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“We’ve heard a few things about the forest, but then we’re always hearing outlandish tales. To be honest, your dragon is the most exotic creature we’ve seen.”

  “Well, that’s good, I suppose. The dwarves under the mountains haven’t been as fortunate. I was just on my way to visit with Brianna’s parents before I set off again first thing in the morning. I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds by landing on the watchtower.”

  “Of course not. In fact, I would like you to be my guest at dinner this evening. Bring your family — they are more than welcome here. It will be a quiet affair, no pomp and circumstance, but the food is good, I assure you.”

  “I’m honored,” Zollin said, feeling his stomach tighten. He knew the invitation wasn’t simply to catch up. King Hausey was a good man, and in most circumstances Zollin would happy to help him in any way he could, but at the moment he didn’t want anything that might slow him down in his search for Brianna.

  “Good, I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll see you this evening.”

  “I look forward to it,” Zollin said, hoping he sounded sincere.

  The guard escorted Zollin out of the castle. He knew the way and didn’t need an escort, but things had changed in Orrock since Hausey had become king. Security was much tighter than when Felix ruled. There were fewer people in the castle, and most of those were confined to the ground floor. The soldier seemed happy having a fellow warrior for a king, even if Hausey’s new duties were taking him far away from the training ground or the battlefield. The new king was focused on bringing the kingdom back to prominence, and it seemed that the people around him were fully invested in the work he had started.

  The castle at Orrock had its own wall, and the space between the castle and the wall was usually very busy. As Zollin walked out of the castle, he was surprised to see how spartan the area had become. There were soldiers on duty, but no one else. Zollin had fought a magical battle in the courtyard directly in front of the castle, but there was no evidence of that conflict. The open space was clear of all debris, making it a proper killing field around the castle. If the castle were to come under attack, arrows and projectiles would stop anyone who managed to get over the wall or into the gate as they tried to cross the empty space around the castle.

  Zollin made his way quickly across to the gatehouse and entered the city proper. Orrock, like most of the major cities in the Five Kingdoms, had a defensive wall that surrounded it. The streets were paved with cobblestones, and most of the structures were stone buildings with red tile rooftops. The city was cleaner than Zollin had ever seen it. There were very few animals in the city now, and Zollin guessed that Hausey had passed laws limiting animals inside the city walls. There were all the usual businesses to be found in a large city. Inns and taverns served food, drinks, and entertainment. There was an open market, with booths and stalls for vendors, but there were also shops where the more established tradesmen worked and sold their goods.

  Brianna’s father was a tailor, and it only took asking a few people to locate the small shop where he worked. It was a pleasant-looking building, with thick posts just outside the door that supported an awning of purple cloth. In Tranaugh Shire, Brianna’s father made goods for everyone, but since coming to Orrock, it seemed he was focused on more exclusive clientele. Above the first floor was what Zollin presumed to be living quarters. He took a deep breath before opening the door to the shop at street level, steeling himself for the reception he knew was coming from Brianna’s mother. She had not been happy when Zollin turned down the throne of Yelsia, nor did she approve of a wizard as her son-in-law.

  The shop seemed empty at first, but then Estry, Brianna’s father, stepped out from behind a large rack of colorful bolts of cloth. His face broke into a smile when he saw Zollin, and he stepped forward quickly with his arms open wide.

  “Zollin!” he cried. “It’s good to see you. What a pleasant surprise.”

  “Thank you,” Zollin said, as his father-in-law pulled him into a tight embrace.

  Estry was thin; his hair was dark and slicked back over his head with a fragrant cream that held every hair in place. He was dressed in well made but conservative clothing, with a blue tailor’s apron that covered the front of his clothes. He pulled back and looked at Zollin.

  “You look well, but perhaps a bit pale,” Estry said.

  “I haven’t seen much sun lately.”

  “How is your father? And Mansel? Tell me everything. Where is Brianna?”

  “She hasn’t come by here?” Zollin asked.

