“Oh,” said Kazin sheepishly.
When everyone was seated at the long table, Kazin rose and addressed his friends.
“I have an announcement to make,” began Kazin. “The leader of the enemy forces still lives. He was the one who was in the form of a bone dragon, which I’m sure everyone saw last night.”
There were muttered grumbles at the memory of that creature.
“Anyway,” continued Kazin, “we have decided that it is best to destroy the necromancer while he is still weak. In order to do so, we must return to the necromancer’s homeland and go to his palace. Sir Galado,” said Kazin, indicating the general, “has agreed to take us to the palace to attempt to rid his land of this evil man.
“I know we have all served together for a long time,” said Kazin solemnly, “and I know that some of us have responsibilities that demand our attention. But I owe you all the opportunity to make the choice nonetheless. Anyone who wishes to come with us is welcome to do so. If not, I understand. From here, some of us may go our own way and we may not see one another again for some time.
“It has been a pleasure and a joy to travel with you all,” added Kazin proudly. “I have learned much. I will always cherish those days. The times were harsh, but we survived despite our differences and grew out of it with a sense of accomplishment. I thank you all for your support.”
Kazin looked at each of his companions starting with Harran.
The dwarf stood up and his eyes were moist. “I enjoyed our companionship as well. It was with this company that I learned that our races can indeed get along. At first, humans were suspicious of me. It took a human—a magic wielder no less—to set me on the proper course. I learned that our differences make us unique, not inferior or superior. Together, we were able to confront insurmountable odds. Alone, we would have been lost. This was shown again when our races joined to fight a common enemy. We should always remember this.
“As far as going on this mission,” continued the dwarf, “I would love to go along, but there are some major changes taking part in the dwarven realm. I have received word that a new king will be elected. The old king has taken his life and he had no children to succeed him. It is a shame that it had to be that way, but nothing can be done about it now. I have been nominated by some of the nobles to replace the king. A combination of factors has led to this. First of all, some previously hidden records have surfaced indicating that I am descended from the original king who was overthrown several centuries ago. Secondly, the army has given me full support, claiming my selfless act to go to the aid of the humans on my own was the sign of a true and honourable leader. In any event, I must return home to fulfil my destiny. However, I will postpone my departure to escort you to the mountains safely, upon my honour.” Harran saluted in true dwarven style, placing his right hand on his left shoulder. Then he sat down.
Zylor rose and cleared his throat. “The minotaurs will double that escort, and we will die before we allow any harm to come to you. As for coming along, my duties prevent me from leaving my realm for extended periods of time. There is much rebuilding to do, and I must be there to oversee it. I’d just like to add that, though our races are distrustful of one another, perhaps in time we will learn to live together peacefully.” Zylor grinned. “There is a long road to travel before then, but travel it we must.
“I learned much from each of you,” continued the minotaur, “and your brave and honourable deeds will not be forgotten. I know now that, regardless of what race each of you belongs to, you will fight for what is right. I admire and respect you for that.” Zylor sat down and ‘glared’ at everyone to hide his emotions.
Perenia straightened and wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh, this is sad! Why don’t we just promise to visit one another and be done with it?” The centaur sighed and looked sadly at Kazin. “My father forbids me to go gallivanting off the way I did. He wants me safe and sound back home.” Perenia giggled. “He says that the younger centaur males are competing for my hand in marriage! Apparently they look up to me and think I’m some kind of hero!”
“You are!” said Della.
“I don’t feel as though I did anything special,” said Perenia.
“Heroes never do,” said Sherman, “but as far as those in this room are concerned, you’re very special indeed.”
“Oh, phooey!” said Perenia shyly. “You’re just saying that because you like the way I look in human form!”
Sherman reddened. “Well, you are quite attractive that way—.”
Perenia fingered the talisman. “I’ve still got this!” she teased.
Just then a knock sounded at the door and Krendal stood up and hobbled over to answer it. He opened the door and allowed the guest to step inside. It was Arch Mage Valdez, carrying a large sack.
“Speaking of magic items,” interrupted Krendal, “I’d like to make an announcement of my own.” He hobbled to the head of the table with Valdez in tow.
“Each of you will be rewarded by the Tower of Sorcery for your efforts during the war. Arch Mage Valdez will present each of you with a token of our appreciation.
“For the centaur,” continued Krendal, “we have a magical bow. The bow will allow you to hit your mark every time.” Krendal winked at the centaur. “Now you can pick who you want to marry you by challenging him to an archery contest. When you find someone you like, just aim off target and the arrow will go there.”
Perenia giggled and Valdez presented her with the bow.
“Thank you,” murmured Perenia shyly.
“For the elf,” continued Krendal, “we have a magical cloak, which, when worn, allows the wearer to become invisible.”
“Thank you!” said Della in awe as Valdez handed her the cloak. “Now if Kazin tries to do something wrong, he’ll think twice, because I might be standing right there watching him!”
“Hey!” cried Kazin. “That’s not fair!”
Everyone laughed.
