Knights of the Wizard (of Knights and Wizards Book 2) (26 page)
Read Knights of the Wizard (of Knights and Wizards Book 2) Online
Authors: A. J. Gallant
A DOZEN OF THE DWAGORD attempted to cross the threshold of Leeander, being forced by Kai to do so. They all burst into flames quickly turning to ash, so rapidly that they didn’t have time to suffer. One second they were healthy and the next a pile of ash. Leeander’s protective navita stone blinked several times as if it was going to die and it really didn’t have much life left. Marcus had attempted to power it up but the spell had originated from Adorok and its energy had only been temporarily boosted.
Daijulan approached King Kai with the good news. “Sire their protection spell is almost completely exhausted. Should we move forward it shouldn’t be able to kill many more of us. And I don’t sense a sorcerer; perhaps he is on a quest or even perished.” Daijulan stared at the small volcanic rock in the palm of his hand, reading its flickers of energy which meant nothing to the king.
Kai thought on it as his huge army waited patiently behind him. “Daijulan your words are not convincing. If I send another dozen men through do they survive or not?”
Daijulan looked uneasy. “Can’t say for certain your majesty.”
Kai ordered another dozen of his men to move forward and they did so with trepidation; the first three were turned to ash but the others made it through unscathed, the enchanted stone now being completely exhausted and would never again hold magic. The order was given to march on Leeander.
MARCUS HELD HIS WAND IN ONE HAND and the newly acquired book in the other as he flew over the Dwagord on Ryxa’s back; the enemy was surrounding Leeander and their numbers were staggering. Ryxa burned dozens of them as she flew in, some of their arrows bouncing off her underbelly as she landed carefully on top of the Inner Curtain wall. King Darius walked quickly over to his son and after he slid down off the dragon’s back Darius gave him a big hug.
“Marcus I hope you have some powerful magic to save us otherwise all is lost. Our shield is down and I believe it might be for good this time.”
“The shield is down again?” The boy thought he had taken care of that.
Marcus’s wand vibrated.
What kind of spell do you require?
Marcus thought about it. “Adorok had a spell that launched millions of arrows, that one would be great.”
Darius’s eyebrows furrowed as he watched and listened to his son talking to the wand. Few were able to comprehend the ways of a sorcerer. The thought that the kingdom’s survival depended on Marcus was disquieting, perhaps their luck, like many things, was simply going to run out.
I’ll need a moment as I communicate with the book.
Darius stared down into his son’s blue eyes. “What’s the verdict?”
Marcus shrugged. “The wand is talking to the book.”
Those words were not at all comforting to the king.
The book opened to page 9 and emphasized two words.
“Calamus multis!” Marcus read from the book as he pointed his wand skyward and then the sky was suddenly filled with arrows, as plentiful as raindrops. King Darius was fascinated by the sight and he knew the word would spread that Leeander had another powerful wizard in their midst. The Dwagord managed to block some but even the protective spell that Daijulan created was penetrated by the magical arrows. They tried to run but it was too late, the barrage of arrows only ceased when the last of the enemy fell, including King Kai, leaving behind a sea of dead bodies and horses.
“What a terrible waste of life,” said King Darius.
Even though they were going to destroy Leeander seeing so many dead strewn everywhere made Marcus feel like crying, a terrible sight. He turned away from the death scene. “Raina wants to marry me father.”
Darius was surprised to hear those words. He would try to choose his words wisely. “I noticed that you didn’t say you wanted to marry Raina.”
“I love her father but I am uncertain.”
Darius smiled down at his son who not so long ago was running around with wooden swords and killing imaginary creatures. “Many wizards don’t marry at all but I am happy to hear you say that you love Raina. I can’t imagine a solitary life wizard or not. Don’t entertain such thoughts until you are certain. My words to you would be to get married but only when you are ready and have lots of babies.”
“Yes father.”
“I’m hungry I think I’ll search out a pterocrit,” said Ryxa. She took to the air.
“Marcus will you be staying with us here in the castle?” asked his father.
The wizard shook his head. “I still walk around in my sleep father so it wouldn’t be safe. Maybe I’ll find a spell to stop it. I have to admit that I do like having my own castle. Now that I have a wand I’m thinking about building my own citadel just the way I want it.” He pulled the tiny pouch out of his pocket and placed it in the palm of his hand.
The king looked down at the tiny pouch. “What is it?”
“It’s some sort of magical ingredient that I got when I was inside the book.”
Darius shook his head. “You were inside the book? What was that like?”
“It was strange. Father the life of a wizard is ah … magical. And strange beyond belief. Not yet sure if I love it or hate it, but I tell you this I don’t like the obligation that comes with it. I can’t run and hide even though I want to.”
