Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town

by Broquard, Vic

  Brother Jiri, having long known this day of reckoning was coming, cleared his throat. “Such knowledge should not be kept from others. The answer to both is yes. Yet, my wife and I wish to retain control over for whom we create new Circles of Ascension. We would rather die than build a new one for Baron Kazimir and several others — those barons whom you oppose.”

  The sparkle of delight in both barons’ eyes told Zoran everything. “Excellent, excellent, Brother Jiri,” Baron Milan replied. “Baron Viktor and I both would like a new Circle of Ascension on our worlds. It is my fondest wish that you accept our joint proposal to construct ours as soon as possible. Undoubtedly at the March High Council meeting, you will be besieged with requests from many other barons. We would like to be the next to receive your precious gift of new Circles.”

  Priestess Anezka chuckled, “We have already guessed that you would be asking this of us. Yes, we will build each of you a new Circle of Ascension as the next two that we create.”

  “Superb! Thank you!” Baron Viktor exclaimed, unable to restrain his enthusiasm and relief.

  Brother Jiri nodded and added, “Of course, there is going to be a charge for our services. The raw materials run about fifty thousand gold coins.”

  “Yes, of course, we must discuss your remuneration,” Baron Milan replied. “Let me add, that while in our services, you will have as much protection as I give to myself and my immediate family. Your safety will be our prime consideration.”

  “Thank you. I was abducted and nearly beaten to death by one of Baron Kazimir’s assassins, while I was building Zoran’s. We both appreciate and need top quality protection. War Lord Mikolas donated five hundred thousand gold to get Zoran’s Circle built. We feel that it is only fair to his memory that we charge that amount for additional Circles. Will this be acceptable? You see, we owe everything to Baron Zoran and will be giving him half of our proceeds as our humble way of thanking him and his companions.”

  “What?” Zoran exclaimed, shocked and surprised by this turn. “Brother Jiri, that is an enormous sum! You and your wife are doing all of the work. Surely, a lesser sum is more appropriate.”

  “Not at all, my dear friend. Without you and your friends’ timely assistance on two occasions, I and my wife would not be here. We owe you more than we can ever repay. Besides, we both know that you are desperate for funds to support your new Circle. You have a castle and fortifications to build. This is the very least that we can do for you. Please.” Zoran nodded and gave him a hug.

  Baron Viktor spoke up, “It is a fair price, Brother Jiri. We were anticipating that you would be asking far, far more than this amount. Frankly, we were ready to pay nearly any price that you would ask! Speaking for Milan and myself, we wholeheartedly support your generous offer to Baron Zoran. Indeed, we have spent many hours working out how he can best defend his new Circle. He’s gone about it completely backwards, you see. First, you build the castle and fortifications that will house the precious Circle of Ascension. Then, you build the Circle within this mighty protection. I must say, his Circle is going to be tough to defend. It is merely a simple mage tower. No offense to Archmage Oldrich, but her tower is just that, a simple tower, easily breached and difficult to defend.”

  “Right. With your donations of this magnitude,” Baron Milan added, “we can rest easier knowing that Zoran will be better able to defend his new tower. Well done, Brother Jiri. How soon would you like to start? Viktor and I tossed a coin and I won. Unless you object, you may build a new Circle for me first and when it is done, build Viktor’s. I will have your payment for you later this afternoon.”

  “My, Anezka, they seem awfully anxious to have new Circles, now don’t they?” Brother Jiri teased. She smiled, but Zoran expected that they would be asked to build more just as soon as possible. “Yes, honestly, barons, when we came here today, we fully expected that you would be asking us to build you some Circles. We are prepared to begin at once.”

  “Fabulous, fabulous. Say, how long does it take to build one of these Circles?” Baron Milan asked.

  “Well, overall, not counting the time wasted dismantling the half finished one at Mikolas’ fortification and moving it, I spent nearly a year making it. However, now that I know what I am doing, I expect that I can have one built in four to six months, maybe less. A lot depends on how fast I can acquire the raw materials needed and so forth.”

