“What now?” Mansel asked.
“Take the horses back a short way. I’ll see what I can do.”
Zollin’s first thought had been to simply move the snow out of their path, but it was packed together. Even his magic couldn’t lift it, and if he had been able to, there was no place to put it. Instead he kindled fire from his staff. Not the blue, electrical energy, but bright yellow flames. The heat bounced off the snow, and Zollin was soon sweating, but the snow was melting quickly.
He realized he didn’t need to melt it all, but rather to just create a ramp that allowed them on top of the snow. It was packed enough that even the horses would walk across it. He led the way, making sure there were no unexpected weak spots on their path. For the most part, it was easy going, but Zollin’s damp clothes clung to his skin and made him cold. Just before sundown, Zollin used his power to make a small shelter for the horses between the snow in the pass and the side of the mountain. Zollin and Mansel climbed higher, where the sun had melted the snow. The rocky mountainside wasn’t comfortable, but it was better than trying to sleep on the snow. Plus, Zollin used his magic to heat the ground, so that although they had no campfire, they weren’t cold.
“It’s odd not to have a campfire, at least,” said Mansel. “I can handle the cold, but I miss having a fire to look at.”
“Don’t be so negative,” Zollin said. “Try looking up. You can see so much more of the stars without a fire.”
They were wrapped in blankets and although they had found a relatively level spot to camp, it still felt like one wrong move would send them rolling down the hillside.
“It isn’t natural,” Mansel said.
“Just imagine what Brianna must be feeling.”
“I don’t want to think about that.”
“Me either, but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t stop thinking about it. We may not be comfortable, but at least we’re not prisoners.”
“When we were chained up by the river, after the soldiers jumped you, that had to be the worst feeling of my life. I was lucky I was tired really. At least I was able to sleep through most of it.”
“I know what you mean. I can’t stop wondering what that bastard is doing to her. I wish that I had just gone after her. This waiting around is killing me.”
“You did the right thing,” Mansel said kindly. “I think Quinn was right. We need to be smart. I’m as anxious as anyone to get Brianna back, but we need to do it on our terms.”
“You love her, don’t you?” Zollin said, swallowing the huge lump in his throat. He’d been happy to believe that Mansel didn’t have feelings for Brianna, but lying there, side by side, in the dark, he couldn’t help but ask.
“I love her like a sister,” Mansel said. “It might have been different in Tranaugh Shire, but not now. She’s got some weird connection with you, and I’m not ready to be in love with any one person. There’s lots of pretty in the world, Zollin. I mean to see as much of it as I can.”
Zollin took a deep, shuttering breath. Hearing Mansel say that he loved Brianna like a sister was a huge relief. His view of the world was changing, even the way he saw the tanner’s son, who had always been his rival for Quinn’s attention and approval, but it was hard to think that any girl would choose Zollin over Mansel. He was rugged and handsome, a man’s man and the kind of man that girls swooned over. He wore his sword with authority, and his shaggy hair and sheepish grin only made him even more likable.
“What made you come with us?” Zollin asked. “I don’t mean from Tranaugh Shire, but from Brighton’s Gate. You were a hero there. Could have had your pick of the town’s daughters.”
“And died of boredom,” Mansel said.
“You could have led the town against the Skellmarians.”
“No, that’s not my thing. I love the fighting, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing I’d rather do than fight, but I’m not Quinn. Strategy isn’t my thing. Just give me a sword and point me toward the bad guys, that’s what I like. I certainly don’t want people looking to me for advice. Besides, the Skellmarians are beaten, they’ll go back up in the mountains and not be seen again until we’re old men. No thanks, I’d rather ride into adventure than sit and hope it doesn’t pass me by.”
Zollin pondered this. It made him think about what he really wanted to do. He was a wizard, and he wanted to learn and grow in that power as much as he could—but to what end, he wondered. He’d never really given it much thought. He’d been learning to fight with magic, just like Mansel had with his sword. It was all about survival and protecting those he loved. But what would he do once he’d won Brianna back? Could he disappear the way Kelvich had, live in isolation? He knew he would never leave Brianna, and the thought of the two of them alone sounded wonderful, actually. But he also knew he would get bored. He would need something to do, something to give his life meaning and purpose. But what? He could be a merchant, but that was laughable. He was about as good with money as he was at carpentry, and why bother buying and selling when he could turn the stones at his feet into gold? There had to be something worth doing, something good and honorable, but he didn’t know what it was.
“You ever think about home?” Mansel asked.
“Sometimes,” Zollin admitted. Mansel had startled him out of his meditation on the future.
“I wouldn’t mind passing through on my way to Orrock. Just to let my family know I’m okay.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I can do that,” Zollin said. “It’s not really on the way, and I’m not ready to face Todrek’s parents. Not while we’re still trying to figure who wants me dead and why.”
“Oh,” Mansel said. “I didn’t think of that. It’s probably not a good idea, anyway. The bad guys might expect you to try and go back.”
