“Damn!” Karel cried out, “Sure is likely that he has!”
“We should never go about the city alone anymore,” Zoran concluded. “It might not be safe. Zdenka, let your father know what has happened today. Tell him we could use his services sooner than expected. Brother Jiri is going to need to get what he needs for his work, but I want him to have bodyguards with him anytime he goes out of the tower. In the meantime, some of us can escort him until Janos is ready.”
“Thank you all. I thought I was a goner there,” Brother Jiri said, though it was also painful for him to talk. His face was a mass of bruises as was his chest. “I still need some lead and charcoal.” Zoran chuckled. Beaten to a pulp, Brother Jiri was still engrossed in his work on the Circle of Ascension.
“Okay, tell us what you need exactly and we’ll fetch it for you,” he replied.
The next week, Zoran used some of the gems donated by Warlord Mikolas to purchase the houses on either side of the tower, paying the two families far more than their buildings were worth. Here, he had Janos stationed with his men. At first, the new general only had chosen two strong fighters who could handle swords well. As the weeks went by, Janos slowly added more men to his security garrison force.
Chapter 13 Fall’s Ups and Downs
Days of study flew by the group. September brought the harvest season to Brn. Wagons of grain and other crops arrived daily from the nearby farmer’s fields. All fields were small and rocky, of course. Winter would soon be upon them, here high in the mountains.
“Look for first snow around the start of October,” Zdenka explained to Zoran one Sunday afternoon in late September. They were enjoying their day off, having teleported to her homestead, deep in the Dark Forest. Already, the air was quiet chilly, and they held each other close for warmth as they lay on the grass staring up at the multicolored canopy above them. Reds, yellows, and browns in many hues transformed their homestead into a marvelous sight. “I just love the trees in the fall, so many rich colors.”
“Yes, spectacular indeed, Zdenka, but they all pale compared to you.” He looked into her eyes and finally got up the nerve to lean over and gently kiss her waiting lips. She responded, squeezing him tighter.
“I thought that you would never get up the courage to kiss me,” she whispered a bit later. “I’ve longed for this for so long, Zoran.”
“I’ve been — well, I didn’t know if you — well, liked me like I like you,” he fumbled his way through totally unfamiliar territory. He’d never kissed a woman before, much less dated one. If he had been back at Castle Dorumova, he would have asked his sisters about how best to proceed.
“I love you, Zoran,” she whispered.
“I’m so madly in love with you that I can barely concentrate on learning new spells when you are so close to me,” he admitted.
“I know. I’ve seen you watching me when you didn’t think I was paying any attention to you,” she giggled. “We girls notice these things, you know.” He grinned.
“Seriously, Zoran, I haven’t said anything before now, because — I mean between you and I — is it allowed?” she asked
“You — you would? Well, first I have to ask you, I think that’s how its done. Zdenka, will you marry me?” he asked.
“That’s what I mean. Can we marry? Is it allowed? I mean, I’m not Duska. Don’t you have to marry another Duska?” The worry in her tone pierced his heart.
“Absolutely not! Actually, marrying a Duska is not such a good thing; too much inner marrying between cousins has already has produced many miscarriages and worse. I am free to marry anyone I choose. I choose to marry for love, not for power or station, as so many do. I want to marry you because I love you. It’s that simple, but you haven’t given me your answer. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to. We can wait longer and see. . .”
She put her fingers over his lips. “Of course I will marry you!” She kissed him passionately.
“When should we do it?” she eventually asked. “What kind of wedding did you have in mind?”
He sighed, the practicality of their situation interfered. “We best wait until we get done with our magical training.”
“I agree, it could easily get in our way. It’s hard enough to concentrate when you are close to me now. Think how it will be if we are actually married!”
He grinned and gave her a gentle squeeze. “A simple one,” he added. “How about you?”
“What’s it like getting married in your castle? I mean, if you were marrying there and all that?”
