Wizard Rising

by Toby Neighbors

  He saddled a horse and rode through the thick snow. The horse tired quickly, but Zollin helped as much as he could. He found Kelvich wrapped in a thick blanket reading a book on his porch.

  “Shouldn’t you be studying?” Kelvich asked.

  “Yes, but unfortunately I was stabbed last night.”

  “Hilarious. What are you doing here now? I don’t suppose you’ve memorized that whole book on anatomy already?”

  “No, but I really was attacked last night.”

  Zollin spent the next half hour explaining how Quinn had fought the miners and how the tall man had accused Quinn and then stabbed Zollin with the throwing knife. He described how he had managed to heal the wounds as his father drew out the knife.

  “That is fascinating,” said Kelvich. “Unbelievable, really, to think that you could have such control in the midst of that kind of shock and pain.”

  “Well, that leaves us in a bit of an awkward situation. We know the miners are coming, probably with enough men to take the town. So...”

  “You’re leaving?” Kelvich asked. “But it’s too soon. You’re not ready. I need more time.”

  “That was an option, but we decided it would be better for everyone if we stayed.”

  “But if you stay, you’ll have to fight. The townspeople won’t like that. They’ve grown soft with the King’s Army patrolling the northern mountains.”

  “Now you see why I’m here. I have to reveal myself tonight to the town. Father thinks it may be the only thing that convinces them to stand against the miners.”

  “Could be... of course, that would cast a lot of suspicion on the old hermit Kelvich,” the sorcerer said.

  “That was my thought, too,” Zollin replied.

  “Well, I’ll just have to show up tonight, act surprised, perhaps even offended that my new student is actually a wizard, ha!” Kelvich laughed at the thought of it. “It might even be fun.”

  “Good, I was hoping you’d be okay with our plan.”

  “If it were me, I’d find an excuse to move on, although you’d have to be insane to leave the Gate while the snows are still thick. Still, I’m not sure I’d risk my neck for these people. You know they blamed your father, and by association you, when the assassin came to see what had become of his associates. Now, they may run you out of town and take their chances with the miners.”

  Zollin nodded. He was aware that their future hung on the tenuous thread of the townsfolk’s good will.

  “If they do, circle wide, then make your way back here,” Kelvich said. “I’d rather be cramped for a season than lose a good student.”

  Zollin smiled. “You won’t lose me. Just be at the inn at sundown.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t miss it. I love dinner and a show. I just hope I have something to wear.”

  Chapter 25

  The inn was full. No one knew what to expect, but the dull winter months often passed with nothing to break up the monotony of day after gray day. The prospect of unexpected entertainment had brought the townspeople out in droves. There was standing room only when Zollin finally took his place near the roaring fireplace. The lamps around the room were all lit and burning brightly. Zollin looked over at his father and Mansel, who stood on either side of Brianna. There was always the possibility that the town would turn against the little group, perhaps even become violent. But Quinn was prepared for any outcome. Their belongings were packed, along with rations for several days, and Mansel had seen to the horses, which were saddled and waiting in the barn. If things turned ugly, they would flee. Zollin had no desire to see anyone hurt on his account, but he didn’t relish a winter spent cooped up in Kelvich’s little cabin.

  He raised his hands and the room grew quiet. Then he spent the next half hour making small objects fly around the room. His staff was behind him, but his willow belt was under his shirt, next to his skin. He could feel the power of the supple tree branches mingling with his own. Kelvich stood in the back of the room next to the innkeeper. He was pretending to be amazed, but his talkativeness and overreaction to Zollin’s tricks was so out of character for the old hermit that Zollin doubted if he would be believed.

  The townsfolk were shocked at first, and then delighted. They all assumed Zollin was performing tricks, not unlike the illusionist that Zollin had seen at the harvest festival in Tranaugh Shire. Zollin ended his short performance by making all the ale cups hop and dance along the tables. They ended up in a tall stack in front of the innkeeper.

  “What?” he cried. “You can’t make them clean themselves? What good are you?”

  The townspeople laughed and clapped. Many who were seated at the long tables stood. Zollin moved back from the firelight as Quinn stepped forward. He cleared his throat and the room grew quiet.

  “We’re new to Brighton’s Gate,” Quinn said. “And while I’ve always regarded this town and its people highly, I need to bring some things to your attention.” There was murmuring among the crowd but Quinn pressed on. “I was here over twenty years ago, not as a carpenter, but as a King’s soldier, guarding your village from the threat of Skellmarian invasion. I remember Brighton’s Gate from that time being a lovely place, full of happy, forward-thinking people. But I also remember the constant readiness of the town for attack. We’ve only been here a short while, but it is obvious that you are not ready for the threats against your city. The King’s Army has withdrawn, and yet you have no plan of defense, nor any defensive works to keep enemies out of your town.

  “And when you allow miners to run roughshod over you, it is obvious that you’ve lost all fight. I know that it was convenient for you to blame us for what happened. We chose not to sit by and allow brigands to do whatever they pleased. We are not angry, but we are concerned. The miners will come now. They’ve sent their spy to see what condition the town is in. What will they find when they return? Will you stand against them, or cower in your homes as they rob and plunder, murder and rape?”

