by Jordan Cramm
“What kind of enemies might we face you ask?” Katrina began in as she scanned the surroundings quickly to ensure no one else was out there. “Well,” she continued, “last time there was a War Mage, we were handed down tales of Shadow Knights, Necromancers, Goblins, Trolls, Ogres, blood-thirsty creatures of the bestiary subdued by mind control, undead people reanimated to life, Dragons, Drakes, Giants...just about any kind of animal you can think of, plus other races trained in various dark arts. I know that sounds vague, but this is a new situation to me. All I know is from legend.”
Wolflen swallowed hard and replied, “Vague—no that was not vague. I think that was more accurate than I care to know.”
“Oh yeah,” Katrina continued, “plus there are the Gods to contend with, Demons, Specters, and other dark things from dark places.”
Ayvock tightened the grip on his sword and trembled. “Yeah...we uh...we get the point, thanks.”
Katrina realized suddenly that her words were spooking Wolflen and Ayvock alike. Sespa seemed to be the only one not bothered by them.
“Sorry boys, but it's best you know what you are up against, and maybe now you see the urgency in getting to Elven lands promptly—I can offer you some degree of protection there, and with luck you can both train in the skills you will need to train so that when you do face these enemies, you will be ready.”
“Well,” Ayvock remarked, “I have heard enough. I am ready to ride if you two are.”
The idea of riding at night was not one that anyone liked at the moment. Just the same, Ayvock's urgency was now mirrored in Wolflen's own thinking. And since Katrina said she could push the wagon onward through the night, it was decided that they would continue on and not camp for the night. And so they broke camp at once and prepared to leave.
“You know,” Katrina said to Wolflen as they stowed some items on the wagon, “Peludeen is our first stop, and that is here on this continent. It is an Elven city—my city. But Peludeen is not as safe as the capital city in Orenty, a continent away from here. We will have to cross the ocean to get there. The trip may be treacherous. Your enemies might guess that you travel to Elven lands if they already know that you are an Izenian War Mage.”
“You think?” Wolflen asked.
“I know that if it were me,” Katrina replied, “I would try to cut off access to Elven lands—if I were the enemy. After all, Izenian history itself dictates that only Elves have ever been War Mages. So for anyone who became one, they would logically visit Elven lands to learn all they could about it...exactly what we are doing. And the dark powers of this world are smart enough to deduce that fact if I am.”
Wolflen nodded silently.
“So are you making some kind of idea proposition or just an observation?” he asked.
“I don't know. You may need to step up the magic practicing while on the road—be ready to overcome whatever we run into. Then again you need Elven resources to learn better how to train. This whole situation is a mess.”
He nodded again before coming up with another plan.
“What if...” he began, “what if I didn't visit the Elven resources, but rather they came to me?”
Katrina scratched her head a moment.
“I don't think such a campaign would be possible. Orenty bares the whole history of War Mages. To gather everything needed would likely be impossible. We have to go. Let me think on this some more tonight. We need to be stealthy though.”
“Kind of hard to do with a wagon and horses isn't it?” Wolflen asked.
“Yes, very.”
They were making headway into the night when they stopped before dawn to take a quick rest. Katrina stopped the wagon and quickly made a fire with her own magic. As always, she used fell branches for the fire, but it was a small fire. Then at her request, Wolflen took one of the bowls from the wagon and gathered some more water from the river. When he returned, Katrina boiled the water, making it safe to drink. And since the water was hot after boiling, she added tea leaves from their store and began stirring. Once the tea was ready, each of them grabbed their own flasks and took their fill. Katrina insisted on saving what was left in the bowl as well, so Wolflen tipped it up and drank the remainder of what was left. Katrina laughed while Ayvock took a moment to stretch his legs on the ground.
“It will be light soon,” Katrina said making small talk, “and then this chill will hopefully fade.”
Wolflen looked at her compassionately.
“You are cold?” he asked.
