Everyone was raiding everyone's ships on the open seas. Kings had sold letters of marque. The King took half of every ship you took and bought the ship on the cheap. Then he re-crewed it and sent it out again. Maybe owning a ship was not the best investment, on the other hand the price was right.
"What have you learned?" Asked a voice from behind me.
"That you fart in your sleep." I answered.
"True, but they do not stink, it's a Royal gift." We both laughed.
"Some think we are dead. Others think Sir Edwin still lives, because they believe it was he that had the Assassins' Guild wiped out. If we are alive, they think we will stay in the city. Because that's where all of Sir Edwin's resources are. The house is being watched to see if anyone returns. The poor have been searching the ruins for anything of value. I let them search, it makes it look like we are gone or dead. The royal spy master feels that Sir Edwin may be alive, again because of the Assassin Guild house, and that we will remain in the city."
"How do we know what the Royal spymaster thinks?"
"We spied on him."
"Of course we did. Did we spy on anyone else?"
"The King is pushing for answers, he feels that if someone is willing to kill you, they will go after other Royals as well. The Queen is not happy at the lack of progress. They both seemed genuinely concerned about your well-being."
"Anything else?"
"Not on that front, but I have the beginnings of a plan for our next move."
"What's that?"
"I think it best that everyone think we are dead. Sir Edwin was already planning on us moving to Black Stag Keep. Everyone else thinks he would have stayed in the city which I think is why we were leaving. We'll travel in the open, one of many mercenary companies wounded returning home to winter and recover. I'll get a wagon for you to ride in and take some supplies. We'll join a group heading west."
"We have money for horses, wagon, and supplies?"
"Oh yes, our treasury is doing quite well, we recently had a large influx from a Guild donation. Money will not be a problem at the moment."
He smiled, nodded thinking, "I agree with your assessment, and think we should follow through on Sir Edwin's plan to go to Black Stag Keep. Let me think on the rest of it for a bit." I nodded and fixed our meal. We tossed ideas back and forth as we ate.
"Maybe we could hire a few men going our way to better sell our disguise, and as guards for our supplies."
"I'll look around the docks tomorrow and see what's there. Think on what supplies we will want to buy to take with us. Have you ever been to Black Stag Keep?"
"I have not, I had never heard of it until Sir Edwin gave it to you."
"Hmm, I wonder if that's good or bad." We looked at each other and at the same time and said, "Bad," and both laughed.
"Oh well, hope for the best, plan for the worst." I gave him more pain powder to help him sleep.
✽✽✽
After breakfast I left the Prince sitting at the desk reading Sir Edwin's notes and reports. I went to the docks looking for likely candidates for our little troop.
There were all manner of men there. Some missing arms, legs, and other wounds. Some with no visible wounds at all. Some with money, and some without. There were more without than with. I sat at a side table nursing an ale. listening to the ebb and flow of the crowd.
"So that's it then Master Sergeant, the company's disbanding?" Came the conversation from one of the tables.
"There ain't no company to disband. The captain and half of the company is dead. What is still alive, except for a hand full, has been mauled to squeezings. I told ya I would get you home. You're home. That's it. If you want to join-up with another company, go with my blessings. I'm done."
"You've been saying that for years. We'll see what's what next season." He left leaving the Master Sergeant drinking alone. The Master Sergeant had a hard look about him, not cruel, but hard.
I waited a bit then went over to his table. "Can I Buy you a drink Master Sergeant?"
"I'll drink'em if you'll buy'em." I nodded smiling and ordered two ales.
"Sounded like your company had a bad season."
He nodded, "the worst in the fifteen years I've been with them."
"Were will you winter?"
He looked at me over his cup, "You have a reason for asking."
I nodded, "I'm looking to hire a few men as supply wagon drivers, and escorts. Guards for the winter, and maybe beyond."
"How many wagons?"
"Not sure, two, maybe four, I'm thinking ten men."
How far we going?"
"Western Coast, Black Stag Keep."
"Get us another ale." I had another brought to him. He was studying me. His ale arrived, and he drank. I waited.
"I have twenty-two men with me. Ten are walking wounded, two will need to ride in the wagons. The company has four wagons for our supplies and equipment. We also have a blacksmith and a Medico. You would have to hire all of us. I won't split them up to be left here alone."
"How many horses do you have?"
"Ten. They are in decent shape."
"Pay?"
"Winter wages, plus food, and supplies."
"Do you still have your quartermaster?"
"Sergeant Birch," He called.
"Yes, Master Sergeant." A man came to the table.
I nodded. "Take a seat."
"Yes, Master Sergeant."
I kept looking at the Master Sergeant. "I need a count of how many horses we need to mount everyone and some spares." Birch started taking notes. "I need a supply list of what you'll need for movement to our destination, including medical supplies. I'll also need a list of supplies to feed us an additional two months, and how many more wagons we'll need to haul all the supplies. Anything I've missed, add to the lists. I put a purse of gold on the table, "For your time if we can't come to terms. I'll be back in the morning; we can continue then."
"We'll have your lists."
I nodded and left.
