The Jade Mage: The Becoming: Volume 1

by Latoria, William D.

  “No, it’s not fair; it’s not at all...” Tartum said out loud without realizing it.

  His sudden words surprised Savall; “What’s not fair, son?” he asked more curious than concerned.

  Without thinking about his answer, Tartum replied; “Life, Boss, life isn’t fair.”

  His answer gave Savall no end of pleasure, and he burst into a roar of laughter that lasted until they reached his office. As they walked in, Savall motioned for him to sit down in a very nice chair across from his desk. He then walked around to a much nicer chair behind the desk and sat down, wiping tears away from his face. Getting himself back under control, Savall looked at Tartum with a big grin on his face.

  “I like you, son, you make me laugh.” He said.

  ...

  “So tell me if I have this all correct, Boss. We get missions from people around the city. We go out and perform whatever task it is the mission requires, whether its murder, kidnapping, or larceny, and then we come back here and report our success or failure to you?” Tartum asked. He was having trouble getting his head around all of it.

  Savall was leaning back in his chair listening to Tartum and evaluating his summary. “That’s the watered down version, son, but yes, that’s pretty much how it works.” He said. “It’s like this, we provide a service to the people of Saroth, whether they be peasent or royality; so long as they have the coin to afford us. We work outside the law, so we’re able to do things those that follow the established law can’t. You’ll be surprised at how much of what we get hired to do is politically motivated!” he laughed.

  “Ok, so we’re mercenaries then?” Tartum asked.

  Savall shook his head, “No, son, we’re not mercenaries because we do more than just kill people. Although, that is one of our primary functions. We’re more...subtle...than a mercenary because we employ those with many different skills and talents. Perhaps a young up and coming Duke wants information on his competitive brother; we send in an agent to get the dirt our client requests, and if the dirt isn’t there, we plant some and report it as gospel. On the other hand, let’s say a young, love struck lad or lady has their eyes set on someone that they aren’t sure returns their affections. We can investigate that as well, and if that individual doesn’t feel that way towards our client...well...for the right amount of compensation, they can be made to see the light. I, myself, have been to a few weddings that have been at arrrow point.” Savall winked at Tartum and grinned wickedly. “Sometimes love just needs a little backhand to get it started. We also do work in adultery, which usually consists of the adulterer and their partner coming to a tragic end. You see? We are much more versatile than a mere mercenary. We’re thieves! And thieves think on their feet, not with their weapons; well not all of them anyway. Whatever the case may be, if a person has the means and the know how to contact us, then we do their bidding. We have a very good reputation in the city’s underground, I’ll have you know, and with members like you, I think it will stay that way son.”

  Tartum mulled it over in his head. He liked the way this all sounded and really liked the drama the clients seemed to bring to the missions. “So, how much do we keep, and how much goes to the guild. Also, Elizabeth mentioned something about fringe benefits when out on a mission?” Tartum asked, as he looked at the items stacked on Savall’s walls. Savall followed his gaze and smiled.

  “Ahhh, Lizzy, always giving away the best parts of the show before it begins. Payment is usually determined by the skill required and your part in the mission. Suffice it to say, you won’t go hungry or want for much, as long as you’re a member in good standing. As for the...benefits...well, I won’t sugar coat it, son, we’re thieves, and if while on a mission if one or two...or five of the target’s possessions end up in your pockets, then who am I to judge. Just remember a few things; one, we don’t rob in excess. If you’re sent to pilfer all the arrows from the fletcher’s shop, you don’t take all the bows as well. A few is acceptable, but leave the merchant enough to rebuild. The mission’s objectives must be followed to the letter above all else, then your secondary needs can be met. Two, for assassination missions, only kill who you have to, to get to the mark. For example, if the mark is a husband, and he is in bed with his wife, you wouldn’t kill the wife; unless she was standing in the way. Sometimes an assassination mission is more about the people you leave alive than about who you kill. Third, finish the mission successfully at all costs. Even if it means you have to leave behind a comrade, a loved one, or some shiny item you wish to aquire. Get the mission completed successfully, everyone and everything else is secondary! I cannot stress that enough. If we don’t show our clients we can get the job done, at any cost, we’ll be out of business and in the stockades in a month.” Savall finished his explanation with a harsh look in his eyes.

