Baron Viktor whispered, “Zoran, Lida, Rayna, please join us.” They moved down the table a little ways. Barons Viktor and Milan sat with their sons; Stefan and Leo at their sides, across from Zoran, Lida, and Rayna. Baron Viktor was in his early fifties, a muscled man with a black goatee and moustache. His eyes were piercing and black. He asked, “How did it go with your father?”
“He’s disowned me. Already one assassin has tried to kill me on my way to breakfast,” Zoran answered truthfully.
“Ah, then he will undoubtedly be announcing at the Ceremony his contrived marriage of Lida to that slob of a Duke, Strom Clav. The question before us is what do we do about it?”
“I will stand up and totally refuse to do his bidding!” Lida lividly answered him. Leo tried to calm her, holding her hand across the table.
“Won’t he first have to announce that Lida will be his heir?” Zoran asked.
“Ah, yes, you are right. I was putting the cart before the horse. Yes, he will declare formally that she is his heir and then the contrived marriage,” Baron Viktor restated it. “If she then rebuffs the marriage, he will have no alternative but to arrange for Lida’s untimely death. Once an heir is announced, it cannot be altered without just cause presented to the entire High Council.”
“Right, Leo wants to marry her soon and at the very least take her back to Gladno with us today,” Baron Milan stated.
“That will bring his assassins to Gladno,” Baron Viktor pointed out.
“I’m aware of that. If he does, I may well go to the High Council seeking retribution,” Baron Milan replied.
“The question becomes: should we take Rayna with us? She and Stefan have decided to marry as well,” Baron Viktor asked.
“I can’t speak for you, Baron Viktor. Surely in time assassins will descend upon your House as well as mine. I should think that if you desire to have Rayna as your daughter-in-law, you should act before the Baron does.”
“We are packed and ready to go whenever you say,” Lida whispered, hoping to encourage them further.
“Please dad, let us take Rayna with us. Lord knows what the Baron will do to her when Lida goes against him too,” Duke Stefan pleaded with his father.
“Okay, son. Rayna, we will take you back to Valtr with us when we go,” Baron Viktor replied.
“Zoran, you’ve been strangely silent,” Uncle Milan pointed out.
“Barons, uncles, words cannot express how grateful I am for your kindness in looking after the safety and survival of my dear sisters. I know only too well what retribution may come your way. Before I left last year, assassins tried to kill me three times. That’s why I fled when I did. It is a tremendous risk that you are assuming.”
“Well, it also has to do with politics, son. Our Houses have been warring against Baron Kazimir and his predecessors for at least a century now. Here we are handed a total shift in power. In a few years, Adapazan may be on our side, a gigantic and unexpected shift in power among the Federation of Planets. We have more at stake than the two pairs of love-birds. Just so you understand our motives, duke,” Baron Viktor explained.
Zoran grinned. Politics had everything to do with their decision; he knew that well. “I promise you both, that if you can somehow keep my sisters safe and sound for another month or so, I will be shaking up the entire Federation and its balance of power. More, I cannot say now. You will know beyond the slightest doubt when that time has come. Trust me; this will be the biggest event in centuries. Just keep my sisters safe until it happens, and I will back you all the way.”
Both barons grinned. They liked this renegade son of their enemy, their nephew. “We will do our best. First, we have to safely get them off this planet,” Uncle Viktor replied.
“If trouble comes, I will create a diversion to allow you to Shadow Walk safely out of here,” Zoran promised, though at the moment he had no idea just what that diversion would be.
“We’d better mingle with the other Houses,” Baron Viktor suggested and the informal meeting broke up. Lida held onto Leo, while Rayna took Stefan’s arm. From now on, they would not be parted from their boyfriends.
Zoran decided the smartest thing for his group to do would be to stay here in the Great Hall. Wandering about the halls would give an assassin another chance to strike. Jarka didn’t object. She and Bernard wandered around the huge room, looking at all of the interesting heralds, tapestries, and trophies mounted on the walls.
