“He left this morning,” said the youth.
Kazin and Milena exchanged glances.
“He left?” asked Carmen.
“Yeah,” answered the student. “I told him not to go, but he had his mind made up. He left the Tower of the Sky and he’s not coming back. He said he had better prospects with the ‘new order’, as he called it.”
“What’s the new order?” demanded Carmen. “Does it have to do with the rumours we heard about mages being approached by those magic wielding strangers?”
“I guess so,” said the youth. “He even showed me the ring he claimed they gave him. He said it had untold power.”
“What did this ring look like?” interrupted Kazin.
“It looked sort of smoky, with three quarters of a circle etched into it.”
Kazin blanched slightly and Milena looked at him in concern.
“Did he leave anything behind?” demanded Carmen. “Any library books or anything?”
“No,” said the youth. “He had a book, but he packed it in his packsack when he came in, just before telling me he was leaving.”
Carmen shook his head in dismay and Kazin and Milena exchanged glances again.
“Where did he say he was going?” asked Kazin.
The student scratched his head. “That’s the weird part. He said he was going up into the Five Fingers Mountains.”
Kazin grabbed Milena’s arm. “That’s no coincidence! We have to find him and that book! It’s important. I can feel it!”
“It’s dangerous,” cautioned Carmen. “Those lights and the disappearing mages are linked in some way, and the mountains are treacherous. You have no idea what is lying in wait for you! Besides, Jarvis had a day’s head start. You’ll never find him now.”
“We must,” said Kazin. “We have to find out what’s happening somehow. Who knows what will happen if we don’t act now!”
“Very well,” said Carmen. “I will arrange your supplies when you are ready.” He thanked the youth for his information and led the way outside.
“You should tell Krendal what you have in mind,” said Milena when Carmen was gone. “He might not agree. They need the elves up north right away and you’re the only one who can make that happen.”
“True,” said Kazin. “But what if what’s happening in the Five Fingers Mountains is related to the increase of intruders into the elven forest? If we help the elves now, they may be more willing to help us in return. And if we can neutralize their problem sooner, they can be free to help us out as well.”
“I hope you’re right,” said Milena. “You still have to convince Krendal, though.”
Not long afterwards Kazin and Milena entered the orb room with Mara, who was not pleased at being aroused from her bed so suddenly. Unfortunately they had no choice but to disturb her to receive permission to use the orb.
“This had better be important,” said Mara. “The more the orb is used, the sooner it will need to be charged again. We went a long time without reliable communications, and I do not want to return to those conditions anytime soon.”
“It’s important,” assured Kazin. “Besides, the orb should last a good six months now.”
Mara activated the orb and this time Valdez appeared in its depths.
“Oh, hello, Mara,” said Valdez. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Hello, Valdez,” said Mara. “Can you contact Krendal? Kazin wishes to speak with him. He claims it’s urgent.”
“Certainly,” said Valdez. “I’ll be right back.”
The orb returned to a smoky white colour and before long Krendal appeared. He wore a long night cap.
“Mara?”
“Krendal,” said Mara. “Here’s Kazin.”
Kazin approached the orb. “Sorry to bother you so late, Krendal, but you told me to contact you as soon as I had the Book of Prophesy.”
“You have it?” asked Krendal eagerly.
“No,” said Kazin. He went on to explain the evening’s events and the possible connection of the strange lights, disappearing mages, and the missing Book of Prophesy.
Krendal’s face was grim. “You say the grey mage student had a ring with three quarters of a circle on it? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” said Kazin.
Krendal swore. “This isn’t good. I wish we could spare some mages to help you discover the truth, but the war has our full attention.”
“I think I should investigate the lights and track the grey mage in the mountains,” said Kazin. “He can’t be that far ahead of us if he’s scaling a mountain. I may be able to discover what’s going on and retrieve the Book of Prophesy at the same time.”
“You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” said Krendal. “That ring you brought us from Sandor is very powerful and complex. We still haven’t figured it out yet. Besides, we need the elves badly. That’s more important than retrieving a book that no one can understand.”
“What if we can neutralize the problem in the mountains, thereby saving the elves a major distraction, and thus allowing them to come to our aid sooner?” asked Kazin.
Krendal looked shrewdly at Kazin. “You have a sharp mind, boy. It’s a long shot at best. What makes you think you can succeed?”
“I have the eight heroes described on the page of the Book of Prophesy on my side.”
Krendal did not respond immediately. He seemed to be thinking something over. Finally he spoke. “Kazin, I cannot afford to lose you. I, too, think you have something to do with the prophesy. What, exactly, I don’t know without the book. I do know this; there will be a momentous time of darkness in the same year that two mages perfect the test. That time is upon us. Of all the infernal gibberish in that Book of Prophesy, that’s one of the few things that make any sense. That page of the book that you somehow miraculously salvaged meant nothing to me at first either. Once you discovered the Sword of Dead, though, I began to alter my way of thinking. Your entourage of companions fit the descriptions mentioned on that page quite accurately, and rack my brains as I might, I can think of no other group of people who would even come close. Are you truly prepared to sacrifice the significance of your team on a chase into the dangerous mountains?”
