She laid Zollin out and inspected his body for wounds. There were none, but he was wheezing terribly as if he were sick. She guessed he might have fever, but she couldn’t tell for sure, the heat didn’t really register to her, since her own temperature was much higher than a normal person’s.
“How long have you been in there?” Brianna asked.
He just groaned.
“It’s okay,” Brianna said, fighting the tears that were in her eyes. “I’m going to take care of you but I have to get help.”
“Brianna,” he said weakly, his voice little more than a husky whisper.
Hearing her name broke the dam of emotion inside her. Tears poured from her eyes and she buried her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking with such emotion.
“I thought I lost you,” she said, over and over again.
Finally, she pulled herself together. She knew she had to get him to the surface, but there was no way she could do that by dragging him back the way she had come. It had taken her hours to reach the hidden chamber where Zollin was trapped. What she needed was a direct route back to the surface and some help lifting Zollin’s weak and frail body.
“I’m going to get help,” Brianna said. “I promise I’ll be right back.”
Zollin blinked at her but didn’t speak. Brianna ran halfway down the chamber then jumped high into the air. Her body burst into white hot flame and the rock above her began to drop in thick, viscus plops down on the cavern floor. Once she reached the rock of the cavern ceiling she swam like a fish up through the molten rock overhead, creating a tunnel through the solid rock. It took nearly ten minutes to reach the surface and when she did she flew upward, like a fish jumping out of the water. She flipped several times before landing softly on the ground. She was surprised to see she had surfaced near the remains of the Torr’s circular tower.
It only took a thought to summon the dragons. All three circled once and then landed beside her on the ground strewn with rubble. They were growling and looking at her anxiously and she smiled.
“I found him!” she said.
Chapter 38
It took Brianna three more trips through the tunnel to enlarge it enough for Tig to follow her down. She also had to deal with the heaping pile of molten rock that had built up in the chamber where Zollin lay. Ferno was so anxious to help that the big dragon would have dug down into the chamber himself if he could have. Brianna had trouble getting Zollin onto Tig’s back, but eventually she managed it. Then she tied him into place with long strips of cloth from the blanket Quinn had sent with her. The small dragon wasn’t as big or strong as the other dragons and having a human on its back was a burden for the blue beast, but Tig was determined to carry Zollin back to the surface.
Brianna waited below while Tig crawled up the slag heap under the tunnel Brianna had fashioned. There was just enough room that Tig was able to scrabble up the sides of the tunnel using its talons and tail. Brianna realized she should have angled the tunnel, but it was too late for that now. Tig had to stop occasionally, using it wings to help it stabilize since it couldn’t put any weight on its back without harming Zollin.
Brianna watched anxiously from below for as long as she could, then she followed Tig, flipping and twirling up the tunnel. Tig clawed its way out of the narrow space just before she reached them. Zollin slipped down and would have fallen off of Tig’s back, the makeshift ropes simply not holding him securely enough, but Tig used its long blue tail to adjust the wizard’s body and kept moving.
When they reached the surface Ferno roared so loudly, Brianna couldn’t believe that it didn’t wake Zollin. She untied him and poured a little water from her canteen into his mouth. His tongue worked and he swallowed without really coming round.
“We have to find him food,” Brianna said.
Sorva and Ferno both took to the air, going in opposite directions to hunt.
“I need to find him some wine,” Brianna said to Tig. “You stay here and keep him safe.”
Tig was tired and only too happy to be on guard duty after carrying Zollin’s body up the long tunnel.
Brianna was tempted to go into the tower of the Torr to search for food, but she resisted. There was nothing about the tower that seemed inviting, despite the fact it was the most intact structure. She picked her way down the debris strewn streets and finally came to the ruins of an inn. She looked through the rubble and uncovered several broken bottles, but nothing of use. She kicked herself for taking too long. Then, Sorva sent her an image of a jack rabbit. Brianna decided she could wait to look for the wine and went back to Zollin.
