Savall and Soveliss approached him next. “The boy you sent out with the Rebirth man told us what he saw in there, son. It’s amazing you didn’t just blast the whole place to splinters when you saw it.” Savall said.
Tartum had regained his breath and smiled. “Well, Boss, I wanted to, but Rashlarr stopped me. He wanted to verify Zahut was killed, and there wouldn’t be a way if I blew everything up. Not to mention it would have killed us.” he replied.
Soveliss smiled and shook his head. “Never would have thought you the hero type, Jade Mage. What happened to Uchan? I take it he was killed in the fighting?”
Tartum frowned as he remembered Uchan’s fate. He didn’t care that he had died, truth be told, Tartum didn’t much like him after the way he had talked to him. He had come to the conclusion, as they made their way out of the tower, that the only problem he had with being shown the Black Death spell was that he hadn’t had a chance to cast it. He found himself wishing he had kept the one eared boy behind. Shaking his head, Tartum looked towards Soveliss.
“He was killed by Lord Zahut. Bone spear spell nailed him to a wall. He died well, but there was no saving him.” he told him. Soveliss didn’t seem to care.
“He served his purpose and allowed you to complete your mission. Is that the kritchet’s staff?” Soveliss said as he pointed to the bundle Tartum carried.
Tartum nodded and handed the bundle to him. Soveliss inspected the remains and nodded.
“Nothing left of the kritchet, is there, son?” Savall asked.
Tartum grinned wickedly as he remembered Zahut’s fate. “No Boss, we destroyed every last inch of that bastard.” His voice seethed with the pleasure he felt from the memory of Zahut’s final moments.
Savall put a hand on Tartum’s shoulder and smiled, “You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that. Damn fine job, son. Damn fine job!” he said with more than a little envy in his voice. Tartum could tell he wished he had been the one to kill Lord Zahut.
Savall and Soveliss left him to speak with Rashlarr as Elizabeth and Vaund ran up to him with Buddy in tow. Elizabeth threw her arms around him and hugged him with enough force to rival one of Ecker’s embraces. Tartum found her hugs much more enjoyable than Ecker’s, however, and didn’t resist. Vaund was crying and hugged both of them while Buddy jumped up and barked excitedly at all three of them. It was as good of a way to complete his first assassination mission as any, and Tartum allowed himself to relax in their arms. Being surrounded by his friends and loved ones helped him to forget the horrors he had seen inside the building, and he was grateful for it.
…
Savall and the remaining cell leaders herded everyone out of the town and had them gather in the fields. The town was about sixty yards away, and the surviving townsfolk seemed sad to be leaving. After the reunion and following celebration had ended after Tartum and Rashlarr returned victorious from the tower, the less enjoyable tasks of collecting and burying their dead began.
The entire sixth cell, including Eida, had been killed during the assault. They were buried in shallow graves inside the town, side by side with as much respect and dignity as could be managed by the members of the surviving cells. Nebin’s cell had lost two members, including Uchan. Liddia was still unconscious, but Vaund rarely left her side and claimed she would be fine with enough rest. Ecker had salvaged a small wagon and lashed a few of the horses to it. It now held a majority of the young children and all of the wounded, which was half their remaining numbers. It surprised Tartum how many people refused to be magically healed by Vaund. Elizabeth explained that many people couldn’t understand how magic worked, and therefore, were very superstitious and fearful of it. Tartum found that logic to be insane but had no desire to try to change anyone’s mind. The way he saw it, everyone that refused Vaund’s healing was giving him a few more days of life.
Savall and Soveliss’s cell had lost no one, but Liddia and Ecker both lost one of their younger members. It looked like the man had been caught under the collapsing tower that Rashlarr had destroyed. There were no ill feelings about it, but Tartum noticed he didn’t invite Rashlarr to drink with him tonight. Tartum didn’t mind. He was looking forward to some strong drink and good company, the pile of carnage he saw in the town hall still made him sick when he thought about it. He hoped enough drink would wash the memory away.
