The Unsuspecting Mage: The Morcyth Saga Book One

by Brian S. Pratt

  Early the next morning found them on their way to the road where they originally found the raided caravan. After several hours of riding, it appeared in the distance but without any sign of the caravan.

  “Maybe we came to the road in a different spot,” suggested Miko.

  James looked down the road in both directions. “But which way?”

  “Can’t you just do that compass thing and find out?”

  “Probably,” James replied, turning to him, “but it might be better if I didn’t use magic for a while. I’m getting kind of worn out.” Thinking for a bit, he made his decision, “We’ll head in the direction of Trademeet and if we don’t find them, then at least we will be headed in the right direction.”

  “I suppose we could leave a message for them there, letting them know what’s going on,” said Miko.

  “Good idea, we’ll do that,” he agreed. They turned their horses east and set off at a canter, slowly eating away the miles.

  Around noon they reached the spot where the caravan had been raided. Yesterday’s rain hadn’t removed all traces of the blood that still marred the ground from the bandit’s attack. A hundred feet or so off the road raised a mound of fresh turned earth.

  James indicated the mound. “Must be where they buried the bodies of the guards and drivers.”

  “Looks like it. Guess they managed to hook the bandits’ horses up to the wagons and are on their way to Trademeet.”

  “Hope so. It shouldn’t take us much longer to catch up.”

  Riding fast, they left the battle area and hurried down the road. They didn’t get far before a lone rider appeared on the road approaching them from the east. When he drew near, James slowed and greeted, “Good day to you, sir.”

  The man slowed as well and stared suspiciously at James all the while resting his hand upon the pommel of his sword. “Good day to you as well,” the man replied, not relaxing his grip on his sword.

  “We were wondering if you could tell us if you had seen a caravan further down the road, heading east?” he asked. “There would have been a man and two women in charge of it.”

  “Aye,” the man replied. “I passed a caravan some time earlier this morning. It had an escort of the kings’ soldiers with it, if that be the one you’re referring to.”

  “Yes, that’s it.”

  “They are perhaps two hours away, maybe more.”

  “Thank you sir, you’ve been a great help.” James said in acknowledgment as he nudged his horse into motion. “Have a safe journey.”

  Once out of earshot Miko asked, “Not a very friendly sort, was he?”

  “Alone in the middle of nowhere is not a place to be too trusting,” James explained. “Especially when you are outnumbered two to one.”

  “At least he let us know they’re not too far ahead.”

  “Yes, hopefully we will catch them by nightfall,” James figured.

  “That would be nice. Sheila was kind of cute.”

  Looking over at him, James warned, “You better not let Rylin hear you say that.”

  “Why? She is cute,” Miko replied defensively.

  “I agree that she is cute. However, I believe Rylin is in love with her and you wouldn’t want him to mark you as a rival for her affections.”

  “I’ll admire her from afar,” Miko stated. Seeing the look on James’ face he added, “Silently.”

  “See that you do,” he said, with a little extra emphasis on the word do.

  They continued to make good time and shortly before sunset a large camp with many wagons and tents appeared alongside the road ahead. When they drew closer, Rylin emerged from the bustle of the camp to greet them.

  “James! Miko! How glad I am to see you,” he exclaimed. He shook James’ hand with enthusiasm.

  Dismounting, James said, “Sorry we were unable to retrieve your horses, but the bandits joined with a larger force and we couldn’t risk it.”

  Joining the conversation, Miko said, “Captain Varos took off after them, though. He may return the horses to you.”

  “So you ran into the Captain, did you?” Rylin asked. “He was kind enough to offer us an escort into Trademeet and then set off after the bandits. We told him you may be around.”

  Walking their horses into camp, James saw Sheila and her mother, Shawna, getting the wagons positioned and the horses taken care of. Some of the soldiers were lending their aid in getting everything situated properly. They tied their horses near the wagons and walked to where the ladies were busy removing the last of the tack from the horses.

  “Sheila!” Rylin hollered as they approached. She turned at his call. Placing the tack on the wagon, she said, “Mother, Look! James and Miko are back.”

  Pulling a saddle from the back of a horse, Shawna gave them a smile before placing it on the wagon. Giving the horse into the care of one of the soldiers, she came over to them, saying, “We weren’t sure whether or not we would see you again. I’m glad you made it back safely.”

  “We ran into some unforeseen problems,” James said.

  With concern on her face she asked, “Like what?”

  “The bandits had met with another group and together, were a force too strong for us to be able to do anything. We decided it was too risky to try to retrieve your horses.”

  A man in uniform with a commanding presence walked toward them from the soldier’s area. As he approached the group, Shawna said, “James, Miko, this is Sergeant Mindol.” Turning to the sergeant, she said, “These are the two who were going after the bandits and attempted to recover our horses.”

  “I was wondering who the newcomers were.” Extending his hand toward James, the sergeant said, “Good evening to you, sir.”

  Taking his hand in a firm grip, James said, “Good evening to you as well.”

  “Did you catch up with the bandits?”

