Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy (46 page)

This worked effectively until the mage decided to cast his lightning bolt at the druid instead. His aim was slightly off and grazed the druid’s shoulder. Milena cried out in pain and immediately lost her shield protecting Sherman. The mage grinned at his success and prepared to fire at the unprotected warrior. Sherman was too busy fighting the other sailors to notice.

Suddenly a lightning bolt struck the enemy mage in the arm. The mage spun wildly, releasing his lightning bolt into his own men. Leaning on an open hatch door was Kazin, a bloody patch visible on his forehead.

Suddenly the enemy ship broke free, the current pulling the ships apart. The remaining enemy sailors bounded for their ship as it tore free. Within moments the battle was over, the enemy ship floating downstream and the Lady of the Sea listing to port.

“Get below and man the bilges!” commanded Captain Durango. “Find the leaks and seal ‘em off! Raise the sails to steer the ship forward! Let’s go!”

The sailors who could still manage ran to obey. Those who could not were huddled in a group around the druid. Milena healed one sailor after another, ignoring her own wound.

Kazin dragged himself over to help the druid.

Milena glanced at Kazin. “You were just in time. That mage wanted Sherman in a bad way.”

Kazin nodded. “I’d have come sooner, but every time I was about to come out on deck, there was another bump and I fell down again.” He touched his forehead and winced. “It just isn’t my day.”

There was a momentary lurch and the ship righted itself.

“They must have repaired the leak,” commented a sailor.

Several of the sailors who were healed got up and went to work on the ship.

Durango appeared from below and spoke with Rubin. “The leaks are stopped and the bilges are removing the water from the hold, but the rudder’s still out of commission. We’ll have to run her aground and do the repairs that way. Any suggestions?”

Rubin tilted his head and rubbed his chin. “The junction to the Silver River is comin’ up. The south half is a sandy, boggy area. If we steer her in there, we’ll come to a soft stop with no damage.”

Durango frowned. “It’ll be a soft stop, sure enough, but we’ll never break free once the repairs are finished.”

“What if we go in with the water still in the hold?” asked Rubin. “When we’re done with the repairs, we’ll pump the hold and the ship will rise above the bottom!”

Durango slapped Rubin on the back. “Clever idea, lad! The current will push us further down the Elgar and we can turn back and sail into the Silver River with our steering intact! You go below and give the orders. I’ve got to talk to our passengers.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Rubin.

Captain Durango came over to Kazin and Milena. “My thanks to you and your people for your help,” he began. He looked over at his injured crew sprawled on the deck. “Your healing is greatly appreciated as well.”

“Not at all, captain,” said Kazin. “I’m afraid it’s our fault this happened in the first place. Apparently someone has been after Sherman right from the first. We should have warned you of this before we booked passage.”

“Well, what’s done is done,” said Durango, “but one thing I’d like to know, Kazin, is why you brought a minotaur on board. We’re at war with that race. If it wasn’t for the fact that he fought on our side—and saved my life to boot—I would have had him killed and thrown overboard!”

Kazin nodded. “It’s for that very reason that we disguised him. You see, he’s with us, and even though we trust him, we can’t expect others to do the same. Would you have let us come along had you known who he was?”

“Not unless he was placed shackled and chained in the brig,” admitted Durango.

“You’re next,” interrupted Milena, addressing Kazin. She held her hand over the mage’s forehead and chanted her spell. The wound healed over almost instantaneously. “I might as well check your leg,” said Milena, gently pulling Kazin’s leg toward her.

“In an hour or so the ship will run aground so we can further repairs,” continued Durango. “We are steerin’ using our sails, so it’ll probably be a rough landin’. I suggest everyone goes below before we attempt the landin’.”

There were murmurs of ‘Aye, captain’ among the sailors on the deck.

“I hope we don’t run into that other ship in the meantime,” commented one sailor.

“Don’t be concerned with them,” said Durango. “They’ve had their asses kicked by the best. They won’t be back any time soon.”

Several of the sailors laughed at the Captain’s remark.

Captain Durango nodded in satisfaction and put his empty pipe in his mouth. Chewing abstractedly, he turned and went below.

“You’re healing fast,” said Milena. “By the time the ship does the landing, you can remove the splint. Your leg is almost as good as new.”

