“I think Andy will be safe enough. As long as we keep an eye on him,” Alex commented. “Besides, I think I may have some business to take care of in Oslansk as well.”

“What business is that?” Bregnest questioned, turning to look at Alex.

“Oh, nothing of great importance,” said Alex. “I’d like to check on Skeld and Tayo. I’m afraid they may be itching for another adventure, and I might be able to cure them, at least for a little while.”

For the rest of the evening they joked and told stories and tried not to think about the danger that waited for them in Alusia. Halfdan kept insisting that he wasn’t going to let Andy out of his sight when they reached Oslansk, no matter what Andy said.

“Next thing you know, he’ll be talking about retirement,” complained Halfdan as they all rolled into their blankets. “He’s far to young for that.”

They reached Oslansk the next day at sunset. Once again, the guards waved them into the city without questions. Andy suggested they stay at the Dragon’s Keep as it was by far the nicest tavern in Oslansk. Bregnest agreed, and Andy led them through the streets to the tavern.

The company had only just finished ordering their evening meal when Skeld and Tayo arrived at the tavern. They were both happy to see their friends again and keenly interested in how their adventure was going.

“But wait,” said Tayo suddenly, his smile fading. “Where is Val?”

“He is lost,” Bregnest answered in a troubled tone.

Bregnest reluctantly agreed, after some persuasion, that Alex and Sindar could tell the story of what happened at the Tower of the Moon. Alex didn’t really want to tell the story, so he let Sindar explain things to his friends.

“It is a sad thing that Val brought this evil on himself,” Tayo commented, looking at Bregnest.

“And sadder still that he refused to give it up, once Alex had caught him,” Skeld added.

“He was deceived,” Alex said softly. “The shadow has great power and can tempt even the strongest of men to do evil.”

“But you were not tempted by it,” said Tayo confidently.

“Not this time,” said Alex. “But this is not the first time we have met.”

“What? When have you met this shadow before?” Bregnest asked in surprise.

“In Vargland,” said Alex, looking at Bregnest. “That night at the ruins of Aunk. I did not recognize the shadow then, but it was there.”

“Ah, but you defeated its plans then, and you have done so again,” said Halfdan.

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “But I fear it will try to tempt me again. It is not vanquished or destroyed.”

“Enough,” said Bregnest so suddenly that they all looked at him in surprise. “You had the victory then, Alex, and you have had another now. We do not know what the future holds, so let us not be troubled by it.”

“Quite right,” Sindar added.

The conversation soon turned to other matters, and Alex was glad that it did. He didn’t like thinking about the shadow and its tempting words, or the terrible cold he felt inside himself both times he had fought it.

“You’ll be staying for a few days then?” Skeld questioned, winking at Andy.

Alex noticed that Andy blushed slightly, but he said nothing.

“We thought to move on quickly,” said Bregnest. “We must still complete our adventure, and we have little time to waste.”

“A few days won’t make a great difference,” said Tayo. “And besides, you must dine with us at both of our houses before you leave.”

“He’s right, of course,” Skeld added. “Lilly and Indigo will skin us alive if you don’t.”

“Very well,” said Bregnest. “We will remain for three days and leave the morning of the fourth. On the third night, however, I will host a banquet to repay your kindness.”

“Then tomorrow you will dine at my house,” said Skeld.

“He won the toss,” said Tayo. “We flipped a coin before coming to see you.”

Skeld and Tayo remained with the company until it was late, talking and laughing and telling bits of stories from past adventures. As they were leaving, they promised to return the next day at four hours past midday to lead the company to Skeld’s house. Alex and his friends made their way to bed that night looking forward to at least a few happy days in Oslansk.

The next morning Bregnest was busy arranging for a feast. Halfdan and Sindar had decided to look around the city together, and Andy said he’d go with Alex to visit Elwig the dwarf.

Elwig was delighted to see Alex again and instantly started showing him the items he’d made from the true silver that Alex had left with him. Alex was pleased to see everything, but he had other thoughts on his mind. While Andy was busy looking around the shop, Alex pulled Elwig aside for a quiet word.

“I have another bargain for you,” said Alex.

“Anything at all,” Elwig agreed.

“I would like you to make six more brooches, exactly like the last two,” said Alex in a lowered tone so Andy wouldn’t overhear him. “Don’t set a stone for the dragon’s eye, though, as I don’t know which stones will be required.”

“I can make them as you desire, but it will take time,” said Elwig, matching Alex’s low tone.

“That is all right. I will be leaving the city soon, so please hold the brooches until I send for them,” Alex said. “If you will do this for me, and set the eye of each dragon when I ask for it, I will provide you with the true silver to do the job.”

“I will do as you ask,” Elwig said with a bow. “And if I cross the wall before you require these brooches, my heir will hold them for you.”

“You are most kind,” said Alex. “As payment for your work and your holding of these items, you shall keep the remainder of the true silver I give you.” Alex produced another large bag of true silver from his magic bag and put it in Elwig’s hands.

“Again, you are too generous, Master Taylor,” Elwig said. “Your payment is too great, even if my family must hold these things for a thousand years.”

“I will not take no for an answer,” said Alex.

“Very well then,” said Elwig, bowing. “It shall be as you request. And a blessing on you for your kindness.”

His business finished, Alex joined Andy near the back of the shop. Andy said he was looking for a present to give to Lilly and Indigo’s youngest sister, Kate. Alex smiled, but decided not to tease Andy about it—at least not until they were on the road again.

Andy soon found a brooch that was to his liking, and Alex was not surprised when Elwig asked a surprisingly low price for it.

“Your friend has been such a good customer and so generous that you deserve a discount,” said Elwig when Andy asked about the price.

“Halfdan will be angry with me,” said Alex as he and Andy left Elwig’s shop.

“He should have come along then,” said Andy. “After all, I thought he said he wasn’t going to let me out of his sight while we were here.”

They both laughed as they started back toward the Dragon’s Keep. As they walked, Alex asked Andy how serious he was about Kate. Andy blushed and explained that he wasn’t ready to get married just yet.

Suddenly Alex heard a voice he recognized and did not like. Holding his hand up so Andy would stop talking, he moved closer to the voice, listening.

“Oh, they’re adventurers all right, but what does that mean?” Otho Longtree said loudly, a pompous tone to his voice. “They come back with stories about oracles and dragons and bandits, but how do we know the stories are true? For all we know, they may go off to a secret land where gold can be picked up like pebbles and diamonds like sand.”

“I don’t think it’s as easy as that,” said a girl’s voice.

“That’s Kate!” Andy whispered to Alex in surprise.

Alex nodded and held up his hand again for Andy to remain silent.

“You only believe the stories because you’re in love with Anders Goodseed,” Otho sneered. “I suppose you believe everything Andy and his little brother say. Well, let me tell you, I’ve seen this supposed wizard friend of theirs, and he looks like a very unpleasant fellow. Why, when he was here before, I confronted him but he couldn’t even do a simple magic trick.”