"This is Captain, Sir Elijah Drake. Captain, my sister, Princess Maddison."
I bowed, "Your Highness."
"May I touch your face Captain Drake? The scar, does it hurt?"
Oh, she was suspicious. "No longer, Your Highness." She touched my scar, insuring it was real and not an illusion.
"Do you know Sir Draugur, Captain?"
"I did, he gave me my sight back. I see things more clearly now."
She drew her head back, looking at me strangely.
I pointed to the white eye, "this eye was dead, he used magic to make it see again."
She nodded and turned away.
"Drake?" The Crown Prince said, "are you the one who cut the crest off of Sir Stallings helm?" He asked laughing.
Prince Kade jumped in before I could say anything. "He is," he said laughing. "Sir Stallings was being rude. Captain Drake has little patience for rudeness. Sir Stallings didn't recognize me and was being disrespectful."
"And what if he comes looking for satisfaction Captain Drake?" The Crown Prince asked.
"Then I shall pay someone to bury his body, Your Highness." His jaws tightened.
"We will all have more than enough killing by this time tomorrow," the King said.
He turned and walked away, his party following him. We sat back down finishing our food in silence.
✽✽✽
We were up early the next morning. We ate an early breakfast and were moving out within the hour. We moved forward and assumed the right flank rear guard position. I added fifty yards of thick brush, and briers behind us. We were on a bit of a rise and could see a lot of the battlefield. We dismounted nothing would happen for a while, "rest the horses now we'll need them later."
The Sergeant Major joined us. "So now we wait. Hopefully, the Kings will bluster a bit and then come to an arrangement. Then we can all go home."
"How often does that actually happen? I asked.
"Fifty-fifty, as long as no one loses their temper. If that happens, we'll fight. How much depends on how mad they get. And how big an army they have.''
He moved on down the line checking the troops.
"In that case I hope my brother doesn't go out to meet with the King's group. He has the unique gift of making anyone hate him almost instantly."
I chuckled.
"You have an illusion on your horse don't you."
"How can you tell?"
"Her foot prints. The front ones are not hooves."
"Aah. Yes, you're right."
"What is she?"
"She is a Talon Footed Dragon Horse."
He looked at me, "is that a real thing or did you just pull that out of your behind?" He smiled.
"Of course it's a real thing, I'm not smart enough to make that up."
"Ok you got me there, you aren't that smart."
We chuckled. Harbinger nodded her head.
"You had better keep her whatever she is, she's way smarter than you." We laughed.
"Movement up front." Someone said.
We looked out over the field two parties were approaching each other under white flags. They talked for a while. They set our main force up at the Castle's main gate. Using it to anchor that flank. The opposing army was stretched from the river to the forest. Their forces went a lot deeper than ours did. The Castle was our biggest advantage.
After a time, the two parties separated and returned to their respective lines. We remounted in case we had to move. There was more activity at the front, and a cheer went up.
Someone rode from our army onto the open field between the two armies. He had his jousting lance held high. I could not make out the banner. But he was issuing a challenge to the other side. There was chanting coming from both armies.
"That arrogant fool." Kade said. I looked back at the field. It was the Crown Prince who was issuing the challenge.
"Sergeant Major, you have command until we return."
"Yes, sir."
Prince Kade looked at me, "let's go join the fool's party." We headed for the King's party. We arrived just as the Crown Princes' challenge was answered. Their army's champion rode out onto the field with his jousting lance.
I watched as their champion rode to the far end of the field. I could tell they were wearing runed armor, he and his horse.
When they were both ready, they spurred their horses, who leaped into action. They were both at a full gallop when their lances struck shields. Both lances shattered from the impact. It ripped the Crown Prince from his saddle, landing hard, and did not move.
Their champion went back to his side and raised his visor, signaling the downed Knight could be helped. The medicos and pages rushed out to help the Crown Prince.
The King sat stone faced. They took the Crown Prince off the field. They indicated he was not dead... yet.
When the field was clear, their Champion lowered his visor and rode their lines to their cheers. Then he turned toward ours and rode down our line. He reigned up in front of the King, "Challenge."
He knew the King would not accept; they intended it as an insult to provoke. I saw Prince Kade tense.
Before Kade could answer, "Answered!" I called back. I stepped Harbinger out onto the field. Their champion nodded and rode back to his end of the field.
"Lance," I called.
Kade brought me one. "What are you doing?"
"His and his horse's armor are runed, and he is using magic. I'm the only one that has a chance of defeating him."
Kade looked across the field at their champion clenching his jaw, "then kill him and let's get on with this."
"That is exactly what I intend to do."
He handed me the lance, "luck brother."
I nodded and rode to the other end of the field.
As I rode, my runes glowed. They locked me into my saddle and back brace. I strengthened and hardened my jousting lance. I got the feeling that Harbinger had done this before. She nodded, I smiled.
I reached my starting place and turned toward their champion. He lowered his lance I lowered mine. His mount leaped toward me.
