“I see,” said Trion. “Then this is the punishment I name for Kappa. He shall remain as he is. Perhaps in this form he will better serve the kingdom of Athanor, which he has tried so hard to destroy.”

“A most fitting punishment,” said Alex.

“And a most interesting tale, I would guess,” replied Trion. “Come, I will call Bregnest and the rest of your company to us. We will share a midday meal, and I will hear the story of your adventure.”

Alex walked with Trion back into the city of Athanor, where the crowds were all cheering for Trion’s success.

Bregnest and the rest of Alex’s friends soon arrived at the city and were given seats of honor at the king’s table. Bregnest told his cousin about the adventure they had been on and all the troubles they had faced in finding the Horn of Moran. Trion and his court listened to the story with great interest, and when Bregnest reached the end of the story, the entire court broke into joyful cheers once more.

Alex and his friends could now laugh openly about everything that had happened. Halfdan insisted that Alex retell the story of changing Kappa into a donkey once more, and they all laughed again.

“You have all done a great service, both to myself and to my kingdom,” said Trion when the cheering finally stopped. “I fear that the promised reward is too small.”

“The payment was agreed to,” said Bregnest. “Everything we have done has been part of our agreement with you.”

“Very well then. I will have the payment made ready, and you shall have it tomorrow morning.”

“As you wish,” answered Bregnest, bowing to the king.

“I will, however, use my right as king to award special honors to each of you,” Trion continued. “And I will not forget the noble efforts of your fellow adventurers, who renounced the quest that Varson sent them on.”

After they had eaten, Nellus and his company came to say good-bye to Alex and his friends. They would be leaving for their homes in the morning and wanted to thank Bregnest’s company once more for their rescue.

“My friend,” Tara said to Alex, taking his hand in both of hers. “I owe you a great deal more than thanks.”

“Your friendship and happiness are a greater payment than any treasure,” Alex replied. “I am sure of your friendship, and I have great hopes for your happiness.”

“You are very kind. If ever you come to my father’s kingdom in Kess, you will be well received.”

“I look forward to that time,” said Alex with a bow.

Before the companies parted, Tara kissed Alex on the cheek and slipped a small silver brooch into his hand. Alex nodded to Tara as she left with the others, slightly embarrassed by her kiss.

“Now Alex will be looking to retire,” said Halfdan, shaking his head.

“Not any time soon,” Alex replied softly.

* * *

The next morning, Trion presented the adventurers with their gold, and Bregnest commanded that Alex should take the two shares that would have gone to Val. Alex accepted without argument, though he would have much preferred dividing the shares with the others. Once the gold was divided and stored in their bags, Trion led the company to a large field where their horses were grazing.

Alex was delighted to see so many wonderful horses in one place at one time. The only problem he could see was deciding what to do with the three hundred and fifty horses that were his. Bregnest laughed and said that he would gladly care for Alex’s horses on his own lands. Trion overheard what Bregnest said, and in gratitude for Alex’s service, he also offered to care for Alex’s horses on his lands.

Sindar and Halfdan both decided that they had no need for so many horses and offered to sell their horses to Alex. After some debate, Alex paid fifteen gold coins for each horse and promised a free horse to either of his friends whenever they needed one.

Andy, thinking about his future, made arrangements to return his share of the horses to his home in Norsland. He said he thought his family might try raising horses because horses were not overly plentiful in any part of Norsland. He was also sure that Michael would be angry if he did not return home with the horses. This last remark made everyone laugh, including Andy.

Alex and his friends remained as Trion’s guests for a week. Each night they ate with the king, and at each feast at least part of their story was retold.

One evening during the week, when things were quiet and not many people were around, Alex had a long talk with Trion and his most trusted lords. He explained that the Horn of Moran was more than just a symbol of the true king, it was a guardian object for all of Alusia.

“Guard the Horn well,” said Alex, looking Trion in the eye. “Sound it at each spring festival and again at the harvest festival so all will know there is a true king in Athanor. If you do this, your kingdom will be united and grow larger as the years pass.”

Trion thanked Alex for explaining what the Horn really was and promised he would do as Alex had said.

“The people of Alusia have slowly been breaking apart for many years,” said Trion. “There are disputes and bitter rivalries in many places. Perhaps, with the Horn’s return, our people can come together once more.”

At the end of their week in Athanor, the company said their farewells to Trion and started off once more toward Telous.

“Why are you returning to Telous?” Alex asked Bregnest as they left Athanor behind.

“I have to pay Mr. Clutter,” Bregnest answered. “I also need to update the files on each of you. And I’d like to talk to Whalen, if he’s around.”

Alex had almost forgotten that Whalen had never replied to his last message. He hoped that Whalen would be in Telous when they arrived so they could finally meet, and he decided to send another message to him, just in case.

“Another adventure is almost over,” said Halfdan as they ate dinner that night.

“Only this chapter of the adventure is over,” said Sindar. “With luck, there are still many chapters to come.”

Chapter Nineteen

A Wizard’s Staff

Alex and his friends rode away from Athanor in high spirits. Their adventure had turned out well, and they had managed to prevent war in Athanor. Alex felt a little sorry for Varson and hoped that someday his honor would be restored. On the morning of their third day away from Athanor, Alex received the long-awaited letter from Whalen.

Dear Alex,

I must apologize for not replying to your previous message. To be honest, I decided to use the situation in Athanor as a test for you. I know that may seem like a foolish decision on my part, but I did not believe your company was in any great danger. If things had gone wrong, I would have been there to assist you in a matter of days.

I will be arriving in Telous in a few days’ time and will wait to meet you there. You have done far better than even I expected, and I am both proud of and pleased with your success.

We will have a great deal to talk about when you arrive.

Yours in fellowship, Whalen

“So, Whalen was testing you,” said Bregnest when Alex told him about the letter. “Wizards have their own ways, I suppose, and their own reasons for doing things.”

“But if the plan hadn’t worked there could have been a war,” said Alex, not at all happy about the test.

“But your plan did work,” said Sindar. “War was avoided and the true king remains on his throne. Whalen was correct to trust you.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Alex said. “What if I hadn’t thought of the plan? Or what if Kappa had done things differently? There were all kinds of things that could have gone wrong.”

“Do you think it would have been your fault if war had broken out in Athanor?” Bregnest questioned.

“Well, yes,” Alex replied.