The Mage Breaker

by Whiskey Flowers

  Zavor had read the parchment and frowned as he looked the girl over and the package she had. The evil mage had regretted telling anyone about his discovery Tanner thought, now he always had to make it or give the High Mage the ability to.

  “Follow me girl,” Zavor said with a tone of disgust.

  “Watch who you are talking to half-man,” The young woman said as she folded her arms. “I am…”

  Whoever the woman was, she never got to finish her sentence as Zavor turned to Tanner and told him to slap her. Tanner spun the woman around and put all his might into the blow, sending the woman flying across the room from all the extra energy he had stored up.

  “Slave I didn’t say to kill this bitch,” Zavor said in a mock tone of concern. “Please go help her up, she was sent here by the High Mage after all.”

  Tanner walked over to the woman and held out his hand, she looked stunned and Tanner bent down and picked her up to put her on her feet. Tanner knew he shouldn’t hit a woman but he was sure this woman, whoever she was meant to do harm to Ket. Tanner would do whatever was necessary to gain as much knowledge as possible before finding a way to return home. Tanner followed the mage to the small closet where he made his brews. Zavor told the two slaves he kept stationed to watch the young woman and then looked at Tanner.

  “Grab her package slave and follow me,” Zavor said as Tanner snatched the package out of the woman’s hand.

  Tanner followed Zavor inside and could see what he thought was a closet was more like a small room. There was a small hearth with a small iron pot hanging over it, not unlike the one Tanner kept to make himself stew when he was out hunting. He watched the mage pull small vials and jars of things off the wall and throw it into the pot. None of the ingredients had any labels on them so Tanner was not sure exactly what he had used. The only two ingredients Tanner was sure about were the ones Tanner took off the lady who was waiting outside. Out of her package the mage pulled out four strands of hair and a small vial of blood. The mage sat these on a small table then took a small book off the shelf. The mage stared at the book for some time then added another ingredient.

  “Slave, grab that sword off the wall and walk over here,” Zavor said as he pointed behind Tanner. “The king just sent his official runner yesterday, asking me to make a disguise potion and now another one today. I know that damn Xendear is behind this.”

  Tanner turned around to see the sword, it was of a different make than he was used to. It was as wide across as a small woman’s hand and looked about three feet long. The top of it was flat and there was a wicked but thick edge running along one side of the weapon. This sword was made for the hacking off of limbs rather than stabbing. Tanner picked the sword off of where it was hanging and his mind was assaulted. He could hear no voices, but instincts. The sword wanted a new owner, it wanted a warrior and it wanted freedom. The sword started filling his head with different ways it could kill the small mage, what the mage would most likely do if Tanner attacked and how he should avoid the blows. It took all of Tanner’s concentration to walk over with the sword.

  “Use the cloth to take the pot out of the fire and place it on the floor,” Zavor said as he took the two ingredients the woman had and kept them in his hand as Tanner placed the pot on the ground.

  “Now stick the end of the sword into the pot and you better not dare spill one drop,” Zavor said as Tanner complied. Tanner watched as Zavor dropped the hairs into the pot then poured the blood along the length of the sword so it dripped into the pot. Right away the sword became more active, it thirst for more. Tanner did not know how, but he knew this was the blood of a mage. The sword could tell the difference and started putting out a great amount of magical energy, some pouring out into the environment but most of it was pouring into Tanner. The sword was happy with him as its wielder Tanner knew. The sword let on it had not had a proper wielder in a long time.

  “Hmm slave your mind sweep is starting to wear off a little,” Zavor said as he studied Tanner. “After this is completed I want you to take that big jar over there and pour yourself a healthy drink. In fact I want you and the other two outside to finish that jar between you. I have been feeling run down lately and maybe I did not make the last batch strong enough. Right now I need you to place the hilt between both of your palms and move your hands back and forth like a peasant trying to start a fire.”

  Tanner did what he was told and felt a slight vibration. Tanner could sense the sword had some type of magic that was pouring into the brew Zavor had just made. Zavor bade him to stop then got out a funnel and put it over a large cup. Tanner poured the brew inside and Zavor still looked irritated as he picked up the jar. “Put the sword and the pot back then open up this door,” Zavor said in a hurried tone.

  Tanner did as he was told and started hearing a scuffle. Tanner opened the door and saw an old man with a staff in his hand standing next to the woman who had a wand out. The two guards were on the ground writhing in pain as the other pair stood over them. The woman had a huge bruise on the side of her face where Tanner had slapped her along with an eye that looked like it was turning black, she probably got punched by one of the other guards. The old man didn’t have a scratch on him, only his face looked angry. Tanner was going to try to use his power on this man but decided against it, this was a real opponent. His beard was long and white as was the rest of the hair on his face. He had deep lines which spoke of a long life all over his face and wore purple robes not unlike those Tanner had saw the King of Ket wear.

  “How dare you barge in here,” Zavor said as he walked past Tanner and right up to the older mage where he had to crane his neck backward to look up at him. Tanner found the whole thing funny but kept a blank face as the woman now stared at him with open hatred.

