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“What’s the matter, Alex?” Halfdan questioned as he turned to see what Alex was looking at.
“Oh, sorry. I just had a feeling. It’s nothing to worry about.”
“A feeling?” Skeld asked, a note of concern in his voice.
“I just felt like someone was watching us,” said Alex. Then he waved his hand in a dismissive way. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t think I had enough sleep last night.”
Alex was glad that the others didn’t ask any more questions. He didn’t think he could explain the feeling that he’d had, and he was more than happy to let the subject drop.
Their conversation returned to Michael’s saddle. Halfdan suggested that they buy the saddle but keep it in his magic bag. If it turned out that Andy didn’t buy the horse, they wouldn’t have to say anything at all about a saddle.
“Ah, dwarfs and their cu
They soon arrived at the tailor’s shop, and it wasn’t long before Alex found himself dressed in a fine dark blue set of clothes with silver buttons. The shopkeeper approved of the fit, and Skeld and Tayo began arguing over which of them would pay for the new clothes. To settle the argument, they simply bought Alex a second set of clothes, this time all in dark silver-gray.
“You can wear the gray ones to the party the day after the weddings,” said Tayo.
Alex thanked Skeld and Tayo for their gift and joked with Halfdan about how odd their friends were acting. Skeld and Tayo shrugged off any comments on their strange behavior as they led the way to a shop where Alex and Halfdan could buy a saddle. Halfdan had an eye for quality work, so Alex let him choose the saddle they would buy. Once the saddle was safely in Halfdan’s magic bag, the four friends wandered back into the streets of Oslansk.
“Are there any dwarf smiths here in Oslansk?” Alex asked offhandedly.
“Well, there’s old Elwig—but he does jewelry more than weapons,” Tayo commented.
“Perhaps he can help me,” said Alex, winking at Halfdan.
“Help you with what?” Skeld questioned.
“Oh, nothing really,” said Alex. “Now I suppose Halfdan and I should leave you two, as we still have gifts to buy for the wedding.”
“There is little need for that,” both Skeld and Tayo protested.
“Little need for you perhaps,” Halfdan answered. “Andy told us of the customs here: that friends of the grooms give gifts to the brides.”
“Well, yes, that true,” Tayo agreed. “But you are both honored guests. And Alex is already acting as our ring bearer.”
“That doesn’t matter,” said Alex. “I think your ladies deserve a gift. Perhaps something magical that will keep you two in line.”
They all laughed at Alex’s words, though Halfdan, seeing the nervous look that Skeld and Tayo exchanged, laughed harder still.
“I don’t suppose you really do know a spell that would keep those two in line, do you?” Halfdan asked Alex as they walked in the direction of Elwig’s shop.
“No, I don’t. But it will be something for them both to think about, at least for a little while.”
The people of Oslansk were both friendly and helpful, and it didn’t take long for Alex and Halfdan to find Elwig’s shop. The shop was a large one, and it was filled with hundreds of beautiful items.
Elwig was delighted to see Halfdan. Few dwarfs ever came to Oslansk, and Elwig was almost overcome with joy at seeing a kinsman. It wasn’t long before he was showing Alex and Halfdan everything in his shop that might be used as a wedding gift, as well as several things that could not.
“Brooches are a popular gift,” said Elwig, bringing out a large tray of brooches from behind his counter. “They’re functional and practical, and you don’t have to wear them every day.”
Alex looked at the brooches on the tray. Most were made of silver, though there were a few made of gold as well. Suddenly Alex had an idea, and he asked Elwig for a piece of paper and a quill. He carefully drew a picture and showed the drawing to Elwig.
“Can you make a brooch like this?” Alex asked hopefully.
Elwig studied Alex’s drawing. “An interesting idea. Yes, I think I understand what you want, but what would you like it made of?”
“True silver,” said Alex in a low tone.
“Oh, well,” Elwig stammered, “in that case, I don’t think that I can do that. I haven’t seen a bit of true silver in Norsland for years and years.”
“I can solve that problem easily enough,” said Alex, reaching for his magic bag. Alex had received a large amount of true silver on his last adventure, when he’d returned the first of seven lost magic bags he had recovered.
Elwig was stu
“And if your work is acceptable, you may keep the remaining true silver as payment,” said Alex.
“Oh, no, sir,” Elwig protested. “The payment is far too great.”
“If your work is acceptable, the payment will be as I have said,” Alex repeated firmly.
“You are most generous, sir,” Elwig said with a deep bow. “The work will be done as you request. I will have the brooches ready for you the day before the weddings.”
Halfdan and Alex left Elwig’s shop, agreeing to return the day before the weddings to collect the gifts. Halfdan had a slightly troubled look on his face as they left, and Alex asked him what was wrong.
“I think you may have offered too much for his work,” Halfdan answered.
“Perhaps.”
“Elwig will work night and day to make what you’ve requested. I hope he doesn’t overdo your design.”
“I did say the work had to be acceptable,” said Alex. “And I think he’ll do a fine job.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“Now, what about you?” Alex questioned. “What gifts will you be giving?”
“Ah, well, I’ve already got mine. Thrang and I had some things made before I left for Telous, so I’m well-prepared.”
“Then I suppose we should find our way back to the Goodseed house and see what the others are doing.”
Halfdan and Alex worked their way back through the busy streets, asking directions every now and then from people who were passing by. Everyone seemed to know where the Goodseed family was staying, and they were all eager to help the adventurers find their way.
When Alex and Halfdan were almost back to the house, however, Alex heard a voice he recognized. He held up his hand for Halfdan to stop and remain silent. From around the corner came the unmistakable voice of Michael Goodseed.
“You don’t know anything,” Michael said loudly.
“I know that he’s not a wizard,” the voice of fat Otho Longtree replied. “He doesn’t even have a staff.”
“He is,” Michael insisted. “My brother says so, and he was on an adventure with him before.”
“Balderdash. If he’s a wizard, I’m an ox—and if he’s even seen a dragon I’ll eat my hat.”
“He is a wizard,” Michael repeated, his voice sounding close to tears.
Alex motioned for Halfdan to stay still as he stepped around the corner.
Otho and four of his large companions were circled around Michael, cornering him against the wall. Alex saw at once that Otho was trying to make Michael cry, and he saw Michael’s desperate attempt not to do so. For an instant, Alex saw himself in Michael’s place, alone and too small to fight off his tormentors.
Alex had never been bullied in his life—his stepbrother, Todd, had made sure of that—but he had seen others suffer the humiliation. He remembered how his insides had twisted when older and stronger students had tormented friends at school, and anger began to rise in him as the memories returned.
“What’s all this?” Alex asked, his eyes locking onto Otho.
“No—nothing,” Otho answered, his eyes narrowing.
“Then I should ask if you’d like sauce with your hat,” said Alex, staring directly into Otho’s beady eyes. “Or perhaps it will taste better if I turn you into an ox first. Though you don’t seem to have enough brains to be an ox.”