Adventurers Wanted 1) Slathbog's Gold (46 page)

“I want to see the bag maker,” Andy said. “I need to add a couple of rooms to my bag. And you can ask him about the six lost bags while we’re there.”

Alex quickly agreed; the thought of returning the lost bags gave him hope for new adventures.

“Ah, gentlemen,” said the bag maker when Alex and Andy walked through the door. “What can I do for you today?”

“Quite a bit, I hope,” answered Alex.

“Oh? Had some good fortune on your last adventure, did you?”

“Yes, we did,” said Andy. “We both would like to add some rooms to our bags.”

“Excellent,” replied the bag maker. “Do you know which rooms you would like to add?”

Andy ordered five new rooms for his bag, though he had only planned on three.

The bag maker handed Andy’s bag back to him and then turned to Alex. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“I would like a bathroom, a bedroom, an ice room, and a library added to my bag,” answered Alex.

“Very good,” said the bag maker. “All useful rooms to be sure.”

It didn’t take long to add the rooms to Alex’s magic bag, and Alex wondered how hard it might be to learn that bit of magic.

The bag maker smiled as he accepted his money from Andy and Alex. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Yes, there is actually,” said Alex. “On my last adventure, I was able to recover several lost magic bags. I was hoping you could tell me who they belonged to, and where their families or heirs might be found.”

“Of course,” answered the bag maker. “Returning lost bags is a great honor. I will be happy to tell you all that I can. Please, if I may see the bags you’ve recovered, I can write you a list of heirs and locations.”

“Thank you, that would be most helpful,” said Alex.

It didn’t take long for the bag maker to identify the owners of the lost magic bags, but it did take him some time to find the named heirs and to write everything down. Alex was happy to wait. At least now he would have some idea of where the heirs of the lost bags might be found and that might lead him to future adventures.

Alex and Andy returned to the Golden Swan in time for the company’s final feast, which was a long and happy event. They joked and laughed late into the night until Bregnest finally insisted they all go to bed.

“We will meet as a company in the morning to divide what is left of the share for expenses,” Bregnest said. “I have already delivered the share that was set aside for the Widows and Orphans fund, though you may wish to make your own contributions as well. Then we will declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end.”

Alex went to bed both happy and sad, knowing that tomorrow the company would be no more. As he slept, he dreamed of his friends in Vargland. He saw Iownan in her tower, and Osrik on his stone throne. He could hear Thrain pestering Osrik to let him go on an adventure, and he wondered what the Oracle had said to Melnoch and Nitek. Last of all, he dreamed of Calysto in the dark woods. He wondered when he would see her again.

When Andy shook him awake the next morning, his sorrows were gone and he felt happier than he had in weeks. He knew one day he would return to Vargland and see all his friends again.

At breakfast, Tayo and Skeld were already teasing Thrang about his retirement, asking how they could survive their next adventure without such a good cook. Thrang insisted he was too old for adventures and it was time to settle down, but his smile seemed to say he was just joking.

“It is time to divide the last of the share set aside for expenses,” said Bregnest loudly so the others would stop making so much noise. “I have decided to divide it evenly between us. There are two reasons for this—first, because you have
been a wonderful company and have made this a first-class adventure.”

The company exploded in cheers at Bregnest’s decision and praise.

“The second reason,” Bregnest said, holding up his hands for quiet, “is because I know our young wizard would complain loudly if I tried to give more to him than to the rest of us. So, to keep him happy, we will share equally.”

Another cheer went up from all of them, and Alex blushed as Bregnest bowed to him with a smile and a wink.

Bregnest had already sorted and divided the remaining treasure into eight large piles, which the company found waiting for them in a room at the back of the inn.

After they had stored their treasure, Bregnest led them out of the Golden Swan and across the road to a large building where they could make their donations to the Widows and Orphans fund. Alex had read about the fund in the
Adventurer’s Handbook,
so he had a good idea of how much he should give. He hoped it wouldn’t be more than Bregnest’s donation, because if he gave more than the company’s leader it would be an insult. Bregnest was generous and Alex was relieved that he could give as much as he had planned.

The company wandered off through the streets of Telous. There were a few hours left before the midday meal, and Alex asked Arconn and Thrang to come with him to the bookshop. He wanted their advice on some new books about adventures and magic.

When they returned to the Golden Swan for their final meal together the mood was somber and a little sad. There was little joking as everyone was thinking about how much they would miss each other and what they would do next.

“It is time,” Bregnest said at last. “If there are no questions or disputes, we will call our agreement complete.”

“I have a question,” Alex said suddenly, remembering something.

“And what is that?” Bregnest asked.

“Arconn mentioned once that you were trying to fulfill a prophecy on this adventure,” Alex said. “Can you tell us what that prophecy was—or is?”

Bregnest smiled and laughed softly to himself. “I wasn’t really sure it would be fulfilled on this adventure,” he said. “That is why I didn’t tell you about it at the beginning of our quest. However, I see that the prophecy has partly come true, so I will tell you what I can.”

Bregnest paused for a long moment.

