The next morning they all resumed questioning Bregnest about the mysterious letter. He seemed unwilling to answer any questions until after he had eaten, which meant he had to endure Skeld and Tayo throwing bits of food at him while he ate.
“Very well,” said Bregnest as a piece of toast hit him on the nose.
He stood up, rubbing his nose, and rang the gong in the second house. Thomas soon appeared, carrying a large package wrapped in brown paper. He set the lumpy package down on one of the main tables and departed as quickly as he had come.
“The letter I sent was to Whalen Vankin, a wizard I know of some reputation,” Bregnest said.
“Some reputation indeed,” said Thrang, as if this did not describe Whalen Vankin properly.
“In any event,” Bregnest continued, ignoring Thrang’s comment. “I asked Whalen if he would be willing to take young Alex on as his apprentice. Whalen has agreed, but says he wishes to meet Alex in person before making any final arrangements.”
“Wonderful,” said Thrang.
“Outstanding,” said Skeld.
“Incredible,” said Halfdan.
“Yes,” said Bregnest, holding up one hand and motioning for silence. “Unfortunately, Whalen is in the middle of an adventure of his own and won’t be able to meet Alex for some time. He has, however, sent along this package for Alex, which I believe contains several magic books and other items, including a letter of instructions. Whalen asks that the package not be opened until Alex is safely at home.”
“Oh, but that hardly seems fair,” Andy complained loudly.
“Fair or not, it is what Whalen asks,” Bregnest replied sternly. “And I don’t think any of us—Alex included—would like to go against the wishes of Whalen Vankin.”
“No, of course not,” Andy admitted quickly.
“Very well then,” Bregnest said. “Alex, I suggest you put the package in your bag somewhere where you won’t be tempted to open it before you get home.”
Alex did as Bregnest said, placing the heavy package inside his magic bag in a corner behind some of his old clothes. He was curious about what might be in the package, and he tried to feel anything he could through the paper as he put it in his magic bag.
They remained at the White Tower for three more days, resting, relaxing, and dining each night with Iownan.
The morning of the fourth day, as the company prepared to leave, Iownan arrived to say her farewells. She thanked them all for returning the crystal to the tower and wished them all a safe journey.
Then, bowing to Alex, she spoke in a lowered voice. “I hope we shall meet again,” she said softly. “And I hope Whalen Vankin can meet with you soon.”
Alex returned her bow, his heart heavy knowing that this adventure would soon be over. He didn’t want it to end, but he knew it was time to go home.
chapter twenty
Home Again
As the company rode back to the great arch, Alex thought about everything that had happened to him. The adventure had lasted little more than a year and a half, but almost everything was different now. He wondered when he would be able to find a new adventure to go on, and if any of his friends would be able to join him.
When they rode past the Troll’s Stream, Alex looked toward the hills. He knew that the stone troll would still be there, and part of him wanted to see it again.
“You seem strangely quiet, Alex,” Arconn observed that night as they ate.
“Oh, just thinking,” answered Alex.
“Thinking how you’ll spend your fortune, no doubt,” Skeld commented with a laugh.
“No,” said Alex. “Just wishing the adventure wasn’t over.”
“It’s not really over,” said Thrang. “After all, you’ve still got to meet with Whalen Vankin and learn to be a true wizard.”
“I suppose so,” Alex admitted. “But it won’t be the same.”
“Because he won’t have Thrang’s cooking to keep him going,” Tayo laughed happily.
“Nor a pair of jokers who don’t know when they’re well-off,” Thrang replied.
Alex laughed, happy to be with his friends. He tried not to think about leaving them to go back to his old life. He thought it would be the hardest thing he’d done so far.
“Don’t worry,” said Andy, throwing a biscuit at Tayo. “I’m sure we’ll all meet again.”
Alex smiled at Andy’s words and then joined in the sudden biscuit battle that broke out. Thrang yelled madly at them for wasting food, but that only made him a target for everyone else.
Their last days in Vargland passed quickly and Alex realized Thrang was right—his adventures were only just beginning. He had the package from Whalen Vankin to open when he got home, and he was looking forward to that. He also needed to meet with Whalen, and that might be quite an adventure all by itself.
They finally reached the great arch, and as they rode through it, the dismal colors of fall magically turned into the happy greens of spring. The lands around Telous seemed to be exactly the same as when they’d left.
They arrived in Telous in time for a midday meal at the Golden Swan. After lunch, Bregnest left to arrange for their rooms and to order an evening feast. Andy and Alex wandered into the streets of Telous, leaving the others talking happily in the bar.
“I want to see the bag maker,” Andy said. “I need to add a couple of rooms to my bag. And you can ask him about the six lost bags while we’re there.”
Alex quickly agreed; the thought of returning the lost bags gave him hope for new adventures.
“Ah, gentlemen,” said the bag maker when Alex and Andy walked through the door. “What can I do for you today?”
“Quite a bit, I hope,” answered Alex.
“Oh? Had some good fortune on your last adventure, did you?”
“Yes, we did,” said Andy. “We both would like to add some rooms to our bags.”
“Excellent,” replied the bag maker. “Do you know which rooms you would like to add?”
Andy ordered five new rooms for his bag, though he had only planned on three.
The bag maker handed Andy’s bag back to him and then turned to Alex. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“I would like a bathroom, a bedroom, an ice room, and a library added to my bag,” answered Alex.
“Very good,” said the bag maker. “All useful rooms to be sure.”
It didn’t take long to add the rooms to Alex’s magic bag, and Alex wondered how hard it might be to learn that bit of magic.
The bag maker smiled as he accepted his money from Andy and Alex. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Yes, there is actually,” said Alex. “On my last adventure, I was able to recover several lost magic bags. I was hoping you could tell me who they belonged to, and where their families or heirs might be found.”
“Of course,” answered the bag maker. “Returning lost bags is a great honor. I will be happy to tell you all that I can. Please, if I may see the bags you’ve recovered, I can write you a list of heirs and locations.”
“Thank you, that would be most helpful,” said Alex.
It didn’t take long for the bag maker to identify the owners of the lost magic bags, but it did take him some time to find the named heirs and to write everything down. Alex was happy to wait. At least now he would have some idea of where the heirs of the lost bags might be found and that might lead him to future adventures.
Alex and Andy returned to the Golden Swan in time for the company’s final feast, which was a long and happy event. They joked and laughed late into the night until Bregnest finally insisted they all go to bed.
“We will meet as a company in the morning to divide what is left of the share for expenses,” Bregnest said. “I have already delivered the share that was set aside for the Widows and Orphans fund, though you may wish to make your own contributions as well. Then we will declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end.”