Warded Mage (Reawakening Saga)

by Jackson, D. W.

  Thad laughed lightly which was quickly joined in by Crusher and Brianna. “I am sure you have heard the stories about mages,” Thad said stretching out his hand and calling a small flame to dance around his palm. “I can do a few tricks but I prefer not to use it if I don’t have to.”

  “Look Holbar it’s dancing,” Holbar’s wife said grabbing his arm and shaking him.

  “I can see that Alicia. So I’m guessing that if we pressed the issue earlier?” Holbar said wide-eyed.

  Thad looked down at the table keeping his voice low. “I would have killed you, but the other flames were illusions, I never planned to hurt anyone else, I just needed a bluff large enough to make you rethink attacking. I wasn’t in the mood to see blood so early in the morning.” Thad’s blunt statement got another squeak out of Alicia.

  “I don’t know if I should thank you or not. So what is a mage doing in these parts?”

  Thad blushed a bit. “Would you believe that I got lost and I’m trying to find my way back home to Farlan?”

  “Farlan, then you put a new definition to the word lost. We have some small boats here but we’re just a small fishing village. We only see large trading vessels a few times a year. Your best bet would be to follow the coastline to Handlane. It’s a bit of a ways, but it’s a large port town. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting passage to Farlan from there.” Holbar said then looked at the three sitting in front of him. “Well you three might find some trouble, but it’s the best place that I can think to send you. If you need anything from town please let me know. I would prefer it if you didn’t venture out until you were ready to leave.”

  “I believe we can agree to that.” Thad said smiling.

  “Do ya have any ale?” Crusher said grumbling.

  For the first time Thad saw Holbar laugh. “I think I can take care of that for you, though don’t expect me to pay.”

  Crusher dug out two gold plates that were slightly larger than the dwarfs thumb. “That should cover it.”

  Holbar looked at the oddly shaped gold coins and flipped them in his hand. “I don’t know what you expect to be drinking but this would buy out most the ale in the pub. Do you need anything else besides something to drink?”

  “What else does a growing body need than some good ale?” Crusher said smiling.

  Thad slapped Crusher on the back of the head though all he accomplished was hurting his wrist. “We also need some smoked meat for the road and maybe some hard tack for the road.” Thad said glaring at the dwarf.

  “Well I have plenty of smoked meats downstairs and I can get a few other things for you at the town bakery. Even with all that I don’t think I can come close to spending all the gold you gave me.”

  “Then take the rest as a boarding fee.” Crusher said grumbling. “I thought things cost a lot more otherwise I wouldn’t have made so many of the coins before we left.” Crusher said jingling the large pouch that hung at his side. From the size and sound of it he had at least a hundred of the coins in the sack. The dwarves didn’t buy and sell anything as anything made was available to those who needed or wanted it. That meant there was no need for gold to pay for things.

  “If you want to give away your gold I’ll gladly take it.” Holbar said happily.

  “I have to run a few errands, dear do you want anything while I’m out.” Holbar said flipping the two gold coins one more time before sticking them in his pocket.

  “No dear I think we have everything we need.” She replied dismissively.

  Thad watched Alicia as she remained silent and absolutely still. The house was so silent that Thad could hear the door at the bottom of the stairs close. Before anyone had a chance to say anything the door downstairs opened again and little footsteps could be heard rushing up the stairs. Thad readied his staff and grasped the hilt of his sword as Brianna and Crusher prepared themselves as well. When Holbar’s little daughter’s head popped into the room smiling widely everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “Mommy, Mommy there’s a cute doggy outside made of rock. At first, you know… I thought it was a statue like the mayor has outside his house but when I went to touch it, the doggy began to jump around.”

  The girl continued to rattle on about Avalanche until Thad was sure she would collapse from lack of air. “Oh, you don’t say.” Alicia said giving Thad an odd look out of the corner of her eye. “I bet the dog belongs to our guests here.” She said tapping the little girl on the nose.

