The people of Gallenor were afraid of their future though. Without a king on the throne and a working government of representatives for each race, it was possible that one race may decide its rule was superior over another and a civil war might break out. It took years for all the races to agree on the Constitutional Concordat which established the laws of the lands. If that fell apart, all sense of order and peace could very well fail with it.
A bell rang out across the city and the large doors to the palace opened up. A group of people exited the doors with Markus at the center. A collective of all the race representatives stood about him, as well as several of the guards and courtiers. Markus walked with his Dragonwand staff always at his side. This was a symbol of his new title as he addressed the crowd.
He was nervous as he stepped away from the group and approached the town square, but with one look at his parents, Treb, Kiin, Fiona, Shio, and Crystal, he found his courage. People clamored at first but then began to go silent as he patiently waited for them to quiet down. When there was finally silence, he tapped the end of his staff on the ground and a small light burst atop it. He spoke into it.
“Thank you for coming,” his voice boomed, “I’m humbly honored that you, the people of Gallenor, have faith enough in me to ask for me to sit on the throne. After much discussion with the representatives of all the races, I have decided I am not right for the position.” He paused knowing there would be murmuring. After it died down he continued. “In the long history of Gallenor, no king has been a wizard. This was an established tradition by the first kings to help bring equality to all. A wizard on the throne would represent a shift into favor of the magical peoples over the non-magical. As such, I would rather stand in the same place as the wizards have always stood, next to the throne. I will take the role of head wizard when I am ready and vetted for the position. King Anthony’s family is large, and he has heirs to the throne living among the population. After some manipulation by the Betrayer, King Anthony blocked the knowledge of any of the heirs’ legitimacy. I have challenged this Court of Representatives to find one that is suitable to rule, who has the necessary qualifications. Until such a time that an heir is found and a new ruling family established, the Council of Representatives will rule in his or her place. No one representative will hold power greater than another and no laws will be established that cannot be abolished. I pray everyone in Gallenor can respect my decision and understand this is for the best. Now, please listen to the representative of the Rakki, Lord Norl.” Markus stepped aside and allowed the most articulate of the representatives to speak.
Norl stood, and held out a letter. “We, the representatives of the Races of Gallenor, hereby establish a limited provisional government of representation.” His voice was strong and confident. “I, Norl of the Rakki, will speak on behalf of the council on all matters but in no way take leadership of the council. One letter will be sent to each of the races strongholds and we ask each race lord read it to his or her people and then sign it in agreement. The letter not only acknowledges the provisional government’s establishment, but it also agrees to do so with the understanding that as of next week, the committee will be formed to seek the appropriate heir to the throne.”
Norl stopped reading and slowly rolled up the scroll. Everyone on the steps of the palace remained silent as the people absorbed what had just been said. A gradual applause started and quickly turned into a roar as everyone cheered the ideas on. Markus, who was still extremely nervous, broke into a joyous grin.
A great feast was held in honor of the day and the people of Thendor celebrated this as one nation. There were large amounts of smoked chicken from the Rakki estate, great breads from the Momar, large vats of wine from the Shlan, and plenty of vegetables from the humans.
A Dwarf baker held up a tray of golden brown rolls to Markus. “Care te try me best egg breads. Nay will ye find anna as tasty.”
Markus took one and smelled it. “Oh, this does smell wonderful. Thank you.”
“Aye, best inna land o Gallenor. Just ask, ma bakery will always make a fresh batch when ye want one,” Wilma said; known to have the largest bakery in Thenor, and an even better reputation for her unique breads.
Markus nodded. “I will take you up on that offer. Thank you.”
She giggled and bowed out to go and set the tray on the table.
Norl approached Markus and bowed to him. “Markus the Wise.”
Markus dropped his shoulders. “I thought I asked everyone not to bow to me. I’m not royalty. I’m not really a full wizard yet. I still need to go to school.”
Norl straightened up with a smirk on his face. “You were the one who made sure I was appointed as voice of the council. I had worked hard to avoid being given leadership like that. I was content to be the representative of my race, that’s all. So, if they’re going to bow to me, I’m going to bow to you.”
“Turnabouts fair play, huh?” Markus quipped.
“Actually, I did not come over to tease you, but offer my congratulations. This feast was a wonderful idea, and a great success.” Norl looked over the vast amount of tables spread throughout the old marketplace.
Markus gently surveyed the gathering, amused at all the high ranking officials and nobles eating right next to the most common of citizens. “In my reading about politics and diplomacy, I learned something important. Friendship is the key to peace. The races are all rattled by what happened here. My not taking the throne and the lack of any clear heir would make stability that much harder to keep.”
Norl cocked his head. “And a meal will fix that?”
“In a way. These people, even the most common of commoner, will go home to their villages and cities and tell of the happy day they spent celebrating peace and unity. They broke bread with friends from all the races and enjoyed fellowship as one nation. That sense of unity will be brought back home. It will be contagious. My next suggestion to the council is to host a feast like this in each major city. Let this grow as a celebration of peace and life, and remembrance of the sacrifice of those who died. It should help lift the darkness that settled over this nation.”
