Zoran Chronicles Volume 1 A Dragon in Our Town (37 page)

            
The long afternoon was filled with five engineers and their sketches of
fortifications and castles. Zoran was amazed at how much information both Barons had
accumulated on just their brief visit to Brn and Archmage Oldrich’s tower! Each chief
engineer came from a different planet and each had different ideas of how best to
proceed. However, all five were in complete agreement on the fortification and castle
location. It had to be just beyond the current Archmage tower and the city’s outer walls
there. The rising mountain valley would offer incredible protection on all sides, except
from the city itself. To get to the fortress, an army would have to plow through the entire
city first. At first, Zoran cringed at this idea; he was supposed to be protecting the city.
However, they quickly pointed out to him that the attacking army would be at a severe
disadvantage with city street fighting. They could be ambushed from nearly every
building and rooftop in the city, taking massive losses long before they finally reached
his outer walls. Zoran insisted that there be sufficient room within the fortress walls to
house the city folk, if a siege ever came.

            
Time and time again, Zoran had to insist, “Simple, keep it simple. We do not want
anything fancy. No, no gold torch holders, please. Keep it purely functional and lost cost.
Brn is not wealthy.”

            
By dinner time, the outer walls had been drawn up. Its circumference was nearly
a mile, though its shape was more that of an irregular pentagram, taking advantage of
the natural shape of the high mountain valley directly behind the Archmage tower. The
main entrance would be to the left of the tower, where Zoran currently housed his small
security forces. They assured Zoran that stone cutting would commence upon his return
to Brn, even though it was still winter.

            
Within the walls, a small creek would fill a water pond that would provide for the
inhabitants. Many large wooden buildings were designed to line the outer walls,
providing housing for horses, security forces, and the emergency housing of the citizens
of Brn, should a siege occur. The design of the manor house had to wait for tomorrow.
On this, none could agree this first day. Zoran desired another wizard tower, similar in
height to the existing one. Yet, the Circle of Ascension had to be deep within the castle or
manor house with all manner of protections to keep it secure. A simple tower would
never do, they continually pointed out to Zoran.

            
As everyone headed to their rooms to get cleaned up for dinner, the women
finally returned from their shopping excursion, accompanied by quite a commotion.
“Zoran, they tried to assassinate Lida,” Zdenka explained excitedly, as she rushed up to
greet him. Behind the four women, a number of security men bodily carried a subdued
assassin standing him before Baron Milan.

            
“My god! Lida! Are you all right?” Zoran exclaimed. Duke Leo was already at her
side.

            
“Yes, yes, no harm done, just ripped my bodice, but I have purchased several new
ones anyway. Skin of Stone saved me again, little brother. My, is Jarka ever fast!”

            
Jarka, standing beside Rayna, smiled and stayed out of the limelight.

            
“Come, you must tell me precisely what happened! I cannot believe that they
would do this in my own city!” Uncle Milan was furious. His face grew red with anger.

            
“Well, we were walking out of the last dressmaker’s shop when one of the two
invisible assassins cast a spell on us,” Lida began, eager to relate their adventure. “I
believe he was trying to dispel some of my magical protections that I had on myself. It
worked, I felt several leaving me, but that attack allowed us to see him. Just then, the
second invisible assassin rushed up to me and tried to stab me with his poisoned dagger.
Jarka sensed his coming somehow. Man, she is sure fast! Just as the assassin became
visible as his dagger hit my bodice, Jarka’s dagger went through his right eye. He died
instantly. She is incredibly fast, Zoran, believe me. Anyway, Rayna shot several spells at
the first assassin, and then I did too. He kept dodging ours, but Jarka finally trapped
him in sticky webs. Our security men took charge and captured him. He’s not said a
word though. Maybe you can get him to speak, Uncle Milan.” Lida finally finished her
tale, pleased that she had the complete attention of everyone, especially Duke Leo, who
still clung to her.

            
Duke Leo declared, “Dear, from now on, you don’t go anyplace without me!” She
beamed and squeezed his hand.

            
“Damn. Assassins in my own city. This will never do. Take him to the dungeon.
We’ll make him talk. Probably hired by Baron Kazimir,” Baron Milan cursed. “Well, this
demands action; action they’ll get. Take him away and search him thoroughly. We’ll
make him talk!”

            
Turning to Jarka, he calmed down and added, “Mage Jarka, you have my
profound thanks for saving my future daughter-in-law once again. I will see that you
receive a proper acknowledgment. Zoran, you have chosen very able friends indeed. It
was wise of you to bring her along with you. Most impressive. Mage Jarka, if ever you
seek employment beyond Baron Zoran’s realm, please consider working for me. It a
standing job offer,” he grinned, but knew full well she had no such intentions. This was a
political formality, recognizing her services rendered. Jarka continued to smile, proud of
her minor achievement.

            
Baroness Marjeta, a tall woman, elegantly dressed, well-coiffed blonde hair and
dark blue eyes, said, “Well, enough excitement for one day. Let we ladies bathe and dress
in our new outfits. Dinner will be at seven. Baron Zoran, you have new suits waiting for
you in your room. I suggest we all be properly attired for this evening’s dinner.”

            
“Yes, dear,” Baron Milan replied.

            
“You too, Viktor,” Baroness Ivana, also added with a tease in her voice. She had
long black hair and dark eyes. She was a compliment to her baron.

            
“Yes, dear,” Baron Viktor replied in kind, mimicking Milan’s voice tone. Aside to
Zoran, he whispered, “See what you are getting yourself into by marrying?” All three
men chuckled.

