“Sorry,” Brianna said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“We aren’t used to people falling out of the sky,” Mansel said sourly.
“Oh, don’t be such a worrywart. Nycoll must be a strong woman; she puts up with you.”
Brianna flashed Nycoll a smile and was surprised to see a smile in return.
“Zollin’s not back,” Mansel said. “He’s been gone awhile.”
“What’s he doing?”
“He went to get food for the sick,” Nycoll explained. “I thought he would have been back long ago.”
“You think he’s run into trouble?” Brianna asked.
“King Zorlan has held Quinn in the local inn for over a week now,” Mansel said.
“Why? What did Quinn do?”
“Nothing,” Mansel said. “I think he wanted leverage over Zollin or at least over King Felix.”
“We better find out what’s going on,” Brianna said. “Ferno, you should join the pride.”
There was crowd gathering around the front of the teamster’s barn, looking in awe at Ferno and pointing up at the flight of dragons circling in the sky above.
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Mansel said, and then he turned to Ferno. “Thank you again for the ride.”
Ferno growled, and then jumped into the air. The people watching all cried out, some in alarm, others in fascination.
“Let’s go,” Brianna said.
They walked down through the town toward the inn. Mansel slowed, nudging Brianna with his elbow and speaking in low tones.
“There are twice as many soldiers around the inn as normal,” he said.
“Well, I guess that answers our question about where Zollin is,” Brianna said.
“What should we do?”
“I don’t know; are the soldiers jumpy?”
“They aren’t kind. Most of the people here avoid them whenever possible.”
“If we hurt the soldiers, they won’t be able to fight when we need them,” she said. “And if Zollin is working something out, I don’t want to ruin that by starting a fight.”
“So we wait?” Mansel suggested.
“We wait and we watch.”
“We don’t exactly blend in,” he said.
“That’s okay,” Brianna said. “I don’t want us to blend in. I’m hoping for an invitation to Zollin’s party.”
* * *
“Zollin,” Quinn said quietly. “What you do now will define how you lead these people. Think before you act.”
Zollin was reminded of what Bloc, king of the dwarves, had said to him - Your race is always quick to fight. The words reverberated in Zollin’s mind, and he felt the weight of truth in those words. He was quick to fight, to use his magical power to force his way. He needed time to calm down and think. Luckily, he had thrown up a magical barrier around himself, Quinn, and King Zorlan. The soldiers had crashed into the barrier and cried out in alarm. They hacked at the barrier with their swords, but the weapons bounced off harmlessly. Now they stood, pressing against the barrier in an effort to knock it down.
“What devilry is this?” King Zorlan shouted.
“I’m not here to bandy words with you, King Zorlan,” Zollin said. “And I’m not going to let you throw me in the stocks. We need to work together.”
“I am a king!” Zorlan shouted. His eyes were bulging, and his face was red and sweaty. “Who are you to dictate terms to me? I’ll have your head for this, boy. Mark my words-”
“Enough!” Zollin shouted back. “I will not listen to your vain threats. Now sit down, Zorlan. I’m not here to fight with you. I will take the food I need and leave you to govern this valley, but you must take care of these people.”
“With what?” Zorlan cried. “We have no food, no weapons, and no money.”
“But you do have hope,” Zollin said. “I will help with everything else you need, but you must manage what I give you and take care of your own people.”
“How can I care for them if you are stealing the very food I need to feed them?”
“Don’t try to turn yourself into a martyr,” Zollin said. “You haven’t been feeding anyone but yourself with the food here in the inn. Now, I suggest you go and clean yourself up. We can speak to the people of the valley together and make sure that they know you will help them, but they must be ready for the fight ahead.”
Zorlan looked like he might pass out. He was sitting on the edge of his seat, leaning forward, sweat dripping from his forehead and nose.
“I... I can’t,” he said, and then he fell forward.
“What did you do, sorcerer?” screamed one of the soldiers.
And then they were all screaming and beating their fists against the barrier.
