Stonecutter's Shadow: A young mage's fight through a fantasy kingdom full of treachery

by James Haddock

  “Thank you,” I said, handing him a gold coin. I left the tavern and walked toward the cove. There were seagulls along the shore there, and I needed a ride.

  It took me a few tries, but I finally caught one of their Shadows. I moved in their Shadow and pushed their wings the way I wanted to go. The bird didn't like it, but finally went where I wanted.

  Armies don't usually move fast, especially with a baggage train, and the duke was in no hurry. I caught then by early morning the next day. I made the gull land in the shadow of the woods, then Shadow jumped as the gull took off.

  I waited for full dark before I approached their camp, moved deeper in and found the duke’s pavilion in the center of the camp. There were a lot of wounded. They had taken Split Rock keep, but it had clearly cost them dearly. I found the prince sitting in an iron cage in front of the duke’s pavilion, guarded by two men.

  The prince had bloody bandages around his head and his right arm. Campfires cast shadows everywhere, and torch light at his cage gave me plenty of shadows to work with.

  I used my guise ring to look like a roving guard, going behind a tent I stepped out of shadow. I walked back around to the cage.

  “So, this is him,” I said, looking at Aric. “Doesn't cast much of a shadow, does he?” Aric looked up at me. I turned and walked away. Once out of sight, I went back into Shadow. Coming back to the cage I jumped into its Shadow and waited for the guards to look away. When they did, I pulled Aric into Shadow with me.

  I handed him a water bag, and he took it and drank while I started a mage fire. I took a blanket out of my pack and tossed it to him, and he wrapped it around himself. “How's the wounds?”

  “Arm's not bad, could have used stitches. Head's the worst, still dizzy when I move. You don't look too good either.”

  “I ran into the duke a week before he made it to Split Rock. I went to tell him to stay in Dame's Ford, and you'd meet him there. Long story, short,” putting water on to boil for tea, and handed him a ration bar. “I got shot in the back with a poison crossbolt and burned by mage fire. I came as soon as I could.”

  He nodded,” I knew you'd come if you could. I just concentrated on staying alive waiting for you.”

  “I'm going to go get us some food, I'll be right back.” He nodded. I went to the cook's tent and found some of the best food sitting on a small shield probably going to the duke. I took the shield of food and started back to our shadow. There was a lot of shouting from the duke's tent area. I guessed they had finally noticed Aric was missing.

  I stuck my head out of Shadow and shouted, “He's running for the woods!” The shout was taken up by others, soon half the camp was running toward the woods. “That should keep them busy for a while.” I thought. I got back to our Shadow and set the food down. We ate in silence. I poured tea and we watched as people ran by our Shadow.

  “Cookie's dead,” Aric said. I nodded. “After the battle, they put all the survivors to the sword. There was really no reason for it, just the duke making a statement.”

  I nodded, “Then we shall make one of our own. We have time, they aren't going anywhere for a while. We'll let them run themselves ragged, then we'll start.” Aric looked at me with hard eyes and nodded.

  While we ate, I told of my trip to Redmoore. Well, most of it. I didn't mention how much gold I took. “I think it will be a long time before they bother us again, if ever.” I could tell he was not ready to talk about what happed a Split Rock, so I didn't ask. “Let's get some sleep … we both need it.”

  “Yeah,” he said lying back in his blanket. I went to the duke's pavilion and got Aric some clothes and wash clothes for him so he could get cleaned up in the morning. I also found all of Aric's rings and bracers, I took those as well. With that done, I lay down to sleep.

  Chapter 17

  I was awake early; Aric was still sleeping. I put water on to boil for tea. Taking the cook's shield, I walked in shadow over to the cook tent. There wasn't much activity around the camp yet. My guess was they were up all night searching the woods for Aric, and some probably still were.

  I took some of the food they had set aside for the nobles and returned to our Shadow. Aric woke when he smelled the tea. We ate in silence enjoying our food, Aric was ravenous. When the food was gone, we sat drinking our tea. Aric was lost in thought, I waited.

