The unsuspecting mage ms-1

by Brian S. Pratt

  “I heard that!”

  “Of course you did, I said it for your benefit.” Smiling, Ceryn continues, “If I don’t see you when I return afterward, take care.” With that he extends his hand and James shakes it.

  “Goodbye, Ceryn. Thanks for all you have done for me.”

  “I’d say we are even. I saved your life, and now you’ve saved mine.” Ceryn says goodbye to Corbin and his family and then heads out the door to the stables where he readies his horse for the ride into town.

  Mary and the girls show James to his room where he finds his backpack and spear already resting in a corner. Devin must have put them there when he took care of the wagon. The room is rather small. James sits on the edge of the bed and finds it to be quite soft and comfortable. The furnishings are sparse, with but a bed, nightstand and a squat three legged stool. There is also a small chest in which to store clothes positioned at the foot of the bed. James lies on the bed and relaxes. A window above his head allows a soft breeze to waft in and soon lulls him to sleep.

  Long before he has any desire to shed the veil of sleep, an annoying rooster beneath his window begins to crow; making a general nuisance of itself. The insistent crowing prevents him from being able to return to sleep. Every time he was about to fall asleep, the rooster would crow, startling him back to consciousness.

  Sighing, he realizes that further sleep is simply impossible with that racket going on outside. He lies in bed for some time hoping the rooster will stop, but the annoying bird seems content to crow all morning long. Exasperated, he finally gives up completely and sits on the edge of the bed. Feeling better for the full night’s sleep, but wishing the rooster had picked a spot farther removed from his window to greet the morning, he gets out of bed and makes his way to the window. It’s a little rooster that stands beneath his window. It cocks its head to one side and looks up at James out of one eye as if to say “Yes? You want something?”

  “Shoo!”

  As if in spite, the rooster crows one last time before walking away.

  The world outside looks to be the beginnings of a beautiful, summer day. The sun has already risen a good distance over the horizon and he spies Corbin and Devin out in the nearby field hard at work. The faint odor of bacon is in the air and his stomach growls. Starving, James makes his way from his room.

  He finds Mary shelling peas at the table where they had dinner the night before. She glances up as he emerges from his room. “Feeling better?”

  About to answer, he waits as a yawn that could not be denied expresses itself. “A little.” His leg did throb, but not nearly to the degree it had yesterday. It must be on the mend.

  “We thought it best not to wake you. Ceryn came by earlier and picked up his wagon. He left for home an hour ago.” Taking another pod, she cracks it open and empties the peas into a bowl already half filled with the round objects. “Corbin and Devin are out in the field, as is Elizabeth. Cyanna is around here somewhere. Are you hungry?”

  The growl from his stomach is all the answer she needs. Smiling, she rises and says, “I know how to fix that.” She taps the chair next to her. “Sit here and I will bring you something.” She sets the empty pod on the discard pile before disappearing into the kitchen only to return a short time later with a plate full of biscuits and a small jar of jam. She places the plate in front of him then returns to the kitchen. When next she emerges, she bears a skillet containing eggs and potatoes from breakfast. She scrapes the rest onto his plate. “The eggs may be a bit cool, they’ve been ready for a while.”

  Cool though the eggs may be, they are very good. He puts a hearty helping of jam on his biscuit and takes a bite. The taste brings back the memories of his grandmother’s biscuits and produces a touch of homesickness.

  “Good breakfast, it reminds me of home.”

  Returning to her peas she smiles at the compliment. “Ceryn says he found you lost in the woods, almost ready to be killed by a pack of wolves?” More a question than statement, she cast him a glance as another pod split under her expert hands.

  “That’s true, he did. If it wasn’t for him I’d be dead.”

  “How did you get in those woods in the first place, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  Not sure what to say he settles for, “It’s kind of hard to explain, really. I don’t exactly know how I got there to tell you the truth.” It was the truth in that he couldn’t tell her exactly, but he did have a few unsubstantiated theories.

