“I’ve prepared letters of introduction for you. I know your annuity from the bank is expired, but the governor of Vonair will take you on as an independent scout. You’ll receive a salary and a share of prize money from anything you lawfully recover from brigands or trespassers in the region. How did you propose to get to Vonair?”
“I thought I would just ride out there,” Tiberius answered.
“That might be best. Give you a chance to see a traveler’s perspective of the region before you are well known. Still, it won’t do for your luggage. You should be in Vonair for some time. We’ll need to send a few chests out for you. We can send them ahead by boat. You just pack your bags; I’ll see that they get there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll write to stay in touch and make sure your studies are continuing, naturally. This package contains your letters of introduction and I’ve added a little traveling money. Won’t do for you to run out of funds before your first pay. Some of these military outposts can be a little lax when it comes to prompt payment. I don’t anticipate any trouble, but best to be prepared. If there are difficulties with that, write to me. I still have some influence in the government,” Dallen explained.
“Thank you, sir,” Tiberius answered.
“There is one other thing.” Dallen told Tiberius to wait a moment, and a minute later he came back from the house with a package wrapped in brown paper.
“This is something I’ve been working on for a while. Sort of a practical graduation gift. Go on, open it up,” Dallen said with a smile.
Tiberius took the package. It felt maybe the weight of a cloak or a jacket. He opened the package and saw a curious sort of black glossy fabric. Or was it a fabric? He wasn’t quite sure.
“What is it?” he asked.
“A little work of my own. Armor, befitting a magi, woven by my arts. Just give it a bit of sunlight now and then and it will take care of itself. It should take care of you too. At least till you’ve got your feet on the ground and your own bits of defensive magic firmed up. Try it on. It goes on over your regular shirt and pants.”
The armor was a pullover shirt and slacks with a corded tie around the waist. It was hard to say exactly how it had been made. It almost felt like there were metal plates inside of it, but Ti wasn’t quite sure. To wear, it seemed like a comfortable sweater, light and cool in the summer heat, tensing up somehow to be warm in cold weather. It fit him like a second skin. There was a detachable hood that was designed to be worn inside of a cloak.
Touching the armor from the outside felt like a very fine metal chain, or a metal cloth. It flowed like silk, until you tried punching it. Then it hardened in an instant and was harder than steel. It was as if the armor could sense when it was going to be poked and stiffened up in that spot. A moment later it softened again.
"It’s self repairing,” Dallen explained. “At least, within reason. Just ignore the little metal spiders in the armor. They keep it clean and in repair.”
Tiberius noted there was a green tunic that fit over the armor. “What does this do?” he asked.
“Keeps food stains off the armor, mostly. The little automatons get quite enough to eat as is. Gives you a chance to display some fashion sense too, and some variety. I expect where you’re going you’ll wear that armor till you’re sick of looking at it. You can always buy a new tunic to put over it. The tunic isn’t magical though, if that is what you are asking. Oh, there are some pockets too in the usual places, but they aren’t obvious, you see. I’d keep a wallet outside on your belt and use the armor’s pockets for emergencies. The armor will withstand a dragon’s fire, at least while the wearer is still alive. But I shouldn’t touch the armor with your bare skin for a while after a dragon’s been breathing on it.”
“Thank you, Dallen. For everything.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m giving you the chance to serve. You’ll likely be cursing my name soon. There are great evils at work in Vonair. The forest presses in on us. Pressing back won’t be easy. That armor is just my way of saying that old Dallen isn’t sitting around letting you do all the work while he does nothing. Now go on and get packed. Your books have got a boat to catch.”
Chapter VIII
A New Beginning
The first day out gave Tiberius no quick start to his adventures. The road out from Sherwood City wasn’t particularly interesting. Tiberius had been this way many times before on hunting trips or the occasional printing delivery. At the end of the day he spent the night in a respectable and familiar inn.
