Stonecutter's Shadow: A young mage's fight through a fantasy kingdom full of treachery

by James Haddock

  The Dragon spread his wings and roared, springing atop the keep's wall. “Freedom!” he roared.

  I stood smiling.

  He jumped down beside me, “You have freed me, Horace Stonecutter. I am forever thankful.” He placed the amulet around my neck. “It would have been more fun had you tried to steal it, but this worked out well. Thank you, my friend.”

  “You are welcome,” I said looking at the amulet. “What does it do?”

  “I'm not sure of all the things it does. But I do know it amplifies whatever talent you have, or whatever spell you are casting. And since I removed that blocking spell, you will be able to use your stonecutter talent. I'll be keeping watch to see how your story goes. Don't get killed. I would also hide that amulet, or someone may try to steal it. hide it in Shadow around your neck.”

  “I didn't know I could do that.”

  “You can, there is a lot more you can do, you'll learn. try it.”

  I stepped into the shade and put the amulet in Shadow. I knew it was there but could not feel it. The dragon leapt into the air and flew away. I put my hand to the stone wall and felt the wall all the way to its foundation. “Amazing!”

  I returned to the company, killing a stag on the way. I kept the day's events to myself; thinking that no one would believe me anyway. Except for the amulet, I might not have believed it myself.

  There was, however, the mystery of the blocking spell someone had placed upon me. Who would do such a thing, and for what reason?

  * * *

  The men were doing better after the few days’ rest. The exercise was helping as well. We were able to travel farther, faster. Karl and I trained every morning with our weapons. I felt I was improving. Jimmy Crease still rode in the wagon, but he was also getting better.

  I still scouted ahead, but the captain now had flankers and a rear guard out.

  I don't know if it was the amulet, or the practice, but my “Shadow Sense” was getting better. It was more sensitive, and I could feel things at a greater distance. So far, the only people we encountered were farmers.

  We stopped in the next town for supplies. I had stopped here on my way south. The captain hired a boy to help Cookie. We only stayed the one night and we were on the move again.

  The next day we changed routes. we tuned north-east; off the trade road I had traveled. This road was narrower, and the woods seemed thicker. On the plus side, game was more plentiful.

  I was told to scout ahead and find water and a good camp site. I found a good stream mid-morning, and the Shadows said the area was clear, but I scouted it to be sure. I didn't trust my talent quite that much yet.

  I met Captain Rosa when they arrived, “Good water, and the area is clear.”

  He nodded looking around, “we'll take a break here, and take on water,” he ordered. “Drone, scout ahead for a good camp site.”

  “Yes, captain,” I said, and continued farther along the trail. I was able to move at a good pace. The whole road was shaded so I didn't have to move from shade to shade to feel the Shadows. Mid-afternoon I found a roadside clearing. I figured this was as far as the company would make before dusk. Feeling the Shadows told me the only things in the area were animals. There were some boars nearby, so I harvested one.

  While I waited, I lay the cook's fire. I must get Cookie to tell me how to cook a pig in the ground. My horse and I sat in the shade waiting. I picked up a fist sized rock feeling it with my now unblocked stonecutter senses. It reminded me of how sand feels, but harder. I could feel more stones underground. I “called” to one, and it rose to me breaking through the surface. I toyed with it forming, or cutting it as the family called it, into a square. Seemed easy enough, well, for a stonecutter anyway.

  As soon as I felt the company approaching, I ignited the campfire. They moved in and we set up camp. Cookie showed me how to use green limbs to skewer large game to cook over the fire. Next time, I thought, I would be able to start the game cooking before the company arrives, and we could eat earlier.

  After we finished, the captain, Karl, and me sat at our fire drinking tea. Some around the other fires had something stronger. No one over-drank, that could get you killed. One of the men was singing, he had a good voice. A few of the other men joined in. It was a ballad about battles won and loves lost.

  I felt someone moving toward our camp. I schooled myself not to change my expression, or posture. I didn't want anyone to know before I was ready to tell them. I leaned forward pouring myself another cup. “Two scouts moving around us, looking us over,” I said taking a sip.

