Zollin and Ferno were the last to leave the Grand City. Ferno circled once and Zollin looked down at the ruins and tried not to let his guilt over the destruction far below, throw him into a fit of depression. He still couldn’t help but wonder how different things might have been if he’d just gone with Branock and the other wizards from the Torr that fateful day in Tranaugh Shire. He had been planning to leave home anyway, and perhaps the Five Kingdoms would still be intact if he had. Of course, he wouldn’t be with Brianna if he’d left the village. He tried his best to tell himself things were the way they were meant to be and that it was Offendorl’s greed for magical power and Gwendolyn’s quest to subjugate the entire realm that brought about the disastrous events of the past year. Still, despite his best efforts, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret.
They flew all through the day, stopping whenever they felt like it. The abandoned villages were like an open wound to Zollin, and they made Brianna nervous, so they stuck to the open plains and made their camps beside clear running streams. The dragons found food easily enough. It seemed that despite the absence of human inhabitants, or perhaps because of it, the wildlife had returned to Osla and Falxis in full force. A week into their journey they began to see the mutated remnants of Gwendolyn’s army. Some were steadily moving south, and others were taking up residence in abandoned homes. They saw small groups of two or three of the wretched creatures. Many looked frightened, pointing up the dragons and sometimes taking cover. Of course Zollin and Brianna kept moving north. In time, they decided, these new inhabitants would have to be met and the threat they posed ascertained, but that could wait.
Zollin was anxious to see if things had changed in the Walheta Mountain range. He feared the mutated fighters would realize their superior numbers and strength and turn to the north again to continue the war for their own purposes.
They took a leisurely pace, so it was almost three weeks before they saw the rolling foothills of the mountains. For Zollin, it was a bittersweet sight. What lay ahead would define whether his sacrifice had been worth it. They flew over Walheta’s Gate and found what was once a village was now little more than blackened grass and charred stones. The feasting hall was completely gone, and only the stone foundation remained.
They pushed on toward Green Glenn and Brianna fought demons of her own, mostly guilt over the way she’d left things with King Wilam. She regretted that their final parting had been so angry and that she’d left him sick and dying without a kind word. The pain of losing Selix and Gyia was still hard for Brianna to bear, but Wilam’s loss was painful too. The village had grown and it appeared that many of the refugees who had come back to the wide valley, after the witch’s army gave up the fight, had decided to stay. There were new buildings being constructed and children played in the wide open fields.
“We better see if we can purchase more supplies,” Brianna said.
Zollin nodded and the dragons flew down into the valley, although they were half a mile from the village proper. Zollin and Brianna walked together toward the village. They had begun to enjoy long walks in the evening, stretching their legs and exercising a little while the dragons hunted.
“Are you nervous?” Brianna asked.
“No, should I be?”
“I don’t know,” Brianna said. “I think you’re a hero. They may build a statue of you here to commemorate what you did for them.”
“As far as they know, I didn’t do anything for them,” Zollin said. “And I think its better if we keep it that way. We don’t need extra attention.”
As it turned out, Brianna was the hero in Green Glenn. The people begged her to call the dragons to the village. Tig came, but Ferno and Sorva stayed away, preferring to hunt in the high mountains instead. Tig stayed in the village, the children were in awe and the towns folk brought gifts of food to the blue dragon.
Brianna was toasted in the inn, and no one would let them pay for anything they needed, from their room for the night at the inn, to the supplies they acquired the next morning. They left to the cheers of the townsfolk, with enough meager supplies to see them through the mountains. The people of Green Glenn didn’t have much, but they shared it happily with Brianna. Zollin stayed quiet and didn’t let her share his story.
It took a week to cross the Walheta Mountains and travel around the Rejee Desert. The villages looked normal and Zollin breathed a sigh of relief. They stopped at one village and were rudely welcomed. Apparently the King’s army and the large group of refugees had taken more of the resources than the townspeople thought fair. Zollin was pleased to meet people who hadn’t felt the threat of Gwendolyn’s evil. Part of him wanted to tell the oblivious townsfolk that south of the Walheta mountains every village was abandoned or destroyed, but the other part of him was happy that life in Yelsia would go on as it always had.
They took their time traveling through Yelsia. It was a stark change from Falxis and Osla, where the landscape was barren and they could stop wherever they liked. In Yelsia, the country seemed full of people. There were farms and villages, travellers stopped and pointed up at the dragons. They were forced to be selective about where the dragons landed and hunted. Zollin and Brianna preferred to camp in lonely places and not just because of the dragons. Neither wanted to deal with questions or people begging to hear their stories. They shopped for supplies in disguise and usually one at a time.
When they were finally close to Orrock, they were hesitant to complete their journey. Zollin was reminded of their time in the Northern Highlands hunting the ferocious black dragon, Bartoom. That trip had been tinged with fear the same as their homecoming was, but there had been a sweetness to it as well; a sweetness formed from the two of them being together with no other demands on their time or attention.
“You know things will be different when we get back,” Zollin said, as he kicked dirt on the coals from their fire. They were less than a day’s ride to Orrock and just far enough away to have some privacy.
“Yes,” Brianna said, “I know. More for me than for you.”
