Five Kingdoms: Books 01, 02 & 03

by Toby Neighbors

  “Zollin,” Kelvich said. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes,” he said, but he slurred his S like a drunken man.

  “He needs food and wine, commander.”

  “I think I’ll see that he’s secure first,” said Hausey angrily.

  Zollin slumped over onto the ground and passed out.

  Chapter 11

  The dragon looked back over its glistening body. Its scales were finally black and harder than stone. The beast roared in triumph. Soon it would be ready to attack larger cities, but first it wanted to move the gold it had obtained from the smaller villages back to its lair. It would do no good to have some band of thieves snatch it while he was away from the small farm he had taken over. The barn where it spent its days was now glittering with the gold from the villages. Most of it was in small coins. The dragon would need someone to take the tiny trinkets and put them into bags so that it could carry them back to its lair.

  It crawled out of the barn and then shook itself. No matter how hard it tried, the beast couldn’t get rid of the animal smell in the barn. It jumped up, flapping its wings in hard beats that lifted it higher and higher into the air. It rose until the ground far below was spread out like a map. It had been attacking the northern villages, now it needed to find the woman. She was almost mad, but she would do whatever he demanded of her. He flew so high that he was in no danger. Even if the humans on the ground could see the dragon with their weak eyes, it would only appear as a dark spot and they would mistake it for a large bird. The beast soared on the currents, locking its wings into place and letting its body rise and fall on the thermals.

  It took several hours to find what the beast was looking for. The woman, the one he had spoken to and breathed on, the one the villagers were calling the Priestess. She was nearing the end of her usefulness, but there were still a few things that she could do. The dragon could see her walking through the countryside far below. Its eyes could focus on her, could see the disheveled hair, the singed clothing, and the lumbering, exhausted gait. There was no one else around for miles. It dove, drawing in its wings against its body and pointing its head and tail until the beast was hurdling toward the earth like a bolt of lightning. At the last minute it stretched out its wings, gravity fighting against the air caught in its leathery wings and stretching every muscle until it felt like the bones in its back would snap, but they didn’t and the dragon landed softly, just in front of the woman.

  She screamed, a hysterical wail that was music to the dragon’s ears. It loved to induce fear and to hear the panic in the voices of its victims. The dragon waited until the woman had herself under control, or as much control as someone on the verge of insanity could muster. She was stepping forward and then backward, over and over, mumbling just beneath her breath. The dragon leaned its head down, almost touching the ground, and forced her to look it in the eye.

  * * *

  Pavic was enjoying a drink made from citrus juice and a spirit made from cane sugar that was imported from Tooga Island. It was a specialty at the White Rose Inn and cost a gold crown. Pavic was enjoying his second one and feeling just a little tipsy when Torrin arrived. The junior counselor looked anxious as he approached the table.

  The common room at the White Rose was different from most. There were tables for eating, but also small groupings of handsome sitting chairs where customers could enjoy a drink or meet with a friend or lover. Fine food and discretion were the specialty at the White Rose. Still, Torrin looked distraught.

  “Is something the matter?” Pavic asked.

  “No, everything is fine,” said Torrin.

  He sat silently for a few moments until a woman in a tight-fitting, silky dress came over and asked if she could get him anything to drink. He ordered ale and got a small frown from the woman, but she left to fulfill his order.

  “You should have one of these,” Pavic said, holding up his tall crystal glass. “It’s called an Ocean Sunrise and it’s divine.”

  “It’s also expensive,” Torrin said. “Listen, I checked around and I appreciate your help with my...uh...short comings, but I can’t help you.”

  “You can’t,” Pavic said in mock surprise. “Why not?”

  “It feels like I’m betraying my kingdom,” Torrin said.

  They both fell silent as the woman returned with Torrin’s ale. They watched her walk away, the silky dress clinging to her figure and making it seem as if she were gliding on air instead of walking.

  “You don’t even know what I’m going to ask you,” Pavic said.

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Torrin after he took a long drink of the frothy ale. “I can’t do this.”

  “Let’s just enjoy our drink,” Pavic said calmly. He knew that getting Torrin to become their spy would not be easy. He was a little disappointed that the younger man hadn’t ordered a drink. It would be easier if Torrin were drunk, but Pavic was patient. He made a mental note that Torrin was still struggling financially. Perhaps money was what the man needed to loosen up and share his information with Pavic.

  “Have you checked on your debts at the Boar’s Head and the Fiery Brand?”

  “Yes, I have. I’ll pay you back, I promise.”

  “Please, forget the debts. We have to look out for one another,” Pavic said. “No one else will. Think of it as a boost to your career, from someone who believes in you.”

  “You’re very generous,” Torrin said.

  “It’s nothing, really,” Pavic said, starting to dangle the carrot. “I’m in a unique position. Prince Wilam cares nothing for facts and figures, which allows me to follow my discretion when it comes to financial matters.”

