Adventurers Wanted 2) The Horn of Moran (6 page)

“Does the remedy grow more potent with age?”

“Oh, yes. Truth be told, what you had last time was almost fifty years old,” Halfdan answered. “Takes a long time to get all the ingredients. Some you have to pick in the moonlight, others on the first day of winter. Course, even if you
can
get everything else, there’s always the problem of moogosh berries.”

“Moogosh berries?” Andy questioned.

“They’re very rare,” Halfdan said. “And even if you know where a moogosh plant is, it might take years to harvest the berries. Only plants that are a hundred years old produce berries, and even then, they appear only once every twelve to fifteen years.”

“Perhaps I should learn to brew your potion myself,” said Alex in a thoughtful tone. “But I would guess the recipe is a well-guarded secret, and I don’t know where I’d be able to find things like moogosh berries.”

“We do keep the recipe secret,” Halfdan answered seriously. “Though that rule might be bent for a wizard like yourself.”

Both Alex and Andy laughed at Halfdan’s reply. The laughter sounded good in the cool morning air.

Alex wondered if all new adventures would be as bittersweet as this one seemed to be. He was happy to be on another adventure and glad that some of his friends were traveling with him, but he missed the friends who weren’t here.

They reached the great arch easily before midday, and as they filled their water bags and containers, Halfdan prepared a meal.

Halfdan’s cousin, Thrang, had been the cook on their last adventure together, and he was a good cook. Alex noticed Halfdan’s nervous look as they ate and suspected the dwarf was worried he wouldn’t measure up.

“Thrang has taught you his secrets,” Bregnest commented, smiling at Halfdan.

“Indeed, you are a master cook,” Andy added.

“Most excellent,” said Alex. “Thrang will have a hard time getting his job back.”

Halfdan bowed, blushing slightly at their comments.

Alex smiled, knowing that Halfdan took a lot of pride in his cooking skills and was pleased by their words of praise.

“And now, some final instructions before we arm ourselves,” said Bregnest, getting to his feet as they finished eating.

“We will follow the standard rules for adventures. If anyone becomes lost, the company will search for the lost person or persons for thirteen days. During that time, the lost member or members will also search for the company as best they can. After thirteen days, the company will suspend the search and continue toward their final goal, and the lost member will be on his own to do what seems best to him.”

Bregnest looked around at his companions, making sure they all understood what he was saying.

“I would remind each of you not to speak of our final goal to anyone,” said Bregnest. “The details of our goal are not to be shared—not even with our friends or families in Norsland.”

Alex noticed that Andy blushed slightly when Bregnest mentioned family, and he wondered if they would have a chance to meet Andy’s family.

“I do not think we will run into any trouble between here and Oslansk, but we should arm ourselves and be prepared. Better to be cautious then to be dead,” Bregnest concluded.

Once he had finished speaking, they all began taking their weapons out of their magic bags. Alex retrieved both his magic sword, Moon Slayer, from his bag and the true silver dagger that had been given to him on his first adventure. Fastening Moon Slayer to his left side and his dagger to his right, he looked around at the rest of the company.

Bregnest carried the same weapons as before: a sword at his side, a two-handed sword across his back, and a round shield with a red dragon’s head painted on it. Andy carried a round shield along with his other gear, and Halfdan’s ax had some fancy gold inlay added to the handle, but other than that, their weapons were the same as last time. Val carried a broadsword and a dagger, much like Alex’s own. Sindar, however, had a long knife hanging from his belt, and across his back were a pair of scimitars that looked extremely deadly. Sindar also had a helmet of black steel, which Alex saw him return to his magic bag.

“Ah,” said Sindar, glancing at Alex’s weapons. “I see you wear the ancient sword Moon Slayer. My people have said much about your sword. I hope that, if time allows, you will show it to me.”

“Gladly,” Alex replied. “But I hope you will not need to see it in battle.”

“A wise hope,” answered Sindar. “Though I must confess, I have wondered if the stories I have heard are true.”

“I can tell you that they are,” Alex replied in a low tone, so only Sindar would hear him. “And though there is something of joy when I use the sword, I would prefer to keep it sheathed.”

“I understand,” said Sindar with a nod.

Alex was impressed. There was something about Sindar that reminded him of Arconn, but he seemed much older than any other elf Alex had ever met.

After storing their water bottles in their magic bags, they mounted their horses once more and rode toward the great arch. Alex remembered being disappointed the first time he had seen the great arch. He had expected a beautiful stone arch, but it was only two large hills topped with white towers. Andy had explained that the hills were the sides of the arch and the sky was the top, which had only made Alex wonder why it was called an arch at all.

As soon as they passed through the arch, the landscape around them changed completely. Now they were riding along a road that cut through a green meadow lined with tall pine trees. There was still a fair amount of snow and ice in the shadows of the trees, but the air was pleasantly warm.

“A large company has passed this way in the last day or two,” Sindar commented as they rode forward.

“How many, do you think?” Bregnest questioned.

“Thirty or forty riders. Perhaps five or six pack animals,” said Sindar. “No wagons, and nobody was walking with them.”

“Do you think it might mean trouble?” Halfdan asked, his eyes moving to the trees around them.

“They might be traders,” said Andy. “A lot of people come to trade for wool in the spring.”

“Perhaps,” said Bregnest. “As they are ahead of us and not following us, I don’t think there is anything to worry about.”

They moved on without saying anything more. The sun was warm and bright above them, but the occasional gusts of wind were much colder than expected, and Alex wished he had worn heavier clothes. He could tell from the chill in the air that spring had only just arrived and that winter wasn’t completely gone. They followed the road south for about an hour before coming to a crossroad. Bregnest halted the company and looked at the three pathways before them.

