Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy (51 page)

“As you wish, milord,” said Nimbar.

Chapter 42

K
azin met with his company early the next morning and after a quick breakfast they made their way over to the horse stalls.

“It’s about time!” remarked Frosty upon seeing them. “Do you know how boring it is staring at these dark, bland walls?”

“Good morning to you too,” said Kazin cheerfully. “We’ll be moving out shortly, but I have to ask everyone something first.”

“What is it?” asked Sherman.

“We all know,” began Kazin, “with the exception of Frosty, that is, that I’m planning an expedition into the Five Fingers Mountains. First of all, the mage who has the Book of Prophesy is running that way to join some sort of renegade mage organization. Secondly, there are suspicious things going on up there—the strange lights, etc.—and I plan to try to find out what it’s all about because I think it’s related to the increase of incidents in the elven forest.”

“So, what’s your point?” asked Sherman.

“Well, I can’t ask any of you to put yourselves in danger on my account,” said Kazin soberly. “So if any of you want to back out, I won’t hold it against you. You are free to do what you wish.”

“Don’t look at me,” said Sherman. “I’m your bodyguard, remember?”

“What dwarf could pass up the chance to explore a mountain?” added Harran. He drew his axe and regarded it reverently. “Besides, if having this axe means being by your side, I’m sticking around. It was meant to be used in dangerous situations.”

“Dangerous situations,” mused Zylor the human warrior. He grinned. “I like the sound of that!”

“My ship’s not goin’ anywhere for a while yet,” said Rubin. “Count me in.”

Kazin looked at Milena.

She shrugged. “I promised the arch mage, remember? Druids generally have their own agenda, and I’m no different. I’m coming.”

Everyone turned to Della, the young elf girl.

She crossed her arms defiantly and looked at Kazin. “I’m going where you go—and him,” she added, pointing at Frosty. “I want to find out what’s causing the appearance of creatures in the elven forest.”

“That settles it, then,” said Sherman. “We all go.”

Kazin smiled. They chose to stay with him as he had hoped. He wouldn’t have had it any other way anyhow.

As they left the stables with the horses in tow, Frosty paused and turned back to look at the stableman. “Bad temperament, indeed,” he said so only the stableman heard.

The stableman looked up curiously from what he was doing.

“Don’t let your girlfriends find out about each other,” continued Frosty. “They’re cousins.”

The stableman straightened and his face paled. He looked at Frosty as if he had seen a ghost.

Frosty snorted and followed after his companions.

The stableman’s mouth worked soundlessly as he stared after the white horse.

The companions were just departing the Tower of the Sky when Kazin began to feel the all too familiar fire in his stomach again. He had forgotten to see if the grey tower had herbs for him but decided against turning back. They had already lost enough time.

They steered their mounts southeast and made for the five pointed peaks known as the Five Fingers Mountains. The rising sun made the icy peaks glisten with a lustrous, white sheen. Ahead, a trail led to the first mountain’s base nestled in thick, green foliage.

They travelled for an hour or so with little conversation, each engrossed in their own thoughts.

“This reminds me of when I first left the minotaur realm,” remarked Zylor finally. It was the first time he had made a casual remark since the party had expanded in number a few days ago. It was a sign he was comfortable with their presence.

Kazin turned and was about to reply when he remembered something. “Frosty, stop for a moment, please.”

Frosty slowed and halted. “What’s wrong?”

“I forgot something,” said Kazin. He turned back to Zylor. “You should have reminded me, Zylor. I could have changed you back into a minotaur an hour ago.”

Zylor reigned in next to the mage. “I was not aware we were out of human territory.”

Kazin chanted a spell and the minotaur reappeared as himself. The mage looked at the minotaur’s lonely eyes. “You must miss your people a lot,” said the mage. “You’ve been away from your own kind a long time now.”

“That will soon change,” said Zylor firmly. “Soon I will not be able to leave them.”

Kazin looked at the minotaur with new respect. Zylor was sure of his destiny, and sure of succeeding despite the odds. He suddenly understood the minotaur’s honour and fearlessness. If this beast became a ruler of his people, he would be a brave and honourable one.

