Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy (45 page)

Zylor made a splint from a piece of planking from the ship’s deck, which he had torn off with his bare hands. Milena frowned at this disregard for their ship but said nothing. Sherman eagerly went to fetch some water from the mermaid’s pool but had a difficult time releasing himself from their grasp. Harran tore some strips of cloth from an old tunic in his bag and handed them to Milena.

After a few minutes a splint was prepared and Milena chanted a healing spell to start the injury on its way to healing.

Kazin woke a few minutes later. He blinked at the foggy expanse above him and turned away slightly to stare into Milena’s bright blue eyes. “Milena?”

Milena smiled. “You’ll be fine Kazin. You’ve just got a broken leg.”

Kazin looked at his splinted leg and tried to move it. “Oww!” he winced.

“Don’t aggravate it,” ordered Milena. “Just give it time to heal. You won’t be walking for a while, though.”

“You—you’re dressed in blue,” observed Kazin.

Milena smiled again. “Yes. I’m a druid now. My powers are greater, but so are my responsibilities. One of those is to accompany you on your journey, although I’m not sure exactly why. Amelia was rather vague about that issue.”

“Where are we?” asked Harran. “Are we in North Lake?”

“Yes,” said Milena. “‘When’ is the more difficult question to answer.”

“What do you mean?” asked Sherman.

“Let me put it this way,” said Milena. “At this moment we are on this ship headed to Macron, yet we are also battling hordes of zombies in the Plains of Grief.”

Kazin nodded and rose stiffly upon one elbow. “The mage warned us this might happen. We have arrived back in our time before we even left for the past.”

“He also told us not to interfere with ourselves,” said Sherman.

“That’s right,” said Milena. “That’s why we are going to have to book passage on a ship and sail down the Elgar River and then up the Silver River to the Five Fingers Mountains. It’s a long way around, but we shouldn’t be more than a couple of days behind schedule. Besides, Kazin is in no condition to travel by land right now, anyway.”

“One thing still bothers me though,” said Sherman.

“What’s that?” inquired the druid.

“I know we travelled back and forth in time, so we are in two places at once right now. But, Milena, you didn’t go with us, so how come you’re in two places at once too?”

Milena smiled patiently. “Druid magic is strange and powerful, Sherman. I don’t know the boundaries of it, but Amelia does. She snatched me away from Adriana and Martha and explained some things to me. Immediately afterwards Amelia chanted a spell and I was here on this ship with the mermaids. The mermaids told me what happened up until you jumped off the ship into the whirlpool. What happened after that I could only guess at.”

The companions quickly filled Milena in on the details of their adventure. Kazin briefly mentioned the events prior to their first meeting with Milena, so she finally learned of his page from the Book of Prophesy. She sat by, listening attentively until they were finished.

“I see now why the druids wanted me to accompany you,” said Milena thoughtfully. “It’s no accident that you stumbled on that page of the Book of Prophesy, Kazin. It appears that it refers to you and your companions.”

“It also mentions ‘The healing hand’,” said Kazin. “Unless I miss my guess, Milena, that means you.”

“I would not go so far as to make that claim, Kazin,” said Milena. “However, I could neither confirm nor deny it until we know for sure.”

“It also mentions an archer,” said Sherman, eyeing the skink warrior shrewdly.

“Don’t get your hopes up, warrior,” said Olag. “Our kind serves no one, unless by manipulation.” He looked pointedly at Milena.

The druid merely gave him a winsome smile.

Olag hissed. “Don’t do that! You remind me of those pesky mermaids!”

The companions laughed.

Within the hour they could see the shore of the mainland pull into view. Sherman and Harran pulled themselves free of the mermaids to prepare themselves for the next portion of their journey.

“Must you go?” pouted one of the mermaids.

“You would be happy with us!” pleaded another.

Sherman grinned. “I’m sure I would be. But I have a duty to perform and that comes first.” He turned and marched for his quarters below the deck.

“Harran?” pleaded a third mermaid.

“Sorry,” said the dwarf. “Maybe some other—uh—time.” He hesitated, blushed, and bent over to kiss her cheek. With lightning quick reflexes, the mermaid grabbed the dwarf and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips, nearly pulling him into the water again. His towel slipped from his grasp and fell into the pool.

