With the immediate threat to his own life dealt with, Daron stumbled over the rubble towards the fallen apprentice, and although he was sure the lad was dead, he felt it his duty to check there was nothing more that could be done to save him. With a tinge of sadness, and no small amount of anger he turned to face the scores of enemy now clambering over the stones and fallen timbers that had once been the southern gate entrance.
Not bothering to aim at any one target in particular, he fired off a salvo of energy bolts, in to the mass of soldiers. With so many bottlenecked together it was more difficult for him to miss, and as a result dozens were downed in a matter of seconds. Naturally such an attack once more drew the attention of the attackers his direction, and it was not long before he once more came under attack, firstly by archers, and then other sorcerers.
With his power dwindling, Daron could feel his body failing him. Firstly, his legs started wobbling, and as he became light headed, he found being able to see more of a challenge. With a last defiant salvo of energy bolts, he finally succumbed to the exhaustion that came when a sorcerer over exerted himself, and felt himself tumbling to the ground in such excruciating pain he was sure he was about to die. He looked up from his fallen position to see a dozen or so riders heading his way, before he felt everything turn to darkness.
Chapter 23.
Leo was shocked at the level of destruction to the gates, he himself had entered the city by, just a few months earlier. However, it was not the rubble scattered across the ground, nor even the scores of attackers clambering in through the breach that caught his attention. Lying just a hundred paces or so in front of them, he noticed two black robed figures on the ground. One he could instantly see as an apprentice, and noticing the arrow protruding from the body, he selfishly hoped it was not one of his friends.
After clambering down from his horse and running towards them, despite the shouts and screams from the other members of his group not to, Leo knelt down to check both bodies. The apprentice was a youthful looking lad, whom he did recognise, but not by name. However, it was the more glamourous robe worn by the next man that he instantly recognised, “Daron!” he uttered thinking the man dead. He was not sure how to check to see if he was alive, and was thankful when Sasha run up beside him, “Is he dead?” he asked taking in a deep breath. The young ranger placed a hand on the elderly sorcerer’s neck, before looking straight at Leo, “No…Come on grab an arm,” she said quickly lifting Daron’s limp body. Leo did not argue and mirrored the way Sasha holding and carrying Daron, as they moved him nearer to the group, who were now all dismounting.
“Trouble coming our way!” Ruben announced to the others as he noticed dozens of attackers heading straight for them. Leo could feel his heart thumping again, and knew what he had to do, and even though he did not like the thought of killing other people, it was something that had to be done. “Come on Ben,” Leo shouted to his fellow apprentice “Get the others and come with me,” he added showing a quality of leadership and decisiveness not shown before.
With the group of sorcerers moving over to the left, Sasha, Ruben and the others started taking up a defensive position. “I am absolutely rubbish at shielding,” Leo shouted to the others, “So I need you lot to keep us and the others safe…I am quite good at this though,” he said through gritted teeth as he thrust both arms outwards. Scores of energy bolts fired in quick succession, so quickly he even surprised himself. Moving slightly from left to right, scores became hundreds, as the enemy fell in large numbers. Even the enemy sorcerers, who thought they would be immune to any such attack by utilising their shields, were taken down as the power in the blasts was far too much for their lesser abilities.
Sasha scurried over to Leo’s position, firing off an arrow as she went, just as Ben threw up a shield to block an enemy archer firing back at her. “Leo,” she said catching her breath, “Do you think you can use that kind of attack on the main group in the breach?” she asked. Leo looked over at her beautiful young face, and although he knew now was not the time for such things, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips, “On my way,” he said feeling re-energised.
After waving his small band of sorcerers onwards, Leo continued his destructive barrage of attacks, cutting through the enemy with ease. He did not have everything his own way however, as some did return fire, and he was thankful for the others at his side for protecting him when they did.
Leo knew he could do little about those already running amok in the city, yet thought he could do something about the vast number still awaiting to clamber through the breach in the wall. Thinking that the smaller volley of energy blasts taught to him by Daron would not do here, he decided to use something he knew would likely drain even his vast energy supply. With his ability to attack from greater range than other sorcerers, Leo hoped to make full use of this advantage. He took a deep breath and concentrated for all his worth, holding both hands out forward, allowing a flood of energy to flow through his body, more than he had ever managed before.
Leo had little option but to squint, as the raw energy being sent forth was almost blinding to the eye, especially as he was closest to it. Rather than small energy bolts smashing into the crowd of enemy soldiers, Leo released a single, continuous stream which did not just kill anyone it hit. Such was the force and power being sent forth, anyone unfortunate to be standing in front of Leo was all but vaporised from existence.
