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© 2014 carey scheppner. All rights reserved.
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Published by AuthorHouse 06/18/2014
ISBN: 978-1-4969-1996-0 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4969-1994-6 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4969-1991-5 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014910972
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Table of Contents
Part I A Curious Quest
Part II The Inter-ference Begins
Part III Multiple Objec-tives
Part IV No Time Left To Lose
Chapter 1
‘The Jackal’ grinned maliciously at his opponent, his mace held tightly in his hand. After their first clash, they had both come away with neither one succeeding at landing their blows. Both combatants were better at defensive strategies, preferring to weaken their adversaries by wearing them out, then going on the offensive when the time was right. Thus, the crowd was becoming impatient as the two foes circled one another warily.
Hardig was the smaller of the two, although not by much. He was older, however, and his breathing was somewhat more ragged. What he lacked in youth, he made up for in experience. He was one of the chosen ones, hand-picked to serve in the Emperor’s personal guard. That was no small honour. Nevertheless, he had one serious drawback. His right arm was all but useless now. Fortunately, he was left-handed, a distinct advantage against fighters who were used to parrying blows from a right-handed opponent.
The two fighters were closing again when a bright white flash of light suddenly appeared between them. An instant after the light subsided, an old human mage with a long white beard stood between them. The crowd stopped yelling and cheering at this unexpected appearance. Even the emperor himself stood up, stunned.
Hardig started and stepped back. ‘The Jackal’ was startled too, but regained composure quickly. Snarling in rage at this interference, he stepped forward to pound this intruder into the ground with his mace.
The mage took in his surroundings quickly and spotted the approaching minotaur. With a casual flick of his hand and an inaudible chant, the feral beast was sent flying by an invisible force. The Jackal landed in the dust several feet away with an audible ‘whump’. Falling to the ground more lightly at the mage’s feet were the spell components the mage had used.
The crowd fell completely silent as the Jackal returned to his feet. The mage looked around at the stands until his eyes rested on the balcony where the emperor stood in shock. Realizing where he was, the mage mumbled, “Oh, dear!” Then he smiled and strode toward the arena entrance. The crowd began to murmur as he went. As he reached the gate, the arena guards barred the way.
“I would like to talk to the emperor,” said the mage calmly.
One guard crossed his arms defiantly. “Did he summon you?”
The mage shook his head. “No. But I’m sure he’ll want to see me. I’m an old friend.”
The other guard laughed. “If you want to see the emperor, you’ll have to get past us first.”
“Is that all?” asked the mage with a twinkle in his eyes.
The guards looked at one another curiously. Who did this human think he was?
The crowd started getting louder and angrier at this delay. Suddenly, the emperor shouted out. “Bring him to me!” To the combatants, he said, “Resume the fight!”
The crowd roared in anticipation, their attention back on the duo in the center of the arena.
The mage smiled at the guards. “It looks like I’ve been summoned. We shouldn’t keep the emperor waiting.”
The guards grumbled and opened the gate. One led the way while the other followed the mage with his sword drawn. The mage didn’t seem to mind the weapon at his back as he was led to some inner stairs which led up to the balcony.
The trio soon arrived at the rear of the balcony, out of sight of the stands and arena below. The mage had trouble seeing the emperor with all the security guards in the way. The wall of security was impressive indeed, especially to a mere human.
“Out of the way!” growled the emperor. He pushed roughly between two large guards to examine the newcomer. “What’s the meaning of this interruption?” he demanded angrily. “I ought to set you on a spike and let the crows have a hearty feast!” The emperor was not the biggest minotaur in the room, but at nearly nine feet tall, he was an imposing figure. His horns overshadowed everyone else’s, being at least a third larger than the next largest of those visible.
The mage chuckled at the angry minotaur. “Your horns have certainly grown since our first meeting, Zylor. They have a tendency to intimidate me every time I see them.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes. “You say my name as though we are acquainted. I do not recognize you. Identify yourself or die.” His tone was ominous.
The mage nodded. He needed to diffuse the situation quickly. “It is understandable. You knew me when I was much younger in appearance. I am Kazin.”
The emperor’s eyes widened as recognition dawned on him. “Kazin? The dragon mage? But, you’re so -,” he paused.
Kazin nodded. “Old. I know. I’m here from the future.”
The silence on the balcony was overshadowed by the cheering and yelling of the minotaurs watching the battle in the arena.
Zylor turned to his guards. “Leave us.”
“But, Emperor -,” objected one guard.
“Enough!” Zylor glared at the others in the room. “He will not harm me. Leave now!”
Grumbling, the guards left the balcony.
When they were alone, Zylor laughed and stepped forward, lifting the hapless mage in a bear hug. Kazin gasped for breath, relieved when the massive beast put him back on his feet.
“You always knew how to make a dramatic entrance,” laughed Zylor.
