Albrek's Tomb

“You have answered all of my questions without really answering them,” Alex said, watching Haymar’s every move.

“Yes, I suppose I have,” said Haymar. “I have tried to explain things that may not have needed explaining. I will say this: My family is more important to me than any honor or riches, but giving up the honor of receiving my father’s bag would, I think, do more to harm my family than not giving it up. I do not believe my father ever told Halbrek that he would be the heir of the bag, but I do believe that Halbrekbelieves that such a promise was made.”

“Why do you think giving up your claim on the bag would harm your family?” Alex asked, surprised by Haymar’s words.

“If Halbrek is given the honor of receiving the lost bag, he will use that status to make other claims,” said Haymar in a sad tone. “I fear Halbrek would try to take everything my father left to me and my brothers, and that I ca

“Very well,” said Alex, looking Haymar in the eye. “I have heard your side of things. Tomorrow I will hear what Halbrek has to say. Once I’ve heard both sides, I will try to make a fair decision.”

“You are most kind,” said Haymar, bowing to Alex.

“One more thing,” said Alex as Haymar turned to leave. “Is there any chance that Halbrek knows the passwords to the bag?”

“There is always a chance,” said Haymar. “As I told you, my father was getting old. He may have told Halbrek the passwords, but I don’t believe he did.”

“And I suppose you’d rather not tell me the passwords until I’m ready to return the bag,” said Alex with a smile.

“I would trust you with the passwords if you asked me for them,” said Haymar sincerely. “Are you asking me to give them to you now?”

“I am not,” said Alex, bowing slightly. “I will talk with Halbrek and then let you both know what my decision is in a day or two.”

“As you wish,” said Haymar, bowing once more before he left.

Alex remained alone in the garden for some time, considering what Haymar had told him. He thought Haymar was telling the truth, but there was no way he could be completely sure. He wondered if he should have asked Kat to join him when he talked to Haymar, but he knew that wouldn’t have been right. Kat was not a wizard, and she could not make this decision for him, even if she wanted to.

“Did your meeting with Haymar go well?” Thrang asked when Alex finally returned to the main house.

“As well as possible. I’m not at all sure that I should be the one to settle this question. No matter what I decide, either Haymar or Halbrek will be unhappy, and they may continue to contest who the true heir is.”

“No, they wouldn’t do that,” said Thrang, his expression serious. “They have both accepted you as the judge in this matter, so they will both have to live with your decision. The law is very clear on that point. They will not be able to complain about the decision or contest it at all.”

“Making the correct decision will be hard,” said Alex with a sigh.

“You’ll do what’s right,” said Thrang confidently. “I’m sure you’ll be able to decide who the true heir is.”

Alex smiled at Thrang and nodded.

The next morning Alex was back in the garden, waiting for Halbrek to arrive. He wondered what Halbrek would have to say, and why he had insisted on coming after Haymar. Alex thought that if he were in the same situation, he would want to talk to the person deciding things first. Halbrek arrived slightly late and was led into the garden by Thrang’s cousin Dain.

“Master Halbrek Gly

“A great pleasure,” Halbrek said, stepping forward and extending his hand.

Alex shook Halbrek’s hand but said nothing, waiting for Halbrek to begin after Dain left.

“I suppose Haymar has told you all about me,” said Halbrek, stepping back. “I can always count on him to tell people how terrible I’ve been to him.”

“The topic did not come up,” said Alex.

“I suppose there is a first time for everything,” said Halbrek, looking surprised. “He probably thought it would be a mistake to tell his stories to you. After all, you’re a wizard and can see through such falsehoods easily.”

“At times I can,” said Alex, watching Halbrek.

“Yes, of course,” Halbrek said, not meeting Alex’s eyes. “So, to the matter at hand.”

“As you wish,” said Alex, motioning for Halbrek to take a seat.

“I’m sure Haymar told you how he’s the oldest son of our father’s first wife,” said Halbrek. “How only the oldest son can be the true heir and all of that nonsense.”

“We did go over that,” said Alex, taking the seat opposite Halbrek. “Though I know adventurers can name anyone they wish as the heir to their bag.”

“Yes, that’s true,” said Halbrek with a smile. “Haymar doesn’t believe that, of course, but as you say, adventurers can name anyone they want to. My father named mehis heir, and so I must insist that the bag be returned to me.”

“But your father did not name you as his heir,” corrected Alex. “The bag maker in Telous listed Haymar’s name. Your father might have told you he was going to change this, but he never did.”

“He may not have had time,” said Halbrek quickly. “He told me before he left on his last adventure that I would be his heir once he returned home.”

“Though he never returned home, did he?” Alex said thoughtfully.

Alex’s thoughts turned to Hathnord, the owner of the bag and the father of both Haymar and Halbrek. Haymar had said little about his father, though he had shown concern regarding his father’s health and age. Halbrek didn’t seem concerned about his father at all, only about the magic bag and his own claim as Hathnord’s heir. Alex thought it was an important point, and one that made him favor Haymar’s claim even more.

“No, he did not, and it appears that he never bothered to change the named heir of the bag with the bag maker,” Halbrek went on, not noticing the tone in Alex’s voice. “Still, my claim is just, and I’m willing to pay for my rights.”

“Pay?” Alex questioned.

“Of course,” said Halbrek. “What’s in the bag is nothing compared to the honor of being named the heir. I’m sure Haymar made you a generous offer to return the bag to him, but whatever he’s offering you, I’ll give you more.”

“The subject of reward for the bag’s return is part of the returning ceremony,” said Alex flatly. “Haymar and I did not discuss it at all.”

“No, of course not,” said Halbrek, a twisted smile on his face. “And I’m sure that we won’t discuss it either. Though I might suggest something along the lines of one-half of all the bag contains.”

“As I said, such things should not be discussed now,” said Alex.

The more Halbrek talked, the more Alex disliked him. And after this conversation, he was sure that Haymar was the true heir.

“Yes, of course,” said Halbrek with a wink.

“I suppose you know the passwords to your father’s bag?” Alex asked, getting to his feet. He tried not to let his feelings of anger show.

“I’m sure I will when the time comes,” answered Halbrek, winking at Alex again. “As long as Haymar goes first, I’m sure there won’t be any trouble with passwords.”

“I’m sure there won’t,” said Alex coldly.

“Well then, if we understand each other, I’ll be on my way,” said Halbrek happily.

“I understand you perfectly,” said Alex, fighting to control the rage building up inside of him.

Halbrek stood and held out his hand again for Alex to shake, but Alex turned away, walking toward the fountain.

“I will send word about the ceremony,” said Alex over his shoulder, not wanting to look at Halbrek. He was afraid his feelings would make him do something terrible to the lying dwarf.

“Yes, of course,” said Halbrek, and he quickly departed.

Alex stared into the fountain for several minutes trying to control his emotions. Halbrek had no claim at all; he only wanted to steal Haymar’s honor and whatever treasure he could. Worse than that, he thought he could bribe Alex into helping him, and that was a dishonor Alex would never allow. For a moment Alex considered changing Halbrek into something terrible as punishment for his attempted bribe, but then decided that exposing Halbrek for what he was would be a more suitable punishment.