Adventurers Wanted 1) Slathbog's Gold (23 page)

The next morning, Alex woke early, his thoughts about magic vanishing in the night, but Arconn’s lessons continued. As the company rode, Arconn would occasionally ride to one side or the other and climb off his horse. When he caught up to the group again, he would stop next to Alex and Andy. He would hand a leaf or twig or a seed to Alex and ask him to identify it. Most of the items Alex recognized from studying Iownan’s book. When Alex could not tell Arconn what an item was and what it was used for, Arconn would simply smile and place the item in a leather pouch that hung from his saddle. Alex knew Arconn would bring these items out again when he had read more and could identify them.

By the end of their third day away from the White Tower, the weather turned wet once more. Low clouds filled the sky, and the wind picked up from the west. The road led them more to the south, though their main direction remained east.

“Summer rains are coming,” said Tayo as they ate their dinner.

“At least it’s not cold,” Skeld replied with a laugh. “Though wet is wet, no matter the temperature.”

“Wind and rain are allies to bandits,” Bregnest commented thoughtfully, scanning the area around their camp.

The hills they had been riding through were small and had spread out. The small meadows had grown into wide open fields with only a few clumps of trees and small hills between them.

“We should stay alert,” Bregnest continued, returning his gaze to the company.

“Alert and quiet,” Thrang added, glancing at Skeld.

That night, Alex had a hard time reading as he sat beside the fire with Arconn. His mind was occupied with thoughts of bandits and the trouble that could mean. Arconn seemed strangely watchful as well, as if he were waiting for something. He would gaze into the darkness for long periods of time as Alex read aloud, seeming to pay no attention to what Alex was saying.

“Are there really bandits this close to the White Tower?” Alex asked as he finished his reading.

“We are far from the tower now,” replied Arconn, his eyes fixed on the darkness. “Bandits have little respect for anything, even an oracle.”

“Will they try to kill us?” Alex questioned nervously.

“Perhaps. Though I think they would try to steal our horses first. A company on foot is easier prey.”

“Andy said bandits would attack first and steal our horses later,” Alex commented, remembering Andy’s words at the Troll’s Stream.

“Andy has little experience with bandits. Though at times they will attack first and steal later.”

Alex stood beside Arconn and looked into the darkness, but he couldn’t see anything at all. He listened as hard as he could, but all he heard was the wind moving through the nearby trees.

“Perhaps we should build the fire up.”

“That would draw them like moths, if there are any about,” said Arconn. “Take your rest. Your watch has passed and mine is just beginning.”

Alex did as Arconn said, putting his books back inside his magic bag as he moved to the tent he and Andy shared. They had been sleeping under the stars, but with the threat of rain, they had set up their tents as a precaution. Alex looked back at his friend before entering the tent; Arconn remained still and silent, gazing into the darkness.

They followed the road for several more days, seeing no sign of anyone or anything as they went. Each night, Arconn would teach Alex, who was learning quickly; Arconn seemed happy and impressed with his progress.

“Soon you will be able to read elfin as well as any man, and better than many elves,” said Arconn with a smile as Alex put his books away.

“You are a good teacher,” Alex replied.

Arconn did not reply, his eyes turning suddenly from Alex to the darkness around the camp. Alex followed Arconn’s gaze, but he could see only darkness.

“What is it?” Alex questioned softly.

“Perhaps nothing,” replied Arconn, his gaze remaining on the darkness. “Perhaps something. I have felt for several days that we are being watched.”

“Should I wake the others?”

“No,” said Arconn. “The danger is not close. Not yet.”

Alex felt nervous and tense as he lay down on his blankets. Anticipation filled his mind and he found it difficult to sleep. He pulled his sword closer to him, letting his hand rest on the hilt. The cold metal seemed to ease his worries, and slowly he fell into a fitful sleep.

A hand covered Alex’s mouth and he jerked awake, wanting to cry a warning to his friends. His hand gripped tightly around his sword.

“Stay quiet,” Thrang’s voice whispered. “Trouble’s close. Pull on your boots and come outside. Quickly.”

Alex could hear Andy moving in the darkness, but his eyes would not focus. He pulled on his boots and rubbed his eyes, trying hard to shake off sleep. Fastening Moon Slayer to his belt, he followed Andy out of the tent. He could breathe better in the open air, but he was still having trouble seeing. Clouds filled the sky, hiding the moonlight, but he could make out the gray outlines of his companions standing near the cold fire pit. As quietly as he could, Alex moved toward them, his senses becoming sharper with each step.

The wind had died down, allowing a strange silence to settle over the campsite. Alex could hear trees creaking softly in the light breeze, but what he focused on was the sound of horses in the distance, moving slowly from side to side.

“They will come soon,” whispered Thrang. “Be ready.”

Alex and his friends spread out, forming a line in front of their camp. Thrang was next to him on his right, Andy on his left. To Thrang’s right stood Halfdan and then Bregnest, but there was no sign of Tayo, Skeld, or Arconn. Alex gripped his sword tightly, worried about his friends.

“Where are the others?” Alex asked nervously, keeping his voice lowered.

“Close,” Thrang replied, lifting his ax to a fighting position.

