The unsuspecting mage ms-1

by Brian S. Pratt

  “If you tell me who hired you I’ll make it quick,” he tells the man.

  The man replies weakly, “I don’t know who it was.” He nods over to one of the dead men, “Carl over there made the arrangement. He said that someone wanted you captured alive. Once we had you, he went and made contact to find out what they wanted us to do with you. When he came back, he said that someone would be coming this evening to collect you and that we’d get paid when he arrived. That’s all I know, I swear!”

  True to his word, Miko makes it quick and the man’s pain ended quickly. Wiping the knife on the dead man’s pants, he gets up and returns to where James lies on the floor. He checks to make sure he’s breathing and is relieved to find that James is still alive, if unconscious.

  Shaking him gently, Miko says, “James, are you okay?”

  Coming to, James gasps from the pain throbbing in his head. “What?” he asks dazedly.

  “James, we need to get out of here,” Miko urges.

  Realization of where he is and what’s been going on suddenly comes back to him. “Help me up,” he says, lifting an arm so Miko can assist him to his feet. The effort to stand leaves him with black spots circling in front of his eyes. But with Miko’s help, he makes it over to a chair and sits down.

  “See if there’s something around here to drink, it may help my head,” he tells him. Pain rips through his head and he feels as if he’s about to black out again. Closing his eyes, he takes a few slow, deep breaths which seem to have an affect.

  As Miko searches the room, James gets the pain in his head to subside a little then looks over at the three dead men with pieces of boards sticking out of them. Then he notices the other man, throat slit and entangled in his own intestines, lying on the floor.

  “Found some ale by the looks of it,” Miko says as he returns. He holds out a bottle and James takes it, hesitantly sniffs it and then drinks some. It is ale, if a bit stale and it does help to further ease the headache.

  “Thanks, that helped,” he says. “You do that?” he asks Miko, nodding toward the man on the floor.

  “Yeah,” Miko replies, smiling with pride.

  “Good work,” James congratulates him. “We need to get out of here, but not before we take care of some things.” He gets up and moves toward the men he killed with the sharpened boards. Removing the board from the closest dead man’s chest, he says, “I don’t want anyone to know I can do magic. Collect the other two and put them in a sack with the trowel, we’re taking them with us.”

  “Why bother?” Miko asks as he grabs a sack. He takes the one blood stained board from James, then begins removing the boards from the other dead men and placing them in with the one already in the sack.

  James goes over and picks up the sword that belonged to the gutted man, and stabs one of the other three through the place where the stick had impaled him. “I want anyone who sees this to think that we were rescued, that we didn’t get out by ourselves. That way in the future we may have an edge in a similar situation.” Going over to the other two he stabs them in a similar matter. “I doubt if forensic science has evolved very far around here for someone to be able to tell that they were not killed by a sword.”

  “Forensic science?” asks a confused Miko. He stands there watching James, the sack with the sticks and trowel in hand.

  “It means the study of a crime to tell what actually happened,” he replies.

  “Oh,” responds Miko. “Why would that be important?”

  James walks over and then places the sword back into the hand of the man on the ground. Seeing the orb on the ground he cancels the spell, causing it to disappear.

  “Knowledge is power,” he says as he proceeds to each of the four men, searching their pockets. Some coins and two small gems and his pouch they had taken from him are in the pocket of one man at the table. Around the neck of another he finds the medallion the little creature had given him. His other amulet he finds in the man’s pouch with several coins.

  He puts the medallion around his neck and tucks it inside his shirt. His other amulet, coins and the other valuables go into his pouch. Turning to Miko he says, “What people know will determine what they will do. The better your information, the more effective your course of action will be. And if your information is wrong, it could lead you into actions which may be a waste of time or even cause you problems. Understand?”

  “I think so,” he replies, not sounding very convinced.

  “Regardless, let’s get out of here before someone comes by.” James moves to the door leading outside and opens it slowly, peering out. It’s still very dark, the street outside is illuminated mainly by the light spilling past him through the door. The street appears deserted so he steps out into the night, quickly closing the door after Miko exits. Once again the street is plunged into darkness.

  After proceeding down the street a little ways, they come across a refuse pile heaped against the wall of a building. Making sure no one is watching, they pry up a portion of the pile and place the sack with the sticks within before covering it back up again. Satisfied that the evidence is well hidden, at least for the time being, they continue on down the street.

  A shadow watches from the darkness as they make their way from the refuse pile. Once they move off a suitable distance, the shadow disengages itself from the dark and crosses over to the refuse pile where it digs until it finds the sack with the bloody boards. The shadow then removes the sack and takes it with it as it hurries down the road after James and Miko.

  They don’t travel long before James realizes that they are on the outside of the outer wall, in the poor sector. Moving down the road at a quick pace, they are soon approaching the gate leading back into the city. The smaller gate for travelers stands open and is brightly illuminated by several torches. The two guards standing watch suddenly turn and look through the gate at the sound of an approaching horse. Shortly a rider appears and nods to the guards as he leaves the city.

