The Hidden Mask (Wizard's Helper Book 6)

by Guy Antibes

  “They won’t be fighting the factions alone,” Ari said. “I haven’t wasted my time in Bristone the past few weeks. There are three times your men willing to follow your army, but they are untrained.”

  “You want me to train them? Impossible,” Delancey said.

  “Jack and Jamie will do the training,” Ari said.

  “Me?” Jack and Delancey’s champion spoke at the same time. Jack looked at Jamie and wondered what Ari was thinking.

  “Can you think of two men more capable with their weapons?” Ari asked.

  “I can vouch for Jamie. He is my second in command after all, but the boy? Is he proven?”

  Jack wanted to shout “no,” but Ari spoke in his mind. Don’t resist. For you to survive what is coming, you and your party need protection. If Bristone erupts, no one will save you.

  Jack looked away from Ari. I can’t run an army. I’m an adventurer!

  That is what Jamie is for. I can’t be in command for reasons we discussed earlier today.

  It took a deep breath for Jack to regain his composure.

  “Jack will be a co-commander with Jamie,” Ari said. “He can teach his speed-up method to your troops and those in the city.”

  “I can learn how to move that fast?”

  Jack sighed. “Not as fast as me, but much faster than you are now. It takes practice, and there will be some who won’t get much out of the technique. I call it touching the void.”

  “There isn’t any debate on your being the best swordsmen in Antibeaux,” Jamie said. “I always thought that was me.”

  So did the blacksmith in Bristone, Jack thought. He wondered how many best swordsmen in Antibeaux there were.

  “Can you lead?” Jamie asked.

  That was the question that Jack had feared. He pursed his lips. “I am on a quest to recover an object of power, but I will do what Ari suggests. If I do it badly, I will promise to give up my share of the command to you,” Jack said, looking directly into Jamie’s eyes.

  “I can determine when that is?”

  Jack looked at Ari, who nodded. “Yes,” Jack said.

  Lord Delancey slapped both hands face down on the table. “Then, it is time to share a great deal of information.”

  Jack learned that Lord Delancey owned a farm two hours from Bristone. It had been supplied during the harvest with food and tents to supply an army of three thousand men, half of whom were already building dwellings. The rest would take two to three weeks to get to the farm, going in small groups.

  Ari had ten thousand commoners and craftsmen in loose “drinking clubs” that were already vetted for not being allied with a faction and pledged to improve Antibeaux. They weren’t against the queen, but they didn’t like any of the alternatives. The men needed training, but Ari had already had the groups nominate trainers within each group. The news surprised Jack as much as it did Jamie and Lord Delancey.

  “That is a lot of soldiers. What if they are betrayed?” Lord Delancey asked.

  “Loose groups,” Ari said. “At present, they are not unified. That is one of Jack’s tasks: train and combine.”

  Jack hadn’t agreed to do such a thing, but he quickly saw the strategy. Among this group, he couldn’t say a thing, just absorb what his duties would be. He didn’t like the idea of combining the locals with Delancey’s forces.

  “I’m not sure we want to combine the Bristone fighters into a single group but give them separate tasks wherever possible,” Jack said. “That way, they will fight with those they know.”

  Ari smiled. “That is a good idea, Jack.”

  Delancey and the other two men nodded in agreement. That was a start, Jack thought.

  “Jamie and Jack can talk more about the strategic aspects. Can Jamie continue on with us?”

  Delancey frowned, but then he nodded. “I think that might be best. The two of them need to know each other so they can work together.”

  “Is that possible?” Jamie said.

  “It is on my end.” Jack looked at Jamie. “We can learn from one another.”

  The lord’s champion smiled. “We can at that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ~

  “T hey don’t bother you at the tail end of the procession, eating everyone’s dust?” Jamie said.

  Jack hadn’t thought of being at the end as a slight, but now that Jamie had brought it up, he had to agree, knowing the agricultural inspectors riding in the carriages. If he was slighted, then Pol and his men were too. No one seemed very bothered about Jamie’s presence as long as Ari made clear he was paying Jamie’s way to Bristone.

