The King's Sorcerer (The Caldronian Guild Book 3)

by Andrew G. Wood

  The King’s Sorcerer.

  Book Three : The Caldronian Guild

  Copyright© Andrew G. Wood

  2017

  ISBN-13: 978-1543184976

  ISBN-10: 1543184979

  All Rights Reserved.

  Other titles :

  The Chronicles of Elemental Magic

  Book One: Rise of the Darekians

  Book Two: Holding the Line

  Book Three: Prince of Magic

  The New Chronicles of Elemental Magic

  Book One: A New Threat

  Book Two: The Zulani Empire

  The Sulbria Chronicles

  Return of the Phoenix

  The Kothian Chronicles

  The Elementalist

  The Elementalist : Battle of the Mind

  The Elementalist : Next of Kin

  Chosen : A Gift of Power

  The Caldronian Guild :

  Book One : The Apprentice Sorcerer

  Book Two : The Rogue Sorcerer

  Prologue.

  King Oribe of Belaria sat proudly atop of the walls at Hexley cross. He looked northwards, out across the Caldronian countryside at the lands he still had to conquer. With his first victory achieved and having suffered only minor losses to his own forces, he had dealt the Caldronians a heavy blow.

  Having failed in his previous attempt to conquer the capital Surmont, Oribe felt confident this time he would succeed. Despite knowing the enemy had been, and as far as he knew, were still trying to recruit numbers into their guild, he had by far the superior numbers. With his own sorcerers practised in methods not used by their Caldronian counterparts, he also felt he had the upper hand in skills.

  Leo, the young Caldronian Guild apprentice who had all but single-handedly repelled the first attack on Surmont, had since started feeling the pressure of his status. Having felt the injustice of the guild executing Mia, he was still finding it hard to come to terms with what had happened; especially after it was confirmed she had been with child at the time.

  However, thanks to his close circle of friends within the guild he was slowly returning to his usual routine. The one-on-one lessons with Daron, the King’s Sorcerer, were still as yet to continue, as Leo was still deemed not to be in the right frame of mind to do so.

  Since Leo’s success in mentoring the new apprentice called Chad, the Caldronian Guild had started pairing off others in a similar fashion. Hoping when the time came the newer members might be ready to help defend the city when the next attack came.

  Chapter 1.

  King Haldar sat with his son eating their evening meal. The young prince was clearly glad to be back home after spending several weeks hiding out at the northern town of Riverdale. However, with news that the Belarians were once more on the move, the king realised such an arrangement may have to be a very short lived one.

  Despite the knowledge that one of his southern towns Hexley Cross was, according to the latest reports under attack, Haldar sat determined to enjoy the time with his son. The town had repelled such an attack before and the king was hopeful, if not overly confident of it doing so again.

  The prince had clearly been impressed by the Guild sorcerers on his journey home a few weeks earlier. As a result of this, the young royal had visited the guild building several times to see the apprentices practicing their magic. Although these small excursions were problematic as far as security went, the king was happy to arrange it just to see his son happy.

  The one person who appeared to have made an impression on the young prince more than any other was Leo. The sorcerer had helped escort the prince from Riverdale back to the capital, repelling an attack from rogue magicians on route. Haldar had already heard the story several times over, but he did however let his son explain the series of events yet again. Haldar smiled as his son gesticulated with his hands pretending he was Leo, the apprentice he was imitating. “Whoosh,” the lad went, “And one of the attackers went fly backwards,” he added before picking up his spoon to start his first course.

  The king knew exactly the series of events that had occurred on the prince’s return journey, and although the prince clearly witnessed them from his own perspective, he did not correct the lad. “Come on Kellan eat up,” The king asked, realising his son was spending more time talking and playing than actually eating.

  No sooner had he said that when a further knock came at the private dining room door. “Enter!” the king said placing his own cutlery back down. Haldar felt his heart drop as he watched a young messenger appear and after bowing his head stepped forward with a small folded piece of paper.

  After thanking the messenger, Haldar felt his hands trembling, knowing the news contained within would likely not be good. After taking a deep breath, he slowly opened up the paper and sighed; Hexley cross had fallen. The war had clearly stepped up another level, and with the Belarians conquering the nations southern stronghold, Haldar knew only too well that the capital would likely be next.

  Not wanting to spoil the time spent with his son, he placed the note down and continued eating, gesturing for the prince to do likewise. “Is everything okay Father?” the lad asked clearly sensing something was not. Haldar forced a smile and nodded, “Nothing for you to worry about,” he replied before once more asking his son to eat.