  “No,” Estry said, a look of concern pinching the skin across his forehead. “What is wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. We split up, and I thought she was coming here.”

  “You split up?”

  “Not permanently,” Zollin said. “I had to the help the dwarves, and she went on without me. We were flying south with some dragons before the baby came—”

  “Baby? You’re going to have a baby?”

  Zollin cursed himself silently for letting their news slip. He hadn’t been sure if he should tell Brianna’s family without her, but now it was too late.

  “Yes,” Zollin said, unable to keep a grin from breaking out across his face. “We’re having a baby.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful news. Just wonderful. Priam! Come down here. Zollin is here, with news!”

  Zollin’s stomach tightened. Even though Estry was overjoyed at the good news, Zollin knew Brianna’s mother would not be as happy. Priam tended to be happy only about things that benefited her. Zollin was almost certain she would not be excited about the idea of becoming a grandmother.

  “We must celebrate,” Estry said. “Stay here. I’ll bring wine.”

  Zollin did his best to stay calm as he waited. In truth, he would have preferred to leave the city and go in search of Brianna. He felt like he was wasting time, but he had told Ferno that he would be busy until the next morning, and he had promised the king that he would dine in the castle that evening. So he resigned himself to staying put.

  Estry disappeared upstairs and came back a few moments later with his wife in tow. Priam was a very proper person, who believed strongly in appearances. She came down the stairs in a silky dress that seemed a little too formal for meeting Zollin in her husband’s workshop. She smiled at Zollin, but he could tell it was forced. Her eyes remained severe and disapproving.

  “Zollin,” she said. “How lovely to see you.”

  “And you, Lady Priam. I hope you are well.”

  She offered her cheek, and he kissed it quickly, then moved out of arm’s reach. Estry poured three small cups of wine and gave one to Zollin.

  “Share your news,” Estry urged Zollin.

  “Brianna and I are having a baby,” Zollin said.

  Priam’s eyebrow rose, but her body language said that she wasn’t happy. Her shoulders stiffened, and her hands gripped the small cup of wine until her knuckles turned white. Zollin didn’t know if she was bothered by the fact that his announcement made her feel older or if she simply couldn’t stand for good things to happen to anyone but her.

  “That is wonderful,” she said. “I take it you’ll be moving here so we can see our grandchild grow up.”

  “Well, no,” Zollin said. “We haven’t even talked about that.”

  “To a healthy child and mother,” Estry said, raising his cup.

  They drank the toast, and Zollin was impressed with the tailor’s wine. It was very good, better than anything he’d gotten in the Great Valley over the past year. He realized that there were benefits to being in a less remote part of the kingdom.

  “Where is Brianna?” Estry asked.

  “She has gone ahead of me,” Zollin said. “We wanted to travel to the southern kingdoms before the baby came. She and Sorva must have decided not to stop until she was returning to Yelsia.”

  “Sorva?” Priam asked.

  “Her dragon,” Zollin said.

  Priam didn’t bother to hide the look of disgust that cross
ed her face. Zollin guessed that even riding a horse was beneath Priam’s dignity.

  “Well,” Zollin said, “I should tell you that King Hausey has invited us all to dine with him this evening. I hope you can attend.”

  “If the king has summoned us, we shall obey,” Priam said, showing signs of excitement for the first time since she’d come downstairs. “I need to get ready and prepare the girls. Estry, make sure Zollin has clothing that speaks of his station. We don’t want to make a poor impression on our new king.”

  “I don’t think King Hausey puts much stock into appearances,” Zollin said.

  “Nonsense. We must always do our utmost to make a good impression.”

  “I have something for you,” Estry said excitedly. “I think you’ll like it, too.”

  Estry began rummaging through his shop as Priam went back upstairs. Zollin could hear her shouting to Brianna’s sisters in an almost frantic voice. He closed his eyes and drank the rest of his wine, wishing that the night would somehow pass more quickly.

