Wizard's Alley

by James Haddock

  “Store.” The supplies disappeared and became a drawing on the card. I put the card back in my bag. I was as ready as I could be. We'd see if that turned out to be true or not.

  ***

  On the way to the caravan, I bought a bedroll and a groundsheet. It came with a leather cinch and carry strap. I came out of the shop and headed for the caravan lot, when I stopped.

  I shook my head. “If you aren't planning to walk the whole way, you might need a horse,” a passerby chuckled. I smiled myself.

  The stockyards were close by, so I headed that way. I knew very little about horses, so I needed to be careful about who I bought from and what.

  I walked along the corrals, looking at the stock. I listen to some conversations about horses as I looked. Everyone seemed to have their own opinion about which horse was the best.

  I noticed an older man with red, graying hair. He was sitting by a small shack, working on a saddle. I walked over by him and noticed his knuckles were swollen, as he pulled on the saddle stitching. He'd been doing this kind of work a long time.

  “Everyone seems to have an opinion about which horse is the best,” I said, looking back at the group.

  He chuckled, not looking up. “That they do, and most of them would be wrong.”

  I nodded. “You've been at this for a long time, haven't you?”

  “All my life,” he said, as he kept working.

  “Well, sir, I have no knowledge of horses. Would you be interested in sharing some of your experience for a silver?”

  He looked up at me. “It is a wise man that asks for help, and an even wiser one who pays for it,” he said, smiling. I chuckled. “What are you looking for, lad?”

  “I'm traveling with a caravan. I need nothing flashy, nor am I looking to breed for a herd. I have almost no experience with horses, having lived in the city all my life. Other than that, what would you suggest?” He nodded as he listened to me.

  “How much are you willing to spend?”

  “Well, like everyone else, I want everything for a copper.” We smiled. “But I know the horse's owner wants to make his fortune on the sale. I'd like to hear your advice.”

  He nodded. “Can you afford four or five silvers, give or take?” he asked.

  “I can.”

  “Let's take a walk then,” he said, putting his saddle away.

  I followed him along the fence line as he pointed out a horse, giving me its good and bad points. After a while, we stopped to watch horses mingle around in the corral.

  I concentrated on him: “Give me the knowledge I need.” I now knew more about horses than I ever thought possible.

  This man loved his work and horses. I continued to listen to him as he spoke of the horses. I knew what he would say about each one, but this was a way of testing my new knowledge.

  “Now, you see that bay over there on the back side—the one watching us. She's a smart one. Not much to look at, but she'll take you where you need to go and be ready if you need her to run.”

  I looked at the one he called my attention to. He was right. She wasn't much to look at, but she was for work. I nodded.

  “Let’s look at her,” I said.

  He nodded. “Skinner, bring us that bay on the back side over there,” he said, pointing. Skinner waved his hand and moved to get the bay. He didn't have to rope her; she came right to him.

  “Gentle,” I said. He nodded.

  “Here you go, Red,” Skinner said as he approached. I could have guessed my friend's name, or nickname, was Red because of his hair.

  We looked the horse over, and I watched Red run his hand over the horse, talking to her. The horse was watching me; I smiled. I followed what Red had done, checking the horse for myself.

  “What think you?” he asked.

  “From what I can see, and based on what you've told me, I like her.”

  He nodded. “Then let's go talk to the owner.”

  I let Red do the dickering; I just watched the show. After all the arm waving and lie telling was over, she cost me four silvers and three coppers.

  “You'll be needing tack for her, yes?” Red asked.

  “I will,” I answered.

  “Come on back to my little shop, and I'll set you right.”

  Leading my new horse, I followed Red back to the little shack I found him at. Red brought out the saddle he'd been working on and a thick saddle pad. He had a bridle without a bit.

  He showed me the bridle. “She doesn't need the bit.” I nodded. “You'll want saddle bags; I would recommend them with you travelling.”

