Death Mage's Fury

by Jon Bender

  “She has come a long way in such a short time,” Darian said. “None of the apprentices we have at the castle have made such progress.”

  “Lexa knows what we are heading into. She does not want to be a burden when the fighting starts. It gives her focus,” Warin said, looking back at the young woman.

  “We would not take our apprentices into a fight,” Darian said.

  “Shades have already tried to kill her once. She needs to be able to protect herself.”

  “Perhaps,” Darian said.

  After Lexa was back on her feet, the group returned to the village to find the men had dug two fire-pits. Spitted over the flames, two large deer gave off an enticing aroma of roasting venison. The fresh food would be a welcome change to the dried rations they had been eating.

  “My riders decided to get some aerial target practice,” Adriana said, coming up behind him.

  “I am glad they did,” Warin said. “No amount of seasoning or preparation can make what we brought be considered food.”

  Jaxom sighed, bracing himself for another rant about how bad the rations were. Thankfully, Warin moved closer to the pit to talk to the man slowly rotating the deer. “Thank your riders for me,” Jaxom said. The smell made his mouth to water.

  “That should make them happy, knowing they have the personal thanks of their lord,” Adriana said. Jaxom rolled his eyes. “Do you think we could talk alone?” she asked.

  Jaxom nodded and moved off away from the others with her. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  “I haven’t been very agreeable lately, and I wanted to apologize,” she said.

  He had not been expecting an apology. “Can you tell me what it was all about?”

  “I was raised just outside the Teriken Forest and spent a large part of my life hunting among the trees. Being out in the open and moving so slowly has made me… uncomfortable. I took it out on you when I shouldn’t have,” she said, her face flushing.

  Jaxom burst into laughter. The look on her face changed from embarrassed to angry, which only made him laugh harder. Her fist connected solidly with his shoulder, forcing him back a step, but only reducing his laughter slightly.

  “I apologize, and you laugh?”

  “I’m sorry. I just thought that whatever was bothering you was more serious, and I’m relieved that it wasn’t me who caused it,” he said, getting his laughter under control.

  She rolled her eyes at his response. “Not everything is about you.”

  Grabbing her waist, he pulled her against him for the first real kiss they shared in days. It felt good to feel her arms encircle his waist, and he did not care who was watching. “Let’s go get some of that venison before it’s gone,” he said.

  The rest of the evening was full of laughter as everyone seemed to relax. Those not on guard stayed up late to enjoy each other’s company instead of going to sleep with the sun. The mages and Da’san had all retreated to one house for the night, while Lord Wilbrin entered one he had taken for himself. That made Jaxom feel better about doing the same. With most of the men in their blankets for the night, Adriana gave him an unmistakable look. Standing, she led them inside where Jaxom had already set a fire in the fireplace, though he did not think they would be needing it to keep warm.

  The next day, it was late into the morning before the small force was ready to move. All appeared to be in better spirits after the food and extra rest. Riders sent east had come back after finding a road heading in that direction. Deciding the risk of running into people before reaching Kelran was worth avoiding the empty land, Jaxom led them to it. The road would let them make better time as the wagon holding much of their supplies moved with more ease on the two-track path.

  That night, the riders brought down a boar, allowing for another fresh meal while they camped beside the road. Jaxom spoke to Corin and Alimar through the whispering stone. From his conversation with Alimar, he learned that things were much the same except that the flow of refugees had slowed as winter settled in. In the three days that followed, the unit’s routine did not change. They rose before the sun to march as far as they could then set up camp. Much to Warin’s displeasure, a lack of game had forced them to resort to their own provisions for the evening meal.

  Waking up the on the fourth morning to an inch of snow was not pleasant. As they rode, Jaxom talked with Da’san and Darian about what would happen if they were successful in Kelran. Jaxom had not asked Corin about his plans for the spring. Whatever Corin did, the full might of his army would follow him, including the forces Jaxom had assembled in Terika.

