He was just pouring himself another goblet of wine when Commander Hausey came into the room. His face was puffy from sleep, but other than that he looked ready for any task his King might give him.
“I understand that you put Zollin on trial when he was in Felson,” the King said.
“Yes, my King. I felt it was necessary because of the crimes my soldiers were accusing him of.”
“Oh, I understand completely,” the King said to reassure his commander. “I believe you drugged him, is that correct?”
“Yes, my King. It was the only way to keep him under control.”
“What drug did you use?”
“It was just lavintha combined with milk thistle. It’s what the healers use to dull pain. Enough of it renders a patient unconscious.”
“And how did you administer the drug?”
Commander Hausey was torn between his friendship with Zollin and his duty to his King. He knew he had to answer; the only question was, could he live with himself if he answered truthfully?
“We mixed it in some fruit juice, which we gave him the morning of the trial,” Hausey said, the words tumbling out of him and causing him to sag.
“Fine. I need you to take this message to the enemy,” King Felix said. “Give it only to the wizard Offendorl personally, and wait for his reply. This task is of the utmost importance. Complete it well and you shall be richly rewarded,” the King said.
Commander Hausey snapped to attention and saluted his King.
“Go quickly. I must have the answer before sunrise,” said King Felix.
He watched as Hausey hurried from the room. Then he sent his servant to prepare a mix of lavintha and milk thistle. He closed his eyes and slept as he waited for the response to his message.
Chapter 34
Offendorl sat brooding in his wagon. Sleep would not come, but he had not expected it to. He was frustrated at the way things had turned out. He had not expected Zollin to know that lightning was the one thing dragons feared, nor how to conjure a storm. Someone must have instructed the young wizard, and Offendorl, like his minions before him, had underestimated Zollin’s magical skills. Now he would have to fight the boy, and that was not what he wanted. It was so much easier to usurp power when it was given willingly. Now he would have to take the boy’s power, and Zollin would be constantly striving to get it back.
The dragon had fled north again. Offendorl was coming to think of the beast as a skittish creature. It ran to the mountains at every opportunity. The distance was not a concern for Offendorl, as he still had the golden crown that enabled him to call the beast whenever he wanted. He was certain now that the dragon could not resist his commands, and that knowledge was enough for him at the moment.
There was a knock on the wagon’s door. Offendorl scowled and stood up, his ancient joints popping as he did so. He opened the door and found one of the many military aides waiting for him.
“Excuse me, Master Offendorl, but there is a messenger from Orrock with a letter for you. He says he can only give it you and has to wait for your answer. It has the royal seal.”
“Fine, bring him to me,” Offendorl said.
He didn’t know what sort of trickery this was, but he was willing to play along for now. Curiosity had always been his weakness. He simply wanted to know everything, and in some ways that passion had aided him. He had grown in power as he increased his knowledge, but there were, of course, times like this when his curiosity seemed like more trouble that it was worth.
Commander Hausey came striding purposefully toward the wizard. He was surrounded by no fewer than eight guards, all with weapons drawn. Hausey handed Offendorl the message. The seal was genuine, and the ancient wizard slid a crooked finger under the wax, popping it free from the paper. He unfolded the message and read it, his eyes narrowing gleefully as he read it.
“My answer is yes,” he said. “If your King can deliver the boy as promised, I shall withdraw my forces.”
“I shall convey your reply personally,” Commander Hausey said. “With your permission,” he said as he turned and strode back toward his horse.
Offendorl smiled wickedly. Things were turning out better than he thought. King Felix was obviously frightened, and that was exactly what the wizard needed. The King had just offered to turn Zollin over to Offendorl in exchange for the wizard’s withdrawal from Yelsia. Of course, Offendorl had promised that King Belphan and King Zorlan could make their own terms for peace, but without his presence, he doubted the two bumbling rulers would be much of a threat to anyone.
Now, the Master of the Torr had only to wait for dawn. It was still a couple of hours away, but he suddenly felt like he could rest. There were no more worries to keep him awake. He returned to his wagon and lay down, his aging body relived.
* * *
Commander Hausey was troubled. He had come to respect Zollin. The boy had considerable power, but more importantly he was bright and compassionate. Now it seemed that King Felix was simply going to turn Zollin over to the Torr. Hausey knew that the treaty signed by all five kingdoms centuries ago forbade any kingdom from drafting a wizard into its military, but he didn’t think that meant that Zollin should be forced to join the Torr.
His conscience fought a brief but desperate war. He knew that if he warned Zollin, he could be tried and executed for treason, but it wasn’t just his friendship with Zollin that gave him pause. He had looked into the old wizard’s eyes. He prided himself on being a good judge of character and what he’d seen in Offendorl was a man who could not be trusted. From a strategic point of view, handing over Zollin might seem like a good idea, but in reality it only strengthened their enemies and weakened Yelsia. Still, he was just a commander in the King’s Army. His duty was to his King, and if Felix felt that this was the best plan of action, who was he to second-guess his sovereign?
He was allowed into the city without fuss, and he made his way to the castle. Once again he was not hindered from entering the royal residence, despite the late hour. The city was quiet and so was the castle. Hausey passed by the sick room where Quinn, Mansel, and Commander Corlis were sleeping. He knew he should have gone straight to the King, but he stopped at the room anyway. He told himself if they were all sleeping he wouldn’t wake them, but would go on to deliver his message to the King.
He pushed open the door to the dark room and light from the hallway fell across the three prone figures. He sighed and was about to close the door when a voice spoke.
“Is all well, Commander?” Quinn asked.
“It is, at the moment,” said Hausey. “Will you see your son this morning?”
“I imagine. I’m not sure where he is.”
“Will you allow me to escort you up to his quarters?”
“Oh, is he staying here again?” Quinn asked. “I can find it on my own. I don’t want to trouble you.”
“No,” Hausey said quickly. “It’s no trouble. Come with me.”
Quinn hadn’t been able to sleep very long. He woke up in the darkness, but he felt so much better that he didn’t want to sleep. Not only had Zollin healed his wounds, but he had also cured the cough that had plagued him since before he reached Felson. He wasn’t even sore anymore. He felt strong, almost young again, and he had no desire to sleep.
Now that he had seen that Zollin was safe from Mansel, Miriam was constantly on his mind. He wanted nothing more than to set out as soon as possible and return to Felson. He had meant his promise. He was through chasing his son and serving his King. He wanted a quiet life, and he was determined to get it.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he explained to Commander Hausey.
“I’m Commander Hausey, of the Felson cavalry. Did you know I put your son on trial?” he said as they walked through the castle.
“No, I didn’t,” Quinn said surprised.