Albrek's Tomb

by M. L. Forman

  After his good-byes, Alex turned to leave, pausing at the door to turn back one more time to smile at his friends. They raised their mugs to him in a toast, and Alex laughed and left them behind.

  Whalen was waiting for Alex in front of the Golden Swan. He had already ordered Alex’s horse saddled. The famous wizard was getting a great many looks from the people of the town.

  “I’m sorry to drag you away so quickly,” said Whalen in an apologetic tone when Alex came out of the front doors. “I wish we could spend the night, but I am running a little late. We must leave for Alusia now. It will take us at least two days to reach the home I’ve found for you, which should give us all the time we need to talk.”

  Alex smiled and climbed into his saddle, happy that Whalen seemed to understand how he was feeling. As they rode out of Telous, Alex tried to arrange his thoughts, considering what he should tell Whalen first. In the end, he decided to tell Whalen the story from the beginning, including all the things he hadn’t told his friends.

  They were a few miles outside of Telous when Alex finally began to talk. He found that the story was longer than he remembered it, longer than when Thrang had told it, and not nearly as exciting when he told it himself. Whalen didn’t interrupt or ask questions as Alex talked, and when Alex finally finished, they were at the great arch.

  “That’s it,” Alex said as Whalen climbed off his horse. “That’s the whole story of what happened in Thraxon, and I still don’t know what it all means.”

  Whalen nodded but didn’t say anything. He seemed to be thinking about what Alex had said, and Alex thought that even Whalen might not know what to make of the story. How often had a wizard become a dragon lord? How many wizards had ever taken the dragon shape and survived? What had King Set meant when he said he had been waiting for Alex? There were too many questions and too few answers.

  Alex unsaddled the horses while Whalen set up their camp. His mind was troubled by his unanswered questions, but he felt better now that he’d told Whalen everything. When he had finished taking care of the horses, Alex joined Whalen by the campfire, his eyes watching the flames as Whalen cooked their meal.

  “Do you know how long it takes most wizards to become wizards?” Whalen asked suddenly.

  “No,” said Alex, surprised. “Several years, I’m sure, but I’ve never really thought about it.”

  “And do you know how much training most apprentices need before they are ready to even try to take a staff?” Whalen went on.

  “No, I don’t,” said Alex.

  “Most apprentices are in training for years,” Whalen said. “A great many of them never learn enough to take a staff.”

  “But everyone knows there have never been very many wizards in the known lands,” said Alex.

  “Yet there are a fair number of people who can do magic of one kind or another,” said Whalen. “Why do you think so few of them ever become wizards?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t able to find a wizard to train them.”

  “Yes, that is true for many of them,” Whalen agreed. “Perhaps for others, the training is too difficult, or they are not patient enough to learn all that is required. Then, of course, they may not have enough magic in them to become wizards in the first place.” Whalen shook his head and sighed. “I’ve accepted any and all who wanted to be trained and who were willing to learn. I’ve been alive for almost seven hundred years, Alex, and I’ve had countless apprentices. But only two have ever gone on to become wizards.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” Alex questioned.

  “Ah, yes, what about you?” Whalen replied. “You used magic on your first adventure, before you understood it, before you became an apprentice. You were able to look into a dragon’s eye and defeat him with your own power—something that most wizards would not dare try even after taking a staff. You’ve learned more magic on three adventures than most apprentices learn in a dozen years of study, and you’ve done it without a wizard there to teach you.”

  “I was lucky, and you’ve shown me the path I should take.”

  “I gave you some direction, but you found the path yourself,” Whalen said with a smile. “You are something of a mystery, even to me. And I think your dragon friend was right—you are more than most wizards could ever hope to be.”

  “Don’t say that,” said Alex. “I’m just . . . I’m just lucky.”

  “Yes.” Whalen laughed. “Lucky, and quick, and a wizard that is both a man and a dragon. Oh, there are legends and myths about wizards who could take the dragon shape without fear, but I think most of them are just stories, made up by people who didn’t know better.”

  “So you think I am something else?” Alex questioned. “Not really a wizard, but something else completely?”

  “You are a true wizard, Alex. That much I know for sure,” Whalen answered in a kindly tone. “But it seems that you are also more than that, but all that you are, I cannot even guess.”

  “If you don’t know, Master Whalen, who does?” Alex questioned in a defeated tone.

  “Do not call me master,” Whalen said in a kind but serious voice. “You have no master, my friend, and I doubt there is anything in the known lands that could become your master. As for what you are, I think only you can find that answer. And I believe you will, in time.”

  “Then I must continue searching for answers to my questions as I travel through the known lands,” Alex said.

  “And that makes you sad?” Whalen questioned.

  “Yes. I thought you would know what I am and what I should do. You’ve always had the answers before.”

  “Most people, myself included, do not know what they are,” said Whalen. “I know I am a wizard, an adventurer, and a man, but what am I really? That is a question I am still trying to answer, and I’ve been asking it for almost seven hundred years.”

  “But . . .” Alex began and stopped. “I don’t understand.”

