Tamara looked up as her brother carefully sipped some water.
“Yes, we are beyond grateful. If there is ever anything we can do to repay you...”
“There is not, lady mage,” Kassus rumbled. “I was pleased to aid this wizard, for whom I have great respect. And my people despise goblins. They are great enemies to the dwarves and our admiration for the rock folk is vast.”
“Speaking of the goblins, they sealed their lair,” Malcolm told the elemental. “Any thoughts on how we can reach them now? We were thinking that they might try to tunnel away, or maybe even assault the castle again.”
“They will not,” Kassus replied with obvious satisfaction.
“Why not?” Simon asked him in confusion.
Kronk climbed out of the large hole behind the earth elemental and trotted over to join the wizard and Aeris.
“Because they are all dead, master,” the little guy said.
Simon stared at him in disbelief and Kassus nodded once in confirmation.
“The little one is correct. You gave me permission to summon aid if I felt it was necessary, sir wizard, and so once I have ensured the safety of the mage, I decided to rid the world of this group of accursed goblins. I called upon a few of my fellow earthen and we cleaned out that nest. Their cleric proved to be quite powerful, so it was at least an interesting battle. Short, but interesting.”
“All dead?” Sebastian gasped as Tamara helped him to his feet.
He looked like a ghost. He was covered with caked-on dust and his eyes were red against the white dust on his face. He peered up at Kassus.
“You killed them all?”
The large earthen looked down at him, eyes like twin flames.
“We did. Does that displease you? Perhaps you would like me to return you to your prison? That can be arranged.”
“Whoa. Whoa!” Aiden said quickly as Sebastian backed up several steps and Tamara scowled at the elemental.
“Everyone calm down here,” the warrior continued. “I'm sure that Bastian is very thankful for the rescue. Aren't you?” he added emphatically to the mage.
“Yes, of course I am,” Sebastian said and then coughed several times. “It's just that I would have liked to have learned why they were here in the first place; who sent them and what they really wanted, that's all.”
He sipped more water and Kassus' glare softened. The earthen actually looked thoughtful.
“I understand. Then forgive me for not leaving one alive. Did you learn nothing from them when they questioned you?”
Sebastian smiled at his sister as he handed her his empty glass, then looked back at the elemental.
“Not really, no. Honestly, their questions really didn't make sense, because they asked me things for which I had no answers.”
“Like what?” Tamara wondered.
“Well, mostly questions about him,” he replied and gestured at Simon.
“Me? They wanted to know about me?” the wizard asked in disbelief. “You're joking.”
“I wish I was. The bastards punctuated every question with a slap or a kick or a punch. Lovely manners they had.”
Keiko had faded away from the group but now reappeared carrying a wooden chair. She set it down behind Sebastian and helped Tamara lower her brother on to it.
“Thanks Keiko,” Sebastian said with a relieved sigh. “Legs are a bit wobbly at the moment.”
She smiled and Simon saw her blush.
Aha, he thought. She isn't emotionless after all. I believe she has a thing for Sebastian.
“What did they want to know?” Malcolm asked the mage.
Miriam had knelt down next to Sebastian and offered him a moistened cloth. He smiled at her gratefully and carefully wiped off his face. The cuts and bruises that were revealed under the dirt looked very painful and Tamara hissed between her teeth.
“Easy, Tammy,” her brother said with a crooked grin. “I'm okay. I think I could sleep for a week and I wouldn't mind a decent meal, but I'm fine. Better off than I expected to be, to tell you the truth.”
She swallowed her anger and tried to smile in return.
“As for what the goblins wanted to know,” Sebastian said to Malcolm. “Well, that's the weird part. It's as if they weren't given specific instructions on what they needed to learn. So I got questions like 'how many elemental servants does the wizard have' or 'what is his most powerful spell'. And my favorite, 'how did he kill the primal dragons'. Ridiculous really.”
“And what did you say?” Simon asked him.