Zdenka decided now was as good a time as any to try out one of her Archmage spells. She cast it and sat back to see if any Premonition would come. A bit later, she shrieked and that got everyone’s attention. “Oh my god! When Lida stands up to reject her father’s contrived marriage, an assassin will stab her in her chest with a poisoned dagger! Zoran, we have to stop him! The room will erupt into chaos!”
“Thank you Archmage Zdenka for your timely warning,” he said proudly giving her the formal recognition due her and her power spell. “Okay, Zdenka, get close to Lida and cast Skin of Stone on her. That should prevent the blade from piercing her. I’ll get to Rayna and do the same. Let’s make sure that we are close at hand to retaliate the instant the assassin appears. No holds barred. Kill the assassin,” Zoran ordered. Jarka grinned coyly and nodded.
Having been mingling with the many guests, taking on the role that their mother had performed in the past, Lida and Rayna finally were escorted back into the Great Hall, still clinging to Leo and Stefan. Zdenka and Zoran cleverly cast their spells and touched the intended recipients. “Little more protection,” Zdenka whispered to Lida, who smiled.
“It tingles,” she whispered back. “Oh it’s nearly one and here they all come. We should get near the center where mom’s body is resting in state.”
Unlike the Last Breakfast, many others joined the barons and their families. Archmages, Chiefs of Security, Mages, and even fighters filed in to attend this holy Ceremony of Passing. The Baron stood on a raised platform along with the entombed body of his late wife, though her body was not visible. A solitary chime sounded. Then a choir of two dozen voices singing a religious chant was heard as they solemnly entered from the main doors, headed by the High Priestess, who would conduct the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today to honor Katerina Vladislov, baroness, wife, and mother. Our wishes, dear Katerina, are to see you safely off on your voyage to the hereafter.” She spoke about the highlights of the woman’s life, the joy that she brought to her children, and so on. Then, she began the official last rites, little of which Zoran could understand. At last, the choir began another song and pushed the floating coffin slowly out of the Great Hall. Magical fires and lights seemed to issue forth from her coffin as it moved, symbolic of Katerina’s passing from one realm into another. After several minutes, the sounds finally died down as the choir moved on down the long halls, taking her body to its final resting place outside the castle.
The Baron stood. “At this time, I would like to make a formal declaration. My son, Radek, has died, and it is fitting and just that I formally declare my heir before the assembled Houses. It is my wish that my daughter Lida be my heir to the throne of Adapazan. I do so state with no reservations.”
A round of applause gave him their official acknowledgment that his choice had been received by all of the Houses. “Further, I want to announce that I am marrying Lida to Strom Clav within a month’s time. Let the happy couple come forward and receive our blessings.”
Strom rushed eagerly to the platform; this would be his finest hour. He was about to become heir to the throne of Adapazan!
Lida rose, and all eyes turned to her. “I want to declare before all of the gathered Houses, that I, Lida Vladislov, will never, ever under any circumstances marry that pig of a man, Strom Clav, not if he was the last man in the Federation! Rot in Hell, Baron!” She was acidly vehement in her pronouncement. The stunned crowd gasped nearly in unison as they reacted to this unexpected turn. His own daughter was publically defying him! Worse, the continued al
liance of House Vladislov with the Baron’s allies was suddenly flipped over to their enemy’s alliance! This is what actually caused the stun, not so much her refusing to marry Strom.
Suddenly, as in her premonition, a man covered entirely in black with only his eyes visible appeared in front of Lida, his hand held a dagger that dripped black oil onto the floor. He plunged the dagger into her heart, while the stunned assemblage tried to grasp what was happening here: an assassination right before their very eyes! The dagger did not pierce her skin, however. It broke in half so forcefully was it plunged! Lida fell backwards from the force of the blow, giving the impression to one and all that she had just been stabbed!
A split second later, a throwing dagger flew straight from Jarka’s hand, plunging into the assassin’s forehead, followed by a barrage of Magical Arrows from the other six. The assassin was dead several times over one second after he had struck!
Six seconds later, mass pandemonium broke out, as the realization of an assassination struck home to all those in the room. Zoran saw nearly every user of magic in the room beginning to cast spells. His inner sense picked up the idea that men and women on both sides were going to use this opportunity to slay others on the opposite sides. Baron versus baron and so on down the line, a giant battle was about to break out in seconds. He had to give Milan and Viktor their much needed diversion, time for them to Shadow Walk themselves, Lida, and Rayna out of here. He concentrated and fired his spell.