  “I think that would be wise.”

  Nodding, he went back into his shack. He came out with a set of warn saddlebags, but they were still in good condition. He stepped back, and I looked over what he had brought out for me. They were all worn but well repaired and in good condition. I nodded to myself.

  “What's the cost?”

  “You dickering?” he asked, smiling.

  I shook my head and smiled. “You are way out of my class.”

  “Including the silver you promised me, six silvers in all.”

  “No, I think the price today is one gold, which cheap for the lessons I've learned,” I said, smiling.

  He took the gold and shook my hand, “Safe travels you, Master.”

  I looked at his hands, “Restore.” The swelling in his hand disappeared. He frowned, looking at his hand.

  “That should make working those stitches a little easier,” I said, as I saddled my horse and tied the sleeping roll and saddlebags behind the saddle.

  “I suspected you were a wizard, but you didn't act like most of them—all puffed up. Thank you, Sir Wizard, for the healing.”

  “And thank you, Master Herder, for your wisdom.” I mounted my horse and waved, as I rode away toward the caravan yards.

  She was a good mount with a smooth gait. I was glad of the knowledge I had gotten from Red because I now knew how to take care her.

  I reported to the caravan master and changed the illusion I wore so they could see my armor. It appeared more worn than it was. I also made myself look a little older and more weather-beaten.

  I approached the caravan master and said, “My name is Master Gray; I believe you were expecting me.”

  He turned to look at me. He looked me over, missing nothing.

  “I am. We haven't had a wizard with us on the last few trips, but we're glad to have you with us. Where does your strength lie?”

  “It's kind of a mixture.”

  His shoulders dropped. “Which means not strong in any one thing.”

  “Some more than others.”

  “Can you at least use those weapons?”

  “I can.”

  His eyes turned hard. “If you cannot perform, I will cut you lose, and I don't care if it's in the middle of nowhere. Do we understand each other?”

  “We do,” I answered.

  He looked at me a moment longer. “At least you have a horse. Go see Sergeant Vince.” He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. “You'll be working for him.”

  I nodded and headed the way he pointed. I saw a few men sitting around a small fire, so I started there.

  “Sergeant Vince?” I inquired.

  “Yeah?” an older man said, turning to look at me.

  “My name is Gray, the wizard.”

  He nodded. “Have a seat, Sir Wizard.”

  “Just Gray will do,” I said. He nodded. Rather than sit on the ground, I raised the earth to meet me as I sat.

  “Nice trick, that,” one guard said.

  “It has its uses,” I said, smiling, “especially when it's time to dig the latrine.”

  Everyone chuckled. If I kept them from digging the latrine, I was their new best friend.

  “What's the job this time, Sarge?”

  “Same as always. Guard the caravan and keep the peace. There will be ten of us on this one. You'll probably know most of them. Straight trip to South Landing, sell the cargo, buy new, and re
turn. Probably a six- or seven-week trip. Any volunteers for the night shift?” The others all groaned.

  I raised my hand. “My skills work better in the dark, Sergeant.”

  He nodded. “Good to know. Okay, you are on your own until sunrise. You know the rules. If you ain't here or are too drunk to make muster, we leave you. Questions?” No one said anything. “See you in the morning.”

  Everyone left. The group was off for a last night of drinking. I took my horse to the picket line where the other horses were tied. I unsaddled her and automatically checked the saddlebag for a brush. That was one of Red's memories. Thankfully, he had included one in the saddlebags. I brushed her down before I left. Having Red's horse knowledge told me I needed a few more things for her.

  “You need a name. Something will come to me.” I walked back along the line of horses and found who I was looking for, a farrier. “Excuse me, will you be travelling with the caravan?”

  He turned to look at me. “Aye, I will, but you still must care for your own mount.”

  “For sure, I enjoy taking care of her. I think she's a bit of an attention hog,” I said, smiling.

  “Most like the attention,” he said, turning back to his work.

