Stranded Mage

by D. W. Jackson

  “They haven’t found us in over three hundred years and they’re not going to find us now,” A thin older gentleman with a bald head and thick beard said in a raised voice.

  “They have never looked that hard Illias,” countered another older man with light red hair that held more than a few strands of gray. “They have their best trackers and near to four thousand troops scouring the countryside for us now.”

  “Good, let them come it is high time we started fighting back instead of just hiding,” A younger man with broad shoulders and a thin mustache said heatedly.

  “Yes let’s just start a war with the Brotherhood. Fight them openly and let them know where we are, where our families are. Have you lost your mind Horus?

  “If you haven’t noticed I think we have been at war with the Brotherhood for a long time,” Thad said strongly.

  Every head in the room turned toward Thad as if noticing his presence for the first time. “If you don’t want to fight then take your families and make for Farlan. The queen has offered asylum to the elves, I am sure she would offer the same for you,” Thad said as an afterthought.

  “How are we supposed to move everyone to Farlan without drawing the attention of every soldier in Rane? They have every able hand out looking for you and those who aided in your escape. I don’t remember a time in my entire life where they have been so worked up about a single mage escaping,” the red haired man said angrily.

  Thad thought about it for a few moments running over different scenarios in his mind. “I don’t think you could, but with everyone helping out I think we could elude detection long enough to have a good chance of making it to the border. If worse comes to worse the ones who want to fight can hang back and draw the attention of the soldiers.”

  “We have lived here in safety for centuries. I will not pack up and run because you have brought them down on us,” the man retorted.

  “Then you are a fool Jonas,” Horus said nearly yelling. “The young man is right, we need to leave. Rane was never a safe place but we have survived. If Farlan is offering us safety I say we take it. We cannot continue to live in seclusion. Each year it becomes harder to keep everyone fed and hid. Sooner or later we will run out of room or luck.”

  The room roared to life as arguments spread like a late fall wildfire. Knowing little would be accomplished in staying Thad silently slipped out the door and headed back toward his cottage for some much needed rest.

  Inside the cabin Thad found Mary in the kitchen cooking. “The food will be ready in a bit why don’t you go get back in bed before you stress yourself too much,” she said without ever taking her eyes off the pot.

  “Yes Mother Mary,” Thad said, shaking his head as he hobbled to his bed.

  As they ate Thad told Mary about what had transpired in the assembly hall. She laughed and called the elders a bunch of squawking fools. She did seem a bit concerned about the Brotherhood's actions but she also seemed to support the idea of moving to Farlan. “We could use a little more freedom. One can only stay cooped up in one place for so long,” she said, giving Thad a warm smile.

  As soon as Thad was finished eating Mary went to work with her magic slowly coaxing his wounds to heal. Thad knew the daily use of magic was taking its toll on the woman but he had learned quickly not to mention it. As she always did she focused primarily on Thad’s leg, then his hand. The rest of his wounds were almost completely healed and she continued to tell him that in no time he would be running as easily as he had before. At first Thad had doubted anything could heal the damage that had been done to his leg but now he was not so sure. He still couldn’t walk unaided but each day he was seeing a great improvement.

  Shortly after Maria was finished with her healing Thad was visited by Monique and Jayden. The two often came to visit Thad, but from the looks on their faces Thad could tell that this time it was not a social call. The only reason Thad could see for the worried looks on their faces was the Brotherhood’s movements or the elders' reaction to the movements.

  “You have heard about the force organized to search for you?” Jayden asked before he was even seated, getting him a sharp glare from his wife. “What? We don’t have time to beat around the bush. Might as well get it out in the open right from the start so we don’t waste most the night with 'how are yous' and 'nice day todays'.”

  Monique continued her scathing glare. “It might not be prudent but it’s the proper course of business,” She said hotly.

  Jaden returned her look then threw up his hands in frustration. “How are you? You’re looking better today. Walking around any? Nice shirt. Did you lose weight? Nice weather today, might see some rain later,” Jayden said as fast as he could, earning him a punch to the arm from Monique. “Now the niceties are out of the way. Have you heard about the Brotherhood’s movements?”

  “Yes, the elders called me to a meeting earlier, though it seemed they were more keen on arguing than anything,” Thad replied, stifling a laugh.

  “I thought that might have been the case. The elders are going about spouting different information and it was hard to discern the truth.”

  “I don’t really know all that much myself,” Thad said honestly. “From what I gathered the Brotherhood has half their force out searching for me and those who helped me.”

  “Goodness if that many soldiers come at us at once, the magic hiding us won’t be enough,” Jayden replied shocked.

  “I think you’re right about that Jayden. Some of the elders feel that if they simply kick me out and have someone for the Brotherhood to chase and capture they will be safe but I think that time has long since passed. The Brotherhood has to know that a group of mages helped me escape and they will be looking for them as well as me.”

  A long string of obscenities escaped from Jayden’s mouth. “What are we going to do?” he asked after he had used up his store of curse words.

  “I don’t know,” Thad replied honestly. “The best advice I could give the elders was to pack up and head to Farlan. The queen offered asylum to the elves she would be sure to offer the same to all of you.”

