“I don’t know. Zollin doesn’t want to join Branock, but what choice does he have. Unless…” She was afraid to trust Edina, but what choice did she have? She needed help and the castle servant was her only choice. She could be a spy for Branock, but would finding out that she planned to escape really be a surprise? She decided she had very little to lose and everything to gain. “…Unless I can somehow get out of the castle.”
“Is your friend a wizard, too?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Can he heal people?”
“Yes, I’ve seen him work miracles,” Brianna said, trying to hide her excitement.
“Do you think he could heal the king?”
“I think it’s possible,” Brianna said. “I can’t say for sure, though.”
Edina looked at Brianna for a long moment, her small eyes seemed to penetrate deep into the young captive’s soul. Then she pulled Brianna to the far side of the room and spoke in a whisper.
“If I get you out, could your friend get past the guards and into the King’s private quarters?”
“I don’t know, I think so. He’s very powerful.”
“He might have to fight the king’s Royal Guard.”
“I know he could do it.”
“I’ve been around this castle a long time, and I’ve seen things I wish I could forget. I’ve seen men live and die, but the lingering sickness King Felix is suffering from isn’t natural. As soon as Prince Wilam was sent to Osla, King Felix fell ill. Prince Simmeron blamed the King’s surgeon and accused him of incompetence, then had him locked up in the dungeon. Of course the Prince brought in another healer, who hasn’t made a wit of difference, but Simmeron doesn’t seem to care as long as the King stays sick.”
“You mean…?”
“Yes, I mean the Prince is killing his father. There, I’ve said it. If you’re a spy, just go ahead and report me. I don’t care anymore. What Simmeron is doing isn’t right. King Felix is a good man, and he doesn’t deserve to die this way. Prince Wilam wouldn’t stand for it, but something is keeping him in Osla.”
“I’m no spy,” Brianna said. “I just want to get out of the castle and away from Branock.”
“I can get you out, but it will take a few days. I don’t know the bald wizard’s habits yet. But if you can wait that long, and if you promise to convince your friend to help the king, I’ll get you out.”
“It’s a deal,” Brianna said, throwing her arms around the servant’s shoulders and pulling her close.
At first Edina hesitated, but she embraced Brianna, then pulled away.
“I better go now,” she said. “I’ll make sure I see you at least once a day.”
“Thank you so much,” Brianna said.
Finally, hope seemed to break through the clouds of darkness surrounding her. She had an ally now, and together they would find a way to break free of the evil wizard Branock’s grasping plan.
Chapter 31
They had ridden along the dark road out of town as the sun peeked over the eastern horizon. Then they rode for another hour across the countryside. Miriam assured Zollin that she knew where she was and where she was going. Mansel rode in silence, sipping water and wine from two separate skins that he had slung across his saddle. His hand was throbbing, and he was light headed from the pain and lack of sleep, but he stayed in the saddle and didn’t complain. Growing up in a busy house with older brothers had taught him that showing weakness of any kind was an invitation for torment. So he dealt with the pain in silence.
Jax, on the other hand, was a virtual chatterbox. He talked about everything he saw, and it was obvious that he had never left the city. He rode behind Miriam on a sturdy looking, brown horse that was smaller than the cavalry horses that Zollin and Mansel rode. But the horse didn’t seem bothered by the extra weight. Miriam led the small group, and although she didn’t talk much, she was bright eyed and seemed excited.
Zollin had not stopped eating. He had cut off a portion of the smoked ham for Mansel as soon as they left the city, but he had steadily eaten the rest. He drank water and saved the other rations, but the ham was fair game. He only stopped eating long enough to ask a question, or to answer one of Jax’s many questions. When they reached a small grove of trees near a swiftly flowing stream, Zollin finally stopped eating. There wasn’t much left of the ham, but Zollin wrapped it up anyway. He wiped his greasy hands on his pants then helped Mansel down from his horse. The wounded swordsman found a soft place to lie down and fell almost instantly asleep.
Jax was charged with looking after the horses. There was plenty of fresh, spring grass for the horses to eat, so he loosened their girth straps and led them down to the stream for a drink. Zollin followed them and washed his face and hands in the cold water. Then he returned to their new camp. Miriam had found a comfortable spot to sit and watch for anyone approaching from Felson. Zollin approached her.
“So, will you tell me why you insisted on coming with us?” Zollin asked.
“I think you know,” she responded.
Zollin’s mind flashed to that moment in her barn when their hands had touched. He remembered the flash of desire that had heated his blood, but he was determined not to give into the temptation. He had made no commitment to Brianna, but he loved her just the same and he was determined to stay faithful to her.
“That can never happen,” he said. “I’m in love with another.”
Miriam laughed; it was a full throated, belly laugh that made Zollin smile, despite the fact that he was both embarrassed and a little offended by her response.
“What is so funny?” he demanded.
“I’m not here because I’m infatuated with you. What kind of a woman do you take me for? I’m old enough to be your mother.”
