Lorik’s voice was rising in anger and Zollin could feel the chaotic magic inside him responding to his fury. It was like being too close to a smithy’s forge, but Zollin couldn’t move away. The chaotic magic repelled him, repelled his own magical powers, but he sat still, listening and trying to be respectful.
“Spector and I dealt with the false king, and the soldiers King Ricard sent to Ort City after the throne of Ortis had been purged.”
“You killed him?” Brianna asked.
“Yes,” Lorik said, tilting his head and waiting to see what their reaction would be.
“Spector?” Zollin asked.
“Ah yes, forgive me for not introducing my companion. You knew him as Stone. In fact you healed his leg as I recall.”
Spector came floating into the light of the fire. Zollin’s heartbeat increased dramatically. It was as if a ghost, or death himself, had come into their midst. He hovered behind Lorik, swaying back and forth, his ghostly body like living smoke that seemed to reflect the firelight for an instant before fading into the darkness beyond again. The young wizard let his magic flow out toward the wraith. He could sense the same chaotic magic he felt in Lorik, and merged with it was the consciousness of a man. Anger and hate radiated from Spector, which only made the wraith more terrifying.
“What happened to him?” Zollin asked.
“Yettlebor and his mercenary henchmen, but that is our burden and a debt we are collecting.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean we are taking our revenge on those who have robbed us of so much.”
“I don’t understand,” Zollin said.
“I don’t expect you to. You are enslaved to the king in Yelsia, are you not?”
The big warrior smiled and Zollin felt his own anger flare. He didn’t like being talked down to by anyone, and Lorik’s condescension was so obvious that the young wizard had to take a moment to calm himself before he replied.
“I don’t mean to imply anything, but there are many threats in these lands, not just to Ortis, but to all Five Kingdoms. I take it you hadn’t heard that King Hausey of Yelsia was killed.”
Lorik’s face gave nothing away. He still had a smirk pulling at his lips, but he shook his head slightly, his eyes staring hard at Zollin.
“He was killed by a wizard named Branock,” Zollin continued. “A member of the Torr. He tried to take the crown but fled when his schemes failed.”
“And who wears the crown in Yelsia now?” Lorik asked.
Zollin just looked at the warrior.
“You do… so this is more than just a pleasant visit.”
“Tell me what has happened to you,” Zollin said. “I can sense a powerful magic from you, but it is different than before.”
“It is different,” Lorik said, the smirk finally disappearing. “Perhaps you have not heard the tale of how I came to Ort City. Issalyn, the former queen of Ortis, was my love. She dwelled with me in the Wilderlands, always urging me to return to my people.”
He turned his head and spat, as if the words disgusted him.
“When I finally gave in and agreed to return to Ort City to put forth my right to rule Ortis, she went ahead of me. I stopped to visit Stone and Vera, but she was anxious to return to the palace. Only she was not the woman I believed her to be. She betrayed me and Yettlebor took me prisoner. His fiendish servants tortured me, then paraded me through the city. My blood, my very soul, given without hesitation to save Ortis, were forgotten by the people. My strength was failing. And when my friends came to my aid, they were murdered before me.”
“Yettlebor and all those who aided him must die!” Spector hissed from the shadows.
“Stone was mortally wounded trying to save Vera. Together we were thrown in the dungeons to await more torture and public execution. But a friend slipped the key to my cell under the door and a powerful magic called to me.”
“Called how?” Zollin said.
“Does it really matter?” Lorik continued. “The magic filled me, empowered me, saved Spector so that he could have his revenge. And then we took control of the castle and executed Yettlebor and Issalyn for their treachery, before hunting down the mercenaries who had helped the false king. When we returned to Ort City more troops from Baskla had come. They invaded our kingdom with no cause.”
His voice was low now, the anger evident both in his words and on his face. Spector seemed to sway faster and faster as Lorik told his tale.