“What happened?” Quinn asked, as he and Zollin rushed to the King’s side.
“I don’t know,” Zollin said.
Quinn rolled Zorlan onto his back, and Zollin thrust his magic down into the King’s body. He could feel the pressure in the King’s blood vessels and the lack of blood flow. The vessels were constricted, and the heart was straining to beat.
“It’s something with his heart,” Zollin said
“Can you save him?” Quinn asked in a strained voice.
“I’m trying.”
The soldiers who were outside the inn came crowding into the common room. They joined the other soldiers who were beating on the magical barrier with their swords and shoulders. Zollin felt the pressure on his magic shield and realized he couldn’t concentrate on saving King Zorlan and keeping the barrier intact.
“Back off!” Zollin shouted. “I can’t save him like this.”
The soldiers, thinking that victory was close to hand, doubled their efforts. Zollin wasn’t at risk of being overwhelmed by the soldiers, but he couldn’t focus on the minute causes of the King’s illness while they shouted and pressed on his magical shield.
“He’ll die if they don’t stop,” Zollin said.
“Please,” Quinn shouted. “Let Zollin work. He’ll save the King.”
But Quinn’s protests went unheeded. Then, suddenly there was a popping sound overhead. The wood of the roof creaked and snapped as two huge talons tore the roof of the inn away. Everyone inside covered their heads to protect themselves from the falling debris. And then a roar shook the inn. Some of the soldiers fell to the floor in fear.
“Don’t hurt them!” Zollin shouted.
“Everyone out, or the dragons will tear this place apart,” Brianna shouted.
She and Mansel had followed the soldiers inside and had seen what was happening. She had sent a message to Ferno, who swooped down and tore the roof off the inn with its massive, green talons. The soldiers nearest the door ran outside. People were gathering around the inn. Some of the soldiers stayed at the magical barrier, but they no longer pushed in on it.
“Zollin will heal the King,” Quinn told them. “Go out and wait with the others. If he doesn’t live, we can’t escape. Go now, and let him work.”
Zollin focused on the King again, while doing his best to block out the distractions around him. The king’s heart was in distress and as Zollin spread his magic through the King’s body, he found one of the major arteries blocked. He focused on the blockage and slowly broke the impediment up. Blood began to flow again, but the vessels were still constricted, and Zollin knew the blockage could happen again. He focused on getting the heart beating regularly again and then relaxing the vessels.
King Zorlan’s eyes fluttered open. He looked pale and weak.
“Don’t try to speak just yet,” Zollin said. “You’re out of danger, but you need to rest. Dad, can you get him some wine?”
“Sure,” Quinn said.
Zollin dropped his magical barrier, and Quinn walked past the stunned soldiers. Zollin levitated the ailing King back up into his chair. It took a moment before one of the soldiers had the courage to venture past where the magical barrier had been. He approached King Zorlan slowly.
“Sire, do y
ou still want the wizard locked up?”
“He needs rest,” Zollin said. “He’s out of danger, but his body has been through a difficult shock. Send someone to help him bathe and sleep. Who is the ranking officer here?”
“I am,” said an older looking soldier, his voice gruff.
“Good, you’re in charge now. See to it that the valley is protected and what little food there is gets shared with everyone. I’m going back to the hospital with food for the sick. The people there will be well by this evening. Tomorrow, I will be moving the headquarters of this combined army to the village at the head of this pass. Once King Zorlan has fully recovered and has seen that things are well managed here, he may join me.”
“Aye,” said the officer.
Zollin nodded at Quinn as he brought out a goblet of wine.
“The food for the children is ready,” Quinn whispered as he passed Zollin.
“Mansel, will you help me with the supplies for the hospital?”
Zollin and Mansel went to the kitchen and found three bags of food, most of it bread. There were also two bottles of wine and a small cask of chicken broth.
“I can make more broth if it’s needed,” the innkeeper’s wife said.
“I don’t think it will be, not for the sick children anyway,” Zollin told her. “Thank you for your help.”