“I didn’t mean any offense,” he said sullenly.
“Oh, I’m not offended. I’m flattered. And I’ll admit, you’re a handsome young man and the thought of taking advantage of you crossed my mind, but that’s not why I came. You’re a wizard, and I don’t know much about wizards or magic, but when you touched me something changed. It was like a part of me that I’ve always known about, but could never really connect with, suddenly woke up. I’m seeing things differently and I don’t want that to end. I want to learn.”
“Learn what?”
“About healing,” she replied with a straight face, all traces of her humor gone. “When we touched, I think you passed something on to me. Some bit of magic or hidden knowledge.”
“I didn’t,” Zollin said.
“Well, something is different. I know that much, and until I figure it all out, I’m tagging along.”
“We aren’t out for a joyride,” Zollin said. “We’re going to Orrock to free our friend.”
“Is your friend a criminal?” she asked seriously.
“No, she was taken because the wizards of the Torr want me, dead or alive. One of them, a vile man named Branock, kidnapped her and is using her to lure me into the city.”
“And you’re going, even though you know it’s a trap?”
“I have to,” Zollin said, swallowing the lump in his throat as he realized what he was going to say next. “I love her.”
“Well, that’s a good reason to try and rescue someone, but love has a way of blinding people to danger. Let me come with you, I’ll help if I can.”
“I can’t guarantee your safety,” Zollin said. “And after we get a little rest, we will be moving as fast as possible.”
“I can keep up and I’ll pull my weight. Jax and I don’t eat much, and you might be surprised how useful Jax can be.”
“Alright,” Zollin said. “Don’t let us sleep past sunset. And if you see soldiers, or anyone approaching for that matter, wake me up immediately.”
“Okay,” she said.
Zollin turned back to where Mansel was asleep. He was cradling his broken hand. It was the only thing Zollin hadn’t had a chance to heal before they broke out of the guard house in the fort. All he wanted was to
lie down and sleep, but he knew he needed to help Mansel. It might be better if his friend were asleep anyway. He sat down on the soft grass beside Mansel and reached out with his magic. There were dozens of small bones in the hand, and it took a full hour to check each one and heal the six that had been broken or fractured. The hand was swollen, too, so Zollin made sure that the swelling was taken care of. By the time he was finished, Jax was curled up behind him, sleeping blissfully. Zollin walked back down to the stream and filled his stomach with cold water. He was hungry, too, but food would have to wait until he got some sleep.
The sun was just starting to set when Miriam shook Zollin awake. He opened his eyes and stretched. No one had approached the camp, and Miriam had gotten the horses ready before waking anyone up. She had also prepared a cold meal of bread, cheese, and fruit.
“Hey,” Mansel said, flexing his hand. “My hand is better.”
“Your mind is still a bit slow though,” Zollin teased.
“Hey, you may be a wizard, but when I lop off your head, I’ll be the one laughing.”
They mounted their horses and Zollin checked their direction with his pathfinder in the last of the fading daylight. They were moving steadily southwest. He didn’t know how long it would take them to reach Orrock, but he was glad that he was moving again. He rubbed Brianna’s ribbon between his fingers. He didn’t like to bring it out where people might see it, but, riding along in the dark, he wasn’t too worried. There was just enough starlight to see the shadowy forms of the other riders. They rode in silence, everyone pondering his or her own thoughts. It was close to midnight when they passed through a small village, but there were no signs of life; even in the small inn, the windows were all dark.
Not long after they had passed the village they came back to Weaver’s Road, which ran from Eddson Keep to Orrock. They saw no sign of other travelers, so they resumed their journey, able to move much more quickly on the open road than through the less traveled country lanes. They decided to stop just long enough to get food out of their provisions. The plan was to keep riding through the night and as long as they could the next day before stopping for rest. Even though Zollin, Mansel, and Jax had slept all day, they were still tired, and Miriam, who had rested very little the night before and kept watch over the camp all day, was exhausted. They needed to walk the horses for a while, which they did while they ate dried meat and crusty bread. It was not a savory meal, but it was food and they were all hungry.
They had just remounted their horses when they saw a shadow approaching. The figure was riding a horse and carrying a lamp of some sort. The light was pitched low, revealing the horse and the ground around it, but not the rider.
“Who would that be?” Miriam asked.
“Probably just another traveler,” said Zollin.
“Maybe, maybe not,” Mansel said. “You care if I check it out?”
“Not at all,” Zollin said.
Mansel loosened the sword in his sheath as he spurred his horse forward. The moon was just a sliver and, although the stars were shining brightly, the night was still very dark. Zollin, Jax, and Miriam strained to see what would happen.
Mansel stopped in the road, just ahead of the rider. Mansel was restless, perhaps looking for a fight, but something seemed odd about the man. He raised a hand and called out.
“Hello, traveler,” he said. “Where are you headed this night?”
