The Wizard

by Whiskey Flowers

  “The ground is dry,” Adder said as he looked between them. “Fire?”

  “Maybe,” Devin said. “I want to get a lot closer and see what we can do.”

  “They will see us coming,” Adder said.

  “Then we will run,” Devin replied. “You have magestone?”

  “I have two of them,” Adder said.

  “Good,” Devin said. “Keep up with me, I want to get close enough to start using this bow, maybe I can push the sentry off his mark.”

  Devin took off running at a sprint. The sentry looked confused for a moment and then sounded a small horn. Other sentries looked at the two running Acolytes as Devin was as close as he wanted and fired off an arrow. His aim was true and he took a shocked sentry in the chest as he then continued with his run. Less than a hundred and fifty paces was between him and the sentries when he fired again, that sentry was smart enough to duck as Devin was now within a hundred paces. Devin went with the fireballs then. It shocked the closest sentry as the grasses around him ignited. He bolted from his hiding spot only to be shot by an arrow.

  Many small horns started going off then. Devin didn't bother trying to engage the entire army but instead went after the sentries who first started falling back and then went into a run. Devin found it easy to hit men running away from him, it wasn't very sporting but they would have most likely killed him if they could. Devin thought he took down five men before the enemy sent a force running towards him. Devin settled himself and started firing. The incoming soldiers were slow to realize that Devin was holding his ground and just looking to inflict casualties. Eventually an enemy leader sent out two different forces, one was heavy shield and the other looked like infantry with a few cavalry.

  “Time to go,” Adder said.

  “Almost,” Devin said. “Get ready to run. I am going to drop my strongest magic and get the pit out of here.”

  “They aren't going to give us that chance,” Adder said. “They are slow in their march.”

  “Back up then,” Devin said as he lowered his bow. “Get about fifty paces behind me while I cover you, then I will bound back once you are set.”

  Devin watched Adder leave and sighted in his arrow. He let it fly and took a man holding a shield in the foot. He could hear the man curse from where he was and shot another. The enemy now moved slower and were trying to watch their feet when Devin took one man in the visor. This made them stop marching as Devin fell back, the calvary and infantry started moving faster as Devin fell back to Adder who pointed off in the distance. The Knights and Wizards were formed up and they were moving. Devin smiled as he figured he would use all of his arrows and then flee.

  “There it is,” Devin said as he shot a man riding a horse through the leg.

  “I can't believe you are making these shots Wasp,” Adder said.

  “Watch this one,” Devin said as he took an infantry man in the chest. “They will be on us before I can use all of these arrows.”

  “It will be close,” Adder said. “Do we defend this ground or fall back?”

  “The enemy needs to make a choice too,” Devin said. “Do they attack us or do they retreat since they see our back up coming.”

  “They aren't stopping,” Adder said as he pulled out a magestone.

  “Neither are we,” Devin said as he shot another man.

  “There!” Adder pointed to a man who held out a magestone.

  A fireball shot across the sky as Devin held his hand out and met it with a wind spell which ripped it apart. Three more fireballs from the enemy’s moving shield wall came at them. Devin was able to blow them off course as well. Devin nocked an arrow and shot it at a Wizard he did see. The man just stepped to the left of it and let the arrow land harmlessly beside him and shot off another fireball that Devin blew apart.

  “Black Wizard,” Adder said.

  “No,” Devin said. “Only someone trained in the Grey Fortress could do that.”

  “What about the others?” Adder said.

  “They have only fired one volley,” Devin said.

  “We move back,” Adder said. “I’ll get set, then you follow. Too many things we don't know.”

  Devin fired another arrow except this time he ignored the Wizard who had dodged his last one. Devin hit his target but became increasingly worried that the Wizard he had tried to hit had stopped his men from moving and was now walking towards Devin alone. Devin fired an arrow, the Wizard caught it and tossed it down. Devin started backing away from this enemy, it seemed like it was taking Adder forever to get set. Devin fired another arrow as the Wizard had closed within twenty five yards. The Wizard snatched it up as Devin turned to run.

