by M. L. Forman
“It’s his own fault for trying to retire,” Alex answered. “Though I’d guess he’s not completely retired yet.”
“He’s got an adventure or two left in him,” said Halfdan with a wink.
“Skeld and Tayo will be green with envy,” said Andy. “This might put an itch in them to go on another adventure.”
“Tell them they’d better get permission from Lilly and Indigo first,” said Alex. “Give my best to your family, will you, Andy?”
“I will,” Andy promised. “And Michael will be pleased to hear about your staff, I’m sure.”
“And you, Sindar,” said Alex. “Are you returning to the dark forest?”
“I am. And I’m sure Calysto will be pleased with all I have to tell her.”
“Give her my best,” said Alex. “And greetings to Iownan and Osrik if you happen to see them.”
“I’m sure I will,” Sindar replied. “Take care, my friend. May we ride together again one day.”
“As long as there aren’t so many goblins next time,” Alex laughed.
Sindar smiled, and then leaned close so that only Alex could hear what he said. “I’ve been thinking about our discussion—the one about the pendant I wear. If you like, I can try to find out what your father did for the order.”
“Would you?”
“I can try,” Sindar answered. “Such questions are not often asked, and even less often answered, but I can try.”
“Please do,” said Alex. “And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Until we meet again, my friends, be well,” said Sindar, winking at Alex.
With those final words, Halfdan, Andy, and Sindar climbed onto their saddles and rode away from the Golden Swan. Alex waved to them as they went, and then turned to look at Bregnest.
“How are we getting to Mr. Clutter’s?” he asked.
“Through the wardrobe,” Bregnest sighed.
Alex said good-bye to Whalen, promising to keep in touch with him as often as he could. He felt sad at the parting, sadder even than leaving his friends behind. He had only been face to face with Whalen for two days, but he felt like he’d known him all his life.
Whalen smiled and promised to keep an eye out in Alusia for Alex’s new home. As he took Alex’s hand to say good-bye, he spoke in a lowered voice. “We will meet again, my friend. And perhaps we will even share an adventure some day.”
Alex bowed to Whalen, and then followed Bregnest back into the main lobby of the Golden Swan.
Bregnest sat down and said, “Clutter’s adventure shop.” He vanished.
Alex followed Bregnest’s example and as soon as he had repeated, “Clutter’s adventure shop,” everything went dark around him. For a minute he felt confused, and then he saw the open door of the wardrobe in front of him.
“Back again,” said Mr. Clutter as Alex stepped out of the wardrobe. “And another successful adventure, if I do say so myself.”
“Very successful,” replied Bregnest. “We’ve completed our quest, and Master Taylor has taken his staff.”
“How wonderful,” said Mr. Clutter, beaming at Alex. “I knew he would one day, but after only two adventures, that is outstanding.”
“You are most kind,” said Alex.
“Not at all,” Mr. Clutter went on. “This is truly amazing. I’m sure you’ll be in great demand for future adventures.”
“Perhaps,” Alex allowed.
“I suppose you’ll want to change, then,” said Mr. Clutter. “I’ll just let you get on with it. And I’ll collect the files for you, Master Bregnest.”
Alex watched as Mr. Clutter hurried from the room, just as he always seemed to do. Alex changed back into his old clothes and looked at himself in the mirror. He had to laugh at his strange appearance. He had gotten so used to being in his adventurer’s clothes that his reflection looked odd to him.
“Heading back to your stepfather’s tavern?” Bregnest asked as Alex emerged from the changing room.
“For now. Though Whalen did suggest I think about moving to a known land.”
“Did he suggest which land?” Bregnest questioned with interest.
“I rather liked Alusia,” answered Alex.
“You would be most welcome there. And it would put you closer to Whalen.”
“It would, if he stays home,” said Alex. “But he did say he’d keep an eye open for me.”
“Then I will also keep an eye open,” said Bregnest. “I would like to thank you for all you did on this adventure, Alex.”
“You have thanked me enough already. You’ve thanked me so many times that I’m starting to think I did something extraordinary.”
“You did several extraordinary things on this adventure, just as you did on your last adventure.”
“I did have some help. I was lucky enough to have some good friends along with me.”
“I hope that we will ride together again someday,” said Bregnest, looking a little sad.
“As do I, my friend. And I hope that day is not too far off.”
“Well then,” said Bregnest awkwardly, “I suppose you’d best be off.”
“Yes,” said Alex, shaking Bregnest’s hand. “And if Whalen finds me a new home, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“You had better,” Bregnest laughed.
Alex said a final good-bye to Bregnest and left the shop before Mr. Clutter could return. He had a great deal to think about, and Mr. Clutter’s fast talking would only confuse his mind right now.
Alex wandered back up Sildon Lane, wondering how Mr. Roberts would react to everything he had to tell him. He knew his stepfather would be pleased with the story of his adventure. Alex hoped that Mr. Roberts wouldn’t be too upset about his plans to move to Alusia, but there was no rush to discuss that.
Alex turned the corner that led back to the Happy Dragon and laughed out loud. He had all day to decide what to tell Mr. Roberts; he had returned on the same morning he had left. For now, he was happy to simply go home and take some time to think about his future.
Reading Guide
1. At the beginning of the story, Mr. Roberts talks to Alex about teamwork and the importance of being part of a team. He reminds Alex that he doesn’t have to do everything, and that other people on the team need to help out as well. How important is teamwork in your life? How important is it to include everyone on your team?
2. Early in the adventure Alex runs into a bully named Otho. Have you ever had problems with a bully? Later in the story, Alex turns Otho into an ox, but we can’t do that to bullies in our world. How can we deal with bullies in our own lives? How can we help other people who are being bullied?
3. Alex sometimes has a hard time controlling his emotions. He almost loses his temper several times even though he knows something terrible could happen if he does. Do you ever have trouble controlling your emotions? Have you ever lost your temper and then later regretted what happened?
4. Alex is given a list of things to do that will help him control his emotions, including his temper. What kind of things can you do to control your emotions? Are there other emotions besides anger that need to be controlled?
5. Sedric Valenteen tells the others that he has a hard time trusting people because he was once betrayed. Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? Does a bad experience like being betrayed make it harder for you to trust other people now?
6. Bregnest tells Val that honor is saying you will do something and then doing it. What do you think Bregnest means? What other ways are there to be honorable? What do you think honor really means?
7. The brownies in the enchanted woods refuse to accept any kind of payment for their help. They say that because Alex and Sindar let them help they have already been repaid. What do you think they mean? Have you ever helped someone and felt that being able to help was the best payment you could ever get?
8. Bregnest feels that his honor has been damaged because of the choices Val made. Have you ever felt that your ho
nor or reputation was damaged by something other people have done? How do the actions of your friends and family affect you? How do your actions affect your friends and family?
9. Alex is willing to fight a war for what he believes is right. What would you be willing to do for something you believe is right?
10. Pride is mentioned several times in the story. Alex fears that his growing pride about being a wizard might be considered evil. The bully Otho thinks he is better than others because of his father’s position in the town. Varson’s pride makes him believe that he is the true king. How can pride help us? How can pride hurt us? Are there different kinds of pride?
11. Whalen Vankin tells Alex that he is responsible for him to some degree, because he is the one asking Alex to become a true wizard. Are there people who are responsible for you and the things you do? Are you sometimes responsible for other people and what they do?
