“What’s that?” asked the lizardmage, peering past the minotaur’s arm.
“Your death warrant,” said Karlan. He withdrew his axe and severed the chief lizardmage’s head from his body in one fluid motion. Then he raised the battle horn to his lips and blew the signal to begin the assault.
The humans in the tower and on the river’s edge braced for the attack, thinking all was doomed. They armed their bows and patted each other on the back for possibly the last time. To their surprise—and delight, they witnessed a most unusual scene.
Instead of crossing the river and coming at them in waves, the enemy army swarmed in chaos. Minotaurs surged through their own ranks, killing every non minotaur in their way. Ogres, orcs, goblins, and lizardmen scrambled to get out of the paths of the huge, enraged beasts. It was a bloodbath few would forget.
Kazin dropped to the ground briefly to allow Zylor to command his new army, and then he flew his remaining two passengers to the Tower of Strength. He landed in the courtyard amidst suspicious glares and grim-faced soldiers.
“It’s alright!” said Sherman, quickly dismounting. He wiped sweat from his forehead and added to himself, “Now that I’m back on the ground again.”
“Don’t shoot!” cried a voice suddenly. Perenia raced into the courtyard and ran around the dragon protectively. “He’s on our side!”
Harran hopped to the ground with a grunt. “O.K., Kazin. You can change back now.”
Kazin transformed back into his human form amidst astonished gasps from the gathered soldiers.
“How’d it go?” asked Perenia excitedly. “Did Zylor do it?”
“Yes,” said Kazin. He slapped the centaur’s rump affectionately. “How have you been?”
“Busy,” said Perenia. “I’ve been helping to cart away the dead and wounded. Milena’s the busiest of all, what with all the healing.”
“I can imagine,” said Kazin. “Where’s Della?”
“Right here!” cried a voice. The elf sprinted into the courtyard at full speed and sprang into Kazin’s arms.
Sherman snickered and Perenia jabbed him in the side. “Ouch!” he yelped.
Kazin hugged the elf and then gently pried her off. “It’s good to see you too, Della.”
“You took long enough,” pouted the elf.
“Sorry,” said Kazin. “It was necessary.”
Della frowned. “While you were away flying around free as a bird, we were fighting with our backs to the wall!”
“I told you you’d have your hands full,” said Kazin.
“What the—?!” said Sherman suddenly. The others looked where he pointed and Kazin’s jaw dropped in amazement. Striding purposefully toward them was the swarthy sailor they had all come to know and like.
“I was wonderin’ when ye all would come by fer a visit,” said Rubin with a smile. He looked the same as before, with the exception of a black patch over one eye, a shiny fragment of a talisman around his neck, and a large pouch at his side.
“Rubin!” exclaimed Sherman excitedly. He shook the sailor’s hand vigorously. “You’re not dead! What happened?”
“I was knocked overboard by the kraken,” said Rubin. “I thought I had drowned, but I woke up with Milena bendin’ over me tryin’ to heal me. Apparently I was found on the shore near the Tower of Strength.”
“What happened to your eye?” asked Harran.
“I don’t know,” said Rubin. “Milena said it was simply gone. I guess the fall from the ship had somethin’ to do with it. I was found with only one eye, this broken talisman, and a strange seashell.” Rubin untied the pouch and withdrew the conch shell from the pouch.
Harran’s eyes opened wide. “A dragon conch!” he whispered.
“A what?” said Rubin.
“A dragon conch!” repeated Harran. “It is a conch shell used as a horn by the dwarven kings of the past. When blown, the dwarves go into a battle frenzy rivalled only by a minotaur’s bloodlust. Those conch shells are extremely valuable and, when found, signal the approach of a great battle involving the dwarves!”
“Really?” said Rubin, regarding the shell with renewed interest. He held it to his lips and tried to blow on it. Nothing happened.
Harran shook his head. “It won’t work for humans—only dwarves.” He eyed the conch eagerly. “I’ll buy it off you.”
