“Well?” the lord asked even as Deiclonus looked relaxed in the face of the southerner’s magic.
“I have placed a mark on the ship which will enable me to track it twice as far as my normal wind riding range. Most wizards should give up well before they could discover us following them,” Themenor stated looking pleased with himself. It was that ego that had led the wizard to join Romonus, the lord thought, but he was also as good as he believed himself to be and that was why Romonus had pursued him as well.
“No one else will find this mark?”
Themenor gestured to his Kardorian counterpart and gave askance to verify his work. Straining his senses, the wizard could see nothing, so he cast a quick spell of sight to try again. It took several moments more before, squinting, the wizard finally nodded, “Just below the rail of the rear deck. Even looking for it, I would have to be in this position to see the mark. I sense no magical power from it, so even that won’t give the tracker away.” Glancing to Themenor, he asked, “Will the magic needed to track it be noticed though?”
“Unlikely. Once the mark is cast, I merely have to feel for it. If you want visual confirmation from a wind walk, then potentially someone might catch us since we will need to be close enough for me to make the trip safely,” the wind wizard assured the man.
“Well, I am satisfied,” Lord Romonus declared and started to walk towards the Kardorian warship. The Carnivore had been sent more than a month before with a second ambassador in charge of it for other tasks. The amount of stops it had made during its journey to Hala had pushed the lord and his superiors to make the land journey instead. Now that he had taken charge of his predecessor’s ship, Romonus wished to return to the warmth below its deck.
In a near waddle, the rotund lord moved towards his ship without looking at his wizards. They knew that with the mark planted, the first part of their mission was done. Where the battle mage would lead them and to what was the bigger concern. Romonus couldn’t know for certain that this matter required such attention, but his instincts told him that this was important.
The morning began quietly enough for Sebastian. Tapping on Yara and Nara’s door, brought the healer to the portal with a big smile for him. Spending a pleasant breakfast together as they were joined by the others from their travel party, the mage was beginning to feel excited by the newest path he would travel. He had Yara by his side, good and trusted friends at his back and a good ship to take them on this adventure. Only a matter of hours separated them from the possibilities they chased.
“Does everyone have their supplies ready or already onboard the Sea Dragon?” he finally asked feeling like he should at least say something that sounded like a leader readying for a mission.
Most smiled, though Serrena looked hung over and grumpy because of it. “I should hope so,” Liam replied as he held a long piece of crispy bacon in front of his face before biting into it with earnest.
Collin sat next to Nara with his arm across the back of her chair holding her shoulder in a way that had become more and more comfortable over the last weeks now that the two had officially become a couple. His additional insight came out as he sat, “If no one went out and purchased clothes over the past week or so since this mission became official, then hopefully what they have can remain mended and clean enough not to embarrass the rest of us.
“I’m pretty sure that everyone is prepared, Bas, no need to worry.”
Nara smiled sympathetically and nudged Collin as she countered, “It’s his duty to remind the rest of us to keep our acts together. Like Collin said though, most of us went out a week ago to purchase what we would need. The bonus money they gave you to outfit the journey was well spent, I am sure.”
“Sorry,” Sebastian apologized half heartedly. “I’m just ready to get started, I guess.”
“What’s to worry about?” Liam asked with a grin. “It’s only a journey to places that none of us have ever been to with untold and unknown dangers ahead of us. What could go wrong?”
“Well, if you put it that way...,” Collin retorted rolling his eyes at the water wizard.
It was only a few minutes later that the door opened letting in a cold looking sailor, who appeared flustered by something more than just the weather. He produced a rolled up piece of parchment sealed with magic. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the mage was almost certain that it was from Annalicia. Sebastian supposed that a wizard or mage could become sensitive enough to know casters that they had fought or worked with enough over time. Maybe it was a new skill that was beginning to grow, or maybe it was simply that a sailor dressed in Malaiy colors had brought the note.
Opening the sealed note, Sebastian quickly read it only to finish with a sigh.
