Ruby Mage

by Dan Raxor

  When I eyed the other horses, I knew which the best were. If I was going to be traveling by ground a lot, then I could spare the gold. Not like I couldn’t get more converted at home.

  The young wolfman came running up, and I realized I wanted to see what the females looked like. Assuming some of them were for hire.

  He handed over a gold coin, eight silver, and some tin. Oh god, the math in my head confused me and suddenly those stupid oddball math problems finally had a damn purpose. Eight times four was thirty two. Okay… got it.

  “One of my gold coins is worth more than one and quarter gold here. Easier to round down. So 80 for those lower quality horses, ninety something for the rest. Round it up to a hundred and toss in extra pillows,” I said and he gave the happiest smile I could imagine.

  “Meet me at the carriage. I need to get my bindings arranged by the bank real quick and then another for Pima,” he said excitedly. “You’ll love Pima, she is a great student. Also the horses are the best we have, as is the carriage.” He let out a long satisfied sigh. “I can finally hire another construction team, and I’m glad Prima can be taught well.”

  “Thank you, Kellum. A win-win is always nice. I look forward to future deals with you. We’ll have the gold waiting at the carriage,” I said and he ran off.

  Susanna muttered sweetly to the mares. She was clearly in love. “These are quality mare’s, worthy of the Master.” She traded kisses with the horse, eliciting a giggle. “They’ll be good horses. Trust me.”

  That made me feel better.

  “Come, we need to bust out some of these coins from their hidden pouches,” I ordered.

  “What’s next?”

  “Soldiers and employees, Susanna. I need archers, guards, cart drivers, and cleaners. Hopefully, you acquiring more help won’t be too expensive. Then, if there is time, we go to a slaughterhouse to fill my gems because I have a feeling taking everyone home will consume a lot of energy,” I said with a sigh.

  “I’m sure there is a public hanging every week or so. Those dead looked a few days old,” Susanna said.

  “Not a bad idea. We can ask when we get some bindings that aren’t innocent sixteen year old girls,” I said with a snicker.

  “She’s older, he’s kept her hidden. Some fathers hate the fate their daughters will experience so they hold on until they can’t,” Susanna said sadly. “Surprised you agreed to not sex her.”

  “I have limits on age. It’s not uncommon to only want a woman instead of a girl,” I said putting it the best way I could.

  I frowned, leaving her behind for the carriage. It didn’t matter how old she was, just that she could use magic and listen. I was going to make her binding tight to the point she would have no choice but to heed my commands.

  CHAPTER 16

  Lornia - Trimi

  216th day of the 1st year of King Partel’s Reign

  The carriage rolled from Kellum’s warehouse toward the city center. Pima was inside the airy ride, seated at the table below me. Last I checked she was intently studying one of the seven small texts she brought. This was a pittance of knowledge and books that I’d need, but a good start.

  Susanna was on the reins guiding the fine mares through the causal traffic. I was twirling in the archer’s seat on the roof, enjoying the view, and wondering why modern cars didn’t go slow with balconies. There was a high level of enjoyment I was having on this swiveling seat. I felt everyone should try this at some point.

  Additionally, I was shocked by how gentle the wagon ride was. Between the cushions and the mat material on the wheels we were smoothly cruising down the road.

  We didn’t get very fair. A full set of knights on horseback thundered down the cobbled street, pushing aside any in their way. Even the nose-picking guards at the intersection corners straightened at the knights’ rapid pace.

  Susanna halted the horses, brandishing her sword. Crossbows from the knight in the back rose rapidly to aim at my only protector.

  Yeah, I was kinda fond of the girl and this told me she was more instinctive than a thinker. I was okay with having a gorgeous babe who’d jump in front of a bullet for me. Or a crossbow bolt in this case.

  “Susanna, put the sword down,” I said calmly.

  The knights arrived, circling our wagon. A man with blue eyes and a dimpled chin held up empty hands after Susanna set the sword aside.

