The Mayor looked him in the eye, “You have three sorcerers in your group, surely you can spare one to stay and help us.” Samuel sighed, that much he could not deny, yet as powerful as Leo was, he knew the lad’s abilities could be very hit and miss. As for Jake and Mason, whilst the pair were far more reliable, their own skill sets were still only that of novices. If the enemy had more than one sorcerer of experience neither lad would have the experience to fight alone. He knew the strengths of Leo, Jake and Mason was together, and that is the way he intended to keep them. “I am sorry, even our sorcerers are first year apprentices, such is the demand on that faction at the moment.,” he eventually explained trying to sound apologetic to the Mayor’s concerns.
Whether the man was satisfied with the explanation or not, he let the matter drop and moved on to how he could help Samuel. “I will have the word put out that you are looking to recruit, although I would appreciate you not taking too many, especially the older lads that might be needed to defend the town should the enemy become a little more ambitious.” The warrior nodded his understanding, replying that he would only take a few at most, and that it was the sorcery faction that was very much understrength in Surmont.
Samuel had sat in the Mayor’s office chatting, when it dawned upon him that Alec was still outside upset. He felt annoyed at himself for staying and talking so long, when one of his own was outside suffering. Without further delay he stood, and after thanking the mayor for his hospitality and understanding he made his move for the door.
Chapter 9.
The sun had passed its zenith by the time the small group of prospective candidates were lined up in the main street of Gardham. A small service had been hurriedly arranged as the bodies brought in that morning were laid to rest in the town’s small cemetery. Despite a deluge of tears from Alec when he had watched his parents being lowered into the hastily dug hole, the youngster was holding up quite well considering the circumstances.
Samuel had suggested that perhaps Kenton, as a well-educated man, might go through the necessary paperwork should any candidates be successful. Alec however had insisted he was fine to carry out his duties, and although clearly still upset, would not take no for an answer. Being as Sasha took so long last time, she was asked to go first with the directive being ‘don’t pick anyone unless she was one hundred percent certain’. As a result, the young ranger strolled along the line, stopping only twice to talk to prospective candidates, “Nothing from me,” she declared within just a couple of minutes.
Both Samuel and Kenton had immediately focused on one lad, and had both decided to keep the youngster for next intake. After a brief discussion with the boy’s parents explaining what they would do, and the fact they did not want to weaken any part of the town’s small garrison, Alec took all the necessary details. The boy would start training immediately with the regular soldiers, and taken into the guild as agreed when next they recruited. A settlement was paid and the papers duly signed, before it was time for the sorcerers to pick.
Leo watched on feeling just a slight amount of jealousy, as Jake and Mason walked slowly up and down the line with their hoods up over their heads covering their faces. They had already searched for any potential sorcerer and had detected just one that met their requirements. The question now was whether the guild wanted anybody with a source of power, as the boy in question stood in front of his mother. It was clear he did not want to be there, and was letting his mother know in no uncertain terms exactly what he thought of her.
Mason for one would never have spoken to his parents in such a manner, and had decided to not bother taking someone so rude. Jake however was of the opposite opinion, thinking that someone who spoke their mind was better than someone who did not. As a result, the two young sorcerers were exchanging views, in what started off with quiet whispers that soon got decidedly louder. So much so that Samuel had to intervene, reminding them how guild members should behave in public. “Well I say yes we should take him,” Jake reiterated.
“I say no,” Mason added making sure his point of view was aired.
“Leo can decide,” Jake then suggested, catching Samuel by surprise.
As the man in charge of the group, Samuel knew that a decision needed to be made and quickly. As much as he wanted to keep Leo out of any decision making he reluctantly had little option but to agree, especially when they had put him on the spot. “Fine, but he is not doing any of the magic bits, if you pair are happy the boy is powerful enough then that is already decided,” he said a little angrily. The remaining candidates all stood waiting patiently thinking perhaps they were still in with a chance of being chosen. As discreet as Mason and Jake thought they had been in their disagreement it was clear most of what had been said had been overheard by some, although they still not know to whom they had been arguing about.
After Samuel had instructed Leo on what he wanted, he allowed him to stand between Jake and Mason. With one wanting the new recruit and the other not, he felt a little awkward that whatever he decided would likely mean offending one or the other. The boy in question was discreetly pointed out to him, but Leo was at a loss as to how he was expected to make such a decision by just looking at someone. As a result, Leo played out various scenarios and outcomes in his mind, yet no matter what he thought felt right.
Leo, despite being told not to, so very carefully let his magical senses scan the area. Perhaps if he could see the boy’s magical capability for himself it might make things easier. So long as no one pressured him, he felt comfortable in what he was doing, and immediately picked up the other magical sources nearby. Both Jake and Mason stood beside him, they were easy, and yes there was Carlton and Deana sat a short way off on one of the wagons. Smiling to himself he thought how easy this actually was, and indeed picked up the source from the boy in question, which in all honesty was little different from any of the others.