  “You should be killed for the way you treated this girl, the king himself organized this mission,” the other mage said as he looked down his nose at Zavor.

  “The girl needs to watch who she talking to, as do you,” Zavor said as he pulled a small wand out of his robe. “You have been in the king’s ear too long, he has never asked me for more than a one of my brews a month, now he has asked for two on consecutive days.”

  “Your threats mean nothing to me little man,” the other mage replied. “The King himself requests your presence and these mindless things you have as slaves mean little to me. If you were not so secretive about your methods you wouldn’t have to deal with me at all. I am not behind the King asking you for anything, but if it annoys you so much then tell me how to do it myself. In fact I should just tear this place apart and find it myself.”

  “I dare you to try, I’ll have every student here tear you and this girl apart,” Zavor practically growled.

  “I wish I had the time,” the other mage said. “The King sent me to get you in his personal carriage, your brainless fools cannot ride inside. You can take your own carriage if I scare you too much.”

  “You don’t scare me at all,” Zavor said as he turned to Tanner. “Whenever these other two get off the ground I want you to immediately follow my directions concerning the jar. Then all three of you watch this room. If you let anyone disable you I want you to slit your own throats but do it outside near the refuse. I don’t want to have to see all of your blood. Now drink this girl so I can see if it works. It is attached to your well, as long as you don’t overdue your magic this should last for months.”

  Tanner watched horrified as the woman drank the concoction, then looked back at him wearing Caroline’s face.

  “Who is this person?” Zavor asked.

  “Did it work?” the woman asked.

  The older Mage just smiled and rubbed his hands together before turning away. Zavor and the other woman followed him, for this Tanner was grateful. Tanner was trembling at this point, his whole body was wracked in sweat. Tanner had to warn the King, he had no idea what this woman would do with Caroline’s face. She could kill the King and Queen if she wanted. Tanner had made up his mind about escaping to
night, now that the other two guards were down meant he had time to make his move. He would need some new clothing though, how to get it he wasn’t sure. Tanner turned around to open the door and heard what sounded like Zavor’s voice.

  “You there slave,” Zavor said as he walked up with the woman Whychara. Tanner was confused to see the two together when Zavor was supposed to be headed to see the king but played it safe.

  “Take me to the place where I make my brews,” Zavor said in a voice that sounded a little off.

  Whoever this was, was not Zavor Tanner surmised. Tanner was directly in front of the door where Zavor had just made a brew not even 30 minutes before and now he comes up with the woman who he tried to rape not even a week ago. Tanner turned around and opened up the door to the small room where Zavor just made the face changing potion. This woman took Zavor’s blood and hair, now she had some poor idiot pretending to be the mage while she snuck in and stole what she wanted.

  The fake Zavor came in along with the woman and looked around. The woman grabbed the big jar of mind sweeping brew and smiled.

  “Do I have a book where I keep all of my secrets” the impostor asked. Tanner walked over and handed the impostor the small book.

  “Master if you are taking the book you told me to arm myself and see you safely out of the city,” Tanner lied wondering if Whychara or whoever this was knew that those under mind sweep aren’t really capable of thinking for themselves unless it is to follow a direct order. In fact the more Tanner looked at the impostor, he could tell the small trickster was under mind sweeps effects also.

  “Tell this slave to arm himself then only listen to me,” Whychara told the impostor.

  “Only listen to her after you arm yourself,” the impostor said.

  Tanner turned around and picked up the Sword of Ages, right away he could feel the happiness coming off of the sword along with how to cut down the two people in the room with him.

  “Drink this slave,” Whychara said as she poured a little mind sweep from the big jar into a little one she had found lying around. Tanner did as he was told and wondered where Whychara was going with this charade. “Now I want you to lead me out of here, if there is any trouble I want you to protect me first and foremost, not Zavor. Now take me to his carriage.”

  Tanner had only seen the carriage once, when he arrived at the school after being bought but hoped he remembered it well enough. Tanner led the woman throughout the school and largely went unnoticed except for various students throwing themselves out of impostor Zavor’s way. Tanner went out the back door and saw the stable boy. Luckily the boy already knew what needed to be done and quickly hitched the horses to the carriage. Tanner opened the door for the fake Zavor and Whychara and could see the smile on the woman’s face as she got inside.

  “I want you to get on the main road and head south out of the city towards the border,” the woman said with a little laugh. “If you are stopped, tell them you are Zavor and you have urgent business to attend to towards the front lines.”

  Tanner pulled out on the road and drove the horses south, as soon as he went into a busy intersection he felt the carriage shift a little and knew Whychara was no longer there. Tanner laughed hard as he made his way south, Zavor would undoubtedly be pissed when he discovered a fake Zavor had come in and taken the book along with a slave and his personal carriage. Whychara would eventually be found out but Tanner figured the woman wanted to copy the book, not steal it out right. Tanner got closer to the gate and noticed there were two entrances, one was clogged up with various people doing their noonday runs, the other was empty and looked better maintained. Tanner drove the carriage towards the empty one where four burly guards came to stop him.

  “I have Headmaster Zavor in the carriage,” Tanner called out.

