The unsuspecting mage ms-1

by Brian S. Pratt

  A serving girl comes over and takes their orders. When they are done with placing their order, the leader says to her, “And make it quick please, we need to leave quickly.”

  “Yes, sir,” the girl replies and hurries back to the kitchen. She returns quickly with a tray carrying eight large bowls of stew and four loaves of bread. Another girl accompanies her with eight mugs and a pitcher of ale. The soldiers set to with gusto, not taking the time to talk to one another, just intent on their meals.

  “In a hurry?” James leans over and asks the leader of the group.

  “You could say that,” the leader replies between bites of stew. “We need to be to the Merchant’s Pass as soon as possible.”

  Curious, James asks, “Why?”

  The leader breaks a chunk of bread off the loaf and dips it into his stew before shoving it in his mouth. “The siege of Saragon is going badly we hear. We’re on our way to the Pass to inspect the defenses in case the Empire’s army decides to wander in that direction.”

  “Are you worried that we may be attacked?” James asks.

  “Not really,” he says. “Madoc is putting up stiff resistance and it’s unlikely that the Empire will have the additional manpower to attack us directly. I hear they don’t have the inner stability that would enable them to release more troops for battle.”

  “You mean they must keep the bulk of their troops inside the Empire to keep it together?” James wonders.

  “Not the bulk to be sure,” he replies. “But I hear they need troops to keep some of their more recalcitrant provinces in line. If they were to pull too many troops north to fight Madoc or us, then the southern and eastern sections might become rebellious and cause them no end of trouble. Of course, I am just repeating barrack’s gossip, I don’t know any of this to be true.”

  “If they are so unstable,” James asks, “then why the push into Madoc?”

  Shrugging, the leader says, “Who knows? Maybe things have changed that has freed up a large section of their armies, no way to really know. I am sure we have spies within the Empire that may know, but I doubt if that knowledge would become available to the general population.”

  “True,” James agrees.

  “One thing is for sure,” the leader continues, “it has strained relationships between Cardri and the Empire. We are not at war with them, but I hear that we are helping Madoc in these dire times with supplies and possibly some troops, though that is only rumors.”

  “Do you think we would go to war with the Empire?” James asks.

  “Not unless directly attacked, I wouldn’t think so,” he replies. “Cardri has a fair sized army but nothing compared with the might that the Empire could put into the field. Now keep in mind, the troops they are keeping in their southern territories to keep rebellion in check, would be released to fight if we were to enter the conflict. The only hope Madoc has is if they overextend themselves and one or more of their southern territories were to think this would be a good time to rebel. Not likely to happen, but you never know.”

  “Thanks for the information,” James says. “Maybe we’ll see you again, we’re planning on taking the Merchant’s Pass over into Madoc.”

  “Then you better hurry,” he replies. “From what I understand, if Saragon falls then the Pass is to be closed and all traffic diverted north through Dragon’s Pass.”

  “Why would they close it, if we’re not at war with them?” James asks.

  “For safety,” the leader replies. “With both sides having armies in the field, it wouldn’t do to have our citizens traveling through the middle of it.”

  “I suppose you are right,” admits James.

  Finishing the last of his meal, the leader says to his men, “Let’s get going, we’ve got a long way to travel before this day is through.”

  His men hurry with finishing the last of their stew. A couple of the soldiers take the remaining loaves with them, putting the bread in travel pouches hanging on their belts. As the leader gets up to leave, he pauses a moment and says to James, “If you are going over Merchant’s Pass, be careful. If the Empire finds you over there, they will treat you as spies most likely. Good luck to you both.”

  “Thank you and safe travel to you and your men,” James replies.

  The leader nods in reply then heads for the door, his men having already exited the inn. “I guess we should hurry ourselves,” he says to Miko.

  “I agree,” the boy replies, “but do you still think it’s a good idea to travel over to Madoc? After all, you really don’t know where what you’re looking for is.”

  “The risks have increased, but I still feel that I need to get over there and try to find the answers.” Looking at the worried expression on Miko’s face, he continues, “Don’t worry, we’ll be extra careful. If we stick together, we should be okay.”

  “I hope so,” Miko says, not sounding very convinced.

  “We should be going though, Trademeet is still a couple of days away,” James says as he gets up, placing the rest of the bread in his backpack for later. Miko comes to his feet as well and follows him out to the horses. They mount up and head through the streets of Lornigan. When they come to the junction Perrilin mentioned, where the trade road running north and south crosses the one to Trademeet, they take the north leg and in no time make it to the outskirts of town.

  Not far past the last building, they come across a large open market consisting of dozens of tables and booths stocked with items offered for sale. Having never seen a market situated outside of a town, he hails a passerby. “Excuse me sir.”

  The man stops and looks up at James, “Yes?” he asks, in a tone that makes it clear he is being bothered.

  “Could you tell me what that is over there?” James asks pointing to the open market.

  The man looks at James like he’s an idiot, “That’s the summer market.”

  He starts to once again continue on his way when James says, “Sorry, just one more question.”

  “What?” the man asks, he slows his pace but doesn’t come to a full stop.