  “You can knock the duke out and bring him here, yes?” He finally asked.

  I nodded, “I can, and the others as well.”

  He nodded, continuing to think, and plan. Coming to a decision, “knock the nobles out, and bring them here. While they are out, bring chairs to tie them to. I have some questions for them.”

  I nodded and left to carry out his orders. One by one I found the nobles; most of whom were still asleep. I darted them and carried them back to our Shadow. I brought all the chairs from the duke's pavilion into our Shadow, and we tied our guests to them. We also gagged and blindfolded them until we were ready.

  While we waited, Aric got cleaned up, put on fresh clothes, his rings, and bracers. I made more tea, and we sat in silence, drinking tea, and waiting. It was midafternoon by the time they were all awake. They were trying to shout and struggled against their bonds.

  “Shall we get started?” Aric asked. Their backs were to the fire, Aric went around to stand in front of them. He nodded to me, and I started down the line taking their blindfolds off. They became quiet, staring at the prince. I stayed behind them, putting on the guise of a common soldier.

  “Good morning, my lords. Thank you for joining me this morning.” Aric removed the gag from the youngest and the least of the nobles.

  “Mercy, Prince Aric,” he started blubbering. “I didn't know it was you we were marching against. We were told you were dead, and an imposter had taken your name and was raising an army.”

  “And who told you this?” Aric asked.

  “Duke Penwall,” he answered looking down the line of nobles. They were all nodding.

  “And what were you promised to march against this, supposed, imposter's army?”

  “The duke said the king would double the size of our lands.”

  “So, you never actually talked to the usurper, Lermont?” The young man shook his head. “And once you saw it was me, and not some imposter, why did you not stop? Why did you not try to free me once I had been captured?”

  “The duke said King Lermont had our families, and that if we didn't follow through, our families would be killed, and our lands confiscated.” The other nobles nodded their agreement.

  Aric walked to the duke and removed his gag. “You're not going to try to sell me that imposter story, are you?” The duke spit on the floor, saying nothing. “What did Lamont promise you, for betraying your king?” He still said nothing.

  Arie turned back to the nobles. “As you were misled and your families are held hostage, I will not punish you. You will return to you homes with the story that the imposter's army was destroyed, and the imposter killed. I'll contact you when I am ready to take on Lermont. If you do not come when called, I will find and kill you. You will leave at first light tomorrow.” Aric blindfolded them, “take them to the duke’s tent and release them.”

  I nodded and took them and the chairs back to the duke's tent, all except the duke. Once they were all back in the duke's tent's Shadow, I cut them lose and pushed them out of Shadow inside the tent. None of them stayed, they all quickly scurried back to their own areas.

  I returned to our Shadow and found the duke's dead body lying on the floor with Aric was sitting at the fire in the duke's chair. “How far do we trust them, or should we just get rid of them?” I asked.

  “Killing them now would only add to the confusion and uncertainty of the kingdom. Beside they may prove useful.”

  “So, what's the plan?”

  “Pack your things, we'll be going to Duke Penwall’s estate.” He put on the guise of the duke. I nodded and packed up.

  * * *

  Orders were issued for the
army to prepared to move, and we were underway a first light. I, in the guise of a plain man in a dark grey cloak, rode beside Aric — still in Duke Penwall’s guise. No one questioned me, assuming I was the duke’s “trusted man” or one of his spies. It didn't take long for word to get around about me. After that, everyone ignored me and never questioned me or what I was doing.

  After a few days of travel the nobles and their men began breaking off going back to their estates. No farewells were made, they just left. The only people who came to Duke Aric's pavilion were those bringing in food.

  I kept circulating around the campfires listening, but nothing out of the ordinary was going on. The duke had apparently been a stoic, solitary man with a foul disposition, so Aric's act was nothing new to these men.

  * * *

  When we passed the road that went to the old keep where I had freed the dragon I had to smile. “I'm going to scout a bit,” I said to Aric. He nodded, and I turned my horse out of line. Once everyone had passed, I took my horse and myself into Shadow. I was in no rush, simply curious.

