The Mage's Path

by Lionel Vicknair

  As predicted, it came, but Rizzo was already shifting his body to duck. The sword swooped over his head and simultaneously Rizzo thrust his sword forward. Will used the momentum of his missed swing and rolled to the side, back on his feet in an instant and ready to defend. He lowered his sword and smiled.

  “Well, I can tell that you have never held a sword before,” said Will. “But you have a fighter’s instincts, which is all you need. I can teach you the rest if you want to learn.”

  “When can I start?” answered Rizzo eagerly, wanting to begin quickly. He reached into his cloak to pull out his coin pouch, but Will held up a hand to stop him.

  “We can start now, but I already said the first lesson will be free.” Will said. Rizzo respected him for not wavering when it came to being a man of his word. “But I didn’t say it was going to be easy.”

  Will walked to the weapon rack and grabbed one of the metal swords, feeling its weight and then walking back over to Rizzo, handing him the sword. It was so heavy he almost dropped it, having to grip it with both hands to lift it up.

  “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that,” said Rizzo.

  “First thing you will need to do is get your body used to the weight of a sword,” said Will. “Best way to do that is to build up some muscle by hitting practice dummies.” He walked him over to the straw practice dummies standing in a line. “Now, when you hit these, I can gauge the strength of your strikes by how deep you cut. Go ahead and give it your best shot.”

  He stepped back to give Rizzo some room. He picked the sword up high over his head, then came down as hard as he could, sinking the blade into the dummy at an angle and getting it stuck. He put his foot on the post and pulled hard, yanking it out and stumbling backward.

  “That’s a sword, not an axe. When you attack, try to use slashing swings rather than chopping,” said Will as he went to Rizzo and lifted his arms, positioning him into a proper sword fighting stance. “Also, know that when using a sword, your feet are just as important as your hands.” He moved Rizzo’s feet so they were shoulder length apart. “Use your body when you swing, not just your arms. There, now try. And remember, slashing swings.”

  Will stepped back, and Rizzo swung the sword at the dummy again, trying to follow Will’s advice to make a slashing swing. The sword sliced through, cutting only a little way into the straw, but not getting stuck.

  “It’s definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be,” said Rizzo. “How many swings should it take to cut all the way through?”

  Will didn’t say anything. He just smiled and went over to the weapons rack and grabbed one of the much larger swords, then carried it over to the dummies. He reared back, and with one massive swing, cleaved the dummy in half. Casually, he walked to put the sword back up.

  “It will get easier as you get stronger,” said Will as Rizzo stared at him open-mouthed, thinking to himself that no person should be that strong. He was smiling wickedly as he walked back over. “And the only way to get stronger is by training. You will be done for the day once you manage to cut completely through four of these.” Rizzo groaned, having doubts about whether he could last that long.

  Chapter ten

  Months went by with Rizzo never taking a job listing off the board, feeling he still wasn’t ready. Garen had started offering him some of the better jobs before they even went to the board, hoping it would tempt him. But, he still refused.

  Vosh, on the other hand, tried to take all that he was allowed, quickly making a name for himself and drawing the attention of the other members. He was at home here, more than ever before.

  The guild fees along with the weapon classes had almost depleted the coin Rizzo had from the first job and the wager from Eddy. But there were times he had to survive with less. For the first few months, Selena kept pushing him to take a job. But it had been quite some time since he had seen her last. Rizzo started getting worried, thinking something may have happened to her. But whenever he asked Garen where she was, he was told that she was on a job.

  One day, Garen came to Rizzo while he was in the training room with Vosh. They had just started running the course when he walked in and he waited patiently until they were done.

  “I was hoping to find you in here,” said Garen. It was well known that Rizzo was always in here at this time of day. “I have some great news.”

  “Whatever job it is, I’m not interested,” said Rizzo, knowing why he was here.

  “You will want to take this job though,” said Garen.

  “There is nothing that will get me to take a job,” said Rizzo.

  “That’s a shame,” said Garen. “I figured of all people, you would be the one to want to help Selena.” He made it sound like she was in trouble.

  “What do you mean?” asked Rizzo nervously, having not heard anything about her in weeks. “Is she ok?”

  “Sorry, but I can’t tell you anything else,” replied Garen as Rizzo took the bait. He kept a serious face, which Rizzo had grown to know that meant he was lying. “The information is privileged to the people working the job.”

  Rizzo’s face twisted with frustration. He knew it was a trick to get him to do another job, but if there was a chance that Selena needed help, then he had to go. She would do the same if the roles were reversed.

  “Fine, I’ll go,” said Rizzo, admitting defeat. “But only on one condition. Vosh has to come with me.” He felt that if they worked together, he had a much better chance of success.

  “If he’s alright with it, then I don’t see why not,” said Garen as he looked to Vosh. “Well, what do you say?”

  “Of course, I’m in,” said Vosh. “Someone has to keep Rizzo out of trouble. What’s the job?”