“Oh it’s more like a week-long celebration. Partying, expensive gifts, elegant clothes and dresses, fancy ceremonies. I once went to a cousin’s wedding. I thought that it would never end, but then I was only six at the time.” She giggled, imagining a small boy amid a giant wedding.
“Won’t you miss it? I mean a fancy wedding as befitting a Duska?”
“Not in the slightest. I just wish my sisters could come. Someday, I hope you can meet them. I know you will like them and they will certainly like you too.”
Since it was starting to get dark, they reluctantly rose and teleported back to the tower and dinner. That night, Zoran made mental contact with Rayna. How’s Radek doing? He asked first, unsure just how to tell her that he was getting married.
He has recovered as much as possible or so the physicians say. His face is gruesome to look at, and he wears a patch over his right eye now. His sword arm can barely hold a golden goblet, and he walks with a severe limp. Dad hardly gives him the time of day anymore; honestly, he is really depressed. How’s everything with you?
He still had not figured out how to tell her, so he just blurted it out mentally. I am going to get married, Rayna.
What? Incredible! Way to go! Who is she? Do we know her? Who is this woman who has stolen my little brother from me? She was teasing, of course.
Er, I best not tell you her name right now. I can send you her image, if you want to see what she looks like? Rayna begged him to show her what she looked like. He formed up an image of Zdenka’s face as they had lain beneath the colorful trees.
Oh she’s beautiful! Wait until I tell Lida. She will be ecstatic too. When are you getting married? Oh, and just where? Lida and I most definitely want to come. You cannot deprive us from attending your happiest day. Please, Zoran you can’t deny us that day.
We are waiting a while, until — until a certain thing is finished. When we know the date and time, I will see if it can be arranged. Honestly, I don’t want anything to happen to you just because you discover where I am staying. I couldn’t live with myself if something did. Trust me a little longer, please, Rayna.
Okay, gotta go. Mom’s calling. Lida and I will chat with you later tonight when we are free and not being watched.
On the 2nd of October, Brn received its first snowfall of the long winter season. Zoran and Zdenka paused a minute to watch the large flakes fall. Then, it was back to study once more. Both were now having considerable difficulty with the spells. Karel continued to forcefully stick with it, hoping he might master the next spell. However, over a dozen had passed by him without one sticking. In contrast the twins continued on their seemingly random pattern of a spell here and a spell there.
The second week in October, Rayna made contact with him around noon. Zoran, sorry to bother you while you are likely studying, but I have to. Radek has just died. He jumped off the top observation deck of the castle. Committed suicide. Mom’s taking it hard. Dad just said good riddance. Zoran, he is pulling out all the stops trying to find you. Do be careful! He conversed with her a little longer before breaking contact.
“What’s the matter?” Zdenka asked, sensing something was wrong. He explained about his older brother.
“So the Baron is now looking high and low for you? Does that mean he wants to make you his heir?” she asked.
“Who knows. But I will not let him bypass Rayna and Lida. It is their birthright. They are second and third in line by all Duska convention
s. If he tried to make me his heir, he’d be robbing my sisters. No way will I let him do that! Not ever. Let’s finish eating and get back to that darn spell. Honestly, these are so darn hard; it’s a wonder that anyone can cast them.”
“It’s a good thing that they are. Honestly, you don’t want lots of Mages going around wiping out people’s memories! Nasty spell indeed,” she replied.
As the days grew shorter, November came. Outside, the ground was buried under six inches of snow, which Zdenka claimed would not melt until spring came at last. He noted that there seemed to be more snow here at this time of year than back at the lower elevation of Dorum.
Karel continued to effort his way through these very advanced spells, as if somehow his fighting will would compensate for his lack of intellect. It didn’t, but he doggedly continued hoping the next one would work for him. Zoran was now pleased that he too could cause an object to vanish by having it appear just above the surface of the sun. In this, he felt somehow equal to Archmage Oldrich, a tiny victory.