  Thad could see the little child’s eyes light up like only that of a child could do. At no more than six years of age, she still had that inquisitive gleam in here eye and the mischievous smile on her face that said that she was always out looking for something new. “Is the doggy really yours?” she asked running up to Thad as if he were a new toy she had found. ”Wow you have a really pretty eye mister.”

  Thad stooped down so he could meet the small girl eye to eye. Looking at her made him think of the time he had met with Eloen’s sister. The only difference was that the child in front of him wasn’t weighed down with her family’s hate of men. The child in front of him was pure and innocent free of prejudices. “I wouldn’t say that Avalanche belonged to us but she has decided to follow us.”

  “Really, where did you find her? What does she eat? Her name is Avalanche? How do you know she is a female? Can you get me one?” the girl rattled off questions so fast Thad soon got lost. Holding up his hand the girl looked and him and blushed slightly. “Sorry?”

  Thad patted the girl on the head softly. “I can only answer one question at a time. I found her deep underground where no light will shine and she eats these,” Thad said pulling a large ruby from a side pocket in his pack.

  “She eats gems?” Alicia spouted getting everyone’s attention. She blushed furiously, “I mean, that’s a very expensive pet. A gem that size would feed our family for well over a year.” She said meekly.

  Thad reached into his bag and pulled another large gem from his bag this time a sapphire that was almost the size of Thad’s closed fist and tossed it to Alicia. “It is a simple rock. Avalanche digs them out whenever she smells them.” Thad handed the ruby to the small child. “Now you and your mom both have one. If you want you can keep it or feed it to Avalanche. I’ll leave the choice to you. To me it’s just a simple stone, one that I can find anywhere it’s up to you to decide what it is to you.”

  The little girl held the large ruby in both hands and looked at it in awe. “Wow! You must be a lord with a large castle or suffin.” The girl said as she stared at the large jewel.

  “Mr. Mage… Are you sure? A gem like this…. It is worth more than our whole shop.”

  Thad laughed and stuck both hands into the side pocket on his pack and pulled out a handful of large gems. “As I said they are just colorful rocks that Avalanche can find easily. Though we didn’t get off on the best foot your husband, he has been more than kind. I can tell that he is a good man if a bit stiff.”

  Thad felt a tugging on his jerkin. Turning his head he found the girl looking at him her mouth slightly hanging open. “Mommy called you a mage.” She said softly.

  “I know a trick or two. Would you like to see some?” Thad asked, giving the girl a bright smile.

  “Magic, magic, magic!” the girl chanted as she jumped up and down.

  The little girl’s excitement spread to Crusher and Brianna who joined in her chanting. The sight of the two dwarfs bouncing on their feet, chanting magic over and over made Thad laugh hysterically. After a few moments, Thad was able to calm himself and wipe the tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes away. Crossing his legs Thad sat on the floor and lay his staff across his lap. As the gems covering it began to glow the chanting died down and was replaced by looks of anticipation.

  Thad felt the flow of the elements around him. The room grew dark as miniature glowing people only about two foot tall began to appear out of the darkness. Remembering the princess’s party Thad did his best to copy the extravagant dresses the nobles had worn as
they had danced. The little girl seemed to be enjoying the show as she ran through the ghostly figures laughing and dancing along with them. Alicia seemed to be enjoying herself as well, as she watched her daughter playing around. Pushing himself a little more Thad filled the air with glittering lights that pulsed humming slightly filling the room with pleasant music.

  Though illusions drew little magic by themselves, the sheer number and intricacies of the magic he was preforming drained him quickly. Even though he was tiring, Thad could not make himself stop when the child was having so much fun. Maybe the mages of old used their magic in such a manner. Thad had to admit that it felt much better to use his magic to make a child smile rather than to kill.

  As the magic faded and the light from the windows lit back up the room, the little girls face dropped. “More, more.” She pleaded with large eyes.