  “I think that’s a brilliant idea Thad,” Monique chimed in.

  “It might be our only option,” Jayden said, shaking his head. “It will take a lot of convincing to get some of the older folk to leave.”

  “Then we need to convince them,” Monique said sternly. “We can’t let everyone die just because of a few people’s stubbornness.

  The three continued to talk late into the night. In the end Monique and Jayden had decided to try to get as many people as they could to agree to leave for Farlan. They believed that if enough people pushed for that measure the rest would fall in line behind them even if it was begrudgingly.

  As soon as they were gone Thad touched the ring on his left hand. “Tuck can you hear me?”

  “Yes, what has happened?” The elf asked. his voice slightly concerned.

  Thad had kept the truth of his location as well as the existence of Sanctuary a secret but he had decided that the need for secrecy was gone. Thad started telling Tuck everything that had happened over the past ten-day, as well as the news about the Brotherhood’s movements.

  “You wish me to tell the queen she might have move visitors then?” Tuck asked, his voice sounding slightly in awe of the situation.

  “That was what I intended,” Thad replied. “I don’t want to bring them to Farlan just to have Maria turn them away.

  “Alright I will let her know, though I don’t know how she will take it. Things have become hectic since we last talked.”

  “What do you mean?” Thad asked curiously.

  “People have started coming from all over Farlan to see me and my brothers. Most who come believe us and our tale but there are more than a few skeptics who think we tell lies about our origin, about Rane, and the Brotherhood.”

  “Maybe a few hundred mages will help them see the truth,” Thad said hopefully.

  “We shall see,” Tuck replied cynically.r />
  That night as he slept Thad was not surprised to find himself floating in the milky darkness of the artificial dream. Once the darkness cleared Thad looked around to see the queen’s audience chamber with Maria sitting causally on the throne. Thad understood the implication of the room and the fact that Maria had chosen it for their meeting.

  “How many more refugees do you plan to dump on me?” Maria asked, giving Thad a withering glare.

  “They don’t have any other place to go. If they stay here the Brotherhood will hunt them down as if they were hounds on a fox,” Thad replied pleadingly.

  “What happens when Rane turns their attention toward Farlan?”

  Thad knew that the question had been coming. He thought up many different answers to it but none of them felt right. “We will have to fight,” Thad responded after a brief silence.

  “You wish me to sacrifice more of my people to fight against a nation easily four times our size?”

  “Maria, the truth is we need you and Farlan. We need a home, not just a hole to hide in. As long as the Brotherhood is left unchecked then I, nor the elves, or any child born with magical powers are safe. I know it’s a hard choice but think of what you would do if your child had been born with magic and the Brotherhood came to collect them in the night.”

  Maria’s expression softened. “You know how to really strike at a woman’s heart,” Maria said dejectedly. “Tell your mages that they may come. I will offer them any aid I can, but should Rane march on Farlan I don’t think there is much my small army will be able to do to stop them.”

  Overjoyed, Thad rushed up to Maria and lifted her from the stone throne and embraced her tightly. “Thank you,” Thad said ecstatically.

  “All I have to do for such warm reactions is to offer my whole country as a sacrifice,” Maria said jokingly.

  Thad pulled back from Maria suddenly embarrassed. In truth Thad had not expected her to give in to his request so easily, knowing the dangers it carried for her country. “Thank you,” Thad said again as the darkness began to fold around him carrying him away from the dream and Maria.

  CHAPTER XXVI

  The next few days were as trying as Thad had figured they would be. After meeting with the elders in a half dozen pointless meeting he finally convinced them to move to Farlan. Thad was sure that it was more the point that the Brotherhood trackers had been sniffing around the forest than his powers of persuasion.

  While he had worked on the elders, Monique, Jayden, and Roger had worked on the townsfolk. While a few hated the idea of leaving the home they had known all their life many looked forward to living in a place they didn’t have to constantly hide.

  After everyone had agreed to leave came the problem of what to take with them. Most hated leaving everything behind but there were far too few horses and carts to bring everything along. To Thad’s amazement the elders took it upon themselves to talk to anyone who seemed unreasonable about not wanting to leave behind their possessions. At the same time Thad, Roger, and Marcus worked tirelessly to make bags and trunks that could hold much more than should have been possible.

  It was tiring work but within a ten-day everyone was packed and ready to travel. There were many children and elders so they would be forced to travel slowly while trying their best to keep the Brotherhood from noticing them.

  The forest stretched most of the way to Farlan and they could do most of their traveling under its protective cover. Once they were on open ground Thad’s best estimate put them near to eight days of travel before they neared the Farlan border.

  The first day traveling through the thick woods was slower than Thad had expected. More than once they had to free a stuck wagon wheel or stop to have the blacksmith repair a broken axle. After the second time the same axle broke Thad reinforced the thin metal brace with his magic. To add to the discomfort many of the older travelers continued to complain about anything that crossed their mind and the children ran around and often had to be chased down before they wandered too far off from the group.