  “It suits our purposes,” Jack said. “If they casually dismiss us, we have more time to talk.”

  “That is a good point, Jack,” Ari said. “Talk away. You two have some plans to make. I’ll listen in and give you my opinion from time to time.

  As Jamie talked about Lord Delancey’s disciplined army, Jack asked, “How experienced are the soldiers?”

  “Experience?” Jamie asked. “They are trained.”

  “How many battles have they fought?”

  Jamie looked at Jack with a blank expression. “None. They are ready to fight.”

  Jack recalled all the training he had at Deep Mist and how the Pearl Mist organization sent its fighters to be tested. “We will have to change that, but I’m not sure how, at this point,” Jack said. “In Masukai, every warrior underwent training and testing, but I get the impression your army hasn’t been tested yet.”

  Jamie’s face turned red, and with his pale complexion, it really turned red. “Are you insinuating—”

  “No, I’m not,” Jack said. “We need to find a way to test the soldiers. They need to be bloodied up a bit.”

  “And you were?” Jamie asked.

  “I have the scars to prove it,” Jack said. He talked about his trial with Grigar at Deep Mist. “I risked my life to pass the test. We don’t have the time to do something similar, but soldiers need to be toughened up. Is there a command structure at Lord Delancey’s farm?”

  “There is,” Jamie said.

  “Then we will meet with them and figure something out. Sparring is not enough, and dueling isn’t either.”

  “It is for you.”

  Jack laughed. “No, it isn’t.” He told Jamie about his failure to save Emperor Rakota.

  “But you beat back the revolution.”

  “It was an uprising, but not a revolution. If you have the backing of a large percentage of the population, it is a revolution or a civil war. We need to make sure we have the backing of a lot of Bristone.” Jack explained what happened when the Black Fingers tried to take over the capital of Gameton and failed even though they had replaced the king. “Most of the people of the city were content to watch the bloodshed. In essence, they waited out the different parties until the rightful king was crowned.”

  “I didn’t think you knew anything. I was wrong,” Jamie said. “You are the one who’s been tested.”

  Ari laughed. “But he still hasn’t been tested enough,” the wizard said. “It is time for both of you to increase your experience. Let’s talk about the factions and determine their strengths and their weaknesses.”

  Jack wished he had Penny’s memory, since Ari hadn’t shared all his thoughts with him before.

  “We can’t rely on anything happening the way we plan,” Jack said.

  “No,” Ari said. “So, you need a goal and plan for contingencies. You will need a lot of flexibility for once the infighting starts, it is up to you two to restore Bristone to maintain order in the capital of Antibeaux.”

  They continued their discussions for the next three days heading north through another chain of valleys until Bristone appeared. Jamie exchanged addresses with Jack. Lord Delancey had a townhouse available for his men in Bristone.

  “We will meet again tomorrow and ride out to the farmhouse.”

  “I’d like to bring Penny along.”

  “That sounds like a ‘she,’”
Jamie said.

  “It is. She has a very good memory and is very smart. She might come up with something we have forgotten,” Jack said.

  Jamie looked at Ari. “You vouch for this, Penny?”

  “I do, and I wouldn’t worry about her. She can touch the void too.”

  “Oh,” Jamie said. “Bring her along. We aren’t just men, either.”

  Jack beamed. “Good.”

  Once they passed through the gate into Bristone, Ari and Jamie went their separate ways, and soon Jack said farewell to Pol.

  “You picked up an impressive-looking traveling companion,” Pol said.

  “I might use him as a guard,” Jack said. “He is thinking about it.”

  “He is intimidating.” He looked ahead as one of the carriages turned a corner, and the others kept going. “We don’t head to the castle together.” Pol smiled. “You also won’t be required to write a report. Was the tour helpful?”

  “It was, and I hope it will continue to pay dividends if the casks of ale from the brewmaster have arrived at the townhouse.”

