Sword Bearer (Return of the Dragons 1)

There was laughter, then, but I couldn’t help notice Kalle look away.

Somehow I was standing.

“I’ve not had much of a boyhood. I knew nothing of these three bloods of which you speak. All my childhood was spent studying, with precious little training for battle or wizardry. When Kara came to me through a Kriek portal, I was locked in my study room, waiting for release. I cannot miss my boyhood, because I never had one. But I’ll do what I have to, because I’ve heard my blood sing. It told me what to do then, and it will tell me what to do again, when the time comes.”

Kalle stood up. “I, Kalle, son of Hendrick, would speak.”

Woltan nodded. “Kalle Hendrickson, we listen to your words.”

And the hall was silent.

“I too have known Anders for a short time, but I can think of no one I would trust more protecting my back. He is young, and inexperienced, but looking down this table I see plenty almost as green as he. He is as worthy in battle as many a warrior twice his age, both with his wooden blade, and with his magic. Had he not figured out how to enter your city, all would have been lost. Kara and I were helpless before the lightning storm that assailed us.”

There was a murmur that went down the table.

Jona stood up then. “Never before in the time even of our elders has anyone entered the gate. The passwords are long forgotten. We lie trapped in this city. Those who managed to leave, are in exile forever. That he disarmed the gate and entered is just one more sign that he is the boy warrior mage, the three blooded sorcerer prince.”

A voice came from far down the table. “I, for one, witnessed the forging of this sword, and the sound that came from him and it was one and true, and proof enough for me. Let he be tested once again, if

there are doubts.”

It was Cullen, the smith. I couldn’t help smiling, although I didn’t like the idea of any more testing.

Kara must not have either, because she stood up then. “Anders has been tested enough. What he needs is your support, and training.”

“I will train him in wizardry,” Woltan said. “And our blademaster will train him in all our arts of war.” He looked down the long table. “But come, we must seek more private counsel.” He stood up, and everyone else did too.

I grabbed a roll and a piece of fruit. Stressed as I was, I knew I’d be hungry again soon. Woltan took the lead, and Jona followed him, and I followed her. Kalle and Kara kept close behind me.

We walked down a corridor and into a small room, with dark wood floors and walls, and a huge window in the ceiling. The light felt good on my skin.

A round table stood underneath the skylight, with large wooden chairs. Woltan gestured for us to sit down.

Kara cleared her throat. “How much time do we have left, until the Dark Lord gathers his forces?”

Woltan shook his head. “Perhaps a month, two months, maybe more, but we doubt it.”

“Is that enough time to train Anders in the arts of your people?” Kara said. “If I understand right, he must be trained in the arts of the three bloodlines. As Kriek, we can teleport him to our city, but to get to the merpeople we will have to travel by land. All I know about the route is that it is long, and perilous.”

“We have maps here, that may serve,” Woltan replied. “Obviously none of us have traveled with them. I don’t know how much the earth has changed since they were drawn.”

I looked at Woltan. “Do you have books of magic? I have so much to learn.”

Woltan smiled. “For someone who has so much to learn, you passed the tests remarkably well.”

I shrugged. “My grandfather gave me a few words of power. My tutor, though, taught me little except for theory.”

“If you will have me, young Anders, I will be your spellmaster for your time here. My father will help too, and all of my ancestors with which I still have contact. The dead speak here, too, and many of them are our friends.”

I didn’t know what else to say. Great food, a beautiful girl, and learning how to do higher level magic. What more could I ask for?

“When can we begin?” I said, with a grin.

“Now, if you like.”

I looked at Kalle, and then at Kara, who nodded.

“You practice now,” she said. “But at our midday meal we must speak of the book of Id, the book I took back from Gerard. He is a powerful wizard, and will be doing all he can to find us now. We are far away, and he is no Kriek. But there are other ways for him to get here, if he is powerful enough to scry out our location.”