  “Who are you to speak this way to us?” shouted one man. “No one asked you to kill that miner or accost his companions. If the miners come, it’s you they’ll be wanting, not us.”

  “Do you really believe they’ll just go away once they kill us?” Quinn asked. “Don’t be naïve. They won’t leave their mines and livelihood without taking whatever they want from you.” Quinn pointed his finger at the man. “Will you try and stop them?”

  “How can we?” said another man. “We’re not warriors. We have no one to fight them.”

  “You can fight,” said Quinn.

  “Better to be alive and penniless than dead with fat purses,” said the first man.

  “You have the advantage,” Quinn said. “We can secure the town. Let the miners see that you’re not going to roll over and give up everything you’ve worked so hard for. That’ll make them think twice before rushing in to attack.”

  “Perhaps,” said Buck, the innkeeper. “But what if we just hand you over to them?”

  There was an outburst of loud talking at the innkeeper’s suggestion. Zollin was pleased to see that many people were shocked at the thought of turning them over to the miners. Quinn raised his hands again and waited for the room to calm back down.

  “That is an option, although I have to say we would not go quietly. Or we could leave the Gate, but that would leave you exposed. I doubt this miner, Trollic, would be pleased to find that his quarry has flown the nest. We would not leave you without help.”

  “How much help could one small family give?” asked Kelvich. There was murmured approval at the question.

  “Yes, well, let me see if we can show you. Please try to remain calm.”

  Without moving, Zollin began to work. He had allowed his senses to reach out through the room as Quinn had begun talking. He could feel every person, distinguish the men from the women, sense the heat from their bodies and almost hear the beating of their hearts. Slowly he lifted them into the air. Now he could hear their panic, sense the terror in their helplessness. The room
seemed to shake from the screams and shouts. Some people were outraged, others terrified. As Zollin slowly lowered the people down to the ground, he was afraid they might mob him.

  “Who’s doing that?” Kelvich shouted.

  “The boy, he’s a sorcerer!” shouted another man.

  “Kill them,” shouted a woman holding a small baby to her chest. “Burn them or they’ll curse us all.”

  “Please,” Quinn shouted over the noise. “Please listen to us.”

  Slowly the room quieted, but not before several townspeople had left the inn.

  “Zollin is not a sorcerer, he’s a wizard,” Brianna said. She had come to stand next to Quinn and now she had the entire room’s attention. “I know it doesn’t seem like much of a difference, but there is. He is good and he would never hurt you. But he can help us. He can help you defend your village.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Kelvich shouted. “You betrayed me, boy.” There was such conviction in his outrage that Zollin was startled. “All this time tutoring you in law, and you’re a wizard.”

  “A wizard is still a person,” Zollin said. “I’m sorry, Master Kelvich, but I did not harm you, nor did I take advantage of you.”

  “That’s beside the point,” Kelvich snarled. “How do you expect us to trust you if you aren’t honest with us?”

  “We are being honest now,” Quinn said. “We didn’t tell you everything up front because we didn’t expect you to ever need to know. But now you do. Now you need us and we’ll help. We’ll also answer any questions you have.”

  “Where are you from?” asked one man.

  “Tranaugh Shire,” Quinn said.

  There was whispering around the room before Kelvich asked, “Didn’t we hear something about trouble in Tranaugh Shire?”

  “Yes,” Quinn replied. “A band of wizards from the Torr arrived in our village with hired soldiers. They wanted to take Zollin away, and we fled.”

  “How do we know the Torr won’t follow you here?” said another man.

  “They will, but not until spring,” Quinn explained. “The winter snows hold them back, just like the rest of the world. When the snows start to melt, we can move on if you like.”

  “You could move on now,” said a burly man in a dirty coat.

  “Yes, we could, but that won’t help you. Can’t you see we’re trying to help?”

  “Well, what do you propose?” the innkeeper asked.

  “I propose that we plan for your defense and train you to handle whatever or whoever might threaten you,” Quinn said.

  “When are we supposed to do that?” said another man. “We work, you know.”

  “Yes, and so do we. But we have time to learn some basic skills and ensure that everyone knows what to do in case the town is attacked.”

  “And you’ll help us?” Kelvich asked.

  “Yes, of course. We’ll do all we can.”

  “And the wizard?” said one man. “What’s he going to do?”

  “He’s actually our greatest advantage,” Quinn said.

  “Don’t you think the miners will have guessed that you are the people from Tranaugh Shire?” said the man in the dirty coat. “I talked to that man they sent. He asked if we had seen anything out of the ordinary. He suspects your boy is a sorcerer, and I’ll bet they’re ready for him.”

  “Actually,” said Brianna, staring at the man with a cold look. “He thinks that Zollin is dead. The man attacked him and left him for dead, right here on this floor.” She pointed down at the rough wooden planks. “If you don’t think these men are serious, then think again. They’ll kill you without a thought. They have no qualms about spilling your blood and taking everything you own, including your wives and daughters.”

  “You’ve brought this on us,” said a woman in the back.