  Swallowing, Tartum asked another question. “So, why did I get a bag of scrap metal out of that gold box in my overexam?”

  “Ahh, that!” Savall said. Reaching acorss the table, Savall took the bag of metal from Tartum and tossed it on the floor. “That is a symbolic gesture on my part. It represents you completing a mission and bringing me the items you were sent to get. Your entire overexam is set up for you to fail. That’s what makes it so important for you to pass. The missions we undertake are not set up in our favor, so why should the overexam be any different? The stingers in the beginning were to get your blood pumping and kill off the weak or the ones that have gotten through on luck right off the bat. We don’t like to waste time. The red shirted guardsmen were those we kidnapped that never had their ransom paid. We can’t just free them, and killing them would be a terrible waste of time and resources, so we give them some equipment, tell them if they kill the guy or girl coming through the maze we’ll free them and give them a bag of gold for their trouble.” Savall made a gesture like he was wiping his hands.

  “Anyway, the red shirted men were a test to see if you would kill a man. Not just a beast or a monster like in training, but men that had done nothing to you but be in the wrong color shirt at the wrong time. Needless to say, son, you passed that with flying colors. Their other purpose was to see if you could control your bloodlust, and that’s where the blue shirted man came in. You see son, we saw how you took care of the ogre, and we needed to know that everytime your back is against a wall you’re not just going to blow up everything. Your courage and resourcefulness with your magic and environment showed us that you did have your mind on the mission and you did everything in your power to keep the blue shirted man safe. Hell son, you even cast your little protective spell on him. I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw you do that!” Savall barked out his laughter as he recalled the moment. “The man almost shat his pants when it happened!”

  It took him a moment, but eventually Savall regained his composure and continued. “After you dispatched all the red shirts, you remembered the reason you were there and extracted the man from the throne. Granted, you were sloppy when you let your guard down and got kicked in the face, your spell allowed you to capture him quickly and that showed us your ability to improvise and adapt to situations. If Rashlarr had been any prouder when you got the blue shirt with that web, he would have burst at his seams!” Savall gushed, he was really happy with Tartum’s performance. “Disarming the trap on the throne was a simple test to see if you would notice it and disarm it so you could move forward in your overexam. Once you accomplished that, the sewers were next. I know it was confusing, but sometimes the best way to move a kidnapped mark is through the bowels of the city. That way, if they make too much noise or try to escape there are very few options for them, and it gives you a greater chance of recapturing them. The cut out of Jeth was just to give you the idea that you would encounter an officer and turn the package over to them. The stingers that attacked you after you dropped off the blue shirt was to teach you that the sewers aren’t safe and that nasty, hungry animals live down there. Trust me, much worse things than stingers are in the real sewers of Saroth!”
Savall grimmaced and leaned forward in his chair.

  “You dispatched them well enough, but I was shocked when you lost your staff, son. I was sure you would fail when you were trying to decide between going through the doorway or going after your staff. Poor Lizzy, she started saying, “Keep going! Keep going! We can get it back later!” Savall’s impersonation of Elizabeth’s voice was awful, and Tartum had to laugh when he attempted it. Savall tried to look hurt, but a smile broke the facade.

  “Well, that’s what she said, son. That girl loves you, no doubt about it. Treat her well, she’s likely to kill you otherwise.” There was no joke in his voice now, and Tartum thought he detected a hint of warning. “Anyway, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground when you dove through the doorway just as it sealed shut. Way to adhere to the third rule, son! I’m sure Rashlarr has recovered your staff by now. Just know that in a real mission you may lose things that can’t be recovered. Make your peace with it, or you’ll get yourself killed and fail your mission over a lucky button or keepsake.” he warned.