They continued their trek toward the mountain and stopped at midday for lunch. They were now within an hour’s march of the first mountain’s base. Della went hunting for small game while Milena foraged for berries. Sherman began a small cooking fire with kindling Harran had gathered. Rubin saw to the horses. Harran sat down next to Kazin.

Finally the dwarf could contain his excitement no longer. “Which mountain do we tackle first?” he asked the mage eagerly.

“I’ll let you know when we get closer,” said Frosty from over by the horses.

“The chief has spoken,” laughed Kazin.

Suddenly a scream broke the peacefulness of the warm summer’s day.

Kazin and Harran stood as one and Sherman drew his sword.

“What was that?” asked Rubin from over by the horses.

“Della!” cried Kazin. He sprang into the bush toward the sound but stopped abruptly a moment later.

Coming toward the mage with a wild boar over his shoulder was the minotaur. He had a huge grin on his face.

“What a stroke of luck!” he exclaimed. He pushed past Kazin into their campsite and deposited his catch on the ground. “You have no idea how long it’s been since I had real food!”

Sherman gaped. “Is that what screamed just now?”

Zylor nodded. “It gave me a bit of a fight. There’s nothing like a quick fight before lunch!”

Frosty snorted. “I had no idea elves could gain so much weight so quickly!” He looked slyly at Kazin.

Sherman snickered and turned away. Rubin and Harran grinned openly.

Kazin reddened. “Very funny, Frosty,” he murmured dryly.

“What did someone say about elves?” asked Della, entering the clearing. She had two rabbits and a grouse hanging from a string around her waist. Upon seeing the boar, she stopped, her mouth agape.

Kazin was staring at the unicorn trying to determine if he should answer the elf’s question and get Frosty into trouble. He decided against it because it would mean telling about his reaction when he heard the scream.

“Did you kill that thing with your bare hands?” asked Rubin. He had come over to admire Zylor’s catch. “I don’t see any axe wounds.”

“Yes,” said Zylor. “It’s more fun that way.”

“How about bringing those rabbits over here, Della,” said Sherman. “I’ll cook them up for lunch.”

“We can cut up what Zylor leaves of the boar and use it for rations,” said Harran. “I’ve got some salt and waxed paper in my pack. The extra food will come in handy higher up in the mountains where food is scarce.”

Milena returned with a load of berries in a bag and the companions feasted for lunch.

They were just packing up their gear when they heard a thundering of hooves.

Sherman pulled out his sword.

Suddenly a figure charged into their clearing and came to an abrupt halt. It was a female centaur.

“Oh, hello,” she said in surprise. Her long, brown mane of hair swung back and forth, revealing her tiny pointed ears as she observed them curiously. She remained calm until she saw Zylor. “Eeek!” she squealed and spun blindly toward the companion’s mounts, bounding toward them in panic. She deftly sidestepped the tethered horses and virtually flew past them in her haste to escape. Then, just as suddenly as she bolted, she halted, coming to a stop about fifty paces down the trail. Slowly, she turned her head and looked back, her jaw working silently. Finally she managed to find her voice. Even so, it was barely above a whisper. “Unicorn?”

Frosty raised his head and looked at her. Kazin couldn’t hear anything as the two four-legged creatures stood staring at each other, but he suspected Frosty was speaking to her.

His suspicions were confirmed when the centaur relaxed and said, “If you say so.”

The centaur cautiously came back and looked closely at the unicorn’s horn. “It IS real,” she said.

“That’s what I said,” answered Frosty so that all could hear.

“Then you must help!” said the centaur urgently. “You must!”

“Relax,” said Frosty. “We are going to do precisely that.”

The centaur looked around helplessly at the companions. “I’m Perenia. My people are being annihilated by all sorts of evil creatures. We have asked the elves for aid but they are slow to act. I am on a mission to find allies to help in our cause. Several of our communities have already fallen, and more will do so unless we get help! The unicorn has said you will?”

“We were just on our way to find out about the strange lights some have seen in the mountains,” said Milena. “We suspect they are connected to the unusual incidents occurring in the elven woods. Do you know anything about this?”