  “Give me the knowledge I need.” I now had a more in-depth knowledge of caring for horse hooves and shoeing horses. I also knew exactly what few things I needed to add to my saddlebags to care for my horse properly.

  On my way out of the caravan yard, I stopped at the supply house and bought two additional ground sheets and some rope. A complete assortment of farrier tools stored in individual pockets inside a farrier bag was rolled up for storage. It had a horseshoe hammer, forged nail clincher, forged hoof nipper, rasp, hoof knife, hoof tester, clinch cutter, hoof pick with brush, pritchel, some shoe nails, a common horseshoe, and a feed bag. As an afterthought, I also bought five bags of oats. I would have to put the oats on one of the cards in my bag. Perhaps I could put all the items on a card for now.

  I took out one of the blank cards and touched it to my pile of supplies. “Store.” The pile disappeared, and I dropped the card in my bag.

  In addition to looking for a good meal, I wanted to look around the shops in the area. This was the first time I had been in this part of the city, and I aspired to see what they offered. One place I passed had beef jerky; that was delicious. I bought a few pounds of it and put it in my bag.

  I saw an apothecary and went inside. I didn't like doing things in a rush, but this time I had little choice.

  Chapter 9

  “Good evening, Master,” I said.

  He nodded. “Good evening, Sir Wizard.”

  “I am leaving on a cross-country trip and need a medico bundle. I know what I want in it, but I would appreciate any advice you can offer on things I may have missed.”

  “Of course,” he answered.

  I told him all the items I wanted, and we discussed some others. I approved of his suggestions, and he put the bundle together that would travel. This was a learning experience for me, and I had to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Of course, I couldn't plan for everything; I'd just have to do the best I could with what information I had. None of the books I had read covered what to take on a cross-country trip as a guard. I was writing it as I went.

  When he was finished with my medico bundle, it was not cheap, but I needed it. Better to pay gold now than to lose a life for lack of something. I paid the master and gave him my thanks. The bundle barely fit through the mouth of my bag, but it was longer than it was thick. As soon as the bundle was inside, it became a card, and the bag flattened.

  I ate at an inn by the caravan yards. The food was good but cost a bit more than I usually paid. I guess when you have people coming in from all over, they would rather pay more to stay close to their wagons. I stayed out of the way, sitting in the back corner as usual. I didn't see anyone I knew, and no one seemed to be paying any attention to me.

  I made an early evening of it and returned to the caravan. Sergeant Vince was by the same fire, smoking a pipe. I walked over.

  “Mind if I join you?” I asked.

  “Sure. In early, huh?”

  “Yeah, I'm not much of a drinker. I enjoy the quiet.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, those days have passed for me as well.” He puffed on his pipe, watching the fire. “This is your first caravan job, yes?”

  I didn't even try to bluff; he would see right through it. “Yes, I've always worked in the city.”

  “You don't wear a sword. Have you done any fighting?”

  “Yes, some. I use my staff, knives, and crossbow bolts.”

  He cocked his head. “I didn't see a crossbow.”

  “I don't need one; I launch the bolts with magic. It's faster than a crossbow and more accurate, for me anyway.”

  “I hope it doesn't come to it, but have you ever taken a life?” he asked.

  I nodded. “I have.” He turned to stare at me. “And to answer your next question, no, it did not bother me. I didn't enjoy it, but they needed killing.” He looked back into the fire, nodding.

  “There are some people who just need killing. In our line of work, we seem to meet our share of them,” he said.

  “How long have you been doing this, Sergeant?”

  He squinted one eye, looking up and thinking. “Seventeen years last summer. Seems longer. It's a wonder I've lived this long. This is a young man’s profession. You, lad, will do what you are told when you are told. No heroics. Heroes die young.”

  “Yes, Sergeant,” I said, nodding.

  “Are you educated? You have your letters and can do your sums? I suppose all wizards are.”

