Faith Of The Dragon Tamer (Book 2) (21 page)

“Barracus will be able to enter a shell without problem. That’s Ista’s plan. Ren, the most powerful person in existence, will be unable to fight, and Barracus will be able to tap into the Chosen’s power without any difficulty. Ren, as he was, had a chance to defeat Barracus. Ren behind the door will be easy prey. Barracus will claim him, and all hope is lost.”

They were moving fast. Ren could see in the distance but if he looked to each side the view was, at best, the ten winds come to life. They had covered hundreds of dragon’s tails since leaving the others and their horses still didn’t show any signs of slowing.

Ren had become used to his eyes shedding tears from the force of their speed. He had also become used to Fate’s words echoing in his mind.

Your belief will damn you or raise you. Believe in choice and chance. Believe in love and pain. But believe in you
.

Galvin had said something similar:
Believe in yourself. Remember this
.

Ren opened his palm and studied the star sapphire, perplexed as to why Galvin had given it to him. It was a beautiful, costly stone. If the gift were a token of friendship Galvin would have given it to him openly, but he had given it to him covertly, entreating him with his eyes.

What was Galvin trying to tell him?

The stone lay dormant in his hand, but the white star at its core glowed with an inner light. It wasn’t an ordinary stone. Ren felt a warmth coming from it, almost an entreaty.

Even though he had its leather thong wrapped around his wrist, Ren feared the stone would be hurled away by the wind and closed his hand.

His stomach growled. He almost laughed. He was riding toward his death yet he yearned for food.

No. He couldn’t think that way. All hope was lost if he did. Somehow, some way, he would fight. And he would fight with everything he had. Something tickled his wrist. A narrow stream of blood careened up his forearm. He had gripped the stone so tightly his fingernails were cutting his palm.

His mount slowed and the world around him began to form a concrete image. His horse threw back its head and snorted, annoyed at the pause in flight. Morrus dismounted and motioned for him to do the same. The third druid, Welch, built a fire. Ren’s stomach growled as an aroma of spices and savory sauces filled the air.

“I’m sorry this is our first stop,” Morrus said, “but our horses have only two days left of their swift pace. It gives us just enough time to reach Port Vy.”

Ren studied Morrus. In the light the Druid’s differences were even more apparent, but despite his sizable mass and prominent presence Morrus had a demeanor that made him curious to Ren. Druids were a solemn race, taking temperance to the extreme in every aspect of their lives. Ren had never seen a Druid look upon anyone without hauteur.

Ren wondered if the other Druids would be like Morrus. He hoped so. It surprised him but he found himself liking the Druid. He smiled at the thought: the condemned venerating the executioner.

But Morrus was a Druid who wanted him behind the door. He remembered Morrus’ expression when the Druid thought he would refuse to come with them. Morrus wouldn’t have hesitated to take him prisoner. The Druid may not be a man of war but he would do what he felt he should.

“Would you walk with me while they prepare the meal?”

The question took Ren off guard. Although Morrus had shown him all signs of courtesy, Ren hadn’t expected the Druid to befriend him.

“I would be honored.”

Morrus nodded, still expressionless, and walked from the fire where Avalon and Welch worked with quick, quiet movements. Ren fell in beside Morrus, but not before he saw Avalon turn to watch their departure with silent contempt. Ren was glad Morrus was in command. Avalon would have had him bound and gagged by now.

They walked in silence. Ren tried to concentrate on the grassy fields of the Fyl region. He always liked riding in the flatlands. It was vastly different from the mountainous region of his home, but after a few days of the plains he always missed Zier’s lush woodlands and naked rock mountains. He suddenly wondered what the island of Dresden would be like.

As if on cue, the Druid spoke.

“What would you have done if you had remained in control of your kingdom? Would you have considered the old laws and chosen either wizardry or reign, or would you have disregarded the old laws and ruled Newlan with the Quy?”

Ren hesitated, unsure of how to reply. The Druid’s eyes were on him, but he didn’t rush his thoughts. He sensed the question was an important one for Morrus.

“I would have considered the old laws first, but I wouldn’t have let them dominate my decision. If I had known without a doubt others in the position of power would honor the old laws, I would have relinquished the throne.