Suddenly, every single magical spell, every single magical protection, every single magical item, such as a ring, was neutralized! No magic whatsoever triggered or detonated, further shocking everyone present, excepting a few. “Now!” Zoran’s voice rang out and his second spell detonated. The room suddenly went totally black, no light at all.
Zoran listened for his team’s brief chanting of their teleport spells. In rapid fire, all six teleported back to their tower, Zoran followed immediately, arriving a few seconds after his friends. “Well that shook them up!” Karel exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Good throw, Jarka. Man, you are a killer with your throwing daggers,” Bernard complimented her. She raised her eyebrows a couple times and winked at him.
“I can’t believe that they were just about to battle it out with each other!” Zdenka exclaimed, totally shocked by what she had just witnessed.
“Hey, just got word, they are all safe on Gladno and Valtr. Mission accomplished,” Zoran replied, greatly relieved.
“That was a great move, canceling all those spells in one shot, Zoran. Incredible, just incredible. Wish I could do that,” Karel out flowed a bit of enthusiasm, which he seldom did.
“Say, do we get to keep these incredible dresses and necklaces?” Jarka asked, realizing that they were all still wearing their very fancy clothes, albeit black was not her ideal color choice.
“Yes, enjoy,” Zoran said. “Compliments of the Baron’s pocketbook. Well, he now has something to think about. All three of his remaining direct heirs have abandoned him. I just hope that he now doesn’t try anything stupid.”
Archmage Nadia Oldrich walked in and said, “Okay, how did it go? Then, it’s to your studies. Time is precious, I do believe.” Zoran chuckled, indeed it was.
That evening, both Lida and Rayan joined with him telepathically. Lida sent, Thank you for saving my life and helping get me out from under dad’s thumb. I owe you a big one, little brother. Whatever did you do there? Who hit the assassin with that throwing dagger? Not even Uncle Milan can say for sure. Everything happened so quickly, I didn’t have time to dodge, but it was awfully hard to do much while wearing that confining dress.
Jarka got him first with her dagger. We were a split second slower with our Magical Arrows. When I saw the place was erupting in a war of spells, I used my top spell, Interrupt Magical Effects, which nullified all magic in that room for a minute. I cast Darkness to give you all a chance to duck out of there unseen.
So it was you then! You really are an Archmage! Rayna sent.
Yes, sis.
Tell Jarka thanks for me, please. Lida added.
Okay. She and Zdenka love the dresses, by the way.
Zoran, she’s a dream! You chose well, little brother, Rayna added.
Indeed, I really like her and we’ve only just met. I wish we could spend some time getting to know her better. Just who is she anyway? Lida asked.
Be patient a few more weeks. Lida, whenever you are going anywhere, please get the Skin of Stone spell cast on yourself to help prevent assassination attempts. I know Uncle Milan will do his best to keep the castle safe. Just humor me and take that extra precaution, please.
But I don’t yet know that spell, Zoran.
Well get Uncle Milan’s Archmage to teach it to you tomorrow. You too, Rayna. As you saw, it is very useful against assassination attempts. Let me know when you have learned it, both of you. If they can’t teach it to you, let me know, and I will send someone to you who can. It is imperative that Lida remains alive. You are now officially his heir and the only way that can be undone is if you die. So stay alive, sis! Both promised.
Say, is Leo Uncle Milan’s heir?
No, Leo’s older brother is, so it works out perfect. He and I can run Adapazan.
But what about Rayna?
Don’t worry about me. Stefan is Viktor’s heir, so it all works out okay.
That’s a relief.
Yes, but you won’t be a baron, Lida protested. We’ve worried about that many nights, haven’t we, Rayna?
Don’t worry about me. You’ll see why in less than a month. I got to go. Keep me posted. Love you both. Indeed, Zoran had a lot to ponder as he fell asleep.