Kazin straightened his rumpled cloak. “It was not on purpose, I assure you. Time travel is tricky at best, even for me.”
“It’s good to see you again,” said Zylor.
“I almost missed you with all those guards around,” said Kazin. “Is there some trouble I don’t know about?”
Zylor laughed heartily. “It’s not my choice. They are very loyal and tend to be over protective. There are times when I feel like a child that needs to be watched carefully. I can hardly do anything for myself anymore.” His face darkened. “It’s very annoying at times. I wish I could do some fighting and keep in shape, but they won’t let me even warm up to the idea.” A roar from the crowd drew his attention away. “Come, sit with me. The battle is nearly over.”
Kazin decided to indulge the minotaur. This was obviously an important time for the emperor. The quest could wait a
little while.
The battle was soon over. Hardig had won, and was standing at attention while Zylor went down to offer him his reward.
“I congratulate you on your victory, Hardig!” said Zylor loudly, so everyone at the arena could hear. He looked at Hardig and his face darkened. This was the part that made every emperor nervous. Hardig was a member of his personal guard, but his victory meant he had the opportunity to challenge for the leadership of all minotaurs.
“Would you like to challenge me for leadership?” asked Zylor in an unemotional tone. “You have earned the right. The prize money is yours regardless!”
Hardig went down on one knee. “Long live Emperor Zylor!” he bellowed.
“Long live Emperor Zylor!” cried the crowd in unison.
Zylor waved at the crowd. His leadership was secure for another four years, until the next election battle. As yet, no one had challenged him since he had come to power, so Zylor assumed he had done a good job - which was true. In truth, he had help of which he wasn’t even aware. Each election year, his personal guards drew lots to see which of them would take part in the election battles. Each time, at least two of them would enter the battles, contending for the championship and the chance to become emperor. A pact with the other personal guards ensured they would not make the challenge for leadership. If they did, the pact was broken and the guards would take that individual’s life at the earliest opportunity. This was an effective way to ensure Zylor stayed on the throne.
Zylor sometimes wondered why members of his personal guard bothered to fight in the election battles. They were paid well, and had many fringe benefits. But he never considered the true reason behind it. He attributed it to their desire to obtain a higher level of honour - a custom extremely important to the minotaur race in general. Most other minotaurs thought the same thing. Thus, the strategy had paid off. Two of the last three election battles had been won by a member of Zylor’s personal guard.
As everyone filed out of the arena, Zylor sat down with his friend in a private room. “So, Kazin, I assume you didn’t come back in time just to visit with me.”
Kazin nodded. “Indeed. I’m getting set to go on a quest of great importance.”
Zylor’s eyes lit up. “A quest?” he drawled, intrigued. “Tell me more.”
“It’s a little complicated,” said Kazin, “but it involves going back in time.”
Zylor’s eyes widened. “Going back in time? Like we did a bunch of years ago?”
In a previous adventure Zylor had accompanied Kazin and his companions into the past to obtain some information pertinent to their quest at the time.
“It will be similar to that, yes,” said Kazin.
“Why do you need me?” asked Zylor.
“You are one of the ones who went with me the last time,” said Kazin.
“So?”
Kazin hesitated. “It seems our previous exposure to the past may have had something to do with a problem in the distant future.”
“I don’t follow,” said Zylor.
“Like I said,” said Kazin. “It’s complicated.”
“Try me,” said Zylor.
Kazin took a deep breath. “In the future things are beginning to disappear.”
Zylor sat back but said nothing, waiting to hear more.
“At first, things that aren’t obvious or significant vanish, and are forgotten as though they had never existed. Then living things began to vanish, followed by animals, followed in turn by people.”
“People vanish?” asked Zylor incredulously. “Have none of them been found?”
“That’s the problem,” said Kazin. “They vanish as though they had never existed in the first place. As a result, all the things they had done never took place, and those who had known them don’t know them because they had never known them in the first place. They are completely forgotten!”
Zylor was aghast. “That’s incredible! How can this happen?”
Kazin shook his head. “That’s what I aim to find out.”
“Wait a minute!” Zylor scratched his chin. “If it’s as you say, - these people never existed in the first place - how do you know they did?”
Kazin smiled at his friend’s astute observation. “Those of us with stronger levels of magic have taken notice of these events, even though it had taken the disappearance of some of our own kind to react. Even so, there are still many unbelievers among us.” Kazin paused. “Our entire future is constantly changing by the disappearances that are happening. If this keeps up, we will have no future left!”
Zylor growled. “That is indeed a problem. But how is that related to our previous trip into the past?”
Kazin shrugged. “Maybe our previous trip had caused a minor change that had become more serious as time had gone on. Do you recall the invisibility ring that Sherman had found?”
Zylor thought a moment, remembering Kazin’s human body guard. He nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, don’t you think it might not have been meant to come with us to the future? Or how about Harran’s armour? Harran was a dwarf that was with them during that quest.”
