Kiin’s eyes widened. “Very wise.” She came over to Markus with a terribly concerned look on her face. “Are you sure about this plan? We could do so much more to help you if we came with you.”
“Right now Crystal and Gallenor are both in great danger. Just about the only thing we have on our side is this,” Markus held up the Dragonwand, “I must defeat him before that seal is broken, for he is weak until then. I’m an inexperienced wizard up against a thousand year old master of dark magics and former dragon. Right now, I need allies, allies that can stand against him. I’m sorry to say this, but without your arrows, you’re not worthy and he wouldn’t think twice about killing you. No, you need to free the wizards.”
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Treb carefully put his hand up against the wall, not sure if a magical force would shock him. He only found cold, solid stone.
Markus walked over to the bag where he had placed his stuff. He retrieved Donna’s book and the tiny staff of the Gnome King. “Yes. Take this.” He handed the little staff to Treb. “Now, concentrate on this staff and make up your mind that the stone is air.”
Treb was confounded. “How can I simply will the stone to be air? You’re insane.” He turned the stick in his hand, as if looking for some hidden strings. “This is just a stick. Even if it were a wand, I’m no wizard.”
“Don’t argue with me. Try,” Markus demanded.
Treb let out a built up sigh and then closed his eyes, whispering to himself, “the stone is air, the stone is air…” and then he put his hand back up to the wall. This time his hand went right through the wall. He pulled it back and smiled with great elation. “It worked!”
Markus shushed him with a hand over his mouth. “We can’t be certain what kind of guards Hallond has placed around here.”
Treb grinned in embarrassment. “Sorry,” he whispered.
Markus turned to Kiin and handed her the book. “Here, take this. Once you get inside, you must find the spell holder. Something is being used to cast the spell keeping the wizards in their dormant state. Hopefully the book will tell you how to find it.”
“Hopefully?” Kiin did not like hearing that.
“Yes. Right now we have to rely on hope and determination. We cannot turn back and we cannot fail.”
Treb whispered harshly, “What if we can’t find it?”
“Then, do what you have to,” Markus said.
Treb lamented, “This is crazy.”
Kiin articulated what Markus was thinking. “Honey, would you turn back and go home knowing Crystal is in the hands of that evil man?”
Treb softly shook his head. “Never.”
“I won’t either. Markus is right. This may be our only chance to do something to save her, to save everyone. We have to try.”
Treb smiled at her. “Yes, we have to try.”
“What is your plan?” Kiin asked Markus.
Markus held out the staff. “My plan is one of deception.” Looking up at the sky he realized the time. “I have to go. It’s a long walk from here to the center of the city and I do not need to be late.”
Treb frowned. “But, why walk? You’re a dragon.”
“Yes, that I am. But if Hallond sees me flying in, my deception will be ruined and Crystal won’t survive long enough for me to get to her.”
“At least you can kick his butt in your Dragon form,” Treb eagerly stated. “I doubt he can handle that right now.”
Markus shook his head again. “I don’t know a lot about fighting a single wizard while I’m a dragon. I’m afraid if I don’t control it well enough, I could kill thousands of innocent people in Thendor. I know how to fight with the staff. I have already learned about that from the imbued memories, so I’ll contend with him wizard to wizard.”
Kiin came over, pulled Markus to her and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Whatever happens, young Markus of the Valley, thank you. Now, be brave.”
Markus blushed. “I will.” Clearing his throat, he looked away so he did not look her in the eyes when he spoke. “If I don’t return from this alive, tell Crystal that…I love her with all of my heart.”
Kiin brushed her hand over his head like a mother comforting her child. “I will. Just promise me that you will come back alive.”
“I’ll try.” With that, he started down the path toward the city. The entire way, he carried the staff instead of allowing it to be invisible.
***
Treb took Kiin’s hand and pulled her in to give her a kiss. He held her face and stared into her eyes. “Whatever happens to us, just know that I love you.”
Kiin brushed his cheek. “You puppy,” she teased. “Come on, let’s move. We don’t have a lot of time either.”
Treb took her hand and then they both closed their eyes and chanted, “The stone is air, the stone is air.” Treb started walking and pulled Kiin along with him. Both were certain that at any moment they would meet a solid wall, but that did not happen.
Finally, coming to a stop, they opened their eyes and found a sight few in Gallenor have seen; the inside of the infamous Pale Labyrinth. It was a vast collection of twisting and turning towering walls. Corridor after corridor of stone alcoves met there gaze, a storage area for imprisoned wizards. Each one of them trapped lying up against a hollowed stone bed. The bodies were encapsulated by a purple glowing magical barrier. This was the means by which the spell kept them asleep and stationary.
Treb looked up and down the rows, stunned and horrified. “There must be thousands.”
Kiin nodded, sharing a similar look of horror on her face. “They’re all here,” she croaked. “Every race, every person. I always knew this was their fate, but I never put it into this sort of perspective. By all that is right, we have to free them.”
