Zollin stood for a moment, gazing at the festivities. He noticed that Commander Hausey wasn’t present, nor was Commander Corlis. But the King, his generals, and many of the leading families in Orrock were present. Zollin turned and led the way up to his quarters, followed by Mansel, Quinn, and the eunuch. Inside their rooms Zollin poured a goblet of wine for everyone, even the eunuch.
“Well, to victory I suppose?” Zollin said, holding up his cup.
“To peace,” said Quinn, and they drank.
The eunuch didn’t raise his own cup. He looked frightened and unsure of himself.
“Have a drink, friend. You are safe now. The wizards from the Torr cannot hurt you here.”
The eunuch still looked unsure, but he sipped a little of the wine.
“I can’t believe how fast it ended,” said Mansel.
“Once they lost their advantage in numbers, they had no choice but to retreat,” Quinn said. “We’re fortunate Zollin bested their wizard.”
“Fortunate, indeed,” Zollin said. “I got lucky.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Mansel said.
“I’m not, but you should have felt the power radiating from him. He was old, but he was strong. I don’t think things will be that easy a second time.”
“So why not leave it be?” asked Quinn. “No one says you have to go after him.”
“I can’t just pretend he doesn’t want me. If I do that, how long will it be until disaster visits the people we care about again? I have to go. I have to end this, one way or the other.”
“Well,” Quinn said sadly. “I understand. When we left Tranaugh Shire, things were changing so fast I didn’t know what to think. But I can see that you’re a man now. I couldn’t be more proud of you. But I’m though adventuring. I’m going to Felson, to find Miriam and hopefully settle down.”
“I think that’s great, dad,” said Zollin. “You deserve to be happy.”
“Well, I won’t be truly happy until you are.”
Zollin smiled sadly. He couldn’t imagine ever being happy again. Then Mansel spoke up.
“I want to go with you, Zollin. I have unfinished business in Lodenhime, and I owe it to you to help,” he said sadly. “And then, when all this is over, if I’m still alive, I’m going back to Falxis. I met someone there that I care deeply about. I promised her I would return, and I mean to keep that promise.”
“You don’t owe us anything. I’m as much to blame for Kelvich’s death as you are,” Zollin said. “He warned me that something was wrong with you. If I had just listened he might still be alive.”
“You are both being too hard on yourselves,” Quinn said. “The thing to remember is that Kelvich lived a good life, and we were a part of making it a good life. He was a grown man, who lived longer than most men can dream of, and he was one of the wisest people I’ve ever met. You don’t have to act like his passing isn’t a tragedy, but you mustn’t take on the blame. Remember him for the man he was, not the unfortunate way he died.”
Zollin and Mansel pondered this for a moment. And then Zollin turned to eunuch. The timid servant was sitting in one of the thickly padded chairs and sipping his wine, obviously grateful to be alive.
“And now it’s time to finish this,” said Zollin to the eunuch. “And you, my friend, are going to help me.”
* * *
The next morning, as the four men were preparing to leave, King Felix arrived and asked to see them. He was bleary-eyed, but alert. It was early morning, and most of the city was still sleeping off the excesses of the night before. Their celebrations had lasted long into the night, but Quinn and Mansel had stayed busy preparing their supplies for the journey ahead while Zollin questioned the eunuch. It was difficult to communicate, since the servant had no tongue to speak with and could not read or write. They had to use hand signals, but the eunuch was able to tell Zollin how many servants there were at the Torr and how many other magic users. It wasn’t the most valuable intelligence, but it was better than nothing. The man, whom Zollin had named Eustace, was willing to travel with them and help them in their quest to defeat the Master of the Torr.
King Felix found them in the stables. He was hurrying to catch up with them before they left.
“Where are you going?” he asked. “We missed you at the feast last night.”
“I’m sure you did,” Zollin replied. “But we didn’t feel like celebrating. Orrock is safe for the moment, but the Master of Torr escaped. It’s only a matter of time before he comes after me again.”
“And we shall defeat him again if he does,” said King Felix. “There is no need to run and hide.”
Zollin spun on his heel, and Mansel drew his sword.
“Boys!” Quinn said loudly. “Don’t do anything rash. Mansel, put that sword away.”
“We aren’t running away,” Zollin said. “We’re going to finish what we started.”
“What do you mean?” King Felix asked.
“I mean we’re going to stop the Torr from ever coming after me again.”
“What about my son?” the King said. “Where is he?”
“He’s alive and well, Sire,” Quinn said. “But he’s under the spell of a witch in Lodenhime.”
“And you three are going to free him?”
“Not me,” said Quinn. “I’m retiring.”
“We will go to Lodenhime after we deal with the Master of the Torr.”
“But what if something happens to Prince Wilam?”
“You have an entire army,” Zollin said. “Send someone else to rescue the Prince.”
“You are refusing me?” the King said angrily. “After all I’ve done for you? I gave you rooms in my castle. Everything in this kingdom is yours if you need it.”
“I know you think of everything in this kingdom as your own personal possession,” Zollin said angrily, “including the people who live here. But we are not your slaves. I have not forgotten the drugs you put in my food or your intentions to hand me over to the Torr.”
“You volunteered to go,” said King Felix.
“Are you mad? I offered to go and you counseled against it. If you thought I was truly willing to go, why did you drug me?”
“I only did that at the urging of my generals. They thought you might change your mind.”
“You are a liar,” Zollin spat. “You do not deserve to wear that crown. You are no different than Simmeron.”
“You overstep your bounds, wizard!” King Felix said angrily.
“And you yours. We are leaving,” Zollin said as he climbed onto his horse. “Step aside.”
“If you leave, you shall never be welcome in this city again.”
“Goodbye, Your Highness,” Zollin said sarcastically.
They rode out of the stable and out of the castle courtyard.
“Well, that was awkward,” Mansel said.
“He’s a pompous fool,” Zollin said.
They rode through the city, and their horses’ hooves clipping and clopping on the cobblestones was the only sound. At the city gate, which was now guarded by an entire century of soldiers, they passed out of the city and reined up their horses.
“So what’s your plan?” Quinn asked.
“We ride south,” Zollin said. “I guess we’ll retrace your route to Osla.”
“Well, be careful. When this is all over I expect to see you in Felson,” Quinn said. “Goodbye, Mansel. I hope you find happiness.”
“And you as well, Quinn,” Mansel said, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve been better than a father to me. I’m sorry again for the pain I’ve caused you and your family.”
“I have no regrets,” Quinn said, smiling. “You’re a good man. Never forget that.”
They embraced, and then Quinn turned to Zollin.
“I love you,” he said.
Zollin smiled. “I know, dad, I love you, too.”