by Andrew Wood
The small group of raiders, consisting of just a score in number were about to make their first strike. Avoiding the larger town of Sandall, situated just a short distance from the bridge, and home to a garrison of soldiers. Instead, they scurried quietly just a little further north, towards the smaller farmsteads that surrounded the local area.
Having left their horses at their base near the Bosarian border town of Bridgton, they neared their first target. This being a small gathering of cottages, housing the farm workers who tended the nearby fields. Six of the men split from the main group, with each carrying a number of torches they approached, unseen by those dwelling within.
After huddling in a group to light their torches, the smaller advance force scurried amongst the buildings. After lighting fires in a small barn and wood store, they threw the remaining torches onto the thatched roofs of the dwellings and retreated. Regrouping, they waited for the flames to catch hold, and readied their bows.
It did not take long for the alarm bells to be raised, and within a few minutes there were several figures emerging from within the cottages. Silhouetted by the light from the fire, the Bosarians released their arrows as the figures moved about. The shouts turned to screams, as those hit fell to the cold hard ground. Considering their work complete, the group of raiders, slipped back away into the darkness, to find another target.
An hour after the first attack took place the first soldiers emerged from Sandall to repel the invaders, after survivors of the first attack had gotten word to the officials in the town. After the slow wheels of power had started, the order was finally given for the soldiers to start their search. This small party of twenty riders were as blind as the rest. Not knowing where to look or even what they were looking for, it was little more than a futile gesture.
Much further upstream, where the Great River headed toward the ocean, two small boats had carried another attacking force across from one nation to the other. Once more, these attackers had avoided any direct conflict, by avoiding the town of Highwood. Once more, it was the outlying areas that were the target. Innocent men, women and children, preparing to settle down for the night, were suddenly attacked without reason. Those who tried to escape the burning buildings were either shot down by archers or cut down by swords. These northern attacks were far more brutal, and the invaders did not retreat until the entire community was destroyed.
In Pitford, Danton had managed to find a small house for Stanton and Aileen to call their new home. Rows of small houses had been built just inside the outer wall to accommodate non-magicians. Unfortunately, it also meant they would have to work. This had Danton feeling a little guilty, being as the elderly couple had given up so much in helping them. Surprisingly however, the couple appeared keen to start their new jobs. Stanton was to help tending the fields, and work in the strange looking glass houses that were used to grow foodstuffs out of season, and Aileen was down to work with the team responsible for cleaning the pupil's rooms. This was something she was looking forward to, as it was likely she would get to meet so many new people. Pleased that they were happy with their new home and jobs, Danton had left them to settle in.
He had then gone to check how the others had settled into their rooms. He checked on Melia firstly, being, as she would have to move in with complete strangers. He hoped the roommates he had selected for, were friendly enough to make her welcome. He knocked at the door to Melia's room, as he could hear girly laughter coming from within; a good sign he thought. A short, slightly overweight girl, with short brown hair answered the door.
"Oh hello Sir," she said politely.
"I was just checking to see how Melia was settling in," Danton asked, peering into the room.
He could see her sat beside another girl, with long black hair and pointy features. "I am fine thank you Danton...err I mean Sir...sorry," she said giggling.
The girl beside her giggled too. Danton realised Melia had quite obviously settled in.
"We are telling Melia which of the teaching staff we think are the most handsome Sir," the girl at the door told him.
"Yes, right I'll leave you to it then," Danton said, getting the feeling he had been the topic of conversation.
Satisfied Melia had settled, he made his way to the side of the keep where the male rooms were located. Down the corridors, illuminated by oil burning lamps, there were few people about. One or two younger members were returning to their own rooms, after he had told them it was getting late.
He knocked on the door, and waited, before Zack answered and then gestured for him to enter. Inside the room, there were three single beds all lined up along one wall. There was a large wardrobe for them to share, as well as a small table with four chairs. The room was heated by a small fireplace in the corner, which gave a lovely warm glow. There was a small window, which overlooked the yard below, and a long couch type chair, on which Mikel and Maxim were sat.
"Well you three certainly can't complain about your room," he said looking around, "It's better than mine," he added with a smile.
"We were just telling the others about ourselves," Mikel said. "We realised how little we actually knew about each other...well some more than most," he said looking over to Zack. Referring of course to the fact that he was a member of the royal family, and had said nothing. After checking they had all had something to eat from the dinner hall, and happy they were settled in, he made the short walk back to his own room.
Tomorrow the youngsters would all start their evaluations. Individually they would meet with a panel of elder magicians, and here they would be assessed as to their strengths, and how best to help them further their skills. Danton had no worries for three of the four, with his only concern being for Maxim. Ramon's earlier words still ran through his thoughts, and he had hoped getting the young lad to Pitford, would be sufficient enough to help.