The next morning, though, things began to get more interesting. He was off before dawn and by midday he’d reached Fort Marion, a great fort that marked the edge of the border territories. An entire legion of the Queen’s soldiers were stationed here, the Fifth Infantry. This was the end of the civilized lands of the Stewardship. Technically, the Stewardship extended westward out to the Fairy Drink River and the elven lands didn’t start till then. But the official border had been set more with a mind to the future by the elves than to reflect reality. The practical limit of human influence was “The Wall.” This was a fifty-mile long wooden wall that ran between Fort Marion and the great city of Walsingham. A western corner of the Stewardship lay between the river and the wall. This was the border country.
There were towns here, but they were walled and wary. It was a rich land, but it was dangerous country. These were fairy woods, and all sorts of odd and magical creatures were known to dwell here. The Black Hills were known to be infested with goblins, bogies, and all sorts of other creatures of the night. It was rumored that a great goblin queen ruled over them all somewhere in the heart of the Black Hills. Others said something even more sinister lurked behind her. Enormous spiders the size of dogs were known to live on the west side of the Robinsford. The outposts at the wall were on constant vigilance. Even Sherwood City was not fully safe from raids. Beyond this point you traveled at your own risk.
A sergeant hailed him at the gates to the forest road.
“Aren’t you one of old General Fuller’s sons?” asked the sergeant. Tiberius had been here before on his father’s business. The fort here had training manuals printed on occasion. “Where do you think you’re going? The road ahead isn’t safe for a single rider.”
“I’m on my way to Vonair,” he replied.
“You’d do better to take the road to Walsingham and catch a boat. If you must take the road, wait a couple of days and there will be a small caravan,” the sergeant said sensibly.
Tiberius handed him a letter of introduction that Dallen had written.
The sergeant glanced at it then looked back up at Tiberius with wide eyes, handing him back the letter. “Dallen sent you? And you’re General Fuller’s son? I guess you know what you’re doing. I’d still take the ferry, if I were you. There’s sure to be trouble ahead.”
“I expect so, Sergeant,” Tiberius said. “That’s part of my job from now on.”
The sergeant motioned for him to be let past and Tiberius rode his horse beyond the wall. Tiberius saw no immediate change, but the change was there nonetheless. As he rode along, the farms and small villages became more distant and more fortified, and this was only the first day. The road here was still close to the wall. He spent the first night in an inn in the village of Stapleshire. The wooden stockade around the town was quite functional and well maintained. The next day, riding towards Lychester, the road became downright lonely.
So far he hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary, but he did sense fear in the countryside. They weren’t fond of strangers here. He passed almost no one on the road. The farmers he passed did not wave greetings, but either looked away or gathered their children quickly away from the stranger. The shutters in this country were well kept and slammed shut at the sight of strangers.
Finally he did see a small group of men. One of them was blocking the road. Tiberius rode up to the man.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“A simple tol
l for passage, governor. You’d not deny that to a bunch of hard working men, keeping the road safe for humble travelers like yourself.”
Tiberius nudged his horse a bit closer to the leader. “You don’t have the look of a Queen’s man. Are you telling me you’re a Ranger?”
“Ah, well, not as such. You see, the Rangers, well, they don’t get down this way much. They mostly keep to the coast roads. Inland protection, that’s our lot.”
“I see. How much?”
“Well, seeing as you’re a gentleman, sir, I’d say a hundred shillings would be about right. Course, if you can’t pay, well we’d be happy to share things out so to speak. If you want to empty your pockets, we’ll divide things up fair and square.”
Tiberius frowned. These were highwaymen, little better than thieves. He’d faced worse in training, but he had been told to check in with the Rangers first before he started any trouble. “I’m not the Queen’s man. Not yet. For that reason, I’ll pay you this time. But I warn you, I’ll be back before long. Before then, I’d suggest you find another profession. You may find the Queen’s Rangers closer than you think.” Tiberius ended his speech by reaching into his purse and throwing two gold coins towards the bandit leader.