✽✽✽
I had a taste for a meat pie. I'm sure the Prince would be hungry. I stopped at an Inn and bought four meat pies, some bread and cheese. I went into the alley, put the food in my pouch, and dropped into the earth. It was safer and faster to travel this way.
When I got back to the office, there were two thugs waiting in the outer passageway. The office was empty, and the Prince was gone. I pulled the thugs down into the earth to mid-chest. They were screaming and fighting trying to get away. Me and the dog walked through the wall in front of them.
They froze. "Where did they take him, and how long have they been gone?" neither one spoke. "That one," I said pointing. The dog attacked, biting into his shoulder ripping his arm off. The man screamed, blubbered and died. The dog dropped the chewed-up arm in front of the other one. "Where did they take him, and how long have they been gone?"
"I don't know where they took him, we put him in a wagon, and they left not fifteen minutes ago. We were to wait here for whoever showed up." The dog tore his throat out. Both bodies sank into the earth.
I walked up the stairs to the stables. There had been a struggle here. There were pieces of clay from his cast on the ground. I picked up the clay and my hand tingled. I sank into the earth and followed the hand's directions. I didn't have to follow streets, so I caught up with them in moments.
I traveled under the wagon, there was the driver up front, and two people in the back with the Prince. The wagon turned into an alley and travelled on a ways. I sank the wagon wheels into mud and stuck them fast.
The driver looked at the wheels, "You two get out and give us a push." They got out, one going to each side. As they grabbed the wheels, I rose from the ground behind one and stabbed him up through the base of the skull and let him fall. I did the same to the other.
I walked to the front, "You're stuck man, and good," I said point to the rear. He leaned over, looking back. I stabbed up through his jaw and unto his brain. I let him fall into the
mud. I took his hat and put it on, climbing up into the driver's seat.
I started the team moving and opened the flat to the back. "What took you so long?" Asked the Prince.
"I stopped to get lunch," handing him the packages.
He took them, "No wine?"
"You are so needy, no wonder they sent you to the army," handing him a flask.
He handed me a meat pie. I ate as I drove.
"Criminal Guild?" He asked.
"Yes, probably from Top-man."
"I wasn't thinking, the walls were closing in. I needed fresh air and sunshine. I was sitting in the stable, when they came. I thought I was out of sight, apparently not."
"Solved a few problems, really. They brought us a wagon and loaded you in it. How's the leg?"
"Hurts. They cracked the cast, but I don't think the leg re-broke. How did you find me?"
"They were kind enough to leave two men to tell me where they were taking you."
"Where to now?"
"Down to the docks, we hired a mercenary company, or part of one. They will winter with us a Black Stag Keep. We will hide in plain sight, just another wagon of wounded mercenaries headed home."
"What story did you give them?"
"Not much of one yet. I was thinking of telling them I was The Black Stag, and you were my Captain. Or You could be The Black Stag, and I'd be your Captain."
"Let's go with the first one, I'll remain in the background. You've already hired them, that will fit how they see you."
"When I left them, I told them I'd see them in the morning, this will push the timetable up some."
"They're mercenaries, they're used to orders changing, they'll be fine."
"Your name Captain?"
"Captain Elias Drake, at your service."
"I like it, it suits you."
We reached the docks with no problems, just another delivery wagon. I drove down the river front where all the returning mercenaries had their camps. I saw the Master Sergeant at a wagon and pulled up.
I stepped down and walked over to him. "I've got one of my wagons and decided to park it down here. Mind if I tie up with yours?"
He nodded, "fine, put it over there on the end. It's good you came back; you may pick up some good deals."
"How so?"
"Some companies are selling off excess equipment, and stock. If you've the cash, they'll take cash in hand now, verses maybe better offers later on."
"If you're satisfied with the equipment, I have cash available. Let's go make some deals."
"Would you be against others travelling with us, maybe even hiring a few more men?"
"If they meet your standards, I'm not against either option. Before we start, my name is Sir Draugur de Crypta. The Black Stag of Black Stag Keep." I said bowing my head in a nod.
"Miller, Sir. Master Sergeant Miller." He bowed his head in return.
"Come meet my Captain." We walked over to our wagon. I open end the back, "Captain Elias Drake, this is Master Sergeant Miller. Master Sergeant Miller in charge of the Mercenary Company I've hired."
"Good afternoon Master Sergeant, forgive my not rising, a broken leg."
"Not at all, sir."
"Don't worry about me interfering with your troops, for the time being I'm just along for the ride."
"How'd it happen Sir, if you don't mind my asking?"
"I learned the hard way that there are Bold Soldiers, and Old Soldiers."
"But there are no Old Bold Soldiers." The Master Sergeant finished.
"My horse fell on it."
"Better you learned in peacetime, than in war. On the battlefield it would have probably been the end of you."
"For a fact, Master Sergeant, for a fact."
"I'll check back on you in a bit Captain."
"Yes, sir."
We turned back toward the wagon line, "Thatcher," the Master Sergeant called.
"Yes, Master Sergeant?"
"That wagon there, Captain Drake is in it, check on him from time to time see he has what he needs."
