Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03

by Toby Neighbors

  “We’d have to lock you up. It’s the only way you’ll see your friend,” said the older man. “I doubt you’d like that. Yoric’s liable to make an example out of you, too.”

  “I’d prefer to do this in a way that is beneficial to all of us. I’ll pay gold for his release,” Zollin explained.

  “You might try in the morning,” said the fat soldier.

  “No, that won’t do,” Zollin said. “I’m sorry to you both.”

  Then, without warning, a dazzling, blue light shot from Zollin’s hands and hit both of the sentries at the same instant. The blast was only meant to stun them and it worked wonderfully, with the two soldiers falling to the ground in quivering heaps. The pulse of magic had only lasted a second and then it was over, but the results were admirable.

  “Whoa,” said Jax from behind Zollin.

  The young wizard turned and looked at the boy. He had been a good guide and deserved more than to be sent away with a coin. In fact, Zollin and Mansel would need to make their escape from the town tonight, not in the morning. He doubted that the small contingent of guards would bother leaving the city un-policed just to pursue him. Still, he didn’t want to make it easy on them if they did.

  “Jax, I need you to go and get our horses,” Zollin said. “Be sure and pack the supplies we bought today on them. There’s gold in it for you if you do a good job.”

  “Gold,” Jax said, his voice hushed with awe.

  “That’s right, and silver, so you don’t have to use the gold coins if you don’t want to. You won’t have to worry for a long time, at least about money. Can you do that for me?”

  “Yes, of course I can.”

  “Good, get the horses and wait in the shadows on the far side of the street, okay? Don’t come to the fort, even if the gate is still open. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I understand,” he said excitedly.

  “Good, then run along. I’ve got work to do.”

  * * *

  They had arrived at Orrock just after dark. Branock had pretended to be disinterested, but Brianna could tell he was relieved to be off the small boat. The docks were crawling with sailors; even though the sun was down, they continued to work, loading cargo into ships and offloading into wagons. There were women in threadbare clothes trying to look alluring. Children whose skin was so filthy only their eyes and teeth showed in the flickering light of the dockworkers’ torches. They ran past Branock and Brianna, some playing, some in a desperate search for food.

  The city walls loomed high and dark. They were big, and even though they were nothing compared to the towering mountain peaks that had surrounded Brianna in Telford’s Pass, these walls were straight up and seemed to grow taller and taller as she approached them.

  The smaller of the two city gates was still open. Soldiers were posted high on the city walls, but also in the brilliant light that was cast on both sides of the small gate by rows of torches. The torches were in polished bronze sconces so that their light was reflected out into the night. The guards at the gate looked surprised as Branock approached. They allowed sailors and merchants in through the small gate at night only after their cargo was thoroughly inspected. Visitors were sent to one of the several dilapidated inns that were built along the city wall to service the sailors and wenches. It was a depressing place to be after dark, Brianna thought. It would have been terrifying, but Branock was more terrifying. The women, normally brazen in their trade, fell silent and found something of interest on the ground to stare at. The children gave them a wide berth, and no one came out of the shadows as they approached. She assumed it was the scarred head and ruined eye, but she couldn’t be sure. Branock had an air of invincibility that was hard to miss. It was as if he was above everything around him and they had no power to touch him.

  They approached the guards, who looked uncertain. They stepped forward with their pikes lowered, but they were obviously afraid. It was the first time Brianna had realized how courageous Zollin had been facing Branock alone, risking his life to save her. He hadn’t cowered or seemed frightened. Yet the soldiers, professional fighters fully armed and armored, appeared to be terrified.

  “We can’t let you in, sir,” said one the guards. “That’s a standing law.”

  “You can’t allow the King’s wizard into the city?” Branock asked in a silky voice. “You would really keep us here, in the dock yard, when we have important news for the King?”

  “You’re a wizard?” the man asked, obviously not having heard anything else Branock said.

  “Here, let me show you,” Branock said in soft voice.

  Suddenly the pike, which was a long spear with a cutting blade as well as a stabbing point and a metal hook used to pull men off of horses, was turned on his companion.

  “What are you doing?” the other soldier said.

  “I ain’t doin’ it!” cried the first.

  “No, I am,” Branock said, obviously pleased with himself.

  “Do your duty, Pran!” ordered the guard, who was now facing the other soldier’s weapon.

  “I’m trying,” the first soldier said in a voice near panic.

  Brianna reached out and touched Branock. In that instant, the spell broke and the soldier who had been wrestling with his weapon stumbled back, his pike flipping up and over his head.

  “Now,” said Branock, acting as if he was still fully in control, although Brianna could hear the edge that was in his voice. “Let us pass or I’ll have your heads mounted on these very gates by morning.”

