Warded Mage (Reawakening Saga)

by Jackson, D. W.

  Picking up his pace Thad hurried to catch up to his companions. In only a few more days they should reach Handlane and he would be one step closer to getting home. It was getting harder and harder to consider Farlan his home. He had been raised there but he had only a few memories that he could consider good during his life there. He was worried about the princes and Eloen, but he was sure they could take care of themselves. Monique was a different story; she was most likely in the most danger, if his feelings were right. Unlike the others she didn’t have a country to protect her nor, could she handle a blade well herself. Monique did have a few good guards, but those would be little aid should the Brotherhood come at her in force.

  Thad twisted the ring on his finger that was the symbol of the Rose Company. Thad laughed lightly, when he met Monique he was still just a child. Looking back there were plenty of things he would have done differently but even so he didn’t regret his life until now. Everyone he had met and everything he had gone through, both good and bad, had made him who he was today.

  You’re too nice to women, you let them walk all over you. The words echoed in his mind. They still felt like a whisper but even so he could feel the annoyance in the words. “If you’re me then you should feel the same.” Thad nearly shouted at his staff getting him a concerned look from Brianna. I was created from your magic and thoughts but that doesn’t mean I see everything like you. Unlike you I see everything from the outside and from here you tend to act like an idiot around women. Thad clinched his hand tightly around the shaft of the staff. He wanted to argue but in the end he knew it was the truth. He had a hard time dealing with women. He was raised to be their slave and no matter how much time passed he was sure he would always have a lingering urge to bend to their whims.

  “What are you doing ya dang brat?” Crusher yelled, startling Thad from his thoughts. Looking up Thad saw Crusher chasing after Arianna. He could always rely on those two to keep him from thinking too much. Laughing, Thad caught up to Brianna and silently walked next to her with a smile on his face.

  Thad could not wait to reach the port town. He didn’t enjoy the salty air nor the sticky feeling that it left on his skin. In town, he could get a hot bath, something he had been longing for the past few days. The stench from his body was starting to make it hard to sleep. Brianna did not seem to have a problem with his stench, but from his time with the dwarves, he learned that unless they were forced, most dwarves would go months without taking a good bath. Thankfully, Brianna enjoyed a good bath so he wasn’t forced to endure like he was with Crusher.

  Something is coming. The words were much louder in his mind than just a few moments before, and Thad got an anxious feeling from them. “What is it?” I think it is the Brotherhood. There is an area up ahead where the magical energies are flowing oddly. Thad closed his eyes and sent out his magic searching for the energies around him. He let his staff help guide him to the place it had found. His staff was right there was a blank spot as if all the magical energy simply vanished. He had seen areas before that were void of magical energy, it wasn’t all that uncommon, but this area was different. The magical energies around the area were flowing directly toward the area and then disappearing. Thad had to agree with his staff, it was most likely caused by one of the white swords that some of the Brotherhood carried.

  Thad leaned down, “I believe there are some ambushers awaiting us a few hundred yards ahead.” Brianna simply nodded as her hand brushed the hilt of her weapon. “We need to find a way to warn Crusher and Arianna without bringing too much notice to ourselves in case were being watched.”

  “Leave that ta me.” Brianna said a wide grin spreading across her face. Thad heard as she pulled in a deep breath. “You two blithering idiots need to stop romping around b’fer ya end up in the same situation that ya did with Gorgia a few years ago.” Crusher stopped in his tracks his eyes narrowing dangerously. Thad wasn’t sure what was going on but Crusher was much more alert and Thad could see his hand twitching excitedly near the hilt of his axe.

  Though the air was tense, Thad couldn’t help but smile slightly to himself. He had found many of the rumors and myths about dwarves to be false, but their love of axes seemed to be true. Logically it was the perfect weapon for their short and stout arms. It wasn’t as if axes were the only weapons he had seen the dwarves use, but swords seemed to be near useless in their hands. Before now, Thad had never given it much thought but he was sure it had to do with their thick wrists, making it hard to perform any real nimble maneuvers with such a slender weapon.

  Why do you always think of pointless things at the wrong time? You shouldn’t be worrying about what weapons your friends chose to use. I don’t know if you’re carefree or a simple an idiot who can’t keep him mind on track. “I like to think I am curious by nature, though you might be right about not being able to keep my mind for wandering.” Thad said laughing at his own carelessness. Though he had only been aware of his staff for a short time, talking to it didn’t seem weird. In fact, it felt as natural as if he were talking to an old friend.

  “What da’ya think we’re facing?” Crusher said starting Thad slightly. Despite his size, the dwarf still had the ability to pop up on Thad, startling him whenever he let his guard down.

  “I think the friends we met up with the other day have brought a few people and are awaiting our arrival up ahead.”

  “Oh, I was wondering when our friends would pay us a visit. Rude of em’ ta keep us waiting fer so long.” Crusher said his excitement scaring Thad slightly.

  “What about Arianna?” Thad asked slightly worried for the small Nadirie.