The shadowy figure manipulated the lamp so that the light illuminated Mansel while still shrouding the stranger in darkness. Mansel squinted in the light.
“I don’t want trouble,” the stranger said in a croaking voice.
“Nor do we,” Mansel replied. “So, where are you headed?”
“Felson,” he croaked. “I have business there.”
“Alright,” Mansel said, a little disappointed. The truth was he had hoped that meeting a stranger on the road in the middle of the night would allow him to work out some of his pent up frustrations. He had enjoyed the fight in the inn the previous night, but his rough treatment at the hands of the soldiers had left him frustrated and on edge. But the stranger seemed like a simple traveler, so he shouted to Zollin and the others.
“It’s okay, he’s harmless.”
Zollin and Miriam urged their horses forward. The stranger watched them come, keeping the light between them and himself so that they never saw the man’s face. They rode around the stranger and down the road, perhaps a hundred paces. Then the attack came. It was swift and well rehearsed. Even in the dark, their attackers knew exactly what they needed to do. There were two brigands on either side of the road. They rushed at the group, shouting as they came. The startled horses reared, causing Jax and Miriam to fall off the back of their brown horse. Zollin and Mansel were struggling to get their animals under control, so they wouldn’t fall as well, when the brigands took hold of the horses’ bridles. Another grabbed Miriam’s horse while holding a sword pointed at the healer. The fourth put his boot on the middle of Jax’s back, effectively pinning him to the ground, while he kept an eye on Zollin and Mansel.
Mansel started to draw his sword, but the man holding Jax told him to stop.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” said the outlaw. “This boy’s the first to die and your lady friend will be next.”
“Bastards!” Mansel shouted in frustration.
“That’s right, we are bastards,” said the man with his foot on Jax. “We’re murdering thieves, too, so don’t try anything stupid.”
“What do you want?” Zollin said.
“Everything, of course, but we’ll start with your gold.”
“Zollin,” Mansel said angrily. “Can you keep them safe?”
“Yes,” said Zollin in a calm voice.
“Don’t be so certain,” said the outlaw with grim determination.
But Zollin wasn’t listening. It took a lot of concentration to identify the four bandits since they were in different places, but he managed it. He gave them all a hard push with his magic, which knocked them back all at once.
“Jax! Run to me!” Zollin shouted.
The boy scrambled up quickly as Mansel drew his sword. Zollin raised his staff in the air, and the end of it glowed so brightly it cast light all around them. They could see the brigands with shock on their faces. Mansel didn’t hesitated but spurred his horse forward, toward the outlaw who had seemed to be the leader. That’s when Zollin noticed the arrow racing toward his friend. The man they had passed on the road was now shooting at them from the darkness ahead. Zollin deflected the arrow and reached out with his magic. The man was at least a hundred feet from them, but he was the only living thing in that direction. Zollin levitated the man high into the air. The man was screaming in terror as Mansel cut down the first outlaw. The man had managed to get back to his feet and draw a heavy looking, short sword, but he was not prepared for the force of Mansel’s blow. It had all the momentum of the charging horse, as well as Mansel’s own strength. The outlaw’s sword was batted aside, and Mansel’s weapon sliced cleanly into the man’s neck and through the collar bone. Blood flashed out into the air, but Mansel was already past the man and wheeling his horse. The other outlaws were trying to flee, but they were on foot. Mansel guided his horse around Miriam, who was trying to calm her own horse back down from all the excitement.
Zollin levitated the man through the air back to where he and the others were waiting. Jax had just scrambled up behind Zollin when the man came crashing down. The stranger’s light had been dropped when Zollin lifted him. Now he lay in the dirt, one leg twisted at an odd angle. He was still screaming.
Mansel let his horse charge down the outlaw who had been holding Miriam’s horse. The other two bandits had fled in different directions, so Mansel let them go. He would have liked a fight, but riding down cowards didn’t interest him.
“That was amazing,” Jax said exuberantly.
“Are you okay?” Zollin asked.
“Sure,” the boy said. “I’m fine.”
“Miriam?” Zollin asked.
She hadn’t gotten back on her horse yet. She was staring at the man lying crumpled in the road. A look of terror, loathing, and compassion mingled on her face.
“Miriam? Are you okay?” Zollin asked.
“I’ll be pretty sore for a few days, but nothing is broken.”
“Mansel, watch this creature,” Zollin said as he climbed down off his horse. “Jax, take the reins.”
He walked over to Miriam and put his hands on her shoulders. There was the sting of electricity, and then his mind sought out the problems that had been caused by her fall. She had several sections of her spine that were out of alignment and bruises were forming on her back and bottom. He straightened her spine with several sharp movements of magic. Her back popped with each one, but the relief she felt was immediate. Healing the bruises took several minutes, but it was fairly easy work. When he was done, he went back to his horse and retrieved the bottle of wine from one of the saddle bags.
Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03 Page 62
