“Denounce her? I’ll kill her if I ever see her again, even if it means my own death. She can’t be allowed to go on. There’s no telling what she can do, Zollin.”
“We’ll deal with her when we can, but first we have a situation here.”
“What sort of situation?” Mansel said.
“We’re in Orrock; did you know that?” Quinn asked him.
“Yes, I remember everything,” he said bitterly, as if the words were acid in his mouth.
“Then you know there’s an army laying siege to the city,” Zollin said.
“And I think there’s a plot against Zollin,” Quinn said.
“What are we going to do?” Mansel said.
“Play along for now,” Zollin said. “But I need you to watch Quinn’s back.”
“I will. I won’t let anyone near him.”
“All right, good. Give me a little time. I’m supposed to meet with the King soon. I’ll be pretending to be drugged. I want you guys ready to move at a moment’s notice. Don’t worry about me, just make sure you get out of the city safe, if you have to.”
“All right. And Zollin, I’m sorry.”
Anger fought with sympathy inside Zollin as he looked at Mansel. He could see the contrition on Mansel’s face, but it didn’t bring Kelvich back. The old sorcerer had been Zollin’s mentor and a good friend. The thought of Kelvich dying with strangers was incredibly painful, but he didn’t have time to grieve. He’d made that mistake with Brianna, and it had cost Kelvich his life. He didn’t want anyone else to die because of his anger or rage. He put it from his mind and nodded.
“Just stay safe,” Zollin said.
* * *
Commander Corlis lay as still as possible. His eyes were closed, but he heard every word that was spoken. He knew that Zollin suspected the King of foul play and that he intended to go along with the King until he knew what was happening. Corlis wasn’t sure what he should do. If he went to the King, Zollin would be in danger, and Corlis was fond of Zollin. He had hoped they might become friends, but his first duty was to his King.
He had to figure out a way to get to the King without arousing suspicion that he was privy to Zollin’s plans. When Zollin hurried from the room, Corlis had hoped that Mansel and Quinn would follow, but they decided staying put was their best option. Corlis waited, impatiently. He knew he needed to convince Quinn and Mansel that he was just waking up and hadn’t heard their plans, but he also knew the longer he waited, the more time he was giving Zollin to betray the King.
Finally, when he couldn’t wait any longer, he yawned dramatically.
“Whose idea is it for sick people to have to sleep on a wooden table?” he said in a lazy voice.
“You’re awake,” Quinn said. “Zollin healed your wounds.”
“Yeah, now I just need someone to work the kinks out of my back from sleeping on a wooden table all night.”
“You’re lucky to be breathing,” Mansel said. “If Quinn hadn’t wounded me in our fight, I would have chopped you into bits.”
“Speaking of which, I think it’s time the castle guard put you where you belong,” the commander said. “I’m sure a dungeon cell will make this place seem like the King’s own chambers in comparison.”
“There’s no need for that,” Quinn said. “He was under a witch’s spell when he attacked us. The spell has been broken.”
“Oh, okay,” Corlis said. “If he was under a spell from an evil witch, then everything’s fine. Oh, wait, this isn’t a children’s story. This is real life, and he attacked an officer. That’s a hanging offense, I believe.”
“You can’t be serious,” Quinn said.
“I can,” Commander Corlis said in an arrogant tone. “You both stay here.”
“Okay,” Quinn said.
Then he punched Corlis on the chin with a right hook that snapped the commander’s head to the side. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed in a heap on the floor.
“Help me get him up,” said Quinn. “We’ll put him on the table and lock the door from the outside.”
“And where are we going to go?” Mansel asked.
“Somewhere we can be of help if we’re needed.”
Chapter 35
Zollin hurried up to the King’s chambers, where he found the King eating with his generals and Commander Hausey. The King stood up when Zollin entered.
“Ah, Zollin. We’re just about to talk strategy,” the King said in a warm tone. “Someone get Zollin a plate of food. It’s going to be a long day, and we may not get the chance to eat again anytime soon. You need to eat to keep up your strength.”
