“Through it all, something urged us on. Osric pressed hard to find a way to save this land.” Gus allowed himself to become part of the fire telling, pointing at the land they stood upon. “And, to save all of Archana. With that one goal in mind, he has already saved one species from enslavement!”
As if on cue, Treethorn landed on the edge of the crowd. Animals scattered, shrieking, as the lithe, green dragon breathed a thin stream of fire into the burning embers. The flames roared back to life in the fire pit as she crouched down low to the ground with a fearsome grin. The startled group of creatures began to slowly settle back around the fire; gradually becoming more comfortable with the dragon’s presence.
Gus was surprised by her sudden appearance around the fire telling as well, but the display only served to add credibility to his tale, and he savored the irony as the flames began to play out the whole scene that led to Treethorn’s newly freed flight.
“As you can plainly see, dragons feel they owe Osric a great deal,” Gus exclaimed. He had no choice but to pause as a gush of flame burst from the dragon’s snout, dissipating just before it reached the leaves of the nearest trees. Treethorn smiled ferociously as Gus focused once again on the story.
“The men responsible for these horrible events cannot be trusted. They live their lives to steal power from those who have no hope of defense, from those who trust the noble heart too much!” Gus bowed his head in Treethorn’s direction. He saw her head lift from the ground, shock apparent in her expression. Then realization slowly gained hold, and Treethorn bowed respectfully, closing her eyes in a display of respect. The fire continued to show the faces of the men who enslaved the dragons. Many exclamations and shouts coursed through those gathered. “We are what stands between them and victory!”
Shocked expressions gazed back at him in a miserable display of confidence. He could see the doubt creeping in as the creatures played the scene out in their minds. Several began to look at the large animals he had gathered, and most of them wore an expression of disgust.
“I know what you are thinking, but examine a world with these horrible men in charge.” Gus attempted to address their concerns. “These vile men steal from their own; how long until they abandon an honorable hunt?”
“Abandon the honor of the hunt? Never!” A shout came from the back of the crowd.
“You may think that,” Gus said, “however, if you had met the men leading them, you would know that honor is the least of their concerns!”
All those gathered in the clearing grew quiet, and the mood shifted to a more somber tone. He had their attention and he knew it; their stances opened up, and he had the distinct impression they were leaning toward him as he spoke.
“Even the lions,” Gus pointed at the few that had gathered, “know that man is best when it comes to the hunt. They can take us out from a distance with that damn bow contraption; that alone takes away your advantage. All of your cunning and skill in stealth won’t aid you if they choose assassination over honor.”
“Then why should we aid either side?” a lioness Gus recognized as Ari spoke.
“Because if we don’t help, the wrong side may win,” Gus shouted in an attempt to regain control. The lioness carried much authority with the critters that lived in the woods. Luckily a lion, Shishio if his memory served him, was glowering at Ari for the interruption. Gus took the reprimand as a sign that he still had their attention.
“If the hooded men gain control, they may hunt many of us into extinction. They may kill whole colonies without so much as telling one of us that the other was hunted.” Gus began to hear murmurs of acceptance from the gatherers.
“You all know Osric.” Gus looked from side to side as he lowered his voice; a trick he learned from the ceremonies he attended throughout his life. He paused as many in the group nodded their heads in affirmation. “He is leading the humans against these evil men, and he is one of the most honorable hunters in Stanton. He is the one we will be helping.”
“But what if we die in the fight? Who will be nourished by our deaths?” a raccoon Gus was unfamiliar with spoke from the center of the crowd.
“You all have as great a chance as I have!” Gus did not intend to shout as loud as he had, but he knew exactly what he needed to do. A long pause met his outburst as the weight of an unpurposed death sank deep into every mind.
Overcoming their fears was the only way Gus could see to save the situation. He knew of only one way to achieve his goal, but he had guarded the secret of the encounter his entire life.
Though he knew, deep inside, that this was the moment he was waiting for, he still felt the need to guard the truth that he had maintained since his early years of study and wand-making. The probing expressions on the faces of his onlookers told him that his time was up; he had to speak or lose their attention for good.
“I have never spoken of this event.” Their gazes returned to him in curiosity. “Among all that live on Stanton, I am the only one who knows his life will end without nourishing another soul!”
The tension grew as the eyes probed his expressions for signs of insincerity. There was no difficulty maintaining the illusion because he was being genuine in his confession.
“A See-er came to me when I was still young and showed me my death. The details may bore you all to an early end, yourselves.” Gus acknowledged their shocked expressions with a joke. “But the important thing is this: Osric had a See-er show him his own end; I was there to witness the prophecy. I was also there to witness him as he slew a paun and changed a prophecy!”
Gasps came from the audience as he paced on top of the log he jumped on. He knew as he looked into their eyes that he had their rapt attention.
“Yes, you heard me; the paun do exist. Yet the important thing you need to remember is that he changed a prophecy. I believe that fighting for him may give us all the chance to die with a purpose. Why should we insist that being eaten is the only purpose with honor?” Gus looked into each of the eyes that surrounded him. He knew he had them, but it was time to seal the deal.