Harbinger and I waited calmly. We were forcing his steed to use more of his endurance and strength to run further. When he reached the halfway point, I felt Harbinger gathering herself. She didn't rare-up she dug her talons in and bolted out. She was at a full gallop in three strides.
Time slowed for me. The distance between us was closing fast. I leaned into my lance aiming my lance for his chest. I saw him change his aiming point for Harbingers chest. At the last second Harbinger lunged using her front taloned foot to deflect his lance over and up missing us both.
My lance held true and shattered as it struck his chest. His rune's magic broke and my lance went into his chest and was sticking out his back. He hit the ground and did not move.
I could tell he was dead.
I started to turn when an arrow hit me in my back. It did not penetrate my armor. Harbinger whirled, and I caught a second arrow on my shield deflecting it.
Both armies shouted at this treachery. The two archers were standing at the King's Pavilion. Both were notching their next arrows when two stone dogs rose from the ground attacking them. I told them to eat them right there.
No one moved to stop the dogs. I rode to the pavilion. The King stepped forward. "They can stop now I think you've made your point."
"I wasn't making a point that was the punishment for shooting me in the back. They were under your orders." That was as far as the King let me get.
"You bore me boy, go back to your King so your betters can conclude our business."
Harbinger's guise dropped, and she roared. One thousand snarling war dogs breached the ground. A giant dragon rose from the river screaming its challenge. I dropped their King down to his waist into the ground.
Neither army moved. "You interrupt me again and I'll be dealing with your heir, the next King." He had turned white with fear.
"Do something," He shouted, "help your King." I waited. No one
came to his defense. He sagged in defeat.
I dismounted Harbinger, "As I was saying. Those men were under your orders, so their dishonor is on you. For this breach of honor, you have one hour to reach a settlement with King John. If, after one hour, no settlement is reached I'll kill you and deal with your son."
"You." I pointed to a man, "ride over to the other side and ask King John to come meet with your King." He nodded and rode out.
The two blood covered dogs that had eaten the archers moved over and sat staring at the King.
I took out my staff and changed to a Mage guise. Nothing fancy, an old man with long gray hair, in dark blue and red robes, with crazy blue eyes.
King John arrived and walked into the pavilion. I dropped him down to his waist into the ground.
"Now you both have motivation to reach a settlement, and end this. You have one hour to settle, or I'll kill the two of you and deal with your sons."
"If they can't settle, I'll make myself King of Hinterland and settle, then take my army home. Your time starts now."
"Can't you do anything with him? He's your Mage." King Manfred said.
"He's not my Mage."
"I'm no one's Mage. I'm my own. No one owns me. And you're wasting time." I walked out.
After thirty minutes of no negotiations I dropped them down to their armpits and made the ground warmer. That got them started. With fifteen minutes left I dropped them down to their necks. With two minutes left, there still was no agreement.
I looked at the two dogs, "dig them up then eat them." The dogs jumped up and started digging. They were throwing dirt everywhere. The Kings were screaming and shouting.
"Wait! Wait!"
I let the dogs stop, "you have something to say before I serve lunch?"
"We agree!"
"What is the agreement?"
"Hinterland will give King John ten new ships, five warships and five cargo ships." I nodded and looked at King John.
"Princess Maddison will marry their Prince."
"When will the wedding take place?"
"When the ten ships are delivered."
"Not good enough, they will marry today."
"Impossible you can expect a Princess to marry in one day," King John said.
I knelt down and looked at him. My eyes turned red. All the war dogs started growling and barking, the dragon screamed and moved toward the Pavilion. "Isn't that exactly what you did to the boy named Ghost, great and honorable King John?"
He looked at the ground. I waited. "They will marry today."
"You King Manfred, you shall remain here at Vigil Castle until they deliver the ten new ships to Port West Gate."
He nodded," agreed."
I turned to the pages, "send word and have your Prince brought here. You," I pointed to another, "send word to have Princess Madison brought here."
The two nodded and left.
Chapter twenty-five
Prince Manfred II returned within minutes; Princess Maddison took longer.
When she walked into the pavilion escorted by Prince Kade. She was in a rage. Seeing her father buried up to his neck snapped her out of it.
Before she could say anything, "You are to marry Prince Manfred as part of our settlement."
She blinked her eyes several times. "I cannot, I am already married."
"Your husband is dead Princess." I said.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I killed him, and the other Mage. You killed his heart; I killed his body."
She abruptly sat down on the ground, tears running down her face. "We have no priest." She said.
"Your father, as King of the realm, will tie the knot." She hung her head. I raised the Kings up from the ground and gave King John the royal blue rope. The Prince and the Princess stepped forward facing the King. Prince Kade moved closer to me, observing the ceremony.
King John tied the knot. "As your father, and King of the realm I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." As he did, her eyes said she was elsewhere.
"At least he's not old and fat," Kade mumbled for my ears. I smiled. News quickly spread of the settlement, and that there would be no more fighting. cheers went up, and celebrations started.