  Despite trying to put on a brave front, inside Haldar felt panicked and worried for what the future might hold. With the Belarians already advancing he needed to once more think about sending his son out of the capital, knowing that the longer he left it the riskier such a move would be. The fact that there had been some trouble in transporting his son back to Surmont though was casting doubts in the king’s mind as to whether he might just be safer in the capital after all.

  Haldar did not rush his meal, and even waited patiently for Kellan to finish before finally conceding he needed to return to his office. After leaving the prince in the capable hands of his staff, the king eventually headed down one of the many corridors that criss-crossed the palace towards his study, shadowed by his usual entourage of guards. Already waiting his arrival outside the door were his Sorcerer Daron and two of his advisors, whom he waved in before doing so himself.

  After siting himself down behind his desk, Haldar waited for the others to do likewise before sharing the news he had received. After cupping his hands together, he leaned forward, “Hexley Cross has fallen,” he said feeling his voice get a little emotional at having to say the words aloud. Thankfully those in the room remained silent and did not give their opinions, letting the king give his thoughts uninterrupted. “I am considering sending a large force out to retake the town,” he added looking around at the faces before him to judge for a reaction.

  Daron shook his head as two of the king’s senior advisors thought it a particularly good idea. Although he knew his opinion would be asked in due course, the King’s sorcerer considered it an awful idea. He knew if the king and the others did not yet think so, that the nations forces were not large enough or powerful enough to go on the offensive. Their strength lay together behind the strong walls of Surmont, although even Daron had to concede that since the last attack on the capital, having walls to hide behind counted for a lot less than he would have thought previously.

  Daron had to force himself to remain unspoken as he listened to one of the advisors suggest an all-out attack with everything at their disposal. Thankfully even the king dismissed the idea as folly, “I think we should at least keep something in reserve to protect the capital,” he replied.

  “Why not send Daron and this boy we hear so much about?” One of them suggested.

  The king turned to look at h
is sorcerer, before returning his gaze to the man making the suggestion, “You mean Leo?”

  “If all we hear is true, both Daron and this Leo could single-handedly send the Belarians scurrying back across the border,” the man said looking to his fellow advisor for some kind of support.

  Daron had decided he had heard enough and thought he should speak now before the king actually agreed to any of these awful suggestions. “I am here to protect the king and as powerful as Leo is, he is still a boy and not even in the frame of mind to train at the moment, never mind battle,” Daron said speaking a little louder than was probably needed.

  The king held up a hand as one of the advisors went to answer, silencing him before he had chance to start speaking. “Thank you gentlemen, I will consider all the options and make a decision tomorrow,” He declared gesturing for them to leave despite them only briefly discussing the matter at hand. Daron also went to leave but the king quickly called him back, “Please stay,” he asked. The sorcerer bowed his head slightly acknowledging the request and waited for the others to leave the room before closing the door.

  Noticing the worry on his king’s face, Daron decided to let the man speak before making any suggestion about what they should or should not be doing. “I have had another report, but I am unsure as to what I should be reading into it,” the king said leaning back in his seat. He explained that scouts in the northeast had spotted a significant build-up of troops on the border with Farasavia. “They fly the king’s own colours, so are there by his bidding alone, although for what purpose I do not know.”

  Daron listened, nodding every now and then, knowing that their neighbouring countries had both already stipulated they did not wish to get embroiled in any war with Belaria. However, if indeed the Farasavian king was moving his own forces nearer to the Caldronian border then it must be for a purpose. More worrying was the fact that it had only been the king’s soldiers that were congregating.

  Farasavia was a nation plagued with internal bickering and skirmishes, with the king only holding overall power due to the fact he had the largest army. The nobles, barons and rich landowners constantly quarrelled with each other, and would only likely unite if the country was actually in danger of being invaded, or if the King forced them to do so.

  “You think the king is thinking of aiding us after all?” Daron asked trying to judge Haldar’s line of thinking. The king shook his head, “No, unfortunately I fear his intentions are not good ones,” he replied almost instantly. Daron agreed, “You think he is hoping to take advantage of our current situation?”

  “I do, although I fear there is little I can do to stop him if he did.”

  Daron remained calm, all too aware that Caldronia was clinging on to its very existence. If Farasavia wanted to attack from the north, he knew as the king did, that there was nothing in place to stop them other than the small garrisons in the towns located there. In their favour at least the northern towns were suitably fortified, mainly due to conflicts long since fought and the fact they oversaw the rich mining areas.

  Haldar explained that he had even written a missive to the Farasavian King asking his intentions, but as yet had not received any reply. “You think perhaps we should try once more to seek an ally of Arandor?” Daron enquired.

  “I’ve already done that as well,” came a rather deflated sounding reply. Judging by the tone of the response Daron assumed the king had not received any positive news from that either.

  “I figure we have a few days. The enemy will want to prepare and make sure they are at full strength before they move on Surmont,” the sorcerer added. The king nodded, “I assumed as much.”

