Stranded Mage

by D. W. Jackson

  Thad lowered his staff, she did have a point. “To answer your question, no I haven’t been using magic. The thought never even crossed my mind,” Thad said in a lighter tone, hoping to relieve some of the tension that had built up in the room.

  The captain laughed vigorously. “I am glad that is over. I don’t think we have been properly introduced. My name is Captain Cheryl, it is a pleasure Master Mage,” Cheryl said, holding out her hand.

  Unable to help himself Thad joined in her laughter and took her hand in his own. She had a far firmer grip than he could have imagined. “Thaddeus Torin, at your service,” Thad replied, bowing slightly.

  And here we go again. Are you trying to collect every woman from here to the ends of the earth? Thad ignored his staff’s comments and tried to focus on the game and his conversation with the captain.

  A short time later, Oren opened his eyes and immediately jumped to his feet and rushed over to retrieve his sword. As soon as the blade was once again in his hand the large sailor cautiously moved toward Thad, his face full of chagrin.

  Thad lifted up his staff, ready to send the large man back into the wall for a second time but he stopped when Cheryl raised her hand. “That is enough Oren,” she said, her voice cold and commanding. “We have settled our argument. That is unless you want our friend here to pummel you against the wall a few more times. If so go ahead but the cost of repairs will come out of your pay.”

  Oren slid his curved sword back into his scabbard but his eyes remained alert. Thad was not sure if the man would try anything later once the captain was out of sight. All he knew was he should keep his guard up just in case.

  “My mother had a bit of power to her as well, though nothing near as strong as yours seems to be. She always could tell when the weather would turn bad, and she had a great affinity for the fish folk.”

  The captain’s statement caught Thad slightly off-guard. “Where is your mother now?”

  “She was killed when I was in my adolescence by a group of knights. They called her a witch and her end was not a pretty one,” Cheryl said, her voice filled with a hint of anger and anguish.

  “My condolences for you loss,” Thad stuttered awkwardly.

  “It is of no matter; it was a long time ago. Now let us return to our game so I can take the rest of your gold,” Cheryl said, smiling greedily, though Thad could still see sadness lingering in her eyes.

  That night as Thad made his way back to his own chambers he thought about what the captain had said. The group of knights most likely had to have been the Brotherhood, but did she know that?

  Back in his room Thad found Brianna sound asleep still propped up in the corner. Thad gently picked up the covers that had fallen to her waist and softly tucked them in around her shoulders before climbing back into his hammock.

  Why did it always seem as if things happened in spurts? Things would go well, with nothing out of place, and then all of a sudden everything would rush forward.

  They don’t just rush forward. You just don’t pay enough attention to notice the warning signs. I swear you could stand on a snake and not notice it until it has bitten you. Thad noticed the dry tone in this staff’s voice and tried to think of something to say back but he was at a loss for words. In the end his staff was right, he took too little care of his surroundings.

  “I will have to work on that,” Thad replied to his staff, his voice lazy.

  Yes, with that amount of conviction all my worries have been set aside. I no longer have to worry that you will dive into a pit of vipers because your eyes are on a female’s backside rather than what’s in front of you.

  Thad could feel the annoyance in his staff’s words but chose to ignore them. There was little point in arguing with his staff. In the end it accomplished nothing, especially when his staff had a point.

  As Thad slept he once again found himself standing with Princess Maria in his dream. She had the familiar hard look on her face that he had grown accustomed to in his dreams. Looking at her he admitted to himself that he still preferred her with the innocent, inquiring eyes she had when they had first met.

  “It is almost over,” the princess said, her voice etched with sadness.

  Instinctively, Thad put his arm around the princess to console her. “Why did you start a war against your mother?”

  Thad regretted his words almost immediately as the princess burst into tears. Thad could tell she was trying to speak in between the wracking sobs but her words were lost in the garbled noise. Thad tried to reassure her but the world suddenly began to grow dark again as he lost contact with the dream. It was frustrating, he still didn’t know if the dreams were real or not, and any time he thought he was close to learning anything meaningful it abruptly ended.

