The Rogue Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild : Book 2

by Andrew G. Wood

  Leo sighed, before taking some of the items Chad had been given to carry, thinking back to how he had also struggled in the same situation. Once they had gotten everything they needed, Leo led the way up to the dorms. Here they once more found Jake, Mason and the other new apprentices already claiming beds. “Does it matter where I go?” Chad asked tentatively. Leo shook his head, “Where ever you like, so long as you don’t pick one that is already taken,” he replied echoing the very same words he had been given when first making a choice.

  He looked at his own bed. The sheets were all nicely folded, and he noticed his things were all as he had left them. However, the bed next to his, where once Mia had been, was now empty. The mattress was bare aside from the neatly folded sheets and blankets placed at one end, and the storage space beside it was empty, bereft of any belongings. Had something happened to Mia? He thought as he looked a few beds further down where he had known Ewan to have been. One of the new apprentices was seemingly laying claim to the bed, which had Leo thinking something had happened.

  No Mia or Ewan, perhaps they had just moved beds to be nearer. After all, when Leo had left a few weeks ago, Mia had been sleeping in her own room convalescing after the battle. Leo shook the thought from his mind, realising he was probably over thinking things. Mia was probably still there and perhaps the guild had allowed Ewan to be in a room a little nearer to her.

  Leo rolled his eyes back as he watched Chad pick the bed next to his own, the one that had once belonged to Mia. He took half a step forward and was about to say not to have that one, when he heard Master Aryan calling his name from the doorway. Leo looked at Chad and then at the man shouting his name, “Don’t do anything you shouldn’t,” Leo said pointing back to Chad. “In fact don’t do anything…Just stay there,” he added as he hurried over to see why he was being called.

  Leo was actually taller than the Master before him, but that did not mean he respected the man any less. “I need a word with you Leo…Alone,” he said gesturing they take a little walk. They had barely gone half a dozen steps down the corridor when Leo stopped dead in his tracks. The Guild Master also stopped and looked up at the youngster before him, “I’m sorry Leo, I know you were close to Mia,” the man said patting him on the shoulder.

  Aryan suggested Leo go back in to the dorm and help Chad, whilst he went and explained the same news to Jake and Mason. Leo just nodded, stunned at the words he had just been told. Mia had killed Ewan? Surely there must be a mistake. Him not liking the lad much was no great secret, but that did not mean he wished him dead. Mia’s mind had ‘turned’ was the phrase Aryan had used, although Leo did not really know what that meant.

  Leo walked slowly back to where Chad was struggling to make his own bed. Without saying anything Leo grabbed the other end of the bedding and helped. With his mind on Mia and Ewan, he felt numb. “Are you okay?” he heard Chad ask. “Sir!” Leo snapped. “I am your mentor you refer to me as Sir!” If Chad had been frightened of Leo before it was evidently clear he was even more so now.

  The lad looked like he was going to cry, despite the fact he was as big as Leo, albeit a little younger. Leo exhaled loudly, “I’m sorry,” he said. “I have had just had some terrible news,” he added sitting down on the bed. He placed his face in the palm of his hands and sighed loudly, still unable to comprehend Mia killing Ewan and going on the run.

  On arriving at the guild a few months ago, he had thought everything in life had turned for the better. Yet just as he thought things were good, there always appeared to be something happening that brought him back down to earth with a bump. Leo may have been young but he more than most knew that life was always full of surprises, yet the news that Mia was on the run and a murderer had shocked him to the core.

  Chapter 16.

  Mia was finally glad to be on the move once more. The novelty of sharing her bed with Gallien had not yet worn off, although now she had been given a taste, her eyes were wandering at other potential lovers in the camp. Knowing her being there would likely cause more trouble than it was worth, Fennick had decided to take her along with him.

  After taking only volunteers, the group of nine sorcerers were heading to a town north of the capital. The purpose of their trip had been laid out from the start, with Fennick only taking people that were comfortable with what he had proposed. The thought of kidnapping the young prince of Caldronia, using him for their needs before likely killing him had not gone down well with everyone. Some had accused him of being as bad as those in the guild, whilst some, like Mia for example thought it an excellent idea.

  Despite her apparent dislike for Mia, Kala had decided to travel with them, whilst Gallien unsurprisingly had volunteered as soon as Mia had told him he was going anyway. Aside from Fennick, the rest of the group were all on the younger side of thirty, although Mia was the youngest of the bunch.

  Mia soon discovered one huge disadvantage about living in a hideaway built so deep in the forest. For starters there were no horses, and so progress whilst steady, was painfully slow. Moreover, the group had to carry their own supplies for the trip, although Fennick had told them they might have to restock whilst travelling.

  Mia had already offloaded her back pack on to Gallien, much to the disgust of Kala who seemed intent on glaring her way. She found the forest floor strange underfoot; soft and spongey almost and hollow sounding. The trees were tall and well established meaning very little grew at ground level, which did make it somewhat easier for the group walking between the thick trunks. Unfortunately, it also meant very little daylight got through, meaning it was very gloomy and dark.