  Chapter 2

  Zollin was dressed in thick woolen pants that were tucked into his newly polished boots. He wore a loose-fitting linen shirt that tied at the sleeves. Estry had wanted Zollin to wear a silk sash, but he refused. Instead he wore a plain leather belt. The afternoon had been spent with his father-in-law as Zollin relayed the meager news there was to share from the Great Valley. It made Zollin miss Quinn, who never had any trouble passing the time with small talk. Zollin, on the other hand, felt awkward. He offered to pay for the new clothes that Estry had given him, but the tailor refused.

  They came to the castle and were escorted into a small room off the main feasting hall. It was a warm room, with a crackling fire already burning brightly in a small hearth. A round table was set with places for eight people. Zollin had come with Brianna’s mother, father, and three sisters. That meant there was a place set for one more person, and Zollin wondered who it could possibly be. King Hausey had no queen, at least not that Zollin knew of. He was certain that Priam was hoping to offer one of her daughters to the new ruler, despite the fact that the king was at least as old as their father.

  Wine was served as Zollin and his in-laws took their seats. The wine was good, but Zollin only sipped at his crystal goblet, wanting to ensure that he had a clear head. When the door opened a short while later, Zollin was pleased to see that King Hausey wore no accruements of his office. He may have been king, but at heart he was still a soldier, preferring to keep things simple.

  What Zollin wasn’t prepared for was the person who came in behind Hausey. He looked different from the last time Zollin had seen him, but the bald head and milky eye were unmistakable. Branock the wizard of the Torr had returned.

  Zollin was already on his feet, but instantly he raised a magical shield between himself and the other wizard. Branock looked at Zollin with an intensity that seemed almost hostile, but he didn’t speak. King Hausey seemed oblivious to the tension between the two wizards.

  “Master Zollin, I believe you know my counselor, Branock of Yelsia.”

  “Why is he here?” Zollin asked.

  “Zollin, please,” Branock said in a soothing voice. “Can we not put the past behind us? Let bygones be bygones as they say.”

  “I assure you that Branock has only the kingdom’s best interests in mind,” King Hausey said. “He has offered his services to Yelsia, and I have found his counsel to be sound. Now sit down, both of you.”

  “My lord, I respectfully decline,” Zollin said. “I cannot pretend that this villainous wretch didn’t kidnap Brianna and try to kill me multiple times.”

  “My liege, if I may,” Branock said. “Zollin, you are right about me. I was under the control of the master of the Torr. He was a powerful wizard, and I had no choice but to obey him. Yet you freed me of my evil master’s control when you slew Offendorl and defeated his witch. I am forever grateful and beg your forgiveness for my past crimes.”

  “Ah, there we are,” Hausey said. “You don’t have to like each other to work together. Now sit, both of you.”

  Branock bowed—he was as dramatic as ever—then sat. Estry and Priam looked at Zollin, waiting to see what he would do. Estry looked frightened, but Priam was glaring at Zollin, almost daring him to ruin her evening with the king.

  “Much has changed,” Zollin said, sitting down slowly.

  “Indeed,” Hausey said. “And there is still much to be done. I know that you have no desire to stay in Yelsia and serve as the high wizard. That is your choice. But we cannot pretend that magic doesn’t exist. We cannot let ourselves be swept away because we aren’t prepared. Yelsia needs a wizard; Branock can be that person.”

  “No kingdom needs a wizard,” Zollin said.

  “Would you have us consolidate our power as the Torr did?” Branock asked. “I thought you were opposed to such control.”

  “This isn’t about control or power,” Zollin argued. “The danger has passed. We should be reaching out to help the other kingdoms, not building our defenses.”

  “I disagree,” Branock said. “Unless you are proposing that we expand our kingdoms’s reach. The southern kingdoms attacked Yelsia. Now they have paid the price for their folly, and it is only right that we extend our influence.”

  “If they were fools for attacking other kingdoms, would we not be fools for attacking them?”

  “There is no one left to attack,” Branock said. “But expansion is not my decision to make. I serve at the pleasure of the king.”

