by Jon Bender
They found the Lord near the front giving orders to several of his officers who then rode away to convey those orders to the men. The column began breaking up, forming a line that faced the general direction of the trees. The men began to check their weapons and armor in preparation. Many dismounted to ensure that the straps holding their saddles in place were secure to the horses.
The commander waved them over. His face was grim. “The riders I sent to search for General Blackburn’s force have just returned.”
“What did they find?” Jaxom asked, fearing to hear the news.
“The general was forced to seek cover in the forest against mage attacks. The Dradon and Azuria forces must not be far behind them, so we can expect a fight as soon as the general arrives. He should be here within the hour,” Wilbrin said.
“Any news of Lady Celia?” Jaxom asked.
“My man says she was with them. He also said they have been chased for three days and are tired with many injured,” Wilbrin said. “I believe the king gave me such a small force because he expected the General to turn and fight with us. If they are in such bad shape, our task will be much more difficult.”
Just then, Tamrick and Danika rode up to join them. Jaxom was surprised at how much they looked alike. Both had long blond hair, but Tamrick’s stopped at his shoulders while his sister’s was tied in a tight braid that hung down to her mid back. The siblings wore bright green robes. Their sun-tanned skin and soft features made them two of the handsomest people he had ever seen.
“It is good you are here,” Wilbrin said. “I will be spreading my men out to meet the enemy, and I would like the four of you to space yourselves evenly behind them to give cover.”
“We will do what is required of us,” Tamrick said.
“Do we know how many mages and what schools they are from?” Danika asked.
“Our scouts found at least one ice mage,” Jaxom said.
“Speaking of which, where are your flying creatures?” Wilbrin asked.
“They will be here,” Jaxom replied, though he secretly hoped that Adriana and Brenin would arrive after it was all over. If Adriana knew what he was thinking, she would be angry with him.
“An ice mage…” Darian said quietly to himself. Catching Lord Wilbrin’s look of concern, he quickly reassured him. “Do not worry my Lord. I will not seek the mage out, but I would relish a chance to see who is the stronger.
Wilbrin nodded but did not seem completely convinced. “I have to check on the men, so I will leave you to decide where you will be.”
As Wilbrin rode away, the mages conferred.
“I will take the right flank,” Darian said. “From there I will be able to cast without fear of hitting our own men.”
“I will take the center near you. We have always worked well together, and I see no reason to change that now,” Danika said. Jaxom saw a twinkle in the woman’s eye and noticed that Darian seemed to fidget a little in his saddle.
Her brother seemed amused by the exchange but said nothing. He looked to Jaxom. “That leaves us with the left. Would you prefer the flank or center?”
Jaxom knew the grim reality. Most of the casualties would be at the center, so his magic would most useful there. “I will take the center, if you have no objection.”
“None,” the green mage replied. He moved his horse closer to his sister and leaned over to hug her. “Be safe, mother and father would never forgive me if something happened to you.”
“You worry too much, Tamrick,” she said, smiling.
“We should go,” she said leading her horse away.
Darian moved his horse closer and offered his hand to Tamrick who took it. Then he surprised Jaxom by doing the same for him. “Good luck,” the ice mage said and moved off after Danika.
The soldiers had taken their places, where they waited for the inevitable chaos. They had lined themselves into four ranks and most stood talking quietly among themselves. Tamrick moved off behind the formation with Jaxom riding beside him. “So you are the death mage who is advisor to the king. I have heard much about you and wish we could have met under better circumstances,” Tamrick said.
“As do I,” Jaxom replied. “I have not known Darian long, but I feel he is a man I can trust. If he calls you friend, I hope that I can trust you as well.”
“Trust is earned. I know that you are not welcomed by Serin and those who support him, but you should know that many of us believe you should have been offered a place in the castle,” Tamrick said.
The statement stirred old memories of resentment in Jaxom. “Serin would not allow it?”
“He and others still harbor prejudices against your school. I do not know why. It seems to be something that stems back to Mage Wars,” he said. “Truth be told, I think he feels threatened by you. He was adamant about none of us having contact.”
