Unsuspecting Mage

by Brian S. Pratt

  “They are perhaps two hours away, maybe more,” explained the man.

  “Thank you sir, you’ve been a great help.” James nods his head in acknowledgement.

  The man returns his nod, and begins to relax a little.

  “Have a safe journey,” James says to the man as he starts down the road again. Glancing back, he can see that the man remains still as he watches them depart before turning and continues on his way.

  “Not a very friendly sort, was he?” Miko asks.

  “Alone in the middle of nowhere is not a place to be too trusting,” James explains. “Especially not when you are outnumbered two to one.”

  “At lest he let us know they’re not too far ahead.”

  “Yes, hopefully we will catch them by nightfall,” James figures.

  “That would be nice,” Miko says. “Sheila is kind of cute.”

  Looking over at him, James warns, “You better not let Rylin hear you say that.”

  “Why? She is cute,” Miko replies defensively.

  “I agree that she is cute. However, I believe Rylin is in love with her and you wouldn’t want him to mark you as a rival for her affections,” James cautions.

  “I’ll admire her from afar,” Miko states. Seeing the look on James’ face he adds, “Silently.”

  “See that you do,” he says, with a little extra emphasis on the word do.

  They continue to make good time and shortly before sunset a large camp with many wagons and tents appears alongside the road ahead. When they draw closer, Rylin emerges from the bustle of the camp and comes forward to greet them.

  “James! Miko! How glad I am to see you,” he exclaims as he comes up to James and shakes his hand with enthusiasm.

  Dismounting, James says, “Sorry we were unable to retrieve your horses, but the bandits joined with a larger force and we couldn’t risk it.”

  Joining the conversation, Miko says, “Captain Varos took off after them though. He may return the horses to you.”

  “So you ran into the Captain, did you?” Rylin asks. “He was kind enough to offer us an escort into Trademeet and then set off after the bandits. We told him you may be around.”

  Walking their horses into camp, James sees Sheila and her mother, Shawna, getting the wagons positioned and the horses taken care of. Some of the soldiers are lending their aid in getting everything situated properly. They tie their horses near the wagons and then walk over to where the ladies are busy removing the last of the tack from the horses.

  “Sheila!” Rylin hollers over to her as they approach. She turns and sees him approaching with James and Miko. Placing the tack on the wagon, she turns to her mother and says, “Mother, Look! James and Miko are back.”

  Pulling the saddle off the horse, Shawna looks over and gives them a smile in greeting before placing the saddle on the wagon. Giving the horse into the care of one of the soldiers, she comes over to them, saying, “We weren’t sure whether or not we would see you again. I’m glad you made it back safely.”

  “We ran into some unforeseen problems,” James said.

  With concern on her face she asks, “Like what?”

  “The bandits had met with another group and together, were a force too strong for us to be able to do anything,” he explains. “We decided it was too risky to try to retrieve your horses.”

  From the area the soldiers had claimed for themselves this evening, a man in uniform with a commanding presence, walks toward them. When he approaches the group, Shawna says, “James, Miko, this is Sergeant Mindol.” Turning to the sergeant, she says, “These are the two who were going after the bandits and attempt to recover our horses.”

  “I was wondering who the newcomers were.” Extending his hand toward James, the sergeant says, “Good evening to you sir.”

  Taking his hand in a firm grip, James says, “Good evening to you as well.”

  “Did you catch up with the bandits?” asks Sergeant Mindol.

  “As I was telling them, we did but they had joined with a larger force,” he explains. “We were on our way back when we ran into Captain Varos and told him what was going on. He led his men south and I believe was going to attempt to overtake the bandits.”

  “He’s an outstanding captain,” Sergeant Mindol states. “I am sure he will be able to handle any situation he may run into.”

  “He did seem rather capable,” Miko joins in. “Didn’t seem the sort to waste any time.”

  “That sounds like him,” Sergeant Mindol agrees. Nodding to the ladies, he says, “I just wanted to know who the newcomers were, I must go and see to my men, if you will excuse me?”

  “Of course, Sergeant,” Shawna replies.

  Sergeant Mindol turns and walks back over to his men, making sure everything is as it’s suppose to be.

  Watching him go, Shawna says, “I am glad that Captain Varos could spare him and his men. It makes me feel so much safer, especially since all of our guards were killed.”

  “I am sure we will see you safely to Trademeet,” Rylin assures. He looks to James for his agreement but he is unable to give it.

  “I’m afraid that Miko and I must continue our journey in the morning,” James explains. “You shouldn’t have any troubles now that you have a professional armed guard escorting you.”