“What is it?” Yara asked for all of them there.
“It looks like Master Darius was right. Anna’s note states that several people have come down to the ship with documents declaring them as additional passengers for the mission.”
Those surrounding the table, all held looks of worry and confusion. Collin was the first to ask, “Should we head down to the ship?”
Nodding, Sebastian answered quickly, “Everyone can finish eating. We’ll grab our gear and head down early. Now or later in the morning really doesn’t matter if everyone is ready anyway.”
After sending the sailor back with the simple verbal message that he would be down to the ship shortly, Sebastian and his team finished up and gathered their gear. That only left his goodbyes to Katya and those of the team who would be returning to Windmeer with Wizard Darius. A quick shake of hands and thanks for their service took care of the latter easily enough, but his little sister fought back tears as they said goodbye.
Darius hovered nearby taking in the exchange having received a quick thanks as well. Sebastian all but ignored him as he gave his sister a tight embrace. “I’ll see you when I return. I promise.”
Katya nodded even as the tears finally won pouring from her eyes. The girl wiped them away with a quick wipe of her sleeve and tried to answer even as emotion fought to rob her of her voice. “I know, but I was starting to really enjoy being with you again, Bas. I was pretty little when you left and it became harder and harder to remember what you were like. Even then, you’ve changed a lot, but I do love you, big brother.”
“It was good getting to know you again also,” he smiled and held her at arms length soaking in her appearance as he tried to commit her face to his memory. Even in tears, his sister’s face warmed his heart and he knew that he would certainly miss her, but this was no trip that would be safe to bring her along. Not only was this a mission sanctioned by the king no less, but her burgeoning powers made her a hazard to everyone around her without the training she sorely needed.
Katya noted Yara and gave the healer a warm hug. “Take care of my brother,” the younger girl pleaded and they could feel that there was more meaning than for a friend caring for a friend. She knew that the two were closer than that now. “Keep yourself safe too, Yara. When you get back maybe you two can have a wedding back home. Do you think father would go nuts having a wizard wedding at the house?”
The girl giggled at the thought knowing that her father was unlikely to be even slightly comfortable with the return of the wizards. She also noted the reddening of the couple, who hadn’t truly thought ahead to any matters like a wedding. Avoiding the negative that their father might not be comfortable seeing his own daughter again as a robe wearing wizard, Katya continued to smile.
“I would guess not, but marriage isn’t something we’ve discussed other than the issues we might run into getting it approved by the wizard’s council,” Sebastian weighed nervously rubbing the back of his neck. This was a time for goodbyes and his little sister had certainly decided to surprise him by such talk.
Yara’s eyes perplexed them with their glance. It was a look that he had never seen before on the young woman. As quickly as it crossed her face, those green eyes turned back to Katya with a smile. “I’ll try
to keep him out of trouble, Katya. You stay safe and learn how to use that power of yours. One of these days you could be one of the best and find new ways to torment your brother.”
The younger girl stepped back and waved as the wizards and mages walked down the path that would lead them to the steps down to the docks. A last glance from Sebastian and wave as they turned around the corner was the last he would see of his sister for quite awhile. The young man sighed even as he squared his shoulders beneath his pack readying for the beginning of a potentially long journey.
The sun shone brightly, if not warmly, as they walked the city and took the quickest way down to the docks. Though quickest, the hundreds of steps down the walkway were more of a workout than many residents would dare with the option of a wide winding path snaking up the wall of the cliff further south, but Sebastian and his party were only carrying duffels of clothing. His duffel was fairly heavy, but the mage was well conditioned after years of training and the pack sitting against his back was mostly ignored.
A strong, cool breeze played about the cliff side causing much of the group to shiver. Being the only one to master an air shield, Sebastian could feel for his friends as his spell kept him fairly warm and unmolested by the wind. Yara was close enough that the mage was able to extend that protection to her as well for which he had received a quick, thankful smile as they walked down the stairs.
