Wizard Rising

by Toby Neighbors

  She struck Zollin as incredibly naïve although he knew nothing of marriage or children, but she sounded much more like she would be playing house, rather than starting a family. He wondered what would happen to his best friend and this beautiful but young girl when they realized life was not what they expected.

  They arrived at the home and Zollin stood with Quinn just outside while Brianna inspected every inch of it. She made several suggestions, which Quinn praised her for noticing and promised to fix. And when she was done, she declared herself overjoyed and asked if Zollin would escort her home. Mansel was there, and he shot Zollin a jealous look, which he took to be utterly foolish since the girl was betrothed. Still, he did feel a small bit of satisfaction that she had asked for him to walk her home rather than the strong and older tanner’s son, who apparently had no trouble catching the interest of most girls.

  “You and Todrek are good friends?” she asked, as if she didn’t already know the answer.

  “Yes, best friends.”

  “What is he really like?”

  “What do you mean?” Zollin asked.

  “Well, you know, he’s incredibly polite but that’s just to woo me. He seems sweet enough, strong and handsome in a way, but I want to know the real man before I marry him.”

  To Zollin, this seemed the wisest thing he had heard from either of the happy couple and was glad for it. Apparently there was more to Brianna than good looks and dreams of the perfect life.

  “He’s smart,” Zollin said. “He is strong but he doesn’t feel that he must prove it to anyone. He loves to laugh, is very opinionated, works hard and never complains. Well, almost never.”

  “Do you think he’ll be a good husband and a good father?”

  “I think you must be careful,” Zollin said, stopping to look at her. “I think he is overwhelmed by your beauty and would do anything to make you happy. For his sake, please treat him fairly.”

  “Zollin, you speak as if I’m a selfish and cruel girl,” she said, pouting.

  “I just want my friend to be happy.”

  “And you think I would make him unhappy?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just that life can be hard. I’m really happy for him, but I hope that you will love him.”

  “What do you know of love?” she said, turning and beginning to walk back toward her father’s house.

  “Nothing. All I mean is that he will need a good friend and I hope that you will be one for him.”

  “Why does he need a friend? Doesn’t he have you?”

  “No,” said Zollin softly. “I’m… I’m leaving after the wedding.”

  “Why?” asked Brianna, her voice rising. Zollin knew she would be surprised. People rarely left Tranaugh Shire.

  “I will tell you if you promise not to share it with anyone until after I’m gone.”

  She looked at him sternly for a moment, and Zollin felt his heart flutter and his hands begin to sweat. Until that moment he had been able to see her only as Todrek’s betrothed, but now he saw the beautiful girl before him. She was thin, with long arms and fingers. Her dark hair fell on her shoulders and her brown eyes looked deeply into his. She had a long, graceful neck and a noble demeanor that gave her an elegant presence that was hard to resist.

  “You may not believe me, but you can ask Todrek when I’m gone. I have power, magic power, and I’m going to learn how to use it.”

  She eyed him critically for a moment and then burst out laughing. Zollin felt his face grow red with embarrassment, and his fury blossomed inside him. He felt like he was a small boy again being teased by the other children. He grabbed her arm and pulled her from the street between two houses. He looked around to see that no one was looking and then pulled a coin from his small pouch.

  “Hold out your hand!” he ordered her.

  “Why, are you going to make a rabbit appear?” she mocked.

  “Just hold out your hand!” he said, emphasizing each word.

  She did, and he placed the coin in it. She was starting to say something when the coin flew up and began to dance in front of her eyes. Zollin felt the crackle of power from the staff but held it in check. He didn’t want his anger causing things to go flying around the town.

  Brianna’s eyes widened in wonder, and she waved her hands around the coin, looking for a string or some other trick.

  “How are you doing that?” she asked him, and there was wonder in her voice.

  “It doesn’t matter, but that’s why I’m leaving. And let me warn you about something else—there are people coming here and I don’t think they’ve got good intentions.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean there are powerful magicians coming here, to Tranaugh Shire. I can feel them approaching.”