  Tartum nodded his understanding. He hated the idea of losing his staff or any of his magical possessions. As far as he was concerned, the third law was going to be followed on a case by case basis. Laws be damned! he thought to himself, Am I not a thief now? Isn’t my main purpose to break the law? The irony left him frustrated. He would rather be dead than lose any of his magic. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Tartum focused on what Savall was saying.

  “The golden box was a nasty little trick, as you saw, and if you had picked the first lock it would have killed you and everything left alive in the training room. Except us of course, we were safe behind the barrier. Very clever of you to figure out that it was a false lock and then locate and pick the correct one. Even more impressive was finding the cats gut string inbetween the lid and the box as you opened it. That box has been the doom of countless would be members. I don’t think any of us exhaled until after you had the prizes in hand. In fact, it was after you picked up the bag of sapphires that Jeth stormed out of the room.” Savall laughed. “He kept his bet, but the man is a very sore loser, son!”

  Tartum thought back to the moment he came out of the overexam. He realized Savall was right, and Jeth hadn’t been there. So caught up in the victory and excitement, he didn’t even notice! “To hells with him. I got my winnings, let him go soak his head in the chamberpot. I would have lost my staff if I failed!” Tartum said a grim look on his face. Everytime he heard something about Jeth it made him like him even less. “I thank you for your kind words about my performance, Boss, but I have to ask. When do I get my first mission?”

  Savall’s smile never wavered, “Soon, son, but for now, go; celebrate your success however you see fit. Eat, drink, practice your spells, make love to Lizzy, go out on the town! Soon enough I’ll be putting you to work for the guild. Soon enough your shelves will fill with the trophies of your endeavors. Welcome, son! Welcome to the thieves guild!”

  And with that, Tartum was dismissed.

  CHAPTER 22

  Tartum was excited! For the first time in a year, he was leaving the compound and heading back into the city! Elizabeth, Vaund, and Buddy were with him, and Tartum felt like he was king of the world! After he had left Savall’s office, he found Elizabeth and Vaund in his room waiting for him. Elizabeth had his staff, which had been such a relief that he felt his legs grow weak as the worry drained out of him. Vaund was playing with Buddy, as always, and then they popped the surprise on him. Elizabeth gave him a bag full of coins, and together they told him about the day in the city to celebrate his success. Nothing sounded better to him than to be with his friends out in the city for the day. They left immediately.

  As they walked outside the compound, the sun hit Tartum, and it felt like being embraced by a long lost friend. He stood there with his eyes closed enjoying the warm feel of it when Elizabeth called out to him. Her tone was serious and familiar. It was her instructor tone, and it focused Tartum’s thoughts immediately.

  She was pointing to the wall they had just walked out of. There was no door that Tartum could see. Elizabeth explained; “As you can see, Sweetheart, the door is invisible and you’ll only be able to find your way home if have a pendant like this.” Pulling out her pendant, Tartum didn’t see anything remarkable about it. He had seen it hundreds of times before and always thought it was kind of ugly. It was some sort of black stone that was poorly shaped into a teardrop. It hung from her neck by a thin black cord of leather that tied together in the back. There was nothing special or interesting about it what-so-ever.

  He watched her look around the alley they were in, and once she was satisfied they were alone, she pressed the pendant against the wall and counted out loud to three. She removed the pendant, counted outloud again to four and then held the pendant against the wall and counted to five. After she finished her five count, the wall moved into itself, silently, and Tartum could see the hallway that led into the compound he had been living in for the past year. As soon as she removed her pendant from the wall, it closed again. Tartum never would have believed there was a door there if he hadn’t just seen it for himself.

  Elizabeth smiled, reached into one of her pockets and pulled out another pendant. This one looked nothing like hers. It was solid jade and in the shape of a dragon’s body. The pendant was sculpted to look like the dragon was about to jump into the sky with its wings spread and head down. The detail was meticulous, and Tartum thought it must have been worth a fortune. Elizabeth walked over to him and placed the dragon pendant around his neck.