  “No need to worry,” Crusher grunted. “That dang mutt of yers seems to understand what’s going on. Too smart fer its own good.” Thad looked over to see that just as Crusher had said Avalanche was no longer jumping around but walking much the way she did back in the Underearth when they were hunting the Vathari. Even with Crusher’s reassurance, Thad was slightly worried. Normal swords had little hope of scratching Avalanche but one of the white swords would cut through her easily.

  As they drew closer to the area where the magical energy was obstructed the trees started to thicken and Thad began to run his fingers nervously over the scabbard of his sword. If it was the Brotherhood, then he couldn’t rely on his magic, he would have to hope that his skill with a sword would be enough to keep him safe. He also had the blessings he received from the gods though he was still unsure about using them in a real battle. He had trained with his shadow walking and he was sure he could use it if needed but the stone skin still scared him, he didn’t fancy spending the rest of his life with a stone arm if he made a mistake.

  Though the Brotherhood was trying to hide their presence, it was more than obvious that a large number of people were hiding among the trees. If Thad hadn’t known about it before hand he might have missed the obvious signs that littered the area but that hardly seemed to matter now that he did. The group walked slowly, talking loudly, and waiting for their guests to make their appearance. After a while, Thad was starting to think that they were going to pass the whole group before the Brotherhood made their move. Shortly after the thought crossed his mind, a rush of men emerged from the trees and bushes. Far more than he had believed could hide in such an area. A quick count showed that they were faced against more than thirty soldiers of the Brotherhood. If they didn’t count Arianna than it was easily ten to one odds. Thad, Crusher, and Brianna stood close together their back nearly touching each other. Thad quickly looked around for Avalanche and Arianna. He found Avalanche rushing around as she always did when enemies were about but he couldn’t see Arianna anywhere. She is flying above us.

  “Can you tell which ones have the abnormal swords?” Thad asked his staff as he pulled his sword from its scabbard. The Brotherhood soldiers were advancing cautiously surrounding them. I can’t tell which ones have it but it looks as if there are four altogether. If you let me control the direction of your magical attacks, I should be a
ble to attack while dodging the blank zones. It sounded like a good plan to him. If he had to time to focus, he could find the soldiers carrying the weapons but closing his eyes now would be the equivalent to suicide.

  Trusting in his staff Thad pulled in a large amount of Fire energy and started to form it. A large or fancy attack would draw too much attention so they would have to be small and fast targeting areas where none of the Brotherhood had the magic eating swords.

  Seeing that their prey were not surprised the soldiers stopped their advance and started to move cautiously. “Lay down your weapons and surrender to the justice of the Brotherhood, and we shall make your deaths quick and painless.” One of the soldiers yelled from amongst the group. The man was well dressed and wore armor that stood out among the others. If Thad had to guess, he was the leader of the band of soldiers they now faced.

  “A quick death, who would take such an offer? If yer gonna come, get in a line so I can send ya bastards ta the afterlife.” Crusher roared as he tapped the neck of his axe against his broad shoulder.

  Crusher’s blunt refusal wasn’t well received by the enemy who quickly began their advance, tightening the circle around the companions. Though it wasn’t long, the brief words exchanged had given Thad enough time to mold a sizeable amount of magical energy. Trusting his staff Thad formed over a dozen small balls of flame and released them to the guidance of his staff. The fireballs spread out speeding toward their targets forcing many of the Brotherhood soldiers to retreat backwards but as tightly packed, as they were, they jumbled over each other and were quickly caught by the flaming balls of magical energy.

  The fire began spreading quickly and then came the screams of the warriors as it quickly burned away clothing and hair. Within a few moments, at least ten of the Brotherhood lay smoldering on the ground and many more had sustained minor wounds from the hot flames as they tried desperately to put them out. Though the fire had disorganized them for a short time it was obvious they were well trained as they quickly reformed and continued tightening the circle around them.

  “Can we use another magical attack?” Thad whispered in his mind. No there is not enough space between the dead zones for another attack to be worth the effort. Keep sending me a small amount of energy if I find an opening I will unleash it. Thad laughed earning him confused looks from the soldiers and concerned looks from his friends. His sword held firmly in his right hand and his staff in his left Thad felt nearly invincible, though he knew that one of the white swords could make easy work of his armor.

  Trusting in his friends Thad let his full attention go toward the enemies at his front. Though his magical attack had taken out a good number of enemy, they were still greatly outnumbered but if they trusted each other and fought close together, only a few could advance on them at a time, reducing the danger. Thad kept alert as the first came within range, striking with a regular steel sword. Thad turned and intercepted it with his staff, which released a blot of energy knocking the enemy back.

  While his first move had been a success, more swords than he could keep track of were quickly pressing him. Two of the flashing blades were pure white and each time them came into his sight he tried his best to intercept it with his sword, though a few times he was forced to use his staff. Each time one of the white swords struck his staff Thad could feel, more than hear, the yell of pain that seemed to come from his staff.

  The air was filled with the noise of steel on steel and the crying voices of those who had been unlucky enough not to block one of the companion’s attacks. Thad was relieved that he had not yet heard such a scream from one of his friends but he had little time to worry about what was happening behind him as another blow swept so close to his face that a few strands of hair were trimmed from the top of his head.

