“I wish I had more time,” Brianna said.
“No, I’ll deal with this mess, you make sure Zollin lives,” Mansel said. “Nothing is more important than that.”
Brianna smiled at her sister and the tall warrior standing next to her. They were a formidable looking pair, and the slender dagger that was tucked into Danella’s belt didn’t go unnoticed by Brianna. She jumped into the air, flipping several times before landing lightly on Sorva’s back.
“Get the army ready!” Brianna said in a loud voice that carried over the woop, woop, woop of dragon wings. “Zollin will be here soon.”
“Long live King Zollin!” Mansel shouted.
The dragons heard Mansel’s declaration and even though they didn’t really understand what a king was, they roared just the same. Ferno even blew a stream of fire that arced across the sky above the village. Brianna looked down, feeling both pity and anger. She knew the soldiers would follow Mansel. He was one of them, a true warrior, not afraid of facing danger of any kind. But the nobles were different. Too many held onto the antiquated idea that their lineage gave them the right to rule when in reality they were too ignorant or simply unfit to lead men into battle. They would argue and strive for position among their peers while the soldiers and innocent people of the towns like Ebbson Keep suffered.
“We must hurry,” Brianna said. “Back to the coast. Feed if you can, but we must speed back to Zollin’s aid.”
The dragons didn’t roar or speak, but both sent mental messages of affirmation, encouragement, and love. Brianna felt tears in her eyes. So much depended on Zollin, yet the dragons loved him, Mansel loved him, and she was moved by their loyalty. She could feel the momentous events unfolding and realized that in the next few days the fate not just of the people she loved, but the fate of entire kingdoms would be realized. There would be war, there would be death, but out of the ashes she hoped a new peace would rise.
The dragons pushed hard through the night. They stopped twice along the way, but not long either time. The first stop came when Sorva spotted a herd of wild pigs. Ferno dove to the ground and blasted the herd with a stream of fire that killed all of the wild hogs at once. The dragons feasted then flew to a nearby stream and drank their fill. Brianna knew the dragons needed rest, but she couldn’t stand being away from Zollin. Chances were that nothing would happen to her wizard husband that he couldn’t handle, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was in the air, something foreboding.
When the dragons returned to the air they flew hard and came to the coast just before dawn. They were still several miles north of Bonom Bay, but it did Brianna’s heart good to see the gray seas stretching out into the distance. They followed the coast and saw the community of Bonom Bay just as sunlight touched the roofs of the low, snow-covered buildings.
Brianna’s heart froze as she saw bodies lying along the shoreline. The main pier, a long boardwalk that stretched out into the bay, was nearly destroyed, and the wreckage of ships floated in the waters all around it. Sorva’s keen eyes zoomed in on the bodies and sent a mental image to Brianna. There were hideous-looking creatures on the ground, with fish tails where their legs should have been, and unnatural-looking bodies. Sailors mingled among the creatures, with bloody swords, axes, and long-handled tools. But there was no sign of Zollin.
When Ferno roared Brianna felt a flush of fear and anger from the green dragon. Turning her head she could see that something was happening out to sea. Once again an image appeared in her mind, this time from Ferno who was already racing out over the grey water and white-capped waves. She saw a huge whirlpool and at its center was a nightmarish creature with long tentacles. In one she saw a woman, held high, watching the beast. There was no sign of fear on her face, in fact it was just the opposite. She looked jubilant as she stared down at the second figure. Brianna’s heart nearly stopped as she saw Zollin held firm in the sea monster’s coils.
She screamed her own roar and leaped from Sorva’s back. She was adept at dancing across the thermal updrafts, her hollow bones and light body bounced easily among the strong wind currents. But she wasn’t dancing, she was sprinting, racing to the aid of the man she loved more than life itself. There was no room for fear in her mind. She knew only one thing: either she would save Zollin, or she would die with him.
Chapter 27
The destruction of Lorye took place the day after Branock’s visit. The Eagle’s Scream was filled with food, water, spirits, and wenches, which had been distributed to the ships equally. Branock had little trouble convincing the women to come on board. A gentle push with his magic was usually more than enough to convince people to do his will.
