Knights of the Wizard (of Knights and Wizards Book 2) (8 page)

Ryxa was excited. “I want to be able to tell other dragons how humans mate. Do it, do it! Come on! Learning new things is a big part of being a dragon.”

Raina shook her head. “What a rude dragon.”

Ryxa thought about it. “Will you mate if I pretend not to look?”

“No!” they said simultaneously.

Ryxa turned away from them. “I’m not looking.”

THE RAVEN KNOCKED THE CUP OUT OF ABBY’S HANDS, making her cry and spit up the poison. The king picked up the cup and smelled it, even though he hadn’t seen the crow drop the poison in the cup he was now suspicious. There was no way to say for certain that the crow was king Chromos but he suspected as much. And then he saw the small poison berries on the floor. “That son-of-a-bitch! Berhtram go kill that damn crow!”

Darius picked up Abbey to check on her and she appeared to be okay, but poison in such a small body might have been enough to kill the child. The king decided that he would have a bow and a quiver filled with arrows in his chamber at all times and if the crow returned he would have an arrow with his name on it.

Berhtram flew out the window in pursuit of king Chromos, over a field of daisies and then an apple orchard where several young boys were picking apples that they shouldn’t be picking, throwing them at one another, with one deflecting off the other’s head. An old white haired man appeared from between the trees waving his walking stick at them and watching them run. The raven pursued the crow for several miles, an arrow barely missing him from two young girls that were playing with their father’s bow. Chromos glanced back as he realized Berhtram was gaining distance; he was deliberately leading him to a briar patch with lots of thorny plants and more than dozen other crows. The crows paid close attention to Chromos, as if waiting for his orders.

Berhtram touched down in a nearby tree thinking that he might be in trouble, wouldn’t be able to survive a fight with all those birds. Chromos cocked his head and smiled as best he could with a beak, looking at Berhtram and then back at the murder of crows. It had become unnaturally quiet and the raven felt like he should flee but would it trigger an attack? Chromos commenced to nod his black head.

The raven took to the air but so did the crows, attacking him; he did his best to dodge the attacks but there were too many of them. Berhtram headed towards the castle, making it almost a mile before he was overwhelmed, defending himself as best he could, diving and twirling but was no match for a dozen crows that had been warriors before being transformed; he fought valiantly but ultimately fell from the sky.

MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND SOLDIERS WERE CAMPED at the base of the Great Taishanda Mountain range, their wizards having broken through the mountain and more soldiers in their red and black motif with the pointy helmets were continuing to pour out of the tunnel. They were a serious looking bunch, the Dwagord were all male, having left their females and children behind in Caoma, they had conquered all the kingdoms of the north, all seventeen of them, and now were looking for new conquests and more spoils of war.

They had commenced to build a new kingdom at the base of the mountain, changing the lay of the land. Chancailu and Daijulan had already conjured a castle with their magic for King Kai who would come later to see how well they had followed his orders, but they were exhausted from such an enchantment, their powers depleted to dangerously low levels. Refusing the king’s orders had not been an option. The sorcerers were twins, their magic fed off one another and enhanced both of them, and now they had to be carried around on stretchers they were so weak. They were the kind of sorcerers that if they completely exhausted their magical energy it would never return.

It was strange to see the huge castle in front of the tunnel where only two days ago none had existed, flying its red and black flags. The castle was the color of yellow beach sand and servants and warriors were preparing for the king’s arrival, while the one-eyed general Dochacra was going over plans to defend it. He was a monster of a man with unusually hairy arms, the result of a spell that had closed a serious wound. Soon enough he would take to the air on the back of their only dragon and see what wonders lay before them, the beast’s mind was being controlled by a powerful enchantment.

“The king has arrived!” a distant voice shouted.

Everyone made room for King Kai as he was carried in on a large ornately carved oak throne with a red cushion on its seat. He inspected the area and his troops, satisfied with the castle’s exterior as he entered to assess the interior. Inside some of the fireplaces were non-functioning, as if they were painted on the wall but that could be rectified later when the wizard’s recovered. Sometimes with such a large enchantment not all the elements came out properly, there was also a stairwell in one of the chambers that led to nowhere, but the place was sufficient to get settled into this new world, besides he would occupy someone else’s castle soon enough.