Zollin nodded and took the plate of food he’d been given by a servant. He tried desperately to remember what had happened in Felson when he’d been drugged. He remembered eating and then being woken up hours later by Kelvich. The King was already talking to his generals, discussing plans for King Felix to ride out with Commander Hausey and General Grigg under a flag of truce to sue for peace.
Zollin walked among the men, pushing out thoughts of seeing him eat, but he didn’t touch the food. Instead he scraped bits and pieces off his plate, just letting them fall on the floor. He wasn’t sure what else to do with them. He hoped his portrayal of a drugged person would be convincing enough to fool the King and his generals.
“I think perhaps Zollin should ride out with us,” King Felix said. “It will give us a chance to catch up on what we’ve been planning.”
“Not to mention he might prove useful in dealing with this wizard from the Torr,” General Grigg added.
“That’s fine with me,” Zollin said casually, but he was looking at Commander Hausey when he spoke. The look in the soldier’s eye wasn’t lost on Zollin. It was obvious the King was planning something.
“Let’s go, then,” Felix said. “The sooner we break this siege the better.”
They walked down the stairs together and Zollin moved slower and slower. Commander Hausey took his arm once they were several paces behind everyone else.
“Why did you eat?” he hissed in Zollin’s ear.
Zollin looked at him and winked. Then he leaned on Hausey.
“Master Zollin,” Hausey said loudly. “Are you well?”
“Just tired,” he said, shaking his head as if to clear the cobwebs.
“The boy needs more sleep,” said King Felix in a patronizing tone.
“I’ll be fine, Sire,” he said.
“Yes, I’m sure you will. Let’s get mounted.”
“What can I do?” Hausey asked in a hushed tone.
“Just stay close and alert.”
Commander Hausey helped Zollin onto the horse that a servant was holding for him. They rode through the city just as the citizens of Orrock were starting their daily chores. Zollin made a show of sagging lower and lower in his saddle. When they arrived at the main gate, General Griggs raised a lance with a white banner. The other generals rode through the gate first, followed by King Felix, then Zollin and Commander Hausey.
“Sire, I believe there is something wrong with the wizard,” said General Griggs in a mocking tone.
Zollin was now slumped onto the neck of his horse. He pretended to be completely senseless.
“Sire,” Hausey said. “What’s happened to him?”
“I took your advice, Commander, a little lavintha and milk thistle.”
“But why?”
“We’re making a deal,” King Felix said, “the one you brokered last night. Don’t act so surprised; we all knew this was inevitable. The boy had his uses, but he is a liability. This way, we end the siege in one master stroke.”
“Stay with him, Commander,” said General Griggs. “Make sure he stays on his horse. We don’t want the prize spoiled.”
They rode out toward the enemy lines. Zollin tried his best to look senseless while taking in as much of the scene as he could. The sun was just high enough to shed light on the army surrounding the castle. They were already up and in formation, as if at the slightest command
they could attack the city.
King Felix stopped less than fifty paces from the opposing army. They had to wait only a few moments before a similar delegation rode out from the enemy lines to meet them. Zollin didn’t have a good view, but Commander Hausey held up five fingers beside his leg, and Zollin guessed that meant that five riders were approaching.
“King Felix, thank you for coming,” said Offendorl.
“I have the boy,” the King said. “He is drugged and will offer no resistance.”
“Excellent thinking,” Offendorl said. “I will take him with me and leave the negotiations to you kings.”
“I thought I made myself clear,” said King Felix said. “Once you have the boy, you are to take your army and leave Yelsia.”
“Ah, but there is the matter of expense,” said King Belphan. “This venture to ensure the peace was costly, I’m afraid. Reparations must be made, both to Osla and Falxis.”
“Bring your demands before the council, King Belphan. I will not hear of your squabbling for coin while your army besieges Orrock.”
“I find that we are in the best bargaining position now,” said Belphan.
“Finish your negotiations without me,” Offendorl said. “The sound of your voices wearies me.”
