Unsuspecting Mage

by Brian S. Pratt

  Miko picks an armful of the fruit and takes them down to the boat to dump them in the bottom. As he nears the boat, motion from across the river draws his attention. “James!”

  Turning, he finds Miko running back toward where he stands at the edge of the orchard.

  When Miko sees him looking, he comes to a halt and points across the river. James looks to find a single horseman watching them from atop his horse. In the man’s hands is a deadly looking crossbow. Not far further south down the west bank, seven other riders were riding with all speed downriver.

  Looking at the departing riders, James says, “They must be heading for a bridge to cross further south. Any idea how far it would be?”

  Shaking his head no, Miko replies “Got no idea. I don’t know much of what lies outside of Bearn.”

  “Doesn’t matter I guess,” he says. “They’ll be over here soon enough.”

  James watches the departing riders until they pass out of sight. He then looks to the road and makes sure there are no travelers approaching from either direction. Grabbing an apple, he walks over to the edge of the river.

  “You don’t think you’re going to hit him, do you?” Miko asks incredulously.

  Smiling, James says, “Just watch.” He cocks his arm back and throws the apple while casting a variation of his stone spell.

  Miko is amazed to see the apple arc through the air and actually pick up speed. Even though the man tries to move out of the way, the apple alters its course and nails him in the side of the head. With bits of apple flying in all directions, Miko is stunned to watch the man tumble from his horse. A thud is heard as the rider hits the ground.

  James waits for several seconds to see if the man is going to get up or not. When he remains unmoving on the ground, he turns to head for the boat. “Let’s hurry,” he says, motioning for Miko to get back into the boat.

  “Hurry where?” asks Miko as he comes over and climbs in. Careful not to step upon the apples lying across the bottom, he takes his seat.

  Pointing to the opposite shore, James replies, “Over there.” He then grabs the side of the boat and pushes it out into the river, jumping in once the bottom is free of the sandy shore. Taking the oars, he rows hard and attempts to reach the shore not too far down from where the unconscious man lies.

  When the boat grounds onto the opposite shore, he says to Miko, “See if he’s alive and if so, tie him up. Also, make sure the horse doesn’t get away, we’ll need it.”

  “What are you going to do?” asks Miko.

  “I’m going to hide our trail,” he replies and begins unloading their boat.

  Miko goes over to the man and discovers that he’s not dead, just unconscious. Finding rope on the horse, he binds the man at the ankles and wrists. By the time he’s finished, James has unloaded their things from the boat and is standing motionless at the water’s edge. About to ask a question, he stops when he realizes James is staring at the boat and in the process of casting a spell. Taking the reins of the horse, Miko walks quietly over to see what he’s doing.

  As he approaches he’s startled when the boat suddenly rocks on the beach. Then, even more shocking, the boat begins moving off the shore and into the water on its own. Being quiet so as not to break James’ concentration, he continues watching in wonder as the boat floats across the river toward the opposite shore. Inexplicably moving against the current, it finally beaches itself on the other side and continues moving up the beach until it’s far enough away from the water that the river won’t pull it back in. When the boat comes to a stop, James stops the spell and abruptly sits down.

  “You okay?” Miko asks as he comes closer to his new found friend.

  James looks up sees the concern on his face. Smiling to reassure the boy, he says, “Magic isn’t easy you know, it takes a lot out of you. I’ll be fine, just need to rest a bit.” Nodding over to the man, he asks, “How’s our friend over there doing?”

  “You knocked him out with that apple and he’ll probably have a big bruise on his temple for a while, but I think he’ll make it.” Taking a water bottle off the horse, he hands it over to James, “Thirsty?”

  “Yeah,” James says, taking the bottle and having a long drink. When he’s drunk his fill, he hands it back. “Fill it up again, we need to get going.”

  Miko takes the bottle over to the river and refills it. Finished, he returns and gestures to their captive. “What shall we do with him?” he asks. “Kill him?”

  “Good heavens no,” James exclaims. “I don’t kill people unless my life depends on it. We’ll have to take him with us for a ways then let him go.”

  “Why do we have to take him with us?” he asks as he secures the bottle to the saddle.

  “We can’t leave him here to tell his friends we’re on this side of the river,” explains James. “When they return and find the boat still on the other side, I’m hoping they will believe that we are still on that side, perhaps trying to escape cross country.”

  Hearing a groan from their captive, James goes over to the man and squats down next to him.

  The captive opens his eyes and takes in James and Miko squatting next to him. He flashes Miko an ugly look and tries to move but finds that his arms and legs have been tied. Testing his bonds, he soon realizes he can’t get free so settles back down on the ground, all the while keeping an eye on his captors.

  “Not sure what to do with you,” James tells the man.

  “Not sure where to dump my body you mean,” the captive says with scorn.

  “You’re not going to die today,” James reassures the man, “at least not by my hand.” The man doesn’t look convinced that he’ll be permitted to live.

