by M. L. Forman
“Well, Shahree, it looks like you have been well cared for.”
Shahree snorted loudly and shook her head up and down in answer.
Alex laughed and continued to rub the horse’s neck. “Looks like we’ll be off again soon. I hope you’re ready for another adventure.”
Shahree nuzzled his shoulder, and Alex could feel her excitement to be on the road again.
“I see that Calysto did not say enough,” a voice commented behind Alex.
He turned around and saw Sindar standing at the stable door.
“The two of you are close,” Sindar went on as he crossed to stand by Alex. “Closer than any horse and man I have ever seen.”
“We have shared a lot,” said Alex, turning back to Shahree. “And there is great trust and understanding between us.”
“So I see. And I think Calysto must be right about you.”
“In what way?”
“She told me that you were more like an elf than any human she had ever met,” Sindar answered, reaching out and rubbing Shahree’s forehead. “And she said that I would be lucky to go on an adventure with you.”
“How long has it been since you last spoke with Calysto?”
“The new moon has appeared five times since I left the dark forest.”
“She showed our company great kindness,” said Alex. “Myself most of all.”
“I have heard the story, though Calysto would not tell me everything that had passed between the two of you.”
Alex remained silent.
“I will not ask you to tell me what she would not; it is not my place. I only thought it strange.”
“If you knew what happened, you would not think it so strange,” said Alex, patting Shahree’s neck and turning to go.
“Already you learn to speak as a wizard.”
“Perhaps . . .” A strange feeling suddenly came over Alex, and he stopped short at the door of the stable. His eyes moved to the crowded streets and buildings of Telous, searching for something he knew he would not find.
“You felt it as well,” Sindar whispered. “A feeling of being watched, of a watcher with purpose.”
“Yes.”
“It is gone now.”
“But what—or who—could it have been?” Alex questioned. “It wasn’t just a feeling of being watched, it was something more. I just don’t know what.”
“I think there is little danger,” Sindar replied slowly. “The feeling is gone, and I felt no evil in it.”
Alex and Sindar returned to the Golden Swan where they spent the rest of the day talking with the other members of the company, but Alex wasn’t as enthusiastic as he had been. The strange feeling of being watched troubled him, and he couldn’t seem to shake his unease.
* * *
“How far is it to Oslansk?” Alex asked.
The company was sitting down to their feast, and Alex thought it would be a good idea to ask some questions.
“Perhaps a week’s ride,” answered Andy. “It may take a bit longer, depending on the snow.”
“Snow?”
“Spring is slow to come to Norsland,” said Andy. “The snow was clearing when I rode to Telous a week ago, but we may still find some during our travels.”
“I’ve heard that summers in Norsland are short,” Halfdan commented thoughtfully.
“Not as short as stories tell,” said Andy. “There are almost always six months without snow, and heavy winter lasts only for perhaps three months.”
“Though even the light part of winter in Norsland may seem heavy to us,” commented Sindar.
“We should be fine,” said Bregnest, standing and drawing everyone’s attention. “Tonight we seal our bargain and our adventure begins. You are all experienced adventurers, so there is little I need tell you. You all know what we seek, and you also know the rules of adventurers.”
“We do,” said Halfdan, scowling at his empty mug.
Bregnest smiled at Halfdan. “I know how great your thirst can be, and I would not wish to keep you from quenching it.”
“I beg your pardon,” replied Halfdan in an overly serious tone.
“There are a few things I do need to say, however,” Bregnest continued. “The first is that we will buy most of our provisions when we reach Oslansk. If anyone is looking for a new adventure to start, they will certainly keep an eye on the shops here in Telous. I don’t know if anyone will be looking for us, but it is always better to be a little careful early than to be very sorry later.”
“There’s wisdom in that,” Val commented with a nod.
“You all know that we are in a race against time, but this race is not a sprint,” Bregnest went on. “We have some time, and we will not go charging off wildly to reach our goal. When I left Alusia, the harvest was about to start. Fall and winter are wet, muddy months, and the ground often freezes. Winter is never a good time to go to war, so I believe we will have at least eight months before any real trouble starts in Alusia. With luck, we will find success—and the Horn—quickly.
“Finally, as some of you know, Master Taylor carries several lost bags from his last adventure. We will make time for him to return one of those bags as we travel in Norsland. I believe the heir to the bag lives near our planned course of travel, so this should not be an inconvenience to us, or cause any great delay. And so, we will drink to our agreement, our adventure, and for luck.”
Bregnest rang a golden bell that was sitting on the table. At the sound of the bell, servants entered the room, filled mugs for the company, and then departed.
“To the agreement, the adventure, and for luck,” Bregnest repeated, lifting his mug.
“The agreement, the adventure, and for luck.” The others stood and lifted their mugs as well.
“Now, let’s eat,” said Bregnest, ringing the bell once more. “We will depart at daybreak and begin our adventure.”
With the second ringing of the bell, more servants arrived, bringing large platters of roasted meats, bowls of vegetables and gravy, and everything else the company might want. They ate and talked and even told a few stories about past adventures. Alex was soon pleasantly full, but to his surprise Val continued to eat like a starving man.
