Markus, feeling they were mounted just right, lifted up and took off. He could not explain how, but being in this form felt natural; as if he had been like this a million times before. It could be knowledge imbued by the staff, or the blessing of being in the lineage of Tolen. Whatever the case, it didn’t matter. Markus had a means to get to Crystal and he would use it. On the way, they would discuss strategy and make a plan.
Chapter 9: The Last Defense
Lord Kellus walked down a row of younger men and women who were trainees of the archery school. Right now they practiced an unfamiliar art few had ever tried before; potion mixing.
He stopped and looked at a small phial of potion a girl had prepared. “Is it supposed to be glowing sky blue? The others were more of a purple blue.”
She held it in her palm. “It’s cold, like she said it should be if mixed properly.”
Just then, Donna walked down the same row of students, headed in the other direction. “She’s right. The shade of the potion will be slightly different for each individual who mixes it. They would be closer in color if we had more exact measuring tools, and if they were trained wizards. I’m not used to teaching potion mixing to non-wizards. But, this blend is hard to mess up. Differences in amounts won’t change much, so long as they turn out a shade of blue.”
Kellus looked out over the large group of young archers working diligently with specially crafted liquids that Donna had mixed up using items from their own storage. “Are you sure they’ll work?”
Donna shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Comforting,” Kellus retorted.
“It would help if we knew more about the enemy,” Donna said.
Lord Kellus led Donna out of the makeshift potion factory. “Come, the child should be more focused now.”
They walked to the main hall of the Rakki and found the boy from Thendor still seated at a table near the large fire in the middle of the room. His eyes were red and he sniffed, but the crying had subsided.
When he saw Lord Kellus, he stumbled quickly to his feet and bowed. “My lord.”
“Sit, sit, please.” Kellus came over and sat next to the boy.
The boy sat back down. “I’m sorry I cried so much. I kept it all in me as I ran and ran. I had to get here. I promised I would.”
“You did a fine job. You must be training to be a courier?”
“Yes. That’s why I was in Thendor with my mom and dad.” He fought hard to hold back the crying again, his lip quivering a bit more than it should. “I hope they’re okay.”
“If what you said is true, they will be fine. Lord Norl is a fine leader and wise man. He’ll keep them safe.”
The boy whimpered. “I saw them kill those two. They shot them, right in the face. I could smell the burnt fur. I can still...” he began to blubber.
Kellus rubbed his back. “Calm down, calm down. You’re safe here.”
The boy contained his sobbing this time and gulped down the fear welling up in him. “I’m okay now.”
“Good. Now, we do have some questions. Donna.” He looked up to the woman standing at a distance.
She came over and gave the scared boy a good smile. “So, you’re the brave boy who brought back the note from Lord Norl.”
“Yes.”
“Good,” Donna said. “Now, the note said that statues were under the command of Morris. Can you tell us anything about these statues?”
“They shoot stuff out of their arms. They don’t have real faces, just creepy eyes. They don’t speak...I don’t think, I didn’t hear them say anything. They are big, and are noisy when they walk.”
“Did they look like a golem construct?” Donna asked. “What sort of material was used in making them? Is there a core in their heads or in their chests?”
A panicked look came over the boy. “I don’t know. I didn’t look. I was scared. I kept looking at the bodies of those men. I…I’m sorry.”
Kellus quickly rubbed the boys back again. “It’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong. We just hoped you might have seen something that could help us.”
“I’m sorry,” the boy said again.
“Don’t be. You were very brave,” Kellus said. “I only have one more question. Did you see any of them outside of the city?”
“No. When I ran I didn’t really look back. But, I didn’t see any golems in the fields or on the roads.”
Kellus gave him a big smile. “That is very helpful. Now, why don’t you go and get something good to eat. After that, I have told my personal servants to see to a guest room right here in the hall. Get some sleep. Don’t worry about your parents. I’ll do everything in my power to get them back here safely.”
The boy got up and headed for the dining area. “Thank you, my Lord.”
Kellus waited for him to leave and then spoke to Donna. “At least we know that they’re contained to the capital right now.”
“As far as he could tell,” she added.
“True. But, I think that it would make sense. For some reason they have turned all the citizens of Thendor into hostages. That would give them people from each of the races.”
Donna began to see the logic here. “True. And that would allow them to make demands of all the races. But to what end?”
“I don’t know. If what Norl said is true, they have Crystal, but not Markus. They have captured the entire city, but aren’t killing the people yet. This doesn’t make a lot of sense. What does Morris want? What has happened to the king?”
“One thing is certain. If Markus gets the Dragonwand, he won’t be able to get to the statue easily now.”
Kellus nodded. “I have thought of that.” He got up and waved at two of his military commanders, summoning them. “It’s time we move out.”
“What do you plan?” Donna asked.
“Morris and Hallond have orchestrated this so that they’ve captured Thendor. We have to fortify the nation. I’m going to send legions of my archers to each major stronghold to join their forces. We will make this nation safe until we can march on Thendor and stop...”