  “Why is it outside the town?” he asks.

  “Because that’s the way it is, the way it’s always been for as long as anyone can remember. When the weather gets warm, they set up out here until it gets cool again.” This time the man quickly walks away, wanting to get away from bothersome questions.

  “Friendly chap wasn’t he?” Miko observes, as he watches the man walk away.

  “Some are just that way,” James says.

  Indicating the market, Miko asks, “Are we going over there?”

  “I don’t think so,” James answers, “I was just curious.”

  “Oh,” grunts Miko.

  They continue down the road, making their way through the crowds going to and from the summer market. By the time the market fades from sight behind them, the level of travelers has dropped down to a very few, allowing them to make better time. The further they progress from Lornigan, the more wild and uncultivated the surrounding countryside becomes until they are once again out in the unpopulated grasslands. They proceed on, making as fast a time as their horses will allow, stopping only occasionally to rest their horses and have a bite to eat.

  By the time they stop for the night they are both fatigued and Miko can hardly walk for the stiffness and pain in his legs. “I thought this was supposed to be getting better,” he complains, “but it seems to be getting worse.”

  Feeling sorry for his friend, James consoles him by saying, “It takes a while to toughen up the muscles and get them used to hugging a horse’s flank. Give it time, we rode hard today so you had little time to get off and stretch.”

  A brilliant sunset off to the west paints the clouds red and orange. To the east rises a range of tall mountains. “Seems a long way to those mountains,” observes Miko.

  Looking eastward, James says, “Yes it does. From what Perrilin said, those are the Silver Mountains and Trademeet will be at their feet, near the entrance to Merchant’s P
ass.”

  “How long do you expect it will take us to get there?” he asks as he sets about getting supplies for their dinner out and ready.

  Thinking for a moment, James replies, “At the pace we set today, hopefully by tomorrow night.”

  “I should be good and stiff by then,” Miko moans.

  Grinning, James says, “Probably.” They set about having dinner and turn in early.

  James is awakened during the night by cries coming from Miko. He looks over to his friend and finds him tossing and turning in his sleep. Seeing that he’s in no danger, he turns back over and again falls asleep. Several more times throughout the night, James is again awakened by the tossing and turning of Miko.

  In the morning as soon as they are both up and getting ready to go, James asks Miko how he had slept.

  A tired Miko looks at James with bloodshot eyes and says, “I couldn’t find a comfortable spot. My legs and butt kept hurting and every time I did fall asleep, I had a dream about being on a horse for so long that my legs fell off.”

  Laughing, James says, “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah,” replies Miko, “I’m sure you are.”

  “No, really I am,” assures James, who breaks out laughing again.

  His laughter is infectious and soon Miko is smiling as well.

  “Now let’s get going,” James says as he saddles up his horse.

  Miko puts the food away and begins to get his horse ready. He’s not quite as stiff as he had been the night before but there is still a hitch in his get along. It’s not long before they are both on their horses and heading once more down the road to Trademeet.

  All day long, the cloud covered mountains continue to grow in the distance. James can make out snow covering their peaks during the few breaks in the cloud cover. Must be pretty high to still have snow on them, he thinks.

  A couple of hours before sunset they begin to make out the outline of a large walled city at the base of the mountains.

  “Trademeet,” Miko says.

  “Looks like it,” James agrees. “We should make it before nightfall.”

  “Hope we can find an inn and are able to get a bath,” Miko says.

  James starts laughing, Miko looks at him and he just laughs harder.

  “What’s so funny?” Miko asks, not getting the joke.

  When he finally calms himself enough to talk, he explains, “I was just remembering how you used to view baths that first time. I practically had to force you into one,” and then he starts laughing all over again.

  Smiling too, Miko said, “I’m just hoping it will help my poor legs and butt.” Then he starts laughing as well, though not as hard as James.

  “I am sure we can get a room and have a bath,” James assures him. “I would like one too.”

  They hurry toward the city and the wall gradually grows before them as they draw closer. At the gate they are waved through by a couple of bored looking guards and enter the city.

  Several blocks into the city they come across an inn that James considers acceptable. The sign outside depicts an ocean shoreline with a sun dropping below the horizon. James leaves Miko outside with the horses and mule and sees about getting a room.

  “Welcome to the Setting Sun,” a man says as James enters. “What can we do for you this evening?”

  “A room for the night and a place to stable two horses and a mule,” replies James.

  The man, thin and gangly with a cheerful presence replies, “Not a problem sir, we have several available and plenty of room in our stable out back to accommodate your steeds. It’s only a silver a night, but that also includes dinner.”

  “We’ll take it. I have a traveling companion,” James replies. “Can I get a room with two beds maybe?”

  “Certainly sir, many of our rooms come with two beds anyway so that will be no problem,” assures the man. Extending his hand the man says, “My name is Porlen, I own and operate the Setting Sun. Go ahead and get your steeds settled in out back and then come back in and I’ll get you set up with your room.”