  “Consider this my gift to you for becoming a member, Sweetie; and for keeping your promise to me.” She said with a wink. “Oh, this is also your key back into the guild. Think your steel trap mind that can remember all those silly magic words can remember a simple three, four, five count?” she was giggling at him now.

  Tartum didn’t know what to say, so instead he kissed her. She gave a little squeak of surprise, but she recovered quickly and returned his affection with passion. The kissing went on for a while and was finally interrupted by Vaund clearing his throat. “Umm, any chance we’re going to get out of this alley? I’m looking forward to the celebrating and stuff.” he said, the impatience was obvious in his voice. Buddy barked at them, as if to show his support of Vaund’s words

  Laughing, Tartum put his arm around Elizabeth and walked over to where Vaund and Buddy stood. Together they walked out of the alley and into the city, ready to start their day of celebration.

  ...

  All day they spent exploring the city. Elizabeth and Vaund brought him to the city zoo where he saw some of the most remarkable beasts the world had to offer. He saw flying snakes called Wisps that looked like a combination of a large python and three sets of bat wings. There were Stingers and alligators, as well as various types of fish and waterborn life.

  One fish in particular that caught his attention was a large blue scaled monster that had eyes that looked like they belonged to a cat. It was alone in a tank that looked to be far to large for a single fish. The attendant said it was called a Visfish; when Tartum asked why they called it that she explained it was due to how viciously it attacked it’s prey. She offered Tartum’s group a demonstration for a small donation, so Tartum gave her a few gold coins from his purse. The attendant left for a moment and came back with a fish about twice the size of the Visfish in the tank. Tartum didn’t know what to expect, and all of them stared as the attendant dropped the new fish into the tank. The Visfish was staring daggers at Tartum’s group until it noticed the new arrival in its tank. It swam very fast at the new fish, and before their eyes, its mouth extended into a gaping maw of savage teeth and raw death. The feeder fish may have been twice the size of the Visfish, but it ate the entire animal in one massive bite. The water was clouded with blood and scales, but the visfish didn’t seem to mind. With his meal digesting, it returned to its place by the glass, staring daggers at Tartum and his group. They thanked the attand
ant who just smiled and left.

  They saw many other marvels in the zoo, like apes that used their powerful arms to dig out huge complex tunnels in the ground like they were ants. The attendant there said it was assumed they did this to reach the underground insects and vegetation that their race thrived on. They were called Rooters, and Tartum found their underground life fascinating. The main attraction of the zoo was an enourmus five headed lizard with a foul temper. Its body was covered in thick black scales that ran up all five of its necks. Where there were no scales; its skin was a bright orange and red that gave the beast an even more foreboding appearance. The zoo called it a Hydra and demonstated its ferocity by sending in five large cows. The feeding that took place was suitably gory and disgusting. Children screamed, women retched, men cheered, and Buddy barked. Tartum and Elizabeth watched passively, it was an impressive display, but Tartum felt something strange as he watched the Hydra feed. He felt the urge to join it, some part of him wanted to tear into those cows with the beast and take part in the feeding. One of the Hydra’s heads looked up in his direction for a moment, and Tartum thought it was looking right at him. As fast as the feeling came over him it was gone, and Tartum found himself momentarily dazed by the sensation. Shaking his head, Tartum gathered Buddy and Vaund together and told them he was ready to leave. They had to practically drag Vaund away from the Hydra’s pen, he was so taken with the creature. After more pulling than convincing, they were finally able to get him away from the enclosure but only with the promise that they would go straight to the merchants district to do some shopping. He was sullen, but agreed, and went to walk ahead with Buddy, leaving Elizabeth and Tartum behind. Tartum laughed, it was so easy to forget he was a child and yet so easy to remember as well.