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

by James Haddock

  Aric didn't answer so I stepped up. “The king is dead, long live the king!”

  Rollings closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Who sits on the throne?”

  “Lermont, my father’s half-brother and murderer.” Aric said.

  “I was hoping the rumors were just that, rumors. Now I see it's worse than the rumors. Will you tell me what happened?” he asked.

  “Of Course.” Aric told of his escape from the capital with Gilbert. Then I told him my tale, up to meeting Aric and Gilbert. Then Aric told him the rest.

  “And you plan on taking back the throne?”

  “I do.”

  The captain nodded. “Do you have gold to hire more men, because we're going to need them… Sire.” He said, taking a knee.

  “Rise, Captain, and yes we have gold to hire more men. I also intend, when we are ready, to let it be known that I live and to rally our people to my banner. But first we have a lot of work to do, and for the moment, I'm still Karl Bewachen.”

  * * *

  The villagers were most welcoming to us since we had saved them from pirates and improved the cove. There had been a merchant house here at one time, but they had left years ago. We took over their old building. Most of the cargo from the ship was of little use to these people and could be traded elsewhere.

  The man who had looked at the ship turned out to be a sea captain who had lost his ship in a storm. Karl hired him to captain our ship, with his first voyage being to the Capital to sell our cargo and buy supplies for Split Rock keep. I would be traveling with him, to see what I could do to hinder Lamont's efforts.

  When the ship was ready to go, Karl took me aside. “Don't take any chances, my friend. Gather information, maybe cause a little trouble, but nothing crazy.”

  “Yes, mother,” I said. He laughed, slapping my back. The ship no longer had to be beached since I had changed the cove. She now lay safely at anchor. We rowed out in a fishing boat and set sail as soon as I was aboard. The weather was fair, and we made a quick passage to the Capital. I found I enjoyed the voyage, especially since, the seas were calm.

  It was raining when we made port, gladly my cloak had a rainproof spell on it keeping me dry. I stood at the rail with the captain. “Safe travels captain, I'll watch for your return. If I'm not here on your next trip, don't worry, my task may take a while.”

  He nodded, “Understood, and safe travels to you.” I went below, out of sight, then left the ship in Shadow. If anyone was watching I didn't want to be marked as leaving the ship and staying behind.

  I couldn't tell any difference in the daily lives here in the wharf area. I did start to notice a change the closer I got to the castle; seeing people seemingly more cautious of what was around them.

  I went to the mage quarter; and found it was still abandoned. Our house was a burnt-out shell, as I knew it would be. I went to the next house over and went under the door. The Shadows told me I was alone, and since my talent had grown, I knew there was gold is the house. It was not a lot, and they no longer needed it, while I did, so I took it.

  I decided to search all the abandoned houses and use what coin I found to avenge them. Most every house had some hidden away, but not all. One of the larger houses had a vault with a tidy sum, mostly in gems, which I took. I found a few mage books, which I also took, I needed to increase my knowledge of the mage arts.

  I stayed in Shadow as I searched. When I was putting my new mage books away, I saw my father's journal, and set it aside. I lit a fire and made my meal, and hot tea. As I drank my tea I read through his diary. I skimmed ahead until I found an entry for the day of my birth.

  It read: The midwife's help made for an easy birth. It was not until she started to leave that she revealed her treachery. She was a witch and had placed a talent blocking spell on my newborn son, offering to remove it only after we paid 1,000 golds. We could tell there was a magic spell on him, but we could not tell anything other than that. The choice was to pay the gold believing her story, or not pay, risking whatever might happen. We chose not to pay. We did however pay the guild to remove her for her deceit.

  That was the only entry about me, I was never mentioned again. I'm guessing ‘the guild’ meant the assassin's guild. I assumed the reason I was never mentioned again, was they had guessed wrongly, and didn't want to be reminded of it. Me in the flesh was reminder enough, I returned the journal to my pack.

