by M. L. Forman
“Why is that?” Alex asked, interested by the comment.
“They’ve fallen on hard times,” said the man, lowering his voice. “After old Jon left, things got hard for his family. They used to own a fair bit around Ollvi, you know, but they’ve had to sell off their land, little by little, to make ends meet.”
“Well, I believe we have some good news for Tom and his family, then,” said Alex. “So if you can tell us how to find the town stables, we’ll be off.”
The man gave them directions and wished them good luck. As Alex and Andy walked through the town, they talked about what the tavern owner had told them about the Cain family.
“I’d guess their crops failed and they’ve had to sell their lands and property so they’d have enough to live on,” said Andy knowingly. “This part of Norsland has always been poor. If Tom Cain has a family to support, he may have to take any job he can find to make ends meet.”
“If that’s the case, I hope there’s a lot of treasure in his father’s bag,” said Alex. “People who’ve had a hard life deserve a bit of wealth.”
“Perhaps,” said Andy. “But remember that there are plenty of other reasons people might have hard times. And a lot of those reasons are because people bring hard times on themselves.”
“I’ll remember.”
When they reached the stables, Alex asked to see the stable master. He wanted to ask a few more questions before meeting Tom Cain in person. Alex and Andy didn’t have to wait long, as a large man with a full beard and a pipe soon appeared and met them outside the stable.
“You asked to see me?” questioned the man.
“Are you in charge of the stables?” Alex asked.
“I am. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to ask you about Tom Cain,” said Alex, lowering his voice slightly.
“Tom?” the man asked, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was close by. “What do you want to know about Tom?”
“Well, we’d like to know about him and his family, and how things are with them,” answered Alex. “You see, we may have a message for Tom, but we’d like to make sure we have the right person first.”
“Adventurers, then,” said the bearded man with a nod.
“Yes, we are,” admitted Alex, slightly surprised by the comment.
“Well, I don’t see no harm telling ya what I know, and it might do a bit o’ good,” said the man, lighting his pipe. “Been wondering if we’d ever hear about old Jon Cain again, and I’m guessing we will, from the look of you two.”
Alex felt that he could trust the bearded man, though he didn’t really know why.
“You have guessed correctly,” said Alex. “However, we’d like to know a little more about Tom and his family before we talk to him.”
“Bag holder and witness, then, is it?” said the bearded man. “Well, I’ll tell you what I know, but there’s probably plenty I don’t know.”
The man told Andy and Alex that the Cain family had once been the richest family in Ollvi. After Jon Cain had left, eleven years ago, the family started having troubles. The town magistrate at the time didn’t like Jon Cain, and he used his dislike against the Cain family once Jon had left. Then their crops had failed, and the family suffered several other minor misfortunes, some from bad luck and some from other things. Now Tom Cain supported his mother, two brothers, and three sisters by working wherever and whenever he could. The rest of the family did as much as they could, but still, Tom was the one who bore the heaviest burden.
“The Cain family is the poorest family for miles around,” said the bearded man in a matter-of-fact tone. “Most folks here in Ollvi remember how generous old Jon was, so we try to help out where we can. Only so much we can do though. Tom’s mom has never been much on accepting what she calls charity.”
“What happened to the magistrate?” Andy asked.
“Oh, him,” said the bearded man, spitting into the road. “He up and died a couple of years ago. Good riddance I say.”
“Well, you’ve been very helpful,” said Alex, nodding. “Perhaps Tom Cain’s fortunes will improve soon.”
“I’d be glad to see that,” said the bearded man with a nod of his own. “I’ll just go and fetch Tom for ya, then, shall I?”
“Yes, thank you,” said Alex. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention our little talk.”
“Not to worry.”
The bearded man wandered off into the stables, and Alex and Andy looked at each other.
“He could be telling us a story.”
“I don’t think so,” said Alex. “I feel like he was telling the truth, but I can’t explain why.”
“Well, you’re the wizard,” Andy replied.
The bearded man soon reappeared with a younger man following him closely. Alex guessed the younger man to be around twenty years old, which was a bit of a surprise. From the patched and worn look of the young man’s clothes, however, Alex was sure the bearded man had been telling the truth about hard times for the Cain family.
“You asked to see me, sir?” Tom Cain asked as he approached Alex and Andy.
“I did,” said Alex. “And I think I have both sad and happy news for you.”
“What news, might I ask?” Tom questioned, looking slightly confused.
“Well, to be plain,” Alex began and paused to consider his words. It was never easy to tell someone the news that a loved one had died.
“Yes?”
“To be plain, I must ask if you are the heir of Jonathan Cain, adventurer,” Alex said.
“I . . . I am,” said Tom, turning slightly pale.
