Wilderhall Town had therefore enjoyed the benefit of royal society, which meant a lot of courtiers trying to impress each other and the Duke with their extravagant lifestyle. There were mansions and palaces even richer than the castle within its walls, and country estates of important nobility who found it more convenient to be near the corridors of power, but not within them. And because of the opulence and the wealth it attracted, the town was also incredibly well-maintained and clean. That encouraged inns and taverns to spring up nearly everywhere, places fit for the purses of the wealthy and powerful.
Among the inns in Wilderhall, the most impressive is the White Bridge Inn. It’s actually an inn, it’s actually located on a bridge, and it’s actually white. The local granite is that color, and the entire span sparkles in the sunshine. The bridge is massive, wide enough for three carts to pass unimpeded, and almost half a mile long. Its longest span is wide enough to permit the largest river barges to go under. And to defend the town, there are towers constructed at either end – and one in the middle.
It’s around this central tower that the White Bridge Inn was constructed. Originally built to serve the needs of travelers who arrived after the town gates were locked – and the small garrison of soldiers stationed at the bridge – the White Bridge Inn was built into the western side of the span, hanging out over the widest part of the river. The rooms each have a porthole offering a magnificent view (and a convenient place to empty a chamberpot) and the lowest level is a large taproom.
At night it can get pretty bawdy, I was told, with live music and jongleurs and pretty maidens dancing. But during the day, it was a favored spot for the wealthy and powerful to gather and play at dice or cards or rushes. If money changed hands during these games, it was considered a gentleman’s prerogative, and nothing to concern the Duke’s tax collectors with.
I rode to the inn and handed off Traveler’s reigns to a boy with a penny for fodder, and I wondered just how he’d react to being suspended over a river while he ate. Then I descended to the common room, where the breeze from over the river was channeled to keep the place delightfully cool.
Count Angrial was waiting, feigning patience as he fiddled with the rushes board and nursing a silver goblet of wine. He rose almost instantly when he saw me, and wasted no time in inviting me over to his board for a friendly game.
“I was extremely impressed with how you handled yourself at the council, Master Minalan,” Angrial said, just a hint of obsequiousness in his voice. “It takes a bold man to walk up to the most powerful man in the Duchy and tell him what he should do.” He paused a moment and regarded me. “And have him listen.”
“As to that, Lord Angrial, I could not say. His Grace has yet to consider my proposal.”
“Oh, he considers it,” Angrial murmured as he set up the pieces. “In defiance of three hundred years of law and tradition, he considers it.”
“And what is your opinion on the matter?” I asked. No, it probably wasn’t the smoothest way to solicit that information, but then again I’m a lousy diplomat. “Should the Bans be relaxed?”
He shrugged as he held out his hand with a piece in it and allowed me to guess – black, as I’d guessed, but a Ship, not a Tower. He had the right of first placement, but I was forced to make the first move. “Under the circumstances, it would seem that keeping them would do little to protect ourselves from the goblins. Even if your tale of a magical floating goblin head were true – and there are many who doubt it – there is no doubt that the goblins used magic to aid their attacks on our lands. If this green stone is to blame, then whatever it takes to overcome them is not too high a price to pay.”
“And is that His Grace Lenguin’s opinion as well?” I asked, as he placed a Well on his center back court. I placed a Lamp on mine, in the west corner. “If Alshar were to agree to my proposal as well as Castal, then we warmagi could concentrate on the war without having to worry about the Censorate popping out of our drawers every time we wanted to try something new.” He placed a Lamp next to his Well, and I added the second Lamp to the east corner.
“Bringing the Ships out early?” he snorted. I know – beginner’s move. “His Grace is raising a force with all speed, Master Minalan. But considering the size of the task ahead of him . . .”
“He has no idea the size of the task ahead of him,” I said, placing a Tower in my backfield. He placed a similar Tower next to his Well. So I placed a Temple and then he placed a Wheel. “There are hundreds of thousands of them, my lord. And he’s stirred them up with religion and bad magic. There are . . . encouraging signs that he may not be immortal,” I said, carefully. “But when he has fortified Boval Vale as he desires, you can count on looking back at the rape of Alshar as a relatively pleasant period.”