  “Will they be here before the wedding?” she asked.

  “I don’t know, but I want you to take this.” He held out the ring.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s my wedding gift. It isn’t much, but it might protect you.”

  “Protect me from what?”

  “From magic. In fact, let me try something.”

  He slid the ring on her finger and ignored the strange look in her eyes as she watched him. He snatched the coin from the air and set it on her palm again, ignoring the tingle of excitement he felt as he touched her skin. He stepped back and tried to make the coin rise, but it did not move.

  “Rise!” he commanded, but again the coin remained motionless. He decided to try and lift Brianna herself. “Rise!” he commanded again, picturing the girl rising several inches into the air. He was ready to lower her back to the ground and reassure her that all was well if she panicked, but she didn’t move. He concentrated all his strength and felt the crackle of power from his staff racing through him, but he could do nothing to her. The ring offered its wearer some form of protection from his power, at least.

  “Don’t take the ring off,” he told her, “not until the strangers leave. Do you understand?”

  She nodded, and Zollin ignored the beautiful brown eyes that stared up into his with wonder. He motioned for her to go ahead of him back out toward the street.

  “I knew you had changed,” she said quietly.

  “You were right.”

  “When did you…” she asked, not wanting to speak of magic out loud.

  “At the first of summer,” he said.

  She nodded and was silent until they reached her father’s home.

  “Thank you, Zollin son of Quinn, for your fine work on Todrek’s home and for the wedding gift. I shall think of you whenever I see it.”

  He smiled and felt his knees go weak under him. He decided to beat a hasty retreat and said goodbye.

  Chapter 6

  The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear. The first snows had melted, but the temperature was cold, and Zollin threw too many logs into the fireplace and then set them ablaze with a thought. The heat from the fire soon filled the little kitchen, and Quinn rose from his bunk with a quilt about his shoulders and went to stand next to it.

  “Father,” Zollin said. “Can we talk?”

  “I figured we would need to sooner or later,” Quinn said wearily, and for the first time Zollin realized that his father was not anxious to have his son leave, even the son who always seemed a disappointment. So much had changed so fast—Zollin had changed, Brianna was right. He could see things from his father’s point of view now, and it filled him with sadness. He wanted to tell Quinn everything, the magic, the willow tree, his staff, even the ring he had given to Brianna. But he felt like it was too much, and he honestly didn’t think he could handle it if his father reacted the way Todrek had.

  “I’m leaving Tranaugh Shire,” Zollin said sadly.

  “I expected something like that,” his father said. “What’s your plan?”

  “Head south, perhaps visit Orrock. Maybe even go as far as Osla.”

  “How do you expect to make a living?” Quinn asked skeptically.

  Zo
llin wanted to say that he could do a few magic tricks to make ends meet, but he knew his father wouldn’t understand. In so many ways, Zollin knew his father would never understand him, and the realization of that fact felt like a deep, dark pit in his soul. “I’ll manage,” he said quietly.

  “That’s just like you,” Quinn said sharply. “You think you’ll be fine. You’ve probably got a little money saved and you think it’ll last forever. It won’t. You don’t know a trade, Zollin. You’ve no friends, no family to lean on. You’ll be destitute in a month, if not robbed and left for dead before then.”

  “I can take care of myself, Dad,” Zollin said, his anger rising.

  “There’s no doubt you’re a resourceful lad, but you need a trade. Stay here a few more years. Then you’ll be an adult with a trade. You can go anywhere and find work. I know it seems like your world is ending. I’ve seen the way you look at Brianna—”

  “This has nothing to do with her,” Zollin shouted. The magic inside him swirled angrily.

  “I know your best friend is marrying a beautiful young girl, but when the time is right you’ll marry too. That’s why you need a trade.”

  “Dad, I don’t care about getting married.”