  The soldier named Pran found his balance and waved them through. The other soldier stepped aside, grimacing, but not courageous enough to resist.

  Once they were through the gate, Branock took Brianna’s arm in a painful grip. He pulled her along at a hurried pace that she had trouble keeping up with. His skin, normally pale, was now red, and even in the constantly changing light from the shops and homes along the street, she could see veins just under the skin of his head pulsing.

  “If you ever touch me again, at any time, for any purpose,” Branock said in a low voice, “I shall ruin that perfect face and turn you out into the street.”

  Brianna said nothing. It was taking all her willpower not to cry out in pain because of the way he was gripping her arm.

  “For once you have nothing to say, what a surprise,” Branock sneered.

  They hurried through the bustling city. It wasn’t a long walk from the dockside gates to the castle, which rose up even higher than the city walls. There was a man at the doors, and this one seemed to recognize Branock. He didn’t speak, but opened the door for the wizard and his prisoner, then stepped aside.

  They went through the door, which was only a portion of the larger gate. Inside was a courtyard, with buildings on either side. The gate had been illuminated by a single torch, but the courtyard was lit with torches all along the castle and on the walls of the other buildings. The castle was built with cut stone. It rose up three stories and had round towers on each corner. Branock led her away from the large, ornate door to a smaller door that was nearer the tower to her right. He knocked briskly on the door, which opened. A soldier, this one dressed in an elegant uniform, allowed them inside then closed the door behind them.

  Branock led her up the winding stairs, passing guards on each level. On the third level he moved down the hallway at a brisk pace. The lighting was dim here, with most of the torch sconces empty. A small man stepped out of one doorway and came hurrying toward them.

  “Are my quarters ready?” Branock asked.

  “Yes, my lord,” said the man with a slight bow as he turned and began walking beside the tall wizard. “Just down the hall, beyond the King’s private audience chamber.”

  “Good, what is the Prince up to this fine evening? I doubt he is visiting his father.”

  “No, lord, he is entertaining in his private quarters.”

  “Send him to me.”

  “But lord, he doesn’t like to be disturbed.”

  �
��He’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

  “Yes, my lord,” the man said gravely.

  “And I require a guard outside my chamber to ensure my guest doesn’t wander unattended.”

  “As you wish.”

  “Have water drawn up for a bath, food and wine as well. It’s been a long journey, and I’m ready to relax. Time is short, Homan, we must be ready when my compatriot arrives. It will not do to be caught unaware. Bring the Prince then wait outside.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  They were almost to the rooms the man had indicated. Brianna noticed the finely carved wooden doors as they passed them. There were horses marching to war, and she thought the scene both beautiful and frightening at the same time.

  “These are your quarters, sir,” the man named Homan said.

  “Excellent, these will do for now.”

  The steward hurried away and Branock opened the door. The room was dark, but Branock merely raised the walking stick he carried. It looked like a plain, wooden cane, more like what a wealthy merchant carried than what an elderly man leaned on. Light flowed out from the cane and showed a richly appointed suite. There were thick rugs on the floors and firewood was stacked in a large fireplace. Branock sent a gout of flame flying into the hearth. The logs burst into flame, bringing a dancing, golden light to the room.

  There were tall chairs of carved wood, with thick cushions lining the seats and backs of the chairs. There was a desk and two other rooms that led off the main area: one was a large bedchamber with ornate furnishings, the other was a much smaller and simpler bedchamber. Branock went to a plain looking table in the smaller bed chamber and lifted a large pitcher of water. He bent over a porcelain bowl and poured the water over his head. There was a soft towel on the table, which he used to pat his skin dry. Then he turned to Brianna, who was standing against the far wall. She was afraid, even though Branock had not tried to hurt or even mistreat her on their journey. The fact that he had forced her into the bedroom made her feel trapped and defensive. She had secreted away a small knife, probably not big enough to kill the wizard, and she certainly didn’t want him to see her with it until she could touch him and nullify his magic, but knowing it was just up her sleeve made her feel better.

  “This will be your gilded cage” he said, emphasizing the last words to mock her. “Make yourself at home; I don’t prefer sleeping in beds as a rule. You may take this one,” he waved his hand at the bed. “You are to stay in this room until I call for you. If you comply, you shall have everything you need. If you do not, well...” he paused to let his words sink in, “...there are other types of cages, if you take my meaning.”

  He spun around and marched from the room. There were candles in tall candlesticks on a table by the bed. One of the candles lit up spontaneously just before he swung the door closed. Brianna could see the light from under the door. Her single candle did little to illuminate the room. The ceiling was high, and there were tall windows that were shuttered for the night. She immediately thought of climbing out the window to escape, but then remembered the cut stone of the castle walls. The stones were fit so tightly together that scaling them without a rope would be impossible.

