Albrek's Tomb

“I thought it must be you,” Whalen said with a smile. “I trust I’m not intruding.”

“No, not at all,” Thrang said quickly, getting to his feet and offering Whalen his own chair. “Our adventure has been concluded, and now we are simply a group of friends enjoying each another’s company.”

“Ah, you are most kind,” said Whalen, taking the chair Thrang offered him. “You must be Thrang Silversmith; I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting you before.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Thrang answered with a bow. “I am honored you have joined us.”

“To be numbered among such a group as this, it is I who am honored,” said Whalen. “Now, perhaps my friend Alex will introduce you all to me, though I’m sure I know your names already.”

“Yes, of course,” Alex stammered.

Whalen seemed to know much more about Alex’s friends beyond the details Alex had shared through his letters. Thrain blushed bright red when Whalen asked him about his family, and Nellus and Barnabus were both dumbfounded when Whalen was able to name people from their own lands that he knew. Arco

“Still adventuring, then,” Whalen said as he looked at the elf.

“As are you, my friend,” said Arco

“It’s not an easy job to quit,” Whalen said with a laugh. “And it seems that I am needed more and more often, though I hope with Alex’s help, I will be able to spend some time at home.”

“I will be honored to assist in any way I can,” Alex said, wondering if Whalen had already found a new adventure for him to join.

“I’m sure you will,” Whalen said. “For now, however, I think you should come with me to Alusia. I’ve found a wonderful new home for you—if you’re still interested, that is.”

“I am,” Alex answered. “Though it will seem odd, not returning to the place I’ve called home for so long.”

“Oh, you can always go back,” Whalen said, laughing. “Though the longer you stay away, the harder it will be for you to return. I almost never go back to the place where I grew up, even when I have the time. I suppose there are too many memories there, and too many things that I have chosen not to remember as well.”

“You would honor us if you would join us for the evening meal,” Thrang said, changing the subject.

“A kind offer that I must refuse,” said Whalen. “I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to, and I’m only taking time out today to show Alex the home I’ve found for him.”

“We will be leaving today?” Alex questioned.

“Yes, as soon as you are ready,” answered Whalen. “I know you hate to leave your friends so quickly, but I am really very pressed for time.”

“Is there something I can help you with?” Alex asked, surprised by Whalen’s rush.

“No, no, nothing like that,” said Whalen. “I’ve made promises to be places, and with one thing and another, well

. . . let’s just say I have time to take you to Alusia and then I must be off.”

“As you wish,” said Alex.

“I will leave you to say your good-byes, then. Gentlemen, it has been a great honor to meet you all. I wish you all good fortune, and I hope that I may have the pleasure of traveling with each of you one day.”

“You are most kind,” said Thrang.

Everyone in the room stood and bowed to Whalen as he moved out of the room, and then they turned to say good-bye to Alex. Alex had pla

“Until we meet again, my friend,” Arco

“I hope that it will be soon,” said Alex. “And when Thrang does finally retire, I’ll have to make a special trip to Thraxon to visit him.”

“Don’t say that too loudly.” Thrang laughed as he embraced Alex. “Thorgood will insist that I retire just so you’ll return to his kingdom.”

“What will I do without you?” Thrain questioned, his eyes bright with tears. “You’ve saved me so often, I’m getting used to having you there.”

“You’re going home in good hands,” said Alex, nodding at Arco

“You must come to my homeland one day,” said Nellus as he shook Alex’s hand.

“And mine as well,” Barnabus added. “My family won’t believe I actually know a wizard.”

“I will try to come if I can,” said Alex. “And if nothing else, perhaps we will travel together again someday.”

After his good-byes, Alex turned to leave, pausing at the door to turn back one more time to smile at his friends. They raised their mugs to him in a toast, and Alex laughed and left them behind.

Whalen was waiting for Alex in front of the Golden Swan. He had already ordered Alex’s horse saddled. The famous wizard was getting a great many looks from the people of the town.

“I’m sorry to drag you away so quickly,” said Whalen in an apologetic tone when Alex came out of the front doors. “I wish we could spend the night, but I am ru

Alex smiled and climbed into his saddle, happy that Whalen seemed to understand how he was feeling. As they rode out of Telous, Alex tried to arrange his thoughts, considering what he should tell Whalen first. In the end, he decided to tell Whalen the story from the begi

They were a few miles outside of Telous when Alex finally began to talk. He found that the story was longer than he remembered it, longer than when Thrang had told it, and not nearly as exciting when he told it himself. Whalen didn’t interrupt or ask questions as Alex talked, and when Alex finally finished, they were at the great arch.

“That’s it,” Alex said as Whalen climbed off his horse. “That’s the whole story of what happened in Thraxon, and I still don’t know what it all means.”

Whalen nodded but didn’t say anything. He seemed to be thinking about what Alex had said, and Alex thought that even Whalen might not know what to make of the story. How often had a wizard become a dragon lord? How many wizards had ever taken the dragon shape and survived? What had King Set meant when he said he had been waiting for Alex? There were too many questions and too few answers.

Alex unsaddled the horses while Whalen set up their camp. His mind was troubled by his unanswered questions, but he felt better now that he’d told Whalen everything. When he had finished taking care of the horses, Alex joined Whalen by the campfire, his eyes watching the flames as Whalen cooked their meal.

“Do you know how long it takes most wizards to become wizards?” Whalen asked suddenly.

“No,” said Alex, surprised. “Several years, I’m sure, but I’ve never really thought about it.”

“And do you know how much training most apprentices need before they are ready to even try to take a staff?” Whalen went on.

“No, I don’t,” said Alex.

“Most apprentices are in training for years,” Whalen said. “A great many of them never learn enough to take a staff.”

“But everyone knows there have never been very many wizards in the known lands,” said Alex.

“Yet there are a fair number of people who can do magic of one kind or another,” said Whalen. “Why do you think so few of them ever become wizards?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t able to find a wizard to train them.”

“Yes, that is true for many of them,” Whalen agreed. “Perhaps for others, the training is too difficult, or they are not patient enough to learn all that is required. Then, of course, they may not have enough magic in them to become wizards in the first place.” Whalen shook his head and sighed. “I’ve accepted any and all who wanted to be trained and who were willing to learn. I’ve been alive for almost seven hundred years, Alex, and I’ve had countless apprentices. But only two have ever gone on to become wizards.”