I struck, I drug him under and thrust my knife-fingers up through his chin, and into his brain. I cast the capturing spell and took his powers and his knowledge. He had a shocked, surprised look on his face. I convulsed as I absorbed his powers. I released his corpse, took his crown and put it on. “The King is dead, long live the king.” I cast a guise spell to look and sound like the King. I raised up into the Pavilion leaving the dead King underground.
Guards were waiting outside, “guards!” They rushed in looking at me then the burned corpse in the floor. “Roll that up in a rug and get it out of here.” They rolled the burned Mage’s body up in the rug and left. I dropped into the earth and followed the squared of guards. I cast a beguiling spell on them, “kill the traitor before he kills you.” They dropped the rug and attacked each other.
As soldiers ran up to the fight, I cast the spell again. The killing continued. I conjured a fog; the whole camp was now in a pea soup fog. Before long everyone was fighting each other, killing “the traitor”.
I went back to the Earth Mage and stripped his corpse of everything. I searched his tent taking everything of value, putting it all in crystals and into my pouch. The fighting was still going on outside. I went under, and back to the King. I stripped his corpse and put everything in a crystal.
I came up through the floor of the pavilion; I looked around and realized the King had intentionally left the pavilion unsealed and unprotected as bait. Foolish.
“Seal the pavilion.”
The ceiling flashed green, “sealed.” she said.
I smiled. “Nice change of pace.”
I knew because of the King memories, that he was suspicious of everyone, and greedy. Because of this quirk, I now had most of his Kingdom’s gold in my new pavilion’s vault. “It’s nice to be rich.”
I went to the table, “cold water.” a glass appeared. I took it and enjoyed a few swallows. I walked to the throne and sat down. “Comfortable.” I nodded.
I looked in the corner where the King’s armor stood. He had left it there as bait. It was also part of his payment for invading south and killing me. I looked at with my Mage Sense. All mithrilium metal, large whole sun stone, and a mithril sword. All of which were covered in runes. His cloak was a fine cloak but not as strong as mine was.
I felt out across the camp. They were still killing each other.
I took the King’s Armor, sword and cloak and lay them on the floor. I took off all my armor, weapons, and shield jewelry and lay it all on top of the pile. I took out the King’s jewelry from a crystal and added it to the pile. After considering it, I added my mithril arm daggers, my staff, and my lizard skin clothes to the pile. The only thing I didn’t add to the pile was the Kings crown.
I knelt on the pile. I focused my mind on what I wanted. I drew extra strength and power from the earth. When my power was sufficient, I cast the spell. Combining the best of everything into one set of armor, weapons and jewelry shields.
I kept sustaining the power going into the spell until I felt it was complete. The pile was pulsating a purple glow. Then it calmed. The King’s armor and sword were no longer there.
The only outward difference I could see in my armor was it had a purple hue to the black lizard skin. Inside it was all mithril. My weapons and my staff were black mithril, with a purple hue. My jewelry; wrist bracelets, ankle bracelets, and circlet were thicker and wider. They were now black mithril, with that same purple hue.
I could feel the power and energy emanating from everything on the pile. “Thank you, Santa.” I put on my new armor, weapons, and jewelry, it fit perfectly, and weighed nothing. My arm daggers went back in, as did my throwing knife and staff.
I didn’t have time to look through the whole pavilion. This was new to the King, he didn’t even know what all it had, or was capable of. It was almost time to wrap up this show. I stepped outside and waved my hand; the pavilion closed. It became swirling pages, then finally into a book that closed in my hand. I held the book to my right thigh; it sank into my body. “I’m a little paranoid too.”
There were only a handful of enemy troops left. I took my staff bow out and finished them. “Now for the theatrics.” I caused lightning to strike all over the camp which started a few fires. I let the thunder roll for a bit. I put my helmet up and face shield down. I covered myself in blood, then lifted the fog.