  “It’s normal, son, all young boys your age feel that way.”

  “This has nothing to do with Todrek or girls, I just need to leave. And I’m not waiting. I’m taking Lilly, unless you need her.”

  The horse, which Zollin had named Lilly, had taken new life with plenty of rest and good oats each night. She regained her strength and had a cheerful demeanor. She didn’t look nearly as old and would be a good horse.

  “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about,” Zollin said, turning away.

  “We’ll see, son, we’ll see.” Quinn moved away from the fire. “Well, it’s a big day, lots to do. I guess we’d better get moving.”

  “Sure,” Zollin said, turning back to the fireplace. He began to fix breakfast for the two of them, and the task seemed somehow bittersweet.

  Quinn paused for a moment before going to get dressed. “This is your home, Zollin,” he said softly.

  Zollin had his back to his father and could not turn around. Tears were springing to his eyes and he couldn’t stop them. Most of his life, he had felt that he wasn’t welcome, that his father somehow blamed him for his mother’s death. He never felt quite at home in the house Quinn had built for Zollin’s mother, had never felt like he measured up or made his dad proud.

  “Thanks, Dad,” he managed to say.

  Quinn went to his small bedroom to change, and Zollin wiped the tears away from his cheeks and finished preparing the oatmeal for breakfast.

  ***

  The wedding was a beautiful ceremony. Todrek was so excited he was shaking. Brianna looked beautiful in a long gown of green that matched the winter decorations. They were married in the town square, and then everyone moved to the inn to celebrate. There was dancing and singing, lots of ale and wine, and congratulating. Zollin noticed that Brianna wore the ring he gave her and occasionally glanced at him. Todrek was in the midst of his happiest moment, the center of attention. Soon the happy couple left to spend their first night together in the new house Quinn had built for them. As Todrek’s best man, it was Zollin’s job to make sure they had everything they needed before he left them for the night. He stood outside in the cold as night fell, moving constantly to try and stay warm. His apprehension about the approaching figures was stronger than ever, and his jealousy of Todrek was also rearing its ugly head. It was a long thirty minutes before Todrek stuck his head out of the door to say everything was fine.

  Zollin ran back up to the inn and announced the good news, and there was cheering and toasting, the ale and wine flowing like a swollen river in springtime. Zollin found a warm spot by the fire and drank mulled wine until he could feel his fingers and toes again. He thought about waiting until spring to begin his journey, but the dread of the approaching figures drove that thought from his mind. He realized some time during that night of revelry that he would have to toughen up physically if he were to survive on his own. Long, cold nights awaited him, nights without a warm bed and perhaps not even enough food. But he would make it. He determined in his mind that no matter what happened in the days ahead, he would endure, he would survive. He had no idea at the time he made that decision that it would mean the difference between life and death.

  ***

  In the hills south of Tranaugh Shire, the wizards waited. Cassis and the mercenaries had finally caught up to the senior wizards, but the snows had slowed them down considerably. They had decided to wait until dawn to enter the town proper. With everyone celebrating the marriage, no one had noticed the smoke rising from the campfires among the trees. The wizards were anxious, each for his own reasons, but mostly because they felt their task drawing to a close. They would soon be back in their tower, surrounded by the physical symbols of their power.

  It could happen none too soon for the elder two wizards, because although they could prolong their lives with magic, they could not keep the bitter winter winds from chilling them deep down into their bones. In the hour before sunrise, the wizards met one last time to ensure that their plan of action was clear. Branock knew that Wytlethane did not need to be reminded, but he didn’t trust Cassis. He knew that this initial confrontation would be the young wizard’s best opportunity to attack his rival, and Branock was determined not to let that happen.

  “When we identify the boy,” Branock explained again, “you will let me do the talking.”

  “If you insist,” said Cassis.

  Branock bristled and wanted to crush the life from the young man’s body, but he was too well controlled. Besides, the time to challenge Cassis and Wytlethane was not yet right. Perhaps with the boy, perhaps… He let his own ambitions drain away his temper and he settled for merely nodding at Cassis.