She told him the chill was not bad, just enough to be noticed. She also told him not to worry about it because if she wanted, she could warm herself with spells. Wolflen agreed and told her that resistance to extreme temperatures was something that the Izenians were known for, but not so much the Elves.
“I would be right at home in a blizzard I think,” he told her, “of course; part of the trick is wearing the right furs. That bear fur we took would keep you warm out here.”
She nodded and told him it would actually make her hot, plus she didn't want to bare the added weight of the fur at the moment.
“So,” Ayvock began as he approached them near the wagon, “when we get to Elven lands, will I be able to train as a Knight there while Wolflen studies the War Magic? I only ask because this trip has literally pulled me away from trade school. And if we are going to need to learn how to fight, then it would be good to know if there will be trainers, or if we are simply gonna wing it at every encounter to come.”
“Well,” Katrina said, “I am no expert with a sword, but I have had some training. I could try to teach you what I know along the way to Elven lands, but you would still require further training to become a Knight. Elven lands could provide you such training—assuming we stay there long enough for you to learn what you must.”
“Okay so what then?” Ayvock asked. “I mean,” he went on with a hint of desperation and hesitation in his voice, “suppose we go to Elven lands and Wolflen here learns everything he possibly can about being a War Mage and he accepts the calling as well. What then? We have no idea who we are meant to face in battle, no concept of who or what to go looking for. So do we just roam around like nomads until the final battle or what?”
Wolflen turned to stare at Katrina. Clearly, he now realized he didn't have the answers to those questions either, and he waited for her to speak.
“Well,” she began, “I have a theory and belief that just as Ravenshade came to us on the journey, so too will our ultimate enemies be revealed. But I am hoping that Elven elders will be able to answer those questions better than me putting trust in belief and theory.”
“In other words,” Ayvock said with a hint of agitation in his voice, “we need to be ready to fight now at all times, but against what, we cannot say exactly. And since we don't know what we are up against really, how can we prepare?”
“The only thing that is certain, is that Fengysha will soon be at war. Races against races, beasts against all...creatures of darkness...who or what is behind all of this, we do not yet know. But in time, I am certain that will be revealed to us and to Fengysha. But come on...we will find more answer in Elven lands. Let us get a move on now.”
Days began falling off the calendar. Wolflen and his party traversed the rest of the prairie, then on to rocky ground and near dry brush areas, and further still over barren ground that did not produce much vegetation. Wolflen and Ayvock were grateful for Katrina's skills as a Ranger; her ability to find water and also discern what could still be hunted in lands with sparse vegetation meant that they always had something to eat, though they were beginning to ration their food. The days were getting hotter for them, though seemingly comfortable for Katrina. They stopped and spent two days among the Elva Homesteads. They knew they needed to travel quickly, but they also knew that their recent pace had been maddening, and only slowing over the dry lands anyway. Not only that, but they had several problems on the large mountains of mud and rock as they traveled to the Elva Homesteads.
>
Their wagon broke a wheel sometime around twilight. Wolflen and Ayvock began working to fix it, and ultimately they had to hitch the wagon to Sespa to pull the wagon free of the mud. When it was over, the chore of replacing the wheel was a taxing one, and the process made them all filthy. It was another whole day before they could get moving again. And until that point, their only showers and baths came from the rain which had become sparse, or from spending time in the river. Neither option ever got them very clean, and both looked forward to the Elva Homesteads for fresh water, food delicacies, and a warm dry bed at night. Sleeping under the stars had become their standard, and though the rains were few in the barren dry lands, weather was not the only thing to be concerned with. And the muddy hills just before the Elva Homesteads on the way north had left them all filthy.
Beyond the muddy hills came heavy forestry and jungle. It was difficult traversing the terrain with the wagon, and the idea of leaving it at the Elva Homesteads was discussed in great detail. However, nothing was decided when they first pulled into the small village.