Just as the two commanders arrived, the doors of the Great Hall burst open and two people came running through; a man and a woman. “LORD KELLUS! LORD KELLUS!”
“Mora? What is going on?” Donna asked.
“Mora?” Kellus asked.
“Her name is Mora, the head librarian,” Donna replied as the man and woman drew near.
Mora gazed at Donna, a strange panic in her eyes. “I had a dream.”
“Dream?” Donna asked.
The man with Mora nodded. “I did too. Several others had the same dream. The king spoke to us about bringing the Dragonwand to Thendor, or Crystal dies.”
Donna gasped. “No.”
“You said it was the king?” Kellus asked.
“Yes,” Mora answered quickly. “It was him, but he seemed different. In the dream he used magic, and was terribly wicked.”
“He gave us one day to get the wand to him, or Crystal die,” the man added.
“Did you interact with him in the dream?” Donna asked, with good reason.
Mora frowned, and then slowly shook her head. “In a way, it seemed like I was interacting with him, but I wasn’t. I was merely seeing this through someone else’s eyes. They spoke to him and were the object of his attention. It was a peculiar dream, and it was the exact same dream everyone else had.”
Kellus eyed the only wizard in the Blue Forrest. “What do you make of this?” Kellus asked.
Donna came to the only logical conclusion. “The dream was a spell, a powerful spell. It was meant for Markus. I suspect he has the Dragonwand and Hallond is using Crystal as bait.”
Mora frowned again.
“Speak,” Kellus said.
“Why would he use Cyrstal?” Mora asked. “What does she have to do with Markus?”
“When I last saw them, those two had developed quite the attraction. Somehow Hallond has
learned this and is using it against him,” Donna said.
One of the commanders interrupted. “Wait! Hallond is dead. They said this dream came from the king. How do you think Hallond has anything to do with this?”
Donna looked at Kellus, it was time they told everyone the truth. Just as Donna was about to confess, Kellus spoke up. “Regretfully, I have kept some secrets from you, as it seemed wise not to mention this. The King and Hallond have both been plotting against the kingdom.”
A chorus of gasps rose up from everyone and filled the hall, save Donna. “When the reports came to us that Hallond had died, I was suspicious. He is an ancient wizard bent on domination, and survival. How could he have allowed himself to die so easily? Then the odd orders from the King arrived and I suspected that something was amiss. Hallond is alive and he has taken the kings place. It makes sense.”
“But, how?” Mora asked.
“I can’t say,” Donna said. “He uses dark magic, and that is something we don’t learn much about in the college.”
Kellus cleared his throat and gave the commanders a critical look. “How all this happened is irrelevant at this time. The kingdom is in danger. We must move to preserve what we can.”
The commander spoke again. “We can’t go alone. We must summon help from the Shlan, Stillwater, and Port of Pearls.”
Kellus shook his head. “We are close enough to make it. They are not. By the time aid arrived, it will be too late. Commander, get the warriors ready. We march on Thendor.”
Chapter 10 ENCOUNTER AT THE CITADEL
Hallond knelt down next to Crystal as she lay sleeping by the throne. He gazed upon her with a strange feeling of admiration and anger. She was very pretty and so vulnerable. In all the years he had been here, he had yet to allow himself the company of a woman. Love was a dangerous emotion that brought down great wizards and convinced them that mixing with non-wizards was okay. Yet, he could not help but see her beauty and consider how he missed that part of his life. He would never take advantage of her, either while sleeping or awake. She was just a child. In his mind though, he could see how she would grow into a beautiful woman and that teased the tiny lingering part of his soul that longed for companionship.
Taking a good grip on her upper arm he opened his mouth and started the process of transferring his soul into her body. He knew it was not possible for him to cross genders, but he was desperate to get out of this old non-magic body and into something more suitable. The thick black smoke rolled out of his mouth, eyes, nose, and ears meeting up with her. There was a flash and all the smoke was forced back into him. The rebound from this failed spell gave him a hard jolt.
Stunned, Hallond sat there for a moment to regain his senses. His eyes were still black and his skin had turned a sickly pale during the process. It would take a few moments for a little color to return, but when he looked down at his hand and realized something terrible. Squeezing his fingers into a fist, he measured his strength and suddenly the reality came to him; he couldn’t shift bodies if he wanted to. The seal was breaking and until that process was finished he was locked in this final body. Trapped like pathetic dog. “Once the seal is broken I’ll be able to swap bodes again,” he whispered. “But until then, I have to make this one work or die within its already rotten flesh.”
“My Lord…is there something wrong?” Morris asked, beholding the King kneeling down next to the girl.
Hallond barked, “Do not sneak up on me like that!” He didn’t turn just yet for the color in his skin had not fully returned and he did not want to give Morris any reason to doubt him.
Morris bowed and cast his eyes down in respect. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I meant no disrespect by coming in so silently. Years of training have left me with the ability to walk unheard. I will make more noise next time.”
Hallond looked at his arms and saw the hue had returned. He stood up and turned around. “See that you do.” He walked over to the throne he sat down. “What is your progress in rounding up the citizens?”