Rubin looked at the dwarf uncertainly. “I don’t know. I was hopin’ to find out why it was in my possession.”
“I’ll gamble you for it!” said Harran pleadingly. “Please!”
Rubin smiled. “O.K., Harran. If it only works for dwarves anyway, why not? I was gettin’ tired of carryin’ it anyway. But ye’ll have to come up big if you lose!”
Harran nodded. “You got it!” The dwarf and sailor walked off and Harran chatted excitedly about the conch’s importance in the dwarves’ past.
Milena pushed past the nearby soldiers and ran up to Kazin and the others. “Hi, guys! I hate to cut this reunion short, but Arch Mage Krendal is calling via the orb and wants to speak with us right away.”
“O.K.,” said Kazin. “Lead the way.”
“Can I come?” asked Sherman.
Kazin looked at Milena. “I guess so.”
Milena nodded. “Let’s hurry!”
“Wait for me!” cried Della, sprinting after the trio.
“I’ll wait outside!” called Perenia after them. “They’re still not used to seeing me running around indoors!”
“We’ll let you know what’s going on,” said Kazin over his shoulder.
Harran climbed up the ladder to the top of the battlements with his newly acquired treasure. He won the conch fair and square, and Rubin reluctantly handed over the artifact. Now the dwarf was eager to try it out. If any of the many staff-controlled dwarves he had seen on the battlefield earlier were free of their magic-wielding masters, perhaps he could give them an edge against their oppressors.
He ran to an open gap in the walls and observed the carnage across the river. In the chaos, it was difficult to distinguish one figure from the next. Harran raised the dragon conch to his lips and blew.
A long, blaring note rose from the conch, echoing across the land and temporarily drowning out the sounds of battle below.
Fighters below paused when they heard the strange, eerie sound. Suddenly, the lizardmages controlling the dwarven zombies looked in astonishment at the skulls topping their staves. Blue-tinged streaks of light escaped from the eye sockets and flared outward, seeking the dwarves they had originally come from. Each and every dwarf controlled by the skull-staves flinched as the blue light entered their bodies. They wondered where they were at first but their memories returned quickly. Everything was forgotten again in the next instant when the conch sounded again.
With a uniform holler of rage, the entire legion of dwarves turned on the nearby lizardmen, orcs, goblins, and zombies with a vengeance of formidable proportions. Arms, legs, and weapons of all sorts went flying as the dwarves wedged into the heart of the enemy army, heedless of their own well-being.
Lizardmages cast spells on the dwarves but to no avail. The dwarves were immune to magic!
Harran hooted and hollered and jumped about in glee.
Nearby soldiers who had witnessed the about-face of the minotaurs were stunned by the results of Harran’s conch shell. With the combined effort of the dwarves and minotaurs, the enemy forces were in complete turmoil. Some soldiers patted each other on the back and rejoiced at this unexpected stroke of fortune. The war was about to be ended, and they had held their ground, despite overwhelming odds.
While celebrations were beginning on the walls, Kazin and the others rushed to see what Krendal wanted. Kazin cast a communication spell on Sherman and Della so they could understand the orb, and they all crammed into the tiny orb room to
assemble around the orb. Another arch mage was in the room, and Kazin recognized him as Fildamir.
The arch mage glared at them but said nothing. He returned his attention to the orb and stroked his bushy, grey beard. “Kazin is here, Krendal.”
Krendal looked at the assembled companions and nodded. “Hello, everyone. To those of you who don’t already know me, I’m Arch Mage Krendal. I have some very grave news. The Tower of Hope is under attack again. This time it’s more serious in that they are alone with a token force under General Larsen’s command to aid them. It appears the tower will fall to a superior army within a matter of days. A plan has been formed to withdraw, but it seems unlikely anyone will escape. The tower is surrounded on all sides. They can withstand the siege for a week at best, but that is all.”
Kazin and Milena exchanged anxious glances.
