Margret entered the carriage and fell to her knees beside her son. She put a hand on his chest to feel his heart beating and the breaths coming and going. She gently laid her head on him and wept. “Oh, my son. I am so sorry.”
Chapter 17: Waking
Markus opened his eyes and blinked out some of the blur from fourteen days of rest. His body was stiff and sore, but no longer in such intense pain. He could see a person sitting next to him, but she was only slowly coming into focus.
“Markus. Are you awake, honey?” It was the sweet voice of his mother.
Markus took in a deeper breath and the blur in his eyes lifted. Finally he could see his mother sitting next to him. “Mom? Is that really you?”
She patted his chest. “Yes. I’m here.”
“Where am I?” He looked up, not expecting to see the inside of his old room.
His father laughed. “You’re home. A unit of Royal Guard and some very nice dogkind have been staying here and helping you heal.”
“And a pretty young lady who seems quite fond of you,” his mother had to add.
Markus scooted himself back on the bed and sat all the way up. He finally could look all around the room and saw many bouquets of flowers and treasures of all kinds. “What is this stuff?”
His father pointed to the shelf of trinkets. “Gifts from all the lands. Everyone wants to thank you for what you did.”
Markus was confused. “But, how do they know? I didn’t do anything, Tolen did it. How long have I been asleep?” Reality was beginning to sink in.
His mother answered. “You’ve been in here for two weeks.”
“Two weeks!?” Markus answered.
“And a lot has happened,” his father added. “The story of your journey has spread far and wide. Those letters you wrote have told quite the tale.”
Markus was shocked. “My letters…, the ones I wrote to you?”
His father smiled and nodded. “Yes. We read them and realized they were the best witness to your adventure. We showed them to Lord Kellus and he had them published through their library. In two hours, fifteen of the best Rakki scribes had copied your letters and sent them out with couriers to all the lands.” Pride filled his cheeks.
Markus was about to say something else, when he noticed the tears filling his mother’s eyes as she stared at him. “Mom…are you okay?”
Margaret almost cried as she begged. “Oh, please forgive me. I’m so sorry for what I said before you left. I love you. I hope you know that, I love you so much.”
Markus laughed, trying to break up her sorrowful demeanor. “Mom, I…know you love me, I never doubted that.”
His father stepped over and put a gentle hand on his Margret’s shoulder. “Son, your mother and I spent the last month worried sick about you and we realized our stubbornness might have driven you away from us. When we learned that the wizards were outlaws and the college was closed, we were horrified that you could be dead, that you could leave us not knowing we really loved you.”
His mother was holding up a cloth to her face wiping away the tears. “Honey, we only wanted the best for you.” She started crying harder. “We thought about you every day you were gone. We missed you so much. I couldn’t stop worrying about you.” She sobbed so hard her words were barely understandable. Once she realized there was no use talking, she buried her face in the cloth and wept.
Markus was getting choked up too. He’d never seen his mother cry like this. “Mom, I’m sorry for what I said before I left. I love you too. I know I hurt you when I left. I sort of did that on purpose. Now I know how cruel that was and am so sorry. Please, don’t cry, I know you love me.”
His father rubbed her shoulder. “Markus, you’re our world. The farm could burn to the ground before I would let anything hurt you. I trust you know that.”
Markus felt terrible now that he realized how much he had hurt them. “I know, Dad.”
His mother stopped weeping. “Markus, there is something I wanted to tell you. We both talked a lot about what you wanted after you left. We finally came to the decision that you were right. You are a wizard and deserved to go to school. We were not right holding you back. When you get well, we want you to go to that college you want to go to.”
His dad laughed. “That is if you aren’t smart enough already. After all you’re a…dragon.” He had a hard time saying that.
Just then, Crystal entered. “Hey, do you guys need anything from…MARKUS!” She practically leapt across the room at Markus and grabbed him in a big hug. “I only came to offer some food Treb was making in the kitchen. I didn’t expect to see you like…this!”
Markus put his arms around her and held her close to him. “Crystal, I’m so glad to see you’re okay.” He attempted to end the hug, but she still held on even tighter. “Uh, Crystal, I need to breathe.”
Crystal let him go and stood back. “Oh…sorry.”
His mother smiled at Crystal. “Your mother was just in here. She used a little spell to bring him around. Then she went to get someone else.”
Crystal frowned at the red eyes on his parents. “Are you okay? I have a great spell for allergies.”
Markus laughed at the thought of his parents being allergic to the Rakki. “No, we were just getting some pent up feelings out. It was about time.”
His father agreed with a nod. “We’re better now.”
Crystal smiled at Markus, excited for him. “There are lots of great things going on right now.”
Lord Kellus and Fiona came into the room and Crystal bowed low to him.
Markus’ father and mother both nodded their head to him in reverence of his title and said, “Your Lordship.” Unlike Markus, they were stunned to have been so close to one of the race lords these past few days.
Kellus walked over to Markus and looked down at him. “Are you feeling better?”
Markus nodded. “Yes, I think I’m a lot better now.”
“Good. I want to thank you, personally, for what you did.”
