“I shall be there as soon as I am fully recovered.”
Garlan stepped back and Mirroth looked at the little robin sitting on his shoulder. His eyes narrowed to glowing, green slits.
“You be careful, Keelee. Who will fight with me here, if you don’t come back?”
Keelee bobbed up and down and said, “I come back, just to fight you.”
They could hear a low, rumbling laugh deep inside Mirroth’s tummy.
Garlan looked at the other two sisters.
“You two promised you will look after Marnell. Swing by this place once in awhile and make sure it’s still standing.”
“We do that,” said Tilly.
He turned and walked to Golrath, who bent one leg to allow Garlan to climb up and get seated just behind his neck.
“Take care of him, Golrath. He is your mission now, until I return to the battle.”
“Uncle, go home, get whole again and return to us. We need you more in Wyndweir than in the Land of the Dragons.”
They nodded to each other and then Golrath got himself turned around and pointed towards the water. In two steps, he leapt off the ground and his mighty wings lifted them into the sky.
Garlan watched over his shoulder as Mirroth followed and then two small robins took off straight across the lake. Golrath turned left and headed for the mountains that formed the borders of Wyndweir and Mirroth turned right and headed south.
Keelee began trembling slightly, wondering if she was ever going to see her sisters again. She was happy that Golrath was moving so that Garlan couldn’t feel her small body shaking. She didn’t want him to know just how scared she really was.
Chapter 22 ~ A Leader Returns
As they circled over the fields outside of Rosemoor, Garlan couldn’t help but feel a sadness wash over him. He had only been to Rosemoor three times. The first time he arrived there he was reunited with the woman that he loved and the last time he was leaving there with his wife, gravely injured by Kerrick. He could not prevent the thought crashing through his mind, asking why he was coming back here when she was still in the deep sleep in the Land of the Dragons.
They could see the tents of the armies spread out across the fields and it raised his hopes to see so many. When he had left Rosemoor with Marnell, their numbers had been cut drastically in the battle with Kerrick at Black Mountain. Right now, it appeared there were many times the original number.
Golrath circled around to the east and came in for a landing near the other dragons, who were just watching him approach. When he thumped down onto the ground, Morgath and Venia moved to greet him.
“Cousin, it is good to see you,” said Morgath.
“Good indeed,” said Venia. “How is uncle?”
“Uncle is doing well. He should be completely whole in a short amount of time, though I don’t think it will come soon enough. He is tormented relentlessly by our aunt.”
Morgath laughed, “Whatever it takes to bring him back to the war.”
The two dragons looked at Garlan as he walked around from the far side of Golrath.
“Master Garlan, it is good to see you back here as well,” said Morgath.
“I fear I may not be completely ready to rejoin the fight, but I am here to do what I can.”
“Even just a little help from you, Master, will be very welcome.”
Morgath looked at Keelee sitting on Garlan’s shoulder and said, “I see you have brought uncle’s favorite troublemaker with you.”
“I Mirroth’s favorite?”
Venia looked at her and said, “Uncle is constantly talking about you, Keelee. He wishes all the birds were as courageous and prepared to fight as you are.”
Keelee straightened up and puffed out her chest. She had never felt more proud in her brief life.
“I guess I should go see the other wizards,” said Garlan.
“They are in the pub for lunch.”
Garlan nodded and turned to Golrath and said, “Thank you for bringing me back. Are you heading back home now?”
“I don’t know,” he said as he looked at the other dragons. “Can I be of use here?”
Venia spoke up and said, “More than you know, cousin.”
“Then I’m staying.”
“That’s good,” said Garlan.
Then he turned and headed up the hill toward the village. He couldn’t help, but feel the eyes upon him as he walked through the tent village. He nodded to the soldiers as he walked by and was extremely thankful to see all the royal soldiers that had answered the call.
As he approached the pub, Keelee told him she was going to the forest behind the building to find something to eat, but she would be waiting for him when he came out.
“Go relax, Keelee. I know riding on the back of the dragon was scary to you.”
“Scary. Me not scared.”
“Okay,” he said with a laugh as she flew away.
As he walked into the pub, Toddie looked up and his eyes went wide open. The rest of the pub went silent at the sight of this wizard returning from the Land of the Dragons.
Then Toddie pointed to the usual alcove and Garlan nodded to him as he headed to the archway.
He wasn’t certain what kind of welcome he was going to receive. It could be said that he had abandoned the war when he left Rosemoor the last time. He wouldn’t blame the others if they tossed him out and told him not to come back.
This trepidation in his soul didn’t last long.
As he stepped into the small room, he saw three wizards, Hilde and one large royal soldier captain sitting around the table having lunch.
When they saw him, it was complete pandemonium.
Hilde was the first to see him and she screamed.
“Garlan!”
She almost knocked over the table and chairs as she rushed around the table to throw her arms around him, almost knocking him right out of the room. She kissed him on the cheek and then hugged him tighter than he had ever been hugged before in his life. Even Marnell hadn’t hugged him like that.
