Progress was slow, and although the bags he carried seemed to be getting heavier by the minute, Leo kept his complaints to himself. The group remained relatively silent as they walked amongst the trees, keeping conversation to a minimum; not for any reason they might be heard, but purely because nobody seemed to want to talk. Leo felt the straps on the bag digging in once more, constantly shuffling it so it did not stay in the same spot for any length of time. “Would you like me to take that Sir?” Came a voice from behind. Leo turned, albeit a little belatedly as he originally thought the words were not directed at him.
“Sorry?” Leo said turning his head but still walking, looking at one of the soldiers. A lad of similar age to himself, although a little taller but not overly stock as most young warriors appeared to be. Leo thought perhaps the guild had maybe lowered their criteria somewhat when picking this particular lad. “Would you like me to carry the bag Sir?” the question was reiterated. Leo was certainly not going to turn down the offer of help, and as much as he wanted to look like he was not suffering, he felt he had certainly carried it long enough. “Thanks. Please be my guest,” he replied not remembering the lad’s name.
“It is Lucas Sir, and no problem, only glad to help.”
After removing the bag and handing it over to Lucas, Leo felt movement much easier. The fact Lucas referred to him as ‘Sir’ did not overly bother him, although he was unsure as to why the lad had done so; a debate for another time. Progress was undoubtedly slow being as they were all carrying packs and on foot. Although Leo did not know exactly how far Arandor was, he knew at their current speed it would surely take weeks to get even close; what they needed was horses.
As if the very idea had been sounded out loud, Alec stopped and turned to the group. “Okay, tonight we will stop at a town known as Barnham. Where, if all goes well we can eat and rest in relative comfort. More importantly, we should also have horses waiting for us.” He explained that before their departure, several messenger birds had been hastily sent out to various stop-off points along their journey. Everything being well, those messages should have been received, and if luck were on their side there should be supplies and aid awaiting them at those points.
Barnham was not quite what Leo had expected. Most of the towns he had stopped off at during his previous travels had been much larger affairs. This place was little more than a village, which appeared to have a main farmstead at its core and several houses built up around it. Apparently the owner of the largest home at the centre was a second cousin of the king, and could be trusted to help them as needed.
Jon had taken his scouting duties seriously, making small runs off into the distance and returning regularly to give an update about what approached. Leo had to admire the lad’s stamina, despite his size, not only did he run about keeping them updated, but he also carried a pack the same as everyone else. Sasha had certainly made a wise pick when selecting him, despite everyone’s reservations when she had done so.
Their approach to Barnham was uneventful, as Jon returned once more to tell them the place appeared to be as it should. Alec, whom Leo presumed was in charge, passed the news on to the young prince before announcing it to the rest of the group. They spotted several workers out in the fields, probably checking the crops and preparing them for harvesting. The year was quickly passing them by, and although the months were still warm and long, it would not be too long before all that would change.
On seeing the small group approach, a few of the workers could be seen running towards the main building. By the time they eventually walked up to the first of the outlying buildings, they were met by a greeting party similar in number to their own. Leo noticed how the man at the centre wore exactly the same clothes as the workers stood about him, and not finely dressed as he expected a cousin to the king might have been.
“Greetings Kellan!” The man said in a deep tone. “You are certainly much bigger than last time I saw you,” adding a big warming smile.
“Hello Thomas,” the young prince replied stepping forward to the front of the group. Leo was uncertain, as a King’s sorcerer, such as he was, whether or not he was supposed to be at the prince’s side, so after a little hesitation decided he should probably step up alongside the young royal.
The man known as Thomas looked at Leo, before chuckling, “Don’t worry young man, I mean Kellan no harm.” In all honesty Leo did not expect any trouble from the man, but just felt he was doing the job he was tasked by doing so. “Come, you must all be weary. I’ll have some refreshments made,” Thomas then said gesturing for them to follow. Although Leo trusted this Thomas, mainly because it was clear the prince knew the man, the same could not be said for the others around them.
Leo kept a watchful eye on the farmhands that had stood waiting with Thomas, noticing two actually wore short swords at their waist. One of the men, noticed Leo looking at him, “Troubled times lad. We carry these all the time,” he said placing a hand on the hilt of the weapon in question. Leo stared for a moment, before nodding his understanding.
The group were led towards the main house at the centre of the settlement, and although it was quite large, did not really look like a royal residence. The thought of spending the night in the comfort of a house were soon short lived however, as Thomas explained he would not have the rooms to put them all up in beds. “I thought you Kellan could use our spare room, the others will have to make do with the bunk house out the back.” Leo was somewhat surprised by the young prince’s response, as he rebuked the offer. “I will stay with the others if you don’t mind Thomas,” the youngster replied.
