The Master's Chair (The Chronicles of Terah)

by Morgan, Mackenzie

  “I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”

  “It’s the only way.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  During the next two weeks, Kevin’s skill at defending himself and his friends improved to the point that he could provide some backup for their offensive actions. He was still not able to do too much about Jonquin other than defend against his attacks, but he did manage to get in a few strikes.

  The rest of the Tellurians became accustomed to having strange things happen in the middle of battle, such as being pummeled by golf ball sized hailstones, blinded by swirling dirt or snow, threatened by flood waters, or chased by an approaching tornado. Their confidence in Kevin’s ability to handle such emergencies grew to the point that by the end of the two weeks, they didn’t pay any attention to them.

  About the only weather disaster that Jonquin didn’t conjure up during the war games was ground tremors. One afternoon, towards the end of the second week, Kevin asked Glendymere about that. Glendymere said that no one ever intentionally started tremors because they were impossible to control. A tremor in Nandelia could cause tidal waves out in the ocean, or cause a volcano to erupt several thousand miles away. Glendymere told him that since even the dragons were powerless to stop the tremors, no one was willing to take the responsibility of triggering such a chain reaction.

  The final practice battle was on Friday, the eighteenth of January. The clouds were so thick and heavy with snow that it was completely dark by mid-afternoon, so Glendymere called off the games a little early. The giants had spent the afternoon setting out food and drink in the main reception area of Glendymere’s caves, and after the elves and dwarves had eaten their fill, they bid the Tellurians good-bye and good luck and headed off for their own camp. The Tellurians sat around talking with Tyree, Blalick, Ashni, and the kids while Jonquin and Glendymere rested nearby and listened to the conversations floating around.

  “Looks like your boy will make it,” Jonquin said privately to Glendymere.

  “I hope so, but you never know. A stray energy bolt can be as deadly as a full-scale assault. More so if you aren’t expecting it.”

  “True, but you’ve done all you can. And he seems to be smart enough.”

  “That he is. I just hope I don’t have to go to his funeral for a long, long time.”

  Jonquin sighed and said, “That’s the biggest problem with caring about any of the humans. They don’t live long even if no one kills them. They’re gone almost before you get to know them.”

  “Too true. But he has enough elven blood running through his veins to keep him alive longer than most.”

  “So did Badec.”

  Glendymere sighed. “I wonder how young Myron is going to handle it when Laryn tells him that Badec’s illness isn’t natural.”

  “Oh? You hadn’t mentioned that,” Jonquin’s interest picked up.

  “I know. She hasn’t said anything yet, to anyone. But it’s one of those things that I just know.”

  “I don’t suppose you also just happen to know which human is responsible, do you?”

  “No, or that human just might wake up dead one morning.”

  “You can’t do that,” Jonquin said quietly.

  “Actually I can,” Glendymere grumbled.

  “No, you can’t. I’d worry if I didn’t know you better. Leave it to the boy. It’s his battle,” Jonquin said as he nodded in Kevin’s direction.

  Much later, long after night had fallen over the canyon, Joan said, “I guess we need to get this mess cleaned up and head home. Karl, if you and the guys will take care of putting all the tables and chairs back in the store room, we’ll take care of packing up the dishes and left-over food.”

  The guys all stood up, stretched, groaned over aching muscles, and began clearing up. Soon, all evidence of the feast was gone, and Glendymere’s reception area once again looked like a barren cavern.

  Jonquin and Glendymere magically transported all of the food containers to Blalick’s house and then Glendymere offered to provide air transportation to Rainbow Valley for anyone who wanted a ride home. The storm clouds had moved out and left a clear moonless night full of stars.

  Darrell surprised everyone by quickly accepting the offer. “I’ve never flown, and from the way Kevin and Chris talk about it, it’s terrific. I’ll probably never get the chance again, so yes, I’d like a lift. And don’t feel like you have to go straight there either,” he said with a grin.

  “You’ve got a point,” Steve said. “It might be fun.”