            
“I’ll see to our prisoner first, gentlemen,” Baron Milan said and left them,
following after his security men into the dungeon.

            
As the young couples exited their rooms to head to the dining hall, Zoran was
surprised to see how beautiful his sisters looked in their matching pale blue billowing,
ruffle-filled dresses, whose color blended well with their light brown hair. Duke Leo, tall
and thin, with long blonde hair and a constant smile, escorted Lida, while Duke Stefan,
also tall, but well-built, with dark brown hair, escorted Rayna. He could see why both his
sisters were so taken with these young men. They seemed wildly in love with his sisters.

            
Just then, Archmage Zdenka and Mage Jarka came out of their room, offering an
arm for Zoran, who wore a black suit with white linen shirt. His jacket had twin tails.
“Oh my! Zdenka, Jarka! Wow! You both look absolutely stunning! Wow!” Indeed, he
was shocked at their transformation. Zdenka wore a sky blue billowing dress that
precisely matched Zoran’s new eye color and the color of his thread in his Circle of
Ascension — a fact not missed by Zoran. Jarka looked equally stunning in her brown
dress, made of satin which shimmered in the light as she walked. “Wow!” he said for the
third time. He missed Rayna’s knowing wink at the two young women. Later he learned
that Rayna had been instrumental in helping them pick out just the right afternoon
dresses. With one on each arm, Zoran proudly escorted them to the dining hall,
following the other two young couples.

            
In the huge room where exquisite tables, chairs, armoires, and other pieces of
furniture abounded, one could see the benefits of living on a world where fine quality
wood was plentiful. The craftsmen here knew how to make not only a functional object,
but one that was highly aesthetic — a work of art. Zoran was impressed. His uncle and
aunt arrived last, much to Marjeta’s distaste.

            
“Well out with it, Milan. Then, let’s hear no more of it this evening,” she cajoled
him.

            
“Yes dear. The assassin is dead by his own poison. However, before he committed
suicide rather than face my wrath, I discovered that he is in the employ of Baron Bogdan
Clav, not Baron Kazimir, as I first thought. I will deal with Bogdan tomorrow. There,
dear, enough said. Time to dine. Oh yes, our court musicians will play for an hour after
dinner. I’m told that the young people wish to dance.” Zoran grinned at Zdenka, he
wondered if she had had any part in arranging this detail.

            
They got to meet Baron Viktor’s other children, more of Zoran’s cousins, who had
arrived in time for dinner. Andrea was nineteen, while Berta was eighteen; their
boyfriends were not present, however. Vana was barely seventeen, while Viktor Junior
was twenty. The second Circle would elevate Viktor Junior to a baron as well.

            
Baron Milan’s other children joined them as well. His youngest son, Alfons,
nineteen, had arrived from the fortress Raha, along with his young wife, Valérie. They
had been married only a couple of months. Alfons was proud that he married before his
older brother, Leo. The new Circle of Ascension was being built there in Raha for him.
Also, his young daughters were present: Dusana, seventeen, and Katerina, fifteen. They
hovered around Andrea and Berta, and the four constantly chatted and giggled.
Although the dinner was quite formal, Zdenka found that it was very friendly and that
she fit right in with them, especially with Rayna and Lida. She visibly relaxed and began
to enjoy her stay here.

            
Both Zdenka and Jarka thoroughly enjoyed the long dance after supper, as did
the other young couples and his cousins. Duke Leo promised to have the musicians play
every night after dinner, and Lida gave him a big thank you kiss for that.

            
The next day’s lengthy design session finally began to make inroads on the actual
castle-manor house-tower combination, but it would take the rest of the week to finally
get it completely done to everyone’s satisfaction. While the girls went out shopping
nearly every day, Baron Milan sent along fifty security men with them. However, the
women did find time to review the ever growing fortress and castle plans that Zoran and
the engineers were drawing up.

            
One evening as Zdenka and Jarka were going over the nearly final plans, Zoran
discovered an interesting fact. Jarka commented, “Shouldn’t you have a maze
surrounding the Circle of Ascension like at Castle Dorumova?” She sketched the precise
layout on a scrap paper.

            
“Well, yes, that makes its defense easier, but how do you know the castle’s precise
layout?” Zoran asked.

            
“Once I see something, I can later recall it perfectly,” Jarka replied. “At your
mother’s ceremony, I studied all of the faces present. I can now identify every one of the
barons and baronesses, to say nothing of Castle Dorumova’s layout.”

            
“Wow! Incredible, Jarka. You never cease to amaze me. I certainly cannot do
that.” She grinned and was pleased with his praise.

            
As the wedding day drew closer, Baron Milan vetoed the boys’ request for a last
night out on the town — the bachelor’s party. It would be the last opportunity for Baron
Kazimir to attempt an assassination before his heir married Duke Leo, putting her
forever out of his reach. “Too much danger. I cannot allow it. We party inside the castle.”
Duke Leo grumbled, but could not overrule his father.

            
As Jarka helped Zdenka get ready for her wedding day, she volunteered, “Do you
know that Bernard has asked me to marry him?”

            
“No, he did? Bout time. He’s had eyes on you as long as I have known him. What
did you say?” Zdenka replied, curiously.

            
“Well, I told him I would answer him when I got back. I do like him. I’ve just
never thought that I would, well you know, settle down like that.”

            
“So,” Zdenka prodded her.

            
“Well, I’ve decided that I’ll say yes when I get back. There, I’ve gone and said it
out loud, finally. Why was that so terribly difficult for me to say?” she wondered.

            
“Congratulations! He is really a wonderful man, you know. I’ve known him for a
number of years. He’s kind and considerate.”