Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03

by Toby Neighbors

  “I left them in Prath.”

  “He fought the dragon before,” Brianna said. “We were at Brighton’s Gate and he drove it back into the mountains.”

  Brianna hadn’t seen Zollin defeat the dragon, she had been kidnapped by the Torr wizard, Branock, but it made her angry to see Dovas scoffing at their quest.

  “King Felix himself sent Zollin to face the dragon,” she said.

  Zollin appreciated what Brianna was trying to do. In fact, he thought it was a nice change from the icy shoulder she had been giving him, but it was obvious that Dovas didn’t believe her.

  “Sure he did,” Dovas said. “That sounds like our gracious King. Whole villages are being destroyed and he sends a child. He should be sending his army against the beast. What can one boy do?”

  “More than you,” Brianna said angrily, but Zollin put his hand on her arm.

  “Brianna, they’ve been through a lot. I’m sure Dovas means no offense.”

  “I don’t give a damn who I offend. You may be a wizard, boy, but that makes no difference to me.”

  “Dovas!” Ulrick said loudly.

  “And you shut up, Ulrick. You’ve licked the boots of everyone we’ve met since we left Prath. I’m through sitting meekly back and letting you tell our sad story to everyone who will listen. I’m going to Orrock and I mean to get answers.”

  “You should show some appreciation,” Ulrick said. “These people have shared their food and fire with us in friendship.”

  “I don’t need friends,” Dovas shouted.

  Zollin was tempted to try and calm the man using an emotional spell, but after the way Brianna had reacted, he didn’t feel that it would be a good idea.

  “Magic tricks won’t do us any good,” Dovas shouted. He stood up and poked Zollin in the chest. “I think you’re a fraud, boy. A distraction sent to make people think the King cares while he feasts in his hall.”

  “That’s not true,” Brianna said, aghast.

  “Shut up, wench.”

  “That’s enough,” Zollin said quietly. “Sit down, Dovas, you’re scaring the children.”

  “He’s right, Dovas,” Ulrick said.

  Dovas turned and backhanded his companion. Ulrick was caught completely off guard. He wasn’t a big man and he fell back with a cry of pain. Then Dovas turned, swinging a punch toward Zollin.

  There was a loud crack as Dovas’ hand connected with Zollin’s defensive shield. He had thrown up the defense mentally, so there was no warning. Brianna had been shocked to see the attack, but Zollin stood calmly waiting for it. The bones in Dovas’ hand snapped as if he had punched solid rock. He wheeled around, cradling his broken hand.

  “Damn!” he shouted. “What the hell did you do to my hand?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Zollin said. “Now I suggest you sit down.”

  Ulrick hadn’t seen the punch or what had happened to Dovas, but he quickly got back on his feet.

  “That was completely uncalled for, Dovas.”

  “Don’t fight!” Tasha said in a hoarse voice.

  “My hand is broken,” Dovas said, his voice straining against the pain.

  “Well, you deserve it, you bloody oaf. Get your temper under control.”

  “I was sent here to protect the children,” he groaned.

  “No one here is trying to harm the children,” Ulrick argued. “They just fed us all.”

  “I can help your hand,” Zollin said softly.

  “No,” Dovas said. “I don’t want you anywhere near me, sorcerer.”

  Zollin had to grab Brianna, who was about to hurdle the fire and attack the distraught villager.

  “Bastard!” she screamed.

  “Brianna, it’s okay,” Zollin said, trying to soothe her.

  “He’s no sorcerer, you idiot. He’s good and kind, unlike you.”

  “Please,” Ulrick said. “Can’t we all just calm down?”

  “Come on, Zollin,” Brianna said. “Let’s find another place to camp for the night. I think we’ve helped enough.”

  “Dovas, last chance to help with your hand,” Zollin said.

  “Get out of my sight,” Dovas spat.

  “So be it,” Zollin said.

  “I’m sorry,” Ulrick said.

  “We’ll push on,” Zollin said.

  “Good luck in your quest,” Ulrick said halfheartedly.

  “Aye, good luck to us all,” Zollin replied.

  Chapter 6

  Pavic sat in a corner of the cantina, nursing a thick beer. He preferred wine or even cider to beer, but most of the people in Osla drank beer and Pavic didn’t want to stand out. He was acting on his own initiative, Prince Wilam had no knowledge of his plans. It was not uncommon for the counselors and servants from different kingdoms to socialize in the Grand City, but Pavic needed more than court gossip. He needed inside information, and he was willing to pay for it.

  He was meeting with one of the councilors from Ortis. He was a young man with a penchant for gambling. Pavic had sent the man a message that promised help with his gambling debts. Pavic didn’t know for sure that the young counselor had debts, but in his experience, anyone who gambled very long incurred debts. It was the kind of problem that a young counselor had to keep secret. If his ambassador found out, he would certainly be sent back to Ortis. Pavic hoped that paying off some of the counselor’s debts would endear the man to Pavic and loosen his tongue.