  “I’m Viscount Toony’s son, Sir Nathanael,” the man said. I rolled my wrist for him to continue. “By protocol you’re to give a greeting.”

  “Master Mage Trevor of Pangea,” I replied, taking my seat. “Sit down Susanna, frowning is not helping the situation. Sir Nathanael, why are you bothering me on this fine morning?”

  “Father wanted to have a word with the strange mage with the surplus of pure gold,” Sir Nathanael said in a teasing way.

  Ah, that’d make sense. His insinuation was I should have expected this. You send a hundred pure gold coins to a bank, a runner tells the noble, I spend an extra hour on contracts to ensure Pima isn’t a pain in the ass, and here we are.

  “Tea?” I asked with an interested tone.

  He let out a relieved sigh, spinning his horse. “Of course, we have the finest available. This way, Master Mage.”

  Susanna shot me a stern eye, but I ignored her. Pima popped a head up from below. I reassured her everything was fine, and went back to spinning my seat gleefully.

  Maybe the power was getting to me a bit, but I wasn’t worried about a high level meeting. I could handle that.

  What stressed me were those damn crossbows. I’d need a spell or armor to keep them out of my flesh. Robes were awesome because you threw on a vest, tossed on some shorts, and boom, you were ready. Not so awesome for stopping pointy things. Adding armor to the list.

  We headed for the biggest building near the center of the city. The massive structure I saw was a fort within the city. The dark river stone had been melded somehow, or maybe sculpted, to appear as one piece.

  The structure held three sided corners with shutters to allow fresh air, and extra windows in every spot you looked. The more I studied the structure the more vulnerabilities I saw.

  Would I build a safe room type fort, or something that flaunted I wasn’t scared, like this? It was another concept to mull over when I found the time. I wonder if the Viscount has a powerful mage.

  I realized the small stone castle was probably built ages ago. There was no fancy drop down gate or moat to cross. Two big metal doors were cast open to let us ride in.

  The interior was a training area large enough to have mock battles. I spied stables on the left, barracks on the right, and hitching posts in the middle. Hay covered the stone exterior flooring for whatever reason.

  A group of young men swarmed out to grab horses, their livery of purple and gold matched the banners that hung from the residence walls. After getting inside the exterior walls the main building was not much bigger than the casino inn. It was maybe twice as wide with only an extra floor.

  Susanna handed off the reins after I stepped down from the driver’s bench. There was an eek from a lad walking a horse to the stables. A knight rushed over, slashing down to slay a small snake.

  My grin peeled back, the purple aura of death hovered over the body.

  “Pima come to me,” I said, walking to the dead snake. There was no diamond shape to the animal telling me it probably ate rats and was spooked by a hoof.

  Sir Nathanael raised a brow, following me as my assistant hurried to reach my side.

  “What do you see?” I asked Pima.

  “Nothing, Master,” Pima said meekly. I pointed at the glowing purple with the central void spot. “Just air.”

  “Watch the gem,” I said, indicating the one in the staff.

  With great care, I tugged slightly on the energy. Tendrils danced for my bag, the ruby on my neck, and the one in the staff. With an increase in desire I hungered for the gem in my staff. The feeling was odd, but that was what I was tryin
g for. When the tendrils tightened I ingested the magical energy the spirit left behind into the gem on my staff.

  “It became brighter,” Pima exclaimed with a gulp. “A necromancer.”

  I tsked her. “Ruby Mage, Pima,” I said with a smile.

  “We done here?” Sir Nathanael asked, spinning to lead us to his father.

  After a series of steps we crossed the arched threshold and entered the estate. I immediately noticed there was no opulent wealth on display. A few old armor sets hung over wooden pegs. Painting from wives and ladies from past generations adorned the walls.

  Unfortunately, the hall was devoid of carpets, resulting in our procession creating an echoing retort every time a boot hit the stone.

  Each window cutout was open, sending fresh air into the halls. Curtains were tied down, contrasting the constant dark grey river stone this structure was built of. Candles fought to keep back the gloom of dark corners, giving the structure a lively feel in small doses.

