Legacy of Dragonwand: Book 1 (Legacy of Dragonwand Trilogy)

by Daniel Peyton

  Kiin gasped, “Crystal!” then held her mouth, for fear of having just given away a closely guarded secret.

  Kellus smiled and asked, “What is that, Kiin?”

  Kiin cleared her throat and gulped. “It seems the daughter of the wizards Shio and Fiona is also a wizard. She works in our medical ward as a healer, like her mother.”

  Kellus continued to smile. “I know.”

  Treb looked up at his lord with astonishment. “But, sir, I thought if any wizards were discovered, they were to be sent to the Pale Labyrinth?”

  “There are a great many things the King has ordered that have worried me over the past four years. When I learned this little girl had magical abilities, I became concerned for her, just as you are. She does not deserve to be imprisoned for her natural talents, and her parents need to be set free. Our people, the people I protect and rule, deserve the freedoms allotted any living being in Gallenor. The rules set by King Anthony are unfair. It is time we do something about these rules.”

  Treb was surprised and a little more than curious. “Are we going to go against the King? We’re not strong enough to fight the entire Royal Army.”

  “No. I do not propose such a disastrous plan. But, it is time we find our own answers. The King is seeking something, and we must find it first so he does not use it against anyone.” Kellus motioned for Norl to speak.

  Norl stepped over and looked at the two best warriors of the Rakki. “The King is seeking the last Dragonwand, rumored to be hidden in the kingdom somewhere. He means to use it to destroy the evil dragon statue, or at least this is what he’s led us to believe for these last four years. But, I overheard him speaking with his personal wizard, and his plans are much darker than I had ever anticipated.”

  Treb had never known Norl to look so disturbed about anything. He was such a calm and collected man that this really bothered Treb. “Lord Norl, what are his plans that are so dark?”

  Norl took a moment to get himself together before speaking. After a pause, he looked at Treb with quivering eyes. “Hallond means to kill every wizard trapped in the Pale Labyrinth and use their collected magical strength to cast some sort of immortality spell over the King and himself.”

  Kiin gasped and held her hand to her mouth, so shocked, she was not able to say anything.

  Treb was snarling and even growling. “How dare they! They have no right! We must do something to stop this!” His words echoed throughout the hall.

  Kellus slowly nodded in agreement, but he maintained his collected demeanor. “I concur. He cannot obtain the Dragonwand before we have had a chance to find it. You see, we must utilize our vast library to find any information about . . .”

  “Did you say Dragonwand?” Kiin interrupted Kellus.

  The Rakki leader stopped and nodded. “Yes. Have you heard anything of this?”

  Kiin looked at her husband, and he nodded at her to say what they knew. “Uh, Lord Kellus, there’s a young Humankind we found near our village yesterday. He spoke to our daughter about a quest he has been sent on to find something called a Dragonwand. I’m not sure if it’s the same wand you speak of, though.”

  Norl was shocked. He nodded quickly and said, “There’s only one Dragonwand. The King’s men have been searching for it for over four years now, without any luck.”

  Kellus furrowed his brow and stuck one eyebrow up. “Is this boy still here?”

  Treb bowed his head as he answered. “Yes. He and our daughter have gotten to know one another, and she’s with him as we speak.”

  Kellus waved a hand to one of his guards. “Bring him to me.”

  Kiin stopped him, interrupting him yet again. “Uh, if I may, I’ll go and fetch them. “

  Kellus waved one more time at the guard to stop him. “Fine, bring them before me.”

  Kiin and Treb bowed out and left the wooden palace of the Rakki. Once the door was closed, Treb gave Kiin a rather quizzical look. “Why did you volunteer for this? I’m sure the guard would be fine to go get him.”

  Kiin rolled her eyes at him. “Honey, Crystal has taken a rather quick liking to this boy, and I dare say he likes her too. If guards show up and take him away from her, it might be a little hard on her. I would not want to bring back bad memories over this.”

  “I . . . I didn’t think of it that way. Now, where are they?”