Savall informed him that the man he’d saved was the leader of the carpenter’s guild in Rebirth and the reason he was still alive was because his skills made him useful. He was the man primarily responsible for the construction of Zahut’s tower. Savall said the man’s name was Sinat and that his family had survived. He had a wife and three young daughters, so Lord Zahut had only used them for labor. Savall told him that the survivors were already rallying around Sinat and his family and looked to him for what to do. Savall said he wouldn’t be surprised if they started another town before the year was out, with Sinat as their mayor. Tartum didn’t care, the mission was over, and if he never saw these people again it would suit him just fine.
As Savall was telling him this, Jeth pulled up on his horse and pointed at something on the horizon. Tartum looked the direction he indicated and saw what looked like a lone man on horseback coming towards them. Savall didn’t look surprised. Soveliss and Ecker came over when they saw them all looking the same direction. Ecker squinted and then spit on the ground. Without a word, he kicked his horse away from the group. He appeared very unhappy to see the man that was on his way to meet them. Soveliss and Savall looked grim but unsurprised. Tartum was at a loss.
“Who is that?” he asked.
Soveliss replied, “That, son, is the hero of Rebirth.”
Tartum almost fell off his horse. Opening himself to the magic he used his enhanced vision to inspect the figure coming towards them. It was a man, although he was barely old enough to be considered one. He was in full plate mail that shone with the brilliance of the sun. It was heavily ornate and looked more like it was for show than for battle. He had a sword on his hip and a large kite shield on his back, both of which were heavily decorated with jewels and engravings. His horse looked to be of the finest stock and adorned in matching armor. He had a look on his face that made Tartum think he was late for something.
“What the hell do you mean, he’s the hero of Rebirth? I don’t remember seeing him there.” Tartum replied, bewildered. He had no idea what was going on.
Soveliss looked like he was going to say something but Savall raised his hand. “I’ll explain it to him.” He said and Soveliss went to join Ecker who was currently swearing up a storm and kicking anything that got in range.
Tartum looked at Savall, he couldn’t imagine what it was he was about to explain to him. “Son, you’re going to hate this. The man that’s about to join us is the man that’s going to take full credit for saving the people of Rebirth.” Savall said.
Tartum didn’t understand this at all but the idea of someone else getting the credit for their work angered him and he began to reach for his sulfur. Savall saw the movement and grabbed Tartum’s hand.
“No, son, you can’t. Trust me, no one would like to let you light him up like a torch more than I; but you can’t. It needs to be this way.” Savall said.
Tartum lowered his hand, but his anger did not diminish. “I don’t understand, make sense fast.” he growled.
Savall continued, “That man is more than likely a young Duke or Baron’s son that the king wants to elevate in status amongst the royalty. Maybe he owes his family a favor, or maybe he wants them to owe him one. Who knows…point is, the king sent him to join us after we were successful to collect the survivors and return with them to Saroth as the conquering hero. It’s bullshit, son, no one knows that more than we do, but it’s a necessary evil in order to preserve the status quo. As the thieves guild, we can’t waltz into the city with a handful of refugees and let it be known that we are heroes. Number one, our faces will be known and make our regular jobs damn near impossible. Second,
the king can’t allow that to happen, because the people will want to know why we’re the heroes and he’s the fat, lazy, incompetent, bastard that was letting Rebirth die. Third, it’s part of our contract to give over any and all of Rebirth’s citizens, in order for the king to agree the mission was successful and for us to receive the rest of our payment.”
Tartum had to admit that Savall’s explanation made sense. He just didn’t like any of it. They had lost ten men and women in the fight and had almost double that in wounded, and their deeds would never be known. Yet, this milksop, lowlife, coward of a man was going to gallop into Saroth at the head of thirty survivors and be heralded as a hero. The idea sickened Tartum to his core.
As Tartum stewed in his emotions, trying to come to terms with this situation, the young fool trotted up on his horse.
“Hail! You there, old man!” He pointed at Savall, “Who is your leader? I would speak with him.” He said. Tartum thought if the man was anymore full of himself, he’d explode. He felt his anger beginning to boil.