Kazin looked back at Milena and she nodded.
“I think they will follow me almost anywhere,” said Kazin. “I will, of course, give them a choice, but I suspect they will accompany me.”
“Very well,” said Krendal. “But remember; back off if you encounter too much resistance. Getting yourself killed is not the mark of a hero.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Kazin. “We will be very careful.”
“If things go awry,” continued Krendal, “report to me at once. I cannot promise aid, but I can give sound advice.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Kazin solemnly.
“And don’t waste time!” admonished Krendal. “If you tarry in the mountains too long, we may lose the Tower of Strength, along with countless lives. The elves are needed badly!”
“I understand, Sir,” said Kazin.
“Good luck,” said Krendal. “Keep me informed.” His face disappeared and the orb returned to its dull white glow.
Grakath chuckled evilly. His spell was partially successful. He was now able to see fuzzy images of the mages in communication. He still couldn’t hear them, but it was a start. At least the infernal mind-twisting sound was eliminated so he could watch in relative comfort. In time he would crack the code. It was only a matter of time.
He had seen Krendal speaking with a young mage in what he suspected was the Tower of the Sky. If it was the Tower of Hope, there would have been a cleric visible. Not to mention the fact that a grey mage was barely visible before the young black mage came on. It was definitely the Tower of the Sky. If this was so, the tower had its communication resto
red. That meant pigeons were no longer going to be used. If they were, the messages would indeed be worth intercepting.
Grakath had known of the orb difficulties in the Tower of the Sky because of a pigeon that one of his people had intercepted. It carried a message for the Tower of Sorcery requesting some mages to restore orb communication. Unfortunately, further pigeon interceptions gleaned little of interest. Now pigeon messages were at an end.
With the grey tower’s orb communications restored, Grakath’s army had to mobilize at once. He needed the elves distracted sufficiently in order to allow his other troops to be brought into play before the elves could send the humans aid. Unfortunately, the last bands of barbarians put up a stiff resistance and inflicted a heavy toll on his main forces. The barbarians were eventually crushed as strength of numbers finally won out, but separate bands were still forming resistance pockets in the lower mountains, slowing the advance of Grakath’s forces considerably.
The necromancer knew victory over the barbarians was inevitable, but much valuable time was being wasted chasing them down. He wouldn’t have wasted the effort weeding out the resistance, but every fighting man was required in the next phase of the war. He couldn’t afford to have renegades on the loose in his home turf while he was away on the offensive.
Grakath smiled at the thought of his enormous army amassed before the ‘Faceless Cliffs’, ready to step through the solid rock into the heart of the enemy. They would never suspect until it was too late!
A rap at the door broke his reverie.
“Come in,” commanded Grakath.
The door opened and a skeleton entered.
“You called, Sir?”
“Ah, Nimbar,” said Grakath. “It took you long enough. What information have you got on the southern resistance?”
“Progress is being made,” said Nimbar. “The number of defectors among the grey mages is increasing daily. They are being whisked through the gates and being sent to your academies.”
“Good,” said Grakath. “We need more mages to control the increasing enemy dead. What about the mages and the armies to the south? Have they begun their attacks yet?”
“Yes, milord,” said Nimbar. “In fact, their armies are so anxious to fight that several contingents have already taken over some of the outer centaur towns. The centaurs don’t stand a chance against them. The wolf riders can easily outrun them.
“Good!” exclaimed the necromancer, wringing his hands in glee. “With the southern threat underway, the elves will never come to the humans’ aid. I will have successfully divided them and made my job easier. What of the dwarves? Are they still bottled up?”
“Yes, Sir,” said Nimbar. “They have no idea how urgently the humans need them and do not believe the war with the minotaurs involves them.”
“Excellent!” said Grakath eagerly. “By the time they react, my forces will be too powerful for them to handle! Once the minotaurs have seized the Tower of Strength, they can be easily convinced to attack the dwarves with the promise of untold wealth. They will keep the dwarves busy while our forces finish off the elves! Things are beginning to fall into place, Nimbar. The only thing holding me back now is the resistance forces of the barbarians. Once they have been vanquished, the real fighting begins!”
“We may have the Tower of Strength sooner than expected, milord,’ said Nimbar. “The minotaurs are regrouping despite a setback of enemy reinforcements, and with the help of the lizardmages, they will have magic to counter that of the humans.”
“Lizardmen,” murmured Grakath. “Of all the forces on our side, they’re the ones I trust the least.” He shook his head. “I will have to deal with them after the war.”
“As you wish, milord,” said Nimbar.
Chapter 42
Kazin met with his company early the next morning and after a quick breakfast they made their way over to the horse stalls.
“It’s about time!” remarked Frosty upon seeing them. “Do you know how boring it is staring at these dark, bland walls?”