  “That’s enough, he must be tired. Why don’t you go play for a while?” Alicia said tapping the girl lightly on the head.

  The little girl pouted for a bit but she looked down at the large ruby, then at the door, and her frown faded away as she ran down the steps.

  Laughing Thad tried to rise but he had no strength left in his legs. Brianna grabbed him by the arm and pulled him hard. “Ya aint got a lick of sense in that noggin of yers. What’s the point of working yerself till ya get so tired ya can’t stand?”

  Thad could feel his eyes closing as fatigue began to take control of his body. “She was having so much fun.” Thad said sleepily.

  CHAPTER XIV

  Thad felt something light land in the middle of his chest. Opening his eyes he awoke to find Jeanie sitting uncomfortably on his chest. “Mr. Mage tell me a story.” She said enthusiastically. “But we have to be quiet mommy and daddy are still asleep.”

  Sitting up Thad looked out the window to see that it was still pitch black outside. Thad wanted to go back to sleep but looking at the enthusiastic face of the child in front of him he knew that it was going to be impossible “What kind of story do you want to hear?” Thad said in a hushed voice.

  “Ummm…Ummmm. One with a princess, and ummmm, a dragon and a… a… with lots of magic.” She said smiling wildly.

  “Oh! I don’t know if I can fit all that in but I know a couple of stories that you might like.” Thad said lifting the girl up off his lap and sitting her on the bed. “Once long ago there was a princess with red flowing hair who lived in a giant palace. She had everything a person could want money, power, and thousands of people who bowed to her every whim, but when she was alone she was lonely. Many suitors tried to win her hand but she could tell that none of them cared for her but only for the power of the throne. After being turned down one, of her suitors was mad and returned with a large army and forced the princess to return with him to his castle where she was locked in a tower.”

  “That’s so sad. Did she get out?” Jeanie said emphatically.

  “Every night the princess would sing from the top of her tower. One night a young mage from the village heard her voice and was enchanted, after that every night he would sneak onto the place grounds and listen to her song. Then one night all of a sudden, the princess quit singing. The mage missed the songs, so one night he snuck into the palace. He found the princess sitting sadly on her bed. ‘Why have you quit singing?’ he asked the princess. ‘I am a caged bird who no longer has the will to sing in my cage.’ The princess replied sadly. The mage took the princess by the hand. ‘Then shall we escape the cage?’ he said as he pulled her to the window and called upon a great burst of wind to carry them to the ground below.”

  Thad went to continue his story but he found Jeanie sleeping soundly curled up beside him. “I’ll take her from here.” A light voice said from the door startling him. Alicia picked the small child up and carried her from the room.

  Thad was still tired but he couldn’t make himself go back to sleep so he stumbled into dining room to wait on his friends to wake so they could be on their way. “Thank you for spending time with Jeanie. She has always been a restless child. You must have had a good mother to turn out so well.” Alicia said smiling.

  The irony of her words made him laugh. “I wouldn’t even bring myself to say she was a decent mother, she was the worst kind of mother a son could have.” Thad said with little emotion.

  Alicia frowned and walked over to where Thad sat and handed him a hot roll fresh out of the stove. “I can’t believe that. You’re such a kind boy. That doesn’t happen by accident.”

  “When I was about your daughter’s age maybe a bit younger my mother sent me to the slave academy. There I had many mothers who took care of me and trained me to make sure I would grow up to be the perfect slave. If anyone should get credit for my behavior it would be them.” Thad said dejectedly.

  Thad felt Alicia’s hand on his shoulder. It was warm and Thad could smell the gentle scent of spices covering her. “I’m sorry to have brought up such a subject. No matter where you have come from you have grown to be a splendid man.” She said reassuringly.

  Thad reached up to his eye and flinched slightly. “Are you so sure about that? It was only yesterday I threatened to burn your husband to a crisp.”

