Master Mage

by D. W. Jackson

  CHAPTER X

  The first signs of the Rane army came from one of the Katanga scouts. It was a few days earlier than they had expected, but not too alarming. The scout reported that five thousand troops were headed their way. It was a few thousand more than they had stationed at Digger’s Fort, but with a defensible position, Thad was sure they would win the first engagement.

  “Most of their troops look like light footmen mixed with archers and a few hundred heavy soldiers,” Killian said, pointing at one of the larger passes on the map. “I don’t think we will have as much time between engagements as we had expected. The only reason they would send a force like that would be if they wish to draw out our forces. No matter what, we can’t let them draw us out.”

  “Why do you say that? If we can march out and wipe out their forces quickly, then shouldn’t we?” a young officer asked smugly.

  “Are you a half-wit?” Killian asked the young man as if speaking to a child. “My bet would be a second force about half the size of the one we have seen on horseback. Their plan will be to draw us out and move up behind us on horseback. If we let that happen, we have lost.”

  “None of the scouts have reported a second force,” the young man retorted hotly.

  “A good mounted force can move at four times the speed of a regular soldier. We wouldn’t even receive news of them for days, and by then, the pass will be crawling with soldiers. The chances of a scout getting past the force and making it back are nearly impossible. If you really want to test my theory, then send out some of your men to try and skirt around the advancing force.”

  “Lieutenant Thompson, would you be so kind as to keep quiet lest you make all of us look like fools?” General Bache said sternly. “What would you suggest we do, Warmaster Killian?”

  “They will start building siege weapons while making it look like they are open to attack,” Killian said, taking a drink of his ale. “The whole time, their forces will be ready to form up and march. They will pull this charade until either we attack or their siege weapons are complete. My men, along with a few of the elves who are trained for such matters, can sneak in and take out the siege weapons. The trick will be to disable them in such a way that it goes unnoticed. Once they believe they are ready, they will march on the fort while striking at us from afar.”

  “That doesn’t sound too promising,” Bache stated as he wrung his hands.

  “It won’t be pleasant, but we have to hold out until reinforcements arrive. If we march out, then we will fall, and the rest of Farlan will follow. We will need to hold strong and use the tunnels Master Torin had built to peck away at our enemy until they fully commit their forces to an assault.”

  “What if they try and pass us and head farther into Farlan?” Thompson asked, his tone having lost most of its sureness.

  “The only way they would try that is if they had a large-enough force to hold us at bay. If we do find ourselves in that position, we will have to retreat to the west and regroup and try to hold them at bay.”

  “Gentlemen, it sounds like we all have work to do. Have the men ready. I believe before nightfall tomorrow, we will start to see the first blood of the coming war,” General Bache said as he stood from his seat.

  “The waiting is almost over,” Thad said to Killian as they walked out of the commander’s quarters.

  “After the blood starts to turn the soil red, you will wish they had held off for even a day longer,” Killian replied, his eyes focusing off into the distance. “What are your mage friends doing to prepare?”

  “Mother Mary and a few others are working with the field surgeons. The rest have taken up with different forces to support them. I heard that you refused any magical assistance.”

  “We don’t like having untrained soldiers in our midst. One wrong move during a battle can cost many men their lives. Now if you would like to march with our forces, I wouldn’t mind,” Killian said, giving the younger man a wink.

  “I might just take you up on that offer,” Thad replied, laughing.

  The next few days were tense as the news of the force marching toward them spread throughout the fort. Thad spent most of his time with Killian and his troops as they explored the tunnels and surrounding landscape. Jayden had also joined in the ranks of the Katanga and helped the warriors navigate the foreign landscape.

  Jayden was much different away from Monique. The way he man moved through the brush reminded Thad of an animal.

  On their last foray outside of the fort, it was Jayden who noticed the presence of Rane scouts. They were walking through the brush in the northern forest, setting traps, when the large man’s head suddenly jerked up like a startled deer. Thad was happy for the forewarning, but something about how the man acted unnerved him.

  Instead of immediately retuning to the fort, Killian wanted to see how many scouts were present and, if possible, capture one or more of them. Counting Killian, himself, and Jayden, there were thirteen men, and Thad doubted the trained warrior would let himself fall into a dire situation.

  They found the scouts with ease thanks to Jayden. There were eight of them spread throughout the forest. Killian separated the men into groups of two, leaving himself, Thad, and Jayden to each take on a target alone.

  Thad used his magic to lift himself above the ground so that his feet made no sound as he moved toward his target. Within moments, Thad was close enough to step through the shadows and right behind his target. Amazingly, the scout noticed something and pulled his sword to defend himself, but he was a moment too late as Thad’s blade burst through his chest before he had a chance to turn around.

  Pulling his blade free, Thad turned to the next closest target to see Jayden grappling with his scout. It hadn’t dawned on Thad before, but the large man didn’t carry a weapon, but from what Thad could see, it didn’t seem to hamper him. Jayden held the scout by his neck inches from the ground, and with one firm shake, the sound of breaking bone echoed through the woods. Thad felt his stomach churn as Jayden continued to pull, ripping the man’s head from his body like a child might do to a doll. Thad lost his battle when the large man tossed the head to the ground and licked the crimson liquid off of his fingers.