Elva Homesteads had no outer security wall. No detachment of guards. Only what they considered to be a local magistrate, who like the rest of the residents in the territory, was Human. Wolflen and his party checked in with the magistrate first, asking about lodgings, food and supplies. The magistrate was quite friendly and explained that they did have rooms available in town—but only two. The magistrate showed Wolflen to the lodgings, which were little more than fancy rooms in a large home at the end of town. It was not hard to find, but it would have been difficult to discern what any of the buildings were for anyone just passing through. There were no building signs. Only wooden structures and people that seemed only mildly interested in the presence of outsiders.
Wolflen and Ayvock seemed most interested in the concept of fresh fruit and other food items, while Katrina seemed more relieved to learn that a Free Mage lived in town, and as a result, the Elva Homesteads had indoor plumbing, including warm baths. She hadn't shared her fear that the Elva Homesteads might have been without indoor plumbing. On the journey, she didn't want to upset Wolflen. Now, she was glad she had hidden her fear, but more so glad to be running some warm bath water after mid-day.
Wolflen and Ayvock were downstairs in the small lounge that was arranged for guests. Their lodgings were more like a bed and breakfast than a hotel, but Wolflen and Ayvock had ordered some meat pies and fresh fruits. That had been several chimes ago (if chimes existed in the Homesteads) and they were on their fourth round of food when Katrina joined them in the lounge, laughing that they were still there and eating so heartily. She warned them about eating too much and getting used to food in high amounts. She didn't want them accustomed to eating heartily when in a couple of days they would be rationing again. Wolflen merely laughed. He laughed harder when she herself stated gorging herself in food.
“This Human food is really bland, but at least they know how to cook the meat!” Ayvock said enthusiastically.
“Forget the food,” Wolflen interrupted, “it may be my first Human food, but after rationing in the wild, I am happy it is just edible. Besides, the wine is tasty.”
Several bottles of wine later, their wagon and the majority of their supplies were sold in town. They retained only the horse Colt, Sespa—Wolflen's trusted mount, and food rations. In exchange, they managed their lodgings, were given a new food supply, got letters out to their families, sent by way of messengers, and even had a new harness made for Sespa—one that had more pouches which would allow them to carry more food on the road, as well as their weapons when they weren't in use. Wolflen also kept a few pieces of flatware, a bowl and fire brazier.
The decision to push onward without the wagon had been made. They would do so to make better time. Katrina only wondered if she was up to the task of keeping the boys alive in the wild without the supply of the wagon, but she admitted that she would be glad to be rid of it. Riding with the two horses that she now called the “old nags” had obviously not been something that excited her much. She said to save money in town, she would ride with Wolflen on Sespa's back until they reached Peludeen. Wolflen couldn't argue; he cherished the idea of her holding him tight.
As night fell later, they each returned to rooms; Wolflen and Ayvock to one, and Katrina to the other. Both rooms were upstairs at the end of a hallway with wooden and creaky floors. Wolflen kissed Katrina just outside of her door as he said goodnight to her. She thanked him for the lodgings that he paid for, and he assured her that he was nearby if she needed him throughout the night. It almost seemed strange now though, sleeping in rooms. Over the past weeks of nights, they had all slept under the stars together, always within earshot of one another. Katrina had even spent a few nights curled up to Wolflen when the air was cold to her. Now though, she had her own room, and Wolflen figured it was for the best even though he hated to admit it. After all, they were a couple now as he saw it, but he knew they would soon reach Elven lands, and Wolflen was not sure what the procedure for courtship might be in Elven lands. He also knew it could be more stringent when one was courting an Elven Princess.
He turned in at last, shutting his own room door behind him. He and Ayvock both had their own bed in the room, though the beds were not made for Izenians. Ayvock was already undressed save for under garments, and he set his clothes, along with his muddy boots just outside their inn door. By morning, his things would be washed, and piled neatly for him by the door again so that he might dress in clean clothing the next day. “I am looking forward to the hot bath.” Ayvock said matter-of-factly. Wolflen nodded and smiled sheepishly as he himself undressed. He too longed for a hot bath, and soaps, shampoos, and even a razor. Over the long journey, his face had become quite hairy, and he was glad to soon have a clean shave. In the wild, he did his best to shave with his dagger blade, but an actual razor for his face was something he never thought to bring along when they began their journey. Ayvock's face was just as hairy though; more so really. Now, he wore a full beard, mustache and goatee.