  Glendymere chuckled and said that if they would all like to come, he was sure that Jonquin would be happy to help out. When Jonquin agreed and knelt so that the humans could climb aboard, everyone except Tyree, Chris and Kevin quickly scrambled for a seat on one of the two dragons.

  Kevin made sure that all of the Tellurians were buckled to the chains that the dragons wore and then he settled back down on the ground beside Chris and Tyree. “I guess we should head back now. I imagine they’ll get there long before we do, even if Glendymere takes what we would call the scenic route.”

  While they were walking back through the tunnels, Tyree asked Kevin if he had any more questions that he wanted to ask. Kevin hesitated, so Chris said, “I have one. Who names the general? Is that up to the sorcerer, the governor, or do the two of them decide together?”

  “The general is not exactly an appointed position. I imagine he could be replaced if you really had problems with him, but on the whole, the sorcerer and governor sort of leave him alone. When the general feels like it’s time to step aside, he usually meets with the sorcerer and governor and tells them which one of his captains he plans to name to his position. His loyalty is to Camden, to its army, and to protecting the people of the province.”

  “But what if the general didn’t like the current sorcerer? Would he be likely to try to help get rid of him?” Chris asked.

  “No. If he really just couldn’t stand the sorcerer, he’d probably resign and leave the province. There’s no way a general would risk scheming against a sorcerer. It would be suicide. A non-magical human doesn’t stand a chance against a sorcerer.”

  “What about treachery?” Kevin asked, thinking in part of Badec.

  “How could a general command respect among his officers if he stooped to anything as dishonorable as treachery? That’s not a problem,” Tyree assured him.

  “So my father’s general will remain in control of the army, no matter what happens when I return?” Kevin asked.

  “Yes. He’s a good man. I knew him before I left Milhaven. His name is Crandal, and you couldn’t ask for a man with a more commendable character. As long as you do not use your magic to harm the inhabitants of Camden, he’ll support and defend you to his last breath. But I will warn you of one thing, he will be completely truthful. If you ask his opinion, and sometimes even if you don’t, he’ll tell you what he really thinks, whether it’s what you want to hear or not.”

  “I guess that’s about the best I can ask of anyone that I have to depend on,” Kevin said.

  Tyree nodded.

  “Is he in charge of the castle guard?” Chris asked.

  “No, the guard is separate from the army, at least in most provinces. Often the sorcerer chooses someone from the army for the position, but he doesn’t have to. And how the guard is organized is up to the captain and the sorcerer. You’ll have to name a new captain who will be completely loyal to you, not loyal to you just because you’re Badec’s son. You might want to give that a little thought while you’re traveling. Just like the governor, you’ll need to name a Captain of the Guard as soon as you assume the duties of the Sorcerer of Camden,” Tyree explained.

  When they came to the area Kevin thought of as the compass room, Tyree took the tunnel that led up to Blalick’s house.

  Kevin and Chris walked the rest of the way to Rainbow Valley in relative silence. When they got there, the others had not arrived so they decided to go outside and wait for them near the cave entrance.


  About an hour later, Kevin spotted two dark shadows in the sky, slowly circling above the valley. He pointed them out to Chris and they watched as the shadows spiraled down towards the ground. Once both dragons were settled on the ground, Kevin and Chris approached.

  “That was wonderful,” Joan exclaimed as she slid off of Glendymere’s neck. “The whole area is covered in a blanket of snow and it’s beautiful. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything as much.”

  “It really was fun,” Karl said, “once I got over the shakes at being so far above ground.”

  “If there is nothing else, I think I’ll take my leave,” Jonquin said. “Glendymere, thank you for the invitation to the war games. I’ve had more fun over the past couple of weeks than I’ve had in centuries. Myron, have a safe journey home. You will do well for Camden and for Terah.” Then Jonquin stepped away, spread his massive wings, and soared off into the night.