  We went up a set of stairs, arriving at a large landing with benches that led down a hallway. At the end of the corridor rested four guards in front of large steel doors.

  Sir Nathanael approached and the doors swung open as if they were automated. A crier announced his arrival and for the first time, I saw a noble’s court.

  In the center of the room rested a dance floor about the size of a swimming pool. Seating on my right had tiered elevated rows akin to bleachers. These were mostly empty. Standing tables on the left were packed with almost all men. The way they paused their business discussions made me feel like I was an oddity to them. I relished in that feeling.

  I strode confidently into the Viscount’s hall. The noble himself rested at a table with three women to his left and two to his right.

  Five wives, interesting. I bet this was common here. Hell, if Joseph the trader had multiple wives then yeah.

  It is one thing to read about, and another to see.

  My expectations of an opulent room with expensive chandeliers, men and women of the court, and a dashing young ruler were hitting a hard wall called reality.

  The Viscount was in his late fifties with plump features that showed off his wealth. He had salt and pepper hair that was in a ponytail. His wives aged a bit worse over time and yet were in lavish garb as he was. That same purple and gold trim was everywhere.

  A whistle escaped the Viscount's lips, creating an exodus of the guests.

  When it was Susanna, Pima, and I standing in front of Viscount Toony and his wives he smiled, gesturing for the stools on our side.

  I walked up to sit directly across from him.

  “Good morning, Viscount Toony of Trimi. I’m Master Mage Trevor,” I said with a smile.

  He grinned, snapping at a side door servant. A team of guards wheeled in a big rock on a sled with a cross tied to it. A battered man groaned in a half-hearted complaint. It was warranted too since he’d been tortured and nailed to the wood. I frowned at his misery, not understanding why he was here.

  “Killed his wife, my niece. She was a bright light in this dim land. He strangled her then sawed off her head to keep her out of her preferred afterlife. I was going to hang him this afternoon now that I’m done torturing him, but I heard there might be—”

  “Do you want me to torch him?” I interjected. He nodded.

  “It would keep him from his preferred—”

  “Not a problem,” I said with a wicked smile and a playful wink.

  I pulled the magic from the ruby, spinning to face the dance floor. The team wheeling the man in were still moving him to the center. I decided to try to do a few fire balls on a moving target.

  The gem’s energy filled me until I felt a desire to vomit. That was clearly my energy limiter telling me to release.

  I raised my palm quickly, leveling at the moving man, and erupted three short blasts. It was tough to cut off the flow, like stopping mid pee. As I used magic, I transitioned into understanding its desires as much as my own.

  The men rolling the contraception shrieked, ducking for cover.

  With a tight twisting spin each fist sized orb of flame soared from me to the man who was already half dead. There was nothing for him to do. Honestly, I was fairly certain the Viscount removed my victim’s eyes because he didn’t even flinch at the bright infernos.

  First shot went into the guts. The second, into the chest. The final blast into the neck at the perfect spot, causing the head to pop off, and land on the ground with a few bounces.

  I giggled in delight at this; talk about a lucky shot.

  The aura of his death danced brighter than the snake’s essence. A trail floated out of the corpse until an orb of energy rested high. I sucked in his energy, letting it fill my staff’s gem. There was far more given than expended.

  Morbid and yet, delightful. The best part was, I felt zero regret, the man was doomed and on his last breaths anyway.

  “Can I have another?” I asked the Viscount and the wife on his left laughed so hard she snorted.

  “Right!? I like him too. Tell me, where you got this, please?” the Viscount asked, dancing one of my coins over his fingers expertly. His hands were as soft as his face. This was no warrior but that didn’t mean he wasn’t to be feared in court.

  “I’m not from Lornia, I’m from Pangea. That came from Pangea where our magic is far superior,” I said, feeling a half-truth was the best course.

  “Can you get more?” he asked.

  I gave a sinister grin. “Nearly unlimited if I’m given the proper items in trade,” I said.

