Bernard looked very relieved to see Zoran suddenly appear with the Yellers. “Whew,” he muttered under his breath. The six Security Men also visibly relaxed; they had been extremely tense while he was gone. General Janos merely sat back and smoked his pipe.
The six men gathered around Zhou, but Zoran could not overhear their conversation. “Well, how did it go?” asked General Janos. “We’ve certainly learned more about the Yellers in one afternoon that we have in three centuries.”
“Don’t know. They scouted around for a couple hours. I hope they liked it. Honestly, if they didn’t, I will have to try to find some other solution. I will not be a party to genocide of an intelligent race of people,” Zoran stated what his heart told him.
As dusk came, Zhou ended her discussion with her men and came over to Zoran. “You speak truth. Come, dine with us on antelope and berries. Drink honey mead. We talk more.” At once, many other women appeared, carrying wooden platters of meat and berries. Others came with wooden mugs and large pottery vessels. Men, women, and children gathered around their cooking fires and sat on the ground, ready to dine. Some brought them over to Zhou and Zoran’s group. Zoran carefully watched how the others ate and mimicked them, as did his companions.
When she had eaten her fill and began sipping the strong mead, Zhou began asking questions. “How soon to move? All this?” she indicated with a sweep of her arm.
“Tomorrow, if you like. We can take about three people and one hut at one time. We can make many trips in one day.”
“That is good. Better if you take a scouting party first and let them find a suitable place for the village first. Then, take the rest.” She took another long drink.
“What about the other tribes?” she then asked. Zoran noticed that her voice had a hint of hope in it, which he took as a very good sign indeed.
“I will need your help with the other tribes. I know that they are scattered all over. Some are grouped as you are here, but in the cold north. Perhaps there are some still in the lands where we whites live. After you see that this new land is good for your people, can you help me to tell others about it so that I can help them move there too?” he asked. He desperately needed her help with this. So far they had been phenomenally lucky in connecting up with someone who would listen to reason. Others might be more warlike.
“You are wise as a mother, Zoran. Move my tribe. If we like it, I will send back others to begin to spread the word. You then help them move. Is this acceptable?” she asked.
“Yes, it is perfect. Thank you for having the wisdom to save your whole people,” he complimented her.
“You are more like a mother than man. Tell me, are all white peoples as wise as you? If so, why have they killed us for hundreds of seasons?”
“My own people are as I am. Yet, most whites are not. They believe your people to be wild animals, like bears, and have acted badly. We have bad people too, just as you may have too.”
“Ah, we are alike then. We thought that your people were wild animals, stronger than bears. Yet, your people have metal blades. Some of my hunters tell of metal which can cut down trees. Is this so?”
“Yes, they are called axes. Would your people like to have some axes? Would they find them useful in felling trees?” Zoran asked, realizing that perhaps some stronger alliances could be forged through trade.
“Yes, we need many axes to fell trees for huts and fires when white snow descends. You can get these for us? What do you want us to give to you for them?” she asked, eyeing him closely.
“I will give you a hundred axes to show you that we are friends. They will help you get your new village built sooner. Once you have your village built and are ready for the white snows, I can come and visit you. If you need more axes, we can make a trade. Furs would be valuable to us. It will take my people some days to make a hundred axes for you. If you will allow me to send one of my men back home right now, he can return in the morning with as many as he can find. That way, those going to the new land tomorrow can take the axes with them.”
She smiled, “That would be very useful. Yes, send your man.” Zoran told Bernard to round up all the axes that could be spared and to get the Brn blacksmiths making more to make up the difference. He agreed and cast his teleport spell, causing quite a stir among the Yellers with his magical departure.
Zoran’s group was given a hastily vacated hut in which to sleep, though they found it awfully crowded. General Janos insisted that three stand guard over the others during the night, just in case of some trickery. He arranged for a Mage and two men for each shift, but the night passed uneventfully. In the morning, Bernard arrived shortly after sunrise, surprising the villagers once more.