“I didn’t think of that, but you’re probably right.”
They sat in silence for a while, the lack of sleep and the extreme amounts of adrenaline that had been pumped through their systems yesterday was taking it toll quickly. Zollin’s eyelids were drooping.
“You think she’s thinking about us?” Zollin asked.
“Who, Brianna? I’ll bet she is. I’ll bet she’s constantly looking over her shoulder, expecting to see us come riding to the rescue any moment.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Zollin said. “She’ll probably hate me for not doing just that.”
“No, I don’t think so,” said Mansel. “She’s smart. She of all people would want you to do things the right way. She’ll be watching for you, but she’ll want you to surprise her and, more importantly, shock the hell out of the coward that took her.”
“He’s a powerful wizard, but I could have killed him. If that blasted dragon hadn’t interfered, I would have.”
“Listen to you, talking about a dragon like it was a cow or something. You fought a dragon and managed to drive it away. They’ll be writing songs about that before long.”
“I didn’t kill the dragon,” Zollin said.
“No, but you fought one. I didn’t even believe they were real until that one showed up. That was scary. I don’t know that I could have done what you did.”
“I didn’t at first. I was trying to run away, but it was too big and Kelvich was hurt. We just couldn’t get away fast enough. I didn’t want it to hurt them, so I just ran out there without really thinking about it. When it was over, I was so focused on finding Brianna that I never really thought about it.”
“That was a big, nasty beast. The neck and tail were so long.”
“I know, it used the tail to try and kill me. It almost worked, too. In fact, if it hadn’t missed me and slammed into the Gateway, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“I thought they were supposed to have impenetrable skin,” said Mansel.
“Me, too, but this one didn’t. Some of those wood shards stabbed right into it.”
“It’s too bad we didn’t kill it. That would have been something for the minstrels to sing about. Mansel and Zollin, slaying
the dragon, side by side.”
“Well, if it shows up again, I’ll remember you said that,” Zollin said.
They both laughed and then grew silent. Each lost in his own thoughts. Zollin’s mind feverish over Brianna. Mansel dreaming of glory with his sword.
* * *
Brianna was looking at the same stars, only she was forced to view them from the tiny cabin doorway. She was huddled under blankets on the floor. Branock had slept less than Brianna, but he seemed to need very little sleep. He dozed through the day and spent his nights out on the deck, gazing up at the stars. He seemed impervious to the cold and long hours of solitude. Brianna had spent hours working alone in her father’s shop or doing chores around their home, but the sound of voices had never been far away. She loathed the vile wizard and had no wish to speak to him, but she missed being around people.
Drogan and his sons worked the vessel but kept to themselves. If they talked, it was in low voices that Brianna couldn’t hear. It was obvious that they were afraid of Branock, and why shouldn’t they be? He was terrifying to look at. His scarred face and ruined eye were the stuff of nightmares and ghost stories. She had hoped at first that the fishermen might try to save her, but they didn’t, and she didn’t blame them. They could only guess at what Branock could do, but she knew. She had seen the fire billowing from his hands and rushing out to envelope her. If it hadn’t been for the ring that Zollin had given her, she would have been killed.
She couldn’t think of dying, the thought brought tears to her eyes. It made her think of poor Todrek, and the way his eyes stared when the life had left his body. His flesh had gone waxy, like the drippings from a candle. It had terrified her and not because he was her husband or because of love—she had never loved him. It was because it was so final. She wondered what would happen to her once Branock had Zollin. She had hoped beyond hope that Zollin would come riding to rescue her, but once they set sail on the small fishing boat, it was obvious that no horse could keep up. Even if Zollin could magically boost a horse’s stamina as Branock had done, no animal could keep pace with the rapidly flowing river. The spring thaw had not only flooded the river, but quickened its pace tenfold.
She had no idea where he was, but she hoped that somewhere he was looking at the same stars and thinking of her. She closed her eyes and pulled the blankets closer, trying not to shiver. She was still very sore. It would have helped to walk around and work some of the soreness out of her muscles and joints. Branock had not allowed that, however. She was confined to the cabin, and although her body ached, she didn’t mind. He rarely spent time in the small space, and she wanted to be as far from him as possible. Plus, the water frightened her. She remembered seeing Quinn slip and fall into the icy water when he had fought the Skellmarian chief. It was a nightmare beyond imagining and, despite the fact that Zollin had rescued Quinn, it had left Brianna with nightmares for weeks. She dreamed that she was the one falling into the river and being carried downstream under the thick layer of ice, freezing and drowning, until she clawed her blankets as if they were slimy tentacles holding her under the water.
She stretched her sore muscles, which hurt, but felt good at the same time. She adjusted her body on the rough floor of the cabin again. She had to move around a lot to alleviate the constant pain the rough floor caused her. Still, she was alive, and Branock had not hurt her anymore since they had boarded the ship. That was something to be grateful for. She looked up at the stars one more time before closing her eyes.
