“I am not sure sharp metal objects are such a good thing for you to have,” Azerick said slowly.
“Ewen said you played with knives, swords, and bows and arrows when you were my age and those are sharp! You tell me I have to kill rats, and I find a better way to kill them that doesn’t get guts on my shoes, and you don’t want to let me. You always say anything I do I should try and do my best, but if you don’t let me use darts to kill rats I’ll be nothing but a second rate rat smasher with guts on my shoes!”
“I think she has you there, lad,” Ewen piped in.
Ellyssa jumped up from the table clutching the drawing. “I’m going to go see if the blacksmith will make me some darts!”
Before Azerick had time to speak any words of dissention, Ellyssa darted through the door and out of the keep in search of a blacksmith.
“Congratulations, Master Ewen, you just put a lit torch and a jug of lamp oil in the hands of an arsonist,” Azerick told the weapons master.
Ewen waved a calloused hand at Azerick. “Bah, she’s no worse than you at that age. So, it looks like you got quite an operation going here.”
Azerick took a seat in one of the several padded chairs he had delivered and set around the long, oblong table. “To be honest, I don’t know what I have going on here. I just meant to have a place to call my own, and then the next thing, I know I bought an apprentice, stabled nearly a score of horses, and hired an orphan boy to take care of them, whom I now have to teach to read and write on top of training an apprentice.”
“Like I said, quite an operation,” Ewen grumbled. “So tell me everything that’s happened since I last saw you.”
Azerick raked a hand through his hair. “Gods, where to start.”
Azerick told Ewen about the death of his mother, Jon Locke and his family of thieves, and the revenge he had enacted for them all. He explained his run-in with Magus Allister, his acceptance at The Academy, and why he fled the city.
Ewen interrupted Azerick for a moment. “Some rather shady-looking men came around asking about you. That was when I decided it was best to move on and head to North Haven.”
“I am real sorry you had to displace your family and all, Ewen. It was because I did not want you or your family bothered or hurt that I never asked for your help, even after my mother was killed.”
“I would’ve taken you in, son, and moved us all up north if I had to, but it don’t do any good talking about would haves.”
Azerick agreed and proceeded to tell Ewen about the attack on the ships, Captain Zeb, and their escape. He even bit back his tears and told his old weapons master about Delinda and what had happened to her and their unborn child.
“It’s a damn shame you didn’t have a month or more to give that bug-faced bastard the pain he really deserved, but at least you killed him,” Ewen said, his face reddening in anger just hearing of the awful event.
Azerick finished his story by telling Ewen about his stay in Riverdale, fighting the dragon, his time with the dwarves, and how he came to owning the keep and convincing the ghost to leave.
“So you killed a dragon,” Ewen said and let out a low whistle. “Can I see this treasure you say you found?”
“Sure, it’s down in the basement.”
Azerick led Ewen down into the sub level and opened the heavy door with a tug on the iron ring. Ewen’s jaw dropped in amazement just as Simon’s had.
“Would you look at that,” the old salt said and let out another low whistle. “I bet you have more gold in here than the King himself.”
“I’m going to need it. Paying all these workers is costing me a fortune.”
“Lad, I may not know diddly about running a castle, but I’ve had quite a number of men working for me who all worked for your father, and this would have been enough to pay all them men and finance a dozen trading ships before you even put a good-sized dent in it.”
“You think so, Ewen? I really do not know the real value of what I have, and to be honest with you, I am not that worried about it. I will not be poor, probably ever, and that is good enough for me. However, I did hire a good accountant and money counters.”
“Good thinking, lad, as long as your man is honest. He’ll be able to tell you how to put your money to work.”
“Put it to work? What do you mean?”
Ewen turned and looked directly at Azerick. “Son, when you have this much gold, you don’t just let it sit and collect dust. You make investments, buy property, or start a trading company; that’s where the real money is. You find Zeb, I know him; he’s a good man. You say he has a ship? Offer to buy him four or five more, find crews, and start you an import-export business like your father.”
