by M. L. Forman
After dinner they all sat around the table talking. Argus Goodseed was interested in their stories of adventures and news from distant lands. Both Lazarus and Michael sat still as stone and hardly moved a muscle while Bregnest told a story from one of his adventures. They all clapped loudly when he finished his tale. Then Mrs. Goodseed told Michael it was time for bed.
“But, Mother,” said Michael, in a desperate and pleading voice. “Just one more story, please.”
“Your mother is quite right,” said Bregnest, standing up. “It is time for all of us to seek our beds. We have traveled far in a short time, and we have a great deal to do before we will be ready to continue our adventure.”
They all said goodnight to Andy’s family and made their way to their own rooms. Alex, however, did not go to bed, but sat up for some time reading his magic books and going over one of his father’s old notebooks. He also wrote a short letter to Whalen, letting him know that everything was fine. He climbed into his bed, still thinking of how oddly Skeld and Tayo had been acting. Halfdan’s comment about them both being bewitched made him smile, and he soon slipped into a deep sleep.
* * *
When Alex woke up the next morning it wasn’t because he wanted to. Halfdan was shaking his bed wildly and laughing at the shocked and confused expression on Alex’s face.
“Come on then,” said Halfdan. “We’ve got to get your new clothes, and you and I have a bit of shopping to do as well.”
“I feel like I’ve only just gone to sleep,” Alex complained, rolling off his bed and onto his feet.
“Norsland nights are short in the spring and summer months,” Halfdan said.
Alex didn’t reply as he staggered sleepily toward the basin to wash his face. The ice-cold water was a shock, but it woke him up better than Halfdan had. Looking out his window, Alex could see sunlight already spreading over Oslansk.
“What’s for breakfast?” Alex asked, stamping on his boots and following Halfdan out of the room.
“Mrs. Goodseed has seen to it, so come on,” Halfdan answered.
In fact, Andy’s mother had prepared a large breakfast of fried potatoes, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and several other dishes that were clearly Norsland specialties. Alex tried some of everything and had second helpings of a dish that was made up of rice, some kind of meat, cheese, and a sweet sauce.
Michael was full of questions that morning, and he couldn’t seem to keep himself from asking them. The members of the company tried to answer him as well as they could, but it seemed that every answer brought new questions from Michael.
As they were finishing their breakfast, Skeld and Tayo arrived to take Alex to get his new clothes. They spent several minutes talking to Bregnest and teasing him about his being on another adventure so soon after the last one. Bregnest endured their teasing good-naturedly. Then he introduced Val and Sindar to Skeld and Tayo. Skeld and Tayo were pleased to meet them both and asked them to come to a feast that evening with the others. The new members of the company accepted the invitation and thanked Skeld and Tayo for their kindness.
As soon as the arrangements for the evening feast had been made, Skeld, Tayo, Alex, and Halfdan were on their way out the gate. Andy said he had things to do as well and left with Lazarus.
Once the company had separated, Halfdan asked Skeld and Tayo where they could buy a saddle as a present for Michael’s upcoming birthday. Skeld and Tayo thought it was a wonderful idea, but they also thought it would be very funny if Andy didn’t buy his brother a horse after all.
“That would be terrible,” said Alex. “A saddle but no horse—what kind of birthday present would that be for Michael?”
“It might give him something to look forward to next year,” said Tayo.
Alex stopped dead in his tracks, looking at the shops and people around him. For the second time on this adventure, Alex felt like he was being watched. There was a strange intensity to the feeling, as if he were waiting for some unseen person to appear or speak.
“What’s the matter, Alex?” Halfdan questioned as he turned to see what Alex was looking at.
“Oh, sorry. I just had a feeling. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“A feeling?” Skeld asked, a note of concern in his voice.
“I just felt like someone was watching us,” said Alex. Then he waved his hand in a dismissive way. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t think I had enough sleep last night.”
Alex was glad that the others didn’t ask any more questions. He didn’t think he could explain the feeling that he’d had, and he was more than happy to let the subject drop.
Their conversation returned to Michael’s saddle. Halfdan suggested that they buy the saddle but keep it in his magic bag. If it turned out that Andy didn’t buy the horse, they wouldn’t have to say anything at all about a saddle.
“Ah, dwarfs and their cunning ways,” Skeld teased.
They soon arrived at the tailor’s shop, and it wasn’t long before Alex found himself dressed in a fine dark blue set of clothes with silver buttons. The shopkeeper approved of the fit, and Skeld and Tayo began arguing over which of them would pay for the new clothes. To settle the argument, they simply bought Alex a second set of clothes, this time all in dark silver-gray.
“You can wear the gray ones to the party the day after the weddings,” said Tayo.