  “Excellent!” said Garen, a little too excitedly. “Let me fill you in on the details. Selena has been living at the Lancaster household for the past few weeks, trying to get information.” Rizzo knew that name… It was Lodin’s family name. “She’s been trying to find where their family vault is at. She just sent word that she found the room, but she is unable to break into it. She’s only been allowed to live at the Lancaster house by playing into the rouse of falling for Lodin’s courtship. But her rouse has worked a little too well, and now he will not let her out of his sight.” Rizzo’s stomach turned from thinking about them being together. He had to keep reminding himself that it was just an act.

  “Is there something specific she’s after?” asked Vosh.

  Rizzo had a good idea what she was after though, the Dragon’s Eye Gemstone that Matt had said was sold to the Lancaster house. Even though it was months ago, the memory of that night was stuck in his mind like it just happened yesterday. He knew nothing about the gem, except that Matt died trying to get information about it.

  “She’s after a priceless gemstone,” said Garen, a hint of longing in his voice. “It’s an artifact that I’ve been trying to get my hands on for as long as I’ve been a member of the guild.”

  “The Dragon’s Eye Gemstone?” asked Rizzo, causing Garen to look at him with surprise.

  “Yes, that’s it,” said Garen. “How’d you know?”

  “From the night when Matt said that was the information you wanted,” said Rizzo. “He mentioned it was with the Lancaster household.”

  “Why do you want that gem so bad?” asked Vosh.

  “It’s one of the only enchanted items in Sartram,” said Garen, catching Rizzo’s attention. If it was magic, it may help him figure out if what he saw around that door was magic as well. He kept quiet though, not wanting anyone else to know of his strange ability. “It’s said that whoever wields it will have mastery over the element of fire. From what I hear, the mages in Ancalen have been trying to get their hands on it for years. They have offered outrageous prices for that gem, but the nobles who have owned it are too greedy to let Ancalen have it. Someone could live out the rest of their life in luxury if they sold that gem.”

  “Good enough reason,” said Vosh. “So, how does this work? Are
you going to give us some passes to the Noble’s District so we can break in and steal it?”

  “Oh no, it won’t be that easy,” said Garen. “This is the vault of the richest noble in the city. Believe me, it’s even more heavily guarded than the prison. But Selena already has our way in. She told Lodin that she has some family members in need of work.”

  “Sounds like this should be a pretty easy job if she already knows where the room is,” said Vosh. Rizzo had his doubts though, knowing that if she needed their help, there had to be a catch.

  “It only sounds easy because we don’t know much about the job,” said Garen. “But they have the best guards coin can buy, and plenty of them. So, don’t take this lightly.”

  “We won’t,” said Rizzo, he had no intention of taking any job lightly, no matter how easy or difficult. “I’ll make sure of it. When are we supposed to be meeting with Lodin?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon,” said Garen. “The guards might search you as you enter the household, so you will be limited on the supplies you can bring. I wouldn’t try to bring anything more than a small lockpick.”

  Both boys nodded that they understood. They went over the details of their assignment, wanting to make sure everything was planned perfectly. Rizzo was nervous about going on another job but knowing Vosh and Selena would be there to help made it somewhat better.

  Rizzo couldn’t help but think about the door as the two walked up to the Noble’s Gate once again. Garen had given them another pass that allowed them inside, and this time he was a lot more confident when he encountered the gate guards.

  They made it inside without a problem, but on their way to the Lancaster house, the two had to pass close to the market. Rizzo looked toward the door eagerly and then saw Vosh doing everything he could to avoid looking the same way.

  It seemed an eternity since he saw the door, and now that he finally was back in the Noble’s District, he could think of nothing else.

  “I wonder if that shop in the market is open now,” said Rizzo, casually trying to lead the conversation. Vosh twitched at the mention of the shop.

  “I hope it burned to the ground,” said Vosh. “I still get chills every time I think of it.” It was clear that if Rizzo wanted to see that shop again, he would have to go alone.

  “It’s not like it was dangerous,” said Rizzo. He knew that Vosh was not comfortable with things he didn’t understand.

  “Didn’t we agree to never speak of that again?” said Vosh sounding irritated, making Rizzo decide to keep silent for the rest of the walk.

  When they made it to the Lancaster house, Rizzo looked up to the largest home he had ever seen. It was taller than the walls around the city and had an iron gate with short stone walls surrounding it.

  A rock path led from the gate entrance to the front door that forked in the middle to go around a fountain, spurting water high into the air. People were outside trimming the bushes around the house, and several armed guards patrolled the perimeter. They walked up to the guards at the gate, who looked down their noses at them.

  “State your business,” said one of the guards.

  “We are here for Selena,” said Rizzo before Vosh could speak, causing a look of surprise since he had never taken the lead before. He was eager though, wanting to see Selena and make sure she was ok. “We are her cousins and we were promised work.”

  “Wait here,” said the guard. He opened the gate and walked inside towards the house. After what seemed like forever, he returned with both Lodin and Selena.

  “Robert, Chase!” said Selena excitedly as they approached. “It’s been too long since we last saw each other.” Rizzo caught on quickly to the fact that Selena was trying to get the first words in and mention their names. More than likely Lodin had already asked questions about who they were.

  “It most certainly has been,” said Rizzo, as he smiled at her. She came up and hugged them both, then turned back towards Lodin.

