Slathbog's Gold - Forman Mark L (читать книгу онлайн бесплатно без .TXT) 📗

Alex wondered what a bummblehog was, but decided he might be happier not knowing. He looked around the room, and for a moment thought about running for the door, a last desperate hope to escape before it was too late. But he knew he wouldn’t run. Nobody had forced him to sign the Adventurer’s Bargain; he’d done that on his own. And now that he’d agreed to go, part of him was really looking forward to it.

“Out the back door if that’s all right,” said Mr. Clutter, his smile returning. “It’ll put you just outside of Telous and give young Mr. Taylor a chance to see the town.”

“Very well,” said Arconn, walking to the far side of the room. “Thank you for the tea and your help, Mr. Clutter.”

“Not at all, not at all,” replied Mr. Clutter with a laugh and a wave of his hand. “Always happy to help.”

“Off we go then.” Thrang nudged Alex with his elbow again. “No sense hangin’ round here when there’s an adventure waitin’.”

“No,” Alex agreed. “I suppose not.”

Alex followed Thrang, joining Arconn by the wall. He couldn’t see any sign of a door. Without a word, Arconn reached out and knocked three times on what appeared to be a solid wall. To Alex’s surprise, the silver outline of a door suddenly appeared exactly where Arconn had knocked.

“See you when you get back,” Mr. Clutter called, turning back to his desk and shuffling through papers once more.

Arconn pushed on the silver outline and the door swung open to reveal a sunny green field and a bright blue sky. Alex stared in amazement as Arconn stepped through the doorway. Thrang laughed at the stunned look on Alex’s face and nudged him forward. Nervously, Alex followed Arconn through the door and into the field. He turned just in time to see Thrang step through the doorway. The silver door faded behind him, disappearing with a small pop.

“Going to be a nice day,” said Thrang, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “Clear mornings like this are always good for adventures.”

Alex didn’t say anything, stunned by the sudden change in their location. He wasn’t sure what to think, and he wondered what he’d gotten himself into.

“I know it seems strange the first time,” said Arconn in a reassuring tone. “You’ll get used to it after an adventure or two.”

“Let’s go,” said Thrang, starting off across the field. “Bregnest will be waiting.”

“Bregnest?” Alex questioned as he hurried after Thrang.

“Silvan Bregnest, the leader of our adventure,” said Arconn.

Alex didn’t ask any more questions as they walked through the open field. He felt strange and out of place. Walking with a dwarf and an elf was new to him, and he wasn’t sure how or what he should be feeling. Any worries he’d had were fading fast, however, and the longer they walked, the happier he felt about his decision.

A small town came into view ahead of them as they left the field behind and started down a stone-paved road. Alex guessed that the town must be Telous and he looked around curiously.

Alex’s first impression of Telous was that everything looked extremely old. The town wasn’t shabby or run-down—it was actually well-kept and clean—it just feltold. The stone buildings along the road all looked as though they had been standing there for ages. The smell of woodsmoke filled the air, and the morning sun quickly warmed the stones beneath his feet.

Alex’s eyes moved wildly as he walked through the streets of Telous. The signs in the shop windows advertised all kinds of things he’d never seen in any shop at home. The people on the street were dressed much like Thrang and Arconn—in brown and green clothes made for the rugged outdoors—nothing at all like the people in Sildon Lane who usually wore suits and ties.

“We’ll find Bregnest at the Swan,” said Thrang, pointing to a large building ahead of them. “I suppose the others will be there too.”

The Golden Swan was three stories tall and stood alone in the center of Telous. It had white walls and many windows, each with emerald-green shutters and trim. Alex thought the building looked friendly and inviting. A large golden swan with emerald eyes hung above the main entrance of the tavern. Alex wondered if the swan was made of solid gold.

“Best tavern in Telous,” Thrang commented to Alex with a smile. “And the favorite of most adventurers.”

“It’s very impressive,” Alex managed to say as they walked through the main doors.

Alex and Arconn followed Thrang into one of several small rooms on the right-hand side of the building. The room was brightly lit by the sunlight streaming in through the windows and the several lamps that hung from the ceiling.

“Thrang,” a voice called from the far corner of the room. “About time you got back.”

“Not easy findin’ our eighth man,” replied Thrang. “Lucky we was able to find anyone at all.”

“Times aren’t what they were,” said the man in a serious tone. “But we needed eight for the job. Who have you found?”

“This is Alexander Taylor,” said Arconn, as they crossed the room. “He goes by Alex, and this is his first adventure.”

The man looked at Alex, his eyebrows rising. “I’m not too keen on taking a first-timer on a trip like this.”

“He was referred by Mr. Clutter,” said Arconn. “The Oracle did say eight, and now we are eight.”

“All the same,” said the man, as he stood and took a step toward Alex, “I’d be happier if he had some experience.”

“We couldn’t find no one with experience,” said Thrang, his voice a little tight. “We’re in a rush, and he was available. Besides, he’s already signed the Bargain.”

“Very well,” replied the man, stretching out his hand to Alex. “Silvan Bregnest.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Alex replied, taking his hand and shaking it.

“Clutter referred you then, did he?” Bregnest asked, returning to his chair.

Alex nodded cautiously.

“He’s a good judge, normally,” said Bregnest. “Hasn’t been wrong in more than four hundred years.”

“And he wasn’t wrong then, not really,” said Thrang, signaling for a barman to bring him a drink.

“Perhaps not,” Bregnest agreed.

Silvan Bregnest looked like a serious man to Alex. He was tall and lean, with gray eyes that shone brightly with an inner light. Most of his long, black hair was pulled into a neat ponytail at the back of his neck, but there was a single narrow braid hanging down either side of his face. He appeared to be a rugged man, tough and hardened by time and travel, and Alex felt a little uneasy standing under his gaze.

“Where are the others?” Thrang asked, taking a large mug from the barman. “They’ll be wantin’ to meet young Alex here.”

“They went to check on the horses,” said Bregnest, turning his attention away from Alex. “They should be back anytime now.”

“We’ll need to get Alex outfitted,” said Thrang in a matter-of-fact way.

“Andy can take him,” replied Bregnest. “We need to talk.” His eyes flicked to Alex and back to Thrang, who grunted into his mug.

For several minutes there was silence, except for the sound of Thrang drinking from his mug and the fire burning in the grate. Arconn sat beside Bregnest, calmly looking out the window.

Alex, not knowing what else to do, remained standing. He was just beginning to think that he should sit down as well, when a noisy group entered the room behind him.

“We’re ready to go,” a tall blond man called across the room to Bregnest. “Just need our eighth man and we’re off.”

“We have eight,” replied Bregnest, standing and nodding toward Alex. “This is Alexander Taylor,” he said. “He goes by Alex, and this is his first time out.”

“Skeld, son of Haplack,” said the blond man, grabbing Alex’s hand and shaking it vigorously. “Glad you’re with us.”

“So am I,” Alex managed to say, surprised by Skeld’s introduction.

“If you’ll allow me,” said Bregnest, pushing Skeld to one side. “Alex, I’d like you to meet your other companions on this adventure.”