Kai discovered that his black dragon was dead upon arrival, having perished of old age, and so they decided to feast upon him, in the morning he would sent out bands of scouts to explore the area and decide which kingdom they would invade first. Everyone hoped that the death of the dragon wasn’t a bad omen. Kai was happy to finally be on the other side of the mountain range, it had taken his wizards several years to manage the proper spell to tear through such solid rock.

KING DARIUS WAS CONCERNED; Berhtram hadn’t been seen in more than a day and a night, hoping that nothing untoward had befallen him but he was uneasy about it and hadn’t slept well because of it. Had Chromos killed his raven in battle? It was only a bird and yet it depressed him, having had to banish Marcus and now this, one thing after another. It was like adding a little thing on a big scale that tipped it. He considered sending a battalion of knights out to search for the bird but of course the idea was foolish, still he was the king. His chamber was a lonely place without his raven.

Darius stood in his chamber looking out the window, as still as a scarecrow on a windless morn, scanning the skies for his bird, he observed several red dragons flying over but no sight of Berhtram. If he ever saw that crow again he would do his best to kill it. “Berhtram! Berhtram!”

Berhtram didn’t usually venture too far from the castle, something was definitely wrong. The king could feel it in his bones. Perhaps he was injured? Was it a sin to feel such strong emotion for a bird? He stared at the holes in his bedposts; most of them were stuffed with stale bread. Watching Berhtram stuff the holes was extremely satisfying for some reason, his antics went a long way in reducing the king’s level of stress, besides the bird being a constant companion and the first thing he set eyes on in the morning. Word had spread throughout the castle that the king had lost his bird and not to mention it.

Stone knocked on the king’s door and was given permission to enter. “You summoned me your majesty?”

Darius cleared his throat. “Stone, close the door behind you. Berhtram is missing and I ah would like you to take a few knights and just search around a little.”

Stone smiled ever so slightly, would need to choose his words wisely. “You want me to search for the raven?”

The king sighed. “I know how it sounds. I’m not asking you to scour the land for him just go out a few miles, and if you do find him, which I doubt, bring him back dead or alive. I’d like to see him one last time if such is the case.”

“Very well your majesty.” Stone didn’t like the idea of risking his life for a raven but would abide by the king’s request.

Darius nodded and smiled at Stone, knowing what he must be thinking. “And don’t tell the others what you are doing. Just tell them you are on a mission for the king.”

Stone thought it was a waste of time and energy but he would do anything for his king. “I won’t be able to track him but we’ll look around nonetheless.”

Chromos appeared on the window sill and Darius was furious. “Stone, kill that damn crow!”

Stone threw his dagger at the crow, he missed and the weapon created sparks as it deflected off the edge of the window, ending up sticking in the ground near a puzzled knight as he looked up from below at the high castle window.

That damn crow had aggravated the king. “Get out there and give me some false hope. I shall pretend that Berhtram’s return is imminent.”

“Right away your majesty.” Stone wasn’t able to promise anything more than a speedy departure.

Hours later the king was in his throne room going over provisions for the winter; never too soon to begin stocking up, he always liked to have more than enough food to get them through, the winter endured for exactly three months being of the magical variety. Some sorcerers simply couldn’t keep their magic to themselves, dying at the most inappropriate times, leaving their enchantments behind for all eternity in some cases, but with others when they died all their spells were broken. Complicated business is what it was.

“Your majesty!” said Walter. “Alexa is throwing a proper fit!”

Darius found Alexa in the hall outside of Marcus’s chamber. “Alexa! What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I’m gonna kill Marcus. Look!” She screamed and stomped her foot. “Abbey is a donkey!”

Darius looked at the donkey and then at his daughter. “Yes well she likes being a donkey.”

Alexa was beside herself; in fact it looked like she was going to cry. “Father you don’t understand! She’s outside the chamber and she’s still a donkey!”

“Oh no,” said the king.

“Do something!”

TWO HOURS AFTER MIDNIGHT and Marcus was sleepwalking through the new castle, occasionally bumping into walls, with guards running to get out of his way. The boy had a fairly long conversation with a broadsword that was hung on the wall, gesturing forcefully as he was making a point, believing that he was talking to a knight instead of a sword. “I told you that would happen,” he said.