  “Poor boy. Are you planning on returning home when your leg heals?”

  James nods. “I intend to, but I may stay around here, at least for a while.” Finishing the last of the breakfast and feeling very satisfied, he sits back and watches her extract peas from the next couple of pods. She has a large pile of them yet to shell. “If you like, I could help you with that. I used to help my grandmother when I was back home.”

  “That would be nice, thank you.”

  Rising, she removes his dirty plates and brings him a bowl. Placing it before him, she divides the pile of peas, giving herself the larger portion, and then they begin shelling in earnest. He feels good about his progress, his bowl fills at a steady pace and soon his hands are shelling like a pro. His pile is nearly reduced by half when Cyanna comes in with the dogs trotting beside her. Spying James shelling peas with her mother, she comes and sits in the chair next to him. The dogs take up position on the floor beneath the table.

  Mary kicks at the dogs and exclaims, “Outside you two!” The dogs hop up and race back outside. “They’d stay in here all day if I let them.”

  James nods and gives her a grin. Taking another pod he splits it open, deposits the peas into his bowl, then reaches for another.

  “Would you like to go see the pond out back?” Cyanna asks. “It’s got lots of ducks in it.”

  James looks at Mary who nods and smiles “Don’t be too long, lunch will be ready in an hour or so. Thank you for your help, James.”

  He had just enough time to blurt out a quick, “Thank you,” before Cyanna grabs his hand and pulls him toward the door.

  Unable to go as fast as she would like due to his leg, she continuously encourages him to hurry up with a firm, steady pull on his arm. “If we don’t hurry, the ducks will all be gone before we even get there.” Once out the front door, the dogs run over to join them on their walk.

  On the way she gives him the grand tour of all the different things to be found on their farm. She points out the chicken house, the dog houses, and all the other things a little girl is interested in.

  Continuing a little farther brings the pond with the ducks into view. He agrees with her that there are a lot of ducks out on the water. There are several different species, none exactly matching any he’d ever seen back home. But ducks are ducks and finding a good spot to sit, they relax and do nothing more than enjoy watching their antics.

  James finds a comfortable spot nestled against the side of a tall tree. Once he’s settled, Cyanna sits right next to him. He couldn’t help but smile.

  “When I was little, my father would take me camping in the mountains near where I grew up. We would hike a long way through the mountains, sometimes taking as much as two days before reaching our campsite. Often, we would camp near a lake and it always felt like we were the first people to have ever been there. Many times we watched the geese as they came in to rest on their trip south.”

  “Where is your father now?”

  “Dead. He’s been gone for some time now.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “Sometimes I really miss him. But he’s never really gone, not as long as I keep him alive in my memories.”

  “Mama and papa are never going to die. They said so.”

  James smiles at her innocence. “That would be good.”

  “And I’m never going to leave them, ever.” The look in her eyes said she meant it wholeheartedly.

  “Later on you may change your mind. Just enjoy the time you have with them now.” Enjoying the pe
ace and quiet, he changes position and lays flat on the ground. Far above them, clouds drift lazily across the sky. Cyanna lays her head next to James’ and over the course of the next hour, they alternate between finding different shapes in the sky and watching the ducks.

  Their quiet morning is eventually interrupted when Cyanna’s mother calls them in for lunch. James felt it was far too soon for lunch, but then realizes that the family had eaten much earlier than had he. Though not really hungry, James allows Cyanna to help him to his feet and back to the farmhouse. The smell of fresh baked bread reaches them long before they near the house.

  Corbin and Devin have already returned from the field. They stand at the well in the front yard, washing the dust and dirt from their hands and faces. As James and Cyanna approach, a rider comes at a gallop up the lane.

  “Corbin!”

  Drying his hands on a towel, Corbin turns toward the rider. “What’s the good word Lor?”

  “The mayor has called an emergency council meeting for this evening. He wants all members to be there an hour before nightfall.”

