Controlling Chaos (The Five Kingdoms Book 12)

by Toby Neighbors

The night was dark and cold, yet he could see the tentacles of the sea monster. They rose up out of the sea, moving in graceful, serpentine motions, as they wrapped around a three-masted freighter. Zollin heard the snap of the main mast, it popped so loud it made Zollin flinch. Then the massive wooden ship rose a little in the water as the beast crushed it. Wooden beams splintered as the hull broke into two separate pieces and flipped down into the water, the bow and stern of the ship pointing up at the stars above.

  Zollin walked to the edge of the pier, which ran out into the deep water of the harbor nearly a hundred feet. All along the way there were thick timber pilings on either side of the pier, with small vessels of various types tied up. Some were simple fishing boats, others were skiffs from the trade vessels used for ferrying sailors from the large ships to the shore. There were even a few barges that could carry out cargo, but Zollin wasn’t interested in the ships. His focus was on the power surging inside him.

  Always before, his magic had felt like a roaring fire, like the forge in a smithy pumped into a roaring inferno, but this time it felt different. He could still feel the rush of magical power, but instead of uncontrollable heat, it felt more like the warmth and excitement of a vigorous game on a summer day. He remembered playing games with Todrick in Tranaugh Shire when he was young, running through the woods and across the fields, feeling invincible and wishing the days would never end. His magic gave him the same emotion, as if wielding it were all he wanted to do.

  He summoned a powerful bolt of magical energy and hurled it across the water toward the sea monster. The magic lit the night much like lightning, but with an intensely blue color. The water flashed beneath it, and the ships lit up for a split second before dropping into shadow again. The bolt hit a thick tentacle, which spasmed hard. The long, serpentine limb whipped up out of the water then fell back into the sea with a sizzle. This was followed by a gurgling roar of anger and pain. Zollin had gotten the creature’s attention.

  The sound of rushing water was loud as the beast surged toward the pier, toward its adversary. The young wizard knew he should be frightened, but he felt only excitement. When the beast reared, Zollin was taken aback by how huge it was. He was comfortable around Ferno, the hulking green dragon that was his companion on most of his adventures. Ferno was taller than a horse, his thick shoulders bunched with muscles, and the dragon’s head was large enough to kill a grown man with one bite. But Ferno was only a fraction of the sea monster’s size. Dozens of powerful tentacles waved up out of the water, spraying cold droplets in every direction. Zollin also saw the creature’s tubular body and the massive pincer in the center of the mass of tentacles. It was a horrifying display, but Zollin didn’t flinch away, instead he stood his ground and sent a blast of magical energy shooting toward the beast.

  The spell hit just above the massive pincer and sent the tentacles spasming down in long, stiff limbs that were like falling trees. Dozens of ships were smashed and Zollin had to dodge to the side to avoid a stiff tentacle that crashed into the long pier. The heavy limb broke cleanly through the wooden planks of the pier, leaving a long, ragged hole in the platform and forcing Zollin to balance precariously on a narrow strip of sagging wood. Bits of wood rained down along with more of the icy water. Zollin had already raised his magical shield, so the water and debris didn’t reach him, but he’d barely regained his balance when the monster regained control of its limbs and one whipped around him. The magical bubble held the tentacle at bay, but Zollin felt the drain to his magical power as the thick coil tightened just like it had done on the ship.

  Zollin held on to his magical barrier, doing his best to think of what to do next, when he felt the tug from the sea monster. In an instant he would be pulled into the cold, briny sea, and instinctively his magical power shot out in a blinding display of blue energy. The coiled tentacle straightened so hard it snapped several of the pier’s pilings off just above the walking surface as if they were dry twigs. Zollin knew he had to change tactics and he was forced to think fast as another tentacle swung toward him.

  Producing fire was easy enough for Zollin, although he couldn’t control it the way Brianna did, or create the intense heat she commanded. Still, a well-aimed fireball hit the tentacle swinging toward him with a blistering impact that caused the sea monster to withdraw the attack. Zollin had just enough time to see the blackened flesh where his spell had hit the thick limb when two more were flung at him from the opposite direction.

