“It has been an eventful summer,” I repeated. For everyone. Let’s get back to Talry. I feel a sudden urge for matrimony.”
“I hope it isn’t catching,” he quipped. “Though I doubt I’m the type . . .” he trailed off.
“You’re a fifteen-year old Knight Mage, Tyn – believe me, you’ll have offers. But no settling down for you, yet. I’m going to arrange for you to go to Inrion Academy, where I went, and get you a firmer grounding in the basics of Imperial magic. And I’ll also expect you to continue training as a warmagi. I’m sending Rondal to Inrion, too, so you’ll be together. Just for the winter quarter, to start. After I get established in my estate, I’ll send for you both, and then the real fun will begin: figuring out how to defeat the Dead God.”
“Why are we in such a hurry to leave here?”
“The stench of bodies, the goblins, the dragon – those I could deal with. But I don’t want to be within a day’s march of Rardine. That girl is vicious. And she’ll cause us trouble, one day. Besides Alya’s pregnant and I want to be there for her—”
“No, Master, you really don’t,” assured my apprentice, insistently.
“Yes, I do,” I said. “I want to marry her by Yule, and get to our new holdings by Spring, in time for the baby to be born. I’m done being a Spellmonger, done being a Warmage. I want to settle down to the quiet life of a country Magelord. Whatever that means.”
He looked at me thoughtfully. “You think you’ll be able to, with all that political stuff going on?”
I looked out across the scarred battlefield again, and tried to imagine all of the Riverlands like this. It could happen – would happen – if I didn’t do my job right.
“Probably not,” I agreed. “But I’m going to try for as long as I can.”
The End
Next . . . Volume 3 of the Spellmonger Series: Magelord!
Coming in 2013!
Dramatis Personae
Minalan the Spellmonger
Tyndal, his apprentice
Rondal, his apprentice
Alya, his girlfriend/wife
Pentandra, his ex-girlfriend
Master Osirigo – Penny’s father
The Magi
The Veteran Bovali Warmagi
Minalan the Spellmonger, First High Mage
Terleman
Carmella
Azar
Wenek
Hesia
Horka
Three Gilmoran magi
Curmor
Mavone
Astyral
Delman
Rustallo
Reylan
Taren
Pentandra
Rolof (Not participating in the war at this time)
Other High Magi
Tyndal
Rondal
Master Cormaran
Lanse of Bune
Master Thinradel
Master Dunselen
Isily of Brawin
Master Icorod of Vendomere
Forondal of Scaford
Bendonal the Outlaw
Sarakeem of Merwin
The Castali Expeditionary Force
500 The Hellriders, a red stallion is their standard. Kaddel of Wenshar is their captain Light horse, spears and swords, five-hundred strong, well armed and horsed and used to hard work.
500 Nirodi Free Mounted Archers, Captain Rogo Redshaft
500 Warbirds – Five hundred heavy infantry, led by Sir Pendolan of Kayfier. They fly a raven standard.
1000 Orphan’s Band. Light infantry and support, half archers, excellent sentries and pickets. Their standard is a boar’s head and their captain is Bold Asgus.
Lieutenant Sardkis
Ancient Fargal
Ancient Raric
Warbrother Caudel – Priest of Duin
1000 Kavial’s Company, 1000 medium cavalry. Sir Kavial of Kelaer. A company of well-mounted sergeants and a few knights, equipped to travel light.
Sir Vorgal,Lieutenant
Sir Makan of Wenshar, deputy
Alshari Wilderlands Lords
Sire Geston of Grimly – lord of Grimly Wood
Baron “Iron” Magonas of Greenhill
Baron Raskean of Farenrose Warden of the North
Count Jendan of Autumnly. Warden of the North
Sire Escut of Honeyhall
Ozzig the Black – Lord of the Pearwoods Clans
Castali Ducal Council:
Duke Rard
Duchess Grendine
Countess Rardine: Daughter of the Duke and Duchess
Tavard III, Son and Heir
Lady Arnet: the Duke’s cousin and the Minister of Lands and Estates
Master Dunselen: Court Mage of Castal
Count Kindine the Prime Minister
Lord Angrial of Alshar, the official Ducal envoy from that Duchy.
Count Sago, Lord Marshal
Lord Maron: Counselor of the West
Count Moray: Ducal Advisor
Lord Reiman of Lancelawn, Ducal Scribe
Lord Seajack – Castellan of the Tower of Honor
Baron Penegal – Baron of Wilderhall, member of court by courtesy
Sire Dasuos
Lord Moran
Lord Moray
Sire Donaro
Viscount Asipian
Lord Efert of Morilla
Baron Uins
Viscount Poramar
Sire Roald of Greenfield
Alshari Ducal Court:
Duke Lenguin
Duchess Enora
Count Venn of Darlake – Prime Minister of Alshar (In Falas)
Master Thinradel, Court Mage
Count Marcandine – Lord Marshal of Alshar
Count Brayan. Marshal of the Wilderlands
Grand Master Saleppo – ineffective Alshari Censor
Baron Jenerard, Lord of the Coasts - Secret agent of the Rat King.
Vicountess Threanas – Lady of the Treasury
Sir Daranal – Head of the Ducal Palace Guard, intelligence
Lady Arasma – Ducal court secretary
Lord Andrien, Court Herald;
Count Gallanan, the Warden of the North
The Spellmonger Series: Book 02 - Warmage Page 83
