Thad assured the man it was more for show than anything else. He made his way back to the Double Dove Inn. As promised, there was a large tub filled with water and a small bar of lye soap waiting on him in his room. He quickly put away his packages and stripped down for a nice soak. The water was much colder than he expected, but the weather was warm, so it was oddly refreshing.
Once clean, he tried on a set of his new clothing. The pants were slightly longer than needed, but, other than that, fit well. The dark blue shirt fit snugly but comfortably. Clean, refreshed and dressed, he sat down and began to closely examine the sword. The crack wasn’t all the way through and with only a slight effort he was able to bind it back together. With the sword whole, he began working the blade with the whetstone. The sword was poorly made being very thin and prone to breaking. That also meant it could carry a very sharp edge even though it would dull quickly.
As he sat upon his bed thinking of the best way to proceed with the enchantments on the sword, a light knock came at his door. He was pleasantly surprised to find Monique on the other side of the wooden portal. She was in a dark green dress with a low v-cut that showed off her cleavage. The view got more than a small reaction from him.
“We have completed our business sooner than anticipated and will be leaving as soon as they open the gates in the morning. I thought I would take you out to dinner, if you’re interested,” her voice was sultry and sending a shiver down his spine.
Giving her a smile, Thad grabbed his new cloak and took her arm, “It would be my pleasure.”
Monique took him to a fancy-looking place that had large sculpted dragons standing outside the door. The main room was large with tables spaced out enough to give the idea of privacy. A petite young blond greeted them and, at Monique’s request, led them to one of the private rooms in the back. The room was simply a table surrounded by a large velvet bench, while there wasn’t a door there was a heavy dark red curtain that closed off the room providing a sense of privacy.
Taking his hand in her own and rubbing her hands across his knuckles, Monique said, “I must thank you. In all honesty, this is my first venture. My father was a well-known merchant, but never had a business of his own. When he died, I sold the family home and bought myself a place in the Merchants’ Guild and financed this trip. Before you and I met, I was making a small profit on this trip but nothing that would come close to covering the debts I incurred. You changed that today. I made more than I ever thought was possible in one day.” He audibly gulped earning a giggle from Monique. “I’m glad I could help.”
Monique scooted closer to him and looked him in the eye, “I would like to offer you a share of the Rose Trading Company. There would be little money up front, but once the company is up and going - with us as the primary source of magical artifacts - in a few years, we will be rich.”
“Sure….I mean, we’re family, right?” he tried to make himself sound confident but he did a poor job of it.
“That we are! As soon as I make a trip down to Tremon, I’ll make my way back up this way. Shouldn’t be more than eight weeks and I should be back. After that, I will make my way back to Freshmon in Rane. Then, as soon as the passes clear, I will make my way back down this way. It will be almost a year before I can make that trip. But at that time, if all goes well, we can open a branch of the Rose Trading Company here. How does that sound?”
He pretended to think about it as he ate. He had ordered roast lamb and it was delicious, far better than the fare he was used to. Monique looked up at him often as she ate, her face switching from a seductive smile to a contemplative stare. “Sounds good to me. I have plenty of materials to work with and should be able to get a large amount of items for you before you come back. Though I can’t promise I’ll still be in the capital, I have learned that, sometimes, unexpected things can happen.”
Monique leaned over giving him a kiss on the cheek, “If that happens just try and get a message to me. Before we leave in the morning, I’ll get one of my guys to drop off a map to show you our expected route.”
The rest of the evening was spent laughing, with Monique lightly touching his arm off and on. Once back in his room, Thad smiled as he thought of the evening. Monique was a lovely woman who excited him and, most importantly, judged him based on who he was and what he could do, not on his gender.
Early the next morning, Brand brought over a map as Monique had promised. His new friend bid Thad farewell and ran off to meet up with the leaving caravan.
Once he was dressed, Thad made his way down to the main hall to pay for another night at the inn. He was greeted by the surly innkeeper, who looked none too happy to see him. “No, your friends are gone. I’ll not have you stay another night at my inn. Take yourself over to the Horse Head Inn in the squatters district.”
With all his belongings in his sack, Thad made his way into the poor district of the town. After a short search, he found the Horse Head inn. Inside, he inquired about a private room, but was shocked to learn that all they had was one large common room. Leaving the inn he walked around town looking for any place where he could practice his magic undisturbed.
He searched every inch of the squatter’s district, but everything was jammed so close together, he couldn’t find any place that offered even a hint of solitude. The sun was going down, so he decided it was time to make his way back to the Horse Head Inn and take up his search again in the morning.
His mind wandering, Thad walked right into a poorly dressed man with matted and dirty hair. “What have we here? That’s a nice looking sack you’re holding there. What do you think boys? Should we see what our friend is carrying to make sure it isn’t anything dangerous?”
Thad glanced around noticing six others with the man in front of him. Thinking quickly, Thad kneed the man who had spoken in the crotch and ran back the way he came, as fast as his legs could carry him. As loaded down as he was, the group behind him was gaining fast. He had to do something or his life in the capital would be a very short one indeed. His panic peaked as he turned down a small alley and found himself trapped by a dead end. He backed into the corner staying as quiet as possible, hoping that the mob would pass him by. He noticed a sewage drain and quickly dropped to his knees, pulling at the grate. The grate lifted free with a loud screech.