“What could I say? I answered truthfully to all of them. I don't know, I don't know and I don't know! You'd think a bloody cleric would have known I was telling the truth, wouldn't you? But no, they just kept coming back every few hours repeating the same stupid questions.”
“Ah, I think I understand now,” Keiko said quietly, surprising everyone. When she saw the group staring at her, she bowed her head in embarrassment,
“You understand?” Tamara asked gently. “You understand what, Keiko?”
The little woman shrugged and seemed to be struggling to answer.
“Take your time,” Sebastian said to her warmly. “We'd really like your insights, if you'd like to share them with us.”
Keiko looked at him and took a deep breath. She looked from face to face and finally settled on looking beyond the group at the far wall.
“It is just that it sounds like the goblins were sent here to gather information, but never expected to actually take a prisoner, certainly not an important captive like a mage,” she added with a nervous smile at Sebastian.
“I would guess that they just happened upon him and captured him on the spur of the moment. Then they weren't quite sure what to do with him after they had him.”
“Makes sense,” Liliana said reflectively. “I don't think these goblins are very bright. Unless they were told exactly what to do, they would have to wing it. Bad idea in this case.”
“Yeah, the lore on goblins doesn't paint them as geniuses,” Simon said with a laugh. “Maybe it's just as well that they were stupid; it might have saved Sebastian's life.”
“I'm not complaining, I assure you,” the mage said tiredly.
Miriam gave him a sharp look and then she stood up and turned to Tamara.
“I'd like to get Sebastian to the infirmary to treat his wounds. I'm a bit concerned about infection after what Jenny went through last night.”
Tamara's face paled and she nodded quickly.
“Absolutely. Bastian, can you walk? We should get you taken care of.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
With his sister on one side and the cleric on the other, Sebastian stood up and looked around at the group.
“Thank you all for your help and concern. And especially you, Simon, for sending me such effective aid,”
He looked up at Kassus and sketched a salute. The earthen bowed ever so slightly.
“Anytime, my friend,” Simon told him. “Now go and get some rest. You've more than earned it.”
Everyone watched as the trio slowly made their way back inside, Sebastian now limping noticeably.
“He's in rough shape,” Aiden said as he watched.
“He'll be fine,” Malcolm told him. “Miriam knows her stuff.”
“I will take my leave now, sir wizard,” Kassus said abruptly. “My brethren have already returned to the earthen realm.”
“As you wish,” Simon replied. “Thanks again for your help. Not only did you save my friend, but you got rid of the threat at the same time. Well done.”
The large elemental actually bowed to the wizard and seemed to be pleased with his praise.
“It was my pleasure. Feel free to call upon me and mine at any time. We are at your service.”
“I'm honored,” Simon answered formally. “And I thank you for that.”
Kassus nodded once at the group, stepped into the pit and sank out of sight. A minute later, the ground began to shake and stone was pushed up from be
low. The hole filled in and the ground was left even once again.
“Efficient,” Liliana said with approval.
Simon smiled down at Kronk.
“Yes, the earthen certainly are that. Could you seal those tunnels that the goblins dug earlier?” he asked the little guy.
“Oh, of course, master! I should have thought of that myself. I will be right back.”
He vanished underground leaving behind a little cloud of dust.
“Aeris, would you head up to the wall and check on those dragons? I'm curious to see if they've sensed what happened to the goblins.”
“Ah, good idea. I'll go see.”
He shot straight up and Simon squinted into the sunlight, losing him in the glare.
“So now what?” Malcolm asked. “It seems that the immediate danger is passed, at least from the goblins. I think we could all use some sleep, to be honest.”
The big man was actually swaying slightly in place and Aiden wasn't looking much steadier.
“I have to admit, wearing plate armor for twenty-four hours straight can be a little bit...fatiguing,” he said wearily.
“I am tired as well,” Liliana admitted.
Simon stared at her in surprise and she raised her eyebrows at him.