“But if other rulers with the Quy remained in power I would have remained. How could I step down and allow others to take advantage of Newlan? I would have retained the throne in order to help fight against them.”

They walked on. When Morrus didn’t speak, Ren grew nervous. He knew the Druid would dislike his response, but the last thing he wanted to do was lie.

Finally, Morrus cleared his throat. “I understand.”

Ren glanced at the Druid. Morrus was smiling, drawing prominent lines around his eyes and lips.

“I didn’t know what to expect when we were ordered to find you,” Morrus said. “They told me you would be unreasonable and wouldn’t accept your fate. They ordered me to take you by force. I agreed, but along the way I decided everyone deserved a chance to prove themselves, and I vowed to give you the benefit of the doubt before I resorted to force. You did as you should. I admire you for that.”

“The One ordered you?”

“Yes, the One.”

A chill colder than the peaks of the Jaguars flitted down Ren’s spine. He thought the One would be someone who would be his teacher, his mentor. Now it sounded as if the One would be his keeper, his holder. He suddenly felt odd, like there was something he was missing, something he had overlooked. He recalled Markum’s description of the One from his dream.

“What’s his name?” Ren asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

“Zorc.”

That sounded like a wizard’s name. “Describe him to me.”

“I can’t. I’ve never seen him.”

Ren stopped. The tall Druid looked down at him with an expressionless face. “What do you mean you haven’t seen him? Magic was destroyed almost four centuries ago.”

One corner of Morrus’ mouth lifted into a grin. “He hasn’t been with us since magic’s destruction. He only came to us a short time ago to wait for you. Since his arrival he’s been guarded with whom he takes company. He remains in the upper temple and only lets the High Priest of Dresden in to see him. Although he stays with us and trusts us to a degree, he’s also vigilant. He told us some of what is to come, but not all, and certainly not how the prophecies will come to pass. The One had to trust us enough to tell us of you, but he’s kept us at arm’s length. If I were he, I would do the same.

“Wizards are stronger than Druids and can crush us if they desire, but one wizard against the entire city of Dresden? He wouldn’t stand a chance. He’s on guard, as you’ll be. But you have nothing to fear. We only do what is right for the Lands.”

The chill still hadn’t left Ren. Morrus’ words sounded rehearsed. Was the One really with them?

Ren glanced at the horses and forced his muscles to relax. The One had to be at the Obelisk. Only a powerful wizard could have produced such an effect in their mounts. Druids certainly couldn’t.

If something was wrong it wasn’t that he had made the wrong decision. He had made the right one, but something underlying the right decision was corrupt. Even so, it didn’t change his fate.

Ren turned back to Morrus. The Druid was watching him closely.

“If you haven’t seen him, did the High Priest tell you to find me?”

Morrus nodded. “When the One first arrived the elders on the High Committee were allowed to speak with him. They were convinced by his words. If Barracus comes through the Eye and enters someone with your power there will be no defense.”

An image of the Oracle’s painting flashed through Ren’s mind. He didn’t want to become that horror.

“The One says Barracus needs someone of incredible strength to enter. You’re the Chosen. If Barracus enters you after being in the lower Plains he’ll have gained in strength and severity. Pain in this world will be nothing to him. He’ll wreak such destruction that few, if any, will survive.” Morrus’ words seemed to dim the bright of day.

“I’m sorry you must endure this. You were born with a great ability and now you must destroy it because of something that happened centuries ago. I don’t like it any more than you.”

Ren nodded. They continued to walk in silence. Only one thing dominated Ren’s thoughts, and for once it wasn’t Aidan. It was a premonition the One wouldn’t be his friend or mentor, but his keeper.

- - -

Galvin rode behind Zorc, the wind forcing tears from his eyes. The wizard had put the same charm on their horses as the Druids had on theirs, but the Druids were almost a day’s ride ahead of them. Ren would probably set sail for Dresden before they were able to overtake him.

The outlook was grim. Hiring a ship to Dresden was comparable to pulling teeth from a live dragon. It didn’t happen. No ship’s coxswain wanted any part of the Druid island. Although the Black Knight’s phantom still kept the Druids from the mainland, all feared close proximity to Dresden. Ships passing Dresden had been known to be “freed” of their vices, and those who went to the island without permission were fine targets for the zealous Druids. Sailors liked to drink and whoremonger. The thought of vanquishing their secular cravings sobered any ship’s coxswain and put the fear of the Maker in the crew.