  “You are what you do,” Whalen said. “You are what people think you are, and more importantly, what you think you are. If you think of yourself as a great hero, you will act like a great hero. If you think of yourself as a small thing—something that doesn’t matter—well then, you won’t matter.”

  “But I don’t really think about myself,” Alex protested. “I don’t see myself as a hero or a wizard or anything like that.”

  “Do you see yourself as good or evil?” Whalen questioned.

  “Good, of course.”

  “Friendly or not so friendly?”

  “Friendly, I think.”

  “Hot-tempered or reasonable?”

  “I try to be reasonable, but I sometimes lose my temper.”

  “You see many things about yourself already,” Whalen said as he began filling bowls with stew. “And I wish I could say I see myself as a great cook, but I’m afraid the truth is that I’m only a fair cook.”

  Alex laughed and accepted the bowl. The stew was very good, in fact, and Alex thought about Whalen’s words while he ate. Whalen may not have answered his questions as directly as he had hoped, but he had still given him some answers. Alex had never considered things the way Whalen put them, had never even thought about his own self-image. Now he thought about it for a long time, and he began to see that Whalen was as wise as ever.

  They spent the rest of the evening in silence, Whalen watching the stars and Alex deep in thought.

  ***

  The next morning, they rode through the great arch into Alusia.

  “What do you suppose Set meant when he said he had been waiting for me?” Alex asked as they rode along the well-worn trail.

  “A wizard’s deeds are often foretold,” said Whalen in a thoughtful tone. “I’ve never sought out legends or prophesies in the hope of fulfilling them, but I have been looked for in places where I never thought I would go.”

  “So I shouldn’t really worry about it,” said Alex.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t worry,” said Whalen. “Though you might wan
t to find out about the prophecies later, after they’ve been fulfilled, so you know who made them and when. Unfortunately, I’ve found that most of the details that go with legends and prophesies are often lost, and only the waiting for things to come true can be remembered.”

  Alex thought for a long time before he asked his next question, hoping that Whalen would have a simple explanation for him.

  “What about the books the dragon on the Isle of Bones gave me?” Alex asked.

  “Ah, the dragon,” said Whalen with a smile. “An ancient and wise creature, to be sure.”

  “But the books,” Alex persisted after Whalen remained silent. “What are they? Where did they come from?”

  “Yes, the books,” Whalen said slowly. “I will warn you that you should keep them secret from everyone, and keep them safe. Never tell anyone you have one or more of them. If I had thought you might find one of these books on your own, I would have told you about them sooner.”

  “But what are they?” Alex asked, surprised by Whalen’s warning.

  “Ancient books of knowledge,” said Whalen. “Never study them where others might see them, and never ever leave one lying about.”

  “Are they dangerous?” Alex asked.

  “To people who have little or no magic, they are very dangerous. There are dangers even for wizards, but that comes from loving power too much,” Whalen answered. “You see, the books will teach you things. As you study the pages, the letters will begin to take shape in your mind. Eventually it will be like a dream, and you will see and hear what the books have to say. I’ve seen one book that you could smell things in, but I don’t know how common that is.”

  “You’ve seen books like these before?” Alex questioned.

  “Yes, I have,” said Whalen with a weak smile. “And your guess is correct—I have a few of them myself. Some of them are simple and will show you the history of the known lands, but some are full of power. Those that have power in them can teach you a great deal about magic. Others can even transfer their powers to you. Now you see why they could be dangerous to people who don’t have any magic of their own.”

  “Yes, that make sense,” said Alex.

  They rode on for a time as Alex considered what Whalen had told him about the magic books. It seemed obvious that Salinor was protecting the books, keeping them safe. Why the dragon had chosen to give them to Alex was less clear, but Alex knew the dragon had his reasons.

  “The dragon also talked about my family,” Alex said carefully. “Do you know anything about them?”

  “I do,” Whalen said with a smile. “I didn’t think you’d have time to ask old Clutter about them, so I did some digging on my own.”

  “And?” Alex asked in excitement. “Do you know where my family comes from? Do I have aunts and uncles and cousins?”

  “Yes, I know where your family is from, or at least where it is from recently.” Whalen laughed. “And yes, you have aunts and uncles and cousins and a great deal more. Your mother and father were related to almost every royal family in the known lands. Not just the human royal families either, but the elves and the dwarfs as well, though you might have to search a bit more to find those links.”

  “The royal families?” Alex questioned in amazement.

  “Well, some of the relations are a bit distant, but still, you are related. I imagine most, if not all, of the royal families will want to do the family history for you. After all, it would be good for them to have a wizard in the family.” Whalen looked at Alex. “But you should be careful with any information you learn about your family. From what little I know of your family, I would guess that not all of them are worthy of your assistance. I would suggest you learn all you can about any family members you meet before you help them.”

  Alex nodded his understanding.

  “Not all kings are good or noble,” Whalen reminded Alex. “I think you know what I mean, though you’ve not run into any really bad kings on your adventures so far.”

  “No, but I’ve seen men and dwarfs who wished to take the place of a king,” said Alex. “I imagine I’m related to some people like that since they had some claim to a royal bloodline.”