"Yes, Master Sergeant."
Master Sergeant Miller, Sergeant Birch, the blacksmith Sergeant Smith, and I walked the mercenary line making deals.
We stopped at the horses; my hand tingled. A big bay mare came to me and put her nose on my hand.
"Would you look at that." One of their Wranglers said. "She's usually a hand full and stand-offish. You must have apple on your hand. She's a good one once you are in the thick of it. She can run with the best of them, and farther than most. She has a mind of her own though, most of the men hate to ride her."
I just smiled. "I'll take her."
He shrugged his shoulders, "I warned you. But if you're interested in taking chances let me show you another one." We walked over to another area where he had another horse tied in a roped off area. The first thing I thought was, "black beast".
"I took him prize after a battle. No one expected him to live. I doubt he'll every ride to battle again. I thought I might stud him. I'd sell him for the right price." My hand tingled again. "I'll warn you he's a mean one, as most of them are."
I walked over to him and put my hand out. Just like the mare had done he put his nose to it and was calm. I walked around him looking. Then I walked him around watching him move.
"What think you, Sergeant Smith?" The Smith looked him over.
"He's taken some hard wounds; I doubt he'll even carry a knight in full armor into battle again. That wound on his flank still looks iffy. If he lives, could be for stud."
"What's your price?"
"Five hundred gold."
I turned away laughing, "Good luck."
"Two-fifty."
I kept walking.
"One hundred gold, final offer."
I stopped and turned back, "Done, one hundred gold, including his armor, and tack."
"That will cost you another fifty."
"Done, one hundred fifty gold."
By the time we were done our mercenary company had fifty horses new that were in good shape, they, like the men, needed a rest. Fifteen wagons, and sixty-five men. Forty of the men were wounded, but only four seriously. They all needed rest and time to recover. I had paid in gold as we took possession from each company.
"Master Sergeant, we'll buy the rest of our supplies in the morning."
"Yes, sir."
I led the mare and the war horse back to our wagon and roped them off.
Captain Drake struck his head out. "What have we got here?"
"A mare with a mind of her own, and a war horse that needs time to heal before I stud him out. Besides people will look at your leg and him and won't even ask."
He laughed, "probably right. People see what they want to see." He looked around, "are you going back to the office tonight?"
"Yes, there are some things there I want to get."
He nodded, "Don't take any unnecessary chances." I just looked at him. "Yeah, Yeah, I know." and pulled his head back inside.
They brought us both plates of beef stew and bread. It was surprisingly good.
After we ate, I took our plates back to the mess wagon. "Well done Mess Sargant."
"Thank you, sir."
I headed toward the inn. Once around the corner and out of sight I dropped into the earth.
Chapter seven
I fast-travelled to the Office, checking to insure no one was waiting. There was not. I sealed the door, so I was not interrupted. I took out the backpack and opened it. I gathered all of Sir Edwin' s book, ledgers, report, and notes. Pretty much everything except furniture and stacked it all on the map table on the groundsheet. I looked around a final time, making sure I had taken everything I wanted. I folded the backpack and put it back in my pouch. I unsealed the door; someone may find it someday. Who knows the Prince may need it someday.
I knew about where the Criminal Guild house was, but not exactly. I walked through the wall and headed that way. I was within a block of the building I suspected when I started noticing
the spotters. Their Guild house was a walled mansion. These guys lived like Royalty.
I had made a mistake at the Assassins' Guild house by hiding all the bodies. People needed closure; dead bodies made sense. Must have been a guild war. Makes sense, end of story. I still would not risk getting hurt, that would be stupid.
I circled the building learning the lay-out. I marked the vault, the armory, and the library. I found Top-man's office; he was there.
I moved off to the side and made a vault of my own. I laid out the backpack and changed into my Black Dragon Armor, including the helmet and face mask.
I moved up into the house walls. No matter the thickness of the wall I stayed encased within it, unless I it wanted different. There were no innocent people in this house. Everyone here was a stone-cold killer. There would be no mercy.
I drew my sword, starting in the attic I worked my way down, killing everyone I found. My steps made no sounds. My runed hand held sway over wood, as it did earth, and stone. I left a bloody wake as I moved silently through the house. When I arrived in the basement, I sent a dog walking through Top-man's office door. While his attention was on the dog, I came through the wall and took off his head. I left bodies lay where they fell.
I raised another dog up from the earth. *Guard, kill anyone who approaches.* I searched the office, took all paperwork, reports, ledgers, books and notes. All of it went into my pouch. I emptied the vault of all gold, money, jewels, and all the other papers I found. I moved it all over to the backpack ground sheet. I took the best weapons from the armory and moved them over to the groundsheet.
I took travel clothes, plain but good light armor, for myself and the Prince. I piled both sets of good light armor in the floor. I gathered swords, shields, leather items, and piled it on top of the light armor. I laid my runed hand on the piles and the runes made good light armor into high quality runed light armor. I gathered other things that we would need to look the part we were playing. I also took quality clothes; you never knew when you might need to dress up.
Hand Made Mage Page 6