Morris looked up with a smile. “I have good news to report. Everyone has been secured. Those stone soldiers Hallond created worked perfectly. It’s a shame they will not last but a few days.”
Hallond always liked hearing praise about himself. It was gratifying to know at least someone respected his power. Even if that person was oblivious. “Good. Very good. What of your own guard? Did any follow you and remember their oath to the Throne?”
“I’m ashamed to report that all the guards I found have turned against you and the throne. I suspect the Dragon’s influence was too much for their weak minds.”
“I’m sure they will see the light soon enough.”
Morris gestured toward Crystal. “What of her? If she is not the culprit then, what should I do…place her in the Pale Labyrinth?”
“No. The labyrinth is full and we don’t have time to construct any more alcoves.”
“Then, if I may make a suggestion, Sire. Her people have been the most obstinate of the races about this. We could make an example of her to show them the justice for disobedience.”
Hallond slowly shook his head, even while smiling. “Not yet. She’ll prove useful soon enough. We need her alive or this might not turn out well. After we finally have the Dragonwand in our possession and the statue is destroyed, you can do with her as you see fit. Put her head on a pike near her homelands as a symbol of what happens to those who ignore the rule of the King.”
“What of the Dragonwand or the statue? I have no one I can trust to retrieve the boy and I fear leaving you might put you in a precarious position.”
Hallond closed his eyes, as he began to sense the seal breaking. “It won’t be long. The wand will come to us and the statue will be no more. Have faith in me, Morris. All will go according to plan. For now…” Suddenly, he froze, as that maniacal smile turned into a worried grimace, “No, it cannot be.”
Morris took a step closer to the King. “What is it? Are you well?”
Hallond took a moment to search his feelings for what he sensed was true. For a brief moment he thought he sensed a dragon approaching, but he could no longer feel that kind of power. What lingered was the presence of the wand coming nearer to him. This body must be confusing him, he thought. Tolen was dead and there were no more dragons. No, it is just the wand approaching. That worried smile returned to a victorious grin, “Just in time.”
Morris seemed perplexed as well, but for other reason entirely. His concern was for the King. “What is, Sire?”
Hallond paused, considering his next course of action. “Go and gather all the golems that are not being used to restrain the populace. Form an army in the town square. Remain there until I say otherwise. The boy with the wand will be here shortly.”
Morris wore a look of confusion, but dared not question him. He simply bowed low and left to complete his duties.
Hallond watched out a window in the direction of the incoming power. All the while he listened to the sharp click of Morris’ metal shoes against the stone floor of the Throne Room. Once Morris was gone, Hallond pulled out a small phial filled with a dark red liquid. He had concocted this potion almost a thousand years ago, using his original blood. It had the power to restore his strength as an ancient. For a brief amount of time, this body would be as powerful as one of the ancient wizards. But, once the potion ran its course, his body would no longer operate in any functional way. Hallond had a short amount of time to complete his mission. The images of when he first created the potion filled his mind. He shook free and up ended the bottle, guzzling down the contents. In a short matter of time his strength returned. As his power continued to grow, he was once again a true wizard.
Satisfied his plans were finally coming to fruition, he knelt down over the girl and placed his hand on her forehead. “Asja!” The healing charm removed the slumber spell over her and she awakened.
***
Crystal looked around in a panic as she was s
till in the presence of the demonic king. When she attempted to struggle against the ties binding her hands and feet, she found herself unable to move. It did not take her long to also realize there was a heavy cloth tied around her head and placed so that her mouth was filled and made it impossible to speak. She was not Markus. She could not conjure without using magical words so at this moment she was helpless. The struggling turned into a whimpering and pleading muffled cry.
“Oh, be silent, child. I’m not going to harm you….yet. Your dear boyfriend... lover... brother...whoever he is to you, is coming,” Hallond teased. “When he arrives, he’ll hand over the Dragonwand for you, or watch you die. If you do anything to stop this, I will destroy the both of you where you stand. Do you understand?”
Crystal, with tears running down her face, nodded.
Hallond pulled out a knife and cut the cord binding her feet so that she could walk. “Good. Know this, I will not fail. Your life, his life, the lives of every pathetic being in Gallenor matter very little to me. Do nothing to go against me, child, or your home and everyone you love will go up in flames. Now, get up!”
***
Markus flew down toward the ground and landed with a thud. Kiin and Treb slid off to the side and got their bearings. Kiin was a little shaken having never flown on anything before. Treb was too focused to care. The magnificent golden dragon seemed to vaporize in a shimmering dust, leaving Markus standing on the ground with his staff in his hand.
Treb and Kiin looked around and found they were next to the Pale Labyrinth. Its tall walls were guarded by sharp spikes at the top.
“Why didn’t you just drop us down inside?” Treb asked.
Markus walked over. “That would be foolish. The Labyrinth may be open at the top, but I’m not certain if there is a magical barrier preventing escape. If you were to fall into an unknown ward, it could take your life and end any hope of us stopping Hallond.”
Legacy of Dragonwand- Book III Page 7
