Adventurers Wanted 2) The Horn of Moran by M.L. Forman Page B
Authors: M.L. Forman
Tags: Fiction, General, Fantasy, Juvenile Nonfiction, Action & Adventure, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Magic, Fantasy & Magic, Orphans, Wizards, Adventure and Adventurers, Adventure stories, Authors; American, bullying, Orphans & Foster Homes
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had thought about giving it to Mrs. Goodseed. He felt that it should come from the company, as a thank-you gift to Mrs. Goodseed for taking such good care of them. Bregnest thought it was an excellent idea, and insisted that Alex present the brooch on behalf of them all.
“We will compensate you for the cost,” said Bregnest.
“Oh, there’s no need for that,” said Alex. “It was part of a trade I made with Elwig. I have no idea what it would cost by itself.”
“Still, we should make some compensation,” Bregnest insisted.
Alex waved his hand. “It’s a small thing between friends, and the cost is little enough.”
Bregnest didn’t reply, but simply nodded his acceptance.
Alex knew that Bregnest wasn’t pleased with his answer, but also knew he would not argue the point.
That afternoon there was another feast, and Alex was asked to join the wedding table, as he had been the ring bearer. He sat between Lilly and Indigo, answering their questions about his last adventure with Skeld and Tayo.
Alex answered all the questions that were asked, careful to always point out Skeld and Tayo’s parts in the adventure. Skeld and Tayo beamed at him, and would occasionally interrupt to point out something he had done as well. Alex was grateful that no one asked about Tayo’s wounds or how he had magically called Tayo back from near death. He didn’t think either of those subjects would go over too well at a wedding feast.
“You have done well,” said Bregnest, walking beside Alex as they returned to the Goodseed house. “You have shown great kindness to your friends and increased their honor. In doing this, your honor grows as well.”
“It seems a small thing,” said Alex. “Though little things are often the most important of all.”
“I see that Whalen has taught you a great deal in a short time,” said Bregnest in a thoughtful tone. “You have changed much since our last journey together.”
“Yes, I believe I have,” Alex admitted. “But I’m still the same person, and I still know who my friends are.”
Bregnest chuckled softly at Alex’s reply and said no more.
Alex knew he had changed during the six months he’d been at home. He had learned more than he had ever thought possible in so short a time. He also understood a great deal more about almost everything having to do with adventures. And now he was learning more and more about magic, and what he might one day become.
Their remaining days in Oslansk passed quickly, full of both work and fun. Each day there were more preparations to be made for their journey and long discussions about what might be ahead of them. Each night there was another feast, another party, and more questions for Alex to answer.
In the little time that Alex had to himself, he began reading the books Whalen had assigned to him. He was relieved to find that simple transfigurations were not too difficult for him to do. On his first attempt, he managed to change a small rock into a white mouse. The magic didn’t take a lot of energy, but it did require him to focus his thoughts and picture the mouse clearly in his head. He hastily changed the mouse back into a rock, however; he didn’t want it to escape into the house and scare Andy’s mother.
He also practiced Whalen’s breathing exercises. Yes, they were a bit silly, as Whalen had said they would be, but already Alex could see how they could help him gain control of his emotions. They made him think about his emotions more than he normally would have, and that alone was a great benefit.
On the night of the final wedding feast, Skeld, Tayo, and their wives said good-bye to the company. They thanked them all for coming and wished them a safe and profitable journey. They all thanked Alex once again for being their ring bearer and made him promise to visit again as soon as he could.
Chapter Six
The Second Bag
T he next morning
“We will compensate you for the cost,” said Bregnest.
“Oh, there’s no need for that,” said Alex. “It was part of a trade I made with Elwig. I have no idea what it would cost by itself.”
“Still, we should make some compensation,” Bregnest insisted.
Alex waved his hand. “It’s a small thing between friends, and the cost is little enough.”
Bregnest didn’t reply, but simply nodded his acceptance.
Alex knew that Bregnest wasn’t pleased with his answer, but also knew he would not argue the point.
That afternoon there was another feast, and Alex was asked to join the wedding table, as he had been the ring bearer. He sat between Lilly and Indigo, answering their questions about his last adventure with Skeld and Tayo.
Alex answered all the questions that were asked, careful to always point out Skeld and Tayo’s parts in the adventure. Skeld and Tayo beamed at him, and would occasionally interrupt to point out something he had done as well. Alex was grateful that no one asked about Tayo’s wounds or how he had magically called Tayo back from near death. He didn’t think either of those subjects would go over too well at a wedding feast.
“You have done well,” said Bregnest, walking beside Alex as they returned to the Goodseed house. “You have shown great kindness to your friends and increased their honor. In doing this, your honor grows as well.”
“It seems a small thing,” said Alex. “Though little things are often the most important of all.”
“I see that Whalen has taught you a great deal in a short time,” said Bregnest in a thoughtful tone. “You have changed much since our last journey together.”
“Yes, I believe I have,” Alex admitted. “But I’m still the same person, and I still know who my friends are.”
Bregnest chuckled softly at Alex’s reply and said no more.
Alex knew he had changed during the six months he’d been at home. He had learned more than he had ever thought possible in so short a time. He also understood a great deal more about almost everything having to do with adventures. And now he was learning more and more about magic, and what he might one day become.
Their remaining days in Oslansk passed quickly, full of both work and fun. Each day there were more preparations to be made for their journey and long discussions about what might be ahead of them. Each night there was another feast, another party, and more questions for Alex to answer.
In the little time that Alex had to himself, he began reading the books Whalen had assigned to him. He was relieved to find that simple transfigurations were not too difficult for him to do. On his first attempt, he managed to change a small rock into a white mouse. The magic didn’t take a lot of energy, but it did require him to focus his thoughts and picture the mouse clearly in his head. He hastily changed the mouse back into a rock, however; he didn’t want it to escape into the house and scare Andy’s mother.
He also practiced Whalen’s breathing exercises. Yes, they were a bit silly, as Whalen had said they would be, but already Alex could see how they could help him gain control of his emotions. They made him think about his emotions more than he normally would have, and that alone was a great benefit.
On the night of the final wedding feast, Skeld, Tayo, and their wives said good-bye to the company. They thanked them all for coming and wished them a safe and profitable journey. They all thanked Alex once again for being their ring bearer and made him promise to visit again as soon as he could.
Chapter Six
The Second Bag
T he next morning
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