Kazin's Quest: Book I of The Dragon Mage Trilogy (67 page)

Garad rapidly assembled his warriors aboard his ship and had the other three vessels pull close. The lizardmages were dead, courtesy of the dragon. Garad quickly outlined what he had learned from Zylor and why he had pulled them back. There were some grumbles and curious glances, but in the end the minotaurs were in agreement. The lizardmages and their allies were the real threat here.

Most of the minotaurs were bored with fighting the young, inexperienced humans of late. There was little honour to be gained here. As Garad explained the situation further, the minotaurs realized how they, too, had been greatly depleted in number. One minotaur pointed out that he was with the land army less than a week ago and that the minotaurs numbered less than one third of the total army assembled against the humans. Lizardmages, orcs, goblins, and zombies of many different races including dwarves were more numerous than those they were attempting to help. In fact, the honour-bound minotaurs were often the first to charge at the human enemies, becoming the first to fall as well.

Many minotaurs grumbled loudly at this. Garad’s point had merit. They were being used.

“Our leader has a lizardmage as his advisor!” yelled one minotaur. “He allows this to happen to us!”

“That will hopefully change three days from now,” said Garad. He looked at Zylor. “Shall I tell them?”

Zylor nodded.

“This minotaur,” said Garad, indicating Zylor, “will attempt the election battles and will attempt to overthrow our present leader.”

“That is all well and good,” said one minotaur. “But to attempt and to do are two very different things. How do we know he will succeed?”

Zylor stepped forward. “I will because I must. My honour to my father and to my people demands it.”

“Who is your father that you challenge Traygor to a duel for leadership?” demanded another minotaur.

“My father was Trogor,” said Zylor proudly.

“The former emperor?” asked a minotaur in front incredulously.

Zylor nodded.

There were muttered grumbles. One large minotaur stepped forward and addressed Garad. “Is this some sort of a joke?”

“It is true,” said Zylor.

The large minotaur looked Zylor up and down with a critical eye. Then he laughed. “You are merely a young, boastful warrior. Do you really think you have the strength and expertise to defeat the fighters in the arena? I doubt it!”

Zylor stood staring at the large minotaur for a moment. The minotaur was larger than he, and his battle scars indicated a certain experience in combat, but his horns were somewhat shorter than Zylor’s. Zylor pulled his axe out of its sheath and put it on the deck behind him.

“Anyone who thinks I am not worthy to fight in the arena may take this opportunity to prove it,” said Zylor in a low voice.

The large minotaur looked around at his buddies and then grinned wickedly at Zylor. “I’ll have you know that I am the fleet’s champion in combat. If you can defeat me, I’ll support you in your quest for the throne, as will the others. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” said Zylor.

The sailors aboard the Lady of the Sea watched in interest. Kazin had returned to the Lady of the Sea and transformed back into a human. Milena, who didn’t like watching fights anyway, contented herself with tending to the wounded. Captain Durango chewed his pipe curiously but gave no commands to set sail and flee.

The other supply ships were tied together a short distance away. Sailors on board worked to unload the sinking vessel and salvage what they could before fleeing north.

The large minotaur threw his axe aside and faced Zylor. “Ready, youngling?”

Zylor growled angrily. Youngling was a term used to describe young minotaur children. He lunged at the large minotaur and the two beasts grappled viciously.

The large minotaur viciously swung a hairy fist at Zylor but Zylor dodged the blow easily using techniques he had learned from Sherman.

“That’s it, Zylor!” called the big warrior loudly. “Use your advantages!”

Zylor threw a few well-placed blows of his own and the big minotaur fell back a few steps. He wiped blood from his mouth and grinned. “You’ve got some decent strength, youngling! I’ll give you that much.” He lunged at Zylor but the young minotaur sidestepped the attacker and used the larger beast’s momentum to shove him into a bulkhead.

The large minotaur spun around angrily. “That does it! No more games!” He threw several vicious punches at Zylor, his fists whistling through the air. Air was all he made contact with as Zylor ducked under the beast’s reach and landed some punches to his mid-section.

By now several of the minotaurs were shouting and cheering, and some even jeered at the big minotaur’s inability to land a blow.