Zylor nodded slowly. “I see what you mean. Those things could have changed history as it should have been.”
Kazin smiled wanly. “I don’t know if it’s relevant or not, but Sherman told me on his deathbed that he went on a quest into the past to correct something, but he refused to give me details. He simply told me I would eventually understand. He also told me he couldn’t say any more because I told him not to.”
Zylor’s eyes widened as Kazin spoke. “Sherman’s dead?” he whispered hoarsely.
Kazin quickly shook his head. “Not for a while, Zylor. In the distant future, yes, but not in your time here and now.”
Zylor exhaled and nodded in sudden understanding. “Of course. I forgot. But why didn’t he confide in you? Obviously you were with him when -.” He broke off.
Kazin grinned. “Now you see why he couldn’t say anything. My future self had to come to the conclusion on my own to go back in time. I’ve also concluded that my future self -,” he pointed to himself, “was to come back to this time to find Sherman and embark on this quest.”
“But why at this time?” asked Zylor.
Kazin sat back. “This is the time in my life that I discovered that Sherman had gone on a quest unknown to me. It must be now that my future self -,” again he pointed at himself, “has recruited him to go back in time.”
“How do I figure in all of this?” asked the minotaur.
“It seems,” said Kazin slowly, “that all of us who had gone back in time before were absent while my younger self was dealing with a serious problem at the Tower of Hope.” The Tower of Hope was the central gathering point of white-cloaked human clerics who studied and practiced the magic of healing and defense. “I’m sure each of you would have intervened on my behalf if it wasn’t for the fact that you were all either absent from this time, or ignorant of my problem, which I doubt.”
Zylor raised his fist. “I would never let you down!” he thundered.
“That’s what I figured,” said Kazin. “I was surprised when the minotaurs and dwarves didn’t show up when they were sorely needed. But I didn’t exactly have time to go and find out why, either.”
“Tell me where and when to send my forces -,” began Zylor.
Kazin raised a hand and cut him off. “We cannot change what has been,” said the mage seriously, “at least as far as I’m concerned. The problem I speak of will arise in your near future, but you will miss it because I’m hoping you’ll be with me.”
Zylor sighed and spread his hands. “I’d love to go, but I have a country to run and -.”
“I can have you back within a few weeks,” interjected Kazin.
“How do you know it won’t take longer?” asked Zylor.
“It
could take much longer,” admitted Kazin, “but I can still bring you back at the same time. That’s the beauty of time travel.”
“Then why don’t we go on this quest and be back in time for dinner today?”
Kazin shook his head. “It’s not easy to be that exact. In fact, it’s extremely difficult. Coming back so soon could create a paradox where you’ll be in two places at once. It’s precisely that sort of thing that can cause the sort of disappearances I’ve been talking about. I can’t guarantee the precise time of your return with that much accuracy, so I prefer to leave a leeway of a couple of weeks.”
Zylor sat back. “Two weeks is not that long. Even three weeks is acceptable. I have some vacation time coming up. I was planning to go on a boar hunt.” He glanced at the door where he knew some of his body guards were stationed. “I’d like to get away from those overprotective guards for a while.” He chuckled. “I can just imagine their faces when they find out I’m gone! It would be mass chaos!” He laughed again. “Besides, my battle skills need honing.” He looked into Kazin’s blue eyes. “Count me in!”
Kazin smiled. “Great! I knew I could count on you!” He rose and hobbled toward the door. “Make your preparations and meet me at the arena entrance in, shall we say, one hour?”
Zylor nodded. “Done.” He gestured to Kazin’s leg. “What happened to your leg?”
“You mean my limp?”
Zylor nodded.
“I’ve had it for years. It happened when -,” the mage paused. “Funny. I can’t seem to remember how I got it.” He scratched his head. “I’ve always limped, Zylor, you know that.”
Zylor shook his head. “You walked in here perfectly fine, ever since you showed up in the arena.”
Kazin shook his head. “You’re mistaken, Zylor. I’ve always had this limp.” A strange expression crossed the mage’s face. “See you in one hour.” With a few words of magic, the mage disappeared.
Zylor stood facing the spot where the mage had been a moment earlier. He had seen with his own eyes how the old mage had walked moments before with an agile spring to his step. He had always had the limp? Who was he fooling? Then it dawned on the minotaur. This was one of those things that Kazin had been talking about. To the mage, it was as though he had always limped. His history had been rewritten. Zylor clenched his teeth. He knew now that his friend needed his help. Badly. He wouldn’t let him down. It was time for action. He grinned his toothy grin. A small taste of bloodlust pumped through his veins and it felt good. It was time to do something exciting again. This was what a minotaur was meant to do! The next problem was how to get away from the guards for a while without raising suspicion.
Spirit Blade: Book III of the Dragon Mage Trilogy Page 1