The sailors were more than happy with the new arrangement. The sea monster was destroying the ports along the coast of Yelsia. Yet despite the fact that there were few if any port cities left in the west other than those in Yelsia, and the portion of those towns that took the brunt of the attack were also the places that catered to sailors and their hedonistic needs, Roleena’s crew didn’t seem to care. They stood on the decks of their ships cheering as the other ships were broken to pieces and pulled down into the sea.
In Lorye the sea monster swam close to the shore, his serpentine tentacles waving in the air before smashing down onto the structures built closest to the harbor. Inns, brothels, and taverns were destroyed, along with resuppliers, the repair yard, and a variety of tradesmen’s shops that catered to the large ships that frequented the city. Branock enjoyed destruction when it served a purpose, and sometimes that purpose was simply to entertain him, but he didn’t care for the spectacle of Roleena’s monster wreaking havoc on the most important coastal towns in Yelsia. When Zollin was defeated Branock would resume his throne and the destroyed ports would have to be rebuilt. It was an unfortunate reality that Branock couldn’t help but fume over and he was becoming less and less convinced that Roleena’s strategy was sound.
The twin cities were the next to be destroyed, although it was becoming apparent that word of the sea monster and its attacks was spreading. Roleena and her ships followed the coast, waiting for Zollin to appear, but as time passed with no sign of the wizard or his dragons, Branock began to fear that the young wizard was calling their bluff.
“I’ll attack Bonom Bay,” Roleena said. “Then Selphon City.”
“And then what?” Branock asked. “What is your plan if the wizard isn't drawn into your trap?”
“He will be. He has to.”
“Why? He hasn’t so far. Every city from Angel’s Shelter to the Twin Cities is in ruins, but he hasn’t appeared.”
“If he doesn’t come then we’ll sail back up the coast. We’ll destroy Tragoon Bay. It’s too close to Orrock to be ignored. For all he knows, we could sail up the river and attack the capital.”
Branock didn’t agree. He had finally uncovered a nugget of information in one of the books that Roleena had recovered from the Torr that might actually help him. He was poring over the unlikeliest of tomes, the book on magical herbs and minerals, when he discovered a substance called Alzerstone. It had a milky white appearance and with a little polishing took on a glossy tone. In the past it had occasionally been used in jewelry, but the mineral was soft and didn’t fare well if it wasn’t properly cared for. What was fascinating to Branock about the mineral was the way it repelled magic. Even a small Alzerstone could protect a person from magic. Strong spells were known to rebound onto the spell caster.
Branock remembered his fateful meeting with Zollin and Brianna in Peddingar Forest. His mercenaries had attacked the little group, wounding Zollin’s friend Mansel. Branock had first tried to win the group over by healing Mansel’s wounds, but Zollin’s father refused to trust him. So Branock attacked the girl, who was by far the weakest member of the little band, yet the most valued by her companions. Only the fire spell had been somehow repelled. Brianna was untouched, while the powerful spell, the same spell that had immolated Danella’s hulking beau, had rebounded and nearly killed Bran
ock. He had healed himself in time, but there was still scar tissue hidden beneath his skin. His bald head and ruined eye were constant reminders of his carelessness.
Not a day had gone by that Branock hadn’t wondered what spell Zollin had used to turn the elder wizard’s magic against him, but at last he knew the truth. Not even Zollin was powerful enough to make a spell rebound in that manner, but a small Alzerstone could have done it. So the rare stone had become Branock’s obsession. It was mined far in the south, in the salt mines near Hero’s Rest in Osla. If Branock could find the mineral he could use it to defeat Zollin, of that he was certain. The mineral repelled magic, even blocking a wizard’s ability to sense the power in the mineral itself. That’s why Branock hadn’t known Brianna was protected by an Alzerstone, and why Zollin wouldn't realize that Branock had one.