  The light from Zollin’s fiery attack lit the harbor and he saw the creature’s black eye just above the water line. The fireballs hit the tentacles and sent them sizzling back into the water. For several minutes Zollin could do nothing but combat the bombardment of tentacles as the sea monster tried desperately to knock him from the shaky pier. All the while Zollin’s mind raced with ideas of how to defeat the monster. He settled on a plan of attack after sending three more fireballs shooting toward the towering tentacles that were swinging toward him.

  Levitating objects was another simple spell that Zollin had learned soon after his powers had appeared, but levitating water was a little different. He used his magic to scoop up the water, fanning it out and then freezing it into a round disk that was extremely thin. When the next tentacle swung toward Zollin he sent the ice disc flying toward it. He wasn’t sure what the disc would do, fearing that it might simply shatter on impact, but instead it sliced cleanly through the limb.

  When the creature roared in pain Zollin felt it, his ears rang and he had to resist the desire to double over and cover his head. Instead he scooped up more water and made several ice discs, sending them spinning toward the creature. Four more tentacles dropped as blood fountained from the severed limbs and the sea monster dove beneath the surface of the water. Zollin feared the creature would attack the pier from below and turned to race back toward the shore. What he saw climbing up from the black water made his breath freeze in his chest.

  As a boy he’d heard stories of mermaids. They were supposed to be beautiful sea creatures that lured sailors to their death, but what Zollin saw were horrific creatures. Their bottom halves were indeed long tails that looked almost like fish, but their bodies were covered in a mossy hair. Gills gapped like open wounds along their sides where their ribs should have been, and spiny fins grew on their almost-human bodies. They had the form of a man’s chest, shoulders, and head, but their arms were covered in thick shells like crab legs with rows of sharp points curving out. Some had long, clinging hair that covered most of their faces, but others had long eye stalks that sprang from their heads and wavered over their faces. They all had huge teeth that bulged out of their elongated mouths at odd angles. Some had black eyes, like the squid, others had eyes on the sides of their heads, which were unnaturally thin and pointed.

  The pier was almost in ruins, with several of the pilings broken off or leaning crookedly. Most of the planks that stretched across the pier were cracked or broken in two. Zollin thought he could just make his way back to the shore if he could get rid of the merpeople who were climbing onto the manmade boardwalk. He summoned his power and sent a wave of magic rushing down the pier that shoved the horrific looking sea dwellers back into the water. Some managed to hang on to the wooden pilings, but most were hit with the force as if they had been swatted with a giant plank of wood.

  Zollin took one step toward the shore, confident he could deal with the creatures left on the pier, when he felt strong hands grasping his ankles. He had just enough time to look down as several sets of hands and crab-like claws grasped his legs and jerked him backward. Zollin fell hard onto the pier, his head bounced off the wooden decking hard enough to make him see specks of floating light. Then he felt his body being pulled into the water. Most people would fill their lungs and hold their breath on instinct, but Zollin formed a magical bubble around his head that allowed him to see and breathe under the water.

  He kicked and lashed out at the creatures dragging him down into the murky depths. Hands, claws, and te
ntacles reached for him. They were pulling him through the water, away from the shore, away from any hope of safety. As they continued down into the dark water, Zollin could feel the pressure on his magical bubble of air building. Reaching out with his magic he broke free of the merpeople holding him. From the black waters he saw shadowy forms with tridents rushing toward him and he was forced to cocoon himself in a magical barrier that protected him from their attacks. Out of the water the merpeople looked hideous and moved awkwardly, but in the water they were fast and strong. Zollin was hit time and time again, almost like he were the target of practicing jousters with long lances. His magic protected him, but he needed to get free of the water and back on his own feet. The blows sent him tumbling through the water until he wasn’t sure which way was up or down, or what direction the shoreline was.