  “Perhaps. I will see you soon,” Pol said. “I will leave you here.”

  Jack recognized where he was in relation to the townhouse, and he trotted on toward the stable where their horses and carriage were kept. He hadn’t communicated with Penny, so he hoped everything was fine for the week he had spent away from Bristone.

  After lugging his bags to the townhouse, he banged on the door. A new servant answered.

  “Where is Oscar?”

  The woman looked a bit scared. “Who are you?”

  “Jack Winder. I live here.”

  Sera looked down from the top of the stairway. “He does. You can let him in.”

  “What is wrong?” Jack asked.

  Sera waited for him to lug his bags up the stairs.

  “Lin and Penny never came home from visiting the Crabsons. Lorton and Oscar are out looking for them.”

  “What is with the new servant?” Jack asked.

  “I caught some of the servants meeting with the landlord’s agent two days ago. One of the listening posts had just been reactivated. This woman came to us from Princess Glorie’s quarters in the castle.”

  Jack looked at the woman and smiled. “What is your name?”

  The woman relaxed. “Fluerine,” she said.

  “How long have you been with us, Fluerine?” Jack asked.

  “Since yesterday, my lord,” she gave Jack a curtsey.

  “Good. I will be taking my bags to my rooms and will return after washing up and changing, then we will see where Penny and Lin are,” Jack said.

  He took his bags to the sitting room and teleported to his room and quickly prepared himself to find Penny. The Battlebone worked well enough to find Penny and Lin talking to a woman. They didn’t seem to be in any danger but looked very tired. Jack sought out Lorton and Oscar, currently eating at a local restaurant. They did look agitated. Jack located an alley and teleported close by.

  “Is there any left for me?” Jack said, casually walking up.

  “When did you return?” Lorton asked.

  “Not long ago. I changed my clothes after seeing that Penny and Lin weren’t in any danger and thought we might surprise them.”

  “Do you know where they are?” Oscar asked.

  “Not exactly, but they aren’t far. I was serious about the food.”

  ~

  Jack still didn’t know who owned the house, but the three of them stood on the porch. The weather had improved enough to fill the upper streets again, and Jack had enjoyed walking after riding a horse for nearly a week.

  Lorton pulled on a bell cord. A large woman, dressed as a servant in black, greeted them with a scowl.

  “What do you want?”

  “We want to see Lady Penneta and Lady Kanlinn. We have some important news.”

  “Who are they?” the servant asked.

  Jack didn’t generally attach the adjective of surly to a woman, but it fit this one.

  “Men are not generally allowed in this house.”

  “Then, we will be the exception,” Jack said. “You can fetch them, or take us to where they are, or we can barge in and find them for ourselves. You may choose.”

  The woman stepped aside and let them in.

  Penny, I am coming to get you. Jack said.

  You are back. There was a long pause. I was wondering if I should contact you, although I didn’t know if I would be able to communicate. My head hurts when I concentrate too hard. Lin and I are drugged somehow. It is so hard for me to concentrate on talking to you, Penny said.

  The woman showed them into an empty sitting room. “I will fetch them, but first, I will serve you refreshments.”

  When the woman closed the door behind her, Jack pulled out the Battlebone and located Penny and Lin two doors down the hallway.

  “Time for a rescue,” Jack said quietly.

  They filed out of the sitting room. Lorton was the first to see the key in the lock of the room that held Penny and Lin. He opened it and walked in.

  Lin looked at Lorton with heavy-lidded eyes and a goofy smile. “Have you come to whisk us away?”

  “We have.”

  Penny narrowed her eyes. “She is worse than I am. Let’s go.”

  Oscar stood at the door, but as Jack helped Penny to her feet, men pushed Oscar into the room.

  Lorton showed Jack the key. “They can’t lock us in immediately, let’s fight.”

  “No,” Jack said. “I can teleport us to the street.”

  “You hope.”

  “It’s that or risk someone being injured. Neither woman can help.”

  Lorton looked at Lin and sighed. “You are right.”

  The lock clicked.

