“Please, be seated, my friends,” said Tom, trying hard to smile but unable to manage it. “Let me introduce my witness—my brother Jonathan Cain, Junior.”
“A pleasure,” said Alex, bowing slightly. “I am Alexander Taylor. This is my witness, Anders Goodseed.”
“Yes, well then,” said Tom nervously. “I suppose we should get started.”
“Yes, we should,” replied Alex.
“All right,” Tom began, still sounding and looking nervous. “I will offer one in four of all treasure in my father’s bag for the bag’s return.”
Alex was taken aback by Tom’s offer; he knew how poor the Cain family was. He rubbed his chin for a moment as if considering the offer before speaking.
“You are too generous. I will ask but one in ten.”
“Now you are too generous,” Tom answered. “I will offer one in five.”
“I will make an offer that I hope you won’t refuse,” Alex replied after a moment. “If the bag holds more than ten thousand gold coins and ten thousand silver coins, I will ask one in seven of all. But if the bag holds less than that amount, I will accept only one in ten.”
“You are very kind and generous, Master Taylor, and I will accept on one condition. If the bag holds more than the number you have stated, I will give you one in seven of all gold and silver, but one in five of all gems.”
Alex thought for a moment, and then nodded his acceptance of Tom’s generous offer. Tom leaned forward and whispered the passwords in Alex’s ear. Alex nodded again, and then he retrieved Jonathan Cain’s lost bag from his own magic bag. Speaking softly into the mouth of the lost adventurer’s bag, Alex vanished from the living room.
When Alex entered the bag, it was completely dark. He lit the lanterns and torches with the password Tom had told him and waited. It wasn’t long before Tom Cain was standing beside him inside the bag, his legs shaking and his face pale.
“I’ve never been in a magic bag before,” Tom said nervously.
“First time for everything,” Alex replied with a reassuring smile. He remembered how he had felt the first time he’d entered a magic bag. “Come on, let’s look around a bit, shall we?” Alex could see that this first room contained a large desk and several comfortable-looking chairs, but no treasure at all.
They soon discovered that the bag had five rooms. In addition to the first room they had entered, there was a bedroom, a bathroom, a large storage room, and the treasure room. Alex was relieved to see that the storage room still held a great deal of food and supplies, which were still fresh and new, and that the treasure room was even larger than he’d hoped.
“Your father seems to have had some success as an adventurer,” said Alex, as he watched Tom’s jaw drop.
The treasure room was the size of a large banquet hall, and it was full of neatly stacked treasure. Alex was pleased to see that most of the treasure was in gold and silver coins. He really didn’t want to accept any reward for returning this bag, but he knew he would have to.
“I don’t . . . I don’t believe it,” said Tom, walking around the treasure room, his eyes wide in amazement. “I just don’t believe it.”
Alex managed not to laugh at Tom’s enthusiasm. He thought there was enough treasure here to keep Tom and his family comfortable for the rest of their lives, and that was all anyone really needed.
Once Alex managed to calm Tom down, he began explaining how the bag worked and how Tom could get things in and out of it. Tom caught on quickly and didn’t need Alex to repeat very much.
When they emerged from the bag they found Andy talking with the rest of the Cain family. Tom rushed to his mother and began telling her what was in the bag.
“You have done us a great service in returning this bag,” said Mrs. Cain, bowing to Alex. “My family is forever in your debt.”
“It was my duty and my honor to return the lost bag,” said Alex, also bowing. “And I hope that the contents of this bag will aid and comfort your family for many years to come.”
“And now for payment,” said Andy.
“Yes, of course,” said Tom. “It will take us some time to count the treasure and separate one in five of everything.”
“One in five of gems, only. One in seven of the gold and silver,” Alex reminded him. “And you should know, Tom, as I see my friend Andy has already told your family, I am a wizard, and if you try to pay me one coin more than our agreement, I may become very angry.”
“Of course, Master Taylor,” replied Tom. “The payment will be exactly as we’ve agreed. If you will give us two days to sort and count, your payment will be ready.”
“Then we shall return in two days’ time,” said Alex with a bow.
Once they had left the Cain house, Andy asked how much treasure was in the bag. Alex told him how much he thought there was. Andy was pleased with what Alex told him, and his step had a bit more bounce in it than usual.
“You were very generous,” said Andy. “But I’m glad you were. They’re nice people, and they deserve better than they have.”
Alex didn’t say anything as his mind was already thinking ahead to the adventure. Only two days until the payment would be made, that would please Bregnest. Two days, and then they would be off into wilder lands, lands where things could become dangerous in a very short time.
* * *
Two days later, Alex and Andy returned to the Cain house and saw immediately that repairs were already being made. There were stacks of lumber and buckets of paint piled neatly in the yard, waiting for the workmen to arrive. The entire Cain family welcomed Alex and Andy at the front door when they knocked, and Alex was quick to notice they were all wearing new clothes. Tom led them to a large room at the back of the house, where he and his brothers and sisters had gathered Alex’s reward.
Alex accepted the reward with a bow and swiftly stored it in his magic bag. Then Alex pulled Tom aside for a private word.
“I know your newfound treasure looks like it has no end,” said Alex in a serious tone. “But I would advise you to be both careful and generous with your gold. You never know what tomorrow may bring.”
“You are wise as well as generous,” said Tom, bowing to Alex. “I will heed your words and always remember your kindness.”
Alex and Tom bowed once more to each other in front of their witnesses, and the return of the lost bag was done. As Alex turned to leave with Andy, Tom’s younger brother Jonathan asked the question Alex had been expecting.
“Are you . . . are you really a wizard?”
“I am,” said Alex with a wink.
Without saying anything more, Alex picked up an old piece of cloth that was lying on the floor. With a wave of his hand he changed it into a beautiful silk scarf, which he presented to Mrs. Cain with a smile.
“An impressive bit of magic that,” said Andy, as they walked back to the tavern where their companions were waiting. “It seems you’re becoming more of a wizard all the time.”
“It was a simple gift for a kindhearted lady,” said Alex. “Besides, it’s good practice.”
Chapter Seven
Goblins and Elf Blades
As Alex was getting dressed the next morning there was a sudden pop and a ding as a geeb appeared on his bed. He quickly paid for the message and then pulled on his boots. Once the geeb had vanished, Alex opened the letter, which was from Whalen.
Dear Alex,
I understand you have been talking to Sindar about staffs and about what your future may hold. Sindar was correct in what he told you about the difference between buying a staff and being asked to take one. That is one of the reasons I’ve told you not to buy a staff. For now, I will tell you this: a staff is a tool, and nothing more. As you seem to be getting along without this tool, I see no reason to burden you with it, at least not yet.
Let me know about the return of the second lost bag in your next letter. Also, don’t worry about the rabbit that got away. You are quite right in your guess—it wouldn’t do to have too many of something left running around.