  James and Miko stay hidden in the shadows as the rider makes his appearance. James feels Miko’s hand grip his arm as he points to the rider passing through the gate. “James, that’s one of the guards who chased us from Lord Colerain’s estate.”

  “Are you sure?” he asks.

  “Very sure,” replies Miko.

  They watch the rider come through the gate and turn down the lane they had just vacated.

  James starts for the gate when Miko suddenly stops him. Turning toward Miko he hears him say, “If we go through the gate now, and should Lord Colerain’s men later question the guards about those who entered tonight, then they will know we’re back in the city.”

  Considering the possibility a moment, James says, “Good thinking, I wouldn’t have thought of that. What do you propose we do?”

  “Find someplace to hole up for the night and then come in with the crowd in the morning,” whispers Miko.

  “Where do you suggest we go that won’t leave us robbed or dead by morning?” he asks.

  “Out of town a ways,” he suggests. “Perhaps down by the river.”

  “Alright,” agrees James, “let’s do it.” He leads Miko down the street again until they come to a junction with a road heading away from town. They turn down that road and continue for another half hour until they’ve left the outer buildings of Cardri far behind. At that point they look for a spot to hole up for the night. Off the road to the west sits a field of tall grass, James leads them out into it where they lodge some of it to make a camp of sorts.

  Lying down under the stars, they settle in and soon fall asleep. The shadow watches from the road, and once it’s sure they are down for the night, leaves and heads back to town.

  Morning dawns another sunny and soon to be warm day. James’ head still throbs, but nothing like last night. He can still feel a tender lump on the back of his head when he gingerly checks it with his fingers.

  Looking over the tall grass, they see the road to Cardri is already beginning to swell with the traff
ic of the day. They get up and join the people entering through the gates. The guards pay them no notice, they are simply another set of anonymous faces entering the city.

  Making their way through the streets they arrive at the Dancing Squirrel. Going up to their room, they find most of their belongings still there except of course for the tarts and crumb cake that their captors had taken with them.

  “What do we do now?” asks Miko as he settles down on one of the beds.

  “We do what we came here to do and get out as soon as possible,” replies James.

  “Exactly what are we here for?” he asks.

  James takes out his medallion and shows it to him. Indicating the design on the face of it he says, “I want to find out if this design has any special meaning.”

  Looking closely at it, Miko asks, “Why, what’s so special about it?”

  “I can’t really explain, but let’s just say it’s something I think I need to do,” James explains. “I also want to keep the fact that we’re investigating this medallion a secret, okay?”

  “Sure, I understand,” Miko agrees, intrigued by all the secrecy. “If you like, I could go out in the street and see if there is any place around here where you could do that. Someone like me could get around without arousing suspicion, I’m just another of the street brats.”

  “Okay, but be very careful,” James cautions as he begins to gather the rest of their baggage. “Lord Colerain may yet have other plans in the works for capturing us. I still can’t believe he’s still after us just because we were trespassing.”

  “That’s the way with some nobles,” explains Miko. “Especially, Lord Colerain. I once heard of a boy who on a dare from some of his friends, threw a tomato at his carriage as it was passing through town. Two days later, the boy disappeared and was never seen again. It was never proven that Lord Colerain was the one who took the boy, but that’s the general belief.”

  “Sounds like someone we need to stay clear of,” he says. “I’m planning on moving us to the Silver Bells, the inn where Perrilin said he was engaged to play. When you find out anything, meet me there.”

  “Alright,” says Miko as he opens the door. “I’ll see you there.”

  Once Miko leaves, James changes into a clean set of clothes and then finishes gathering the rest of his things. Going down to the common room he finds Inius there sitting by the front window looking out into the street.

  He turns as James approaches, a sad look on his face. “What’s wrong?” James asks.

  “Furball is missing,” he says. “She was around last night when I locked up, but I haven’t seen her since.”

  “That’s too bad,” consoles James. “I’m sure she’ll turn up.”

  “I hope so,” Inius says, “she’s all I have left of my Eliena. Of course, I have grown fond of her too.” He sees that James is carrying his belongings and says, “Leaving us today?”

  “Afraid so,” James replies as he hands over the room key. “Something’s come up and I need to go. You can go ahead and keep the advance for the next two days, I really enjoyed your inn and your people.”

  “Thank you,” he says. “If you are ever in Cardri again, I hope you will stay with us.”

  “I’m sure I will,” he assures him. “And if I should see Furball, I’ll get her back to you.”

  “I would appreciate that,” Inius says as he turns back and continues staring out the window.

  Exiting out the back, James goes over to the stable and finds that his horse has been well cared for, the straw in the stall looking clean and fresh. He comes over and pats him on the side, “They treating you well, boy?”

  “Of course they are,” a voice answers from behind him. Turning, he sees the surly stableman from yesterday, the man’s disposition apparently little improved. In his hands the man carries a bale of fresh straw.