Leo felt his mind wander just a little further as he heard Mason whispering for him to hurry up. The words sounded strange, as if echoing in his ears, as he felt somewhat lightheaded. Something or someone else was nearby, and without giving it a second thought Leo threw back his hood and turned to look behind him. Looking up at one of the roof tops he thought he saw a figure moving, but with the sun in his eyes he could not be sure. Time appeared to slow down as he felt the presence again before it vanished from his scope, yet his head felt strange, his thoughts hazy and unfamiliar.
“What are you doing?” he heard Jake whispering as the small crowd before him broke out into a cacophony of chattering voices. Seeing the face of a sorcerer was clearly not a common thing, especially as it turned out one that was no more than a child. “He’s just a kid!” he heard someone shout. “I bet he isn’t even a sorcerer,” he heard from somewhere to his left. Even the prospective recruit started laughing and mocking him, and Leo was beginning to feel the situation was getting a little out of hand.
Without thinking of the consequences the first thing that came to mind was that a show of power was needed. He after all was a King’s Sorcerer, an elite force of two, and would show these people what he was capable of. Rather than just perhaps summon a small globe of energy, which would have probably sufficed in achieving his goals, Leo went for something on a far grander scale. Thrusting both hands skywards he sent forth a massive stream of raw energy, a glistening light that caused many to cover their eyes as the chatter in the crowd turned to gasps.
Samuel stood in disbelief as he watched his prize asset light up the sky with a grand show of power, although not something he had anticipated or wanted, he had to admit it did look impressive. Fortunately, Alec as the sensible one in the group simply stepped forward, and spoke quietly and calmly to Leo, “I think you can stop now,” he said placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. It took a few moments for Leo’s mind to listen to the voice of reason, before he finally cut the flow of energy and lowered his hands.
He looked forward at the small crowd of people before him, and instead of the look of
admiration he expected to see he was confronted with faces of uncertainty and fear. “Mock me now will you?” Leo snarled at the youth. The boy whom they had been trying to decide upon looked absolutely petrified, and despite being in his teens was clung to his mother’s side like a small child. “When you are in the guild you would only wish you had half the power,” he snapped sounding very unlike the young sorcerer everybody knew. If Leo’s actions had achieved anything it was making up Jake’s mind, in that perhaps the lad was not suitable after all. However, Leo was apparently making the decision for him, “We will take him,” he announced pointing to the boy in question, “Take his details Alec,” he said pulling his hood back over his head.
As Leo turned to walk away he felt Sasha grab his arm. His head felt a little fuzzy and confused as he felt her firm grip pulling him off to one side. Making sure she and Leo were both out of earshot the ranger hissed her disapproval. “What the hell was all that about…?” she asked looking in to Leo’s eyes. Whether she noticed something wrong or just sensed it, her mood suddenly calmed. “Leo! Leo!” she repeated.
Leo’s mind felt strange, and although he could hear the familiar voice of Sasha, anything she said sounded different. He was unsure as to why everything was spinning as he felt his legs giving way beneath him, and a pair of hands grabbing his robe, halting his imminent fall to the floor.
Samuel ushered for Leo to be placed in one of the wagons, wanting to make a hasty exit before anything else went wrong. The lad singled out by his sorcerers seemed a little reluctant to want to come along, but Samuel had no choice now but to agree to take him. Alec had once more carried out his duties impeccably, despite his own situation, and the literary apprentice completed all the necessary papers quickly and efficiently.
The new boy was called Chad and was fifteen years old. Although shaken by the turn of events it clearly did not take long for him to start showing his true colours. They had barely reached the gates to the town when Samuel had to drop back down the line to tell him to hush. After doing so, the warrior glared across at Jake and Mason, “Keep him in order,” he snapped. Whether taking his disapproval out on them was fair he did not know, as he was for the first time beginning to doubt his own abilities in leadership.
Chapter 10.
Mia was clearly the focus of attention as she sat in one of the wooden buildings, made up to be some kind of meeting hall. Since her daring rescue and arrival at the small commune set deep in the woodlands, she thought she had fitted in quite well.
The small setting of timber homes and buildings had apparently been built over the past few years, acting as a safe haven for any sorcerer and their families that found themselves hunted by the guild. Fennick, as leader of the group regularly sent people in to Surmont to keep a watchful eye out for anyone being hunted or tracked by the organisation. Mia had no idea as to why the man hated the guild so badly, but assumed he like the others had been forced out from it.
She was however surprised to learn that some of the sorcerers present in their number had never been guild members. Some had accidently discovered their own power source, whilst a few had been shown by Fennick and his followers. The powers that be in Surmont often relentlessly tracked and hunted those who found access to their own powers, considering them to be a danger. Mia had already learned that if any of these people were caught the usual outcome was death.