  He fidgeted at this statement. Digested the news with a big gulp of wine that ended with a lip smack.

  “It seems we should be friends.”

  “My gold incurs costs to me in Pangea. I have desires to trade between the realms. A safe harbor to do so would be beneficial to me. I was hoping to visit Clruss or Crimm to get what I need,” I said, letting him know I thought he was too small for me.

  “And what are your needs?” his wife that laughed earlier asked.

  “They are simple, and yet complex at the same time. Some are as basic as finely crafted weapons, unique fruit, rare animals, full fey, half fey, magic tomes, and—”

  “So, your realm is vastly different?” she asked. Viscount Toony patted her arm in annoyance. “Sorry, I find it rare to speak to a man of power and forget my station. I’m Lady Laurn, welcome to Trimi.”

  “Welcome to Trimi,” the table of lesser wives echoed.

  The Viscount eyed Susanna before his eyes fell on Prim. “You got Kellum’s daughter. I’ve been trying to get him to give me a carriage for her to marry Nathanael, or even one of my more docile sons. You’re taking on apprentices.”

  “None under eighteen, rules of Pangea dictate that age as adulthood. Bringing a child home would mean… problems within my castle,” I said and two of the wives sighed with Lady Laurn all smiles. “Before you get excited I’m very, very, particular on my apprentices. Pima, what allowances did your binding permit?”

  “None, Master. I’m to serve as told for at least three years while I train,” Pima said meekly.

  I frowned when Lady Laurn chuckled while her husband grumbled. I think there was some back story here I wasn’t aware of yet.

  “Clruss and Crimm are bigger cities with more political theater. Trimi may have all that you need, or at least be able to acquire what you seek,” Viscount Toony said.

  Some might be offended by a middleman, but I preferred not to ride to Clruss or Crimm in the winter. Or journey for fourteen days every time I wanted to get an elven sword. My summer plans revolved around digging in Montana while this place was in ten feet of snow.

  “The fee?” I asked.

  “You cover costs of sending the trips, which I can do cheaper, plus ten percent,” he said.

  “While I dislike some traveling, I do enjoy exploring the finer establishments of a kingdom,” I said with a smirk and the ladies joined me in. “For my winter needs, yes I can come to
those terms. But come summer here in Lornia I’ll do my own shopping and traveling. After I find what I like, if I don’t have the teams in place, then I’ll give you the right of first refusal for hiring.”

  Part of my schooling was in selling antiquities. Giving him a winning rate with caveats was not a loss for either party.

  “And what exactly are your winter needs?” Lady Laurn asked, using her index finger to summon a warrior in fine leather armor from the side of the room. The man was fierce looking, a sturdy guard if I’ve ever seen one. “This is Targon, he is known as a man of the estate with every market of the city. He’ll be your shopping guide for the interim.”

  “I have fifty coins for guards and servants. Was thinking about three year contracts with food, room, and housing. Another twenty in reserve in case there are some I desire and can’t afford. Then twenty five of my gold to buy unique weapons like the elven blade my guard has,” I said, thinking out loud.

  “Anything else?” Viscount Toony asked.

  I nodded. “My arrival spot is southwest from Riverten,” I said, and Susanna squeezed my leg. “Foolish woman. Excuse my guard, she is fond of her Master. Telling them will help me defend my spot. They cannot go to my realm without me. I need to be secure where I arrive on this side, period. I can’t build a fort without others knowing and if they attack, we go to war. This is about gold buying friendships. It's always about extracting more gold, which I’m okay with.”

  Viscount Toony tapped the desk. “There is no major construction going on in the realm. We have ten times the normal workers here because there are no city jobs. Even I am getting pressured into expanding. We have an outpost being scouted now. This peace… it bothers me because it means a war is probably brewing elsewhere.”

  “With whom this time?” I asked.

  He bobbed his head in thought. “The dryads are the only ones encroaching, but you never know. The north is fairly robust since the lack of wars has our populations overflowing. Hence the servant market is also overflowing, filling my holding areas with the crown seeking any sales.”