  CHAPTER II

  Thad stood on the bow of the ship as the port town of Relane came into view. It was a massive city, one of the largest of the island nations. Even in Farlan it was well known for its diversity in not only products, but people as well.

  A smile touched Thad’s face when he heard a string of curses come from behind him. Turning around, Thad was glad to see that he had been joined on deck by all of his companions.

  “I can’t wait ta get me legs back on some solid land. Haven’t even been able ta enjoy me ale on this blasted tub,” Crusher grumbled loudly. The stocky dwarf’s pale visage was made even more apparent by the fact he had recently shaved and not all that well. Thad could see numerous places were the dwarf had nicked his chin and scalp.

  “Fer once I agree with tha boulder brain,” Brianna said weakly. “I can’t wait ta get me feet back on something solid.”

  Avalanche barked as she bounced around, her large doglike body sending shockwaves through the planks below Thad’s feet. Thad fought the urge to laugh but he was sorely losing the battle. His friends gave him infuriated glares but all that did was fuel the fire that grew in the pit of his stomach. Soon the deck of the ship was filled with the sound of blusterous laughter.

  Within moments Thad found himself pinned to the deck of the ship by two angry dwarfs. After a bit of pleading and a few punches they allowed him to return to his feet.

  Not very bright are you. His staff said in a slightly amused tone.

  “Don’t start with me, if I start laughing again they might decide to see if I can swim to shore,” Thad answered back, laughter still teasing at the edges of his words.

  As soon as the large gangplank touched the pier the group of land hungry companions rushed down to the harbor town. Thad purposely walked slowly letting the others rush ahead. He knew where they would be going and wanted some time alone to explore the large city.

  One night was all they were staying in the large town but even that long seemed like wasted time to Thad. He didn’t know why but he felt rushed and wanted to make his way to Farlan with due haste. It was as if a dark shadow hung over him and every moment he stood still it grew slightly larger.

  A cold shiver ran down Thad’s back causing him to stop in mid-stride. Thad quickly looked around but found only the normal people milling around on the narrow street. Someone had been watching him, he was sure of that but he had no way of knowing who. Out of habit Thad let a magical barrier surround him. It was built so close to his skin that no one would notice if they touched it. He had spent countless hours perfecting how to alter the shield’s size and now he could either keep it close enough it nearly touched his clothes or push it out so that it extended slightly beyond the range of his sword.

  “Do you sense any of the Brotherhood about?” Thad asked his staff.

  No, none within my range but I would only sense them if they were carrying one of those accursed swords. If you are not careful a petty cutthroat with a knife could do you in just as easily.

  “You don’t have to be so blunt. There are ways to make a point without being insulting,” Thad said, slightly vexed.

  I am sure there are, just none that would get through that thick skull of yours. For someone with such a brill
iant mind you do some of the dumbest things.

  Thad had the sudden urge to slam his staff into the ground a few times. “What does that say about you?” Thad replied tartly. “Are you not just another part of me?”

  Yes the part that thinks. The staff responded sarcastically.

  Thad didn’t know what was worse, being made a fool of by his staff or being outwitted by it. Not wanting to give his staff any more openings for comments, Thad decided to end the conversation and save what dignity he had left.

  Thad’s legs carried him away from the docks and toward the market district. The day was still young and Thad always enjoyed the market. It was invariably filled with people and it was a good way to judge the temperament of the surrounding community. If there was turmoil brewing the marketplace was the first place to learn about it.

  The streets were lined with an assortment of shops, much more than Thad had even seen in the capital of Farlan. Thad simply drifted along until the sign of a large quill and parchment drew his eye. Ambling over to the window of the shop Thad peered in and saw stacks of books as well as many things used by scribes. Seeing such things in a common market amazed Thad. In Farlan only nobles were normally taught to read and write, so there was little need for shops to carry the goods.