“For the bodyguard,” continued Krendal, “we offer the sword you used the other day against the bone dragon. Considering your latest quest, you’ll need it. But when you’re done with Jarad’s shield, we’d like it back for safe keeping. It is a unique item and I hope to have Jarad duplicate it if possible.”
Sherman nodded.
“To the dwarf,” said Krendal, nodding at Harran, “we offer the ice axe he has wielded for the past few weeks in the defence of Kazin and his party. Your courage will not be forgotten.”
“My thanks,” said Harran gruffly.
“We will give the druid the Torinian Talisman when she awakens,” said Krendal. “It will allow her magic to build up quickly after being drained. With the constant healing she’s always doing, she will need all the help she can get.”
“She’ll like that,” said Della.
“As for Kazin,” said Krendal happily, “we’ve got a surprise for you when you get back to the Tower of Sorcery.”
“I can’t wait,” said Kazin.
“There is one here whose reward is hard to conceive,” said Krendal, looking uncertainly at the minotaur, “especially since magic is so taboo among your race.”
“It’s not necessary,” said Zylor. “I need nothing.”
“Except luck at dice,” muttered Harran.
The minotaur glared at the dwarf. “One of these days, dwarf. One of these days.”
Krendal stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Hmm.”
“There’s still the magical dagger,” said Valdez suddenly. He held up the object for Krendal to see.
“Oh, yes,” said Krendal. “I almost forgot. We will hold the dagger until we find the sailor—.”
“He’s at the fountain in the square,” interrupted Valdez. “I passed him on the way here.”
“At the fountain?” asked Kazin. “Are you sure?”
V
aldez nodded. “He was looking down into the pool. He seemed deep in thought, so I didn’t disturb him.”
Kazin jumped up. “I’m going to see if he’s O.K.!” He sprang for the door.
“Wait for me!” wailed Della, charging after him.
“You can’t go through the portal!” said Kazin over his shoulder.
Della stopped, chagrined.
“Put on your cloak,” whispered Krendal. “It should allow you to use the portal.”
Della needed no further urging. She donned the cloak and disappeared—literally.
Chapter 71
Rubin looked up at the statue before him. One moment he was in the middle of the war, the next he was facing the beautiful, peaceful statue of the mermaid.
The mermaid moved slowly, raising her hand to touch the key-shaped talisman around the sailor’s neck. Raw energy surged from the talisman into the mermaid. The shiny glow of the talisman faded, to be left with a bare, metallic glint.
“It is done,” said the mermaid at last. She placed a hand under the sailor’s chin and tilted his head to look at his face. “You have done well. The cycle is complete.”
Rubin’s eye watered. The mermaid was so beautiful.
“Weep not, sailor,” said the mermaid. “What you seek has been there all along. Look. Look into the water.” She lifted the eye patch and allowed him to look into the pool. Staring back at him were reflections of his eyes—both of them.
Rubin reached up slowly and felt his eye. It was there. There was no mistaking it this time. It was there. It was real. He looked up at the mermaid but the fountain was as it always had been—a dead, cold statue of a mermaid with water spilling from her breasts.
“Why?” he whispered silently. “Why did this happen?” A vision of the mermaid pointing to his head came to mind. The statue had said: ‘understand’.
Then he understood. As long as at least one of his eyes could not see the evil and death he had called forth using necromancy, he could not be corrupted by it. Rubin thought of the war he was in and his role in it. He hated killing, yet he had called forth hordes to do his bidding. Those hordes had killed for him, relentlessly and mindlessly. The brutality of the war caused Rubin to shudder and his eyes filled with tears. Then he wept, cleansing his spirit and releasing the strain of what he had done.
He was still hunched over the edge of the pool when Kazin came up to him.
“Hey!” said Kazin, shaking the sailor gently. “Rubin!”
The sailor looked up and Kazin gasped. The eye patch was gone, replaced by the eye that was thought to be lost.
“Rubin, your eye!” exclaimed Della.
Kazin jumped. “Della?”
Della appeared after removing her cloak. “You can run, but you can’t hide!”
“Very funny,” said Kazin. He turned to the sailor. “Rubin? Are you O.K.?”
Rubin nodded. “Yeah.”
“Would you mind telling us what happened?” asked Kazin.
Rubin related all that had happened to him since their arrival from the Tower of Hope. As he narrated the events, the endless clouds overhead opened slightly, revealing the setting sun. The sky turned bright red, a sign of nicer weather to come.
“And now the red sky and blue water are so much more vivid,” said Rubin ecstatically. “My eyesight is ten times better!”
Kazin scratched his head. Where had he heard that before? Then he remembered.
He fished anxiously through his pockets.
“What are you looking for?” asked Della.
“Here it is!” exclaimed Kazin. He withdrew the note the mage in the past had given him and read it aloud:
‘When the sky is red and the water is blue,
the conditions are right for the one who is true.
You need only look if you wish to win,
beneath the surface under the fin.’
“That’s the note the mage gave you to find the Book of Prophesy?” asked Della.
“Yeah,” said Kazin. “Until now it didn’t make much sense, though.”
Rubin scratched his head. “Well, the sky is red, and the pool’s water is blue, so if we want to win, we just look under the surface—.”