Zylor never let up, pummelling and elbowing the beast with practiced skill. He pressed the larger minotaur back against the ship’s rail and gave him a solid uppercut to the jaw. The large minotaur staggered, tripped dizzily, and toppled overboard.

Cheers rose from the decks of all of the minotaur vessels and the Lady of the Sea. Zylor had won hands down.

A rope was thrown and the defeated minotaur was hauled aboard. He rubbed the water from his hairy body and came forward to confront Zylor. He held out his hand. “You bested me fair and square, Zylor. You have my support if you get yourself elected.”

Zylor shook hands with the defeated minotaur and everyone cheered.

“What do we do now?” asked one minotaur suddenly.

“Here’s my plan,” said Zylor loudly so that all could hear. “I want you to return to the land battle and secretly inform the minotaur warriors stationed there of the lizardmages’ plot. Then, I want you to pose as simply another infantry division and slip in among the other minotaurs. Tell them to turn on our so-called allies when they hear the signal. When I take back the throne, I will return to the field of battle and instruct the general to give the signal to attack.”

“If you succeed,” said one minotaur doubtfully.

Others nearby murmured at this statement.

Zylor nodded in understanding. “It’s possible that I might fail, but I doubt it. Traygor wins by cheating, but I won’t allow that to happen if I can help it. Nevertheless, if I fail, strike at the first light of dawn. Maybe the emperor will get the message, and he will see the light and do the right thing.”

“And after we eliminate our so-called allies?” prodded Garad.

“After that, send the fools who survive back into the caves where they came from,” said Zylor. “Live zombies can be freed by the destruction of the skull staves. Dead zombies will simply collapse like the corpses they are. The humans are too battered to give chase, so our borders are safe for the time being. Then, after this is all done, return to the emperor and demonstrate your unwillingness to work under the shadow of the lizardmages. We are our own race. Let’s keep it that way.”

Several minotaurs cheered.

“I’ll pass the word on to the rest of the fleet,” said Garad. He slapped Zylor on the shoulder. “You’d better get moving. Time grows short if you wish to do your part.”

Zylor nodded. “Good luck, Garad. I only hope the land forces are as easy to convince to go along with this as your sailors.”

“We will prevail,” said Garad. “In fact, word is Karlan is the general of the land forces now. He got promoted to that position because of his battle experience and because the previous general ran off in shame after the last defeat at the hands of the humans.”

“You’re kidding?!” exclaimed Zylor.

Garad grinned. “He’ll be interested to know what happened to you and hear of your unusual plans for the war.”

“I’ll bet he will,” said Zylor dryly. “I’ll trust you to take care of it, Garad. Good luck.”

“Same to you,” said Garad, shaking his hand.

Zylor made for the Lady of the Sea and several minotaurs slapped him on the back to congratulate him on his victory over the large minotaur. Others wished him luck.

It wasn’t until the companions were all assembled once again that they noticed the absence of Rubin. A curse near the back of the ship a moment later confirmed their fears. Captain Durango stood looking out to sea at a location where the side rails were missing. The kraken had caused that damage, and that’s where the captain figured he had lost his loyal first mate.

Perenia blanched. “Is he—?”

Milena laid a hand on the centaur’s flank. “I wish it were not so, Perenia, but what other explanation could there be? We never saw him fighting up with the other sailors. He must have been knocked overboard while we weren’t looking.”

“We should have kept an eye on him!” cried Della tearfully. She had grown to like the burly sailor with his jovial attitude.

“It can’t be,” whispered Kazin in shock. “The prophesy—.”

Suddenly Captain Durango swore and tore off a broken section of the ship with his bare hands. In rage, he hurled the plank far out into the sea. Then he ordered a crewman to take the helm and stalked off to his quarters, slamming the door behind him.

“He’s not taking it too well,” commented Sherman. There were the beginnings of tears in his own eyes. He had enjoyed the company of the sailor as well.

“He was a brave warrior,” said Zylor. “He fought well.”

“He was good at dice too,” said Harran. When Zylor glared at him, Harran added, “Among other things, of course.”

“It can’t be,” murmured Kazin again. He suddenly wondered whether the Book of Prophesy was for certain.

“We must go, Kazin,” reminded Zylor.

