Leo watched as the warrior obeyed, nodding his head just ever so slightly before stooping down a little and exiting through the door and closing it shut behind him. He glanced over to where the king was stood, and awaited to be told what to do or where to sit. King Haldar turned and slowly walked over towards him, seemingly happier than the last time the two had met. “Ah Leo, Good to see you have returned safely. Daron told me all about your little adventures,” he said with a grin.
If the king was in any way disappointed in the lack of numbers or the general unsuccessfulness of their trip he did not appear to show it. On the contrary, the man actually appeared pleased with the way things were going. “Take a seat please,” the king offered gesturing with his hand for Leo to move to a large cushioned chair.
Leo nodded, but remained quiet as he slowly sat down, resting his backside on what he thought was probably the most comfortable seat he had ever used. He ran his hand across the strange material covering the cushions, feeling the strange softness with his fingertips. “Drink?” the king asked catching Leo a little by surprise. “Oh! Sorry, no thanks. Err, I mean no thank you your Majesty.” He quickly corrected himself. The king chuckled, “No need for formality. It’s just you and me Leo… Please call me Haldar.”
The thought of calling the king by his first name may not have sounded much, but it was something Leo felt uncomfortable with. This was something that everybody seemed to know, whether they every came face to face with the king or not. If you ever met the man or his queen you were to always refer to them as Majesty, and never by their name for risk of causing insult. As a way of avoiding the situation Leo just nodded and stayed silent, allowing the king to speak.
Firstly, the man touched briefly on the trip Leo had taken with the group from the guild, and thanked him for his bravery and diligence in helping protect them. Although Leo was unsure what the word meant he accepted it as a compliment anyway. Leo was beginning to think it odd the king had invited him into his personal quarters to praise him and make small talk, as the man suddenly changed subject.
Leo watched as the man stood and wandered around the room, stopping briefly at a large portrait of a child before continuing. “I need to ask yet more of you Leo,” the king eventually said sounding genuinely apologetic for having to do so. “As you know my son was moved out of the city a while back,” he added. Leo just shrugged his shoulders, he had heard rumours that was the case before the main attack on Surmont. If those rumours were true, it was said the young prince had been moved to a safe location somewhere to the north, although Leo did not have any clue as to where.
The answer it seemed was soon given to him, as the king explained what he wanted Leo to do. In the morning, he wanted Leo and a few others to travel to a town called Riverdale and escort the prince back to Surmont. The group was to travel quickly and light, stopping only when needed, and all being well, be back in the capital by nightfall.
Although Leo felt a little deflated at the request, he kept his look an interested one. He knew why the king was asking him, and as flattering as it was that others saw him as some kind of all-powerful sorcerer, he knew he was far from it. Knowing this would be one mission he dared not fail, he suddenly felt very nervous. “Would Daron not be a better choice?” he found himself asking, not sure he should be questioning the kings request. He looked at the king apprehensively, realising he had not referred to the man as Majesty either.
The king turned to face Leo and stepped over towards him. Leo thought he would be in trouble for sure, but was puzzled as to why the man was smiling at him. “Daron said you would likely have doubts, and yes perhaps he would be better suited, but he is needed here.” Leo shrugged, and asked that surely one day would not matter, especially where the welfare and safety of the future king was involved. Once more the king agreed, “And normally I would send him, especially where the safety of my son is concerned.”
Haldar explained that Daron was no longer a young man, and found riding a horse difficult. “Of course he is fine if he can take things slowly, but I need the group to move fast…That’s why I want you to go.” Leo opened his mouth to say his own horse riding skills were rated as beginner at best. Yes, he seemed to have spent the past several weeks sitting on a horse, but that certainly did not make him a good rider. More importantly though, was that he did not want it be known that the king’s Sorcerer was out of the city. With it being common knowledge that the enemy was hiding somewhere in the city, having Daron gone might be seen as an opportunity for them to start trouble.
With it being very apparent that the king was not going to take no for an answer, Leo let any further argument drop. Instead he nodded his head, “I will be ready at first light Majesty,” he said. The king shook his head, “No you must leave before then if you are to make it make it there and back in the same day. Tonight you will prepare, and rest with the others going with you.”
Leo listened on as Haldar explained things further. He and his travelling companions would go out about an hour before first light. “You will have the best horses,” the man said as he started to wander around the room again meaning Leo had to turn to watch him. Apparently Kian would take care of Chad for the day, something Leo was not going to miss, although to be fair the lad had been much better than he or anyone had anticipated he would be.
Reports from the north indicated the area was relatively free from trouble, and that the chances of running into any was apparently slim. Leo however was quickly learning that no matter where he went, trouble seemed to find him. If there was even the smallest chance then he was quite sure there would be, although he thought it best not to say that part. No need in worrying the king he thought, as he started thinking he would very much like to go back to the guild for his supper; something that was seemingly getting more unlikely by the second.
