Albrek's Tomb

They flew through the night, and though they were still miles from Kazad-Syn, Alex could clearly see the city in the darkness. Once again he changed direction slightly and flew lower so the mountains would hide him from any dwarfs who might be watching the sky. He flew as close to the city as he dared, looking for a spot to land. High on the mountainside, he found a hidden valley and quietly glided down into it. There was still snow on the ground, but the air was warm, and they were well hidden from the city below.

Once his friends had climbed off his back, Alex returned to his own shape. He felt wonderful, rested, and ready for anything. His friends, however, looked tired and worn-out, ready for sleep. Even Arco

“Do you wish to come with me?” Alex questioned.

“I think I should,” said Thrang. “I doubt Thorson would let you take the treasure if you simply turned up asking for it. And I know he wouldn’t be able to stop you from taking it if your mind was set on it.”

“Then I should ask, which bird is the most loved in Kazad-Syn?”

“Many birds are loved, but the raven is the most respected.”

“Very well, we will travel as ravens. I should warn you that taking the shape of a bird is thrilling. You will keep your mind, but you will be tempted by the freedom of flight. Try to stay focused on our task. I will not let you fly too far from me, and I will change you back to your natural shape when we reach Thorson.”

“Very well,” Thrang agreed. “The rest of you should rest and eat. We shouldn’t be gone too long.”

The others nodded, and Alex tapped Thrang once on the shoulder with his staff. Thrang immediately changed into a raven. He croaked loudly and took flight. Smiling at Thrang’s sudden energy, Alex changed himself and flew quickly after his friend. He wasn’t worried about Thrang flying away, because he had magically bound Thrang to him when he’d changed him.

The night air was refreshing as they traveled down the side of the mountain toward Kazad-Syn. Alex could smell the city as he flew, but he could see very little. Raven eyes were not as keen as dragon eyes, and he had to concentrate to find his way to Thorson’s house.

Thrang seemed to know exactly where he was going, however, and when Alex saw him dive into Thorson’s garden he followed close behind.

“What is this?” Thorson questioned, looking puzzled as a raven landed on his table. “No raven is so friendly with a stranger.”

“He is no stranger,” said Alex, taking his own shape as he touched down beside the table.

“By the ancients, Alex! How did you get here?” Thorson jumped up, knocking over his chair. His eyes were wide with wonder as he looked from Alex to the raven on the table and back again.

“Return,” Alex commanded, changing Thrang back to his normal self.

The table tipped over with a crash, and Thrang staggered to his feet.

“You could have waited until I was off the table,” Thrang grumbled.

“You could have landed someplace else,” said Alex.

“Thrang?” Thorson questioned in disbelief. “You’ve learned to change shape?”

“Don’t be stupid,” said Thrang. “Alex changed me so we could come and talk to you.”

“Are you in trouble? Are your friends trapped somewhere? Should I call the family to arms?”

“No, no, no,” said Thrang, grabbing Thorson by the shoulders. “Everything is fine, but we’re in a hurry. We only stopped in the city to collect the treasure we left with you. I don’t have time to explain everything, and I don’t know where I’d begin if I did have time.”

“Yes, of course,” said Thorson as he clutched Thrang’s hand. “Have you heard the news?”

“What news?” Thrang questioned.

“Stories have come from the Lost Mountains,” Thorson answered, motioning them to follow him. “The details are sketchy, but they said a great evil has been destroyed there.”

“That is true,” said Thrang. “Alex has done a great service for the dwarfs of the Lost Mountains, and he has been named a lord of their city.”

“A man named lord of a dwarf city?” Thorson said in surprise. “That is something unheard of.”

“Alex is one of the greatest wizards there ever has been,” said Thrang as if that explained everything. They started down the stairs that led to the lower chambers.

“You are too kind,” said Alex from behind the two dwarfs.

“Not at all,” Thrang answered. “I don’t know a lot about wizards, but I think you’ve done more in your short career as a wizard than most other wizards do in a lifetime.”

“Perhaps,” Alex allowed, hoping that Thrang would change the subject.

“Here we are,” Thorson said as they came to the door of the lower chamber. “Sorted, just as you asked.”

“You’ve done us a great service, brother,” said Thrang. “I would offer to pay you, but I know you wouldn’t accept.”

“And you are correct.” Thorson laughed. “It is an honor to have served you, and to be honest, a great pleasure to sort this treasure for you.”

Thorson unlocked the door and threw it open, but the room beyond the door was dark. Laughing at his own forgetfulness, Thorson turned to get a lamp.

“No need,” Alex said, conjuring up the familiar weir lights.

“Ah, a wonderful spell,” said Thorson, watching the weir lights dart into the room. “I wish I could learn to do that.”

“Your magic is worse than mine,” Thrang said with a laugh.

“And we don’t have time for me to teach either of you now,” Alex said, catching Thrang’s eye.

“Yes, we do need to hurry,” said Thrang. “The others are waiting, and we still have a long way to go.”

“You will spend the night at least,” Thorson objected.

“No, we must go,” said Thrang. “Alex, you are better than I am at storing things quickly. Will you place all of this in your bag and hold it until we can divide it properly in Darvish?”

“Darvish?” Thorson questioned. “Why are you going to Darvish? You’ve already been there once.”

“I don’t think I should say,” Thrang said slowly, looking at Alex for help.

“Tell him why, but not how,” said Alex as he turned his attention to the room full of treasure.

“The empty tower will vanish it two days’ time,” said Thrang. “We’re taking the new oracle to the tower before it fades forever.”

“But that’s at least a week of hard riding,” said Thorson. “Even as a raven, you’ll be hard-pressed to reach the tower before it’s gone.”

“We’ll be there before it fades,” said Thrang. “Don’t ask questions that I can’t answer, brother.”

“As you wish,” said Thorson with a bow.

Alex stored the treasure in his bag and stood beside Thrang once more.

“If you have the time, Thorson, you may want to set out for Benorg,” Alex said with a smile. “We will be going there after we leave Darvish.”

“So you’ve found it?” Thorson said happily. “You’ve found what you were looking for?”

“And more,” Thrang answered.

“We will be in Darvish at least a week,” Alex said. “After that, we will be returning to Benorg.”

“A week?” Thrang questioned.

“I believe that is the normal celebration time when a new oracle comes to power,” Alex explained.

“And this oracle travels with you?” Thorson questioned.

“Yes,” Thrang said with a laugh. “She’s been with us all along, only we didn’t realize it.”

“Kat is the oracle?” Thorson said in surprise. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“Then say nothing,” Alex suggested. “It is not our place to judge oracles or decide who should be an oracle. It is best to simply accept them and what they say.”

“Yes, of course,” Thorson said with another bow.

“Come now, Thrang. We must go,” said Alex, starting up the stairs.

Thorson walked along quietly as they made their way back to the garden. The chair and table were still lying on the ground, and Alex and Thrang helped Thorson set them back in place. Thrang hugged Thorson good-bye, and once again Alex touched him with his staff. The raven that was Thrang flew up and circled the house, waiting for Alex to join him.