Fennick had called a meeting to discuss general matters and introduce their latest acquisition to those who had not already met Mia. Gallien and Kala were both present, sitting either side of the girl they had rescued, a subject their leader was currently highlighting. Fennick described the daring escape, and although the events happened as described, Mia thought how the man had altered the series of events to make them sound far more daring and exciting.
Whilst Fennick spoke, she let her gaze wander, thinking that despite the simple construction of the building they were in, it was quite well done. Even the wooden chairs they sat upon, although clearly simply constructed, were not in any way uncomfortable. The sconces on the walls were all lit, giving the room a good amount of light, making up for the fact that there were only two small windows in the entire room.
With Mia being the topic of discussion she was forced to fake a smile as all eyes were focussed fully her direction. She even managed a slight wave of her hand although she wished Fennick would stop talking about her, especially as the man barely knew her. When that did happen Mia decided she was bored of proceedings, and thought she would start her own conversation with Gallien sat beside her. “Are all these people sorcerers?” she asked thinking they would almost match the guild for numbers if that were the case.
Annoyed that Gallien did not answer her question she gave the man an elbow, “Psst, are you deaf?” she hissed. Kala who was sat the other side of her snarled for her to be quiet, but Mia ignored her. Instead the newcomer to the group decided she had heard enough and stood, before walking off to the exit. It was clear her behaviour was not what anyone expected of her, but she did not care and slowly walked over to the door.
Once outside Mia decided to explore the commune a little further. Since her arrival she had always had someone showing her around, and thought it was now time to see for herself. Spread out between the trees, there were several buildings, most of which she had already been updated on. Most of the buildings were basic and all built from the timber provided by the surrounding forest. Although there were no protective walls to protect them as a large town or city might have, it did have the surrounding trees which stood probably just as tall. Added to the fact they were clearly in a secluded secretive location, a place the guild had never found, she assumed any pursuit of herself would prove unsuccessful.
Not everybody was in the meeting with Fennick, as Mia noticed one or two others wandering around, although they clearly did so with more purpose than she did. Her tour of the commune was a short one, being as the area was not as big as she first thought. “We can’t get too big,” she heard a voice say from behind her. Knowing it was Fennick, Mia did not bother to turn around. “The larger we get, the more difficult it is for us to remain unseen,” he added stepping up alongside her.
A short silence fell between them before Fennick asked if Mia planned on stopping with them. The question surprised her a little as she thought it was a given thing that she would be expected to stop, especially as Gallien and Kala had taken great risks in aiding her escape. “I have nowhere else I can go,” she eventually replied, realising probably for the first time that even returning to her parent’s home was now something she could not do. Strange as it seemed, she no longer felt any particular closeness to either her mother or father, and felt that they no longer fitted in to any plans she had.
Fennick enquired why she had felt the need to walk out of their little meeting, and even managed a chuckle as Mia told him exactly why. “You did go on,” she said, “I found the whole thing entirely boring.” Fennick clearly did not mind her reply, as he reiterated his earlier question about her staying with them. “I can leave anytime I want?” Mia asked finally turning to face the man that had orchestrated her rescue. “Although you only sent Gallien and Kala to rescue me because you thought I was Leo, didn’t you?” she asked the question that had been bugging her since her arrival.
Fennick, to his credit was totally honest in his reply. “Yes…we had heard that a very powerful sorcerer was on the loose, and thought such a person would be handy to have amongst us,” he said looking down at her to see her reaction. “Leo is not as powerful as you think,” she replied in a tone that suggested she did not particularly like the young man in question. “Besides which, he was cleared of any wrong doing and is once more the guild’s little golden boy,” she added.
Fennick listened as Mia started to explain just who this Leo was and what she perceived him to be capable of. “He is very crude, his skills are very gung-ho, and anybody with even the smallest of ability could better him,” she bragged. Fennick held out an arm for Mia t
o link with and suggested they walk whilst they talked, and after a slight delay she eventually did as was asked. The process of Fennick asking questions and Mia answering continued as they moved around the treeline, although never veering off the subject of Leo; something which was starting to annoy her just a little.
After explaining Leo’s lack of defensive skills and his total lack of control in anything requiring some modicum of ability, she decided that enough had been said on the subject. Stopping suddenly, she removed her arm from Fennicks, and looked up at the taller man. “Look, I think I have answered enough questions on that imbecile. Let’s face it, you don’t have him, you have me,” she snapped catching Fennick a little by surprise.
Fennick, regaining his composure smiled at her and reoffered his arm out, “We do have you, and very glad of it,” he said calmly. He explained that Mia was actually the first they had taken from the guild for a while, “Perhaps you will stay and update us as to the latest techniques and the like,” he said. One thing had not changed with Mia, that being the fact she still liked to feel important. Fennick’s words clearly had the desired effect as she quickly agreed she would stay, for now at least. “I have other information that may be useful,” she said deciding to walk on a little further.
The Rogue Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild : Book 2 Page 7