“The fickle citizens we fought to save had turned against us. They put their trust in troops from another kingdom. So I defeated their pathetic army and destroyed Ort City. The kingdom of my birth is no more. These lands are now part of a new kingdom.”
“A kingdom of outcasts?” Zollin asked.
“A free kingdom,” Lorik said. “Perhaps you have seen how the outcasts have been treated. They did not choose their fate, and yet they suffered. They were abused, enslaved, terrified. I brought order. I created a place where all people, all intelligent creatures, can live free.”
“Even humans?”
“Of course. Land has been reserved for them in the south. It is better that they remain separate. The outcasts are stronger, and more productive, than any human. Yet those that escaped the witch’s monsters feel somehow superior. So I have given them lands to the south, while the outcasts rebuild in the north.”
“In the south of Ortis?”
“No,” Lorik said, his smile returning. “The outcasts occupy what had once been Ortis, but also Falxis and Osla. Our new kingdom encompasses all those lands.”
A silence settled over the group. Lorik waited to see what Zollin’s reaction would be, but the young wizard had already guessed as much. He wanted to ask how the mysterious warrior king intended to protect such a vast kingdom, but he decided not to proceed down that track. Those answers could come later. For now, Zollin needed to get Lorik’s help with the evil spreading through Baskla.
“What news do you have from Baskla?” Zollin asked.
“I have it on good authority that their king was slain for his crimes against Ortis,” Lorik said, his smile menacing. “His army was routed and then crushed. His commander beheaded. Those that survived are limping their way home even as we speak.”
“You killed King Ricard?” Zollin said. “That explains a lot.”
“He brought his army south, invading our kingdom. I had every right to meet my enemy in battle and ensure that no one ever tries to harm us or steal our lands again.”
“Do you have news from Baskla?” Zollin asked again. “Does your power show you the dangers there?”
“You mean the dark magic,” Lorik said. “I cannot sense it, but I have encountered it before. The Drery Dru call it the Wasting. It is an ancient evil.”
“What do the elves suggest be done about it?”
“They have retreated to the Wilderlands. Their power is not strong outside of the woodlands. I have encouraged them to grow, to expand their influence, but it is a slow process. What do you know of this threat?”
“I know that it is a powerful, malevolent force. I know that it is centered in Princess Amvyr for now.”
“You know the princess?”
“I rescued her from an ancient fortress,” Zollin said.
“Deep in the wilderness north of Forxam?”
“Yes. You know of that place?”
“After you defeated the witch that controlled the outcasts, I went north to help King Ricard in the search for his daughter. I was lured into the ancient ruins and held captive. There was a man who embodied this evil that you speak of. He tried to steal the enhancement given to me by the Drery Dru, and in a way he was successful. I killed him, but the princess was lost in the dark caverns deep in the earth.”
“That is where I found her,” Zollin said. “I thought I was helping her, but I’m afraid all I did was set the evil force free.”
“And I have given her a kingdom,” Lorik said, finally realizing the point that Zollin had been trying t
o make. “She is in control of Baskla now?”
“She is, although I can’t be sure that she isn’t under the direct influence of the dark magic. Either way, she has resources, including an army of gargoyles. My troops are massing along our eastern border, but I fear we can’t defeat this threat on our own.”
“Which is why you have come to me,” Lorik said. “You need my help.”
“You were planning to invade Baskla anyway,” Zollin said. “I do not share your need for revenge, but we have a common enemy. If we coordinate our attacks, we stand a better chance of success.”
“You fear that your troops aren’t strong enough?”
“I fear the loss of life that will surely ensue if I take on this threat alone. Together, we can minimize that loss.”
“And what do I get for the risk I take?”
“You get to remove King Ricard’s line from ruling Baskla.”
“Because you will rule it?”
“No” Zollin said. “There are Five Kingdoms and for centuries they have lived in peace. Can we not restore what was lost? There is room enough for all, human and outcast alike.”
