He and Sean walked down a hill as the man took away his new horses. “We got the narrow one with the sharper front and back end. We’ll find it easier to paddle and maneuver that one. Let’s get going while we have some daylight remaining.”
“How much did you make?” Megdline asked. He showed her. “Not a bad bargain considering. He keeps his boats in good condition.” Frill leapt into the large canoe first and got settled in near the front. Brooke, being raised on the plains had never ridden in a boat before and nearly fell as a result. She stayed low and took a bench where there were three. Megdline said “Sean, why don’t you sit in the middle with me.”
“Good idea. I’ll take rear point.” Cage commented and held the boat steady. “Frill!” The cat turned around to look at him. “Hop in the middle and make yourself a bit heavier. It will steady the boat while everyone gets situated.” Frill jumped around Brooke and made the boat sink to about half way. The weight leveled as Cage nodded. Megdline walked into it and Sean crawled to sit beside the sorceress as Cage put all of their bags inside. “That’s good.” And Frill stopped using magic, making the boat rise back to the natural line. Then Cage got in and took one of the three paddles and pushed them off.
Water splashed as the paddles propelled them in a northerly direction. The small river was calm and peaceful. A slight current didn’t push against them too much. Trees offered much shade and a place where many animals came to get a drink or hunt for prey. The air was cooler, clean and calming.
Paddling around a bend, the small fishing village of little more than a hundred residents disappeared. Cage let his mind wander as his arms rowed them along the water’s surface. Oak Tree River was enormous, with streams and rivers branching out in every direction for hundreds of miles. While his mind relaxed he remembered the mountain of questions Sean had first thing in the morning. He really wanted to know of other worlds and what it was like being an orphan on such a strange world. It was actually endearing, seeing Sean so alive and inquisitive. Cage knew his new surrogate son found that being of a powerful lineage was amazing. He didn’t like knowing others were constantly watching, but Sean seemed to enjoy having company that actually began to care for him. The large meals also went a long way to build trust. A man is always more irritable when hungry. Beyond all that, Sean promised to never speak of it without permission. He asked the same questions sometimes, just wanting to hear it again. Cage smiled at the memory as he paddled. From time to time, Sean would glance over his shoulder and stare at his new dad with childlike admiration and awe. Sean said before they left earlier “I feel like my new dad came to save my mothers and me from a sad fate.” The boy might have thought no one heard, but Cage and Frill did and it made the new father feel really good at hearing it put that way.
“Those clouds look troublesome.” Megdline commented. “We better find a place where we can make camp and locate shelter.”
Not ten minutes passed before Sean spotted a small break in the trees where the canoe skillfully moored for the night as Cage drug it up out of the water. The woods were thick, but a small clearing lay fifty feet from the water’s edge and up a slight incline. From the roots and markings on the trees Cage said “This might not be a good place to camp. See these lines on the tree trunks,” He pointed for everyone to see were about four feet high were the lines. “if we do not locate a better shelter we’ll use it, but we’ll need to be wary for if it floods, we’ll be swimming. Sean, go with Frill and collect some dry firewood and search that area for a better location. Granny, stay here with the boat. Brooke, you head that way and I’ll go this way. We meet back here in twenty minutes.” Cage left and disappeared into the untamed land and moved, searching for better shelter.
He returned to find everyone back. “Find anything promising?” All shook their heads. “Me neither. This place will have to do, but we’ll need to keep watch. The breeze carries the smell of rain.” At that moment, there came rolling thunder to credit his words. He knew he needed to act quick and brought out Brooke’s two steel heads for her tomahawk and heated them up to half the usual level before hurrying to the water and quickly quenching them for a second. Steam rose off the metal as he returned. Megdline had taken the canoe, turned it over and laid it over two low, but sturdy, branches on a tree. She had even directed Sean to begin breaking leafy branches and bring them over. Cage had Brooke take out the empty handles and magically set the steel in the hard wood. “The steel is as hard as it will ever get. I’m going to cut some saplings, help the others get organized.” The sky darkened by the moment so he didn’t have time for playful banter.