With a long list of do’s and don’ts still ringing in his ears Haldar led Leo down a well-lit corridor. Two warrior guards and a black robed sorcerer from the guard followed dutifully behind, although none of whom were familiar to him. They walked in silence, turning one way then the other, heading down steps along a corridor far less-grander than those on the upper floors. They stopped outside a large set of double doors, and after Haldar knocked they opened up to a rather plain, dimly lit room. “Leo you’ll stay here tonight. Come on meet the rest of the group,” the king said waving him in.
Leo stepped to the front and noticed four other pairs of eyes all staring back at him. Two sorcerers in black robes, and two wearing the garb of the ranger faction stood and greeted him with a hand shake. All of them were much older than he was, and although he knew none of them, it was clear they all seemed to know who he was. “I’ll leave you to get acquainted. Food will be brought down to you shortly,” Haldar said clapping his hands together and exiting the door.
Leo watched the door close and decided to take a seat. He was surprised when one of the other sorcerers immediately made a beeline his direction and sat beside him. From the recent introductions he recalled the man’s name was Logan. In his twenties, clean shaven with a haircut that was swept over to one side, he had a friendly smile. “So you’re the young man everyone is talking about,” he said pointing to the markings on Leo’s robes. Leo wasn’t sure there was a correct answer or not, so just nodded. Was he the topic of conversation between the sorcerer community? He didn’t really know in honest truth, and was unsure as to why anybody would find him interesting.
“Daron tells me I have to bring you back in one piece,” Logan added, before explaining further what he had been told. Leo apparently was considered by his Mentor and fellow King’s Sorcerer to be a somewhat unpredictable magician. One with great offensive power, probably more so than Daron himself, and yet little more than a novice when it came to the finer arts of sorcery. “Really? Daron said that?” Leo asked a little disappointed with his Tutor’s view of him. Logan just nodded, “I don’t think he meant it as an insult Leo. He just thinks you still have a lot to learn.”
&n
bsp; Logan explained the reason for Leo’s inclusion in the group. As the greatest offensive force available to them, it would be up to him to fight their way out of any trouble. Meanwhile the more experienced sorcerers, namely Logan and the other man simply known as Cal, would shield and protect the group. “I have been allocated to shield you, Cal is responsible for the prince,” Logan told him. Leo looked over at the two rangers. Obviously nobody had been assigned to protect them, and guessed if it came to a fight they were probably more than capable of handling themselves anyway.
Chapter 18.
The sun was yet to make its appearance as Leo and his group trotted their horses through the northern gate. Although it was not yet light, there was a kind of gloomy half-light by which to see their way forward. The two rangers, Will and Dan took the lead, moving at a far quicker pace than Leo felt comfortable with.
Although the horse he had been given was supposedly one of the king’s finest, he felt a little uneasy riding it. The creature may have been a fine looking one, with speed and stamina to endure the journey that lay ahead, but it was also much larger than the one he had become accustomed to. Any thoughts Leo had been having about his riding skills being satisfactory were soon dismissed as he felt his old awkwardness returning.
Despite looking and feeling uncomfortable riding at such a pace, Leo managed to keep calm and more importantly keep up with the others. He glanced over to see Logan looking at him, before showing him a thumbs up just to let him know he was doing fine. Knowing he needed to focus on the movement of his horse as opposed to letting his gaze wander, Leo tried to imitate the movements of the others ahead of him. He wondered how they managed to get their bodies to move in time with the horse as it ran, and assumed it must just be something that came with a lot of practice.
The rhythmic pounding of the horse’s hooves on the hardened dirt track continued in earnest as the sun rose steadily in the morning sky. Thankfully it looked like it was going to be another fine day, and although the early morning had been a little chilly it was fine now. With only a handful of wispy clouds and only the slightest of breezes, the day was likely to be a warm one.
Leo did not know how long they had ridden when Dan, one of the rangers ahead, called them to a stop. Leo felt the pain he had felt the first time he had ridden returning as he tried to dismount from his horse. Not wanting to look incapable, he winced a little and braved through it as his feet hit the ground. “We need to let the horses rest for a little while,” Will shouted out to the group as a whole.
Leo stood with the horses reins in his hand waiting for somebody to take them. He watched the two rangers, Will and Dan lead their horses to the brisk running stream beside the track, and turned to see Cal and Logan doing likewise a little further back. Several seconds passed before he realised nobody was going to come and sort his horse out for him, and eventually, albeit rather tentatively ushered the creature forward. Thankfully the horse was not a stubborn one, and moved forward at his request.
The waters were clear, and whilst his horse drank deeply, Leo thought to dip his own hands in and splash his face. The cold water felt so revitalising on his skin, that he decided to repeat the action, before dabbing his face dry with the sleeve of his robe. He let his horse drink, patting the side its neck from time to time, before leading it to where the rangers had tied theirs to a post. Leo was not sure whether he was supposed to use a particular type of knot to do so, but his certainly did not look like either of theirs.