Kazin gaped. “But it’s only been a few days!”

“The break was clean,” explained Milena. “With my stronger healing power, it didn’t take long to mend.”

“You mean I’ve been crawling around when I could have been walking?” asked Kazin.

Milena reddened. “I didn’t want you to aggravate the injury until I was sure it was healing properly.”

Kazin groaned and punched the druid playfully in the shoulder.

“Ow!” cried Milena.

“Oops!” said Kazin. “I guess you should heal yourself now.”

Milena sighed in mock bitterness. “You’re a walking catastrophe, Kazin.”

Kazin caught the twinkle in her eyes.

Chapter 39

T
he clearing was quiet and calm as Kazin stoked the fire. The others slept peacefully not far away, still close enough to receive the fire’s warmth. The summer night was unusually cool. Milena had finally retired for the night after chatting with the mage about their task concerning the orb and Kazin’s quest for the Book of Prophesy. She had sounded glad that it was almost over with.

Kazin sat back and reviewed the afternoon’s events. After successfully running the ship aground, the companions borrowed a long boat and made their way to the south shore. With evening’s shadows already moving in, they made their way along the Silver River for the next few hours, intent on making the most of their traveling time. Kazin was amazed at his leg’s quick recovery and was eager to try it out, pushing himself and his companions along at a brisk pace.

Now they were retired for the night, and Kazin had chosen first watch. Perhaps his excess energy was a result of Milena’s healing magic. He wasn’t sure.

A twig snapped sharply behind him and he turned, alarmed. Did he just catch sight of something white? He cast a warding spell on the slumbering companions and rose quietly, scanning the bush. There it was again. Something white was among the trees. He recalled a similar event several weeks ago. Was this the same thing? He started forward into the darkness quietly.

The white thing reappeared several times, prodding him onward. After several long minutes of this, Kazin heard something that sounded like a cry. It came from off to his right. A few steps further took him to a small clearing glowing orange with firelight.

He peered through the bushes surrounding the campsite. Four short, shadowy forms stood around a large fire with a gigantic pot hanging from a tripod immediately above it. The figures shuffled around the pot, mumbling words Kazin could not distinguish. One figure moved away, revealing the reflected face of another one directly across the fire from it. It was a bunch of goblins! The one whose face was revealed raised a stick and jammed it into the pot.

A figure in the pot lurched and cried out, pushing itself up and away from the stick. Judging by the long, golden hair and the small, pointed ears, the figure was an elf maiden. She was in trouble!

Kazin wasted no time. He stepped boldly into the clearing and blasted two of the goblins with fireballs. They shrieked in agony and raced off into the safety of the woods. The goblin with the stick threw it at the mage but missed. Kazin cast a lightning bolt at the creature and struck it in the arm. It screamed and ran, howling after his friends. The fourth goblin was determined not to let itself be victimized by magic. It picked up a nearby spear and came at Kazin.

Kazin had no time to cast another spell so he brought his staff up to fend off the goblin’s blow. He threw the goblin off balance and cast a new spell at his adversary. Suddenly the goblin’s spear turned into a snake and coiled around to look at who was holding it. With a shriek of fright, the goblin dropped the snake and fled into the woods after the others. The snake turned back into a spear upon hitting the ground.

Kazin smiled at his successful illusion. A cry alerted him to the prisoner’s distress. The water in the pot was beginning to get hot.

Kazin lunged at the pot and knocked it off the tripod. It landed on its side and spilled its contents onto the ground beside the fire. In seconds, Kazin had the elf maiden in his arms and was dragging her to safety away from the pot and the fire.

Clear, hazel eyes looked up at him gratefully as he untied the bonds around her wrists and ankles. When her arms were free, she embraced the mage tightly, her body trembling with fear. The trembling was replaced with shivering as her wet clothes began to cool.

Kazin brought her back to the fire and ordered her to undress and dry her clothes in the fire. As she did this, he turned away and removed his cloak, handing it behind him and ordering her to put it on. The elf girl giggled and complied.

