Adventurers Wanted 1) Slathbog's Gold Read Online Free PDF Page B

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 felt old. 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