  “Wow, I have to account for every copper I spend. Ambassador Rowan is such a miser, he even asks how we’re spending our own stipends,” Torrin said, finishing his ale.

  It was just the opportunity Pavic had been waiting on. He waved at the serving girl, who glided over, and Pavic told her to put all their drinks on his tab. He watched Torrin while he said it and the man, whose eyes were down on his empty mug, glanced up and there was a smile at the corners of his mouth.

  “Have you ever had a Forbidden Fruit?” Pavic asked.

  “It’s our most popular libation,” the serving woman said in a sultry voice.

  It was also the most expensive, costing three gold crowns. Pavic assumed it was the kind of drink people of great wealth had just to be seen drinking it. He hoped it would send the right signal to Torrin.

  “Oh, okay,” said the junior counselor.

  “You know, if you help us out with the information about the Torr, I could see to it that you have a secret stipend from Yelsia—off the books, of course.”

  Torrin’s lip twitched. Pavic knew then that he had what he wanted, all that was left was to negotiate the terms of payment.

  “I’m sure a little unaccounted for income would help you get ahead. Then you wouldn’t be so beholden to Ambassador Rowan.”

  “It would be nice,” Torrin said.

  The serving woman returned with a large crystal goblet. The Forbidden Fruit concoction was made of several fruits, wine, spices, and a specially distilled spirit that added very little taste but was said to give the drinker a feeling of ecstasy.

  “This is how a counselor should be treated,” Pavic said. “The best of everything.”

  He didn’t mean it, but he wanted Torrin to think that he did. He felt that a counselor’s purpose was to serve and that one should never let his personal desires affect his judgment, but of course he was hoping that he could get Torrin to think just the opposite.

  “Oh, that’s really something,” said Torrin after taking a sip of his drink. “It’s delicious.”

  Pavic smiled and raised his own glass to his lips. He was still nursing the same drink. In fact, he rarely drank it at all, instead he just pretended to drink. He wanted to keep his wits about him and he needed to get Torrin talking.

  “So, how are things in court now that King Oveer has arrived?” he ask
ed.

  “Much the same, actually,” Torrin replied. “The King spends his days and most of his nights in the royal palace with King Belphan. We rarely see them.”

  “But you still have work?”

  “We work preparing for the council. The kings scheme, and we are their loyal servants,” Torrin complained, taking another drink of his Forbidden Fruit concoction.

  “It is the same for us all,” Pavic lied. “I worry that King Felix cannot attend the council. Young Prince Wilam is not up for the challenge.”

  “I doubt two old, scheming drunkards would be a threat. It is disturbing to see how much sway the Master of the Torr has over our sovereign ruler.”

  “Offendorl has met with them, then?”

  “He summons them to his tower, as if they were his vassals. Even the high councilor is left outside, as if we are nothing more than stable slaves. It’s embarrassing, if you ask me.”

  “I agree, the Torr presumes too much.”

  “Should we fear him?” Torrin said, starting to slur his words. “I see no reason why. He is an old man in a stone house that looks more like a crypt than anything else.”

  “What are his plans?” Pavic asked.

  “I cannot say for certain,” Torrin confided, leaning close to Pavic. “They plot against Yelsia. Offendorl,” he mangled the name in his inebriated state, “wants the other kings to send armies north and demand that King Felix hand over the wizard. It’s a waste of time and resources, if you ask me. Yelsia is a backwater kingdom that poses no threat to Ortis.”

  He took another drink. It was obvious that he was no longer aware of who he was talking to. He swayed in his seat but continued talking.

  “They will bring charges in the Council of Kings that Yelsia has broken the treaties and is threatening the peace by harboring a wizard. It’s all poppycock, wizards and dragons, but the kings love a conspiracy. They are deep in their scheme. Offendorl promises that a show of force would cower Felix and if the other kings demand it, Yelsia will be forced to pay recompense.”

  “That is interesting,” said Pavic, trying to stay calm.

  “That’s not all, there’s talk of detaining Prince Wilam,” he said. “They will force King Felix’s hand or force the young Prince to take his father’s throne by force, if he proves to be pliable enough.”

  “Pliable?” Pavic prompted.

  “He’s in line for the throne,” Torrin continued. “He could be a valuable asset if he will do as he’s told. Offendorl is against it, but Belphan and Oveer say that Wilam could be turned against his father.”

  “When do they plan to detain the Prince?” Pavic asked.

  “Not until after the council,” Torrin said as he finished his drink. “Offendorl does not believe that Prince Wilam will give in to the council’s demands. It would give the council grounds to detain him.” Torrin leaned in closer. “But Offendorl plans to keep the Prince at the Torr. There’s no telling what kind of tortuous horrors the wizards will do to him.”

  Pavic’s mind was racing. It wasn’t that he was completely surprised by the news that Offendorl and the other kings meant harm to Prince Wilam and Yelsia, but hearing their plans certainly came as a shock. He needed time to think and come up with a plan of his own.

  “Do you think I could get another one of those drinks?” Torrin asked.