“Then I must inform you that I hold the magic bag of Jonathan Cain, who is lost,” Alex continued, “and that I am prepared to meet with you, if you are his rightful heir, at the time and place of your choosing.”
Tom Cain stood dumbfounded for a moment, a troubled expression on his face. He looked like he wanted to cry and shout for joy at the same time, but couldn’t decide which to do. It took him a moment to find his voice.
“I am honored that you have come,” said Tom, swallowing hard and shaking slightly. “I ask that you and your witness come to my home this afternoon. I will be there with my witness to discuss the return of my father’s bag.”
The conversation seemed painfully formal, but Alex knew that he had to continue.
“At what hour would you have us come?”
“At the fourth hour after midday,” Tom answered.
“We will come as you ask,” said Alex with a bow.
“I thank you,” said Tom, returning the bow.
Tom gave Alex and Andy directions to his house and then the two adventurers left the stable.
Alex had mixed feelings about Tom Cain and his family. Tom was obviously extremely sad to know that his father was dead, and Alex was sure the rest of Tom’s family would feel the same, but at the same time, the return of the magic bag had given Tom hope for a better life—not just for himself, but for his entire family.
“You’ve found the heir?” Bregnest asked when Alex and Andy returned to the tavern.
“We have,” said Alex.
“That is good,” said Bregnest. “Perhaps payment can be made in a day or two, and we can be on our way.”
“Has time become our enemy already?” Alex questioned. “We’ve been on the road for only a little more than two weeks.”
“Time is always the enemy,” Bregnest answered slowly. “I would hurry because our quest is to aid both my kinsman and my friend. I would not have him troubled longer than he needs to be.”
“If all goes well, we should return before winter settles in Norsland,” said Andy in a reassuring tone.
“Perhaps,” said Bregnest. “But I fear we will be forced to spend the winter on the road, though I cannot say why I fear it.”
“You have doubts about our quest?” Alex questioned.
“Doubts about myself,” Bregnest replied in a grim tone. “But I will keep my doubts to myself until
we are on the road again. Then perhaps I will share them with the company.”
“As you wish.”
Alex and Andy remained at the tavern, talking and joking with the rest of the company until it was time for them to meet with Tom Cain. Excusing themselves, they left to find the Cain house and arrange for the return of Jonathan Cain’s bag.
As they approached the Cain house, they could plainly see that it had been a fine home once. Now the large house looked worn and hard used, but not at all shabby or uncared for. And the garden, which took up most of the yard, was ready for planting the spring vegetables.
A middle-aged woman opened the door when Alex and Andy knocked. Her eyes were red from crying, and she wiped at her nose as she led the adventurers into a large room where Tom and his witness were nervously waiting for them.
“Please, be seated, my friends,” said Tom, trying hard to smile but unable to manage it. “Let me introduce my witness—my brother Jonathan Cain, Junior.”
“A pleasure,” said Alex, bowing slightly. “I am Alexander Taylor. This is my witness, Anders Goodseed.”
“Yes, well then,” said Tom nervously. “I suppose we should get started.”
“Yes, we should,” replied Alex.
“All right,” Tom began, still sounding and looking nervous. “I will offer one in four of all treasure in my father’s bag for the bag’s return.”
Alex was taken aback by Tom’s offer; he knew how poor the Cain family was. He rubbed his chin for a moment as if considering the offer before speaking.
“You are too generous. I will ask but one in ten.”
“Now you are too generous,” Tom answered. “I will offer one in five.”
“I will make an offer that I hope you won’t refuse,” Alex replied after a moment. “If the bag holds more than ten thousand gold coins and ten thousand silver coins, I will ask one in seven of all. But if the bag holds less than that amount, I will accept only one in ten.”
“You are very kind and generous, Master Taylor, and I will accept on one condition. If the bag holds more than the number you have stated, I will give you one in seven of all gold and silver, but one in five of all gems.”
Alex thought for a moment, and then nodded his acceptance of Tom’s generous offer. Tom leaned forward and whispered the passwords in Alex’s ear. Alex nodded again, and then he retrieved Jonathan Cain’s lost bag from his own magic bag. Speaking softly into the mouth of the lost adventurer’s bag, Alex vanished from the living room.
When Alex entered the bag, it was completely dark. He lit the lanterns and torches with the password Tom had told him and waited. It wasn’t long before Tom Cain was standing beside him inside the bag, his legs shaking and his face pale.
“I’ve never been in a magic bag before,” Tom said nervously.
“First time for everything,” Alex replied with a reassuring smile. He remembered how he had felt the first time he’d entered a magic bag. “Come on, let’s look around a bit, shall we?” Alex could see that this first room contained a large desk and several comfortable-looking chairs, but no treasure at all.
