had been the same on his first two adventures: he was sad, knowing that he would soon be parted from his friends, but he was also happy because there was a good chance he would see them all again someday. There were always new adventures and new friends to come.
Chapter Twenty-Five
A New Home
It was almost noon when Alex and his friends arrived in Telous, and as always, the Golden Swan had plenty of food and drink ready for them. A message had arrived that morning for Alex, informing him that Whalen would be arriving the next day. So with nothing much to do after they had eaten, Alex and Arconn walked the streets until the sun was setting.
Their evening feast was as grand as any Alex had ever eaten at the Swan, and he was glad that Thrang did not make too long a speech at the end of it. They were all a little sad that Kat was not there with them, but Thrang was quick to point out that her absence was, in fact, a good thing. They finished their evening with a toast to the new Oracle of the Empty Tower and a wish that they might all travel together again someday.
Alex went to bed tired that night, and if he had dreams he could not remember them when he woke in the morning. The company met for breakfast, and then Thrang led them across the street to the building where they could donate to the Widows and Orphans fund. They could all afford to be extremely generous, not only because they had gathered a great deal of treasure on their adventure, but also because Thorgood had insisted on giving them an advance against the treasure he would owe them in the future.
“Thorgood will keep his word, but it was easier for him to pay us while we were in Thraxon,” Thrang said with a smile. “I know you’ve all agreed to collect what the dwarf realm sends from here, but it will be costly to ship so much treasure to Telous.”
“Perhaps we should have let Thorgood hold our wealth and simply collect it whenever we are passing through Thraxon,” Arconn said with a smile.
“It would be good to return to Thraxon,” Nellus added. “I, for one, would like to return often, if only to visit the oracle.”
“A good idea,” Barnabus said. “Several members of my family wish to visit an oracle, and it would be good to visit one I know.”
“Do not wear your friendship with the oracle thin,” Alex warned. “She may be our friend, but that holds no promise. As the oracle, she may not see the people you take to her.”
“You don’t really think she’d say no, do you?” Thrain questioned in concern.
“I don’t think so, but we should not test her,” Alex answered.
“And, as I told you before, Thrain, it is not wise to openly claim friendship with an oracle,” Thrang added.
Thrain didn’t reply, but Alex could see that the young dwarf was still confused about what he should and should not say openly. Alex remembered his own first adventure and how little he had understood or even believed. Now his world was completely different than the one he remembered. His life was divided between the world he knew before he’d accidentally walked into Mr. Clutter’s shop, and the world he’d discovered after.
Alex and his friends gathered once more at the Swan for their midday meal so Thrang could officially end their adventure. It was a happy time, even though they would all soon be going their separate ways. Thrang recounted what they had done during their adventure, making a point of mentioning all the things Alex had done. Alex would have protested, but he knew Thrang too well, and he knew that it wouldn’t do any good.
“And so, my friends,” Thrang said as he stood to toast them. “We will call this adventure complete. And to quote another great adventurer, it has been a first-class adventure all around.”
Alex and the others all gave a loud cheer and stood to toast with Thrang. And just like that the adventure was over, though no one seemed in a rush to leave the table. Alex asked Arconn and Thrain to take his best wishes to his friends in Vargland, which they both happily agreed to do. Then Nellus and Barnabus started to sing a traveling song, which made Alex wonder when his next adventure would begin.
As the song ended, the door to their private dining room opened, and Whalen Vankin stepped into the room.
“I thought it must be you,” Whalen said with a smile. “I trust I’m not intruding.”
“No, not at all,” Thrang said quickly, getting to his feet and offering Whalen his own chair. “Our adventure has been concluded, and now we are simply a group of friends enjoying each another’s company.”
“Ah, you are most kind,” said Whalen, taking the chair Thrang offered him. “You must be Thrang Silversmith; I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting you before.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Thrang answered with a bow. “I am honored you have joined us.”
“To be numbered among such a group as this, it is I who am honored,” said Whalen. “Now, perhaps my friend Alex will introduce you all to me, though I’m sure I know your names already.”
“Yes, of course,” Alex stammered.
Whalen seemed to know much more about Alex’s friends beyond the details Alex had shared through his letters. Thrain blushed bright red when Whalen asked him about his family, and Nellus and Barnabus were both dumbfounded when Whalen was able to name people from their own lands that he knew. Arconn had met Whalen once before, but that had been many years ago.
“Still adventuring, then,” Whalen said as he looked at the elf.
“As are you, my friend,” said Arconn.
“It’s not an easy job to quit,” Whalen said with a laugh. “And it seems that I am needed more and more often, though I hope with Alex’s help, I will be able to spend some time at home.”
“I will be honored to assist in any way I can,” Alex said, wondering if Whalen had already found a new adventure for him to join.
“I’m sure you will,” Whalen said. “For now, however, I think you should come with me to Alusia. I’ve found a wonderful new home for you—if you’re still interested, that is.”
“I am,” Alex answered. “Though it will seem odd, not returning to the place I’ve called home for so long.”
“Oh, you can always go back,” Whalen said, laughing. “Though the longer you stay away, the harder it will be for you to return. I almost never go back to the place where I grew up, even when I have the time. I suppose there are too many memories there, and too many things that I have chosen not to remember as well.”
“You would honor us if you would join us for the evening meal,” Thrang said, changing the subject.
“A kind offer that I must refuse,” said Whalen. “I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to, and I’m only taking time out today to show Alex the home I’ve found for him.”
“We will be leaving toda
y?” Alex questioned.
“Yes, as soon as you are ready,” answered Whalen. “I know you hate to leave your friends so quickly, but I am really very pressed for time.”
“Is there something I can help you with?” Alex asked, surprised by Whalen’s rush.
“No, no, nothing like that,” said Whalen. “I’ve made promises to be places, and with one thing and another, well
. . . let’s just say I have time to take you to Alusia and then I must be off.”
“As you wish,” said Alex.
“I will leave you to say your good-byes, then. Gentlemen, it has been a great honor to meet you all. I wish you all good fortune, and I hope that I may have the pleasure of traveling with each of you one day.”
“You are most kind,” said Thrang.
Everyone in the room stood and bowed to Whalen as he moved out of the room, and then they turned to say good-bye to Alex. Alex had planned on saying his farewells the next morning, but Whalen was in a hurry, and as Alex still considered him to be his teacher, he thought it best to do as he was told.
“Until we meet again, my friend,” Arconn said, pulling Alex into a hug.
“I hope that it will be soon,” said Alex. “And when Thrang does finally retire, I’ll have to make a special trip to Thraxon to visit him.”
“Don’t say that too loudly.” Thrang laughed as he embraced Alex. “Thorgood will insist that I retire just so you’ll return to his kingdom.”
“What will I do without you?” Thrain questioned, his eyes bright with tears. “You’ve saved me so often, I’m getting used to having you there.”
“You’re going home in good hands,” said Alex, nodding at Arconn. “And I’m sure you won’t need to be saved very often in Vargland.”
“You must come to my homeland one day,” said Nellus as he shook Alex’s hand.
“And mine as well,” Barnabus added. “My family won’t believe I actually know a wizard.”
“I will try to come if I can,” said Alex. “And if nothing else, perhaps we will travel together again someday.”