  Corbin frowns. “What’s this all about?”

  “He didn’t say, only that I make sure to notify all the members and to do it fast.”

  “Tell the mayor I’ll be there.”

  “I shall.” He gives Corbin a nod and then turns his horse about. “I’ll see you tonight.” With that he prods his horse into a gallop and is off.

  Corbin watches Lor depart for a moment then turns to James. “If the mayor is sending Lor to summon the council members for an emergency meeting, there must be trouble afoot.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The council only meets once, maybe twice a month to discuss the area’s business, so this can only be bad news.” He turns to Devin. “You’ll need to finish the south field by yourself, I’m heading into town right after we eat and I may not be back until late.”

  Nodding, Devin enters the house with Cyanna to tell their mother the news. “It would be best if you remain here too.”

  “I understand,” James replies.

  After the meal, Corbin kisses his wife goodbye and heads into town. Devin takes Elizabeth to the south field while James helps Mary with chores that his leg will allow.

  Late afternoon rolls around and Mary begins the preparations for dinner. She sends him out to the well for water. Hobbling out the door with spear in one hand and a bucket in the other, he reaches the well and begins drawing water from deep below. Devin and Elizabeth appear looking tired, sweaty and dirty. He takes a ladle from where it rests on a hook and offers them a drink.

  “Thanks, James,” Elizabeth says as she takes the ladle. Devin doesn’t say much, simply goes to the basin and proceeds to wash off the dirt and grime from his face and hands. James finishing filling the bucket carries it back to the house.

  Giving the water filled bucket to Mary, James then proceeds to set the table. After that, Mary thanks him for his help and suggests he rests until dinner. “It will take a few minutes longer before dinner will be ready. We wouldn’t want you to overtax your leg.”

  It was throbbing something terrible. Nodding, he takes his seat at the table to await dinner.

  Once she deems the stew ready, Mary brings it to the table and calls the others.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for papa?” Cyanna asks as she takes her place next to James.

  Mary shakes her head and spoons stew into Cyanna’s bowl. “Your papa said not to hold dinner, that he would not be home until after dark.” Turning her attention to Devin, she says, “Would you please slice the bread?”

  Nodding, Devin takes the knife and removes sections, passing them around.

  Bread and stew seem to be the mainstay of meals in these parts; first Ceryn, now Mary. Of course, Mary’s is by far the superior of the two.

  Near the end of the meal a horse is heard approaching from down the lane. Cyanna bolts out of her seat and rushes to the window. “It’s Papa!” she exclaims happily, then runs for the door.

  “Cyanna!”

  Ignoring her mother’s cry, she throws open the door and vanishes outside. A moment later, the dogs can be heard raising a cacophony of barking to greet their master’s return.

  Mary walks to the open doorway where she stops. The look she sends outside is one filled with both gladness that her husband has returned, and worry. She steps aside to allow Corbin to enter with Cyanna hugging him around the middle. By the look on Corbin’s face, whatever the meeting with the mayor had been about, it hadn’t been good.

  “Devin, take care of my horse, please.”

  “Ok, Papa.” Taking a last big bite of stew, he takes a slice of bread as he heads out the door to do his father’s bidding.

  As Corbin takes his seat at the table, Mary fills a bowl with stew and sets it before him. “What happened, dear?”

  “The Empire has done what we have feared for so long. It has launched an assault on Madoc.”

  “No,” Mary gasped.

  Corbin took a bite and nodded. “I’m afraid so. They have already pushed several hundred leagues north and have laid siege to the town of Saragon. The Madoc Council has sent runners to Castle Cardri for assistance. One passed through and gave the mayor forewarning.”

  “Are we in danger?”

  “Not at present. Their attack seems to only be against Madoc; so far. Though if Madoc falls, the Kingdom of Cardri will most likely be next.”

  “What does the mayor wish us to do?”

