“I don’t remember for sure,” Hausey said.
“So this could be nothing? It could have just been the only reference he found to dragons in that horde of scrolls he carried back to Ebbson Keep.”
“I know that the scholars came and carried the rest of the scrolls to the Keep,” Hausey said.
“And Kelvich had some translations with him,” Zollin said. “He was reading them by the fire, but he said they only talked about the history of dragons and that the scholars hadn’t finished translating the text before he left Ebbson Keep.”
“So, maybe this scroll doesn’t mean anything,” Hausey said.
“I don’t know,” Zollin said, his mind buzzing. “It seems like there is something here, I just can’t figure it out.”
“Well, I’m not much for puzzles,” Hausey said. “I need to see what else I can do to help prepare the city for what lies ahead.”
“Thank you for lunch and the scroll,” Zollin said.
“Thank you for helping with the wounded.”
Zollin nodded and watched the commander go. He reminded Zollin of his father. Hausey was taller, but wiry like Quinn and just as practical. If he were with Zollin now he’d have said much the same thing. Zollin knew he needed a plan to fight the dragon, he just couldn’t figure out if the scroll helped at all.
He stood up and gathered the wine bottle and cups that Hausey had left behind. Zollin was sure someone would clean up the mess, but he didn’t like leaving work for other people to do. He was just going into the infirmary area to see if there was anything else he could do when an idea struck. He was thinking about his old staff and how it had formed when lightning struck a tree in the forest outside Tranaugh Shire. The storm seemed like it might have been the thing that drove off the dragons in the story Kelvich had sent him. And when Zollin had fought the dragon in the Ruins of Ornak, he had blasted the beast with electrical energy that seemed to have an effect, if he remembered correctly.
He turned and sprinted back through the city. He had an idea and he need to get to the library in the castle to see if it would work.
Chapter 30
It was twilight, and Quinn was one of the last people admitted into the city. Orrock was closing its gates for good. Scouts had reported that the invading army was close, and after sending out word to the people in and around Orrock, the King’s Army was now preparing for a siege.
Quinn made his way through the crowded streets toward the castle. Zollin had been given an apartment in the royal residence once before, and that seemed like as good a place as any to start. There were soldiers everywhere, and for the first time since leaving Miriam at the little farm, two days ago, he was glad that she wasn’t with him. He had pushed himself hard the first day, staying on the road until well after dark. His cough was worse now, but he had made it to his destination. He only hoped that Zollin was still here, although he couldn’t imagine where else the King would have wanted him.
The idea that King Felix would use Zollin to fight an army made Quinn angry. He couldn’t imagine what dangers a wizard might face in a military engagement. He had fought in several skirmishes with the Skellmarians and Shirtac raiders, and it had always seemed like controlled chaos from Quinn’s perspective. No matter how disciplined the army was, there were things that couldn’t be controlled. A shield wall was only effective if the man beside you held his position. If he was killed, the entire line could dissolve, and then it became every man for himself.
Quinn pushed those thoughts away. He loved carpentry because it was so manageable. Even if something went wrong, he could look at the problem and fix it. War wasn’t like that. In war, anything could happen, and the consequences were life and death. He hated to think of Zollin facing that, and hated to see Zollin’s incredible power used for military purposes. If he could just find Zollin, he could at least stay with his son and do everything in his power to protect him.
The castle was surrounded by guards. There were messengers running to and from the huge stone castle, but the residents of Orrock were giving the royal residence a wide berth. Quinn went to the main gate and was stopped by two very serious-looking sentries.
“No one is allowed into the castle except authorized military personnel,” the guard said.
“I’m trying to find Zollin the wizard,” Quinn wheezed. He had to fight hard not to start coughing again. “I’m his father.”
“I’m sorry sir, but I can’t allow you in.”
“Is he in there? I’ve been trying to find him for a long time.”
“I’m not at liberty to give you that information.”
“Look, I’m Quinn, Zollin’s father. The King sent me on an urgent task-” he couldn’t finish without coughing.
“Sir, the best I can do is to allow you to send a message to him.”
“Fine,” Quinn said. “I’ll get a note written and bring it back. Thank you.”
The guard nodded and then resumed his scan of the passing crowds. There was an inn close by, the same establishment Mansel had made his home when they were in Orrock before. Quinn didn’t have much money left. Miriam had given him a little, but it might not be enough for a night’s stay and a stall for his horse. He would have coin again once he was granted an audience with King Felix, but he didn’t relish telling the King that his son, the Crown Prince of Yelsia was now bewitched by Gwendolyn in Lodenhime. He had no ability to save Wilam by himself, and if Zollin had fallen under her spell, there was no telling what damage the witch might have done. Getting to Zollin had been Quinn’s first priority, and he wasn’t ashamed of that. As far as Quinn knew, Prince Wilam was safe for the moment, and the King would have to be satisfied with that.
He led his horse to the inn, and tied the reins to a post just outside. The inn wasn’t as posh as the one in which he’d met with Prince Wilam’s advisor in the Grand City of Osla, but as inns went, it was still an upscale place. He went in through the thick, oak door and found the common room well appointed. There were lanterns along the walls, a fire in the massive hearth, and a large chandelier on the ceiling. The burning beeswax candles gave the inn an inviting smell. There was more wine being consumed than ale, and the wenches who worked the room were beauties.
“Have you got room for one more tonight?” Quinn asked the innkeeper.
“Have you got coin?”
“I have a silver mark,” Quinn said. “I can have more tomorrow.”
“What’s you’re business?” the innkeeper asked suspiciously. He obviously didn’t want any trouble in his establishment.
“Zollin the wizard is my son,” Quinn said. “I’m trying to get word to him that I’m here.”
“You know the wizard? Then you should know his companion,” the innkeeper was obviously testing Quinn, but he had no idea what effect the question would have on the master carpenter.
“Is Mansel here?” Quinn asked in a low voice.
“He is,” the innkeeper said. “I take it you know him.”
“I do,” Quinn said, feeling his stomach twist into a knot, and he had to hold back a fit of coughing that he could feel trying to claw its way out of his chest.
“He could get a message to the wizard for you,” the innkeeper said. “I’ve got room in the stable, if you don’t mind sleeping with a few horses. Space is at a premium with the siege coming, but your silver mark will get you food, wine, and a bed of hay to sleep on.”
“That’s fine. Have you got room in your stable for my horse as well?” Quinn asked after coughing a little.
“There’s plenty of room in the stable at the moment. Most of the horses in the city have been commandeered by the army. I’m sure to have more people bunking in the stable soon, but for now, your horse is welcome there.”
“I’ll just see that he’s taken care of,” Quinn said, holding out his last coin to the innkeeper.
“I’ll let Mansel know you’re here.”
Quinn’s first instinct was to stop the innkeeper, but then he decided that at this point he had no choice. He would have to face Mansel. He couldn’t hide through the night and hope to catch Zollin alone the next day. He wasn’t the kind of man who cowered from others, and although he was weak and sick, he owed Mansel a fight. This time he wouldn’t be taken off guard.