by M. L. Forman
Alex and his friends could now laugh openly about everything that had happened. Halfdan insisted that Alex retell the story of changing Kappa into a donkey once more, and they all laughed again.
“You have all done a great service, both to myself and to my kingdom,” said Trion when the cheering finally stopped. “I fear that the promised reward is too small.”
“The payment was agreed to,” said Bregnest. “Everything we have done has been part of our agreement with you.”
“Very well then. I will have the payment made ready, and you shall have it tomorrow morning.”
“As you wish,” answered Bregnest, bowing to the king.
“I will, however, use my right as king to award special honors to each of you,” Trion continued. “And I will not forget the noble efforts of your fellow adventurers, who renounced the quest that Varson sent them on.”
After they had eaten, Nellus and his company came to say good-bye to Alex and his friends. They would be leaving for their homes in the morning and wanted to thank Bregnest’s company once more for their rescue.
“My friend,” Tara said to Alex, taking his hand in both of hers. “I owe you a great deal more than thanks.”
“Your friendship and happiness are a greater payment than any treasure,” Alex replied. “I am sure of your friendship, and I have great hopes for your happiness.”
“You are very kind. If ever you come to my father’s kingdom in Kess, you will be well received.”
“I look forward to that time,” said Alex with a bow.
Before the companies parted, Tara kissed Alex on the cheek and slipped a small silver brooch into his hand. Alex nodded to Tara as she left with the others, slightly embarrassed by her kiss.
“Now Alex will be looking to retire,” said Halfdan, shaking his head.
“Not any time soon,” Alex replied softly.
* * *
The next morning, Trion presented the adventurers with their gold, and Bregnest commanded that Alex should take the two shares that would have gone to Val. Alex accepted without argument, though he would have much preferred dividing the shares with the others. Once the gold was divided and stored in their bags, Trion led the company to a large field where their horses were grazing.
Alex was delighted to see so many wonderful horses in one place at one time. The only problem he could see was deciding what to do with the three hundred and fifty horses that were his. Bregnest laughed and said that he would gladly care for Alex’s horses on his own lands. Trion overheard what Bregnest said, and in gratitude for Alex’s service, he also offered to care for Alex’s horses on his lands.
Sindar and Halfdan both decided that they had no need for so many horses and offered to sell their horses to Alex. After some debate, Alex paid fifteen gold coins for each horse and promised a free horse to either of his friends whenever they needed one.
Andy, thinking about his future, made arrangements to return his share of the horses to his home in Norsland. He said he thought his family might try raising horses because horses were not overly plentiful in any part of Norsland. He was also sure that Michael would be angry if he did not return home with the horses. This last remark made everyone laugh, including Andy.
Alex and his friends remained as Trion’s guests for a week. Each night they ate with the king, and at each feast at least part of their story was retold.
One evening during the week, when things were quiet and not many people were around, Alex had a long talk with Trion and his most trusted lords. He explained that the Horn of Moran was more than just a symbol of the true king, it was a guardian object for all of Alusia.
“Guard the Horn well,” said Alex, looking Trion in the eye. “Sound it at each spring festival and again at the harvest festival so all will know there is a true king in Athanor. If you do this, your kingdom will be united and grow larger as the years pass.”
Trion thanked Alex for explaining what the Horn really was and promised he would do as Alex had said.
“The people of Alusia have slowly been breaking apart for many years,” said Trion. “There are disputes and bitter rivalries in many places. Perhaps, with the Horn’s return, our people can come together once more.”
At the end of their week in Athanor, the company said their farewells to Trion and started off once more toward Telous.
“Why are you returning to Telous?” Alex asked Bregnest as they left Athanor behind.
“I have to pay Mr. Clutter,” Bregnest answered. “I also need to update the files on each of you. And I’d like to talk to Whalen, if he’s around.”
Alex had almost forgotten that Whalen had never replied to his last message. He hoped that Whalen would be in Telous when they arrived so they could finally meet, and he decided to send another message to him, just in case.
“Another adventure is almost over,” said Halfdan as they ate dinner that night.
“Only this chapter of the adventure is over,” said Sindar. “With luck, there are still many chapters to come.”
Chapter Nineteen
A Wizard’s Staff
Alex and his friends rode away from Athanor in high spirits. Their adventure had turned out well, and they had managed to prevent war in Athanor. Alex felt a little sorry for Varson and hoped that someday his honor would be restored. On the morning of their third day away from Athanor, Alex received the long-awaited letter from Whalen.
Dear Alex,
I must apologize for not replying to your previous message. To be honest, I decided to use the situation in Athanor as a test for you. I know that may seem like a foolish decision on my part, but I did not believe your company was in any great danger. If things had gone wrong, I would have been there to assist you in a matter of days.
I will be arriving in Telous in a few days’ time and will wait to meet you there. You have done far better than even I expected, and I am both proud of and pleased with your success.
