Wild Sorceress

by Margaret L. Carter

  "I am glad I learned this now, so I can re-educate the Novices. What brought about the change?"

  "After the Saphradean campaign, the regimental commanders began to agitate for more control of the entire battle. One in particular, Alenso Mythrian, held a lot of sway in the war councils."

  "You mean the General Mythrian?"

  "Yes. He became a force to consider four years ago, and of course, now he is the commanding general."

  "Doesn't sound like he likes the sorcerer regiment if he is trying to break it apart."

  Halista thought about her response for a moment. “No, I don't think that is what he is trying to do. It strikes me that he is not comfortable with the way spell warfare is fought and is trying to figure out a better way to do it. He and Adept Pleates are in constant opposition to each other over that issue. Otherwise, he leaves us alone and takes our counsel, albeit reluctantly."

  "Which doesn't explain why you are sitting in my tent, pregnant, with a life-mate who is probably anxiously awaiting your return to his tent."

  "Oh, you are so right about anxious. He is more of a worrier than you are, Aetria, and that is saying a lot. Well, the reason I am here is two months ago I conceived. This was perfect timing on my part as Gantnos’ unit was posted to the border for guard duty. I was transferred out of the 5th to the 10th Support Company, which takes care of all the army units protecting the Delmathian western border with Hermania. Ours is one of the few units not encamped with the Sorcerer Regiment. We are billeted in a fortress on the border about a day's march north of here."

  "Along with Gantnos."

  "Yes, very cozy. Anyway, a week ago I detected source use on the Hermanian side of the border, south of our position. I sent word to the regiment who gave orders to keep track of it, but do nothing. They would send out a patrol to investigate. Gantnos doubled his patrols, but as the source was in Hermania, we were not about to cross the border and upset the balance of things. Our armies are fighting the war; we don't need to worry the populace with raids. That's a joke, Aetria."

  "Sorry I didn't laugh; it makes too much sense to me."

  Halista sighed. “One of my earliest concerns for you was that you were too serious for one so young. You need to laugh more, Aetria. But we will talk about changing you later. Two days ago, another cavalry squadron arrived and relieved the 9th of garrison duty. We intended to ride south this morning to ensure nothing was happening on our side of the border. Around morning meal, I detected a lot of Power use. We immediately saddled up and started south. And found you, the cause of the commotion. Care to tell me about it?"

  "I can't. Crusher has me under a vow of silence until we reach the army.” Aetria got up and began pacing.

  "Still pacing when you worry, I see. You must be under a lot of tension, my girl. If it has something to do with what happened back there, then I understand. The commander will make his report, and I will not have to do one myself. Someday, when you can talk about it, we shall talk. In the meantime—” Halista got up and intercepted Aetria in her pacing, giving the young Sorceress a firm hug. “Have I told you how big you have grown?"

  Returning the hug tentatively, afraid to disturb the growing child in her old commander's womb, Aetria laughed. “I have not, Sorceress."

  "Oh, yes, you have. You were tall when I first knew you, but weighed next to nothing when I carried you off the battlefield at Saphradea slung over my shoulder. Now, you have such big muscles for a woman—you must have worked out very hard at your Tierian exercises. And look at you. My, you have filled out very nicely. I am surprised Crusher is not hanging around your tent all the time."

  "Crusher has shown no interest in me ever."

  "Not true. When you first joined the regiment, I remember him giving you a lot of attention. I suppose you are too old for him now. He likes young girls, so I have heard. Your main competition is probably his focus of attention."

  "I remember his attention as a strong desire on his part to make me feel degraded and stupid all the time. And what do you mean by ‘my competition,’ Halista?"

  "The young Aggressor Novice, the one with the burns."

  Aetria felt a twinge of guilt about Fernonia. When she had visited with the two Novice Aggressors in the Healing tent shortly after calling a halt for the day, Fernonia was fussing at Verdilan's treatment of her burns. Belanar only looked away, uncomfortable at the display. The verbal abuse Fernonia was piling on the heartsick Healer was caused more by her unhappiness with the loss of her hair than by her wounds which were minor.