Leo could not recall exactly how long he had managed to keep the relentless counter-attack up for, but when he opened his eyes again it was Sasha’s face he saw looking back at him. “Did we win?” he asked, realising he was now lying on a bed, with several other figures stood around him. He noticed his friend Alec, whom he gave a smile, before moving his gaze around the bed to see his others friends all staring back at him. He went to sit up, but found his body was not quite yet in tune with what his mind wanted, as he felt Sasha’s hand on his chest, “Stay where you are,” she said.
Leo did not argue, although he was quite keen to know what had happened, fortunately there were plenty of people willing to give him their side of the story, as their voices echoed in his ears. Sasha though, was keen for him to rest, and told him he could hear all about what happened later, and that all he needed to know was they were safe for now. Despite his complaints, it was obvious the young ranger was taking control of the situation, and he was forced to watch on as his friends were shooed from his bedside.
With only Sasha left, he felt her hand encapsulate his own and felt a certain comfort from the small gesture of affection. He rolled over slightly and looked over to the occupant of the bed next to his own, “Daron!” he mumbled trying to get up again. “He is fine,” he heard Sasha saying keeping firmly in place. “He suffered some severe injuries during the explosion, but the healers are sure he will make a full recovery,” she told him, before reminding him he should be resting. With no energy to argue and the words sounding strange to his ears, Leo slumped back into the soft pillow happy he was still alive.
Mason and Jake stood aside the Caldronian King, besides the huge man-mountain that was the King’s warrior. The two youngsters, although still only relatively new apprentices, had shown great skill and ability in defending their king in dire times, and with the man usually responsible for his defence resting in a hospital bed, Haldar had wanted no one else but these two to deputise. As a result, both, Jake and Mason found themselves in a new job, at least for the time being.
Haldar sat in his study chair listening to all the various accounts of what had taken place. Little had happened at the northern gate, and he wondered if that was meant to be; perhaps he thought the enemy hoped they would flee the city, and was giving them a way out, something he would never know for sure. The west and east gates both suffered damage, and those positioned there had taken numerous casualties.
However, the southern gate was where it all happened, with the enemy using some new kind of weapon to demolish them. As a result, Haldar had ordered his guild alchemi
sts to examine the strange black powder, that the enemy had used to such devastating effect. The king knew that the city had been defended by the skills and bravery of his soldiers and guild apprentices, many of whom had paid the ultimate price in doing so. However, Haldar also knew that they had only won the victory by a series of fortunate events, and the fact he had at his disposal two very powerful sorcerers. Had the young apprentice Leo, not returned to the city when he had, all would have been lost, and the city now in the hands of the enemy. Moreover, had Daron, his old friend and protector not made a defiant stand, almost costing his life, the same outcome would have been just as likely.
As it was, when the young sorcerer, Leo, had gone into some kind of entranced state, the enemy had been blitzed. Many of those trying to gain access through the breach in the wall, had been subjected to such a force, very little evidence of them actually being there was left. Such was the force released by the lad, that the earth itself now bore the scars of his extraordinary power. With the enemy numbers cut down so quickly and in such away, those remaining quickly decided to flee, and although Haldar knew they were still a threat, the battle had been won.
The King was also aware that there was a good chance many of the enemy had infiltrated in to the city, and although he had sent dozens of his soldiers out into the streets to try and track them down, they had, as yet, come up with nothing. He knew his guards and guild members would have to be very vigilant; the last thing he needed now was for the people to be subjected to more trouble. In the meantime, the gate and wall in the south section of the perimeter would have to be repaired as quickly as possible, and whilst that was being done, the breach would have to be heavily guarded day and night to stop any more undesirables from entering.
The battle for some had taken a different kind of toll, and for one young apprentice it had all been too much. Mia had spent most of the time sobbing on the battlements, and in the end Kian had been left with little choice but to send her back to the relative safety of the guild buildings, whilst he and the others tried to fend off the attack at the eastern gate. Fortunately for him, much of the force opposing him had moved south once the breach had been made, which as luck would have had it, was just as well, as many of his young sorcerers left fighting had all but expelled their energy.
The healers and alchemists were busy not only treating those with physical wounds, but handing out special potions that allowed a sorcerer to replenish energy levels more quickly; if the enemy regrouped and attacked again, they would be needed to fight them off once more.
Chapter 24
When Leo awoke again it was dark in the hospital ward, although from the light just breaking through the windows he reckoned it to be early morning. Having slept heavily he obviously had not been aware of anything going on around him, and was a little concerned to see the bed beside him was now empty. Daron, he knew, had suffered terrible injuries, and Leo was sure had it not been for that man’s selfless bravery, his arrival on the scene would have come too late.
He thought it strange that even though the battle was barely a day old, in his mind it seemed quite vague as though it had all happened much longer ago. He put this strange feeling down to the side effects of the potions he had been forced to drink to aid his recovery. The thick gloopy mixture he recalled had looked a little like milk, only the consistency and taste were something he found quite disgusting.
