Sorcery (Dragons & Magic Book 3)

by Dave Higgins

  “We had to,” Edmond said. “Zombies can’t stand up to an army that doesn’t feel fear—at least not without overwhelming numbers. We’d need three times as many to make a dent.”

  “And a new spell,” Grew said. “While the soldiers were distracted, the zombies had an opening. If I could come up with something stronger, something that would hold their attention for longer. Maybe that worked on the living but not the undead.”

  “None of that will matter if we don’t deal with the giants,” Daffodil said.

  “I have a way to win.” Peony hunched as everyone turned to stare at her at once. Then straightened again.

  Edmond felt a little flush of pride as her shoulders uncurved.

  “The giants have been wondering where their friends are disappearing to,” Peony said. “We can get them on our—”

  “Kense!” Everyone turned as two ghosts floated through the front gate of Amberwick. A breath later, they realised the apparitions were the same ones Kense had taken his armies from.

  “Wayke, Aeran.” Kense became more solid. “How did you find us?”

  The bearded ghost floated closer. “We followed the path of destruction. Thousands of zombies leave a trail. Where are they? I need them to keep building my castle. It’s almost done.”

  “They’re gone, Wayke. We sent them against Imperatis’ army and they got hacked to pieces.”

  Both ghosts glowed brighter, their eyes becoming voids.

  “Do you know how long I took to train them?” the bearded ghost, Wayke, said. “And you waltz off with them. How am I meant to move on now? The other ghosts picked the land clean. All the other zombies are on one task or another.”

  “That castle would never help you move on anyway,” Kense said. “We’re all still here because of Imperatis.”

  The ghost from the pyramid, Aeran, flickered and sank lower. “He’s keeping us here?”

  “He’s the great evil in the land,” Kense said. “And you know what they say about defeating a great evil.”

  “It washes away all sins,” Wayke and Aeran chorused.

  Edmond frowned. He’d never read the phrase, but they all seemed to recognise it. It must be a religion or tradition from their former kingdom. He could stop on the way back from defeating Imperatis to write a short monograph?

  “So what?” Aeran asked. “How did our armies help if they got wiped out? We haven’t moved on.”

  “We need more,” Kense said. “Every zombie in the kingdom needs to fight. Edmond here says he can win if we overwhelm Imperatis’ army. The other ghosts have three times what you two did, combined.”

  “You’ll never convince Bowne,” Wayke said. “His shrine to his children is an obsession.”

  “We’ll take his zombies,” Kense said. “The same as I did yours.”

  Wayke and Aeran frowned at the reminder that Kense had stolen their forces.

  “We need the giants too,” Peony said. “That’s what I was trying to say. The giants want to stop their friends and family disappearing. They think it’s humans, but it’s just Imperatis. We need to send someone to tell them. Someone they can’t kill.”

  “A ghost?” Kense said.

  “Not just a ghost,” Peony said. “ One who’ll reappear near the border with the giants when he’s killed.”

  Kense floated back. “Now wait a second. Why does anyone have to die… re-die?”

  “Timing,” Peony said. “The giants need to start the journey today—tomorrow at the latest—to make it here at the same time as the zombies Wayke and Aeran are going to gather.”

  Wayke and Aeran brightened at the thought.

  “Hang on. Won’t they still need time—” Kense shredded to nothing as Wayke and Aeran added their points-of-view with daggers.

  A thud came from nearby as Stupo turned to look for his other half without remembering to move his feet.

  “Take care of him,” Peony said to Rauger. “Kense will want him when he’s back.”

  “Is this definitely going to help us move on?” Wayke asked. “I was sure I needed to build a castle.”

  “Defeating a great evil…” Edmond prompted.

  “Washes away all sins. All right, we’ll get every zombie we can and meet back here.” The two ghosts left through the gates.