“Beneath the fin!” echoed Della and Kazin in unison.
“That’s it!” exclaimed Kazin excitedly. “The clue lies beneath the mermaid’s fin!”
Rubin peered intently into the pool with his enhanced eyesight. “There are plenty of grooves and ridges,” mused the sailor slowly. “I don’t think—wait a minute! There! It’s a dark spot under the center of one of the tips of the tail. It looks kind of—kind of like a keyhole.”
“Are you sure?” asked Della, looking where the sailor pointed. “I have good eyes too, but I can’t make it out very well.”
“I’m sure of it,” said Rubin. “It’s a keyhole!”
“Great!” said Kazin dejectedly. “The mage didn’t exactly give me a key. How am I supposed to open it?”
Rubin fingered his talisman thoughtfully. “I’ve got a key right here. Suppose we try it?”
Kazin considered. “What are the odds that it will work?”
“Ye won’t know until ye try,” said Rubin, removing the talisman and giving the key to Kazin.
“The worst that will happen is that you’ll look like an idiot swimming in the pool,” said Della, with a twinkle in her eye.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” retorted Kazin. He looked around the square. “At least there aren’t too many people about. I should be able to get this done with minimal embarrassment.”
“I could call everyone to watch,” suggested Della.
Kazin glared at her as he removed his robe and some of his clothes underneath. Then he stepped into the pool and winced. “Ooh, it’s cold!”
Della giggled.
Kazin stepped in and found that he was up to his chest in the icy water. The walls of the pool sheltered him from the sight of any potential onlookers and he relaxed somewhat.
“It’s deeper than it looks,” said Kazin, heading for the keyhole section of the mermaid’s tail. “I’ll have to submerge completely to reach the keyhole.”
Della and Rubin watched as Kazin took a deep breath and dove under, feeling for the keyhole with one hand. With the other, he slipped the key into the gap and twisted. The key turned smoothly, and Kazin pulled back. A square slab slid open, releasing a bunch of bubbles. Everything was blurry for a while to the two onlookers as Kazin reached into the opening. He pulled out an object and came up to the surface with a splash, gasping for air.
“I’ve got it!” he cried.
Rubin looked around furtively. “Shh! Not so loud! Hurry, get out of the pool!”
Kazin complied without hesitation. The water was cold. He quickly threw his cloak around his exposed body. Della helped to dry him off with the cloak while Rubin took a shiny black box from the mage’s hands.
“It’s got a clasp but no lock,” said Rubin. “Should I open it?”
“Let me check it for protective magic first,” said Kazin. To the elf he added, “That’s enough, Della. I think I’m dry now.”
“Just making sure,” teased the elf with a grin. She reached under the cloak to back up her words.
“Hey!” yelped Kazin, jumping back. He glared distrustfully at the elf while he dressed. Then he approached the table where Rubin sat with the box in front of him. He cast a ‘spell detect’ spell with his staff and it glowed a bright orange.
“Just as I thought,” said Kazin. He began to chant one of his numerous unlocking spells but stopped in mid-sentence. “Of course! These simple spells won’t do the trick!” He stood up, pointed the staff at the box, and concentrated. With a light click, the box opened. Inside was a thick, leather bound book.
Kaz
in checked for further wardings but there were none. He gingerly lifted the book out of the box and read its binding.
“The Book of Prophesy!” exclaimed Kazin delightedly. “This is it! The mage somehow hid it in the statue and it’s been there for years, just waiting for me to find it! And to think it was on Sorcerer’s Island the whole time!”
“So ye finally found the book that got ye into trouble months ago,” said Rubin happily. He slapped Kazin on the back. “Sometimes things work out after all, eh?”
Kazin grinned and eagerly opened the ancient tome to read some of its contents. Much of what he read, however, was impossible to decipher.
“You can study it later,” interrupted Della finally. “We should tell Rubin our plans first.”
“You’re right,” said Kazin, reluctantly closing the book. He quickly related the latest plan to visit the necromancer’s (and Sherman’s) home realm.
“Ordinarily I’d be happy to oblige,” said Rubin, “but I think I’ve had enough adventure for a while. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve had fun, and I wouldn’t trade in the days with all you guys for nothin’. We were a close-knit, if odd group of characters. I’ll always remember what we’ve been through together. But sailin’ is my life. I’m good at it and I enjoy it. It’s time for me to go back to my old life. Be sure to tell the others what I said, Kazin. And if any of you ever need me for somethin’, just seek me out. I’ll be waitin’ for you aboard the Lady of the Sea.”
Kazin tearfully shook the sailor’s hand. “You bet, Rubin.”
Della hugged and kissed the sailor. “I’ll be watching every time your ship sails past the elven realm, Rubin. If you ever find yourself run aground on the reefs near the elven shore, you seek ME out for help, understand?”
“You bet,” answered the sailor.
“There you are!” said a voice. It was Valdez. He strode up to the tearful trio and pulled the magical dagger out of his sack. He handed it to the sailor. “This is a gift from the Tower of Sorcery for your brave acts on behalf of the townsfolk of Marral and mages alike. You deserve it.”
Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy Page 70