They rode through the day, talking and making plans. Brianna had begun to practice with her new bow again, but she had not asked Zollin for help. They avoided inns, although they took the opportunity to eat if they passed through a village during a mealtime. Still, they were always taken for a couple and offered a single room with one bed in it. And while they were still friendly, their feelings had cooled considerably. They both agreed that camping out each night was an easier choice, and so they often rode late into the evening, sometimes lighting torches and riding into the night.
It took them three days to reach Felson, and they were both tired and sore when they arrived. They found the city overflowing with refugees. One of the large army barracks had been converted into temporary housing for the displaced villagers from the north who were constantly flowing into the city. The inns were all full and makeshift shelters had been thrown together using whatever materials the refugees could find.
Zollin led their horses through the streets, trying to remember where Miriam’s home was located. Everything looked different to him and he was a little embarrassed that he couldn’t remember where to go. He hoped that Kelvich had stayed with Miriam, otherwise they would have to search every inn until they found him. Felson was a large city with more than a dozen inns. It was the central city in Yelsia and had a very large market. It wasn’t as large or as fortified as Orrock, but it did have a large garrison of cavalry soldiers, a full legion was stationed there so that they could be dispatched at a moment’s notice to every corner of the kingdom. There were also soldiers whose job was to equip and maintain the garrison. When Zollin had passed through on his way to rescue Brianna, he and Mansel had run into trouble with some of the troops who policed the city. He hoped that he wouldn’t be remembered for that incident, even though he had a letter from the King. He didn’t want to deal with resentment from the very people he would be working with.
Zollin was about to admit that he didn’t know where he was when he heard a familiar voice.
“Zollin! Master Zollin,” came the high-pitched adolescent voice of his young friend, Jax.
Zollin and Brianna turned to see the boy darting through the crowds of people. Jax was an orphan who lived where he could and earned a living helping various friends around the city. He was resourceful and bright, but most importantly he knew where Kelvich and Miriam could be found.
“Jax!” he cried. “How are you?”
“Fine, but busy. I’ve been expecting you.”
“You have? Well, can you take us to Miriam and Kelvich?”
“I can take you to Miriam. Kelvich will be busy at the garrison until at least sundown. He’s working with the healers to help the soldiers.”
“What’s wrong with the soldiers?” Brianna asked.
“They were wounded fighting the dragon,” he said excitedly. “Many were killed, but I thought you would know that. Did your father find you in Orrock?”
“Yes,” Zollin said.
“That is good. Follow me now and stay close. The city has become very crowded.”
They followed Jax through the busy streets. Zollin was glad that Jax had found them, he realized it would have taken him hours to find Miriam’s home again. When they arrived, Zollin was surprised to see so many animals grazing in her small corral.
“Miriam has been busy with her animals,” Jax explained. “She’ll be in the barn.”
They opened the gate and went around the main house and into the barn. The stalls were all occupied, some with animals and others with people. Miriam was wrapping a long bandage around a horse’s foreleg. Zollin was a little worried about the reception he would get from Miriam. She had followed Mansel and Zollin out of Felson in hopes of learning more about her craft as an animal healer, but their decision to put an outlaw to death was more than she could deal with. Zollin had been surprised when Quinn had mentioned meeting her and even more surprised by the way he seemed to have been taken with her after only meeting her for a few minutes. Still, if they were to have a future, it would depend greatly on how Miriam felt about Zollin.
“Miriam,” Jax said loudly. “Look who’s here!”
Miriam looked up and Zollin was again surprised as he felt his magic leap out to her.
“Zollin Quinnson,” she said. “It is good to see you again.”
“And you, Miriam. I hope all is well.”
“Busy,” she said, smiling as she stood up and patted the horse she had been ministering to. “The city is full of people and they all need a place to keep their animals.”
“I hope you have room for a couple more humans,” he said, still not quite sure he would be welcome.
“I’ve saved room. Kelvich stays here when he isn’t working through the night at the garrison. I’m glad you’ve made it. Where’s your father?”
“He and Mansel were sent on a mission to Osla by the King. We, too, have a task, but we’ll need help,” Zollin said, relieved that she didn’t seem upset at how they had parted ways. “This is Brianna,” he said.
“You are welcome here, Brianna,” Miriam said. “I take it you were successful in your quest, then?”
“It was difficult, to be sure, but we stopped Branock, although Brianna had already escaped,” Zollin confessed.
“But you healed King Felix,” Brianna added. “That was by far the most important outcome.”
Zollin smiled at Brianna and for a moment he felt tenderness for her flicker to life. The spark of his feelings for her wasn’t dead. He wondered if she felt the same way.
“Let me show you where you can keep those two fine horses,” Miriam said.