  Devin could see Adder had just gotten set and had his magestone out as Devin took off running. Devin stayed low as he ran, Adder looked like he was trying to get a shot off. Devin could feel the ground churning up underneath him and chanced a look back. The enemy Wizard had started running and the man had out both of his swords. Devin would have continued running until he realized how stupid his opponent was. Devin turned and let out his fire serpent. The magical fire streaked across the area and latched unto a surprised wizard who was only wearing flowy clothing. The Wizard dropped his swords and pulled out a magestone and drenched himself in water. Devin had just nocked an arrow and was a little angry that the Wizard had managed to dodge it. Devin used a wind spell to blow the Wizard back and pulled out a throwing axe. The Wizard fought for ground but then allowed himself to be blown backward once he saw the axe.

  “Come on then,” Devin said as he held the axe out.

  “You think you are something?” the Wizard growled.

  Devin started backing away and could hear Adder was moving up from behind him. The Wizard started backing away as Devin held his ground. When Adder was finally beside him the Wizard had backed away enough that he started to run back towards his reserves. The rest of Devin’s group had caught up then, thirty Wizards and Acolytes and they went after the moving heavy shield. Spells erupted as the heavy shield fell, the enemy had turned to run and the cavalry had also decided to fall back. The enemy started forming up into bigger units now, Tasha had everyone fall back after that. She just wanted to keep the enemy on high alert.

  CHAPTER 14

  “Wake up,” Cobra said as she brushed against Devin.

  “What is this?” Devin said.

  “Stop screaming, what do you think this is?” Cobra said as she slid up against him. “Why are you in all of this armor stuff?”

  “I am not getting involved in this,” Devin said as he sat up. “Whatever you and the others have, I don't want any of it.”

  “Relax,” Cobra said. “It is almost time for us to hunt, the others are already up.”

  “Pit,” Devin said. “How long was I asleep?”

  “Long enough,” Cobra said. “Can I feel them?”

  “Feel what?” Devin said.

  “Your stones,” Cobra said. “The Squires aren't shy to show me theirs.”

  “That’s them,” Devin said.

  “Stop being so shy,” Cobra said. “We could be dead tomorrow morning. Even you could be dead tomorrow morning.”

  “You could be dead by tomorrow morning,” Devin corrected. “I stood my ground against a Black Wizard and he got the worst of it.”

  “I’ll get a few of the enemy tonight as well,” Cobra said. “I will get more than enough of them. Just Wizards and Acolytes are going, no Knights, Squires or Soldiers.”

  “I just need my things,” Devin said as he hopped up and grabbed his bow.

  “Always with the bow,” Cobra said as she stood up and away from him. “Real men do not need such a weapon. I do all of my fighting up close where the enemy can see me.”

  “And I’ll do mine from the shadow from where I can still make a difference without getting myself killed. If the fight comes to me is when I’ll either take it or run.”

  Devin grabbed his things and saw Cobra was correct, everyone was waiting for him outside. The s
oldiers were also up and on high alert, Devin wondered how the attack would be perceived by the enemy. Devin was sure his impromptu attack along with Adder and followed up by the combined Wizard and Knight show of force had to rattle the enemy. They were now dealing with an enemy who wanted the fight and Devin had even used magic. Magic, Devin thought.

  Devin could feel his magic was back being topped off, he didn't have a need for magestone and his spells were always with him. Devin didn't know the reason but thought it was a good problem to have, in a fight he could back stronger men off of him easily as he looked for either an avenue of attack or to escape. Devin supposed he was still happier with the bow, it just called out to him and the one he had now had decent distance along with great accuracy. The enemy respected him, at least those that survived did.

  “We are not looking for any particular targets,” Wizard Dontrell said. “We are there to spread misery and slaughter. It is horrible and against everything Wizards stand for but our very culture is being threatened. Do not waste your magic unless you believe the fight is dire or if you see a Black Wizard. Fight with your skills, we do not plan on being there longer than a few moments.”

