Adventurers Wanted 2) The Horn of Moran Read Online Free PDF Page A

then,” said Alex, nodding. “I accept the bargain and will gladly sign the agreement.”
     
    “Before you accept, I need to impress on you how important this quest is. If we do not return the Horn, and soon, there could be war. We are in a race, and it is a race we must win.”
     
    “A race?” Alex questioned. “Are there others looking for the Horn?”
     
    “No, not that I know of,” Bregnest answered. “But we will be in a race against time. We must find the Horn and return it to the rightful king. If war begins before we can return the Horn . . . Well, then our adventure would be a failure.”
     
    “And there will be trouble in Alusia,” Alex added. “But we should be able to do this quickly enough. The magic of the great arch will allow us to return at almost the same moment we leave.”
     
    “If only that were true.” Bregnest sighed.
     
    “What?”
     
    “The magic you speak of—the same magic that let you return home after your first adventure on the same day you left—does not apply here.”
     
    “Why not?”
     
    “Because both Norsland and Alusia are part of the known lands,” Bregnest answered. “Time is constant in the known lands. It has to be or nothing would ever get done.”
     
    “Oh,” said Alex. “I suppose that makes sense. I mean, well, I don’t really understand.”
     
    “And I’m not sure I’m the one to explain it,” said Bregnest. “All I can say is that for the known lands, time is constant. Ten days in Norsland is ten days in Alusia. The magical change of time only works for lands that don’t interact with the known lands. Your world has little or nothing to do with the known lands, so it’s easy for the magic to change time a bit.”
     
    “I see,” said Alex. “And people are traveling and trading in the known lands all the time, so the magic can’t do the same thing here.”
     
    “Exactly.”
     
    “Well, that’s all right,” Alex went on. “I’m still sure we can get the Horn back in time.”
     
    “Excellent. The company will be delighted to have you along.”
     
    “There are a couple of things I’d like to discuss with you,” Alex added.
     
    “Not trying to give away treasure again, are you?”
     
    “No, nothing like that,” said Alex. “But one of the six lost bags that I recovered during our last adventure belongs to someone in Norsland. I would like to return it if at all possible.”
     
    “We will make time for that,” said Bregnest.
     
    “And secondly, you said something in your letter about Skeld and Tayo both finding wives.”
     
    “It seems they have.” Bregnest laughed. “Andy knows the whole story, so I’ll let him tell you when we reach Telous. Attending the weddings won’t interfere with our adventure at all. In fact, it’s on our way to the Tower of the Moon, so that works out well.”
     
    “Well then, where do I sign? I can’t wait to hear about Skeld and Tayo.”
     
    Bregnest showed Alex where to sign the agreement and slapped him on the shoulder in a friendly way. Alex thought Bregnest looked almost as happy as he felt, and he was sure that this adventure would be a great deal of fun.
     
    “Val,” Bregnest called as they entered the main room of Mr. Clutter’s shop. “I want you to meet Alexander Taylor, our sixth member. He goes by Alex. Alex, this is Sedric Valenteen. He goes by Val.”
     
    “Pleased to meet you,” Val replied.
     
    “The pleasure is mine,” said Alex, his eyes searching Val’s face. There was no sign of any bruises, and Alex felt certain that what he had seen before had been a trick of the light and shadows.
     
    “We should be off to Telous,” said Bregnest. “The rest of the company will be waiting, and the midday meal will be ready soon.”
     
    “Gentlemen,” said Mr. Clutter, entering the room. “All set and ready to go, are you?”
     
    “Everything is ready. Will you file this for us, please?” Bregnest handed the adventurers’ agreement to Mr.