“How did you know?” Knight Jeffries asked.
“Because you didn't call the Wizard a male or a female,” Master Katee said. “That woman is not someone you should be playing around with. She has already proven that to you once.”
“Maybe I shouldn't be around to hear this,” Devin said and went to stand.
“Sit down boy,” Master Katee said. “Gerald was my Squire many moons ago, before I became Master of the Citadel. When he was your age, he somehow met an Acolyte and they snuck around and fell in love. When her Wizard found out about it, he barred her from ever seeing Gerald again. Wizards have some code where they cannot be in any relationships.”
“They can be in relationships,” Knight Jeffries said. “But since they cannot have children, why bother? Maybe the males can find a widow or a woman whose husband has ran off but what then? No woman is going to want her child following in the footsteps of a Wizard, why would she? The only thing that comes close to motherhood for a woman is to become a grandmother. I didn't care either way, I never knew my father and I grew up in an orphanage after my mother’s new husband didn't want me. Me and Tasha were a thing until her Wizard broke us apart. I was heartbroken and started tearing through women, barmaids, laundry girls, seamstresses, whores, whoever wanted it could get it. Tasha decided to leave the Order to be with me, right around the time I thought I found a woman to marry. She already had two children so me coming around had to be a blessing. She was beautiful and happy to have nothing to do but keep home. We were together for two years and eventually got married, of course I had been taking care of her for almost as long as I had met her. Tasha had come from the Kingdom of Barbia and found us together. She went insane and went to torch my bride, but I stepped in the way. Tasha thought I would wait for her, after all her Wizard was only angry because I was a Squire. My bride tried but she eventually wanted nothing to do with me. My scars were too great for her and she found someone else who said they would take care of her. That someone turned out to be a criminal and conman, everything fell apart after two months.”
“Did you take her back?” Devin asked.
“I probably would have,” Knight Jeffries chuckled. “But my Knight graduated me and sent me to the far reaches of the Kingdom. He threatened to have me disbarred if I came back before my three year stint was up. When I finally came back I found her living on the street but I was over what we could have had. She was pretty enough to finally land a city watchman, he is about thirty years older than we are and she has had four more kids since then.”
“Sounds like you got off lucky with her,” Devin replied. “I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it sounds like she still wants you.”
“She does?” Master Katee said surprised.
“She wants me to settle down with her,” Knight Jeffries said. “This life is all I have known.”
“You have already made your money,” Master Kaytee said. “And you have had a good career. Why stay here? I think she is crazy but you are beyond your womanizing and she doesn't care about your scars.”
“You think I should lay up with her after she did this to me?” Knight Jeffries said laughing.
“Yes,” Master Kaytee said. “And I know you have at least thought about it.”
“Enough about her,” Knight Jeffries said. “What is to become of my Squire?”
“Hard to say,” Master Kaytee said. “The accords were written that said all magical persons belonged to the Wizards. It is not that simple though. It was written that way to stop any Kingdom from trying to buy a Wizard for their uses. If your Squire already has magic, then he was not trained by any Wizards. Who knows what could happen? Your Squire would be a fool to not at least learn what they could teach him. He holds no bonds or loyalty to them, whose to say he wouldn't leave on his own accord?”
“He would still not be welcomed into the Kingdom,” Knight Jeffries said. “Whatever job he takes could not be serving King and country.”
“But he could make decent money as a Wizard,” Master Katee said. “It is unknown if he can refuse them. Wizards could always just kill him, he wouldn't have a way to protect himself. If he at least learned what they could teach him, then he would have a better chance to protect himself if they ever bothered to hunt him after he left. The King will not risk a war with all the other kingdoms and the Wizards over a boy. The Savians will need to end their war soon or they will find themselves besieged on all sides. Maybe if they withdraw from the accords but who knows what problems that brings. Maybe every Kingdom withdraws?”
“What I don't understand is what took the Wizards so long to come put down their own?” Knight Jeffries said. “I have my opinions but we deal in facts.”
“You are most likely true,” Master Kaytee said. “We came up with our own elite peacekeeping force. Every Kingdom has watchmen but Knights were a step above. We have been handling business just as good as the Wizards which has resulted in less money being sent to them. They wanted to have us struggle against their people, eventually I think they would have joined in the war or their people would have went away. I think it was a setup, no Wizards really left the order, they were there to cause confusion. With their deaths at your Squire’s hands combined with the fact that he has performed magic, his days here are numbered as a Squire.”
“Thank you for your candor,” Knight Jeffries said. “Squire, it sounds like you may not have a choice. I do not think it will take them longer than four days to catch up to us. They will move as fast as possible once they learn that we have fled. I want you to spend the rest of the night reflecting on what you want to get out of your time here and if you know of other ways to cast magic. If it comes to the worst, the only way I can help you is by finding you a good teacher.”
CHAPTER 8
The Wizards came for Devin on the fifth day after he arrived at Citadel which was surprising. Devin had cast many spells and had learned things about himself that he decided to keep silent. Devin had read anything he could get his hands on, Knight Jeffries insisted that he read since the books in the Citadel likely did not exist anywhere else. Dell learned about the different races that was said to inhabit the world thousands of years ago. There were two races in particular that sounded too much like him for him to ignore, the elves and a group called the dwarves.