  “Branock will serve us to repay his debt to Yelsia as best he can. Not everything the Torr fomented against us was his fault, but his skills can be useful. He will be here in Orrock, where his counsel and skills will be utilized for the good of all our people. Now, I insist that we set aside our differences and move forward in a spirit of cooperation.”

  Zollin didn’t reply, and Priam took the opportunity to introduce her daughters to the king. Hausey was polite but not necessarily charming. It was obvious that he wasn’t used to entertaining guests. Zollin supposed that he was much more comfortable in a room full of soldiers than hosting a dinner with Priam and her daughters.

  Branock, on the other hand, was charming and polite. He asked the girls questions and listened as Priam talked about their prospects for marriage. Hausey focused on his dinner. Zollin noticed that the king had put on weight. The servants brought in a platter of roasted venison, along with more side dishes than the eight of them could hope to eat. It was a small feast, but lavish enough. The only thing Hausey consumed in moderation was the wine.

  Once the meal was finished, Estry thanked the king for everything and rose to leave. He invited Zollin to stay with them for the night, but Hausey insisted that Zollin stay in the castle.

  “Rooms have already been arranged for Zollin,” Hausey said. “And we have much to discuss, I’m afraid. But thank you for make our evening meal … pleasant.”

  “It was our great pleasure,” Priam said.

  Zollin saw her pressing Danella, her second oldest daughter, forward. She was about the same age as Brianna had been when they fled Tranaugh Shire two years ago, Zollin guessed. She bowed, leaning forward just enough that her dress gaped open above her chest. Zollin had no doubt it was a calculated move taught to her by her mother. And for a moment Hausey was drawn into the trap. Zollin felt a little embarrassed for his sister-in-law. He didn’t think she needed seductive tricks to catch a man’s attention. Brianna’s sisters were all attractive and would have no trouble finding husbands when they were ready, but their mother wanted more than just good men for her daughters. She wanted to marry them to men who would elevate her own importance, and who better to do that than a king?

  “It was lovely to have your daughters lighten up this dreary castle,” Branock said. “We shall have you back very soon, if I may be so bold.”

  Zollin saw Branock nudge Hausey, who nodded as he looked away from Danella with an almost guilty expression on his face.

  �
�Of course, that would be nice,” he managed to say.

  Estry seemed oblivious to everything around him. He was a happy man who never saw anything but the good in others. Priam smiled, knowing that she had planted a seed that might grow into a great boon for her family. She would gladly give her daughter to the king if it meant she might have more influence and stature at court.

  The family shuffled out, and Zollin followed King Hausey and Branock up to the king’s personal quarters. Along the way he probed Branock, trying to ascertain why he hadn’t sensed the older wizard before he arrived in Orrock. But Branock was a void, almost as if he wasn’t really there. Zollin couldn’t sense the magic in the older man at all, and that fact made him feel more uncomfortable than before. He couldn’t fathom that Branock was anything other than an enemy, but the elder wizard had a knack for engendering trust. Zollin knew that he had to keep his guard up at all times.

  King Hausey went right to the fire in the large room. Zollin knew it was cold outside, but he thought the castle was warm enough. It seemed odd that the man who had once commanded the king’s light cavalry and could spend days leading his troopers out in the open with no thought of physical comfort was now so quick to depend on the warmth of fireplaces.

  “I need something from you, Zollin,” Hausey said without turning around. “I know you are your own man, beholding to no one, but we are in desperation here. I’ve sent emissaries to Baskla, but none have returned. Outside of Yelsia there is no news coming in. I don’t know what is happening, and therefore we cannot plan for it. I need intelligence and I need it as soon as possible.”

  “You want me to go to Baskla?” Zollin said.

  “Even riders on the fastest horses can’t travel as quickly as you and your dragons,” Branock said.

  “Baskla is the only other kingdom that wasn’t invaded by the witch’s army. I need to know what King Ricard is doing. I need to know what they know about Ortis and Osla.”

  “My lord, I don’t think I can turn my back on Brianna. She is traveling south at this very moment. I need to catch up with her.”