A black sword was conjured just beyond Cage’s extended fingers and with an effortless swipe, the sapling fell. The lack of resistance surprised him, but he had made the blade sharper than a razor. Four more went down as he heard the sound of Brooke’s hatchet at work. Everyone worked together and began layering a simple shelter, laying the saplings against the canoe.
Before they were even finished the rain came rushing down. Cage and Brooke worked on in the downpour. The rain sucked the heat from them within minutes and still the rains dumped buckets. Keeping the water from flowing into the shelter, Cage dug a channel to divert the water around them. None wanted to sleep on mud or wet grass. Ten minutes later they were finished and hurried beneath the shelter. Megdline already had the fire going as Sean worked to plug some of the more annoying holes with mud and grass. Cage asked where he learned that trick, but Megdline’s smile was guilty even before the kid answered to say she was the one. The fire felt remarkable and helped return the heat from the chilling rain. Cage sat and wasn’t alone for long as Brooke pushed her back against his chest to share warmth.
Lightning and thunder partnering with the torrential downpour made it impossible to have any kind of a conversation. While they waited for it to weaken, Megdline began cooking up a nice spice soup with large chunks of carrots and potatoes over the fire.
Ever so slowly the rain weakened to a steady shower as evening turned into night. Cage noticed Brooke staring between her legs where her tomahawks lay. He said “Why not try taking a cloth and wipe the surface.”
“What good would that do?” She asked. “They’ve always been a blackish brown.” He pulled out an old shirt of his and handed it to her. She began working and blinked as flakes began falling off. Her rubbing became harder until she said. “It is so shiny… it is like a polished mirror.” Brooke rubbed till both were spotless. “The sharpness was amazing when I worked, but I did not believe they would ever look so beautiful…”
“If you want, I can apply a coating so that it won’t reflect anything.” He offered.
“No. I can understand it will be easier to be spotted, but their beauty should not be covered. It would also make things more of a proper challenge.” She ran her finger along the sharp blade and cut a finger. She sucked the blood off and smiled. “It is perfect. Thank you. Where is Sean’s knife?”
“Oh… Right…” Cage found it and attached the handle. “Come closer, Buddy.” Sean got up and moved over a few feet to sit down again with evident excitement lighting his eyes. “The handle needs some help. Hold onto it and let me work.” Sean smiled as he retrieved his new present and held it with the blade pointing away from the thumb, as he had been taught. Cage smiled approvingly before manipulating the wooden handle to round and conform to a better style with which would allow Sean a more efficient grip. It didn’t take long or all that much mana. “Sean, carefully clean your knife. I’ve already magically sharpened it so the edge is dangerously sharp. Since it is too wet out to train, just get used to it. And be careful, Son. Hook it back to your arm when you’re finished.”
“Yes, Dad.” Sean said as Brooke gave him the shirt and carefully watched over him as he moved slow and tediously brought a shine to a blade that had never had one before. A small trickle of magic came from the sorceress a moment later to isolate them.
Megdline said “Cage, now we must get you back to work. You understand magi
cal concepts well enough, but now you need power since it will be to your advantage. Charge them until you get light headed, recover some and do it again. You will kill two birds with one stone, as you say. It will strain your inner mana to grow stronger while you store all you have expended. We only have a few days and you need all you can harness when the time comes. Am I to understand we are going to sneak into Bepop and find a way to discretely get them out?”
“Nope.” Cage grinned meaningfully and Megdline’s eyes widened. “I’m going to give them hell. Sneaking around won’t be enough to openly piss off slavers and who think owning a slave is their right. I’m not going to sting them like some pesky mosquito. I’m going to kick them right in the balls. If I’m going to live up to a warlock’s expectation I’m sure going to let the world know what I think of slavery. In secret, I’ve been studying the layout of Bepop and know the most effective way of entering, causing havoc and leaving with minimal problems. You and Frill are going to back me up.”