Miriam helped them unsaddle and rub down the horses. She put them in a stall together and gave them both a bucket of oats. Then she took Zollin and Brianna into her home. Zollin had never been inside Miriam’s house, he and Mansel had taken a stall in the barn when they had passed through before. There was a large central room with a tidy kitchen and several well-made chairs with cushions tied to the seats and the backs.
“You have a lovely home,” Brianna said.
“Thank you, it’s been in my family a long time. My great grandfather was a healer, too, he built the barn and the corral, but that was when the city was smaller. Can I get you some wine?”
“That would be nice,” Zollin said. He didn’t really love wine, but it was better than water, which is all they had been drinking since they left the refugee village.
Miriam poured three small cups and passed them around.
“So, tell me what’s going on,” she said.
“We’ve been sent to deal with the dragon,” Zollin said. “Mansel and Quinn have been sent to Osla to protect Prince Wilam.”
“To Osla?” Miriam asked, surprised. “Why?”
“There’s a possibility that Branock sent assassins to murder the Prince,” Zollin said.
“It’s not a possibility, I heard him,” Brianna said and there was anger in her voice. “Branock hired the Mezzlyn to kill the Prince.”
“The Mezzlyn,” Miriam said, concerned.
“They were sent out several days before Quinn,” Brianna said. “There probably isn’t much hope that he’ll get there before the Mezzlyn.”
“And if they do,” Zollin added, “they’ll be okay. We ran into assassins in Brighton’s Gate.”
He could tell that Miriam was upset. She had been hoping to see Quinn again and Zollin felt bad for her. He wanted nothing more than for his father to be happy, but he had more pressing concerns.
“I need to find Kelvich,” he explained. “Can you take us to him?”
“He’s at the garrison working with the healers. Many of the troopers who made it back were wounded.”
“They fought the dragon?” Brianna asked.
“They set out to fight the dragon. They were attacked at night, didn’t Quinn tell you?”
“Yes, but he didn’t mention that a lot of the troops were wounded.”
“Well, apparently the beast harried them several more times as
they were retreating. Small groups have been returning daily, most have several wounded men with them. It has been a difficult time. More refugees take shelter in the city. Crime is up. Food supplies are running low. If something doesn’t happen soon, there could be riots.”
“Has word been sent to King Felix?” Zollin asked.
“I’m sure the troops have sent reports, but you’re the first help I’ve heard of. I’m not sure what you can do, but anything would be welcome.”
“Let’s start by helping Kelvich,” Zollin said. “Then we’ll figure out what to do from there.”
Miriam led the way through the crowded city and out to the garrison. Zollin was familiar with the fort in the city, but it was mainly officers’ quarters and a small barracks for the soldiers on tower duty. The center of the fort was a massive stone tower that allowed a person to see for miles in every direction. Most of the legion stayed in barracks that were constructed further out of town, where the army had set up stables, corrals, and a training space for the cavalry.
Outside of the town proper the crowds thinned considerably, although there were still people milling about. Most looked like they were at a loss for something to do. Miriam led them to the garrison, where there were several barracks buildings. The closest one had been converted for civilian use. Refugees were allowed to stay in the barracks in exchange for help maintaining the stables and horses. There was plenty of work to be done. There were weapons that needed sharpening, armor that needed repairing, and of course the horses required a lot of work. Two of the barracks buildings now housed the wounded. Many of the refugee women had been conscripted to serve as nurses for the wounded soldiers.
Miriam led Zollin to one of the soldiers stationed at the entrance to one of the barracks.
“We’re looking for Kelvich,” said Zollin.
“He’s inside helping the healers,” the soldier said. “You can leave word for him here and I’ll be sure he gets the message.”
“I’m a wizard,” Zollin said. “I can help. He’ll want to know that I’m here.”
“I’m sorry, sir, I can’t leave my post and no civilians are allowed inside the barracks. If you leave word with me, I’ll see that Kelvich gets it.”
“Zollin,” Brianna said. “Show him the letter.”
“Oh, I completely forgot,” Zollin admitted. “Where’s the commanding officer?”
“That would be Sir Hausey, but he isn’t here at the moment.”
Zollin pulled out the letter and showed the soldier the seal.
“This is a letter from King Felix. I need to speak to Kelvich and to your commanding officer as soon as possible. If your commander is away, take me to Kelvich. I can help him.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the soldier. “I have my orders.”
“I’m changing your orders,” Zollin said loudly. “Take me to Kelvich.”
The man’s eyes hardened.
“You need to return to Felson, sir,” he said in a tight voice. “I’ll let Kelvich know you were here, but please don’t make me remove you by force.”