However, the spells which they now began researching and eventually attempting to cast were the most powerful of all magical spells. All five of them eagerly dove into the scrolls and tomes, trying to grasp the concepts and what was required of them to be able to cast such spells. Intense concentration, ultimate conviction, these were among the criteria they would have to muster.
One day, Zdenka had a sudden insight and then attempted to cast the spell she had been working on for days now. Of course Archmage Nadia was with them constantly as they attempted these most powerful of all spells. Zoran had not really paid much attention to that, she’d just began appearing with them of late. Magical energies flashed, a giant gloved hand appeared and began to crush into dust the sample rock that the Archmage had given her for this spell. “I did it! There is a Crushing Glove! Wow! Super!” she exclaimed, wild with excitement. Everyone patted her on the back and congratulated her over and over, including Nadia herself. The old Archmage was overjoyed with Zdenka and showed more emotion than Zoran had ever seen her display.
The next day both twins succeeded with their spell, but to cast it, they had to stand on the tower’s roof. They had each conjured a swarm of meteors, fireballs blasting onto the slope of the steep mountainside behind the tower. Once more their success was celebrated by one and all.
The very next day, Zoran’s spell activated. Compared to the fireworks and visual sights of the other three’s spells, Zoran’s seemed to do nothing at all, until they all realized that all magical spells and items within the tower no longer functioned! He had Interrupted Magical Effects! Of course, the magical items returned to being once again magical after he canceled the spell. The Archmage had to recast her many protection spells which she had always kept on her tower. Such was a minuscule price to pay for her student having mastered this powerful spell!
Though there were still another half dozen spells to attempt to learn, the Archmage called a temporary halt, here on the 10th of November.
“May I have your attention,” she said formally. “Zdenka, Emil, Renata, Zoran: it gives me the greatest of pleasures and honors to notify each of you that you have officially reached the status of Archmage. Being able to cast one of these power spells has put you into a unique category of magical skill use. You four are joining a very elite club. There are but twenty-four of us, make that now twenty-eight of us, among all of the Planets of the Federation! It is rare indeed for any Archmage to have trained another to such a level. Yet, somehow, I have gotten all four of you there. Perhaps yet Karel will join you, as there are still a few more spells to attempt.”
“However, at this time, I would like to gather everyone in my tower together and announce your tremendous achievement to everyone. This is the greatest day ever for Oldrich Tower!” While Zoran simply sat there stunned, along with Zdenka, who nearly fainted from the news that she had become an actual Archmage, all of the other apprentices, Adepts, and Janos and his guards, along with the Jiri and Anezka crowded into the dining room. All were buzzing with chat about what this special announcement might be.
Archmage Nadia Oldrich pulled the four up to the front of the room at her side. In a loud voice, one that Zoran had never heard her use before, she said, “I have the most important announcement to make that I have ever made in my life. It gives me tremendous pride to announce to all of you what has been achieved by these four. I give you Archmage Zdenka Lavos, Archmage Emil Vogler, Archmage Renata Vogler, and Archmage Zoran Vladislov!”
The room literally exploded with shouting, cheering, clapping, and whistling! Janos had tears flowing down his cheeks. His little Zdenka was now one of the most powerful people in the entire Federation; only a Duska had more. However, the chills going down Janos’ spine did not come from his daughter’s success, rather from Zoran’s. He waited until he could get a chance to share a word with him. At the moment, the four were shaking hands with dozens of others.
Eventually, he got his turn. “Congratulations, son. Yours is an incredible achievement as are the others. However, yours is utterly singular and terribly critical. Zoran, do you realize what you have achieved here?”
“Er not really. Archmage?” he fumbled, trying to grasp where this was leading.
The General of Security said calmly, “No Duska has ever in the entire history of the Federation of Planets achieved the status of Archmage. You have just joined together two totally separate worlds, that of magic and that of the Duska. Potentially, Zoran, you may well be the most powerful Duska to ever walk the sixteen planets!”