“Are you ready to see your parents?”
“My father,” Brianna admitted. “Even though I know he’ll be disappointed. He had been so enamored by the idea of his little girl being the queen of Yelsia.”
“You would have been a great Queen,” Zollin said, hoping his face didn’t betray the pain he still felt over the whole incident. “But you’re mine now, and I won’t give you up, not without a fight.”
“If it were up to me,” Brianna said, “I would go back to the Great Valley, perhaps somewhere near Brighton’s Gate.” She smiled. “I just want to be with you, Zollin. I want to build a life together, to enjoy the company of dragons and dwarves, and leave all this fighting for kingdoms far behind.”
“Me too. I think we’ll get there, in due time. But first, I want to marry you.”
“I want to marry you, too.”
“And I want your father to give you away.”
“He would like that.”
“And I want my father and Mansel to stand with me when I take my vows.”
“So what are we waiting for?”
Zollin smiled and soon they were flying over Orrock. The city streets were full of people and more came thronging out as Ferno and Sorva circled down toward the castle. Tig, who had been in high spirits the entire trip, refused to go near the city. Instead the blue dragon flew north, preferring isolation to the painful memories of what had happened to Selix and Gyia, which had begun with King Felix in Orrock.
Ferno landed on the high castle tower and roared at the crowd flocking toward the castle. Zollin climbed down, his magic still not strong enough to levitate him. He had eaten well during their trip and exercised, but he was still painfully thin and he moved carefully, since sudden movements often led him to bouts of clumsiness that jarred his bones. Brianna jumped from Sorva’s back and landed lightly on the castle roof. Ferno took to the air once Zollin was safely on the tower proper and the two dragons circled the
city.
“What do we do now?” Zollin asked. “Should we knock?”
“I imagine our arrival has been noticed,” Brianna said.
She was shivering slightly. The cold winter was in full swing in Yelsia and the tower roof was covered in snow. The trap door that led down into the castle was flung open and the king’s guard came out, their weapons were sheathed, but close to hand. Then General Hausey appeared. His hair was more gray, and there were more lines on his forehead and around his eyes, but he seemed genuinely happy to see them.
“Zollin, Brianna,” he said happily. “I’m so glad to see you both well.”
“We’re glad to be here,” Zollin said.
“Please come inside, let us warm ourselves by a fire. I’ll have mulled wine and meat brought up. Come, come.”
They went down the narrow flight of steps, following General Hausey and followed in turn by a squad of guards. Hausey led them to the same suite of rooms they had stayed in after Zollin had defeated the Torr wizard Branock and saved King Felix from the poison that his son, Simmeron, had been slowly killing him with. The room looked exactly the same to Zollin. The fire was bright and there were thickly padded chairs waiting by the fireplace.
“Please,” Hausey said, waving at the chairs, “you must be tired. Sit here, warm yourselves. I’ve sent for your families.”
“My family is still here?” Brianna asked.
“Of course, they’ve moved into a villa King Felix commissioned for your father. He has a tailor’s shop and your sisters have been regular members at court.”
Brianna nodded but didn’t speak. She felt no animosity toward her sisters, even though she was sure her mother was pushing them to find noble husbands.
“And Quinn?” Zollin asked.
“He got here not long after we did,” General Hausey said. “Mansel and Nycoll too. They’ve been staying at one of the inns nearby. Listen, before they get here, I should tell you that things are in a bit of an uproar here.”
“What do you mean?” Brianna asked.
“Well, as you know, King Wilam died and until a few days ago no one had heard from Prince Simmeron since you… well…”
“Since we ruined his plans to become king by killing his father?” Zollin said.
General Hausey smiled.
“He is lobbying to become king now that his father and older brother are dead.”
“He’s a treacherous man,” Zollin said. “I wouldn’t make him king.”
“And that is the very point I wish to make. Everyone here knows that you, the wizard of Yelsia, saved us. I’ve made sure that fact was known once I got word from your father that there was a chance you might still live.”
“Why?” Zollin said. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“But I did, actually,” Hausey said. “I agree with your assessment of Prince Simmeron, but I am just a general in the king’s army. Who am I to say who should and shouldn’t be king.”
“What are you driving at?” Zollin asked.
“I think you should assume the crown,” Hausey blurted. “No one would deny you, not even Simmeron. He’s afraid of you and he knows his plans would fall apart if you opposed him. You have Brianna, who many people already consider to be our queen. All you would have to do is state your intentions. The army would support you, I can see to that and I know the loyal citizens of Yelsia would welcome you with open arms.”
“No!” Zollin said. “Of course, not. I can’t be king. I don’t want to be king. Someone else should do it.”
“Someone like Prince Simmeron?” General Hausey pleaded. “I know that this Kingdom has no right to ask any more of you, Zollin, but if you don’t do this I don’t think we can stop Simmeron from taking his father’s throne. And if that happens, there may not be a safe place for you here in Yelsia, certainly not in Orrock.”
“I’m not afraid of Prince Simmeron,” Zollin said.