  “Excellent! I will have my engineering staff at your disposal. Let them know what you need, and they will obtain it immediately. If we work together, perhaps the time requirements will be lessened. If I am not too presumptuous, I have an engineer and security detail that are ready to take you to the site. I am having my new Circle built on the opposite side of this continent, where my son and his family reside. There, you will find everything in readiness for your work. I will join you there this evening.” After some additional chat, the Zars left to go see the new location and begin their preparations.

  “Now then, Zoran, we have much to discuss,” Baron Milan began. It was just the three barons sitting at the table. “Viktor and I have given this considerable thought. Your Circle has just upset the balance of power, tipping it over to our side from the evil barons’ side. You can expect that your father and his allies will attempt everything in their power to undo what you have done. After all, if your Circle stands and Lida lives, Baron Kazimir’s reign of tyranny over Adapazan is ended. Not in well over a century has a baron lost his dominion as Kazimir appears to have done. Believe me; they will stop at nothing to regain it.”

  “As far as his heir is concerned, he’s locked into his proclamation. That cannot be undone, except if Lida dies before he does. We five — you have our word that we will spare nothing to protect Lida and Rayna from assassins. Both of your sisters must remain alive until Kazimir’s death.”

  Zoran visibly relaxed. “Thank you, thank you. That is my greatest fear — that my sisters would suffer because of what I have done. I know that you will do your best. Not because they are becoming your daughters-in-law, but politically.”

  Both men grinned. Viktor said, “He is getting smarter by the minute!”

  “Down to business then, Zoran. You need a fortress and castle built there in Brn immediately,” Milan continued. “You need an army to defend it. An army needs military supplies. Brn is really an isolated area, primitive compared to all other capital cities within the Federation. If Kazimir and his allies launch an invasion toward Brn, attacking either the warlord provinces of Lesy or Kin, while your dragons could fly there to oppose them, there is little that you can do to stop them. To get to you overland, they would have to go through Lesy, Radim, and Veklov Provinces or go through Kin, Tehov, and Valy Provinces. The more direct route thorough Orlovia is out because of the blocked passage from Sholov Province. Son, there is no way those warlords could withstand the shock troops of Kazimir and his allies. You are facing monumental problems.”

  “He is understating it,” Viktor added solemnly. “It’s grim indeed. We’ve been working out how we can help since we last saw you. Son, you have allies in this. Would you like the honor, Milan?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye. Zoran wondered what these two men had in mind.

  Milan nodded, and spoke, “Zoran, your allies want you to have a chance to hold on to your Circle. It is in our best interests that you do — balance of power shift and all that that entails. We’ve worked out a scheme which we think will give you the best odds. First must come the construction of a suitable fortification and castle near your tower. Now ordinarily, if we had our engineers design one and then see to its construction, one would expect the most basic shell to be done in perhaps ten years, while its completion would be more like thirty years down the line or more, depending upon the sophistication of its construction and availability of supplies and workers.”

  “But we don’t have either the money or ten years, Uncle,” Zoran protested, wondering what Milan was going to propose.

  “Indeed, son, we do not. Baron Tom
Witherspoon of Terra, Baron Aldo Monda of Cosma, Baron Etienne Gervaise of Gonda, and we have agreed on a plan. All five of us will send our engineers and all of our construction crews to assist you in building your fortification and castle. We will cover all of the expense of our crews and the construction costs. Later on, as your funds come in, you can then set about a repayment plan. Our engineers assure us that in one year’s time, you will have a basic defensible shell ready to go and within two — three at the outside — it will be finished. That is, unless you opt for anything really fancy. We’re talking a basic fortress that can withstand a siege and a habitable castle safe enough to protect a Circle of Ascension.”