  The captain nodded, “just the two?”

  “So far,” I answered. I concentrated on them, trying to tell more about them. They were moving quietly, taking their time. They made the circuit of the camp, “one is leaving.” I said.

  “Going to report what they found,” the captain said.

  “Do you want me to stop him?”

  He stared at me, “can you?” I nodded. “Follow him back to his camp. Stop him before he reports. See what we are up against. On your way back kill the other one too.”

  I nodded, rose, and walked into the woods. I didn't stop to get my bow, that would have looked suspicious. Once out of sight, I went into Shadow. I could feel exactly were the scout was, he had to move slowly where I did not. No sound escaped Shadows, and I could see plainly. I trotted over to him, then followed. Looking him over, he was not dressed like a soldier, not a good one anyway. When I saw the fire at his camp, I picked up a fist sized stone and knocked him out. I tied him up and gagged him.

  His mates were camped in front of a small farm cabin, with a small barn off to the side. I counted 12 men; and saw that they were a rag-tag bunch. They wore a poorly cared for mix of armor and weapons. They were probably mercenary cast offs turned bandit. There were two wagons, and 20 or so horses. So, they had either lost men or stolen horses. Probably both.

  I moved inside the cabin and found three men inside eating at the table, one looked to be the leader. In the back bedroom I found a man and woman, dead. They looked to have died hard. The Shadows said there were others here, hiding. I found them hiding in the cellar, two boys who looked to be about eight and ten. My mind flashed back to the night my family was killed. I went back up, feeling my rage go from white hot to shadow black. At the edge of my awareness, I felt the amulet tingling my skin. The Shadows began to swirl around me, feeding off my rage.

  I moved back to the table where the three were sitting. The Shadows reached out dragging all of them into Shadow before they could make a sound. Then the Shadow turned into a beast, tearing them apart. No one outside the Shadow heard their screams. I left them there and headed back to give my report.

  I found the last scout where he still watched our camp. My anger was still hot, and my Shadow reached out and broke his neck. I walked back to the captain’s fire to make my report.

  “Corporal.” The captain called.

  “Yes, captain?”

  “You need to hear this too. Report, Drone.” I gave my report. I left out what I had done in the cabin. Not that I was remorseful, I just didn't want anyone to know about my talents.

  “Their two scouts?” the captain asked.

  “One dead, at the camp’s edge I pointed, the other knocked out, tied, and gagged almost at their camp.”

  “Corporal, check the dead one,” the captain said.

  They brought the body in, “neck's broke',' one of the men said. I nodded.

  “Not so green anymore,” the corporal said looking at me.

  “Ready the men who can fight. Drone you'll use your bow to drop as many as you can.” I nodded, going to get my bow.

  When the men were ready, I led them to the small farm where the bandits were camped. I stood by Captain Rosa, waiting. “Now,” he said. I shot arrow after arrow until I had no more targets. Those bandits left alive gave up as our men moved in. We took five prisoners, two of whom were wounded. None of our men were hurt. Captain Rosa had the band executed for m
urder, and banditry.

  I went into the house. Taking a blanket from the bed, I covered the bodies of the man and woman. I went to the hidden cellar door and opened it. The boys sat back in the dark corner not moving. “You can come out now, the bandits are dead.” They didn't move for a moment, then one moved forward looking up at me.

  “Ma and Da are dead,” he said.

  I nodded, “They are, we'll care for them, see them buried proper.” they came up from the cellar, “What are your names?”

  “I'm Joseph, he's Thomas.”

  “My name is Drone, come on then, I'll introduce you to my captain, he's a good man.” I led them out of the house, and over to the captain. “Captain Rosa,” he turned to me, seeing the two boys. “This Is Joseph, and this Thomas. They were hiding in the cellar.”

