Bregnest paused for a long moment.

“The prophecy was given to me many years ago, and I was never sure it was a true prophecy,” he said slowly.

“Enough,” Thrang said loudly. “Just tell us what it is.”

“Very well, Master Silversmith,” said Bregnest. “I was told that I would find a great wizard on my adventures. A wizard who would also be a warrior, though he would not know of his talents when I found him. The prophecy said I would help him find the path he should follow, and that he would go on to do many great and noble deeds.”

“That seems to have come true in part then,” said Thrang, smiling at Alex. “And as soon as young Alex goes on another adventure, it may come true completely.”

“Indeed,” Bregnest agreed, raising his mug to toast Alex. The others all followed his example.

Alex went pink, but smiled and raised his own mug as well.

“I declare our agreement fulfilled and our adventure at an end,” said Bregnest after the toast. “Some of you will be leaving when we finish here, and the rest of us will leave in the morning. Until we meet again, I wish you all a fond farewell.”

“Until we meet again,” the company repeated.

There were many good-byes and promises to visit each other in distant lands. Alex promised to visit everyone, though he had no idea how to find any of his friends once they left Telous.

Andy, Skeld, and Tayo were leaving that afternoon, and Alex joined the others in front of the Golden Swan to say good-bye once more. Tayo pulled Alex to one side as the others crowded around Skeld and Andy to say their farewells.

“I owe you more than the others will ever know,” said Tayo. “If ever you have need, please, feel free to call on me.”

“You are most kind, my friend,” replied Alex. “I hope you find the happiness you deserve.”

Tayo pulled Alex into a huge bear hug, squeezing him so tight Alex thought for a moment that his ribs would break. When Tayo released him and pulled away, Alex saw tears of happiness in Tayo’s eyes.

“Farewell,” Bregnest called as Andy, Skeld, and Tayo rode away. “May we meet again soon.”

Once the three warriors were out of sight, Alex went back into the Golden Swan with his remaining companions. He was just wondering when he would see his departed friends again, when he suddenly thought of something else.

“How am I going to get home?” he said out loud as the thought occurred to him.

“Oh, you needn’t worry,” laughed Thrang. “Bregnest, Arconn, and I will be coming with you to Clutter’s shop.”

“You will?” Alex asked in surprise.

“’Course we will,” Thrang laughed. “Bregnest needs to pay Clutter his share for the adventure, and Arconn and I have to update everyone’s files.”

“What files?” Alex questioned.

“The Adventure Shop keeps records about all adventurers. After each adventure, one or two of the company are chosen to update the files on themselves and the other adventurers. And I don’t mind saying, we’ll have a fair bit of work updating your file.”

Another thought occurred to Alex. “What about Shahree?”

He didn’t want to leave his horse behind, but he had no idea what he would do with a horse back at the Happy Dragon. Not to mention how he would explain how he had gotten a horse if he took Shahree home with him.

“You can stable her here,” Thrang suggested. “The Swan keeps a good stable, and the price is fair. And if you leave her here, she’ll be waiting when you go on your next adventure.”

Alex was relieved, and he left his companions at once to make arrangements for Shahree’s care. He stopped by her stall to say good-bye, at least for a little while. She seemed to understand when he told her he was going home but she was staying there. She looked sad, but nuzzled Alex’s shoulder in her own farewell.

The next morning, Alex ate breakfast with Bregnest, Arconn, Thrang, and Halfdan. It was a quiet affair without Skeld and Tayo’s jokes or Andy’s laughter. When they finished, Halfdan said good-bye to Alex and made him promise to come visit as soon as possible. Halfdan would be waiting at the Golden Swan for Thrang to return so the two of them could journey home together.

“If you’re ready then,” said Thrang.

“I suppose I am,” said Alex. “Though I wish I could start another adventure, now that I’ve been on one.”

“I doubt you will have to wait for long,” Thrang replied. “Wizards are always wanted on adventures. Plus you’ve got your meeting with Vankin to look forward to.”

“And your home may be different than you remember it, now that you’ve been on an adventure,” said Arconn.

Alex nodded and smiled. He waved good-bye to Halfdan as he and the others made their way along the streets of Telous. Almost before he knew it, they were standing in the same field he had arrived in so long ago. There was no sign of a magic door however, and he wondered how they would get back into the adventurer’s shop.

“Mr. Clutter should be opening the door any time now,” said Arconn. “I sent him a geeb, telling him what time we’d be arriving.”

Almost as soon as Arconn had finished speaking, the silver outline of a door appeared in front of them. The door opened slowly, and the four of them stepped into Mr. Clutter’s shop.

“Well, then,” said Mr. Clutter, smiling. “Back already, are you?”

“We’ve had a fair bit of luck,” replied Thrang, moving into the room. “Our young first-timer here proved more valuable than we bargained for.”

“Ah, Mr. Taylor,” said Mr. Clutter happily. “So glad to see you again. I received a message for you just this morning . . . let me see, where did I put that . . .” Mr. Clutter searched his desk and produced an envelope. “Ah, here we are. As I said, just arrived this morning. Very exciting, I must say.”

Alex took the letter from Mr. Clutter. His name was written on the front of the envelope in large red letters. Alex wondered if it was an invitation to join another adventure already or perhaps a message from one of his friends in Vargland. The back of the envelope was sealed with dark purple wax and the image of a star. Alex slit the envelope open and read the letter inside.

Master Alexander Taylor, Esq.,

Dear Alex,

I hope you won’t mind if I call you Alex as our mutual friend, Bregnest, told me that I should.

Alex, I know that right now you’d like nothing more than to be starting a new adventure. However, I must insist that you return home to your stepfather’s house. I don’t have time to go into details now, but I will explain everything to you as soon as I can.

                                  Yours in fellowship,

                                  Whalen Vankin

Alex wondered how Vankin had known he would be in the adventurer’s shop this morning. He also wondered why the letter was signed, “Yours in fellowship,” which didn’t mean anything to him.

“I suppose Whalen knows what he’s talking about,” said Bregnest when Alex showed him the letter. “He may have his own ways, and I’ll admit he sometimes acts oddly, but he knows more than most. You should do what he says.”

Alex nodded and put Vankin’s letter inside his magic bag. Looking toward the door of the shop, he realized it was time to say good-bye.

“You’ll want to change then,” said Mr. Clutter, carrying a tray of tea and cakes into the room. “No good going home looking like that.”

Alex looked down at himself and realized he was still wearing his traveling gear, including the true silver dagger that Umbar had given him. He wondered what Mr. Roberts would say if he turned up looking like this.

“Just in here,” said Mr. Clutter, directing Alex to another door. “You can put your old things on and be ready to go.”

Alex walked through the door and noticed that his clothes suddenly felt strangely loose. Looking at himself in a nearby mirror, he saw that his hair, which had grown long during his  adventure, was as short as it had been when he’d first entered Mr. Clutter’s shop. The change had happened so quickly Alex hadn’t noticed the magic around him.