Setting his sword aside, Thad picked the leather armor that had been one of his two gifts from the Vathari mage Sae-Thae. The armor was made from the hide of the large lizards that lived in the underearth. It had two golden stripes running down the center of its chest. On the left chest, it was engraved with a black star along with a green and red dot that shimmered slightly. On the right side was a silvery star with traces of white with a golden orb below it. Not only were the symbols fetching, but they displayed his skill with magic in the style of the Mage’s Tower before the time of the Fae War.
Setting the armor aside, Thad picked up his other gift from his Vathari friend. A cloak made of an unknown material that seemed to soak in any light that neared it. Thad had taken particular care of his cloak as it was more than a piece of clothing. If used correctly, it was also a weapon.
A rap on his door drew his attention. Setting down his cloak, Thad turned as the door opened, and Maria walked in. Seeing the queen shocked Thad slightly—not her presence, but the fact that she was in his personal quarters. Not once since his return to the palace had she ever entered his quarters.
“Thad, do you have a moment?” Maria asked, her voice sounding unsure.
“I am at your command, my queen,” Thad replied, his tone welcoming but questioning.
“My queen, Your Majesty—there was a time you used to call me by my name,” Maria said, the longing evident in her eyes. “Please. If only when we are alone, call me Maria once again. I know I cannot stop you from going to Digger’s Fort. I have given up on that course,” Maria added sadly.
“Maria, things are not the same as when we were kids. You are no longer a princess, free to sneak through the passages to visit me while I hide in the sewers from the eyes of your mother. You are now the queen of Farlan, and I am a mage. To the eyes of most, I am still only a slave,” Thad said, walking over to the window that looked over the city. “No matter how much you wish it, your nobles will never accept me as anything more than that. Maybe by the time your children’s children take the throne, things will have changed, but even that is only a dream unless we survive the attack from Rane.”
“Did you know my mother hated the labels as much as I do? It wasn’t until long after I was forced from the palace that I truly understood that,” Maria said, walking up behind Thad, placing her hand softly on his shoulder. “Did you know that Bren was my father? I never understood why Mother always kept him around, but now that I’m older, I think I am starting to.”
“I lost both of them, Thad,” Maria said brokenly, tears streaming down her face. “Bren died helping me escape the palace, and Mother was killed when I returned. I don’t want to lose you as well. Please. No matter what happens, come back. I don’t care if you never show me the kindness you did when we were children. I don’t care if you never hold me as I wish you would. Just please don’t leave me alone.”
Turning around, Thad hugged Maria tightly. She was his first true friend, and he had treated her coldly since his return. Part of it was due to Brianna. Thad felt that anything he did would be an insult to her memory. The rest was his own pain, both new and old, but he forgot that he was not the only one who had suffered in his life. “Maria, I will return,” Thad replied confidently. “If for no other reason than to make sure you don’t become as cold as your mother seemed.”
CHAPTER IX
Thad was settled and ready when the Katanga forces moved out. He had thought about waiting to leave with the mages, but he knew that for each day he dallied, the harder it would be to leave.
Thad spent most of the march to Digger’s Fort on foot, running beside the Katanga troops. Thad had watched them during his own morning practice, but their morning routine still astounded him. Each morning before the sun rose, the soldiers were up and going through forms and drills. They didn’t use practice swords, and to receive a blow only meant that you were not paying attention and thus deserved it. Thad had seen disciplined troops before, but the Katanga took it to a whole new level.
Even on foot, the trip to Digger’s Fort that had taken him three hard days of riding had been accomplished in only five days. It was a simple yet brutal method; they ran, stopping every few hours to check their boots, and anyone who fell behind was left behind without remorse.
Upon their arrival at Digger’s Fort, they were met by a happy and very welcoming army of Farlan soldiers. The Katanga forces immediately started setting up their tents as Thad and Killian headed to the commander’s quarters to discuss the war that was now threatening to start all too soon.
“Master Torin, I would say it is good to see you, but I doubt you are bringing good news this late in the winter,” General Bache said soon after the two entered.
“You would be right,” Thad replied. “We believe that the last of the snow has fallen. As soon as snows begin to melt, I believe our friends will be visiting us.”
“What is your battle plan for when the Rane army marches on the fort?” Killian asked bluntly.
“I don’t believe I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance,” Bache replied with a sharp edge to his voice.
“This is Killian,” Thad explained hastily. “He is the leader of the Katanga soldiers that I have brought with me to reinforce your troops.”
“Ah … then let me welcome you,” Bache said, his tone much friendlier than before. “Under Master Thad’s orders, we have been digging tunnels wide enough for two soldiers to stand abreast underneath the fort. They extend about five hundred yards in all directions. The plan is simple. The mages will shield our troops from arrows as we attack from a defended position. Once night falls, our men will head out and circle behind them and hit them where we can then run back to the fort through the tunnels. Should they be followed, the tunnels have been rigged to collapse. Once we know the fort is lost, we shall use the rear tunnels to escape west and south. We know we can’t win with the force we currently command, even with the reinforcements, but we shall try and hold them at bay until we are forced all the way back to the capital.”