Chapter 15 Yuletide
“Well, there are only a few more spells to attempt to learn,” Zoran mused. The five were once more in the third floor study room. Their checklists were rapidly coming to an end.
“This one looks really good,” Karel muttered. “I wish I could get this one, very useful spell for me.”
“Which one, Karel?” Zdenka asked.
“Change Shape. Well, let’s get cracking.” Karel showed more enthusiasm on this spell than many others, Zoran noted. They spent the day studying the background data and the particulars on its casting. The next morning, they began to attempt its casting.
After a long but precise chant, Karel finished the spell, making the proper hand motions. Magical energies flashed. Zoran and Zdenka blinked. Karel was not there! They were staring at a large falcon! A Mystical Door opened and Archmage Oldrich stepped into the room and stared at Karel as well.
“Where did that bird come from?” Emil looked up and his sister, likewise. Both were studying its casting.
“That’s Karel! He’s actually done it!” Zdenka exclaimed, hardly believing her eyes. The falcon paced the table top, strutting its importance. Then magical energies flashed again, and there was Karel standing on the table top.
“I did it! I did it! I did it!” Karel whooped it up, impressed with his own spell.
“Can you do it again?” asked Archmage Oldrich, softly as usual.
Karel calmed down and proceeded to go through the intricate chant. Magic flashed and the falcon reappeared! When he resumed his human form, Archmage Oldrich exclaimed with a good deal of enthusiasm, “Well, I would not have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes. Congratulations, Archmage Karel Ambrose!”
Everyone began talking at once, patting him on the back. As the rest of the tower came into the room, Jarka rushed up, pushing others out of the way, and gave him a big hug and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Way to go, Karel!” He seemed a bit unnerved by all this sudden attention, however.
“Me, an Archmage? Who would have believed it?” Karel yelled in disbelief.
“Students, there is a lesson to be learned here. Karel persevered in spite of all signs that he would not be able to learn any more spells. He just doggedly kept at it until he finally succeeded,” the Archmage commented to her gathered students. She also saw tha
t no more studying would likely occur and gave them the rest of the morning off to celebrate. Study resumed after lunch.
That afternoon, both twins also succeeded with this spell. Zoran speculated that their success had a lot to do with the fact that, as dragons, they inherently could change into human form anyway. Now they could change into any form desired, and they were smugly pleased with this, because neither of their parents could cast this spell.
Zoran and Zdenka, alone of the five, continued to have trouble casting this spell. The Archmage encouraged them to continue practicing it during the week. By Friday, both finally gave up and stopped trying and suddenly the magical energies flashed at nearly the same instant. A pure white horse appeared, shoving the tables aside, while alongside stood a grey wolf! A minute later, the two returned to their normal selves, laughing hysterically. Then they hugged each other, followed in turn by Karel, Emil, and Renata.
Emil suggested, “Now you three can change into a golden dragon like us and we can all go flying together!”
“Yes, but we would be real dragons, wouldn’t we,” Zdenka was hesitant. “And that would mean we would need to eat like a horse.”
“No not a horse, silly, a hoofer, an antelope. Tasty morsel, really, you ought to try it,” Renata suggested. Zdenka turned up her nose slightly, deciding she’d rather be a bit hungry instead.
They worked on the remaining few spells with little success. As the third week in December approached, Zdenka alone managed to learn the last spell and she did it in a remarkable fashion. Her spell functioned. She saw the four moving in extremely slow motion compared to her. Hastily, she tied her hair ribbon onto Zoran’s hair, making a small ponytail out of it. She took Renata’s sweater off of her and put it on Emil, and then quickly tied Karel’s shoe laces together. She rose just as her spell terminated.
“What?” exclaimed Zoran, pulling on the back of his hair. His hand returned with her hair ribbon. Zdenka giggled.
“Give me back my sweater, Emil!” Renata said annoyed, but couldn’t remember having given it to him or his taking it from her. Karel began laughing and stood up only to trip and fall over. When he saw his laces tied, he roared even harder. The other three now realized what had happened and laughed along with him, before congratulating Zdenka. In the end, she was the only one would could exercise intimate control over time, but then she was into controlling things anyway, Zoran concluded.
Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town Page 18
