Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy (40 page)

The companions weren’t sure if they should comply any further but Kazin beckoned for them to come. There was powerful magic at work here and it would serve them no good to resist. They couldn’t escape regardless. There was nowhere to escape to, and no ship they could use to get away.

As soon as they approached the end of the dock they reached a wall of impenetrable forest. Once there, Olag kept walking and the trees suddenly gave way, spreading apart to reveal a path before them. After they passed, the trees closed behind them again. Zylor was in the rear and, when he discovered what was happening, turned to push back the way they had come. The trees and shrubs barred their way.

“There is nothing to fear,” said Olag, from up front. “It is quite safe in these woods. The trees are protectors, nothing more.”

Silently the companions followed the skink warrior, wending their way up the winding, shrub-lined path. After about half an hour they were at a slightly higher altitude and the breeze off the lake managed to penetrate even the thick foliage around them.

Suddenly the trees ahead of them stepped in from the path edges and formed into vague human-like figures.

The companions froze but the skink warrior walked on unperturbed. “We are nearly there,” he said over his shoulder.

The trees stepped aside just enough to let them pass and then fell into formation behind them, walking stiffly but surely.

They rounded yet another bend and out of the foliage a building could be seen. As they neared, they discovered that it was a tower. The declining sun highlighted the tower through the trees on the west side. It was simple and cylindrically shaped, and there were many window slits visible all the way to the top, which was crowned by a crumbling, turret style roof. Standing out against the plain, grey structure were colourful arrays of flowers lining all of the windows. It looked like a tower that had fallen to the forces of nature, yet was still maintained by human hands.

They soon reached a large, wooden set of doors lined with brass fastenings and hinges. As soon as they stood in front of the doors they opened of their own accord, silently and invitingly.

“I already don’t like this place,” said Harran.

“I don’t know,” objected Milena. “In my opinion, this place feels kind of welcoming.”

“Speak for yourself,” grunted the dwarf.

“Welcome to the Tower of the Moon,” said Olag.

Kazin started. “The Tower of the Moon? How come I’ve never heard of it?”

“That’s the general idea,” said Olag, leading them into the structure. The tree men remained outside. He led the companions down a short hallway and pushed open a set of doors at the end. “This is where you are to wait for your hosts,” he said perfunctorily.

They entered and he closed the doors behind them. They heard a latch lock and then silence.

Harran turned and grabbed the door handles and tried to open them. “I knew it. We’re trapped!”

“Don’t be too hasty,” said Milena. She was walking across the large sitting room, her feet making no noise on the heavy, expensive lavender carpet on the floor. She observed the picturesque paintings and banners adorning the walls of the room. The paintings were similar to the ones Kazin had seen in the Tower of the Stars, depicting the dragon battles of a few hundred years ago. One large painting hanging over a fireplace illustrated a wizened old mage with a long white beard. He carried a plain-looking staff, but from it emerged a fierce lightning bolt, surging into an indistinguishable dark object. There was fierce determination in his eyes, and resolve in the jaw.

“I wonder who he was?” asked Milena absently.

“Ahhh!” interrupted Sherman, easing into a lavish, comfortable looking chair. “It’s nice to take a load off once in a while.”

Harran sat down across from him but paid no attention to the comfort the chair had to offer. His mind was preoccupied with finding a means of escape. “The windows are too narrow,” he murmured. “We’ll have to break through the doors.”

Zylor stood silently by the door and regarded the dwarf thoughtfully. He didn’t seem pleased about being locked up, but chose to remain indifferent, apparently waiting for the others to react first. The mage and cleric were too relaxed to warrant any violent reactions as yet.

Kazin seated himself on a chair and barely suppressed a sigh of comfort himself. Whatever their hosts had in store for them, it did not seem unpleasant. “Relax, Harran,” said the mage gently. “In order to defeat your enemy—and I’m not sure they are enemies, you have to understand them first. Let’s wait and hear them out first. Then we’ll decide on a course of action.”

“Kazin’s right,” said Milena. “I sense no danger here.”

“I hope so,” muttered the dwarf.

Then the door latch rattled and the door opened. A couple of older ladies, possibly in their fifties, entered. The companions rose respectfully, mesmerized by the brilliant blue of their robes.