  Jaxom had just asked Da’san whether any other priests would join the army on its march when a rider came into view ahead of them. He could tell the man was moving as fast as the durgen could fly, his black cape flapping hard behind him. Landing a short distance away on the road, the rider galloped the rest of the way to meet them. Adriana, who had been hanging back and speaking to Lexa and Warin, moved up to hear the report as well.

  “My Lord, there is a walled town about ten miles ahead of us, and there are men utside its gates trying to get in,” the rider said, pulling up short and removing his goggles.

  “How many are attacking?”

  “I couldn’t get a clear count without getting closer. I would say around five hundred. They have a covered ram trying to break down the gates,” he said.

  The ram meant that they did not have mages or shadow priests with them. In that case, Jaxom’s one hundred mounted men, riders, and mages, should have no problem dealing with the attackers. The question was, should he help the people inside the town or circle around to avoid a fight? Bringing peace to this kingdom was Cribble’s responsibility.

  “Could you tell anything else about those attacking?” he asked the rider.

  “Just that they did not look like a regular force, My Lord. I can’t be sure, but it seemed that there was no consistency to their armor and weapons,” he replied.

  That settled it. The men outside were either a warlord’s militia or a large assemblage of bandits. “Adriana, gather three more riders to follow him back to the town.” Adriana nodded and turned back toward her riders. She was strong-willed in their relationship, but when he spoke as her lord, she obeyed without question. Jaxom turned to the priest. “Da’san, would you ride with me? It may make meeting these people easier if they see a priest with us, and they may have wounded that need help.”

  “Of course,” Da’san replied. Climbing down from his horse, he offered the reins to Darian.

  “I will remember that you chose him over me,” Darian said, taking the reins from the priest.

  “He is better company,” Jaxom replied with smirk.

  “I will remember that, too,” Darian said with a laugh.

  Jaxom helped Da’san to climb up behind him. The saddle did not have a second seat for a passenger, but his friend managed to settle himself. He held onto Jaxom so he would not fall during the flight. “Please tell Lord Wilbrin to inform the men and get there as quickly as possible,” he said to Darian. “Tell him to leave the wagon and supply horses with a small guard.”

  Darian brought a fist to his chest in imitation of a salute. “As you command, My Lord,” he said gravely.

  Jaxom commanded his mount to run past the horses before spreading its wings and taking to the air. The scout who had reported the attack joined him as he left the ground. Keeping a steady pace, Adriana and the three riders caught up quickly. Twenty minutes later, the town came into view and Jaxom could just make out the mass of men outside the walls. The stone wall was about twenty feet high with a gate of wood and banded iron. Getting closer, he could see men on the wall to either side of the gate throwing large rocks and shooting arrows at the covered ram, none of which penetrated the skin of the war machine. A few of the arrows protruding from the contraption were burning, but the wood must have been thoroughly soaked to prevent it from catching fire. As they flew over the attackers, the durgen were finally noticed. Many of the attackers sc
attered, some lifting bows and firing arrows into the air. Passing near the gate, Jaxom could hear the steady thumping of the ram slamming against wood. He turned his durgen to fly over the north wall. The few defenders standing atop reacted similarly to the attackers. The town itself reminded him much of Chams’dell before it had grown, a self-sufficient settlement. Moving into the center of the town over what appeared to be a marketplace, Jaxom landed. There were no people on the street, most probably hiding in their homes hoping that the men outside would not get through. As he landed, followed by Adriana and the others, thirty men with swords and bows appeared from the streets and alleys and surrounded the group. Thankfully, none of them made an aggressive move.

  “I am Lord Jaxom of Ale’adaria, here in service to King Corin,” Jaxom said. “I need to speak to your leader.”

  An older man stepped forward nervously, carrying an old sword and wearing simple clothes. Jaxom could see the blade had been recently scrubbed of rust spots that had left small pits in the metal. “You will want to speak to the elders then… My Lord,” the man said.