“Can’t see where you’re putting it all,” Halfdan commented after pushing his own plate away. “Never seen anyone eat so much at one time.”
“You sound like my wife,” Val joked. “She always comments on how much I eat, and then complains that I don’t ever gain weight. She says my being so skinny makes her look bad.”
They all laughed at Val’s words, and after some time, Bregnest suggested that they should all go to bed.
“Sleep well, my friends,” said Bregnest, as he opened the door to the room he was sharing with Val. “We may be in a rush to finish our adventure, but I hope we have many happy times in front of us, and little danger.”
As Alex climbed into his own bed, he noticed that Sindar was simply lying on top of the covers.
“May I ask you something?” Alex questioned.
“Certainly,” said Sindar, rolling onto his side so he could look at Alex.
“Well, I was thinking about my friend Arconn and a question I never asked him. I don’t ever remember seeing him sleep, and I was wondering if elves ever sleep, or if you don’t need to.”
“We can sleep,” said Sindar. “We remain watchful and alert, but our minds rest. And remembering things long past is like sleep for us.”
“Oh,” said Alex, pulling his blankets around him. “So you don’t dream?”
“We dream as well. I suppose I should have said that we do not sleep like men, and that men may not consider our rest to be sleep.”
“That sounds like an elf reply,” said Alex. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Not at all.”
Alex put out the lamp next to his bed and closed his eyes. Sindar started humming softly in the darkness. It was a pleasant tune—one Alex had never heard before—and he soon fell asleep listening to it.
Before sunrise the next morning, Alex and Sindar made their way to the company’s private dining room. Bregnest and Val were already there, eating; Halfdan and Andy turned up shortly after Alex and Sindar sat down. There was little talk as they ate, and as soon as they were finished, Bregnest led them to the stables.
“Are you ready to go?” Alex asked Shahree as he settled the saddle on her back.
Shahree snorted loudly and stamped her hoof on the floor of the stable in answer. Alex patted her neck and smiled. He was fond of his horse and being with her again made him feel good.
When the company was ready, Bregnest led them out of the stable and into the streets of Telous. Sindar fell in beside Bregnest, while Alex and Halfdan followed them. Andy and Val were last, which made Alex feel a little awkward because on his last adventure he had always ridden at the back of the group.
They traveled south, following the well-marked path to the great arch, the magical gateway that would allow them to enter another land. Alex watched the landscape slip by, thinking that it had changed little since he had last been there. Alex thought it felt good to be back in the saddle and riding again, then, remembering something from his last adventure, he turned to Halfdan.
“Did you happen to bring some of that ancient dwarf remedy for stiffness?” Alex asked.
“I did,” replied Halfdan. “And I hope it works as well this time as it did the last time we used it.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“It’s a new batch,” Halfdan answered. “I’d just finished brewing it when Bregnest’s message about this adventure arrived.”
“Does the remedy grow more potent with age?”
“Oh, yes. Truth be told, what you had last time was almost fifty years old,” Halfdan answered. “Takes a long time to get all the ingredients. Some you have to pick in the moonlight, others on the first day of winter. Course, even if you can get everything else, there’s always the problem of moogosh berries.”
“Moogosh berries?” Andy questioned.
“They’re very rare,” Halfdan said. “And even if you know where a moogosh plant is, it might take years to harvest the berries. Only plants that are a hundred years old produce berries, and even then, they appear only once every twelve to fifteen years.”
“Perhaps I should learn to brew your potion myself,” said Alex in a thoughtful tone. “But I would guess the recipe is a well-guarded secret, and I don’t know where I’d be able to find things like moogosh berries.”
“We do keep the recipe secret,” Halfdan answered seriously. “Though that rule might be bent for a wizard like yourself.”
Both Alex and Andy laughed at Halfdan’s reply. The laughter sounded good in the cool morning air.
Alex wondered if all new adventures would be as bittersweet as this one seemed to be. He was happy to be on another adventure and glad that some of his friends were traveling with him, but he missed the friends who weren’t here.
They reached the great arch easily before midday, and as they filled their water bags and containers, Halfdan prepared a meal.
Halfdan’s cousin, Thrang, had been the cook on their last adventure together, and he was a good cook. Alex noticed Halfdan’s nervous look as they ate and suspected the dwarf was worried he wouldn’t measure up.
“Thrang has taught you his secrets,” Bregnest commented, smiling at Halfdan.
“Indeed, you are a master cook,” Andy added.
“Most excellent,” said Alex. “Thrang will have a hard time getting his job back.”
Halfdan bowed, blushing slightly at their comments.
Alex smiled, knowing that Halfdan took a lot of pride in his cooking skills and was pleased by their words of praise.
“And now, some final instructions before we arm ourselves,” said Bregnest, getting to his feet as they finished eating.
“We will follow the standard rules for adventures. If anyone becomes lost, the company will search for the lost person or persons for thirteen days. During that time, the lost member or members will also search for the company as best they can. After thirteen days, the company will suspend the search and continue toward their final goal, and the lost member will be on his own to do what seems best to him.”