  As soon as the heavy door closed behind him Thad’s nose was assaulted by the acidic aroma of inks along with the slightly musty smell of old parchment. The combination of scents did not mix well and within moments Thad’s eye began to water due to the onslaught.

  “May I help you sir,” A rusty voice said from Thad’s right. Turning slightly Thad caught sight of an older gentleman who wore the white robes often associated with scholars. The man’s long beard was slate gray with noticeable splotches of color from different inks.

  “I was just looking, my quills have become a tad frayed and I thought it might be time to purchase some replacements.” Thad said as he ran his fingers over a sheet of fine parchment that had been bordered in gold leaf.

  “Do you need the quills for scribe work or for simply writing, my young friend?” The scholar asked as he eyed Thad appraisingly.

  Thad laughed lightly. “Just for my own writings, I don’t have the skill not the delicate touch for scribe work.”

  The smile on the shopkeepers face widened before he disappeared into the back, returning moments later carrying a small wooden box in his hand. “This comes from southern Gant,” the scholar said, opening the box to show a thin metal stick with an oddly pointed tip. “It works the same as a quill, but it doesn’t wear and fray. They are calling it an iron quill,” the scholar said excitedly.

  The old man pulled an ink well from under the counter a long with a cheap piece of parchment. “Try it,” he said eagerly, handing the iron instrument to Thad. “It cannot do the fine detail a normal quill can but for writing it is a superb tool.”

  Upon the man’s urging Thad dipped the metal tip into the ink well and tapped it against the side to knock off the excess. The iron quill felt odd in his hand since it was quite a bit heavier than he was used to, but as soon as the tip touched the parchment he understood its value. Normal quills were cheap and could as easily be made as bought, as long as one could find the materials, but the iron version would never wear or break. “How much?” Thad asked his voice nearly as excited as the scholars had been.

  “Fifteen gold coins,” the man said, his face slightly apprehensive.

  Fifteen gold was quite a sum, he could easily buy nearly two hundred quills for the same price, but the offer still intrigued him. Thinking about it, the price only sounded bad. The fine metalwork of the quill had to have been costly and very time consuming. “Ok I will take it but only if you give me a good price on some inks and parchment as well,” Thad said after thinking it over for some time.

  “Superb,” was all the shopkeeper said before showing Thad a wide array of his wares.

  When Thad finally left the scribe shop he had a small stack of parchment two bottles of black ink and a bottle of red ink as well as the iron pen. His purse was a bit lighter but he was still happy with his purchases.

  Thad had thought finding his friends would be easy, but there were far more inns than he could ever had expected. It wasn’t until the fourth inn he visited that he heard the familiar sound of Crusher’s half-drunk howling.

  Inside the common room of the inn Thad found all of his companions sitting around the table, merrily enjoying their stay on solid ground. Crusher and Brianna each had a large mug of ale. Arianna seemed to be drinking something as well though from a much smaller cup while Avalanche lay silently by her chair watching.

  “There ya are lad,” Crusher laughed, his face hosting a large smile. “Thought ya might have got lost. Yer gal here was all worried bout ya, thought a sassy lil minx might have run off with ya.”

  Brianna shot Crusher a scathing glare then turned toward him her eyes softening, but Thad could still see a fair amount of hardness in them. “Where did ya wander off ta love?”

  “I just took a stroll around town,” Thad replied, taking the open seat next to Brianna.

  It was a little after mid-day and Thad was a little famished. Luckily, the Barmaid was attentive and only moments after he had been seated he was able to order the house special. He wasn’t sure what the special was and didn’t bother to ask. The special had to better than the food aboard the ship. With the exception of the captain’s table, he had been forced to eat hard biscuits and fish stew for nearly every meal.

  What if the house special is fish stew? The thought reverberated in his head smugly.

  Why did his staff feel the need to point out the downside to everything he did? “If it is fish stew, I will simply pour it out and ask for something different,” Thad replied sharply. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, his staff was right. The idea that the special might be fish stew never crossed his mind.