  Jaxom nodded to Da’san to climb down, so he could do the same. “I am here to help. If you take me to these elders, I will explain everything,” Jaxom said, walking up to the man with his hands held carefully away from his sword.

  The man paused, looking around at the other men. “Just you, the others will have to wait here,” he said.

  He could see Adriana shift slightly out of the corner of his eye. There was no chance that she was about to let him go with these men alone, and Jaxom was not keen on the idea either. “I would bring my friend, a priest of Sarinsha,” Jaxom said, indicating Da’san. “And I would like to have my lady come as well.”

  The man looked at the priest in his simple blue robes, and Adriana with her bow and mace. The man seemed to dismiss her out of hand. Jaxom smiled. “Fine. But the rest stay here.”

  Jaxom nodded before walking over to Adriana and offering her a hand down. “My lady,” Jaxom said, grinning.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go,” she said, taking his hand. “I might plant my mace in that old fool’s chest.” Apparently, she had caught the man’s dismissal as well.

  “We are here to help these people. You can deal with their ignorance for a while.” Jaxom turned to the scout. If anything happens, leave and report to Lord Wilbrin. We will follow after you.”

  “But My Lord--” the rider started to protest.

  Jaxom raised a hand, cutting him off. “They do not know who I am, or that I can call the durgen. We’ll be fine,” he said. The rider saluted.

  With Da’san and Adriana beside him, Jaxom approached the older man with the pitted sword. “If you would show us the way, Master…”

  “Endol, Gamick Endol,” the man replied.

  “I would be happy to meet your elders now, Master Endol,” Jaxom said.

  Gamick nodded and turned to the men surrounding them. “Ten of you stay here, the rest come with me.”

  The buildings were mostly made of mortared stone, and Jaxom could see faces peering out through windows. “What is the name of this town?” Jaxom asked.

  Gamick looked over his shoulder at them. “Dorr.”

  It took several minutes for them to reach the largest building in the town, which Jaxom guessed was the only tavern. Leading them up to the door, Gamick opened it and walked in without glancing back. They moved past a nervous looking man behind the bar toward a door in the back of the common room. Entering the private dining area with three of their guards behind them, Jaxom found two men and a woman older than Gamick sitting at a table with mugs in front of them. Gamick leaned over and whispered something into the ear of one of the men.

  “Welcome to Dorr, Lord Jaxom. I am afraid your visit has come at a bad time.” The seated man said. “My name is Olard, and these are Adum and Leena.”

  Jaxom gave a slight bow. “I am honored to meet you. This is Da’san, priest of Sarinsha, here to offer aid to your people, and my lady Adriana,” Jaxom said.

  “Gamick says that you announce yourself as in service to King Corin. You are here to help us on his behalf?” Olard asked.

  “Yes. King Corin has heard of the warlords and bandits plaguing Denra. He has sent his forces here to give aid to the people suffering.”

  “We appreciate the help, but you saw how many of Lord Darat’s men are outside the gates. Six more fighters and a priest, even ones who ride those…animals, will not be able to turn them back,” Olard said.

  “Who is Lord Darat?” Jaxom asked.

  “The man who commands the swine outside and controls most of northern Denra. He has been forcing tribute and conscripting our young men to fight for him. We finally had enough. When his last envoy came, we refused them entry to the town. Those men outside are his response,” Elder Adum said angrily.

  “And look what that has gotten us. There are over five hundred soldiers outside ready to kill us,” Leena said loudly.

  “What else were we to do? Let him take and take until there was nothing left of us?” Adum snapped back.

  “Enough!” Olard interrupted sternly. “Forgive our manners, Lord Jaxom. As you can see, this is a very stressful time for us.”

  “I have another one hundred men on their way. They will arrive within the hour,” Jaxom said.

  Leena and Adum both perked up at that, and he saw a glimmer of hope come to their tired eyes. Olard, however, grumbled. “We only have two hundred men capable of fighting, and most of them have never been in a battle. Even with your men, we are still outmatched,” he said.