“Good morning to you too,” said Kazin cheerfully. “We’ll be moving out shortly, but I have to ask everyone something first.”
“What is it?” asked Sherman.
“We all know,” began Kazin, “with the exception of Frosty, that is, that I’m planning an expedition into the Five Fingers Mountains. First of all, the mage who has the Book of Prophesy is running that way to join some sort of renegade mage organization. Secondly, there are suspicious things going on up there—the strange lights, etc.—and I plan to try to find out what it’s all about because I think it’s related to the increase of incidents in the elven forest.”
“So, what’s your point?” asked Sherman.
“Well, I can’t ask any of you to put yourselves in danger on my account,” said Kazin soberly. “So if any of you want to back out, I won’t hold it against you. You are free to do what you wish.”
“Don’t look at me,” said Sherman. “I’m your bodyguard, remember?”
“What dwarf could pass up the chance to explore a mountain?” added Harran. He drew his axe and regarded it reverently. “Besides, if having this axe means being by your side, I’m sticking around. It was meant to be used in dangerous situations.”
“Dangerous situations,” mused Zylor the human warrior. He grinned. “I like the sound of that!”
“My ship’s not goin’ anywhere for a while yet,” said Rubin. “Count me in.”
Kazin looked at Milena.
She shrugged. “I promised the arch mage, remember? Druids generally have their own agenda, and I’m no different. I’m coming.”
Everyone turned to Della, the young elf girl.
She crossed her arms defiantly and looked at Kazin. “I’m going where you go—and him,” she added, pointing at Frosty. “I want to find out what’s causing the appearance of creatures in the elven forest.”
“That settles it, then,” said Sherman. “We all go.”
Kazin smiled. They chose to stay with him as he had hoped. He wouldn’t have had it any other way anyhow.
As they left the stables with the horses in tow, Frosty paused and turned back to look at the stableman. “Bad temperament, indeed,” he said so only the stableman heard.
The stableman looked up curiously from what he was doing.
“Don’t let your girlfriends find out about each other,” continued Frosty. “They’re cousins.”
The stableman straightened and his face paled. He looked at Frosty as if he had seen a ghost.
Frosty snorted and followed after his companions.
The stableman’s mouth worked soundlessly as he stared after the white horse.
The companions were just departing the Tower of the Sky when Kazin began to feel the all too familiar fire in his stomach again. He had forgotten to see if the grey tower had herbs for him but decided against turning back. They had already lost enough time.
They steered their mounts southeast and made for the five pointed peaks known as the Five Fingers Mountains. The rising sun made the icy peaks glisten with a lustrous, white sheen. Ahead, a trail led to the first mountain’s base nestled in thick, green foliage.
They travelled for an hour or so with little conversation, each engrossed in their own thoughts.
“This reminds me of when I first left the minotaur realm,” remarked Zylor finally. It was the first time he had made a casual remark since the party had expanded in number a few days ago. It was a sign he was comfortable with their presence.
Kazin turned and was about to reply when he remembered something. “Frosty, stop for a moment, please.”
Frosty slowed and halted. “What’s wrong?”
“I forgot something,” said Kazin. He turned back to Zylor. “You should have reminded me, Zylor. I could have changed you back into a minotaur an h
our ago.”
Zylor reigned in next to the mage. “I was not aware we were out of human territory.”
Kazin chanted a spell and the minotaur reappeared as himself. The mage looked at the minotaur’s lonely eyes. “You must miss your people a lot,” said the mage. “You’ve been away from your own kind a long time now.”
“That will soon change,” said Zylor firmly. “Soon I will not be able to leave them.”
Kazin looked at the minotaur with new respect. Zylor was sure of his destiny, and sure of succeeding despite the odds. He suddenly understood the minotaur’s honour and fearlessness. If this beast became a ruler of his people, he would be a brave and honourable one.
They continued their trek toward the mountain and stopped at midday for lunch. They were now within an hour’s march of the first mountain’s base. Della went hunting for small game while Milena foraged for berries. Sherman began a small cooking fire with kindling Harran had gathered. Rubin saw to the horses. Harran sat down next to Kazin.
Finally the dwarf could contain his excitement no longer. “Which mountain do we tackle first?” he asked the mage eagerly.
“I’ll let you know when we get closer,” said Frosty from over by the horses.
“The chief has spoken,” laughed Kazin.
Suddenly a scream broke the peacefulness of the warm summer’s day.
Kazin and Harran stood as one and Sherman drew his sword.
“What was that?” asked Rubin from over by the horses.
“Della!” cried Kazin. He sprang into the bush toward the sound but stopped abruptly a moment later.
Coming toward the mage with a wild boar over his shoulder was the minotaur. He had a huge grin on his face.
“What a stroke of luck!” he exclaimed. He pushed past Kazin into their campsite and deposited his catch on the ground. “You have no idea how long it’s been since I had real food!”
Sherman gaped. “Is that what screamed just now?”
Zylor nodded. “It gave me a bit of a fight. There’s nothing like a quick fight before lunch!”
Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy Page 41