  * * *

  After breakfast I was rearranging my spoils, the gold was becoming quite heavy. “Well, I could leave it in Shadows...” I stopped. Thinking about what I had thought. “I wonder?” I went outside to the stable and found a tarp, about the size of a sleeping mat groundsheet. Going back inside I spread it out on the floor where a shadow would cover it. I placed all my spoils in the shadow on the tarp. Stepping out of shadow I folded the tarp; finding that the spoils added no weight. I smiled. Now I needed another tarp to put all the vault contents on.

  I traveled to the merchant’s quarter to find a sheet that would serve my purpose. I found a piece of lightweight sail cloth that was what I needed and bought it. I left the shop and went into Shadow as soon as I could. I put the sail cloth in my Shadow tarp for ease of carrying.

  I went to an inn for a meal and to listen to the gossip. I ordered the meat stew, bread, cheese, and watered wine. It was hard to hear any specifics, but the mood of the people was dark. I paid when my food was brought to me. As I ate, I heard the word “taxes” numerous times. When I left, I went back into Shadow, and stayed in them as I went to a few taverns.

  The new king was taxing everything he could, and no one was happy living under his rule. The capital was a tinderbox… all it needed was a spark. I took a chance and searched the area where the stockyards taverns were. There I found Thomas; the trooper who had helped me buy my first kit. I got two ales and sat down across from him, pushing one toward him.

  “You look better than the last time I saw you,” I said.

  He took the mug, smiling, “You as well, trooper. is the life all you expected?”

  “To be honest, there are those days...”

  He chuckled, “there always are, my young friend. Are you still riding courier?”

  “No, hired on with the Rollings Company as a scout.”

  “Scout, huh?”

  “Yeah, trained for a while with a scout named Jimmy Crease. Unfortunately, he was killed in a cavalry charge.”

  “Heard of Crease, heard he was a good scout.” I nodded. “Rollings hiring through the winter?” He asked.

  “Yeah, that's why I’m back in the capital; I was to spread the word around that Rollings needs men. They’re getting ready for something big come spring.”

  “On the continent?”

  I shook my head, “here,” I said quietly. He frowned. “Seems the royals have had a go at each other.” His eyes scanned those close to us, but he said nothing. “Let's step outside,” I said, and he nodded. Once outside, I said, “the king's half-brother killed the old king, but missed the crown prince. The crown prince is in the south raising an army to retake the throne.”

  Thomas rubbed his chin thinking, “He have gold to pay this army he's raising?”

  I nodded, “He does.” I handed him two golds, “what we need is a man with more experience to help me spread the word and send good men south to join Rollings.”

  He looked at the two golds, “meet him where?”

  “He was at Dame's Ford when he sent me, they were heading further south.”

  He pocketed the two golds, “I'll do it. What of you?”

  “I have to carry another message. I'll see you down south — travel safe.”

  “And you,” he said as we parted.

  I went to the caravan yards hoping to find Sergeant Churn. I asked around and found out his caravan was due in a day or two. I headed back to the castle, figuring I had a vault to empty. I made sure I stayed far away from where Lermont might be. I didn't need him nullifying my Shadow Meld at an inopportune moment.


  I went down to the vault and was surprised to find four guards there. I went under the vault door, staying in shadow, in case there was anything, or anyone, waiting on the other side of the door that would ruin my day.

  I was alone in the vault, but the vault was no longer empty. There were bags of coins, and chests of gold. There was more here than what taxes could bring in this quickly. Either someone was backing Lermont, or he had borrowed money … both of which were going land him in trouble.

  I opened my Shadow Sheet and took out the sail cloth. I stepped out of Shadow and spread the cloth, then I put the spoils quietly on the cloth — which was no easy task. Once everything was on the sail cloth, I put it in Shadow.

  “One down, one to go.” I spread the sail cloth back out and loaded the old king's other treasure onto it. After I finished, I sat and rested for a while — chuckling. The old king would have loved this. With everything in Shadow, I folded the sail cloth, and put it in my Shadow Sheet, then I stopped in the kitchen and sat in Shadow eating dinner. I moved away from the castle before stopping for the night — I didn't want to risk Lermont walking by while I slept.