“Give him the boy, Hausey.”
Commander Hausey hesitated, but Zollin gave a slight nod. Hausey led Zollin’s horse to Offendorl. The ancient wizard took the reins of Zollin’s mount and turned his own horse as if to lead them away. They had gone only ten paces or so when Zollin saw the old man nod, and a group of fully armed knights came charging forward.
“It’s a trap!” Hausey shouted.
King Belphan and King Zorlan turned their horses and raced away, while their knights came charging forward.
“Surround the King,” General Tolis shouted.
“We must retreat!” General Griggs shouted.
“There is no time,” Hausey cried.
Zollin waved a hand and a wall of invisible power slammed into the charging cavalry. The horses were knocked backwards, and their riders flew forward and crashed into the barrier.
Offendorl turned, throwing up a shield between himself and Zollin, but the young wizard was already attacking.
“Blast!” he screamed, thinking of his first attack on the wizards from the Torr in Tranaugh Shire. His attack then had surprised them, but it had not hurt them. Zollin expected no less from Offendorl, so he purposely let his attack go wide. Two thick beams of crackling energy shot from his hands. They bounced off the elder wizard’s defenses and then slammed into Offendorl’s wagon. The large wooden vehicle exploded and wooden shards flew into the air. The shockwave from the explosion rocked Offendorl forward as Zollin grabbed as many wooden shards as he could and sent them hurtling toward the master wizard.
Offendorl’s shield held the wood back, so that not even a splinter touched him, but his horse was a different matter. Several large slivers of wood sank into the horse’s hindquarters, causing the animal to buck and jump. Offendorl was thrown from the animal, and Zollin expected to see him land in a heap of broken bones on the hard ground. Instead, Offendorl rose up in the air and sent balls of fire hurtling toward Zollin.
Zollin kicked his horse and sent the mount charging forward so that the fireballs flew over his head.
“Get back to the castle!” Zollin shouted.
“Ride!” Commander Hausey bellowed, turning his horse and galloping back toward Orrock.
The other generals and King Felix followed, just as Zollin rode directly under Offendorl. He held up a magical shield over his head and pushed it up toward the elder wizard. The fireballs were bouncing off the shield now, each impact like a hammer blow on a knight’s shield, but the fire was also getting closer to Offendorl so that he was forced to move away.
At that same moment the army surrounding Orrock took the explosion and fire to be their signal to attack. The troops hurried forward, slapping their swords on their shields and stomping their feet. Clouds of dust rose in the air around them, and horns sounded on every side. Zollin was momentarily distracted and Offendorl’s next attack, a stunning whirlwind conjured in midair and sent hurtling toward Zollin, blew him off his horse as the mount reared its hooves, pawed at the air, and then stumbled backward.
Zollin landed on the ground with a massive crash that sent pain shooting through his back, but he didn’t have time to stop moving. The ground shook and began to split under him, so he jumped into the air, using his magic to shoot himself like an arrow straight at Offendorl. He didn’t know that wizard battles rarely brought the combatants close enough for hand-to-hand fighting. Offendorl was surprised at the move and flung up his magical shield for protection, but Zollin had his own shields raised. The two wizards crashed together, their magics surging.
Zollin felt his own power coursing through the containment field he had constructed. It was blindingly hot, but the containment held and didn’t allow the magic to drain his physical strength. Offendorl, on the other hand, was sweating. Zollin could see the strain on his opponent’s face and doubled his efforts to get closer to the elder wizard. It was like the intense struggle when two warrior’s blades lock together and the battle becomes a test of strength. Zollin could feel the barrier around his magic starting to break apart. He knew that pushing himself this hard was dangerous. If his containment broke down, he could easily be killed by the magnitude of his magical exertion. At the very least he would be knocked unconscious by the strain.