“I have asked around for Zeb, but he is out of port right now, but I will talk to him about it as soon as I can,” Azerick promised. “You know if you ever need anything, I have plenty to give.”
Ewen waved his former pupil off. “I’m no pauper, son, not by a long shot. I miss the work more than I miss the coin to be honest. I’ve talked to many of my old friends, and all they say is how glad they are that they are retired or can’t wait until they are retired. I don’t see the appeal, myself.”
“Would you like to train Ellyssa and maybe Peck how to use weapons?” Azerick offered.
Ewen scratched at the grey stubble on his chin. “I might be able to get myself up here a couple times a week, but I gotta warn you, I don’t work cheap. You get what you pay for.”
Azerick laughed at the old sailor-turned-weapons master. “I am not sure I could even pay you what you are worth! Will you stay for dinner, Ewen? It will be ready shortly.”
“I’ve never turned down a free meal, and I don’t reckon I’ll start now,” Ewen chuckled.
Azerick led his old weapons master back downstairs to the dining hall. More tapestries and large drapes covered the walls, concealing the weathered grey stone. The dining table was a simple rectangle that comfortably seated twelve guests. Azerick ducked into the kitchen to let Agnes, the head cook, know there would be four for dinner tonight. Grick was uncomfortable around humans, so he usually chose to eat in his room.
“Could you call Ellyssa and Peck in for dinner please, Agnes? Peck is our stableboy now and is likely with the horses.”
Agnes ducked out of the keep through the kitchen entrance and Azerick could hear her shouting for Peck and Ellyssa as he returned to the dining hall. A few minutes later, the cook escorted Peck through the kitchen entrance into the dining hall. His bangs were wet where Agnes must have made him wash up in the kitchen before sitting down to eat. Peck took a seat on the opposite side of the table from Ewen and two seats to Azerick’s right.
“Ewen, this is Peck,” Azerick introduced.
“Azerick tells me you’re the head stableman here,” Ewen said to Peck.
Peck sat up straighter in his chair with pride. “Aye, milord, I got eighteen horses all brushed and fed today, and it was already late when I started.”
“That sounds like quite a bit of work for a young lad.”
“Aye, but I can handle it. I may be small, but I have lots of energy, and I work real hard. Course, I haven’t had to shovel out the stalls yet on account the horses were just brought in today, but I can do it, you’ll see.”
Agnes came in with a large tray bearing a sizeable roast, boiled potatoes, and a bowl of brown gravy. Once she set the food on the table, she disappeared back into the kitchen and returned with the tray reloaded with baked green beans in a hollandaise sauce with bits of bacon mixed in, sweet peas, and candied yams. Agnes then pulled a bottle of wine out of her apron pocket and filled Azerick and Ewen’s glasses before leaving the bottle on the table and ducking back into the kitchen. When she returned, she brought a pitcher of fresh milk for Ellyssa and Peck.
“Agnes, were you able to find Ellyssa?” Azerick asked the cook.
Agnes shook her head. “I called for her, Master Azerick, but I didn’t see her. Would you like me to carve the roast now or wait for her to come?”
“Die rat!” Ellyssa shouted as she charged into the room.
She whipped her arm forward, and an object flew down the length of the table in a blur, embedding itself in the roast.
“Nice shot, little missy!” Ewen shouted and began laughing.
Azerick looked at the steel dart protruding from the roast. “Ellyssa, I believe that roast is about as dead as it is going to get, and we do not throw things in the dining hall, particularly at our food. Now, what is this?” Azerick asked as he looked at the projectile sticking out of the roast.
“It’s a dart! Ken the blacksmith made it for me, and Wolf put the feathers on it so it will fly straight. He used hawk feathers that he found because hawks fly fast so it makes my dart go faster. Wolf made glue out of tree sap, glued the feathers onto the dart, and tied them with sinew so they wouldn’t fall off. What’s sinew? It looks like string, but it comes from animal guts, but it must only come from bigger animals because I didn’t see any sinew when I squished the rat. Can I use string next time? I don’t want my darts to be held together by something that’s made out of animal guts.”