  When I approached the keep, I was surprised to see a campfire burning. As I approached, I heard, “would you join me for tea, Shadow Mage?”

  I recognized the dragon’s voice, so, smiling, I stepped out of Shadow. “It would be my pleasure, Sir Dragon.” I said walking up to the fire. There was a pot of tea by the fire with cups already poured.

  “How goes your quest?” he asked, materializing at the fire.

  “I am learning that quests can be a heavy burden,” I said, taking one of the cups. “I wonder at the wisdom of taking on such a thing.”

  “Then you are becoming wise. Quests are most often a heavy weight, and the larger the quest, the larger the burden.” I could tell he wanted to hear my story, so I told him of my journey so far. He listened with rapt attention never speaking. He would nod his head from time to time enjoying the telling. However, knowing how dragons were about treasure, I left out that I was carrying a lot of gold.

  When I finished, I said, “and what of you, my friend? What have you been up to?”

  “I went back to see the ‘Old One’ who had imprisoned me. What I found was saddening. Another dragon had challenged her for her hoard. In the ensuing battle they killed each other. It was a truly sad sight… their bones amidst all that treasure. The odd thing is, once I could have all I wanted, I no longer coveted it. I took a few small items but left the rest. I may go back again someday. Maybe another dragon will be there, and I can steal it from him.” he laughed, and I laughed with him.

  He flipped a coin at me, and I caught it. “Something to help you on your quest,” he said. I saw that it had runes inscribed on one side, while the other had the image of a falcon with wings extended.

  “What does it do?” I asked looking back across the fire, only to see that the dragon and the tea pot and cups had vanished. “Thank you, Sir Dragon,” I called after him. “Fare you well!”

  I studied the coin again looking at both sides. I shrugged, and out of habit flipped it into the air. When I did, a large falcon appeared, flapping its wings. Out of reflex I raised my arm to cover my face. The falcon calmly landed on my arm. I sat staring at him, his head tilting back and forth watching me. He was a beautiful bird with intelligent eyes.

  I noticed a new ring on the first finger of my left hand, which was the same side the falcon was sitting on. The ring was the same color as the coin had been… the ring appeared to be a smaller version of the coin. However, the side where the falcon image had been was now blank.

  Frowning, I rubbed the ring with my thumb. When I did the falcon disappeared from my arm, and an image of a falcon appeared on the ring. I stared at the ring and it came to me that I now had a bird to fly me anytime I needed one. I put the ring in Shadow, so no one could see it.

  I held my arm out, rubbing my thumb over the ring, thinking about the falcon, and it appeared landing on my arm. As I looked at him, I got the feeling he wanted to hunt, he was hungry. I shrugged, and he took off. I got the feeling of joy as he launched himself. I watched him a few moments, then went to my horse. It was time for me to head back to Aric. I knew the falcon would return when he had fed.

  I set an easy pace as I rode alone, letting him enjoy his flying. Out of habit, I kept my mind on the Shadows. There was no one else near me. I thought about the falcon and touched the ring. As I did, I got an image in my mind of what he was seeing as he flew high above me. I could even see myself on the ground below, I chuckled as I looked up at the speck in the air high above me, thinking this would come in handy, but I'd need to practice.

  I focused back on the Shadow, for possible dangers closer to me. Before long I knew he had made a kill and was no longer hungry. Just before I caught up with the army, I felt the falcon approaching. I started to lift my arm but felt he would land on my shoulder. I readied myself, but he landed so lightly I hardly felt it. I felt contentment from him. I rubbed the ring and he disappeared.

  Nodding I rode forward to catch up with the army.

  * * *

  The troops were stopping for the night and setting up camp when I rejoined them. I reined up in front of the duke's pavilion, and a groom took my horse. I went straight past the guards into the tent. Aric was standing at a table reading messages. He glanced up at me as I approached, “We received messages while you were gone,” he said, holding up a message.