“You do not approve of how he manages the mages?” Jaxom asked.
The other mage gave him a measuring look. “Darian should not be voicing our internal conflicts, especially to one so close to the king. But no, I do not approve.” He stopped his horse. “This is where we part company. Good luck. I hope to see you after.” Jaxom turned to regard the forest in front of him. He tried his best to calm his mind in preparation. A short time later, the first riders came through the trees at a run. Seeing the king’s forces, they ran straight forward, and the line parted to let them pass. They looked exhausted. Many bore wounds wrapped in makeshift bandages. As more poured out of the trees, he spotted one rider with long blond hair trailing behind. He made his way over to her.
Seeing him, she turned her horse in his direction. “Jaxom, I’m so happy you’re here! I was afraid we wouldn’t make it.”
Dirt and blood stained her clothing and face, and the dents and scrapes on her plate armor attested to how bad it had been. Her eyes were ringed by dark circles. “You’re here now,” he said gently. “I promise to pour you a hot bath and cook you a meal myself once this is over,” he said.
She stared at him for a moment before tears welled in her eyes. She reached out for him. He hugged her awkwardly on horseback as she sobbed into his shoulder. He could not find the words to comfort her. Quickly, she regained her composure and leaned away from him. Beyond the streaks that tears had made in the dirt on her face, none would have known what had just happened. Looking around, she waved to a man riding toward the line. General Blackburn looked as bad off as she, but from his hard expression, he seemed simply out for an afternoon ride in the woods.
“I’m glad to see, General,” Jaxom said, offering his hand.
The general shook it with no less strength than he always had. “Me too, lad. There were a few times back there when I thought I would finally be able to lay down and take a break, but somehow I survived,” he said looking around. “Who leads you?”
“Lord Wilbrin is in command,” Jaxom said pointing to the plated lord who rode hard towards them.
Reining in his horse, Wilbrin brought his fist to chest in salute. “I see they haven’t killed you yet, General.”
“Not yet, My Lord, but the day isn’t over. How are you set here?” Nelix asked.
“What you see is what you get,” Wilbrin said, waving his hand at the line of soldiers. “We have four mages with us, including Magus Jaxom here. Do you know how many the enemy has and how far behind they are?”
“At least three from the ice, fire, and earth schools, but there could be more,” Nelix replied. “They’ve been after of us for three days, so they will be tired. That could give us the advantage.”
“Do wish to take command?” Wilbrin said.
“No, I will reform my men who are not too injured to fight and send the rest on. Celia, will you see to it?” he said looking to her. She brought her fist to her breast plate and moved her horse off toward where the new arrivals were milling about and catching their breath. In that simple gesture of respect, Jaxom could see how much she had changed in the last few weeks. “We will support your line wh
erever it falters, but I am afraid my men are in no condition to lead a charge.”
“I think you and your men have done enough, General. We can handle it from here. Maybe they will decide that they do not wish to fight today,” Wilbrin said, saluting again before riding away to the center of the formation. Nelix nodded at Jaxom then rode off to join his men.
When Celia and Blackburn had reformed their men, Jaxom estimated that over half had continued north, which left around two hundred and fifty to stay and fight. Horns blew all along the line, giving the signal to ready themselves as the first of the enemy soldiers moved out from the trees to form a line of their own. Jaxom did a rough count and concluded that the estimations of both Adriana and Nelix had been off. Over twelve hundred southerners in black armor stood facing them across the narrow clearing. Horns blew again, and the enemy began moving their horses forward. The Ale’adarians moved to meet them. Jaxom kept pace with the men in front of him, realizing that he would have to be much closer to be of any use. Urging his horse to a faster pace, he drew his skull-hilted sword and moved into the rear of the line. Two men made room for him, nodding their approval.