Darius nodded knowing what responsibility was all about, but especially someone so young. “You must always remember that you have lives in your hands. The best wizards are protectors not destroyers, and yet sometimes it is necessary to kill. We cannot let evil rule the world.” The king tried to imagine what it must be like for his son. He could only hope that the wand would stabilize him and that the book would give him much needed knowledge. “Marcus you need to be very careful with things you don’t understand.”
“I know. You should have seen how ugly Nydarien was, practically make you vomit just to look at him.”
Berhtram flew onto the king’s shoulder with a crust of bread and proceeded to peck at it.
Marcus exited his castle hand in hand with Raina early one morning to find twenty-five golden knights, including four more females. They were getting lots of attention from all the other knights. Ryxa flew in out of the grey sky landing with a thump.
“That’s a lot of knights,” said Ryxa.
“Marcus was busy last night,” said Raina.
“Ryxa while you were gone we mated.” Marcus lied.
“What? No!” Ryxa exclaimed. “Describe it to me I want details!”
“Ha you are funny,” said Marcus.
Ryxa cocked her head and stared at him with her huge left eye. “Funny looking or funny amusing?” asked Ryxa.
“You’re certainly not funny looking,” said the wizard. “You’re beautiful.”
Ryxa smiled at Marcus. She certainly liked the sound of that. “You’re nice looking too for a human. You made lots of knights last night.”
“I know,” said Marcus.
As the knights jostled for a better position to be closer to the females Marcus noticed the dark grey knight. “Oh oh.”
“I have to go check on my little ones Marcus but I’ll be back soon.” Ryxa flew off to check on here eggs.
A preview of Moon Diamond …
A Moon Diamond mystery …
Zacharia, an ancient friend of Dracula’s had an old Siamese cat named Moon Diamond that had lived beyond its lifespan but remained alive with an enchantment that used a piece of his soul. But when Zacharia was killed something extraordinary happened, his soul went inside the cat and his spirit now shares control of the feline.
This is the story of good Dracula and his Siamese cat Moon Diamond. Most of these characters originate in Dracula: Hearts of Stone.
“No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens.”
Abraham Lincoln
“Of all God’s creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”
Mark Twain
“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.”
Leonardo Da Vinci
Moon Diamond
Copyright 2014 A. J. Gallant
All rights reserved
No part of this novel may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Purchase only authorized editions. This work is completely fictional. Characters, names, incidents and places are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER
MOON DIAMOND was taking a bloody fit. The gorgeous Siamese cat was screeching so viciously that he was making enough noise for three cats, jumping twenty feet in the air, kicking and screaming like no other cat in the history of cats, making people run from the deranged feline. Landing like a well-trained gymnast Moon Diamond hissed and then bit its own tail, taking a proper outburst and turning it into an art form. Fur was flying as the cat seemingly fought with itself, moving so fast that it was literally a blur, tuffs of fur floating away on the wind.
Dracula was enjoying it immensely.
Moon Diamond arched, howled and growled. The cat’s mind was facing off against Zacharia, an intruder that the feline was unable to evict. The Siamese loved Zacharia but not at the moment.
Dracula’s laugh boomed from a nearby park bench; the Siamese was great entertainment. He felt sorry for Zacharia but there was nothing he could do, life had pulled a rabbit out of its hat and a strange rabbit at that. Zacharia was an ancient vampire that had become overly fond of his Siamese cat Moon Diamond, and so he had cast a spell to keep the cat alive, using a small piece of his soul to extend its life. A lot of people didn’t believe that vampires had souls, didn’t believe that they had heartbeats either because their hearts only beat in the order of once a month or thereabouts. When Zacharia was killed the unthinkable happened, his soul was sucked inside the feline, was trapped with no body to return to and no hope of ever being human again. It was a fate worse than just about anything that just about anyone could imagine. Dracula again laughed at his old friend and even as ancient as the Master was he had never heard of such a thing, the soul of a vampire trapped inside a cat.
Voices suddenly originated from the far left moving to the right. An NYPD officer spoke. “Detective Palmer will be back shortly.”
The Master observed several New York City police officers making their way through the area, weren’t many in the city that didn’t recognize Dracula and so they weren’t about to bother him. Even though the corpses were almost a mile away he could smell them, not an unpleasant scent but an unfortunate turn for the young couple, the second death in the park in the last three months.
Dracula was tall, dark and debonair in his black Armani suit and black tie; he looked to be in his early fifties but was as powerful as hell, as solid as they come. “Problems Zacharia?”
