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  “Not bad for your first try. It normally takes several tries to summon a flame when you first learn the magic.”

  “But it was only a little smoke,” said Thrain in a dejected tone.

  “Perhaps you weren’t concentrating hard enough,” Alex said.

  “Perhaps not,” Thrang agreed. “Try once more, and this time try to focus all your thoughts.”

  Thrain obeyed and closed his eyes. Alex winked at Thrang, who immediately took a step back. After a few moments, Thrain opened his eyes and, pointing at the branch once more, spoke the magic word. This time a flame sprang to life as soon as the word had left his lips.

  “Well done,” said Thrang, returning Alex’s wink when Thrain wasn’t looking. “Very impressive. Now try the quench command.”

  Thrain obeyed once more, and, as he spoke the word, the fire sputtered for a moment and died. Thrain, pleased with himself and his newfound ability, quickly relit the fire. Alex smiled at his young friend and commented on how well he had done.

  “You shouldn’t have helped him,” Thrang said to Alex in a low tone.

  “I only helped the first time,” said Alex. “He needed a little confidence, that’s all.”

  “And the quench command?” Thrang asked.

  “Again, only a little help. As his confidence grows, he will be able to do the spells on his own.”

  “Still, you shouldn’t have helped him,” said Thrang with a smile on his face.

  “Why not?” Alex asked. “You helped me the first time.”

  “I most certainly did not,” said Thrang, sounding shocked by the idea.

  “Even if you didn’t know it, you helped. You believed I could do it, even though I didn’t.”

  “Will we be setting a watch?” Arconn asked, walking toward the fire.

  “There is little need so close to the arch,” said Thrang. “Though it might be wise to start now, just to be safe.”

  “If nothing else, we will be prepared for later,” Alex said.

  Thrang considered the idea for several minutes and then decided it would, indeed, be best to start keeping a watch. Alex, with his normal luck, drew the first watch, which made him happy. He knew from experience that Arconn would sit up with him, and he was looking forward to spending time with his friend.

  Chapter Four

  Benorg

  On the fifth day of their journey, the road turned east into the mountains and followed a large and noisy river flowing through a narrow, green valley. The river snaked between huge boulders and had many impressive waterfalls and rapids, some of them so close that they covered the road with a damp mist. The path twisted and turned almost as much as the river did, but always stayed close to the water’s edge.

  “Did your people build all these bridges?” Alex asked Thrang over the roar of the river.

  “Yes, indeed,” Thrang shouted over his shoulder. “King Thorgood owns this road and insists that the bridges be maintained. After all, this is the road that leads to his capital. The stone bridges make a good impression on visitors and are useful for trade.”

  “Do your people trade much with other lands?” Kat questioned.

  “More and more,” answered Thrang. “King Thorgood has been trying to open trade with all the known lands.”

  “And having a good deal of success, I would guess,” Arconn said.

  “Honest trading makes for success,” said Thrang.

  Alex wondered what was awaiting them in Benorg and beyond. Thraxon was one of the larger known lands, and the map of it in the Adventurer’s Handbook was better than most of the others. Alex had spent some time studying it, trying to get a feel for the land that he and the company would be traveling through. He knew that Benorg was in the heart of the Gray Mountains, with many roads leading to it, but that most of Thraxon—at least according to his map—was east and south of Benorg.

  The day passed with little talk, except when they stopped for their midday meal. Kat asked a few more questions about Thorgood, and Alex knew she was still nervous about meeting the king. He was too. He tried to relax his own mind, but even when he managed a moment of peace, Kat’s nervousness pressed in on him.

  The sun was well to the west when Thrang at last halted them in the road. The valley opened wide before them, and they could see that the land had been divided into neat, little farms. The road stretched through the farmlands and crossed a wide stone bridge before leading directly to a huge city made of stone.

  “My friends, welcome to Benorg!” Thrang turned in his saddle and smiled. “A wonder of the dwarf realms.”

  “I didn’t know that dwarfs built cities so high above the ground,” Alex said as they started forward once more.

  “Benorg is different than most dwarf cities. The part of the city you can see isn’t very old. It is built on top of and around the older city, which is thousands of years old. When we get closer, you will be able to see the difference in the work,” said Thrang.

  They moved forward to the bridge, where dwarf guards clad in shining true-silver armor stood proudly. The guards must have recognized Thrang, because as the company approached, they lowered their spears as a sign of welcome.

  Thrang led them into the heart of the dwarf city, waving now and then to someone he knew. Many of the dwarfs would wave back or toast them as they passed, and it appeared that Thrang was well-known. Horses were allowed in Benorg, at least in the aboveground parts, so they rode along the stone-paved streets, smiling and nodding to the dwarfs as they went.

  When they reached what looked like the tallest building in the city, Thrang directed the group to one side where several dwarfs were waiting, ready to take their horses to the royal stables. Alex gave Shahree’s reins to a bowing dwarf and whispered words of comfort to her.

  “King Thorgood will be waiting,” said Thrang, looking nervously at the others. “I believe there will be a feast in our honor.”

  “And if Thorgood doesn’t like the look of us?” Arconn asked.

  “He will,” said Thrang, scowling at Arconn.