The highwayman leader took the coins. “Gold, eh? Maybe I undercharged you,” he said. A glance up at the curious stranger showed he had given all he would without a fight, however.
“I’m a man of my word, though. One hundred shillings I said. One hundred shillings it is. On your way, governor,” he said, stepping aside.
“Till we meet again,” said the stranger. The bandit leader watched him ride swiftly down the road.
“Reckon we ought to go after him, Welby? More gold where that came from, I bet,” Slim said to his chief.
“No. Let him go,” the chief answered sharply.
“You don’t believe that carp about the Rangers coming, do you?” Slim said. “Didn’t figure you to go soft.”
“Don’t you ever play cards?” the chief answered. “That man’s got an ace up his sleeve, all right; we’re lucky we didn’t have a fight right here. Chuck, Joe, you tell the boys to look sharp down the road for the Rangers. That man that went by stinks of the Queen. Something’s up; I don’t want to find out what by pulling a Ranger’s arrow out of my arse.”
The highwaymen's chief took a last look at the departing rider. “I don’t like this at all,” he mumbled. “There is big trouble brewing.”
∴
By late night Tiberius came to the large inn he’d been told about: a series of buildings arranged in a box with walls connecting them into a small fortress here at a crossroads. A sign above the door had a drawing of a mug of ale and letters that said “Henry’s.” Tiberius met the stable boy and handed over his horse, giving the lad a tip for his troubles.
Stepping inside, he saw a comfortable if inelegant inn. The crowd was a mixed lot. There were some traders and local farmers, but also a few unpleasant looking types. The barmaids were cute, though. One of them told him to take any seat that he liked and she’d be with him in a minute. Tiberius took an unoccupied seat near the bar, off to the side. Henry was a large stout man with broad shoulders. He had the look of an old campaigner who had settled down to a quieter life. He was chatting with some farmers behind the bar when suddenly one of the barmaids screamed and slapped a rough looking man at a nearby table.
“That’s enough of that!” Henry said sharply.
The man growled back. “Just having a bit of fun.”
“I think you’ve had enough. You’ve run up enough of a tab, too. Why don’t you settle your bill and clear off,” Henry said.
“That’s no way to treat paying customers, is it now, Bill,” said the man, turning back to his companion for support. Bill rose and stood beside him. Henry answered by taking a stout looking club from under the bar. He cracked it loudly against the counter.
“That’s enough from you lot. You pay your bill and be off.”
“He ain’t respectful, now, is he Bill? We ought to teach him a lesson.”
It looked like the start of an ugly scene. Tiberius cast a light spell on Henry’s club, and it started glowing an ominous red. Henry, with his eyes on the two ruffians, didn’t notice, but the two ruffs did. The first froze in his tracks.
“No point causing trouble now, Jake. Let’s just pay and be off like the man said.”
Jake took a step back, fumbled for his purse, and threw some coins on the table. Then the two of them practically ran out the door. Henry watched them go. Then he glanced down at his club, saw it was glowing, dropped it, and leapt back away from it.
“Criminy! No wonder they ran,” he said.
“It’s just a harmless light,” Tiberius said. Gesturing again he put the light out. Henry picked up the club again gingerly.
“Well that’s a useful little trick, no mistake,” Henry said. “I’m much obliged Mr. ...?”
“Just call me Tiberius,” he answered.
“Well, Mr. Tiberius, sir, you’re right welcome here. Let me get you a drink on the house.”
“It will have to be tea, I’m afraid. I’ve given up alcohol,” he answered.
“Betsy, fetch the gentleman some tea. Not that it has to be tea, sir. We’ve a selection for them what don’t take to strong spirits. The missus likes to keep a good selection on hand. We get occasional kids and ladyfolk come this way on the way to the fort with the caravans. Got some soft cider on tap, finest well water, and plenty of cold tea and lemonade. We’ve got blackcurrant concentrate and a few bottles of that new sarsaparilla stuff, too, if you fancy something a bit different.”