  Edmond shoved the gates closed behind the apparitions, trying to do it gradually enough it didn’t count as slamming. After slotting the bar into place in a diplomatic rush, he returned to Daffodil’s side. “We have a day before they return, and we could all use the rest. Grew, do you need help working on your spell?”

  Grew nodded. “We’ll need to make something theoretical.”

  “Fine,” Edmond said. “I’ll be there shortly. I want to talk to my wife in private first.”

  Daffodil shot Edmond a curious look as he led her to a nearby house and closed the door behind them. His stomach roiled at the idea of having a conversation with Daffodil; which made no sense after so many years together.

  “What is it?” Daffodil asked.

  “I think we should abdicate.”

  Daffodil’s eyes widened. “What?”

  “I’ve seen you these last few days. You were born for battle, for questing.”

  “But your books…”

  “I’ll live without them. I realised something about myself. It was my dream to be a scholar. That’s why we fought so many monsters and built our wealth: so I could buy the books I needed. I get a sense of satisfaction when someone agrees with my theories, or when an academy that laughed at me invites me to give a guest lecture. But, since we settled down, I’ve only been content not happy. Writing another paper in the hope this one will bring me the same joy as when we saved our village from a dragon together. Or that time the Last Demon Lord of Krm’Brak turned out not to be.”

  “You’re just saying that. You love those books. We can’t throw them out.”

  Edmond winced at the thought of those books going to waste, but shook his head all the same. “I’m attached to them. That’s not the same as loving them. I love you, I know that much. And we won’t stay together if we live in a castle.”

  “What are we going to do? Roam the world fighting bad guys?” It was a trick of the dusty gloom, but for a moment, she looked a little younger.

  “Yes. That’s what we’re going to do.”

  “We defeated everything.” Daffodil’s shoulders sagged. “Sometimes more than once.”

  “On Clua Thines,” Edmond said. “Who knows what we’ll find out west, in Shuatan, or even beyond.”

  “Is there anything beyond Shuatan?”

  “No one’s been. For all we know there’s another continent, full of new quests and more powerful treasures. What if Epitheca is right, that humans have a level cap of forty-five? Want to find out together?”

  She pondered that for a moment before nodding. “Before we get too old for it, at least.”

  “Like we’ll ever be too old to quest.”

  “What about Grew?”

  “Grew?” Edmond hadn’t even considered him. “You think he’d want to join us? He has his tower and his reputation.”

  “You haven’t noticed?” Daffodil raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. “Grew’s hit a ceiling. He’s not just saying he’s the greatest wizard in the world. He is. You know how hard it is for a dancer to perform water magic, but he did it the whole way here.”

  “Careful. I’ll get jealous.” Edmond waggled his eyebrows. “You’re that impressed by him?”

  “You’re not? He’s incredible. When we go to Shuatan, we should bring him with us.”

  Edmond nodded. “I’ll ask him.”

  “Later,” Daffodil said with a glint in her eye.

  Chapter 25

  Research

  Peony ignored the scent of burnt wood and stared Rauger’s back. His shoulders were the right width, strong yet not intimidating. And the way his torso tapered down to—

  “Was your father right?” Rauger glanced over his shoulder.

>   “A moment… Haven’t quite…” She felt warmth brush up her throat. They’d ducked into the empty house so they could check their stats without someone distracting them; but being alone with Rauger was just as distracting. Which didn’t make sense. They’d been alone together for days without the way his—

  She flushed again and let her eyes lose focus. A large 2 glowed at the base of Rauger’s neck, his new, improved, stats running down the sweep of his— She stared hard at a broken pot and took a breath. “You’ve levelled up.”

  “Why didn’t we level up before? We’ve fought endless copies of Orped.”

  “Not on a quest. We were just trying to get away. You don’t level up unless you’re doing something questy…” She waved her hand in a circle. “Something… monumental. Like working to bring down a mind mage or clear a dungeon of monsters.”

  He grinned. “It’s weird. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who’s higher than level one before.”

  “Admit it. You like being a hero.”

