“Zollin stopped it at the Gate,” Quinn said proudly. “I don’t know what it would take to stop a dragon, but I’m sure there are still courageous people willing to fight rather than let the beast run roughshod over Yelsia.”
“I hope you’re right,” Kelvich said. “I hope none of this is true, but Zollin is waking up the magical world. That is his destiny, and a lot of things are going to change.”
“You said that before, but you didn’t mention dragons. Do you think there are other evil creatures that he might wake up, as you put it?”
“I would imagine so, and the changes might take a long time to adapt to. Older people like us are too set in our ways to learn new tricks. We’d rather fight to keep things the same than let the current of change sweep us into a new adventure.”
“Why do you keep saying this is Zollin’s destiny?”
Kelvich hesitated a moment. It wasn’t that he was surprised by the question, but that he wasn’t sure Quinn was ready to hear the answer. He’d find out, sooner or later, if they survived that long. But Quinn’s anger over the dragon didn’t make Kelvich want to open up about the Prophecy of Xan.
“Don’t keep me in the dark here, Kelvich. You’re a good man; you don’t have to hide what you know, good or bad.”
“We’ve been through a lot over the last week or so,” Kelvich said. “You may not know this, but I’ve lived four lifetimes.”
Quinn looked at the old sorcerer. He was older than Quinn, who was in his late forties, but Kelvich didn’t yet look sixty years old. His hair was grey, but plenty of people went grey at a young age. Quinn had even seen men in their thirties go bald or have a head full of grey hair. Perhaps Kelvich had a few more wrinkles than other men his age, but four lifetimes didn’t make any sense.
“I’m not sure I follow you,” Quinn said.
“I’m a sorcerer, Quinn, do you know what that means?”
“Well, Zollin told me a little. Said you were a teacher or something. Of course, I’ve heard the bedtime stories and even a few tales that chilled my blood, but I never believed them. To be honest, I’d never seen real magic before Zollin came into his power. So why don’t you tell me what a sorcerer is?”
“A sorcerer is different from a wizard,” he explained. “We have some rudimentary powers, but they are mostly in the form of knowledge, not like Zollin’s. The skill we are most known for is the ability to control magic in other people.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you know that Zollin can sense magic in other things, like his staff.”
Quinn nodded.
“Alright, I can do that, too. But Zollin can manipulate and use that power. I can see the magic in him, sort of like reading a book. I can’t manipulate the power in other objects, but I do have the ability to control the magic in people. I can, in many ways, take over their minds and bodies. That’s what sorcerers can do, we control magic users.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Quinn said, frowning.
“It isn’t,” Kelvich admitted. “I’ve done a lot of things in my lifetime that I’m not proud of. For me, magic is intoxicating. When I’m near someone with power, I know that I can take it from them.”
Quinn had a dark expression. He’d come to trust Kelvich, but now he was wondering if that trust had been misplaced.
“Look, I know it sounds bad, but sorcerers don’t always choose to use their power to manipulate and control people. Sometimes we use it to teach. That’s what I’ve been doing with Zollin.”
“And what you were supposed to do to the wizards from the Torr,” Quinn said.
“Yes, exactly,” Kelvich replied.
“So what happened there?”
“A fluke really, I’ll explain it later, but the point is I’ve used my power in the past to do what wizards do. One of the things a wizard can do is prolong his life through regeneration spells. The wizards we fought, the ones from the Torr that followed you to Brighton’s Gate, were hundreds of years old. And so am I.”
Kelvich waited while Quinn processed these revelations. They walked a long way before the carpenter spoke up again.
“So you’re old. What does that have to do with Zollin and waking up the world?”
“I’ve been to many foreign lands,” Kelvich explained. “The Torr would dominate or destroy anyone with magical power, so the Five Kingdoms have not always been safe for me. I’ve sailed to distant lands, where the people look different and have knowledge of different things. I spent time in a realm called Bushado. In ancient times, the wizards from the Five Kingdoms traveled the world.
“Magic exists throughout the world, and there are six levels of magic. The first level is an illusionist, a person skilled in trickery. They have very little power and even less control. Then there are herbalists, or apothecaries. People who have a gift for herb lore and healing. Then there are alchemists, people skilled in the art of transmutation. They deal in metals and minerals, bending them to their will. These are the first three levels of magic, even though few people recognize it as such. These levels of magic are called the Amnic and the illusionists, herbalists, and apothecaries are called the Amnicolists. Many still exist all over the world, although very few truly understand their power.
