“We still have a long walk back to the horses,” commented Halfdan as they ate their evening meal.
“And a long ride back to Telous,” Thrang added.
“And many happy places to visit, now that we have found success,” said Tayo with a smile.
“And what will you do with your great hoard?” Skeld asked Thrang, laughing. “Young Alex and Andy can’t help you spend it or they’ll never manage to spend any of their own.”
“Retire, perhaps,” said Thrang thoughtfully, then laughed at the worried looks on Skeld’s and Tayo’s faces. “Though perhaps my adventuring days are not over just yet.”
They spent a happy night joking and telling stories, not bothering to keep watch in the wastelands of the dragon. Alex wished they could stay in this newly reborn land forever, but he knew that, like Thrang, he had many more adventures before him.
chapter nineteen
The Journey Home
Alex and his companions walked along the road out of the wastelands, happy to see that the countryside was returning to life. There was no need to hurry, and they enjoyed laughing and singing together as they traveled. One afternoon, as they approached the edge of the wastelands, they heard horses galloping toward them.
“Shahree!” Alex called out as the horses came into view.
Shahree whinnied loudly at Alex’s call and trotted quickly to his side. He stroked her silver-gray neck happily, and the rest of the company laughed with joy. The other horses galloped up behind Shahree, and Arconn made a point of personally thanking each horse.
“She has been worried since you parted,” Arconn told Alex as he rubbed Shahree’s forehead.
“That makes us even because I have been worried about her as well,” said Alex with a laugh.
They made camp for the night, happy with their success and excited to be going home. Thrang prepared an excellent dinner, and Alex amused his friends by turning the campfire different colors and twisting the smoke into various shapes as it floated into the darkening sky.
The next day, Skeld and Tayo sang several strange and happy songs as they rode. They even managed to convince Andy to join them on a few of the songs, though it took a lot of teasing to do it. Alex was as amazed as the rest of the company to see the great change that had come over Tayo. Alex was glad that Tayo seemed to have taken Elsa’s advice to find joy and happiness in his life.
When they eventually returned to the dark forest, Calysto was waiting to greet them in the same meadow they had left months before. It seemed she had known they were coming long before they arrived.
“You left before the first snows fell and already you have returned,” she said with a smile. “It seems fortune has favored you greatly.”
“Indeed,” replied Bregnest. “It has allowed us to return quickly to your happy land.”
As before, Alex was unsure how long they stayed in the dark forest with the elves. He remembered many feasts and long walks in the sunny meadows. He felt at peace in the dark forest and was sad that they would have to leave eventually, but he knew his future was not here.
While they remained in the forest, each member of the company exchanged many fine gifts with the elves. Alex gave Calysto a true silver necklace set with hundreds of small, bright green emeralds. It was one of the many items Bregnest had added to his share from the dragon’s hoard.
“A gift for some great lady,” said Calysto, admiring the necklace.
“Then it is well given,” Alex replied.
Calysto wore the necklace at their parting feast, which made Alex happy. At the end of the feast, Calysto and many of the other elves walked with the company to their wooden house. They were all laughing and singing songs Alex had never heard before. No one wanted the night to end, but like all things, it eventually did.
The next morning, as the company prepared to depart, Calysto came to say her final farewell. Alex could see the sadness of their parting behind her usually happy smile.
“May your fortunes be bright,” she called after them as they rode to the edge of the meadow. “And if ever you come this way again, the meeting will be a merry one.”
Alex turned Shahree before entering the trees, looking back at Calysto. He didn’t have words to thank Calysto for all she had done. He simply waved a final farewell, somehow knowing he would return to the dark forest someday.
When they reached the edge of the forest, the sun was setting. They made camp and told stories late into the night. Skeld and Tayo managed to force Andy into telling them about his own first adventure. Andy insisted it was a long and boring story, but they all wanted to hear it just the same.
“You’ll have better tales to tell on your next adventure, won’t you?” Tayo laughed, slapping Andy’s knee as they prepared to sleep.
The next day they started early, pressing forward and passing the ruins of Aunk before the sun set. Alex shivered slightly as he remembered his battle with the wraiths. He knew the wraiths could not harm him now, but he still felt a shadow of darkness as they rode past. He quickly forced himself to think of his friend Thrain and the wonderful halls of Osrik that lay ahead of them.
It was clear the elves had sent word to Osrik while Alex and his friends were still in the dark forest because a troop of dwarf warriors on horseback met them on the road with orders to escort them to Osrik’s halls. Osrik was exactly the same as Alex remembered—uncomfortable with too much ceremony and happy to listen to all the stories they had to tell.
“Quite an adventure,” said Osrik after Thrang had told their story. “Never thought we’d see the end of Slathbog in my days.”
Alex and his friends remained with the dwarfs for almost three weeks, trading treasure for items made of true silver and giving gifts to Osrik and his officers. When it came time to leave the dwarf realm, Osrik asked them to meet with him in his throne room.
“I have a favor to ask,” said Osrik, looking at Bregnest.
“Ask what you will, Lord Osrik,” replied Bregnest. “Nothing would please us more than to be of service to you.”
“It’s about my grandson, Thrain,” said Osrik, looking past the company at Thrain who was standing at attention at the edge of the great hall. “He’s seen your success and heard your stories and he thinks he’d like to be an adventurer.”
“Adventurers do not choose themselves, as you know,” said Bregnest, glancing toward Thrain.
“No, they don’t,” agreed Osrik with a smile. “But he and a couple of his friends want to see the Oracle. I have forbidden them to go on their own, but if you were going that way, I thought perhaps they could accompany you. If it is too great a favor, please say so. To be honest, I’m not too happy with the idea myself.”
“It would be our pleasure to have their company,” said Bregnest happily. “Though we will not be returning this way. How will they get back?”
“I suspect all sorts of people will start traveling east again once the news of your adventure is well-known,” said Osrik, winking at Bregnest. “I think the way back will be less troubled, then—fewer bandits and the like around.”
“Then we will happily accept their company,” said Bregnest, bowing to Osrik. “And we will try not to encourage your grandson’s desire too much as we travel.”
Osrik laughed at Bregnest’s reply, waving for Thrain to come forward.
“It seems you have your wish, my fine young dwarf,” Osrik said to Thrain. “You’d best be off and tell your friends. You’ll be leaving in the morning.”
Thrain was too happy to even speak. He ran forward and hugged his grandfather tightly, and then turned and ran full speed out of the hall.
“I hope he is happy with what the Oracle tells him,” Osrik commented, watching Thrain depart. “But even if he gets his wish, I’ve made him promise to return here before going on any adventures.”
“Wise counsel,” said Bregnest. “And if he is chosen, my company and I will be happy to help him in any way we can.”