He made his way into the courtyard where the two crescent moons hung overhead. He was speaking what seemed to be gibberish, knights watched curiously from murder holes wondering if the boy was going to blow them all up, perhaps all that would remain would be a huge crater. Marcus commenced to summon energy from both the air and the ground, a spectacular sight as he lit up the night, the sparkles of light as bright as a thousand candles. The prettiest hues of blue, green red and even gold swirled around. It sounded like the energy was cutting through the air itself, hissing and crackling with the occasional pop of electricity.

“Despertar nontramalta.” Marcus’s hands were doing figure eights toward the starry sky; golden flakes were emerging from his fingertips, smashing into one another and joining together, making large sections of something that looked gold colored. The particles were increasing in size and density, now sounding like metal colliding. Clink, clunk!

Knights in the castle were frightened and fascinated, not able to take their eyes off of whatever Marcus was up to, and when Adorok’s ghost appeared that was enough for most of them, the scene now too terrifying to continue to watch, although the bravest did continue to peek. Some of them wondered what would happen if Marcus grew up to be an evil wizard? With his power it wouldn’t be good for anyone; one never knew how a person would be moulded as they went through life’s challenges. Power did go to some sorcerer’s heads, and even though the boy had a good disposition the future was far from certain.

The following dawn Marcus was out in front of the castle as he waited for Ryxa to show up, the sun was just over the horizon, a beautiful day unfolding depending upon what the day would contain for a final judgement. He took in a deep breath wondering what was going on back in Leeander, with his unpredictability he didn’t even think it would be safe to visit. Marcus hoped that it wasn’t the start of a sad and lonely life. The sorcerer heard heavy footsteps and as he turned to his right he saw a seven foot tall golden knight approaching him. He had a spectacular looking sword in his right hand, a beautiful ruby in its pommel. Was it an assassin?

Marcus took several steps back and fell over. “Guards!” he screamed.

Four knights surrounded the golden knight who showed no resistance. “Drop your sword now or die!” He was the tallest knight that any of them had ever seen and a battle might not end in their favour.

The unknown knight dropped his longsword and stepped away from it without saying a word.

Darkford approached the golden knight and threw up his face shield to reveal nothing; there was no one inside the suit of armour. “There’s no one in here. Is this what the boy conjured up last night?”

Marcus was annoyed. “I slept the whole night. I didn’t conjure up anything last night.”

“You most certainly did you conjured that. Sleepwalking again you were.” Darkford was not at all happy with having to guard the boy wizard; there was no defense against his uncontrolled magic. It was asinine for his family to be put at risk because of this boy wizard, who would take care of them if something happened to him. But of course he couldn’t refuse his king.

Marcus approached the conjured knight staring up at it. “Knight, did I really conjure you up?”

The magical knight nodded.

Marcus made a complete circle around the knight, examining him, thinking that he did look formidable. Sleepwalking was disturbing enough but casting enchantments while one was asleep was a danger to everyone around him. He wondered why he had made such a thing and wished he didn’t walk in his sleep, scaring everyone. “What’s your name?”

The knight shrugged.

“Can you fight?”

The knight nodded.

This was getting interesting. “Can you fight well?”

The knight nodded again.

“The boy is a menace,” said Anton. He hoped that he would soon be replaced so that he could get back to Leeander and his family.

Marcus looked at Anton, judging his disparagement. “I think I shall call you Brother Knight. I’ve always wanted a brother instead of my stupid sister. Brother I want you to fight Anton here, don’t kill him but I’d like to see your fighting skills.”

Anton would have none of it. “Oh no, I’m not fighting something that can’t be killed, or even hurt for all I know. Best you come to your senses boy. I take my orders from the king, of which you are not.”

Marcus showed Anton his naughty smile. He was a bit of a defiant knight and Marcus liked that part of his personality for some reason. “Brother, pick up your sword and attack Anton but do not kill him.”

The knight did as the boy asked and Anton defended himself as best he could, but soon had received blows to his breast plate, his couter that defended his elbow and his fan plate, the strike sending a jolt through his funny bone. The knight kicked Anton so hard that he sent him flying almost twenty feet. Anton did not look impressed from his back on the ground.

“Marcus!” Anton screamed.

“Stop Brother stop! Anton is no match for you.” Marcus shouted as the knight had been in the process of continuing the fight. His creation was definitely a superior knight. Marcus scratched his head. How could he cast proper spells in his sleep but not while he was awake? The boy had many questions but not many answers.

