“Oh, there’s no need for that,” said Alex. “It was part of a trade I made with Elwig. I have no idea what it would cost by itself.”

“Still, we should make some compensation,” Bregnest insisted.

Alex waved his hand. “It’s a small thing between friends, and the cost is little enough.”

Bregnest didn’t reply, but simply nodded his acceptance.

Alex knew that Bregnest wasn’t pleased with his answer, but also knew he would not argue the point.

That afternoon there was another feast, and Alex was asked to join the wedding table, as he had been the ring bearer. He sat between Lilly and Indigo, answering their questions about his last adventure with Skeld and Tayo.

Alex answered all the questions that were asked, careful to always point out Skeld and Tayo’s parts in the adventure. Skeld and Tayo beamed at him, and would occasionally interrupt to point out something he had done as well. Alex was grateful that no one asked about Tayo’s wounds or how he had magically called Tayo back from near death. He didn’t think either of those subjects would go over too well at a wedding feast.

“You have done well,” said Bregnest, walking beside Alex as they returned to the Goodseed house. “You have shown great kindness to your friends and increased their honor. In doing this, your honor grows as well.”

“It seems a small thing,” said Alex. “Though little things are often the most important of all.”

“I see that Whalen has taught you a great deal in a short time,” said Bregnest in a thoughtful tone. “You have changed much since our last journey together.”

“Yes, I believe I have,” Alex admitted. “But I’m still the same person, and I still know who my friends are.”

Bregnest chuckled softly at Alex’s reply and said no more.

Alex knew he had changed during the six months he’d been at home. He had learned more than he had ever thought possible in so short a time. He also understood a great deal more about almost everything having to do with adventures. And now he was learning more and more about magic, and what he might one day become.

Their remaining days in Oslansk passed quickly, full of both work and fun. Each day there were more preparations to be made for their journey and long discussions about what might be ahead of them. Each night there was another feast, another party, and more questions for Alex to answer.

In the little time that Alex had to himself, he began reading the books Whalen had assigned to him. He was relieved to find that simple transfigurations were not too difficult for him to do. On his first attempt, he managed to change a small rock into a white mouse. The magic didn’t take a lot of energy, but it did require him to focus his thoughts and picture the mouse clearly in his head. He hastily changed the mouse back into a rock, however; he didn’t want it to escape into the house and scare Andy’s mother.

He also practiced Whalen’s breathing exercises. Yes, they were a bit silly, as Whalen had said they would be, but already Alex could see how they could help him gain control of his emotions. They made him think about his emotions more than he normally would have, and that alone was a great benefit.

On the night of the final wedding feast, Skeld, Tayo, and their wives said good-bye to the company. They thanked them all for coming and wished them a safe and profitable journey. They all thanked Alex once again for being their ring bearer and made him promise to visit again as soon as he could.

Chapter Six

The Second Bag

The next morning the company gathered for breakfast with the Goodseed family for the last time. There was a touch of sadness in all of their faces. They would miss the fun and feasting they’d had in Oslansk, but they knew that their quest was ahead of them.

As the company gathered in the courtyard with their horses, Bregnest nodded to Alex. He grinned and retrieved the golden brooch from his pocket, stepping forward before speaking.

“Mistress Goodseed,” said Alex, in the most official voice he could manage. “May I present you this gift on behalf of our company, as a token of our thanks for your great kindness.”

Andy’s mother blushed as Alex bowed and presented her with the golden brooch. Argus Goodseed smiled at the company but said nothing, and Alex wondered if Bregnest had mentioned the gift to him.

After several seconds of silence, Mrs. Goodseed found her voice. “I thank you all for your kind gift,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “If ever any of you are near our home, you will be most welcome.”

The company bowed to the Goodseeds and then mounted their horses. Andy looked stunned and surprised by Alex’s gift, but he didn’t ask any questions in front of his parents. Alex wondered if Bregnest had told everyone except Andy about the gift; he could see that Andy was a little upset.

“May luck be with you,” Argus called as the company rode out of the gate and away from the house.

Once they were moving through the city, Andy demanded to know why he had not been told about the gift to his mother.

“The gift was Alex’s idea,” Bregnest said.

“It seemed like the right thing to do,” said Alex sheepishly. “After all, your family has been very kind to us.”

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” Andy asked again.

“We thought you might spill the beans,” said Halfdan, winking at Alex.

Andy frowned, but when the others started laughing, he joined in as well.

When they reached the city gates, Bregnest headed east, following one of many well-used roads. Argus Goodseed had told them it would take about twelve days to reach the town of Ollvi, if the weather stayed fair. From Ollvi there was a good road leading north and east to the Mountains of the Moon, where they hoped to find the lost Horn of Moran.

Not only would the trip to Ollvi allow the snow to melt off the northern roads, but Alex had a lost bag to return, and the bag’s heir supposedly lived in Ollvi.

As they rode, Alex wondered what kind of trouble might be waiting for them on the road. He remembered his first adventure when the company had met both bandits and a troll. He hoped that they would meet neither as they traveled here in Norsland, but he knew there would probably be trouble of some kind as they moved into wilder lands.

Clouds started to fill the sky as they went along that first day. By the time they had set up their camp and finished eating, a cold rain had started to fall. They put blankets on their horses, and then quietly went to bed.

The rain continued for most of the next day as well, making them all less than comfortable. Alex wondered if there was some magic he could use to push the storms away, and if his own magic would be strong enough to change the weather.

“Spring rains don’t often last more than a day or two,” Andy said as they went along. “But they can be heavy and cold.”

“If it was much colder, it would be snow,” replied Val as he tried to pull his cloak closer to him.

“I’m glad it’s not snow,” said Halfdan, tucking his beard into his shirt. “If it was cold enough to snow, we’d be stuck in Oslansk for some time to come.”

“We’re not going north yet,” Bregnest said from ahead of them. “And I don’t think the rain will last much longer.”

Bregnest was right, and the rain stopped falling as they made their camp. They all changed into dry clothes once their camp was set up, and then Halfdan started working on their evening meal.

“Can’t get a spark to catch,” Halfdan huffed as he stood over a pile of twigs. “Everything is soaked through.”

“Perhaps I can help,” said Alex.

“No doubt you can. Why don’t you magic up a fire while I go and get some water.”

“As you wish,” Alex replied.

Halfdan nodded, then picked up a large, cast-iron cauldron and started off for a nearby spring. Alex watched him go and then turned his attention back to the wet pile of wood in front of him.