“No, but he’s afraid of you. He wouldn’t move against you at first, and certainly not openly, but once your fame has died down, and it will, he’ll see to it. He’ll send you on an important mission far from Yelsia and then when the people don’t love you anymore, he’ll strike.”
“That’s no reason to fight for the crown,” Zollin said. “I’m not old enough to be a king. I would be terrible at it.”
“No, you would have advisors and ministers helping you with everything. Please, Zollin, you must consider it.”
Zollin looked at Brianna whose held all that he himself felt. They were both torn by a sense of duty and a deep desire to have a quiet life together with no distractions. Zollin was just about to ask Brianna what she was thinking when the door burst open.
“My daughter!” wailed Brianna’s mother, dramatically.
Zollin and General Hausey stood up while Brianna’s family rushed into the room. Brianna’s mother threw her arms around Brianna’s neck and Zollin could see that Brianna sat stiffly in her chair. Once her mother finally let go of Brianna she stood up and hugged her father. Brianna’s sisters were staring at Zollin with unhidden admiration.
“It’s good to see you,” said Brianna’s father, as he shook Zollin’s hand.
“And you, sir,” Zollin said.
“The heroes of the Five Kingdoms,” Brianna’s mother said loudly, her pride obviously stemming from what it would mean to the social standing of her family.
“Hello Zollin,” said a familiar voice.
Zollin spun around and found himself in his father’s arms. Zollin was taller than his father, and both of them were thin with strong, wiry muscles, but Zollin was much thinner than the last time Quinn had seen his son.
“Let me look at you,” he said, holding Zollin back at arm’s length. “You look like half the man I remember,”
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Brianna. I was trapped underground and she found me. I was nearly starved to death, but she nursed me back to health.”
“Brianna,” Quinn said, his voice thick with emotion. “I can never repay you for what you’ve done for this old man.”
“Nor I you,” Brianna said. “Your friendship and love is all I want.”
“You have it,” Quinn said, nodding to Brianna’s father.
“You look more like the boy I knew in Tranaugh Shire..” Mansel said loudly from the doorway.
The big warrior was leaning against the door frame with a huge smile on his face. Nycoll was beside him, her hands linked together around his arm and her piercing eyes taking in the scene.
“…than a great wizard and hero of the Five Kingdoms,” Mansel continued. “It’s good to see you, Zollin.”
“And you, Mansel, come join us,” Zollin said. “It’s good to see you as well Nycoll. I’m glad you are here.”
Nycoll nodded at Zollin but didn’t speak.
“I think this reunion calls for a drink!” Mansel said loudly and suddenly there were servants with trays full of tall mugs brimming with ale. Some had bottles of wine and trays of crystal goblets. And finally food was brought in.
The group spent the next hour listening to Zollin’s tale. He was solemn telling it and when he was finished he sat back in one of the padded chairs exhausted. The servants had stayed in the room, during the telling and soon the story was being told all around the city. Zollin and Brianna were given rooms in the castle, and the next day they were summoned to the King’s suite of rooms. Zollin remembered those rooms well, as did Brianna.
Simmeron was waiting for them with a small contingent of the Royal Guard. He sat in a large throne-like chair, his hair disheveled and his clothes wrinkled. It was obvious he hadn’t slept. There was a long pause while Prince Simmeron waited for Zollin and Brianna to bow, but neither did.
“I wanted to welcome you home,” Simmeron said. “The Wizard of Yelsia should have a place here, in the castle. I hope you have found your rooms to be quite comfortable.”
“I am the wizard of the Five Kingdoms,” Zollin said slowly, “not only of Yelsia.”
; “Of course, of course,” Simmeron said. “Forgive me, I was merely speaking in general terms.”
“What is it you desire of me, Prince Simmeron?”
“I was hoping I might learn your plans,” he said.
“Plans for what?”
“For the future. As lord of this castle, it is within my rights to know what my subjects are planning. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“No,” Zollin said.
Brianna took Zollin’s arm, it was a calming gesture.
“You lost the right to rule or call anyone in this kingdom your subject when you poisoned your father and tried to usurp your brother’s place as king.”
“That was a mistake,” Prince Simmeron said. “I had no idea that fool of a healer was poisoning my father.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Zollin said. “I saw what you were doing. There was no mistake about it. Your father agreed with me, which is why he banished you.”
“No,” Simmeron said. “I was ill. He sent me to a place where I could rest and recover.”
Zollin laughed so hard that even Simmeron laughed a little with him.
“It’s true,” Simmeron said. “Now, please, how can Yelsia reward you for all you’ve done.”
“We are going to be married,” Brianna said. “It will be a public celebration.”
“Married!” Simmeron said, trying to sound surprised but failing. “Well, I had hoped that-“
Zollin cut him off.
“The ceremony will be tomorrow,” Zollin said. “Followed by an announcement about the future of Yelsia. I would be there if I were you.”
“What announcement?” Simmeron said, pretending to laugh. “Surely, as the sovereign Prince of Yelsia it would behoove me to know of any news that affects the kingdom.
“Tomorrow,” Zollin said.
Then he turned and lead Brianna out of the room. They walked quietly down the corridor and back to their rooms on the second floor of the castle.
Five Kingdoms: Book 07 - Wizard Falling Page 30