  The shocked look on Zoran’s face told the two men everything. Both knew that they had Zoran right where they wanted him! “I — I don’t know what to say! This is, well it is more than I ever dreamed would be possible! Yes, yes, I agree. I will do everything I can to repay you as soon as physically possible! Thank you! Thank you from all of the free people of Adapazan!”

  “Good. Good. Now then, before we dive into such details, the matter of an army must be discussed. We five believe that in spite of your dragons, Kazimir and his allies may try to take your Brn by force of arms, probably coming from the south through Lesy, Radim, and Veklov Provinces. The climate is far warmer than the northern route. Again, your allies have asked me to present the following proposition to you. If they attempt to bring an army overland to attack Brn, we five Barons promise to send large armies to come to your defense.”

  Zoran grinned, “Politically sound. You cannot risk losing this sudden shift in the power balance. If Kazimir comes after me, you have to do everything you can to stop him.”

  “Told you that he is wising up,” Viktor teased Milan. Both men chuckled.

  “So what do I have to give up to get this guarantee of support of five armies if we are attacked? There must be a price — besides being politically correct.”

  “Well, son, of course there is. We five Barons wish two things from you. First, at the High Council meetings, we wish that you would side with us as often as you ethically can. We need your vote. Second, we five Barons wish that you would intercede on our behalf with the dragons. You see, we five would love to have a flock of dragons on our worlds — dragons that would help us defend our lands. We know that the dragons on Voss are starving to death, and we would like to offer some of them sanctuary on our worlds, as long as we have amiable, workable relations, that is.”

  Zoran laughed, he was taken completely by surprise. “You want your dragons too!” He roared. “Soon, everyone will want my dragons. I cannot imagine why? My two dragon friends only eliminated some two thousand shock troops in a half hour without getting the slightest scratch on themselves. Could that be why?” Milan and Viktor now saw that Zoran was teasing them, both men joined in his laughter.

  “Of course, son, why else?” Milan finally replied. “After all, you have just introduced a new unlimited weapon of sorts. I know that this sounds crass and callous of us. Dragons, well the ones that we’ve met, are highly intelligent creatures. It is just that we would like such allies on our side. Besides, if conditions on Voss are as Aldrick says, they are all starving to death. Think of it as a humanitarian action on your part.”

  “You have me in a box and you both know it, don’t you,” Zoran replied a bit testily. “They are not animals or lizards that you can discard when you don’t need them. They are more like another highly intelligent race of beings — to be treated as such. Besides, if you eventually wish them to leave, you will have an awfully hard time of it. They are at the top of the food chain, so to speak. If you do not treat them fairly and with great respect, you are likely to be destroyed by them. Are you sure that you want to take this move? I was forced into it by circumstances — the only way I can protect my Circle at the moment.”

  “Of course, of course. Yes, we discussed this possibility with Aldrick when we met with him. He will be very willing to work with you on this project of resettlement of gold dragons,” Milan replied. “I see no reason that our two races cannot get along well with each other.”

  “Are you sure that you want to do this? Once they come, there may be no way to get rid of them if things do not work out as you have planned, Uncle.”

  “Yes, we are all very sure of this. After all, Zoran, if Baron Kazimir and his allies know that you have signed a mutual defense pack with us and that we five also possess a flock of dragons, they will think hard about launching an invasion of your Wild Lands. It is the best deterrent that we can devise at this time. Honestly, Zoran, we are doing all that we can to look out for your interests here — as well as our own, as you ought to expect,” Baron Viktor added.

  “Well, they would be fools to launch an overland assault if they know that you five would send an army each and accompanied by more dragons.” Zoran had to admit that their plan was sound. Only fools would dare challenge such an alliance. Perhaps, this would buy him the time he desperately needed. “Okay, I will sign such an agreement.”

  No longer surprised, Baron Milan handed him several documents that they had prepared in advance for him to sign. Zoran chuckled, “You knew that I would agree to all this beforehand, didn’t you?”