  Kala, too busy staring at Mia stumbled forward as her foot caught in a root protruding up from the ground. She quickly looked about to see if anybody had seen her do so, only to see Mia smirking back at her. Straightening herself up she looked away and picked up her pace a little.

  Without thinking of the consequences Mia cast a small globe of light to help illuminate her path. She after all did not want to make a fool of herself as Kala had just done. Feeling quite pleased with her use of magic, Mia was shocked when Fennick snarled angrily at her. After enquiring as to what his problem was, she rather reluctantly let the small globe of energy dissipate away.

  Fennick calmed quite quickly, and explained that they should only use their powers if need be. Should anyone spot them using their powers they risked being reported. Should that happen they could find themselves being pursued by sorcerers from the guild, not something Fennick wanted. Mia of course duly pointed out that they would likely have to use their magic when taking the prince, stating that it was unlikely those guarding him were going to just hand him over. “Yes I know Mia, but until then…Just let’s not draw undue attention to ourselves,” the man replied trying to remain calm.

  Several hours of laborious, tedious and very tiring walking had passed by when Mia finally caught sight of clear ground ahead. The forest had started to make her feel very claustrophobic and the sight of wide open spaces was certainly a welcome one. Fennick called the group to a halt just as they reached the treeline. Once gathered in, he suggested they stop for a break before warning them all that they needed to remain inconspicuous. Despite the words not being aimed directly at Mia he did look her way when saying them.

  Fennick told them they still had several days walking before they reached Riverdale, and briefly showed the route with his finger moving along a map. “Can we not just steal some horses?” Mia sighed. The thought of walking for so many miles certainly did not appeal to her. Despite some of the looks she got from the other members of the group, she remained firm in her view. “Well is it such a stupid idea?” she asked those casting her doubting looks.

  “We are trying to remain inconspicuous remember?” Kala replied in a mocking tone.

  The tension between certain members of the group was easy to detect and Fennick was beginning to wonder whether they would ever get to their target without incident. Since Mia’s arrival the dynamics of the small commu
nity had changed a little, with people becoming far more cynical and mistrusting of others. With Gallien walking around like a love sick puppy, the sudden pathetic behaviour of the young man had annoyed more than a few. This was especially true with those not impressed by the way the newcomer Mia was using him.

  After a few moments of thought, Fennick came up with a possible idea. He certainly did not possess enough coin to buy them all horses and keep them all fed. Stealing horses was a sure way of getting hunted down, something he did not want, at least not until he had captured his prisoner. However, he knew of an old famer a few miles further north. This was going to be the first of their overnight stays, where he was sure the man would allow the use of his barn for them to sleep in.

  The farmer was sympathetic to his and the groups cause, having lost a daughter to the guild many years ago. Fennick had never asked the man all the details, but from what he knew the story was very similar to his own. Although not visiting the farm for over a year, Fennick was aware the man did keep several horses, and more importantly did have an old wagon. Perhaps at the right price the farmer might let them make use of them on a temporary basis, promising their return on their way back.

  “No Mia has a point,” Fennick said returning his focus of attention back to the matter in hand. Mia immediately glanced over to Kala with the look of ‘I told you so’. Fennick shook his head, and started explaining his theory to the group before any argument started. Perhaps allowing Mia to travel with them was a mistake, and even allowing her to stay in the community was fast proving an unpopular one. The fact she was a murderer was a point he had kept to himself, hoping that in some way she may prove beneficial to them. Although he had considered the fact that the prince could be in Riverdale, he had thought it far too obvious.

  Mia shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun. The muscles in her legs were cramping up, and she was finding walking difficult. However, noticing that Kala was still moving freely, Mia had decided to grin and bear it and not give the other woman the satisfaction of seeing her struggle. Fortunately, Gallien was still carrying the majority of her gear, and had thankfully not complained about doing so.

  As they stood outside a rather ramshackle looking house and farm buildings, they were greeted by an old man. Fennick seemed to know him well as the two embraced with a rather awkward looking hug. Mia tried to listen in as the two chatted to each other but was unable to hear, much to her annoyance as she was certain they were talking about her.

  After several minutes of waiting, Fennick eventually gestured for the group to follow him. He led the way across the farmyard towards a large barn that had clearly seen better days. “I know it’s not much, but we can all sleep in here tonight. Arthur will bring us some food a little later,” he told them as he opened the large barn door. The hinges creaked as he did so, indicating they had probably not been opened for a while. Mia thought that theory was probably correct as the smell caught her by surprise. “Why would we want to sleep in a dump like this?” she asked no one person in particular.

  “Because it was offered as a kind gesture!” Fennick snapped back, clearly becoming very annoyed with her.

  “I only asked,” Mia replied calmly deciding not to pursue the matter any further.