“Sheila!” cried Shawna sharply. “You can’t have him!”

Sheila let go of the dwarf. “I know,” she pouted. “I couldn’t help myself.”

The other mermaids giggled.

Harran staggered drunkenly to his quarters, dragging his drenched towel behind him.

Not long afterward the ship pulled expertly into port and the companions prepared to disembark.

Before walking down the plank to the dock, Kazin turned Zylor into a human warrior again. The amulet around the warrior’s neck shimmered faintly to indicate the spell’s success. Zylor was about to remove it and give it back to the mermaid but Shawna stopped him.

“Keep it,” she said. “I have a feeling you’ll be needing it more than I.”

“I have no use for magical items—,” began Zylor.

“Perhaps not,” said Shawna. “But Kazin’s magical strength will be needed in the days ahead. It isn’t easy for anyone to cast a mirage spell for long periods of time.”

Zylor considered her words. “Perhaps you are right. I will use it wisely.”

Shawna smiled. “You’re welcome.”

Olag came on deck to see them off.

“Why don’t you come with us?” asked Kazin. “You’re welcome to join us.”

Olag hissed. “Live among humans? Don’t be absurd.” Then he added, “Not that you guys are that bad, really.” He shook Kazin’s hand. The skink warrior hissed again. “Shaking hands with a mage—and a human one at that! I must be losing my mind!”

Despite his open revulsion, he shook hands with them all.

“What are you going to do now?” asked Sherman. “Are you going to pick our doubles up at the Haunted Shoals?”

“No,” said Olag. “My double is going to do that part. Can’t interfere, remember? I’m done with the oracles for the time being. I’m going home for a change. It’s been awhile.”

“How about you mermaids?” asked Kazin. “Are you going home too?”

“Yes,” said Shawna. “As soon as we’re out a ways, we’ll jump into the water and head home. The ship will navigate itself.”

“A stink warrior isn’t much company,” said another mermaid.

Shawna sighed. “It’s not going to be easy to convince the other mermaids to let the skink warriors alone, but I’ll give it a try.” She smiled uncertainly at Olag, who stared back at her in shock with his frog-like eyes. Up until now he didn’t believe she would take his story at face value. Was there a hint of reason there, he wondered? He blinked and started blindly toward the captain’s quarters.

“One moment, Olag!” called Milena. She caught up with the skink warrior and spoke quietly and earnestly with him for a moment. She handed the skink something and closed his claws around it. Still in a daze, he nodded and then entered his quarters, closing the door softly behind him.

“What was that all about?” asked Kazin when the druid had returned.

“Oh, nothing,” said Milena with a twinkle in her eye.

The companions disembarked with shouted farewells and goodbyes as the magical ship pulled out of the harbour and re-entered North Lake.

Kazin leaned on Sherman as they watched the ship sail away. Within moments it was lost in the mist.

“Strange ship, that one,” said a familiar voice behind them. “You know them?”

Kazin’s group spun around.

“Rubin!” exclaimed Kazin. “It’s good to see you again!” He grabbed the sailor’s hand and shook it warmly.

Rubin looked confused. “It’s only been two days—.”

“Is your offer to book passengers still open?” interjected Kazin quickly, eager to steer the conversation away from his unusual response upon seeing the burly sailor. Of course it was only two days since the sailor had seen them!

“Certainly,” answered Rubin awkwardly. He was looking at Kazin’s splinted leg. “Don’t tell me you tripped again!”

“It’s a long story,” sighed Kazin. “I’ll tell you all about it when we’re underway. Even then you probably wouldn’t believe it.”

They made their way down the pier to where the Lady of the Sea was docked and boarded her to make arrangements with Captain Durango.

The Lady of the Sea pulled out of port the following morning, her graceful lines somehow majestic in the ceaseless fog. Sherman, restless from the previous night, stood resolutely on deck, leaning on the aft rails with his head in his hands as the ship glided gracefully downstream and vanished quietly in the morning stillness.

One cloaked and hooded figure on the far bank scowled. He instantly recognized the figure at the stern of the Lady of the Sea, even through the thick fog. So they had tried to trick him, eh? Well, he was not far behind now. All he had to do was wait for that traitorous barge operator to come back over in a few hours. A few hours was nothing. The thugs he had hired this time had more backbone than the previous ones. He merely had to spend a day to hire a few more men to seize control of a ship and follow after the Lady of the Sea. The Guardian and his group could run, but they couldn’t hide!