  “Well, time for me to say good night as well. You need some sleep. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow,” Glendymere said, referring to the fact that they had to get everything packed up and loaded the next day. “I’ll come over tomorrow evening for a few minutes. See you then.” Then Glendymere followed Jonquin into the black sky.

  Theresa turned away from the others for a moment to wipe away the tears that had gathered in her eyes as she thought of leaving. Joan put her arm through her husband’s and said, “Let’s go inside. I need to get busy or I’m going to cry. Anyone interested in some coffee and pie?”

  While Joan and Theresa busied themselves in the kitchen, the men gathered around the table. A somber air settled over them.

  “I feel almost as depressed as I did when I found out about my knee,” Darrell said quietly.

  “You know, you could all stay here,” Kevin said. “It might even be safer that way. I could easily travel from here to Milhaven by myself using magic.”

  “If you really think it would be safer to travel by yourself, we’d understand,” Steve said, “but I plan to go to Milhaven regardless. For one thing, I’m curious about how our plans to turn the castle into a mill town will work out.”

  “We need to stick together,” Darrell said. “We’re the outsiders on this world. Either we all stay or we all go, and staying here really isn’t an option.”

  “I agree. It’s tempting, but it really isn’t possible,” Karl said.

  “What isn’t possible?” Joan asked as she brought in a tray loaded with the pie, coffee, and cups and set it on the dining room table.

  “Staying here,” Karl said as he took her hand.

  “Makes a nice dream though, doesn’t it?” Joan said with a smile. “Our own little corner of the world.”

  “I don’t want to leave, but there’s a part of me that is ready to get back to work,” Theresa said. “I’m probably going to cry like a baby when I have to tell Sari good-bye. I’d take her with me if I thought Ashni would let me.”

  “I wouldn’t mind taking Macin either,” Darrell agreed. “Maybe one day I’ll have a son of my own. If I do, I hope he’s as decent a kid as Macin.”

  “I don’t know how to say good-bye to Ashni. She’s become such a dear friend,” Joan said with a sigh. Then she put her hand on Karl’s shoulder and said, “And old tough guy here is going to have a hard time leaving Blalick.”

  Neither Kevin nor Chris said anything, but they were both thinking about having to leave Glendymere. He had become so much more than a mentor to both of them.

  The Tellurians sat around the table, drinking coffee in silence, each lost in memories. Finally, Joan gathered the cups, took them out to the kitchen, and set them in the sink. Karl stretched and said, “I think I’ll head towards bed. After all, we’d better enjoy our last couple of nights on mattresses. It’s back to the cold hard ground starting Sunday. And I do mean cold. That snow pack is going to be tough to deal with.”

  “Well, at least this time we don’t have to worry about one of the wagons getting stuck,” Darrell said as he nodded towards Kevin.

  “Maybe there’s something to be said for traveling with a world-class sorcerer after all,” Karl teased as he and Joan left for their room. “See all of you in the morning.”

  Chris and Kevin were the last two to leave the dining room. While they were walking down the hall towards their rooms, Chris asked,” How serious were you about heading for Milhaven on your own?”

  “I wasn’t really, unless everyone else wanted to stay here. I just don’t want anyone to feel obligated to go with me, not even you. You can bail out any time you want to. I’d understand,” he answered.

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I signed on for the long haul. Count me in.”

  “In that case, I want to ask you something,” Kevin said.

  “Shoot.”

  “Would you be willing to be my assistant when we get to Milhaven, at least for a while?”

  “I don’t know how much help I’ll be, and I’ll understand if you want to find someone else who knows a bit more about how things are done once we get there, but I’ll do what I can,” Chris answered. “Let’s say I’ll serve as your assistant until after the first council meeting. Then we’ll take another look at it. You might decide that you need someone else in that spot by then.”

  “I think the main thing I need is someone I can trust and that I can work with, but let me know if you decide you want out,” Kevin said. Then he added, “Let’s keep this between us for right now, okay? I have a few things I want to talk over with you, but they’ll wait until we’re on our way. We’ll have plenty of time to talk while we’re standing guard.”