The smell, as he reached the bottom, made him gag. The sewer was larger than he expected. The system allowed waste to flow under the city where bacteria decomposed it to nutrient rich compost. Three times a year, the sewers were flooded, carrying the fertilizer into the farmlands south of the city. The celling of the sewer had a thick growth of moss that absorbed the smell. In the Academy’s history book, it was said the sewer was built before the Fae Wars and had been the combined efforts of many imperial mages.
Thad made his way down the dark tunnels using his light ring to illuminate the damp, discolored walls. One by one, he checked each of the many branches off the main tunnel. While not the most desirable location, it did offer the one thing he needed - privacy. He found three suitable sites to make his new home. After carefully considering all three, he decided on the small room below the school for highborn children.
Not only did it allow him privacy, it wasn’t far from the Market District. The sewer port allowed him fairly easy access to the largest source of information in the Queendom. Though he would have to break-in at night and find a way to move around unseen, the school’s library was too tempting to pass up.
Within hours, he had devised a shield that would protect his sanctuary when the sewer was flooded. Next, he conjured a few lights to help explore the library. Finally, he imported moss from the area surrounding his home site. The added moss filtered the air to the point it was breathable.
Chapter IV
Within a span of days after making a few trips topside to purchase cleaning supplies and scented candles his new home was becoming more habitable. With nothing to keep him busy he had spent most of his time reading through his book. The alchemy book wa
s interesting but he just couldn’t understand most of it, not having studied chemistry in the academy, that being reserved for student who had shown potential in herbology and medicine. That made his urge to gain access to the school’s library above him even greater but first he had to devise a spell that would allow him to go unseen. He had made great strides in that area but nothing he tried worked well enough, he could make people not notice him but it didn’t work on everyone.
Other than his project to gain entry into library he had also came across the mention of the making of a staff. Unlike most of the enchantments he had sought this one required the use of multiple cores and spells working in unison to allow a mage to cast strong spells with less power having to be drawn through him, allowing him to last longer without mental fatigue. A staff’s strength depended on the maker, and the book hinted that while a staff would always work for its creator; as it absorbed more magic it took on a semi-conscience state and could reject a mage that it didn’t find worthy of its use. It was an interesting idea but if he made one he wanted it to be made of the best materials and for that he needed to get his hands on a large piece of marblewood, and some decent sized gems.
He also kept a steady pace on creating magical rings and necklaces for Monique, every day he found he could go longer and longer without the headaches. He also learned to spot the tale-tale signs so he could stop before he found himself in discomfort. He had placed his sword on the back burner and had not worked on it since coming to the sewer, but he knew sooner or later he would have to finish it.
He was running out of food and he needed to make a run up into the market district for supplies. He also had a few other items he wanted to pick up so he could work on some new ideas. Grabbing his empty sacks and wooden sword he made his way down the tunnels toward the exit that led into a small alley at the edge of the Squatters district.
His first stop was the carpenters where get got two small lengths of cedar about the size of his forearm. A quick stop at a roadside cart got him a mixture of apples and pears, then the shop he dreaded the most the butcher. While there were five butcher shops in town the others were too either too expensive or their meats were of questionable quality.
Walking in the butcher shop he was greeted by an older woman easily in her mid to late sixties. “Hay sweetling come back to take me up on my offer, I’ll teach you the trade, and even keep your bed warm at night.” As if to punctuate her statement a large crash followed by a lot of yelling came from outside the store.
“No Cathleen, just need to get some smoked meat maybe a few sausages and a steak or two.” Thad said trying his best to keep his face calm.
She quickly packaged his order wrapping them in a thick heavy brown paper, that he would later clean off and use for his notes. “Here you go, only two silver for you, and if you reconsider my offer you just come back cutie.”
Thad quickly dropped the money into her outstretched hand and placed his food into his sack, repositioned his other purchases and left the shop quickly. Outside the shop was a mess a carriage had been overturned and people were gathered around trying to get a look at the incident. Not overly interested in the affair he made his way back toward his waiting grate and solitude.
Before he had traveled far into the squatters district he heard a girl’s piercing scream. Though he had few reasons help out the fairer sex, his thoughts keep drifting back to Clair, Joan, and Monique. Thad jogged toward the direction on the scream to find four of the men who had chased him into the sewer trying to tie up a young girl. She looked familiar but he couldn’t spare the time to remember where he might have seen her. Pulling his practice sword from its makeshift holder strapped to his side Thad yelled at the men to let the girl go. Two of the men turned toward him one holding a small dagger and the other a rusted bastard sword. Thad cleared his mind and triggered the enchantment on his sword.
