Controlling Chaos (The Five Kingdoms Book 12) Read online

  Controlling Chaos

  The Five Kingdoms Book XII

  by

  Toby Neighbors

  Controlling Chaos

  © 2016, Toby Neighbors

  Published by Mythic Adventure Publishing, LLC

  Idaho, USA

  All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any print or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  Cover art by Michael Clarke

  Copy Editing by Alexandra Mandzak

  Books By Toby Neighbors

  Avondale

  Draggah

  Balestone

  Arcanius

  Avondale V

  Wizard Rising

  Magic Awakening

  Hidden Fire

  Fierce Loyalty

  Crying Havoc

  Evil Tide

  Wizard Falling

  Chaos Descending

  Into Chaos

  Chaos Reigning

  Chaos Raging

  Controlling Chaos

  Lorik

  Lorik the Defender

  Lorik the Protector

  The Vault Of Mysteries

  Third Prince

  Royal Destiny

  The Other Side

  The New World

  Zompocalypse Omnibus

  Dedication

  To Camille,

  My constant source of hope, and happiness.

  Whenever I’m with you, I’m home.

  Chapter 1

  Zollin stood at the edge of the castle rooftop, peering out over the city. It glittered and sparkled in the fading twilight like a jewel, full of mystery and wonder. In his heart he felt a pang of regret for the people in the city. It was just one city in the kingdom, yet it represented the whole. The people of Orrock were just like the people of Tranaugh Shire, Selphon City, Angel’s Shelter, Brighton Gate, and every other settlement in Yelsia. They deserved better than to have their future squandered because a man on a throne wanted some selfish desire, or simply didn’t care about them.

  For too long Zollin had denied his own responsibility for Yelsia. It was his home, and he loved the people of the kingdom, yet he had sought privacy and peace rather than helping them to find security and prosperity. In the end, his escape to the isolated cottage in the Northern Highlands hadn’t served anyone well. Enemies had risen up on every side of the kingdom and if Zollin didn’t act now Yelsia might very well be lost.

  “You’re quiet,” Brianna said softly as she moved up beside him. “Is everything all right?”

  “I’m okay,” Zollin replied. “Just thinking.”

  “There are a lot of people here wanting to know what you’re thinking.”

  “I know, but I needed a minute. Everything is going to change.”

  “That’s okay, Zollin,” Brianna said, taking his hand. “Sometimes things need to change.”

  She placed his hand on the swell of her stomach and he couldn’t help but smile.

  “Are you ready to be queen?” he asked.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Zollin kissed her forehead then turned to the crowd of servants, ministers, and nobles who had gathered on the roof when he and Brianna had arrived on dragons just a few moments earlier.

  “I am Zollin, Wizard of the Five Kingdoms. I know you’ve heard a lot about me. Some good, perhaps even more bad. But let me clear the air a little. I did not kill King Hausey, I did my best to serve him faithfully. I know things have been difficult since he died, but I am here now and I will set things right.”

  There was murmuring from the crowd and even a spattering of applause.

  “I know Zollin,” Danella said in a voice that was both loud enough to be heard, but at the same time soft and delicate. “He is a good man. He will do what is right for Yelsia.”

  As if to echo her sentiment a roar came rolling down from the night sky above the castle.

  “I will serve Yelsia as king,” Zollin said, his voice steady and strong, “until the kingdom is safe and her future bright. Then, if the people will it, I will step down. But make no mistake, there are enemies at the gate. I will not tolerate anyone resisting my rule, or causing problems. Our goal must be to work together until Yelsia and all her citizens are safe.”

  There was more applause. Zollin knew that the crowd was made up mostly of castle servants, but there were a few nobles in the group, and a few of the kingdom’s ministers as well. Not everyone would like his decisions, or the fact that he was assuming control, but he didn’t need their approval. Strong leadership was needed, and he was finished worrying if his magical powers gave him the right to do something. He knew his motivations and soon the entire kingdom would too. If they wanted someone else as their king once the evil magic that was spreading through Baskla was contained, and Branock’s foul plans were thwarted, he would gladly abdicate to a new king. Until then, he would take control and do whatever it took to ensure the safety of the kingdom.

  “Homan, you are the chief steward?”

  “I was, my lord,” the servant said.

  “You are again. I want the king’s personal quarters sealed off. No one goes in or comes out. Brianna and I will take a simple room.”

  “As you wish,” the steward said bowing.

  “For now, carry on your duties,” Zollin informed the crowd. “I will gather the nobles and the kingdom’s leaders tomorrow. After that, if you have questions or concerns, I will hear them.”

  The crowd broke up as the servants hurried back to their places in the castle. Mansel and Danella approached Zollin. Brianna stood beside him as he turned to look back out at the city. The lights from cook fires and lanterns shone from windows as snow softly drifted down. It seemed in that instant that all the world was at peace, but Zollin knew better. He knew that evil was gathering itself to spring like a lion upon unsuspecting prey. He alone could feel the tension in the air as the danger grew, and he alone could do something to stop it. But he wasn’t alone. He had his friends beside him, and that gave him the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

  “So what now?” Mansel asked.