  “We are prepared to handle the militia; otherwise, we would not have come. King Corin has sent a larger force from Ale’adar to deal with these warlords. We are just an advanced element.” Jaxom said. The elder seemed unconvinced.

  “Does King Corin plan on making Denra a part of his kingdom?” Leena asked.

  “Not that he has told me. He simply wants your kingdom as our closest neighbor to be stable, so that we can concentrate on other matters,” Jaxom replied.

  “Who are you that the King would tell you his plans?” Adum asked.

  Da’san stepped forward then. “Lord Jaxom is the adoptive brother of the King. I think there is very little that His Majesty does not share with him. Also, I know King Corin personally and can assure you that he would never take your land by force.”

  The elders looked at Jaxom with different eyes after Da’san had spoken. Olard spoke first. “You are the mage lord of Terika?”

  Jaxom was on guard now. He could feel Adriana shifting her feet, ready to react if things became violent. There were still four armed men in the room. He looked hard into the elder’s eyes. The other man clearly wanted to look away but held himself steady in spite of his obvious fear. Jaxom gave a slow nod, holding his breath.

  “We have head of you, My Lord. We know that you have opened the gates of your city to refugees, many of whom are from Denra. Some of our own people left Dorr looking for a safer place,” Olard said. The tension slipped from the armed townsmen at the Elder’s words, and Jaxom could feel the same from Adriana.

  “If you are truly here to help, then we are grateful.” Adum stood, and the two other elders followed, all bowing low.

  “Please stand. There is no need,” Jaxom said quickly.

  “Gamick, Lord Jaxom will be taking over the defense of the town. Please help him with anything he needs and follow his commands as if they were from an Elder,” Olard said.

  “As you say,” Gamick replied. “What would you like to do first, Lord Jaxom?”

  “Take us back to our mounts. We must reinforce the gate until the rest of my men arrive,” Jaxom said. Gamick gave an awkward salute before leading them out.

  After returning to their durgen, Jaxom and his small group followed Gamick to the gate. A force of about one hundred townsmen stood gathered there, waiting. Jaxom could tell that even with the wooden beams bracing the gate it would not hold much longer. The steady impact of the ram had already caused the
locking beam to crack. The door itself had splintered in many places, and the whole thing looked ready to fall apart. It would break completely long before Lord Wilbrin arrived with the rest of the men. He would have to deal with that ram now.

  “Adriana, you and your riders fly above the gate and wait for me to take care of that ram,” he said.

  “Be careful,” she said, leaning over to kiss him.

  Stepping down from his durgen, he started for the stairs built into the wall with Da’san following him up. “What do you plan to do?” his friend asked when they reached the top.

  Jaxom looked about at the faces of the men who were staring nervously below at the wood covered ram. They had given up shooting arrows and dropping rocks on the impenetrable shell. Most of them were either too old or too young to be carrying weapons. “I am going to destroy that thing and buy Wilbrin time to get here,” Jaxom said.

  Da’san nodded as Jaxom leaned over the parapet. Holding both hands out before him into the empty air, Jaxom began pulling power into his body. Forming the energy of death, he channeled that energy to both hands. Casting from each hand required more concentration, but it was no longer difficult for him. Two columns of twisting black and white smoke flowed from him, stretching down to the shell of the ram and spreading out into smaller tendrils across the wooden covering. Shouts of alarm went up around him from the men defending the walls. Jaxom ignored the panicked men, letting Gamick tell them to stay as they were.

  The blight had already started to work. The wood turned black, breaking apart above the fifty men who were sheltered underneath. Finding themselves exposed, the men raised shields above their heads to protect those holding the ram and themselves. As the last of the shell crumbled into chunks, Jaxom redirected the blight. Wrapping around bodies, it began to do to them what it had done to the wood. Those entangled by his magic screamed as their bodies rotted away. It was a horrible sound that Jaxom had never gotten used to, but he gritted his teeth and continued the gruesome attack.