“What do you mean?”
The creature shrieked angrily.
“Tell me what you mean!” Zollin shouted.
“I was made by a wizard. Formed and shaped long ago. Far in the south. A wizard made me. I hate all wizards. They are vile and cruel.”
“I’m not. It seems to me you were the one trying to kill me.”
“Yet, I am wounded, you are not.”
“That was self defense.”
The creature didn’t answer, it was still lying on the ground, still breathing heavily. Zollin waited, but the creature didn’t speak.
“What’s your name?”
The creature still didn’t speak.
“Tell me your name,” Zollin said firmly.
“Aberration.”
“Aberration is your name?”
The creature didn’t speak.
“You have to do what I say, don’t you?”
The only response was the creature closing its eye. It was an agonizing gesture, a look of total resignation and despair from the beast’s intelligent face.
“You have to do what I say,” Zollin said again. “Sit up.”
The creature rose slowly and painfully lowered itself onto its haunches. It was beautiful in a strange way. Its legs were covered in shaggy hair, its body with dark, glossy fur. At the neck the creature’s fur turned to dark feathers which covered the beast’s round head. It had bright, intelligent eyes. The beak was large and bone white, curing down into a sharp peak. The creature’s tail had no hair, but rather a tough, leathery hide. Zollin could see the muscles flexing just beneath the thick skin.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Zollin said. “And my only command is that you do not hurt me or Brianna.”
The creature called Aberration didn’t move.
Zollin walked slowly backwards, so that he was out of range of the beast’s tail. Then he turned to Brianna, who was standing tall at her perch. She had a arrow nocked and drawn. She was aiming it at the beast.
Zollin called out to her.
“Brianna. It’s all right now. I’m going to lower you down.”
Brianna nodded, but didn’t relax the bow or her aim. Even as she rose into the air and floated softly down beside Zollin she kept her bow trained on the creature.
“I think we’re okay,” Zollin told her.
“What do you mean?”
“It was made by a wizard. It has to obey me.”
“How do you know that?”
“It did everything I told it to do.”
“It could be a trick. How do you even know it understands you?”
“It can talk,” Zollin said.
“If it’s that smart it’s probably playing a trick. You can’t trust a wild creature like that.”
Brianna’s voice was strong, but her eyes were wide. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing and Zollin understood how she felt. He could hardly believe his eyes either, but there was something in the creature’s voice that told him it was telling the truth. He used his magic to pull the arrow out of the beast’s hind leg. It roared in pain.
“I’m sorry,” Zollin said, raising both hands. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to help you.”
The creature hissed at them both, but didn’t come any closer. Zollin let his magic flow into the wound. The arrow had torn through muscle but didn’t sever any major arteries or pierce the bone. He knit the muscle fibers back together and then healed the shaggy hide.
“There, I healed you,” Zollin said. “We don’t want to hurt you.”
The creature stretched its leg but didn’t speak.
“Aberration, please tell us where you come from.”
The creature only hissed.
“Tell us now!” Zollin demanded.
“I was formed by the wizard Iccalis to fight against the Torr. But my master was defeated and I fled here.”
“Your master fought the Torr?” Zollin said in surprise. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know that anyone had ever resisted the wizards of the Torr. But that should make us allies. I too have fought the wizards of the Torr.”
“I have no allies,” the creature said. “I have no kind. I am an aberration. A magical freak.”
“You mean you’re all alone?” Brianna said. “Aren’t there other. .,” she searched for the right word to describe the creature, “animals like you?”
“No, I am not a beast of nature, but of magic.”
“What do you want?” Brianna asked.
“To survive,” it hissed.
Chapter 8
Zollin and Brianna were quiet for a moment. Zollin was surprised at how much compassion he felt for the creature. It was aptly named, a true aberration. He couldn’t imagine the effort it must have taken to transform the different animal parts into one, fully functioning creature. And there was also an element of magic that was totally foreign to Zollin. It reminded him that he still had so much to learn.
“I may be asking too much,” Zollin said softly, stepping closer to Aberration. “But I’d like to be your friend. I don’t need anything from you. And I won’t command you to do anything against your will.”
Aberration hissed. It was an eerie sound, one Zollin had heard frightened animals make before in an effort to scare away their attackers. It took all of Zollin’s courage to stand still.
“Prove it,” said Aberration. “Release me.”
“Zollin,” Brianna said quietly, “are we sure this is a good idea?”
“No,” Zollin replied. “I’m not sure, but I’m sincere.” He turned his full attention to Aberration. “I release you,” he said.
The creature stood up and shook its body, like a wet dog trying to get dry. Its tail curled up over its back, ready to strike. It looked at Brianna and said, “Tell her to lower the weapon.”
“Brianna,” Zollin said.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’s a show of good faith,” he implored her. “We’ve got to show some trust if we want some in return.”
Brianna bit her lower lip. She was scared. Zollin had magical defenses. She had seen him attacked by the dragon and come through unscathed. She had no illusions that she could do the same. If Aberration attacked Zollin she wasn’t sure if she could anything to save him, or herself for that matter. But she trusted Zollin. He wouldn’t risk her life, or at least she didn’t think he would. She took a deep breath and then lowered her bow, letting the string come back to its resting position, but she kept the arrow nocked and both of her hands on the weapon.