Perenia nodded. “Yes. The lights are those of our enemies. They come pouring out of the mountains at night and use the shelter of the western portion of the elven woods as cover during the day. Then they cut east through the waste and circle around to attack our people from the south. Many have sought refuge within the southern woods of the elves.”

“Can you show us on which mountain the lights originate?” asked Kazin.

Perenia nodded again. “I can show you exactly where they originate. Our people would have gone up there ourselves, but alas! We cannot climb that high! It is a failing of our otherwise exceptional bodies.”

“We’ll go up there and see if we can put a stop to this,” said Sherman reassuringly.

“Do not boast, warrior,” cautioned the centaur. “You are but a few. I must try to find more who will come to our aid. Then perhaps we can mount an assault that will succeed.”

“You will find no others,” said Milena sadly. “There is a war being waged to the north that requires every bit of manpower. No humans remain to assist you.”

Perenia looked shocked. “None?”

“None,” said Milena.

“Then we are doomed!” wailed Perenia in despair.

“Do you underestimate the magical power of a unicorn?” asked Frosty.

“But you are only one against many mages and other enemies,” argued Perenia. “How can you succeed against such odds?”

“We can and we will,” said Frosty solemnly. “You must have faith.”

Perenia sighed. “Then our meagre party will have to do. I wish it were not so.”

“Let us be off,” said Frosty. “We still have a ways to go. Time grows short.”

The companions rode off with fresh doubts in their minds after hearing the misgivings of the centaur. Was it really as bad as all that? What difference could the small party make if it were so? They rode in silence and reached the base of the first mountain in under an hour.

“It is the second mountain where the lights originate,” said Perenia. “If we go up this mountain on the shallow right flank, we can be at the second mountain’s base in a few hours.”

“The lights were visible from the Tower of the Sky,” said Sherman. “If they originated on the second mountain, how could they see it from the tower?”

“The second mountain isn’t entirely hidden by the first,” said Kazin. “The upper portion is still visible to the tower.”

They trudged over the hilly terrain and picked their way around rocky outcrops. Finally they reached the base of the second mountain.

“Up to the left is where the lights originate,” explained Perenia. “There are several levels to this mountain separated by some sheer ledges. The trees end on the third ledge. Beyond that the climbing is too steep for a horse or centaur.”

“How far do you think we can get tonight?” asked Kazin.

Harran scanned the mountain’s side carefully. “We’ll reach the second level by nightfall,” he answered. “We’ll have to climb toward the right at first, then work our way left.”

“Will the horses be O.K. to ride?” asked Milena. “Or will we have to lead them from here on?”

“The horses will be fine with their passengers,” said Perenia. “The grades are not that steep here. We just have to be careful to avoid the drop-offs. There are several areas where it could be treacherous. Beyond the third ledge it gets too steep for a horse. Everyone will have to dismount and the horses will have to be brought around the mountain the long way from there.”

“Fabulous,” muttered Frosty.

“You probably won’t see any lights this night,” continued Perenia. “They start about five eighths of the way up on the left, and move gradually down behind the mountain in a clockwise direction, ending at the southern base. We launched an attack there once, but all who took part in that assault never returned. My guess is they used magic.”

“It will be best if we don’t see them and they don’t see us tonight,” said Frosty. “We will need the element of surprise.”

“Let’s go,” said Kazin. He urged Frosty forward and they picked their way cautiously up the mountain.

Della squeezed Kazin’s waist as they climbed, and Kazin looked back to see that she was O.K. She smiled at him and tilted her head back to let the mountain breeze course through her long, golden hair. Kazin couldn’t help but smile back at her. She seemed so carefree and innocent. She didn’t seem to belong in these times of war. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her. She was, after all, just a child. Or was she?

They made camp on the second ledge in the evening just as Harran had predicted. The wind here was cooler, but the trees provided some shelter to the weary travellers. A small fire was lit and they unpacked some stored pieces of Zylor’s wild boar. Rubin did the cooking this time and everyone was pleased with the results.

Kazin soon removed himself from the group and out of the light. His stomach was really bothering him tonight. He didn’t want anyone to see the agony on his face and attribute it to an expression of doubt about their mission. Milena, as usual, was observant and went over to see how he was doing.