  “Oh, yes,” said Whalen in a serious tone. “Bloodlines are important to most people, and most important to the royal houses.”

  “Will you tell me who I’m related to and how?” Alex questioned.

  “Of course.” Whalen laughed. “You don’t think I learned all this for my own amusement, do you?”

  Alex laughed at Whalen’s reply and for the rest of the day, he listened closely as Whalen explained how Alex was related to the different royal families in the different lands. Their evening fire was burning low before Whalen had finished telling Alex all that he’d learned. Alex was amazed by how many relations he had, and the fact that Whalen seemed to know so much about all of them.

  “Don’t worry,” Whalen said with a smile. “I’ve written it all down for you. I don’t expect you to remember everything I’ve said, even if it is about your own family.”

  “I don’t know how you remembered it all,” said Alex.

  “I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve learned to organize things in my mind,” Whalen answered. “You’ve already learned to do this with some things, as you seem to have no trouble remembering magic spells.”

  “That seems almost natural,” said Alex.

  “Almost too natural sometimes? Almost too easy?” Whalen said as he watched Alex.

  Alex nodded.

  “Ah, your greatest fear,” said Whalen in his kindest voice. “You fear that because it all comes so easily to you, that you will not appreciate or remember it when you need to.”

  “And that it might all slip away as easily as it came,” Alex added.

  “Yes, it is a common fear,” said Whalen. “I’ve felt that fear myself, but very few things have ever slipped away without my knowing about it.”

  “So I should not worry about losing everything I’ve become?” Alex asked.

  “What good does the worry do you?” Whalen asked in return. “If all your magic were to slip away tonight, would worrying about it help you?”

  “No, I suppose it wouldn’t.”

  “Then don’t worry about things you can’t control,” Whalen said. “I doubt very much that your magic will ever slip away, and worrying about it won’t make a bit difference one way or the other.”

  “It does seem a silly thing to worry about when you put it that way.”

  “Yes, and you have other things to think about. Tomorrow we will pass through the small town of Resprin. The home I’ve found for you is a few miles outside of the town.”

  “What kind of town is Resprin?” Alex questioned.

  “Not large. The people of the town keep horses, and most of the horses belong to the king. I suppose that means that some of them are probably yours as well,” said Whalen as he leaned back against his saddle. “They are good people, honest and fair in their dealings. I think you will like the town, and I hope you will like the house I’ve found.”

  “How far from Resprin do you live?” Alex questioned, rolling into his own blankets.

  “Two days to the south,” Whalen said sleepily. “There is another town called Albian, and my home is a few miles east of that town.”

  “I would like to see your house someday,” Alex said as he closed his eyes.

  “And I would like to see you in your dragon form,” Whalen said through a yawn. “Perhaps tomorrow, if there isn’t anyone near, you could show me your other self?”

  “As you wish,” said Alex and went to sleep.

  The next morning after breakfast, Alex walked a little way from their campfire. He turned to look at Whalen and, then, after thinking for a moment, he laughed at himself.

  “What?” Whalen questioned.

  “The horses,” Alex answered. “You had better put a calming spell on them, or we’ll be walking the rest of the way to Resprin.”

  “Oh, yes,” Whalen said with a
laugh of his own.

  Once Whalen had cast his spell, Alex relaxed his mind, accepting what he was. The magic filled the air around him, but it was different this time, more alive somehow. He paused to consider the magic, the connection to everything around him, and then he changed.

  Yes, Salinor’s voice said softly in his mind. It is different in each land, but also the same.

  The connection to the land, it’s . . . Alex trailed off.

  It is something special. Something only dragons like ourselves can experience, said Salinor.

  Dragons like ourselves? Alex questioned, knowing Salinor wasn’t talking about all dragons, but something else.

  We that are true silver, said Salinor. We are . . .

  What?

  In time. Salinor laughed. You do not need to learn everything all at once, child.

  Alex wondered what Salinor meant, but he knew the ancient dragon was finished speaking. He would learn what he needed to know in time, and that was enough for now. He relaxed his mind, focusing his thoughts on his human form and letting the magical connection slip away.

  “True silver,” Whalen said in awe as soon as Alex was his human self once more. “You become a dragon of true silver.”

  “I know. I never really thought about it. Does it mean something?” Alex questioned.

  “I’m not sure,” Whalen answered slowly. “I’ve heard of legends that mention a dragon of true silver. I can’t remember the exact wording, however, and I don’t have time to look it up right now.”

  “But you will look?”

  “Oh, yes, I’ll look and let you know what I find,” said Whalen. “You see, I don’t remember everything, even if sometimes you think I do.”

  “Well, I remember that you are in a hurry,” said Alex. “So we’d best be on our way.”

  “That is true, but before we go, I must swear an oath,” said Whalen.

  “What?”

  “I, Whalen Vankin, swear by my staff that I will never tell anyone the secret that Alexander Taylor has shared with me this day,” Whalen said quickly.

  “Whalen, you don’t need to swear by your staff,” said Alex in surprise. “I’m sure the council will want to know, and—”