“But that kind of thinking is suicide!” Megdline declared. “You and me against an entire city crawling around in mages won’t work. Because Bepop is a large city with many opportunities and trading with Vlara, many mages go there or call it home. And it has protections. You against an entire city, with your current strength and stores would not last long. Even if I were with you we would likely not escape with our lives. Have you lost your mind? It seems calling you Dimwit is an understatement. So what if you are a warlock? Your power is insignificant if we get overwhelmed. Not even eight first class sorcerers would last against an entire city. I’m just a second class and even your power is slightly less than my own. We would not accomplish anything. Stupid warlock, such reckless overconfidence!”
“Let him me-peek.” Cage heard Frill say. “There is more to the plan I-row believe.”
“Hey! Frill, I can hear you more clearly. Your voice is actually a little deeper than your usual chirping.” Cage laughed slightly.
The large cat’s gold eyes stared at him more closely. “Then tell us the rrreest.”
Cage nodded. He reached over and laid a hand on Brooke’s shoulder and she jumped slightly. “Yes, Cage Love? Do you need something?”
Megdline said “The conversation is between the three of us. Do you want her to be part of it? I cannot allow Sean though.”
The boy remained occupied, cleaning his knife so he didn’t pay attention. Cage nodded and Brooke came into the conversation. He said “Granny, look, I said you and I were going to cause havoc and as much destruction as we can, but I never said anything about us freeing the captives. I’ve thought long and hard about what to do that will safely get everyone out alive while kicking their ass. And the only safe way to do that is with a large diversion. While we turn the city’s focus on us, Brooke can more easily infiltrate and get to the slave compound. Since there are many tribal people, she will fit right in. Neither of us could get as close without causing suspicion. With all looking at you and me, she can go in and release everyone and has the necessary skills to remove anyone in her way. Slavers beat, not fight. They won’t stand a chance against her. And slaves outnumber their owners seven to one. Inside the compound it is ten to one. We go in and get out. I know my skills better than anyone and also my limitations. We won’t be able to destroy such a large city, but we can make them suffer, especially if we take away their slave force and scatter them.”
“That is rea-ow-sonable.” Frill said after consideration. Megdline sat still and thought through everything such a proposal might mean, especially the dangers that were staggering. Eventually she sighed. “Since the compound is located on the southeastern edge of the city, it would be logical to divert focus so a large number of people could flee, but if they were caught, most would be killed for such destruction and escaping.”
Brooke then had an idea. “But what if the slaves could reach these docks with the great ships? If they could sail then they could be safer and flee down to Emroc or Vlara. If we could get them there then getting caught would be less likely. Slavery isn’t allowed in those lands and neither would permit the Empire to enter their lands just to recapture freed slaves.”
“I knew you would understand the exit strategy.” Cage said and gave Brooke a kiss on the cheek.
“I will have to consider this greatly, but it sounds to be the best option. I will reflect deeply on the matter before consenting to such a proposal. And, Cage, I apologize for what I said. I didn’t mean to doubt you, even if it is an idea. You are extremely smart and capable, but this quest might be our end.”
“Apology accepted.” He replied. “And I’m open to suggestions always. If we are not united, then we will fail. I won’t risk anything if there isn’t a chance, no matter how slim. Now why don’t you three find flaws or benefits in my plan. I’m going to be busy for the rest of the night.” He watched the three adults nod while Sean finished removing the grime from the knife and started getting used to it.
Cage took up a meditative seating arrangement to begin pouring everything he had within one diamond to feel them automatically distribute the quantity evenly. The effects of such loss resulted in the usual lightheadedness and fatigue. Before he gave over enough to pass out completely, he stopped the intentional transfer and cleared his mind while breathing slow and deep to recover. Time didn’t matter as he found the calm center within. When he felt better, he poured in everything once more. In the serenity of his mind he felt the words deep within that wanted him to call for the one who would be he partner in life or death without question. The words felt good and gave him a sense of comfort even if they were a bit awkward.