All gathered around him as he opened up a large sack containing twenty metal axes. Even Zhou was quite pleased with the gift. As she organized the moving, Zoran estimated each Mage could take three people plus their hut and meager possessions. By nine, Zoran, Karel, Emil, Renata, Jarka, and Bernard began the first of many teleports. Eighteen men and equipment went with each trip. This first day, they made four trips, depositing seventy-two men on the beach where the fresh water stream entered the ocean.
The next day, one reported that a good site had been found and the major task of moving the whole village began. One hundred eighty were moved each day for the next two days. The remaining fifty followed on the fourth day. As Zoran deposited the last of the villagers, Zhou asked him to return when the moon was full again. Zoran estimated this would occur in two weeks’ time. If all went well, she would begin to help him with the other tribes.
At last, Zoran and his friends returned back to their horses, surprising the rebel, who by now thought that he’d just acquired a number of fine horses. “Well, how did it go?” asked Warlord Petr, when they arrived at his fortress.
“I do believe my solution will work. The Yellers are actually an intelligent race of people. They thought that we were nothing but dumb white animals,” Zoran explained. “Considering that we have been hunting them down and killing them for centuries, I thought it went extremely well. I will return in two weeks. If all goes as planned, I will have all Yellers moved out of your province as soon as we can. Although it is a tad premature, I do believe that your Yeller problem is a thing of the past. Just don’t go attacking any of them for a while, please.”
Warlord Petr just didn’t believe Zoran at all. Obviously, the Yellers were just a pack of wild animals on two legs. Everyone knew that, except this new baron. However, he would wait. If there was any chance that Zoran would get rid of the vermin from Zovou Province, he had to give him the time. It would save him many men’s lives.
When the group returned to the tower, General Janos exclaimed, “Well, daughter of mine, your husband must be God!” As they arrived home, both Zdenka and Lida came running up to them, and he grabbed his daughter, twirling her around. Lida gave her brother a welcoming hug. Janos added excitedly, “He learned more about them in a half day and accomplished more for them and us in a week than the rest of us have in three centuries!”
“Well?” she asked hoping to hear firsthand of their adventures. She was overjoyed that they had all returned safely and didn’t say how much she had worried this past week. Even though Zoran Messaged her frequently at night, she was still very concerned for their safety. These were the Yellers, after all.
Janos, Lida, and Archmage Oldrich had Zoran relate all that had happened during their visit. Although Bernard had told them a bit about the encounter, hearing it all from Zoran’s mouth cleared up many points. When he finished, Archmage Oldrich insisted that Zoran write a treatise on the Yellers so that future generations might learn the truth. Lida’s comment to him spoke mountains, “How could we have been so ignorant, so foolish for so long?”
“Hey how are our two mermaids doing? How are you coming on your spells?” he asked Lida.
“They are doing exceptionally well. I have them both reading and writing at a basic level in just this short time. You have a tr
easure in Zdenka, little brother. She’s the best when it comes to teaching us our spells! I wish Rayna could come here and finish her training too.” Lida praised his Archmage wife and he grinned.
After getting a briefing on how the construction was faring that evening, Zoran checked with Duke Leo. There had been a slight setback; his new Circle was scheduled for completion by the 22nd of June. Next, he contacted his other sister, Rayna, who was very glad to hear from him. Zoran briefed her on the Yellers too. Once again, Zoran found himself idle, discovering that he disliked this immensely.
Chapter 24 Enlightenment
The next day, using his Universal Translator spell, he began studying the six ancient volumes from the founding days of the Adapazan Circle of Ascension and his distant relative, Valentýn Vladislov, the first baron of Adapazan. One volume described the construction of Castle Dorumova, and he discovered the location of all its secret chambers of which he knew nothing. Probably Kazimir stored his valuables in some. It was a shame that he or his sisters were not still there; they could go exploring, though they probably would get into trouble with Kazimir.