Markus shook his head. “I didn’t do anything, Tolen was the real hero. He stopped Hallond and ended this.”
Kellus smiled brightly. “Not that. I wanted to thank you for keeping my people safe during this journey. Young Crystal here has told me the many stories of your heroism to protect her. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”
Markus looked over at Crystal who stood on the other side of his bed now. “She gave me a reason to live like nothing else in this world. I cannot accept any gratitude for doing what I did. It was selfish. I did not want to lose someone so precious to me.” Crystal blushed under her fur and looked away.
Kellus laughed. “A charmer to the end.” He paused for a second and then continued with the important matter at hand. “It seems that Gallenor wishes to honor you officially.”
“They want to give me an award or something?” Markus asked.
“Not exactly.” Kellus sat down on the end of the bed and gave Markus a serious look. “Your legend has spread far and wide in a short period of time. Now that Gallenor has lost its king there is confusion and tension everywhere. They want someone they can look up to, to lead them and sit on the throne. Being a great hero now, they are asking for you to do this.”
Markus was shocked. “Me! But I’m only 16.”
“He has never had any leadership role in his life,” his mother added.
Kellus held up a hand which silenced everyone. “You must think on this and consider what you wish to do next. I’m going to personally escort you back to the Rakki Village tomorrow...”
“Your village? Why?” Thomas asked.
Kellus cleared his throat, a bit perturbed by being cut off. “I believe you may benefit from an afternoon in the Library, studying about politics and diplomacy. An educated decision is the best kind. After that, I will bring you back to Thendor where you will meet with the Council of Representatives and the new Captain of the Guard. There you will discuss our fu
ture and make your decision.”
Markus’ father protested. “He’s a clever boy, always was, but I don’t know about him being king now. Maybe after a few years or something.” Being a dad, he couldn’t pass up the honor of having his son actually be elevated to royalty, but even he couldn’t believe a teenager would make a good king.
Markus answered for himself. “I’ll have to think about this. We shouldn’t make decisions here without consulting the others first.”
Kellus smiled at Markus. “A very wise statement. Get some food in you and recover your strength. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
Two days passed and Markus left the Rakki library for the last time before he would meet with the council. He had spent every spare moment he had reading text on the political system, history, and lineage of King Anthony. Crystal helped him sort through the literature, sifting out what was extraneous and finding what mattered.
“Do you have to keep that out all the time?” Crystal asked.
Markus, using the Dragonwand as a walking stick, nodded at a pair of Rakki who bowed to him. “My knee still hurts and this helps.” Again he nodded to another Rakki who bowed.
“Sure. I know your knee still hurts. But, you just enjoy all the reverence.”
He smiled. He knew Crystal wouldn’t let him get away with that fib. Markus purposefully overacted as he stepped down on his right leg and winced, moaned, and dragged himself along by use of the Dragonwand. “Oh, the pain,” he teased her.
She folded her arms and walked ahead of him, to get away from the scene he was causing. “You’re such an imp.” More than one Rakki stopped to help him along, which made his joke backfire on him a bit.
“No, thank you.” He walked straighter. “Thank you. I can walk. No, please, you don’t have to help.” He had six more Rakki coming to his aid.
When he finally got to where Crystal had stopped, the crowd dispersed. “Sheesh, you’d think I had chopped my leg off with the way they were acting.”
“Don’t limp around like an idiot and maybe people won’t treat you like an invalid,” Crystal warned, folding her arms.
“Are you really that sore with me?” Markus asked.
She shook her head with a slight smile.
“Hey, look,” he said as he pointed ahead of them.
She looked and then frowned. “What? All I see is a fork in the road.”
“No, the bench.”
“So?”
Markus walked toward it. “This is where you and I first really talked. It was the first time that Treb got mad at me for flirting with you.”
Crystal’s stern attitude melted. “To be honest, it was the first time I really made an effort to flirt with anyone.”
Markus took her hand. “I knew the moment I met you that you were someone special. I got lost in your eyes when you first healed my arm and I wanted to stay lost in them.”
Crystal saw a small crowd gathering to stare at them. “Let’s head home. If they find out about this bench, they’ll probably make it a landmark.”
Markus and Crystal strolled on, hoping the others went their own directions. “Don’t worry about all the admiration. The fervor will die down,” Markus said.
“You are still the Dragon, the boy who saved Gallenor and stopped the ancient enemy. I doubt that will be forgotten quickly,” Crystal said.
Markus, still holding her hand, and not using the Dragonwand like a cane, said, “Yes, fame will follow both of us. Me more than you. We’ll have to accept that. But, the current mood is fresh and excited, that will lessen in time. Right now, I’m hungry and looking forward to trying that bread dish Kiin was working on when I left.”
“I asked her to make it. It’s a special Rakki dish. Thought you’d enjoy it your last night staying with us.” Crystal picked up the pace, practically dragging him along.
“Us? But, you’re back home with your own parents. I’m sleeping in your old room at Treb and Kiins.”
Crystal stopped for a moment. “Right. It’s been my home for so long, I forget that it’s not mine any longer.”
“I think you’re wrong. It is your home, you have two families now. Which is amazing.”
