Knights of the Wizard (of Knights and Wizards Book 2) (22 page)

CHAROX FLEW INTO THE DRAGON APPLE ORCHARD and tripped when he landed, unsteady on his feet he ended up on his belly. The trees were humongous; some of them more than three hundred feet tall, the apples big and heavy enough to kill a person should one fall, and always a shiny red. The magic contained within wouldn’t permit them to rot, always sublime. He still wasn’t feeling well and was now wondering if he would ever recover from those poison arrows or would they eventually do him in. The plan was to eat his fill of apples to see if they would remove the poison from his system. If he ever fully recovered he was going to kill every human he set his eyes on; he would lay waste to every kingdom and track down those pointy helmeted bastards and make them suffer a horrible death.

The grey commenced to eat the apples by the dozens and after about a hundred let go with a formidable belch that could be heard for miles and then another. In the distance he could see other dragons flying in to feed, three black dragons and a red one but he wasn’t going to bother them because his health was more important. It was unnatural for a grey to be at a disadvantage because he was sure they were at the very top of the predators and really everyone should bow before him. Being a wizard he thought he should have recovered fully, his natural magic should have taken care of it, but he continued to have bouts of dizziness.

After several hours Charox finally had his fill of apples, and he watched them magically reappear with a pop replacing the ones that he had eaten. He lay down and sighed, might actually be ready for a nap, fantasizing about killing humans.

Ash flew over rolling hills and was fully enjoying the beautiful afternoon, nothing quite like the wind in his face, helping to stoke the fire in his belly. He had just come from a talk with his grandfather Aloth because all young dragons were required to learn from their grandparents, important historical events and general wisdom. He liked listening to his grandfather, hearing stories from long ago. As Ash flew over the orchard he saw Charox down there and as he scanned him he could detect that he was sickly, some kind of poison was flowing through his blood. As Ash blinked his eyes he could tell that the grey dragon was desperately hoping that the young dragon hadn’t seen him but unfortunately he knew that Ash was aware of him. With such an aggressive dragon Ash simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity, his life and even his families lives could depend on it.

Ash flew down and landed in front of Charox who was gigantic compared to the little dragon. “Not feeling well are you grey dragon?”

Charox would try to bluff the little dragon. “I’m feeling fine why do you ask such a thing?”

Ash shook his head. “You liar. I can see the poison flowing in your blood stream, nasty critters eating at your insides.”

Charox wondered what would be the best course of action. He might be able to take advantage of the child dragon; at least he certainly hoped so. “Now listen little wizard I have had a change of heart and I now wish neither you nor your family any harm.” Charox stared down at Ash desperately hoping that he was going to fall for it because he was in no condition to fight another wizard.

Ash continued to shake his head. “You mean you don’t want me to take advantage of your weakened condition so when you recover you can kill all of us. I can read you like an open book grey dragon.”

“You little bastard!” screamed Charox. He launched a wall of fire at Ash but was disappointed when it was deflected harmlessly.

Ash flew up so that he could stare into his eyes; he wiggled two of his claws and the monster of a dragon was suddenly the size of a small dog. “Don’t worry,” said Ash. “The spell will only last for a thousand years.”

“What have you done?” Charox said in his now squeaky voice; his speech was now as tiny as he was. Now Ash looked gigantic to him. “A thousand years! Please change me back! Please!”

Ash couldn’t help but laugh at his tiny voice. “Maybe a thousand years will help you to learn not to be so mean.”

Charox launched a tiny ball of fire which felt barely warm to Ash. “How will I survive? I’m doomed!”

Ash felt sorry for him to a degree but it wasn’t like he didn’t deserve it. “You can probably hunt rats or other small animals in the forest, or you can live on dragon apples, but if I hear that you are bothering anyone, humans included I’ll stomp on you and squash you. By the way your magic is now as tiny as you are.”

Charox couldn’t believe how small he was. “Please don’t leave me like this!”

“Look how cute you are.” Ash patted Charox on his little head.

“I am not cute!” Charox screamed. He flew up and landed on a nearby branch and commenced to sulk. He finally felt healthy again, felt like the spelled had also healed him but it was too late now. His life was ruined.

BERHTRAM FLEW ONTO THE BEDPOST and commenced to fill one of the holes with bread as the king finished his breakfast of boiled eggs and bacon. He appreciated the raven’s company more than ever and was so happy to see him able to fly as well, except when the raven flew and snatched a piece of his bacon and flew onto the bed with it. Stone, Alexa and Marcus had joined him in his chamber while Marcus’s golden knights were waiting patiently for him in the hall.

“You’re really going to torture them?” Alexa asked her father.

“My dear daughter many forms of torture exist. It shan’t be too painful.” Darius looked up at her with a sly smile. “You can come along if you like, however if you do you mustn’t utter a single word while you are down there. Do you understand? Not a word.”

“Yes father.” Her father’s smile suggested he was up to something but what she couldn’t say.

“Are you still going hunting with Bayle this afternoon?” Stone asked.