While everyone's attention was on the newly married couple, the stone dogs, the dragon, Harbinger and I sank into the ground.
✽✽✽
There was a celebration in Vigil Castle that night. I was not invited.
I assumed the newlyweds consummated their vows. Unless she killed him, which I doubted. It was late the following day when Prince Kade returned to the company. He joined me in the Command Wagon for dinner.
"How was the celebration?"
"Not much celebration. The only good thing to come out of this," He looked at me. "Well, one of the good things to come out of this was there is no war. You saved a lot of lives by intervening. I am truly sorry about what happened between you and Maddie."
I shrugged my shoulders, "better to find out early rather than later after we had, had children." We left it at that.
"King Manfred became a guest of Vigil Castle until they deliver the promised ships."
"Unless his son decides now is a good opportunity to make himself King and keeps his ships and his new Queen."
Prince Kade laughed, "what an irony that would be." He became somber. "Prince Luke’s injuries were too great for the medicos to save him. Prince Mathew is now the Crown Prince. Which I suppose, in the grand scheme of things is better for the Kingdom. He will remain at Vigil Castle until his succession to the throne."
"The King and half his army leaves on the morrow taking Luke home for burial. I have been ordered to return with him. He blames me for not helping keep Ghost under control. It seems I have fallen from favor. I feel he is about to strip lands from me to pay his Knights for coming to fight for him, as he has no ready gold to pay them. He had hoped to take King Manfred's gold."
"Half the Hinterland's army left for home this morning. Prince Manfred and Princess Maddison will follow with the other half of their army by week's end. Once they have departed, the rest of the King's army will go back to the capital."
"Then back to Port West Gate?"
"Who can say, the succession has not changed for me. I may be sent back to the army." We moved outside and cared for our horses. Harbinger loved the attention. Like all the other soldiers we looked to our equipment's repair and care. Those chores done, we sat outside by our fire. I brought out a bottle of wine.
"What took you so long?"
"You always get into trouble when you drink."
"Not always, I didn't last night."
"Why, did the King threaten you?"
"Of course not... The Duchess did." We laughed; I poured the wine.
"I forgot; The King was looking for the 'Crazy Mage'. I think he wants to hire him." he said laughing. I chuckled.
"What are your plans, brother?"
I shrugged my shoulders, "I guess that's up to you, I'm still sworn to you."
He shook his head, thinking, "no longer, I release you from your bond. But I hope our friendship remains."
"Our friendship was never in danger and remains strong. Truth be told, you are my only friend. What of Black Stag Keep?"
"We must wait and see what the King decides about my lands. What of the Black Stag Mercenary Company?"
"My suggestion would be to use Black Stag Keep as a training area for the company. Use the company as your army, and guards at your castle at Port West Gate. I supposed that also depends on the King. If the companies want to that is. Ask the Sergeant Major, when I met him, he was about to retire. This may work for him."
"Thatcher!"
"Yes Captain," came an answering call as he ran toward our fire.
"Find the Sergeant Major and ask him to join me at my fire please."
"Yes, Captain."
We waited for the Sergeant Major to join us.
"Good evening Sir, he said as he approached."
; "Good evening Sergeant Major, please sit with us."
"Thank you, sir." He sat down.
"I have a proposition for you after your winter contract is up." He nodded, not saying anything. "I will make Black Stag Keep the training area for my army. I'd like you to run it and train men for my army and to guard Black Stag and Port West Gate."
He looked at me then back to Prince Kade. "What of Captain de Crypta?"
"Dead I'm afraid."
The Sergeant Major looked at me. "Sorry to hear that, if I could have had him for ten more years, he would have made a good Captain. I will say this, he was the best supply officer I ever had. But they would have caught him eventually and hung him for a cattle or horse theft. Good man he was, not that I'd say it in front of him, might swell his head, him being a Mage and all."
"Yes, I know what you mean, he thought he knew everything. Like those overnight forts I had him build, he said he thought of it first."
"Ah, the bloody Romans thought of them, now didn't they?"
"That's what I said."
A small stone dog came out of the ground, walked over and peed on the Sergeant Majors boot. Then went back into the ground.
"See what happens when you speak ill of the dead." I said. I could not hold a straight face any longer. We all busted out laughing. We poured the Sergeant Major a cup of wine.
"What think you, Sergeant Major? Is that something that would interest you and the men? No more going off to war."
He took a swallow of wine. "I think we would Sir. I was ready to retire from that life anyway. Training your army would be right easy life compared to our past."
"Good, you will take the company and return to Black Stag. I'll return from the Capital as quickly as I can. We'll discuss the finer points then. You will leave behind the last of the Hinterland Army. Trail them to our border. Once you've seen them off, take the route home using the overnight forts."
"Yes Sir, thank you for the wine Sir. Good night, gentlemen."
"Good night Sergeant Major." We replied. I poured us another cup of wine.
"I would ask a favor."
I nodded, "You want me to close off the pass at the border?" He nodded. "Done."
"Where will you go next my friend?"
Hand Made Mage Page 21