Alex followed Thrang’s example and drew Moon Slayer from his side. The blade shimmered black in the darkness, a hint of blue running down the sharp edges. Alex felt a strange heat growing inside him as he held the sword and waited for battle. It was the same heat he had felt when he fought the troll, though he hadn’t noticed it then. A powerful desire to rush into battle grew in his chest and mind, but he resisted it, thinking it was just his nerves.

Suddenly the sound of horses grew louder, moving fast, no longer shifting from side to side but coming straight toward the camp.

Alex felt his stomach tighten, knowing that any moment he would have to fight and kill if he wanted to stay alive.

From out of the darkness, the dim outline of men on horses appeared, and Alex heard a terrible yell from the bandits as they charged. Alex and his friends raised their own battle cry when the bandits came into view. Alex saw some of the horsemen turn quickly to ride away, surprised to see an armed company ready to fight, but the rest charged forward wildly. Alex stood firm with his companions, afraid, but ready to meet the charging bandits and his fate.

The noise of steel meeting steel filled the air around him, followed by the groans of wounded and dying men. Alex sidestepped a charging horse, swinging Moon Slayer at the rider’s body as hard as he could. He didn’t think to strike a second time, but quickly looked for another enemy to fight. A strange madness filled his mind as he wielded his sword, a madness that drove him recklessly into the battle. To Alex, his movements felt natural but strangely alien as well. There was no time for him to think even if he’d been able to focus his mind. He had to attack the bandits if he wanted to stay alive, and he did attack. Without hesitation, without thought, and without fear, Alex rushed into battle as a great happiness and a deep
sorrow filled his heart and mind.

The bandits quickly changed their minds about the attack and turned their horses to flee. They let out another scream as they tried to make their escape. Skeld, Tayo, and Arconn were waiting for them, ready to attack them from behind. Again there was the sound of steel on steel as more bandits fell from their horses.

Alex rushed toward the remaining bandits he could see, slashing at them as they tried to break away. He felt a great heat inside his body as he attacked, swinging his sword wildly at everything on horseback. His movements were quicker now, and he could see his enemies clearly in the darkness, as if some strange light illuminated them. Running forward, Alex fought to stop the bandits from escaping, cutting down any who came near him.

As quickly as it had begun, the battle was over. Alex spun around, wildly looking for more bandits, but there were none left. The heat inside him began to cool quickly, and as it cooled, darkness clouded his vision.

“Are you all right, Alex?” asked Arconn, standing at a distance. “Is the heat leaving you?”

“Yes,” replied Alex, suddenly feeling tired and weak. “What . . . what happened to me?”

“It is the sword,” said Arconn, stepping a little closer. “Its power entered you, its master.”

Alex didn’t reply but looked down at the sword in his hand. The sword’s edges gleamed bright blue, as if tiny flames raced up and down the blade. It looked beautiful in the darkness, and Alex felt a surge of fierce pride that Moon Slayer was his sword.

“You didn’t tell me this would happen,” said Alex, his eyes turning to Arconn. “I mean, having the power of the sword enter me.”

“I wasn’t sure it would,” replied Arconn with a slight smile. “I have heard stories, but I have never seen it happen. At least, not until tonight.”

“We all saw it,” said Andy, coming up beside Alex. “It was amazing. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never have believed it.”

“What did you all see?” Alex asked, fear growing inside of him.

“A strange, pale light,” Bregnest replied softly, watching Alex closely, a look of wonder on his face. “Like you were glowing. Not like a lamp, but like a beam of moonlight in the
darkness.”

“Indeed he was,” said Thrang, looking from Alex to Bregnest. “I’ve heard stories too, but never thought I’d see something like this.”

“What does it mean?” Alex asked in a troubled voice.

“The fire of a great warrior was lit inside of you this night,” replied Arconn. “The sword has chosen its true master, and now we all know why the sword was named Moon Slayer.”

“But I’m not a great warrior,” Alex protested.

“Tell that to the bandits,” said Skeld with a grim laugh.

Alex looked at the ground in surprise. Around him lay the bodies of the bandits he had killed. A spark of fear ran through him as he realized what he had done. Without thinking, he had rushed into the charging bandits and killed them. How many had he killed? He wasn’t sure.

What troubled Alex most was that now that the battle was over, he felt nothing toward the dead bandits. He had simply done what he had to do. There were no feelings of guilt or sorrow or even happiness. There was only the knowledge that he’d done what had to be done—he’d killed the enemy. The whole battle seemed like some half-forgotten dream.

“This can’t be,” said Alex, looking at his companions helplessly.

“It is,” said Arconn in a kindly voice. “It is part of what you are. You cannot change what you are any more than you can change the sun or the sky. You can only accept it, and learn to use your gifts wisely.”

Alex took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He knew Arconn was right and that the warrior inside him was a part of his true self.

“What now?” Alex asked, wiping Moon Slayer on the grass and returning it to his side.

“We’ll wait for daylight,” said Bregnest. “Then we’ll search the bandits for anything of value.”

“Isn’t that stealing?” Alex asked with a weak smile.

“They’re dead,” Skeld laughed. “And they are bandits.”