  Then a face rose up before him. Unlike the others it was a human face, pale and beautiful, her long hair floating all around her head. Her body was human, all except for one leg that looked exactly like the tentacle of the sea monster. Zollin recognized the face, it was Roleena, only she looked thinner, more severe, and the pupils of her eyes were so large he could barely see the irises or whites around the black orbs. She grabbed him, her hands taking hold of the magical cocoon as if it were a wine barrel. Then she drove the point of her tentacle into the magical barrier.

  Pain erupted from Zollin's inner reservoir of magical power. He had worked magic to the point of exhaustion before and always it felt as if he were handling red hot coals, but this time the pain was sickening. He could feel the tentacle, hardened with some unnatural power, stabbing slowly, deeper and deeper into his magical shield. Roleena looked exuberant, her face pulled back into a manic smile that was terrifying to behold.

  The saltwater was cold and it only took a little coaxing from Zollin to make the water around Roleena freeze. Using his magic felt like he was ripping his own organs from his body, but he knew if he didn’t act he would die. Roleena’s smile turned into a look of rage as the water around her froze and expanded. Only her hands and the tip of her tentacle were outside of the block of ice Zollin had encased her in. When her grip slipped Zollin shoved her away, and she went floating toward the surface.

  Zollin didn’t hesitate to act. The merpeople were attacking him again, rushing toward him with their weapons, but the pain Zollin had felt in his fight with Roleena was gone and he used his power to levitate several merpeople out of the water. They were strong while submerged, but once they were out of the water they could only flop, like the fish he had caught as a younger wizard from the stream near his home in Tranaugh Shire. He sent them flying back to the shore and dropped them on dry land.

  Eventually the sheer numbers of merpeople overwhelmed his defenses and he was forced back into the defensive position again, fending off attack after attack. When the merpeople couldn’t injure him they settled for dragging him deeper into the dark water. Zollin wasn’t sure how long the battle had raged, but he felt tired all over and he knew that if something didn’t change he was going to be killed. He couldn’t go on forever, and the pressure on his magical shield was growing stronger every moment he remained in the frigid water. But an idea was forming, one that he hoped might change the tide of battle, literally.

  Chapter 26

  Brianna and the dragons flew faster than they had ever traveled before. She felt a sense of urgency that the dragons were picking up on, pushing themselves to fly quickly. The air was freezing, but the dragons were warm from their efforts and the occasional blast of their fiery breath. The landscape over the northwest corner of the Rejee Desert was just as barren as the rest, but the sun was shining and Brianna could see the occasional animal scuttling around in search of something to eat in the desolate land. It was a stark reminder of what her life was like apart from Zollin. She was terrified that something would happen to the wizard she loved and she would be left alone in a hostile place with no hope of comfort or happiness. He was powerful but he was taking on too much all on his own.

  They reached Ebbson Keep at sundown and Brianna was surprised to see that the army was camped over a mile from the community around the fortress. There were men on the tall watchtower which is where Brianna had thought to land, but Sorva’s keen eyesight picked up two weary travelers just making their way into the town of Ebbson Keep. It was Mansel and Danella, so Brianna instructed the dragons to let her down near them.

  It was impossible not to make a commotion when you entered a place in the company of two dragons. Sorva swooped low and Brianna jumped, twirled, and flipped through the air before landing gracefully just a few paces away from Mansel. He was dirty, obviously tired, but smiling at her just the same. Soldiers and townsfolk alike were pointing up at the dragons. Brianna was certain the guards in the tower were scrambling in response to the huge beasts, even though Duke Ebbson and certainly his wife were familiar with Ferno and Sorva.

  “Look what the dragon flew in,” Mansel said. “You’re on fire by the way.”

  Brianna was covered with flames, which was her way of staying warm as she flew with the dragons. The flames were outrageous, but at the same time modest, covering her as well as any garment when she wanted them too.

  “Does that mean I don’t get a hug?” she said with a smirk.

  Before Mansel could respond a leather satchel dropped beside them and Ferno roared as the great green beast swooped back up into the air. Brianna bent low, the flames on her arms vanishing instantly. She opened the straps and pulled out a neatly folded parchment with the King’s seal in wax holding it together.