Alex thanked Skeld and Tayo for their gift and joked with Halfdan about how odd their friends were acting. Skeld and Tayo shrugged off any comments on their strange behavior as they led the way to a shop where Alex and Halfdan could buy a saddle. Halfdan had an eye for quality work, so Alex let him choose the saddle they would buy. Once the saddle was safely in Halfdan’s magic bag, the four friends wandered back into the streets of Oslansk.
“Are there any dwarf smiths here in Oslansk?” Alex asked offhandedly.
“Well, there’s old Elwig—but he does jewelry more than weapons,” Tayo commented.
“Perhaps he can help me,” said Alex, winking at Halfdan.
“Help you with what?” Skeld questioned.
“Oh, nothing really,” said Alex. “Now I suppose Halfdan and I should leave you two, as we still have gifts to buy for the wedding.”
“There is little need for that,” both Skeld and Tayo protested.
“Little need for you perhaps,” Halfdan answered. “Andy told us of the customs here: that friends of the grooms give gifts to the brides.”
“Well, yes, that true,” Tayo agreed. “But you are both honored guests. And Alex is already acting as our ring bearer.”
“That doesn’t matter,” said Alex. “I think your ladies deserve a gift. Perhaps something magical that will keep you two in line.”
They all laughed at Alex’s words, though Halfdan, seeing the nervous look that Skeld and Tayo exchanged, laughed harder still.
“I don’t suppose you really do know a spell that would keep those two in line, do you?” Halfdan asked Alex as they walked in the direction of Elwig’s shop.
“No, I don’t. But it will be something for them both to think about, at least for a little while.”
The people of Oslansk were both friendly and helpful, and it didn’t take long for Alex and Halfdan to find Elwig’s shop. The shop was a large one, and it was filled with hundreds of beautiful items.
Elwig was delighted to see Halfdan. Few dwarfs ever came to Oslansk, and Elwig was almost overcome with joy at seeing a kinsman. It wasn’t long before he was showing Alex and Halfdan everything in his shop that might be used as a wedding gift, as well as several things that could not.
“Brooches are a popular gift,” said Elwig, bringing out a large tray of brooches from behind his counter. “They’re functional and practical, and you don’t have to wear them every day.”
Alex looked at the brooches on the tray. Most were made of silver, though there were a few made of gold as well. Suddenly Alex had an idea, and he asked Elwig for a piece of paper and a quill. He carefully drew a picture and showed
the drawing to Elwig.
“Can you make a brooch like this?” Alex asked hopefully.
Elwig studied Alex’s drawing. “An interesting idea. Yes, I think I understand what you want, but what would you like it made of?”
“True silver,” said Alex in a low tone.
“Oh, well,” Elwig stammered, “in that case, I don’t think that I can do that. I haven’t seen a bit of true silver in Norsland for years and years.”
“I can solve that problem easily enough,” said Alex, reaching for his magic bag. Alex had received a large amount of true silver on his last adventure, when he’d returned the first of seven lost magic bags he had recovered.
Elwig was stunned when Alex produced a large bag full of true silver, and for a moment he could not speak at all. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and then finally said that he could make what Alex wanted.
“And if your work is acceptable, you may keep the remaining true silver as payment,” said Alex.
“Oh, no, sir,” Elwig protested. “The payment is far too great.”
“If your work is acceptable, the payment will be as I have said,” Alex repeated firmly.
“You are most generous, sir,” Elwig said with a deep bow. “The work will be done as you request. I will have the brooches ready for you the day before the weddings.”
Halfdan and Alex left Elwig’s shop, agreeing to return the day before the weddings to collect the gifts. Halfdan had a slightly troubled look on his face as they left, and Alex asked him what was wrong.
“I think you may have offered too much for his work,” Halfdan answered.
“Perhaps.”
“Elwig will work night and day to make what you’ve requested. I hope he doesn’t overdo your design.”
“I did say the work had to be acceptable,” said Alex. “And I think he’ll do a fine job.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“Now, what about you?” Alex questioned. “What gifts will you be giving?”
“Ah, well, I’ve already got mine. Thrang and I had some things made before I left for Telous, so I’m well-prepared.”
“Then I suppose we should find our way back to the Goodseed house and see what the others are doing.”
Halfdan and Alex worked their way back through the busy streets, asking directions every now and then from people who were passing by. Everyone seemed to know where the Goodseed family was staying, and they were all eager to help the adventurers find their way.
When Alex and Halfdan were almost back to the house, however, Alex heard a voice he recognized. He held up his hand for Halfdan to stop and remain silent. From around the corner came the unmistakable voice of Michael Goodseed.
“You don’t know anything,” Michael said loudly.
“I know that he’s not a wizard,” the voice of fat Otho Longtree replied. “He doesn’t even have a staff.”
“He is,” Michael insisted. “My brother says so, and he was on an adventure with him before.”
