“I assume you’re staying home for a while now,” said Kazin, changing the subject.
“I have no choice,” said Sherman. “With my Dad out of commission and my reputation marred, I have no other alternative.”
“What do you mean your reputation is marred? You were the cream of the crop last I heard. What happened?”
“Word got around about these last attacks I just mentioned. It turns out I was the only one tangling with bandits this week! For everyone else it was smooth sailing. Nobody wants to hire a guard who attracts bandits like flies!”
“You’re being too hard on yourself, Sherman,” said Kazin. “Somebody will probably hire you before you know it, even if it’s just for your intimidating size.”
“Well, it’s best that I stay at the farm for now, anyway,” said Sherman. “My parents need me at a time like this. Randall and I can handle the farm.”
“How is he working out?” asked Kazin. “I know your parents seem to like him.”
“He gets the job done,” said Sherman. “He’s also super polite. But I still feel like he’s staring a hole through my head when I’m not looking. Mom says it’s my instinct to distrust everyone. Maybe she’s right. I don’t know.”
“Well, at least he’s there to help you and your parents,” said Kazin, shrugging. “Some things are best left as they are.”
“You’re probably right,” said Sherman.
Just then Max ran up to the chatting friends. “Hi, Sherman!”
“Hello, Max,” said Sherman. He looked at Max’s attire and then at Kazin. “Let me guess. He perfected the test too?”
“Right on,” said Kazin, grinning.
“Great,” said Sherman dryly. “First I get chased by bandits and now I hide behind a couple of powerful mages.”
“You’re so big you couldn’t hide behind ten powerful mages,” laughed Kazin. “And as for being chased by bandits, I’m sure it was the other way around!”
Sherman laughed. “You’re right about that, Kazin. I never hid from anything in my life. I’m not about to, either.”
“While you were out chasing bandits,” said Max, “Kazin and I were—uh—.”
“It’s no use,” said Kazin. “You can’t talk about it.”
“I know,” said Max. “I just keep forgetting.”
“How about checking on that party of yours?” suggested Sherman.
Kazin grinned. “Sure! Let’s go!”
Chapter 15
The morning was cool and rainy as Randall slopped through the muddy soil in his rubber work boots on his way to the barn to tend the cattle. He had offered to get a head start on the milking when he heard that Mr. Takar wanted to join his son at a party at Kazin’s place the night before. Ezra was against her husband leaving with his arm in a cast but he insisted on enjoying the party, stating that he was too cooped up as it was and needed to get out. Ezra’s pleas fell on deaf ears and Mr. Takar left anyway, promising he would be back early. Early he was indeed, returning around two in the morning in the pouring rain, staggering and leaning against his son for support. Sherman was almost as drunk as his father. As they stumbled through the muddy yard and up the stairs of the house Ezra could only shake her head in dismay. She knew that to scold the two at that moment would be a waste of energy. The following day would prove to be a better time for punishment.
Randall didn’t particularly like to get up so early, but he had plenty of cows to milk and Mr. Takar would be in no mood to help once Ezra was finished with him. He didn’t mind doing the chores. It kept him occupied and in shape. Too bad Mr. Takar was temporarily disabled. A greater share of the workload fell on him as a result. From what he heard Sherman say, the bandits were concentrating their attacks primarily on him, and Mr. Takar just got in the way. “Why did you have to get injured instead of me?” lamented Sherman. Randall wondered the same thing as he swung the barn door open with a loud creak.
On the roadway he heard the sound of horses trotting along at a brisk pace. Who would be out and about so early? He looked toward the property gate and saw a man with a long grey beard riding a chestnut colored horse and pulling another horse by the reins. Behind him a dark cloaked figure sat hunched on a third horse, seemingly ready to fall off. The grey bearded man turned and looked at Randall. His expression was cold and hard. He turned forward and continued on down the roadway, increasing his speed as he did so. The figure on the third horse followed suit. They quickly rounded a bend and rode out of sight. The bearded man looked oddly familiar. Had he seen him somewhere before? And why was he riding with what could have been a mage? And where? After a moment of head scratching Randall returned to his chores, the workload overriding his curiosity.