Savall took it all in stride. “I am Savall, and I’m in charge, young man.” He said. The way he was talking to him, Tartum thought he must have lived in the palace at one time. He couldn’t understand why he was being so polite to this pretender.
The man gave Savall an unapproving look and rolled his eyes. “You thieves really don’t have any idea about proper leadership, do you?” he said and sighed, “Fine then, Savall, good work in freeing Rebirth and saving the people. Is this all of them?” he asked, as he motioned to the survivors. They were watching the exchange intently, and some of them looked as scared as they were confused.
Savall nodded, “Yes, and Lord Zahut is dead. Here is his staff as proof.” he replied, and offered the broken weapon to the young noble. Tartum wanted to lash out at him and knock him down a few pegs. His hands began to shake.
The young noble snatched the bundle from Savall and inspected it. Tartum could tell the noble had no idea what he was looking at but made a show of it anyway. Nodding, he looked back up at Savall. “Is this all there is? No head or hands or anything? I wanted something more than his broken walking stick, old man!” he spat, as he thrust the staff into his pack.
Savall just smiled, “I’m sorry, in the battle his body was destroyed, and there was nothing left for proof other than his staff. It will have to do, I’m afraid.” Savall said. His voice was as calm as he’d ever heard it. Tartum couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
The young noble snorted. “See to it you’re more careful next time, old man, or we will consider the mission incomplete and see you hanged for being the scum you are! I honestly don’t understand why father would have hired you in the first place. You rabble are not the sort the duke of…” He never got a chance to finish. Tartum’s patience had snapped, and with lightning speed, he cracked the man in the chest with his staff and knocked him off his horse. Jumping off his own horse, Tartum stood over the man and fought not crush the life out of him.
Savall’s hand was on his shoulder, but his words were too the noble on the ground. “I apologize for having my man strike you, sir, but you know that a client’s name is never used in contracts like this. You were about to say too much, and my companion, here, has just saved you from dishonoring yourself.” he said.
The noble looked mortified, “You, you struck me! Nobody strikes me! I’m the duke’s son! I’m Sir Jarred, the Seventh of house Franelkin! I’ll see you drawn and quartered for this!” he screamed. His voice was a mix of fear and outrage.
Savall reached down and grabbed the young man by the back of his hair. Pulling on it to get the brat’s attention, Savall brought his face very close to his own and hissed.
“If you say one word of this to your father or anyone, I’ll see to it that all of Saroth knows your family hired us to do this mission, and that by your own words you revealed to everyone what house you represent and who they are. Your family will be run out of Saroth, and to save face, the king will more than likely send us to hunt you all down and kill you. Trust me, boy, after the way you’ve acted today, there isn’t a person under my command that wouldn’t beg me for the chance to gut you.” Savall’s words cut through Jarred’s bravado like a hot knife through butter. He nodded his understanding, and Savall helped him to his feet.
As the man got himself back on top of his horse, some of his arrogance returned. Looking down his nose at Tartum, he began to speak. “When I’m a big hero, my father said I would get all this land to create my own city. I plan to use the town of Rebirth to jumpstart its construction and I can promise you this. There will be NO thieves in my city!” he said. By the time he was done with his rant, his pretentiousness had returned. Tartum had enough.
“Is that so, you pathetic little shit? In that case, allow me to show you just what will happen to your town without thieves to control the crime.” he growled at Jarred.
Tartum turned his back to him and walked a few steps towards the city. Pulling the pouch off his belt that contained the rest of his sulfur, Tartum opened himself to the magic. Infusing the bag with his magic, he spoke the words to his spell.
“Doctay-von-we!” he said, making sure to exaggerate every syllable. The pouch in his hand evaporated, as a green flame the size of a house came into being.
Looking back at Jarred, Tartum willed the flame into a fast spinning ball of destruction. He saw the confusion and fear in Jarred’s eyes, and the knowledge made him feel powerful! Turning his gaze back towards Rebirth; he focused on the town hall building sticking up in the center. With a voice devoid of emotion, Tartum said the final word of power.
