Slathbog's Gold

Bregnest returned the dwarf’s bow. “We are pleased to know you, Thrain, and will follow where you lead.”

Thrain blushed slightly at Bregnest’s words, obviously happy with his duty of leading the adventurers through the dwarf city.

“Are you really adventurers then?” Thrain asked in a reverent tone as he led them out of the feasting hall. “I mean, if you don’t mind saying.”

“We are,” Bregnest replied with a kindly smile.

“I’ve never met any real adventurers before,” Thrain said breathlessly. “It must be amazing and wonderful to go on adventures.”

“And often sad, dangerous, and uncomfortable,” replied Thrang, walking beside Bregnest. “It’s not a path any may

follow, as I’m sure you have been told.”

“Indeed, yes, Master Silversmith, I have,” answered Thrain. “But like many others here, I hope to be chosen when the time comes.”

“Why would any wish to leave the beauty and comfort of this dwarf realm?” Halfdan questioned.

“The hearts of the young are often restless,” Thrang commented. “You should remember how you felt before you were chosen, Halfdan.”

Thrain led them along the well-lit corridors of the dwarf city and after turning many corners and climbing several stairways, they entered another large chamber. Several small alcoves had been cut into the rock walls of the chamber, and each alcove contained a bed and a lamp.

“I hope you will be comfortable here,” said Thrain. “If you need anything in the night, simply ring the bell. I, or one of my friends, will come directly.”

“Our thanks, Master Thrain,” Bregnest replied with a slight bow. “We are in the king’s debt for so fine a guide.”

Thrain smiled and bowed almost to the floor, then turned and left the company alone in the chamber.

“The king has been very kind,” commented Thrang, testing one of the beds. “And not least of all to our young wizard.”

“What do you mean?” Alex questioned.

“When the king took your arm and walked with you into the feasting hall,” answered Halfdan with a smile. “Among dwarfs, that is a great show of respect.”

“Why did he take my arm and not Bregnest’s or Thrang’s?” Alex asked quickly.

“Perhaps he saw something in you that we all have begun to see,” Thrang replied. “Or perhaps his dislike of pomp and ceremony made him choose you, our youngest member. I know little about Osrik, though I think he sees things better than most.”

“And now we should all take advantage of the king’s kindness and get some sleep,” said Bregnest before Alex could ask any more questions.

“That would be best. It’s likely that we’ll be called early in the morning,” replied Thrang.

Alex selected a bed of his own. He was concerned that Osrik had shown him so much respect, and had not chosen Bregnest, Thrang, or even Halfdan to walk with. He put off his worries by remembering Osrik’s dislike for ceremony, hoping that was the reason for Osrik’s attention.

chapter fourteen

The First Bag

When Alex woke the next morning, there were at least a dozen dwarfs moving about the chamber. Thrang and Halfdan were talking happily to some dwarfs who appeared to be their long-lost cousins, and their enthusiastic chatter made Alex smile. The rest of Alex’s companions were dressing and listening to the dwarfs’ conversation.

Thrang and Halfdan were telling their relatives about their adventures and how the company had come to the Brown Hills. As they spoke, several more dwarfs brought trays of food into the chamber for the company. A large round table in the center of the chamber was soon holding their breakfast, and most of the dwarfs were leaving.

“Is he really a wizard then?” Alex heard one of the dwarfs ask Halfdan in a lowered voice as he moved toward the door.

Alex didn’t look up, but continued pulling his boots on, listening to Halfdan’s reply.

“’Course he is,” said Halfdan, turning his head slightly to look at Alex. “Hasn’t been trained yet, but he’s very magical just the same.”

“It seems your fame will continue to grow,” said Skeld as Alex joined him at the table. “Your friends here have been telling all kinds of stories about you.”

“Nothing that isn’t true,” replied Thrang defensively, throwing a dirty look at Skeld.

“You are too kind, my friend,” said Alex. He felt too happy to let Skeld’s joke or Thrang’s and Halfdan’s storytelling bother him today.

“And the storytelling should be cut short,” said Bregnest. “We will be called before King Osrik soon.”

The dwarfs who had brought the food bowed to the company and swiftly departed. Alex noticed a few of them glanced back at him as they left, but he didn’t let their glances trouble him.

“Why am I so interesting to them?” Alex asked as Thrang took a seat beside him. “Are wizards really so rare?”

“There have never been many wizards,” answered Thrang, filling his plate with waffles and bacon. “And few wizards have ever visited the dwarf realm of Vargland.”

“I hope I won’t disappoint your friends,” said Alex, smiling at Thrang while elbowing Skeld in the ribs.

Skeld choked on some eggs, coughing too much to say anything back. The rest of the company laughed at Alex and Skeld before attacking their own breakfasts. The dwarf food was not as grand as the food in Techen or at the White Tower, but it was good just the same.

As they finished, Bregnest stood and spoke. “When we meet with the king, remember not to speak of our final goal.”

“It’s likely Osrik has already guessed our quest,” commented Thrang. “However, you are correct, none of us should speak openly of our final destination.”

The company agreed that, if anyone asked, they would direct the question to Bregnest. Then, as they had done at the White Tower, they each placed their weapons and magic bags on their beds, waiting for the king’s summons. Alex started to feel nervous again, wondering what Osrik might say about his being an untrained wizard, when Thrain appeared at the chamber door.

“You have been called to the counsel of King Osrik,” said Thrain in as commanding a voice as he could manage. “I am to lead you to the king.”

“Lead on,” replied Bregnest with a formal bow to Thrain.

Thrain blushed, as he seemed to do every time Bregnest bowed to him. He led the company through the city, walking slightly in front of them and trying to look official. He didn’t speak to them as they walked, though Alex could see it was a struggle for him to stay quiet. They followed Thrain back to the king’s hall. Nine large chairs had been placed in a circle at the foot of the stone pedestal and Osrik was waiting for them in one of the chairs.

“I thought we should all be comfortable,” said Osrik as the company approached. “It’s such a bother talking to people from the throne. This seems so much friendlier.”

“Your kindness overwhelms us, great king,” answered Bregnest as the entire company bowed.

“A kindness to you, or to me?” Osrik replied, a playful grin on his face. “But come and join me, we have much to discuss.”

Osrik directed each of the company to a chair, calling them by name one at a time. Bregnest sat to the king’s left, while Thrang was again on Osrik’s right. Alex sat between Thrang and Halfdan, which seemed to please both dwarfs very much.

“You have traveled far and through dangerous lands,” Osrik began, looking at Bregnest. “Will you tell me the story of your journey?”

“Perhaps your kinsman would be best at telling the story,” Bregnest replied, looking at Thrang. “I am sure he will know which points will interest you much better than I would.”

“You speak well, Master Bregnest,” said Osrik, still smiling. “Thrang, will you tell this tale?”

“As you command, Lord Osrik,” replied Thrang, standing and bowing to both Osrik and Bregnest.