  He took another sip of his beer; it was bitter and thick, but cool. The weather in Osla took getting used to. The heat could be intolerable, but Pavic had been serving in the Grand City for a long time. He had worked with noblemen and kings, giving advice, sharing his experience, and in some cases, like the one he was in now, working behind the scenes to give his Prince the greatest chance for success.

  Torrin opened the door to the cantina and cast around for Pavic. Torrin was a small man, but bright-eyed and confident. He saw Pavic and then moved to the bar. The cantina was a typical establishment. The main room had many round tables and wooden chairs for the patrons. Barmaids moved among the tables refilling mugs and occasionally serving what little food the cantina offered. Unlike an inn, there were no meals, only salty goods that would increase one’s thirst. There were no wenches, but occasionally a cantina would host a singer or some other type of entertainment. There was a long bar at one end of the main room. Large kegs of beer were set up and tapped to make getting drinks easier for the barmaids. Beyond the main room was a storage room where the kegs of beer or ale were kept. And in most cases, there was a brewing room either to one side or behind the cantina itself.

  Torrin ordered a drink and then studied the room. He needed to make sure that he wasn’t being set up, either by someone else from Ortis who hoped to improve their standing with the ambassador by discovering Torrin’s secret, or by the people who Torrin owed money to. There were gambling houses throughout the city, but most were run by one of a few men known to be more interested in getting their due than their patrons’ health.

  Satisfied that Pavic was alone and not going to cause him bodily harm, he slowly made his way to the table Pavic occupied. It was in a corner as far from the other patrons as possible. Despite the bright daylight outside, the cantina was dim and cool. There were no windows, but the eaves of the roof were open to allow the breeze to blow through. The tables in the corners were the darkest, which suited both men. Neither was anxious for their business to be known.

  “You’re from Yelsia,” Torrin said as he sat down across from Pavic.

  “Yes, I’m glad you came.”

  “You said you could help me.”

  “I’m prepared to, I’ve been in your shoes,” Pavic lied.

  “You play?”

  “Not anymore, I had to give it up. But when I first came to serve here, I gambled. Mostly dice.”

  “I prefer cards,” Torrin admitted.

  “It’s an addictive pastime.”

  “Aye,” Torrin said as he took a sip of his drink. “Very ad
dictive.”

  “Where do you play?” Pavic asked, wondering just how much Torrin was willing to share.

  “Here and there,” the councilor from Ortis said cryptically.

  “I’d like to help.”

  “How?”

  “I can pay down your debts.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Would you believe professional courtesy?”

  “No,” he said, smiling.

  “I have two reasons. First, I need information.” He held up his hand to forestall the objection that immediately colored Torrin’s face. “I’m not looking for state secrets or even information about Ortis. I need information about the Torr. Offendorl will share his plans with your King, if he hasn’t already. I need to know what the wizard is up to. I don’t care if your King agrees or disagrees. I just need to know about the Torr. Secondly, I want to help because someone once helped me.”

  “Who?” Torrin asked.

  “Counselor Fingale,” Pavic lied.

  Fingale was dead now, but for years he served as the Ortis ambassador’s chief counselor. It wasn’t widely known that Fingale had once had a gambling problem, but Pavic was betting that Torrin knew.

  “I don’t know, it sounds dangerously close to treason,” Torrin said.

  Pavic smiled inwardly. He knew that if Torrin was going to reject his offer, he would have done it immediately. Now he was just bargaining in hopes of getting as much debt paid off as possible.

  “Look, tell me who you owe. I’ll see what I can do. If I can help you, then perhaps you can help me. There’s no need to agree to anything today. If I can’t do enough for you, then you haven’t lost anything.”

  “You only want information about the Torr?” Torrin asked.

  “Only about the Torr, I swear it.”

  “Okay, I’ll keep my ears open, but I can’t make any promises. I have debts at the Fiery Brand and the Boar’s Head.”

  “I know both establishments,” Pavic said. “Let’s meet again in two days time, if that suits you.”

  “That is fine, but perhaps we could meet at a different place. Say, the White Rose Inn?”

  “I’ll have a private meeting room reserved,” Pavic said. “Shall we say, late afternoon?”

  Torrin nodded and Pavic stood up. He placed two silver coins on the table and left his guest still nursing his drink. Pavic had access to enough money to pay Torrin’s debts, but he didn’t care to cross back and forth across the city alone with that much coin. He returned to the royal quarters and summoned two of Wilam’s guards.

  “We have work to do,” he told them. “Change clothes, no one need know you’re the King’s Guard, and meet me in the stables.”

  Pavic knew the men would obey. The chief counselor was second–in-command only to the ambassador and at the moment Prince Wilam was drafting correspondence, a tedious task, but one he insisted on doing himself. Pavic went to his own quarters and removed two large coin sacks. He put them into a satchel that he swung over one shoulder and around his neck. He covered the satchel with a riding cloak. It wasn’t the perfect way to disguise the treasure, but at least the money wouldn’t be right out in the open.