  “Yes,” Sheila interjects as she takes Rylin’s arm, “I am sure we have all the protection my mother and I could want.” She lays her head on his shoulder.

  Rylin looks a little uncomfortable at the attention, but not altogether unhappy with it either.

  Shawna’s face turns dark as she looks at the way her daughter is acting. She says crisply, “Sheila, go and start dinner for us please.”

  Lifting her head off Rylin’s shoulder, she replies, “Yes mother.” She gives Rylin’s arm one last squeeze before going over to the wagon and starts gathering together the items she will need in order to prepare dinner.

  Looking a little embarrassed, Rylin says, “I should go and check on the horses, make sure they will be alright during the night.” With a slight nod to Shawna, he turns and heads over to where the horses are picketed.

  Stepping closer to Shawna, James says, “I take it you don’t approve of what is developing between Rylin and your daughter?”

  Giving James a sharp glance which seems to say ‘It’s none of your business’, she says, “I don’t think a hired guard is a suitable match for my daughter, no.”

  “What would be?” James asks. Seeing her expression darken, James hurriedly continues, “I mean, Rylin has already proven he would lay his life down for your daughter. Any other man you couldn’t be sure if his words of love are for her or her money.”

  Her expression softens slightly as she begins to consider his words. “Rylin would always be there for her and she for him. You’ve seen them together, he loves her and she him. There can be no better foundation for a relationship than that.”

  “Maybe,” she says, “but what kind of life is it to be married to a man like that? She should be married to a noble, so she can have servants to make her days easier for her than mine have been for me.”

  “Would you have wanted an easier life if it meant not having been with your husband?” he asks her.

  Smiling a sad smile, she answers, “No, I wouldn’t.” Chuckling a little she adds, “In fact, my mother was dead set against me marrying him, but I was in love.” Sighing a little, she continues, “We snuck out one night and got married in the next town.”

  “Oh, you should have heard my father erupt when he found out what I had done,” she says with a wistful laugh. “We stood our ground and after awhile, they came to understand that we were meant for each other.”

  He motions over to the campfire that Sheila has built, “It looks like she’s her mother’s daughter.”

  Shawna turns and discovers that Rylin has found his way over to where Sheila is preparing the meal. He sits not far from her sharpening his sword while she slices vegetables for the stew pot. Sheila has a smi
le, a glow about her that only being near the one you love can bring. Miko found his way over there as well, trying to engage them in conversation, but is being completely ignored.

  As she turns toward James, he can see that she now has a look of understanding, “It won’t be easy for them, especially her.”

  “Since you will always need guards for you caravans,” James explains, “make him the lead guard and you’ll always have him near. She wouldn’t have to worry about what he is doing, or if he’s getting hurt.”

  “Perhaps you are right,” she concedes and then makes her way over to the campfire.

  Miko comes over to James and says, “No one is paying me any attention over there.”

  James continues to look at Sheila and Rylin as he says to Miko, “They only have eyes for each other.”

  “Why don’t we travel with them all the way into Trademeet?” Miko asks him.

  “It’ll take too long. Besides, I want to find that temple quickly,” he explains. “There’s a war over there and if it should move north, I would like to be done with what I need to do before it gets there.”

  Nodding, Miko says, “I hope we can find it fast.”

  “So do I,” agrees James, “so do I.” He then goes over and joins the others by the fire.

  After supper, they settle down around the campfire, Rylin and Sheila sit together, sharing a blanket. Shawna’s gaze is no longer one of disapproval, but a wistful one, remembering when she was young and in love with her man.

  A strumming of a musical instrument from the soldiers’ area reaches them through the night. They decide that an evening of music would be exactly what they all needed, so they make their way over and join them. They find that one of the soldiers has a mandolin like instrument, upon which he is playing a quick, lively tune. He accompanies it with a deep bass voice, not nearly the caliber of Perrilin’s, but still pleasant to hear. The soldiers make room for them and they spend the rest of the evening listening to the music and socializing with each other.

  In the morning after breakfast, James and Miko say their goodbyes and head down the road.

  Chapter Twenty

  _______________________

  James and Miko make good time as the terrain continues to be primarily flat plains. After the first hour, the land becomes increasingly more cultivated, with the occasional farms and orchards lining the road. Farmers are out in the fields working their crops, some wave a friendly greeting to them as they pass, though most simply ignore them.

  A little before midday, a town of some size appears out of the horizon further down the road. As they continue toward it, James spies an orchard of fruit trees abutting the road ahead. A family of three generations is working hard harvesting its fruit, baskets already filled with the reddish-yellow fruit are stacked on a nearby mule drawn wagon. James slows and leaves the road to approach them.