  “Keep the soldiers in check,” he continued. “We don’t want them destroying the town.”

  “It isn’t much of a town, is it?” Cassis smirked.

  “That is irrelevant,” said Wytlethane in his creaking voice.

  “They are your responsibility,” Branock said to the young wizard. “Make sure they understand that the master wants this boy alive.”

  Cassis nodded and moved away. Branock eyed Wytlethane but could see nothing in the other wizard’s face that gave away his intentions. If Cassis were to attack the boy, would that please Wytlethane, Branock wondered? Or was the old wizard too afraid of disappointing the master? It was a risk he would have to take.

  “They are ready,” Cassis said as he returned.

  “Good, the dawn is breaking,” Branock said. “Let us go down and claim our prize.”

  ***

  Quinn and Zollin, along with most of the town, spent the night on the floor of the inn’s large hall. When the roosters began to crow, they stirred with heads heavy and pounding from the excess of the night before. But it was the start of winter, which was a slow time in Tranaugh Shire. Little work was done during the heavy snows that would soon be coming. When the group of riders came into the town, they were met with bewildered looks by rumpled and tired people. Most people in Tranaugh Shire had never seen so many armed riders before, and none so finely armored. The guards were warriors with chain mail coats under their dark cloaks and heavy shields that hung from their saddles. Their horses, too, were draped with armor and were large beasts with powerful bodies that could carry a man into war. The guards carried longswords and short, double-edged swords, and some even longbows strung and slung over their shoulders.

  The townspeople who weren’t already at the inn now hurried there, including Todrek and Brianna, who came and stood next to Zollin. Quinn had moved beside his son, too, and had somehow managed to find a sword.

  Zollin’s dread was full-grown into fear. He could feel the magic radiating from the three wizards—it was dark and as full of death as the willow tree’s magic wa
s full of life. He held his staff tightly and looked at Brianna’s hands to see if the ring was still there. It was, and he breathed easier. She looked at him and he nodded slightly as if to say, yes, these are the men I told you about.

  One of the wizards spoke to the crowd. He was old, his face lined with so many wrinkles it was hard to see his eyes. He had a long, white beard that was trimmed into a point. In his hand he carried what looked like a small scepter or cane.

  “We are looking for Zollin, son of Quinn the carpenter,” said the wizard, his voice loud in the cold winter morning.

  “Who are you?” asked Brianna’s father, who was also on the council and often spoke for the council in town meetings.

  “My name is Branock, and my companions are Wytlethane and Cassis. We are looking for a young man named Zollin.”

  “Yes, we know Zollin,” shouted Quinn. “What do you want with him?”

  Zollin saw the warriors look at his father with baleful expressions. He felt anger flare in his chest at the thought of these armed men attacking his father.

  “He is wanted in Osla,” said Branock. “We are here to see that he reaches the city safely.”

  “And what if he doesn’t want to go to Osla?” Quinn asked, and there was hostility in his voice.

  “That is a matter between the boy and us,” said the wizard named Cassis. “There is no need for the town to be involved in this matter. Let Zollin come forward and the rest of you may return to your homes.”

  Zollin started to move forward—he felt that people would be hurt if he didn’t—but his father stopped him. Brianna looked at Zollin with concern, but Todrek seemed angry. As Zollin looked at his friend, it was as if the larger boy was saying, I told you this would happen.

  Brianna’s father spoke again. “Gentlemen, please come inside. We would hear news of Osla, and you can speak with the boy where it is warm. We have mulled—”

  He was cut off by Branock. “You misunderstand me,” he said bitterly. “Produce the boy now, or we shall kill you one by one until you do.”

  There was a sudden rush of noise as people began talking, some loudly with voices pitched high by fear. Some of the people started to leave the crowd, but the guards on their chargers fanned out and surrounded the group.