Dragonvein Book Five

by Brian D. Anderson

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Ethan retorted. “Not all power comes from magic.”

  “So it would seem.” He shook his head, chuckling. “Simply remarkable, all the same.”

  “Well, I don’t care what happened,” said Kat. “You’re still a hero to me.”

  “Quite right,” Lynial agreed. “And regardless of how it really came about, you will always be heralded as the man who vanquished Shinzan. So your dilemma remains. I agree that you should stay distant; your visions while passing through Lumnia’s heart are more than enough to convince me of that. Nonetheless, I think you are going to find it much harder than you think.”

  “I have an idea,” Ethan told him. “But I’m going to need your help.” Lynial looked at him, expecting an explanation. “Not now. After Kat and I have taken care of the eggs.”

  Kat yawned. “I need to take care of a blanket and pillow before I go anywhere,” she said, leaning her head against Ethan’s shoulder.

  Lynial smiled. “Yes. After all, it has been quite an eventful day.”

  The sheer understatement of his remark brought the trio to uncontrollable laughter.

  Ethan transmuted the sands to provide each of them with a blanket and a pillow, then disintegrated the shelter. Lying with Kat under the stars, he thought about what Lynial had said. His cousin was right. People would hound him endlessly during the tumultuous times ahead. It was vital that he find a way to stay clear of the politics. Though the struggle for freedom was over, the struggle for peace had only just begun.

  Kat threw an arm over his chest. “Stop worrying. Whatever happens, happens. All I care about is that you’re alive.”

  He pulled her closer. “You’re right. It’s just that I keep seeing those visions in my head.”

  “And you’ll make sure that they never happen.”

  “But what if I can’t stop them?”

  “I think you already have.”

  The warmth of Kat’s body against his as she nuzzled in sent a wave of contentment over him. Yes. Like she said, whatever happens, happens. Not even Lumnia could predict the future with total confidence. For the moment, everything was just as he had dreamed it would be.

  And for now, that was enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Coughing and spluttering, Vraylic spat out several mouthfuls of foul tasting sand and water. He was soaked to the skin, and his head felt as if someone had driven a long spike straight through his temple. He tried not to move more than necessary for a time. Gradually the pounding in his ears lessened, and the calmer sounds of water rushing over rocks and the song of birds filtered in.

  After pushing himself up onto one elbow and wiping the coarse sand from his face, he spat out the remainder of the filth clinging to the inside of his mouth. He was lying on the banks of a narrow stream running through a dense pine forest. Judging from the dew on the grass, as well as the slight chill in the air, he figured it to be morning. But morning where? Earth, he assumed, though there was no way to be sure of this.

  An anguished cry from behind had him scrambling to his feet. Sitting on the ground next to a young sapling was Shinzan. He was shaking his head wildly and pounding the ground with both fists. After a moment or two, he began to rant.

  “No! I will not be defeated. This cannot be happening.” His voice was shrill with desperation. “They will see. I will return and rip their hearts from their chests. I will bathe Lumnia in their blood. They think I am vanquished? They will see. I am immortal. I cannot die.”

  Very deliberately, Vraylic searched the ground nearby before picking up a hefty rock just at the edge of the stream. Though his legs felt a bit weak, he still managed to stagger toward his former master. His unflinching gaze was filled with murderous intent.

  Shinzan spotted his approach. “You! You did this. I’ll make you pay as well. I will not be laid low by some simpering fool. I am Shinzan. I am eternal. You are nothing.”

  Vraylic stood over him for a long moment, eyes radiating hate. “Yes. I am the one who did this to you. I only wish Jassa could watch what I’m about to do next.”

  Shinzan sneered. “Jassa? That whore? Is this why you betrayed me? She was nothing. I relished every time I –”

  The point of the rock smashed into his forehead, stopping him dead. Blood trickled down his face, spilling from the tip of his chin.

  “You won’t speak her name again,” Vraylic told him. “Jassa was a light you could never extinguish.” He finished off his words with another strike.