Most of the time Zacharia had control of Moon Diamond having the more advanced soul but occasionally that control was challenged. The Siamese currently wanted to mate with a beautiful American Bobtail named Trixie; she was in heat and her scent was driving the Siamese crazy. Trixie was brownish with black markings, having black stripes on her legs and her succinct tail and even Dracula thought the Bobtail was quite fetching. She was well groomed and had a nice red collar with fake rubies and was obviously someone’s pet.
Dracula was able to read Zacharia’s mind.
You know what the problem is
said Zacharia.
It’s unacceptable to mate with a cat, I’m in here too you know. This situation is unfair to both of us.
Dracula continued to stare at the cat to see what it was going to do next.
“Yes well it’s certainly not beyond the cat’s dignity; he’s a randy fellow isn’t he.”
Since Trixie wasn’t going away and Moon Diamond wasn’t about to give up, Zacharia finally acquiesced to the mating, looking away from within. Dracula’s booming laugh added to the insult as he observed the cats coupling, knowing how embarrassing it must be for Zacharia but it was funny nonetheless, he hadn’t laughed so much in quite a while. After a little more than fifteen minutes the Bobtail ran off and Moon Diamond joined Dracula on the bench.
“What was that like?” said Dracula.
I think that you are enjoying this a little too much. In any case I don’t want to talk about it.
Zacharia was sure that he would never get used to being a prisoner inside the cat. He continued to replay the moment when he was killed and his soul departed his body and entered the feline’s; a nightmare if there ever was one. At least when he dreamt he was his old self in vampire form, wielding his sword, killing lots of bad guys in his dreams and was always disappointed to awake within the body of the Siamese. The fact that the vampire would never again hold a sword was almost more than he could bear, like an artist not being able to hold his brush. It was depressing. And seeing a sword tugged at him something terrible.
Stop laughing.
Dracula nodded.
Looking up at Dracula from his point of view through the cat’s eyes was like looking up at a giant.
You try being inside a cat and see how funny you think it is. I would love to be in your situation!
“I’m not going to comment on that turn of phrase.” Dracula could see Piers Anthony approaching in the distance; the author had again managed to track him down. He liked talking to Piers although he would never admit it.
Piers sat in-between Dracula and the cat, petting the beautiful creature and watching as it stuck its ass in the air. “Another death in the park. Do we have a serial killer on our hands?”
The Master again nodded. “Perhaps.” He slowly turned towards the author who was now himself a vampire having been transformed by Dracula himself; he stared directly into his eyes, deliberately making the author turn away, no one could withstand Dracula’s stare. “So what brings you here?”
Piers was dressed in a casual suit coat with nicely pressed brown pants. “Have you yet decided on the novel? Think of it The History of Dracula by Dracula and Piers Anthony. Has a nice flow to it don’t you think?”
Dracula stared forward. “A fast flowing river has a nice flow to it until you’re drowning. You asked me last month and what was my response?”
Piers nodded knowingly. “That you would think about it. Surely a month has plenty of hours in it in which to think.”
The Master grunted. “Piers I said I would let you know and my opinion hasn’t changed. I will come to you should I decide to undertake such an endeavour. Why you are so excited to tell the world my history?”
“My agent loves the idea.”
Tell him I said hello.
“Zacharia says hello.” Dracula looked at Moon Diamond, smiled and nodded.
And tell him to stop making me stick my arse in the air.
“He also says to stop making him stick his arse in the air.”
Piers took his hand off the cat. “How’s Jenny and the wife?”
“Jenny and her mother are off travelling in England,” said Dracula. “Exploring castles I imagine. Or is it Egypt?”
There was silence for a time, appreciated by all. A crow cawed from a nearby tree branch. More officers made their way toward the bodies, pretending not to notice Dracula.
Piers cut through the silence like a chainsaw in the forest kicking to life. “I want to tell the world the genuine story of Dracula, to dispel all of the innuendo and fabrications that surround you.” Piers was going to pet the cat again but then stopped; the Siamese had commenced to growl as a dog appeared heading aggressively toward Moon Diamond. The Boxer showed its bravado as it closed on the feline, had a section of rope trailing behind it, obviously having chewed its way to freedom. The dog was fixed on the cat as both Dracula and Piers watched the soon to be confrontation, knowing exactly what was going to happen.
“Here we go,” said Dracula. “Ding, ding, ding.”
The animal viciously attacked and tried to bite Moon Diamond and immediately found the Siamese on its back digging its nails into the canine; the cat with the soul of an ancient biter was not something to be trifled with, having the strength and speed of a vampire it bit into the dog, digging out chunks of skin with its hind legs. The dog ran for its life squealing as it went, spinning around as fast as it was able, desperate to remove the cat. Zacharia felt like he was riding a horse, his nails deep into the Boxer’s back were as secure as any saddle. After about a hundred yards Moon Diamond abandoned the attack and returned to the bench, shaking the dog’s fur out of its mouth.