  “This is for you,” she said, holding the dispatch out to Mansel. “It’s addressed to the nobles and you, but we are counting on you to make sure the army marches in four days.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to work,” Mansel said. “We were politely asked to leave the army camp and refused admittance into the Keep.’

  “What? Why?”

  “Apparently I’m just a mercenary and hired swords aren’t welcomed in genteel society.”

  “He’s kidding again, right?” Brianna asked her sister.

  “No,” Danella said in an exasperated tone. “The nobles are all fools. If Zollin doesn’t get here soon, they’re liable to go to war against one another.”

  “Apparently, they’re all convinced that they’ll be the next king,” Mansel added. “I really can’t imagine what is going to happen if we’re attacked.”

  “This is a disaster,” Brianna said. “Zollin and Lorik agreed to attack Baskla and the gargoyles at the same time. If our army doesn’t march east in four days, we’ll be breaking our word.”

  “I doubt that will bother the nobles. Rumors are rampant in the camp that Lorik is just a warlord taking advantage of the chaos in Ortis. None of the nobles will feel obligated to keep their word to him.”

  “Where is Zollin?” Danella asked. “He is needed here.”

  “The sea monster is attacking the coastal cities,” Brianna explained. “He’s convinced that he needs to stop the attacks. I’m going back to help him. That’s why we need you to get the army in line.”

  “I don’t see how that’s possible,” Mansel said. “I’m not even a commander in the King’s Army. No one is willing to listen to me. Danella and I are headed into the town in hopes of finding a place to stay the night.”

  “Show this dispatch to Duke Ebbson,” Brianna insisted. “He can’t refuse a direct order with the king’s seal on it.”

  “Maybe,” Mansel said doubtfully.

  “And show him the letter from Zollin that gives you command of the army.”

  “What does the dispatch say?” Danella asked.

  “It instructs the army to march east in four days.”

  “That’s all?” Danella asked.

  “Does there need to be more?”

  The younger girl shook her head and Mansel looked worried. He was a strong, confident fighter, but convincing the aristocracy to follow him into battle was a task he wasn’t prepar
ed for.

  “Maybe we’ll get lucky,” Brianna said, “and Zollin can get here before you march. But if we aren’t back, it’s really up to you to make sure his orders are carried out.”

  “He’s going to owe me big time if I have to do this alone.”

  “We’ll catch up to you as soon as we can,” Brianna said. “The dragons and I will fight with you.”

  “Good, I expect we’re going to need all the help we can get,” Mansel said. “I’ll do all I can, but I’m not making any promises. These fools have no common sense and simply won’t listen to reason.”

  “I know you’ll do all you can,” Brianna said. “That’s all we ask. I would stay if I could, but Zollin will need my help. Someone has hired the Mezzlyn to kill him. He was attacked in Selphon City.”

  “The Mezzlyn?” Danella said.

  “Assassins,” Mansel said darkly. “Damn good fighters, when they aren’t slinking through the shadows and poisoning people or stabbing them in the back. Who would have hired them?”

  “Branock would be my guess,” Brianna said. “He has the means. Zollin traded one of the assassin’s lives for information and found out that a price has been put on his head. I need to get back to Bonom Bay as soon as I can.”

  “Has it occurred to either of you that fighting the sea monster is exactly what Branock wants you to do? It sounds like a trap to me.”

  “I made that same argument, but you know how he gets. If there are people in danger he simply can’t help himself.”

  Remind him that we’re in a bit of danger here,” Mansel said. “And we could use his help.”

  “I’ll get him here as soon as I possibly can,” Brianna said.

  “Be safe,” Danella said. “Branock is a murderous fiend.”

  “Don’t I know it,” Brianna agreed. “But we’ll stop him. I swear to you he’ll pay for his crimes.”

  Sorva landed, and by this time, despite the darkness, hundreds of soldiers and townsfolk were gathered outside watching the dragons. The night was bright with a full moon that gave the landscape an otherworldly glow. The dragons’ scales reflected the light only along their backs, tails, and wings, so that they seemed almost like ghosts.