“What? Even paladins get tired, sir wizard. But while those dragons are in the vicinity, I cannot allow myself to rest.”
“Then you are in luck, lady,” Aeris said as he popped into sight next to Simon. “The dragons headed south almost as soon as the goblins were, um, dealt with.” He gestured up at the wall. “So the guardsman up there just told me. He was on his way down to report when I showed up, so I am doing it for him.”
“How did they know?” Malcolm wondered. “I mean, were the goblins in touch with the dragons? And how?”
“I would bet that the goblin cleric had a way to communicate with them,” Liliana offered. She was tapping her lip thoughtfully. “The dark gods may have set up some sort of channel between the two groups, or perhaps it's a skill inherent in Chaotic clerics? Who knows.”
She stretched and her armor squealed in protest.
“In any case, I'd say that this is our chance to get some rest. Simon, are you staying with us for a while? I think I can speak for all of us when I say that you are more than welcome.”
Both Malcolm and Aiden asked him to stay as well and Keiko smiled at him but Simon shook his head.
“Sorry folks, but no. Once Kronk seals those tunnels, I'll head home. I have stuff to do around the tower. But tell Tamara to call me if you need anything or if Sebastian remembers anything of importance from his ordeal, okay?”
“Will do, my friend,” Malcolm said.
He and Aiden bid the wizard farewell and left for their quarters. Keiko bowed formally and headed indoors, while Liliana lingered for a few minutes until Kronk returned.
“I told you that the primal red dragon considers you its greatest threat,” she said somewhat smugly. “Those goblins proved my point, did they not?”
“Oh, I'll admit the dragons know I'm their enemy,” Simon replied. “But I don't think I'm their greatest threat.”
“If not you, then who?”
The silvery figure of Esmiralla flitted through the wizard's mind for a moment, but he just shrugged.
“Who knows? It's an awfully big world, my friend. We may have more allies out there than we know.”
“Well, if we do, I hope they show themselves sooner rather than later. If the dark gods are sending goblins to do their dirty work, I have a feeling that our conflict is about to heat up.”
Kronk appeared at Simon's feet and gave him a thumbs-up.
“We'll see, I guess. Grab on, guys,” he told the elementals. “Take care, Liliana. I'll see you soon.”
The paladin smiled and saluted and both Aeris and Kronk bowed to her.
“Gate!” Simon said as he concentrated on his tower and the world faded to black.
Chapter 23
It was still dark when Simon and the elementals arrived home. Both Aeris and Kronk immediately did a sweep of the perimeter and checked in with the sentries on the wall and the roof. All was well.
Simon wearily added wood to the embers in the fireplace, put on some water to boil and went upstairs to change. When he'd returned, Aeris had already made his tea and reported that the tower was secure.
“Did you expect a problem?” the wizard asked as he sat down in front of the fireplace with a contented sigh.
“After what happened at the castle? Who knows?”
Aeris moved to hover in front of the fire. The flames reflected in rainbow colors through his semi-translucent body.
“We know that the red dragons know exactly where you live,” he continued as he watched Simon drink his tea. “Certainly if they had wished it, they could have attacked here while you were responding to the crisis in England.”
“I guess so. I doubt if they'd waste their time though. Why bother attacking an empty building?”
“Spite?”
Simon didn't really want to think; he was just too tired. He settled snugly into his chair and watched the flickering fire numbly.
The front door opened and slammed shut again.
“No problems out there, master,” Kronk said as he tapped across the room. “And the horses and cows are resting quietly.”
The wizard grunted an acknowledgment, not in the mood to talk.
“What's wrong?” the little guy asked Aeris, who shrugged.
“He's tired and cranky,” he said with a quick glance at Simon. “Personally I think that he should go to bed, but he'd probably snap at me if I suggested it, so I'll just stay quiet and wait.”
“Ah, good idea.”
The earthen sat down with a muffled thump in front of the fireplace, not too far from Aeris, and stared silently into the flames.