  “Bar the door, Oscar.”

  The butler jammed a chair underneath the latch. Jack took him to the sidewalk first, followed by Lin, Lorton, and finished up with Penny just as the door’s lock turned.

  “I don’t have the strength to take us all to our townhouse,” Jack said. “You take Penny, Lorton will help Lin, and I will be the rear guard.” He drew his sword.

  The door burst open, and four men looked on as the five of them walked away. They followed, despite the people in the street. Jack looked back as one of them raised a wand.

  Jack quickly brought his sword up and burned the wizard’s wand hand. The man was astonished as he clutched his wound. The others wanted to pursue, but the injured wizard held them back. Jack couldn’t hear what was said as they retreated into the house.

  “Did you inspect all the entrances into the house?” Jack said as they hurried as fast as they could, with two clumsy women struggling with their drugged state.

  “I did,” Oscar said. “The roof trapdoor lock was forced, but I nailed it shut. You knew about the servant’s meeting?”

  “With our landlord’s agent? Sera told me as soon as I arrived. I have news, but we won’t talk about it now.” Jack kept looking back and into every alley.

  The group made it back to the townhouse, gathering in the first-floor sitting room. Oscar sought out Sera to get un-drugged refreshments.

  Jack sent a general healing pulse through both women. It seemed to help, especially Penny.

  “What happened?” Lorton asked.

  “They were WWS goons,” Lin said. “They tried to make us agree to leave Bristone immediately. They hadn’t yet decided what to do about us.”

  Jack could still detect a slur in her voice.

  “Enara Crabson sent us out of the embassy at a specific time, I swear,” Lin said. “She had to have been the one who administered the drug. The goons were waiting for us. Neither of us could function properly.”

  Jack looked at Penny, but it was Lorton who asked, “You couldn’t use your magic?”

  Penny shook her head. “I was unarmed, well, that wasn’t true. I had two throwing knives on me…” she felt both lower legs through her dress. “Still do. There were five of them and one woman. Lin got in
a kick, but it was probably ineffective. I was feeling really woozy, barely well enough to stagger into a waiting carriage on the lower level yesterday afternoon.”

  “Why?” Jack asked.

  Penny looked at Jack. She blinked a few times before screwing her eyes shut. “They tried to convert us, but it didn’t work.”

  “You both wore the bracelets Ari gave you?” Lorton asked.

  “You bet I did,” Lin said. “They weren’t happy their spell didn’t work. I’m sure we were given more doses of the drug when we were fed. I, for one, was too far gone to object.”

  “I tried not to eat anything, but my head still didn’t clear up until Jack gave me a boost of energy,” Penny said.

  “Healing power, this time. I think it helped. I’ll give you both another dose after we’ve talked. I think you both should go to bed.”

  “I agree,” Sera said. “Perhaps some soup might help.”

  “It would,” Penny said.

  “I have news, but it will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Penny and I have a little traveling to do.”

  “Where are we going?” Penny asked.

  “It is a little agricultural inspection tour of our own. I’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

  They all helped the two women up the stairs. Sera and Fluerine helped the women dress for bed while Jack, Oscar, and Lorton assembled in the third-floor sitting room. Jack wouldn’t wait to tell them.

  He went over the trip, including the enhanced ale that had already arrived at the townhouse before he went into detail about his visit to Lord Delancey.

  “You trust the man?” Lorton asked.

  “As much as I trust any man. Ari seemed comfortable around him. I do trust Ari,” Jack said. He didn’t share Ari’s revelation about his origin to the pair. “What is important is Jamie and I are going to command an army that will be assembled if civil unrest breaks out in Bristone. What we learned today is only more proof that such a day may come sooner than later.”

  “Where is the army?” Lorton asked.

  “On a farm a few hours from Bristone,” Jack said. “They are prepared to stay the winter.”

  “You really think we might need a real fighting force?” Oscar said.

  Jack could tell the man was having a hard time keeping up. “I do. We can’t have every faction trying to attack us during the winter.”