The horns sounded again, and the men on both sides roared as they charged at one another. The clash of steel on steel was deafening. Pressing forward, Jaxom swung his sword at any of the enemy who came close. The charge quickly changed into hundreds of duels as men on horseback fought back and forth. One enemy soldier, seeing him wearing only his black shirt and pants and thinking him an easy target, rushed forward swinging a sword at Jaxom’s chest. Jaxom parried the blow, throwing it out wide then whipping back to cut deeply into the chainmail-covered arm of his opponent. Screaming, the man thrust the tip of his sword at Jaxom’s stomach. With no other choice, Jaxom pulled back on the reins, forcing his horse away and avoiding the blade. The southerner had overreached, allowing Jaxom to swing and connect solidly with the man’s chest, knocking him to the ground where he lay unmoving.
Seeing one of his men being pressed hard by two attackers, Jaxom urged his horse forward to strike a blow on the back of one of the men. The chainmail he wore deflected most of the blow, sending small metal links and blood flying through the air. Spinning his horse, the enemy soldier brought his mace down to crush Jaxom’s skull. Blocking the strike, he pushed the heavy weapon back and plunged his sword into the man’s chest. Withdrawing the bloodied blade, he looked to see the soldier he had tried to help fall right before his killer was impaled by a short spear.
The ground beneath him began to shake rhythmically, and he spotted a rock golem ten feet in height moving towards the fight on his right. When the animated stone was no more than a few of its large paces from the embattled men, vines sprouted beneath its legs, growing quickly up the rock body and slowing its approach. The golem tore at the plants, ripping them away only to have more replace them. More of the animated plants wrapped around its large arms. Like long green worms, they burrowed into its body, cracking the stone in many places. A few of the Ale’adarian soldiers began smashing the entangled creature with maces. Soon the whole thing crumbled to rubble.
Jaxom spotted the earth mage in brown robes, casting his hand downward. The ground in front of him began to buckle as he raised another golem. Cutting his way through two more of the enemy cavalry, Jaxom was ready to charge the earth mage when a shadow passed over him, quickly followed by two arrows streaking down from the sky. The first struck the mage in his shoulder while the second hit the neck of his horse, causing the animal to rear and throw him backwards to the ground. Recovering quickly, the mage slammed both hands into the dirt, causing it to erupt and form a dome of stone over him. Jaxom watched as Adriana loosed another arrow at one of the Southerners, taking him from the saddle before moving on. He could not help but smile at the woman’s prowess.
Returning his gaze to the fight around him, Jaxom was just in time to find three men rushing towards him. Releasing the reins he raised his hand, and the blight flowed forth. The dark, smokey tendrils wrapped around the men and their horses, and they collapsed, screaming, to the ground. Glancing around, Jaxom saw that they had lost many men near the center, and each of the Ale’adarians were fighting two or more Southerners. He cast again, and ten of the fallen rose to take up weapons, attacking the enemy soldiers.
Balls of fire began striking men all around him, one at a time. The enemy fire mage was singling out the Ale’darian soldiers from astride a dark brown mare. Looking almost bored, calmly flinging her hand out again and again, striking men down. Heeling his horse to speed, Jaxom charged. The fire mage fired three times in his direction, but Jaxom intercepted each cast with his sword. The blade pulsed with the energy it had just absorbed, and her expression quickly changing to one of worry.
She changed tactics, and a long cord of flame spilled from her hand all the way to the ground. She brought her hand back and then forward quickly, cracking the flame whip and forcing Jaxom to block it with his sword. The end of the whip burned a swath through his shirt and his shoulder. His sword could not absorb magic that was still directly under her control, a flaw he wished he had discovered earlier. Pulling back, she prepared for another strike, but Jaxom poured the blight forward, forcing her to create a shield of flame to burn away his cast. Her defensive move bought him the time he needed to retreat to a safe distance. The fire mage swirled the whip, waiting for him to advance. Raising his hand, Jaxom cast the black veil, filling the area around them till nothing could be seen save the glow of her weapon. When he was certain she could no longer see him, Jaxom circled to the right just as heat from a jet of flame filled the space he had occupied. Casting blindly, she had come close to burning him. Jaxom struck above the glow feeling the edge of his sword cut through flesh. The fire mage screamed. He struck again, higher this time, and the scream cut off abruptly as the light from the fire died with it.