  He shrugged, but grinned wider.

  “And we’ll get another chance tomorrow.”

  “In the battle?”

  She made a close enough gesture. “While it’s going on. Face it, even with the giants and zombies on our side, Imperatis’ army is too big to defeat. Not when they’ll battle to the last man. The zombies’ll keep fighting until they fall, but giants will retreat once they get injured.”

  “If a mouse doesn’t turn up and scare them all off.”

  “Exactly. We can’t win that way; but a pitched battle will keep everyone’s attention. We can sneak around the army and into Imperatis’ fortress while they’re busy.”

  Rauger grabbed her by the shoulders. “That’s crazy. We’re level two. Your parents are level thirty-five. If anyone should take on Imperatis, it should be them.”

  “No. This is our quest, not theirs. Once we’re past his army, Imperatis will be defenceless.”

  “Defenceless?”

  “He’s a mind mage. And he can only work on us if we’re unconscious. I’m not planning on drinking any more ale. Are you?”

  “Of course not.” Rauger’s eyes turned up the way her father’s did when he was considering the best way to overcome a problem.

  “We wait until the battle starts and sneak off,” she said. “Then creep around the side, well away from the fighting. By the time the battle’s over, Imperatis will be dead, and the army will have no reason left to fight.”

  “I don’t know.” Rauger let his hands slip down her arms. “We should ask your parents.”

  “No,” she said. “If you don’t want to come, stay behind; but I’m going, with or without you.”

  “Fine. I’ll come.” He sighed, then lifted her up by her sides. “If only to carry you when we have to run.”

  Peony laughed as she wriggled free, then paused. Her plan was the best option, and her reasons were sound; but it would still be dangerous. She knew it and he did too. He was going on a potential suicide mission for her.

  A buzzy tickly feeling danced through her. He’d stood by her for days, faced down unbelievable dangers for her. If anyone was a hero, he was. She’d said she’d go on without him; she might even have managed it if he’d said no. But she couldn’t imagine what that would be like; what doing anything without him would be like.

  Was she going to walk into probable death without telling him? Or better yet, showing him? She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

  Rauger stiffened, so still she couldn’t even feel his breath on her face. She’d read the signs wrong. He didn’t feel the same way about her. She eased away.

  Then gasped as Rauger wrapped his arms around her and melted her fears away. She wasn’t sure whether he’d lifted her up or she was floating; and she didn’t care.

  Too short a time later, her father’s footsteps scuffed to a halt in the doorway. “Sorry. I didn’t—”

  She broke off the kiss and looked over her shoulder.

  Her father, cheeks flushed, studied the broken end of a joist as if it contained the secrets of the universe.

  “It’s okay, Dad. Come in.”

  “I could come back,” Edmond said.

  “You don’t approve?” she asked.

  “It’s not that. From what I’ve seen, you found yourself someone with a noble spirit and more honour than a thousand others.”

  “Then…?”

  Edmond checked the toe of his boot for metaphysical guidance. “Can we speak in private?”

  “I’ll go. I need some air, anyway.” Rauger, face reminding Peony of the cover of Pythiak’s On the Colour of Beetroot, brushed his fingers across her arm before striding past Edmond.

  Her father closed the door, then met her gaze. “I wanted to talk to you about being a scholar; about how wrong I’ve been.”

  Peony frowned, unsure if she’d heard him correctly. “Wrong?”

  “You never wanted to be a scholar. Ever since you were little, you’ve been off on adventures, getting into trouble. And I dragged you back to the library to study. I wanted to make you into a fresh version of myself; one that didn’t have to fight to be accepted. But that’s not who you are. You’re your own person. You have been from the moment you could walk.”

  She took a step closer. “I know why you tried. You were scared of losing me to a wight.”

  “This life is dangerous. Most adventurers don’t survive long enough to hit level ten. I don’t know anyone in the world who’s survived as long as your mother and I have.”