Kazin looked at the minotaur with uncertainty in his eyes. If things could change from what the Book of Prophesy had prophesied, so could Zylor’s situation in the election battle.

“Go where?” demanded Della. She looked at the mage. “What’s he talking about, Kazin?”

“We have to attend the election battles,” said Kazin. “The election is three days away and the only way Zylor can get there is to fly with me.”

“I’m going too,” said Della firmly.

Kazin shook his head. “No, Della. You and Perenia must go to the Tower of Strength and tell the soldiers there that your races are soon going to send aid.”

“No,” said Della. “I want to come with you. If you’re protecting me, I assure you, I can take care of myself!”

“It’s not that,” said Kazin, shaking his head again. “You will be in more danger at the tower in the middle of the war.”

“Then why can’t I go with you?” demanded the elf.

Kazin hesitated. “No, Della—.”

Milena intervened. “Della, sometimes our choices are made for us. Right now, you’re more valuable as an ambassador to the humans at the Tower of Strength. Your appearance and confirmation of more aid from the elves will bolster morale among the troops, and give some cheer to those whose lives are now on the line.”

“But I can help at the arena too!” cried the elf helplessly. “Can’t I?”

Zylor shook his head. “No, Della. I’m afraid minotaurs despise the elves too much to allow them freedom in my realm. You would be killed in seconds.”

“But you like me!” exclaimed the elf, her eyes widening. “Don’t you?” she squeaked fearfully.

Zylor tried to manage a nice smile but failed. “Of course. Someday, perhaps during my reign, we will come to accept your race. Until then, you will be an outcast in my realm as I am in yours.”

Della gulped but smiled weakly.

“Della might not be coming,” said Sherman suddenly, “but I am.” He displayed his ring for all to see. “No one will see me with this ring on.”

“Not a bad idea,” said Kazin.

“I’m coming too,” said Harran. “I owe it to Zylor to help him regain his leadership.”

“How so, dwarf?” demanded Zylor.

Harran faced the minotaur, looking up into his bullish face. “For constantly saving my life, you lug head!” growled the dwarf. “For instance that minotaur you just clobbered a few minutes ago—he had me beat! He would have sliced me in half had you not arrived in time to stop it from happening with that bloody war horn!”

Zylor stared incredulously at the dwarf. Then he tilted his head back and roared with laughter. “Harran,” laughed the minotaur, “you are truly a man of honour! If it will make you feel better, I’ll let you come, but because you are not allowed freedom in my realm, you must pose as my servant. Agreed?”

Harran reddened slightly. “Agreed,” he said at last. “But I’ll be the most obnoxious, irritating servant you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing!”

Zylor almost choked with laughter. Then he sobered up and slapped the dwarf on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Harran.”

Harran rubbed his shoulder tenderly where the minotaur had slapped him. “We’ll see about that,” he muttered under his breath, eyeing the minotaur through his thick eyebrows.

“I think I’ll stay with the girls,” said Milena. “This election battle or whatever it is sounds too violent. I’ll take my chances at the tower instead.” She looked at the suffering crew around her. “There’s plenty to keep me busy until I get there, and once there, I’m sure my services will be in even more demand.” She paused and withdrew some herbs from her cloak, which she handed to Zylor. “These herbs are excellent detoxification herbs. From what I understand, your uncle likes to cheat. If he tries to poison you, these herbs will help to negate the effects. Eat them before your battle, just in case.”

Zylor accepted the herbs. “I will do as you suggest, druid. Your healing touch has been very helpful in the past few weeks.”

“You’re welcome,” said Milena.

“When will I see you again, Kazin?” asked Della.

“When Zylor retakes his throne,” said Kazin, “I will return with him and the others and he will signal his warriors.”

“What if he fails?” asked Della.

“If that happens, I will still return,” said Kazin. “I promise.”

Della rushed forward and planted a kiss on the mage’s cheek. “Take care of yourself,” she whispered.

Kazin squeezed her hand. “You too, Della.” With that, he went to a vacant part of the deck and transformed into a dragon.

Zylor, Harran, and Sherman scrambled aboard the reptile and were off with waves and farewells.

Chapter 54

H
e will do.”

“He must do. It is written. The druid was present.”