  “Anything interesting?”

  “One message says Lermont is dead, another says he has taken his mercenary army and fled the capital heading north.”

  “Maybe he's dead, and the army took all they could as payment, and they headed north,” I said, thinking out loud.

  Aric nodded his head, thinking. “Either way we need to know which it is. Leave tonight, find out what is happening.” He shook his head, “if he lives, and you have the opportunity, and can do so without risking yourself unnecessarily, kill him. I had thought to put him on trial, but now I find that half the kingdom's noblemen are in league with him, or at very least being bought off with gold or the promise of land.”

  “And if he lives, and has fled?

  He thought a moment, “I'll continue on to the duke's estate, so send a message to me there and wait for me in the capital.” He stopped, stood still looking at the floor. “No. I am sick of playing this game. I'm tired of being around these people. You and I leave tonight. Guard! Summon the captain!”

  “Yes, Lord Duke,” came an answer from outside. A few minutes later a captain arrived.

  “Captain, have two horses readied — I'm leaving for the capital, and you will take the men back to the estate and await orders.”

  “Yes, Lord Duke.” he said and left.

  Food and drink were brought in. “Sit, we might as well eat before we go.” Aric said, pointing at the table.

  “You'll get no argument from me.” Taking a seat, and half a chicken.

  “Did you bring the treasury from the keep?” he asked taking a swallow of wine.

  I shook my head, “I left it, since I didn't know if you lived or not. But I have some gold you uncle donated,” I said smiling. He lifted his cup in salute, laughing and I joined him.

  When we finished eating, we mounted, and rode north for a few hours then made camp in Shadow. We took care of the horses, and Aric made a mage fire. We were both tired, so we went straight to our sleeping mats.

  * * *

  It took week to reach the outskirts of the capital. We were both in the guise of caravan guards when we stopped at an inn to eat. We listened to the conversations going on around us. The food wasn't bad, but the news wasn't good.

  One of the locals looking us over asked, “You men leading a merchant caravan in?”

  “No, ain't none moving this way, we were hoping to catch one going some other direction. Do you know of such?” I asked.

  “Nary a one that I've heard of and won’t for a while I'm thinking.”

  “What about from the harbor?”

  “Still clo
sed, no ships coming in since the usurper seized the last lot.”

  “We heard he took his mercs and left.” Aric said.

  “So, they say, but it will be some time before any ships risk our port again.” Everyone mumbled in agreement.

  Once back on the road we took our time watching and listening. We went to the livery in the city center and left our horses there. We continued to walk the streets gathering information. Listening to conversations at a tavern we learned that Lermont had taken his mercs and left but had not taken the Kingdom’s army. He was afraid of them, as they had not been paid in months.

  “I've heard enough,” Aric said, outside the tavern. “Take us in Shadow,” he said. “Let's go check the palace and see who and what is left.” I nodded, staying in Shadow I took us to the palace.

  They had started repairing the collapsed walls with timbers but had not made much headway. There were only a few guards around, and they were all close to the palace entrance, not the gate. Inside the only people who were there were the major-domo, a few of his staff and the old head cook. She was keeping everyone fed.

  “Is there anyone else here?” Aric asked me.

  I felt the Shadows, “No, these are all there are,” I answered.

  He nodded, stopped his guise so he appeared as himself. looking at me, “Put on your spy look,” he said smiling. I changed to the henchman look I had when he was playing the Duke Penwall but changed my face. He nodded, “step us out.”

  I led us down a hall away from anyone, then stepped us out. We stepped back into the kitchen, “Why all the long faces?” Aric asked.

  Everyone stared in stunned silence, then went to their knees. except for the cook, who rushed forward and hugged him like a mother finding her lost child.

  “We were so afraid we'd lost you!”

  Aric returned he hug. “What? And miss your sweet-rolls?” She laughed through her tears. “Rise, everyone up. It is good to see friendly faces. And I shall not forget who I found still at their posts when I came home.” They all bowed again.