“Oh, Zollin,” she said in a quiet voice. “Where are you?”
* * *
The next morning, just before dawn, Kelvich woke up and stirred from his place by the fire. He had been asleep for most of the day before, only waking briefly as people came into his cabin. He had thought it strange that so many people were coming and going, bustling about the small space as if they belonged, but he was just too weary to care. He felt better, much better in fact, but his body was drained of energy. So he had slept. The fire had warmed him, as had the blankets that were draped over him and his rocking chair.
He rose and stretched the knotted muscles in his back, neck, and legs. His bones popped, but the people, mostly children, wrapped in blankets on the floor didn’t seem to mind. They were sleeping deeply as the morning’s chill crept into the room. The fire was down to just a few glowing embers, but it was enough to kindle a new blaze. Beside the fireplace, an ample supply of firewood had been neatly stacked, from fat logs to thin shavings used for kindling the fire. He started with the shavings, and once he had them crackling, he added more wood until the fire was warming the small cabin nicely. Then he ventured to the front door.
In the clearing, he found long tables and several cooking fires with spits. There were barrels stacked neatly, and a crew of women were already hard at work preparing meals. Among the trees, which no longer held snow, were the ghostly forms of white tents. Kelvich closed the door quietly and made his way to the rear of the house. His bedroom had been cleared of furniture and converted to a storeroom. There was a faint smell of smoke in the room, which was stacked with bottles of wine, potatoes, loaves of bread, and wheels of cheese. Kelvich opened the back door to find a make shift pen with sheep, dogs, swine, goats, and a few milking cows all separated into their own areas. The smell of the animals was strong and unpleasant. There was also a large saw set up to mill lumber. Kelvich found Quinn looking over the saw.
“What’s going on around here?” Kelvich asked him as he stepped out into the cold morning.
“Townspeople set up camp here,” Quinn said gruffly.
“Why here?”
“I told them to.”
“Why? Why not in the town where they live? I don’t recall inviting my home to become a camp and cattle yard.”
“No, you weren’t well and so I didn’t consult with you,” Quinn said in a tight, cold voice that betrayed his anger. “These people needed a safe place to rebuild their lives, and this was as good as any.”
“They’re ruining my property,” Kelvich said, not quite sure why he was arguing about it. He didn’t really care, nor did he expect to be living here much longer, but the anger in Quinn’s voice had put him on the defensive.
“I don’t give a damn about your property,” Quinn said. “You want to tell me where that dragon came from?”
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The hell you don’t. You told us that Zollin was waking up the land, that magical beings were being drawn to him. What you didn’t mention were dragons. But since one just happened to show up and destroy the town, I’m guessing it was drawn to him, and you just forgot to mention it.”
“Quinn, I had no idea about that or any other dragon.”
“But you knew it was possible.”
“I know that there are many wondrous parts of our world that have lain dormant for centuries. But like anything, you have to take the good with the bad. I didn’t know about the dragon, but I’m not surprised by it. I think we’re going to see things that will astound us all.”
“Oh,” Quinn said spitefully. “I’m astounded alright. Astounded by your stupidity. What I can’t quite figure out is why you want this so badly. Why do you want to unleash dangerous creatures on the land, Kelvich? What do you gain? Is it just some sort of perverted sense of revenge?”
“Don’t be a fool,” Kelvich said in a low voice.
“I’ve been a fool, letting Zollin anywhere near you. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Zollin’s a grown man, he can do whatever he pleases.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” said Quinn. “Unleash his awful power and ride his coattails to power. Is that your game?”
“I’m not playing any games.”
“Neither am I,” Quinn said, stepping to within inches of the older man and lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. “I see you near him again, and I’ll kill you.”
“What are you talking about?” Kelvich said lou
dly.
“You heard me, old man,” Quinn said. “I don’t care who or what you are. You stay away from Zollin.”
Some of the other men from Brighton’s Gate had begun to gather around them, a fact that Quinn didn’t seem to mind. Kelvich was flabbergasted. He didn’t know what was happening, but he didn’t like it. Neither did he like the fact that he hadn’t seen Zollin in the cabin or anywhere near it.
“Where is he?” Kelvich asked, suddenly very worried.
“None of your concern,” Quinn said flatly.
“Quinn, you didn’t send him after the girl alone, did you?”
“He’s a grown man, he can do whatever he pleases,” Quinn said in a mocking tone. “He’s not alone. And I’ll be joining him in a few days, but you won’t.”
“I have to,” Kelvich said. “He needs me.”
“No, this town needs you. Stay here and clean up the mess you created. I can take care of my family.”
“I’m not questioning your ability, Quinn, but Zollin needs someone who understands him, who understands the burden of his abilities. He needs me,” Kelvich said with a note of desperation.
“More like you need him,” Quinn said. “I meant what I said. You go near him, and I’ll kill you.”
Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03 Page 48