When this was done Kazin turned around and intently studied the elf girl. She was shorter than he by a head, his cloak dragging on the ground around her ankles. Her long, golden hair was wet, and clung desperately to the exterior of the warm robe. Rivulets of water ran down the robe, the magical material naturally resisting the moisture. Protruding through the elf’s golden locks were tiny, pointed ears, evidence of her heritage. Her eyes glittered in the firelight like two tiny hazel jewels, and try as he might, Kazin could not pull his gaze away. His heart pounded in his ears.

The elf girl smiled and sat on a nearby log, grasping his hand and pulling him down beside her. “Thank you for saving me,” she said. “My name’s Della.”

“I—I’m Kazin,” answered the mage awkwardly.

Della smiled and squeezed his hand.

“I—I’ve got to get back to my companions,” said Kazin suddenly. “I’m supposed to be on watch.”

Della looked worried. “You can’t leave me alone. My clothes are wet.”

Kazin hesitated. “I’ll take you with me. We’ll dry your clothes at my camp.”

Della smiled mischievously. “O.K. I’ll wear your cloak until then. It’s nice and warm.” She rose and gathered her garments from the tripod. She carried them over to a small pack nearby, thrust them inside, and slung the pack over her shoulder. Then she stooped and picked up a small bow and a quiver of arrows, which she slung over her other shoulder. “I’m ready.”

Kazin rose quickly, suddenly aware that he was staring. He doused the fire with water still within the partly overturned pot. “How’d they get hold of such a huge pot?” he murmured.

“It was here when they brought me here,” said Della. “They captured me while I was asleep.”

When the fire was out, the mage and elf worked their way back in the direction of Kazin’s campsite.

“What are you doing alone in the woods with goblins about?” asked Kazin finally. He was glad it was dark.

“These are elven woods you are in, Kazin,” said Della. “It used to be safe for all to pass through. Recently, goblins and other creatures have been appearing more and more frequently. Something is wrong in the land. My people are worried, but they will not react without a sign. I have seen that sign, but they do not believe me. I must find that sign and bring it back to persuade them.”

“What sign did you see?” asked Kazin.

He never got an answer. A shadow suddenly sprang at the mage and elf, bowling them over and pinning them to the ground.

“Oww!” grunted Kazin.

“Shhh!” said a voice on top of them.

Through the trees a short distance away torchlight could be seen. A few soft voices could be heard but nothing was distinguishable. Moments later, all was still again.

“It’s O.K. now,” said the voice. “They’ve passed.” The figure rose and helped them to their feet. A familiar smile glimmered in the darkness.

“Rubin!” gasped Kazin. “What’s going on?”

“I was comin’ to warn you when I heard you talkin’. Your friends are in danger!”

“What do you mean?” asked Kazin.

“Those men who just passed—they’re lookin’ for you! They came by a group of us who were gatherin’ material for the ship’s repair and asked about you. I thought it was tad suspicious so I followed ‘em for a while. I saw that same mage who attacked us on the river. At least, I think it was him. I overheard him talking about killin’ a mage and someone called the ‘Guardian’. I knew you had mentioned something about Sherman being mistaken for this ‘Guardian’ so I figured you might be in danger. I went around them and came to warn you when I heard you talkin’ to your companion here. I pounced on you to keep you quiet.”

“Then we haven’t got time to waste!” exclaimed Kazin. He turned to the elf. “You’d better wait here. It’s too dangerous.”

Della shook her head. “I have a debt to repay. Let me help.” She held up her bow.

“All right,” agreed Kazin reluctantly. He reached into his robe and withdrew some spell components.

Della grinned mischievously. “That tickled!”

“Don’t ruin my robe!” Kazin admonished sternly. He hoped the darkness hid his smile.

The trio ran toward the companion’s campsite, taking care to move silently. Kazin couldn’t hear the elf behind him and had to look back several times to see if she was still there. She was. Compared to the lumbering sailor and himself, she was as silent as the wind on a windless day. He wondered secretly how she managed to do it, particularly with his oversized robe on.

When they were within sight of the campsite, they peeked through the trees to have a look. Sure enough, the companions were surrounded by fifteen or so rough looking men. Several had the minotaur and dwarf pinned down in their blankets with swords and scimitars. And Milena was struggling against two men who held her hands behind her back. Sherman stood facing a cloaked mage whose face was hidden, while two men held swords to his throat from either side.