“True,” Crystal said and then pulled him quicker. “Come on. Mom and Dad will be there as well. Don’t want to keep everyone waiting on us.”
Markus checked his collar one more time. He was used to wearing his baggy, regular, comfortable clothes. Donna had brought him a nice school uniform to wear during the council sessions. It was more formal and would help him feel less out of place. Still, it was tight in places, a bit stuffy feeling, and just not as comfortable as he liked.
A light tapping at the door was followed by, “Markus, are you dressed?”
“You can come in.” Markus looked in the mirror one more time and rolled his shoulders around, trying to get the seam straighter.
Kiin walked in and smiled. “Oh, don’t you look handsome. A real college wizard. Your mother and father will be so proud to see you in that when they arrive.”
“Mom and dad are coming?” Markus gave Kiin a funny look.
“Donna has spent the past week with them, traveling around the smaller villages. She volunteered to be the witness to answer questions about the whole Dragon incident.” Kiin walked over and straightened his collar out right for him, both looking in the mirror. “Your father went along to help her find all of the small farming villages, he certainly knows the area.”
“Dad worked with a lot of the farmers around the valley and into the plains. Mom probably went because she hates to stay home alone. Good thing the harvest isn’t for another month.”
“Well, your father and mother want to come to Thendor to see the city and be there when any special announcement is made.”
Markus cocked an eyebrow up. “What about the announcement? Our town magistrate will be there to record everything and bring it home. Why do they want to listen to some snooty politicians talk?”
Kiin gave Markus a smirk. “The people are excited about the first Dragon Wizard. The announcement regarding his choice to accept the throne or not should be made by him. Your parents want to see you standing, on the steps of the palace, speaking.”
“Me?” he squeaked out. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “You mean, I’m expected to address the crowds?”
She laughed. “Of course. Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Besides, you’ll have all of us there with you.”
Markus tugged at the vest over the outfit, straightening it yet again. “I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this. I just wanted to be a wizard to help farmers grow crops.”
“Life doesn’t always work out how we planned. Now, do you have all of your stuff packed?”
Markus turned around and gave off a short nod. “I’m ready to go.”
“Good. They’ll be here soon, and then we’re off.”
Markus stopped, and looked up to a picture on the opposite side of the room. He had been glancing at it through the mirror. “Kiin, who is that?”
She looked up at the dashing image of a handsome young Rakki man with a bow held up, and an arrow aimed high. He only had on pants, which displayed his impressive physique. With a sly smile, she said, “That’s Treb, on his graduation day.”
“Wow. He had a painting done for his graduation?”
“Not on purpose. The event was so unique that an artist did that in honor of it for him. It was twelve years ago. Treb graduated two years ahead of the rest of the class, even me. You’re allowed to take the graduation test when you believe you’re ready. He was the youngest that day.”
“Why are his eyes not looking where his arrow is pointing?” Markus cocked his head, sort of trying to understand the perspective.
“The test is hard, meant for only the best to pass,” Kiin said. “Thirty targets are placed all throughout the trees. Each one further away than the last, each harder to see. Only if you hit all of the targets can you pass, an
d the final target you must hit in the center. Some students have never passed, it took me five tries. Treb took his place in the forest, standing on a branch above the normal starting position. He locked his eyes on the final target, not the first. He released his arrow and it soared over all the trees and hit the final target dead center. From that day on, it has become a challenge for all archers to accomplish that feat. So far he is the only one to hold the title.”
Markus’ eyes couldn’t be wider. “So, he passed with only one hit?”
“No. Lord Kellus made him take the whole test in the appropriate order. But, as you can imagine, it was a breeze for him.”
“I never knew he was so skilled. I knew he was good, amazing in fact. But, that is...just wow.”
Kiin nodded. “He’s the youngest master archer in all of our lands. Back then, he was an arrogant man. But, he learned humility as he worked with his own grand master to earn the Arrow Guard mark.”
Markus gave the picture one last look. “One more question. Has Treb ever worn a shirt?”
Kiin laughed hard. “It has been some time since that man has worn anything over his chest. He has a good body and isn’t afraid to show it off. And, obviously, we Rakki have a warmer coat of fur than the other races, so many of our men do not wear anything above the waist. Besides, even then, Treb was trying to draw my eye and knew that I enjoyed looking at him. Still do.”
Treb stuck his head in the door. “Hey, you two, what’s going on? Lord Kellus is waiting on us at the Hall.”
“We’re coming,” Kiin said as she directed Markus out the door.
Markus stopped and stared at Treb, who was wearing very nice pants, a fancy belt, and his arm guards were shined up for the occasion. Still no shirt. He chuckled and then walked on.
Treb gave Kiin a funny look. “What did I do?”
She patted his chest. “Nothing honey…nothing.”
Chapter 18: Restoring Order
The afternoon was quickly fading into night as the people gathered around the palace to hear the announcement of the new king. Thendor was still covered in debris, as workers spent day and night clearing up the entire mess. It would take years of work to restore this great city to its full glory, but now that the threat was gone, a brighter future lay ahead. Markus and the council spent five full days talking about what to do.
Legacy of Dragonwand- Book III Page 14