Darius nodded and smiled. “I am indeed. He has lost much during his time as a dog and it will take quite some time to bring him up to date. Won’t be much of a hunting expedition with a contingency of knights following but the conversation’s the thing. Such a strange fate to have endured. We were all certain that he was dead.”

King Darius finished his meal and then they made their way down into the dank dungeon with the raven on the king’s shoulder, sconces gave moderate light and a dank smell permeated the air. The four Dwagord were attached to the wall with chains but looked defiant as they approached, figuring that Kai would soon enough destroy this kingdom though they might not live to see it. Alexa stood back to observe.

The king sounded angry when he spoke. “Stone, what have you learned from these brigands so far?”

“They refuse to talk your majesty.” Stone looked worried fearing retribution from the king.

“You will need to be punished!” said the king. Darius pulled a dagger from his sheath and turned to Stone. “Any last words before I cut out your tongue?”

“Please you majesty I’ll try harder!” Stone pleaded. “Just give me a few more hours and I will personally see to their torture.”

“Stick out your tongue,” the king commanded. “And don’t make me ask twice.”

Stone was facing the king as he stuck out his tongue with Darius blocking the Dwagord’s view of Stone’s face. He pretended to cut out his tongue and tossed a chunk of bloody liver against the stone wall behind them, hitting with a splat it then fell to the floor; Stone ran out making horrible noises as he feigned having lost his ability to talk. Alexa followed him out not wanting to laugh, and now the Dwagord weren’t looking so defiant.

MARCUS FOUND HIMSELF IN A FOREST of sickly looking trees, he had never seen trees that had been bent over so far, like old men unable to straighten up. He was in the center of so many paths to take that they were like spokes on a wagon wheel; he turned in a complete circle wondering which way to go. Down one of the paths he could see a large black bear eating something or someone, definitely wasn’t going to be heading down that one. The bear stood up on its hind legs and appeared to take notice of him, shaking its head for some unknown reason, as if telling him not to take his path.

Did he actually hear one of the trees moan?

“Marcus!” called a far off voice.

The voice sounded familiar but he couldn’t put a face to it, appeared to be a young man calling to him. He listened intently waiting to hear the voice again.

“Marcus, to your left!”

The boy turned to his left but still had to decide which path to take and they all looked pretty much the same. He started down one and suddenly an ugly fellow came from behind a tree and they commenced exchanging purple balls of light, some were hitting and knocking down trees, others were whizzing over Marcus’s head a little too close for comfort, making his hair stand up from the static in the air.

“Marcus back up! Not that way.”

Marcus returned to his original position and the battle ceased as quickly as it had started. He had to select a different path but which one. He took a different trail and along it yellow roses commenced to grow as he walked, in less than five seconds each rose grew from a seedling to a full grown flower. “Yes this way,” said one of the flowers.

“Such a powerful wizard,” said one flower. It bent over and picked a weed that was near it and tossed it away.

“Yes very much so,” said another.

“Marcus continue this way and take your next left.”

The voice was more and more familiar and yet he still couldn’t put a face to it. “Where are you? Who are you?”

“Over here. It’s me Adorok.”

Marcus saw him in a field of sunflowers sitting at a small square table with a single empty chair opposite. He sat placing his elbows on the table. “Adorok you look so young. You sound like a young man but you look like a young boy.”

“Marcus my time is limited in this dream. Unfortunately you must battle Nydarien the fate of the world depends on it.”

Marcus was worried about failing and letting everyone down. “But why does it have to depend on me? Why can’t it depend on someone else? Adorok I’m not ready.”

“Don’t hesitate to kill him. Whatever you do don’t hesitate.”

Marcus awoke with those words still in his thoughts.

IT WAS A HOT THOUGH BLUSTERY AFTERNOON as Marcus returned to his castle and he was happy to be back, tired he wanted to rest and would be delighted to see Raina and Ryxa. His eleven golden knights were happy to stand guard outside, ready to follow whatever commands the wizard wished. Brother and Kadyn were very happy to be back with the boy. Although he now had a wand he continued to sleep walk which put people at risk, besides he found that he liked living in his own castle and doing as he pleased. Once he got a hold of this wizard business he would make Leeander a shield that no one with ill intentions would ever be able to get through, at least he hoped so.

Marcus discovered Raina taking a nap in one of the chambers and immediately thought that it had been dangerous to have been in the castle alone; he assumed that she would have gone back to her own kingdom while he was gone but she was as stubborn as she was beautiful, which made her quite mulish indeed. She was a sleeping beauty.

“Raina I’m back.”

Raina awoke and then sat up and stretched. “Marcus!” She ran to him and gave him a big hug and kiss. Marcus gave her the longest kiss so far, having missed her a lot more than he thought he would.

Marcus thought it was very nice to be loved, some people drifted like tumbleweeds with no one but themselves for company. “Has Ryxa returned?”

“Not yet,” she said. “She might need a few weeks to recover but I’m sure she’ll be okay.”