“Well, Andy,” said Bregnest, “which of these will lead us to Oslansk the quickest?”

“The eastern road.” Andy pointed. “If we follow it, we will turn northeast and reach Oslansk in six days or less, barring any bad weather.”

“Then east we go,” said Bregnest with a nod.

It was obvious that Bregnest had known which way to go and had asked Andy out of courtesy. Alex tried to remember what Whalen had told him in his letters about courtesy and honor due to people during adventures in their homelands. It had all been interesting at the time, but Alex was finding it difficult now to recall all of the rules for Norsland. He promised himself that he would reread Whalen’s letters as soon as he could.

They continued to ride until the sun began sinking behind the tall pines. A steady cold breeze was blowing now, chilling them as they set up their camp. Once everything was in order and Halfdan was busy cooking, Alex took the opportunity to show his magic sword to Sindar.

“An ancient weapon,” Sindar commented, looking closely at the sword but not touching it. “I have long studied these weapons and their making. I can tell you that Moon Slayer was one of the greatest swords ever made by the dark elves.”

“Do you know a great deal about the dark elves?” Alex asked.

“I do,” Sindar answered. “Their ways of magic have always been of great interest to me. My own swords are also of their making, though not as old nor as powerful as yours.”

“Can you tell me about Moon Slayer and how it was made? I mean, about its power? And how it chooses its master?”

“I can tell you some things, but not all. There are none now alive who know everything about the great swords and how they were made.”

“The knowledge was lost with the dark elves then,” said Alex sadly.

“I believe that most of the information was lost, though there are some who say it is not lost, but only forgotten.”

“Do you know how the great swords choose their masters?” Alex pressed.

“I do not,” said Sindar in a thoughtful tone. “I do not think even the makers of the swords knew how the masters would be chosen.”

“They were foolish to make such swords then,” Val commented, looking over Sindar’s shoulder at Alex’s sword. “To make a sword that you cannot use—that is foolish.”

“Perhaps,” Sindar agreed. “But when the dark elves made these weapons, they were made for a specific person or a specific reason. The first masters were known, so making the swords was not foolish. It was when these first masters died or passed on their weapons that the swords began choosing their own masters.”

“And what would happen if someone the sword had not chosen tried to use it?” Val questioned.

“If the master were still alive, I believe it would be dangerous for anyone else to use the sword. I think the magic of the sword would turn it against anyone who tried to use it,” Sindar answered. “If the sword had no master, it might work as a normal sword, without giving its magical powers to the user. I’m not sure.”

“Did the dark elves make other weapons as well?” asked Alex.

“Yes, they made all kinds,” Sindar answered. “Many have been lost or destroyed. I believe that most of the weapons that remain are swords.”

Halfdan called out that their meal was ready, so Alex put Moon Slayer back into its scabbard and accepted a plate of food. He wanted to learn more about his magic sword, and the other magical weapons the dark elves had made, but he pushed his thoughts aside, thinking that he would have time to ask his questions as they traveled.

“Will your family be in Oslansk for the weddings?” Alex asked Andy as they ate.

“Yes. And they are excited to meet you all. My little brother, Michael, seems almost ready to burst with excitement.”

“How old is he?” Alex asked.

“He’ll turn thirteen the day after the weddings,” Andy answered. “He keeps hoping I’ll buy him his own horse for his birthday.”

“And will you?” Halfdan questioned.

“I’d like to, but Father isn’t happy with the idea,” Andy said.

“And why would your father be unhappy with such a gift?” questioned Sindar.

“Oh, well,” Andy began slowly, as if considering his answer. “The horse Michael wants is not as tame as the horses we already have. Father thinks it might be too much for Michael to handle.”

“And what do you think?” Alex asked.

“I think Michael will get his wish,” said Andy with a sly grin.

“Perhaps we should consider getting him a saddle to go with his horse,” said Halfdan.

“Oh, no,” said Andy, suddenly looking nervous. “You don’t need to get him a present, that would be too much.”

Halfdan winked at Alex, and Alex understood that he and Halfdan would be buying a saddle when the company reached Oslansk.

They finished their meal with a great deal of talk, and they stayed sitting around the fire for a long time. The night was growing colder, but the fire was warm and comfortable. Alex wondered if they should set a watch, but Bregnest said nothing about it.

“So tell us about Norsland weddings,” said Halfdan as the fire burned down. “What customs should we know about? What kind of gifts should we give?”

Andy paused to think. “I suppose the most important thing for you to know is that friends of the groom give gifts to the bride, while friends of the bride give gifts to the groom.”

“Nobody gives gifts to them both?” Alex asked.

Andy shook his head. “It’s an old custom all over Norsland. Though to be honest, I’ve never asked why nobody gives gifts to both the bride and the groom.”

“So now we have to find presents for brides we’ve never met,” Halfdan grumbled.

“You don’t have to give anything expensive or extravagant,” said Andy defensively. “It’s more of a thank-you for the invitation to the wedding sort of gift.”

“What type of gifts do strangers give?” Sindar questioned.

“Oh, well, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think there is any need for you to give anything,” Andy stuttered.

“It is a poor wedding guest who gives nothing,” said Sindar. “Perhaps, when we reach Oslansk, I can learn more about your customs and discover what sort of gift to give.”

Alex knew that, while Sindar and Val had not been formally invited to the weddings, they would both be included as part of the company in all the feasts and parties that went along with the celebrations.