“You jest, Master Minalan,” he said. He placed a Wheel, I placed a Tree and then he placed a Temple. “If that’s true, then we are ill-prepared for it. The knights of Alshar are valiant, but—
“But they know best how to fight each other, not gurvani. And certainly not against gurvani sorcery,” I finished. “Last placement,” I reminded him. He looked at the box and looked at the board for a good long time before he pulled a Tree out and placed it in his forefield. I studied the board a moment longer, and then added a Forge to my Tower in the center.
“The first move is yours, Master Minalan,” he said, formally. I nodded and cast the die. A one. I shrugged and placed a Dryad next to my Tree. He nodded.
“Interesting play. No, our own warmagi aren’t a match for their magic. And since this threat is to our very heartlands, if you and your allies can bring us some relief, I can’t see how the Duke could not take that into consideration.” He threw a one, and added a Nymph to the Well. No surprises there.
“An agreement beforehand would be a more tangible sign of his favor,” I pointed out, throwing a two. I added a Monk to the Temple. “A written agreement,” I added.
Angrial chuckled and threw a two. One of his Towers grew a Knight. “That would seem to be putting the cart before the horse, don’t you think? What if you fail? Then we’ve relaxed the Bans for nothing.”
My turn to chuckle. “If we fail, the Bans won’t matter. Alshar will be conquered and Castal next. As I told the Prime Minister yesterday, by that time the Duke of Remere will likely be in a much more generous mood than his peers were.” I threw a four, and placed a Ship near my easternmost Lamp.
“Oh, you are bold, Master Spellmonger,” he said, throwing a three and placing a Warrior next to his Wheel. “Would that be enough to secure your aid? A Ducal declaration to relax the Bans on Magic in Alshar?”
“It would be a start,” I agreed, throwing another two. I gave my Tower a Knight. “But I would need more than that. Leave to make war in Alshar, for one,” I said, as he threw a one and gained a Spear at his Tower. “A special commission from the Duke would be enough for that, I suppose. Leave to conscript men and horses into service at need, draw on stores at the Duke’s expense, and take shelter at his banner castles,” I added casually. I threw a one and chose another Dryad. That raised an eyebrow.
“It sounds as if you want complete autonomy,” he observed, throwing a two and cursing. He added another Knight to the Tower. “That would be unprecedented. Particularly for a Castali. And a commoner.”
“I’ve served Alshari lords as well as Castali. I’m a Spellmonger. A warmage. A mercenary. The Bans prohibit me from swearing fealty and becoming a vassal. I don’t care your country, as long as your coin is good.” I threw a four and my Forge gained a Mage. Nice touch. Angrial threw a three and his Lamp got a Ship. “If you want me to be effective, then give me the tools I need.”
“Last round,” he said, studying the board. I threw my last throw – a three – and considered my positioning. I finally placed a Lord at my Tower. Angrial threw a four and his Temple gained an Ogre. Ouch.
“There are risks in what you ask,” he said, thoughtfully. “Of course, the risks in not doing what you ask are also looming
. And every day the tide grows nearer to Vorone.”
“Take all the time you need, Count,” I said, expansively. I moved my Dryad into play. He countered with a Knight. “But Duke Rard is sure to come to some decision, soon. While I have no idea what it is, if he should prove more willing to side with the Censor General than me, well, I’ll be looking for a new home. That could be further east – much further – or it could be in Alshar. A commission and orders would give me a reason to not go east.” I moved my Monk to support my Dryad.
He moved his Ogre into the center of the board, threatening each one of my pieces. “And if Duke Rard agrees to your proposal and sends you against the goblins?”
“Then I would feel much better about it if I likewise had Duke Lenguin’s leave to wage war in his country.” I moved my Mage across the board. It’s not a very strong piece, but it has a lot of mobility. His Ogre ate one of my Dryads. He rolled and got a one. Another Spearman for his Tower. I withdrew the Monk. “If I go to war, it should be against goblins, not humans.”