  “Now we eat,” Zollin said. “I want to know what has happened since I left here last. And why Branock fled.”

  “I can’t answer all of those questions but I’ll tell you what I know.”

  “Let’s go downstairs then.”

  Zollin and Mansel walked toward the staircase that led down into the castle but Brianna stayed behind, catching her sister’s arm and holding her back.

  “What is it?” Danella asked.

  “You tell me,” Brianna said in a soft voice. “You aren’t yourself.”

  “I lost someone very dear to me,” Danella said, unable to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks.

  “King Hausey?” her sister asked.

  “I cared for the king,” Danella explained. “I didn’t want to see him hurt and I would have married him if he had lived.”

  “That would have pleased mother.”

  “But I loved another,” her tears were falling fast and she continued as if Brianna hadn’t commented. “Mansel helped us escape the castle. We were fleeing south on a ship, but eventually we were caught and brought back as prisoners. We barely escaped with our lives, and Vyctor died to save me.”

  “That was his name… Vyctor?”

  Danella nodded but didn’t speak. Brianna put her arm around her sister’s shoulders and hugged her gently.

  “We have never been close, but I feel your pain. I know there isn’t anythin
g I can do to ease your grief, but I will not torment you, or tease the way we used to.”

  “Nor I,” Danella said.

  “I would like to be friends, if that is possible.”

  “It is, at least as much as I am capable. My heart is crushed and I can barely breathe.”

  “We will get through it together. I’m going to have a baby, you know. Time will ease your pain, and new life can come from the old.”

  Danella didn’t speak, but she leaned on her sister as they made their way toward the staircase. Far away Ferno and Sorva cried out in long, plaintive wails as they responded to Brianna’s empathy for her sister.

  Downstairs, they found Zollin and Mansel talking with Homan outside the suite of rooms that had been occupied by Branock when King Hausey still lived. The chief steward seemed happy, even though Zollin was pointing out problems and giving the servant even more work.

  “No,” the wizard said. “I don’t want anyone going in there. We’ll need to check these rooms eventually, and make sure that Branock left nothing behind.”

  “You think there is danger, my Lord?” Homan asked.

  “I hope not, but we shouldn’t take chances. Until we know why Branock left the way he did, we shouldn’t be in these rooms. And I will need to do a thorough search before they are used.”

  “But if you plan to be king-” the steward began.

  “We’ll be fine in the apartments below,” Zollin said. “For now I want this floor cordoned off. No one is to come in or out.”

  “As you wish,” the servant said with a slight bow.

  “Zollin isn’t one for posh living,” Mansel said. “He likes things simple.”

  Homan looked distressed but didn’t speak. He simply led the group down to the second floor of the castle which was mainly apartments for dignitaries, visiting nobles, and honored guests. Danella’s room had not been changed, and several of the maidservants who had been with her before she fled the capital were waiting. Mansel was given a room across the hall, and Homan led Zollin and Brianna to a suite of rooms at the far end. He was just opening the door when a group of Royal Guards came up the stairwell.

  Zollin felt Brianna stiffen, but he stayed calm. The guards had fought him the last time he was in Orrock, but they were only doing their job, Zollin decided. He waited to see what they would do, but silently raised an invisible shield around himself, Brianna, and Homan.

  “You are Zollin the Wizard,” said one of the guards, a grizzled-looking man with dark circles around his eyes, and deep wrinkles across his forehead.

  “I am,” Zollin said, watching for any sign of danger.

  “My name is Keynon, and I’m captain of the King’s Royal Guard. Branock told us that you killed King Hausey.”

  “I think you know that isn’t true,” Zollin said. “I can’t say for certain, but I believe that Branock killed the king. Taking the throne of Yelsia was always his plan.”

  “I’m inclined to believe you,” the soldier said. “But I need proof. I’ve heard your plans, to take charge and set things straight. I support that endeavor, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ensure that you had nothing to do with King Hausey’s death.”

  “If Zollin said he didn’t do it, that should be good enough,” Brianna said, anger making her voice hard.

  “I swore an oath, my lady,” Keynon said. “I have to be sure.”

  “I was here in the castle the evening before King Hausey died. Homan can attest to that.”

  The chief steward bowed again.

  “He can also attest to the fact that I left after meeting with the king. I spent the night with my wife’s family. Find Estry the tailor, he will confirm my story.”

  “If it is as you say, you will have my full support,” the soldier said. “And that of my men.”

  “I appreciate that,” Zollin said. “I will meet with the nobles and ministers tomorrow. That should give you enough time to get the answers you need. Until then I shall be here. You can post guards if you like.”

  Keynon nodded, and the four guards with him took up positions on either side of the door to the suite of rooms Homan had just opened for Zollin and Brianna.

  “Homan, we’ll take food here. Mansel will be joining us,” Zollin said.

  “And Danella,” Brianna added.

  “Very good, my Lord,” the chief steward said.