  “Elves are not always welcome guests of dwarfs,” Arconn said.

  “You have nothing to worry about,” Thrang answered. “Thorgood knows a good deal about adventures and about the importance of mixing the company.”

  “Was King Thorgood an adventurer once?” Thrain questioned.

  “No, but he’s known a good many adventurers in his time,” answered Thrang, still scowling. “He thinks very highly of our profession, and he is a kind and generous host.”

  “Then lead on,” said Arconn, bowing to Thrang. “It would not be polite for us to keep our host waiting.”

  Thrang did not reply, but his scowl softened. He turned toward the large building and led the company forward, dusting himself off slightly as he went. Arconn caught Alex’s eye and gave him a quick wink.

  They followed Thrang toward the grand entrance hall, where more armored guards stood at attention. They bowed as Thrang approached and allowed the company to pass without questioning them. Alex looked in wonder at the inside of the building, which was really just an open space surrounded by a high wall and filled with fountains and trees, like a park. In the middle of the open space was a small pavilion, and standing beneath it was King Thorgood.

  “Welcome, my friends, welcome,” said Thorgood, coming down the steps of his royal pavilion with a smile. “You’ve made good time, Thrang; I didn’t think you would be back so soon.”

  “I was fortunate to find the members of the company quickly,” said Thrang, bowing to the king.

  “And what a company,” said Thorgood, looking over Thrang’s shoulder at the rest of them. “I am glad you come as friends, for it seems Thrang has assembled a fierce group of warriors.”

  “If you will permit me, Your Majesty,” said Thrang, moving to stand beside the king. “Allow me to introduce you to my companions.”

  “Yes, I suppose introductions are in order,” said Thorgood, moving forward with Thrang. “I thought the pavilion would
be more comfortable than the throne room. Not so stuffy or formal. There are always fewer of the lords out here, and you know how they can be.”

  Alex and the others quickly lined up in front of Thrang and the king. Alex could see that Thrain was extremely nervous, which surprised him. Thrain’s grandfather was king of the dwarf realm of Vargland, after all, and Alex thought he would be used to meeting royalty and other important people.

  Thrang moved down the line, introducing each of them to the king and saying something about their accomplishments as adventurers. Alex listened closely when Thrang introduced Kat, Nellus, and Barnabus because he didn’t know as much about them yet. When Thrang introduced Alex, Thorgood stopped him before he could list Alex’s accomplishments.

  “The young wizard,” Thorgood said with a quick glance at Thrang. “The one you and Halfdan have told me so much about.”

  “The same,” answered Thrang, beaming at Alex.

  “A great honor,” said Thorgood with a bow. “I had hoped Thrang would find a wizard for this adventure, but I did not dare hope that it would be you.”

  “The honor is mine, great king,” said Alex, bowing to Thorgood. “Master Silversmith was good enough to invite me on this adventure, and I am pleased to be in your fair city.”

  “Yes, well, we do what we can,” said Thorgood with a laugh. “Perhaps you will tell me the truth of Thrang and Halfdan’s stories, if time allows.”

  “It would be a pleasure and an honor, great king, though I am sure Thrang and Halfdan have been most truthful in their tales,” answered Alex.

  “No doubt they have. Though it is always good to hear the story from a different point of view.”

  Alex bowed to Thorgood once more as Thrang, looking proud and pleased, continued down the line. Thorgood stopped again when they reached Thrain, asking about his grandfather and Vargland.

  Once all the introductions had been made, Thorgood returned to his pavilion, speaking in a low voice to Thrang. Thrang appeared to agree with the king and was smiling as he returned to the company.

  “Now that the formalities are complete, let me offer all of you some refreshment,” said Thorgood, taking his seat in the pavilion. “Tonight we feast and sing; tomorrow you begin your work.”

  As he finished speaking, Thorgood clapped his hands. Dozens of dwarfs instantly appeared from various places around the walled-in space. While Alex and his companions looked on in wonder, the dwarfs set up several round tables and covered them with food. A dozens more tables and chairs were set up, and silver lamps were placed at the center of each table.

  “An old dwarf custom here in Benorg is to welcome friends with a small gathering so they can mingle without the formality of a traditional feast,” Thrang explained. “Thorgood wants us to mingle with his people, so they will have a chance to get to know us.”

  “An interesting custom,” said Nellus. “We do something similar in my homeland, but not on such a large scale.”

  “Well then, let’s mingle,” said Barnabus with a smile. He moved away from the others, heading for one of the main tables that was filled with food.

  Alex soon discovered that he was something of a legend in Benorg. It seemed that all the dwarfs knew who he was and what he had done on both of his previous adventures. He talked and mingled with the dwarfs, feeling very much at ease among them, relieved that they were so willing to accept him.

  As the night grew darker, more lamps were lit and placed around the walls, illuminating the open space. Alex eventually gave in to the pleading of some of the younger dwarfs and conjured several small weir lights. He sent the balls of light dancing around the park, changing their colors as they went. All of the dwarfs laughed and clapped as the weir lights whirled past them, and even King Thorgood watched them with wonder.

