Slathbog's Gold - Forman Mark L. Страница 64

“And are you prepared to fulfill your pledge?”

“We are,” eight voices answered.

“Who among you carries the crystal?”

“Master Taylor has the honor,” said Bregnest, gesturing to Alex.

“Let him come forward,” the Oracle commanded.

Alex walked forward, carrying the crystal carefully in both hands. When he reached the Oracle, he bowed, then removed the velvet cover and held up the crystal for all to see. Once more it was like a ball of light, shining in the morning sun.

“Do you return this of your own free will?” she questioned, looking at Alex.

“I do,” replied Alex.

“Do any here make a claim on this crystal?”

“We do not,” eight voices replied.

“Then as the Oracle of the White Tower, I accept this

crystal from you. Your pledge is fulfilled and your honor is enlarged,” she said solemnly, taking the crystal from Alex’s hand as he dropped to one knee and offered it to her.

The Oracle turned and walked away from them, returning to the White Tower without another word.

“There is great power in the Oracle,” said Arconn, as they watched her walk away.

They all murmured their agreement, slowly filing out of the garden and returning to the second house.

“It seems strange,” said Alex as they sat around the central table. “She asked us as Iownan to return the crystal, but then accepted it from us as the Oracle.”

“Not so strange,” said Thrang. “As Iownan, she could ask us to return the crystal. As the Oracle, she would have had to command us.”

“Would anyone say no to an oracle?” Alex wondered out loud.

“Perhaps not,” Arconn answered. “Though by making it a request and not a command, she allowed us to choose.”

They said nothing more about the crystal, because Thrain, Melnoch, and Nitek walked in, dressed in their finest clothes and looking nervous. They hardly ate anything of the midday meal, and Skeld and Tayo took great pleasure in teasing all three of them.

After the meal, Thomas arrived to take the three dwarfs to the Oracle. He told the company that Iownan would not be able to join them for dinner that night, but would come the following night.

When Thrain, Melnoch, and Nitek rejoined the company for the evening meal, Alex could tell they were happy with what they had learned. Thrain seemed ready to burst with excitement. He looked like he was hoping someone would ask him what the Oracle had said, but nobody did, and as he ate, his excitement seemed to cool, but only slightly.

The three young dwarfs said they would be leaving in the

morning and were disappointed that they couldn’t stay another day.

When morning arrived however, the excitement and happiness of the three dwarfs had returned in full strength. They thanked Bregnest and the others for allowing them to travel with them to the White Tower and then said their farewells.

“Perhaps we will ride together again some day,” said Thrain, winking at Alex and Andy as he mounted his horse.

“Perhaps so,” replied Andy with a knowing smile and a final farewell.

The next night, the company dined with Iownan and their meal was mixed with laughter and talking. Arconn told of Alex’s encounter with the wraiths, his recovery, and the feast the elves held in his honor. Alex was glad Arconn left out the part about how he almost took Calysto with him across the wall, though he suspected Iownan already knew about it. After all the stories had been told, Iownan wished them all good night and then asked Bregnest for a private word.

“What were you two whispering about?” Skeld asked when Bregnest rejoined his companions in the sleeping house.

“Planning another adventure already?” Tayo guessed.

“Nothing so grand as that,” Bregnest replied with a secretive smile.

“What then?” Thrang questioned.

“When we were last here, I sent a letter,” replied Bregnest. “Iownan wished to tell me that an answer had come.”

“What was this letter about?” Halfdan asked.

“No secrets among the company,” Andy added loudly.

“You will find out tomorrow morning,” said Bregnest, acting suddenly tired and laying down on his bed. “Now, I think I will get some sleep.”

The others yelled and demanded an answer, but Bregnest would say no more. As Skeld and Tayo tried to wrestle an answer from Bregnest, Alex left the sleeping house to say good night to Shahree. He knew before he reached the stables that Iownan would not be there.

The next morning they all resumed questioning Bregnest about the mysterious letter. He seemed unwilling to answer any questions until after he had eaten, which meant he had to endure Skeld and Tayo throwing bits of food at him while he ate.

“Very well,” said Bregnest as a piece of toast hit him on the nose.

He stood up, rubbing his nose, and rang the gong in the second house. Thomas soon appeared, carrying a large package wrapped in brown paper. He set the lumpy package down on one of the main tables and departed as quickly as he had come.

“The letter I sent was to Whalen Vankin, a wizard I know of some reputation,” Bregnest said.

“Some reputation indeed,” said Thrang, as if this did not describe Whalen Vankin properly.

“In any event,” Bregnest continued, ignoring Thrang’s comment. “I asked Whalen if he would be willing to take young Alex on as his apprentice. Whalen has agreed, but says he wishes to meet Alex in person before making any final arrangements.”

“Wonderful,” said Thrang.

“Outstanding,” said Skeld.

“Incredible,” said Halfdan.

“Yes,” said Bregnest, holding up one hand and motioning for silence. “Unfortunately, Whalen is in the middle of an adventure of his own and won’t be able to meet Alex for some time. He has, however, sent along this package for Alex, which I believe contains several magic books and other items, including a letter of instructions. Whalen asks that the package not be opened until Alex is safely at home.”

“Oh, but that hardly seems fair,” Andy complained loudly.

“Fair or not, it is what Whalen asks,” Bregnest replied sternly. “And I don’t think any of us—Alex included—would like to go against the wishes of Whalen Vankin.”

“No, of course not,” Andy admitted quickly.

“Very well then,” Bregnest said. “Alex, I suggest you put the package in your bag somewhere where you won’t be tempted to open it before you get home.”

Alex did as Bregnest said, placing the heavy package inside his magic bag in a corner behind some of his old clothes. He was curious about what might be in the package, and he tried to feel anything he could through the paper as he put it in his magic bag.

They remained at the White Tower for three more days, resting, relaxing, and dining each night with Iownan.

The morning of the fourth day, as the company prepared to leave, Iownan arrived to say her farewells. She thanked them all for returning the crystal to the tower and wished them all a safe journey.

Then, bowing to Alex, she spoke in a lowered voice. “I hope we shall meet again,” she said softly. “And I hope Whalen Vankin can meet with you soon.”

Alex returned her bow, his heart heavy knowing that this adventure would soon be over. He didn’t want it to end, but he knew it was time to go home.

chapter twenty

Home Again

As the company rode back to the great arch, Alex thought about everything that had happened to him. The adventure had lasted little more than a year and a half, but almost everything was different now. He wondered when he would be able to find a new adventure to go on, and if any of his friends would be able to join him.

When they rode past the Troll’s Stream, Alex looked toward the hills. He knew that the stone troll would still be there, and part of him wanted to see it again.