They travelled peacefully for the next three days, sailing rapidly with the wind and current. Rubin told them they were making extremely good time. They would pass Rimmet the following morning.

Kazin recalled Max’s amazement at the ship’s incredible speed. It was good to think of his dead friend once again. He had been so busy lately that he had pushed those memories from his mind. As he sat on deck nursing his leg, he was reminded once again of his own mortality. He marvelled at the courage of his companions in the past few weeks. They had all endured a lot. His own contributions seemed insufficient, yet he knew they respected his abilities as well. In fact, they were all there in part because of him—if for their own reasons.

He watched Rubin manning the helm. The bald sailor had become a close member of the group in the past few days, and they confided in him as though he were one of them all along. They described the events that had brought them together and Rubin listened intently, interested in their stories and always willing to listen when concerns were brought up. He even accepted Harran’s challenge to several games of dice. He was a rock of confidence in the midst of chaos. Even his fellow sailors saw this in him.

Captain Durango was gruff and harsh in his commands, even when giving them to Rubin, but now Kazin sensed something he hadn’t noticed before. He hadn’t noticed because he hadn’t looked. The captain was genuinely concerned for his crew. Even when giving orders and shouting commands, he was egging them on, giving them positive comments, patting them on the back. The crew never complained. They coordinated efforts, working quietly and efficiently.

It was this efficiency that saved them on the fourth day, just hours after they had passed Rimmet and the Simal-Elgar junction. The sun was nearing its zenith and Kazin was below when it began.

“Ship astern!” cried a sailor from the crow’s nest.

Rubin whistled. “First time the Lady of the Sea been caught up to from behind!” He steered the ship to one side to allow the other ship room to pass.

The other ship neared but instead of going around, it headed straight for them.

Captain Durango squinted into the western horizon, chewing his pipe vigorously. “What’s the matter with them? Can’t they see us?”

Zylor, who stood nearby, pointed. “I think they’re coming at us on purpose!”

Captain Durango glanced at the good-looking warrior. “What?! Are ye sure?”

Zylor nodded. “There’s a mage standing on their bow. He’s pointing at us and waving to his sailors. I think they plan to attack!”

Captain Durango swore. “Arm yourselves, men! We’re under attack!”

Within minutes the other ship closed the gap, revealing a large group of rough looking sailors holding various glinting weapons. A cloaked and hooded figure in their midst raised his hands and unleashed a bolt of lightning. The bolt struck low on the back end of the Lady of the Sea. The resulting shock knocked some of the sailors from their feet.

“I’ve lost helm control!” shouted Rubin, frantically spinning the wheel. “The rudder’s damaged!”

“Brace for impact!” cried Captain Durango.

Moments later the enemy ship rammed into the side of the Lady of the Sea. The ship splintered under the impact and rocked violently.

Captain Durango lost his footing and tumbled precariously over the edge of the ship. He never had a chance to fall, however, as a large hand grabbed him by his tunic and hauled him back to safety. During his brief moment over the side, Captain Durango saw a reflection in the water that couldn’t have been accurate. Hauling him to safety was an enormous figure with the horns of a minotaur. The captain spun on his rescuer but was greeted by the good-looking warrior. He shook his head in bewilderment.

Meanwhile, several enemy sailors had jumped on deck and were grappling with Durango’s men.

Zylor put the captain down and bounded into the fray to join Sherman and Harran, who were already doing their part to thrust the enemy back. After striking down the first sailor, Zylor returned to his original image. The sight of a minotaur caused cries of alarm on both sides. After seeing which side the minotaur was on, Durango’s sailors cheered and surged ahead with renewed energy. The tide was turning.

Milena was not far away, doing what she could to block the magical attacks of the enemy mage. It seemed the mage was concentrating his attacks on Sherman. Every time he sent a lightning bolt at the warrior, Milena’s shield would deflect it harmlessly. He would then cast his shield eating spell and Milena would lose her shield. Fortunately, each time the mage cast another lightning bolt spell, Milena would already have another shield in place.