  “If anyone could, wouldn’t it be your daughter?”

  “Maybe. Either way, you need to find your own path. One you choose for yourself, not one foisted on you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” She hugged him. “But what about Mum?”

  “This is from her too. We’ve come to a realisation about ourselves. We’re going to abdicate, leave the throne to someone else. I’d offer it to you, but I’m guessing you wouldn’t enjoy it any more than your mother has.”

  Peony thought for a moment. She hadn’t considered what would happen after Imperatis was defeated. She’d promised Rauger he could move to Green Moss. But could she go back to Clua Thines and live in the castle? Not for long, not when there were quests to complete.

  “Your mother and I will head west with Grew. We’re going to see what’s out in Shuatan. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Peony shook her head. “If I’m with you, I’ll never fight my own battles. I need to make my own way.”

  “I figured you might say that.”

  She smiled up at her father. He’d forced her to hit the books for years, but it had always been to protect her; to keep her from the danger she kept running toward.

  “I’ve something to give you.” He pulled a small charm from around his neck. “Something someone gave me a long time ago, that’s always brought me good luck.”

  It looked cheap compared to the magical necklaces, mystical chains, and amulets of power that her parents had gathered before they settled down; but he’d worn it for as long as she could remember. She’d always wondered about the significance of it, but the right moment to ask had never come.

  He handed the charm to her “It’s to help with concentration and reading… I know you don’t need it, but…”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him again. It wasn’t the purpose of the thing, as much as the sentiment behind it.

  “I wondered something. Feel free to say no, but I found a few books in the courthouse. I should research mind mages, giants, and zombies. I could use a hand, if it’s not too boring.”

  She smiled. “I think I’d like that.”

  “That’s the first time you’ve ever said that about studying.” He chuckled and led the way out into Amberwick.

  Chapter 26

  Battle

  Edmond, Daffodil, and Grew strode in front of their army, inspecting the troops. An occasional giant towered above the clumps of half-rotted corpses. The giants had agreed to space themselves out. Which w
ould give them the best chance of bolstering the line and the least chance of random small creature scaring them all off.

  “I’m not staying in the rear this time.” Daffodil brushed her fingers across the stone axe she’d replaced her usual one with. “Back where I can’t make a difference.”

  Edmond put an arm around her. “You can make a difference from the rear. Don’t underestimate your mind. You’re more than a set of muscles swinging an axe.”

  “Maybe so. But swinging an axe is fun.”

  Edmond sighed. He’d tried, but there was only one way to keep her happy. “Fine. You manage the right flank. Try to let the zombies take the brunt of the action.”

  She grinned like a wolf with dental insurance.

  Edmond knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself, she’d rush into the heart of the action the first chance she got. “Grew, is your spell is ready?”

  Grew nodded. “Theoretically. There’s no way to test it out ahead of time, though. If our calculations are correct, it’ll take all the mana I have to cast it.”

  “You’re the only person in the world who can.”

  Grew swept one arm wide and bowed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

  “Let’s get moving.” Edmond waved to Kense and the other ghosts.

  Their patchwork army staggered up the hill toward Imperatis’ lines. The initial advance seemed much like the last time. If the zombies caused even a nervous twitch, it wasn’t visible. However, this time, their zombies outnumbered the human army two to one. Even without fear, the effort of pressing back and hacking down that many bodies might wear the defenders out.

  The human army reacted identically to the first time, lighting trenches of oil and firing flaming arrows at the zombies. Edmond realised Imperatis’ forces had no capacity to learn or react intelligently. They’d been programmed to follow a set routine.

  Daffodil jogged off to the right, disappearing into the push of the undead.

  At a hundred paces, Imperatis’ forces charged, meeting the zombies just like before. This time, however, the long line of zombies moved to enclose the humans.

  Pressed from two directions and lacking the spark of inspiration, soldiers fell to the biting mouths and grasping hands of the zombies.