Sandor pulled his cloak tightly around him and cursed. Did these crazy farmers never sleep? This was supposed to be a secret mission but already he encountered three farmers doing their early morning chores. He slowed his horse and looked back at the young master mage. “Max! Wake up!”
Max grabbed his reins more tightly and looked up. “Sorry, Mas—I mean—Sandor.”
Sandor shook his head. What was the matter with young people these days? His question was answered as he approached the gate to Kazin’s house. The lawn was littered with expended fire sticks and various other garbage, evidence of a wild party. Of course! The young mages had celebrated their success last night! Sandor cursed again. He had not thought of this eventuality. Fortunately, it did not change his initial plans. He dismounted and landed in a pool of mud. He cursed again. Things were not starting out very well.
He opened the gate and strode up to the house. He knocked on the door gently but there was no answer. Everyone was probably asleep. He tried the door handle but it was locked. He chanted a spell and released the catch, entering quietly. Once inside, he cast an invisible spell on himself and began his exploration of the house, searching for Kazin’s room. He found the bedroom upstairs and quietly entered, closing the door behind him. Then he immediately cancelled his invisible spell and looked around, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim morning light filtering in through the lone window. Kazin’s new cloak lay over a chair to one side and his staff rested against the wall. Kazin himself lay in bed, sleeping quietly.
“Kazin!” whispered Sandor as loudly as he dared. “Kazin, wake up!”
The young mage stirred and groggily opened his eyes. “Wha—who’s there?”
“It’s Sandor. You’re being summoned for a task for the tower.”
Kazin sat up. “What time is it?”
“Sometime after five,” said Sandor. “Hurry. We must pack quickly.”
Kazin stiffly got out of bed and pulled his pack from a small closet. It was already full of clothing and other necessities. “It’s a good thing I packed this before the party. I wanted to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, just in case.”
“Well done,” said Sandor. “Come. Let’s go quietly so as not to wake your parents.”
Kazin hesitated. “I should leave my parents a note that I’m going.”
Sandor frowned but could not find a reason to prevent Kazin from doing so.
After the note was completed, Kazin donned his cloak and sheathed his staff, and the two mages quietly left the house and mounted their horses.
“Good morning, Kazin,” said Max sullenly.
“Good morning, Max,” said Kazin. Max was obviously just as thrilled to get out of bed as he was.
“Where are we going?” asked Kazin as they galloped in the direction of Marral.
“We’re heading south on an important mission,” said Sandor. “The rest I can’t tell you until we get there.”
They rounded a bend and passed by the Takar residence. Randall was in the barn milking a cow. Kazin waved as they went past and Randall nodded in response, his hands too busy with the milking. He seemed a little startled
. Kazin couldn’t blame him.
When they reached Marral, they headed directly for the shipyards. There they dismounted and Sandor spoke briefly with the harbour master, who took the horses to a nearby stable to be returned from where they were borrowed. There was little activity this early as they made their way to a moderately large vessel situated at pier five. The bronze lettering on the side read ‘Lady of the Sea’.
The ‘Lady of the Sea’ was a three-masted, eighty foot schooner with a crew of twenty-three, including the captain, who was known as Captain Durango.
“Permission to board!” yelled Sandor.
The captain, a wizened, hook-nosed man with a stubby, grey beard, appeared at the side of the ship’s deck above them. “Permission granted! It’s about time, too!”
“Sorry I’m late,” said Sandor, climbing up the plank. “I had to wake these other two passengers first.”
“I just hope this trip is worth it,” grumbled Durango.
“Don’t worry,” said Sandor. “The tower always pays its debts.” He opened a purse at his side and dumped a pile of gold coins into the captain’s palm.