Treb walked up to an alcove where a little human girl rested with her arms folded over and held against her. She could be no more than ten years old. It was likely her powers matured early and she was imprisoned before she had the chance to even understand what was happening to her. In her gentle, innocent little face, Treb could see the sad child he once took in. Crystal was older than this girl and but no less innocent. His heart hurt and his rage burned. His soul screamed for justice. Kneeling down, he held his hand up, placing it against the magical barrier. “How could we have let this happen? What lies were so easily sold to the people of these lands that made this seem right?”
Kiin came over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “We don’t have time to stand around and ponder this. Right now we need to help right this wrong and free these people.”
Treb nodded and stood, heeding his wife’s advice. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 11: The Meeting of Dragons
Markus followed Prisoners Road toward Thendor. The path was well worn and narrow as its only purpose was to transport victims to their holding cell within the Pale Labyrinth. He had expected to see more guards along the path or on the wall of the city as he approached. Yet, he was alone. The city was quiet. The world was quiet. He listened to the crunching under his feet as the dirt and small rocks rubbed underneath his soles. It was the only way he was certain that he had not gone deaf in the few moments since leaving Treb and Kiin.
The truth was clear. The world was oddly silent.
For a moment, it seemed almost possible to hear the clouds pass in front of the sun. Just as he reached the edge of the city, before he entered, he could see something over the wall. The upper half of the dragon statue dwarfed the city wall and looked fierce. He smiled as he recognized it; very similar to the other dragon statues at the Citadel. This was Tolen’s last dragon form ever taken. It was the only thing standing between Hallond and the return of his people.
Stepping through the open gate to the city, Markus followed the dirt path until it met with the cobblestone roads of the city. The sickly quiet that dominated everything was even more present here. He had never been to this city before in his life, yet he felt the silence w
as odd.
In the streets that branched from this main road lay bodies. He was shocked at the sight of it, but contained his revulsion. These were the Royal Guard, slaughtered in combat. Markus did not know that most of the Royal Guard within the city had fought to stop these golems, only to be killed. As he passed another road, his eyes met those of a woman huddled with the rest of the people in the human sector of Thendor. She held a child close to her, both exuding quiet panic. Each street he passed, he spotted more groups of people, all gathered together for some reason. Around them were these strange stone figures with glowing eyes.
He had to focus. If he allowed his nerves to be overtaken by the unanswerable questions before him, he would not stand a chance against Hallond.
Finally, he found the city center. It was a large square where merchants gathered daily to sell their wares and keep life going in this city. At the far end of the square were the steps up to the palace. And there it was, the famous Palace of Thendor; larger than he expected and absolutely beautiful. No king in the history of Gallenor had denied the citizens a chance to come into the court and witness the transactions of the political engine that ran Gallenor. Yet now the doors were closed.
Markus hardly looked at the palace or the square, for he was confronted by a legion of those strange statue men lined up shoulder to shoulder. For what little of a face they had, they were all looking at him as though they were prepared to defend the palace. Suddenly, the squirming struggles of a person on the steps caught his attention. There, tied at the hands and around the head stood Crystal. Beside her was an old man in regal attire. He had the look on his face of madness, pure hatred, and power. Climbing up the steps was Morris, who seemed to be in command of these odd statues. He turned and looked out at Markus from the steps.
Markus glared at him. “Morris, the puppet.”
The Captain replied, “I see you came to your senses.”
Hallond, holding the ties binding Crystal’s hands, pushed her forward. “Did you bring the wand!?”
Markus slowly lifted the Dragonwand above his head and nodded. He could see the dire panic now on Crystal’s face. It was apparent she did not wish to be traded for the wand. But Markus wasn’t going to back out now. “Yes. I have it. Let her go and I’ll bring it to you.”
Crystal struggled and tried to speak through the gag. She could not articulate words and it was apparent she was bawling.
Hallond pulled her closer. “Bring it to me or she dies!” he said in a raspy tone.
He looked sickly and Markus wondered what was wrong, but he couldn’t worry about that now. Crystal’s life was at stake. He lowered the staff and carefully walked through the statues toward Hallond. Each time he passed another row of statues, they turned their heads and then their bodies to track him. He ascended the steps slowly, passing Morris and making sure to keep enough distance between himself and the Captain.
Hallond’s smile grew as he watched the wand approach. “Very wise, young wizard. You’ve saved your little dog’s life.”
Morris pulled out his sword and walked toward Markus. “I don’t understand why we don’t just take it. He is a criminal…”
“Don’t be foolish!” Hallond barked. “Tolen would expect such an action. I need the boy to willingly hand it over.” Hallond’s paranoia of Tolen’s intricate plans wasn’t without merit.
“So, you understand what must happen next?” Markus asked. “I’ll give the staff to you AFTER you let her go and see her safely out of the city.”
Hallond hated to have to agree to anything right now, being only inches away from victory. But, the price was acceptable. He pushed Crystal at Morris, who caught her before she fell down the steps. Morris took her by her hands and pulled her in closer, enjoying the fact that she was terrified of him the most. Markus came over to her and slipped the cloth out of her mouth to give her a sweet, short kiss.
“Go, run, do not look back,” Markus said.
Crystal wept. “No, please don’t do this. I’m not worth it!”
“SILENCE!” Hallond yelled.