  As the evening wore on, Alex put out the weir lights one by one until there was only one light left, floating above his own head. As one of the servants came forward to lead Alex and his companions to their rooms, Alex sent the last light dashing through the crowd before shooting it up into the sky where it vanished from sight.

  They were led out of the pavilion park to a large guesthouse nearby, which Thorgood declared was theirs for as long as they needed it. The house was impressive, stocked with everything they might need or want. There were bedrooms and baths for everyone, as well as several small sitting rooms and a large common room that could comfortably seat as many as thirty or forty people.

  It was late, and Thrang decided that it was time for all of them to be in bed. Thrain was unhappy about the order because he had been having such a good time at the feast. Thrang insisted, however, reminding him that they all had a great deal of work to do in the libraries and archives the next day.

  “I’ll need your eyes sharp tomorrow, Thrain,” Thrang said. “You and I are the only ones who can read all of the dwarvish letters. Arconn may know a few of them, and I don’t believe Alex has learned them all yet.”

  “Not yet,” Alex said through a yawn. “Though I have been studying. It was a difficult task—studying alone, without any dwarfs to help me. I will be glad for your help at the archives.”

  The company said good night and headed to their various rooms. Alex did not feel sleepy so he wrote a short message to Whalen to let him know how things were going. Once the note was sent, he remained seated at the small writing table, taking out one of his books about dwarf runes and writings and beginning to study.

  When morning came, Alex was tired from his night’s work, but felt his time had been well spent. He had learned all the dwarf runes from his book and could read most of the writing with only a little hesitation. He sat down to breakfast with his friends, looking forward to spending the day in the libraries.

  “Thorgood has had his people searching the libraries for us,” Thrang announced. “They haven’t found anything important yet, but with their help, I think we should find what we need quickly.”

  “Are you in such a rush to leave Benorg?” Alex questioned.

  “No, not at all,” answered Thrang. “But our adventure is not in Benorg or in the archives of this city. The sooner we find what we need, the sooner we can continue with the adventure properly.”

  “And as most of us don’t know how to read or speak the dwarvish language, I, for one, will be happy for all the help we can get,” Nellus said.

  After breakfast, Thrang led them out of the house and toward the mountains that stood behind the city. Alex admired all of the buildings in Benorg, which were quite beautiful and impressive to look at, and wondered how long it had taken the dwarfs to build such a fine city. He listened closely as Thrang pointed out various buildings and explained what each of them was used for.

  The libraries were located in several huge underground vaults, containing thousands and thousands of books and even more scrolls and pieces of parchment. Alex suspected it would take him a hundred years or more just to look at everything the libraries contained, and several hundred more to read it all, and he was grateful for the help Thorgood had offered them.

  “Thorgood said that these last two chambers hold the documents from the time of Albrek, so anything about him should be there,” said Thrang, leading them through the underground maze.

  “That narrows the search a bit,” said Barnabus with a short laugh.

  “It narrows it a great deal,” said Thrang, missing the joke. “And with the help Thorgood has sent, it shouldn’t take us more than a month or two to find what we need.”

  “Oh, is that all?” said Nellus sarcastically, elbowing Barnabus in the ribs.

  When they reached the second-to-last chamber, they found a dozen or so dwarfs busily sorting various documents. Thrang introduced his company to the chief librarian and then stepped aside to speak with a few other dwarfs.

  “I’m not sure what good I’ll be, as I don’t read dwarf or elf runes,” Nellus said.

  “I can read some dwarf runes, but no elf at all,” Barnabus added.

  “Then you can help
move things about,” Thrang said, looking up from his discussion with one of the other dwarfs.

  Alex and the others spread out through the enormous vault, looking for a place to begin. The chief librarian did indeed put Barnabus and Nellus to work moving stacks of documents. Arconn sorted through a large pile of documents written in elvish, and he was pleased to find that some of the books had actually been written by the elves of Thraxon. Thrain and Kat sat on the floor together at the back of the vault, looking through a large leather-bound volume she had found.

  Alex found a large table near one wall and started thumbing through the pile of documents that was stacked on it. He could read most of what was written on them, but there were some runes that were completely new to him. He tried not to read everything on every document, instead he skimmed the words he knew, hoping to find a passing reference to Albrek or perhaps even a map. Searching the documents was tiring, but Alex enjoyed it more than the others did. His ability to read dwarf runes improved as the day went on, and he found that he could move quickly through the old pages as long as he remembered to skim them and not read every word.

  They stopped their search at noon for a quick meal, which Thorgood had sent down to the vaults for them. After lunch, the chief librarian ordered Barnabus and Nellus out of the vault, saying that they were just getting in the way. Thrain watched them go with a sad look on his face and then returned to the enormous volume one of the librarians had given him. Alex suspected that this was not Thrain’s idea of an adventure.

  The documents in the vaults seemed endless as Alex and his friends returned day after day to the caverns. Barnabus and Nellus, still banned from the library, had taken to exploring the city, and on their fourth day in Benorg, Thrang sent Thrain along with them.

  “I need someone to keep an eye on those two,” said Thrang. “I don’t want them getting into any trouble.”

  “Well, if you really need me to,” Thrain said, a hopeful look on his face.