The dog ran off with its tail tucked between its legs and would now be forever fearful of all cats.
“That was exciting,” said Piers.
“Not so much for the dog,” Dracula answered. “Now where were we? Oh yes the book. I don’t really want to commit to such an endeavour at this time.” He seemed distracted. “How goes the new Xanth novel I’m anxious to read it.”
“It’s coming along but I am unfocussed by the possibility of writing your story.”
Two gurneys rolled by with body bags containing the bodies of the slain couple as a photographer took a photo for the New York Times; Piers shook his head at the loss of such young lives. Two officers that had stopped to talk gestured toward Dracula but didn’t dare approach, also recognising the author; the gay officer smiled at Dracula who was not unaware of the vibe but ignored him.
Moon Diamond meowed to get the Master’s attention.
I’m going to walk through the park tonight and if I catch the killer I’m going to tear him a new one.
The Master nodded. “Moon Diamond says he going to patrol the park tonight.”
Piers nodded. “I pity the killer if he catches him. Actually I don’t pity him it would be exactly what he deserves. I’m on a flight back to Florida tonight.”
“Good I shan’t be pestered for a while.”
Piers smiled. “Too bad you didn’t give me your cell number, oh wait you did.”
Dracula grunted. “Piers, transforming you into a vampire may have been an error in judgement.”
The author smiled. “I feel great, no more aches and pains. Although getting a bullseye every single time with my bow has become a bit tedious. I was tempted to stick one into a low flying plane but came to my senses.”
“The life of a vampire is not all blood and gore is it?”
Piers shook his head. “It would have been nice to have that fight on video with Moon Diamond except that it would have been a blur.”
Dracula cracked his own neck. “Why don’t you be a good little vampire and go write some more books.”
Piers shook his head slightly and scowled.
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NEW YORK CITY a black Cadillac Escalade turned off a dirt road and commenced to drive uphill in a field of purple wildflowers, slowly making its way up the trail that was situated on private land, following the ruts that had been dug into the ground by other vehicles. The Escalade was climbing at a thirty degree angle as a raven flew across its path and out of sight; the driver frowned at the bird. The vehicle reached the top and there was a yellow Japanese style building that came into view, it resembled a temple but had no visible doors for entry. He drove through the Buddhist-style main gate having a most serious expression; the gate symbolizing a transition from the profane to the sacred.
The Japanese fellow parked amongst a dozen other black Escalades; Akio Ito got out of his vehicle and bowed toward the temple. He was stern looking with dark hair, moderately attractive for a sixty-year-old, a scar from a sword across the left side of his chin. He made his way up the steps to the wall in the center of the dwelling, where sixteen panels were painted with various colors awaited his attention, none of which were in their proper positions. Near the bottom right panel he slid a section of the wall to the right, making space available for him to shift the puzzle pieces around to form the proper picture. When finished it would be a rendering of samurai warriors in a fierce battle with a red dragon, with the full moon and several stars hanging in the sky, getting the stars in their proper positions was the trickiest part. The puzzle was timed, after five minutes it would lock and could only be attempted again twenty-four hours later. Warriors weren’t permitted to let anyone in from the inside, and when someone became so old or feeble minded that they weren’t able to accomplish the puzzle then they were no longer permitted inside. However they were exceptions to most rules.
In less than two minutes Akio slid all the pieces into their proper positions and the hidden door opened, revealing a hall with a dozen pairs of shoes on a red matt. He added his to the bunch and then proceeded down the hall. The hall was lined with seven paintings of samurai in battle, in one a samurai had sustained a mortal wound and was down on one knee, having started to fall over. Akio smelled the incense which contained Old Mountain Sandalwood and cedar with a touch of lilac and he nodded appreciatively at its scent.
A dozen Japanese men of various ages were standing side by side facing the entrance from the hall to the dojo; they wore fancy red robes, the youngest was in his late thirties, and with a grunt they bowed to Akio who slowly returned their bow. Two men stood out from the others, dressed in scaled leather armour they took their places on the raised floor. Video cameras commenced to tape the event.
It was quiet inside the pseudo temple, not a sound to be heard as the combatants faced one another. A short period of time was shared by all for quiet reflection, meditative in nature, at least for some. Akio walked slowly around the raised platform examining the warriors from every angle, when he was satisfied he went over to a throne-like chair and sat as the others watched from cushions on the floor. Kenta and Taiki remained perfectly still; it was as if they had been transformed into statues even their eyes didn’t blink. It was as if time itself stood still. The combatants reflected on their lives and what had brought them to this moment.