It was the kind of day that held promise of many things good and wonderful, unfortunately his first duty held a different kind of promise.
The dock was beginning to increase in traffic as the sailors and buyers from the city started their business. Noting many pulling up collars or hoods to block the cold winds swirling about the water, the mage once more was thankful for his air shield. Despite the cold, the team began to have to work more to avoid both men and beasts as horse drawn carts became a more prevalent hazard.
Three main docks served the area and dozens of ocean going ships were in port this day. Their masts were like thin waving forests around the people on the dock, while the ships rolled with the gentle waves permitted by the breakwater. As the capitol of a large country, Hala obviously drew many merchants despite the cold winter weather. Such a large city thrived on trade and had for many centuries, even during the wars with the emperor.
Coming upon their mid size, triple mast frigate, Sebastian offered a hand to Yara as they crossed the main walkway to the Sea Dragon. A four foot wide plank, it was still a little precarious for those used to land since it rose and fell with the waves in an unsettling manner. Equally unsettling was the handful of new arrivals including three wizards and a pair of men that were most likely soldiers though their clothes were nondescript. Their eyes were those of men who had fought battles, however, and even a young mage with limited battle experience could see it.
Annalicia and her right hand man, Reynolvan, looked a bit flustered by the group and Anna’s relief at Sebastian’s arrival was quite apparent.
“Falcon Sebastian?” the woman in the brown and black clothes associated with the researcher corps of the wizards stated almost as much as she asked. Her brown eyes locked onto him coldly as if she might be angry about something. The gray in her brown hair betrayed a woman of some age, but also seemed to blend into her overall severe look. If she had been taller, the mage might have been intimidated even. She was barely taller than Annalicia, though a bit heavier.
He nodded in a slight bow to the elder wizard and replied, “Yes, and you are?”
“Wizard Maura Tanney, head of the local research wizards here in Hala. My fellow wizards are Idenlare Corvin and Vewen Srender, who will be accompanying me. We are here to support your mission,” the woman finished sounding unhappy to be there.
Sebastian noted the two men. Idenlare, a wizard in red, had an unusual banding of light blue on his collar and sleeves that the mage had never seen on a fire wizard’s uniform. Vewen, a wizard in dark blue except for brown striping at his collar and sleeves, would be primarily a water wizard, but he was even more unusual as his skin was a dark tan. His last name Srender seemed out of place as well in Southwall.
“By support, I assume that you will be joining us.”
“Of course,” she replied arrogantly inferring the question’s stupidity. “The wizard’s council decided that the assistance of a seasoned researcher could come in handy. My companions are also quite experienced and versatile in their magic, which may prove useful as well.”
The mage’s eyes flicked to the soldiers questioningly and he was forced to ask, “And these two?”
Releasing a sigh of exasperation, the wizard informed him in even more negative body language, “These two can explain themselves. They were sent by the king I suppose.”
The taller of the two men smiled and performed a partial bow, inclined just enough to pay his respect without overdoing it. Slightly taller than Sebastian, the brown haired man had a neatly trimmed goatee and held an air of lesser nobility. Though the mage was hardly an expert on nobles, he had been in their presence in most of the castles he had visited over the past year. Being from a farmer’s background in the country, Sebastian had never been one to comprehend their exact nature.
“Captain Drayden Escovar at your service with my companion, Sergeant Kulvayr Roltest,” he gestured to the shorter, stockier man at his side. With dark, scruffy, hair and beard, the sergeant was like night to the captain’s day in that they were so different. “The king sent us hoping that we might be of service. I and my companion have much experience beyond the borders of Southwall. Perhaps such knowledge will be of use along the way. Otherwise we can sit back and allow the charming Wizard Tanney to lead the way, of course.”
The wizard scowled angrily revealing what she thought of the man. Sebastian, on the other hand, felt like the man put on a false persona just to aggravate the woman. He wondered if Drayden was more of a chameleon and not of the nobility after all. Such talents might be of use if the right situation came up, he supposed.