Ramon was a great seer, and If he saw trouble ahead, then as true as night-followed day, it would likely happen. The man who led them had seen the future for the king, which had resulted in the man creating this entire place especially for magicians. Even telling the monarch that a member of his family would one day reveal magical abilities. What Ramon had not seen however, was Danton finding Maxim on his last trip. Although by the time they had arrived, it was clear the seer had foreseen them meeting. Danton had never seen Ramon speak to one of his pupils in such a way. Had Maxim's arrival scared him? Was the fact Maxim's path being unclear, something to be feared? He was certain the young lad was without any doubts, one who had the potential to be as powerful a magician as there had ever been. Was it the power that Ramon feared, or perhaps the fact Maxim may not be able to have control of it?
Only time would tell he guessed, although the thought that the young lad already had two good loyal friends, was at least a comforting thought. Danton would get a few days rest before he would need to travel again, although if things were quiet, he may even get a few weeks. Ramon often detected or had rumours of people using magic; it was then Danton's job to go and find them and bring them back to Pitford.
As the three boys settled down for the night in their new surroundings, Mikel started to ponder on the words Ramon had said to him. The seer had mentioned the wolf, and something inside him wanted to go and find the creature. After an hour of lying there, staring into the dark of night, he quietly got up. Picking up his boots and grabbing his clothes, he sneaked out of the door.
He quickly got dressed in the dim lighting of the corridor, thinking it was certainly much cooler out here than it was in their nice cosy bedroom. He first headed toward the dining hall they had visited a few hours ago for their evening meal. He hoped that being as that was the room where people ate, then the kitchen would be somewhere next to it.
After taking several wrong turns, he finally found the room he was looking for, and as he had thought, the kitchen area was just off the dining hall. Unfortunately, there were no lights on in the kitchen, so he had to try to fumble his way around. After clattering into a fe
w pots and pans, he was certain somebody would walk in and catch him.
Just as he was thinking he would have to go back and find a lamp, he was found, "What are you doing Mikel?" he heard a familiar voice say.
"Zack, is that you? How did you know I'd be here?" he asked not waiting for the first question to even be answered.
"We followed you, you're not the quietest roommate," Maxim said.
"I can't see a bloody thing...I need to find something for..."
"For the wolf?" Maxim asked, finishing the sentence for him.
"Yes...I feel I must go and find him...I just wanted to take something for him to eat," Mikel replied as he banged another pan.
Fortunately for Mikel, Zack and Maxim were a little more prepared, having brought a candle and holder from their room. Zack moved back out to the corridor, and using the flame from one of the lamps, lit the candle. Zack then returned to the kitchen area, "Here you go Mikel," he said passing the small light over.
Mikel soon found what he was looking for. A small door in the kitchen that lead to the cool room; this was a place where freshly butchered meat was hung. Not wanting to be greedy, he grabbed what he thought was a leg piece from a pig. He carefully closed the door behind him and returned to the dining hall where Maxim and Zack were still waiting for him. "Thank you...both of you...I'll take some money to Ramon in the morning to pay for the meat I have taken," he said passing the candle back to Zack.
Zack wanted to go with Mikel, but Maxim pulled on his arm, "I think this is something he must do," he had told him. Zack did not argue, and if truth were told, he thought it was a little too cold to be skulking around the castle late at night. Mikel was surprised to see guards still on duty at the main door, and after taking a deep breath, he casually walked between them, "Just popping out for a little fresh air," he told them.
"Don't go outside the outer wall young man," one of the guards told him.
"I won't. I'll be back in a bit."
Making his way outside, the chill of the night air struck him straight away. He shivered a little, but hurried out towards the gated entrance of the inner wall. There were further guards on duty, one of whom reiterated the earlier man’s warning. Mikel decided to jog a little, more to keep warm, than to get anywhere any quicker. If he was not allowed outside the outer wall, then he was uncertain to how he would find the wolf.
Rather than go to the gateway, knowing he would probably be stopped from leaving, Mikel turned down a side street, as he headed instead for one of the parts of the outer wall that needed repair. After clambering over several large stones, he dropped down outside. He looked up, quite certain he would not be getting back in the same way. He double-checked he still had the meat with him, and then felt to his pocket to feel the small book Maxim had given him. He was quite certain he would not need it, but had brought it in any case.
Strange as it was, the very creature he was seeking was sat waiting for him, but Mikel firstly approached a little gingerly, just to ensure it was the right wolf this time. Although something told him, that it was.
"Hello Boy," he said offering his hand forward.
The huge dire wolf stood and sniffed at his hand, before taking an interest in the piece of meat.
"I thought you might like that," Mikel chuckled holding it out.
The wolf took the gift, gently from his hands, before placing it on the ground, but instead of eating it, the creature sat back down and lifted a paw. The words Maxim had said, suddenly popped into his head, 'You will know when.' Mikel took another deep breath of cold night air.
He gently placed his hand on the head of the creature. The wolf did not flinch nor attempt to move, as Mikel uttered the words he had been going over and over in his mind. The words written in the book, allowing somebody like him to link his mind with an animal. When he had finished he was uncertain as to whether or not it had worked, that was just before he felt the most intense pain he had ever felt. He clutched his hands up to his head, and dropped to his knees. The last thing he saw were the two yellow eyes of the wolf looking at him.