Lorik looked away, but Spector floated closer to the group. His ghostly form finally in full view. Zollin was surprised by the sight of the wraith’s twin blades, but he recognized them. He remembered the jovial young man with the ruined knee. It was beyond his imagination how anyone so full of life could become such a nightmarish being.
“I can kill the princess,” Spector hissed. “Send me.”
“No,” Zollin said. “She is more powerful than you think.”
“As am I,” the wraith snarled as it loomed over Zollin.
The young wizard raised his hand and sent an invisible force radiating toward Spector. For the first time in the ghostly being’s existence, he was effected by an outside force. Swords and spears had passed harmlessly through him, and while direct sunlight was like an affliction it left no lasting damage. Yet the magical force wave sent him reeling backward, like a puff of smoke in a strong wind.
“You will be playing right into her hands,” Zollin explained. “You said yourself, Lorik, that it tried to steal your magic.”
Spector bellowed in rage and raced forward, as Lorik rolled to his feet. Zollin didn’t move, but behind him Brianna jumped into the shadows with little more than a rustle of fabric to mark her movement. And the dragons growled menacingly, but Zollin merely raised a powerful shield of magic in front of the wraith, who slammed into the barrier and sprang back.
“What are you doing?” Lorik said. He hadn’t drawn his swords, but he had one hand on the handle above his shoulder.
“I’m showing you what you’re up against,” Zollin said.
Spector hammered at the invisible shield with both knives, and while Zollin felt every blow as if they were landing on an actual shield of wood and steel, he did his best not to let his discomfort show.
“Spector,” Lorik shouted. “Stop that! They are our friends.”
The wraith hissed in rage then slunk back into the darkness. Zollin kept a shield of magic up around himself and Brianna. He doubted that Spector’s knives could harm the dragons, but if the wraith tried he would intervene.
“I don’t want trouble,” Zollin said, motioning for Lorik to sit back down. “I am not your enemy.”
“I can see that you are a powerful wizard,” Lorik said. “And your help against the Norsik has not been forgotten, but I do not believe our intentions for the future line up.”
“Perhaps not,” Zollin said, sipping his wine and taking a deep breath. His magic took effort to wield, but protecting himself was almost second nature. Convincing a powerful warrior king bent on revenge to see reason was a much more difficult task. “But I believe we can find common ground. Both our kingdoms are under attack. If we ignore this growing threat it could destroy us both.”
“Or maybe I let you fight the princess. Then I can sweep in and overwhelm the victor.”
“That doesn’t seem like your style,” Zollin said, unfazed by the threat.
“You are perceptive, Zollin of Yelsia. And I can see the threat we face. I agree that we have much to gain by joining forces against it. But understand that I intend to destroy King Ricard’s kin and anyone who enabled him to invade our kingdom.”
“Once the threat is past, we can determine the best course for Baskla together,” Zollin said. “I have much to deal with in my own kingdom, as I'm sure you do. There are more threats to Yelsia than the evil growing in Baskla.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“We attack at the same time. My forces from the east, yours from the south.”
“Leaving the princess and her magical benefactor to fight a war on two fronts.”
Zollin nodded.
“Why not bring the Norsik in to attack from the northwest?”
“I don’t know them and even if I could convince them to attack I don’t trust them.”
“But you do trust me?”
“The man I met a year ago was honorable,” Zollin said. “Heroic, in fact. I do not blame you for wanting revenge. And building a kingdom for the outcasts is admirable, even if I don’t think you need the expanse of three entire kingdoms to do it.”
“Your man is both a powerful magician and a wizard with words,” Lorik said to Brianna.
“He is more diplomatic than I am,” she replied.
“You would let Baskla burn,” Lorik said with a chuckle. “I like that. But I did not ask for Baskla to become our enemy. They invaded our kingdom and they are paying the price for that folly. I will join your war, Zollin. When do we attack?”
Chapter 15
Branock and Roleena met again before she attacked Winsome. The elder wizard advised the pirate to destroy not just the ships, but as much of the city as she could. Branock knew that attacking the ships would get Zollin’s attention, but if they also destroyed the harbor towns the young wizard wouldn’t be able to ignore them.
