Legacy of Dragonwand: Book 1 (Legacy of Dragonwand Trilogy)

by Daniel Peyton

  Horace grimaced at the sight of all the other wizards held in the labyrinth. “It’s awful to be locked away like that. Are we sure this is the only way?”

  Hallond turned so the young man beside him could not see the smile on his face. Something about this place brought a touch of enjoyment to him. “It is the only way. Soon, I wager, their incarceration will be over and they will be free to go about their lives. Soon, this will finally come to an end, after so many years and so much planning, and it will all finally be just right.”

  Horace, a little confused by what his master was saying, asked, “Are you okay, sir?”

  “I’m fine. Just looking forward to letting my friends go.”

  “Why can’t we let them go now? Surely they aren’t a danger to us, and I bet they could help us find the Dragonwand.”

  “It is the orders of the King that prevents their release until such a time as the wand is found, and King Anthony is a wise man. Now, let’s get moving. We shouldn’t be late. King Anthony is also impatient.” He shooed along the young assistant so they could head for the Royal Court.

  King Anthony’s Royal Courtroom was a regal place with many fine and intricate tapestries hanging from the walls. Tall windows that let in an abundance of light and beautiful views of the land surrounding Thendor Province complimented the tall ceiling. The ceiling was held up with great pillars carved with the history of the kingdom since the War. Over a thousand years were chronicled into the carving of these pillars, and they were studied intensely by historians when the court was not in session.

  At the front of the room was a large wooden chair inlaid with gold, bronze, and silver. The bronze was the base layer, covering the throne underneath the other embellishments. On top of it were large patches of silver that were embossed with geometric designs. Inside the designs were plates of pure gold, each holding a symbol, a crest of each king who sat upon this throne. King Anthony’s crest was a flying phoenix—the symbol of heroism to the Kingdom of Gallenor.

  At that very moment, the throne was occupied by His Majesty, King Anthony. His regal staff was in his right hand, and his eyes were glued to those around him. Surrounding him were his advisers, members of the voting council, and a few courtiers sent by the different provinces of Gallenor. The majority of the people present were human. There was one representative of the Shlan, or Lizardkind, a woman by the name of Hssovk. There was a Rakki, or Dogkind, a man by the name of Norl. Last, there was a Momar, or Dwarfkind, present. His name was Jarl, and he was a very loud, grumpy, old man who rarely involved his people in anything of importance in Gallenor.

  The only person not present, who should have been there, was Hallond, the Chief Wizard under the King. This was making the King displeased, but it did give the others present a moment to speak for their people.

  Speaking currently was Hssovk, the Lizardkind representative. “My people are not happy about thissss. We demand you releassse our wizards.” She was articulate for a Shlan, though none of the Lizardkind could work the hiss completely out of their speech.

  King Anthony shook his head. “That is not possible right now. We are still dealing with the issue at hand.”

  Norl spoke up. “We’ve been without our wizards for four years now. How long is this going to take? When will we see the conclusion?”

  Hssovk added, “They have rightssss too!” This started a bit of nasty murmuring among the people present.

  The King banged the end of his staff on the ground, causing an unnaturally loud boom to rattle everyone in the room. Once they were quietly waiting on him, he spoke. “The situation will resolve itself when it resolves itself. We can no more force the issue than we already have. This is a dangerous state of affairs.”

  Charles, the local Provincial Governor, approached the throne. “Your Majesty, it’s rumored the wizard Tolen has passed on. Shouldn’t that herald the end of this?” Charles treated the King with extreme reverence, though his treatment was merely a ploy to gain influence from the King.

  King Anthony nodded. “We will hear about that soon enough.” Just then, to the relief of the King, the doors at the opposite end of the hall opened and in came Hallond and his young assistant. The wizard carried himself with dignity when he walked. He held a rank second only to the King himself.

  The Chief Wizard approached the throne and knelt down. “Your Majesty.” His assistant, Horrace, did the same but did not speak.

  King Anthony waved his hand. “Rise, my old friend, and report.”