Offendorl felt as he was being pressed down by a giant. He was shocked at Zollin’s raw power. He had expected the boy to fight as other wizards fought. Most were loath to do anything physically, so they kept their distance and used their magic to fight. But Zollin was drawing ever closer and there was a look of murder in his eyes. If Offendorl let the boy get close enough, his young, physical strength would certainly spell doom for the elder wizard. Offendorl tried to pry himself away, but the boy just kept coming. Offendorl felt his own magic tearing away at him on the inside. His body was shaking, and the effort he was exerting with his magic was more than he had used in years. Normally, if he had difficult magic to perform, he could stop, rest, and get refreshment. But now he was trapped with no way to end the onslaught of Zollin’s ferocious attack.
Hausey led the retreat. He was an active cavalry soldier and was at home on a horse as much as anywhere. He rode hard, bellowing for the soldiers to open the gate for their King. The gate was rising slowly, and Hausey glanced over his shoulder to see the other generals riding hard to keep up with him. King Felix looked frightened, but he was staying in the saddle. General Griggs, on the other hand, was falling further behind. He was more focused on hanging onto the saddle horn than coaxing more speed from his mount.
At the gate, Hausey spun his horse around. The gate was a huge grid of metal with the lowest parts of the vertical bars ending in sharp points. Behind the actual gate, which was raised straight up, there were two large wooden doors. The doors were hung on massive iron hinges that shrieked as the doors were slowly swung open. King Felix and his generals hurried under the gate and through the huge doors as Hausey looked for Zollin.
The young wizard was reaching for Offendorl with his left hand, straining to reach the elder wizard’s throat. Then suddenly he twisted in midair and swung a looping punch with his right hand. The magical barriers slowed the blow, but it hit the older man behind his ear. The blow was hard enough to interrupt Offendorl’s concentration, and his magical defenses were knocked away by Zollin’s power. The Master of the Torr dropped. They were perhaps twenty feet off the ground, and Offendorl slowed his descent on reflexes alone, but his brittle bones were still rocked by the rough landing. Both ankles rolled and ligaments snapped, causing the wizard to fall to the ground.
Zollin immediately began trying to bury the old man. Dirt and rocks flew from all sides, falling on Offendorl as Zollin slowly descended to the ground several feet away. Then fire erupted from the mound of dirt, like an angry
volcano, shooting up toward the sky. Zollin sent a massive, magical shove at the mound, and the dirt flew in all directions while Offendorl rolled along the ground like a tumble weed.
The elder wizard knew that once again he had underestimated the boy. Whether King Felix was in on the deception or not, the Master of the Torr had been duped into thinking the boy was being turned over to him, drugged so that he would not resist. Zollin had taken him by surprise, and now Offendorl was close to defeat. He did the only thing he could think of that might save him. With the last of his considerable strength he reached out to the main gate of the city and ripped it apart.
Zollin heard the rending of stone, iron, and wood as the gate was pulled down. Commander Hausey had just ridden through and the soldiers were trying to close the gate when Offendorl’s attack came. Had the gate been closed it would have been more difficult to destroy, but now the city was vulnerable and the invading legions were rushing forward. Zollin threw up a dust cloud to screen him from the elder wizard’s sight and sent himself hurtling back toward Orrock.
Hausey was just leading a group of soldiers into the gap in the wall when the enemy army arrived. Hausey was outnumbered, but he had formed his soldiers into a solid shield wall. The invaders crashed into the shield wall but were held in check. Zollin smashed into the invaders with a magical dive that sent the enemy soldiers flying backward. He came to stand on his feet in the midst of the destroyed gate. He looked back toward Offendorl, expecting the Master of the Torr to be in the middle of his own counterattack, but the wizard was nowhere to be seen.
“Get up to the tower!” Hausey shouted at him.
Zollin looked up and realized that from the lookout tower the could see where Felix’s army was having difficulty and help turn the tide. He didn’t need to be in the midst of the battle physically; he could work his magic from a distance.
“I’ll send reinforcements,” Zollin shouted as he sprinted through the soldiers who opened the shield wall for him to pass by. As he ran he heard Hausey shouting for his troops to form up and prepare for the next attack.
The Five Kingdoms: Book 04 - Crying Havoc Page 35