The captain’s eyes opened wide. “Blimey, how far do ya want to go?”
“South past Ten Star Reef. I’ll tell you when to stop.”
The captain peered at Sandor suspiciously. “Them’s dangerous waters. You sure you want to go?”
“That’s why I chose you,” smiled Sandor. “Did I not choose correctly?”
Captain Durango grinned and put an unlit pipe into his mouth. “You chose right.” He took his pipe back out and bellowed, “Cast off the lines! We be headin’ south!” He put the pipe back in his mouth and worked his way aft, swaggering like a true seaman. “Raise the plank! Loosen those ropes! What are ye waitin’ for?”
Seeing the three mages, a sailor came over to them and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Rubin, first mate of the ‘Lady of the Sea’. I suppose ye be wantin’ accommodations for your journey?”
Sandor eyed the sailor up and down. Rubin was a husky, bald man with dark skin and a weathered face, obviously accustomed to sea travel. He wore no shirt, despite the spring-like temperatures, and wore a homemade knife holding vest which ran diagonally across his chest. There were several various knives sheathed in each of the holders, ranging from short, pointed daggers to a curved scimitar.
“Yes, we do,” answered Sandor after a moment.
Rubin grinned, displaying a missing front tooth. “Follow me.” He showed them to their quarters and told them that if they needed anything to call on him anytime. With a short bow he departed, leaving them alone to settle in.
Sandor threw his pack under his bunk and sat down. “You guys might as well get comfortable. This is going to be a long trip.”
Kazin and Max exchanged glances. Obviously Sandor wasn’t going to elaborate on their mission. After storing their packs they went on deck to watch the sailors set sail. They had both been on a ship only once before, Max with his father and Kazin with Sherman’s father, so this was an exciting event for them. When Sandor said they were going south past Ten Star Reef, it meant they were heading for open seas. Even Sherman had not gone that far south before.
They worked their way to the side rail and watched as the ship pulled away from the dock. Four other ocean going vessels were docked nearby, ready for southbound shipments. The water here was deep, allowing ships like these to dock comfortably against the shore. Skull Lake was easily navigable by ocean going vessels and was an important staging area for both north and south bound ships. The only tricky part to navigate, aside from the odd sand bar, was the whirlpool in the center of Skull Lake. Any ships lost there were dragged under and never seen again.
The first leg of their travel would land them in East and West Arral, located at the bottom of Skull Lake where it emptied into the Simal River. Compared to the land trip, which would take at least three days to reach Arral, it would take only one day by water. Kazin had never gone beyond Arral, while Max had gone as far as Rimmet, a small town at the junction of the Simal and Elgar rivers. The Elgar River then found its way into the bay of Barlin, named after the great general who discovered the new land and led the first waves of settlers into the area. To reach the bay by boat it would take nearly five days.
The length of the journey was far from the minds of Kazin and Max as they watched Marral shrink and then vanish in the distance. The waves splashed vigorously against the hull and the seagulls soared quietly overhead. The sky, although lighter, was still dull and overcast but that didn’t bother the mages. They were on their first assignment for the tower.
Rubin came up and leaned against the rail next to the mages. He took a deep breath. “Ah! Ain’t it nice to get outta the city an’ breathe some fresh air for a change? It ain’t in keepin’ with the salty air of the sea, but it comes close.”
“It is refreshing,” agreed Kazin. “But I don’t know what the sea air is like. I’ve never been there.”
“Ye’ll find out soon enough,” said Rubin. “The ups n’ downs’ll be harder to get used to, though.”
“You mean we might get seasick?” asked Max anxiously.
Rubin laughed. “You should’a seen me on my first voyage. I was green for a week! But I came around eventually.” He grinned, exposing a missing upper tooth.
Max sighed.
Kazin laughed. “Don’t take it too hard, Max. We have to learn to manage things like these on assignments from the tower.”