“Beath!” Despite the size of his fireball, it flew like an arrow towards the center of town.
Too late, Jarred realized what was about to happen, and he shouted for Tartum to stop. Tartum smiled, he couldn’t stop his spell now if he wanted to. The fireball crossed the sixty yards into the town in seconds and plowed into the center of the modified building. With an explosion that rivaled anything he’d previously seen, the building was obliterated and most of the town was alight in a bright green blaze.
Tartum turned to look at Jarred to gauge what effect, if any, his demonstration had on him. Jarred was off his horse and had fallen to his knees. He made no sound, but his mouth moved as if he was trying to say something but couldn’t find the words. Rashlarr was laughing, Jeth was cheering; Elizabeth was smiling at him, Vaund, Savall, and the rest were a mix of emotions from very impressed to completely petrified. The former townspeople of Rebirth were silent, as they watched their homes burn. Tartum’s green flames had engulfed the town completely and cast a green light over the field. Tartum found it fitting.
As he walked past Jarred’s dumbstruck form, he addressed him. “Make sure these people get back to Saroth safe, hero…or the next demonstration I give you will be at your own home.” he threatened.
Mounting his horse, Tartum looked at Savall and nodded; he maneuvered his horse towards Saroth and kicked him into a trot. Elizabeth and Vaund flanked him immediately, and Buddy ran beside them. Rashlarr wasn’t far behind, and Savall took the lead after a moment’s hesitation.
Elizabeth leaned over to him and whispered, “Hey, Sweetie? I know the fire is pretty and all, but it will never go out until you make it go away.” she said. Her tone was playful, but Tartum knew she was concerned.
He had to admit she had a point.
“Uush!” he commanded, and the flame that engulfed the city vanished.
They rode in a comfortable silence the rest of the day with no one saying a word until they stopped to make camp. Ecker approached him with two large tankards full of sweet smelling ale and smiled. Tartum thought he seemed a little nervous.
“Hey there, Jade Mage. I, uhh, was hoping you would take me up on my offer to drink for free, and tell me the story of what happened inside that tower?” he gulped after he spoke.
Tartum did not want the big man to be afraid of him. He liked that he was, to be sure, but he truly liked the
man and wanted him to be at ease around him. With a smile Tartum took one of the proffered tankards and smiled.
“Of course, my friend! I’d be happy to, but my friends will need drinks as well!” he said, as he motioned towards the members of his cell.
Ecker relaxed visibly and erupted into laughter. He put his arm around Tartum in a friendly manner and squeezed him just enough to hurt. “My, boy! Any friend of the Jade Mage will always drink for free at my table!” he bellowed, for everyone to hear.
Tartum spent the rest of the night with Elizabeth, Vaund, Buddy, Rashlarr, Savall, Jeth, and many of the surviving guild members from the remaining cells sitting around Ecker’s camp fire and listening to him recant the events that took place inside the tower. He left out many of the forbidden details such as Calimsha, and the Black Death spell. As well as the way Uchan really died, but the story he gave them was a grand one, and he was solicited to tell it over and over again well into the night. By the time the last person had retired to their bedroll, the Jade Mage was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Tartum found that he enjoyed being the center of attention and hoped he would be given the opportunity to earn such attention again.
CHAPTER 27
When they arrived in Saroth, it was night. Without the refugees to worry about, they made great time getting back. In fact, after Jarred made a show of marching off with the survivors, most of them couldn’t wait to get home so they could put these events behind them. When Tartum got to his room, he undressed and went to bed immediately. Buddy was with him and followed his lead by going straight under the bed, Tartum heard him snoring within moments. It felt so good to be sleeping in his bed again as opposed to the ground.
First thing in the morning after he woke up, Tartum made his way to Rashlarr’s room. He found him sitting in his room drinking something thick and very hot judging by the amount of steam coming out of the cup. If he didn’t know any better he would say Rashlarr had been waiting for someone.
The Jade Mage: The Becoming: Volume 2 Page 12
