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The Lost Stars ChronicleChapter 49: Luxus' Birthday
In the next two days, all memories of the quest were pushed aside as the Fellowship threw a birthday party for Luxus the equal of which had never been seen before. Bjarn rented the biggest room in the Inn, and all afternoon the Fellowship wandered the marketplace. That evening they all returned, each showing what they had bought. Aros and Reno had pooled their money to but an enormous cake from the baker, almost as big as Luxus himself, and it took the prime spot on the table. Bjarn, Anardan, Shainya, Hans, and Voolmark all came loaded with parcels and packages of every food imaginable: rich breads; fresh shanks of beef, vegetables of every kind. Such a feast was welcome after long days in the wilderness.
Luxus was ecstatic, beaming with delight as each parcel was opened and arranged on the long table. Never before had Luxus had a birthday party, but this one was sure to make up for all those that he had missed. Each Fellowship member found some time between heaping platefuls of food to talk to Luxus, then present him with a gift of something they had bought at the market. Halfway through the first course, Anardan came over to him holding a long bundle wrapped in brown paper.
“Are you enjoying the food, Luxus?”
The boy grinned through a mouthful of bread, his happiness contagious.
“Sure I am, Anardan! This is the best I've ever eated in my life!”
Anardan smiled, then handed him the package.
“I found something you might like in the market. Open it!”
Luxus moved aside his plate and then ripped open the paper, gasping in delight as a short sword rolled onto the table. It was forged of tempered steel, with a leather wrapped hilt and a shining bronze pommel.
“This is beautiful,” said Luxus as he carefully drew it from its brown leather scabbard, examining its tempered steel blade, “Thank you, Anardan!”
“This blade is of Forestman make, Luxus. Do you see that deer carving on the cross guard? I had a blade very much like this one when I was young. Perhaps later I’ll teach you how to use it.”
Luxus’s happy grin made Anardan almost forget that he had spent almost all of his gold on the sword. It had been worth it. Bjarn smiled. He was across the room, leaning back in a padded chair, and sipping a frothy beer.
“Nice party, eh?”
Aros plopped himself down besides Bjarn, grinning.
“Aye.” nodded Bjarn, “Kudos to Hans for organizing it, and kudos to Sir Dractor for coming up with the idea. We all needed it, but especially Luxus.”
Aros nodded and stretched.
“It looks like out quest has made a difference. The snow outside is already beginning to melt, and the sun is at last visible again. Dametreos is thawing.”
“And thank goodness for that.” smiled Bjarn, “I didn’t look forward to trudging though sleet and snow and ice on out way back to Drullen Bell.”
Aros laughed, and turned his attention to Reno and Shainya, who were sitting in a corner by themselves. He raised his eyebrows and winked. Bjarn chuckled and said slyly, “I think we’ll be celebrating something else pretty soon…”
“At least they should wait ‘til spring.” replied Aros, “best season of the year, methinks.”
“Aye.” agreed Bjarn, “We’ll all be heading up to Drullen Bell together, correct? No more fragmenting of the fellowship? Or will you go off adventuring again?”
“I’ll stay, for now.” Aros explained, “But I am the wandering type. I think once Dametreos has really dried out I’ll hit the road again, and probably take Luxus along with me.”
“Oh?” murmured Bjarn.
“Yeah. With Reno and Shainya getting, well...you know...he’d just be in the way, and he can’t stay with you. Besides, I’ve never had a sidekick.”
Bjarn laughed again. “I think Luxus will like that.”
Hans approached them and sat next to Aros.
“Sup, guys?”
“Just thinking about the future, Hans. By the way, great party.”
The assistant librarian shrugged. “Thanks. Too bad you guys have to go an’ all, but I’m sure you’re all eager to return home after the megablocks you all went through.”
“Yup.” agreed Aros, “While those two lovebirds flirt about and Bjarn shuffles papers on his Forestmen throne I’m going to take Luxus adventuring.”
Hans nodded. “Sounds good to me. When will you all be leavin’?”
“Tomorrow.” replied Bjarn, “Or the day after by the latest.”
“Gotcha. Well, don’t forget to say bye to me before y’all leave. In fact, I’ve got to cut this party short...Dad needs me to dust out all the bookshelves...tyco spring cleaning…”
It was the next day. The party had been cleaned up, Luxus’s presents packed away, and Han had managed to dust everything his father had required. Now the remaining members of the Fellowship of the Pendants: Bjarn, Reno, Aros, Luxus, Shainya, Anardan and Voolmark, stood outside on the steps of the Classic Archives, saying their farewells to Hans Lentawl and Daner Pluto. Bjarn firmly shook the hand of the great wizard and bowed his head.
“Daner, once again, let me thank you for your gift you have given to me. I am honored and forever grateful.”
“It was my pleasure.” smiled Daner, “You deserved nothing less.”
Next Reno, Aros and Luxus all offered and shook hands with Daner.
“If it wasn't for you, sir, we would have never known the truth of out parentage, and our own brotherhood. Thank you.” said Reno.
“Thank you, bearers of the Pendants. I am sorry I ever put that burden upon you, but I am glad to see at last their curse is gone.”
Then Shainya and Anardan formally shook hands, both murmuring thanks. Then Voolmark bowed before Daner, and they conversed quietly, wizard to wizard. Meanwhile, Luxus was clinging tightly Hans.
“Oh, thank you, thank you, Hans for the party, it was the most wonderful ever!” the child was saying over and over, trying to hide the tears leaking from his eyes.
“Hey, little fella…” Hans pried himself away, looked at Luxus, then hugged him tight.
“Take care, Luxus. Remember to study hard that book I gave you.”
Luxus nodded vigorously, smiling. Then he stepped back and went to take Shainya’s hand. She came forward and kissed Hans lightly on the cheek.
“Thank you for all your work, and for coming after us.” she said, “And thank you especially for watching over Luxus.”
Hans, who had gone red, muttered, “Sure thing, Shainya…”
Next was Reno and Aros, who pounded Hans on the back.
“You’re a lucky guy, Reno!” smirked Hans.
Reno laughed. “Don’t I know it!”
“Take care of yourself, Hans. Don’t let any bookshelves topple onto you!” chuckled Aros.
Hans grinned and replied, “I won’t. And take care of yourself, too, guys.”
Anardan and Voolmark then came forward and both thanked Hans for his help. Hans just shrugged and said, “Glad to be of aid. Certainly was a nice change to the mundane norm of sorting books and debating whether a word should be spelled with an O or OU.”
Last of all to say goodbye to Hans was Bjarn.
“You are always welcome in Forestmen land.” assured Bjarn, after he had shaken hands and had handed over a little token with the Forestmen symbol on it.
“If I ever start traveling, north is where I’ll head.” promised Hans, and awkwardly gave the Sign Of The Elk. Bjarn smiled and returned the salute. That was it. Goodbyes were done. Now they stood in two groups, Hans and Daner on the upper part of the stairs, the Archives framing their back, and the Fellowship, the muddy streets of Orion behind them. The was a silence, almost sad, but also joyful. Then Luxus raised his hand and cried, “Baeden byn!”, which in the Ancient Tongue, meant, “Farewell!”
Hans repeated the phrase, as did the others. Then the Fellowship turned and left.
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