by M. L. Forman
“If you will, Master Taylor,” said Varson once the three of them were on top of the platform.
Alex bowed to Varson and then to Trion. He noticed that Trion looked stern, but that his eyes were shining brightly. Trion looked a great deal like Bregnest, and Alex was glad to be able to help him secure his throne.
“People of Athanor,” Alex called loudly. “This competition will be to determine the true king of Athanor. I have been asked to serve as the judge, along with these assembled captains of the armies of Athanor. I have brought with me the legendary Horn of Moran, which will only sound for the true king of this people. I call upon all of you to act as witnesses this day.”
Alex turned to Varson and Trion. He bowed once more to each of them and then produced the Horn of Moran from his magic bag. He held the Horn up and turned in all directions so that all the soldiers and all the people could see it. The bands of true silver flashed like fire in the sunlight, and the watching crowds fell silent.
Then, facing Varson and Trion once more, Alex spoke in a softer tone. “My lords, if you are both prepared, we will proceed.”
“I am prepared,” Varson answered eagerly.
“As am I,” said Trion, still looking stern.
“Which of you will go first?” Alex questioned.
“I will,” Varson answered quickly. “As I have made a claim on the crown, I will go first.”
“As you wish,” Trion replied in a grim tone.
Varson stepped confidently to the front of the platform and stood beside Alex.
“Prince Varson has asked to make his attempt first,” Alex called out loudly.
Alex held out the Horn of Moran to Prince Varson. Varson put it to his mouth and blew until he was red in the face. But no sound came out of the Horn at all. Alex felt a mixture of amusement and pity. When Varson finally quit blowing, he was gasping for air. He looked shocked and completely dumbfounded.
“Prince Varson’s attempt has failed,” Alex called out. “Now King Trion will make his attempt.”
Alex motioned for Trion to come forward. Trion bowed to Alex with just a hint of a smile on his face.
Once again Alex held the Horn steady. Trion took a deep breath and put his mouth to the Horn. As he began to blow, the Horn began to sound a long, loud note, which grew louder and louder. The sound filled Alex with a fierce and overwhelming joy. After the sounding of the Horn, Trion stepped back, his stern look softening.
“King Trion is the true king of Athanor,” Alex proclaimed to the waiting crowds. “Let none here doubt, the Horn of Moran has spoken.”
Turning, Alex bowed and presented the Horn of Moran to Trion, who accepted it with a bow and a quick wink.
Trion turned to look at Varson, who was pale and shaking, looking around as if he didn’t know what to do. As Trion moved toward him, Varson dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness.
“Forgive me, my lord. I have been a great fool. Kappa convinced me that you were not the true king, and I believed his lies.”
“You have been a great fool,” Trion agreed. “And you have brought your own land to the very edge of war and ruin. Once you had great honor and you served Athanor well. I will remember your years of good service now, as I name your punishment. As punishment for your actions, I confiscate your lands and properties. I take away all your titles and honors. I name you as the lowest servant in the king’s house.”
“Better than I deserve,” said Varson, remaining on his knees. “You have been too kind, my lord.”
“Perhaps so,” said Trion, looking stern. “But I will say this: in time your honor, your titles, and your lands may be restored to you. Of course, much depends on how well you serve Athanor from this day forward.”
“I will serve you as best I can, my king,” Varson replied, looking slightly relieved.
“Now, for the root of all this evil,” said Trion. “Bring Kappa forward that I might proclaim his punishment.”
There was a slight delay, but in a few minutes, two of Varson’s soldiers led a nervous-looking donkey forward. They stood the donkey in front of the raised platform and stepped back.
“What is this?” Trion asked, a stern but slightly confused look on his face.
“Lord Trion,” said Alex, stepping forward. “The soldiers are not trying to fool you. This is, in fact, Kappa. I’m afraid he was attempting to prevent us from returning the Horn of Moran to you. To overcome the difficulties he was putting in our path, I was forced to change him into his present form.”
“I see,” said Trion. “Then this is the punishment I name for Kappa. He shall remain as he is. Perhaps in this form he will better serve the kingdom of Athanor, which he has tried so hard to destroy.”
“A most fitting punishment,” said Alex.
“And a most interesting tale, I would guess,” replied Trion. “Come, I will call Bregnest and the rest of your company to us. We will share a midday meal, and I will hear the story of your adventure.”
Alex walked with Trion back into the city of Athanor, where the crowds were all cheering for Trion’s success.
Bregnest and the rest of Alex’s friends soon arrived at the city and were given seats of honor at the king’s table. Bregnest told his cousin about the adventure they had been on and all the troubles they had faced in finding the Horn of Moran. Trion and his court listened to the story with great interest, and when Bregnest reached the end of the story, the entire court broke into joyful cheers once more.
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 w
hat 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 perfect 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.