Of course the stone would also impede the elder wizard’s power, so he couldn’t wield it himself. No, he needed someone else to carry the stone, someone who was strong in battle, someone with the skills and lack of remorse that would allow them to slay others on command. Branock had discovered his weapon, all he had to do was put it into action, but to do that he needed to go south, not north.
“As you wish,” Branock said, bowing his head and plotting his mutiny at the same time.
Roleena was frustrated, so she was also spending more and more time in the water. She was still beautiful, but her features were becoming angular and hard, her skin seemed thicker, her face less expressive. Branock couldn’t be sure, but he guessed the tentacle that had grown from the stump of her amputated leg was now starting to take over her body. Soon she would be a creature of the sea, unwilling, perhaps even unable, to move about on dry land.
“Once the attack is finished, move the ships south to Selphon City,” she ordered him. “We should be in Selphon City by morning. I have a feeling our enemy will be there.”
A storm had blown through the day before and Branock guessed that Zollin was warm and comfortable in Orrock, but he kept those thoughts to himself. He would have to get away from Roleena and travel south, which meant either escaping from her ships and finding passage on another, or traveling overland. Neither thought was appealing, but Branock was focused on the task ahead. He would carry it out, defeat his nemesis, and reclaim his throne.
They arrived at Bonom Bay a few hours after nightfall. There were lights in most of the buildings along the shore. A long pier stretched out into the relatively calm waters but the air was cold. Branock was wrapped in a heavy cloak as he stood on the command deck of the Crest Dancer watching the small town. Bonom was much smaller than the other port cities, but it was an important harbor nonetheless. The elder wizard was mentally selecting his next bottle of wine as the carnage began.
The first ship was pulled into the sea and soon Branock could see the frantic activity on shore. It was a pattern that he’d seen played out all too often before—until a lone figure sprinted out onto the pier, and everything changed. Blue magical energy flashed from the figure and Branock knew the battle that Roleena had been waiting for had begun.
“Officer!” Branock ordered. “Prepare your ship to turn and sail north.”
“That wasn’t the captain’s orders,” the first mate said in a sour tone.
“Your captain will not survive this battle. You are the captain now. Take the ship north while you can.”
“What about you?” the sailor said in a suspicious tone.
“Have my belongings lowered into one of the boats. I’ll take the Sea Arrow and go south.”
“She’ll send her creature after us,” the first officer said. “I’m no fool.”
Just then there was a roar that made the wooden hull of the large ship vibrate under their feet. Both men turned to look into the harbor. It was hard to see exactly what was happening but Branock saw a shadowy tentacle severed.
“The wizard will destroy her monster and slay your captain. She is a creature of the sea now, surely you see that. Save your ship and your men. Sail north.”
“I’ll take control of the ship and be glad to be rid of you,” the man snarled, drawing a short knife with a thick, straight blade.
He attacked Branock, but the elder wizard was prepared. The knife was suddenly so hot the sailor threw it aside and swung a well-aimed punch at the wizard’s bald head. His hand crashed into an invisible, magical barrier as if he had punched a stone wall. The first mate screamed in pain, staggering back from Branock. He wanted to burn the man alive, to make the fool suffer, but instead he waved a hand that sent a magical wave of power colliding into the sailor so hard he was knocked into the ship’s railing. Another spell levitated the first mate up and over the railing, then dropped him into the freezing waters.
“What the bloody hell is going on!” screamed another officer.
“Your first mate made a poor choice. Now, take this ship north!” Branock demanded.
The sailors went to work. Sails were raised and the other ships were signaled. The battle in Bonom Bay continued but Branock was too busy seeing to his chests of goods. He didn’t want them put into a boat for transfer, opting instead to levitate them across to the Sea Arrow. The chests were heavy, and levitating anything away from the wizard was taxing. Yet he feared the end of the battle was near and he didn’t want to be found waiting after Roleena and her monster were slain.