“The Tower of Sorcery will be next,” continued Krendal bluntly. “I have told Fildamir to evacuate the Tower of Strength and send the remaining forces to the defence of the black tower, because if we fail, we are doomed.”
“You’re saying we should sacrifice the Tower of Strength for the Tower of Sorcery?” asked Milena.
“In a nutshell, yes,” said Krendal.
Kazin looked at Sherman and then back again. “The war here is almost over—.”
“I know,” said Krendal. “That’s why I want to salvage what troops we have left—.”
“No, no, no,” interrupted Kazin. “I meant the war here is almost over because the minotaurs have a new emperor who will leave the Tower of Strength alone.”
“What?!” exclaimed Fildamir. “What are you talking about?”
Kazin smiled. “The minotaur who was accompanying me and my companions has seized the throne that was his by birth.”
“Yes!” whispered Milena, raising her fist in victory.
“What minotaur?” asked Fildamir. “I still don’t—.”
“I’ll fill you in later, Fildamir,” said Krendal. He looked at Kazin. “Is he here?”
“He’s with his forces intervening right now,” said Kazin. “They’re annihilating the other forces that threaten us. The minotaurs realize they have been manipulated by the lizardmages, and honour dictates they must eliminate those who have manipulated them.”
“That is good news indeed,” said Krendal.
“I still don’t believe this,” muttered Fildamir, glaring at Kazin.
A knock sounded on the orb room door and Fildamir answered it. He spoke briefly in low tones with a messenger and returned a moment later.
“The war here is over,” Fildamir said, his face registering shock that Kazin was right. “The minotaurs and dwarves have obliterated their former allies. A few skirmishes are still underway, but the minotaur emperor has declared a truce and has requested to speak with Kazin.”
“Good work, Kazin!” exclaimed Krendal. “My patience with you has not been wasted.”
“I wish I could get to the Tower of Hope,” said Milena suddenly. “I could call an army to help defend the tower very effectively.”
Kazin looked at the druid curiously but she refused to elaborate.
“We could shorten our traveling time if we go through the magical gate Zylor used to warp all the way over to the mountains north of the Tower of Hope,” suggested Sherman.
“Of course!” said Kazin. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You can activate this gate?” asked Krendal in surprise.
Kazin nodded. “I think so.”
“Will you be able to use this gate to send our troops to the aid of the Tower of Hope?” asked Fildamir.
“Not likely,” said Kazin. “Considering the outcome of this war, the minotaurs would not be impressed with an army of humans charging through their lands. Furthermore, Zylor will lose his hold on the throne for allowing such a thing and someone more aggressive might try to take over—someone who hates humans. Only a small group will pass through unnoticed, and only if accompanied by the emperor himself.”
“If Milena can bring aid to the Tower of Hope,” said Krendal, “then I suggest you go as soon as possible. Any aid will be welcome.”
“Zylor knows the way,” said Kazin. “He’s waiting for us now.”
“Then go!” ordered Krendal. “Time is of the essence!”
Kazin called his company together outside the tower’s battlements and told them where he was going and why. Everyone understood the importance of the mission and all wanted to come along.
“Let me come!” pleaded Perenia. “Please!”
“You’re awfully heavy,” said Kazin sadly. “You’re not suited to hang onto a dragon’s back.”
“Then make her so,” said Zylor. He withdrew the talisman the mermaid had given him many weeks ago. “Here. I won’t need this anymore. I am emperor now, and I can’t hide my appearance if I wish to rule.” He passed the talisman to the centaur and she eagerly put it around her neck.
Kazin sighed. “Very well.” He chanted and cast his spell on Perenia. The centaur’s body changed and she appeared as an attractive lady warrior.
Sherman whistled appreciatively. “Not bad!”
Milena elbowed the warrior gently. “Careful!”
“What’d I do?” pouted the warrior.
“Let’s go!” said Rubin. “I’ve been wantin’ to try flyin’ on a dragon’s back for some time, now!”
