“Dear, that is not a problem at all,” Rayna hastily replied. “We can get you all the things you will need. We can teach you what you need to know. Please, let us do this thing for you and our brother. Trust us Archmage Zdenka; you are hardly a mere forest archer. Besides, I think Uncle Milan and Baron Viktor wants Zoran to come and spend some serious time with them. Please say yes, Zdenka, please,” she begged.
Zoran laughed; memories of Rayna’s pleadings came back to him. She always got her way when she tilted her head and formed this particular facial expression, like some little angel. Who could resist? Certainly not Zdenka, who grinned. “Okay, you win, Rayna. If Zoran is willing, so am I.”
“Good, good, that’s settled then,” Uncle Milan seemed relieved, Zoran noted. “Now then, Zoran, we have an awful lot to discuss. It is vitally important that you come to Gladno and spend some time with us. Bring the Zars with you, please. Can you possibly come say next Saturday and plan to spend at least a month with us? That will give the women time to help Zdenka learn what is expected of her. After all, Zoran, at the next High Council meeting in March you and she will become Baron and Baroness. She needs to know what is expected of a baroness.”
“Yes, Uncle Milan, we will come for a month. Honestly, I do need to talk with you — all of you barons. I built this new Circle in haste, and now I find that I have walked into more problems than I know how to solve! I am in need of some serious advice and soon.”
Baron Viktor added, “Yes, some will say that you built the Circle in haste. History tells us that the original barons first constructed a secure castle with many fortifications to protect a Circle of Ascension and only then built their Circles. You’ve rather done it the other way around. It is a risky gamble, but because of the Archmages and the dragons, son, you may well be successful. Yet, we all do need to discuss many things. Thank you for coming.”
After the lunch, the barons took their leave, returning to their worlds and castles. Yet, the visitors and inquires did not stop. Slowly, the other barons became aware of the seventeenth thread now embedded within their own Circles of Ascension. Naturally inquisitive, they also attempted to Shadow Walk to see for themselves. These barons were mostly in the neutral category — those who chose not to take either side of the two warring factions.
Zoran stuck to his earlier decision and allowed only the baron to visit, blocking all attempts by the barons to bring additional security forces along with themselves. Hours dragged on endlessly, as one by one, the other barons visited. Zoran and Zdenka played host to Baron Hinto Yamitiwa of Isi, Baron Adolf Ebbe of Gerde, Baron Alvaro Cencion of Alta, Baron Bran Ahern of Mauve, Baron Aryeh Makeda of Chana, and Baron Hajime Yoko of Asami. The other three barons in league with Baron Kazimir also desired to visit: Baron Cheng Meerog of Jing, Baron Eckhard Hadwig of Dietmar, and Baron Carwyn Alun of Anwyn. To these latter three, Zoran also issued his stern warning about sending assassins to Brn, threatening devastating retaliation if they did.
Night had come when the last of the barons finally left. “Well, time to eat. I’m starved. That was the last of the barons,” Zoran announced. “Now they have all discovered that it is possible to have new Circles of Ascension and that I am their newest baron.” The group sat around the dining room table, along with all of the Mages and those still in training.
General Janos added his thoughts, “Emil, Renata, I must say that your kind certainly did a fabulous job today. Just seeing all of you flying around has done more to safeguard this place than anything else. I know that word has spread throughout the Federation about what happened to Baron Kazimir’s army when he took Sholov Province. You and your folks may not have to actually fight against humans again; you are perhaps the most powerful deterrent I have ever known. These barons will think twice about attacking Brn. This may well be the dawn of a new found peace on Adapazan. I certainly hope so.”
Archmage Nadia spoke quietly as usual, “General Janos, I certainly hope so, but today’s deterrent may well become tomorrow’s combatants. On another matter, students, I wish to take this opportunity to announce to you all that I am retiring. Yes, I will finish those of you that are still in training, though I am going to pick up the pace. When spring comes, I wish to retire, plant a few flowers, and enjoy the few days that remain unto me.”