The sun was just rising when I walked out of the enemy camp. I carried the Kings head held by its hair. I stopped and picked up an enemy’s spear and plunged it into the ground. I put the King’s head on it and walked toward the Abbey’s gates.
I lowered my helmet so they could see it was me. “Open the gates.” Was shouted down from the wall. The King and Reggie were waiting when I came through the gates. As was every trooper. I put on my best thousand-yard stare and walked toward the King. I handed him the crown, “I’II be in the church.” and kept walking.
“Of course,” The king said.
As I passed Reggie, “I’ll be home later.” She nodded
The Captain was next on my way, “Captain.”
“Sir?”
“Have the men strip the emery camp of anything we can use and share out the spoils.”
“Yes Sir,” He bowed.
The troopers had formed a corridor, as I passed, they saluted and bowed; I kept walking. As I reached the church doors, they opened and closed behind me. I made the blood evaporate leaving me clean. I walked toward the front and lay down on the floor feeling the earth refreshing and recharging me.
“That thunder and lightning show was a bit dramatic wasn’t it?” I recognized St. Philip’s voice and knew he was smiling.
I chuckled, “maybe a little, but everyone loves a show, or so I’ve heard.”
“That’s true, they do love a show, it breaks up their boring lives that are spent just trying to survive. What next?”
“Sleep.”
“And then?”
“To Port City probably, unless I have to go kill the Volwick Army, and I’d really rather not.”
“Rest well brother, I have the watch.”
“You have the watch,” I smiled and went to sleep.
“WOOF,” I OPENED ONE eye. Armor was laying there looking at me. I closed my eye ignoring him. “Woof.”
“All right, I’m awake.” I rolled over and sat up. I looked at Armor, “Did Reggie send you?” he looked away. “Traitor.” I stood up, I didn’t feel tired, or sore. I felt refreshed, the earth had recharged me.
I left the church and headed for my pavilion. There were few people inside the walls. Most everyone was out plundering the enemy’s camp. It appeared even King was walking the battlefield. I glanced over; we had quite the horse herd.
Outside my pavilion stood two enemy guidons with the banner’s upside down, signifying their defeat. Odd they weren’t in front of the King’s pavilion.
Armor and I entered; Reggie was in the sitting area reading. She rose and came to me. “You are well, my husband?”
I nodded, “I’m fine I just needed to rest.” I hugged her, and she relaxed. “I am hungry though.”
“Let’s get you out of your armor first.” She helped me out of my armor and hung it on the rack.
We moved to the table and sat down. “Steak, eggs, hash browns, and hot tea.” My plate appeared, and I set to it.
I saw she was watching me. “I didn’t see any wounds, are you ok?”
I took a swallow a tea, “Yes, I’m fine, no wounds, my armor and shields did their job.”
“They say you killed everyone.” she watched me.
I nodded, “I gave them warnings, and a chance to leave. They ignored both. Word of this will spread. The next time I warn someone they may take me seriously.”
“Word will definitely spread, it’s already started. Father has decided to leave tomorrow and meet our reinforcements on the way. He also sent word to Midwick of their army’s defeat and the death of their King.”
I nodded chewing my steak. “Good,
we should have a clear road to Port City.”
“Why didn’t you ransom their King?”
“I don’t leave enemies like him alive behind me, who can hurt me. I would have had to kill him, eventually.”
“You sound as if you have done this many times before and please don’t say you read it in a book. You can be honest with me; we’ll face whatever it is together.”
I thought a moment, “I have memories of those who have done these things before. I’ve had these memories with me since I woke up from the serum. They don’t control me; they give me experiences to draw upon to make decisions.”
She nodded, “tell me if anything changes, I’m here if you need to talk.”
“Ok, I will, but I’m ok. Really.”
WE LEFT FORT ST. PHILIP’S Abbey at sunrise. Once we were clear, the priests closed the main gates. I hope they used their new home wisely. Someone might try to take it from them, then I’d have to come back.