“The prophecy was given to me many years ago, and I was never sure it was a true prophecy,” he said slowly.

“Enough,” Thrang said loudly. “Just tell us what it is.”

“Very well, Master Silversmith,” said Bregnest. “I was told that I would find a great wizard on my adventures. A wizard who would also be a warrior, though he would not know of his talents when I found him. The prophecy said I would help him find the path he should follow, and that he would go on to do many great and noble deeds.”

“That seems to have come true in part then,” said Thrang, smiling at Alex. “And as soon as young Alex goes on another adventure, it may come true completely.”

“Indeed,” Bregnest agreed, raising his mug to toast Alex. The others all followed his example.

Alex went pink, but smiled and raised his own mug as well.

“I declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end,” said Bregnest after the toast. “Some of you will be leaving when we finish here, and the rest of us will leave in the morning. Until we meet again, I wish you all a fond farewell.”

“Until we meet again,” the company repeated.

There were many good-byes and promises to visit each other in distant lands. Alex promised to visit everyone, though he had no idea how to find any of his friends once they left Telous.

Andy, Skeld, and Tayo were leaving that afternoon, and Alex joined the others in front of the Golden Swan to say good-bye once more. Tayo pulled Alex to one side as the others crowded around Skeld and Andy to say their farewells.

“I owe you more than the others will ever know,” said Tayo. “If ever you have need, please, feel free to call on me.”

“You are most kind, my friend,” replied Alex. “I hope you find the happiness you deserve.”

Tayo pulled Alex into a huge bear hug, squeezing him so tight Alex thought for a moment that his ribs would break. When Tayo released him and pulled away, Alex saw tears of happiness in Tayo’s eyes.

“Farewell,” Bregnest called as Andy, Skeld, and Tayo rode away. “May we meet again soon.”

Once the three warriors were out of sight, Alex went back into the Golden Swan with his remaining companions. He was just wondering when he would see his departed friends again, when he suddenly thought of something else.

“How am I going to get home?” he said out loud as the thought occurred to him.

“Oh, you needn’t worry,” laughed Thrang. “Bregnest, Arconn, and I will be coming with you to Clutter’s shop.”

“You will?” Alex asked in surprise.

“’Course we will,” Thrang laughed. “Bregnest needs to pay Clutter his share for the adventure, and Arconn and I have to update everyone’s files.”

“What files?” Alex questioned.

“The Adventure Shop keeps records about all adventurers. After each adventure, one or two of the company are chosen to update the files on themselves and the other adventurers. And I don’t mind saying, we’ll have a fair bit of work updating your file.”

Another thought occurred to Alex. “What about Shahree?”

He didn’t want to leave his horse behind, but he had no idea what he would do with a horse back at the Happy Dragon. Not to mention how he would explain how he had gotten a horse if he took Shahree home with him.

“You can stable her here,” Thrang suggested. “The Swan keeps a good stable, and the price is fair. And if you leave her here, she’ll be waiting when you go on your next adventure.”

Alex was relieved, and he left his companions at once to make arrangements for Shahree’s care. He stopped by her stall to say good-bye, at least for a little while. She seemed to understand when he told her he was going home but she was staying there. She looked sad, but nuzzled Alex’s shoulder in her own farewell.

The next morning, Alex ate breakfast with Bregnest, Arconn, Thrang, and Halfdan. It was a quiet affair without Skeld and Tayo’s jokes or Andy’s laughter. When they finished, Halfdan said good-bye to Alex and made him promise to come visit as soon as possible. Halfdan would be waiting at the Golden Swan for Thrang to return so the two of them could journey home together.

“If you’re ready then,” said Thrang.

“I suppose I am,” said Alex. “Though I wish I could start another adventure, now that I’ve been on one.”

“I doubt you will have to wait for long,” Thrang replied. “Wizards are always wanted on adventures. Plus you’ve got your meeting with Vankin to look forward to.”

“And your home may be different than you remember it, now that you’ve been on an adventure,” said Arconn.

Alex nodded and smiled. He waved good-bye to Halfdan as he and the others made their way along the streets of Telous. Almost before he knew it, they were standing in the same field he had arrived in so long ago. There was no sign of a magic door however, and he wondered how they would get back into the adventurer’s shop.

“Mr. Clutter should be opening the door any time now,” said Arconn. “I sent him a geeb, telling him what time we’d be arriving.”

Almost as soon as Arconn had finished speaking, the silver outline of a door appeared in front of them. The door opened slowly, and the four of them stepped into Mr. Clutter’s shop.

“Well, then,” said Mr. Clutter, smiling. “Back already, are you?”

“We’ve had a fair bit of luck,” replied Thrang, moving into the room. “Our young first-timer here proved more valuable than we bargained for.”

“Ah, Mr. Taylor,” said Mr. Clutter happily. “So glad to see you again. I received a message for you just this morning . . . let me see, where did I put that . . .” Mr. Clutter searched his desk and produced an envelope. “Ah, here we are. As I said, just arrived this morning. Very exciting, I must say.”