“Balderdash. If he’s a wizard, I’m an ox—and if he’s even seen a dragon I’ll eat my hat.”
“He is a wizard,” Michael repeated, his voice sounding close to tears.
Alex motioned for Halfdan to stay still as he stepped around the corner.
Otho and four of his large companions were circled around Michael, cornering him against the wall. Alex saw at once that Otho was trying to make Michael cry, and he saw Michael’s desperate attempt not to do so. For an instant, Alex saw himself in Michael’s place, alone and too small to fight off his tormentors.
Alex had never been bullied in his life—his stepbrother, Todd, had made sure of that—but he had seen others suffer the humiliation. He remembered how his insides had twisted when older and stronger students had tormented friends at school, and anger began to rise in him as the memories returned.
“What’s all this?” Alex asked, his eyes locking onto Otho.
“No—nothing,” Otho answered, his eyes narrowing.
“Then I should ask if you’d like sauce with your hat,” said Alex, staring directly into Otho’s beady eyes. “Or perhaps it will taste better if I turn you into an ox first. Though you don’t seem to have enough brains to be an ox.”
Otho’s face grew bright red, and for a moment it seemed that he didn’t know what to say, but he soon found his voice once more.
“You—you wouldn’t dare,” said Otho nervously. “I’m the heir of Osgood Longtree, magistrate of the city.”
“And I’m a wizard who dislikes pompous bullies,” Alex spat back at him. “And I don’t really care who your father is. I think it’s time for you to be taught a lesson.”
“You’re no wizard,” answered Otho, but his tone was uncertain and laced with fear. “You don’t even have a staff.”
Alex felt magic building up inside of him as his emotions ran wild. A strange ringing sound filled his ears and mind, blinding him to everything but Otho and his words. He would prove who and what he was and silence this overstuffed bully once and for all.
Control your emotions, boy, a commanding voice echoed inside Alex’s head.
For no more than a second Alex lost track of what was happening. The anger drained out of him as quickly as it had come, and when he blinked, he saw Otho and his friends running up the road away from him. The feeling that someone was watching washed over Alex like a wave and then vanished like the wind.
“Are you all right, Michael?” Alex asked after several silent moments.
“Ye—yes,” Michael stuttered.
“Well, you’d better come along with us,” said Alex. “We’re just going home to see what there is for a midday meal.”
Michael moved slowly, and then with a few hurried words about making sure lunch was ready, he ran ahead of Alex and Halfdan.
Alex watched him go, worried that he might have scared him.
“Clever bit of magic that,” Halfdan commented as the two of them started off once more.
“What?”
“The white flames that sprang up around you as you spoke—very impressive. No heat, no damage, but very bright and surprising nonetheless.”
“I . . . I didn’t . . .” Alex stammered and then stopped, shaken by what Halfdan had said. He had almost lost control of his emotions, and if he had, he wasn’t sure what would have happened.
“I’d guess that Otho and his friends will stay well clear of you from now on,” Halfdan went on. “They ran away like a dragon was chasing them!”
Chapter Five
Two Weddings
For the rest of the day Michael continued to stare at Alex. Whenever Alex looked at him, however, Michael would look away. Alex wondered what he could do to take away the boy’s fear.
Alex had other things to worry about, too. He’d almost lost control of his emotions and let loose his magic. Some of his magic had slipped away before the strange voice inside his head had stopped him. The voice, however, had also come with the feeling of being watched. Something was going on—something important—but Alex had no idea what it could be.
It was late afternoon before Skeld and Tayo appeared, ready to lead the company to the feast. Alex followed his friends into the street, trying to be cheerful and not worry about what had happened.
“Michael told me about your run-in with Otho,” Andy commented, breaking Alex’s train of thought. “Did you really threaten to turn him into an ox?”
“I did,” said Alex. “And I’m sure he believed I was about to do it too.”
“But you wouldn’t really do it, would you?” Andy asked, sounding slightly concerned.
“Well, it would help if I knew how,” Alex admitted. “After all, I’m only a wizard in training, but Otho doesn’t know that.”
“Wizard in training or not, I reckon you could have done it if you really wanted to,” Halfdan said from Alex’s other side.
“As long as Otho believes that I was going to . . .”
“I wish I’d seen the look on his face,” said Andy. “I think
you’re the first one to ever stand up to him.”
“I think Michael might be a little scared of me. You know, after what happened this afternoon,” Alex commented.
“Oh, no,” said Andy. “I think you’re his new hero.”
* * *
As soon as the company reached the feasting hall, Skeld and Tayo made the introductions. Alex met Lilly and Indigo, his friend’s future wives, as well as a horde of relatives he was sure he wouldn’t remember. There was one person, however, that caught his attention. Cara, Lilly and Indigo’s mother, had a soft golden light around her, a light that only Alex could see.