“Ye be fresh mages from the tower?” asked Rubin.
“Yeah,” said Max. He indicated the symbol on his cloak. “We’re master mages!”
“No kiddin’!” said Rubin, impressed.
“We’re on an assignment for the tower,” said Max.
“What kind of assignment, if you don’t mind my askin?”
“He does mind,” said a voice behind them. It was Sandor. His eyes were stern and dagger-filled.
“I’ve got some things to attend to,” said Rubin uncomfortably, excusing himself.
When he left, Sandor turned his attention to the boys. “Lesson number one; tell no one about your missions, or even if you are on one. It’s a good thing I won’t be briefing you on the details until we get there. Had I told you what it was about, you could have ruined our whole mission. Is that clear?”
“Sorry, Sir—I mean Sandor,” said Max sheepishly.
Sandor smiled. “Sorry I rushed you fellas out of bed so early. The tower said it was important and I had no choice.”
“That’s O.K.,” said Kazin. “It’s something we’ll have to get used to, anyway. But why did they send you? We were supposed to report to Arch Mage Valdez for our assignments.”
“That’s a good question, Kazin,” said Sandor. “First of all, I’m sure Arch Mage Valdez has his hands full in the tower. Secondly, they probably thought that I would be a good person to send on this mission considering my previous experience with you two and the fact that I won’t be teaching for a couple of weeks. Apparently, two of the new master mages are interested in a teaching career. One of them can take my place when I’m gone.”
“Why can’t you tell us about the details of this assignment?” asked Max.
“You guys need a break. Why worry you with the details already?” said Sandor. “Speaking of break, how did your party go?”
“It was fun,” said Kazin. “The fire sticks were a real blast. It’s a good thing we started early, though. The downpour started just after dark and didn’t let up until probably shortly before you came to get us.”
“The rain just stopped when I reached Max’s house,” said Sandor. “I’m glad it did. I’m not one for traveling in the rain.”
“Me neither,” muttered Max.
They stood by the side rail for a few minutes and finally headed to their bunks to get another hour or
two of sleep.
It was mid-morning when Kazin reappeared on deck for some fresh air. Rubin was manning the helm while some other sailors were working on the sails. Kazin went over to talk to Rubin.
“How long until we get to Arral?”
Rubin examined the billowing sails before answering. “I reckon we’ll be in Arral by first light in the morning if this wind keeps up.”
“That’s very fast,” commented Kazin.
“The Lady of the Sea don’t wait for nobody when she gets goin’,” said Rubin. “There ain’t many can keep up neither.”
Kazin nodded.
Rubin took one hand off the wheel and reached out. “I never had a chance earlier. Ye be called?”
“Kazin,” said Kazin, shaking his hand. “My friend is called Max and the older one is our former teacher, Sandor.”
“Max, he be O.K. The other one, Sandor? He I don’t trust. I reckon he don’t like me neither.”
“He is acting a little strange,” agreed Kazin. “I guess he’s a little stressful about our mission. It’s been a long time since he was away from the tower.”
Rubin shrugged. “Maybe he’s nervous about sailing. Not everyone feels comfortable with it.”
“That’s true,” agreed Kazin. He looked at Rubin’s large hands manning the wheel. “How many years have you been a sailor, Rubin?”
“I been sailing nigh fifteen years. Captain Durango took me on when I was sixteen. I been sailing with ‘im ever since.”
“Why did you choose to be a sailor? Most parents don’t like it when their children take to sea.”
Rubin sighed. “I been an orphan ever since I remember. I’ve always been on my own. The sea was the one place I could go to get away from those who would have taken advantage of me.”
“Sorry,” said Kazin.
“Don’t be sorry, Kazin,” said Rubin, brightening. “I be happy here. Captain Durango is like a father to me.”
Kazin could hardly visualize the crusty old captain as a father figure, but he didn’t know him that well.
Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy Page 13