  With each passing moment the danger was increasing even as the number of attackers was gradually reduced. Each dodge and parry slowly forced Thad and the others away from each other. Each step they were forced apart was paid for in the blood of their enemy, but it would matter little if they died before the last of the Brotherhood fell.

  A sweeping strike came from Thad’s left too far back for him to block it forcing him to crouch low to avoid it. As soon as the blade passed inches above his head another blade came swooping in toward his head. Thad jumped forward between two of the soldiers dodging death once again but now there was two Brotherhood soldiers between him and his friends. Thad had little time to contemplate the fact he was cut off as four of the Brotherhood soldiers quickly moved toward him their weapons held at the ready. Knowing that each second that passed he would be put in further danger Thad charged at the nearest opponent, letting his momentum carry him as he slid under a strike aimed at his head, as he slashed the soldier’s stomach with his own blade. Slightly off balance, Thad didn’t have time to move before he was covered in blood and gore from the now dead soldier. The blood splattered on his face blurring his vision and covered his hands making his sword slip slightly in his grasp.

  Seeing Thad was alone all the free soldiers began to advance on him. Thad knew that if he was surrounded no amount of skill would keep a blade from finding a spot in his exposed back. Looking around for any option available to him, Thad noticed that while the sun was still up it had dropped below the tree line layering the area with thick and dark shadows. Taking a deep breath Thad let himself slide into the nearest shadow. The Brotherhood soldiers looked shocked as he disappeared from where he once was. When he reappeared from behind the farthest soldier the flash of his blade sending the man quickly to his grave a look of true fear began to appear on many of the soldiers.

  Thad grinned, if they were afraid their movements would be slowed and their attacks would be even easier to dodge. Not wanting to let the soldier regain their composure Thad once again stepped into the cold shadows appearing behind another one of the soldiers. A flash of lighting cut into the man blasting him forward into one of his comrades. “Can you tell how many of the white sword wielders are left?” Thad asked his staff silently within his mind. All the swords are still there but two of them have not moved for some time. Thad hated not knowing when and where one of the white swords would appear. Above all else, they held the most danger to him.

  With little choice, Thad continued to jump through the shadows killing anyone who stood alone. A few times, he was able to sneak behind one of the soldiers fixated on one of his friends killing them quickly. With the use of his shadow walking, the enemies were quickly being reduced and winning no longer looked like a dream, but Thad was tiring fast. Unlike in the Underearth, the darkness element wasn’t as prevalent, making it harder to move around between the shadows. Sweat dripping from his forehead and his breaths coming harder with each moment Thad knew, he could shadow walk two more times and even then, it was a risk. If he didn’t collect enough darkness element there was a chance he would be lost to the darkness. It simply wasn’t worth the risk.

  The soldiers quickly noticed that Thad was no longer hopping around and the fear on their faces quickly disappeared but they still advanced toward him cautiously. Thad risked a quick glance to see how the others were doing and was relieved to see that none of them had fallen, though it looked as if none of them had escaped completely unscathed, even Avalanche was limping slightly, most likely having been hit by one of the white swords. While each showed signs of damage none of them looked to be in danger of losing their lives, and the Brotherhood soldiers had dwindled greatly, they were still outnumbered three to one, the momentum of the battle still looked to be in their favor.

  The leader of the Brotherhood soldiers who had been standing back while the rest of his men fought moved into action, his white blade drawn, he moved on Thad. The leader was far more skilled with a blade than any of the others he had faced thus far, and within moments, Thad was having a hard time getting his own sword up in time to block the incoming blows. If Thad had been at full strength he was sure he would have been more than able to match the leader’s sword play, but the
truth was, he was tired and his sword felt heavy in his hands.

  As a quick thrust snapped toward Thad’s chest he jumped back slipping on the blood stained earth falling down to one knee. Thad’s breath was coming harder and his vision blurred as if he was trying to look through water. Thad reached his hand up to support his head and a wet sensation ran down his fingers. He could feel the blood dripping from his elbow. Thad wasn’t sure when he had sustained the injury and he was surprised he hadn’t noticed it before. Thad tried to rise to his feet but his head begun to spin and he soon found himself on both knees staring at the armored boots of the Brotherhood leader. Thad forced himself to look up though every muscle in his body seemed to work against him. He saw a blurry streak of white descending toward him and instinctively tried to roll away but was only able to fall to the ground and roll onto his back.

  Thad tried to push himself into a sitting position but his arms had no strength left in them. Thad watched as the soldier walked over him and shifted his blade directly over his heart. Thad’s mind screamed for him to move but his body didn’t respond. He felt as his eyes began to grow heavy, and darkness began to encroach in on him. His mind blank and his body heavy Thad waited for the descending strike that would end his life, but he never felt it come. He could hear voices and screams around him but his mind couldn’t tell if they were from his friends or from the enemy. The last sensation he felt before he slipped into unconsciousness was of something warm dripping onto his forehead.