“I see your point,” he sighed, and moved his Ogre toward my Tower. I moved my Knight to counter, and he moved his Ogre into proximity of the Knight. Instead of attacking him, however, I moved my Mage across the board again and took his Spearman at his own Tower. That earned me a throw – a three – which added a Sea Pod to my eastern Lamp.
That earned a raised eyebrow. “You certainly play an unconventional game, Master Minalan. I am indeed empowered on behalf of my lord to make whatever arrangements I see fit to secure the defense of his realm, in his name and with his authority. I could, therefore, give you such a commission, and even provisions. Conscription authority may prove more difficult, however,” he added, as his Ogre ate my other Dryad. Which was fine. That was why there were there. He threw a one, adding another Spearman to his Tower to counter my Mage.
“You say ‘could’,” I observed, moving the Mage from the Tower to the Well, and destroying his Nymph. I threw a two, and added a Skiff to my western Lamp. Angrial’s brow furrowed, as he began to realize the shape of my strategy. It put him in a difficult position – he could go after my Tower, the traditional strongpoint and focus of the game, or he could turn toward one of my Lamps. But not both. Not with just his Ogre. He considered, and then moved his Knight into play. “Which means you are considering it. Under the circumstances, my lord, what could it possibly hurt? If I’m strung up by the Censor General for violating the Bans, Duke Lenguin has lost nothing. If I go to war and die in battle, Duke Lenguin has lost nothing. But if I go to war and mitigate the gurvani invasion – I cannot say I can end it, but perhaps keep the heart of Alshar from being plundered – well, then, Duke Lenguin has preserved some of his realm without much in the way of expense.”
I countered by having my Mage pick off his fresh Spearman back at his Tower, and rolled a two. A second Skiff went to my western Lamp. “And if his nobles should protest?”
I chuckled, shaking my head, as his Ogre destroyed my Knight. He threw a two and added another Knight to his own Tower. “My lord Angrial, might I suggest that they will have far more pressing matters to consider before my impudence will take a priority at court. Most of your nobility is unsophisticated about magic. If they see it as something that’s aiding them in keeping their lands, instead of something to be feared, I cannot imagine them making more than a token protest over the relaxation of the Bans.” Instead of attacking his remaining Knight at his Tower, I moved my Mage back to destroy his Well. Angrial looked concerned as I threw a three and a four. I had another Ship I placed at my eastern Lamp, and added another Mage to my Temple. If I destroyed two more placements, I’d win the game.
He moved his solitary Ship out in response. “You may be right about that – magic is far more of a concern for the Eastern Duchies. The Bans have only a token enforcement in Alshar, anyway,” he said, convincing himself. I moved my Mage to attack his Knight on the field – a piece of unfortunate symbolism, I realized in hindsight – and rolled a two. Another Sea Pod for my western Lamp.
“That’s one reason why I set up in western Alshar,” I agreed. “I’ve seen the way they do things in Remere. I prefer Alshar’s more relaxed attitude.” He moved his Ogre against my Lord, and the throw went to him. He rolled another two and brought yet-another Knight into play at his Tower. I was starting to see a pattern here – despite the wealth of other pieces available, Angrial seemed to like the strong, offensive pieces like Knights and Ogres.
“I doubt if the Alshari Censor would share your attitude,” he said, as his Ogre destroyed my Tower. He threw a two and a three, which manifested as another Knight and a Priest. I used my offensive Mage to destroy the Priest the next turn, and rolled a four. I added a Leviathan to my eastern Lamp, this time. “Nor the Censor General in Wenshar. From what I understand, General Hartarian is incredibly committed to enforcing the Bans. And he has some influence at court – not a lot, but some.”
“So what is this Censor doing to shield your Duchy from the gurvani?” I asked, as his Ogre moved toward my western Lamp. It was almost time to move. “Has he raised any armies? Blasted the goblins? Improved the defense of your fortifications?” I inquired. I moved my Ship to intervene. He took my Ship next round, threw a one, and added a Spearman to his tower. Utterly conventional thinking.