Simon looked from one elemental to the other. Both were studiously avoiding looking his way and he finally rolled his eyes at their obvious ploy and stood up with groan.
“Fine. I'll go to bed. Call me if the primal red dragon comes knocking.”
Kronk turned around and looked up at him brightly.
“Sleep well, master. We will keep watch, never fear.”
“Good night, oh magnificent one,” Aeris said with a deep bow. His eyes were gleaming with amusement.
Simon snorted but smiled in spite of himself and headed for the stairs.
Babysitters, he thought with a mixture of humor and disgust. Somehow my helpers have morphed into babysitters. Lovely.
“Simon O'Toole? Wake up. We need to talk.”
The wizard swam out of the depths of a dreamless sleep and sat up, blinking dully.
His bedroom was lit by the rising sun, but it was quite early. The birds were singing their morning song and a gentle breeze whispered past the tower. It promised to be a beautiful day.
Simon was alone. He thought that one of the elementals had called but neither was there with him. Had he been dreaming?
“Hello?” he said in a croaky voice.
He cleared his throat and tried again.
“Hello? Is someone there? Tamara? Sebastian?”
A long quiet moment passed.
“Neither of them, young one. It is I, Esmiralla, that calls. Awaken. Something has happened that requires your attention.”
Simon threw back the covers and hopped out of bed. The floor was chilly and he hurriedly went to his cabinet and slipped on a gray robe and his indoor shoes.
“Esmiralla?” he said as he got dressed. “What is it? What's going on?”
“Something I feared might occur and yet never believed would happen. You must have done something momentous to frighten the great Pyrathius.”
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Simon stumbled out of his room. He carefully walked down the stairs as he spoke to the unseen silver dragon.
“Who is Pyrathius? Should I know him or her?” he asked as he reached the main floor.
“He is the primal red dr
agon. One should know the names of one's enemies, shouldn't one?” she chided gently.
“Uh, I guess. So why would a creature like him be frightened of me?”
Simon added a log to the banked fire and used a poker to push it around on the embers until it began to burn. Then he moved to the counter and pumped some water into the kettle.
“You mean, aside from the fact that you've killed all of his siblings and their dragons?” Esmiralla asked with faint humor.
“Err, yeah, besides that.”
“I have no idea. I have not been keeping a close eye on you, young wizard. What have you been up to?”
Simon gathered his thoughts, still thick with sleep, and began to tell the silver dragon about what had happened in England the day before. By the time he'd finished, the kettle was boiling and he made some tea.
“So the red dragons deposited the goblins near your human allies, they set up a base and took a mage prisoner to question him? Hmm, interesting. And then you had your elementals attack the base, save the mage and destroy the goblins. Yes, I could see that being disturbing to Pyrathius.”
“But why?” Simon asked. He walked to the two windows in the main room and opened them wide, letting in the cool, sweet morning air.
“Why would it matter to him? I mean, they're just goblins, right? I can't see a primal dragon caring about goblins all that much.”
“No, I am sure he does not care about them. They are simply tools to be used and discarded. No, it is the way you foiled his plan that may have unsettled him.”
Simon sat down in front of the fire and watched the flames blankly, listening to the dragon.
“I don't understand.”
“The elementals, child. You used elementals to attack Pyrathius' goblins. It has been a very, very long time since a wizard walked this Earth. And it has been an even longer time since a master elementalist has existed. The primal red is perhaps finally beginning to understand how you defeated his brothers.”
“The elementals were only one part of those battles,” Simon protested. “The clashes were a lot more complicated than that.”
“Perhaps. But that is what may have caught Pyrathius' attention. Or perhaps, after such a long life, he is simply a coward. Who can say? But it has led him to do something that I did not expect. And I fear that it may mean your doom, young Simon O'Toole. Yours and your people.”
The Dragons of Ash and Smoke (Tales from the New Earth Book 5) Page 30