While in the fluctuating trance of giving and resting he felt something hidden deeper in the words of summoning. A very delicate thread attached to him. One so tiny, he never felt or sensed it before. Where it led to, he didn’t know. Curiosity got the better of him and he started letting the thread guide him. Then he started to feel the end, but it thundered with power he could feel that knew no such things as limitations. The end’s owner seem to rouse as it sensed his presence. The power seemed kind and teasing for some reason, coaxing Cage to do something. “What?” he thought. “What is it you want?”
A deep, ancient and dominant voice thundered in his head. “PROVE TO ME YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY POWER! PROVE YOU CAN BE WORTHY OF ME!”
“STOP! Cage, stop!!!” Someone yelled distantly and then the presence disappeared completely as Cage suddenly felt pain in his back and on his chest. His black eyes flew open and saw a large paw swipe against his face, knocking him senseless. “Frill, it’s over.” Cage then felt able to breathe again as a heavy weight diminished. He gasped and slowly tried sitting up. Being overly tired made it impossible for a moment. His blurry vision was interrupted as Brooke’s worried eyes came close. He watched her pick him up and lay his head down on her legs to ask “What just happened?” and in a serious tone he heard Megdline reply “Wait till he comes around.”
Slowly, he forced himself to sit up and rubbed his aching jaw and felt wetness. His fingers were slick with his blood. A headache made him irritable and the pain didn’t help his mood. “Why the fuck did you attack me, Frill?”
The cat’s eyes leveled. It seemed after that brief encounter with that other power, Frill’s voice came in loud and clear. “You forced me to do it. I’m sorry for using my claws, but I had to disrupt your focus. It was necessary.”
“But why?!” Cage yelled.
Megdline firmly said “Calm yourself. You are scaring your mate and your boy.” Cage looked to either side to see Sean shaking and pushing himself as far away as possible while being sheltered from the rain and Brooke seemed shaken to the core, but she had more control of hiding her fear.
Realization hit like a truck and his anger dissipated much more quickly. The pain in his torso dulled, but his jaw and scratches still lingered. Cage relaxed his fists and sat back, losing his defensiveness. “What happened? Why is everyone so afraid?”
“It is because of you.�
�� Megdline said bluntly. “Sean, Brooke, it is over now. Come back closer to the fire.” Sean was more hesitant, but he slid over with wariness. For comfort, Frill sat near the boy and rubbed his head for attention. “Cage, you just scared all of us half to death. The storm suddenly picked up, but I thought it was just a coincidence because of you storing your mana. Then a black dot appeared and we could see it in the darkness. In the darkness!” her own anger rose while her tone remained tense and conversational. “You were summoning your Familiar again.”
“No I wasn’t.” He returned. “Yes, I’ll admit I found the words and how they made me feel, but then I felt something in them… like a thread I didn’t notice before.”
“Dimwit, that is the connection you made with your Familiar the moment you spoke the chant aloud.” Megdline told. “It seems my explanation was lacking last time. Cage, when you found your summoning words and spoke them for the first time, your Familiar accepted you and has forever bonded to your very spirit. That thread is very hard to understand and takes a long time to feel it out. Remember me telling you if Frill and I were ever separated, I could summon him to my side at any time. To do it, I find that thread and pull on it and he comes. You were doing that with your Familiar. You were summoning it without knowing what the fuck you were even doing.”
“Him. It is a him.” Silence fell over everyone. Megdline rapidly blinked with an open jaw that snapped and tried forming words. He knew what she was going to ask. “I don’t know how I did it, but the voice was undoubtedly male. I heard him in my head. And there was so much power I felt from him, more than I’ve ever felt before. Granny, what you’ve stored in your gem is like a pebble to a mountain. And he seemed to want something and it was like he read my mind. He said ‘PROVE TO ME YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY POWER! PROVE YOU CAN BE WORTHY OF ME!’ and then Frill slaps the shit out of me.”
“He can mind-link.” Frill said as Sean unconsciously continued petting.
Familiar's Ancient Throne (Book 2 of the Death Incarnate Saga) Page 36