  When Thad caught sight of the barmaid making her way back toward their table carrying a large steaming bowl Thad cringed slightly. “Please don’t let it be fish stew. Please don’t let it be fish stew,” Thad repeated over and over as she came ever closer.

  When the bowl was finally set down in front of him Thad let out a sigh of relief. Thad wasn’t sure what it was called but it obviously didn’t have any fish in it.

  Red rice paired with an assortment of other colorful ingredients Thad did not recognize. It made it a very vibrant meal. Carefully, Thad picked up his spoon and scooped up a small portion. It was delicious, that was the only word he could use to describe it. It was as if the rice simply melted in his mouth. Thad’s hand seemed to move on its own as the food quickly disappeared. He didn’t even notice the slight burning sensation in his mouth until half the bowl of rice was gone.

  Setting down his spoon Thad leaned back in his chair and groaned lightly. His stomach was beginning to grumble and his mouth felt as if he had been eating with a hot poker.

  “Ya alright?” Crusher said, his speech slurring slightly. “Ya look like ya shoveled a bunch of hot coals inta yer gullet,” Crusher added, laughing as he banged the table with his mug.

  Thad grabbed his mug and quickly downed it but the fires would not be quenched, instead the ale seemed to intensify the effect. He looked around for water or anything else that might cool the burning. When nothing presented itself Thad dashed for the counter hoping one of the barmaids would have something to sooth his torment.

  The laughter of those in the common room reached Thad’s ears as he banged on the counter, red faced and sweating. He had the urge to bathe them all in the fires of his magic but he knew that in his current condition, he would have little success in channeling his power.

  An older woman with light brown hair touched with gray looked at him and shook her head. “Melissa, be a dear and get a cup of milk from the ice room,” she told a much younger girl who could barely see above the counter.

  Thad watched the young girl bounce off into the back room and hoped she would not get distracted on her jou
rney, like children were often to do. Each moment that passed the burning sensation seemed to grow, and soon Thad’s eyes began to water. Laying his head down on the cool counter and fiercely tapped his hand against the solid wood.

  He wasn’t sure how long he had waited but when the mug of white liquid was placed in front of him he was almost willing to cry with joy. As the cool liquid raced down his throat the burning sensation didn’t vanish but the fires had at least been eased.

  Before the last of the milk was gone the older barmaid reached up and pulled the mug away from his mouth. “Soak the last bit of the milk in this lad and hold it in your mouth,” she said gently, holding a piece of hard bread in her hand. Thad did as he was instructed without hesitation. The soggy bread felt odd in his mouth but he had to admit that he no longer felt the lingering burn that had been there just moments before.

  With his pain dissipating, Thad suddenly remembered his friends and his hasty departure from their table. I can’t wait to see what they have to say. I think I will particularly enjoy Crusher’s outlook on your behavior.

  Thad groaned inwardly as he slowly made his way back to his friends. He knew what was coming and was not looking forward to it at all. His staff didn’t say anything else but Thad could feel a sort of anticipation coming from it that only heightened his feeling of humiliation.

  “Did ya cool off yer paints boyo, or da ya need me ta get a bucket of water fer ya ta sit in?” Crusher’s serious look made it even more embarrassing as the people around them chuckled lightly.

  Arianna rushed over to Thad as he sat down, her small childlike face beaming brightly. Thad had not spent much time with the little nadirie, but he knew that while she was innocent and caring she was more than a little mischievous. Normally her pranks were directed at Crusher but every so often she would point them at the others to show she hadn’t forgotten them.

  “Are you ok? You sure ran off fast. Did you sit on something sharp? It wasn’t me, but that would have been a good idea. I think I will do that next time. Did it hurt? Your eyes are red, did you cry?” The little nadirie rambled on in her high pitched voice so fast that it was hard for Thad to keep up. Luckily it didn’t seem like she really wanted answers to her questions, she just wanted to voice them.