“Of course, of course,” the woman said.
Mansel hefted the cask of broth and carried the sacks of food, while Zollin carried the wine. When they left the inn, followed by Quinn, and Brianna, the gruff-voiced officer was barking orders that could be heard outside the inn.
“Sounds like he’ll get them all in line,” Mansel said with a smile.
“Why do you always end up in trouble?” Brianna said to Zollin.
“What?” Zollin argued. “I was just trying to help.”
“This whole situation is bound to be a disaster,” Quinn said. “Zorlan is terrified of King Felix and so he should be. There’s really no telling what will happen when the army from Yelsia arrives.”
“We can’t fight each other and the army Gwendolyn is sending against us,” Zollin said.
“Speaking of that army,” Brianna said. “Has anyone heard news of it yet?”
“No, just the flying horse monsters,” Mansel said.
“They’re called Leffers,” Zollin added.
“We need to send out scouts then,” Brianna said.
“I think so too,” said Zollin. “Any of the dragons up for the task?”
“Yes, most of them I would think,” she said.
“Good,” Zollin said. “Here is what we need. First, we send the fastest dragons to scout to the south and another to search the coast for King Felix’s forces. They should be in sight any day now. We also need the dragons to hunt for us. Food is in short supply here in the valley, and we need to help if we can.”
“Alright,” Brianna said. “I can see to that.”
“Quinn, Mansel, I need you both to go and see that some sort of camp is established in the village at the mouth of the pass.”
“That place was abandoned,” Mansel said. “The Leffer monsters probably destroyed it.”
“That’s why I need the two of you to build something useful there. We need a central headquarters where the decision-makers from the different armies can meet and plan.”
“We can do that,” Quinn said, “If Mansel doesn’t mind leaving Nycoll here.”
“Are you staying?” Mansel asked Zollin.
“Yes, I’m going to help Nycoll with the sick, and then help her distribute some of the herbs she has and make sure the water here is clean. We’ll follow you all in the morning.”
“Alright,” Mansel said. “We can do it.”
“Good, we’ve all got a lot of work to do,” Zollin said, looking at Brianna wistfully. “Perhaps soon we will find some time to rest and catch up.”
“That would be nice,” Brianna said, though she looked tense again.
“We’ll have a suitable place prepared when you arrive,” Quinn said. “But I don’t have weapons or tools. Can you do something about that?”
“Sure,” Zollin said. “Find me some spare iron; that will make the work faster.”
An hour later, after Zollin had shown Nycoll what herbs to mix for the children and fashioned new weapons for Quinn, he focused his powers on creating tools. He made hammers, saws, and a canvas sack full of nails.
“I hope that’s enough,” Zollin said, after taking a long drink of wine. His magic was churning hotly inside him, but he wasn’t overtaxed and exercising his power felt good.
“It will do,” Quinn said.
“I’ve sent dragons south to scout and more of them back into the mountains to hunt,” Brianna said. “Ferno thinks flying the two of you south to the town is possible. It’s not too far, is it?”
“No, we could walk there before dark,” Quinn said.
“Alright, Ferno will take you and then stay to help you keep watch, just in case you run into trouble.”
“There’s really no need,” Quinn said. “The walk will do us good.”
“Quinn, we’ll need the daylight just to inspect the place and make a plan,” Mansel said. “Why do you want to walk?”
“I don’t want to walk,” Quinn said. “But surely the dragons are needed elsewhere. You and I can take care of ourselves.”
“You’re afraid to fly, aren’t you?” Mansel teased.
“It takes some getting used to,” Zollin said. “But once you get the hang of it, it’s like riding a horse.”
“Well, there’s really no need,” Quinn maintained. “There’s no reason we can’t walk.”
Mansel clucked like a chicken and Quinn threw a friendly punch at the big warrior, but Mansel was expecting it and dodged back out of the way.
“Well, I don’t care how you get there,” Zollin said. “Just get something set up that we can use.”