He wasn’t sure what to think but he prayed that she was okay. He couldn’t imagine not seeing Ryxa’s beautiful face ever again. It was still painful to remember her lifeless on the ground. He loved her and she was a great and powerful friend, not many humans could say they had a dragon as a best friend. If she were human he’d probably marry he thought and that made him smile. “I hope so. Follow me I want to show you something.”

Raina followed Marcus down to the great hall and watched as he examined all the fireplaces and wondered what he was up to, turning his attention to one in particular as he felt around it. He pushed hard on one of the stones until he heard a loud
CLICK
and then he pulled it open noisily as dust and dirt had accumulated over the years, grating against the stone floor. They made their way inside having to duck their heads to get in and discovered a good sized chamber, having a bed with a canopy; a huge fireplace was burning magically with a bright yellow flame that was keeping the room at a perfect temperature. There was a beautiful chest at the foot of the bed and when Raina opened it she discovered a red cloak too big for either of them but it was beautiful with gold accent. A chandelier with seven candles was burning overhead, obviously a magical creation and perhaps had been burning for decades.

“Look!” said Marcus. “An enchanted fireplace. I think it’s the most comfortable chamber in the castle. My father told me about this hidden chamber I don’t know if I would have ever found it otherwise. I was thinking that you could stay in here when I go to battle Nydarien.”

She didn’t want Marcus to go anywhere near that sorcerer but she also knew that it was his destiny to do so. The idea of losing him too had to be forced from her thoughts. “Not even any dust,” said Raina. “It’s a nice little spell. I wonder how long it’s been since someone was in here. There’s a light scent of flowers too.”

Marcus nodded. “The chamber won’t let sound or light escape. You could be singing in here and the enemy could be right out there and they wouldn’t hear a thing and its sealed from the inside so no one can get in unless the door is opened from this side. This chamber will keep you safe while I’m gone. And father said that table in the corner will conjure food.”

Raina ran over to the table. “I want to try it. How does it work?”

“Just close your eyes and imagine the food.”

Raina closed her eyes and a beautiful roast chicken appeared on a silver platter with two glasses of cold milk nearby. They sat, ate the chicken that had been roasted to perfection with more than ten spices and drank the milk.

Raina smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted chicken so delicious. You know Marcus after we get married this could be our chamber. It’s beautiful in here. That’s the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.”

Marcus wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that although being married to Raina wouldn’t be such a bad thing. A lot of wizards didn’t get married at all, preferring solitary lives. Most kingdoms desired wizards for protection but a majority of them didn’t have one; they usually had to offer a lot to get a sorcerer’s protection. The boy would always be ready to defend Leeander from any and all aggression.

Raina and Marcus made their way out of the secret chamber and headed to the stables where he examined one of the two buggies; he would load it with supplies for the journey to locate the evil sorcerer and destroy him, or be destroyed. He didn’t feel at all prepared to tackle another wizard, felt that because he had just discovered his wand it might take years to be ready for such a fight, but Adorok had told him in a dream that it was a necessary battle that couldn’t wait and of course he trusted Adorok. The responsibilities that came with being such a powerful sorcerer might end up being a pain in the royal behind, and he imagined that there probably were lots of wizards out there more powerful than him, and maybe Nydarien was one of them.

After examining the buggy he discovered that it was in good condition, no spokes missing or rotted wood, appeared sturdy enough for travel. Although Marcus was trying hard not to show it he was scared and wished that he had Stone’s brave disposition. Were some wizards actually cowards? He could imagine all sorts of monsters and spells that awaited him and was fairly sure that he wouldn’t survive the confrontation. If only Adorok were still alive.

The wand vibrated.
Dust from a dragon’s egg and rosemary infused with dragon’s blood will make a horseless buggy.

Marcus shook his head. “A horseless buggy? What the heck does that mean? And how am I supposed to get those ingredients?”

Hold out your left hand
wrote the wand.

The wizard did so. Raina found it fascinating to see Marcus having conversations with his wand.

Now tap me on the palm of your hand.

Marcus did so and a small amount of dust from a dragon’s egg was produced; it was red with pink highlights.

That is dust from a dragon’s egg. Tap me again and I’ll produce rosemary that’s infused with dragon’s blood.

“That is one smart wand,” said Raina as she read the wand over his shoulder.

“Why do I need that stupid book if you know everything,” said Marcus to his wand.

I definitely do not know everything
inscribed the wand.

Marcus shook his head. “Raina, you know a wizard’s life might be fraught with danger. Fraught is a funny word don’t you think? Anyway are you sure you want to marry me? I don’t know if I could live with myself if something ever happened to you. Seems likely that something will don’t you think?”

Raina nodded. “I do want to marry you. I’ll take my chances with a powerful sorcerer.”

Marcus produced the infused rosemary and followed his wand’s instructions, combining both ingredients and then blowing the dust onto the buggy. The buggy commenced to back up by itself and they had to get out of the way. “This way,” said Marcus and the horseless buggy followed him as a dog would follow his master.

Raina was impressed. “What an exciting life it’s going to be being married to you.”

“Raina don’t count your chickens before they hatch, Nydarien is liable to have me for lunch and you won’t be able to marry my ghost.”