“I didn’t think it was possible,” said Aberration. The creature’s voice was high pitched and hard to understand, but it lowered its tail and everyone relaxed a little. “I don’t have friends, but I will leave you in peace wizard.”
“May I ask one favor of you?” Zollin said.
When the beast eyed him wearily, the intelligence in the avian eyes was almost startling to Brianna.
“What do you want?”
“I have a dragon to find and kill,” Zollin said. “That is why we have come so far into the mountains. And I’m not sure what the future holds after that. The Torr still wants me, I suppose. But I would like to come back someday. I would like to learn more of you, of your history. Would that be acceptable?”
“If you come in peace,” Aberration said. “I will answer your questions.”
The creature gave a slight bow of its head and then it raced away, the wind from its passing making Zollin and Brianna tense up. It was hard to believe that any creature could move so rapidly.
“Well, we learned one thing,” Zollin said. “Your strategy for the dragon just might work. That was one amazing shot you made. I’ve never seen an animal move that fast.”
“It was a lucky shot, really. I just guessed and took a chance.”
Brianna had moved over to where her arrow lay. She picked it up and inspected it. It was stained with blood but still straight and in good shape. She put it back in her quiver.
“Lucky?”
Zollin said. “Are you kidding? I think you could shoot the moon with that bow.”
“It is a good weapon.”
“You’re a great archer. You’ve really got a knack for shooting.”
“You think so?” she asked in genuine surprise.
“Absolutely. I’m very proud of you.”
She blushed. She was surprised at how good it made her feel for Zollin to praise her so highly. He could do practically anything, yet he saw her meager talents and valued them.
She stepped close and kissed him, hard on the lips. His eyes went wide with surprise and then she was off, pushing forward up the canyon, leaving him in a daze.
Zollin had to levitate them over a high ridge and down the steep cliff on the other side. They followed what appeared to be a game trail and came upon a small pool of water. A spring, high up on the mountain, fed the pool. It ran down the mountain and ended in a short waterfall that fell with a bubbling splash into the pool. There was obviously a channel that let the water flow away underground because the pool, although being constantly filled, maintained a steady level. There were bushes growing around the pool, and nearby was a natural alcove in the mountain. There were signs that the site had been used by others, Skellmarians most likely.
“This looks like a good place to camp for the night,” Zollin said. He lowered his pack and began gathering sticks for a fire.
“Are you planning on building a fire?” Brianna asked.
“Yes.”
“Good, I’m going to take a bath then.”
“That water is probably freezing cold,” he said.
“I’m not jumping into the pool,” she said. “I’ll use the spring water and just wash up. I’ll need a good hot fire to warm up with, and a little privacy.”
Zollin went to work. He found a large pile of wood. The sticks weren’t very thick, but he had enough of them to give Brianna a good warm blaze and then keep a fire going through the night. Once he had the fire going he made himself scarce by levitating up on the mountain. He was amazed how strong he felt. He was tired from the long day, and using his magic still took a toll, but he was much stronger. The internal levy he had constructed around his magic gave him focus, and because it blocked the magic’s drain on his physical strength and stamina, he felt his body responding to the weeks of hard work. He had spent time exercising through the winter with Kelvich. And over the last two weeks he had spent almost every day on long, grueling hikes through the mountains. His body had gained strength, and Zollin thought it felt good. He stretched his legs and back before sitting down on the ridge. He was high enough that he could see for miles in almost every direction. Only the mountain peaks rose higher than where he sat. All around him was a gorgeous vista, and he realized it was a sight very few people had ever seen. He took a moment to enjoy how fortunate he was, then he got down to business.
He needed to find the dragon, and so he let his magic flow. He pushed his mind out and let the mist of his magic filter down into the valleys and canyons far below. He didn’t try to touch everything. The dragon was a large creature and a magical one. All he needed was a hint of the beast, and he would know where to go. It took a while, and as twilight filled the sky and stars emerged so bright he felt like he could reach up and touch them, he finally found what he was looking for. The dragon was miles away, but heading south. It had taken as direct a course as it could, but it wasn’t flying. He concentrated on the dragon and could sense the beast’s pain. The wounds weren’t life-threatening, but they had left the dragon too weak and sore to fly. Walking and hopping on the ground had caused further pain. The beast was tired and weak, but also angry. Zollin didn’t know if he and Brianna could move fast enough to get ahead of the dragon, but they would have to try.
He stood up and stretched again, feeling the muscles in his shoulders and arms flex. He wasn’t large like Mansel. He would never have the thick, bulbous muscles his friend possessed. But he was strong, his muscles firm along his long arms and legs. He jumped off the ridge and let himself free fall for a moment. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Then he let his magic guide his fall, gradually slowing his descent. The effort superheated the writhing magic inside him, but the heat felt good, as his body had grown almost numb from the cold wind and dropping temperature on the ridge. His eyes stung from the cold wind, but he forced them open and looked for Brianna. She had built up the fire and was wrapped in a blanket near the blaze.