  Chapter 12

  After I ate breakfast, I stepped into a Shadow, sat down, and began concentrating on the living rock and stone. I found the weak points in the castle walls, and barracks and saw where I could exploit these weaknesses, but I needed to weaken some other points. I wanted to ensure when it fell it would cause maximum chaos.

  As I was surveying the castle, I felt magic and narrowed it down to the dungeon. I stayed in Shadow and went to find out what I felt. I suspected it was a who, rather than a what. The corridor to the dungeon was guarded, adding to my belief that the “who” was probably a mage.

  I looked through each door's viewing slot as I passed and found only one cell was occupied. The lone occupant was a woman in tattered clothes, who seemed familiar … it was Duchess Bodes. I guess her safe haven wasn't as safe as she thought! I moved under the door, and behind her before stepping from the Shadow.

  “Duchess?”

  Startled, she jumped and threw a cloud of powder in my face! Reflexes took over, my arm raised, my shields flared, and something struck them. The cloak dancing paid off, spinning from the attack, I extended my mage spear. I felt the spear strike, then continue. I finished my spin, spear held ready to attack, but suddenly felt dizzy and sick.

  I realized the powder was poison and dove back into Shadow while I was able. I began retching, as my poison and healing rings became hot and my amulet tingled and become hot as well. I emptied one small water bag onto my face, blinking my eyes. I remember retching more before I passed out.

  I woke with a headache, and my eyes felt puffy. There was a body lying face down in the cell, but it no longer looked like a woman. The Shadows told me I was alone, so I stepped out, spear extended. I used my foot to turn the body over. My spear had sliced halfway through the disguised assassin, opening his chest side to side. I took the body into the Shadow and picked up a throwing knife that must have hit my shield. I smoothed the dirt floor, leaving no evidence of a fight, then stumbled back into Shadow retching and passed out once more.

  I don’t know how long I stayed unconscious, but I felt I needed to quickly leave the dungeon before Lamont came and nullified my Shadow Meld. I searched the assassin’s body, taking his guise ring and everything else of use. Staying in Shadow, I made my way out of the castle to a fountain where I washed my clothes, equipment, and myself. While everything dried, I ate travel rations and drank my fill. I was exhausted, and stretched out to rest.

  * * *

  I slept through the night and into mid-morning. All my things were now dry, so I dressed. I made a small fire and made breakfast with my travel rations. I could have gone somewhere to eat, but I wanted to make sure all the poison was out of my system.

  Thinking about the ambush in the cell, I figured they didn't know who they would get, but they believed someone would come for the duchess. Which meant they were holding the real duchess captive — if she was still alive. This was the second time I had walked into assassin's ambush and I was beginning to take this personally.

  I did some weapons drills and cloak danced to work up a sweat. My rings seemed to have done their job and I was healed so I went back to the castle, I wanted to see if the duchess was being held captive there. I stopped in the kitchen, to see if any food was being delivered. My hunch paid off when I overheard a cook tell one the servants to take a tray “to the duchess.”

  I followed the tray to a room well away from the royal quarters. The corridor was guarded as well as the door where the servant stopped. I followed the Shadow in when the guard opened the door. The bruises on the duchess' face and arms indicated that she had been roughly handled.

  The Shadows said no one else was in the room. But what was the old saying? Once bitten, twice shy? I looked out on the balcony for an escape route in case I needed one. The duchess was not dressed as nicely as the last time I saw her. She picked at her food, not eating much.

  I thought of how to show myself, I didn't want her to scream, bringing the guards in. I could just pull her into Shadow, but did I want her to know my talent? Of course, if I took her with me it would be in Shadow, so she would learn anyway. Or I could shoot her with a knock-out dart, which seemed to be the safest option.