“Ellyssa, take a breath and go wash your hands,” Azerick ordered as he removed the dart from the roast.
The dart was eight inches long and sported a narrow, three-inch blade that came to a needle-sharp tip like a small stiletto. The shaft and blade were one continuous piece of steel instead of the blade being fastened to the shaft like an arrowhead. The fletching was made of three large hawk feathers split lengthwise much like an arrow’s fletching but were easily twice as large.
Azerick looked at Ewen who was still laughing as Agnes led the girl away to go wash her hands in the kitchen. “You really should not encourage her.”
“It was a mighty fine shot, lad, you got to admit,” Ewen chuckled. “Oh, every father prays that their children have children that are as troublesome as they were.”
“I was never that much trouble.”
“Kids never think they are when they get older, but I know better. You had me and your parents pulling out our hair at times. You were too smart and too independent for your own good, and that’s why you’re getting yours back now.”
“I could not have been that bad.”
Ewen thought for a moment. “She certainly has her own flavor, but if you asked that etiquette teacher of yours, I bet he would agree with me.”
Azerick was saved from further assault on his childhood character when Ellyssa and Agnes returned. Agnes poured Ellyssa a cup of milk and carved the roast. As the dinner meal progressed, Azerick noticed that Ellyssa was going through a substantial amount of milk and food. He knew the girl had an appetite, but this was far beyond the norm. He kept an eye on her and finally caught her slipping food under the table.
The moment Azerick bent down to look under the table, Wolf popped up on the other side, grabbed the roast by the exposed bone, and darted through the kitchen door laughing like a lunatic with the ever-present Ghost on his heels.
“Wolf, you filthy little creature!” Azerick heard Agnes scream as Wolf ran through her kitchen and out of the door leading onto the keep grounds.
“That one belong to you too?” Ewen asked, laughing once more.
“Wolf belongs to no one. He is more of a force of nature than a boy. You just have to let him blow through and pick up the mess when he is gone. Ellyssa, how did Wolf get under the table?”
The young apprentice shrunk down in her chair. “He snuck in through the kitchen when you were all watching me when I came in. It was a trade for helping me make my darts.”
Azerick shook his head helplessly. Ewen finally told Azerick that it was time to head home as Agnes was clearing the plates from the table.
“It was really good to see you again, Ewen. You will come back and teach the kids some martial skills from time to time?” Azerick asked.
“Definitely. If I slow down I’ll end up grinding to a halt, and I’m not ready for that yet. It was good to see you too, son.” Ewen shook Azerick’s hand and clapped him on the back as they stood outside the tower door.
“Do you have a horse?” Azerick asked his old friend.
“Naw, I never planned on traveling beyond the city walls when I moved here unless it was on a ship.”
“Would you like one of mine? It will make the traveling a lot easier.”
Ewen thought a moment. “I don’t rightly know. I traded my sea legs in a long time ago, but I never did much riding.”
Azerick turned to Peck. “Peck, are there any horses that you think are calm enough for Ewen to ride?”
“Oh yes, Master Azerick. There’s one I call Star because she is all black except for a white star on her forehead. She’s real nice. She makes Horse look like a wild stallion.”
“Go saddle her up for Ewen please.”
“Peck,” Ellyssa called, “you want go kill rats with me and Grick when you’re done?”
“Okay,” Peck shouted back as he ran from the dining hall to saddle Star.
Azerick, Ewen, and Ellyssa were waiting in front of the keep by the time Peck came back with Star. She was a beautiful horse and Azerick was glad to give her to his friend.
“She is a beauty,” Ewen whistled. “Are you sure you want me to have her?”
“Absolutely, you helped me in Southport and have always been family to my father and me, Ewen. Besides, I don’t want you making any excuses for not coming back.”
“I’ll be back, you can count on that. You take care of yourself and those kids.”
“I will, Ewen, and you take care of yourself and let me know if you ever need anything.”