  This second blow was enough to erase any lingering consciousness that Shinzan might have been clinging to. His body slumped fully forward so that his head was now resting face down between his legs.

  “But this is not just for her,” Vraylic continued. He struck again, this time coming down hard on the conveniently exposed back of the skull. “This is for all the lives you have taken. All the people you have tortured.” His next blow to this spot was accompanied by a dull crunch as Shinzan’s skull gave way to the force. “My only regret is that I can’t make you suffer as they suffered. This will have to be enough.”

  Even though he suspected that Shinzan was already dead, he wasn’t ready to stop. Standing tall, he gripped the rock with both hands and raised it high. Ironically, the pathetic figure slumped further forward as though in reverence at his feet, now resembling so many others he had seen in the past pleading for their lives before the throne. Shinzan could now receive the same mercy he had once given.

  With every bit of force that he could muster, Vraylic hurled the rock downwards.

  The impact shattered Shinzan’s skull completely, splattering brains and bone across the forest turf. Vraylic stared down at the body. He had waited for this from the first moment he had seen Jassa’s ruined body on the throne room tiles. Now it was over, and his rage was spent.

  Tossing the stone into the water, he rinsed the blood from his hands and face. Surrounding him was a new world of which he knew nothing. Somehow, he would have to find a way to forgive himself – for Jassa’s death, and for his cowardice. In fact, for just about everything he had ever done throughout his miserable life. Killing Shinzan was nowhere near enough to ease the burden weighing on his heart. But it was a start.

  He took a final look at the body of the once mighty Emperor, now lying in a pitiful bloodied heap. Yes. It was a damn good start.

  He headed off in the direction of the rising sun, a tiny smile creeping up from the corners of his mouth. He had no idea what he would find. This was a new world with new possibilities. Perhaps one day he would be able to make sense of his life. Until then, he would simply live and make the most of whatever time he had left.

  Hopefully, in the end, he would have earned the love that Jassa had given him.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The clip-clop of approaching hooves and the squeaking of wagons penetrated the trees surrounding the circular clearing, drawing Ethan’s attention away from the small group of children gathered in front of him. He loved teaching the young ones, and normally this sort of interruption would irritate him to no end. Not today however. Today was special.

  “That’s all for now,” he announced.

  The pouting faces and chorus of disappointed moans drew a grin. “I know. But Lady Katyana is coming. And you all know what that means.”

  The children’s dissatisfaction was instantly replaced with excited cheers and the clapping of hands. Without waiting to be dismissed, they ran off toward the trail at the east end of the clearing. Ethan waited until their voices had faded before rising and following the same path.

  The short distance to the complex was filled to bursting with flowers, shrubs, and all manner of wild berries and fruit trees. Most of these had been planted as a result of Lylinora and Kat’s lessons. They kept the air smelling sweet and provided a tasty snack anytime someone wanted one. In fact, so great was the yield that they had recently started sending entire wagonloads of the produce to the nearby towns and villages. Already it had
gained a reputation as being among the best in all Ralmaria.

  He caught sight of Keira waiting for him at the end of the trail and raised an arm in greeting.

  “You didn’t travel with the others?” he asked.

  “They are too slow for my tastes,” she replied with a light shrug. “I prefer the elf trails to the open road anyway.”

  He gave her a fond embrace. “However you got here, I know Lynial will be glad to see that you accepted his invitation.”

  “How could I not? The cousin of the great Ethan Dragonvein is not to be snubbed.”

  Ethan frowned, but Keira held up her hand, laughing. “Forgive me. I know how much you dislike the reminder.”

  “It was when I was told about the temple that it really started to drive me crazy.”

  “Yes. What a story that is. It’s said that the devotees hear your voice giving them all manner of wisdom and council.”

  “Well, considering the damn thing is in Malacar, whatever they’re hearing sure as hell isn’t me. Though every time I think about it, I certainly want to shout loud enough so they can.”