“Consider it done,” Quinn said.
“I’ve got to help Nycoll with some of children,” Zollin said.
“We’ll meet again in the morning,” Quinn said.
“If we survive the flight,” Mansel teased.
Chapter 29
Brianna was happy to be away from Zollin, although she felt guilty that once again she had not told him the truth. They had been too busy to discuss their personal lives and although she felt bad, Brianna was happy for the distraction.
She was riding high above the clouds with Selix. The air was icy cold, but for once Brianna didn’t mind the discomfort. It was a fit penance for her unfaithfulness to Zollin. She could see the coast in the distance, her enhanced vision barely able to make out a thin strip of ocean blue ahead.
“Lower,” she ordered Selix.
The big, golden dragon obeyed. They dropped below the clouds and raced over the open countryside. There were a few farms and homesteads nestled at the foot of the Walheta Mountains, but they were all abandoned now. They saw cattle occasionally, never more than one or two animals, most wandering aimlessly across empty fields. Brianna could feel Selix grumbling with hunger, but they ignored the easy prey and kept flying. It would be nightfall before long and although that wouldn’t hinder Brianna, whose night vision was almost as good as the dragons; she wanted to speak with the soldiers who had been stationed along the coast as lookouts.
They passed over the small seaside village that had been Mansel’s home for a short time. The devastation there was heart-wrenching. They saw campfires where the soldiers sheltered in the ruins of the homes and shops that had made up the small town. There was no sign of any ships. Selix turned up the coast and flew north for another hour, well past dark, but there were still no ships to be seen. As the big dragon landed to rest, Brianna walked along the rocky shoreline, pondering the absence of the King’s Army. She guessed it might be possible that Felix had never left Yelsia, although there had been more than enough time for the army to mobilize and set sail for Falxis. She should have been able to spot the group of
ships by now, she reasoned.
They set out again, flying out to sea, due west. Brianna had shed her clothes, which Selix now held in one giant talon. Brianna covered herself with fire, so that she and the golden dragon looked like a falling star, streaking slowly over the waves, only there was no one to see them. They searched for three hours over the seemingly endless expanse of the sea. There was still no sign of the King’s ships.
Brianna and Selix turned back and followed the coastline to the edge of the Walheta Mountains where King Zorlan’s soldiers were stationed. The sun was just coming up as Brianna and Selix landed near the village. They found the soldiers gathered together with weapons ready to fend of the golden dragon.
“Ho there,” Brianna shouted. “We come in peace. We seek news of the Yelsian army for King Zorlan.”
“How do we know who you are?” shouted one of the soldiers.
Brianna sighed, wondering why everything had to be so difficult.
“We have orders from the king’s headquarters in the village of Green Glen. He holds court in the town’s small inn. We have come from the Northern Highlands to help you fight.”
“I suppose telling you we ain’t got no news from Yelsia wouldn’t hurt,” the soldier said.
They were lowering their weapons and looking slightly more relaxed, even though they never took their eyes off of Selix, who stood silent behind Brianna.
“You haven’t seen any ships?” Brianna asked.
“Sure, we’ve seen ships,” the soldier said. “We saw a big group of ships. Thought they were your King and his army, but they sailed south, didn’t even slow down.”
“You saw ships?” Brianna asked again.
“At least a dozen,” said another soldier.
“More than that, I’d say,” said the first.
“They were sailing together?” Brianna asked.
“In one big group,” the soldier explained. “Haven’t seen any ships before or since, but saw those.”
“And they were sailing south? When was this?”
“Days ago,” the man explained. “The day of the storm.”
Brianna thought back. The storm was several days past now. The King should have landed his troops and marched inland to the mountains, but if he had, the dragons she had sent out as scouts would have reported back within hours. In fact, the King’s Army would have had time to reach the western pass and Green Glen. She knew instinctively that something was wrong, but she didn’t know what.
Five Kingdoms: Book 06 - Evil Tide Page 27