There were two bathrooms in the room where they stayed. Wolflen guessed that the lodgings must have been built with the idea of travelers in mind. He set his dirty laundry outside the door, even giving up his favorite green robe for the night. Earlier in the day, they had already turned in the rest of their dirty laundry downstairs. By morning they would have clean outfits, and the other outfits they had would be stowed in Sespa's packs or in Colt's saddlebags.
Both boys entered the bathroom which forked off on both sides to separate tub rooms. They didn't bother closing any doors. But they found a bottle of wine in each bathroom, a luxury they had already paid for earlier. When the baths were drawn, both of them finished undressing and they each sat in their tub, enjoying the warm water, the soap, and the relaxing feeling they had. Each tub was on either side of the main bathroom, and not far from the other. With the doors open, the two of them could sit back and soak in the tub and look to the side to see the other. So they began talking as they relaxed.
“You know,” Ayvock began, “this life in the wild isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I almost admire these people here at the Homesteads. I almost envy them.”
Wolflen chuckled.
“I know what you mean. The life of a Ranger is still an appealing idea. But I think that future for me is gone.”
“So you have decided for sure then?” Ayvock asked.
Wolflen took a long hard gulp of wine before answering.
“Yes. This is the path I am on now. Which means I am going to have to learn to fight.”
Wolflen swallowed hard as he admitted such out loud. Ayvock knocked back a swig of his own as he used his other hand to wash his chest.
“Well,” he commented, “you and me both. I wonder what dad is going to do when he reads my letter.”
Wolflen was silent a moment before asking what Ayvock told his dad in the letter.
“I told him...the truth.”
Wolflen smiled sheepish
ly as he soaked in the tub.
Ayvock asked if Wolflen had written a letter home. Wolflen said that he did, and that in his letter he also told the truth, along with details about their journey and also about where they were going.
“I don't suppose it matters now anyway though.” Wolflen said.
Ayvock asked why.
“I did a heap of damage before I left. For all I know my parents have disowned me by now.”
Ayvock splashed around in his tub before answering.
“If I know your dad, right now he has half his fleet out looking for you, waiting at every port. And he has probably called in favors with the local guard to look for you as well. I doubt that your parents have disowned you.”
Wolflen took another drink of wine as he continued soaking in his tub. For a moment there was silence between both of them. Then suddenly as Ayvock relaxed, he smelled the smell of smoke and he sat straight up in his tub and looked for its origin.
“What are you doing?” Ayvock exclaimed.
“What?” Wolflen asked, “It's called a cigar. Good flavor too. I got it earlier downstairs. I got a few of them if you want one.”
Ayvock was surprised to see Wolflen with a cigar. But Ayvock asked for one just the same, so Wolflen reached his arm over the tub to where he had the cigars, and he grabbed one carefully and using his telekinetic powers, he caused it to levitate and float in mid-air toward Ayvock, who grabbed it once it was in reach. Ayvock commented, saying that Wolflen's magic was handy for many uses, and Wolflen just grinned while he puffed his cigar.
“How do I light it?” Ayvock asked.
“Well,” Wolflen remarked with a smirk as he looked through the bathroom and toward Ayvock in his own tub, “how much do you trust me?”
Ayvock shook his head. He couldn't believe Wolflen was thinking of doing it, but he wasn't sure that's what Wolflen meant either. He hoped not.
“Put it to your mouth Ayvock.”
Ayvock's hand trembled as he obeyed. He thought at least he was in a bath tub—the burns would not be too severe. He put the cigar in his mouth, and then from a magical spark, Wolflen lit it from the other room. Ayvock jumped slightly at first. No bad flames. Only a lit cigar in his mouth. He smiled and took a breath, coughing at first and then getting use to the flavor.
