As Mr. Fern rushed off to find a pot, Alex heard Arconn laughing quietly.

“What’s so funny?”

“I fear your treasure room is about to grow larger,” said Arconn.

“Why?”

“The dragon’s bane plant is worth much more than all the items you’ve selected,” said Arconn. “Even a plant this small could make an apothecary rich.”

“I see,” said Alex. “I knew it was rare, but I didn’t think it was that valuable.”

Mr. Fern quickly returned, smiling and looking from Alex to the dragon’s bane plant.

Alex nodded and carefully divided his plant into two large pieces. Shaking the loose dirt from one of the pieces, Alex handed it to Mr. Fern.

Mr. Fern carefully put his half of the plant into its new pot. Brushing the dirt from his hands, he said, “I suppose a price needs to be agreed upon.”

Alex nodded, taking into consideration what Arconn had told him about the plant’s worth. After several minutes of discussion, and a few remarks from Arconn, Alex and Mr. Fern shook hands on a price. Alex stored all of his new items in his magic bag, while Mr. Fern hurried to the back to get the money he owed Alex.

“I didn’t think I’d make money on this trade,” said Alex, slightly embarrassed.

“It is a fair price,” Arconn said. “Hopefully, Mr. Fern will have success with this plant, and it will not be so rare in the future.”

“That would be nice,” Alex agreed. “The plant has wonderful healing powers and is useful in dozens of potions.”

“I know a few of them,” said Arconn. “Though I will not pretend to be an expert on potion making.”

Mr. Fern soon returned, carrying two bags with him. “One hundred gold in each. And as much again if and when the plant blooms.”

“You are most generous,” said Alex, accepting the two bags.

“Not at all,” said Mr. Fern. “A fair price and a wonderful trade. Now, let me see. Yes, here is a list of items that are always in demand at my shop. You can trade them at any apothecary shop in the known lands, but I would be in your debt if you could bring any items you find here to trade.”

“Thank you very much,” said Alex, taking the list from Mr. Fern. “I will. And when I return to Telous, I would like to see how your new plant is doing.”

“Yes, of course. You are always welcome here, Master Taylor.”

Alex returned his staff and the gold to his bag and said good-bye to Mr. Fern. He was pleased with the trade and hoped that Mr. Fern’s half of the dragon’s bane plant would thrive. As they left the shop, Arconn looked over Mr. Fern’s list of items.

“He was good enough to suggest trade values,” Arconn said, handing the list back to Alex. “Not all apothecaries are so honest.”

“You’re not thinking of changing professions, are you?” said Alex. “It looks like good money can be made by supplying apothecaries.”

Arconn laughed, but did not reply. Alex, of course, knew that Arconn had a great deal of treasure in his magic bag and that money was not a concern for the elf. The two of them walked back to the Golden Swan, talking casually.

As they waited for the rest of the company to return for the evening meal and the official start of the adventure, Alex told Arconn more about his last adventure. He told Arconn about the brownies he had met and how they had helped save the adventure. Arconn laughed at the story and promised not to mention the brownies to anyone.

“So, you’ve met Sindar,” Arconn said when Alex had finished his story.

“Do you know him?” Alex asked.

“No, though I do know abouthim, as he is well-known among all the elves.”

“I thought he might be,” said Alex. “I could tell that he was old, even for an elf.”

“Indeed he is,” said Arconn. “Sindar is one of the eldest who still remain in the known lands.”

Alex and Arconn’s discussion about Sindar was interrupted as the rest of the company appeared. Thrang led everyone back to the dining room they’d used earlier that day. Thrain seemed happier than he had been before, if that were possible, and Alex guessed that he had found an excellent weapon at Mr. Blackburn’s. Thrang took his seat at the head of the table and gestured for Arconn to sit at his left and Alex at his right. Once the entire company was seated, Thrang cleared his throat.

“You all know the goal of our adventure,” said Thrang. “We have one first-time adventurer with us, so I will ask you all to help him learn as much as he can. Master Taylor is also carrying a lost bag and wishes to return it to the adventurer’s heir, who lives in the city of Kazad-Syn. Since we will pass through the city as we travel, I have promised Alex time to return the lost bag.”

Thrang paused, letting his words sink in. Returning lost bags was the sworn duty of all adventurers as well as an honor and a burden.

After a moment, Thrang rang a golden bell. Servants appeared carrying pitchers. They filled mugs for the entire company, then left the pitchers on the table and departed.

“I will ask you all to drink with me,” Thrang said, raising his mug. “To the adventure, to the bargain, and for luck.”

“The adventure, the bargain, and luck,” the rest of the company repeated, and they all drank from their mugs.

“We leave for Thraxon in the morning,” said Thrang, setting his mug back on the table. He rang the bell once more, and the servants instantly appeared with their meal, departing as quickly as they had come.

“Arconn told me this is your first time as a leader,” Alex said softly to Thrang as they ate. “I’m honored to be going with you.”

“You are very kind, my friend,” said Thrang. “I never thought I’d be leading an adventure, you know, but King Thorgood insisted.”

“I suppose this means you won’t be retiring anytime soon,” Alex said with a smile.

“Perhaps not,” said Thrang. “Though I might follow Skeld and Tayo’s example and find myself a wife. It’s time I started thinking about an heir.”

“Don’t tell Halfdan.” Alex laughed. “He was very disturbed by the lovestruck way Skeld and Tayo acted when we saw them in Norsland.”

Thrang chuckled but didn’t reply. Alex turned his attention to his meal and the rest of the company. Nellus asked a few more questions about Alex’s last adventure. Kat seemed interested in hearing more about Alex’s friendship with Whalen and wanted to know about the acts of wizardry he had done before taking his staff. Barnabus and Thrain were both happy to just listen, though Thrain would often blurt out a question in pure excitement. As they finished their meal and started for the door and their beds, Alex pulled Nellus aside.

“How is Tara?” Alex asked softly.

“Much happier since she met you, my friend,” said Nellus, his eyes shining brightly. “I’ve never seen such a change in a person, and I’m very glad for it.”

“As am I,” said Alex.

The two of them hurried to catch up to their companions, who had already moved out of the dining room. Alex would be sharing a room with Thrain, which pleased them both.

“Don’t let your excitement get the best of you,” said Alex as they climbed into their beds. “Try to stay calm, and pay close attention to what you’re told.”

“That’s exactly what the oracle said.” Thrain laughed. “It’s so exciting! I hope I do well. Grandfather will be so pleased if this adventure is a success.”

“I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Alex turned down the lamp next to his bed. “And I’m sure we’ll find some success as well.”

“Do you really think so?” Thrain asked, showing no signs of being tired. “I mean, with so many experienced adventurers I suppose we should, but I’m a little nervous. What if the Ring of Searching is lost forever?”

“Sleep,” said Alex in a soft tone. “We will find out soon enough if the ring is where Thrang suspects it to be.”

“Well, yes, I suppose so,” said Thrain, turning down his own lamp. “But what if we don’t find anytreasure at all?”

“The amount of treasure we find has little to do with the adventure’s success,” Alex said sternly. Then he softened his tone. “But, don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find sometreasure.”