  That night, after they returned to the fort, Thad went straight to his tent, wanting to get away from everyone and settle his thoughts. He had seen carnage before, but what he witnessed in the forest shocked him.

  “Thad, may we talk?” Jayden’s rough voice echoed from outside his tent.

  “Come inside,” Thad replied, desperately trying unsuccessfully to calm his voice.

  Jayden walked in, and Thad could still see the red tint that colored the man’s tunic. The sight of the blood reminded him of what he witnessed, sending an uncontrollable shiver down his back. “What can I do for you, Jayden?”

  The large man took an uneasy seat on the ground. “Do you know about the different forms of magic?” Jayden asked, his head hanging low and his eyes searching the ground.

  “You mean internal and external magic? I have read some on it, though I have not had much experience with users of internal magic,” That replied hesitantly.

  “We are not looked upon kindly even among other mages,” Jayden said, his voice full of sorrow. “We are outcasts even among other outcasts. Unlike external mages, our magic cannot be controlled and formed as we desire. My body heals itself on its own, whether I will it to or not. It also changes even if I dearly desire to remain a man.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean,” Thad said, more than a little confused at the man’s cryptic words.

  “Yes, I guess I am being a little confusing. Do you mind listening to a long story?” Jayden asked, his voice hopeful.

  “I do have some work that needs to be done … ,” Thad started to say but stopped himself when he saw the pained expression on the man’s face. “But I am sure it can wait for a time.”

  “When I was a child, I lived with my father, far away from any towns. My mother, I never knew as she had died
during childbirth. I always asked why we lived so far away from others, but my father only gave one response—‘For safety.’”

  Jayden paused and took a deep breath, the pain evident in his eyes. “When I was a young man at the end of his boyhood, I learned the truth. The Brotherhood came in search of my father, and while I hid, I watched as my father turned into a massive bear, tearing into the Brotherhood with a wildness I had never seen. My father fought long, killing many of their soldiers, but he was finally brought down. The soldiers, unaware of my presence, left, dragging the body of my father behind them.”

  “Scared and alone, I ran to the forest, where I lived for years. I remember the first time I changed clearly. I was tracking a stag that I had wounded when, suddenly, I could smell its blood in the air. The next thing I knew, I was running on all fours, faster than I could have thought possible. Then the animal’s hide was in my mouth, and the taste of its blood ran down my mouth.”

  “It was years later when I came across the people of Sanctuary. They allowed me to live with them, but it was clear they didn’t care for my presence. The other internal mages were treated like lesser people, but not with as much open hostility as I was. I lived within the confines of the town for a time, learning what I could, until I decided that it wasn’t for me and left. I headed back to where I had lived with my father and built a small cabin in the woods. There, I lived alone, living off the wild, until I met Monique. She will tell you I saved her when she lay left for dead in the snow, but I see it differently. I was alive in the wilderness, but not living. I was a shell of a man just getting by until I met her. Even when she saw me change for the first time, I saw no hate in her eyes, no fear, just acceptance.”

  Jayden took a deep breath and looked at Thad. “She talked about you often during our time together. She claimed you as a brother, and so I must claim you as kin as well. If you think ill of me, there is little I can do.”

  “I do not … ,” Thad began to say before he was silenced by Jayden’s cold eyes.

  “I saw the look you gave me after I had killed that man today in the woods. I noticed how you distanced yourself as we returned to camp. I do not blame you. I am not a man. I am a beast, but please, I beg you, do not poison the love Monique has for me. Without her, I would lose what little of the humanity is left within me.”

  Thad looked at the man who had helped rescue him from the clutches of the Brotherhood. “Jayden, I have done you wrong. I will admit that what I witnessed today has left a foul taste in my mouth, but I do not hate you for it. The fault lies with me and my own fears. No matter who you are or what you are, you are still my friend and the husband of my sister. That will not change,” Thad said, choosing his words carefully. “Give me some time. I am sure after the coming days, the little carnage I saw within the woods will pale in comparison to what we shall witness. Now unless Killian was wrong, tomorrow will see the first sign of the approaching army, and there is much work I must finish.”

  “Thank you” was the only reply Jayden gave before leaving Thad with his own thoughts.

  You handled that about as well as a blind man with a bow.

  “Should I lie? Thanks to the gods’ blessing, I could feel his fears as easily as hear them. He is a man and an animal at the same time,” Thad said, disgusted at himself.

  Why should that matter? How many animals do you know that kill without reason? If you ask me, man is the true beastly half of him.

  Thad thought over Thuraman’s words. How many animals killed simply out of fear and hate? The answer was clear, even to him, but that didn’t erase the fear that had built up inside him when he watched Jayden rip the man’s head from his body. It was unnatural.

  Are those not the same words the Brotherhood uses to condemn you and all mages to their deaths? You might want to think before you turn into the very thing you yourself despise.

  Thuraman was right, and Thad knew he couldn’t argue against his logic, but that changed little. Hating himself for his own feelings, Thad couldn’t calm his mind enough to focus on his enchanting. Setting aside his work, Thad bundled up within the warm confines of his blankets and tried to sleep.