  “I do; I read everything I can. I am, however, finding there is a big difference between reading about something and actually doing it.”

  He chuckled. “I bet there is. You watch the other men and learn from them. We all started out as fresh meat. We only lived this long by learning from others’ mistakes.”

  “I will, Sergeant.”

  He nodded, staring back into the fire. “You're not what I expected. I've worked with a few wizards; most have been arrogant. They all thought they were better than everyone else.”

  “I think it's the training they go through. It forces them to be confident, to be bolder than everyone else. To push the limits of their powers.”

  “You aren't.”

  I laughed. “I'm what they refer to as a “gutter,” or woods' wizard. I have no formal guild training. The trained wizards have little use for me, but that's okay. It makes everyone underestimate me…and I'm still here.” He was staring back into the fire; I concentrated on him.

  “Give me the knowledge I need.” The sergeant was a caring man; his men were his family. He was honest, and when he took a job, he saw it through as best he could. I gained a lot of tactical insights from his experience. He had come close to death several times. He was tired of this life, but it was the only life he knew. He would probably die doing it.

  “Good night, Sergeant.”

  “Good night, Gray.”

  I left the sergeant alone, staring into the fire. I went to the picket line where my saddle and saddlebags were. I reached into my bag. “Farrier tools.” The tool roll came to my hand.

  I took the tool roll from the bag and put them in my saddlebags. I put one ground sheet on the ground and lay my saddle on it and covered it. I stayed close to my horse and spread the other ground sheet out and unrolled my sleeping blankets on top of it. I climbed under my blankets and stared at the stars for a while. The night air was cool, but not too bad. I slept lightly, but with the horses keeping me company, it was a peaceful sleep.

  ***

  I was up early the next morning, stretching and practicing my dance. I made sure my horse was tended to and went to find Sergeant Vince. I did not want to be late for muster. He was still at the same fire, and there were a few others there with him. After he had checked us off as present, he sent us to eat.

  “Check back
with me in a few hours to see if anything has changed,” he said. We broke up, going our own ways. I walked to the inn for breakfast.

  On my way to the inn, I saw Jacob Rooma pulling into the caravan yard. He had three men with him. They didn't look like guards, just his normal trading house workers. He stopped and checked in with the caravan master. He glanced at me, but that was all, and I continued on my way. The inn was crowded; everyone needed to eat then get to work. I ordered a roll with a piece of meat in it and some cheese. I went outside to eat but didn't like the crowd—the closeness of all those people.

  I checked back with Sergeant Vince. “Stick around. We will have a meeting shortly and lay out the guard shifts for tonight.”

  I sat down beside the fire and waited. Most of the men had worked together before or knew of each other in passing. I was the odd man out, so they didn't pay me much attention. They recognized me as a wizard and left me alone.

  Wagons were coming in and lining up for a dawn departure. The guards were to rove our caravan area, keeping an eye on things and letting ourselves be seen. We were all on duty today and would split into shifts once we were on the road.

  Our caravan numbered eighteen wagons and some replacement horse teams for the wagons. I don't know how much gold the ransom was, but the wagon the Roomas brought didn't look any different from any other. Of course, I guess that was the point.

  Our guards numbered fourteen in all, with one sergeant, two corporals, ten guardsmen, and one wizard. I thought it odd they didn't count me as a guard.

  “Gray,” one of the guards called to me. “Sergeant Vince wants you over by the fire.” I waved and headed for the fire.

  He was alone when I arrived. “You wanted to see me, Sergeant?”

  “I did; have a seat. I don't know what you're capable of, so you will have to help me out here. You said your skills were better at night. Why?”

  “I can cast a spell to see in the dark, and I can tell when anyone approaches me, without having to see them. Also, I can manipulate earth to some extent, like making muddy ground dry. So no stuck wagons.” He was nodding as I spoke.

  “What about scouting? Have you done anything like that?” he continued.