When Dorull returned with a crudely crafted ring, Eril knew he would have his work cut out for him. Even so, he was excited by the challenge.
He worked on it all afternoon, and in the end nearly remade the ring from scratch. By the time he showed it to Master Dorull, he knew it was much better than the ring Dorull had kept back from him. Eril barely contained a smirk when Dorull examined the ring and found how good it was.
“Boy, you are a wonder. I would have sworn that no one could ever make anything useful of this ring, and now I’ve got to admit this is far superior to my other ring.”
Eril grinned, and couldn’t help but add, “But, Master Dorull, this is still not nearly as good as the storage ring I made for Master Silurian. The poor materials in this ring seriously hamper its power, this is the best I could manage.”
“So, this is the best you can do with poor materials?” The old wizard said, holding the ring up to the light. “And Silurian has a better one?” He snorted. “I guess I’ll just have to console myself with second best, though I doubt anyone besides you would call this ‘second best’.”
Chapter 16
A week later, just after Mid-Fall’s day, the quarterly troop rotation and supply caravan arrived with alarming news. Eril knew from the way the troops started milling around and talking in clusters that something was going on, though no one would tell him what.
That night, Dorull enlightened him as they ate dinner together.
“Well,” the old wizard said as they began to eat. “Have any of the soldiers told you the news yet?”
“No, Master,” Eril said, trying to look unconcerned.
“Then, they have done as they were instructed, and I’ll have the opportunity to satisfy your curiosity.”
He said nothing and focused on enjoying his stew. Eril kept waiting for the old man to continue, but all he did was eat.
“So,” Eril nearly shouted in frustration. “What is it?”
Master Dorull smiled in satisfaction. “Since you ask,” he said, pausing with his spoon in the air. “I will tell you, Eril. The rear guard of the supply caravan spotted a force coming up the road behind them. Their scouts reported back as they arrived here. It appears that things are going to get a bit more exciting around here. An army of at least one thousand troops, looks like they are going to have a crack at us. It has been years since anyone has made an attempt.
“You might think that with this small of a garrison it would be a regular event, but the natural terrain and the strength of this castle make it easy to defend, easy enough that most forces that come here are too small. Or we have adequate warning and can fetch reinforcements, but this time, we had no advance warning and they apparently have troops, war mages, and siege engines. So, as I said, things could get interesting,” he said, smiling grimly.
“Do you think they can take the castle?” Eril said, alarmed.
“I think without you here; we would have had slightly better than even odds. This castle is not easy to take as many have found to their dismay. With you here, I think they are in for a bit of an additional surprise.”
“You mean you want me to help defend the castle?” Eril said his voice breaking.
“You were thinking of leaving?” Dorull said raising an eyebrow.
“No, no, Master, I just, I never thought of . . .” Eril trailed off, staring at his plate.
“I’m sure this hesitancy must have frustrated Silurian.”
“Yes, it did,” Eril replied quietly. He felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment, staring at the floor. He remembered all the times that Master Silurian had chided him for exactly this attitude and resolved this time it would be different.
“Yes, Master Silurian was frustrated, but I won’t let that happen again. What can I do?” he said, looking up with determination on his face.
Master Dorull grinned, the creases at the edge of his ancient face scrunching together in tight folds. For the first time since Eril had come to the castle, he saw the steel in the man. He did not want to find himself on the wrong side of that smile.
“Yes, boy. That is what you should have said in the beginning. This will be fun for a young wizard like you. All I want you to do tonight is to scout out this army and use that zdrell of yours to cause some confusion. With your skills, it should not be too difficult. Whatever you do, I want you to do it unobserved. If they can’t see the source of whatever chaos you create, it will be much more effective.”
Eril started to feel excitement grow in the pit of his stomach. Yes. This could be fun. “So, I just have to look around and play a few tricks on them without being seen?”
“Yes . . . but I want a bit more than ‘simple tricks,’ if you know what I mean? You’re a clever lad, I’m sure you’ll think of something appropriate that will make it that much harder for them to launch a successful attack.
§ § §
As Eril donned dark clothes in his room, Biruell stopped by. “Did the wizard tell you what’s happening?” the boy asked leaning casually against the doorframe. Earlier in the day, he had been badgering the soldiers incessantly, trying to get them to tell him what the big news might be. From his relaxed posture, Eril guessed he must have finally found someone to tell him.
“Yes, he did,” Eril said, and saw Biruell’s expression sag. “And, I’m guessing you finally found someone to tell you too?”
“Yeah,” he said, scuffing the floor with his ragged shoe. “I was hoping I could be the first to tell you. So what do you think?”
“I think it could be fun,” Eril said, trying not to grin too much.
Biruell looked at him like he was insane. “What do you mean? The soldiers say they’ve got at least a thousand troops, and wizards too. I think most of them would leave if they had anywhere they could go. Only a few of them think the wizard has enough tricks to stop an army that big.”
Biruell suddenly took notice of Eril’s preparations. “What are you doing? Are you going out there? You’re not running away are you?” The questions tumbled out of him one after another.