  “Is it too much trouble to get an official summons written for all the nobles in the city. I want to be sure that everyone knows that I will be addressing the leaders of Yelsia tomorrow.”

  “I can see to that, sire,” Homan said. “You’ll want to sign them, of course. What time would be best?”

  “Let’s say noon, and the kitchens can prepare a light repast for anyone who needs it.”

  “Light, my Lord?”

  “Bread, cheese, fruit, that sort of thing. Nothing fancy. We aren’t planning a feast.”

  “Of course, of course.”

  “And no wine or ale. I want everyone thinking clearly. We have work to do.”

  Homan bowed, then hurried away. Brianna was already in their suite, which consisted of a large gathering room, with couches and fireplace. There were two sleeping rooms on either side of the main room.

  “I don’t like being guarded as if we’re prisoners,” Brianna said as soon as Zollin closed the door.

  “We aren’t prisoners and those guards are no threat to us,” Zollin said. “They are there so that Keynon can save face.”

  “He accused you of killing King Hausey. He should be stripped of his commission at least. I think backing Branock was treason.”

  “Perhaps it was, but you saw his face. Something happened to that man and I’m guessing it was Branock’s doing.”

  “All the more reason you should have removed him from the Royal Guard. He could be under Branock’s control the same as your father.”

  “I don’t think so,” Zollin said. “There was no malice there, just fear. And if I removed him, his entire company of guards would have to be removed with him. They are loyal to a fault.”

  “Well, I don’t have to like it,” she said, moving closer to him. “I’m tired of taking chances with our lives.”

  “Me too,” Zollin said. “But being king means finding a way to win the hearts and minds of the people that serve us. If we force them to recognize us, we’re no better than Branock.”

  “I don’t think that’s true. But I’m loyal to a fault,” she said with a smile.

  “Is that right?” Zollin said, biting back his own criticism of Brianna. She had left him alone in Peddingar Forest, but he knew bringing that up would cause a fight.

  “I am, and I want you to know it Zollin. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve chased things that I thought were important only to find out how hollow and empty they are without you.”

  “So you’re saying you missed me,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.

  “I have,” she laid her head on his chest. “I know we have a lot of things to work through, Zollin. But I’m here. I’m not leaving. I promise.”

  “I believe you,” Zollin said.

  The sound of loud voices outside the door disrupted their quiet moment alone and even though Zollin knew it was Mansel, he still felt it was an omen of their life to come. As king he would have very little privacy, and never enough time alone with the woman he loved more than anything.

  Chapter 2

  Zollin opened the door to find Mansel with his sword drawn. The guards on either side of the doorway had their short swords out as well, and the scene was tense.

  “I’m sorry,” Mansel said. “I was only doing what I had to do.”

  “They were my friends,” one of the soldiers snarled. “You should be hanged for taking up arms against the King’s Royal Guard.”

  “What is going on?” Zollin asked.

  “This man is a murderer,” the soldier said. “He killed three Royal Guardsmen.”

  “I was getting Danella out of the city,” Mansel said to Zo
llin without ever taking his eyes off the angry soldier. “I didn’t want to fight anyone, but Branock assigned three guards to protect her.”

  “Let’s all calm down,” Zollin urged.

  “No!” shouted the soldier. “He killed my friends and I’m going to kill him.”

  “I can’t let you do that,” Zollin replied. “You see, Mansel is my friend and I’m going to need his help. We all are.”

  “I don’t care if he’s your brother. I demand that he be held accountable.”

  “I agree,” Zollin said. “He’ll make reparation payments to the families of the soldiers he killed.”

  “That’s not good enough,” the soldier snarled. There were tears running down his red face, and his hands were shaking.

  “I can handle this,” Mansel said.

  “No, there’s no need for bloodshed. I will see that things are set right between you and the soldiers, but for now I want you to sheath your sword.”

  The muscles in Mansel’s jaws flexed, but he did what Zollin told him to do.

  “Now you men do the same,” Zollin said.

  The soldiers on either side of the door sheathed their swords and breathed a sigh of relief, but the angered guard didn’t move. Zollin looked from the soldier to Mansel, then started to raise his hand to cast a spell, but Mansel shook his head. Zollin didn’t want fighting in the castle, but he knew that sooner or later some of the guards would want revenge. He stepped back and Mansel focused his attention on the guard.

  “You aren’t going to let them fight, are you?” Brianna whispered.

  “The man’s grievance is with Mansel,” Zollin said. “He doesn’t want me to help.”

  “The soldier has his sword out.”

  “I know,” Zollin said. “But if I intervene there will just be trouble later.”

  “So you’re going to let that man kill your best friend?”

  “Mansel can take care of himself.”

  The tension was almost unbearable as the angry soldier, who was shaking with rage, tried to decide what to do. He knew Mansel was a formidable fighter, he had killed three of the King’s Royal Guard by himself. But he also had his long sword sheathed, and even though the corridor was wide, he would have trouble drawing his weapon if the soldier attacked.