Zoran was impressed, “No one else has done this before?”
“None, sir. None. Mage status, yes many. Archmage status, only you. May you use your power wisely.”
“I will sir. By the way, I have been meaning to ask you something. I have asked Zdenka to marry me when we have finished our magical studies. I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”
For an instant, Zoran thought that he was going to have to keep Janos from keeling over. He staggered a moment, before catching his breath. “Sir, it would be the highest honor I could ever imagine for my daughter. Yes, yes, you have my permission, though ought you choose another Duska instead?” Zoran found that he had to explain the same thing to her father as he had to Zdenka.
Convinced that the marriage was indeed ideal and permissible, he asked, “Who also knows? Since I am only finding out now, I presume you two have been keeping it a secret from everyone, security reasons?”
“Yes sir.” He kept it short and to the point.
“Say, what are you two talking about? Dad’s face is nearly red!” Zdenka came over to take her dad’s arm.
“I’ve just asked him for his permission to marry you, dear. He has agreed,” Zoran explained. She immediately hugged and kissed her father, and he beamed, as any proud father would.
“What’s all this fuss?” the Archmage, in particularly good humor said, as she came close to the three.
“Okay, okay, I can take a hint,” Zoran said with a mischievous grin. In a loud voice he called out, “Everyone, I, well we, have an important announcement to make.” The room became silent. “Zdenka and I are going to be married as soon as we finish our magical studies.”
Once more, their friends yelled and whistled. One by one their friends came to shake their hands. Jarka said, “Well, it’s about time! We all had wagers on when Zoran would get up the courage to ask you. I won the bet.” She grinned coyly.
“Tonight we celebrate; then tomorrow, it’s back to work, back to study,” Archmage Nadia took advantage of the quiet. Fake moans echoed around the room, followed by laughter.
That evening, while he was taking a much needed bath in the barrel, Lida made mental contact with him. Zoran. Zoran. You there, can you talk now? It’s important.
Yes, just taking a bath.
Good. Mom has died. Today. She was forlorn over Radek’s death. She took it really hard. She jumped into the river, breaking through the ice. Took the g
uards all day to find her and get her out. Zoran, everyone is dying around us!
Sad. Mom has not been all there for a long time, sis. How are you doing and how’s Rayna taking it?
Oh, we are upset. We’ve been looking after her for the last couple of years as you know. Still, crazy or not, we both loved her. She’s never been like dad.
I know. I loved mom too.
Dad’s taking it really hard. He’s talking of giving her the official Ceremony of Passing at her funeral, you know, the super-formal send off for Duskas. It’s his right to do that. He’s the Baron. That means many of our uncles, aunts, and cousins will be coming to the funeral. It’s going to be held in three days at noon.
I ought to be there too. Zoran knew that he really ought to pay his last respects to his mother, particularly so, because she would be given the highest of honors, the Ceremony of Passing. It would be an affront to everyone, if he were not present.
Oh Zoran, how Rayna and I long to see you, but it is far, far too dangerous. Who knows what dad might try to do to you? You must not come! Oh, gotta go! Dad’s on the warpath again! She broke the connection abruptly. He hoped that she was not in any kind of trouble.
Chapter 14 The Funeral of Baroness Katerina Vladislov
“I know just how dangerous this is going to be,” Zoran was discussing his decision to go to his mother’s funeral in two days with Janos, Nadia, and his team.
“Son, you don’t! Every assassin that ever accepted the assignment to kill you will likely be there as well! Everyone would expect that you would show up for her Ceremony of Passing. It’s a sure bet. Probably that is why the Baron is holding the ceremony — to flush you out. Lord knows what the Baron will do when he sees you there! You know that they will have every magical protection known to mages in operation. You couldn’t even get away with a disguise. The instant you set foot back in Castle Dorumova, everyone will know. Plus, even if somehow you survive, how can you return here without revealing this location?”
Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town Page 15