Eril just shook his head. “No, I’m not running away, and yes I am going out there tonight. Master Dorull wants me to scout the army and see if I can’t slow them up a bit.” He tried to sound casual as he said it.
“Are you crazy? Is the wizard making you do it?”
“No, I’m not crazy. You forget”— Eril said and reached in his shirt and disappeared. —“I do know something about remaining unseen.” He opened the door, became visible again, and said, “I’ll see you in the morning,” and walked out.
Chapter 17
Evening was deepening and Eril was glad for the extra cloak he was wearing as he flew away from the castle. He had invoked the invisibility amulet before stepping outside, so no one saw him leave. He’d traveled just over ten miles down the northern side of the mountain road when he saw the invaders’ fires. He continued flying, now close to the ground, until he was within three hundred yards of the outer sentries. It was easy to distinguish them in the dark with his zdrell sight.
Eril settled behind a stone outcrop that would have offered him good concealment even in daylight, then deliberately dropped his invisibility spell to prevent the wizards with the army from detecting it. He carefully pulled out the zdrell viewer Dorull had given him, and focusing it on the camp was amazed at how clearly he was able to see. He could bring his view to bear on nearly anything and see it as if he were less than five yards away, not hundreds.
He began noting the forces of the army. The scouts had been pretty accurate. Eril counted somewhere between thirteen and fourteen hundred men, with less than two hundred mounted. There were three great catapults mounted on carts that would require at least eight horses each to move. Lastly, there were two brightly colored tents with pennants flying announcing the war mages.
Master Silurian had said war mages were the most flamboyant of wizards because their reputations were based on the flare and spectacle of their victories. A war wizard could sometimes cause
disputing parties to settle just by showing up if his reputation was formidable enough. Eril felt respect for these wizards but thought they wouldn’t know what to make of him.
After watching and counting for nearly an hour, Eril was getting cold and wishing he was by one of the watch-fires. That was when he knew what he could do.
Beside the catapults stood a wagon loaded with barrels marked with fire symbols. Eril guessed these contained kerosene to be used with flaming arrows and the catapults.
He would use it, just sooner than they anticipated.
The camp had bedded down for the night. Those on watch were scattered around its edge, leaving the center deserted.
Watching carefully from his hiding place, Eril used his zdrell to lift one of the barrels and float it over a catapult. Popping out the bung he started pouring it over the wooden carriage and arm.
He worked steadily, pouring barrel after barrel of kerosene over the catapults. He had well covered two and was part way through covering the third when someone must have noticed a floating barrel.
He never saw who raised the alarm but, not wanting to risk discovery, let the last barrel drop and shatter on the catapult. As guards rushed in to investigate, he grabbed one of the torches with his zdrell and used it to set the catapults alight. The first two erupted in fires that lit the night sky. The third burned, but not as brightly.
The entire camp was in an uproar, with shouting and movement everywhere. At first, they tried to douse the flames with water, but the fires were too big. One of the war mages came out of his tent and began gesticulating, and in moments, a cloud of dense fog formed over the catapults and the fires died down quickly.
In minutes all three fires were out, along with most of the watch-fires. Even so, the fires had done their work, two of the catapults were burned ruins. The third seemed mostly intact.
Both the wizards were out of their tents and casting spells. Eril couldn’t tell exactly which spells were being cast, but he had no doubt they were looking for him.
Time to leave.
Again, his zdrell sight served him well as he saw and avoided lines of power cast in his direction that he felt sure would have given him away if they had touched him. Instead, he walked carefully, using the cover of rocks until he was far enough back that he felt safe to fly. He didn’t use his invisibility amulet. It might be a beacon to these wizards.
As he flew back to the castle, the night didn’t seem so cold or dark. He grinned the whole way.
§ § §
The garrison scouts reported that Eril’s guerilla attack had the desired effect. Instead of immediately advancing, the army dug into a defensive position to await further non-existent attacks. Eril wanted to make another night run on the force, but Dorull told him they would likely have traps set, and not attacking would have at least as big an impact on them, since they would be worn and weary when they finally arrived.
Nearly a week later than anticipated, the marauding army arrived to besiege the castle.
Eril’s damage estimate was correct. The army only had one catapult with it now, and it showed fresh signs of repair. Even so, the fourteen hundred soldiers were an impressive sight.
Dorull and Eril stood in the windswept battlements watching as the last elements of the army arrived and set up camp.
“So, are you ready for more fun, boy?” the old wizard said, wearing a predatory grin.
Eril pulled his cloak tighter against the cold wind now howling across the castle walls. In the last three days, the weather had turned unseasonably foul for fall. The sky was black with storm clouds. It looked like it could start hailing, or even snowing, at any moment.
“Did you bring this weather, Master?” Eril asked, shivering.
“Aye, boy, I did. Do you think they’re enjoying it?” He gazed down at the army struggling to pitch tents which kept trying to fly away. “Weather wizardry is difficult. It is not much use in the short term unless the weather is already unsettled, and even when it works, there are always side effects that no one ever thanks you for.” He chuckled, appearing to remember something. “It is the one form of magic I could always do better than Silurian. He never had the patience for it.”