  The nearness of the exploding staff's blast had singed all the hair from her head, and she was wailing about her marred beauty. All the assurances to the contrary were lost on her. Aetria took a different tack; she told Fernonia that at least she was alive to complain. Fernonia coldly told her she was alive because she had not been stupid like her friends. The tongue-lashing Aetria had given her for her lack of outward grief did nothing to change the Aggressor's mind, but at least it made Aetria feel better at the time. As Aetria had stormed out of the Healing tent, she reminded Fernonia and Belanar not to talk to anyone about the mission.

  "You mean, Fernonia."

  "Yes, such a beautiful young woman, and what an exciting figure she has. But you have one thing she doesn't, Aetria."

  "And what is that, Halista?"

  Laughing, Halista gave her a coy smile. “Hair. Goodnight, Aetria, we will have a long chat during our ride north together."

  * * * *

  Taking advantage of the senior Sorceress’ experience, and maybe trying to ease her ride on the way back, Aetria talked Halista into riding in the transport wagons and giving the Novices an update on what army life was like nowadays. The day passed pleasantly enough, and their arrival at the fortress brought with it the blessings of real facilities, a hearty meal, and the security of four walls around them. It would have been an idyllic time for Aetria, if she had not received a summons from Crusher after the evening meal. She approached his quarters with dread.

  Guard Garles was at his post by the door to Crusher's room when Aetria arrived. He announced her presence, and a muffled command to enter greeted her as she walked through the door. Pleates was standing by the narrow window looking out over the battlements of the fortress toward the south. Aetria stopped mid-room, waiting for him in respectful silence.

  The lighting in the room was poor enough she had a difficult time seeing Crusher. His dark purple Adept robe hid his body from the light of the flickering candles on his desk, his face almost a disembodied white blur floating six feet off the ground. When he turned to look at her, she thought for a moment that she saw sadness in his eyes—then nothing. His voice coming out of the darkness was flat, expressionless.

  "When I left Inhestia I had seven Aggressors, now I have two. I am sorry I did not adequately judge the strength of the Hermanians’ sorcerers, relying on the advice of my Guard officer instead of determining it myself. This mistake has cost me dearly. But the lives of my Aggressors were not wasted, Aetria. We may not have achieved our objective of securing the source, but we gained a far greater victory over the enemy by proving the value of my weapons. Yes, we all should be proud of what we accomplished."

  Aetria almost wanted to make a bland comment in agreement with him, just to be out of his presence. She had not come to argue with him, but he just didn't seem to understand what had really occurred.

  "Sir, I was not looking directly at your position when the explosions hit you, but from the corner of my eye I did not see any traces of fire trails from fireballs coming from the Hermanian camp. I think those explosions came from the staffs the Novices were holding."

  Expecting rage in return, Aetria was surprised by the calmness of his response. “You saw what you could see, Aetria. As you said, you weren't looking directly at us. I, however, was in direct line with the incoming fireballs and barely able to shout a warning before they hit. Fernonia and Belanar managed to drop to the ground and save themselves, but the rest were caug
ht up in the intensity of the fight and bravely kept up their fire to the end. They will be rewarded for their valor."

  She could not answer his calmness with her own. Was he so blinded by his belief in his secret project that he wouldn't even acknowledge truth when it was spoken?

  Her exasperation was revealed in her voice. “Those fireballs were too intense to be even thrown by a sorcerer. They were more of a white flash than a normal sun's glow. Your return fireball that stopped the charge was bigger, with your full power of an Adept behind it, and it was not as bright as the ones that killed the Novices. Those could not have been spelled by the Hermanians."

  "Aetria, your emotional outpouring just now is a result of your sorrow over the loss of your friends from Inhestia, not the observation of a detached senior officer who has reviewed the facts. I have talked with Fernonia and Belanar, and they agreed with what I saw. I have talked with the Novice Illusionists in your party and they agreed with my observation of what happened. You alone have put forth the mistaken view the attack on my position was not made by enemy sorcerers."