“Then there are the other three levels of magic. Sorcerers can sense and control magic in others, but have very little power of their own. Next is a warlock, who has great power, but very little control; in fact the magic they contain drives most insane. Many sorcerers take control of warlocks and, depending on the sorcerer’s personality, both can benefit. Then there are wizards, who vary in the strength of their power, but most have at least some skill in two or more of the other levels. These three upper levels of magic are called Terimanic and the sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards are referred to as Interamians. What I learned is that while magic exists all over the world, it is only in the Five Kingdoms that the Interamians, or three upper levels of magic users, exist.”
“What does that mean?” Quinn asked.
“Well I can’t be sure, but it makes sense that we are the linchpin, the gate, if you will, through which magic flows out to all the world.”
“We are?”
“Well, not us individually, I mean the Five Kingdoms. Magic originates and is most powerful here.”
“Okay, so what does that have to do with Zollin?”
“The Torr came to power centuries ago, even before I was born. Their quest to control the Interamians, in essence, closed the gate. Magic stopped flowing into the world. Fewer and fewer people had the gift of power, and those that did were forced into joining the Torr or killed. But Zollin has defied the Torr, and his power is unlocking the gate, so to speak. The longer he roams free through the Five Kingdoms, the more magic will be awakened in this realm and throughout the world.”
“And you know this how?” Quinn asked.
Kelvich had hoped that Quinn would just take his word for it, but now he had no choice. Quinn was looking at him the way a father looks at a truculent child.
“I was told by a very wise man named Xan in Bushado that I would mentor a wizard who would wake up the world. He said it would be the Roshee Mozioto, the Magic Awakening.”
Chapter 27
Felson was a bustling city spread out around the east to west road that ran from Eddson Keep to Orrock and then to the sea. There was a large, stone tower, and a legion of the King’s army was stationed in what amounted to a small fort. The city had grown around the military post, providing services to the soldiers, who were paid monthly in silver. In turn, the presence of the fort provided security to the people of the town and so it had grown. There was also a large equine training field for the cavalry, which could set out for any part of the kingdom from their centralized location.
Like most cities of size, Felson was surrounded by a shanty town of huts and makeshift houses that were little more than hovels. . The people of the shanty town stared up at Zollin and Mansel with blank stares as the two young men passed. The
town proper was divided by the east-west road. Inns and shops lined both sides of the thoroughfare, with well built, timber homes surrounding the commerce area. It was just before sundown, and the two travelers needed supplies. Zollin would have preferred to keep moving, but he knew that by the time they had purchased all they needed it would be full dark.
They found an inn and climbed down from their weary horses. A young serving boy came running up to them.
“Looking for rooms, gentlemen?” he called out.
“That’s right, lad,” Mansel said happily. “One with soft beds, plenty of ale, and the best food in town.”
“Inns are full up,” said the boy. “The town’s full of refugees from villages that were destroyed by the dragon.”
“You mean there’s no place to stay here?” Zollin asked.
Mansel was speechless.
“Well, there’s places for an honest traveler to stay, if he can afford it,” said the boy, grinning. “Many of the locals are renting rooms and stables. But it isn’t cheap.”
“That’s fine; can you take us to one such place?” Zollin asked.
“Sure,” said the boy excitedly. “I know just the place.”
“Zollin...” Mansel began, sounding like a disappointed child.
“Go ahead and drink yourself silly,” said Zollin. “I’ll get our gear settled and then join you in a bit.”
Mansel smiled and slapped Zollin on the back. “You’re a good man, I don’t care what Quinn says about you,” he joked.
Zollin took the reins of Mansel’s horse and followed the boy through the busy streets. There were people and animals everywhere. Zollin noticed locals staring at the newcomers with disdain from open windows and doorways. Many of the people were moving quickly, with their heads down, trying not to disturb anyone.
“It doesn’t look like the refugees are very welcome here,” Zollin said to his guide.
“Yes, some say blessing, others say curse. The inn keepers are growing rich and others are worried about thieves. But there is nothing anyone can do about it. Most of the people lost everything when their villages were destroyed.”
“Won’t the King’s army keep the peace in the town?”
“Normally they would, but they’re out dragon hunting, most of them, at any rate. There’s a few left in the fort, but there are just too many people to keep track of. They do their best, but they’re too busy. Although not too busy to sometimes drink at one of the inns.”
The boy led Zollin to a long, low house with a small, stone wall encircling it and a larger building behind. The boy ran into the house and returned with a short woman with a pleasant face. She had a few wrinkles around her eyes and across her forehead, some streaks of grey in her short hair, but she smiled at Zollin. There was none of the animosity he’d seen in many of the other local townspeople. More interesting to Zollin was the spark of magic he sensed in her. She was a healer, he could tell that even before she spoke.
“Hello, I’m Miriam,” she said, holding out a gloved hand. “I’m sorry about my appearance, I’ve been working in the garden.”
Zollin shook it. “I’m Zollin. I’m just passing through but looking for a place to spend the night.”