  “We know that Lord Colerain hired you and your friends to catch me, perhaps even kill me,” James informs him. Seeing no change in their captive’s expression, he continues, “Just what were you going to do to me if you would have caught me?”

  “Why should I tell you anything?” their captive retorts.

  “Your cooperation could mean the difference from being left where someone can easily find you, and being put somewhere…,” James pauses for effect before saying, “remote.”

  “Come on Torin,” Miko says, “what difference could it make now? We know you’re after us and who hired you, so you might as well tell.”

  Turning his attention to Miko his face turns grim. “I always knew you to be a squealer Miko, ever since you ratted out Harry’s bunch.”

  Turning indignant, Miko replies, “I never ratted him out! I didn’t even know what was going down until the news hit the streets.”

  “Yeah, yeah, you’ve been singing that tune just so Harry wouldn’t kill ya,” Torin says derisively.

  Breaking in, James says, “It doesn’t matter anyway. Miko, secure our equipment on his horse and let’s get out of here before trouble comes back.”

  Miko gets up and begins the process of securing their baggage onto the horse.

  James takes out his knife and leans closer to Torin. Torin’s eyes widen in expectation of being stabbed or cut. James grabs the rope binding Torin’s legs, cuts the rope in two and then throws the pieces over to Miko who puts them in a bag on the horse.

  “You’re going to have to walk,” James explains to Torin. When he makes no move to rise, James adds, “Unless you would rather to be dragged behind the horse? Your choice.” Torin nods and James helps him to his feet.

  Removing another long rope from the saddle, James secures one end around the rope binding Torin’s wrists and the other end to the saddle. Miko takes up position behind Torin with the knife, just in case. Grabbing the reins, James leads the horse over to the road and they make their way south.

  They don’t travel far before a small grove of trees appears off the road a ways to the east. Deciding this might be a good secluded place to leave Torin, he leaves the road and heads over to the grove. There he unties Torin from the horse and has him sit with his back to one of the trees, using the long rope to secure hi
m to it. He tears off a strip of cloth from Torin’s shirt and uses it for a gag, securing it with another piece of rope.

  Once Torin is secured to the tree, James tells him, “Don’t worry, I plan to let someone know that you are here, but not until nightfall, tomorrow at the latest. If I were you, I would hope your friends don’t ‘delay’ me. You should be free sometime tomorrow.”

  Getting up, he says to Miko, “Let’s go.” James takes the reins again and leads the horse back to the road.

  A little over an hour later, several buildings begin to appear over by the river. As they come closer they see where a thick rope spans the water where it ends at another set of buildings on the far side. In the middle of the river they see a flat ferry with four men and three horses. One man is pulling on the rope, slowly moving the ferry to their side of the river.

  “James,” Miko says, “that’s Torin’s buddies. Your trick with the boat must not have fooled them, they’re coming back.”

  Waiting near the cluster of buildings on the other side are the rest of their pursuers, awaiting their turn to cross. Sure that the men on the ferry have not yet seen them, James leads the horse off the road to the east. Once out of sight of the ferry upon the water, he reaches down a hand and helps Miko up behind him. Getting the horse up to a fast run they cut cross country, quickly leaving the ferry behind.

  Cutting eastward through an open field, James continues for a little over a mile before turning the horse more to the south. Pretty sure that they have moved beyond the ferry and have put distance between themselves and the men hunting them, he slows their pace. So as not to tire their horse, they dismount and James once again takes the reins, leading the horse at a walk.

  They continue south while steadily angling their way west, hopping to eventually intersect with the road. When the road finally comes into view again, they are relieved to find it deserted and head toward it.

  “How long do you think they will continue the chase?” he asks Miko.

  “I doubt if they’ll continue very far,” Miko responds. “They’re just local ruffians. Like me, they’ve seldom been out of the city.”

  “Let’s hope so,” James says. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out a couple apples, tossing one over to Miko. Once they reach the road, they continue south all the while eating apples and casting glances over their shoulders for sign of pursuit. Just what he would have done should pursuit have materialized, James didn’t know and was glad he didn’t have to find out.

  As nightfall approaches, they discover a likely place to make camp for the night sheltered within a small copse of trees near the river. Within lies a small, cleared area within which half a dozen men could camp comfortably. “I guess this spot must be used quite frequently,” he says to Miko, indicating a ring of stones encircling the charred remnants of an old campfire.

  “Must be,” Miko agrees.

  Tying the horse to a low branch, James turns to Miko. “Get a fire going and I’ll see if I can’t scare up some fish for dinner.”

  “How?” Miko asks.

  “How are you going to make the fire or how will I scare up some fish?” quips James.

  “How are you going to scare up some fish?” Miko clarifies.

  James reaches down and grabs a fallen branch from off the ground and says, “I’ll just go out to the river and get one.” He takes out his knife and begins sharpening one end.

  “Oh,” Miko says. “Uh, good luck.”

  “Thanks,” James replies. On the way to the river he tries to remember the spell he used to catch fish the last time.