Sorva returned a moment later with the rabbit in one talon. The big black dragon dropped the rabbit toward Brianna as it swooped low in the air. Brianna caught the carcass and had to figure a way to skin the rabbit. She had to show Tig several times how to cut the skin with the dragon’s massive claw and not totally destroy the meat. The rabbit wasn’t plump to begin with, but Brianna salvaged several usable portions of meat. She cooked the rabbit in her hands and was reminded of the way Zollin had cooked a fish he’d caught when they were fleeing Tranaugh Shire. It seemed like a lifetime ago they had run from the wizards of the Torr, dashing through the woods, scared and exhausted. It had also been one of the most exhilarating times in her life. She had felt a connection with Zollin then, and that connection had grown into friendship, although it wasn’t an easy transition, and from friendship to love. She had experienced her share of doubts, but through it all their connection had grown into a fierce bond and Brianna determined not to let anything separate them again.
The smell of the roasting meat roused Zollin. He was a little delirious when he woke up, unable to understand that he was actually awake and not dreaming. Occasionally he opened his eyes, but the fading daylight was too bright for him. Still, he ate the rabbit meat, in fact he was so ravenous he devoured the food and drank most of the water in Brianna’s canteen. Then he got sick and vomited the food back up.
Ferno arrived an hour after dark with the carcass of a sheep. The green dragon had been lucky enough to find a small flock of sheep and after feasting on several of the animals, he carried one back to Brianna for Zollin. Brianna let the dragons tear off a leg for her and Zollin, then Tig ate the rest. She wanted to move Zollin to a bed and find shelter, but they didn’t have a good way to move him. Instead the dragons coiled around them and after Brianna had cooked their portion of the sheep’s meat, she fed a little bit to Zollin.
“You have to eat slowly,” she told him, “or you’ll be sick again.”
Zollin ate and drank a little more then he lay back against Ferno and slept. Brianna woke several times in the night as he called out in his sleep, but he seemed to be okay. The next morning when she woke up she found him staring at her.
“You’re awake!” she said, sitting up.
He smiled. There was color in his cheeks and his eyes were sharp.
“I couldn’t tell if you were real or not,” he said. “I’m still not positive I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re not,” Brianna said. “Are you hungry?”
“Ravenous,” he said.
Brianna had used her magic to cook the meat the night before and some had been torn into strips which she dried using intense heat, but not fire so the meat didn’t burn. It was tough, but edible.
“Go slow,” Brianna said, handing him a strip of dried meat.
He put the meat in his mouth, which watered hard. It took a few moments for the meat to get soft enough that he could bite off a piece and he sat sucking on the bland meat with an expression of ecstasy on his face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have anything to season it with,” she told him.
“It’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted,” he said, and they both laughed.
“I’ll find us a better place to rest today,” she said. “Do you think you can walk?”
“Possibly,” he said. “I’ve been extremely dizzy whenever I try.”
“Is there s
omething wrong with you?” she asked. “I mean, are you hurt?”
“No, just starved. I have no idea how long I was trapped down in the dark, but it seemed like years.”
“It’s been a little over two weeks since the witch’s army retreated.”
“The king’s army held them off then?”
“No,” Brianna confessed. “It’s a long story, but in the end it must have been something you did that saved us.”
“I think Gwendolyn was using Offendorl to control her army. I killed him,” he said sadly.
“And you killed Gwendolyn?”
“No. It was the demon she summoned that killed her. I barely escaped with my life. I was lucky really.”
“Well, I want to hear all about it,” Brianna said, “but first we need a better place to rest. I’ll find us something with a feather mattress for the hero and hopefully some wine too.”
“I won’t complain.”
Brianna spent most of the morning searching for a place they could stay. Most of the buildings in the Grand City had been either knocked down by the earthquake caused by the giant abyss opening and closing, or were smashed by the Leffers. Finally, she found a small cottage that was still intact. Inside she found a bed and several blankets. There was also a table and utensils but no food or wine. Still, she thought it was start.