Zdenka looked stunned, as did Zoran. Neither could believe her. What would this tower be without this powerhouse Archmage? Zdenka looked at her with pleading eyes. She saw them and smiled. “Yes, I know that this comes as a shock to all of you, but seventy-six years is a long time. My health has steadily deteriorated. I am barely able to get around. It is time to pass the mantle of training others in the art of magic on to another.”
She continued, “Even though I will be retired, you can still count on me to help defend, if such is needed. Now then, it is customary for a retiring Archmage pass along his or her tower and responsibilities to another. I choose to do so at this time. I have given the matter of my successor a great deal of thought and have reached my decision. Zdenka, I wish you to step into my shoes and become the new Archmage for Brn Province. I give you my tower and all that goes with it, if you will accept the responsibility of teaching others magic. Your first action will be the usual spring picking, choose only four this time, since you are just beginning. What say you?”
Zdenka choked on her ale. “Me? You are giving this place to me? I am to teach others magic? Oh my! Am I really qualified to do all this? Are you sure? Others are so much better than I am at this. I mean, Zoran, he knows nearly all the spells.”
“Yes, I am sure, Zdenka. While Zoran does know more spells, he will have his hands full with other matters. I have watched you for almost a year now. You have the dedication, the passion, the patience, and the skills to step into my shoes, dear. You are conservative and not prone to taking risks. Karel has not the patience, though he has the skills. Emil and Renata are dragons and have their own lives and goals that are not human ones. I could not ask this of them. No, Zdenka, you are perfect for the job. If you will not accept this, I will have to look outside of Brn for another Archmage to take over here.”
“If you are certain that I can do this, then I gladly will accept, Archmage Nadia, but I really don’t know what all I must do,” Zdenka replied softly, a bit shocked with the surprise news and more than a little overwhelmed by it.
“Excellent. We can talk later tonight. Your duties will not begin until the first Saturday in April. We have several months to get you prepared. Besides, I will be staying nearby in Brn, so I can help you with anything that you need.”
Jarka rose, holding her mug, she called out, “Hail one and all. I give you your new Archmage of Brn Province, Archmage Zdenka Lavos!” Everyone followed her lead, rising and toasting her, much to her embarrassment. Then, the celebration began in earnest.
Later, while Zdenka met privately with Archmage Nadia, Zoran took the opportunity to chat with Brother Jiri and Priestess Anezka. “Say what’s up with my eyes changing colors anyway?” He began with the obvious physical change.
“Well,” Anezka explained in a non-committal manner, “I think that when a Circle becomes tied to its originator, this is part of the process. It identifies you as its owner.”
“Yes, but Baron Kazimir’s eyes are not red and his Circle’s color is red,” Zoran countered.
“I believe that this color change only happens when it is first created and activated. None of the current barons’ eye color matches their Circle’s color. Just be glad that you didn’t choose purple,” she teased him.
“Yeh, right. Another thing, every time someone has tried to Shadow Walk to the Circle, I have felt their coming in my mind. It is almost like I have control over whether they can materialize on my Circle or not. Do you know anything about this phenomenon?” Zoran asked what had been puzzling him since his uncle’s arrival.
“Hum, well yes, Zoran. We don’t know much about just what all the effects are on new owners. You see, there hasn’t been a new one for
ages and, well, I need to study Bandar’s documents further. I suspect that there are going to be a number of very unique things between you and your Circle that are not present with today’s barons and their Circles,” she backed off from giving him a direct answer. “Do let me know of anything else that seems to be going on between it and you, though,” she added hopefully.
Brother Jiri added, “Zoran, we should go over the routine protections that every baron places on and around their Circle.” The three spent an hour setting all of them up. Brother Jiri made doubly sure that Zoran knew what to do, giving him a crash course in being a baron with a Circle of Ascension.
The next day, Zoran handled his promise to the twin dragons. “Okay, there are sixteen planets in the Federation, we are on Adapazan now. I will take you to visit the other fifteen now, but we ought to go there invisible. We don’t want to attract undo attention. I mostly just know the locations of the various ruling baron’s castles so we’ll arrive around them. As you know, Adapazan is mostly a hilly and mountainous planet. First, stop is Rehor, which is very like Adapazan in many ways, hilly and mountainous. Hold my hands and I will Shadow Walk us there.” Emil and Renata took hold of his hands, and Zoran stepped into the blackness of the spatial void between the worlds. He focused on a grey-white dot, which slowly grew into the world of Rehor. They arrived outside the capital city and Baron Bogdan Clav’s castle.
