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Walf's AdventureChapter 11: Adventures For Another Day
“But Alex, we must go back!”
Walf’s frequent cry was beginning to really annoy Alex. He turned and snapped, “Walf, as I’ve said before, NO! There is no way we can go back to Classic LEGOland now, thanks to Dale and that megabloks sword!”
“But it wasn’t Dale’s fault!” pleaded Walf, “And besides, he might need our help! We can’t run away from him!”
“You’re the expert on running away, as I recall!” shot back Alex.
Walf turned rigid, then tears filled his eyes. He dashed out of the room, down the inn stairs and away.
“That was cruel.” commented Logan from the bed, “No one ever completely recovers from the death of their parents, and Walf is only a child. You shouldn’t remind him of their death.”
Alex sagged in his chair.
“I know. Megabloks it. I hate it when I do dumb things like that...that kid’s right…”
“He is.” affirmed Logan, “And we should go back, you know. We’ve spent a month here in Limtol, and now that your wrist, Walf’s ear and my chest have healed up, perhaps we should get on the move again.”
“Aye...you’re right. But once in Orion, what then?”
“Well,” Logon sat up and stretched, “Walf could probably apprentice himself to Jos -- he’s the right age and all, and you could go where you liked once this Dale issue is settled. As for me -- I’m heading south.”
“Into Black Knight land?”
“Aye, to my home country. I’ve been away too long. All this while I’ve searched for the Lone Ranger, and I haven’t found a trace of him, so perhaps that son of a megablocks doesn’t even exist any more. Good riddance. Anyway, I think I’d like to settle down. Perhaps take up blacksmithing, or woodworking, or something like that...something peaceful. Anyway...where would you go after Orion?”
“I don’t know.” admitted Alex, “Maybe like you, I’ll head home...my home...to Western Knight’s Kingdom. I haven’t been home since I left four years ago to fight with the Crusaders…”
Logan smiled and nodded. “Home. All of us heading home. Sounds good to me.”
Alex stood and smiled too. “Right. Let’s pack up the wagon and fetch Walf. Orion it is...then home…”
It had taken a week, but at last the trio were back in Orion. During their journey, the tempratures had risen, and the scattering of snow about them had melted and turned the Royal-Classic Trading Route into a long stretch of mud. The cart had gotten stuck quite often, but with three willing back it was soon set rolling again. By the last leg of the journey Alex, Logon and Walf were all eager for a bathe and some warm food. They got it when they entered Orion's east gate and entered the first inn they came across, the Gaudy Goose. The rooms were cheap and scantly furnished, but it did have a bathhouse and the cook produced filling meals. After a long bath each, the two men and the boy ate their fill at the tavern section of the inn, talking little but enjoying the cheerful sounds around them.
At last Alex spoke, “It seems things are getting back to normal around here…”
“Good thing, too.” replied Logon.
“When are we going to look for Dale and Jos?” asked Walf, slurping his own drink.
“Soon, after we finish eating.” Alex assured.
Soon plates were scraped and glasses emptied, and they left the inn in search of their friends. It didn’t take long to find Jos. He was right where they expected him to be of course, staying at the Gold Wallow Inn. They didn’t however, expect to find Dale there or in such good health, but that was soon explained as they sat, talking and laughing in Jos’s room. Dale introduced them to Keavur and Alex inquired as to his friend, the wolf.
“Ugrun?” said Jos, “No, I haven’t seen him. Didn’t he leave with you?”
Alex shook his head, “No, but I’m sure he’s alright. He’s a wolf, after all. And you Mr. Stormspear?” he said, changing the subject, “What are you going to do now?”
“Well, I imagine I’ll keep on southward. That’s actually where I was heading before your little problem here waylaid me, so to speak.”
“No way!” said Alex, “I’m heading south too. Knights Kingdom for me. Perhaps we can go together as far as our paths lie in step with each other. Logen here, is heading south as well and with the three of us we would be well equipped to deal with any trouble that might arise.”
“Well I’m not in any hurry.” Logen said, “We’ve been on the road for a while and I wouldn’t mind spending a fortnight here before going on again.”
Dale and Alex, both heartily agreed and passed their pints around for another filling. So the reunited friends talked well into the night, and when Walf finally laid his head down to rest, he was asleep right away. But before his mind slipped into dream, he had one final thought. Everyone had spoken their mind on what they planned to do and where they were headed. Everyone but him, that was. What would become of Walf? He had overheard some vague words about him staying with Jos, but nothing was said for certain, and before he think on this more, Walf was out.
Some days later when Alex, Keavur and Logen were out on the town, Walf went down into the kitchen of the Gold Wallow inn to see what Jos was doing. Walf found the baker just as he was removing a fresh batch of bread from the oven and setting it out to rise.
“Where is everybody?” asked Walf grabbing an apple from a nearby basket of fruit.
“Aht-aht-ah.” said Jos, snatching the apple and putting it back, “You’ll get yours soon enough without dipping into the customer’s food. Now, Logen and the rest have left for the--”
“Left?” said Walf, alarmed, “Without saying goodbye? Without taking me with them?”
“Calm down Walf, they just went out to take in the city. Speaking of which…Walf, are you sure you want to go with them when they leave?”
“I don’t know. Might as well I suppose. Don’t have any home here.”
“Hmmm yes. You know I can’t help thinking back to the quiet days before the war. I didn’t really know you then. Walf to me was just a nice boy who bought bread from me fairly regularly. But now…well I guess I’ve become sorta attached to you. What I guess I’m trying to say is…how would you like to stay here and live with me?”
Walf was silent for moment, looking into Jos’s eyes to be sure he was serious.
“I’d like that.” he said at last, “I’d like that very much.”
When the time came at last that the group should be separated, they all gathered in the great room at the Gold Wallow for one last hurrah. And after many fond farewells, they parted company. Alex, Logen and Keavur (for Dale had chosen to stay in Orion) waved goodbye as they stepped out the door. And in another five steps they had turned the corner and were out of sight of the Gold Wallow Inn. In time they found themselves at the south square of Orion, standing beneath the stone statue there.
“So,” said Logen, “To the south?”
“To the south.” Keavur repeated.
But before they had even taken one step, a voice called out from behind them.
“Alex?”
Alex turned and to his surprise saw a tall stranger in adventurer’s garb coming towards them, a small boy at his side.
“Aros?”
Above the party, the statue watched the warm reunion of the two old friends. Smiles and laughter and slaps on the back. But the statue didn’t care about this. At the moment he was trying to exercise the movement in his left forefinger. It had been almost two months since his consciousness returned just in time to see the snows of winter recede, and after all that time he was only able to twitch his forefinger. H ow many decades had he been petrified? With the rain wearing away his stony flesh, birds leaving their dung on his head and moss growing up his leg. How many centuries since he’d uttered the spell to save himself from that bomb in his quarters? It was an assassination attempt. He knew that.
The statue watched again as the group of four men and the boy headed down to the southern gate. It might be a year before he could fully move again. But that day would come and when it did the world would again tremble at the name of Khal the Conqueror…
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