Stranded Mage

by D. W. Jackson

  You were too busy focusing on what had to be done, not on the best way to do it.

  Exhausted, Thad slung himself back against his bedroll laughing. Did he always have to do things the hard way? “Thuraman what would I do without you?” Thad asked, still laughing at himself.

  Honestly you would most likely have gotten yourself killed long before now.

  As Thad drifted off to sleep he couldn’t disagree with Thuraman’s statement. Most likely without its held and sometimes sarcastic help he would have long since been dead.

  Thad was rudely awoken the next morning by Tuck ungracefully tugging on his blankets. “Time to get up, Your Lordship,” Tuck yelled jokingly as Thad groggily sat up and opened his eyes.

  Looking in the sky Thad noticed that the sun was already well in the sky. If he had a choice he would have woken at first light but now with his body still weary and the prospects of another long day of enchanting he wasn’t so sure. At the moment Thad wanted nothing more than to crawl back in his covers and sleep the world away.

  As soon as Thad was fully awake Tuck handed him a thick piece of salted pork. It wasn’t the most desirable way to break his fast but it was better than boiled roots.

  After eating Thad went straight to work on a pair of the boots Reeve had left him. First he added a thin layer of metal to the top of the boot and inserted three gems. Normally he could have gotten away with two but if he wanted to do it right three would work much better. After only half an hour Thad had the first weak bindings flowing through the gems. Thad continued this process until five sets of the boots were finished then he turned his attention back to the sharpened sticks Parson have given him.

  He knew how to make the sticks stronger and sharper all he had to do was infuse them with magical energy and strengthen the materials that were already there. He could perform the same task with an enchanted item freeing himself up for other tasks but he would have to make sure the enchantment knew exactly what it was supposed to do.

  Pulling a rather large piece of gold from his pack Thad sat it down and started forcing his will upon it. Gold was soft and easy to manipulate and so with little trouble he was able to make it form into a circular plate, with four prongs to hold the sticks. In the first set of prongs Thad placed one of the finished sticks he had done the night before and willed the gold to hold it tight.

  Once he was sure the stick was secure in its resting place Thad picked up a handful of small emeralds. Making three lines of four emeralds each running in a straight line from the finished stick to the place where the raw material would be placed was easy. Thad never liked to work with gold. It was too easy to mar and damage but in this instance it allowed him to work easier and faster than he could with any hard metal.

  With the easy part of the task finished, Thad began on the next step of making the gems understand what they were meant to do. Making the sticks essentially had three parts; first fusing the stick with magical energy, second forcing the magical energy to bond to the wood and lastly letting a small coating of the energy harden along the edge. Each line of emeralds was given a separate task and each emerald in the line was given a different set of instruction for the given task. It was a time consuming process but it would allow a stick to be finished in little under an hour once it was finished.

  It was almost midday before Thad sat back from the golden plate. The process had taken far longer and a great deal more energy than he had anticipated. His tunic was soaked with sweat and his eyes were already beginning to blur. He would have been done a little earlier but Thad had decided to add one more gem that would glow lightly when the item was finished.

  Setting aside his finished work Thad quickly put a fresh sharpened stick into the waiting prongs. Letting his sight slip into the magical realm he watched as the enchanted item went to work. Slowly the gems began to gather the nature element and bond it to the wood. Thad watched for a few more moments making sure each set of stone did as they were meant to. Once he was sure everything was in order Thad let his sight slip back into the normal spectrum and pulled more gold from his pack.

  Thad wished he could use the same item to do all the strengthening but each one had to be made specifically and what worked on wood would not work on the vines. And the hardest of all would be the vine with wood stakes weaved into it. Thad dreaded having to work on its enchanter so he decided to save it for last. The stone arrowheads were a different matter altogether. While strengthening them could be done, an enchanted item making then fly faster was an enchantment of its own and would have to be done separately. On the bright side at least Parson hadn’t asked for the stone arrowheads to be sharpened as well.

  Before the sun set Thad was already in his bed, his body aching so bad that he could barely move. He had managed to finish the enchanted disk for the vines and the stone arrowhead but he still had one left to go.

  When Thad had explained he process to Parson the elven hunter had set some of his people to watch the disks so that as soon as one was finished a new one could be started. Thad was glad he didn’t have to watch them as well as work, but at the moment any thoughts of enchanting and magic was far from his mind. Thoughts of sleep and pleasant dreams called to him. Even unpleasant dreams seemed more enjoyable than spending another breath with his eyes open.

  The next day Reeve informed Thad that time was starting to run short. The soldiers were closing in on them after finding their trail. Thad cursed, he had been able to finish the other enchanting disk but only five pair of the boots were useable, though they were still far from finished. His own traps had been set aside for the tasks of others and he now found himself woefully unprepared.

  The small army of elves gathered their gear and prepared to move out while Parson’s hunters planted traps among their campground for the enemy to find when they moved through. It was a great idea but one that would only work once. When the Brotherhood was reported to be less than ten miles away they began their march, the elves long strong legs easily allowing them to move at a much greater speed than the heavily armed and armored soldiers behind them. Thad on the other hand had to move at a jog simply to keep up with his friends, as his fatigued and worn body protested with every step.