  I loaded my blow guns with a knock-out dart and shot her. She started to stand but crumpled to the floor. I waited to see if the guard came in, hearing her fall. No one came in, so I stepped out of Shadow and picked her up. She didn't weigh much, but by the time we arrived at the large house in the mage quarter, she seemed to have gained weight.

  I laid the duchess on one of the beds, and while I waited for her to wake, I made something to eat. The sleeping dart was stronger than I expected, and she slept through the night. She appeared to be five or 10 years older than me. I wouldn't call her beautiful, but nice looking. I sat in Shadow waiting, since I didn't want to be staring at her when she woke. When she woke, she looked around the room, then sat up. She waited a moment listening, then stepped to the door looking out.

  I Shadow Flowed downstairs to the kitchen, and started breakfast, then made some noise so she would hear it and come to it. She stopped at the kitchen door and watched me.

  “Good morning,” I said. “Take a seat … breakfast will be ready soon. All I have is porridge, but it's better than nothing.”

  She moved to the table and took a seat. I dipped the porridge into two bowls and sat hers in front of her. I took a seat and began to eat. She kept glancing at me as she ate. I waited for her to gather her thoughts and ask the questions I knew were coming.

  “I've seen you before.”

  “Yes, at your estate when the duke left you. I was with the man who left you gold.”

  She nodded, “with Prince Aric.” I kept eating, not saying anything. “I had seen him before at the capital's spring festival.”

  “I thought you were going to a relative's house for safety,” I said.

  “I never made it, I was taken prisoner and brought before the king. I told him our treasury was empty and my husband was gone, as were our troops. He turned me over to an inquisitor, who questioned me harshly. I told them the prince had been to the estate but left with nothing. After that they left me alone.”

  “They were using you as bait, they thought that since you had been spared, someone would come to rescue you.''

  “Did you? Come to rescue me, I mean.”

  “Honestly, no, we didn't know you had been taken, I discovered it by chance.”

  “So, what now?” she asked.

  “Well, you can’t go to your relatives, but that's the first place they will look.” I thought a moment, “I can take you with me when I leave,”

  “Where will we be going?”

  “It's better if you don't know right now.”

  She nodded in agreement. “I can't tell what I don't know.”

  “We'll be leaving this house soon, so l
ook through the clothes upstairs, and find some traveling clothes, preferably male.” She didn't say anything but went to search for clothes. One of the son’s clothes fit her well enough, and a younger brother's boots fit her. She was also wearing a short sword, dagger, and knife on her belt.

  I chin pointed at the weapons, “can you use those?”

  She nodded, “I wasn't always a duchess, and my father wasn't always a rich merchant. All his children were trained in weapons. Though because of my size, I am better with a dagger than a sword. And I'll not be treated like those men treated me again. I didn't expect soldiers to treat a lady like they did.”

  I nodded, “good enough.”

  “And since we are traveling together, my name is Esme.”

  “They call me Drone.”

  “Thank you for rescuing me, Drone.”

  “You are welcome, Esme.” I took out the guise ring I had recovered from the dead assassin and handed it to her. “This is a guise ring … it will help us on our way.”

  “I have heard of these, but have never seen one.”

  I showed her how to use it and settled as a plain looking soldier to start. My plan was to walk out of the mage district as two roving guards like I'd seen already, figuring to leave at dusk.

  “Stay out of sight, I'm going to look around.” I said. I handed her a small purse, “if something happens, and I don't come back...” I left the rest unsaid.

  She took the purse, “make sure you come back.” I smiled and nodded. I had to visit a few houses, but I was able to put together a travel kit for Esme, with a ground sheet sleeping mat and blanket. While I was gone, she had found some food and made us a meal.

  “I put a travel kit together for you, it should make things a little more comfortable.”

  “Thank you,” she said, setting it to the side. We sat down and ate, and I found she was a better cook than me.

  * * *

  At dusk we put on the guises of guards and started walking toward the entry gate of the mage quarter. We kept the slow pace of bored soldiers, and no one gave us a second glance. As soon as we could we took a side street and changed our guise to that of mercenaries.