“I see.” Norl stroked his chin. “You read all that in a book at our library?”
Markus grinned. “Well, not all of it. I do have a lot of ancient wisdom rattling around in my head right now.”
Norl teased him again. “And you wanted to reject the title we gave you. How do you suggest we pay for all these grand feasts?”
“The king was a wealthy man. I think it would be proper to take from his coffers and give back to the people. I believe, even in death, he owes this nation a lot for what he allowed to happen.”
“True. I bow to your wisdom, Markus the Wise,” Norl said with a deeper bow. “I’ll see to it the council votes on this in the morning.”
Markus grunted at the over-acted bow. “Thank you. As for me, I’ll be leaving a sun rise to go home and get ready. I’ve got school starting next week.”
Norl frowned at him. “Surely, you know that the council will want to confer with you on different matters.”
“I know. And I’ll come to meetings when I have the time. But, I’ll not avoid school just because I’m now the dragon. There’s still a lot I don’t know.”
“I understand and respect your decision. I would like...” Norl stopped and cautiously looked around. He pulled Markus aside so that they could speak more privately. “I need to know something. The council wants to know if Hallond’s Dragonwand is truly gone?”
Markus knew this question was going to come before he left today. “I don’t know. There’s still a great deal about the Dragonwands that I don’t know. Several wizards have gone and examined the fields where we fought. They found nothing. As far as I know, it was destroyed when he died.”
“That isn’t comforting,” Norl said.
“I know. The council wants a definitive answer. I don’t have one. The only logical response I can give is this. If hi
s wand is out there, it shouldn’t respond to the touch of just anyone. It has to be conferred onto someone. At least, that is what I believe. I haven’t sensed it and it has not been found. Tell the council to avoid talking about it. However, if they are questioned, say that it poses no threat at this time.”
“Is that the official statement from the Dragon wizard?” Norl asked.
“Yes.” Markus almost snarled to say, “Tell them this is the word from Markus the Wise.”
“Thank you,” Norl whispered, as two of his people approached to invite him to their table.
Markus walked on, looking to get himself a nice helping of this good smelling food. He had a long flight home tomorrow and wanted a hearty meal. He was eager to give his parents a ride as a Dragon.
Chapter 19: School at last
Treb and Kiin stood with Fiona and Shio to watch their little girl leave for her future. Treb was misty eyed and doing his best not to cry.
Shio came over to his best friend and patted him on the shoulder. “We owe you and Kiin so much. Our little girl was raised well and came back to us a fine young lady.”
Treb wiped a tear from his eye. Shio, Kiin and Fiona were staring. “Dang wild-root weed pollen,” he said, scratching at both eyes now. “It was our pleasure. I love her like she is my own, and I guess I always will now. It’ll be hard to let her go.”
Shio laughed at the way he was acting. “Get ahold of yourself. They’re going off to school, not leaving Gallenor for distant lands.”
Treb struggled to keep his lower lip from quivering. “Might as well be leaving for distant lands.”
Just then, Kiin and Fiona joined the conversation, both women standing on the sides of their respective husbands. Fiona watched Crystal and Markus walk toward the school. “I cannot believe we wake only to watch her leave for school. It’s a bit unfair.”
“I know,” Treb blubbered.
Kiin rolled her eyes and held out the much used handkerchief to her husband who soaked up an approaching flood. “Good grief, get ahold of yourself,” she retorted. “We should be proud she’s ready for this.”
Fiona nodded in agreement. “I’m very proud she is going to become a medical wizard, just like us. She will make a great doctor.”
Kiin whispered to Fiona, “I think she will make a good wife, too. I suspect wedding bells aren’t too far away.”
Treb scoffed, loudly, and rolled his head as he rolled his eyes. “Just what I needed to hear.”
Fiona, Kiin, and Shio all laughed at his response. Even after all that they had been through; Treb still had his reservations about Markus when it came to his little girl.
Shio patted his old friend on the shoulder. “Tonight we’ll move Crystal’s old room back into our house, so you won’t have to break down into tears every time you see the room empty.”
“Sure,” Treb said with his lower lip stuck out.
Kiin threw her arm around Treb’s back and pulled him in close. “Well, I guess we will just have to redecorate Crystal’s room. We are going to need a nursery.”
Fiona’s eyes widened. “Are you….?” She pointed at Kiin’s stomach.
Kiin grinned brightly and nodded. “Yup, just found out yesterday.”
Shio laughed and clapped his hands. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”
Fiona continued to smile, asking, “I thought you couldn’t get pregnant?”
Kiin shrugged. “I guess something changed in one of us. Besides, you said it was unlikely I could get pregnant, not impossible.”
Shio slapped Treb on the shoulder. “Well, Daddy, I guess you’ll get your chance to raise you own child.”