“Tea will be fine for now; I’ll keep the rest in mind. I expect I’ll be around here often from now on. I was hoping for some dinner and a room for the night as well. A private room, if you’ve got one.”
“It’s a bit extra for that, sir, but we’ve got some fine rooms available, thirty shillings for a private room. If that’s too much, I can...”
“That will be fine; what do you recommend for dinner?”
“I think the stew tonight, sir. Had a bit myself and the missus has done a fine job. Comes with bread straight from our own oven, too.”
“Sounds good,” Tiberius replied.
“I’ll have Betsy fetch you some straight away.”
Henry was as good as his word. There was a fine beef barley stew brought forth with some excellent thick slices of wholegrain bread still hot from the oven. Tiberius washed it down with a Darjeeling tea and some well water.
Tiberius watched as Henry made preparations for the night, carefully checking every window was securely barred. Afterwards, he came and sat down behind the bar.
“That’s better.”
“Expecting trouble?”
“Round these parts you’d best be prepared for it. I take pride in giving my guests a good night’s safe sleep.” Henry said.
“It’s the Ranger’s job to keep people safe around here,” Tiberius said, wondering.
“Well, I’ve done some time in the army myself, you know. Rangers can’t be everywhere,” Henry replied.
“They shouldn’t have to be. The thought that a Ranger might be by should give folks pause,” Tiberius said.
“Might, if there were more of them,” Henry countered. “They are good lads, the Rangers. They’re in here now and then. I’ve seen Walker the Hammer himself, sitting in that very chair. They’re just a bit overwhelmed. Too many will-o’-the-wisps to chase. Too close to the deep forest here.”
“I’m hoping to help with that,” Tiberius said.
“You joining up then?”
“Not exactly. I’m a consultant.”
“Hmm. Well if you can do something to tone things down a bit in this area it will be much appreciated, sir. You know a few more tricks like that bit of light you did?”
“A few more. I’m a magus.”
“That some sort of elf magic? You don’t have the look of one of them sorcerers or witches. None of that lot w
ould lift a finger to help a poor barman anyway,” Henry said.
“I’m one of the magi.”
“Magi? Like in the Bible? Christ isn’t returning is he?” Henry said, alarmed.
“Not today,” Tiberius said, laughing. “Not that I know of. I’m just on my way to the castle to help out with a few of those will-o’-the-wisps.”
“Well good luck too you, sir. Just remember, you’ll always find a bit of rest and company down at Henry’s. When you’re done with your supper, I’ll show you to your room.”
Tiberius found his room to be clean and comfortable. He had a good breakfast the next day, too. He got off to an early start and by late morning he had come to the town of Vonair.
∴
Tiberius stopped his horse for a moment and admired the view, seeing the castle at Vonair for the first time. Coming by the inland road did at least give you a good view of the castle. It was a structure on a low hill with one very tall tower on the left side overlooking the rivers. Another round tower, bigger but not as tall, contained the great hall. Tiberius headed up there first. Showing his letters of introduction there, they told him to leave his horse and go down to the fort. This proved to be a large collection of wooden buildings, surrounded by a wooden wall and a trench. At first he thought it was daft, building a fort next to a castle, but looking it over he got the layout of the place. The castle had the administrative buildings and the officer's quarters. The fort below was a barracks for enlisted men. It also had the stables.
Walking down to the fort entrance, a guard again looked at his papers and almost sent him back up to the castle, but after consulting with another guard, they sent him towards a large tent erected in the center of the fort.
At the entrance to the great tent, Tiberius again showed his letters. He was told that Lord Brandon was here, but Tiberius would have to wait, as he was busy. Tiberius could believe that, as he could hear a loud, animated discussion emanating from within. The guard motioned him inside and towards an uncomfortable looking bench, already crowded with some townsfolk.
Path of the Magi (Tales of Tiberius) Page 22