The ladies closed the door behind them, but not before the others could see a complement of tree men standing beyond. Then the ladies turned and gave reassuring smiles to their guests, giving a sense that all was well and good.

“Please, sit,” said the taller of the two. “I am Adriana, and this is Martha. We welcome you to the Tower of the Moon.”

Kazin and the others sat obediently, all except the minotaur, who still stood near the door.

Adriana had a sharp nose and a shrewd gaze, as though she were not to be trifled with. Martha, on the other hand, was more plump and naive-looking. Her eyes danced as though she were enjoying a private joke. Upon seeing Milena, she came forward and held her hands out to the cleric. “My child! You’ve come at last! It’s good to see you again! How you’ve grown!”

Milena looked confused.

“Speak of it later, Martha,” said Adriana sternly.

“What difference does it make?” retorted Martha, rounding on the slender woman.

Adriana smiled nonchalantly. “All in good time, my dear. All in good time.”

“What do you want with us?” interrupted Kazin.

“It is the cleric we want,” said Adriana pleasantly but firmly.

“We must wake Amelia!” said Martha suddenly. “She said to notify her when the guests arrive.”

“We will,” said Adriana. “After all, she wanted to deal with the rest while we prepare the cleric for the ceremony.”

“Ceremony? What ceremony?” asked Milena distractedly.

“Oh, it will be wonderful, child!” said Martha eagerly, putting her arms around the young cleric lovingly.

Sherman rose. “She goes nowhere without us!” He crossed his arms defiantly.

Martha gasped and looked at Adriana. “The Guardian?”

“Probably,” said Adriana stiffly. “Amelia was right, as usual.”

Sherman was surprised. “What do you know about this Guardian business?” he demanded.

“He does not know!” whispered Martha in awe.

“Amelia was right about that as well, I see,” said Adriana contemptuously. “It appears she isn’t as demented as we thought.”

“Who is demented?” demanded a figure in the doorway. Everyone started in surprise, even Zylor, who was supposed to be watching the door.

The figure was an aged, gnarled old woman, with thinning red hair. She wore the same brilliant blue robe as the other two. She shambled forward slowly.

“Amelia!” cried Martha, rushing forward to support the frail old woman. “You shouldn’t be out of bed!”

The old woman gently pushed aside the younger one. “I can get around well enough, Martha. Allow me some dignity!”

“We have the cleric,” announced Adriana. Her tone was stiff but there was respect there as well.

“Good,” said Amelia. She looked up and squinted at the cleric. Suddenly her eyes opened wide and she raised her arms, shambling forward so fast that Martha lost her grasp of the old lady. Amelia pushed roughly past the cleric and stumbled haphazardly toward Kazin.

“Amelia!” cried Martha, trailing behind.

When Amelia reached Kazin she raised shaking hands and gently brushed his cheek with rough, weathered hands. Kazin tried not to flinch.

Suddenly tears came to Amelia’s eyes. “It is you!” she whispered.

Kazin blinked. “Do you know me?”

Amelia lowered her hand slowly. “My wish has been fulfilled!” she whispered. “The price was high, but the wish has been fulfilled!” She awkwardly jumped up and down and clasped her hands together, laughing gaily.

“Amelia!” cried Martha in shock.

“She’s finally gone off the edge,” said Adriana sternly. “We should put her to bed immediately.”

“No!” shrieked Martha. She grabbed hold of Amelia and tried to calm her down.

Finally Amelia stopped laughing and shrugged off the fussing Martha.

“You should go to bed,” ordered Adriana.

Amelia spun viciously on Adriana. “To bed, is it?” She raised her arm and pointed at the slender, blue robed figure.

Adriana recoiled in horror, crying out even though nothing had happened yet.

The companions watched the scene unfold with a detached awe and concern.

At last Amelia lowered her hand and grinned viciously. “No, I can’t bring myself to do it. We have guests. Martha, you and Adriana prepare the cleric. I have something of equal importance to attend to.” The tone of Amelia’s voice was official and to the point. There was no room for argument. Adriana stood red-faced while Martha approached Milena.

Milena drew back. “I’m not going until I know what’s going on!” said the cleric firmly, but carefully. The old woman frightened her.

“What?” said Amelia. “You haven’t been told?”