“Our hostess has already set aside extra rooms for additional members, if she hasn’t already told you. You could have gotten yourselves situated instead of standing in this cold air, if you had wanted,” the mage gestured towards the center cabin and the stairway hidden behind the closed wood door.
“She did inform us, but I told her that you should be called before we took any place aboard,” Maura replied stiffly. He could tell that she would have preferred being inside where it was warm, but that the woman had chosen to be uncomfortable just to spite Annalicia forcing her to summon Sebastian early. The wizard appeared to enjoy trying to upset people, though for what reason he had no idea.
“Lady Annalicia has more than enough authority to either accept arrivals on my behalf or turn them away,” the mage replied coolly as he avoided the woman’s continual gruffness. She wasn’t the first wizard to be stand offish with him during his years as a cadet and falcon. Most he had softened with time, but it was a common enough attitude. Wizards felt naturally superior to everyone around them and the rest of the world simply had to accept or ignore them.
“Be that as it may,” the woman continued with an attitude as cold as the air around them, “I have papers informing you of our intent and approval by the council.”
Idenlare, the fire wizard, handed a sealed envelope to Sebastian appearing a bit smug as well. Charming, Sebastian thought of their newest members sarcastically. Opening the envelope, the falcon half glanced at the paper giving them his view of its worth when all had already been aired anyway.
Captain Escovar handed an envelope to him with his orders as well, though with a bit of a shrug half apologizing for the effort. Men of action didn’t require such gestures, even if a piece of paper helped make things more official.
“Fine, then,” Sebastian declared and gestured once more to the cabin. “Nothing here says that I have been relieved of command, so that means that you are part of my team. Now accept our hostess’s hospitality and stow your gear in the rooms already provi
ded for you.”
His dismissal brought frowns to two of the three wizards, even as he noted small smiles hidden by Annalicia and most of his team. He had put the wizards in their place without being truly rude. They were going to have to live together aboard ship for an unknown amount of time, so getting off to a bad start was to be avoided as best possible. Dealing with such attitudes had become commonplace over the last year, though the mage still wished that they could all get along without the drama so often brought to him.
Noting the dark skinned wizard in blue half smiling at Maura’s dismissal, he knew that even among wizards there was the constant strain between schools of magic. It was a wonder that Southwall ever managed to do anything with such attitudes.
Having dismissed the new arrivals, Sebastian smiled and bowed his head to Annalicia and asked, “If you could have someone show us to our rooms, my lady, it would be appreciated.”
Taking the lead herself, Annalicia and Reynolvan took Sebastian and his team down below ahead of the new arrivals. The young woman turned to Sebastian with bright green eyes virtually shining from her porcelain features. A warm smile preceded her words, “You arrived just in time. I was beginning to think we were going to need to throw them overboard. That,” Anna paused fighting the words she wanted to say and managed, “woman... was getting on my last nerve. She acts as if I must allow her aboard my ship.”
The silvery blond wizard looked about ready to work herself up just talking about the conversation Sebastian had missed. Not wanting his friend and benefactor to relive the moment, the mage replied, “It seems like every city I go to there is at least one wizard who wishes to flaunt their superiority over the rest of us. Unfortunately for us, this one will also be traveling along for now.
“I’ll work on her though, my lady. So far I have managed to soften even the hardest of them,” he assured her.
Blushing slightly, Annalicia waved off the title as she thanked him. “I hope that you do, Sebastian, but please, you do not have to keep calling me my lady, especially when it is just amongst us. We are friends and I owe you my life as well, so just call me Anna or Annalicia. Besides you are not one of my countrymen anyway.” She had a sudden inspiration and added, “Well, maybe a few times in front of our new guests wouldn’t hurt to remind them that it is by my wishes that they are even allowed onboard.”
Battle Mage: The Lost King (Tales of Alus) Page 9