  When night fell they were still a good deal ahead of their pursuers. They had more than enough time for a scout to inform them when they began their march again. It was a dangerous game they were playing. Trying to stay ahead of them just enough so they could set traps and attack at night but far enough ahead that they could get away with the morning light.

  As the sky completely darkened Thad was not surprised to find Reeve looking for him. “Thad have you been able to prepare what I requested?” Reeve asked, his voice more pleading than Thad had ever heard from the elf before.

  Thad pointed at the five boots that had been sat apart from the rest. “They will work but they need to be returned when your business is finished,” Thad replied, his voice heavy.

  “Would you like to join us tonight? It looks as if you could use a little fresh air,” Reeve asked, giving Thad a sly wink.

  “Honestly I would love to but I just don’t have the energy,” Thad replied halfheartedly. “This,” Thad continued, waving his hand at the cluttered objects around him, “Is taking a far greater toll than one could imagine.”

  “I will take your word for it,” Reeve replied before taking up the boots and disappearing into the darkness.

  With the enchanted disks finished and a few more of the boots started Thad was more than happy with what he had accomplished. His body was tired and his mind was so strained it was hard for him to hold a thought for more than a moment. Couple that with not knowing when they would be forced on the march again Thad decided it was a good time for him to try and get what rest he could.

  CHAPTER XVII

  The next few days took a heavy toll on Thad. They had been able to keep in front of the Brotherhood forces easily but the hurried pace of the elves was hard on Thad’s feet and knees. Every night he worked as mu
ch as he could before falling into a deep sleep, but he still had only finished a small portion of what needed to be done.

  The Brotherhood had not fared well either. Every night more than a score of their soldiers never woke and during the day they often found their path littered with unseen traps. Where once they had over seven hundred soldiers at their command, now less than three hundred followed behind them and from the reports Thad had heard, most of them were ragged and weary. Their pace had also began to slow giving Thad more time for his work and less time wishing the marching would come to an end.

  Everyone’s spirits were high as each passing day brought them closer to victory. When they received the word the large battalion of soldier had started to move, the tone of the camp changed dramatically.

  Out running one large force was easy. They had to move at the pace of the slowest man and as heavily armored as they were only their mounted troops could make ground fast, and those were the ones who suffered the most due to the traps. Two large forces could still be managed but not without added risk. If the force split or reinforcements arrived then the small army of elves would soon find themselves backed into a corner and forced to either fight or flee at haste. The latter was not really an option neither in Thad’s mind nor in the mind of many of the elves. That left only a desperate fight should the situation arise.

  On Parson’s recommendation the group was split into two sections. One would hit the smaller force that was already road weary and the other would focus on placing traps for the larger group.

  Thad didn’t like the idea of splitting the already small army but he was left with little room to argue. If they continued on with their current tactic there was too much room for error with little gain. Splitting might increase some of the risk of losing men but it increased their overall ability to survive.

  Thad stayed with the larger group that would go after the smaller force. They intended to stay closer to the enemy and at the slower speed Thad hoped it wouldn’t wear on his body as much. They also planned that if the chance arrived they would hit the army with their full force, but with only a little over eighty soldiers at their command it would have to be a very good opportunity.

  With the enchanted disk doing most of the work and only having to spend a few hours every morning dedicated to the silent boots. Thad had much more time to spend on his magical traps. Parson had gone with the smaller force leaving Reeve in charge of their group against the smaller force. Thad was not sure if he liked the assassin leading the group. Parson was level headed and thought more about their escapes than their attacks. Reeve on the other hand liked blood, the elf had been trained for it. Nothing was more important to the elf than killing his target, even at the cost of his life.

  The first day had gone well after the split, much better than Thad had figured it would. Reeve had set devastating, shallow pit traps, laced with the strength spikes that further crippled the already weakened force. After nights of losing soldiers the Brotherhood had begun increasing their guard but the result had the opposite effect. More people on patrol meant less sleep and the weary guards made excellent targets for Reeve and his men.

  To Thad’s amazement it only took three such nights before what was left of the once large, formidable Brotherhood army, was nothing but a sleep deprived starving force of less than a hundred men.

  Thad was sure that if left alone what was left would wander off and abandon their mission, but Reeve wanted to leave nothing to chance. That night as the ragged soldiers bedded down to sleep; Thad, Reeve, and the rest of the elves hid not far away ready to strike.

  The plan was a simple one. Reeve and Thad along with the other night workers would slip into camp and take out the guards, then Thad would use his ring to let Tuck know it was safe. On Tuck’s signal the rest of the elven force would rush the camp killing the rest of the Brotherhood's force. It was a simple plan and one that would almost ensure not one member of the enemy force would make it home to see their loved ones again.