Treb hugged on his wife. “We’re ready.”
“Oh, isn’t that cute,” Kiin said, turning her attention to Crystal and Markus off in the distance sharing a rather intense kiss before heading into the school.
Treb let out another scoff and made it very clear he didn’t find that cute. “I wasn’t ready for THAT!”
***
Markus and Crystal kissed for a long moment and then each helped straighten the other’s clothes. They were both wearing fine robes and carrying spell books. Markus did not have his staff with him, as he was less recognizable without the famous Dragonwand. Crystal looked like she was about to run and hide under a rock.
Markus took her hand and held it for a moment. “Are you ready for this?”
She gulped and then nodded. “I think so.”
He laughed. “I’m very ready for this.”
“Don’t you think it will be hard for you to fit in here? I mean, you are the famous Markus the Wise now.”
He playfully grimaced when she said that. “What a title. I never expected to be called that, least of all gain it as an official title. Especially considering this is our first day of real wizard classes.”
Crystal brushed a little more of her fur off of his shoulder. “It’s okay. I’m sure you’ll be given many opportunities to prove it.”
Markus shook his head. “You should’ve seen my father’s face when Norl and the rest of the council officially announced that title. You would think they bestowed it upon him. I’ve never seen him so proud.”
Crystal stood back and got a good look at her man, still impressed. “He has a right to be so proud. I’m just sorry they had to go home before today. It would’ve been nice to have seen them before class.”
Markus smiled and looked back down the road where her four parents were talking. “I expect to go home when I can, to see them and let them know how much I love them.”
“You’re a good son.”
“Hey, you guys, class starts in five minutes. Don’t be late,” Donna yelled at the two love birds as they walked toward the main gate. The entrance to the newly reopened College of Wizardry shimmered in the dusking sky.
“Coming!” Crystal said as she grabbed Markus’ hand and ran down the hill to head into the first class of their first semester.
***
A team of the royal wizards scoured the lands where Markus and Hallond fought their final battle. The grassy plains were marred with gaping holes and singed soil from the war. A few of the wizards were climbing down into some of the large craters to check for spell residue.
The chief goal today was to confirm that Hallond’s Dragonwand was not here.
Kellen, a Momar wizard, had walked a good distance from the others. He was the newest member of this team. Most Momar do not participate much with non-dwarfkind. But, Kellen was raised by humans in Thendor. He didn’t have the thick brogue of the Momar, and he was much more personable. He wanted to find something important, so to prove himself to his fellow wizards.
He headed for a thicket of trees where a small creek flowed near these open plains. He held out his wand and said, “Auga Lita!” The sensing spell flashed and encompassed the entire wall of greenery. If anything magical was here, he would see it.
When nothing presented itself, he shrugged and walked away. He cleared the area when a glint of red light flashed his eyes. “What’s this?” Carefully, he made his way into the trees, heading for the shallow stream.
The area was a lovely natural park. The trees were tall and thin, allowing shafts of golden sunlight to bathe the ground. The creek babbled through in harmony with the chirps and buzzes of the wild critters. Still, there was something out of place.
Kellen got to the edge of the water and looked down at something rather odd. It was a large pearl, blood red and glistening in the shaft of sunlight over it. Kneeling down, he reached into the cool water and picked it up.
All at once he was overcome with visions. He fell back as he stared straight forward. He could hear the screaming of dragons overhead, the roar of fires all around him, and voices chanting spells. Great shadows fell over the forest and all the warmth of the day was stolen for a sick cold feeling. The sound in his ears was nearly unbearable. He dropped the pearl to his side and all at once, everything stopped.
Gasping in breath, he gulped and looked down at the pearl. “What are you?” It was still glistening, though shaded from direct sunlight. Cautiously, he picked it up again and this time, there was nothing. No vision, no cries Just the ambient sound of the forest. Yet, he still felt immeasurable power emanating from within the pearl. He just stood there, staring into it.
“Kellen! Kellen!” a woman called out from behind Before he could turn, she was upon him. “Oh, there you are. We’re about to leave. Did you find anything over here?”
Kellen met her gaze, a bit of shock still in his eyes. The expression faded and he simply smiled. “No. Nothing here but trees and water.
About the author
Daniel Peyton is a fresh author whose talents includes, writing, sketching and dreaming out adventures in faraway places that he seeks to bring to paper. He lives in East Tennessee where he draws a great deal of inspiration from the unique landscape. He has been featured in short story e-zines as well as flash fiction blogs. He currently has five books through Cosby Media Productions and four. Outside of authoring books, Daniel is an award winning cook, artist, and embroiderer. He is a distinguished member of the Sigma Alpha Iota, and often can be found teaching classes at his church. Before he began seriously devoting himself to becoming a published author, he spent over ten years traveling the country as a member of the Miyagi Ryu Nosho Kai dance school, performing Okinawan classic and modern dances.
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Legacy of Dragonwand- Book III Page 15