He felt a certain relief as he found managing to move, much easier than he had the previous time he had tried, and sat up to look around. He was a little surprised to see not only Daron had gone but seemingly all the others in the ward he was on as well. Feeling rather puzzled as to why he was alone, he threw back the sheets and flung his legs over the side of the bed, only to realise he was completely naked. In the dim half-light he rummaged around in the small cupboard at the side of his bed, and thankfully found a set of clean underclothes and a freshly laundered robe, although where his boots had been put he had no idea.
After standing and getting dressed he found himself a little uneasy on his legs, and thought the fatigue suffered by sorcerers must still be affecting his body. Happy he was fine enough to walk, he slowly made his way to the door at the end of the room, feeling a sudden burst of hunger as if he had not eaten for some time. He tried to recall when he had last had a meal, and thought that aside from the potion, he had not eaten since breakfast yesterday.
As he opened the door, he was stopped in his tracks by a tall thin woman wearing the white robes of the healing faction. “Oh You’re awake!” she said sounding a little surprised at seeing him.
“You haven’t seen my boots have you?” he asked pointing down to his bare feet, “I couldn’t find them,” he added.
“How do you feel?” the healer asked looking him up and down as if thinking she might be able to see something wrong.
“Very hungry,” Leo replied as he looked beyond the healer hoping to see some familiar faces.
If Leo thought she was going to let him pass by, he had another thing coming, as she ushered him back towards his bed. “Come on I need to check you over before I let you go. You have been somewhat of an enigma for all of us,” she added. Leo looked at her strangely as he was told to sit back down on the edge of his bed. He watched on as the healer fussed around looking through a bundle of papers held together with a metal clip, before looking at him closely. After feeling his forehead and the back of his neck, she nodded to herself. “Hold your hands out for me,” she asked, which Leo did, although he was unsure as to why all the fuss was being made.
“Where did all the other patients go?” he asked glancing over to the bed he had seen Daron in. “Oh they’ve all recovered and went days ago,” she replied squeezing his fingers, and watching his response. Leo took a few moments to realise what had just been said, “What do you mean days ago, I was only brought in yesterday, went to sleep and now its morning,” he said feeling a little confused. The healer stepped back, placing her hands firmly on her hips, “You remember nothing?” she asked.
“I remember my friends being here, and Sasha telling them I needed rest…then I went to sleep,” he replied.
“That was a week ago,” the healer said stopping him mid-sentence.
Leo stood, “Really?” he said, “No wonder I’m hungry,” he added, “A week?” he said turning to face the healer, who just nodded to the affirmative. “I feel fine,” he said again before asking if he could go for something to eat. The healer just stood there and gestured her hand to say for him to go, “Just take it easy,” she said as he headed once more for the door, “Do you not want to put your boots on?” came the shout after him. Leo looked down at his bare feet and smiled, before turning back to see the healer was holding a pair. “They are new, your old ones were not worth keeping,” she said with a smile.
With his mind filling with questions he hurried, albeit rather awkwardly as his legs felt a little uneasy. Had he really been asleep for a week, surely not he thought, the healer must have just been joking. Although he thought if that was the case, then that would indeed account for all the other patients no longer being there. His pondering was interrupted as he turned in to the main corridor and was glad to see the familiar sight of other apprentices, although none wore the black of his faction, it at least meant things had gone in their favour during the battle.
With it still being relatively early there were not many in the dining hall, although he did see a rather forlorn looking figure sitting on his own, and decided to join him. “Hello Alec,” Leo said with a smile shuffling in alongside his friend. The young literary apprentice was shocked to say the least, “Leo…you’re alive!” he shouted loudly causing the others in the hall to all turn their direction. Leo just sat there grinning, as Leo grabbed him, wrapping his arms around and squeezing him tightly.
After eventually letting go and straightening his specs, Alec asked when he had awoken, as he pushed his breakfast to one side and turning to face Leo instead,
“About twenty minutes ago
…I am so hungry,” Leo replied hoping one of the serving staff might have spotted his arrival and make their way over to him. Realising nobody was heading his way any time soon, he looked over, rather pitifully at Alec’s half eaten bowl of porridge, “Do you mind?” he asked his friend sliding the bowl over to him, without waiting for a reply.
His friend just grinned as Leo starting devouring the porridge, “I can safely say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody quite so eager eating a bowl of stodge before,” he chuckled watching on. “I am so hungry…tell me what have I missed?” Leo said between mouthfuls looking back and forth between the bowl and his friend. “You don’t remember anything?” Alec asked. Leo shook his head “I remember the fighting, then I remember you lot around my bed with Sasha…and that’s pretty much it.”
The Apprentice Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild Page 20