When Galvin had reiterated that fact to Zorc, he had witnessed the backlash of Zorc’s terror.

Zorc had spurred into action faster than if his robe had caught fire. He found the thistleberry within heartbeats and with a flick of his wrist had boiled water to steep the berries that would draw the poison out of Markum’s body. He had ordered Neki to give Markum the thistleberry tea as he was flinging silver dust over their mounts.

Through all of the wizard’s irate sputtering Galvin saw the terror in Zorc’s eyes. That frightened him more than anything. Ren was in far more trouble than he had first realized.

They had ridden from the clearing within a sun’s click of Zorc’s appearance, Markum tied securely to his mount, padded by blankets and extra clothing. Galvin was sure the ride would be hard on Markum, but there was no other way. They needed to be after Ren. Zorc said they had done all they could do for Markum. It was now up to the dreamweaver to awaken.

Zorc’s long black hair flew behind him like a banner of doom. Galvin almost felt sorry for the Druids. He didn’t think Zorc would let any of them live after this.

Zorc slowed at full moons to give their mounts a moons’ click of rest. Neki dismounted with his short dark hair in disarray. He wore a silly grin as he staggered the first few steps to regain his equilibrium.

“That was incredible!” Neki said, eyes shinning with fervor. “Zorc,” he yelled up to the wizard, “why don’t you travel like this all the time?”

Zorc looked at Neki as if he were a burr on his blanket. “The horses will die if you ride them like this longer than five days. It’s already shortened these horses lives by one third.”

Neki sobered and gave his horse a reassuring pat on the neck. Zorc sat down on a large flat rock and stared west, where the island of Dresden resided.

“I’m worried,” Neki said.

Galvin glanced at Neki, surprised to find dark circles under Neki’s eyes. Galvin quickly changed his opinion of the swordsman. Neki wasn’t flippant. His humor was his defense in times of peril to stifle his own fears. His defense didn’t look to be currently working. The pulse at his throat beat like the Abyss was reaching out to claim him.

Neki heaved a guttural sigh. “I need to do something or I’ll go mad. Tell the wizard I go in search of some berries or roots to gnaw on. I’m famished, and in our haste we forgot food. Tie him down if he tries to leave without me.”

Neki walk off in the direction of some distant brush. When Neki’s shoulders slumped, Galvin wondered if Neki kept up the banter for himself or for others.

Galvin ambled toward the wizard. He had so many questions he didn’t know where to begin, but when he reached Zorc he didn’t have the heart to ask even one. He could almost see the frantic thoughts spinning around Zorc’s head.

Galvin settled down in the grass, content to just be near the wizard, feel the aura of Zorc’s power and know that it was all being directed to help Ren. He studied the rolling hills before him. He could see the beginning of the Fyl flatlands in the distance, where creeks were abundant as the water from the Divi shed its tears. Galvin could almost smell the difference in the air. Here the air was replete with grass and late-blooming flowers. In Crape, as well as Zier, it was saturated with woods and moss.

Galvin turned to find Zorc regarding him with penetrating eyes. The wizard’s eyes were just as Markum described – twin pools of ageless wisdom. The profusion of emotions coursing over Zorc’s face only intensified their depth.

Zorc broke the silence. “I need you to do me a favor.”

Galvin blinked in surprise, unsure of how to respond. He didn’t have to.

“There are a lot of Druids on Dresden and I don’t know if I’ll be strong enough to keep them from trapping me behind my door. If I become trapped I will be unable to help Ren, and I’ll be another shell Ista can use at whim.

“The Druids will be unconcerned with you until after both Ren and I are behind the door. Kill me if it looks like I’m going to become trapped, before I’m forced behind the door. Kill me without thinking, Galvin. Do you understand?”

Galvin lifted his eyebrows in shock. “No, I don’t understand. Why should I kill you before I’m sure you’re behind the door? I understand the reasoning for after, but not before.”

“Because that’s the only way you’ll be able to take my knowledge and teach Ren,” Zorc said. “Take out your sword.”