  “Certainly,” Pavic said. He waved to the woman who was serving the patrons at the White Rose Inn. She glided over to him. “My friend needs another drink,” he said, holding out a handful of gold crowns. “He’ll also need a place to sleep tonight and perhaps some company. Can that be arranged?”

  “Certainly,” the woman said with a knowing smile. Pavic had actually made arrangements for Torrin before he arrived. He wanted someone with the young counselor through the night and to reassure him that all was well in the morning. The last thing he needed was for Torrin to run back to his delegation and confess his indiscretions.

  “Thank you,” Pavic said as he stood up to leave.

  “Wait,” Torrin said, taking Pavic by the arm, “there’s more.”

  Pavic nodded to the hostess, who moved away while Pavic sat back down.

  “King Belphan is moving troops into the city. Offendorl thinks that the other kings need to see a show of force. I think it’s dangerous,” he said, slurring his words so badly that Pavic had trouble understanding him.

  “That is dire news,” said Pavic.

  “Is my drink coming?”

  “Yes, and someone will take you up to a room where you can enjoy it,” Pavic said.

  “This is the life,” Torrin said, smiling. “You’re a good friend, Pavic. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Those people at the Boar’s Head were going to kill me, you know that? Just because I owed them a little money. It’s preposterous,” he said, slurring the last word beyond recognition.

  “Yes, I know, but you’re safe now. I’ll always take care of you.”

  “Ah, that’s nice,” Torrin said as a different woman approached their table. She had his drink, another Forbidden Fruit, and a key to one of the many rooms.

  “I’ll take you to your room,” the woman said. She was older than Torrin, but still quite attractive. She had dark red hair that fell down to her bare shoulders. She wore a gown that was tailored to bring out her best physical features.

  “Oh, that sounds like fun,” Torrin said. He swayed a little as he stood up but seemed to steady as he moved along behind the woman.

  Pavic watched until they made it to the top of the winding staircase and then he hurried from the inn. He wasn’t sure how much of Torrin’s story to believe. He had walked to the inn, and now he let his mind process the information as his feet traveled the familiar path back through the winding streets of the Grand City to the Royal Residence.

  He had anticipated that the Torr would want to detain Prince Wilam. It would do no good to allow him to return home with news that the other kings were plotting against Yelsia. But holding a sovereign Prince against his will at the Torr? It was unheard of and probably dangerous to Wilam. The wizards had powers that no one could explain and with no accountability, there was simply no telling what they might do to him.

  King Belphan and King Oveer were just as bad. They wanted Yelsia, perhaps even all the Five Kingdoms under their rule. The Confederation of the Five Kingdoms had been created as a way to allow all five kingdoms to flourish through autonomy and equality, but, of course, that had been hundreds of years ago. The egos and greed of the kings were bound to outgrow the wisdom of the Confederation’s framers. Now it seemed at least two of the kings had the excuse they needed. They could send armies to Yelsia under the guise of coming to her aid, since she was being ravaged by a dragon. But once there, if it were found that King Felix was harboring a wizard, war was inevitable.

  The only real question was who had the upper hand, the Torr or the kings? Pavic honestly didn’t know. The wizards were needed, both to fight the dragon and to even the odds if Yelsia actually had a wizard. Pavic wasn’t sure what he hoped for more; if his King had a wizard, chances were good that they could hold off the invading armies, perhaps even win the war. Of course, that was supposing that the wizard could defeat the Torr. It seemed likely on the one hand because Offendorl was so ancient, but it was easy to forget just how frightening the Master of the Torr really was. And no one knew how many wizards there were. Offendorl might have a few or he might have an army. Only time would tell, but time was the one luxury they didn’t have.

  King Zorlan of Falxis was due to arrive in the Grand City any day now; that only left Ricard, King of Baskla, and the Council of Kings would be complete. When that happened, Wilam would have very little time left. Pavic knew his Prince would not leave before the council, but at least they could plan his escape if things went the way Torrin had said they would. Pavic’s job now was to verify what he had learned. If Torrin were lying to him, whisking Prince Wilam away before the council would look as though Yelsia was guilty of plotting against t
he other kingdoms. On the other hand, if Prince Wilam were taken hostage, there was simply no telling what control the Torr or the other kings would have over him when and if he were allowed to become King.

  Pavic had been in the King’s service for a long time. He had served ambassadors and King Felix himself, helping them to understand and navigate the intrigues of the court at the Grand City. It had always been a job he enjoyed, his loyalty to Yelsia pushed him to know as much as possible and to help position his nation as a strong and important member of the council. Now, however, he felt protective of Prince Wilam. The Prince was headstrong and perhaps a little naive, but he was passionate about Yelsia and strong when it came to his duty. Pavic had grown quite fond of the Prince and looked forward to seeing him become King of Yelsia. It would take all of his skills to keep the Prince out of danger, but he determined in his mind to do it. He would keep his Prince safe, even if that meant laying down his own life.