Banishing the veil, he found the dead mage lying on the ground with a deep rent in her chest and one arm half severed. Looking back to the men fighting, he saw that the situation had not improved. The fire mage had done a lot of damage before he had taken her down. Half of the risen soldiers were down again, their heads destroyed or bodies chopped apart. Jaxom cast at the unmoving mage. She regained her feet, but the arm he had cut hung limply at her side, attached by a thin flap of muscle and skin. He quickly repaired the limb enough to make it functional again and commanded her to join the fight. He had expected the risen mage to charge forward, but instead it surprised him, using memories of who she had been to cast her own magic. Burning missiles began landing among the men again, this time striking only enemy soldiers. In a matter of seconds, the Ale’adarians had the upper hand and confusion took hold of the Southerners.
Jaxom turned his attention to Darian and Danika. The stone mage, still encased in a dome of stone with a small opening that allowed him to see, had raised half a dozen smaller golems. Much quicker than their larger cousin, they were causing havoc, attacking the horses and then the dismounted soldiers. Danika was having a difficult time countering them because they were too fast for the vines to be effective. Darian was battling another ice mage. Both had lost their horses, and neither seemed to be gaining an advantage. Bolts of ice smashed into each other midair, and streams of frost were met by more of the same.
Riding round the center of the fight, Jaxom moved into position behind the enemy ice mage who seemed only aware of Darian. Charging forward, he readied his sword to finish the distracted man and had to pull up short when a wall of ice sprang up in front of him. Circling around the obstruction, he gained more ground, and the enemy ice mage was forced to turn and face him, flinging two bolts of ice in his direction. Jaxom pointed his sword at the bolts and released the trapped energy. Balls of fire shot out in quick succession. One collided with an ice bolt, and the other two sped toward the mage, who was forced to block them with another wall. Jaxom ducked low against his horse as the second bolt flew above him, tearing a shallow cut along his back. Sitting back up, he saw the mage shudder
as a blue crystalized sword erupted through his chest. Darian stood behind him holding the other end. The Ale’adarian ice mage let the body slide to the ground in a heap.
Darian wore a grim look of satisfaction. “I thought you said you would not seek out the other ice mage,” Jaxom said.
The other man looked at him and shrugged. “I didn’t. He sought me out, and I was happy to oblige,” Darian replied.
Jaxom nodded and cast down to the dead ice mage. Darian jumped back, readying his ice sword, as the risen stood and awaited a command. “This one will help Danika with the earth mage,” Jaxom said. “Simply tell it what you want it to do.”
Darian nodded and looked to his new ally. “Follow me,” he told the risen unsteadily before heading toward Danika.
With a moment to think, he looked for Celia and Nelix and located them on the other side of the fight. A majority of the enemy had shifted in hopes of collapsing the flank. Adriana’s and Brenin’s arrows rained down on the enemy combats from above. At the center, the battle pressed towards his risen fire mage. Some Ale’adarians had encircled the risen mage to protect it from the enemy who were trying to destroy it. As the fighting continued, the Ale’adarians steadily gained the advantage.
Deciding that Celia and Nelix needed his help most, he moved his tired horse toward the thickest part of the battle. The animal labored for breath, and its movement had grown sluggish from fatigue. He braced himself then charged into the fray, swinging his sword in controlled strikes at any who came near. He was just finishing two enemies when Jaxom’s progress toward the center was stopped by a skilled adversary wearing silver decorated plate armor. The man fought calmly, as if he and Jaxom were simply sparring. His strikes were measured and never gave Jaxom an opening while his parries perfectly aligned to stop Jaxom’s attacks. Becoming frustrated, Jaxom considered casting the blight but could not gain a moment to do so. The Southerner kept his horse moving, forcing Jaxom to move with him or risk a blow from behind. Controlling his horse with one hand and wielding his sword with other, Jaxom could not find an opening to cast his magic.
