Massimo returned to Ralanast at the end of his month, marveling at all he’d seen and done. He rode atop a new cart, a wide wagon with a roof over his head and a shiny red seat. In front of him a team of two drudges plodded with synchronized steps, the runes on their limbs glowing softly but steadily.
As he reached the sign that said Giorgio Sarto and Son Trading Merchants, Massimo glanced behind him at the bed of the cart, just to make sure it was all still there. He grinned. The cart was filled with Louan devices: timepieces, seekers, oracles and igniters. No prismatic orbs though; Lord Haruth had said merchants needed a special license to trade them.
It turned out the old man was a Louan lord. He had asked Massimo what he could give in thanks, and when Massimo had said he needed a new map to find his way home, the old man had laughed, clapping him on the back, and said he could do much better than that.
Massimo waved when he saw his father and brother up ahead. He halted the cart and clambered down until he was standing on the ground.
“Where’s my cart?” Giorgio demanded, coming to stand beside him.
“I’ve brought you a new cart, Father.” Massimo beamed.
Alonzo laughed. “Well done,” he said, clapping Massimo on the back. “I knew you could do it.”
“Look in the back,” Massimo said.
Giorgio didn’t move. Alonzo shrugged and jumped up onto the side of the cart, peering in.
“Lord of the Earth,” Alonzo said, whistling. “Louan devices! There must be a thousand deens worth.” Alonzo jumped back down. “You should look, Father. You won’t believe it!”
Massimo spoke. “Father,” he said, “I saved two silver deens from the trip, and I had this made.”
Massimo climbed up to the driving seat and brought down the sign. He handed it proudly to his father.
“It’s the same as before, just with a small change,” Massimo said.
“Giorgio Sarto and Sons,” Alonzo read out loud, smiling.
“Father, you've always asked Alonzo what he’s learned, but you've never asked me.”
“I never knew that,” Giorgio said softly. “Surely that’s not true…” He gathered himself. “What have you learned?”
“I learned that Alonzo is a very good trader. I suppose I always knew it. He’s the right man to take over from you. I learned that I have the capacity to learn, and that I’m ready to start. I learned that there’s no substitute for wisdom, and I learned that a generous heart isn’t always rewarded, but that’s no reason not to try.”
“Good lessons,” Giorgio said. He took the sign from Massimo’s hands. He clapped his son on the back. “Let’s take down the old sign and hang this one up.”