  “No,” Quinn said quietly. “Your lack of preparation and failure to stand against the miners brought this on you. We may have been the spark that started the fire, but it was coming. The only difference is that now we’re here to help you. Please take some time to consider what we’ve said. Tomorrow you can let us know what you would like us to do.”

  The group went back to Quinn and Brianna’s room. They tried to remain positive, but they couldn’t help but listen to see if a mob had formed to storm their room. An hour passed, and they all began to relax. Eventually, there was a short knock on their door. Quinn answered it. The innkeeper looked relieved. Quinn had talked to him earlier in the day, and the man had agreed to start the questioning. He had been afraid the room would break out into a colossal brawl, but the townsfolk had taken the news much better than expected. In fact, people had been wondering what to do about the miners for some time. Quinn and Zollin had given them something to focus their attention on, and for the most part it was positive.

  “Most people are on board with your plan,” said Buck. “There are a few that would rather run you out of town or just turn you over to Trollic if he comes, but not many. Your teacher was very convincing,” Buck said to Zollin. “I can see why you’d want him schooling you.”

  “You think most of the town’s on board then?” Quinn asked.

  “I can’t speak for the few who left, but the rest of us are convinced. We’ll stand with you if the miners come. We should have done it long ago.”

  “No need to worry about that now,” Quinn said. “We can clear the common room of the Gateway Inn to teach some basic combat skills. Is there a place where we might train archers?”

  “We could mark out a range behind the inn here,” said Buck. “It’ll take several men most of the day to do that, though.”

  “I’ll handle that,” Zollin said. “If that’s okay?”

  Buck nodded and Quinn smiled.

  “Good, we’ll get started tomorrow,” Quinn said. “Let’s meet with the village leaders tomorrow evening. Can you arrange that?”

  Buck nodded and then said good night.

  Zollin and Mansel went back to their own room.

  “You were pretty impressive out there,” Mansel said.

  Zollin smiled, a little embarrassed at the older boy’s praise.

  “Too bad you can’t make our room smell better, mighty wizard.”

  And just like that, the world was back to normal.

  Chapter 26

  The next day was busy, with people going from place to place despite the cold weather. Zollin spent about half an hour moving the snow from a long, rectangular space behind the inn. There was plenty of room, and Zollin piled most of the snow up around the sides to block the icy wind. At the Gateway Inn, Quinn had almost finished restoring the common room. It had really only needed the ceiling reinforced and some of the molding redone. There were no benches or tables, just a long open room. All day, men came by and pledged their support. The kitchens of the inn were still unusable, so Ollie and Buck made lunches for the men coming in to practice their swordwork. Quinn drilled the men on basic maneuvers with both sword and shield.

  Once the archery range was finished, Mansel built a simple frame and attached straw-filled dummies to the wooden posts as targets. Men and women began arriving and practicing with their bows.

  Zollin had gone back to his room to study the anatomy text when he saw Brianna walk past with a bow in her hand. Her face was flushed with cold and excitement, and Zollin thought she was beautiful. He pushed those thoughts away and tried to focus on the diagram of blood flow through the body, but his mind just wasn’t in it. He kept seeing her face, her ruddy cheeks, her smile, the way her hair was tied back and the wispy ends that had escaped the ribbon she had tied it with. He tried to wait until supper time, but finally he slammed the book closed and went out to find her.

  She was in the common room sitting by the fire. There were several other women sitting there, all with cups of steaming drink. Zollin thought of returning to his room; he didn’t want to interrupt their conversation. But before he could go, Brianna caught sight of him and hurried over to him.

  “Guess what?�
� she said, her eyes twinkling in the orange light from the fire.

  “What?”

  “I’m being trained as an archer,” she proclaimed, and the other girls giggled.

  “An archer?”

  “That’s right. Tobin the brickmaker was an archer in the King’s Army. That was years ago, of course, but he’s a good teacher. He rounded up several of the ladies and is teaching us to shoot.”

  “Really?” Zollin asked. “That’s great, I guess.” Actually he was a little appalled at the idea of women being trained for war. He certainly didn’t want Brianna anywhere near the fighting. His mind flashed back to the mercenary racing toward her in the forest, his sword raised for a killing stroke. He shook the memory away.

  “You guess,” Brianna said frowning. “You don’t think I can do it?”

  “No, of course you can. It’s just the idea of it...” He let the words die on his tongue. Brianna looked at him, and now her eyes were ablaze with fury.

  “What idea do you have of me, Zollin? Perhaps in a kitchen, fixing your supper? Or maybe bathing children? Is that more of what you had in mind for me?”

  “No, nothing like that, it’s just—”

  “Just what?” she demanded. “You say you think I can do it, but you don’t think I should. Let me tell you something, I didn’t come with you so that I could hide in your shadows. I can take care of myself.”

  “I’m sure that’s true,” Zollin stammered, wondering how the conversation had taken such an abrupt turn. “I’m not saying that you can’t learn to shoot, or that you shouldn’t. It just took me by surprise, that’s all.”

  “It didn’t surprise Mansel,” she said in a superior tone. “In fact, he thought it was great idea.”