She went back to where the dragons were watching over Zollin, who was asleep again. Brianna woke him gently.
“I found a place to stay,” she said. “Can you stand up?”
“I’ll try.”
He was shaky and she had to hold him steady once he stood, but he managed to climb onto Ferno’s back. Brianna rode with him, helping to hold him secure on the green dragon’s broad back. Ferno flew slowly and it was a gentle ride. Then they climbed down and Zollin collapsed. Brianna was forced to drag him into the little house.
There was a large tankard of water in the house, and Brianna heated it and then used a knife she found among the kitchen utensils to cut off Zollin’s clothes. She was shocked at how frail he looked. Every bone was prominently visible, and his skin seemed pulled so tightly over his skeleton that she was almost afraid to touch him. She washed him and then moved him to the bed. He was chilled, his body shaking by the time she got him onto the bed. Brianna covered him with blankets and stayed with him, while the dragons hunted for more food.
It was nearly dark by the time Zollin woke again. Brianna had discovered some potatoes, carrots, and onions in the little pantry of the one room cottage. She built a fire in the fireplace, which was obviously only used for cooking. Brianna doubted that it ever got truly cold in Osla; even at night the temperature only seemed to drop to reasonable levels. She got water boiling, chopped up the vegetables and added some of the meat the dragons brought back, letting it all simmer to make a hearty stew.
She woke Zollin, but he was so weak she had to feed him. He was sweating under the blankets and quilts Brianna covered him with, but still shaking from chills.
“Can’t you heal yourself,” Brianna asked him.
He looked at her and tears filled his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You’re starting to scare me Zollin.”
“I can’t,” he said weakly.
“You can’t heal yourself?”
He shook his head slightly, the effort made him dizzy and he had to close his eyes tight and wait for the vertigo to pass. Then he opened his eyes and fresh tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Can’t work magic,” he said.
“You’re too weak,” she said, trying not to let the surprise she felt show. She wasn’t sure why he was crying.
“No,” he said softly. “I can’t. The magic is gone.”
“What do you mean?”
He took another spoonful of stew and chewed slowly before answering.
“I used it all,” he said, “all the magic I had. I used it all to defeat the demon. I can’t…”
He couldn’t finish his explanation. Brianna felt so sorry for him, but she didn’t know how to comfort him either. She squeezed his arm and waited while he quietly sobbed. Seeing him brought so low broke her heart. She knew he had given everything he cared about to save them from the witch’s evil, but now he was as helpless as a baby. She wasn’t sure why he was sick, and she was terrified that after everything she was going to lose him.
He ate a little more stew, then fell asleep. Brianna sat in the dark house and tried to think of some way to help Zollin. She heard the dragons moving around the cottage as they settled in for the night. Brianna laid out a blanket beside Zollin’s bed. She laid down, but couldn’t rest. What if she woke up and he wasn’t breathing, she worried? Was it possible the demon he fought or the dark magic she saw all around him in the horrid little cavern had somehow made him sick? She thought he would surely have died if that were the case. She guessed he had been languishing in the darkness without clean water and absolutely no food for at least two weeks. If he had been wounded or infected with some strange disease wouldn’t it have killed him already?
The night seemed to drag on and on. Brianna lay in the darkness listening to Zollin’s ragged breathing. Tears came to her eyes and then streaked down her cheeks. She didn’t try to stop them or even brush them away. She was scared, even more frightened than when she was certain that she, Mansel, Nycoll, and Quinn were moments away from being killed. She felt like she would rather face death a hundred times than see Zollin slowly waste away.
It was only an hour before dawn when she finally nodded off. Her sleep was troubled, and as the sun came up she suddenly sat straight up, her body rigid.
“Is it possible?” she said out loud.
Zollin stirred but didn’t wake up.