We will have a great deal to talk about when you arrive.
Yours in fellowship, Whalen
“So, Whalen was testing you,” said Bregnest when Alex told him about the letter. “Wizards have their own ways, I suppose, and their own reasons for doing things.”
“But if the plan hadn’t worked there could have been a war,” said Alex, not at all happy about the test.
“But your plan did work,” said Sindar. “War was avoided and the true king remains on his throne. Whalen was correct to trust you.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Alex said. “What if I hadn’t thought of the plan? Or what if Kappa had done things differently? There were all kinds of things that could have gone wrong.”
“Do you think it would have been your fault if war had broken out in Athanor?” Bregnest questioned.
“Well, yes,” Alex replied.
“Was it you who talked Varson into making a claim on the throne?” Sindar asked.
“No, I didn’t do that.”
“Was it you who brought armies to Athanor to try to take the throne?” Bregnest asked.
“No, I didn’t do that either,” Alex admitted again.
“So, if there was a war, why exactly would it have been your fault?” Sindar questioned.
“All right, so it wouldn’t have been my fault,” said Alex with a grumpy sigh.
“You’ve done a great deal of good and you’re unhappy about it,” said Bregnest with a smile.
“I’m not upset about that,” said Alex, starting to feel foolish. “I’m upset because Whalen took a terrible risk and a lot of people might have had to pay for it.”
“And there is the lesson of your test,” said Sindar. “Sometimes others may have to pay for our actions, or our inaction. The difference for you is that wizards can do great things, and if they are wrong, many more people have to pay for their mistakes.”
Sindar’s words reminded Alex of something he’d learned on his first adventure. Accountability and responsibility went with power, and even more so with great power. It made perf
ect sense now that he thought about it, and he felt that Whalen had been right to test him.
Their journey continued without interruption, and Alex’s mood improved as they rode toward the great arch. Bregnest entertained the company with stories about his own lands, some of which they passed on their journey to Telous. Alex was impressed with Bregnest’s descriptions of his lands and thought Alusia would be an excellent place to live, if he ever decided to move away from his stepfather’s tavern.
They spent their last night in Alusia camping a short distance from the great arch. They had decided to ride to Telous the next morning so that they would arrive in time for their midday meal. Alex hoped that he would be able to return to Alusia soon, both to see his friends and to see his many new horses.
“Perhaps you should have chosen a horse or two to take back to Telous with you,” Bregnest commented as they sat around the campfire that night.
“I have the only horse I need,” Alex answered. “Though I suppose someday Shahree will grow too old for adventures.”
“Most horses only make it through three or four adventures,” said Sindar in a thoughtful way. “Adventures are harder on the horses than on the adventurers who ride them.”
“And they don’t get to change their age on adventures like we do,” said Andy.
“I’m quite happy with my present horse,” said Alex, hoping to change the subject.
“And I’m sure she is happy with her present owner,” said Halfdan.
Alex grinned at Halfdan’s comment, but did not reply. He didn’t want to think about going on an adventure without Shahree. He knew that someday he would have to, but he hoped that day was far, far away.
“Tomorrow you will meet Whalen,” said Bregnest with a twinkle in his eye. “It has been a long time coming.”
“It has,” Alex agreed, trying to hide his excitement.
“Perhaps he will ask you to travel with him,” Andy commented. “That would be an adventure worth going on.”
“And perhaps Whalen will ask something else of you,” said Sindar, catching Alex’s eye. “He may no longer think of you as an apprentice.”
“I believe Master Vankin still has a great deal to teach me,” said Alex. “As I’ve been telling you all for this entire adventure, I’m only a wizard in training.”
“It seems you’ve had a fair bit of training then,” Halfdan laughed. “You’ll be taking a staff soon, I would guess.”
“I will wait until Whalen says I am ready before taking a staff,” Alex replied.
“And only time will tell when that might be,” said Sindar softly, as if reading Alex’s mind. “Though for all that is good in the known lands, I hope that it is sooner rather than later.”
The following day, as the company approached Telous, Alex’s nervous feelings grew to a new high. Soon he would be meeting Whalen for the first time in person. He felt like he already knew Whalen from all the messages and letters they had exchanged and from the stories he had heard about Whalen, but this was different. Whalen was known as the greatest wizard alive, and more than anything else, Alex hoped that Whalen would ask him to go on an adventure with him so that he could continue his training in person and learn by watching him work.
When they finally reached the Golden Swan, Alex was so nervous he could hardly move. He had some trouble getting off Shahree, and he stumbled on the steps of the Swan. He knew he was being silly, but he couldn’t help it.
“Bregnest,” a voice called as the company entered the Swan. “Good to see you again, my friend.”
Alex looked over and saw that Whalen was both everything and nothing at all like he had expected. Whalen looked old, but not too old; thin, but not too thin. He was almost six feet tall with shoulder-length silver-gray hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. Alex could also see that he had a great deal of magical power.