  Hallond stood up and looked around the room. “The guards tell the truth. Tolen the Wise is no longer living. His body has been burned, and his home was destroyed only this morning.”

  Those in the room began to ask questions at once: “Doesn’t this mean it’s over?” “What about the Dragonwand?” “Who killed him?”

  Hallond held up his hands. “Please, there is more.” But he couldn’t get them to stop their queries.

  The King banged his staff again. “Silence!” The action brought the questions to a dead stop. Then King Anthony addressed Hallond. “What of the statue?”

  Hallond pulled out a large flask of water and poured all of it out. As it fell from the mouth of the bottle, it floated in the air. The water swirled around until it formed a clear disc, hovering in the middle of the room. Once that was done, Hallond walked around it with his wand held out. “Sja Asferd, dyr!”

  When he spoke, the wand produced a glowing gold powder that swirled about in the water’s surface. The gold powder gathered in several locations and began to glow brightly, some places more than others. He stopped walking and looked closely at one particular glowing mass of gold. Rubbing his white beard, he pondered the pool for a while. Everyone else in the room was dead silent, waiting on him to say something.

  “Hallond?” King Anthony broke the silence.

  Hallond turned to the King and, with a sorrowful brow, said, “The power within the statue still grows. Its seal is still breaking.” Gasps and murmurs erupted from the attending crowd.

  King Anthony stood up and walked over to the hovering pool. He looked into it, the glowing golden hues dancing in his eyes. “How long?”

  “A matter of weeks at best, maybe even days.”

  Hssovk asked, “What could it be? Who issss doing thisss?”

  Norl was agitated. “I thought you said locking up all of our wizards would put a stop to this!”

  Omar of Glenoth added, “The wizard Tolen was the last known ancient wizard, and he’s dead! What do we do now?”

  Hssovk glared at Hallond. “What of them? What of the court’ssss own wizardsss?”

  Jarl, the dwarf, grumbled in his thick dwarven brogue, “What if it tis ah ploy? What if the wizards under the king be manipulatin’ us all?”

  King Anthony would hear none of this. He turned to them and silenced them with a single look. Once he had their undivided attention, he set them straight. “The court wizards are the only ones standing between the dragon’s return and your destruction. I will not hear of this dissension.”

  Hssovk asked, “What then? What do we do now?”

  King Anthony returned to his throne and sat back down. “The only answer is there is an unknown element. Someone or something we have overlooked.”

  Norl frowned. “That’s terribly vague.”

  “I’m aware of that!” The King grew annoyed that they always expected him to have all the answers. His advisers seemed more worried about making accusations than considering the options. So, he looked upon the one man who he trusted the most. “Wizard Hallond, what say you?”

  Hallond had his flask out and was bringing the water back into it. After it was full, he corked it and turned to the audience. “There must be another player in this. Someone who is helping Tolen finish his work.”

  “Who could do this? Aren’t all the wizards accounted for yet?” a courtier asked.

  “Only three . . .” Horace spoke up, and then just about swallowed his words when everyone, including the King,
stared at him. He cleared his throat and continued. “Only three wizards escaped the school and were not accounted for.”

  Hallond smiled at his nervous assistant and nodded in agreement. “We presumed the rogue wizard professors were killed while fleeing, but we did not account for their bodies. It isn’t impossible they are still out there, for I cannot imagine anyone with less power and skill than a school wizard could keep up Tolen’s evil work. This person, or persons, must be stopped at all costs.”

  King Anthony nodded in agreement. “Then it shall be. The Guards will be sent out and ordered to scour the land once again. We will stop this menace before it’s too late. Representatives, return to your people and tell them to expect the Guards to be in their lands. They are to give them passage without hindrance. They will obey them, as the Royal Guard will be under orders of the Throne.”

  The crowd all nodded, one at a time, in agreement. Most did not seem to be pleased, but they knew it was their duty to follow the King’s orders.