  Chapter 6: The Wizard Codex

  Mora, the librarian, sat at her desk, looking over a chart showing all the shelves in one particular place. It was about time to add another shelf to house the incoming books, because they were running out of room in that department. She drew on the paper and then erased it quickly; mapping out a library wasn’t easy, and it was all on her to take care of this right now. Oh, the trials of being the Head Librarian of the largest known library in the world.

  At that very moment, a huge bird made of fire flew through the library and screamed with a shrill, high pitch. Mora hit the ground, covered her head with her hands, tucked her tail between her legs, and screamed in pure fear. After a few moments of waiting to be incinerated, she realized nothing had happened. Cautiously looking up, Mora realized that nothing was there. No bird, no fire, not even any singe marks on anything. Suddenly, there were thousands of pops and booms coming from another part of the library, which accompanied multicolored flashes of light in the same vicinity.

  Mora grabbed a paddle she used to straighten books and marched away from her desk and around several shelves. About half a mile away from her desk, she found Markus and Crystal sitting at a long wooden table. The table was covered with books and scrolls of all kinds, some huge, others small. Markus had his wand out and was producing a spectacular spray of fireworks from the end. In his other hand was a book on illusionary magics.

  With a sharp slap of the paddle against the table, Mora got their attention. Markus instantly lost focus and the fireworks stopped. Both kids looked up, seeing the very angry librarian’s face as she stood snarling, showing a few sharp canine teeth.

  “In this library, we do not cause such disturbances,” she reprimanded. “If you do not refrain from using that wand of yours, I’ll be forced to ask you to leave!”

  Crystal, who was standing, gulped and tucked her tail. “Uh . . . sorry.”

  Markus grinned nervously. “I won’t do it anymore. I promise.”

  “Good.” Mora stopped snarling and left them to their books.

  Once Markus and Crystal saw the last of the librarian’s tail, they both started laughing.

  Crystal sat down next to Markus and wiped her eyes. “I've never seen her so angry before.”

  He closed the spell book he had been reading. “I’m sorry if I got you in any trouble.” The apology came out through his chuckling.

  “It’s all right. It was kind of funny.” She finished chuckling. “I’m astonished. You can cast spells with ease and power. How is this possible?”

  Markus looked at his wand. “I think it’s partly due to this powerful wand, and partly an innate knowledge.”

  “Innate knowledge?”

  Markus decided it would be okay to tell her about his dreams, at least in a small amount. “I’ve grown up with dreams about magic. Not every night, but often. I don’t know how or where they come from, but I’ve this sense about magic. It always seemed to come naturally to me. I think it is why Tolen chose me for this mission.”

  Crystal was awed. “Do you even need the spell books?”

  “Of course.” Markus sat up straighter and looked at all the books they had already flipped through. “My knowledge is rough and undefined. I can do some things, but a great deal more is far beyond my understanding. It’s kinda like when you watch your mom cooking something, but when you try, it just doesn’t come out the same way.”

  “You need instruction from someone, or in this case, something with experience,” Crystal finished the thought.

  “Yes, exactly. I have an understanding how the spell will look and a little about casting it, but the fine detai
ls, the bits and pieces that make it come out right, aren’t there. Just looking through this library’s collection of magical items and tomes, I can finally understand some of the magic I’ve seen in my dreams for all these years. I have to remember that firebird spell. I could put a little fear into Tolk when I get back.” There was devilishness in his tone.

  “Tolk? A friend of yours?”

  “Hardly,” Markus scoffed. “He’s another farmer who thought I was a fool for wanting to pursue my magical ambitions. He’s a rather nasty person.”

  “Did you have many friends where you’re from?” Crystal asked as she began to gather up some of the books they had already looked through.

  Markus opened a manual on healing magics and flipped through it. “Not really. Most of the other kids my age were farmers, just like their parents. Oh, when we were little, we all played and had fun. But as we grew up, I became the oddball, the outcast. They didn’t understand magic and feared me. I guess I was a bit of a showoff with my talents—what little I could do. I wish I’d known more people like you . . . people not afraid of me.”