  "You asked young officers with no experience in battle what they saw, and they told you what you wanted to hear. They were scared stiff, confused, and in two cases, injured. And yet you take their evaluation over mine when I have had over a year's front line experience? Your weapons are dangerous, Adept Pleates. The only thing proven was that they kill the user."

  Walking out of the shadows by the window, Crusher moved to the chair behind his desk and sat down. His expession was frozen, his lips a hard straight line above his chin. “You will write a full report of your observations, Sub-Commander, and I will submit it to the general, along with those of the Novices and, of course, my own. I caution you to leave out emotional claptrap and stick to what you saw. The general deals with facts, not opinion."

  "I will gladly do so, Sir."

  "And you are still under a vow of silence, along with all other company personnel, until further notice. The existence of my weapons is not to be known outside of the few who already know. These weapons, when produced in sufficient quantity, will be the turning point of the war."

  Aetria found her exasperation turning to disbelief. The man just won't quit. Maybe she should report the incident to Trelana.

  "In case you are not convinced of my justification for attacking the Hermanians, I am also sending a copy of all reports to the Council. They will be most interested in them."

  At last, he had gone too far. “The Council will be interested?"

  "Certainly. When I spoke with them last, they approved my plan."

  "You spoke with the Council? Only Magi have a voice on the council."

  That horrid smile of his appeared on his face. “As the Senior Sorcerer Regiment commander, I have access to the Council. As for speaking before them, I am a Mage candidate and have that right."

  A Mage candidate? “How can you be a Mage candidate? You have not studied beyond the Adept level. You have not advanced your magic beyond...” She stopped, the image of the Aggressors wielding the staffs flashing into her mind. “The staffs—you are using them to promote your candidacy?"

  "I am not promoting anything, Sorceress. But yes, the staffs are the justification. In time of war, adjustments may have to be made to our advancement procedures. This is not my reasoning, but the Council's."

  She was stunned.

  "When you have gained enough experience in war, as I have, Aetria, then maybe your view of the significance of my weapon will change,” Crusher continued. “Until then, leave weighty decisions to those who are trained to make them. I am in the midst of writing orders for the transfer of this recruit company's personnel into the army on our arrival. I will issue these orders then. Keep my candidacy to Mage to yourself and write that report tonight. Any questions, Sub-Commander?"

  Too mad to talk, Aetria responded with a shake of her head. Crusher waved her away, dismissing her like a servant.

  * * * *

  Their arrival at the army's encampment was exciting for the Novices, and it made Aetria's heart fill with pride. This was the army she had such fond memories of, the one she tried to train her Novices for. They spent their time riding through the busy streets of the tent-city gawking at the furious activity that typifies all military operations. The Novices were too busy seeing everything to note, as she quickly did, that the usual overworked bureaucracy had fouled up their passage through the camp, mistaking them for a supply wagon train and directing them to the wrong destination.

  By the time she had straightened out the mess, they rolled into the sorcerer regiment enclave two hours later than they should have. Darkness was falling across the assembly area in the middle of the regiment's tents as their wagons braked to a halt.

  As they jumped down from the wagons, a cry of “fresh blood” resounded from the gathering crowd, and it seemed as if all the available sorcerers converged on the wagons to see who had arrived. The wagons were soon surrounded by a milling assemblage of bodies, with cries of recognition from various Inhestia-trained sorcerers seeing friends and relatives amongst the new arrivals. Aetria spotted a dozen sorcerers she had helped train over the past four years, but she did not see any of her old company. The noise of the crowd was rising by the moment when it was cut by the loud voice of Sergeant Maneles announcing the appearance of Crusher. Silence crashed down upon the area, all eyes turning to see the regimental commander emerge from his command wagon.