The two guards on the main gate of the outer wall were not quite sure what to make of it. A huge black dire wolf had gently dragged the unconscious body of a young man up to the gatehouse. Each time the guards had neared to shoo the creature away, it had stood its ground, and in the end, they had sent word back to the keep that one of their pupils was outside the wall.
Ramon walked with purpose, clearly not impressed he had been woken in the middle of the night. Not only that, it was due to one of his members doing exactly as he had been asked not to. As soon as the soldiers had mentioned a wolf, Ramon had known immediately who the young man in question was.
A small group of soldiers had gathered at the gate, but they parted to let the magician through. The man stood looking at the wolf, and at the young man lying on the cold ground. "Let the creature pass," he said. The soldiers, although uncertain about letting something like a dire wolf into the grounds, did as they were told. Another was told to run back to the keep to fetch one of the other pupils. Ramon was certain if any of his pupils had the ability to know what the creature was thinking, it would be this one.
The wolf gently placed its huge jaws around the hood of Mikel's cloak, and dragged him through the archway of the gatehouse. Despite several more attempts by soldiers at helping Mikel, the wolf left those that tried under no illusions what they would get if they got to close.
By the time Maxim had gone through the main doors, and entered the cold outside, the wolf had dragged Mikel up to the inner wall. The small crowd of soldiers had naturally followed the creature's progress, albeit at a distance. Ramon made a beeline for Maxim as soon as he noticed him, "I think you probably know what's going on here," the man said indicating to the huge dire wolf. Maxim just shrugged, "I know what he was going to do Sir. I would suggest you ask the wolf if we can help."
Ramon looked at Maxim, as if the words he had just said were meant in a mocking fashion. "Talk to it?" he said.
Maxim nodded, and realised if anybody was going to do something it would have to be him. He stepped forward and the wolf immediately went on the defensive, gently releasing Mikel to the ground, and snarling. Maxim held out his hand, "Remember me?" he said ignoring the snarls. "Can we help you? We can carry Mikel inside, into the warm."
He could have sworn he heard one or two sniggers from some of the soldiers as he spoke. Ignoring them and concentrating instead on the wolf in front of him, he repeated the words. The creature sniffed the air, and tilted its head. After a few moments, it lowered its head, as if bowing, and Maxim in turn bowed his head, as a gesture of mutual respect.
Maxim gestured for Zack for to help him lift Mikel from the floor as the wolf watched on, and then followed as they moved on. The guards at the door were not sure whether they should let the animal pass, and looked to Ramon for guidance, "Well I'm not stopping him, so you might be best let him in," the man said.
Several other of the younger residents had awoken, as the noise outside had certainly caused a stir. The fact that a massive black wolf now walked the corridors of the keep caused some to flee in panic. This in turn had more peering from their doorways at the strange goings on. Ramon walked behind the wolf, Maxim and Zack carrying Mikel back to their room. The elder magician snapped at the other younger members being nosey, "Get back into your room!" he hissed, clearly not happy.
Once back in their warm room, Maxim and Zack lay Mikel on his bed. The wolf sat beside it and placed its head on the mattress beside him. Zack placed a hand on Mikel's forehead, "Perhaps we should get Melia to heal?" he suggested. Maxim looked at the older man still stood in the doorway., "I will see you three tomorrow, I doubt there is anything a healer can do," he said before shutting the door and stomping off down the corridor.
Mikel's breathing seemed fine, and apart from his body being a little cold he looked okay. "So what has just happened?" Zack asked now they were alone.
"I think Mikel has made a link wi
th our big hairy friend there," Maxim said nodding towards the wolf beside them.
Zack was not sure what linking with an animal involved, or what its side effects could be. "So what's the matter with Mikel?"
"I really don't know Zack," Maxim replied.
After taking Mikel's boots off, and removing his cloak, tunic and trousers, they tucked him up in bed, the two decided all they could do was to sit by and wait. The wolf was clearly not going anywhere, and after Zack had poured some water from the washstand into a cup, he placed it on the floor. The wolf took a small drink at first, before lapping it all up. "I'm sorry I don't have anything for you to eat," he added, not quite believing he was talking to an oversized dog.
Chapter 12.
Mikel awoke. His eyes flickered open to see an unfamiliar sight. A pair of big yellow eyes stared straight back at him. He felt something wet and rough across his face, "Yuk!" He shouted as the wolf licked him. He sat up a little, as he patted the head of the dire wolf.
"Ah you're awake at last," Zack said.
"We were beginning to think you were not going to ever wake up," added Maxim, sat beside him.
Mikel scratched at his head, trying to recall the moments he had blacked out. "I tried the link...," he said looking at the monstrous dire wolf sat on his bed with him, "I presume it worked...," he added with a wry smile.