“This boy is on the verge of changing the way we look at magic. He has my full attention, if the world’s greatest Wand-Maker means anything to you. He has fought for the rights of man and animal alike. He has the attention of those who are trying to start this war, though the idiots have no idea what they are dealing with. To tell the truth, even I don’t have a clue what is really going on with the boy.” Gus looked at the dirt, slightly ashamed that he could not grasp the truth behind the mysteries. He was surprised himself that he had admitted that fact to a group of relative strangers.
“But we are not here to discuss my failings.” He pushed aside his self doubt. “The one truth that keeps me following this man, this human, this pain in my tail,” Gus smiled and firmed his expression, then he spoke after a brief pause, “is that he has the respect and attention of the unicorns.”
“The lions are already known for their power when it comes to war. They will be seen coming from a long way off, but who could even think to watch out for a squirrel? How many humans would run at the site of a prairie-dog?” Gus held their gaze and stood as high as he could. “The thing that all of us seem to forget is that wands have made us all equal. Join us and fight for freedom; fight for your families and your homes!”
The small group of animals cheered just as a beacon leapt into the air from the center of Stanton. Gus recognized the signal that Aron had arrived and the fighting had begun. It had taken more time than he had hoped, but he achieved his part of the plan. Now, to send them in the right direction.
Chapter 19
____________
The Battle For Stanton
Osric sank down against the wall in the entrance hall to the Vigile barracks, frustrated and exhausted. He had been trying to sleep for several hours, but so many thoughts were racing through his mind that he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes closed. He was terrified that he would fail in the upcoming battle and the Kallegian would eradic
ate the good people of Stanton. He might die, but that possibility worried him far less than the deaths of his friends. Bridgett could die. The thought kept repeating over and over in his head. Bridgett might die, Bridgett might die, Bridgett might die…
Osric heard the sound of battle just outside, but Machai walked through the door before he could react.
“Machai, what’s happening?”
“The battle be beginning, but ye need to be listening to me before we be going. There be one thing ye need to be knowing about fighting with ye’r wand and ye’r blade.” Machai held out his arm to keep Osric from stepping past him into the hall. “Ye must be using ye’r spells in short burst or ye’ll be tiring too quickly.”
Osric looked him in the eye, not able to reconcile the instructions with what he had been taught. “That didn’t seem to be true at Braya,” he protested.
“Aye, but Braya be a short battle, and ye’r dual wielding training be brief as well. This battle could be taking all night to be resolving itself, and magic be using as much of ye’r strength as ye’r sword. Ye must be heeding me warning, or ye may be sorry.” Machai turned and rushed out the door to the battle with a growl.
Osric leapt into action, throwing the door open and striding out into the street. He could make out the sound of clashing weapons coming from several places, but he knew he had to stick to the plan rather than running toward every Kallegian he saw. Looking around, and feeling a bit cowardly for not joining the struggle, he travelled to the border of Stanton.
As Osric took in the scene before him, he caught sight of three hooded soldiers attacking an elderly man. They had him surrounded and he was struggling to keep all three at bay. A squirrel, an owl, and a prairie dog were doing their best to distract the men, working together by biting, scratching, and clawing at any exposed skin they could find, yet it was not enough to save the old man. Osric took his sword in his left hand and spun his wand in the other. “Extollo.” He pointed the wand and was amazed again to see the light shoot out of the tip. Ribbons of swirling light hoisted all three hooded men up by their feet. Osric smiled at the sight of the men trying to regain their bearings in the air. “Demitto,” he spoke with authority and snapped his wrist. The assailants were flung to the ground, landing in a crumpled, unconscious heap. “Eo ire itum.” Osric used the spell to send the three men to the market district and out of the way of the battle.
Osric wished he had managed to get some sleep. He noticed the oncoming strain of fatigue but fought it off and approached the old man. He stretched his muscles as he walked, warming up for the coming battle. He knew that it would be a long night, and he would not be able to avoid physical altercations the whole time.
“Get inside and make sure your home is safe.” Osric helped the man to his feet and nodded his head at the owl circling above them in search of another fight. As he watched the squirrel and the prairie dog scamper off, tripping a surprised Kallegian as they ran, the man’s urgent voice gained Osric’s attention.
“I am not helpless.” The old man’s bony hand dug into Osric’s arm. “I will not let you young men die for something if I am not willing to fight.” Osric understood that the man wanted to help protect his home and his loved ones, and that he was more than willing to die honorably in battle, but the thought of the man’s death weighed heavy on his heart.
“We can handle these men,” Osric tried to reason with him, “your wisdom will be needed later.” He winked and sent the sprawling Kallegian to the market with a spell, then turned to continue on his mission.
“Hey!”
Osric spun back at the authority in the old man’s cry and gasped when he was greeted with an open hand across his cheek. “What was that for?” Osric looked back at the toothless, grinning face.
“If I am quick enough to slap a man such as yourself,” he pulled his wool coat back over his shoulder, pride radiating from his stubborn stance, “then I can be of some use. That was some pretty fancy magic you just did,” he pointed at Osric’s wand, “and we may just have a chance, if you keep using it.”