  “We will split,” Tasha said. “My two Acolytes and I will take out some of the sentires on the left side. I have already seen one and I can find him again.”

  “I will take the right,” Wizard Dontrell said. “My group is just going after whoever is on the fringes. This is going to be a quick attack and we will withdraw for a few hours before we do it again. They should get little sleep and be prepared to face this army in the morning.”

  “Are we ever going to get any backup from the other kingdoms?” Devin asked. “Didn't everyone sign an accord?”

  “They do not want to get involved,” Dontrell said angrily. “Unless they are granted their own access to magic. They are content to sit on the side but let it be known if we are not doing our jobs as Wizards then they will stop paying. They do not care about this war.”

  “The Savians are also paying to have them stay out of it,” Tasha said. “They are paying them with knowledge of how to become a Black Wizard and the others are taking it. It is weird that our only ally is also one of our most troublesome Kingdoms. The Knights were a slap in our faces and yet they are the ones here ready to do blood.”

  “They have a lot to lose as well,” Dontrell said. “The Savians would attack for the information they have on us.”

  “Why wouldn't they just lay siege to the Grey Fortress itself?” Devin asked. “If we do not have any allies willing to come aid us.”

  “The Seniors are ready for that,” Tasha said. “But our mission is in front of us. The Savians are the enemy and it is time to make them pay.”

  Devin was ready when it was time to move. Tasha moved silently through the landscape and stuck to the shadows, Devin knew he needed help with this kind of movement. Devin could barely hear her or Adder, he thought he was doing okay but was the loudest by far. Devin also had the most gear on but still thought it was no excuse. Tasha didn't move quickly, sometimes she just laid on her belly and didn't move until she thought the time was right. Devin was just about to move with her when he caught movement from up ahead. Devin drew an arrow in one swift move and let it fly. The twang of the arrow pierced the night and made Adder who was to his left jump. Devin could hear he hit something as he sent another arrow into the same blurry target who had now stood up.

  “Down!” Tasha said as she rolled off to the side. Two streaking fireballs came over at them but it was obvious to Devin that the caster hadn't seen what shot them. Devin fired off another arrow and saw it also thud into the target. The Wizard went down from that attack, Devin must have hit something vital. The fireballs didn't hit anything but it briefly silhouetted Devin and his group while providing light blindness on the side of the enemy.

  “There are more,” Tasha said silently. “They will eventually come this way, we are not going any farther.”

  “What do we do?” Adder asked.

  “Have your magestone out,” Tasha said. “Wasp, you and Adder will be the perimeter. Stay low, everything to the left is yours Adder, everything to the right is yours Wasp. Lay down and touch feet, if you see something, then wiggle the other person’s leg.”

  “What will you do, Master?” Adder asked.

  “I will go see what we are up against,” Tasha said. “There are others out here, I could barely see them but I know they saw us. Good aim from this distance, the only reason they haven't overran us is because they don't know how to get past you but they will. Anyone with sense is eventually going to do what I am doing right now.”

  Devin watched her go, he could track her for a ways but had to stop to scan his area. His bow was still in his hand and he was waiting for movement. Adder bumped him, Devin looked and could see two figures crouched low trying to get around them. Devin and Adder switched places and Devin let an arrow loose. His first target took a fatal blow either in the head or neck, the man stopped moving and didn't make much of a sound as he went down. The man behind him stood up to run and Devin missed that shot. He possibly got him on the leg but his enemy did not slow down if he was tagged. Devin continued looking into the darkness, the silence was broken when he could hear far off men screaming. Wizard Dontrell and the others must have been conducting their attacks or were getting killed, Devin wasn't sure which was which.

  “There!” Adder screamed as the sky lit up with magic from the area Wizard Tasha had gone. Three big spells had erupted and Adder had pointed at a figure moving swiftly through the darkness followed by two others.

  “I can’t tell who is who?” Devin said as he nocked another arrow.