  “I’m glad you are here, too. I don’t have a lot in common with other kids around here. They aren’t mean to me or anything like that; they just like doing other things. Of course, if I had a great wand like yours, I might be more popular.”

  Markus held up the wand in his hand and looked it over. “It’s a really nice thing to have. Though, I’m still not sure if I can use it to its fullest potential. Tolen probably expected I knew more of what I was doing.”

  “You seem to know a lot more than you give yourself credit. You hardly had to try to cast any of those spells.”

  “It’s a powerful wand, and illusionary magic isn’t really that hard. Healing magic . . . now, that’s hard. I’d be scared to death to use it, for fear my first try at healing someone would set them on fire.” He cringed at the idea.

  Crystal shook her head. “Healing magic isn’t that hard. I do it all the time.”

  “Don’t I know it. Your healing magic saved me from a broken arm in a sling.” He flashed her a boyish grin.

  She looked at him and smiled right back. “It was just a broken bone. Simple magic.”

  He was about to say something but got lost in her eyes for a moment. The torchlight in the library was shining in her crystal blue eyes, and he was transfixed. When he had first met her, he couldn’t get past the tail and fur. It was a shocking idea for him to see a girl covered in so much hair. Yet now, all he could do was look at her eyes and marvel at how beautiful they were.

  “Markus?” Crystal saw the way he was looking at her and slunk down in embarrassment.

  He coughed and shook off the moment. “I . . . uh . . . I was just looking at . . . uh . . . hey, didn’t you say you had a map of the old places in Gallenor?”

  She bit her lower lip and nodded. “Yeah, there’s a book with information about the old forts and temples of Gallenor. It should have a map in it. I know where it is. I will . . . be . . .” She trailed off when she heard a familiar voice talking to Mora at the desk across the library.

  Markus, without a Rakki’s ears, did not know what was taking her attention away. “Crystal?”

  She stood up. “I hear my father.”

  Just then, Treb, Kiin, and Mora came around a shelf, all looking at Markus.

  Markus smiled, but was scared to death. “Uh, hi. What is it?”

  Treb looked at his daughter, then at Markus. “Come with us. Lord Kellus wishes to see you.”

  “Lord Kellus?” Markus squeaked out, a terrible fear bubbling up in his belly.

  Crystal quietly answered, “Kellus is our leader.”

  Markus gulped and started explaining himself. “It was just an illusionary spell. I didn’t set anything on fire. I didn’t mean to scare her to death. It was just an . . . accident.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kiin asked in bewilderment.

  Markus’ eyes darted to the librarian and then back to the others. “Aren’t I in trouble?”

  “No, Lord Kellus just wishes to meet you,” Treb answered.

  Crystal set down a book she was holding. “Me, too?”

  “No,” Kiin gently answered, and saw a desire in her daughter’s eyes. “If you want, you can come, too.”

  Markus and Crystal joined Treb and Kiin as they all left the library together. Markus was as nervous as he could be, but glad he was not going alone.

  Crystal was more than curious, but asked no questions yet.

  Markus did his best to act grown up. He was turning sixteen in two days, and he needed to act it. Though, on the inside, he was shaking so hard, his stomach was quivering.

  The giant wooden doors to the Grand Hall were opened, and two guards with Treb, Kiin, Crystal, and Markus all walked down the long path toward the throne. The Grand Hall was impressive. Not quite as much as the library beneath the city, but it was certainly amazing to see. Everything inside was carved from wood: the tables, chairs, columns . . . even the large fire pit itself, in the center of the room, was made of wood. The fire pit had a roaring fire in the middle of rocks placed just so to keep the whole hall from going up in a blaze.

  Dozens of Rakki stood around, watching people enter the room. Of course, their eyes were all on Markus, for it had been a long time since a Humankind that was not a member of the Royal Guards had set foot in here. Most of the people in the Grand Hall were in armor, not unlike Treb’s or Kiin’s. They were the warriors of the Rakki, commanders and their lieutenants.