He also convinced her to let him sail ahead to Lorye. He had business there, and the ships needed to be resupplied. The Eagle’s Scream had become the supply ship for Roleena’s fleet, so Branock was transferred once again, and the three-masted freighter sailed on ahead of the other two ships.
Lorye was a typical sea port with a thriving economy thanks to the sailors who came ashore wenching and drinking until their money ran out or the ships took to sea once more. There were also all the regular trades and Branock made several purchases, mostly of vintage wines for his own collection, before finding the individual he was searching for.
Muldune was a large man, not fat but heavy, with thick shoulders, a barrel chest, and short legs. There were tattoos on his face, mostly lines and intricate designs, but also a tell-tale mark that revealed his association with the Mezzlyn guild of assassins. Many of the highly skilled killers had been casualties in the Witch’s War, but during his year in Orrock, Branock had looked into the secretive clan of assassins. He knew that a man named Muldune was leading what was left of the Mezzlyn, and that he was operating out of Lorye.
“You are Muldune?” Branock asked, approaching the thick man who was seated at a table in the corner of the Osprey Inn. It was a dark, dirty place full of rough men. Muldune was the only person drinking wine and he was flanked by two men of much slighter builds in dark clothing.
“Who asks?” the man said.
“I am Branock,” the wizard said, dropping a small pouch full of gold coins onto the table. It settled with a resounding thump that spoke of the weight of the coins. “I have been a good customer of Owant’s in the past.”
“Owant’s dead,” Muldune said. “As are most of his associates.”
“But not you,” Branock said. “My sources tell me that you lead what is left of that secret order.”
“You have use of our services,” Muldune said in a low voice. “But in the past you have only sent my men to their deaths.”
Branock bristled at the accusation. He wanted to argue that it w
as Owant who had sent the two assassins into Brighton’s Gate thinking his operatives invincible. But arguing wouldn’t get him what he wanted.
“The last time we underestimated the target,” Branock said calmly. He was careful to keep both of his hands on the table in plain sight, although he also had defensive spells in place to protect him if the assassins attacked. It would be their undoing, but he was trying to keep things civil, even swallowing the bitter retort he wanted to say. “We won’t make that mistake again.”
“What are you proposing?”
“Fifty gold crowns,” Branock said, waving at the coin purse on the table. “Another hundred when Zollin the wizard is dead.”
“You mean the wizard who would be king?” the assassin said with a smile.
“He has proclaimed himself king?” Branock said, this time the fury in his voice was unmistakable.
“He has. I have good sources and I know about the happenings in Orrock, although we don’t have an official presence there at the moment. King Hausey was not as accommodating as his predecessor.”
“Or of the king that followed him,” Branock snapped.
“Yes, I know that you were vying for power as well. Sending the army east was not wise with so many enemies at your gate.”
“Perhaps, but I assure you it is all part of my plan.”
“The wizard is a dangerous target,” Muldune said in a low voice. “He travels on dragons and his companion is a sorceress.”
“That is true, but dragons do not come into the towns with him. And often the sorceress doesn’t either. My companion is drawing the wizard to the coast. Have your men slay him and I will reward you richly.”
“I’ll need bounty money for a wizard. Two hundred gold crowns for his head. And three hundred for the guild.”
“Done,” Branock said. “But don’t fail me. For that much coin I could raise an army to defeat him.”
“You just did,” the assassin said coldly.
Branock rose from the table and turned his back on the three men. It was a sign of his confidence in his own power. The Mezzlyn knew he had served in Orrock, knew he had designs on becoming king, so they obviously knew he was a wizard as well. He wanted them to know he had no fear of their deadly arts. His magic protected him and the assassins didn’t move. They were like statues as he left the filthy inn.
Controlling Chaos (The Five Kingdoms Book 12) Page 10