He floated down near the waterfall. Then he stripped off his own clothes and plunged them into the water. His hands burned from the cold but he scrubbed the clothes until they were clean. Then he used his magic and dried them. Next, he cupped his hands under the frigid flow and splashed the water on his body. The cold water was painful, but he worked hard, scrubbing his body of its accumulated filth. Dust, dirt, and grime had built up on his skin, especially around his neck. Finally he took a deep breath and stuck his head under the water fall. The water was so cold he struggled not to shout at the shock of it. He ran his fingers vigorously through his hair, which had grown shaggy. Then he shook his head and let the drops of water fly everywhere. It was hard to push the hair back over his head because the water rain down his back in icy drops that were painful. He pulled his pants and boots back on and used his shirt to dry his hair and shoulders. Then he hurried over to the fire.
“Where have you been?” Brianna asked.
“I needed a bath, too.”
“I knew that, but you weren’t around here. I’ve been looking for you.”
He squatted close to the fire, luxuriating in its warmth for a moment before answering.
“I went up on the ridge to see if I could find the dragon.”
“Any luck?”
“Actually, yes. It’s making better time than we are, but I think if we push ourselves we can catch it.”
“Is it flying?”
“No, I don’t think it can. It’s still pretty sore from what I could tell. Your arrows did some damage.”
“Well, maybe if we can get close enough, I can do more than wound it.”
“I hope so.”
They spent the rest of the evening talking and eating. They boiled some of their dried meat in a pot that Zollin quickly fashioned out of sand. Then they took turns sleeping. The fire was nice, the warmth very welcome, and the bright flames a comforting sight after days of freezing cold nights, but they were afraid it might attract unwelcome attention. Fortunately the night passed without incident, and they set out early the following morning.
They had traveled for two hours when Zollin noticed a strange, yet familiar, chanting music that he remembered from being near the mountain dwarves at the foot of the southern range of mountains in Peddingar Forrest.
“Do you hear that?” he asked Brianna.
“What? I don’t hear anything.”
“I think it’s dwarves. I can hear them singing.”
He let his ears lead them. He followed the sound and eventually came to a small cave. Zollin lowered his head and could clearly hear the sound booming from far below.
“Hello,” he said in a loud voice. “Can anyone hear me?”
The music stopped, and there was a long pause before a small voice answered.
“Who’s there?”
“I’m Zollin. I’m a wizard.”
“And who’s that with you, wizard?”
“This is Brianna, my friend.”
“Well, this is as bold as anything I’ve seen. A wizard in the highlands, come looking for dwarfs.”
“Actually,” Zollin said, still speaking into the cave. “We’re tracking a dragon.”
“You don’t say,” said the voice. “Well, what are you doing out there in the cold air, wizard? You’re welcome in the warm earth.”
“All right,” Zollin said. “We’re coming in.”
He took Brianna’s hand and led her into the dark cave. They both had to walk bent over. The light behind them faded, and they took a few unsteady steps in total darkness.
Then a warm, orange glow appeared ahead of them. The cave led down, deeper and deeper into the earth, and finally opened into a large cavern, lit by roaring forges and glowing moss that grew on the ceiling of the cavern.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Brianna said.
“You must have dwarfish blood, missy,” said a stout-looking dwarf.
Unlike Jute and the dwarves Zollin had met in the southern range of mountain highlands, these dwarves had swarthy-looking skin and dark, curly beards. A group of men, most with hammers and tongs in their hands, had gathered in the center of the cavern. Zollin caught glimpses of dwarf children peeking from the small doorways and windows carved into the solid rock.
“I’m Bahbaz,” said the dwarf, “Head man of the Oliad clan. What brings a wizard this far north? Dragon hunting is dangerous business.”
“Yes, it is,” Zollin agreed. “We’re from Yelsia, south of the highlands. A dragon has been preying on our people. The King sent me to find the dragon and kill it if possible.”
“Well, you’re still alive, that says something. Let’s find something to drink.”
Bahbaz led them to a small group of stone benches. He poured small mugs of a frothy drink and then gave one each to Brianna and Zollin. He took a long draught of his own mug and then belched loudly.
“Ah, that’s refreshing,” Bahbaz said proudly. “Well, go ahead, drink up.”
Zollin and Brianna looked at each other as they sampled the drink. Zollin found the drink slightly bitter, but cool on his tongue. It warmed his body in that familiar way that wine and ale did. It was thicker than most drinks and tasted creamy.
“That’s an Oliad clan drink. It’s made from root liquor, ewe’s milk, and spring water with herbs. We age it in brass vats. As you may have noticed, vegetation is scarce here in the northern highlands, but we take our drink very seriously. It’s called arkhi.”
“It’s very nice,” said Brianna.
“Yes, I like it,” Zollin agreed. “It’s better than ale.”
“Of course it is, it’s dwarfish made,” Bahbaz said happily. “Now, how can I help you, wizard?”
“Please, call me Zollin. We don’t really need anything, although we are grateful for your hospitality. We’re pursuing the dragon and we shouldn’t stay long. We need to get ahead of the beast.”
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