Kazin transformed and the companions climbed aboard, together once again.
“What about your army, Zylor?” asked Harran when they were huddled on Kazin’s back and up in the air.
“They’ve been ordered to pursue the lizardmages and their allies back into the mountains as far as they can,” said Zylor. “The dwarves who survived the battle are going with them. They’re as angry at being manipulated as the minotaurs are. I’m hoping they’ll catch up to the contingent of lizardmages who left the army early this morning. I told Karlan to take a few prisoners just in case to see if they’ll be kind enough to show us a faster way through the mountains in exchange for their freedom. It might not work, but it’s worth a try.”
“Good,” said Harran. “I’m surprised you got so much support so fast among your own people.”
“They weren’t satisfied with their former ruler,” said Zylor. “They were temporarily occupied with the war and many didn’t even know the election battles were underway, and even if they did, they couldn’t very well run from a battle without losing honour.”
“That’s one way to hold on to power,” said Sherman.
“But not the way I intend to rule,” growled Zylor.
“I just wish the dwarves would come out of hiding,” said Harran. “It doesn’t seem right that they cut themselves off like this. It’s not honourable.”
“You should go and investigate what’s wrong,” suggested Rubin. “I would.”
Harran hesitated. “I’m obligated to protect Kazin if I want to keep this axe.”
The dragon looked back at the dwarf. “Consider it yours,” said Kazin. “You’ve earned it, if anybody has.”
“Really?” said Harran.
“Sure,” said Kazin. “I’ll deal with Krendal, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Thanks!” grinned Harran. Then he frowned. “I hate to leave you at a time like this, but would you mind dropping me off a little south of Haven? There’s a cave there that has a shortcut to the dwarven realm. I think it’s time I returned home to find out why the dwarves are holed up like they are. Something is wrong in the dwarven realm and I need to know why.”
“Sure,” said Kazin.
“I could come with you,” said Zylor.
“Thanks all the same,” said Harran, “but I’ll make better time on my own. With you along, I’ll probably be detained or something. Besides, you’ll be bett
er off leading the others to the magical gate. You can find your way through the mountains very well for a minotaur.”
“I’ve been trained by the best!” said Zylor proudly.
“You’ll probably get in some fighting if you stay with us,” added Sherman.
Zylor grinned. “I can’t wait!”
“You guys are incorrigible, you know that?” said Milena.
Everyone laughed.
Fildamir watched as the dragon and its occupants disappeared in the sky. He was initially shocked when Kazin turned into a dragon. He knew dragon mages were extremely rare, but until now he hadn’t considered the possibility that there was such a mage among them. He therefore wondered why Kazin had not appeared sooner to assist in the war. Where was he all this time? Fildamir aimed to ask Krendal about this the next time he spoke with him.
“Sir?” said a voice behind him.
Fildamir turned. “Yes?”
“Krendal wishes to speak with you again, Sir.”
“Very well,” said Fildamir wearily.
He went to the orb room and saw Krendal’s face in the orb. The arch mage looked grim.
“What’s up, Krendal?” asked Fildamir.
“Is Kazin gone already?”
“Yes. He just left.”
Krendal nodded. “How soon can your forces be sent here?”
“Where? The Tower of Sorcery?”
“Yes.”
“Probably ten days,” said Fildamir. “Maybe less.”
Krendal sighed. “That may be too late.”
“Why? What’s up?”
“My scouts have reported sightings of enemy troops coming out of the Spike Ridge Cliffs. According to their reports, the forces coming against us number in the thousands.”
“What?!” exclaimed Fildamir. “I thought the Spike Ridge Cliffs were impenetrable!”
“Apparently not,” said Krendal.
Fildamir swore.
“It gets worse,” said Krendal. “Most of the enemy troops are undead. With the possible fall of the Tower of Hope, our clerics are at a minimum.”
Fildamir turned white. “How long until they reach Skull Lake?”
Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy Page 60