  “I would like you to meet Lodin,” said Selena, as she motioned towards him. Rizzo fought to keep the feeling of disgust and contempt from showing, remembering who he was all too well. Lodin walked over to them and extended his hand in greeting.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” said Lodin sounding kind and friendly. He knew it was only an act for Selena though. Lodin’s eyes narrowed as if he was studying Rizzo. “Have we met before? You look very familiar.” It had been almost a year since that night in the inn when he was humiliated in front of a crowd of people, and he did not think he would have been recognized.

  “Not likely,” said Vosh, as he smiled and went to shake Lodin’s hand, trying to draw away his attention. “We don’t get too many opportunities to meet many high standing nobles such as yourself. I’m Chase by the way and this here is my brother Robert.”

  “They are simple farmers dear,” said Selena, as she gently placed her hand in the center of Lodin’s back. “It’s not often that they come inside the city.” She was good, having given their names and a bit about who they were supposed to be.

  “You must have one of those familiar faces,” said Lodin. “But to business, I hear you two are in need of some work?”

  “Desperately,” said Vosh. “Our harvests these past few seasons have been getting smaller and smaller. We’ve been struggling just to make ends meet.”

  “That’s a shame,” said Lodin with little sympathy. “Well, we can always use some help in the stables. Considering you two are farmers, I’m sure you know a thing or two about horses.” Rizzo worried, having never even touched a horse before.

  “You don’t have any work inside the house?” asked Selena. Clearly Lodin had not told her what kind of job he would give them.

  “My father is very strict about who he lets inside,” said Lodin. “If you two prove yourselves to be trustworthy, maybe in a year or so we can consider it.” Vosh looked at Rizzo with a worried expression, but he was already thinking the same thing.

  How are we going to steal something from the house if we aren’t even allowed inside, he though?

  “That’s fine,” said Rizzo, realizing he didn’t have a choice. Garen’s words about this job not being easy rang in his ears. “We will take whatever we can get.”

  “Good,” said Lodin. “Then let’s head to the stables. We have an important dinner date tonight with a member of the royal family that we can’t be late for. Selena, why don’t you go inside and freshen up while I explain to your cousins what their responsibilities will be.”

  “That sounds like a good idea,” said Selena. “We can catch up some other time. It has been great seeing you both again.” She walked over and hugged Rizzo, causing him to blush as he felt her hand slide up his back and under his shirt, then tuck something inside the lining of his pants. She then hugged Vosh and retreated to the house. When she was gone, Lodin nodded to the guards and they patted them down to make sure they had no weapons. Luckily, they weren’t thorough enough to find the small piece of paper. The guards signaled that they were ok.

  “Follow me,” said Lodin as he turned and walked towards the side of the house, the friendliness gone from his voice.

  He led them towards the back of the estate where there were over a dozen horses standing around in their stalls inside the stables, beautifully groomed and seemingly well taken care of. A man, old but strong looking, had one horse outside and was brushing him. He stopped as they approached and looked at Lodin.

  “These two are here to lend you a hand,” said Lodin, but the old man didn’t seem pleased.

  “I don’t need any help,” said the man. “I’ve been taking care of your father’s horses by myself for over twenty years.”

  “Exactly,” said Lodin. “You are getting old and we need to start thinking about a replacement for when you die.” He was back to acting exactly how they remembered. The old man scowled but said nothing. “If you have a problem with that, we can always replace you early.” The man was obviously offended but kept his mouth shut. “Good, then
why don’t you show these two around a bit.” He didn’t give the man a chance to answer and turned to walk away.

  “We don’t mean to cause you any trouble,” said Rizzo once Lodin was out of earshot. “We are only trying to find work to feed ourselves.”

  “I know son,” said the old man. “It’s not your fault. One of these days I’m going to give that prick what he deserves.” It seemed everyone despised Lodin. “I’m Bill by the way.”

  “Nice to meet you,” said Vosh. “I’m Chase and this here is my brother Robert.”

  “You two don’t look much alike to be brothers,” said Bill, he waved it away as not important though. “But anyways, I’m the one in charge of these stables. How much do you two know about horses?” Rizzo and Vosh both looked at each other, unsure of whether they should pretend to know or tell the truth.

  “Very little I’m afraid,” said Rizzo, deciding he would discover one way or another. “But we are hard workers and quick learners.”

  “Well, how much do you know about picking up horse shit?” Bill chuckled at his own joke.

  Rizzo chuckled a little, unsure if he was serious. They had dealt with much worse in the Slums though. Bill turned and walked over to a door on the stables and walked inside, coming out a few seconds later with shovels in hand. Clearly, he wasn’t kidding.

  “There’s a wheel barrel inside that you can use to haul the shit away after it’s full, and a pit in the back to dump it. Be careful not to spook the horses when you’re in their stall though or they might kick you.”

  They reluctantly grabbed the shovels and went inside to look for the wheel barrel. Bill followed them and watched as they started their work. Rizzo was unsure if he was watching to make sure they did the work, or just because he enjoyed watching someone else shovel the horse dung for a change. After a few minutes, he walked away and went back to brushing the horse outside.