We followed our normal travel routine, stopped at noon to change horses, eat then move on. Our reinforcements met us at midafternoon. They had brought four companies of cavalry. They joined us on the move, as we continued. We stopped as usual, in late afternoon, and set up our standard camp.
We dined with the Battalion Commander and his four troop Captains. “What is the situation in Port City?” King Briska asked.
“Much the same Sire, sea trade continues, but we’ve seen more cargo vessels who stay a few days longer than usual once they have sold and bought goods.”
The King nodded, “spies looking us over.”
The Commands nodded, “we keep a strong presence on the docks and wharfs. We watch them watching us. Crime is down. The southern border has it usual patrol encounters, nothing new there.”
“Anything that stands out as odd?”
“Not to me, but I don’t hear the daily reports from your staff.”
“Excuse me Commander, did you see any Volwick scouts on your way here?” I asked.
“No M’lord, we didn’t, they always stay to the south, they never come this far north.”
“Thank you, Commander. We ride at first light.” The King said. Everyone took that as a dismissal and departed.
The family stayed. “You have concerns, Aaron?” the King asked.
“Is your Commander a competent leader?”
“I don’t know him personally, but I would assume so.”
“I find it odd, the Volwick Army plays tag with our patrol all the time, so they must be watching us. But then allows a large force to leave Port City and doesn’t follow to see where they are headed? And your Commander ignores that and assumes they always stay south. That seems odd to me, and odd makes me curious. I think I’ll check our southern route to make sure our southern friends aren’t planning any nasty surprises for us between here and home.”
“Do you plan on attacking them?” Reggie asked.
“That depends on where they are, and what they are doing. I’m not going there to attack them, but I won’t know until I get there. They may not even be there.”
“But you don’t believe that.”
I shook my head, “I do not.’’
“All right, scout forward, see what we are facing.” The King said.
Armor, who was laying at the front entrance growled. I looked at him; he was watching the door. “Speaking of odd.” I walked to the entrance and stepped out. Oaks was walking towards me holding Moss by his collar. Moss was staggering drunk.
“Sorry to bother you Captain, but you said if I caught him again, to bring him to you straight away. Drunk on guard duty, Sir.” He cut his eyes around.
I sent my Mage Sense out. There were a lot of the new troops gathered close to the King’s Pavilion. That in itself was not unusual, but Oaks’ actions were all wrong. I nodded, “I guess the threat of the lash wasn’t enough. This will cost you ten Moss, wait here.” I turned and stuck my head inside the pavilion. “We have enemy in the camp seal the pavilion, we’ll take care of it.’’ I left before anyone replied. I turned back to Oaks and Moss. “Bring him.“ I started walking back to my area, with them following.
“I take it we have trouble?”
“A butt load. Those new troops ain’t ours, or they have turned coats. None of our boys know any of them, which is possible, but they volunteered to take all the duties so we could rest. No troopers do that, no matter what army you’re in. The Captain sent us to warn you. Our men, in our red cloaks, are gathering in small pockets getting ready for the party to kick off.’’
I nodded looking around. “Pass the word, I will start a diversion on the road in ten minutes. Ignore what you hear, when it starts converge on the King’s Pavilion, and protect the King.”
“Yes, Sir,” and continued their way.
I sank into the earth and moved to the Battalion Commander’s tent. “We strike at first guard change,” the Commander was briefing his Captains. “Two companies will attack as quietly as possible, one company held in reserve, and one company goes to the King’s Pavilion.”
“Yes Commander,” They answered.
“If we do this right, we’ll all be rich,” They all laughed. “You have your orders." They saluted and left his tent.
I opened a cave around me. I thought through what I wanted to do. I rose to just beneath the Commander’s tent. I reached up, grabbed him, and pulled him under. I took him straight down to the cave. He was screaming when I left him. I smiled; he could scream all he wanted no one would hear him down there.