  When they finally settled for the night Thad was past exhausted. Laying down his bed roll next to Roger, Thad began to sort through his belongings to keep himself busy until the food was prepared.

  “Thad, the queen has sent out a few of her better spies and ordered near to a thousand troops to the border. Crusher and your other friends are heading out with the army, so are Reeve, Parson and me, as well as a few of the other elves. The spies are to report to me any information they find that might be of use to you so I can send it to you.” Tuck's voice said a little too excitedly.

  “That’s good to know. I fear that no matter what we do the Brotherhood will be on us as soon as we leave the safety of the forest,” Thad replied bitterly. “I am surprised they haven’t found us yet with all the noise these people make.”

  “If you’re already this aggravated on the first day then by time you reach Farlan you will be missing large chunks of hair,” Tuck replied jokingly

  Your friend is right you need to relax some. Ever since you escaped the Brotherhood you have been wound too tight. If you don’t get rid of that tension you’re going to snap like an old bowstring.

  “What was that look about?” Roger asked Thad as he handed him a bowl of mutton stew.

  Thad gave a heavy sigh and pushed a rather large piece of meat around in his bowl. “My friends were just pointing out my flaws.”

  “My mother's favorite saying was, ‘what are family and friends for if not to point out every mistake you ever made on every chance they're given?’ At least that’s how she loved to treat her loved ones,” Roger replied laughing.

  After the meal Thad and Roger worked together for a short time of an assortment of projects. Thad also helped the enchanter in working on his own staff. Unlike his it was made of a dark purple wood that shined like glass when polished. A large brownish crystal was affixed to its top, and small gems ran down its side. The ground work for the enchantments was already in place and after trial and error Roger had been able to get the bonds between the gems to start forming. Neither knew whether the staff would form a consciousness like Thuraman had but even if it didn’t it would still aid Roger with his castings.

  Once the two mages were thoroughly expended they collapsed onto their mats laughing at their own foolishness. It was obvious that the next day would be easily as grueling as today had been, and yet they had still pushed themselves needlessly instead of getting some much needed rest. Roger’s wife would have had a fit if she was not on the other side of the camp caring for some of the older townsfolk.

  It didn’t take long after his head hit his makeshift pillow before he was asleep. His dreams were still troubled with thoughts of Brianna and his time spent with Hern in the Brotherhood’s dungeon. It was one of the reasons he pushed himself so hard before sleeping, it made sleeping a lot easier even knowing what he would face once his eyes closed.

  When Thad awoke from his fitful rest he found only Mary and a few others awake preparing breakfast. Noticing Thad, Mary quickly made her way to him her face one of motherly concern. “Thaddeus Torin your hind end should still be under your blankets sleeping. If you keep pushing yourself you’re just going to make yourself sick.”

  How am I supposed to sleep when such pleasant smells fill the camp,” Thad replied, taking a big whiff of the air.

  “Leave it to men to be led around by their stomachs as well as other parts of their body, never stop to use their brain,” Mary said, shaking her finger menacingly at Thad. “Well if you’re hungry you’re going to have to wait.”

  Laughing Thad gave Mary a warm hug. Thad had known many women in his life but out of all of them only two stuck out in his mind as motherly. Joan had been motherly to an extent, though she ran her house and farm with strict rules. Mary was kind and often fretted over the smallest details while overlooking the larger picture. Having been pushed around by women most his life Thad been more than a little apprehensive about Mary but that had changed over time.
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br />   Mary herself had her own reasons for being motherly. Less than a year before Thad had arrived at Sanctuary her son, a young mage about Thad’s age, had been killed by a member of the Brotherhood. Monique had told Thad since then she had been kind of listless but when she had heard of Thad being taken prisoner she had insisted on coming with the small group to rescue him. Afterwards Thad had become like a second son to her and her like his adopted mother.

  It was an odd arrangement but it seemed to work for them. Add in Monique, who Thad had always thought of as a friend while she adamantly said he was her brother. She didn’t view it in just a business sense as he had. Then there was his new brother in law who spent most of his time finding ways to annoy his wife, and things had gotten quite interesting in Thad’s life lately.

  As the sun started to rise over the treetops others began to stir and those who did not were quickly forcibly awoken by those around them. After a simple fare of hot oats and fresh oil crackers everyone gathered up and once again started their slow march through the forest.

  Though slow the column of people moved without sign of trouble until the sixth day when one of their scouts reported seeing a small advance troop scouring the woods. Thad and a few other of the mages who had skills in moving silently and unseen went out to see the soldiers for themselves as the rest hung back and started to put up protective wards around the caravan.

  The scout had been right but that only a handful were in the forest meant that they suspected them of coming this way, either that or they had just been lucky in finding them. If it was the first then killing the advanced party would mean little. The problem was if it was the second they would give away their position.

  After giving it a lot of thought and no small amount of discussion they decided that it would be best to eliminate the soldiers. It should take a day or more for the missing soldiers to be reported and while it would give the Brotherhood their position it was better than leaving a group to possibly run back with the information. In the end it was a losing situation anyway you looked at it. The trick was to pick the one that would cost the least in the end.