Once his books, wine, and clothing were moved to the smaller ship, he levitated himself over the water to it. He was gasping for breath by the time his feet touched the deck of the Sea Arrow, but he felt a sense of accomplishment too. The smaller vessel was manned with a skeleton crew and most of the wenches that were brought to sea from Lorye. The first mate of the vessel was a tall man with a long mustache that was braided at the ends with bits of whale bone tied to the long whiskers. He kept his chin shaved, and wore a broad hat that made him look menacing.
“Take the ship south,” Branock ordered. “With all haste.”
“What about the others?” the sailor said, jerking his head toward the Crest Dancer, which was sailing north, and the Eagle’s Scream, which hadn’t moved.
“They are on their own,” Branock said. “I’m taking this ship south. Obey me or die.”
The sailor’s eyes narrowed, but he gave the order to raise the sails. When Branock looked back over the harbor he couldn’t see Zollin or Roleena’s creature. What he could see were figures being hurled from the ocean to land on the shore. Branock snatched the brass spyglass from the first mate and studied the shoreline. There were men with torches slaying the merpeople who were being hurled from the sea. Branock was fascinated. He had heard of mermen and mermaids, but he’d never seen them before. Zollin was using his strength to cast them onto the shore where the townsfolk were busy slaying the strange-looking creatures.
“What’s your orders?” the first mate asked.
“I want to sail to Osla,” Branock said. “With all the speed you can coax from this ship.”
“What of the captain?”
“She will be dead soon,” the wizard replied. “I am your captain now.”
“We’ll need more supplies if the Eagle isn’t sailing with us. This ship isn't outfitted for a long voyage. We’ve too many mouths to feed.”
“Then we will resupply in Selphon City, but we must make haste.”
“No one can catch this ship,” the first officer said. “Not unless they’re using magic.”
“Well that is a very real possibility,” Branock snarled. “Now get the ship moving!”
They reached Selphon City before dawn. All of the wenches but three were sent ashore, while food and water was purchased and delivered to the ship. A few more sailors were also recruited to help man the vessel. As the sun rose, Branock watched the sea and the shore to their north constantly. He hoped that Zollin wouldn’t pursue him past the border of Yelsia. If they could sail past the Walheta Mountains, they had a good chance of surviving. If not, then Branock would leave the ship to whatever fate lay before it and flee south
by some other route.
One of the new sailors was being shouted at by several members of the crew which finally drew Branock’s attention back to the ship. He was surprised to see that the new recruit, dressed all in black, carried the mark of the Mezzlyn.
“What is your name?” Branock asked.
“I’m called Quench,” the man said. “I can pull my weight.”
“He lied,” the long-mustached first mate growled. “He’s no sailor.”
“He’ll learn,” Branock said. “I want him on board and I want him treated with respect.”
The sailors grumbled under their breath but Branock ignored them. He felt that perhaps his own luck was changing. He had found the perfect weapon to use against Zollin. A trained killer that would, in time, obey his every command. All that was left to do was to find an Alzerstone and send his newly armed assassin to slay the young wizard who had so often thwarted Branock’s plans.
“Let’s set sail,” Branock said. “Our destiny awaits.”
Chapter 28
Zollin was surprised when the merpeople fell back. He could still see them swimming not far away, circling him like shadows in the gloom. Above him the water was growing lighter and he guessed the sun was rising, but he couldn’t tell for sure. He knew something was about to happen and he hoped it wouldn’t be another attack from the giant squid, since his ice defense would be useless under water.
He didn't have to wait long before he discovered why the merpeople were waiting. A school of black, snake-like creatures was rushing toward him. Zollin didn’t move. He knew he couldn’t outswim the creatures, but he didn’t expect to have too much trouble from them either. His magical shield was strong enough to withstand the heavy blows from the merpeople, so surely, he thought, it would defend him against the new threat as well. But the creatures weren’t snakes, they were eels and they rushed at Zollin as if he were their next meal. The first of them hit his magical barrier and bounced off, but not before giving it a shock. The powerful energy didn’t reach Zollin through the magic, but he felt it and the realization of his mistake sent a shiver of terror down his back.
Controlling Chaos (The Five Kingdoms Book 12) Page 19