  Miko gets the fire started and soon has a fair blaze going. Looking out to the river he finds James standing motionless in waist deep water, with the point of the stick held a few inches above the water. Seconds passed. Then, with a quick downward thrust, James plunges the stick into the water and holds it there for several seconds. When he brings the stick back out of the water, a large fish wriggles impaled upon the end.

  Seeing Miko watching him, he raises the fish and flashes him a grin. Then he makes his way back to camp where the fish is soon prepped and roasting over the fire. By the time it’s cooked and they’ve consumed a goodly portion, night has fallen.

  Satiated and content, James lays near the fire and gazing up at the stars in the sky. He never noticed it before, but the constellations that he knew back home are no longer up there. He lets out a big sigh as the realization sinks in that he is truly a long way from home.

  “What are you thinking about James,” Miko asks from where he too lies next to the fire.

  “Just that I’m a long way from home,” he responds wistfully. “And I may not be back for a long time, if ever.”

  “How far away are you?” Miko inquires.

  “I don’t know, farther than you can imagine,” he answers, a little sad.

  Turning toward James, Miko asks, “What made you leave?”

  “I didn’t realize I was until it was too late,” he replies.

  “What do you mean?” asks Miko.

  Before he can answer, the quiet of their camp is disturbed by the sound of a rider approaching from the road.

  “Hello the fire,” a man’s voice cries out. “Can a weary traveler share your fire this evening?”

  Coming to his feet, James tries to pierce the dark veil of night to better see who it is that approaches. “If you mean no trouble,” he shouts back, “then you are welcome, stranger.”

  As the horse and rider enter the light from the campfire, James discovers the man to be the bard they so enjoyed from the Flying Swan.

  “A bard is always welcome,” James says.

  “I’ve found that to be true, yes,” the bard agrees as he dismounts. James comes over and offers to help him with removing the saddle and tack but the man refuses, saying that he shall do it himself. Once he’s done, he secures his horse near theirs and joins them by the fire. He sits down next to the fire and James offers him some of the fish left over from their dinner.

  Taking the fish, the bard says, “Thank you sir, my name is Perrilin.”

  “I’m James,” he replies, “and this is Miko. I enjoyed your music at the Flying Swan last night and the night before. You’re an excellent musician and singer.”

  “Thank you, it’s always good to make the acquaintance of someone who appreciates music,” Perrilin says. He takes a bite of the fish and finding it to be acceptable, takes several more. The bard then reaches into his tunic and pulls out a flask. After taking a long drink, he offers it to James who declines. Miko doesn’t turn down the flask when it is offered to him and takes a small sip before giving it back.

  “Where are you heading?”

  “I have an engagement at an inn in Cardri,” replies Perrilin as he continues eating the fish.

  “We’re heading to Cardri as well, would you like to accompany us?” offers James.

  “I’d like to,” he says, “but my engagement starts the day after tomorrow and I don’t think you will be able to keep up with me since you only have the one horse between you.”

  “Perhaps not,” agrees James.

  “Which inn will you be performing at?” Miko asks.

  “The Inn of the Silver Bells,” Perrilin responds, “I’ll be there for a week at least. After that, who knows?” He continues eating the fish and soon has gleaned ever bit of flesh from the bones. Sitting back he grabs his mandolin and asks if anyone would mind if he practices. James shakes his head no, that he wouldn’t mind. Miko of course was eager to hear him play. As Perrilin begins by tuning his instrument, James places a couple more pieces of wood on the fire to keep it bright and cheery.

  The first song he plays is a fun and lively song with a quick tempo. James is soon tapping his knee and by the end of the song is singing along with the chorus. The next song is slower and a bit sad, “This one is usually for the ladies,” he explains. As the song progresses, James can see why. There’s a lot of stuff about love and sorrow, things ladies like to cry about.

/>   When that song is over Perrilin says, “Now, how about one of you singing a song and I will accompany you?”

  Miko shakes his head no and seems to shrink within himself.

  James considers the request and then says, “I doubt if you would know any of the songs I do.”

  Perrilin reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver, “I know one thousand, four hundred and thirty five songs. If you can sing me a complete song that I do not know, I shall give you this.”

  Smiling, James says, “You’re on.” Settling back, he takes a couple deep breathes then begins to sing:

  “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard, a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.”

  After the first verse and chorus, Perrilin begins to accompany James on his instrument and by the third, he’s singing along with the chorus. When James finishes the song, Perrilin tosses him the sliver, saying, “Here you go, I have never heard that song before. Would you mind if I give it a try?”

  Flattered, James says, “Sure, go ahead.”

  Perrilin begins to sing and from the first note uttered puts the rendition James had done to shame. He sings it straight through, never once faltering and uses the same inflections and melody that James had used with only slight modifications. When the last note fades into the night he asks, “How did it sound?”

  Miko said, “You were great.”

  “You are truly a great bard,” James exclaims. “I can’t believe you are able to repeat back the song after only one hearing.”