  "You people have duties to attend to. I suggest you get at them. Sub-Commander Aetria, get the company in formation, then come pick up their orders. I want order restored in this encampment now!"

  The swishing of robes rubbing against rapidly moving legs was the immediate response to Crusher's order. Barely discernible, a moaned warning rippled outward from the retreating sorcerers.

  "He has returned."

  As Aetria faced about to call her Novices into their final formation, she found them standing respectfully in position already. She nodded her approval and proceeded to Crusher's wagon.

  "Here are their orders. Yours is on top.” He pushed a pile of paper across his table. She reached out and took the first one off the pile. In his sweeping handwriting were the words: “Sorceress Aetria Menhala is hereby assigned to the 5th Support Company of the First Sorcerer Regiment. She will report to Acting Sorceress Wilmina for duties as Sub-Commander."

  "Acting Sorceress Wilmina? Wilmina was a Novice who reported to my squad during the Saphradean campaign. By the Power, how did she ever make Sorceress?” Aetria looked up from the orders, her eyes not believing what she had just read.

  Crusher's smile was back on his face. “I told you several nights ago that the promotion process had been adjusted by the circumstances of the war. While you were sitting on your butt for the last four years getting the formal training you prize so much, she was fighting in the front lines."

  "Sir, you were the one who ordered me to Inhestia after my burnout. You sponsored me for Sorcerer candidacy a year earlier than normal. It was because of you that I sat on my butt getting trained these past four years!” Her voice had been rising throughout her tirade, and she just managed to dampen it down by the time she reached the part concerning where she had sat.

  "Your point, Sorceress?"

  "I am a fully trained Sorcerer with over a year's army experience. I should not be penalized for training I was ordered to take."

  Crusher stood and walked around the table. He stood so close that to look up into his face would have hurt her neck, so she stared at his abominable Adam's apple, wanting to slash into it with her teeth.

  He kept his voice very low, whispering into her left ear. “I am taking a real chance on assigning you to anything, my dear. Your mentor may say you are fit for duty, but I am not totally convinced of that. You will serve under Sorceress Wilmina until you have proven you can control the Power—and your temper. If you can do that, then I will assign you to the position you could have had if you had not lost control."

>   He moved away and returned to his seat. He resumed his former tone. “You are not being penalized for that training, Sorceress. You are being reoriented to the new method of operations for our Sorcerer forces. Now, please deliver the Novices their orders and remind them to keep our recent operation secret. Dismissed, and good-bye."

  In the short interval between turning her back to Crusher and exiting the door, Aetria had a monumental task getting her emotions under control and setting her face into a mask of calm. She was not sure how much of their conversation could have been heard outside the heavy canvas sides of the wagon, but emerging with tears pouring down her face, or an angry frown, was not going to be interpreted well by the Novices. Fortunately, darkness had enfolded the camp, and she had a moment more before emerging into the torch light of the waiting Sergeant Maneles. By the time she had marched to the fore of the Novices, she had regained her composure.

  When the company simultaneously raised their right hands palm up and presented their flame, she fought her second most severe battle of the night. The tears flowed, and she had to take several deep breaths to keep from sobbing out loud. With heaving chest, she raised her hand in response and acknowledged their salute. With precision heretofore never seen, they all extinguished their flames together.

  "Thank you,” she croaked.

  Swallowing hard, she brought the thick stack of orders clenched in her left hand up in front of her and with her right hand, held the first order to the light. “Before I read these orders, and you come forward to receive them, I will relay Commander Pleates’ last order to me for this company. Remember, keep our recent operation secret. I will now read these orders.

  "Novice Verdilan is hereby assigned to the Headquarters Company of the First Sorcerer Regiment. He will report to Adept Loreana Jorell for duties as Healer Assistant."

  Verdilan came forward, excitedly taking his orders and thanking her for all she had done. In a low voice to avoid embarrassing him, she pointed out they were at formal formation, and to observe proper protocol. She then spoke more loudly the first of her many goodbyes that night and wished him well as he walked off into the night.