  “Right now there is nothing we can do. It’s the middle of summer and harvest is not far off. We cannot spare anyone. However, if the situation worsens, and they feel Cardri will be threatened, I’m sure levies will be summoned.”

  Elizabeth wrinkles her nose in confusion. “A levy, Papa?”

  He nods. “It’s where they summon all able bodied men for service. I don’t think we have much to be worried about, Devin’s still too young and they don’t enlist girls for fighting.”

  “What about James?” Cyanna asks.

  “James, I’m afraid, would be a prime candidate.” Glancing to James, he continues. “I don’t think you have much to worry about at the moment. If the war does come here, it is still a ways off.”

  James didn’t like what he was hearing. He definitely did not want to go into the army, especially not one in an age where doctors use leeches and hard liquor is the only pain killer to be had. Thinking of documentaries that described the Civil War makes a cold shiver go down his back. No matter how bad it had been then, here it would be worse.

  “The main thing the mayor wants us to do is to keep our eyes open for strangers and people asking a lot of questions. They could be spies scouting for the Empire.” Breaking off a corner from a piece of bread, he sops up the last of the gravy and eats it.

  Cyanna turns wide eyes to James. “Are you a spy?”

  “What?” Startled, he almost chokes on the mouthful of stew he had been in the process of chewing.

  “Cyanna!” her mother scolds. “That is not the sort of question you ask of a guest in your home.”

  Withering under the stern glare of her father, she says quietly to James, “Sorry.”

  “That’s okay,” he replies. “And I’m not a spy, just someone who has lost his way.”

  “That’s good,” she says. “I mean, good you’re not a spy.”

  “Who’s not a spy?” Devin asks as he enters through the door and returns to his seat at the table.

  “James,” Cyanna answers.

  Her brother glances to their guest with much more interest than he had previously shown. “Is he supposed to be one?”

  “No,” Elizabeth joins in, “he is not.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “The problem,” their father interjects sternly, “is people who only hear the end of a conversation.” He glares at his children, quieting them in a way only a father can achieve, then flashes James a smile that lasts only a second.

  Corbin stands and stretches.
“James, let’s take a walk. That is, if your leg is up to it?”

  Surprised by the request, James comes to his feet and nods. “It can make it. The pain is not so bad anymore.”

  “Good, come along then.”

  Motioning for James to follow, he heads for the front door. As they exit, the dogs notice their emergence and run over to fall in behind Corbin as he and James make their way to the stables.

  “I wanted to talk with you privately. Ceryn told me everything about your time with him. I know you’re a mage.” Holding up his hand, he stops James from commenting. “I’m a pretty good judge of people and I don’t get any feelings of evil about you, so your being a mage doesn’t bother me. I haven’t told anyone else and as far as I know, only Ceryn and I am aware of this.

  “But there was more than The Empire’s thrust into Madoc that has the mayor concerned. We’ve known the Empire has been on the verge of attacking for several years. What preparations could be made, have been.” He reaches down and scratches Tor’s head absentmindedly.

  “No, what I wanted to talk with you about has to do with something else. Several nights ago, Hern, a farmer that lives a few miles out of town near the Forest’s fringe has disappeared. The day before, he asked a neighbor for help in getting rid of a stump in his field. When the neighbor arrived, he discovered Hern’s front door open. There was no sign of Hern outside, so the neighbor went inside to investigate. Hern was not there either.

  “The table had been set for dinner. His plate was clean, as if he had just pulled it down off the shelf. A bowl of stew sat on the table; it hadn’t been touched. The neighbor then rushed outside calling Hern’s name but never received an answer. Both inside and out, there weren’t any signs of a struggle.

  “So far, no sign of Hern has been found though the entire area has been scoured. Those living closest claim they hadn’t seen or heard anything strange the night before.”

  James glanced uncertainly at his host. “What does this have to do with me?”

  “Nothing directly, but let me finish, please.” Getting a nod from James he continues.