The Horn of Moran - Forman Mark L. Страница 22

When they reached the stables, Alex asked to see the stable master. He wanted to ask a few more questions before meeting Tom Cain in person. Alex and Andy didn’t have to wait long, as a large man with a full beard and a pipe soon appeared and met them outside the stable.

“You asked to see me?” questioned the man.

“Are you in charge of the stables?” Alex asked.

“I am. What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to ask you about Tom Cain,” said Alex, lowering his voice slightly.

“Tom?” the man asked, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was close by. “What do you want to know about Tom?”

“Well, we’d like to know about him and his family, and how things are with them,” answered Alex. “You see, we may have a message for Tom, but we’d like to make sure we have the right person first.”

“Adventurers, then,” said the bearded man with a nod.

“Yes, we are,” admitted Alex, slightly surprised by the comment.

“Well, I don’t see no harm telling ya what I know, and it might do a bit o’ good,” said the man, lighting his pipe. “Been wondering if we’d ever hear about old Jon Cain again, and I’m guessing we will, from the look of you two.”

Alex felt that he could trust the bearded man, though he didn’t really know why.

“You have guessed correctly,” said Alex. “However, we’d like to know a little more about Tom and his family before we talk to him.”

“Bag holder and witness, then, is it?” said the bearded man. “Well, I’ll tell you what I know, but there’s probably plenty I don’t know.”

The man told Andy and Alex that the Cain family had once been the richest family in Ollvi. After Jon Cain had left, eleven years ago, the family started having troubles. The town magistrate at the time didn’t like Jon Cain, and he used his dislike against the Cain family once Jon had left. Then their crops had failed, and the family suffered several other minor misfortunes, some from bad luck and some from other things. Now Tom Cain supported his mother, two brothers, and three sisters by working wherever and whenever he could. The rest of the family did as much as they could, but still, Tom was the one who bore the heaviest burden.

“The Cain family is the poorest family for miles around,” said the bearded man in a matter-of-fact tone. “Most folks here in Ollvi remember how generous old Jon was, so we try to help out where we can. Only so much we can do though. Tom’s mom has never been much on accepting what she calls charity.”

“What happened to the magistrate?” Andy asked.

“Oh, him,” said the bearded man, spitting into the road. “He up and died a couple of years ago. Good riddance I say.”

“Well, you’ve been very helpful,” said Alex, nodding. “Perhaps Tom Cain’s fortunes will improve soon.”

“I’d be glad to see that,” said the bearded man with a nod of his own. “I’ll just go and fetch Tom for ya, then, shall I?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Alex. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention our little talk.”

“Not to worry.”

The bearded man wandered off into the stables, and Alex and Andy looked at each other.

“He could be telling us a story.”

“I don’t think so,” said Alex. “I feel like he was telling the truth, but I can’t explain why.”

“Well, you’re the wizard,” Andy replied.

The bearded man soon reappeared with a younger man following him closely. Alex guessed the younger man to be around twenty years old, which was a bit of a surprise. From the patched and worn look of the young man’s clothes, however, Alex was sure the bearded man had been telling the truth about hard times for the Cain family.

“You asked to see me, sir?” Tom Cain asked as he approached Alex and Andy.

“I did,” said Alex. “And I think I have both sad and happy news for you.”

“What news, might I ask?” Tom questioned, looking slightly confused.

“Well, to be plain,” Alex began and paused to consider his words. It was never easy to tell someone the news that a loved one had died.

“Yes?”

“To be plain, I must ask if you are the heir of Jonathan Cain, adventurer,” Alex said.

“I . . . I am,” said Tom, turning slightly pale.

“Then I must inform you that I hold the magic bag of Jonathan Cain, who is lost,” Alex continued, “and that I am prepared to meet with you, if you are his rightful heir, at the time and place of your choosing.”

Tom Cain stood dumbfounded for a moment, a troubled expression on his face. He looked like he wanted to cry and shout for joy at the same time, but couldn’t decide which to do. It took him a moment to find his voice.

“I am honored that you have come,” said Tom, swallowing hard and shaking slightly. “I ask that you and your witness come to my home this afternoon. I will be there with my witness to discuss the return of my father’s bag.”

The conversation seemed painfully formal, but Alex knew that he had to continue.

“At what hour would you have us come?”

“At the fourth hour after midday,” Tom answered.

“We will come as you ask,” said Alex with a bow.

“I thank you,” said Tom, returning the bow.

Tom gave Alex and Andy directions to his house and then the two adventurers left the stable.

Alex had mixed feelings about Tom Cain and his family. Tom was obviously extremely sad to know that his father was dead, and Alex was sure the rest of Tom’s family would feel the same, but at the same time, the return of the magic bag had given Tom hope for a better life—not just for himself, but for his entire family.

“You’ve found the heir?” Bregnest asked when Alex and Andy returned to the tavern.

“We have,” said Alex.

“That is good,” said Bregnest. “Perhaps payment can be made in a day or two, and we can be on our way.”

“Has time become our enemy already?” Alex questioned. “We’ve been on the road for only a little more than two weeks.”

“Time is always the enemy,” Bregnest answered slowly. “I would hurry because our quest is to aid both my kinsman and my friend. I would not have him troubled longer than he needs to be.”

“If all goes well, we should return before winter settles in Norsland,” said Andy in a reassuring tone.

“Perhaps,” said Bregnest. “But I fear we will be forced to spend the winter on the road, though I cannot say why I fear it.”

“You have doubts about our quest?” Alex questioned.

“Doubts about myself,” Bregnest replied in a grim tone. “But I will keep my doubts to myself until we are on the road again. Then perhaps I will share them with the company.”

“As you wish.”

Alex and Andy remained at the tavern, talking and joking with the rest of the company until it was time for them to meet with Tom Cain. Excusing themselves, they left to find the Cain house and arrange for the return of Jonathan Cain’s bag.

As they approached the Cain house, they could plainly see that it had been a fine home once. Now the large house looked worn and hard used, but not at all shabby or uncared for. And the garden, which took up most of the yard, was ready for planting the spring vegetables.

A middle-aged woman opened the door when Alex and Andy knocked. Her eyes were red from crying, and she wiped at her nose as she led the adventurers into a large room where Tom and his witness were nervously waiting for them.

“Please, be seated, my friends,” said Tom, trying hard to smile but unable to manage it. “Let me introduce my witness—my brother Jonathan Cain, Junior.”

“A pleasure,” said Alex, bowing slightly. “I am Alexander Taylor. This is my witness, Anders Goodseed.”

“Yes, well then,” said Tom nervously. “I suppose we should get started.”

“Yes, we should,” replied Alex.

“All right,” Tom began, still sounding and looking nervous. “I will offer one in four of all treasure in my father’s bag for the bag’s return.”

Alex was taken aback by Tom’s offer; he knew how poor the Cain family was. He rubbed his chin for a moment as if considering the offer before speaking.