Elves were said to have lightning quick reflexes, uncanny accuracy, excellent balance and climbing ability and the ability to use magic naturally. Devin would have ignored most of it except everyone he had met remarked on his bow skills and he did defeat someone in a throwing knife challenge. Devin had always been able to fight, but from what he had been hearing there was no way he should have been able to dodge a blow from a Wizard and beat the pit out of him. When Devin tried casting magic without a crystal it came naturally to him. What was even more telling was that he found that he didn't need to really say any words once he knew what he wanted the magic to do. There was no pain and the feeling just made him seem alive. Devin did not look like an elf though. He wasn't very tall or slender, he was a bit taller than average but was nothing like an elf. His ears were not pointed and no one would have called him amazingly beautiful. The other race called dwarves also had him intrigued.
Dwarves were short and wide. Devin always had a decent back and shoulders, it looked like it would be more comfortable on a taller man. Dwarves had strength beyond that of a human and also had tough skin. Devin thought his skin was always tough but thought it was due to always being outside and his hands were the result of working iron. What convinced Devin was that the Dwarves had never gotten sick and were naturals at working stone, metal or wood. Devin was also good at these things, he thought he was better than his father was. Devin had began thinking he was a mixture of the two when he grabbed a stick and tried whittling it with a knife he was given. Devin had never been a sculptor but his impromptu statue looked like it was carved by someone with some talent. Devin wanted to talk to his father, Geflin would have answers he needed.
Knight Jeffries was
currently yelling at the group of Wizards who had showed up for Devin. Devin knew the man was just being difficult for difficult’s sake. Devin left most of his weapons and crystals, the only thing he took was a bow that Knight Jeffries had made for him. It was thick but relatively compact compared to his warbow. It had a tougher draw weight than the bows the army had and Devin had thought he was a great shot with it.
“Squire,” Knight Jeffries said. Devin was surprised to find the man in regular traveling clothes and without his face covering. He had a travel bag packed and was talking to four angry looking Wizards, the woman Tasha being one of them.
“Sir,” Devin said.
“These Wizards wish to have words with you,” Knight Jeffires said.
“We don't want words!” An older Wizard with graying brown hair snapped. “We want him.”
“I will not let you kill my Squire,” Knight Jeffries said.
“We are not going to kill him,” Tasha said. “But we will question him.”
“I do not trust your Order,” Knight Jeffries said.
“And I don't care!” the older Wizard said.
“You should,” Knight Jeffries replied. “Because if something happens to him you would be seen as enemies of the Kingdom for all time. I am not an idiot and neither are my people. Wizards conveniently fighting for Savia is suspicious at best.”
“I have a signed writ from your King,” Tasha said.
“And I have a Citadel full of Knights that would end all of you,” Knight Jeffries said.
“We are not going to harm your Squire, Gerald,” Tasha said in a softer tone.
“You do not have to explain anything to this Knight,” the older Wizard said. “He has to obey his King.”
“And I am not a Knight,” Knight Jeffries said. “My name is Gerald and I am his mentor.”
“You are no longer a Knight?” Tasha asked, surprised. “Is this some kind of jest?”
“No,” Gerald replied. “And I will accompany Devin to wherever you are going.”
“You are not welcomed animal,” the older Wizard said. “You look as ridiculous as you sound.”
“And you can sod off you old crow,” Devin said. “You are no one special.”
“Silence boy!” the older Wizard snapped.
“Or you are going to do what?” Devin asked. “I am not scared of you, all you can do is talk.”
“You belong to me,” the older Wizard said.
“So you think I am going to be your slave now?” Devin said with a laugh. “You really are a nutter.”
“That is enough Devin,” Gerald said. “How many Acolytes can one Wizard take?”
“That is not of your concern,” the older Wizards said.
“Four,” Tasha said.
“I want my former Squire to be under you,” Gerald said. “I do not trust the rest of your order.”
“I said it is not your concern!” the older Wizard snapped.
“I can take him,” Tasha said.
“You are listening to this man?” the older Wizard said.
“I am,” Tasha said. “I think my second chance has come and I am not going to mess it up.”
“He can't come with us,” the older Wizard said.
“He is going to be my husband,” Tasha said. “He can come with me.”
“Wizards do not settle down,” the older Wizard said.
“This one does,” Tasha replied.
Gerald had Devin walk in front of him, outside of the Citadel there were eight horses and a small carriage. Tasha gestured for Devin to take a horse, Devin guessed the small carriage belonged to her and it already had a driver. The older Wizard looked disgustedly at Devin and jumped on his horse with the others. The first day was decent, no one talked to Devin, even the other Acolytes left him alone. When they went to their first inn to stay the night in was when things got interesting. Gerald had Devin speed shooting with his bow into a bale of hay that had been set aside for the horses that frequented the inn. In ten seconds, Devin was able to get fourteen arrows into someone from a distance of ten paces. Gerald had Devin switch to knives then arrows again. Tasha came out to watch him and didn't say anything but just studied his skills.