  Thad heard Alicia gasp slightly but she never took her hand from his shoulder. “Anyone who is kind to children cannot be evil at heart. You might have had a tough life. You might have had to make choices you didn’t like, but I can tell from watching you with Jeanie that you have a good soul.”

  “Honey, you’re not growing sweet on our guest because he gave you a pretty rock, are you?” Holbar said from behind them.

  “Well he is younger, handsome, and rich.” She replied teasingly, “But I don’t think I want to get rid of you just yet.”

  “I was quite surprised when I came home to find you asleep at the table and even more surprised when I learned you gave my wife a gem worth the price of half the town. I must say you’re not at all what I expected after our first meeting. Though my daughter and wife have taken a liking to you, I must insist you take your leave as soon as your companions are awake. I spent eight years in the army and have a good sense of when danger is around, and it’s not hard to tell it follows you.” Holbar said taking a seat next to Thad.

  “I can’t argue with you on that point, and I do appreciate your hospitality. As soon as the other two wake we will be on our way.”

  “There is no reason for thanks. I told you the reason I brought you to my house wasn’t for your benefit but for the idiots who would have been fodder to your blade had I not. Even then, you have more than paid for your stay, though finding someone to buy such a large gem will be troublesome. Maybe when the next large trading company comes through I can find a merchant that will pay a good price.”

  “Ya finally awake Thad. Ya missed out on tha ale, though it was so weak I had ta drink half a barrel before I could tell I wasn’t drinking water.”

  “What else da ya expect from a bunch of humans.” Brianna said teasingly.

  “Now that everyone is up we might as well be on our way.” Thad said standing from his seat.

  Alicia poked her head out from the kitchen. “Not before you eat. I already made enough food for everyone otherwise it’ll go to waste.” She said waving her wooden spoon around like a weapon.

  “Yes my lady.” Thad said bowing slightly.

  They didn’t have to wait long before a large piping hot meal was brought out. It looked more like a banquet than a simple breakfast. Boiled eggs, ham, and many other dishes were placed on the table. Not only was there plenty to choose from it was also well made. It was the first meal in a long time Thad actually enjoyed. The dwarves were nice but their food was simple fare with little variety, often accompanied with large amounts of ale. Thad never complained but it was nice to have a decent meal for a change.

  Jeanie was still asleep when Holbar escorted Thad and the others to the edge of town. As they walked, the eyes of all the villagers were on them. Avalanche was the only one who seemed not to notice as she bo
unced around playfully as if nothing was wrong.

  There were no long goodbyes when they parted Holbar simply turned back toward the town while the three companions continued down the small road that winded along the coast. The cool breeze coming off the water felt good to Thad but the salt in the air made his skin feel sticky.

  Avalanche enjoyed the outside and often wandered off to play with some animal or inset that had stirred her interest but she always came back usually pouncing on Crusher whenever he let his attention slip. It was always enjoyable to the large rock dog to roll the dwarf around as if he were a ball. Crusher would curse and sputter at Avalanche for hours afterwards but Thad knew that he enjoyed her company as much as anyone. The only time Thad had seen the dwarf really mad at Avalanche was when she had been playing around in his house and broke three barrels of ale the dwarf had been keeping to age.

  Brianna made sure that she was right next to Thad during the walk. Thad was surprised she didn’t simply grab his arm. The last thing Thad would describe her as was shy but since the night they had spent together back in the dwarven village, she had said little to him. He knew he should say or do something but he had no clue what that would be. Looking over at her he noticed that she was watching him out of the corner of her eye. “Why did you decide to come with us?” Thad asked as he fumbled for something to say.

  The question had obviously been the wrong one to ask because as soon as the words were out of his mouth the smile that had been on her face turned into a scowl. “I just started ta get ya hooked, not about ta let ya prance off inta tha sunset and ferget about me now was I.” She said cheekily.

  Thad laughed nervously. “That’s a relief. I thought you had tagged along so you could find your chance to dig out Avalanches eyes. I know you always get a gleam in your eye when you look at her.”