  “Good day to you,” James greets cheerfully, stepping aside as the man brushes past on his way to deposit the straw in the next stall.

  “I suppose it may be,” the man replies. “You leavin’?” he asks as he grabs a pitchfork and spreads the straw evenly across the floor.

  “Yes, heading out today,” he answers as he continues readying his horse.

  The man looks at James over the stall wall, makes a grunting noise and then walks back out the front.

  “Friendly sort of chap, eh?” he asks his horse. The horse just snorts for an answer. “I agree,” he says as he finishes up with securing all his bags to, and around, the saddle. He then mounts and rides from the stable, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be taking a special interest in him. Since last night he intends to keep on his guard, watching for anyone that may be following him.

  When he arrives at Cardri’s middle wall, he finds but a single, wide gate giving entry here where there had been two in the outer wall. The gate is quite busy with many people passing through, though not nearly the crowd that had bottlenecked the outer one. As James approaches the gate, the guards visually inspect him as he rides by, but make no attempt to approach him.

  On the other side he finds the streets to be much cleaner, and once you get past the immediate area of the gate, the buildings slowly make way for residences and estates. A broad thoroughfare runs left and right from the gate, extending further into the city. Seeing a man walk by with several packages, most likely making deliveries by the modest way he’s dressed, James hails him, “Excuse me sir.”

  The man turns and sees James to be the one hailing him. “Yes sir?” the man asks as he stops to see what he wants.

  “I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find the Silver Bells?” James asks him.

  Pointing down the street to the right, he says “Follow the road that way, you can’t miss it.”

  “Thank you,” James says as the man once again resumes his progress.

  Turning his horse, James makes his way down the road to the right. The buildings are very well kept up and the businesses are of a higher quality as well. Instead of the taverns and more mundane shops prevalent in the outer area, here there are more of the craftsmen type shops, i.e. goldsmiths, artisans, etc.

  After several blocks, he comes upon a very nice, three story building. Instead of a sign as seems to be the norm, this one has a set of four bells hanging out front which look to be made of silver. They make a melodious sound when the breeze hits them just right. This must be the Silver Bells, he thinks to himself. Can’t be real silver or they would have been stolen by now. He ties his horse to the post out front, grabs his backpack and then climbs the four steps to the door standing open at the top.

  Walking inside, he can immediately see that this is an upscale establishment. There are several pictures hanging on the walls, also various pieces of sculpture set in small alcoves around the common room. The tables all have linen tablecloths and are set with plates and silverware.

  A man sees him enter and comes over, “Can I help you sir?”

  “I hope so,” James replies. “I am looking for a bard by the name of Perrilin. He said he might be engaged here.”

  “He was,” the man says.

  “Was?” asks James. “He told me he would be here for about a week.”

  “Yes, he was going to be” the man explains. “But the city watch came in last night and took him away in the middle of his performance. You can probably find him at the city jail.”

  “Do you know why they took him?” he asks.

  “No, they didn’t bother to inform us,” the man replies. “Miss Gilena was very put out that they disrupted her place in such a way. They didn’t even wait until he was finished,” the man continues, “just came up and took him off the stage right in the middle of a song.”

  “Too bad,” says James. “I happen to be in need of a room and a stall for my horse. I have a boy with me, he’ll be by after a while.”

  “The rooms are a gold a night,” the man explains, “and another silver for your horse. Meals are extra.” Gesturing over to the far side where a la
dy is stacking glasses, he says “That is Miss Gilena, she can get you set up.”

  “Thanks for the help,” he says gratefully and then walks over to where Miss Gilena is busily stacking glasses.

  “Excuse me ma’am,” James says as he approaches her.

  Turning around she says, “Yes, how may I help you?”

  “Looking for a room and a stall for my horse,” he tells her.

  Looking him up and down with an expression bordering on snooty, she says, “It’ll be a gold a night and another silver for your horse.” The expression on her face clearly says that she doesn’t think he will take the room, much less be able to afford it.

  James reaches in and pulls out two golds and two silvers, handing them over to her.

  Upon seeing the money, her mood completely changes. Where disdain once reigned supreme, now smiles and cheerfulness rule. Snatching the money from his hand, she says, “Welcome to the Silver Bells good sir.” Reaching under the counter, she brings forth a room key and hands it to James. “We have one room left. It’s on the third floor, top of the stairs, all the way at the end on the right.”

  Taking the key, he replies, “That will be just fine, thank you.”

  “The stables are out back,” she says, gesturing to a door at the back of the common room. “Gunther should be out there and he’ll find a stall for your horse.”

  “Thank you,” he says gratefully. “There is a young boy with me by the name of Miko who will be coming by a little later. Could you direct him to my room when he gets here?” Seeing her nod yes, he turns and goes back out the front for his horse. Miss Gilena returns to her glasses, placing the last one upon the stack.