Bregnest looked around at his companions, making sure they all understood what he was saying.
“I would remind each of you not to speak of our final goal to anyone,” said Bregnest. “The details of our goal are not to be shared—not even with our friends or families in Norsland.”
Alex noticed that Andy blushed slightly when Bregnest mentioned family, and he wondered if they would have a chance to meet Andy’s family.
“I do not think we will run into any trouble between here and Oslansk, but we should arm ourselves and be prepared. Better to be cautious then to be dead,” Bregnest concluded.
Once he had finished speaking, they all began taking their weapons out of their magic bags. Alex retrieved both his magic sword, Moon Slayer, from his bag and the true silver dagger that had been given to him on his first adventure. Fastening Moon Slayer to his left side and his dagger to his right, he looked around at the rest of the company.
Bregnest carried the same weapons as before: a sword at his side, a two-handed sword across his back, and a round shield with a red dragon’s head painted on it. Andy carried a round shield along with his other gear, and Halfdan’s ax had some fancy gold inlay added to the handle, but other than that, their weapons were the same as last time. Val carried a broadsword and a dagger, much like Alex’s own. Sindar, however, had a long knife hanging from his belt, and across his back were a pair of scimitars that looked extremely deadly. Sindar also had a helmet of black steel, which Alex saw him return to his magic bag.
“Ah,” said Sindar, glancing at Alex’s weapons. “I see you wear the ancient sword Moon Slayer. My people have said much about your sword. I hope that, if time allows, you will show it to me.”
“Gladly,” Alex replied. “But I hope you will not need to see it in battle.”
“A wise hope,” answered Sindar. “Though I must confess, I have wondered if the stories I have heard are true.”
“I can tell you that they are,” Alex replied in a low tone, so only Sindar would hear him. “And though there is something of joy when I use the sword, I would prefer to keep it sheathed.”
“I understand,” said Sindar with a nod.
Alex was impressed. There was something about Sindar that reminded him of Arconn, but he seemed much older than any other elf Alex had ever met.
After storing their water bottles in their magic bags, they mounted their horses once more and rode toward the great arch. Alex remembered being disappointed the first time he had seen the great arch. He had expected a beautiful stone arch, but it was only two large hills topped with white towers. Andy had explained that the hills were the sides of the arch and the sky was the top, which had only made Alex wonder why it was called an arch at all.
As soon as they passed through the arch, the landscape around them changed completely. Now they were riding along a road that cut through a green meadow lined with tall pine trees. There was still a fair amount of snow and ice in the shadows of the trees, but the air was pleasantly warm.
“A large company has passed this way in the last day or two,” Sindar commented as they rode forward.
“How many, do you think?” Bregnest questioned.
“Thirty or forty riders. Perhaps five or six pack animals,” said Sindar. “No wagons, and nobody was walking with them.”
“Do you think it might mean trouble?” Halfdan asked, his eyes moving to the trees around them.
“They might be traders,” said Andy. “A lot of people come to trade for wool in the spring.”
“Perhaps,” said Bregnest. “As they are ahead of us and not following us, I don’t think there is anything to worry about.”
They moved on without saying anything more. The sun was warm and bright above them, but the occ
asional gusts of wind were much colder than expected, and Alex wished he had worn heavier clothes. He could tell from the chill in the air that spring had only just arrived and that winter wasn’t completely gone. They followed the road south for about an hour before coming to a crossroad. Bregnest halted the company and looked at the three pathways before them.
“Well, Andy,” said Bregnest, “which of these will lead us to Oslansk the quickest?”
“The eastern road.” Andy pointed. “If we follow it, we will turn northeast and reach Oslansk in six days or less, barring any bad weather.”
“Then east we go,” said Bregnest with a nod.
It was obvious that Bregnest had known which way to go and had asked Andy out of courtesy. Alex tried to remember what Whalen had told him in his letters about courtesy and honor due to people during adventures in their homelands. It had all been interesting at the time, but Alex was finding it difficult now to recall all of the rules for Norsland. He promised himself that he would reread Whalen’s letters as soon as he could.
They continued to ride until the sun began sinking behind the tall pines. A steady cold breeze was blowing now, chilling them as they set up their camp. Once everything was in order and Halfdan was busy cooking, Alex took the opportunity to show his magic sword to Sindar.
“An ancient weapon,” Sindar commented, looking closely at the sword but not touching it. “I have long studied these weapons and their making. I can tell you that Moon Slayer was one of the greatest swords ever made by the dark elves.”
“Do you know a great deal about the dark elves?” Alex asked.
“I do,” Sindar answered. “Their ways of magic have always been of great interest to me. My own swords are also of their making, though not as old nor as powerful as yours.”
“Can you tell me about Moon Slayer and how it was made? I mean, about its power? And how it chooses its master?”
“I can tell you some things, but not all. There are none now alive who know everything about the great swords and how they were made.”
“The knowledge was lost with the dark elves then,” said Alex sadly.