Ellyssa and Peck waved at Ewen’s back as he rode away.
“Ok, Peck, you get the stick since you are used to having gross stuff on your shoes, and I’ll use my darts. Let’s go find Grick.”
CHAPTER 6
General Baneford stood before the men he commanded. The soldiers were formed by platoon and numbered nearly one hundred—a full company and all cavalry. The General wore the depthless black and gold-trimmed breastplate, greaves, vambraces, and gauntlets of Dundalor, an artifact that, when complete, would provide absolute protection against all weapons and magic, making the wearer essentially invulnerable.
Although the General lacked the helm and boots to complete the suit, the pieces he wore made him more than formidable. The armor was beyond black, seeming to pull the very light into its liquid depths and trimmed in gold that never scratched, flaked, or dulled.
“Men, today we embark on a new journey, a new destiny for us all. No longer will we be under the thumb of an arrogant, cruel, and capricious lord. No longer will we sell our lives for his personal gain. From now on, when we risk our lives it will be for our own gains and our own profits instead of filling the already rich coffers of the Duke!” General Baneford allowed himself a small smile as his men cheered his proclamation. “Our primary goal now is to enlarge our ranks and carve out our own little country where we will be the lords and masters! If we can complete the suit, so much the better. We can create and control a larger piece of land with it, but no longer will I risk your lives just for the armor with nothing else to show for it.
“Any man who feels an overwhelming sense of loyalty to Duke Ulric is free to leave now without fear of hostility. I begrudge no man for his loyalty, but keep this in mind. Does the duke return that loyalty to you? I say he does not! However, if any man wishes to leave he may do so now, but this is the only time you may do so freely. After this, any man who leaves will be considered a deserter from Baneford’s Brood.”
Although many of the men looked around, none broke ranks and departed.
“Very well, welcome to Baneford’s Brood. Our first target is a small town three days ride to the southeast. I already have scouts placed within, and I will brief your platoon leaders tonight. This is a raid for food, gold, horses, and resources, not wanton slaughter. We
are not bandits, nor will we degenerate into savages. We will conduct ourselves as the professional soldiers we are. Dismissed!”
***
Samone rode her destrier down the hard-packed dirt road, resplendent in her shining silver armor. Her raven hair shone brightly in the sun and swung just over her shoulders with the cadence set by her trotting charger. As a paladin of Solarian, she was one of the three holy warriors comprising this unit of Solarian’s Light.
On her right, wearing half plate, was a large man named Griff. Unlike Samone, Griff was not a Chosen of Solarian and could not wield their god’s divine power. However, as a Sword of Solarian, he was a devout follower and dedicated his battle prowess to extinguishing the god of light’s enemies.
Griff was a big man but affable and friendly. He was an unrepentant jokester and was quick to laugh. Some people mistook his quick humor and pleasant nature as softness; big, but slow and soft, like a domesticated cow. Even when confronted with hostility, Griff would often be laughing right up to the point he brought someone down for good.
Riding to Samone’s left was Brother Charles. Charles was a quiet and contemplative man, usually immersed in his Book of Radiance despite having committed every passage and verse to memory long ago. He wore chainmail and leather under his holy vestments. As a Chosen of Solarian, he wielded the power of their god to smite down evil and heal the sick, and injured.
The fourth man was not a usual member of their group and rode a short ways behind the three holy warriors and felt as out of place as he looked. He wore only short robes, soft leather breaches, and was considerably younger than even Samone, who looked to be a woman in her best years. If he was truly a graduate of The Magus Academy, it was a recent commencement.
Not being a regular member of their group, not being a devotee of Solarian, and being not just a wizard but a young wizard, the three Light of Solarian did not go out of their way to be inclusive. Griff tried, but he usually just ended up teasing the young man and hurting his feelings.
Young Kyle was on loan from The Academy and tasked with providing aid to Samone’s group as they went from town to town, rooting out undead and helping the priests appointed to sanctifying the kingdom’s burial sites.
The Sorcerer's Path Box Set: Book 1-4 Page 77