  “Wait until they pass us by,” Adder said. “She could be getting us a good shot. The enemy still doesn't know exactly where we are.”

  Devin saw his chance when the first figure cut the angle they were running at and came right for him. It was Tasha and she jumped over him without stopping. Devin started firing with his bow, the first man was taken in the heart and dropped like a puppet with cut strings. The second man pulled out a magestone only to be overwhelmed by a fireball from Adder who then took out his throwing knives and started tossing them as furiously as possible. The enemy Wizard went down from the onslaught, Devin thought Adder had tossed all six knives he had on him before Tasha touched his shoulder for him to stop.

  “Six or seven Wizards,” Tasha said. “Strip them of their valuables. I snuck up on a group of them hiding in a pit and used my biggest spells. I think I got all of them but these two were just coming up and saw me.”

  “We got two on the other side,” Adder said.

  “Our part is done for now,” Tasha said. “We need those magestones and anything else we can bring back. I have a sack, if you don't have one then start making it a part of your gear.”

  Devin followed Tasha and looted the first two bodies. They both had two magestones a piece. The pit she had taken out earlier also had two magestones a piece, Tasha mused that it was common issue. They had been roasted alive and was still smoldering when they were searched. Devin thought it was the grizzliest business he had ever taken apart of as he found the first man he had shot. This man was dressed a bit differently, Adder called it out and Tasha recognized the face. He had studied at the Grey Fortress. The trio couldn’t stay for long, they had others to search and Tasha didn't want to be gone for too long. When they had everything they could grab, Tasha brought them back through the secure perimeter of the Army and met up with the others.

  The others were in good spirits, they hadn't run into any Wizards and had decimated scores of sleeping men. Wizard Dontrell had made the decision to just use magic since the enemy was gathered together and sleeping. They had been able to sneak deep into the Savian camp and attack and then fell back during the confusion, killing anyone they found during the way. The others were shocked to hear about the Wizard fight, Dontrell wanted to go right back out to see if he could find any more of them. Their magestones were
welcomed, the Wizards with Dontrell had run low and Dontrell himself had run out.

  There were two more attacks that night, Devin didn't see any action and was regulated to being the defense in case someone had to run back in a hurry. The next morning was filled with tired but happy faces. The military commanders knew they harassed the enemy all night and wanted them to feel what it was like to have discouraged troops to rally. The Knights were as always, already up and ready to go. Devin wasn't sure what the Wizard portion of the fight would be like but he still had a few hours left in him that he could give if needed.

  “Wasp,” Tasha said. “I want you and Adder to act as back up to the Knights. Your bow is something they need whether they realize it or not and Adder can serve as your protector in case any of the enemy tries to sneak a blow.”

  “We are ready,” Adder said. “I have been hearing that the Knights place themselves at the head of the fight.”

  “They are the biggest roughest men in the kingdom backed by heavy plate armor,” Tasha said. “It is where they should be. Together they have even turned back cavalry charges with their stout weapons and armor. The Savians know any victory has to go through those men and the Knights know their kingdom is looking at them as heroes. We need to show the men here that they have others that they can look up to. I will be close by but I am only looking for Black Wizards to go after, as are all the full Wizards.”

  “What are the other Acolytes going to do?” Adder asked.

  “They will be on standby just in case a Wizard is spotted,” Tasha said. “They should be able to hold one up until a full Wizard reaches them.”

  Devin followed Tasha to where the Knights were formed up and ready. None gave the Wizards any sneers, at least if they did Devin couldn't tell through their thick helms. Evan saw Devin and gave him space, even Six nodded when he saw the bow and moved over a bit. Devin could see the enemy was also formed up, Devin thought this was what the war was all about. The Knights marched slowly, the enemy archers were just about to fire when Devin raised his hands and started letting his fireballs streak towards them. The fire wasn't as accurate but could be tossed farther. The archers or the men behind them were not ready for the attack as Devin decided to waste all of the energy he had.