  James shakes his hand and says, “Thank you, I’ll do that.” He then returns back out front, telling Miko that they have a room for the night and that they should take the steeds out back. They lead the horses around the side of the inn to the courtyard where several people are hanging around. One a boy of about ten or eleven, disengages from the group and comes over to help them find a couple of stalls and get their horses and mule settled in. Once all are taken care of for the night, they take their travel bags and go inside the inn through the back door. They find Porlen behind the counter, straightening up.

  He looks up as they enter the inn and come toward him. “Got em settled in, then?” he asks.

  “Yep,” James replies.

  “Good, good.” Handing him a key he signals to a boy who comes over and takes their bags from them. “Ritchie here will show you to your room. Dinner will be served in about an hour. You might want to come down early, we sometimes get pretty crowded and it may be hard to find a table once we start serving dinner.”

  “Thank you,” James says, “but is it possible to have dinner in our rooms?”

  “Not a problem,” Porlen assures them. “I’ll send Ritchie to your room when it’s time and he can get you what you need.” Turning to Ritchie, he says, “They are staying in number seven.”

  Ritchie says, “Follow me,” then proceeds to lead them to their room which is on the ground floor, down the hall off the main dining area.

  Once at their room, Ritchie holds the door open, allowing them to enter first. He places their bags on one of the beds and then stands there waiting. James fishes a copper out of his pouch and gives it to the boy.

  Ritchie takes it and looks at it, not entirely happy with the color, and then leaves the room.

  “Guess he wanted more?” suggests Miko.

  “Probably,” agrees James. “Maybe they get more here. I’ll give him a little more next time.”

  In no time at all, Miko is stretched out on a bed, “Not as comfortable as the ones in Inius’ place, but it’ll do.”

  James sits on his bed and sees what he means. It’s firmer and you don’t sink down very far, though it’s still comfortable.

  “This place doesn’t cost as much as his did either,” James explains. “You generally get what you pay for.”

  “I suppose,” Miko answers, then breaks into a big yawn.

  James takes out his travel case and puts it on the table. He then opens it and removes several sheets of paper, a quill and a bottle of ink.

  From the bed he hears Miko ask, “Gonna do some writing?”

  “Yeah, just want to jot down some notes of what’s been happening,” he replies from the table. “You just lay there and rest yourself before dinner, okay?”

  When no answer is forthcoming from Miko, he looks over and realizes that the boy has already fallen asleep. Smiling at his friend’s expense, James uncorks the bottle of ink and dips his quill in then begins to make notes about the last couple of days.

  He writes down some of the high points on the conversation between himself and the leader of the band of men he had talked to the day before. Once he has that written down to his satisfaction, he takes a separate sheet and makes some notes about magic.

  … during the battle when we rescued the girls, Miko offered to let me use the power in him to augment my own depleted magical powers. It worked fine, however there arose in me a moral dilemma. I feel it to be wrong to do this without asking, that it would be an aberration or evil if it was to be done against someone’s will…

  … the tornado I brought down almost killed me. I understood what to do, or thought I did. Having seen documentaries on television helped me to shape and control it. If I keep doing over the top magic like that it’s going to end up killing me…

  … I have found that the more I do magic, the easier it is to get the desired results, and the less weakened I become afterward. Maybe it’s like building up muscle and endura
nce, the more often you do it, the better you can handle it…

  … still don’t know why the book told me that spells had to be in rhyme form and spoken. Maybe it’s just the easiest way, and once you get used to the process, are able to evolve beyond it…

  A knock at the door interrupts his writing. He lays the pen down and then gets up to see who it is. Ritchie is there, telling him that dinner is being served and would like to know what they will want. James goes ahead and orders for himself and his sleeping friend. Ritchie then tells him that he’ll have it up to the room in just a few minutes.

  When Ritchie has left, he goes over to the bed where Miko is sleeping. “Wake up,” he says as he shakes his shoulder, startling him awake. “Dinner’s going to be up in a few minutes.”

  Miko yawns, gets up and goes over to the table where he sits down to await the arrival of the meal. James removes his writing implements and moves the notes over to a side table where they can dry undisturbed. It doesn’t take long before there is another knock on the door.

  James opens the door and lets Ritchie in who sets the platter of food on the table. Another boy is with him with a pitcher of ale and two mugs. James gives Ritchie two coppers and the boy seems more satisfied this time.

  Before they leave, James asks, “Is there a chance we could have two baths here in our room after dinner?”

  Nodding, Ritchie replies, “We can do that, though it will be another four coppers for each of the baths.”

  “Very well,” James says. “After you have taken the plates when we’re done, bring ‘em on in.”

  “Very well sir,” Ritchie replies. “I’ll let Porlen know.” Ritchie and the other boy exit the room, closing the door behind them.

  James ordered the roasted duck with steamed potatoes. It’s very good and Miko definitely enjoys it, going through it in his usual ravenous way. James makes sure to take an extra helping before he’s even done with his first, before Miko eats it all.

  No more than five minutes after the last bite was eaten, Ritchie again comes to the door and takes away the dirty plates and mugs. Shortly after that, two medium size tubs are brought in and filled with hot, steaming water. One of the girls asks if they would like her to stay to ‘help’ them.