  At least being in the barn allowed them have some degree of anonymity. Although rather smelly and dirty, there were dozens of large straw bales stacked up which could make for a better bed than the hard ground outside. Moreover, being out of sight also allowed them to use a little magic, safe in the knowledge they would not be spotted. This was something Fennick did immediately by floating a small ball of energy upwards, illuminating the barn with an eerie blue light.

  Mia stood and looked up at the globe of energy and wondered why she had never been taught how to do that. Sure she knew how to create a ball of light, but she had to hold it in her hand, and continually feed power in to it, meaning she had to concentrate to maintain it. Noticing her fascination with the light it was Gallien, always eager to please her, who explained the theory behind it.

  The globe of energy created by Fennick would slowly burn down, “A bit like a candle,” he said trying to think of something similar. Whereas the one created by Mia was fed with a constant stream of magic, Fennicks was basically just a ball of energy that would slowly diminish over time. Mia nodded her understanding, and thought it something she might like to try after their supper. First she thought it best to thank Gallien for enlightening her, and did so by leaning up and kissing him tenderly on the lips.

  After Fennick had left them to settle in for the evening, the group all found their places. Naturally Gallien would sleep beside Mia, although she was a little annoyed when Kala decided to place herself down just a few yards from them. Gallien was obviously glad his friend had chosen a spot so close, although Mia was undoubtedly not quite so enamoured with the situation.

  Fennick reappeared an hour or so later, by which time the globe of light he had so expertly manifested to light the large empty space of the barn, had long since dwindled away from existence. Mia had been somewhat jealous when Kala of all people had shown the same skill. Whilst the ball of energy summoned by her had not been as bright or stable as the one made by Fennick, it was still something Mia was unable to do.

  The old man followed slowly behind Fennick, with two younger men doing likewise behind him. One carried a large pot, whilst the other carried a tray laden with plates and bread rolls. Whereas most in the group were focusing their senses on the aroma of food, Gallien included, Mia had fixed her eye on the young man carrying the tray. Being tall with fair hair and muscular arms, she hoped to catch his eye whilst Gallien was preoccupied.

  Mia felt her heart skip a beat as the young man looked over, staring for a few moments directly at her. Mia cast him what she hoped was a seductive look, and was disappointed when the man eventually looked away as the old man gestured them out of the barn. “I’ll leave you and your friends to enjoy your meal Fennick and I’ll have the boys get the wagon harnessed up for you in the morning.”

  Whilst everyone else darted forward to help themselves to the food, Mia held back, her gaze fixated on the young man. She smiled as her wishes were answered as the man turned his head, glancing back as he exited the doorway. Mia decided there and then that her plans for the evening would be away from the group. As good as the time with Gallien had been, she was a young woman with new urges that needed feeding.

  Chapter 17.

  Leo had been back at the guild for just two days before he had been summoned to the king’s office. His own lessons with Daron had continued where they had left off before all the troubles had started, and he was just beginning to settle back in to the daily routines. His new understudy, Chad, was surprisingly easy to get along with. Whether that was down to him being somewhat weary of Leo or the fact he was not the bad person they had first thought, he guessed only time would tell.

  Both Mason and Jake had received a kind of promotion, and although neither were actually Guild Masters, it was thought that one day both youngsters could make that grade. Since their return they were to continue their own lessons as previous, although at an accelerated rate. In their spare time they were now also given the chance to help the newcomers as assistants to the Masters.

  Leo actually felt a bit of an old timer as the influx into the guild increased by a steady trickle day by day. With magic being a rarer commodity the sorcerer’s guild naturally did not have the numbers of the other factions, but even there the numbers were increasing steadily. With the war against Belaria seemingly in a kind of limbo, the general feeling around the place was one of uncertainty. They all knew there would likely be further attacks against the capital, but when and how that would come nobody was quite certain.

  The fact that they knew there were Belarian agents and possibly sorcerers hiding amongst them gave the people living in Surmont a certain uneasiness. The people were clearly weary of strangers, and as a result of recent troubles, the streets were almost deserted by
the time evening came and the light started fading.

  Leo, now a familiar character to some of the palace guards walked slowly up the grand staircase in the palace following one of the royal staff. His summons to the king had come as a surprise to him, but apparently not Daron who had clearly been expecting it. The two had been discussing the theory suggested by Alec, that weaker sorcerers could group and increase the power of their shields. Since their return, Alec had been given the task of leading a small group of literary apprentices in finding everything they could on the practice, from the huge library of knowledge available to them.

  After being made to wait outside the king’s personal quarters for a few minutes, Leo’s mind was running through the possible reasons for him being summoned. Moreover, with the meeting taking place in the private living space of the king as opposed to the offices, he was even more unsure.

  After being shown in through the door, he was greeted by the huge man-monster that was the king’s warrior. Leo gave a rather timid looking wave of his hand in greeting and a bit of a smile, but the man’s face remained like stone. Sorcerer or not, that was one man Leo hoped never to upset and get the wrong side of. “Wait outside please. See we are not disturbed,” Leo heard the king shout from across the other side of a very plush looking room.