Albrek's Tomb

Dear Alex,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you, but I’ve been busy with several other matters. I would point out that you haven’t been sending nearly as many messages as you should, but as I haven’t been sending any at all, let’s start over and this time I promise to keep up with you.

Looking back over your messages, I see you’ve met Bane. He’s an interesting fellow with an even more interesting story. I’m happy to hear that the two of you have become friends; I’d hate to have to clean up the mess if the two of you were enemies. I’d like to talk about Bane and his suspicions of a conspiracy in the known lands the next time we meet.

Nice work with the Nagas. I’ve run into a few of them in my travels and I know how quickly they can move and how deadly they are. It’s lucky you have some good people around you.

Now, on to more important things. The dragon on the Isle of Bones is of great interest, both to myself, and the council. It is a pity that you had to hide the island from everyone, though I suppose the dragon asked for that, and I can’t say that I blame him. And you’re a dragon lord now, which is something very special. There hasn’t been a true dragon lord for at least two thousand years, and even I don’t know all the details of the title. The council is hoping you will come to our next meeting. The date and location aren’t set yet because we don’t know when everyone will be available to attend.

Keep me posted on what’s happening, and I’ll try harder to write to you on a regular basis. I’m sorry to say I don’t know why you are having reckless feelings. Perhaps it is your age. As long as you are able to control the urge to be reckless, I wouldn’t worry. I’ll remind you again, though, as I’ve done so often in the past, don’t let your anger get the best of you. Never act out of rage alone as something really terrible might happen. Enough said.

Yours in fellowship,

Whalen

P.S. If you want to know more about your family, I would suggest you talk to Mr. Clutter. He should have the records on your father, and he might know something of your mother as well.

Alex read the letter twice then smiled and put it in his bag. It seemed like it had been a long time since he’d heard from Whalen. He knew he hadn’t been sending as many messages as he should have, and he promised himself that he would make time to send at least one message every two or three weeks from now on.

Alex was surprised by the council of wizards’ invitation for him to attend their next meeting. The only wizard Alex knew was Whalen, and while he did want to meet others, he was a little nervous about meeting the entire council at one time. He was still young, and even though he’d already done some impressive things, he wasn’t sure the other wizards would take him seriously. After all, they were all much older than he was and had a great deal more experience.

In the end, Alex decided not to worry about meeting the council of wizards. He would have time to worry if and when the meeting came. He moved on to Whalen’s comments about his reckless feelings. Alex knew where those feelings were coming from now, even if he wasn’t completely comfortable with the answer. He would have to tell Whalen what Salinor had said, but maybe he would wait until he could talk about it with Whalen face-to-face. With that final thought, Alex dropped into his comfortable bed and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning was gray and windy, and it looked almost certain to rain before the day was over. Thrang’s mood darkened with the change in weather, but he remained determined to get back on the road.

“A gloomy day to part on,” Thorson said as he stood beside Thrang. “I wish you all a safe journey, and promise a great welcome when you return.”

“You’ve been most generous to us,” said Thrang, bowing to his brother. “We will not forget your kindness.”

“Oh, stop it,” said Thorson. “I know very well that your adventurer’s code demands that you say such things, but it means little here. You are family, and you and your friends will always be welcome.”

“You are most kind, my brother,” said Thrang. “I hope we will return soon to take advantage of your kindness.”

Thorson laughed, then he and Thrang embraced. Alex and the others bowed and thanked Thorson as they moved toward their horses. Thorson waved off their thanks, though he looked pleased just the same. They all mounted their horses—except for Thrain.

“Thrain, are you coming with us?” Thrang questioned loudly.

“Yes, I’m coming,” said Thrain, hurrying to climb onto his own horse.

“Where did you run off to?” Thrang questioned, a knowing smile on his face.

“I wanted to say good-bye to Dain,” said Thrain in an apologetic tone. “I didn’t get a chance to last night, and I thought it would be rude not to.”

“And Fivra?” Thrang questioned.

“Well, yes, Fivra was there as well,” said Thrain, his face turning bright red.

“Plotting with my own family, I see,” said Thrang with a laugh. “So has Fivra agreed to wait for your return before going to Vargland?”

“Oh, well,” Thrain stammered, clearly surprised that Thrang had guessed the truth. “Yes, he said he would wait until I could go with him.”

“That may be a long time,” Thorson said. “After all, you have this adventure to finish before you can go anywhere.”

“Yes, well, I did say I’d try to come back,” said Thrain. “Or I thought maybe Fivra could come to Benorg, once our adventure is done.”

“At least Thrain was able to talk Fivra into waiting,” Arco

“I suppose that’s true,” said Thrang with a laugh. “But I think I would keep a closer eye on our young friend just the same.”

“Until you return, my friends,” said Thorson. “And perhaps Fivra will indeed be able to go to Benorg when you return.”

“Farewell, my brother,” Thrang said. “Keep an eye on the youngsters—they seem to be plotting together.”

Thorson laughed and waved to them all as Thrang led the company through the gates, away from Thorson’s house and into the city.

It appeared, however, that the people of the city were unwilling to let them leave without wishing them good luck once again. The streets of Kazad-Syn were crowded, and all along the way dwarfs were cheering them on and wishing them a safe journey.

“You are well thought of by the people of this city,” Arco

“Their wishes are for all of us,” said Thrang, smiling and waving to some friends as he spoke.

“Yet I doubt we would receive such a send-off if you were not our leader,” said Kat.

Soon they left the cheering crowds behind, and the city became a small green spot on the road behind them. Thrang’s good spirits did not falter, however, even when a soft rain began falling after their midday meal.

“Winter moves south quickly,” said Barnabus. “I am glad we are going south and not north.”

“This rain is hardly winter,” Thrang said with a laugh. “Though I confess I also am glad to be moving south. Winter is hard in the north, and travel is almost impossible.”

“How long will it take us to reach the Lost Mountains?” Alex questioned.

“Two, maybe three weeks,” said Thrang. “They are south and a little east of us, but the people Thorson spoke to in Kazad-Syn said the road is good. If we stay on the main road we shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“That’s what we thought when we left Benorg,” said Nellus with a grin.

“And there is the rumor of the hellerash,” Thrain added.

“That’s just a rumor,” said Thrang, looking a little uneasy. “I doubt we will see anything.”

“Some creatures grow strong when rumors remain rumors,” said Kat, her voice so low that only Alex heard her.