Eril looked at the sky, impressed to know that this weather was caused by magic. “Do you think you could teach me?” he asked, hopefully.
“I might,” Dorull said, turning his gaze on Eril. “If you agreed to give me five years of your time.”
“Five years!”
“Aye, it took me nearly fifteen, but I expect you are a quicker study.” There was just the hint of a bitter smile in Dorull’s expression and Eril was unsure if this was a test or the bald truth.
Eril stared at him, then dropped his gaze. “Then I guess I’ll have to see if I have time later after the whole demon thing is done.”
Dorull’s head jerked up slightly, and his eyebrows furrowed. “So you think this ‘demon thing’ will be done soon? The demons and their wizards have held power in this world for centuries. How can it be done?”
“I don’t know,” Eril said, turning his face up to the clouds again. “All I know is that either they will kill me soon, or somehow, things will have to change. They won’t just let a zdrell wizard run free.”
Dorull grunted his assent. “You are right about that. You won’t be able to hide forever, and once they know who you are and where to find you . . . “ He didn’t need to say more.
After watching the invading army for a time, still setting up camp on his doorstep, Dorull spoke as though their previous conversation hadn’t happened.
“It’s late enough in the day, they won’t attack until tomorrow. Though, I expect they might try to do some sneaking around tonight.” He smiled grimly at the clouds. “They will wish they hadn’t waited, once they see the weather I have in store for them.”
§ § §
All that night the wind howled. The garrison soldiers stayed on alert, though no night attack came. Eril was glad he didn’t have to be out in the harsh weather. In the early morning, it began to rain in short sudden cloudbursts, and thunder and lightning began to play along the peaks on either side of the pass.
Eril sat with Dorull at breakfast, eating a steaming bowl of porridge. The old wizard looked tired and drawn, but he wore a mischievous grin.
“Well, I’ve done most of what I can do, boy,” Dorull said, leaning back from his bowl. “I’d say the rest of the magical defense of the castle is up to you.” He tilted his head to one side, watching Eril’s reaction.
“Me?” Eril said, panic clear in his voice.
Eril’s reaction brought fire to Dorull’s countenance.
“Yes, you!” He said, leaning forward, glaring and shaking his finger. “We played this game before, boy, I’ll not play it again. Whether this castle stands or falls is now in your hands, you and those soldiers. And don’t expect too much from them. They are outnumbered nearly twenty to one and they know it.
“This castle is strong and easy to defend, but that army is big enough to take it if you don’t fight back!” He sat back, his exhaustion showing even more. Dorull lifted his finger again and pointed it weakly at Eril. “And don’t ask me how you’re to do it. You did fine on your scouting trip, you’ll do fine here. Just use that young mind of yours. Tell the soldiers what to do, and they’ll do it. I’ve given them orders to follow your commands as if they were mine.
“Best you get out there soon, so you see their attack early. Their wizards will likely lead off the assault.” He grinned weakly. “It should be some fun.” He waved, frowning at Eril’s uncertainty. “Go.”
Chapter 18
As Eril stepped out onto the narrow walk at the top of the castle wall, the full force of the wind and rain hit him. He pulled the oilskin coat he had been given closer around his neck. Given the low clouds and misting rain, it was hard to see to the other side of the pass where the army massed. Using his power ring with his zdrell sight he was able to tell that one of the enemy wizards was doing som
ething, though he was not sure what.
He dug his zdrell viewer out from under the coat and put it on his wrist. Focusing it on the enemy wizards, Eril was once again amazed at how clearly he was able to see, in spite of the distance, rain, and low clouds.
One of the enemy wizards was moving through some complicated gesticulations Eril didn’t recognize. The other wizard was consulting with some officers near the catapult, which was being readied for action. Eril puzzled over the purpose of the first wizard’s spell until suddenly the clouds above the battlefield began to break. The wind blew stronger, but the rain eased and the air cleared. Eril was impressed and wanted, even more, to learn weather manipulation for himself.
A war horn sounded from amidst the assembled army, followed by a half-hearted shout from the soldiers.
The army was formed up but didn’t appear ready to storm the castle. As he stood there watching, the captain of the castle guard, Herriman, came to stand beside him.
“Their war wizards will lead off, Sir,” the captain said. It took a moment for Eril to realize the captain had been talking to him. He had trouble thinking of himself as someone that could be referred to as ‘Sir.’
“Why do you think that, Captain?” Eril asked, turning to look at him.
“When an army has powerful wizards, Sir, they always let the wizards start, so they can show the enemy that they have no chance. The wizards like it that way. They get a larger cut of the spoils if they can get an enemy to surrender without having to use the army. Also, no one wants to get in the way of enchantment if they can possibly avoid it.”
Eril nodded. It made sense. “Do you have any idea what the wizards will do, Captain?”
“You would be a better judge of that, Sir,” he said, looking out to the battlefield.
Eril felt more and more uncomfortable with how the captain was treating him. He still felt like a kid, and this was no game. Likely, men would die today, and though he might be the cause of some of those deaths, he still found it hard to believe that the defense of the castle could really be up to him.
The Journeyman for Zdrell Page 8