They soon discovered that the bag had five rooms. In addition to the first room they had entered, there was a bedroom, a bathroom, a large storage room, and the treasure room. Alex was relieved to see that the storage room still held a great deal of food and supplies, which were still fresh and new, and that the treasure room was even larger than he’d hoped.
“Your father seems to have had some success as an adventurer,” said Alex, as he watched Tom’s jaw drop.
The treasure room was the size of a large banquet hall, and it was full of neatly stacked treasure. Alex was pleased to see that most of the treasure was in gold and silver coins. He really didn’t want to accept any reward for returning this bag, but he knew he would have to.
“I don’t . . . I don’t believe it,” said Tom, walking around the treasure room, his eyes wide in amazement. “I just don’t believe it.”
Alex managed not to laugh at Tom’s enthusiasm. He thought there was enough treasure here to keep Tom and his family comfortable for the rest of their lives, and that was all anyone really needed.
Once Alex managed to calm Tom down, he began explaining how the bag worked and how Tom could get things in and out of it. Tom caught on quickly and didn’t need Alex to repeat very much.
When they emerged from the bag they found Andy talking with the rest of the Cain family. Tom rushed to his mother and began telling her what was in the bag.
“You have done us a great service in returning this bag,” said Mrs. Cain, bowing to Alex. “My family is forever in your debt.”
“It was my duty and my honor to return the lost bag,” said Alex, also bowing. “And I hope that the contents of this bag will aid and comfort your family for many years to come.”
“And now for payment,” said Andy.
“Yes, of course,” said Tom. “It will take us some time to count the treasure and separate one in five of everything.”
“One in five of gems, only. One in seven of the gold and silver,” Alex reminded him. “And you should know, Tom, as I see my friend Andy has already told your family, I am a wizard, and if you try to pay me one coin more than our agreement, I may become very angry.”
“Of course, Master Taylor,” replied Tom. “The payment will be exactly as we’ve agreed. If you will give us two days to sort and count, your payment will be ready.”
“Then we shall return in two days’ time,” said Alex with a bow.
Once they had left the Cain house, Andy asked how much treasure was in the bag. Alex told him how much he thought there was. Andy was pleased with what Alex told him, and his step had a bit more bounce in it than usual.
“You were very generous,” said Andy. “But I’m glad you were. They’re nice people, and they deserve better than they have.”
Alex didn’t say anything as his mind was already thinking ahead to the adventure. Only two days until the payment would be made, that would please Bregnest. Two days, and then they would be off into wilder lands, lands where things could become dangerous in a very short time.
* * *
Two days later, Alex and Andy returned to the Cain house and saw immediately that repairs were already being made. There were stacks of lumber and buckets of paint piled neatly in the yard, waiting for the workmen to arrive. The entire Cain family welcomed Alex and Andy at the front door when they knocked, and Alex was quick to notice they were all wearing new clothes. Tom led them to a large room at the back of the house, where he and his brothers and sisters had gathered Alex’s reward.
Alex accepted the reward with a bow and swiftly stored it in his magic bag. Then Alex pulled Tom aside for a private word.
“I know your newfound treasure looks like it has no end,” said Alex in a serious tone. “But I would advise you to be both careful and generous with your gold. You never know what tomorrow may bring.”
“You are wise as well as generous,” said Tom, bowing to Alex. “I will heed your words and always remember your kindness.”
Alex and Tom bowed once more to each other in front of their witnesses, and the return of the lost bag was done. As Alex turned to leave with Andy, Tom’s younger brother Jonathan asked the question Alex had been expecting.
“Are you . . . are you really a wizard?”
“I am,” said Alex with a wink.
Without saying anything more, Alex picked up an old piece of cloth that was lying on the floor. With a wave of his hand he changed it into a beautiful silk scarf, which he presented to Mrs. Cain with a smile.
“An impressive bit of magic that,” said Andy, as they walked back to the tavern where their companions were waiting. “It seems you’re becoming more of a wizard all the time.”
“It was a simple gift for a kindhearted lady,” said Alex. “Besides, it’s good practice.”
Chapter Seven
Goblins and Elf Blades
As Alex was getting dressed the next morning
there was a sudden pop and a ding as a geeb appeared on his bed. He quickly paid for the message and then pulled on his boots. Once the geeb had vanished, Alex opened the letter, which was from Whalen.
Dear Alex,
I understand you have been talking to Sindar about staffs and about what your future may hold. Sindar was correct in what he told you about the difference between buying a staff and being asked to take one. That is one of the reasons I’ve told you not to buy a staff. For now, I will tell you this: a staff is a tool, and nothing more. As you seem to be getting along without this tool, I see no reason to burden you with it, at least not yet.