  “Okay. I have to admit that standing guard is one aspect of the trip that I definitely am not looking forward to. I’ve gotten spoiled sleeping in a nice warm bed all night long. It’s going to be hard to go back to sleeping in shifts.”

  “If the ground is as hard and cold as I think it’s going to be, getting up for a while to sit next to a hot fire might not be as bad as it sounds,” Kevin said with a grin. “See you in the morning.”

  Chapter 45

  Time for Good-Byes

  The next morning, Blalick and Macin were in the dining room when everyone showed up for breakfast.

  “Glendymere and I discussed your journey last night,” Blalick said. “Karl told me that you are planning to pick up a road somewhere north of here so that you will not have to go back into Abernon. The road that runs along the Pooley River might be your best bet.”

  “The Pooley River?” Theresa asked.

  “It is one of two rivers that form the boundary between Nandelia and Brendolanth,” Blalick answered. “There are roads on both sides of the two rivers. If you were really coming from the north, the most sensible route would be along the Pooley River to the Sandover River and then on to the Kivee River. Here, let me show you what I am talking about.” Blalick pulled out a map of Calandra. “See this river? It is the Pooley. And the one it joins here is the Sandover.”

  “We could follow those rivers to this one,” Steve said quietly as he pointed at the Mississippi River.

  “The Kivee,” Blalick nodded. “You could cross the Kivee at Glenarbour, there is a big ferry crossing there, and then follow this road to Milhaven.”

  “Which province is Glenarbour in?” Karl asked. “It looks like it straddles the Sandover River.”

  “It does, but it is considered part of Brendolanth,” Blalick answered. “One of the advantages of this route is that you will not pass through any of the towns that you came through on the way here. You will cross the road you took to Abernon, but you will not even travel on any of the same roads.”

  Karl nodded and studied the map. “How long will it take us to reach the Pooley River if we head due north?”

  “If you have to use paths wide enough for the wagons, it is going to take five to seven days,” Blalick said.

  “Ouch! We can’t spend that long heading north. Do you have any other ideas?” Karl asked.

  Blalick nodded. “I cou
ld head out this morning with the horses and be there by tomorrow afternoon. Kevin can move the loaded wagons out to the front of the cave tomorrow night, and then he and Glendymere can carry them up to the camp where I will be waiting with the horses. After everything is ready there, Glendymere can fly the rest of you up to join us. If it is done under the cover of darkness, no one will know. There are not many people living in these mountains, and no one would be out just wandering around in the middle of a cold January night.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Karl agreed. “As long as we can do it without attracting undue attention.”

  “While they are transporting the wagons, and then all of you, Kevin and Glendymere will be on the lookout for spies as well as local farmers checking their barns. Do not worry. If necessary, Glendymere can erase all memory of the night from someone’s mind.”

  “I keep forgetting just how powerful he is,” Karl said, shaking his head. “When do you want to leave with the horses? And can you handle all of them by yourself?”

  “Macin is going with me,” Blalick said. “We thought we would leave as soon as we can get the horses ready to travel. If you do not have any objections, we will get started while you are eating your breakfast. Is there anything you need us to do before we leave?”

  “Not that I know of. Joan?” Karl asked.

  “No, not that I can think of. Blalick, I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for us while we’ve been here. You and your whole family have been so terrific. I feel like I’m leaving my best friends,” Joan said while tears glittered in her eyes.

  “We have been enriched by your visit here,” Blalick said with a slight nod of his head. “We shall definitely miss you. Come along, Macin. We have a lot of miles to cover.”

  While they were eating breakfast the Tellurians talked about what they needed to pack in each of the three wagons, and just as they finished eating, Sari and Ashni came in to help with the packing. It took them most of the day to pack Theresa’s wagon. Then after dinner, the men packed most of the furniture and farming tools in the wagon that Kevin had driven down. Although Blalick and Karl had altered the wagon so that it now resembled a farmer’s hay wagon, they had kept all of Palladin’s little hidden cabinets so they could store the extra weapons in them.