  He nodded, “Well met, lads, come sit by the fire.” they moved over and sat down. “Corporal Lotts, we'll be staying here for the rest of the night. Send someone to tell Cookie, have them move over here in the morning.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  The captain ladled out two plates of beans from a pot that was handing on the fire. “Here lads, eat this, you’ll feel better.” They must have been very hungry the way they set to those beans. They stayed by the fire watching our troopers move about and didn't seem scared of us. They finally fell asleep, and someone put a blanket over them.

  We buried the bandits in a mass grave. The parents we buried by some trees at the edge of the field, marked by two wooden crosses. We stayed at the farm for a few days, our patrols out so no one came up on us unexpected. The boys told us as much as they knew, which wasn't much.

  We loaded everything of value from the house into one of the captured wagons. Captain Rosa told the boys that wagon and horse team was theirs. The rest of the spoils went into the second captured wagon.

  The boys started helping Cookie, and he took to them like a mother hen, setting them chores keeping them busy. When we pulled out the boys came with us.

  * * *

  Jimmy Crease was getting better and had begun scouting with me for half the day. He didn't say much, but I knew he was watching me. I didn't know whether he was trying to figure out how I did what I did, or just evaluating me. I assumed both were true.

  “How'd you injure your leg?” I asked.

  “Horse stepped in a hole and flipped us over. Broke his leg as well as mine. He was a good horse too. Smart.”

  I felt people ahead and reined up. Jimmy did as well, looking around. “What?” he asked.

  “People ahead.”

  He looked intently ahead; I knew he couldn't see anyone. “How many?”

  “Eight or ten, maybe a small farm.”

  “Ok, here's how we'll play this, you move forward a bow shot, and then we’ll move closer. When you can see what they are return to me. If you have to run for it, at least one of us should I make it back to warn the captain. Don't take any chances.”

  I nodded and rode forward, then we both moved toward the people. The closer I got; I was able to get a better feel for them. They did seem to be farmers. When I got to where I could see them, I stopped. They were farmers all right, working fields by the road.

  I turned and rode back to Jimmy, “Farmers,” I said. “Working fields beside the road. Houses a little farther on.”

  He nodded, “Now we reverse it. I'II ride forward and look them over, maybe talk to them. Same plan, you see me coming hard, you high-tail-it back to the captain.”

  I nodded, “got it.”

  He rode forward, I followed. I kept my senses open, but still felt nothing but the farmers. He looked the scene over, then moved forward to talk to the farmers. Everyone seemed calm, and after a few moments Jimmy returned.

  “You called it,” he said, “small farming community, probably all related. Just to be sure you stay and keep watch; I'll go and report to the captain. If anything changes, you come back.”

  “Understood.” He rode back toward the company, I moved to where I could see the people, but further back in the shade. I felt nothing out of the ordinary but stayed alert. I stepped us into a Shadow and dismounted. I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes. I felt the earth below me and the Shadows around me. I felt calm and at peace.

  I must have dozed, but I felt Jimmy approaching long before he reached me. I mounted and steeped out of the Shadow but stayed in the shade.

  He found me, “any change?” he asked.

  I shook my head, “None.”

  “They're a half hour behind me, captain wants to see them before he makes his decision.” I nodded. “You did a good job spotting those people.” He said and left it at that.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  * * *

  We set up camp in a fallow field, Captain Rosa tasked me and Jimmy to bring in enough meat for the company and the farmers. We brought down two good sized boars, and Cookie did his magic. The farmers added what they could, and everyone was enjoying themselves, having plenty to eat.

  The farmers knew the two boys, and their farm. They offered to take them in, and the boys agreed to it. While everyone was occupied with food and singing, the captain motioned for me to follow him.

  “Yes Captain?”

  “I want you to check the village, make sure all is as it should be,” he said.

  “Anything special I should look for?”

  “No, just being cautious.” I nodded and walked into the woods. Once I was in Shadow, I trotted to their houses. There was one old man and woman in their house, but they were the only ones not at the party. I did a quick walk through of the houses, and the barns. finding nothing other than what a poor farming community would have, I returned to the party.

  I found the captain, “nothing amiss as far as I could see.”