“Stay with me Zollin,” she said, taking his hand and squeezing it. “I’ve got an idea, don’t you give up on me.”
Then she dashed out of the cottage and into the light of a new day. At first it seemed too simple. She had trouble believing her idea had any merit, but after spending another hour searching, she had finally found some wine. It was in a storeroom that had been nearly destroyed, but there were a few bottles of the dark, red liquid still intact. She snatched up as much as she could carry, three bottles in all, and ran back to the cottage. Inside Zollin was mumbling incoherently in his sleep.
Brianna uncorked one of the bottles and filled a little cup halfway with the wine. She sniffed it and was happy that it smelled strong. She took a sip and let the liquid’s fruity taste and strong potency mix in her mouth before burning down her throat. It was stronger than Brianna cared for, which she found a little odd, since she was dragon kind and impervious to fire. Yet the wine still burned its way down into her empty stomach and she felt the warmth spread through her.
She took the wine to Zollin and propped him up with one arm.
“What… is… it,” he said, his voice slurring, his eyes still shut.
“Wake up, Zollin and drink this,” Brianna said loudly. “Do you hear me? Wake up.”
His eyes fluttered open and she lifted the cup to his lips. He swallowed and the wine flowed down into his stomach. Zollin was still unsure of what was happening to him. He felt absolutely terrible. His body ached and he was hot and cold at the same time. All he wanted to do was sleep and surrender to the sweet nothingness of unconsciousness. But the wine had an immediate effect. He felt the wave of warmth as the wine ran down into his stomach, then the warmth spread through his body, down his legs, out his arms and up, through his chest and neck.
Brianna gave him another sip. It took a while to help him finish the small cup of wine, but when he did, he lay back and rested quietly. Brianna breathed a sigh of relief and slumped against the wall. Too afraid that if she celebrated he would take a turn for the worse.
She wasn’t a practiced cook, but she could make simple dishes. In Tranaugh Shire, her sisters usually did the cooking, but Brianna remembered how to make a simple loaf of bread. It wasn’t yeast bread, and Brianna didn’t have the time or the
ingredients to make anything more than a simple, dense loaf of thick crusted bread. Still, she made it and cut Zollin a slice. She dipped it in the wine and fed it to him. She gave him more wine throughout the day and by evening he was able to stay awake and listen while Brianna told him her story.
He asked the occasional question. He seemed most interested in his father and Mansel, but he also asked about King Wilam, and King Zorlan. Brianna was happy to talk as she did small jobs around the cottage. And after another cup of wine, they both slept through the night.
The next morning Zollin felt stronger. The chills were gone and he could sit up in the bed. Brianna sat beside him when she wasn’t preparing food of some sort. He could hold the cup of wine and he drank often. With every sip he felt stronger and on the fourth day, he noticed something deep in his chest. It surprised him at first, but then his eyes opened wide in surprise.
“What is it?” Brianna asked.
He looked at her and held up his hand.
“Flame,” he said quietly, and a small tongue of fire appeared.
Epilogue
It took a week before Zollin was well enough to travel. Each day his magic grew, although his power was only a fraction of what it had been before his battle with the demon. He and Brianna took a day to scavenge through the ruins of the Grand City looking for supplies before flying north with the dragons.
Brianna was happier than she could ever remember being. She felt there was finally hope for a good future. They collected vegetables mostly, and packed them into a large sack along with blankets and a change of clothes. Then, with the sun just starting to peak over the eastern horizon, they mounted the dragons, Zollin on Ferno, and Brianna on Sorva. Tig was the first in the air, carrying their pack in one talon; the blue dragon swooped and did long lazy loops while Zollin and Brianna watched from the ground. Then Brianna and Sorva took to the sky. Zollin watched them go, marvelling at the sight of Brianna and the black dragon. Sorva wasn’t as big as Ferno, but they were both muscular beasts with a fierce demeanor and a deep sense of loyalty.
Five Kingdoms: Book 07 - Wizard Falling Page 29