“Well, Zollin, you’ve come to the right place. I’m the animal healer here in Felson,” she said. “I don’t have room in the house; my spare rooms are already taken. But if you don’t mind sleeping in the barn, you’re welcome to it.”
“That would be fine,” Zollin said, thinking of how Mansel would complain about the arrangement, but they didn’t seem to have much choice. He held out four silver coins to Miriam.
“Oh, no, I can’t take your money for making you sleep in the barn,” she said, laughing.
“Believe me, it’s much better than sleeping out in the open.”
“We’ll you let Jax see to your horses. He’ll rub them down and make sure they’re fed and comfortable for just one silver coin.”
Zollin wasn’t sure if she was emphasizing the price for his sake or for Jax’s, who looked a little crestfallen.
“I need supplies,” Zollin said. “And if you have the time, I’ll pay you to check the horses’ hooves and make sure they’re well.”
“I can do that,” Miriam said, smiling. “I’ll see to the horses and let Jax show you through town. There’s a lot of people taking advantage of travelers right now, but there are still honest folk here about.”
“That’s good to know,” said Zollin.
“You take care of Zollin,” Miriam said to Jax. “Honest work deserves an honest reward. You remember that.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, obviously relieved to be showing Zollin around rather than being stuck in the barn looking after the horses.
“And see that he gets back early.” She turned her attention back to Zollin. “I’m afraid there have been some fights and unpleasantness in the town. I’m sure you’ll want to avoid that sort of thing.”
“Yes, I would. Thank you again for your generosity and thoughtfulness.”
She took the horses from Zollin, who retrieved his staff and watched as she led the animals around the house. Then Jax led Zollin back out into the street.
“What sort of supplies do you need?” he asked.
“Just food mainly. Bread, cheese, dried meat, and fruit. The sort of things that will keep on the road.”
“I know a few places,” he said, smiling, and led the way at a quick pace.
“Miriam seems nice,” Zollin said. “Is she your mother?”
“No, my parents were arrested and hanged.”
Zollin couldn’t believe his ears. The boy talked about his parents’ deaths as though he were discussing the weather.
“They were trying to con some people out of their belongings, and when things didn’t work out they stabbed a man. I don’t remember too much about them. I was only five years old at the time.”
“I’m sorry,” Zollin said earnestly.
“Don’t be. I get along just fine on my own. I have a loft in Miriam’s barn. She feeds me in exchange for a little work. I have a few other patrons, too. The inn keeper where your friend is drinking pays me to help when he’s busy. I help Rothon when his supplies come in. He’s a furrier, and I stack his pelts when the trappers come to sell him their furs. Plus a few others, and no one tells me to wash up or go to bed or to be home by supper.”
Zollin could understand what Jax was saying, but he also knew what the boy wasn’t saying. Zollin’s mother had died giving birth to him, and the hole in his heart from not having a mother ached terribly at times.
“I lost my mother,” Zollin said. “She died giving birth to me. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Jax waved the sentiment away. “We’re here,” he said. “This is Broton’s shop. He’s the best smoker and curer in town. He may have some dried fruit, too.”
They went inside the store and were met by a large, smiling man. The entire store smelled of smoked meat and spices. There were dried peppers hanging from the ceiling in bunches and crates of cured meat for customers to choose from. Zollin had grown up in a small town and had never been inside a shop like this one. There were jars of spices, with different colors and different sizes. A row of bins held nuts, all shelled and ready to eat. There were crocks of honey, and whole hams hung from hooks over the counter where the man stood.
“Hello, Jax,” the man said happily. “It seems you’ve brought me another fine customer.”
“I have,” the boy said.
“My name is Broton,” the man said. “How can I help you?”
Zollin felt like a kid in a candy store. He bought a small ham, smoked venison, dried pork, and strips of cured beef. He also bought a small jar of All Spice, some dried peppers, a variety of nuts, and a bag of salt. He paid the man in silver and then they moved on.
He bought a large sack of hearty bread that was freshly baked and guaranteed to stay good for a week—at least that was what the baker said. They stopped at another stall and bought vege
tables. There were onions, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and some fresh herbs.
Both Zollin and Jax were laden with the supplies as they returned to Miriam’s house. They found her in the barn. The horses had been unsaddled and rubbed down. They were eating oats and seemed extremely pleased. Jax led Zollin to a large, empty stall where they left the food, but Zollin kept his staff. He saw at least three cats, all busy patrolling the barn in search of any mouse or rat foolish enough to enter their domain.
“Your horses are in good shape,” Miriam said, but there was a strange look in her eye. “Jax, run to the house and fetch my bag. I need to check on something.”
The boy left and the woman squared her shoulders at Zollin. She was smaller than he was, but she projected strength that would have intimidated most people.
Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03 Page 57