  She went over and lit the other candles, then positioned them around the room. The room had rugs all around the bed, which had thick posts on all four corners and thick drapes to keep out the light. There was another of the fancy chairs near the far window and a small table with an ink and quill. There was also a wooden wardrobe. She opened it but found nothing of value: a few more of the soft towels and a thick robe of soft wool. She sat on the bed and felt tears stinging her eyes. She was surrounded by luxury, but all she wanted was to see Zollin again.

  Then she heard the outer door slam back against the wall. A loud voice called out, “What’s the meaning of this?” Brianna hurried to her own door and leaned against it to hear what was happening.

  “Prince Simmeron, I bring news,” Branock said in a haughty tone.

  “Good news, I hope. I was entertaining several young ladies, if you take my meaning.”

  “You have work to do,” said Branock. “The Skellmarians invaded the valley in force. The army was nearly wiped out. They may all be dead by now. You must send troops north, to guard the passes.”

  “Skellmarians? You said nothing about the barbarians when I agreed to your ill fated plan.”

  “Tread lightly, highness,” Branock’s tone was icy. “I’m a wizard, not a seer.”

  “I can’t send troops north; they’re busy looking for the dragon.”

  “The dragon has come south already?”

  “What do you know of it?” the voice said in a pouty tone, as if he were disappointed that Branock already knew the latest gossip.

  “It saved your soldiers lives by attacking just after the Skellmarians.”

  “The Skellmarians have a dragon?” The pouty tone was gone, replaced by fear.

  “Don’t be a fool; no one can control a dragon. The beast attacked Yelsian and Skellmarian alike. Had it not been for the foul creature, I would have been successful in my attempt to bring Zollin here.”

  Brianna had to stifle a scornful laugh at the wizard’s lie. It was just more proof that he was human and fallible.

  “As it was, I was able to do the next best thing. I have his prized possession in the next room. He will come for her.”

  “A woman is always the downfall of good men.”

  “Not all men,” Branock said angrily. “Now listen to me. We must double the guard and send spies into the city looking for the boy. He will be here soon. I can feel him approaching. Our voyage took longer than I expected and the snow in the mountain passes didn’t slow him down as I had hoped. We must prepare for every possible outcome.”

  “There can be only one outcome,” said the Prince angrily. “Since you’ve come, there’s been nothing but problems. The Skellmarians attack. A dragon plagues my lands. My meddlesome brother is sending messages to my father that the Council of Kings is being assembled.”

  “You haven’t allowed the messages to be passed to King Felix, have you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good. This is troubling news, but not wholly unexpected. My former master is attempting to stem the changing tides of power, but he shall fail. Too much is at stake.”

  “You had better be right, wizard. I’ve bet my kingdom on this plan of yours.”

  “Once we have Zollin on our side, we will be unstoppable.”

  “You’re sure of that?”

  “Absolutely certain,” Branock said calmly.

  “What if the other kingdoms send armies against us?”

  “And why would they do that?”

  “Because of you! Because Yelsia now has a wizard, something no kingdom has had in hundreds of years.”

  “And the very reason why they won’t come against us. They’ll be too frightened to even contemplate it. And besides, we haven’t done anything to provoke them. You worry about nothing.”

  “Except for the Council of Kings,” the voice argued.

  “Let me worry about that, you ready the city. Once we have accomplished our mission, no one can stop us.”

  Brianna pulled back from the door. She had heard enough. Branock’s plans were much bigger than she had thought. He planned to rule Yelsia, perhaps even all of the Five Kingdoms. But he couldn’t do it without Zollin and now he was coming to rescue her. She decided then that she couldn’t let him risk it. She would have to escape so that Branock couldn’t use her as bait to capture Zollin. And she had no time to waste. If Branock was right, Zollin would be here soon.

  Chapter 29

  They had walked all day, and normally one of them would be sleeping while the other kept watch. This night was different, however. Just before dusk they had topped one of the rolling hills to find a large army camped on the plain below them. This legion had over 500 heavy horse troops and there were over two dozen pennants flying. Quinn had never heard of so many knights leading
a single legion before, but he’d never seen a dragon before either.

  “What do you think they’re doing here?” Kelvich asked, as they lay on the ground watching the soldiers.

  “Dragon hunting would be my guess,” said Quinn.

  “That many?”

  “It’s a good excuse to get out of the dull sentry duty that occupies most of a soldier’s life. Besides, no one’s seen a dragon, and the rumors aren’t clear on what to expect. It could be our dragon from the battle at the Gate, or it could be a whole flight of dragons. Better to have too many troops than not enough.”

  “What would they do if they found us here?”

  “Probably nothing, we’re just travelers, and they’ve probably met a lot if there are as many people fleeing the smaller villages and towns as we’ve heard.”