“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 youthink 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 want 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.”