However, he was also not so naïve as to think the enemy would merely sit there and await his next move, and would already be seeking out their own ways to counter his own forces. He also knew that the enemy had been shocked at the use of his exploding powder, but would now be aware and ready for such a thing in any future conflict. Nevertheless, Oribe would keep pressing, and knew that if it came to a war of attrition, he would win hands down.
With new members being drafted in to his guild daily, the number of sorcerers at his disposal had already surpassed anything he had hoped for. Even those with a small amount of power could be made useful, and with the new regime practicing methods not taught in Caldronian, either because they were deemed dangerous or ethically not acceptable, he had something else the opposition did not.
With his mood rather a jolly one, he ventured back to his bed chamber, grabbing one of the serving girls as he went. Despite him not long leaving his bed, he felt in the mood for a little pleasure; the recipient of which was the young girl being dragged behind him. Such was the fear Oribe struck in people, the girl barely struggled, knowing it was expected from time to time to serve her king as he saw fit.
In Caldronia, King Haldar sat back in his seat after signing the last of three letters, now ready to be sealed and despatched. Each was a personal written plea to the individual leaders of his neighbouring countries, asking for any aid they might be able to muster. With his warrior guard stood behind him, and two sorcerers from the city guard positioned outside the door to his office, he did not fear for his own wellbeing. Despite the glorious victory they had achieved he knew only too well that things were far from over, and thought of his son, still living in safety in the north of his country.
His forces, like his nation, were small and professional, and had performed admirably in fighting off a much larger force. However, being as the enemy had far greater resources, and reports from his spies operating behind the lines, that they were now forming their own type of guild for sorcerers, things were beginning to look worrying. He did not in anyway, doubt the courage and abilities of his own people, and knew they would stand and fight for him regardless of the odds against them. However, he also knew that his forces had been diminished in the battle, and they were thinly spread about his major towns to help protect them. Moreover, he was now having to rely upon young men and women of the guild to play a significant part in any future battle, despite many being little more than children.
After a much smaller lunch than the breakfast he had gorged on, Leo waited outside the guild building as his small entourage started gathering. With half a dozen wagons, laden with supplies and the gear needed for their trip, as well as several pack horses, he spotted a few familiar faces. Kenton and Samuel, the two young warriors he had befriended on his previous trip out of the city, sat atop of their horses looking down at him. They both raised a hand in greeting before moving aside to reveal a third familiar face; one that got Leo’s heart racing. “Sasha,” he uttered smiling, as he felt unable to move his eyes from hers.
The young ranger slipped down from her horse, so effortlessly she barely broke stride, as she ran towards him. “Leo,” she said wrapping her arms around him, before holding his face in her hands and planting the most tender of kisses on his lips. Mason and Jake who were stood beside him, were not sure which way to look, as Sasha felt the need to kiss Leo for far longer than was probably necessary. “Let him breathe Sasha,” Samuel shouted over as he trotted alongside of them.
When the two of them finally parted, Leo thought he should introduce his friends to the young ranger, and was almost disappointed when they told him they had already met. “We know Sasha,” they both said, almost simultaneously, “We sat for many hours beside your bed, when you were recovering,” Jake added, smiling at his friend.
“Oh!” Leo replied, “Well did you know Samuel and Kenton, the two …” he did not even have to finish the sentence when he saw Mason nodding his direction. Seeing her man looking a little disappointed Sasha, gave him another kiss, although thankfully for the others, one that did not last more than a few seconds.
Within another half hour, the group was fully assembled, and Leo felt amongst friends, as they headed off out of the guild gates and into the city streets. He was surprised at how comfortable Alec looked riding his horse, and had not envisaged the young man being such an accomplished rider. Leo was thankful that he had once more been allocated the same horse he had been given before, and was pleased that the creature seemed to remember him, and although he probably still looked awkward riding, he felt he was doing better than he once was.
As they passed out through the western gates, Leo was in unchartered territory, never venturing out to these lands before. In truth, they looked every bit like most of the other parts of the country he had travelled, but they were new nonetheless, and with the promise of danger, he felt just a little excitement added into the fears he had felt last time out. With his closest friends travelling along with him, he knew now more than ever, that he needed to be ready when called upon, as not only his life, but theirs, were at risk.
As the afternoon sun dropped down low in the sky, they hoped to make their first port of call before dark, although quite how they were going to get the townsfolk out to inspect, no one was quite yet sure; something they had decided to do in the morning. Leo looked over to the young ranger riding along beside him, and smiled, as he readied himself for another adventure.
Thank you for reading.
The Apprentice Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild Page 22