Next, they visited the plains planet of Isi, Baron Hinto Yamitiwa’s realm. Here, the twins saw vast grassland plains and many four legged creatures roaming the lands, perfect for dragons. The agrarian planet of Terra was next, home of Baron Tom Witherspoon. As far as their eyes could see, neat crop rows spread out, small stone walls demarcated each field. From there, Zoran took the twins to the swamp planet of Jing, where Baron Cheng Meerong ruled. The castle rose from the many bogs. A low fog hung over the surface of the watery landscape as far as they could see.
Baron Viktor Pavel’s world of Valtr was next, a world of vast grass covered rolling hills with horses in abundance. This was a land of superb horsemen. Planet Gladno, home of Baron Milan Matous, was next on the tour. Gladno was a heavily forested world with both extensive pine and deciduous forests covering the landscape. Forest fires were the biggest worry on this world. From there, Zoran took the twins to the icy and snowy world of Dietmar, home of Baron Eckhard Hadwig. Neither twin wanted to spend any time here, for it was far too cold and barren.
Zoran chuckled as he then took them to the opposite type of world, Anwyn, a desert world. Here, much of the world was vast arid regions; deserts abounded, home of Baron Carwyn Alun. Indeed, the twins laughed, realizing that Zoran purposely went to the desert world after the icy world. Now they arrived on Cosma, another agrarian world. Once more, vast cultivated fields stretched out before them from their vantage point near Baron Aldo Monda’s castle. The vast grassy plains of Gonda, home of the horseman Baron Etienne Gervaise was their next stop. Again, horses predominated the scene.
The mountainous world of Gerde, home of Baron Adolf Ebbe, was their next stop. Emil speculated that many fine gems might be found on this world. Baron Alvaro Cencion’s world of Alta was next. Here was a hilly world, filled with many hoofers, as Renata put it — a fine place to dine. Zoran grinned. The heavily forested world of Maeve, home of Baron Bran Ahern, was their next stop. The desert world of Chana and Baron Aryeh Makeda came next, but they spent little time here as well. Neither twin liked deserts — no hoofers. Finally, Zoran took them to see the water world of Asami and Baron Hajime Yoko. This strange world consisted of vast waters dotted with millions of islands. There w no substantially large continents anywhere on Asami. The twins were not impressed with this world either. Then, he returned to Adapazan, showing the twins how to find Brn Province.
“Thank you Baron Archmage Zoran,” Emil said formally when they had returned to their tower. “We are now unique among our kind. We know of more worlds than anyone else. Thank you very much.” Zoran wondered if this was such a good idea, showing them all sixteen worlds, but it could not be helped; he had promised them this tour.
“Yes, thank you, Zoran. You have given us new hope. One day I will mate, and now I feel that I can bring a child into the universe. I had resolved never to do that because we were starving on Voss. Now, there is so much to choose from — so many places where our kind can live in peace and with full bellies,” Renata added.
“I’m glad for you. I just wish that we would have known about your plight sooner. Ah well, I think Zdenka is waiting for me,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye.
Chapter 17 Court Education
“What are we supposed to wear?” Zdenka asked Zoran, early the next morning. Lines of worry creased her forehead. Today, they were going to travel to Gladno to spend a month with his Uncle Milan and be married. She was very nervous and overly self-conscious, worried that she could not possible fit in with the Baron and Baroness, let alone their court.
“Love, I have no idea either. All this is new to me as well. When I was growing up around the courts, I paid it little attention. We represent the free people of Brn and the Wild Lands. There aren’t any fancy courts here, so let’s you and I just be ourselves, representatives of those we are protecting. They can have all their stuffy, fancy court etiquette; we’ll be ourselves.”
“Well, that’s easy for you to say, Zoran, but you know that all eyes will be upon us, watching our every move. You don’t want them thinking that we are nothing but a bunch of hicks — that cannot be good,” she replied.