  He nodded, “good.” I had a feeling this was Cookie’s idea. He was making sure the boys would be all right.

  The rest of the week was the same. Up early for weapons training, breakfast, and break camp. Jimmy and I would ride ahead scouting.

  I had gained Jimmy's trust, and he let me take lead. He'd ask questions or offer advice from time to time but that was all.

  The next town was a decent sized place. It was a crossroads with good water. This was Duke Bodes’ lands and he and his magistrates enforced the king's laws here. We set up camp outside town and bought supplies. Captain Rosa went into town with Corporal Lotts looking for men, and information.

  I sat at our fire with Karl, “do you know Duke Bodes?”

  “Not really, I've seen him at court, but I never spoke to him. As far as I know he has always supported the crown. I never heard father say anything against him.

  But he may have been keeping his own council, who knows. Father never trusted anyone completely.”

  “Wise man, I don't think anyone in his position could afford to trust anyone completely. I think that should also be your strategy.”

  “Is that what you do?” he asked.

  “My strategy? Besides trusting no one completely, is to sleep with one eye open, hand on my knife, and always have an escape plan.”

  “Is that any way to live?”

  “My friend, for us, that may be the only way to live.”

  He nodded, staring into the fire.

  Chapter 7

  Cookie started cooking our evening meal. Captain Rosa and Corporal Lotts were still not back. To occupy my mind, I walked over and began checking my horse. He seemed to be doing well, his hooves in good shape, shoes were tight. I got his brush, and started brushing him, he liked the attention.

  I felt horses coming, 15 to 20. Maybe Captain Rosa hired a platoon of cavalry. I saw them as they came past the last buildings of the town. As they did, they spread out, and galloped straight at us. I saw they wore the livery of Duke Bodes.

  Jimmy Crease was shouting, and our few men were gathering around the wagons were Karl was.

  I ran toward the wagons, thinking that I needed to get to the prince. Crossbow bolts began to fly just as I reach
ed the wagons, killing two of our men. The cavalry rode past us, firing more bolts as they did. I strung my bow and grabbed my quiver. I felt a change in the air as the prince began to gather his magic. Jimmy was to my left, and he was already firing his bow, I followed suit, and soon our arrows were finding their marks.

  We were between the wagons, so they couldn't run right over us. I felt another platoon of cavalry coming out of the town. They charged us right away. “More cavalry,” I shouted. Jimmy and I turned and started firing as they came into range. I fired as they passed, taking two riders down, Jimmy did the same. They could afford to trade death for death, they had four times more men than we did.

  Their next charge was en masse, forty riders charging us at once. As the neared they loosed their crossbow bolts, one cutting my cheek as it passed. The prince stepped to the wagon in front of us and made a shoving motion with his hands. The wagon flipped into the air crashing into the middle of the oncoming cavalry charge. Some horses and riders were killed instantly, the ranks behind ran full speed into the carnage. Unable to stop, horses and riders were flipped end over end.

  Jimmy and I fired our arrows as quickly as we could, killing as many as we could. The battle become a mass of men fighting for their lives, seeing only the opponent in front of them.

  I dropped my bow, drew my knives, and joining the fray. A sword aimed at my head was easily ducked under, and once inside his guard I killed him quickly. I stabbed a man who was fighting one of our men and moved to meet the next enemy as he rose from his dead horse. I thrust my blade through his eye into his brain killing him, where my blade stuck. I had to let go of it to meet my next attacker when someone bowled me over from the side.

  I continued the roll, coming up on top, stabbing him up under his ribs into his heart. Men from both sides were dying, neither asking nor giving quarter. I saw the prince go down with a bolt through his shoulder and neck. Cookie was holding him, trying to stop the bleeding, but not doing much good.

  “No!” I screamed, I wanted to kill everyone, I felt my amulet blaze. Shadows took on a life of their own, raising to fight. Shadow soldiers, to soldiers. Shadow swords and Shadow shield to swords and shields. As the Shadow soldiers killed their soldier both fell to the ground. I pulled the prince and Cookie into Shadow.