“He really knows how to use that bow,” Tasha said. “With magic, we rarely have a need for a bow.”
“He is fast,” Gerald said. “I knew he was something special when I saw him on the field of battle.”
“How is his fighting?” Tasha said.
“Unknown,” Gerald replied. “But he has caught an Acolyte by surprise and won before.”
“There is only one way to find out,” Tasha said with a smile. “Come over here Acolyte.” Devin stopped what he was doing and walked over.
“You need a name but I am not sure of where in the training I should place you,” Tasha said. “Our junior members are named after small mammals, like rabbits or mice. Our senior members are named after venomous animals. There are tests that you need to pass to have a more substantial name. For now your name is Fox. You will respond to that name. Foxes are crafty and often underestimated, you like you were and will be again. We are going to have an unarmed fight, see if you can hit me.”
“Do you want me to fight like a gentleman or how my Da taught me?” Devin asked.
“It doesn't matter,” Tasha said as she got loose.
“I just need a drink of water first,” Devin said.
Devin went to get his skin but used the time to pick up a hand full of dirt. Devin took a good drink of water and decided to keep some in his mouth. His Da said that liquor worked best, but a surprise was a surprise. Devin nodded that he was ready and Tasha gave him a ‘come and get it’ motion with her hands, waving him in. Devin charged but purposely stood a little short as he threw his first punch, it was a jab and Tasha easily weaved to the outside. Devin let the dust in his hand fly at her face then, Tasha brought her hands up as Devin stepped on her foot and turned into a punch. He felt bad for hitting the woman as solidly as he did but not for long. Her knees buckled but she did not seem to be in any real pain.
“Dirty trick,” Tasha said as she jumped around a bit. “Solid punch though, you got your whole body into it. I am finding it difficult to stand, I think you got me in the liver.”
“How are you able to speak from such a blow?” Gerald asked.
“You may have gotten the girl but you do not have my secrets and that would be telling,” Tasha said. “My body is going to need a few days to fix itself after that but let's go another round.”
“You are pathetic,” the older mage said as Devin just noticed him. “You got dropped by a brute who doesn't even have real training yet. Come at me boy and I can show you what a real Wizard can do.”
Devin went right after him with a big looping punch. The older mage ducked into it and was right up on Devin about to punch him when Devin spit the water in his face. The older mage flinched for a second and Devin stepped on his foot and started wailing. His opponent was giving short, compact, powerful strikes but Devin knew his hurt as well. Devin could feel the damage being down to his body and started pounding harder. The Wizard started trying to free his leg and Devin let it go as he charged forward and stepped on the other foot and was content to pound on the smaller man. The Wizard hit Devin down below, Devin crumpled and managed to wrap his arm around his opponent’s neck in a reverse headlock. Devin squeezed and tugged for all he was worth, his opponent just fought harder until Devin could feel the blows stop.
“I think he is out,” Gerald said. “How are you feeling boy?”
“Like the pit,” Devin replied as he tossed the older Wizard off him and laid on the ground. “He is too fast and his hits hurt.”
“Yeah but you were giving as good as you got,” Gerald said. “Your Da must be good at brawling.”
“He thinks so but I have never seen him in a fight,” Devin replied. “Taught me every dirty trick he knows. That stepping on the foot business is the one I am most proud of.”
“Well get up th
en,” Gerald said as he held out a hand and pulled Devin to his feet.
“If he had something sharp like a blade, I would have been dead,” Devin said. “But in a punch out against an old man smaller than myself, I like my chances.”
“Acolyte Fox,” Tasha said. “Your tricks are decent, we do not use them at the, well we do not use them. Now fight me without any foot stepping, dirt throwing or water spitting. A pure striking contest. You will learn that while against a single opponent, these moves could win you the day, but against many you would have to move and the time you took to step on a foot to wail could mean your death.”
Devin nodded and went after Tasha again, at first he marveled at her speed, she was dodging everything he threw. Devin backed away from her and tried a spinning backfist, that almost caught her and made her drop on her behind. Devin went to get the downed woman but she flipped up to her feet and now she started throwing strikes. Devin backed away and was trying to keep her off him. Devin was backed into a wall and put his hands up in surrender.
“She was reading you boy,” Gerald said as Devin could see the older Wizard was awake and frowning. “Every punch you threw, she was reading you like a book. You are faster than she is, stronger and longer as well. She just knows how to fight and you are a decent brawler at best.”
“He is a cheat using illegal moves!” the older Wizard said. “But you have promise boy. Your headlock was a good one, it was sound and effective. Your body is also well trained but something about you isn't right.”
“I noticed that as well,” Tasha said. “Your body is not as trained as it needs to be. You flinched and felt pain where there should have been none.”
“No pain?” Devin asked. “Are you serious? He is older than I am and I am sure he was putting his all into it.”
“The magic,” the older Wizard began. “Where are your crystals?”
“Given away,” Devin replied.
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