After an awkward few moments, Thomas nodded, “As you wish. I’m sorry I just don’t have the room for all your friends as well,” he apologised. Kellan just shrugged, “It would only be fair,” he replied sounding quite level headed and down to earth for a royal. Leo had never really thought of them as normal people. After all, how many others had servants running around at their beckon call, bowing their heads subserviently and carrying out orders without question. Having had several dealings with the king, Leo had always felt a little nervous when in his presence, yet strangely had not felt the same trepidation when with the prince.
After taking a slight detour, as they no longer needed to go into the house, they walked around to the rear where a long single storied building ran parallel to the main house. “We usually use the bunkhouse during sowing and harvesting season when we employ more people, but you should find it suitable for a good night’s rest,” Thomas told them all as a group as opposed to just the prince. “I’ll let you get settled. Would you be eating with the family Kellan?” he enquired not sure whether the lad would want to stay with the group for that as well. Kellan smiled, “Thankyou Thomas, that would be lovely,” came the reply. Leo noticed the acceptance had certainly cheered the king’s cousin up, and watched a moment as he walked off with a spring in his very large steps.
The bunkhouse was actually little different from a having a normal bedroom, other than it was much larger and had bunk beds as opposed to just singles. The floors were bare timber, but clean, and down the far end were three washstands, all with clean white towels stacked beside. The linen on the beds appeared to be clean and freshly laundered and running down the centre of the room was a long table where they could all sit and eat; well apart from Kellan who had agreed to dine with Thomas and the rest of his family.
Once they had all selected a bunk, the group were brought in simple refreshments. This mainly consisted of a few cold meats, cheeses and sliced bread, served with as much tea as they could drink; more than enough to keep them satisfied until the evening meal was served. Leo thought the time they had would be best suited to learning more about the others in the group. After all, he would need to know just how limited or knowledgeable the others were. Chad, he already knew was quite an accomplished sorcerer especially considering he had not had much time in training. The one-on-one tutoring had clearly worked wonders for him, shame the proposal for mentori
ng all other sorcerers never had time to take effect.
Kellan, as the crown prince of Caldronia was obviously in actual command of the group, and despite them all being little more than children, they would all be expected to put their lives on the line to keep him safe. Leo was somewhat surprised when Alec informed him of who was actually second in command. He had just automatically assumed it to be Alec, especially as it was his friend that had lead them so well from the city. “No Leo. You are to be our leader. You are after all the key man of the group.”
“Pfft. You are kidding…you are kidding aren’t you?” Leo replied starting to look rather worried.
The others all sat around the long table started chuckling and giggling, as Leo’s look turned to one of horror. “Oh Bloody Hell!” he mumbled. Even the young prince, who had decided to join the group as his own evening meal would not yet be ready for some time, thought the situation funny. “Come on Alec…you would be a far better leader than me. I mean, I can’t even read a map…in fact I can hardly read at all,” Leo said finding a suitable argument hard to come by. Alec smiled, “Sorry Leo. You are the King’s Sorcerer and protector of the prince. The king instructed me to see you were the one put in charge.”
Leo suddenly felt the trip had taken a definite downturn. He was no leader, surely they could not expect him to oversee something as important as this. “I still think you should be leader Alec,” Leo repeated, looking rather hopefully at his friend. “I am sure you be fine Leo,” came the reply, although it did not come from his friend, but the young prince. Leo just nodded, “Thank you Sire,” he said, “Although I think I should recommend you pick someone else. I mean, I think the others would much rather follow someone who knows what they are doing, and more importantly where they are going.”
Jon, the young ranger stood, “I am happy to follow you Leo. As much as I respect Alec, you are the one we are going to look to for protection.” Leo looked over at him wishing he would stop being so silly and sit back down. He was about to suggest as much when Chad also stood, “As am I. I would follow no other but you Sir.”
“And I feel the same way Leo,” Alec added.
“I think you have your answer Leo,” Prince Kellan added clapping his hands together.
Leo clearly looked worried, and it was Alec who walked over to his side of the table and sat down beside him. “I will help you anyway I can you know that. Don’t look so worried.”
“I am worried Alec. You do know trouble always appears to find me wherever I go don’t you?”
His friend chuckled, “And we’ll deal with it as a coherent well led group when it does find you.”
Chapter 6,
Haldar had been in his cell for two days. His new home was dark and dingy, and a far cry from what a king was used to. However, Haldar knew that so long as his son was safe and en-route to Arandor, there was a chance that all this could be reversed in Caldronia’s favour. The man known as Oribe, supposed King of Belaria had visited him twice. Not through any duty of care for his prisoner, but to ask questions on the whereabouts of various people and items.
Haldar had been surprised to find his opposite number was actually a sorcerer, and by all accounts a powerful one. There had always been stories and rumours of that being the case, but Haldar had never actually thought them to be true. If the deposed Caldronian king thought for one minute that he was actually going to be well treated, he was very much mistaken. His meals consisted of a stodgy porridge in the morning and nothing else until evening, where he received a bowl of watery soup and a piece of bread. He was though remaining upbeat, happy in the knowledge his son should now be miles away from the city and in good hands.