  Keira slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s the price of being a legend.”

  They neared a group of six single-story wooden buildings. Each was of a simple yet sturdy design with a covered porch spanning the front and a chimney at either end. Men and women were sitting at wooden tables alongside each building. Some were reading, others talking, and a few practicing small spells – those permitted outside of lessons.

  “You have accomplished much here,” Keira remarked. “How many students attend?”

  “Forty-three. But many are going to Borgen soon to study with the dwarves.”

  She gave him a lopsided smile. “With David? How did you get him to agree to that?”

  “I didn’t. Val did. I guess his dislike for interruptions doesn’t outweigh his fear of his wife.”

  He paused under an apple tree to pick himself a particularly juicy looking specimen. “Which reminds me. I wanted to ask if you would be willing to send a few of your people here to instruct the children.”

  “What would you have them teach?”

  Ethan took a bite from the apple and then wiped the juice from his chin with his sleeve. “I don’t know. Whatever you think humans should know about your people. I didn’t create this place just to stop the next generation of mages from making the mistakes of the past. It’s also supposed to help the three races understand one another.”

  Keira gave him a skeptical look. “I can see why you would wish to expose young ones to my people. Even to the dwarves. But we both know that the power mages possess will eventually corrupt them. You are not the first to attempt to change the nature of humans.”

  “You might be right. But what else can I do?” He paused for a moment, then gestured to the people at the tables. “Tell me. Which ones are mages?”

  “Surely they all are?”

  Ethan smiled. “Of the forty-three people you see, only six have any magical abilities whatsoever.”

  Keira knitted her brow. “Then why are they here, if not to learn magic?”

  “Lynial has told me how the mages of his time saw themselves as being better than other humans. That mindset has to stop. So here, instead of dividing people, everyone learns together. It was actually Kat’s idea. And so far it’s working. The people with magical talent get along just fine with those who don’t. Some have even formed strong friendships.”

  “If you’re not teaching just magic, then what else are you teaching?”

  “All kinds of things. Thanks to Markus, we have access to some of the brightest minds in Lumnia.”

  Keira coughed a laugh. “Are you telling me that Urazi assassins...?”

  “Here, they’re teachers. And good ones too.”

  He continued toward another path on the other side of the buildings. “The first thing all fledgling mages are taught is healing. That way they learn to feel the pain of others, and to share themselves with those who are not as strong. We don’t even begin teaching anything dangerous until after three years.”

  Keira nodded approvingly. “I can see the wisdom in all of this. And if there is anything I can do to aid you, I will.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  The path they were on ended at a small dwelling, much like the previous buildings but with a well-tended flower garden and a stone walkway leading to a much larger avenue. The wagons Ethan had heard earlier were now just starting to arrive. At their head, astride a brown mare and with Lynial riding alongside her, was Kat. She slid from the saddle and ran to greet Ethan with a crushing kiss.

  “Home at last!” she exclaimed. She then smiled over at Keira. “Sorry, but it’s been almost a month since I left. My father kept finding reasons for me to stay longer.”

  Keira laughed merrily. “It is quite all right. I understand.”

  “Where are Markus and Lylinora?” Ethan asked.

  “They’ll arrive later tonight,” Kat told him. “Markus is off doing who knows what, and Lylinora stopped along the way to help with an outbreak of food poisoning we ran into two days ago.”

  Lynial awaited the first wagon to stop. From this stepped King Halvar and King Ganix, neither one of them looking best pleased. Ethan could hear Halvar grumbling about being carted around in a box like so much meat.

  After a heartfelt greeting, Ethan showed the arrivals to another dwelling nearby. This one was much larger and boasted three levels. Its manicured garden had several benches scattered about where one could sit and relax, as well as an elegantly sculpted fountain in the very center. Off to the side was a small pond with a pier that stretched out roughly twenty feet.