Another volume was Valentýn Vladislov’s diary. This he began reading, skimming over the unimportant details. He learned that his wife was named Karen and that they had two sons. One son had died during an attack by the Yellers. The other son, Rogdan, was named his heir. However, a number of pages later, Valentýn began taking a dislike to his son’s slovenly ways. A few pages later, he wrote about no longer trusting his own son! His wife slipped and fell from the rooftop. He attributed the accident to the icy conditions and her infernal study of the stars, which she did nightly. Several pages later, he began to suspect that she might not have slipped. Valentýn wrote that he began a secret investigation. On the next page, he wrote about bringing in mediums to try to contact her spirit and see if she really did just slip on the ice.
Zoran grinned, “Mediums! Bah, probably just told him what he wanted to hear.” He read on. He grinned; sure enough, one told him that she had been given a push. The next ten pages were filled with his rambling speculations on who was behind it. Page after page went by, and Zoran began to suspect Valentýn was likely becoming totally obsessed or even slightly psychotic about his wife’s death.
Now the pages began describing how he thought his own son was behind it, and he swore that his son would not inherit his ever growing wealth. He wrote, “By the Laws, he inherits the Circle and Castle, but by god he’ll not get our wealth!” Now the baron began describing the construction of his secret stash. Just as soon as it was finished, the engineer who designed it and those that worked on it had been killed by the baron. Another page outlined his secret trips to there in the middle of the night, moving all of his valuables out of the reach of his son.
The final pages contained nearly incoherent ramblings about the possibility of his son trying to assassinate him. The last page was almost like reading total insanity. Even the writing became chaotic, bordering on scribbles. Then, blank pages. “Well, either he was assassinated or he died of natural causes or he took a dive off the roof. He really went mad, that’s for sure.”
Zoran moved on to the next volume and quickly discarded that one. It outlined monthly income and expenses along with numerous trades made with other Federation planets. Two more volumes beckoned to him. One contained a bit of history pre-arrival on Adapazan. While it might be interesting reading one day, it didn’t seem material to Zoran. The second one did; it was entitled Notes on My Connection to the Circle.
“Now this is incredible!” Zoran began reading the notes that Valentýn had written. Yes, his eyes had changed to bright red, the color of Adapazan’s Circle, just as had his! Eagerly, Zoran continued reading.
I seem to have total control over my Circle from any distance away, like my Circle is somehow a part of me. I’ve grown to see it as an extension of me. Bandar suggests that this effect will wear off in future generations. He’s apologized for the eye color change. Bandar claims that he was not aware that this would happen.
Further on, he came across the following.
Yes! I have advance knowledge whenever anyone attempts to use my Circle for Shadow Walking. Coming or going, I know in advance that it is about to occur. Yes! I can prevent such activations, even when I am on Gladno! Incredible.
This is incredibly useful! So I can stop Kazimir if he tries to attack us here via my Circle. Great. Even if I am off-world! Zoran was relieved somewhat.
A bit further, Valentýn noted:
My connection is even stronger than Bandar predicted! I’ve just discovered that I have the same advance knowledge when anyone Shadow Walks anywhere within a mile of the Circle! Coming or going, I know about it. Very useful. I have not spoken to Bandar or the other Barons about this fact. It may well prove useful to me.
He read through more mundane notes and several pages later came across another fact that confirmed what Zoran had already experienced.
I received quite a shock when Rogdan’s Ceremony of Ascension was held last night. As Priestess Ari began activating the Circle, I was immediately aware of and a part of and witness to his ascension! It was like part of me went into him or was with him. Conclusion: I will be totally aware of anyone receiving this ceremony at my Circle.
On the next page, fascinated, Zoran read even more.