  As he nears, the family quickly takes notice of his approach but continues to gather their fruit, except for an older gentleman who must be the farmer’s father, that walks over to greet him.

  “Good day to you sirs,” the old man says in a friendly manner.

  “A good day to you too,” James replies. “I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the town that is up the road,” he asks pointing to the town on the horizon.

  “That is Lornigan,” the man explains, “the agricultural center for this area.” He eyes James and Miko warily but relaxes somewhat when all they seem to want is information. The family behind him, though they cast repeated glances their way, continues harvesting.

  “Lornigan?” questions James. When the old man nods, he says, “Thank you.”

  “Any time good sirs.”

  “I don’t suppose you would part with some of your fruit?” James asks. “Maybe just four or five?”

  The man’s face broadens into a smile and he says, “Of course sir, it’ll be only a copper.” While James digs a copper out of his pouch, the man goes over to the wagon and picks out six of the fruits. He then brings them back to James and hands them over as he takes the copper.

  “Six?” James asks. “I only wanted five.”

  “I know” the farmer said, “but six is what a copper is worth and I wouldn’t want to cheat you.” He gave James a wink, “Besides, since there is but the two of you, six is easier to divvy up than five.”

  “I appreciate that,” James says as he gives three of the fruits over to Miko. Eyeing the fruit longingly, he says, “And thank you for allowing us to purchase them from you.”

  “No trouble at all sir,” the man assures him. “Actually it happens quite often. There are many travelers on the road to Lornigan, it’s the last large town before the long road to Trademeet.”

  “Would you know of a place in Lornigan where we could get a bite to eat?” James asks.

  “Sure,” the man replies, “try the Grinning Specter.” When he sees the look on Miko’s face at the name, the man continues. “Don’t let the name bother you boy, there’s nothing scary about it. The food there is good and fairly priced. You’ll find it along the road a little after you enter the town. Look for the sign with the smiling ghost.”

  “Thank you, we’ll do that,” James says appreciatively. “You have a good day,” he says as he begins turning his horse back toward the road.

  “You too, sir,” Hemdal replies before returning to aid with the harvesting.

  Finishing his first fruit, Miko says, “Thanks for the fruit.”

  Smiling, James says, “No problem, fresh fruit is at times hard to come by. Besides, you never know what you are going to find out by talking to the locals.” He takes a bite out of one and enjoys the sweet firm flesh of the fruit. “Reminds me of a nectarine,” he says.

  “Nectarine?” Miko asks.

  “It’s a popular fruit from where I come from,” he explains. “My grandfather always had some in the house whenever they were in season.”

  “They are good,” agrees Miko, as he bites into his second.

  They continue on toward Lornigan, munching on the fruit as they gradually approach the outskirts of town. The buildings here have been kept up well overall, though a few do show signs of their age and neglect. The usual hawkers are there to greet them as they pass the first several buildings. They crowd around trying to get James and Miko to buy their goods, but when they show little interest, relax a bit. Despite the lack of interest from James and Miko, some do continue to exclaim the virtues of their wares to the annoyance of both.

  Passing several more buildings, they come to a three story structure with a sign out front upon which was painted a grinning ghostly apparition. “This must be the place,” James says.

  “Yeah,” agrees Miko, “not what I expected though.”

  Turning to Miko, he asks, “And just what were you expecting, a creepy, scary place?”

  “Sort of,” Miko admits.

  James chuckles at him, “Never let the name of a place give you the wrong impression.”

  They hitch their horses out front and then go inside. The interior of the place is neat and clean, with a good aroma of cooking food coming from the kitchen. Most of the tables are filled with midday eaters, several servers scurry from table to table, delivering their orders and otherwise being helpful.

  James spies an empty table to the side and they make their way through the crowd. Sitting down with his back to the wall, James signals to a server and he comes over.

  “Good day gentlemen,” greets the server as he approaches the table. “How may I help you today?”

  “What’s the special?” asks James.

  “Today we have a roast goose with lemon sauce that is extra good,” he replies. “Or you can have the chicken stew. The goose is five coppers and the stew three, each comes with a half loaf of bread.”

  “I’ll have the goose,” James replies, “and some ale.”

  The server turns to Miko, “And you?”

  “I’ll have the goose as well,” Miko tells him.

  James
takes the coins out of his pouch and hands them to the server who pockets them before heading off to the kitchen to place their order.

  While they are waiting for their meals to arrive, James watches as eight men dressed in uniforms enter and head their way, taking the long table next to theirs.

  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.