“I’ll not let you die in my place,” Markus said, and then looked at Morris. “Give me your word that you will release her without harm.”
Morris let out a heavy sigh, but nodded. “My word.” Nothing was more binding in Gallenor than the word of Captain Morris; even Markus knew this. Which meant that at no time from here until Crystal was safe, would he harm her.
“Hurry, take her away!” Hallond yelled at Morris.
Morris took her by her hand bindings and forcibly escorted her down the steps and through the statues.
Crystal didn’t struggle too hard, but yelled, “DON’T DO THIS! PLEASE! I AM NOT WORTH IT! PLEASE MARKUS, DON’T DO THIS!”
Hallond looked at the staff with immeasurable greed. “Now that that is done...”
Markus held up his hand. “Wait. Not until she is out of sight.” He watched as she was taken through the gate and was free of the city. After that, Markus turned around and held up the staff. “Now, you may have the Dragonwand.”
***
“What does it look like?” Treb asked again, as he searched around the area for anything that was different than just another alcove with another person in it.
Kiin, flipping through the pages in the book, shook her head. “I simply don’t know. This is confusing. I wish I had learned a little more about reading these magic books from Crystal when she was studying.”
Treb smiled brightly and ran over to a stone door. “I found something!”
Kiin closed the book on her thumb and ran to find him. She came to his side and looked upon a strange stone door that was between two rows of alcoves. It was carved with markings that were in an ancient language. “What is it?”
“I have no idea, but it is different. That has to mean something. Let me…” He gripped the side of the door and pulled with all of his strength. His feet in the dirt made tracks as he pulled himself to the side yanking at the door. “Good grief…what do they use to open these things?”
Kiin looked around the door and felt it. “I don’t think we can open it. It must be sealed by magic, or….uh…is too heavy for you.” She didn’t want to bruise his ego right now, but that was impossible as he flexed all of his muscles in the vigorous fight against the immovable door.
“This door is heavy,” Treb noted. “I feel like I’m about to bust an artery in my head…yaaaAAAAAH!” He finally let go and looked at his hands to see if he had lost a finger in the process. All ten were still there, but the door hadn’t even moved. “Damn.”
Kiin leaned over and looked at it, scrutinizing the letters and then thinking. “Wait, I think I have an idea.”
Treb put his hand to his chin. “Okay, go ahead.”
She opened the book and then pulled out the little staff where she had laid it to be a book mark a moment ago. “What say we look inside with this?”
Treb gave her a sheepish look as he grabbed the staff out of her hand. “Fine, do it the easy way.” He held the staff firmly in his hand and then closed his eyes as he walked through the door.
Kiin yelled, “WHAT DO YOU SEE?”
“Darkness!” Treb called back.
“Feel around, see if you can find something!”
“Okay, I feel….books, a box…and…..OUCH!”
“Treb! Are you alright!?”
Treb called back, “I found a sword. Oh wow!” His voice sounded muffled like his hand was in his mouth.
“You alright?” Kiin asked.
“It’s just my finger,” Treb said. “I can see now. Hey, take a look at…wait…” Suddenly he came back through with a sword in one hand and a quiver of arrows in the other. His sore finger was still lingering in the corner of his mouth.
“What in Gallenor is all that?”
“I bet this was a storage closet where people stashed their items they had with them before they were imprisoned. Look at this sword.” He held up a blue blade
d sword that was semi-transparent and glowing slightly.
“That’s an ice sword.” Kiin was in awe. “I didn’t think there were any left since the Ice Groths died out five centuries ago.”
Treb waved it around getting the feel of its balance, which was perfect. “I don’t know where it came from, but it is an exquisite blade. And, take a look at these. Bronze tooth arrows. These are the best Rakki arrows made in Gallenor.”
“Oh, they are beautiful. Got a bow in there? I lost mine back at the mountain.”
Treb nodded and slipped back in without much effort.
Kiin pulled out an arrow and marveled at the serrated edge. “You’re certainly getting the hang of that staff thing.”
Treb came back out with a beautiful Rakki bow and something else. “Yup, it’s just mind over matter…hard matter that is. Will this work?” He handed her the bow.
She took it and felt the taut string. “Perfect! I wonder if they got this from a Rakki in the Northern Forest.”
“I don’t care if they got it from a pup in training. It’s a bow and arrows, which puts us back in the fight.”
Kiin put the quiver on her back and then slid the bow over her shoulder. “That is if we can figure out this stupid maze.”
Treb pulled out a large folded up piece of paper. “I think I found something that might help.”
Kiin took part of the paper and helped him unfold the really large map. “Oh, wow, this must be the Labyrinth.”
Treb nodded. “It makes sense that they would have something to keep their bearings when they brought people in here. The question is where are we on this map?”
“More importantly where is the key to this place’s barriers?”
***
Hallond smiled in triumph. He reached out slowly to savor the moment. “So, it all came down to the failure of the heart. Oh Tolen, you damned fool. It was the love of the non-magic people that gave you reason to fight, and it will be love that ends your bid to stop me. How ironic.”
Markus was clenching his teeth as he held up the staff. “Just…take it.”
Legacy of Dragonwand- Book III Page 8