  CHAPTER XI

  Thad stood upon one of the large wooden towers, watching as the Rane army came into view. It was an impressive sight, to say the least. Thousands of soldiers marched in line with the banner of the Kingdom of Rane flying high.

  The army stopped well outside of the reach of the archers, and just as Killian had predicted, they started setting up camp and assembling siege weapons. Thad looked around at the wooden walls of the fort and knew they wouldn’t hold out long against any concentrated attacks. Thad and the other mages had spent countless hours reinforcing the walls with magic, and the ones facing the western front had also been equipped with shields. That would mean little once the boulders began to fly. The shields would hold for a time, but sooner or later, they would fall, and the walls would come down shortly after. Their only real hope of holding out for more than a span of days was Killian’s advice that they send small forays out to try and sabotage the enemy’s efforts.

  Unable to control himself, Thad stood upon the tower, watching as the Rane soldiers worked. Thad was amazed at the speed and efficiency at which the army moved. Trees were cut and moved in such a way that he was reminded of the small anthill that he had spent countless hours watching when he was a small child.

  Turning around, he looked at his own forces. Many soldiers were rushing about, reinforcing the east wall as well as positioning quivers of arrows along the walkway. A few also started to position the few catapults they had in the direction of the waiting army. Four mages who were skilled with shielding were positioned around the camp should their skills be needed.

  The soldiers who were not working were just as busy, but in a different manner. They ran around, acting much like kids at play. It had not been the first time he had witnessed grown men act in such a manner. He had seen much the same thing before the attack at Southpass Fort. It seemed that when death loomed near, soldiers reverted back to childhood. Maybe that was one of the reasons why they were not as tense once the blood started to flow.

  “The sun will be setting soon,” Killian said, coming up from behind Thad. “Are you going to be joining in our nightly fun?”

  “You seem to be looking forward to your task?” Thad asked grimly.

  “We are soldiers and killers. Many say that we are even born with a sword clutched in our hands,” Killian replied with a sly wink and a robust laugh. “I am no lover of bloodshed, but right now, we have little choice. We can sit and wait for them to bombard us with rocks and arrows, or we can move out under the cover of night and try to reduce the damage that is sure to come.”

  “Then I guess I should be getting ready,” Thad said gloomily as he dismounted the tower.

  Killian led Thad to the mess hall, where many of the soldiers sat eating. He was led to a large table where two dozen Katanga soldiers as well as a handful of elves sat. “Are we ready to go over the plans?” Killian asked as he took his seat at the head of the table.

  “Yes, Warmaster,” a young soldier named Threnfor said. Thad had met the tall man a few times over the past weeks and had taken a liking to the man, even if he was a bit too serious.

  “Then let us get to it,” Killian said, leaning down and resting his chin on his folded hands. “Our task is simple. We must take out the siege weapons in such a way as not to draw too much attention. The best way to accomplish this is to cut the ropes so that when pulled tight, they will snap. This will make them useless for a time but can be easily fixed. Thad,” Killian said, turning toward him. “Can you weaken the wood around the neck of the catapult so it will snap under pressure?”

  Thad thought about it for a moment and nodded his head. “I have spent countless hours strengthening the wood of the fort’s walls. It should be no problem to the reverse it and weaken the catapults.”

  “Good,” Killian replied, smiling. “That will not only take th
em out of commission, but it has a good chance of causing damage on their side as well. Now we just need to draw their attention away from their siege weapons. While Thad and a few of my men work to disable the catapults, the rest of us will attack the far side of the camp … quietly. We want them to increase their guard around the back of their camp while leaving the siege weapons less guarded for future campaigns.”

  Once everything was settled, the small group of soldiers ate quietly. Thad had noticed that when war was looming, soldiers tended to be lighthearted, but whenever a darker mission was on the horizon, their moods changed dramatically. It was one thing to kill a man during the heat of battle and another completely to kill a man while he slept, even an enemy.

  Later that night, well after night had fallen, Thad along with the others who had been at the table gathered at the entrance to one of the hidden tunnels. Thad had never intended the tunnels to be used in such a manner, but he was glad he had run across the information that led him to have the tunnels built. He knew that with little time, there was little chance for the tunnels to be finished, so he had created shovels that could cut through even the hardest ground as easily as if it were scooping water.

  The tunnels were just high enough for them to walk upright, though many of the other soldiers had to hunch slightly to keep their head from bumping the support rafters overhead. Just thinking about the sheer amount of wood that had to be used in making the tunnels made him shudder. How much stronger could the walls have been made if the wood had been used on them. But not all was bad. The dirt removed from the ground had been used to brace the walls, and with the help of the mages, it now was as hard as the strongest stone.

  As they moved through the darkness, Thad let his magical eye slip into night sight. The heat from the bodies moving reminded Thad of his time in the underearth. The walls were cold at the bottom and warmed gradually the closer they reached toward the roof. More than once, Thad noticed where a vein of metal ran through the earth. Unlike the ground around it, metal held heat differently and was easily discernible when it was close to the surface.