  Ethan had originally built it as a gift for Kat, but seeing as how she preferred the smaller house, they now used it mostly to accommodate guests. He had been very disappointed, considering the time and gold he had spent creating it. Everything was hand-crafted, and he had only assisted the skilled carpenters employed so he could say that he’d had a hand in the construction. Not a single spell was used, a fact of which he was very proud.

  “It doesn’t have much in the way of luxuries,” Ethan told his guests. “We never got far enough along to do much decorating. But the beds are warm and the food here is excellent.”

  “Compared to Borgen, it’s a palace,” said Ganix, smiling. “Though I will miss my wife’s cooking. Thora is the best cook in all Lumnia. At least, that’s the way she sees it, bless her.”

  “Well, to make up for that, I’ve had the cook learn a few traditional dwarf dishes,” Ethan said.

  Halvar sniffed. “Humans cooking dwarf food.”

  “If it’s not to your liking, you can join me in my repast,” Keira chipped in light-heartedly.

  This drew an exaggerated look of disgust. “How your people grow so bloody tall without meat is beyond my understanding.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine,” Ganix said hastily, giving Halvar a scolding look. He then glanced over to Ethan. “However, I wouldn’t mind seeing the kitchen…just to give the cook a few tips.”

  Laughing, Kat offered the old dwarf her arm. “Ethan has things to do, but I’ll be glad to take you. I’m sure our cook would be grateful for anything you could show him.”

  As they set off, Ethan took Halvar and Lynial upstairs to their rooms. Halvar was eager to wash and get into a change of clothes, and he positively beamed when Ethan told him there was a shower, complete with hot water. Keira, on the other hand, politely refused his offer of accommodation, explaining that she much preferred sleeping outdoors when the weather permitted it. She had already set camp just beyond the boundaries of the complex.

  Lynial lingered in the hall after Keira departed and King Halvar had entered his room. Ethan knew why without being told.

  “Can I see her?” Lynial asked.

  Ethan nodded and led him downstairs. Exiting through a back door in the kitchen, they proceeded back to the main complex and then down a gated walkway.

  “Is
there any change?” Lynial asked.

  “No. Not yet. Both Kat and Lylinora have tried to reach her. But so far they haven’t been able to. They tell me she might get better one day, but I know they’re just saying that to spare my feelings.”

  The path went on for nearly a mile, eventually ending in a wooded area near a shallow brook. A house, similar to Ethan’s though somewhat smaller, had been built in between two great oaks. A spacious porch with several chairs and a table was covered with a canvas awning that was designed to retract during times of dim light.

  Two women were sat on rocking chairs just to the right of the front entrance. One was young, dark-haired, and wearing a blue cotton dress. Lynial did not know her. The other one he recognized instantly. The younger woman stood as they approached. She whispered something to the older woman, who did not appear to react, and then stepped down to greet the visitors.

  “How is she?” asked Ethan.

  The young woman smiled. “We had a rough morning, though it got better. We were just about to have tea. But I am sure she would prefer your company to mine.” She spun lightly on her heels and started back to the porch. “Look who’s here.”

  Lady Illyrian reached up and tugged at the collar on her neck. Other than that, she did nothing to acknowledge the arrivals.

  The woman went inside to fetch the tea.

  Lynial bowed low. “My Lady. It is so good to see you.” He frowned at Ethan. “Is the collar really necessary?”

  “We tried taking it off,” he explained. “But she burned down half the forest before we got it back on. Don’t worry, though. It’s been altered to allow her to move freely.”

  Lynial nodded. “I see.” He knelt to Illyrian’s eye level. “Can you hear me?”

  “We’re not sure how much she understands,” Ethan told him. “When she speaks, it’s usually nonsense. Just random words, mostly.”

  Lynial’s eyes welled with tears. “I should not have done this. I should have ended her life. I’m sorry. It was cowardly of me.”

  Ethan rested a hand on his shoulder. “You did exactly what I would have done. And you saved Kat from being forced to kill her. Maybe even saved her life.”