“That is a workable plan,” Killian observed. “Do you know the number they will march against us?”
“The last reports vary, but not in a good way,” Bache replied. “At the very least, the count of their force is over eighteen thousand. At the most, over twenty-five thousand. We don’t believe they will commit the full force of their army at first. The border between our countries is not large, and the more troops they commit, the harder it will be to supply them food in the field. We believe that between six and eight thousand will come in their first wave. They will test us, and their officers will report back with the numbers of reinforcements they will require.”
“That would be the sound thing to do under the conditions. Until the forces arrive, me and mine will scout the tunnels and surrounding areas so that we may be of better use when needed. All my men have either longbows or crossbows, but we have not brought an inexhaustible supply of arrows and bolts. How are your stores? Should we need to restock?” Killian asked, his mind running through various scenarios.
“Lindy, bring me the armory reports!” General Bache yelled. Within a few moments, a young officer with short blond hair came running from the back room, carrying a small bundle of parchment. Bache flipped through the stack, running his finger through the various numbers. “We had enough supplies for our troops plus 30 percent. It will last us but not more than a handful of days if the battle continues for extended periods of time.”
“I would suggest you start making more, but I doubt the materials are around for good fletching in this season,” Killian replied, his brow furrowed in thought.
“I will dispatch a messenger to the queen, asking for further supplies. I don’t know what she will be able to procure, but anything would be a benefit,” Bache replied. “I don’t mean to rush you two gentlemen, but there are things that need my attention, and I am sure the same is true of you. Should you need anything, you know where I can be found.”
Thad and
Killian left the commander’s quarters and headed back to the large force that had started forming their camp up in the center of the fort. Thad mentioned to Killian that there were still some bunks left available for a portion of his men, but the old warrior assured him that he and his men preferred to be in the open, where they could react more quickly should the need arise.
Killian offered to give Thad a tent. The young mage thought about it and agreed. The barracks might have been warmer, but his last visit had left him bereft of sleep, and that was something he was sorely going to need.
Thad’s tent was the same size and color of the others, and inside, he found it much warmer than he had anticipated. The lining of the tent was made of a thick animal hide with two thick layers of fur that blocked out the harsh wind. Looking at the tent, Thad wondered how they had condensed them down to nothing more than a small bundle that could be carried on a march.
As night settled, Thad started working with some of the supplies he had brought with him. Pulling out a large supply of metal and small gem shards, Thad began making magical slugs. The gems were not strong, and any enchantment they were used for would not stand the test of time, but they would suit his purpose.
It was tedious work, but it was one of the few things he was certain would be effective. No use of grand magic would solve this problem. Magic, Thad thought to himself. How many times had he foolishly rushed into danger thinking his magic would save him only to find himself in dire straits? He had been warned many times over and had shrugged off those warnings and continued on. Looking back at each choice he had made, Thad nearly laughed.
“Something on your mind?” Killian asked, standing just inside the entrance flap of the tent. So engrossed in his own ponderings, Thad had not even noticed the warrior enter.
“What would you think of a man who continued to make the same mistakes over and over?” Thad asked, shaking his head.
“That would depend on the man,” Killian replied, taking a seat on the ground next to Thad. “We do not view men the same way you do, my friend. A Katanga warrior is only allowed to watch during his first five battles. It does not matter if that takes a fortnight or three summers. His next ten battles, he is paired with a mentor or battle master. After that, if he continues to make the same mistake, then he is reduced to a less important role within the tribe until he begins to show wisdom.”
“I always seem to rush into danger without thinking,” Thad said, holding one of the small gem shards and peering into it. “I think I know what I should do and how best to prepare, but each time, I find myself in far deeper than I could have imagined. Looking back now, I can see hundreds of ways I could have done better.” Thad’s voice was morose, and the self-loathing was evident.
“Had anyone ever been there to guide your hand before?” Killian asked, his voice stern but sounding oddly comforting to Thad’s ears.
“I was taught at the slave academy the proper way to conduct myself during battle, as well as tactical preparation,” Thad replied sheepishly.
“Books can be of great help, but they cannot replace experience. You are still young, and rashness is the mark of youth. Take from those experiences and learn from them. Do your best not to repeat them in the future. If I had a copper for every young soldier who thought he knew better and shrugged off the words of wisdom from his elder, I could build a road of gold uniting the entire land of Kurt. May I ask—what would you have done in those situations had you not had your magic?” Killian asked warmly.
“I don’t know,” Thad replied honestly. “Most of the time, I just went with the flow, acting on impulse, but when I was in Rane, I had time to think everything out. I had plenty of time to plan, and I still didn’t think things through properly. If I didn’t have my magic, I would have tried to follow each member to their homes and ambush them. Thinking about it now, that would have been the best course to follow overall.”