The three wizards were only seconds behind her as they all crowded around him to welcome him back with hugs and handshakes.
Toddie showed up, carrying another chair for Garlan and a mug of ale. As he set it down he said he would have a sandwich for him momentarily and returned to his kitchen.
After they all had sat down, Captain Belgard stood up and reached across the table. Garlan stood back up and clasped his hand.
“Captain Belgard, at your service Master Garlan.”
“Captain, it is I who is at your service. Walking up through the camp a few minutes ago, I saw the majesty of your troops and I know this war will go our way because of them.”
They both sat back down, but then Garlan felt a large hand clamp down on his shoulder. He looked up and saw the smiling face of Captain Jong.
“I heard our wayward wizard had returned. I had to come by to see for myself.”
“Captain Jong, it is good to see you.”
“Well, not for long. I’m leaving in a few minutes with the replacement troops for the top of Black Mountain. I just wanted to come by and say welcome back before I left.”
“Is there any activity in the Eastern Desert?”
“Not since our battle in Terranasia,” said Jong. “Seems Kerrick wasn’t quite as strong as he thought he was.”
“You battled him in Terranasia?”
“I’d love to stay and chat,” replied the captain, “but my men await. The others can fill you in on all the fun you’ve missed.”
He clapped Garlan on the shoulder once more, nodded to him and then turned and headed out of the tavern.
As Garlan sat back down, Toddie showed up with another platter of sandwiches and a couple of pitchers of ale. When he was finished, he left and everyone dug into the feast.
Over the next ten minutes they filled him in on the battle in Terranasia and how they had added some of his troops to their own ranks and sent the rest home to Gallyneer.
&
nbsp; He, in turn, filled them in on how he had communed with Marnell and she had told him about the attack on Whitestone. How she was able to battle Kerrick even in the state she is in.
‘Sounds about right,” said Jarell. “Molly showed up here with some refugees right after that and said something had protected them from the red dragon and dark wizard. Now we know who that something was.”
“So, Master Jarell, how is life being joined to this lovely woman?”
Jarell merely smiled and thought for a second. Hilde looked at him, wondering what he was going to say.
“Breathtaking.”
She giggled and leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
Garlan laughed and then looked at the rest of the group.
“Okay, what are the plans now that Kerrick has been pushed back into the Eastern Desert?”
“Well, personally,” said Pendivall, “I’d love to just leave him there to rot, but we know that isn’t the answer.”
“Not as long as I draw breath,” said Hilde with a bit of fire in her voice.
Jarell laughed a little as he reached out and patted her on the back of her hand.
“Easy there, tiger. We aren’t letting him get away with what he’s done.”
“No,” said Pendivall with a smile on his face, “we aren’t. Especially since he currently has gathered more troops to his army. We need to take him down and release them from his bonds.”
“But, we still sit and wait,” said Garlan.
“I don’t think for much longer,” said Pendivall. “There have been rumblings from the Eastern Desert and we’ll gain a better idea of it when the troops on Black Mountain return in a couple of days.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t wait that long,” said Garlan.
“What did you have in mind?” asked Claudious.
“If I’m not needed right now, I’ll take Golrath and fly to Black Mountain and see what is going on from there. Then I’ll bring that news back.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Pendivall, “except you can wait until tomorrow morning. Golrath just flew you in from the Land of the Dragons in one day. Give him a night to rest.”
“I’ll leave at first light and be back by breakfast.”
“That will do.”
~~~~
Toddie led Garlan down the back hallway, toward the rooms and stopped and unlocked a door for him. Garlan stopped and stared into the room and couldn’t bring himself to step across the threshold.
“Is something the matter, sire?”
Garlan closed his eyes, trying to find the words. How could he tell the inn keeper that the last time he had been there, he had spent the night in this room, in the arms of his new bride?
“That’s okay, master Toddie. We’ll take it from here.”
They both turned around to see Jarell and Hilde walking toward them. Toddie nodded to them and walked past them and back down the hallway.
Hilde walked up to Garlan and took the travel bag off his shoulder and turned and opened the door across the hallway. She went in and set the bag on the bed and then started packing her things into her own travel bag.
“We’re sorry about that, Garlan.” said Jarell. “We had believed that when you returned to the inn, you would be accompanied by Marnell and this would be your room again.”
Hilde exited the room and went into the other room and Jarell followed her lead, packing his things and moving across the hall.
Hilde stepped back into the hallway and gave Garlan’s arm a squeeze.
“The bedding was just changed this morning, so this room is cleaned and ready for you.”
Jarell stepped back to the doorway, behind his wife.
“Thank you, both of you.”
“Don’t mention it,” said Jarell. “We’ll end this war as soon as possible so you and Marnell can be reunited and spend the night in whatever room you find yourself in.”
Garlan smiled, “That would be a wonderful thing.”
He looked into his room and then Jarell reached out and grabbed Hilde’s arm and pulled her toward the door and she gave a little yelp.