  Outside the court, Hssovk and Norl spoke. It was an odd sight, for the Lizardkind and Dogkind had never gotten along well. But, that aside, they were speaking amicably.

  Norl whispered to his fellow courtier, “Do you trust Hallond?”

  Hssovk looked around to see that no prying eyes were on them. “No. Thisss is ssstarting to look more and more ssusspiciouss to my people.”

  “What of the Guards? They will be scouting our lands again, unnerving our people and possibly stealing more of our kin.” Norl was leery of the King’s orders.

  “I cannot deny the King’sss order. But I do not have to like it.” She looked around one more time. “If the Rakki were to stage an uprissssing against thiss, the Sssshaln would be at your side.”

  Norl shook his head, a touch of a smile on his face. “We’re not ready to declare a coup against the King. Besides, would my people even believe me if I told them of your offer?”

  Hssovk smiled her thin lizard lips. “No, I sssupose not. Travel well, my friend.” She bid him farewell and left to head to her embassy in Thendor to prepare for her long journey home.

  The Rakki representative decided he might address the King in person, in private. His people had been asking him for almost a year now to negotiate the return of their wizards from the Pale Labyrinth. He would be returning home soon, and he wanted to at least go back with the knowledge that he had tried everything he could.

  Norl approached the throne and asked the Chief of the Palace Guard for an audience with the King, as procedure dictated that the Chief must escort any who ask for an audience. Chief Alex quickly agreed and walked Norl back toward the King’s personal chambers. Few courtiers were more respected or well known as Norl of the Rakki. He was wise, calm, humble, and, above all, intelligent. The Palace Guards held him in high regard and would often give him allowances not granted to others. In fact, Norl was escorted to the King’s chambers. It was not customary for anyone to stand there to wait. If the King was speaking with anyone else, the person waiting was usually asked to wait by the throne until called upon. Not even the Guards stood so near the King’s chamber doors, but Norl posed no threat to security, and surely the King wouldn’t mind.

  The dog man stood there quietly. Being a courtier meant a lot of waiting and patience, which Norl demonstrated often. As a Rakki, he had superior hearing over most humans or any of the other races. Right then, this keen hearing picked up on the conversation within the King’s chambers all too well. The King was speaking with Wizard Hallond. Norl attempted to ignore the conversation for their benefit, but their words drew his attention.

  “Do you think we can keep them at bay for much longer?” the King asked Hallond.

  The wizard responded coolly, “Yes. By the time they finally realize what is truly happening, it will be far too late.”

  “The Shlan ambassador was in to see me a day ago about freeing her people, and I’m sure the others will not be far behind. Keeping up the pretense about the wizards is not easy,” the King lamented.

  Hallond calmly replied, “History supports our story. Wizards did dark deeds during the War. If it had not been for the dragons, the dark wizards could have taken control of everything.”

  “Are you sure this will work?” the King asked the question as though he had asked it many times before.

  “As sure as I am a wizard. Once we have the Dragonwand and can finally destroy that horrible statue, my real students will be able to put to rest all the pathetic leaders of the people and make you supreme lord of all. Then, with the combined magic of all the prisoners, I can finalize the spell that will grant you and all my followers immortality.”

  “What of Tolen’s plans?”

  Hallond’s response was quick and sharp. “Tolen is dead, and with him died any possible resistance. I have waited for over a thousand years for that old fool to die. I cannot say I did not try to help him along a few times. How amazing that time itself finally did him in.”

  “The dragon statue still stands and keeps your powers at bay. Tolen’s statue should be dead if he is dead!” The King was angry.

  “Rest assured, My Lord, the statue’s seal over me and my followers is waning quickly. Once we have the Dragonwand in our possession, the statue will be rubble and a new age of Gallenor will rise.”

  The King let out a tired sigh. “I don’t know, Hallond. I’m still having second thoughts about all of this.”

  Hallond put on the convincing tone that politicians attain for such situations as the present. “Sire, you must not let those foolish ideas enter your head. We are too far along with this to have second thoughts. Besides, we are doing this for the good of the kingdom.”