  “Of course, what other choices do you have? I hate to be so blunt about it, but this change in the balance of power is of monumental importance. We cannot allow it to slip through our hands! Besides, we have tried to make it as painless on you as possible. Honestly, you have so much to handle anyway. How in heaven’s name you are going to get all those barbarian warlords under control is beyond us.”

  Zoran signed the documents and was given a copy of them. “Now, next business is business. Barons Tom and Aldo control agrarian planets and have plenty of grains to trade with you. Barons Etienne and Viktor have hilly planets with thousands of horses to trade with you, while Gladno is heavily forested and I have all kinds of high quality lumber to trade.”

  “Yes, but what do I have to trade in return?” Zoran asked. This was far beyond his experience; he’d never paid any attention to his father’s business dealings.

  “Ores, precious gems and metals, son. Adapazan is loaded with valuable minerals, such as iron and copper, to say nothing of gems, gold, and silver,” Baron Milan replied, wondering just how ignorant his nephew actually was about his own home world. “Barons Tom and Etienne are particularly keen on trading for these. Such are in short supply in their plains worlds. You will find some of the neutral planets also in dire need of ores. None more so than the water world of Baron Hajime Yoko of Asami.”

  Seeing how little Zoran actually new about commerce, Baron Viktor added, “If I might be allowed to make another suggestion, Baron Archmage Zoran.” He used his full title purposely, “Nowhere in the Federation of Planets are six Archmages under one roof. The sheer magnitude of magical energies that you command is beyond impressive. Yet, you could use that to your advantage. If you could convince your fellow Archmages to devote some time and energy to the creation of magical items, you would find a very, very lucrative market for those within the Federation. Enchanted rings, amulets, swords, and daggers can fetch a heady price. Just something to consider, son.”

  “Yes, we just want to point out that from a commerce point of view, your situation is far from hopeless,” Milan added his justification to the mix.

  “Thanks for the ideas. I readily admit that I am most ignorant of this business aspect. As you may well imagine, I stayed totally out of the Baron’s affairs. Besides, I spent all my time learning combat skills and magic, as a young Duska is obligated to do. I’m afraid that I am going to need your able assistance with commerce. I don’t even know what to charge for our goods, let alone if other barons are taking advantage of my ignorance. Can I count on your advice when trading deals come up?”

  Both Baron Milan and Baron Viktor smiled, the latter adding, “Of course, nephew. It would reflect poorly upon us if it became widely known that another baron had taken unfair advantage of
my nephew. When you are going to bargain, let us know. One of us will come with you to help out.”

  “Thanks. Politics again?” Zoran ventured. Both men nodded. “Say, suppose that we do wish to trade ores for grain. How is this accomplished between worlds? I’ve often wondered just how it’s done. I have seen men arriving at Dorum with wagon loads of goods.”

  “Ah, this is our province, Zoran,” Baron Viktor chose to answer him. “Teleportation does not work between planets, as you well know. The only method of inner-planetary travel is using our Duska Shadow Walk. Duskas Shadow Walk a wagon load at a time between worlds. Usually, this is a task that we assign to our sons, once they are trained. Duke Stefan has made many a Walk on Valtr’s behalf. Of course, the transaction is fully arranged beforehand, and he takes a number of security men with him.”

  “Over the centuries, there has been virtually no evil intervention during trading transactions between the planets. The political fallout would be devastating. For instance, if Baron Kazimir should attack one of your shipments from another world, then the entire High Council would completely isolate him. He would be instantly cut off from all further trade with the other fifteen worlds. None of us can afford such draconian measures. We all need things that the other worlds have in abundance. No, waylaying a Duska shipment is tantamount to cutting your own throat. Still, assassins find such times fruitful; hence always take good security measures, Zoran.”

  “Say, since this is all new to you, what say that we visit my accountants?” Baron Milan suggested. “They can show you some typical transactions that I have recently made. It will give you some idea of how much a wagon of grain is worth and so on. That will take only a few minutes. Then, let’s meet with our five top fortress engineers and get to work on designing yours, shall we?”