The Horn of Moran - Forman Mark L - Страница 11

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“Do all the toes have something to do with long life and happiness?” Sindar questioned.

“Hmmm, now that I think about it, they do,” said Halfdan in a serious tone. “Still, it’s considered very lucky to have this happen with a new batch of potion.”

“Lucky that the loss of feeling doesn’t last for long,” Val commented quietly.

“Come,” Bregnest said before Halfdan could reply to Val. “We’ve got places to be and things to do. We can talk about dwarf fortune-telling another time.”

The short journey from the great arch to Oslansk was a pleasant one. The weather remained fair as they traveled, though the nights continued to be cold. Most mornings there was frost on the ground when they woke up, and Alex knew that Shahree was grateful for the heavy blanket he put on her at night. More than once he thought about conjuring a magical fire to keep everyone warm at night, but he always remembered Whalen’s warning about using his powers.

Each night after their evening meal, the company would sit around the fire, talking and telling stories of past adventures. Alex was beginning to feel as if he had never gone home at all, but had simply continued his last adventure.

On their sixth day away from Telous, Alex and his companions reached the city of Oslansk. Alex was impressed with the city’s appearance, even from a distance. Oslansk looked like it had been carved completely from white marble. The large city sat on a hillside and was surrounded by high walls. The white buildings of Oslansk shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, looking both inviting and friendly to travelers.

“My father has invited us all to stay with him and the rest of my family,” Andy said as they rode toward the city.

“Will there be enough room for all of us?” Bregnest asked in a slightly worried tone.

“Yes,” Andy answered. “In fact, he rented a large house where we will be able to stay.”

“Then we will accept your father’s kindness and give him our thanks,” said Bregnest.

“I should have told Bregnest that my father is rich,” said Andy in a lowered voice to Alex. “After all, he went on many adventures before settling down in Norsland.”

“Going on many adventures does not always mean great wealth,” Val commented with a sly grin.

“Perhaps not,” replied Andy. “But he has done very well since he retired from his adventures, and I know he can afford whatever we may require.”

Alex didn’t say anything in reply to Andy’s words. He knew that Andy could easily pay for anything they or his family might need. After all, Andy had a huge amount of treasure from their last adventure together, and Alex was sure he hadn’t spent very much of it yet.

The gates to Oslansk stood open as Alex and his companions rode up to them. The guards at the gates nodded and waved them through without questions. They were apparently expecting many guests to arrive for the upcoming weddings, and they didn’t seem to think there was any danger to worry about.

As they rode through the narrow and busy streets of Oslansk, Andy joined Bregnest at the front of the company. When they reached the gates of the house Andy’s father had rented, Alex saw that it was more of a mansion than a house, with its own stable and gardens inside a high wall.

“Welcome to Oslansk,” said Andy, as they entered the courtyard and climbed off their horses.

Chapter Four

Oslansk

Alex and his companions looked up at the impressive house that had obviously been built with great care and attention to detail. They were just turning away to lead their horses to the stables when an excited voice shouted behind them.

“Andy!”

They all turned around to see who had yelled, and they all smiled as a tall, skinny boy came racing out of the house toward the company.

“We didn’t know you’d be back so soon,” Michael said, throwing his arms around Andy and almost knocking him over. “Father and Mother will be so pleased. Father was worried that you’d have trouble, you know, finding the members of your company. He was afraid it would take some time and that you wouldn’t be back in time for the weddings.”

“Well, we are back in time,” said Andy. “And with a week to spare.” He grinned. “We were lucky to find our company quickly. And if you’ll let us put our horses away, I’ll introduce you to my friends.”

Michael let go of Andy and looked around at the rest of the company, his eyes growing wide. Alex could tell that Michael was glad to see his brother and that he was also impressed that his brother had so many adventurers with him.

“My apologies, sirs,” said Michael, bowing to the company. “I have forgotten my manners. Please, allow me to care for your horses. My father will wish to greet you and welcome you to our house.”

“We can tend to our own horses,” Bregnest replied. “And you need not be so formal with your brother’s good friends.”

Michael blushed bright red at Bregnest’s words, but his face showed how pleased he was. The company all laughed quietly to themselves as they led their horses to the stable. Michael stayed close by Andy, but his eyes watched the rest of the company.

“Come, my friends,” said Andy, once their horses were taken care of. “My brother is correct in saying that my father will wish to greet you all.”

Andy put his arm around Michael’s shoulders and led the group toward the house. Michael almost tripped as they went along because he kept looking at the company over Andy’s arm.

Before they had reached the house, Andy’s parents appeared in the doorway. Andy’s mother seemed almost as delighted as Michael to see Andy home again, and she rushed forward to hug him and kiss him on the cheek. Andy blushed but continued to smile. Andy’s father, however, simply patted his son on the shoulder and then turned to face his guests.

“Perhaps, when my son can break free, he will introduce us all.”

“There is little need for formal introductions among friends,” said Bregnest, stepping forward.

“No, I suppose not,” Andy’s father agreed. “I am Argus Goodseed, and I welcome you all to my house.”

“I am Silvan Bregnest. Your kindness overwhelms us, Master Goodseed.”

“Well said, Master Bregnest,” Argus replied. “Please, let us do away with all formality if you will. I am simply Argus, and that should be enough between friends.”

Bregnest laughed softly and nodded his agreement. He turned to the company and introduced each of them to Argus. As each man was named, he stepped forward and bowed slightly to Andy’s father.

“Alexander Taylor,” said Argus, when Alex was introduced. “Andy has told us a great deal about you. And Michael has been dying to meet you.”

“I’m afraid that Andy has said too much,” Alex replied. “I hope I can live up to whatever he has told you.”

“I’m sure you will,” said Argus. “And I doubt that Andy has said as much as you fear. He’s been very secretive about some of the things that happened on your last adventure together.

“Now, my friends, let me introduce my wife, Azure,” Argus went on. “And it seems that you have already made the acquaintance of my youngest son, Michael.”

“We have indeed made young Michael’s acquaintance,” said Bregnest. “And I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say it is a great pleasure to meet Mistress Goodseed.”

The six companions all bowed to Andy’s mother, who blushed slightly. Michael, however, suddenly became shy and looked down at his shoes.

“I regret that my eldest son, Lazarus, is not here to greet you,” said Argus, in a slightly harder tone. “He’s off wandering the city with his friends, but he will be here this evening to offer you a proper welcome.”

“I should think that it would be hard to keep him at home, with such a wonderful city to explore,” said Bregnest.

“Oslansk is indeed wonderful,” Argus agreed. “I suppose we should come here more often, but our lands are several days’ ride to the west and north.”

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