  “Why are you armed slave?” One of the warriors called back. “It is against the law.”

  “The headmaster is going towards the front lines by order of the King,” Tanner explained. “Any who delay him will be drafted into going with us and joining the fight against Ket.”

  The men blanched at this. They were safe here in the city, going to war meant you could die.

  “I am not taking the word of a slave,” one of the guards called out. “I am going to check that carriage.”

  “Then make sure you grab your cloak, you will join us on this mission,” Tanner replied. The warrior threw opened the door and right away looked shocked. “If you do not climb in you will be punished,” Tanner said wondering what the impostor would do.

  “I am Zavor, I have urgent business to attend to on the front lines,” the impostor said.

  “I say you punish him master, make him a slave like me,” Tanner said with an evil laugh.

  “I am sorry, I was just doing my job,” the warrior said fearfully.

  “I am Zavor, I have urgent business to attend to on the front lines,” the impostor repeated.

  “If you give me your cloak I can tell the master to forget all about you, now close his door so we can get on,” Tanner said as he held out his hand for the cloak. The warrior practically threw it at him as Tanner led the carriage out of whatever city he was in and took off heading south. Tanner had the sword now, though he was worried about the real Zavor. He probably would stay with the King for some time, going over whatever plan they had in store for Caroline. But it wouldn’t take all night, the mage would probably go home to at least sleep, it was then he would find out what happened. This Whychara lady would probably go to ground while she is being hunted. She probably didn’t work for that Xandear mage but would most likely seek his aid in hiding her. If the old mage Tanner had met was him, he definitely looked like the type who would hide the woman if he got a copy of it too. Tanner figured he would have a two day head start on his race to get back into Ket. Tanner rode the horse hard until he found a small farm house. Tanner figured he would try to steal some clothing to get out of his slave clothes, maybe some boots since they left all slaves barefoot. Tanner pulled off the road and looked inside the carriage, the impostor Zavor was staring blankly. Tanner searched the carriage and found what he was looking for, the small bottle of supposed wine that Zavor made him drink at their first meeting. Tanner took off the top of it, grabbed the little man by the collar and poured a little into his mouth. When Tanner could see it was working he smiled, maybe he could get through this.

  “You are to ask for a change of horses to any person I introduce you to,” Tanner said trying to think. “You also are supposed to ask for food, water and clothing for your slave. You are Zavor, the Headmaster of the Black Mages School and are willing to kill anyone that does not help you get to the front.”

  Tanner got back into the driver’s seat and slowly rode the carriage up to the farm house. The farmer was already standing outside holding a small bow.

  “What do you want?” The farmer said eyeing Tanner, his long hair falling over one eye.

  “My master is the Mage Zavor, he is looking for food, shelter and to trade horses,” Tanner said and held his hands up.

  “Why don’t you just hand over that weapon of yours,” the man said as he kept his bow on Tanner.

  Tanner gripped the hilt of the blade and alarms rang out all throughout his head to move to the right. Tanner did so as the man loosed his arrow. Tanner jumped down from the carriage as the sword told him to swipe downward to his right. Tanner did so as another arrow met his blade and was chopped in two. Tanner then spun around, decapitated the farmer and rolled as another arrow flew past him. Tanner could feel the sword telling him where the archer was. Tanner ran towards the spot, diving when the sword wanted him to or moving to the side. Tanner could see some bushes moving and out darted a man dressed in dark clothing, Tanner caught up to him quickly and ran him through the back. The sword was elated to kill again, it kept wanting Tanner to kill more and more although there was no one left. Tanner hurried into the farm house and was lucky that no one else lived there, it was probably just a father and son he had kill
ed. Tanner hurried and grabbed all the coin he could and packed provisions in a small sack he had found. Then Tanner switched his clothes, the farmer was lot smaller than he was but luckily the man wore his clothes baggy like most farmers back in Ket. Tanner was most grateful for the boots, sure he had to cut the toe out of them but it was a lot better than nothing. Tanner found a leather strap to which he tied the Sword of Ages to his hip.

  Tanner headed outside and could see his horses were lathered up, it was little wonder he didn’t kill them by riding them so hard. Tanner untied them and led them around the farmhouse; he would at least see they were watered in case another horse could not be found. Tanner could see a small stable and led them inside where he saw a small pony that would be useless trying to carry his weight and a mule.

  “Bollocks,” Tanner said out loud as he saddled both of the farmer’s horses and let the one he had roam. Tanner wasn’t worried about sleeping, he needed almost four times as less as a normal man thanks to his gift but if the horses couldn’t work as a team he would have to abandon the carriage and his trump card, the impostor Zavor. Tanner walked the saddled horses to the carriage and could see it was of no use, no way could those horses work together.

  Tanner opened the carriage door and saw the impostor and let his anti-magic field as he had begun to call it expand. The impostor’s face instantly changed and Tanner could tell the mind sweep or the face changing brew was no longer active.

  “Where am I?” the half man mage said out loud.

  “You were made a patsy by Whychara to trick Mage Zavor,” Tanner replied.

  “That lying bitch,” the half man replied. “We had a deal to steal Zavor’s secrets to sell.”