Killian laughed so hard tears began to well in his eyes. “Would you like to know what your problem is?” he asked, the laughter still echoing in his voice. “You play to your strengths too much. A man who is good with a horse will always try to find a way to fight in the saddle, but when inside a house, it doesn’t work too well. Not every situation will call for magic. Sometimes you must forget what your strengths are and focus on your weaknesses. A man who is slow on the ground should not pick a battle where being fleet of foot is needed. Know where you are weak, and you will increase your ability to survive tenfold.”
“I will take that into account,” Thad replied, giving the stout warrior a weak smile. “Why did you come to my tent? I doubt it was to hear me bemoan my own follies.”
“We received word from our larger force that they have marched through the winter and should be arriving shortly. My best guess would be that they will be able to join us after the initial attack, but before the Rane forces receive their reinforcements. This will add a great deal to our advantage, but not if we let Rane spies slip past our line of defense. On that measure, I have sent a small group of my men to patrol to border, looking for anyone trying to pass.”
“Why, tell me, shouldn’t you report directly to the general?” Thad asked, more than slightly confused.
“You, I have come to know over the days we have spent training,” Killian replied, smiling. “You are still young, but you have a decent head on your shoulders when you stop to use it. The general, on the other hand, I know nothing about and have had no order from the queen to listen to the man. If you think he should be made aware of this news, then I will leave it up to you to tell him.” Killian stood and gave Thad one last fierce look. “We may be mercenaries, but we do not follow the orders. We are given a mission, and we decide the best way to accomplish it. This time, we have been tasked with keeping the Rane forces off of Farlan soil, and for that, we may work with your army, but we will not heed any commands that we do not agree with.”
As Thad watched the older man leave, he thought about their conversation. He had made many mistakes, sometimes the same ones he had before. More than once, he had rushed ahead without thinking. That was in the past, though.
You really think you can simply decide to think before acting? I would love to see you use your brain for more than parting your ears, but I don’t think it will be as simple as you think.
“I have to start somewhere, Thuraman,” Thad replied to his staff defensively.
I hope it’s not just a start. I don’t enjoy having to watch you fumble around like a beggar after a dropped coin.
Ignoring Thuraman’s further comments, Thad went back to work on enchanting the metal slugs. With no more snow coming and the air warming up fast, it would only be a matter of days before the Rane forces decided it was time to move. There was always the off chance that they would hold and make sure nothing else was coming in fear of a freak blizzard, but Thad doubted it. The weather in western Kurt was fairly stable, and once the air began to warm, it usually meant the end for the cold weather.
As the night wore on, Thad started to wear down fast. There never seemed to be enough time for everything that needed to be done. Many of the soldiers around the camp often said that most of their time was spent in a hurry to do nothing but wait, but for Thad, he never seemed to have enough time to rest.
Exiting his tent, Thad looked up into the sky and noticed that the moon was out in full brilliance. The sound of faint drums could be heard in the distance, and Thad knew that the elves were not far away. Looking over to the eastern side of the camp, Thad noticed Monique walking out of the door to her cottage.
For a brief moment, Thad thought about going and talking to his old friend, but he dismissed the idea. There was little he had to say to his friend, and the tension around the troops was almost palpable, and Thad doubted that Monique was taking the pending war any easier. He had not spent much time with Monique lately, but he knew that she cared deeply for her new husband, and women never seemed to take the idea of their lovers heading into war easily.
S
lipping back into his tent, Thad pulled out his sleep roll and bundled up tightly. The air was still cold, but it was much warmer than it had been only a fortnight before. Shivering lightly, Thad tucked his chin close to his chest and closed his eyes.
As he slept, Thad found himself drifting in the murky darkness. He had not found himself in the familiar darkness for some time. As his mind cleared and the darkness receded, Thad found himself in an unknown room. It was easily twice the size of his quarters at the palace with a large canopy bed that could easily fit ten people.
“Is everything going OK?” Thad heard a musical voice say from behind him.
Turning around, Thad found Maria standing behind him, wearing a thin light red lace nightgown. Thad had seen Maria in all kinds of garbs, but nothing as revealing as what she now wore. Thad tried to think of an answer, but the words that came out of his mouth were far from intelligible.
Maria stepped closer, her smile growing larger by the second. She leaned in and kissed Thad hard. It was soft and warm, and Thad could smell the faint scent of honey. Thad turned his head slightly and closed his eyes, and Brianna flashed through his mind.
“I can’t,” Thad said hesitantly as he pushed Maria away.
“You cannot push me away forever,” Maria responded hotly. “One day, you will have to notice me.”
“I can see you,” Thad replied, holding firmly on to Maria’s shoulders, warmly rubbing them.
Maria shrugged off Thad’s hands and pulled away. Thad was only left with the sad look in her eyes as the darkness once again folded in around him.
Master Mage Page 8