The questions asked to him had mainly been about the contents of the guild library. Haldar knew that the interesting stuff had been hidden or taken away, but did not say as much, not wanting to antagonise his captor. During the first visit, this Oribe Character had attempted to be nice, but after realising his prisoner was not giving the answers he wanted, had stormed out of the cell in a huff.
The second visit however had surprised Haldar by the subject of choice; that being his son. The mention of Kellan’s name had forced him on the defensive and somewhat unprepared. The Belarian king wished to know the whereabouts of the boy and why he had not been in the palace. Naturally Haldar was not going to reveal the whereabouts of his son, and although his captor dismissed the matter as trivial anyway, it was clear the man’s demeanour had changed.
Although not really wanting to, the Caldronian king had reluctantly signed a document surrendering all lands to the conquering monarch and his army. This after all was just a piece of paper, and if it meant his subjects did not have to suffer then it was worth doing. In return, Oribe King of Belaria, had given his word that the Caldronian public would be treated fairly. Obviously there were a number of conditions to that promise, yet something out of Haldar’s hands. The people would apparently remain unharmed so long as they did not cause trouble. Haldar was aware that a number of guild members and city guards had escaped, some having probably blended in with the citizens of Surmont. Whether they remained in the shadows or whether their intent was to make their conqueror’s lives as uncomfortable as they could, was something over which he had no control.
Haldar stared at the dank dreary walls of his cell. The image in his mind was of his fallen sorcerer and life-long friend Daron. After all they had been through together, and as great a sorcerer as the man was, it took merely a simple arrow in his back to end his life. With Daron gone and Leo out of the city acting as his son’s protector, it had been that moment when the tide of battle had turned beyond redemption. He only hoped his actions had saved a good many Caldronian lives, and perhaps with some good fortune a chance to fight another day.
He lifted a hand up to his face, scratching at the new growth of beard that grew there. With not being able to shave or wash Haldar certainly felt uncomfortably dirty. Perhaps in time his captors might allow him a bowl of warm water and soap to do just that, but as yet that seemed unlikely to be any time soon.
Haldar looked up from his mattress on the floor as he heard the key turning in the lock of his cell door. He thought it odd that two burly looking soldiers stood before him, beckoning for him to stand. Doing as was asked without question, he found himself being manhandled out of the door. “Where are you taking me?” he asked as he was almost dragged up the stone steps.
Haldar received no reply from either soldier as he was led out of the dungeon area and towards the exit. He was forced to squint as his eyes reacted to the first daylight he had seen for a few days. As to what his captor wanted from him soon became apparent, as he was led across the yard towards the main entrance, the very place he had made a last stand just a few days earlier.
A small timber stage had been erected near the gateway and a large crowd was gathered in and around the streets before it. Upon that stage stood his captor, a man he now knew to be King Oribe of Belaria. As Haldar was hauled up before the man, he heard gasps from the crowd as they recognised just who he was. Haldar felt his hair being grabbed and his head turned to the crowd of people before him, “Take a look King of Caldronia, at your people as I show them just how powerful I am. Soon they will realise any resistance is futile, and their precious little country is no more.”
Haldar heard the words, but did not really comprehend the message that was meant. Hundreds of his people stood before him, scared faces, both young and old looking despairingly up at him. Several started shouting their disapproval and a small scuffle broke out as a few started shoving the Belarian guards that surrounded the entire area. The soldiers quickly restored order as two men were dragged from the crowd and mercilessly put to the sword, causing others to voice their own dissent.
Oribe, noticing the skirmishes breaking out, knew he needed to restore all order and authority, before his little show turned into a riot. “Silence!” he yelled. His voice echoed and reverberated with the use of his magical abilities, sounding much lo
uder than any normal man could possibly achieve. “You will all witness my power!” he yelled slowly lifting his arm outwards and placing his hand on the head of the Caldronian king.
Feeling the rush of the stolen life force rush through his veins Oribe looked out at the stunned crowd. Where just a few seconds earlier there had been vociferous resentment, now stood a shocked and stunned sea of people. He felt some self-satisfaction as he peered out at those horrified faces, as he let the limp lifeless body of their fallen king slump to the boards at his feet. Certain his message had been firmly slammed in their faces, Oribe stepped away and headed back to his new home.
Caldronia was all but defeated, and although he expected there still to be some town or village who would try and hold out, it was only a matter of time before they too came around to his rule. The news that the Farasavians had as he expected, taken a small section of the north eastern part of Caldronia was no great shock. Naturally he had no intentions of letting them keep it, and would soon start planning the next phase of greater plan.
Once the Caldronians had been duly subdued and all its lands annexed into his own country, he would head to Farasavia and start systematically taking that nation apart. With the country having such a broken and poorly structured system of government, Oribe thought conquering them would hardly prove difficult. For now though, he needed to assess his losses and ensure replacements were found.
The King's Sorcerer (The Caldronian Guild Book 3) Page 4