  “I know. But, it is just so many lies. We have told the people of Gallenor nothing but lies for years now.”

  Hallond comforted the King. “Is it not the duty of every citizen of Gallenor to work for a better tomorrow?”

  “Well, yes,” the King answered.

  “You have no heir, and, pardon me, but at your age, you are unlikely to produce an heir. So, my plan is the best thing for our future. You will be granted immortality, along with a few others with real power. Gallenor will have a leadership that will not age or die, and a brighter future will be ahead. All it will cost are the lives of a few loyal citizens of Gallenor.”

  “Do we have to kill all of the wizards for this?” When the King said this, Norl whimpered a little outside the door, but it did not draw attention to him. The Rakki quickly covered his mouth and though his tail was between his legs, he stayed to keep listening. He had to hear this.

  “I am afraid that it has to be.” Realizing the King was in need of more convincing, Hallond asked a leading question. “Would you not ask your soldiers to die for Gallenor?”

  “Of course. But, this is different.”

  “I don’t see how. Do not worry. In time, the brilliance of this will truly sink in. Once you are granted immortality, all the answers will be made perfectly clear. Trust me.”

  The King asked the question that was on Norl’s mind. “Won’t the people resist this once they find out the truth?”

  Hallond calmly answered, “Have faith in me, Sire. All will work out according to my plans.” He paused and then said, “I think I hear someone.”

  Norl’s ears perked up and he started to step back. When he realized Hallond was approaching the door, he bolted. Hallond opened the door to find exactly what he hoped: nothing. So, he returned to the King, after making sure the door was securely closed.

  Standing on the other side of a square column, Norl’s heart was pounding and his breath was trembling. In all his years of service to Gallenor and his people, he had never expected to hear such hideous things. A deep part of him begged for it to be a dream—a terrible, horrible dream. But, the reality was that it was no dream and he had to tell someone. But who could he trust? He had to go home. He had to bring this to his own leaders. The head of the Rakki people was a wise and honorable man. He would know what to do next.
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  Chapter 5: Books

  Markus woke early. Although he had gone to sleep much later than usual, his dreams were a bit darker than normal, and it seemed his mind wanted out. It was nice to wake up in a warm room, on a soft bed. However, the moment he woke up, his mind returned to the worries from the night before. He thought about his parents and his journey. Was he really ready for this? Could he do it alone? What if he were stopped, or even placed in the prison where they were keeping Crystal’s parents? He wanted to find courage somewhere so he could push onward. He knew he might be the last one standing between a dark day and the freedom of all magic users in Gallenor. But why him? He was only fifteen. Yes, he was going to turn sixteen in a few days, but that made very little difference.

  Suddenly, his thoughts were broken by the sound of a soft knock on his door. “Markus, are you awake yet?” It was the gentle voice of Crystal.

  He brightened up, smiled, and answered the door. There she stood with a kind smile and a nervous posture.

  “Uh, good morning, Markus. Did you sleep well?”

  Markus grinned at her and nodded. “Yes. Anything is better than on the cold hard ground.” He could see her fighting a smile and holding in a chuckle. “What is it?”

  She pointed to his bare chest because he was only wearing his pants. “I have never seen so little fur.” She held in her laughter, but was starting to lose her composure.

  Markus pretended to take offense. He rubbed his budding chest hairs. “Hey! This is quite the chest of hair, I’ll have you know.” Just then, his stomach rumbled so loud that her canine ears perked up and she sort of smirked at him. He held his stomach, and with a little blush to his cheeks, said, “I guess it’s time for food. What do the Rakki eat for breakfast? More chicken?”

  “Sort of. Come with me.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the door way and into the village.

  “Hey! Wait! Let me get my shirt!” He struggled against the eager way she was tugging him down the street by his hand. When she finally did, he carefully removed her hand from his, ran back, grabbed his shirt, then hurried to follow her. He nearly stumbled into three people while trying to run and put his shirt on at the same time.