I put the guise of the Commander on and rose into his tent. I cast an illusion spell of an army marching toward us and made it loud enough to be clearly heard. I stepped out of the tent looking toward the road, as was everyone else.
“Captain.”
“Yes, Commander?”
“Our Army’s Vanguard approaches, get the Battalion into formation.”
“Yes Commander.” He started shouting orders.
I went back into the tent and sank into the earth. I dropped the Commander’s guise and moved to the King’s pavilion. Our men were arriving. I emerged out of site and walked to them.
“Captain Motts.”
“Yes, sir?”
I’ve captured and secured their Commander. If they want to surrender, we’ll let them. If not, well, they made their choice. We won’t risk our men being nice about it.
He smiled. “Yes, Sir.” He gave the orders, “battle formation, archers to the rear.”
The men formed up spear-lances held ready. These men had not been battle tested, not really. Now they would be. Let them see how their armor, shields and weapons performed.
I stayed in the background. Rodrigo-San was also in the rear. I guess he wanted in on some action. When they were ready, I ended the illusion. The camp was dead silent. The only light was from the few scattered fires around camp.
I conjured a ball of light and threw it up. It levitated over the camp, giving us enough light to see the whole area.
Their battalion looked up at the light, and then around, in confusion.
I amplified my voice. “Your treachery has failed, your Commander taken prisoner. Surrender and be spared. Fight and you will all die.”
Chapter 13
I’ll say this for them, it didn’t take long for them to decide.
“Attack!” Their Senior Captain shouted. They rushed us in mass, no coordinated effort. They thought to just bull right over us.
“Prepare lance-shields,” Captain Motts ordered. When the charging troopers were with-in ten paces, “Shields.” He ordered. The front rank plunged their lances into the ground forming our shield wall and drew their swords. “Archers, fire.”
The enemy charged head-long onto our shield wall and were stopped cold. Their front rank was crushed by the ranks behind them and could not defend themselves. The killing began in earnest. It was a slaughter; they had no enchanted armor, shields, or weapons. They didn’t realize how fast they were being killed. The rear thought they were winning and
continued to push forward. There were no survivors. When it was done, a cheer went up for the victors. They were all now blooded warriors, and proud of themselves.
I stepped to the pavilion, “Inform the King the fighting is over, and we secure the camp.” I stepped back and waited. A moment later the King stepped out in full armor. I bowed, “The men fought well, Sire.”
“Losses?”
“None, Sire.”
“Excuse me Sire, one.” Captain Motts said. We looked at him. Rodrigo-San. A freak accident, an arrow ricocheted off a shield, and went through his throat.
He nodded, walking forward looking over the battleground. “Well done, men, very well done.” Another cheer went up. He turned back to me, “The Commander?”
“I have him in a holding cell, before I question him. Do you wish to be there?”
“Do I need to be?” he asked looking steady at me.
I shook my head, “No Sire, I’ll take care of it.” He nodded and went back into his pavilion.
“Captain.”
“Sir?”
“Strip the battlefield and divide the spoils.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I found Rodrigo-San. I raised a crypt for him, the King presided, and we lay him to rest with honors. “I guess if you got to go, it’s best if it’s a surprise. Rest well my friend.”
I STOOD IN FULL ARMOR face shield down watching the Commander. My night vision was far better than any electronic NVG’s I had ever worn. He was sitting, head back against the wall. He seemed asleep. I waved my hand, and it sounded like a large snake hissing, and slithering around. He jumped to his feet moving along the wall away from the sound. One hand on the wall, the other held out toward the sound. I stopped the sound, and he stopped moving, listening for movement.
“Who paid you to turn traitor?”
He jumped. My voice sounded loud in the darkness. I tossed a ball of light up. I made it bright; he had to cover his eyes with his arms. My face shield compensated, so it looked normal to me.
“Who is your master?”
He held up his right hand. On his wrist he wore a warded bracelet. “You can’t use your magic to make me talk.”
Mage Throne Prophecy Page 12