  Then he hurried down to the stables. He had three horses saddled and ready by the time the soldiers reappeared. They were dressed in civilian clothes, but Pavic noticed the weapons they carried, some in plain sight and others hidden neatly in their garments.

  “I want one of you to ride with me,” he told them. “The other needs to hang back. Stay within sight of us, but if anyone tries to rob us, we don’t want them realize you are with us. Understood?”

  Both men nodded. They had been stationed in the Grand City long enough to know how to blend in with the locals. They all mounted up and set out for the Boar’s Head. It was an upscale gaming house, with tables for dicing and private rooms for card games that were invitation only. The building was constructed of stone and was freestanding, with exits on every side. There were bouncers at each entrance, but they were just for show. The real muscle was strategically placed around the room, heavily armed and well trained. A rich patron was safe inside the Boar’s Head.

  The soldier riding with Pavic kept his horse while the counselor went inside. Pavic had been a patron in the past, but only when escorting nobles from Yelsia. The proprietor was a tall man with silver hair that was slicked back across his balding pate. He could often be found greeting guests and ensuring that everything was running smoothly at the tables. Pavic stepped inside the building, which was cool and elegant. The marble tile floors and servants waving large fans made of palm fronds kept the temperature very comfortable. The sounds of gaming were muffled by the thick tapestries that covered the stone walls. Hundreds of candles burned in crystal chandeliers and gave the Boar’s Head an almost magical atmosphere.

  “Ah, High Counselor Pavic, to what do I owe the pleasure?” the proprietor said.

  “I would be honored if I might speak with Luca concerning a debt,” Pavic said.

  “I see, right this way, please,” the proprietor said, turning and leading Pavic through the myriad tables of the main room.

  There was a room in the rear of the building, which was where Pavic was escorted. The room contained a large, round table and several men were sitting at the table playing a very high stakes game. Along the walls were several tall chairs where spectators could sit and watch the game. Luca was sitting in one of the spectators chairs. He was a short man, with a thick stomach and teeth stained brown from the tobacco he was constantly smoking in a large bone pipe. He had a table next to his chair with a container of tobacco, a tray for his ashes, a large goblet of wine, and a small book that contained all the debts of his patrons.

  Introductions were very muted in the back rooms of the Boar’s Head. Not everyone who frequented the establishment wanted their business known.

  “How can I help you?” Luca asked.

  “I’m here to pay Torrin of Ortis’ debt,” Pavic said.

  “Ah, the vagaries of politics,” Luca said, smiling. “That’s the reason I give these kids such high lines of credit. Sooner or later, someone always comes around to pay Luca.”

  “How much does he owe?”

  Luca flipped through his book.

  “It looks like 80 silver marks and 120 gold crowns. Plus a small pay-off and privacy fee.”

  Pavic thought of how insane it was to be so in debt. Eighty silver marks were more than he was paid in a year. It would easily take several years for a midlevel counselor to pay off such a debt, but Yelsia’s need had become Torrin’s saving opportunity.

  “Would 150 gold crowns suffice to pay the debt privately?” Pavic asked.

  “Indeed,” said Luca, smiling.

  One hundred and fifty gold crowns was more than the debt owed, but Pavic was paying to keep the matter private. If word got out that he was paying off Torrin’s debt, the young counselor would be of no use as a spy. Pavic reached into his cloak and pulled out one of the bags of coin. It had 200 gold crowns, so he counted out the debt and handed it over to Luca.

  “This is a delicate matter,” he said. “I would prefer if my visit here was not shared with anyone.”

  “I shall put you down as a private benefactor. Not even Torrin will know who paid his debt.”

  “Thank you,” Pavic said. “As always, your discretion is very much appreciated.”

  The high counselor turned and left the room. He made his way through the crowd in the main room, none of whom took even a moment’s notice of him. They were much too enthralled with their cards or dice to notice the Yelsian as he passed quickly by.

  Outside he mounted his horse and rode with his escort toward the other end of town. The Boar’s Head was a very well known gambling hall with an impeccable reputation. The Fiery Brand was just the opposite. It was in a large, shabby building that was in desperate need of repair. Outside there were drunks and destitute people milling about in the street. Pavic looked around before getting off of his horse. He didn�
��t see the other soldier who was escorting him. He certainly hoped the guard could see him.

  Pavic and the guard who was with him dismounted and went inside. The Fiery Brand was a combination of traditional tavern with a long bar, dancing girls who were available for any service at the right price, and gambling. There was no proprietor to greet them, only the noise of people talking and laughing, and of course the smell. Unlike the Boar’s Head, the Fiery Brand seemed to hold the heat of so many bodies. The smell was a combination of beer, sweat, and unwashed bodies. Pavic had expected as much, but it was distasteful just the same. He went to the bar and waited his turn.