“In fact, he has not,” admitted Angrial, as his Ogre stomped on toward my weaker Lamp and took my Skiff. He put a Dryad at his Tree, and I countered by using my offensive Mage to destroy his Lamp, much to his surprise. I elected to take a second turn, instead of recruiting another piece, and I used it to moved my second, defensive mage to his Tree, where I took the fresh Dryad. I rolled a three and added another ship to my western Lamp, making life difficult for his Ogre. “Nor has the Alshari Censor, Master Saleppo. Mostly, he sits in his office and regulates the few large practitioners in the southern cities. Levies fines and conducts examinations. Two years ago he used his powers to condemn a hedgewitch to death for practicing black magic.”
Black Magic. It’s a catch-all term for any spell used to harm outside of very specific ways, and one used almost exclusively outside of my profession. The fact is, magic isn’t any more good or evil than fire or steel, as every mageling quickly learns, but if you’re caught using it, then the Censors have the right to demand the King’s Justice against you. Of course, just what constitutes “black magic” is widely open to interpretation – the interpretation of the Censors. Usually such charges led to a simple fine, or at worse a suspension of your certification. It was rare that they demand the death penalty in such cases. It was my turn to raise an eyebrow.
Angrial noted it at once. “Oh, it wasn’t vindictive – the woman was using magic to lure young men to her hut, seduced them, and then afterwards she’d kill and eat them,” he said, matter-of-factly. All right, I had to concede that magic used to further cannibalism and rape was a reasonable use of the Censor’s power. “The Duke was all too happy to send her to the Headsman. But that was the only thing of note that Master Saleppo has done in his nine year tenure at Bensharamer,” he said, referencing the “official” capital of Alshar, almost a thousand miles south of Vorone. That’s where the Duke’s summer palace was – and the bulk of his revenue. Bensharamer had been an important port city since Imperial times, and was where the push to conquer Alshar had started. That was also where most of the Duchy’s high officials lived, including the Ducal Censor.
“Then why are you worried about what he might say?” I asked, innocently. “Either he is assisting the Duchy or he’s not. My advice, my lord, is to figure out which of those is more important to your Duke and proceed accordingly.”
“Again, a good argument for your position, Master Minalan,” Angrial agreed, a little reluctantly. “But what will the other Duchies say when we throw out the Bans? Wars have started over less.”
“One shouldn’t care what one’s neighbors will say when one’s house is on fire,” I observed. I pushed my Sea Pod into play from my eastern Lamp. He counter
ed by bringing his other Ogre out into play. I moved my Ship to support my Sea Pod. He brought his first Ogre against my western Lamp, and destroyed a Skiff. Then he rolled a two, and had yet-another Knight on his Tower. “The way I see it, my lord, the Duke will be lucky to hear such complaints. Because it will mean that something has stemmed the tide from Boval and prevented Vorone from being sacked. Of all the Duchies that might take issue with Alshar lifting the Bans, only Castal is close enough to offer war, and in the face of the Dead God they are unlikely to get pissy about something like that when they, themselves, are seriously considering it. Remere? Merwin? Vore? None of them are likely to make more than a token protest, nor are they in a position to invade. And there are other merits, as well,” I pointed out, helpfully. Then I tackled the second Ogre with my Ship, and lost the Ship.
“Such as?” he asked, absently, as he studied the board. His second Ogre destroyed one of my Sea Pods, gaining him another Knight for his well-protected Tower.
“Such as, if Alshar is the only Duchy which has relaxed the Bans, then Alshar will become a popular haven for the most powerful magi in the world,” I promised. “Magi will come from as far as Vore to practice here without the Censorate standing over them and every spell they cast.” I pushed a Leviathan against his Ogre, and lost the contest and my Leviathan. His victory was short-lived, however, even though he gained another Lord for his Tower, because my second Mage moved in on his unprotected Tree and destroyed it. I rolled a three, and put another Ship in the East, and a one, which became a Dwarf at the Forge. His Ogre took the Ship almost immediately, and he threw a four, which gave him yet-another Ogre at his Temple as a defense.
“Impressive,” I nodded. It appeared I was losing the game.
“Thank you,” he nodded back. “I see your point about the magi coming to Alshar,” he said, reluctantly. “But if we drop the Bans, won’t they be unruly and unregulated?”
The Spellmonger Series: Book 02 - Warmage Page 27