“Zollin, perhaps we should wait,” Miriam suggested.
“No, we’ve wasted enough time here.”
Zollin stepped forward. The guard started to move in front of Zollin, but he waved a hand and sent the man sprawling in the dirt. Brianna followed quickly behind Zollin. They went into the barracks and found rows of cots with wounded men laid out on them. There were at least a dozen women hurrying between the rows and several healers working quietly.
“Kelvich,” Zollin shouted. “Where are you, Kelvich?”
The guard came rushing in behind them, but Zollin merely turned and waved his staff at the man, sending a small burst of energy into him and knocking him unconscious. He lay twitching against the doorframe, his hair standing on end.
“Did you kill him?” Miriam asked.
“No, just stunned him. He’ll be fine,” Zollin assured her. Then he shouted again, “Kelvich!”
They were halfway through the large building when Kelvich appeared. He looked older and tired, Zollin thought. He was followed by two other men, both wearing healer robes and carrying baskets of medicinal supplies.
“Zollin,” Kelvich shouted. “Thank goodness you’ve come. I can’t tell you how worried I was for you when I woke up and found that you’d left the valley without me. Thanks for all you did for me, by the way.” He paused to let the sentiment sink in. He hadn’t realized how much he’d come to care for Zollin, but seeing him again gave him a sense of joy he’d rarely experienced in his long life. He stared at Zollin for a long moment and then turned to Brianna and said, “Hello, Brianna dear, are you well?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Brianna said.
“Good. We need your help, Zollin. You can make an incredible difference here.”
“We’ve been sent to fight the dragon,” Zollin said. “I’m not sure I have time to heal these men.”
“They’ll go with you,” Kelvich assured him. “I don’t know your plan, but you must help.”
“Alright, I’ll do what I can, but I’ll need food.”
“We can get that,” Miriam said. “What do you need?”
“Meat, bread, vegetables, and wine. Enough to feed several men.”
“I know what to get,” Brianna said. “And I have coin.”
“Good, get it and bring it back here as quickly as possible. I’ll tire quickly with this much work to do.”
“What about the guards?” Miriam asked.
“I’ll make sure you’re admitted,” Kelvich said.
“Oh, I had to deal with the guard at the door,” Zollin said.
“What did you do?” Kelvich asked.
“I just stunned him; he wouldn’t let us in.”
“Alright, I’ll take care of that, too. Come with me, Zollin. The worst cases are in the other barracks.”
Zollin spent the next several hours healing burns and setting bones. Occasionally he encountered some internal bleeding, which took much more time to deal with. He had worked on ten soldiers by the time the ladies returned, and he took a short break and ate. He went back to work and had healed two dozen more soldiers when the commander, Sir Hausey, returned. He sent for Zollin and Kelvich, but the young wizard sent word that the commander should attend him there, so he could continue working.
“Hausey’s a good man,” Kelvich said. “He’s fair and levelheaded, but I’m sure he won’t like what you’ve done to his guard.”
“What about what I’ve done for all these wounded soldiers?”
Zollin’s power was flowing through him like a blacksmith’s bellows. He was busy and tired and the thought of explaining himself made him angry. The soldiers that he had healed were sitting up, chatting or eating. He hoped the change in the men would be enough to let this Sir Hausey see that he was there to help.
It took the commander and his entourage about ten minutes to make their way to the barracks where Zollin was working. They marched in, still dusty from the road and wearing their armor. Their boots slapped the stone floor and their weapons slapped against their armor as they walked.
Zollin was focused entirely on the broken ribs of the man he was working on. He sent his magic deep inside the man’s body, looking for anything out of place. He could feel the heart beating and the blood flowing through the arteries and veins. Four of the man’s ribs were broken and there was a little internal bleeding, but not much. Zollin imagined the bones knitting themselves back together and felt not only the bones heal, but the man’s pain decrease significantly.
“What is the meaning of all this?” Hausey said in a loud voice.
Zollin ignored the commander and focused on the tears in the man’s muscles that were leaking blood into his chest cavity. Luckily, the soldier’s broken ribs hadn’t punctured his lung and it only took Zollin a few more moments to complete the healing he was doing. He had become quite proficient at diagnosing and healing wounds. Illnesses were more difficult and the King’s poisoning h
ad been the most difficult work he’d done. The wounds that the soldiers suffered were mostly easy to fix. They had fallen from horses, or been burned by the dragon’s fiery breath.
“Give him a moment, commander,” Kelvich said. “He’s healing your troops.”
“Who is he and why did he attack my guard?”
“He’s the wizard I told you about. He’s been sent by King Felix.”
“King Felix is sick,” Hausey said. “He couldn’t have sent anyone.”
Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03 Page 83