Osric shook his head in dismay and hoped Archana would keep them both safe as he turned to wade further into Stanton with the elder at his side.
*
Machai raised a shield with a quick spell as a blast of fire from four Kallegians attempted to envelop him. He smiled knowing that fire would only bend to his will if he chose. When the flames dissipated, he was quick to act. He cast a binding spell at a man concealed behind several large crates, jerking his feet out from under him. The man was caught off guard by the pull, but he gathered his wits quickly and managed to catch a young buck in the shoulder with his blade on his way toward Machai.
Machai was ready with his axe and deflected the man’s first blow as he spun and pulled another hooded figure into the fray. Two of their men within my reach should keep them from casting another of those fireballs. He turned back in time to ward off a second attack as the men began to work together to try and find a hole in Machai’s defenses. His blood coursed faster as the excitement of battle ignited his limbs. The attacks came quick and fierce, but as Machai had hoped, they abandoned their wands in close quarters. He grinned at how easily he was able to fend off the supposedly well-trained soldiers’ attacks.
Machai kept the men moving in a circle around him to prevent either from casting a spell to immobilize him. Luckily, the men were also distracted by spells being cast by townsfolk from the rooftops surrounding them. He could feel the force of each blow invigorating him as he spun, blocking one slash and taking the second man’s legs off with the follow through, then dragging a third man into the fight with his wand.
That one was even easier to take out, as he waded in with a long sword held over his head and left his guard down. Machai dispatched him with a quick strike of his axe, then pulled it immediately out of the man’s forehead when the body slid to a stop at his feet. A few well-timed shield charms kept the last man at bay long enough to retrieve the blade.
Machai turned and blocked the next blow from a terrified man who was fumbling for his wand. Machai had trapped the sword between the blade and handle of his axe and pulled him close enough to grasp his arm. He whispered, “Eo ire itum,” and waited until he appeared in the market square to bash the disoriented man over the head.
Machai surveyed the area as the Kallegian he had brought with him collapsed to the ground. He was slightly disappointed that his group of enemies was not as formidable as stories had suggested. Dozens of hooded figures looked about with stunned expressions on their faces. Machai felt irritation surge within as he traveled to his next target. Though he had witnessed the success of the other teams, something did not sit right with way the battle was going. This be far too easy; we be missing something. He quickly dismissed the thought and forged back from the outskirts toward the market district.
Several Kallegian were striding toward him, and he ducked the first few swipes without using a spell. Then, casting a spell and hooking their ankles, he twitched his newly refashioned wand and watched them fall back and crack their heads on the cobblestone, rendering them worthless in the fight. Several animals joined in and served as able distractions, but frustration grew inside as he turned to the last two men whose hoods had fallen to reveal truly terrified expressions. He knew that the men were not the fearsome fighters they had been led to expect. Machai lowered his blade and shook his head.
Anger flooded through him as he tried to reason out what it meant. The soldiers were not well-trained in armed combat. They were like scared little boys. Machai looked back at the two men as they began to hum a low guttural tone while backing away. Machai charged them, screaming a battle cry. They turned as the low tone was choked off by fear, and they ran for their lives in the direction of the market district. Machai grinned as two large boars, with sharp tusks the length of his arms, took up the chase.
Machai frowned, looking down at the wounded men lying on the ground where the boars had managed to overwhelm them. He
grabbed hold of their arms and used the traveling spell to take them to the larger group of their peers. “There be something very unsettling about this battle,” he mumbled to himself as he set out for his third patrol. He did not feel the need to check on the men keeping the Kallegian in the area. They would have no issue with keeping them contained. Where might I be finding Thamas and Osric? They should be knowing this fight be too easy to be trusted, he thought as he chose a different location for his destination. “Eo ire itum.”
*
Bridgett scanned the surrounding area, surprised at the silence, and stepped cautiously into the narrow alley leading to the market district. Chills flowed up her body as she felt the fear coming from a few hidden foes, yet she was unable to locate them.
She walked carefully to silence her footfalls and conceal her location. Why the great warrior Kallegians would fear an attack from the inhabitants of Stanton was a mystery, but they were afraid, and she intended to use that fact to her advantage. She kept herself low, and as hidden as she could, hugging the shadows of the streets.
Battle cries and swords clashing echoed down every alley, but she managed to keep her focus. She crouched quietly and sent her Empath power searching out around her. She was startled at the fear and hesitation she felt from the unfamiliar minds of the Kallegians. Everywhere around her, she could feel unease and doubt from the men, and she noticed something like a feeling of yearning for closer formations. It was as though they felt that they were not capable of surviving the battle unless they could group together. Suddenly, she realized that the men she was perceiving the strongest feelings from were quickly moving toward her from every direction. As they fought small skirmishes around the area, they were converging on her location without even realizing their comrades were close by. She rose quickly and used her gift to seek a safe way from the alley she stood in.
The High-Wizard's Hunt: Osric's Wand: Book Two Page 21