  “As I was telling them, we did but they had joined with a larger force,” he explained. “We were on our way back when we encountered Captain Varos and told him what was going on. He led his men south and I believe was going to attempt to overtake the bandits.”

  “He’s an outstanding captain,” Sergeant Mindol stated. “I am sure he will be able to handle any situation he may run into.”

  “He did seem rather capable,” Miko joined in. “Didn’t seem the sort to waste any time.”

  “That sounds like him,” Sergeant Mindol agreed. Nodding to the ladies, he said, “I just wanted to know who the newcomers were. I must go and see to my men. If you will excuse me?”

  “Of course, Sergeant,” Shawna replied.

  Sergeant Mindol gave her a nod then returned to his men.

  As she watched him go, Shawna said, “I am glad that Captain Varos could spare him and his men. It makes me feel so much safer, especially since all of our guards were killed.”

  “I am sure we will see you safely to Trademeet,” Rylin assured. He looked to James for his agreement but he was unable to give it.

  “I’m afraid that Miko and I must continue our journey in the morning,” James explained. “You shouldn’t have any troubles now that you have a professional armed guard escorting you.”

  “Yes,” Sheila interjected as she took Rylin’s arm, “I am sure we have all the protection my mother and I could want.” She placed her head on his shoulder.

  Rylin looked a little uncomfortable at the attention, but not altogether unhappy with it either.

  Shawna’s face turned dark as she looked at the way her daughter was acting. She said crisply, “Sheila, go and start dinner for us please.”

  Lifting her head off Rylin’s shoulder, she replied, “Yes mother.” She gave Rylin’s arm one last squeeze before she went to the wagon and started to gather the items needed for dinner.

  Looking a little embarrassed, Rylin said, “I should check on the horses.” After a slight nod to Shawna, he headed to where the horses were picketed.

  Stepping closer to Shawna, James said, “I take it you don’t approve of what is d
eveloping between Rylin and your daughter?”

  She gave James a sharp glance which seemed to say, ‘It’s none of your business,’ then said, “I don’t think a hired guard is a suitable match for my daughter, no.”

  “What would be?” James asked.

  Seeing her expression darken, James hurriedly continued, “I mean, Rylin has already proven he would lay his life down for your daughter. Any other man you couldn’t be sure if his words of love are for her or her money.”

  Her expression softened slightly as she considered his words.

  “Rylin would always be there for her and her for him. You’ve seen them together, he loves her and she him. There can be no better foundation for a relationship than that.”

  “Maybe,” she said, “but what kind of life is it to be married to a man like that? She should be married to a noble, so she can have servants to make her days easier for her than mine have been for me.”

  “Would you have wanted an easier life if it meant not having been with your husband?”

  Smiling a sad smile, she answered, “No, I wouldn’t. In fact, my mother was dead set against me marrying him, but I was in love.” Sighing a little, she continued, “We snuck out one night and got married in the next town.”

  “Oh, you should have heard my father erupt when he found out what I had done,” she said with a wistful laugh. “We stood our ground and after a while, they came to understand that we were meant for each other.”

  He motioned to the campfire that Sheila had built, “It looks like she’s her mother’s daughter.”

  Shawna discovered that Rylin had found his way to where Sheila was preparing the meal. He sat not far from her as he sharpened his sword while she sliced vegetables for the stew pot. Sheila wore a smile and had a glow about her that only being near the one you love could bring. Miko had found his way over there as well. He tried to engage them in conversation, but was completely ignored.

  As she turned toward James, he saw that she now had a look of understanding, “It won’t be easy for them, especially her.”

  “Since you will always need guards for you caravans,” James explained, “why don’t you make him the lead guard and you’ll always have him near. She wouldn’t have to worry about what he was doing, or if he was getting hurt.”

  “Perhaps you are right,” she conceded, making her way to the campfire.

  Miko returned to James and said, “No one is paying me any attention over there.”

  James continued to look at Sheila and Rylin as he said to Miko, “They only have eyes for each other.”

  “Why don’t we travel with them all the way into Trademeet?”

  “The wagons will slow us down. Besides, I want to find that temple quickly. There’s a war over there and if it should move north, I would like to be done with what I need to do before it gets there.”

  “Then I hope we can find it fast.”

  “So do I,” agreed James, “so do I.” He then joined the others by the fire.

  After supper, they settled down around the campfire. Rylin and Sheila sat together, sharing a blanket. Shawna’s gaze was no longer one of disapproval, but a wistful one, remembering when she was young and in love with her dearly departed husband.

  The strumming of a musical instrument from the soldiers’ area reached them through the night. They decided that an evening of music was exactly what they needed, so they made their way over and joined them. One of the soldiers had an instrument like a mandolin and played a quick, lively tune. He accompanied it with a deep bass voice, not nearly the caliber of Perrilin’s, but still pleasant to the ear. The soldiers made room for them and they spent the rest of the evening listening to the music and socializing.

  In the morning after breakfast, James and Miko said their goodbyes and headed down the road.

  Chapter Twenty

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