The man with the sword attacked first with a swing towards his midsection. Thad moved to his weapon in position to block the blow, and was happy when he saw the man’s eyes go wide as his sword was nearly cut in two. His other attacker came in quickly leaving Thad no time to capitalize on the others shock. He dodged the first two dagger strikes then went on the attack as the other man began to try and circle around behind him. Knowing he was running out of time he pushed the attacker putting the dagger wielder off balance then with an overhead strike severed the man’s arm right above the elbow, then quickly turned on his other assailant who was coming in with a vicious overhand blow. Thad was barely able to get his sword up in time to keep his head from being split open like a ripe melon. While he had been able to block the strike the blade of his attackers sword broke off hitting him in the face and cutting a deep gash on the right side of his head. Thad kicked out with his right foot at the other man’s knee and was rewarded with a sickening crunch. The man’s cries were cut short as Thad’s sword followed quickly removing his head from his body.
Turning expecting to see one or both of the remaining men attacking him he found one holding the girl whose hands and feet were bound, and the other holding a knife to her throat. “Stop boy come any closer or follow us and I’ll cut her pretty little throat.” The man holding the knife said his voice filled with both fear and desperation.
Thad slowly hooked his sword back to his waist and held his hands straight out, causing the two men to visibly relax. With a two quick words he activated his paralyzing ring, and calmly walked forward. He removed the knife from the thug’s hand and quickly cut the girls bonds, grabbed her hand and ran. Thad never looked back running straight toward the small alley that would lead back to safety.
The young girl followed him without a word into the sewer quietly sobbing. Without thinking he called a spear of light to his hand, once back in the safety of his home he gave her a water skin and a small piece of smoked pork. Looking at her closely he figure she was around eleven years old and her dress though ripped slightly was expensive. Then he swore inwardly as he remembered where he had seen her.
“My name is Thaddeus and as soon as it’s quieted down outside I’ll get you home” he tried making his voice reassuring, silently hoping she didn’t recognize him.
“Maria, my name is Maria, I live in the castle.” She looked up at him her smile looking odd with her eyes red and puffy. “How did you make those men stop? Your ring flashed then they just quit moving.”
Thad let of another string of silent curses, he had let the princess see he use magic. “Just a trick my lady.” She didn’t say anything right away so he took the chance to take off his ring and replace it with one of his new rings made of silver, with two garnet cores. It was made a little different it had two trigger words one to paralyze and individual one to paralyze a group within a fifty foot circle around him. The group spell could be used once every three days, and the individual spell could be used about eight times before it was exhausted. He also replaced his shield ring with a new one that could last up five minutes.
Turning his attention back to the princess he noticed she was now standing with a haughty look. “Not only the guards, but the light from your hand, and the lights in this room, that wasn’t just a trick, and I demand to know how you did that right now.” The fear was gone from her voice replaced by a commanding tone.
Thad tried to think of an excuse but nothing came to mind he thought the girl would buy, so he decided to at least limit the damage done. “They’re magic rings I dug up in an ancient tower in the woods.” He causally tossed her one of the light rings he had made the day before. “You can have this one just say Lumanare to turn it on and off.”
She looked skeptical but put on the ring that automatically resized itself to her finger, he was proud on that achievement it took a few extra hours of work but was well worth it. Holding out her hand she examined the ring then triggered it, her face turned to one of awe. “What else do you have?”
Rubbing the sides of his head he let out a heavy sigh. “Just the one that stops people, and the light rings,
though I plan to make a trip back and see what else I can find.”
Thad was happy that instead of asking anymore questions the little princess sat playing with the magical light moving her hand around fast watching mystified as the light followed her hand. But the peace only lasted as long as the light did, as soon as the magic ran out so did the silence. “Why did it go out?”
Thad held out his hand for the ring and the princess hesitantly passed it to him. He used the key word code to turn it off. “Magic isn’t infinite Maria, the crystal here pulls it from around us and stores it until its needed, once that magic is used up it needs time to restore itself give it a few days it will be fully recharged.” Thad explained handing the ring back the wide eyed princess.
Looking at her now he had to admit though she hadn’t hit her woman hood yet she was still quite cute. With her long curly red hair slightly disheveled her emerald green eyes and her ripped gossamer gown showing off the soft pale skin of her shoulder, left him no doubt that she would bloom into a beautiful woman. Catching him staring she furrowed her brow and drew her lips in a tight line. “What?”
“I thought it was about time to get you home.” He said quickly getting to his feet.
He took the young princess to one of the exits at the edge of the town. After checking to make sure no one was around he handed her his cloak that she took without comment and wrapped it tightly around herself with the hood pulled up the only thing that could be seen was her shoes. As soon as the palace gates were in view he leaned down. “You should be safe from here.” He spoke quietly as not to draw unwanted attention
As he turned to leave Maria’s hand grasped his arm tightly. Turning he noticed she had tears in her eyes. “Please don’t leave me alone.” Her he words came out pleadingly. Against his better judgment he allowed the princess to drag him up to the main gate where two large and heavily armed guards greeted them with crossbows. Before he could object the princess unwrapped herself from the folds of his cloak handing it back to his gently. He took and went to make his exist but was foiled as he was soon surrounded by dozens of palace guards.
Inexperienced Mage (Reawakening Saga) Page 6