Brother rested his sword on his shoulder, standing motionless as Quettin and Patrick helped Anton to his feet, who stormed off, returning several minutes later on his horse. “Marcus I’m returning to Leeander to seek permission from your father to stay there. That thing should have no trouble taking my place.” Anton trotted off with dirt flying from his horse’s hoofs, looking back once as he continued on his way.

“Brother your post will be out here guarding the castle.” Marcus was happy that he had created brother. “Do you need to eat or drink?” Marcus thought the size of the knight made him scary enough, but when he lifted his visor with no one inside he was sure it would terrify some.

Brother shook his head.

Quettin didn’t look at all happy at Anton’s departure. “Maybe the boy will conjure up enough of those things so that we can all go home. Marcus, why don’t you try conjuring up one now while you’re awake?”

Marcus shrugged. “I don’t know how.”

Everyone watched as Ryxa appeared in the sky, the sound of her wings cutting through the air as she flew in with Raina on her back, landing carefully so that the girl wouldn’t fall off. Marcus climbed onto her back sitting behind Ryxa, not quite sure what to do with his hands. He took in Raina’s scent and thought that she smelled exquisite.

Raina was still smiling at the sights she had seen from the air. “Flying on the back of a dragon is fantastic but scary,” said Raina. “Sure would be a long way to fall.”

“Great fun isn’t it,” said Marcus.

“Shall we go?” said Ryxa.

“Wait Ryxa, I’m gonna bring my new creation Brother. I conjured him up last night in my sleep. Don’t ask why or how ‘cause I don’t know.” Marcus called the knight as if calling a dog. “Come on Brother, you can climb up, you can do it.”

In no time at all Brother had climbed on to the back of the dragon and they took to the air, but when they were up more than a thousand feet Brother fell off, tumbling all the way down to the ground and Ryxa couldn’t get to him in time; the knight hit the ground with a loud metallic crash and bounced several times. Marcus’s knight stood up seemingly okay but looked confused.

“Just go back to the castle,” Marcus shouted down to Brother as they flew over.

Brother searched for his sword that had fallen with him and when he found it he was satisfied to have it back in his hands.

Raina directed the black dragon to the edge of a forest, touching down in a nearby meadow of purple wildflowers, frightening a flock of starlings from a nearby oak tree. They disembarked as a blue jay landed on top of the dragon’s head; she could feel it up there but decided to ignore it.

“How far is it to Tavarot?” Marcus asked.

“A couple of miles,” said Raina.

The boy stared at her curiously. “Raina, why are you risking my magic? I could turn you into anything without meaning to. I don’t want you to get hurt. Do you really think it wise to be around me?”

Raina shook her head. “Marcus, magic has no effect on me. No one knows why and even Tavarot has never heard of such a thing. So I should be safe.” It was all a lie but she sounded convincing. She really didn’t care if he transformed her into a rock or not.

“Why didn’t you tell that to my guards?”

Raina shrugged. “They weren’t in the mood to listen to anything.”

Ryxa watched as the bird flew off her head and headed into the forest. “Marcus I’m gonna have to wait here, lest I knock down half the forest walking through. I’m tired so maybe I’ll take a nap while I wait.”

“Okay,” said Marcus. “Come on Raina, let’s go find the hermit. I really don’t know if he can help or not but I wish someone would.”

Marcus and Raina entered the woods with the boy hoping that the hermit could in fact tell him something useful about controlling his powerful enchantments. After about a half mile the trek got more difficult as they commenced up a steep hill, using the trees as leverage to get up there, but at the top was an unwelcome sight. Seven soldiers that had abandoned their posts as the Yurrosy had approached had formed a friendship of sorts, living off the land, now not much more than a band of brigands. One was skinning a deer that was hanging from a tree; they all smiled at the sight of the young girl and she could feel all their eyes on her.

“Well, well, well,” said Merek, a large fellow with a slice taken out of his nose long ago by a sword. “What do we have here?”

“We don’t want any trouble,” said Marcus. “My father is King Darius of Leeander.”

“King Doofus you say?”

“I said Darius.”

Raina thought about going for her bow. They all stared at her as if they were wolves and she was a rabbit. She knew they were in big trouble. “We’re just passing through.”

“Dead men don’t tell what they’ve seen,” said Merek. “And neither do dead boys.”