“C’mon woman. Let’s let him get some sleep. He needs to be up early.”
Garlan smiled at them as they closed the door and he stepped into his own room and closed himself in.
After locking the latch, he undressed and then stood in the middle of the room, gripping his sword in his hand. He lifted the handle of the sword and placed the red crystal against his forehead. He could feel the hair all over his body starting to stand up from the power that was surging through him.
Within seconds he regained a complete understanding of the sword, knowing it was truly his now.
Within seconds, the glow from the red crystal flooded the room with such a brilliant light, Garlan was wondering how he could keep his eyes open.
Then he did close his eyes. He let his mind take flight and knew there was one place he wanted to go, but there was one place he needed to go. However, he knew, in the back of his mind, that he shouldn’t venture to either place.
He knew he wouldn’t intrude on Marnell again, until he knew it was time. Right now was not that time.
Instead, he headed east and over the mountains. In front of him lay the dark, smoky Eastern Desert and Thunder Mountain was directly in front of him. His mind sight flew over Kerrick’s army, to the far side of the encampment. Remembering what Pendivall and Jarell told him, he knew the lair of Kerrick was somewhere just east of the camp and only a short way up the mountain.
Surveying the path up the mountain, it didn’t take him long to discover the cave Kerrick was hiding within. Moving through the entrance of the cave, he found himself standing in the center of a small space and there was a figure laying in a bed off to one side.
Almost instantly, the dark wizard jumped out of bed, scanning the cave for whatever intruder had dared to come into his lair without permission.
“Who’s there?” demanded Kerrick. “Show yourself!”
Garlan just looked at him. He was almost doubled over from the wounds he had suffered. He could hardly hold himself upright on the two legs that were badly misshapen from the arrows that Hilde and Gwen had put into him. His shoulders were hunched over from the other arrow wounds. Kerrick used to stand over six feet tall. Now, he barely rose to five feet.
The worst of his injuries was to his face. Having been dropped near a lava flow last year, his face had suffered horrific burns. He had lost one eye completely and the other was barely able to open.
Kerrick extended his hand and his staff flew into it.
“Show yourself! I command you!”
Garlan almost laughed.
“No, you don’t command me to do anything.”
The voice bounced off the walls of the cavern, but there was no body to put with it. Kerrick trembled as his eye searched, trying to find any sign of who was in his lair.
A few seconds later, a glow started to show in the middle of the cavern. It started off small and faint, but as the seconds passed, it grew brighter and larger, until finally it assumed the shape of a man. A man bearing a flaming sword.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?”
Kerrick shifted from one foot to the other, his naked body trembling at the sight of a real master wizard. A wizard that had just appeared in his lair without coming close to actually being there.
Both of the crystals in Kerrick’s staff came to life and he fired a green-white fireball at the form and was terrified to see it just pass right through and slam into the wall behind him. The whole mountain shook with the blast.
The figure looked down at its chest where the fireball had gone through and then looked at the misshapen wizard.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of, Kerrick. I’m coming for you and when I’m finished, there won’t be a piece left of you big enough to satisfy the hunger of a handful of worms.”
Kerrick felt his heart skip a beat and then another. He hadn’t been too scared of much of anything
lately, but having this apparition standing in his lair and threatening him sounded like a promise for a future that was quite bleak.
“You better get some sleep, wizard. This may be the last night you get any for a long time.”
Then, just as quickly as the figure had appeared, he faded and disappeared, leaving the cave darker and only illuminated by the two crystals in Kerrick’s staff. Even they seemed to have trouble pushing back the darkness.
Chapter 23 ~ Checking Out The Situation
As he walked out of the inn, it was still dark, but the sun was beginning to brighten the sky in the east. Within an hour it would poke it’s head over the mountains and shine its golden light on the land of Wyndweir.
He had only taken a couple of steps before a flutter of wings startled him and Keelee landed on his shoulder.
“Good morning, Keelee.”
“Morning. Where go?”
“I’m taking a flight with Golrath to the top of Black Mountain, to see if there is any activity in the Eastern Desert. You can stay here if you like.”
“Go with master.”
“Okay, but it will be boring.”
“Don’t care.”
As he walked through the encampment, there was some activity, as the cooks were up and getting the morning meal ready for the troops. Some of the smiths were awake and already working on blades, bows and arrows.
As he walked past the last of the tents, he could hear the dragons were rustling around, clearly not doing much sleeping. Golrath stood up as he walked up and nodded to him.
“We are ready to go, master.”
“We?”
“He means us.”
He spun around to see Hilde come walking out from behind Venia. As she did, a group of Guildenians walked up with harnesses and seats.
“Just give us a moment, Master Garlan,” said the leader of the group, “and we’ll have your dragon suitably dressed for this ride.”
They set about to putting the harnesses on Golrath and Venia and the two dragons just stood patiently waiting for it to be done.
“So, you’re going on an early morning flight? Did Jarell put you up to this?”
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