  It didn’t take long for the assassins to take out the few sentries that stood around the small camp. And once the elves marched in force the battle lasted only a moment. Thad nearly cried for the elves to stop the slaughter as the Brotherhood soldiers began throwing down their weapons begging for their lives. The second before he called them to stop the memory of Brianna’s cold body floating on driftwood came flooding back to him and he plunged his own sword into one of the Brotherhood soldiers who had already dropped his weapon.

  Seeing that they would be offered no quarter the soldiers tried to reclaim their weapons, but it was already too late and in the span of a heartbeat everything was over.

  Once the battle was over Thad sat down on the ground, his hand idly resting in a small pool of blood. His chest felt tight and his stomach was bound in knots but he still could not make himself feel any remorse for the fallen soldiers. His blood cold, Thad watched calmly as Reeve and a dozen other elves moved from body to body making sure none of them would wake from their eternal slumber.

  The next day with their task complete Reeve sent out some of the scouts Parson had left behind to find the other group. Thad enjoyed the short break while they waited. There was no use in walking around blindly when a force over ten times their size was about, so they simply prepared and for Thad that meant some much needed rest.

  It wasn’t until after midday when the scouts returned from their mission. Parson and his group were planning to camp over a half days march away. The plan was for the two groups to march towards each other and meet up the next day. To Thad’s disappointment, Reeve decided not to waste any time and ordered the group to immediately pack up and be ready to march toward their allies. Reeve knew they couldn’t reach them before nightfall but his reasoning was that any time saved was time earned. Thad couldn’t argue with the elf’s reasoning but he sorely wanted to.

  Thad had rested plenty but the forced match still took its toll on his body. Reeve increased the pace, forcing Thad to a near run just to keep up with the long legged elves.

  When they finally stopped for the night Thad wanted to breathe a sigh of relief but he found himself in trouble. While the scouts were out Thad had neglected his duties and had fallen behind even more in his work. Knowing the sooner he started the sooner he could bed down for the night Thad picked started pulling his supplies from his pack.

  Before slipping into his bedroll after a long night of work Thad looked over at his work. The boots were nearly done, a few more nights and they wouldn’t need his attention anymore. He had only a little more than a handful of the stone arrows finished and the number of magical traps prepared were less than a dozen.

  He comforted himself in the knowledge that more than a few of his traps had already been used but against the numbers they would soon be facing it seemed like only a pittance.

  It was true they had already destroyed a group far larger than theirs, but it had not been without toll. They had pushed themselves hard and many went with only a few hours’ sleep but it was still better than they were allowing their enemies. There is something to say about the one being chased. It allowed them to set traps and the fact they had less weight and greater maneuverability made it even easier, but it was no lie they were beginning to wear down.

  When they finally met up with their counterparts Thad realized just how bad things were beginning to get. Not only were they worn and tired, they were beginning to run out of rations.

  That night instead of sending Reeve and his men out Thad called for a war council. It didn’t please the assassin to hold off on his nightly work but the cold elf gave in when Thad refused to budge.

  “We can’t keep playing cat and mouse,” Thad said for the tenth time. “I grant you it has worked well but we are running out of energy as well as food.”

  “Then what would you have us do?” Parson asked heatedly. “Should we attack a force nearly ten times our own? We would be slaughtered.”

  “We need to cut around them and continue to head towa
rd the capital,” Thad continued. “We have already proven we can out distance them. Along the way we can leave traps to slow them down even more, but we need to get enough distance we can restock and rest without worry.”

  “And leave a hostile force breathing down our throats?” Reeve interjected.

  “I don’t see that we have much choice,” Thad replied pleadingly. “If we continue to push as we have we may well reduce their number but we will fall far before the enemy. We need to rest and we need more supplies. Can any argue that point?”

  None of the elves looked happy but neither could they argue against Thad’s logic. They were stuck in an uncomfortable position. They could continue to fight and die slowly or they could run and leave a large force trailing behind them. It wasn’t a pleasant choice but it was a necessary one.

  “He’s right Reeve, no matter how we cut it in the end we just don’t have it left in us,” Parson said disappointedly. “I don’t like it any more than you but what else can we do?”

  Reeve didn’t reply choosing instead to stalk off into the night. Thad hoped the assassin wouldn’t cause any trouble but one could never tell what the elf would do.

  “Don’t worry, he might not want to run, but he understands why we must,” Parson whispered to Thad.

  That night Thad drifted off once again to the murky blackness he had come to know so well. This time Thad found himself in the palace gardens with a very worried looking princess.

  “The Rane soldiers have begun to pull out of Farlan in mass. We have followed and pushed them hard forcing them to meet us at every turn, but once they reach the border we dare not encroach on their kingdom. I fear shortly you will be overrun,” Maria said before Thad even had the chance to ask he what was wrong.

  Thad had heard rumors about the Rane military being in Farlan but he hadn’t paid them any heed. Now he knew it was the reason they had faced so little opposition. That seemed like it was going to change and in a hurry. With the new information Thad was even more secure in his desire to break away from the large force they had been fighting before more soldiers arrived to reinforce them.