Milena shook her head.

Amelia shot the other blue robed ladies a venomous look. Then she turned and gave Milena a soft smile. “My child, you are about to become one of us. You are about to be upgraded to a druid!”

Milena gasped. “You are druids?”

Martha came forward and gently rested a hand on the young cleric’s shoulder. “Yes, child! You are about to have a great deal of power and responsibility bestowed upon you. It is an honour few experience!”

Kazin exchanged glances with Sherman. This was a development he had not anticipated.

“Wait a minute,” said Milena. “Olag told us this was the oracles’ island. If you are druids, who are the oracles?”

Suddenly Amelia cackled gleefully. “Oracles? There’s only one oracle, and that’s me!”

“But you are a druid,” persisted Milena.

“That as well, yes,” said Amelia, still smiling.

Milena stared at her in awe. “You can see the future?”

“Some of it, child. Most of its mysteries, however, lie in the past.”

Milena paused. “What is the ceremony like?” she asked nervously. “What does it mean to become a druid? How do I prepare for it?”

“It will be wonderful, child,” said Martha gently. “You’ll see.”

Milena nodded, turned to her companions, and smiled faintly. “I think this is something I have to do. I don’t know why, but it seems right somehow.”

“Then I’m going too,” said Sherman.

“No, you’re not,” said Adriana sternly. It was the first time she had spoken since Amelia had threatened her and she was glad to lash out at someone else.

“It is forbidden,” said Amelia by way of explanation.

“It’s O.K.,” said Milena reassuringly. “I’ll be fine.”

Sherman hesitated. Finally he backed down and threw his hands in the air. “Alright. I don’t understand any of this, but whatever.”

Milena smiled gently and allowed the two blue robed clerics to lead her from the room.

The rest of the companions turned their attention to Amelia. She sighed and moved to sit in one of the padded chairs. Kazin sprang to help her seat herself and she nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Kazin.”

Kazin started. “How did you know my name?”

Amelia reached up and clasped his hand. “I am an old friend.”

Kazin was about to ask her what she meant but the door opened and Olag entered, leading a group of skink warriors laden with a heavy trunk into the room. He nodded respectfully at the druid as the skinks placed the trunk on the floor and then departed as quietly as they had come. Olag followed them out and closed the door after him.

“These are your weapons,” said Amelia, finally releasing Kazin’s hand. “You will need them on your next little journey.”

“We were already on a journey,” objected Kazin, “when we were ambushed and brought here. We are pressed for time as it is. Perhaps if we returned after—.”

“No, Kazin,” said Amelia gently. “You will regain that time after you have performed this task. I will see to it.”

“How?” asked Harran. “We can’t go back in time.”

“Yes, you can,” responded Amelia. “As a matter of fact, this journey I am sending you on will do just that.”

“Impossible!” exclaimed Sherman.

Amelia chuckled. “Guardian, you will be proven wrong at least twice in your lifetime.”

Sherman shook his head in disbelief.

“Why should we go along with this?” asked Harran. “What do you want?”

“I want you to find what you seek,” said Amelia cryptically.

“What do you mean?” asked Kazin.

Amelia turned her gaze to the mage standing beside her. “You don’t yet know the power you will wield, Kazin. You must go back in time to know the truth. You will not do so otherwise.”

“What do the rest of us get out of it?” asked Harran.

“You will find what you seek, Harran,” repeated Amelia. “To say more could be dangerous. I will say only this: with that which you find, you will also discover the truth.”

“What about me?” asked Sherman.

Amelia sighed. “You will not find the truth in the past, I’m afraid. Your truth will blossom in the future. But you will find in the past that which will allow you to aid your companions in the future.”

Finally Amelia turned to the minotaur. “You, Zylor, are more obscure in my visions. I see a great duel before you. There will be many trials before that, but one thing remains certain, the duel will not take place without the aid of your present companions. Persist in the course you have taken and do not abandon them, for they will be there for you when you need it most!”

“Who are you?” asked Kazin quietly. “How do you know us?”

Amelia smiled. “I am an old woman and I will never see you again, yet you will see me as I was. Everything will be reversed and you will understand. I cannot tell you more. Rest assured that I will not harm you or your companions. Do this task and you will benefit. One day you will even return the favour.”