My archenemy, Dusan Clav, attempted to sneak into Castle Dorumova last night, via a Shadow Walk. As expected, I had prior knowledge of his attempt. My guess is a few seconds notice. What surprised me was that I somehow knew at that instant what his intentions actually were: to raid my treasury. I reacted by shoving him wildly back into the depths of the Shadows. Today, I received word from his baroness that Dusan is now missing! She had the audacity to ask if I had seen him. Of course, I replied truthfully that I had not seen him.
A bit later, he added a footnote.
Dusan finally showed up a week later. According to all reports, he looked to be in terrible shape. His clothes were shredded, and he had a number of wounds, none life-threatening, unfortunately. He claims that he somehow got lost in the Shadows. Interesting correlation. I am not going to tell the other barons about this either!
After several more pages, he came across this tidbit.
Talked to Bandar last night. He is of the opinion that all these effects that the original owner of a Circle experience will not carry on down to the next owner. He was most concerned about other baron’s complaints about having orange and green eyes. He’s convinced that our heirs will experience none of this. This is the best news I’ve heard, since I now suspect my own son, Rogdan, of pushing my wife off of the roof. Treasonous son, poison from the womb! I am very glad that he will not inherit the powers that I have as the original owner. Bandar looked mystified about my cheerfulness over his revelations. I didn’t tell him about Rogdan. The fewer that know, the better.
There followed some more rantings about his treacherous son. Then, Zoran came across the most interesting datum yet.
Bandar came to see me. He told me how he sees me morning the loss of my Duska wife and also that I have been seeing a lot of a local barmaid at the Dew Drop Inn, where I get drunk nearly every night. I told him that I cared deeply for this simple woman. He suggested that I marry her. I told him that she was not Duska and that I could therefore not marry her. He kept hounding me and my will failed me. At last, I told him about the treason of my heir, my son, Rogdan. I explained that if I remarried, that unless she was Duska, she could easily be assassinated by Rogdan. I just couldn’t face that again, not ever.
Bandar then cast Anti-spying spells and whispered to me. “There is something that you do not know, Valentýn. No one but I know this. Considering your situation, I’ll tell you, but you must promise me never to tell another soul.” I so swore.
“Anyone, any human that is, can become a Duska merely by having the Priestess perform the Ceremony of Ascension on them. Yes, everyone believes that only we originals, we of Duska inheritance, can have our glan
d enhanced by the Circles and be able to Shadow Walk and all that. But that is not true. Anyone can. You can secretly have my wife perform the ceremony on your barmaid and make her a Duska. Then, it would be safe for you to marry her. The only limiting factor is age. It is dangerous to perform the ceremony on anyone who is older than twenty-one or younger than ten.”
We made preparations to have this done. Unfortunately, Bandar’s wife died in what I consider mysterious circumstances. Could Rogdan have found out what we were planning? Worse, Bandar has now gone missing! The entire Federation of Planets is out looking for him everywhere. Apparently, I am under suspicion, since I was the last person to have contact with him here on Adapazan!
This was the last entry in the volume. Zoran stared at the blank page. “So there was treachery even back at the founding of the Circles,” he mused. He began to suspect that Bandar had gone to Sholov Province to build a new Circle of Ascension here on Adapazan, one that Valentýn could give to his new wife, his new Duska, one who could fight against his heir and son, Rogdan. Perhaps, Bandar had been killed there by Rogdan as well. Most interesting, he thought. This was a sad commentary on the integrity of the barons and the Duskas.
Now he wondered about giving Zdenka the ceremony. As much as he wanted to, the caution about the age limits held him back. She was approaching twenty-one now. The risk to her life just wasn’t worth it. After all, she was now an Archmage in her own right. He also resolved to keep this detail a secret for now. If it became widely known that anyone could become a Duska just by undergoing the Ceremony of Ascension, then the many barons would certainly begin an all-out creation of Duskas, hoping to gain advantage over their neighbors.
That night, Zoran had much to ponder. Zdenka lay next to him, sound asleep, cradled in his left arm. So much he had learned, so much he had done, but mostly it was her. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.
Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town Page 35
