“Very well,” said Alex. “Before I agree, I must ask something of you.”

“If it is in my power, I will do whatever you ask,” said Thrang in a serious tone.

“I still carry five lost bags. One of the heirs lives in Thraxon, or so the bag maker told me. I would like to return the bag to the lost adventurer’s heir if I can.”

Thrang nodded solemnly. “We will make time for that noble deed. Do you know where the heir lives?”

“In the city of Kazad-Syn,” said Alex. “Do you know it?”

“I do,” said Thrang. “Kazad-Syn is one of the largest dwarf cities in Thraxon. We will almost certainly pass through it on our quest. You will easily be able to return the bag.”

“Then you had best show me where to sign,” said Alex. “Then we can go to Telous, and I can answer all your questions about my latest adventure.”

“Wonderful,” said Thrang. “I am pleased and proud that you’ll be coming with us.”

Alex signed the agreement. He was excited to be going on another adventure and happy that so many of his friends would be joining him. Thrang led Alex back to Mr. Clutter’s office, handed Mr. Clutter the signed agreement, and asked him to file it for him.

“Another adventure is under way, ” Mr. Clutter said happily.

“Which way, then?” Thrang asked, cutting off Mr. Clutter before he could get going.

“The back door, I think. Unless, of course, you’d rather use the wardrobe.”

“The back door will be fine,” Thrang said quickly. “The wardrobe always ruins my appetite.”

“Very well, then,” said Mr. Clutter, moving to the back of his shop to open the door for them. “I wish you the best of luck. I’m sure you will find success.”

“Thank you,” said Thrang with a bow as he stepped through the doorway.

Alex didn’t say anything, but simply smiled at Mr. Clutter before following Thrang. Almost instantly, he was standing in a green field just outside of Telous. He took a deep breath of fresh air and almost burst into laughter. It was time to start a new adventure.

Chapter Two

Reunion

So, you’ve taken your staff,” said Thrang as he and

Alex walked toward Telous.

“Whalen thought I should,” Alex said with a shrug, “so I did, though I must admit, I wasn’t as sure as Whalen was.”

“If Whalen Vankin thinks you’re ready for a staff, you’re ready,” Thrang said matter-of-factly. “Old Vankin knows more than most.” He sighed. “Halfdan told me a little about your last adventure. I wish I’d been able to go with you.”

“How is your cousin Halfdan?” Alex questioned. “Why isn’t he coming along on this adventure?”

“Halfdan’s taking my place as minister.” Thrang laughed. “Somebody had to take over the trade agreements with Vargland, after all.”

“And is he happy about that?” Alex asked, remembering how Halfdan had laughed at the thought of Thrang as a minister.

“Not really. He’ll be in charge of the trade expedition and all the details, which he is nervous about. Still, the job will be good for him, I think—teach him a bit of responsibility. And he will get to travel to Vargland, which will make him happy.”

Alex and Thrang talked as they continued to walk. Thrang seemed completely happy to discuss the business in the dwarf realms and didn’t ask Alex about himself or his new status as a true wizard. Alex was relieved because that meant he could answer all of his friends’ questions at one time when they reached the Golden Swan.

“Alex!” an excited voice called as Alex and Thrang approached the Swan.

Alex’s young dwarf friend, Thrain, rushed down the tavern steps, but at the bottom, he suddenly skidded to a stop and looked completely unsure of what to do next. Alex could see that Thrain hadn’t changed much since he’d last seen him in Vargland, and he had to smile at Thrain’s boundless enthusiasm and excitement.

“I see that my friend the oracle told you what you wanted to hear,” said Alex.

“Oh, yes,” Thrain said happily. “I was going to tell you before, but the oracle said not to.”

“You were wise to listen,” said Alex. “And now you’re off on your first adventure.”

“Yes,” said Thrain breathlessly. “Master Silversmith has been kind enough to accept me on this adventure. He’s also been very generous by helping me prepare and buying all of my equipment.”

“Spending more of your fortune on first-time adventurers, I see,” said Alex, winking at Thrang. “Which reminds me, I still owe you for my first adventure.”

“A debt you have repaid several times over,” answered Thrang with a laugh, gently patting the magic bag at his side. “After all, we did collect a fair amount of treasure on our last adventure together. Most of it because of you, I might add. And I don’t have you and Andy to help me spend my gold anymore.”

The three of them climbed up the steps of the Golden Swan and entered the tavern. Alex looked around, hoping to see his elf friend Arconn, but the main room was empty.

“We’ll meet the others for the midday meal,” said Thrang, walking toward the bar. “And you can tell us about your last adventure once we’re all together.”

Alex relaxed next to Thrang at the bar and asked Thrain about the dwarf realm of Vargland and for news of the friends Alex had made there during his first adventure. Thrain told him that King Osrik, who was Thrain’s grandfather, was still uncomfortable with all the ceremony that went along with being king, which didn’t surprise Alex at all. Umbar and his family were doing well since Alex had returned his father’s lost magic bag to him. Thrain also told Alex that hundreds of people had started moving east now that the evil dragon Slathbog had been destroyed.

“I met your friend, Sindar,” said Thrain. “He told us a little about your last adventure. Did you really kill all those goblins?”

“We really should wait for the others,” said Alex. “But, yes, we did kill quite a few goblins in Norsland.”

Alex could see that waiting until midday before asking questions was going to be hard for Thrain. He fidgeted in his chair and kept looking toward the front door as if hoping the rest of the company would appear. Thrain’s excitement reminded Alex of his own first adventure, and he smiled to himself.

Fortunately for Thrain, the wait was not a long one. The other members of the company soon arrived, and Thrang immediately led them all to a private dining room in the back.

“Master Taylor, I believe you know everyone here except Barnabus,” said Thrang after introducing Kat to the rest of the company.

“Barnabus Martin,” a man said, extending his hand. “I’m from Neska, and I am very honored to meet you.”

“The honor is mine,” said Alex, shaking Barnabus’s outstretched hand.

Thrang seemed a little unhappy that Barnabus hadn’t waited for the formal introduction, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he simply rang the bell that would bring their meal.

“We’ll talk about our upcoming adventure this evening,” said Thrang. “For now, I think many of us would enjoy hearing about Alex’s last adventure.”

“And I have a few questions for all of you as well,” said Alex.

Alex spent most of the meal answering questions and telling stories. Thrang and Arconn had the most questions because they had known him longest, but even Thrain and Nellus asked several questions. It wasn’t until they had almost finished their meal that Alex managed to ask his friends about themselves.

“I wish I had been able to join your last adventure,” said Arconn. “I would have liked to seen Skeld and Tayo tamed.”

“As would I,” Thrang added with a grunt. “Though Halfdan has told me all about the weddings and about what you did in Oslansk.”

“I did only what was needed,” said Alex with a laugh. “And I believe it has done some good.”

“A great deal of good, I should think,” Thrang agreed.