“Whalen,” answered Bregnest. “It has been too long, my old friend.”
“And this must be Alex,” said Whalen, approaching Alex with his hand outstretched. “So good to meet you face to face at last.”
“A great honor,” Alex managed to say, shaking Whalen’s hand.
“Oh, perhaps,” said Whalen with a mischievous look on his face. “Though perhaps the great honor is mine.”
“Sir?” Alex asked, not understanding what Whalen meant.
“Now then, Bregnest, introduce me to the rest of your fine company,” Whalen continued, not taking time to answer Alex. “Alex has kept me up with your adventure, of course, but now I can ask all those little questions that are best asked in person.”
Bregnest introduced the rest of the company to Whalen, and Whalen greeted them all as if he knew them. Alex was relieved to see that his friends were nearly as nervous as he was. In fact, Whalen had to take Andy’s hand and shake it before Andy would stop bowing to him.
“Well, now,” said Whalen. “I do hope you’ll allow me to join you for your midday meal.”
“It would be both our honor and our pleasure,” Bregnest replied.
Whalen nodded and waved his hand toward a small dining room set at the front of the Swan, where arrangements had already been made for their meal. As soon as they were seated, servants appeared with trays of food.
Whalen was interested in everything Alex’s friends had to say. He seemed to be almost overflowing with energy as he asked all kinds of questions about what had happened on their adventure. He seemed most interested in the minor points that Alex had neglected to mention in his letters, and he listened closely to every answer.
“You turned old Kappa into a donkey?” Whalen laughed. “Exactly what he deserved. I’m pleased that Trion saw it that way as well, and chose to leave him in that form.”
“It seemed the most fitting thing to turn him into,” said Alex.
“Of course it was. You have become very good at reading people, Alex. I am impressed with your judgment on this adventure.”
“Thank you,” said Alex.
“Now, to business,” said Whalen in a slightly more serious tone. “Bregnest, I take it you have not had your final feast with this company or declared your adventure at an end?”
“That is correct,” said Bregnest. “I thought perhaps tonight or tomorrow we would take care of that final part of our agreement.”
“Tomorrow night would be better,” said Whalen, looking at Bregnest with his eyebrows raised.
“Then tomorrow night it shall be,” said Bregnest with a slight bow.
Alex thought it was odd that Whalen wanted them to wait; he wasn’t a member of the company, after all.
“Now then, with your permission, Bregnest. I would like to have a good long talk with Alex,” said Whalen.
“He is free to do as he wishes until tomorrow night’s feast.”
“Very good,” said Whalen with a nod. “If the rest of you will excuse us. Alex, we have a great deal to discuss.”
Alex was puzzled, but decided that Whalen had his reasons. With a quick nod to his friends, Alex followed Whalen out of the dining room and toward the back of the Swan.
Whalen led Alex to a small room with two comfortable chairs, a small table with a lamp, and a large fireplace. The curtains in the room were pulled shut and the lamp and fire were both burning brightly.
“Have a seat,” said Whalen, closing the door behind them.
Alex sat down in one chair, and Whalen sat in the other chair, looking at Alex for what seemed like a long time.
“I suppose you know what I want to talk to you about,” said Whalen in a serious tone.
“No,” Alex answered nervously.
“I want to ask you to do two things, and then to let me do a third,” said Whalen. “First of all, I want to ask you to take your staff.”
“A . . . a staff?” Alex asked in shock. “But I’m still in training, I still have so much to learn.”
“Exactly. You have learned that you still have much more to learn. That is perhaps the hardest thing for any wizard to discover.”
�
�I . . . I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t.” Whalen chuckled. “Thinking that you know everything you need to know and that you understand everything that is said is what keeps most wizards from ever becoming really great.”
Alex was confused by the statement, but then felt like a small light suddenly came on in his head as he understood what Whalen was saying.
“The second thing I want to ask you is to swear an oath to obey wizard law,” Whalen said.
“The staff and the oath don’t go together?”
“Oh, no. Most people who find out that they’re wizards, or I should say potential wizards, run right out and buy a staff. Some wait until they’ve had an adventure or two, and some wait for an oracle to tell them to buy a staff.”
“But you told me not to buy a staff,” said Alex, confused.
“Of course I did. Any fool can buy a staff, and some can even manage a good deal of magic with one. You, on the other hand, managed a good deal of magic without a staff, which makes your deeds far more impressive.”
“When do most wizards take the oath?” Alex asked.
“Many never do,” said Whalen sadly. “You see, the oath is only given to true wizards—those who have managed at least four great wizard tasks.”
“What four tasks have I done?” Alex questioned, thinking back over his adventures and wondering what Whalen would consider to be a great wizard task.
Whalen smiled. “Your interest in this matter shows good sense and humility, both things that help make a truly great wizard.”
“But what four tasks have I done?” Alex asked again. “I mean, I know I’ve done some good things, but nothing great.”