“I know, dear. We’ll just be as honest as we can and be ourselves. The rest will take care of itself. I know my sisters will help you a lot — probably doting over you, if I know Lida and Rayna. Honestly, they really do know more about court and etiquette that I do, so I expect that they will be giving me lessons as well.” This seemed to mollify Zdenka somewhat and the two finished their packing.
Shortly, the Zars joined them at the Circle in the basement along with Jarka, who was accompanying them to Gladno. Zdenka had insisted that at least one other ought to come with them, just in case of trouble. Zoran chose Jarka because of her particular skills, leaving General Janos Lavos and Archmage Karel in charge of protecting their Circle during their absence. As Jarka trotted into the room, Priestess Anezka noticed that she was armed to the teeth with daggers. “Expecting trouble, Jarka?” she asked slightly worried.
“Never can tell. I always go to strange places fully prepared for the worst. Safer that way,” she said coyly. “After all, politics run the barons, not family ties. Okay, I’m all set.”
Zoran took a hold of Zdenka and Jarka’s hands, while they in turn held onto Jiri and Anezka. He stepped into his Circle, felt its power flowing through his body and stepped into the blackness. Soon the small greenish orb of Gladno appeared, growing steadily larger. Vast green continents became discernable. Zoran homed in on the largest land mass. Shortly, the heavily forested region of Beroun appeared before them, followed by the large city of Novary. Shortly thereafter, the huge stone Castle Matous rose up like a gray spire amid the dense pine forest and city. White snow covered the ground, contrasting with the green and browns and gray stone. As the castle grew larger, Zoran made for the arrival patio on the outside of the second story of his Uncle’s castle. They were standing there awaiting his arrival, he noted.
“Welcome to Castle Matous, Baron Archmage Zoran, Archmage Zdenka, Mage Jarka, Brother Jiri and Priestess Anezka Zar. Welcome indeed,” Uncle Milan called out officially. Rayna and Lida rushed to hug their brother, while their boyfriends, Duke Leo and Duke Stefan, grinned and stood officially beside their fathers, Baron Milan and Baron Viktor Pavel. Zoran sensed that the two barons wanted to hold lengthy discussions with himself and the Zars.
“Zoran, Lida and I have it all worked out,” Rayna bubbled with excitement. At long last all three were free from the strangle hold of their despised father. Life soared anew within both young women. “First, we are going to take the girls shopping and get them all a
whole wardrobe, suitable for the Courts. We will be getting you outfits as well, little brother. You can’t go around looking like this, not if you want to impress the other barons. We are also going to get both of your wedding outfits as well. Lida and I want to thank you for saving our lives, and this is one little thing that we can do for you. The barons want to talk with you and Brother Jiri right away. We will all meet together for supper. Lida and I want you to really get to know our beaus; after all, only twenty-one more days and we will be officially married! So you can’t say no, little brother!”
Zoran chuckled, “How can I get a word in edgewise, sis? Okay, okay. Just remember that Zdenka and Jarka will need lots of assistance picking out proper dresses and such. Please, don’t get me any purple shirts.” The twins giggled, knowing Zoran disliked purple.
A few minutes later, Zoran, Brother Jiri, and Priestess Anezka sat in a formal conference room with the two barons. On the wall was a map of the Federation of Planets. A servant brought in pastries and tea and left them to their meeting. Zoran watched as Uncle Milan cast several protective spells on the room, making sure that nothing that was said could be overheard. “Now, we have complete privacy,” Baron Milan began.
“Zoran, we have much to discuss and work out. However, Viktor and I do not wish to waste the Zars’ time on your matters, so we are going to discuss some matters that concern them first. After that, they are free to visit my castle or return to Brn or whatever they desire.” Zoran nodded, but he suspected what the two men were about to ask.
“Brother Jiri, your discoveries and your successful construction of a new Circle of Ascension is perhaps the greatest achievement in several centuries! You both will be famous, of that there is no doubt. However — and I am now speaking on behalf of probably every baron in the Federation — do you have any plans to construct more Circles? Are you willing to construct more Circles?”
Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town Page 22