  Markus was stopped by Treb’s strong hand as they got to the throne. Then, with a firm press, Treb forced Markus to kneel as they all came down to one knee. It was an honor to be summoned by Kellus, but right then, Markus felt like he was about to face punishment for . . . something.

  “So, you are the young wizard who has befriended our little Crystal,” Kellus spoke with a collected, wise voice.

  Markus looked up, cleared his throat, and then tried to speak. His mouth was dry, and his voice was suddenly gone.

  Treb patted him on the back. “This is Markus, the Humankind who saved Kiin outside the village with an impressive spell.”

  Kellus smiled and stuck up one furry eyebrow. “Is this true? Do you control magic with such precision to combat an imp?”

  Markus cleared his throat again and then nodded. “Ye . . . yes, sir. I, uh, used magic. I have this wand, and well, I used it to stop that imp thing.”

  “Imps are quite the problem for our people in these trees. They infest the Blue Forest and cause trouble wherever they are found. Recently, they have been getting worse. A sign of darker times coming.” Kellus changed the flow of discussion with one question. “Tell me, young Markus, do you seek the Dragonwand?”

  This got Markus’ attention. He knew Tolen had sent him to find that particular item, but he wasn’t sure about anyone else looking for it. What could they possibly want with it? “I am. Why?”

  “Markus,” Treb harshly whispered at the boy, for the question was not asked with the respect Markus should have given for such an honored elder.

  “It is all right, Master Treb. He has the right to ask,” Kellus interceded for Markus, then turned his attention back to the boy. “We have heard troubling words from our King about that wand. It seems he seeks it too, and does so for villainous desires. Are you seeking it to present to him or to keep it from him?” Kellus asked as calmly as he might ask for a glass of water.

  Markus was curious. Tolen had not given him much information. “I was asked to find it so I might present it to a statue outside of Thendor. I guess that means I’ll keep it away from the King. Is he a bad person?”

  Kellus spoke like a sage. “Good or bad is such an uncertain idea. The King’s plans are good—in his mind. But his means will result in bad things happening. For us, his actions are bad.”

  “What do you want of me?”

  “I would like to know if you have the wand or know where it is. For it is paramount we locate it and keep
it safe.”

  Markus shook his head. “I don’t have it, and I’m not entirely certain where to find it. I was sent on a quest for it, but received very little information to guide me.”

  Kellus rubbed his furry chin. “It seems the problem I face and your quest have crossed paths. The King seized and imprisoned a number of my people four years ago. He lied to us, saying they would be freed once the wand was found and the kingdom was again safe. Now, we know he means to destroy all wizards and to craft a most devious magic with the help of his head wizard. Finding the wand will not only prevent him from finishing this spell, but could help free my people and many others.”

  Crystal gasped, and then made an uncontrollable whimper as she started to panic. Her parents could be killed by this King. Her worst nightmares were coming true.

  Markus carefully put a hand on hers, since she was kneeling beside him. Then he whispered, “I won’t let that happen.” He meant this for her ears only, but he misjudged the ears of the Rakki around him.

  Kellus was highly intrigued by this comment. An almost sneaky smile crossed his face. “I see you do mean to stop him. I am glad to hear that.”

  Markus eagerly smiled and stood up. “Then you want my help?”

  Kellus did not return the eagerness, and only a raised eyebrow and glance of scrutiny. “It seems you need our help. We have information you could use to find the wand. But . . .” He paused and continued to look over Markus.

  Markus gulped and asked, “What?”

  “I am not sure if I can trust you.” He didn’t say so for Markus as much as for someone else in the room.

  All four people stayed silent before the Lord of the Rakki. Treb looked at his wife, and both shrugged, not understanding what Kellus wanted to hear.

  Markus felt every eye on him. He started to sweat and shifted from foot to foot. Then he asked, “How may I prove myself to you?”

  Kellus shook his head. “I cannot say. I know none of your triumphs or actions, other than one spell that saved Lady Kiin. If only I had spent time with you.”