Leo had barely settled down, before the rangers had him back up and travelling north again. The pace had dropped a little from the one they had set out at early that morning. Leo noticed farms and other tracks leading off the main one, where he could see small villages off in the distance. He wondered if those living there had been subjected to the same horrors that those who lived further south had, or whether they had been fortunate enough not to. Whatever the answer, he knew if the Belarian raiding parties had not reached this far yet, they probably soon would.
Leo looked up at the sun, trying to judge when it was at its peak, knowing that would mean it to be midday. The horses had slowed to trot, and he knew that his presumption that they would be riding the same creatures back was an incorrect one. The one he was riding was still keen to push on, but he could see the creature sweating profusely, and knew that pushing it too hard would only be cruel.
Fortunately, Will, declared that the town they approached was Riverdale; their destination. Leo was just about to ask where the river was when he noticed the slow lumbering waters. “The river meanders around most of the town,” Logan said trotting up beside him. “It’s what makes Riverdale such a good place to defend. Anybody attacking has to come in this way,” he added pointing to the narrow track they were now on.
The walls of Riverdale were unusually large for a town of its size, and Leo could only assume that in days gone by this had been a major stronghold of some kind. The flags of Caldronia drooped lifelessly on the two flagpoles that were positioned above the gatehouse, as they were stopped by several guards on duty.
Leo watched as Cal, not one of the rangers moved to the front and spoke to a soldier with markings on his upper arm. He only assumed these markings gave the man some kind of rank, but were different to the ones they used in Surmont and the guild. Whatever was said was done so quickly, and the group were allowed entry without being searched.
Leo looked up as they passed under a stone archway, noticing holes in the roof above him. He knew from reading a book shown to him by Alec they were called murder holes, and were used to fire down on any enemy that had broken through the main gates. Worse still, it was also written that sometimes oil was poured from these same holes and then lit, burning anybody and anything within the tunnel.
His rather morbid thoughts were soon pushed aside as he and the others trotted slowly out on to the main thoroughfare. The street was cobbled with thousands of small square stones, and surprisingly clean and well-maintained. Whether that was because they had a royal guest staying with them or they were always kept that way he did not know.
Riverdale was certainly a bustling little place, with traders lining the main street and a market square off to their right that appeared full. The air was full of different smells; The aroma of cooking and baking from somewhere to his left, and the smell of freshly cut flowers from a stall on the street. Above the noise of the chatter and clattering of hooves he could hear the calls of the traders, and above that somewhere in the distance the pounding of a smithy at work.
In the centre of the town was a lush, vibrant garden full of colour and being tended by several workers. At the heart of it was a large house with metal railings all around its perimeter aside from a large ornamental gateway. Once more they were stopped and for the first time Leo noticed the black robes of a sorcerer, the first he had seen in the town. It did not take a genius to work out this was where the young prince was being housed.
Around the back of the main house, Leo was somewhat glad that a stable hand ran across the yard to take his horse. A lad, probably no more than twelve or thirteen years old bowed his head to Leo and asked ever so politely if he wanted him to take his horse. The gesture clearly caught Leo off guard, being bowed to was something he had never had before. Did they think him someone else?
He heard Cal chuckling, “Just let him take your horse Leo.” The lad looked a little nervously at him, as he handed the boy the reins, “Thank you,” he said thinking it only polite to do so. “Why did he bow to me?” Leo asked as he watched the youngster lead his horse away.
“Probably noticed you are a sorcerer of great standing,” Logan added.
“Well they didn’t bow to you…why me?”
“Because we don’t wear the same markings as you. You are a king’s Sorcerer Leo, someone who demands the upmost respect.”
Leo just shrugged, a little surprised that the stable boy even knew what the markings were on his sleeves. Will and Dan were quick to jump at the chance to make it even more
awkward by both bowing their heads mockingly. “Oh go away,” he said waving a nonchalant hand their direction.
Cal and Logan led the way to the back door, and after showing some kind of note or letter to the man on guard there, they were allowed entrance. They were led down a narrow hallway and into a dining room by a woman Leo thought was probably in her thirties. “Take a seat and I’ll have refreshments brought in for you,” she said.
Leo waited for the others to sit down first, before doing likewise. He looked around the room, which was bathed in sunshine from the large windows along the one wall. Another had a big stone fireplace, although this time of year it was unlit and had been filled with a big pot of flowers to brighten the place up. Above the hearth hung a large picture of a man, although Leo had no idea who it was supposed to depict.
No sooner had he finished assessing the decoration of the room when two other serving girls walked in carrying large wooden trays. He could feel his stomach grumbling impatiently and his mouth salivating as one of the girls placed bowls in front of them. The other then followed and started filling each with a thick broth that smelled absolutely delicious.
Once more Leo waited for the others to start before he did likewise. The girls then brought in a third tray with slices of bread and butter and cups for them to have a hot drink. Leo was so busy eating and enjoying his lunch he failed to notice the small figure of a boy walk slowly in through the doorway. Thankfully he was not the only one, and even if he had, he doubted he would have realised just who it was.
The Rogue Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild : Book 2 Page 14