  “Perhaps it is time to think about moving Kellan,” Daron asked judging for a reaction as he spoke.” There was a short silence before Haldar answered, “I think he is safer here with me. If the Farasavians are intent on taking some of the northern towns, they are not as safe as they once were.”

  Despite knowing having the prince staying in Surmont would evidently mean more guards to keep them safe, and less defending the city, he kept his opinion to himself. “I want every able-bodied man and strong lad able to wield a weapon ready to fight,” the king said planting his hands down in the desk in front of him. “If we are going down, then let us do so fighting,” he added showing his defiance in the face of what was looking like insurmountable odds.

  Although Daron did not want to contemplate the worst case scenario he felt it only prudent to have an escape plan for the king just in case. However, the monarch was adamant that he would be standing with his people and had no intention of going anywhere. The young prince though was to be extracted if things appeared to be going against them. A small group of guild members would keep the youngster safe, and take him to Arandor.

  Daron was a little bemused by the request, and asked why Haldar wanted his son to go to a nation that had no intention of aiding them. “The queen may be a bitter old woman and unsympathetic to our cause, but I am certain she would see Kellan kept safe. Despite the king’s earlier optimism, it was clear the man had considered that Caldronia as a nation was likely to fall. “If the worst happens Daron I want you to lead as many as we can to safety.”

  “If the worst happens Sire, I think I will be amongst those fallen,” the sorcerer replied candidly suggesting he was intent on fighting until the end.

  He suggested the king move to the safe rooms along with his son, yet Haldar however was having none of it. “Kellan can stay in there. I on the other hand am intent on fighting. I cannot expect the people to die in my name whilst I hide away in the palace.” Although under normal circumstances Daron would have insisted that should not be the case, he let the matter drop.

  With probably a couple of days at most to prepare, Daron set off with a new purpose down the corridor towards the guild building. Even the new apprentices would have to put themselves on the line, utilising what few skills they may have learned during their short time there.

  Daron had always considered himself an optimist yet this time he felt different. With the enemy amassing to the south and their so-called allies even contemplating a move in the northeast, the very future of Caldronia looked doubtful. Once more it would be up to him and those of the guild to punch above their weight and see to it that their small nation remained at the end of it. There would likely be casualties, probably lots of them, but it was a sacrifice that would once more have to be made to preserve their very future.

  Chapter 2.

  Oribe had listened to his own advisors after their significant victory at Hexley Cross. Although the town was not large or indeed particularly valuable, it had certainly made a huge statement of intent on his behalf. This after all was a town he had failed to take on the Belarian’s first wave of attacks, and was a sign that they had improved and learned from that previous attempt.

  His generals had advised that they rest for a few days before sending everything they had at the capital Surmont. Oribe however was not always one to listen to advice and often did the complete opposite to what was being suggested; sometimes with disastrous consequences and sometimes not.

  Oribe felt good after sharing his bed with a young girl he had picked up off the streets of Hexley Cross, a trophy-catch he had called her before ending her young life once he had enjoyed the pleasures she had to offer. With his needs satisfied he had felt revitalised when he had come up with the plan for the next stage of his attack.

  After his own officers had advised him to prepare for the next day or two, it could probably be assumed that is also what the enemy would expect them to be doing. His initial idea of running amok around the country in an attempt to draw the capitals forces out, had quickly been dismissed after someone had pointed out that is exactly what his forces had been doing since the original attack. Oribe had been forced to admit that idea was probably not his best, but the one he was carrying out now surely would be.

  Utilising every horse, wagon, cart and carriage at his disposal Oribe was sending as much
of his army northwards. Using the cover of darkness, he hoped to appear outside the walls of Surmont by morning and all being well, catch the Caldronians still asleep in their beds. Those not on horseback or crammed into the wagons, would have to make their way north by foot and probably arrive after the battle had been fought.

  Knowing he only needed to keep a very small force of regular soldiers in Hexley Cross to keep the local residents from attempting to retake the town, he could afford to send forth the bulk of his force. With those smaller groups from the previous campaign having been left to wreak havoc in Caldronia, now accumulating around the capital for the imminent attack, adding to his numbers further. In addition, Oribe was also aware that he had a small number of operatives still residing in Surmont. However, getting a message to these to notify them of his plans had been slightly more problematic, and hoped they would just join the battle when they realised he was attacking.

  Oribe was not so foolish to belief an army the size of the one he was moving northwards would not go unnoticed. The Caldronian guild would surely have patrols of rangers scouting the area, and although it was now pitch black, such an army would be difficult to keep under wraps. Hence, it was now a battle between keeping up a good pace and trying to remain as discreet as such a force could.