“I put him down,” Devin admitted. “He tried for my throat and I moved out of the way and stepped on his foot. He got off some good shots but my hands are heavy and I am bigger than he is.”
“You?” the female Wizard said as she walked up to Devin. “This one is not one of yours, Brute,” the Wizard woman said.
“I wasn't trying to start any trouble, I just wanted to see how I could become a Squire,” Devin said.
“You are lucky my Acolytes did not kill you,” the Wizard said as she fixed her lip into a sneer.
“I am lucky,” Devin admitted. “First time I ever got hit by magic, it is unbeatable.”
“Without magic,” the Wizard corrected him.
“They move fast,” Devin said. “But I will throw fists with anyone. My Da taught me.”
“Your Da?” the Wizard said and looked at the milky eyed Knight. “This meeting was over anyway. If I see anyone of your Squires again I will not pull my Acolytes off of them.”
“And if I see any of your Wizardlings again I will not pull my Squires off of them,” the milky eyed Knight said.
“If you are both through posturing,” said an older man in a military uniform. “Both of your people got throttled by a couple boys who just got out of training. You both let that stick with you. This Kingdom does not need any giants or fancy spell flingers. Just a couple of good boys with no fear.”
“Get out of here!” the Wizard woman snapped at her Acolytes who hurriedly picked up their fallen member and rushed out of the door.
“Soldiers that goes for you as well,” the older military man said as the young officers got themselves together to leave.
“Sir,” Devin said as he looked up at the milky eyed Knight. The man had a hard face and Devin could tell he was angry.
“What, Boy?” the Knight said in a clipped tone.
“I was wondering how I could become a Squire,” Devin asked.
“You will never be a Squire,” the milky-eyed Knight said. “You cannot buy your way into our order Lordling and you are shorter than the minimum. Run along to your mother.”
Devin fixed his face into a frown and let the Knights pass him by. The military man was still in the room despite his soldiers leaving and walked over to Devin. Devin was a bit angry and a little heartbroken, he had wanted to become a knight but their attitude was so nasty towards him and for nothing. All Devin got out of this party would be a swollen jaw, possibly a black eye and some bruised ribs. He wasn't even a noble like the Knight kept calling him.
“You don't let him get you down boy,” the older man said as his face softened. “The Knight Commander is a proud man who was just embarrassed. Those Wizards are nothing to play with, I am sure they gave much better than they received. I have fought one once, it was like fighting smoke and I got my ass kicked. Jerold Jolly has always hated Wizards since before he was a Knight and was just a Squire. I could tell he was nervous having his Squires around the Acolytes, it is the only reason I brought some young officers with me. You went out and not only beat the pit out of one of his giants but a Acolyte as well.”
“So it is hopeless,” Devin said dejectedly. “I didn't know he was in charge of all of the Knights.”
“And there is nothing you could have done differently,” the older man said. “When this goes down, you can be one of my junior leaders if you pay for your commission fast enough.”
“I would have to ask my stepmother,” Devin said.
“Stepmother?” the older man said.
“I am not a noble,” Devin replied. “I am not even rich. She is though, she has good money. If that doesn't work out I was thinking about joining as an enlisted man since I am a smith.”
“Apparently with good reflexes if you punched out a Wizard,” the older man said. “Listen son, I am General Savare, one of Minor Generals of the kingdom. I am always looking for a good lad, you could join my personal security detail.”
“I can?” Devin asked surprised. “How? When?”
“Well the training is a bit much,” General Savare said. “Most commoners are just going to be given a pike and sent off to wherever to learn under whichever nobles they fall under. You would have to take specialized training, it could be a bit rough.”
“I’ll do it,” Devin said quickly. Working as a guard of an important General seemed a lot safer than being on the front lines even if it was as an officer. Being a smith would have gotten him off the front as well but the General's guard seemed like a sure thing.
“Well I will leave you some of my information,” General Savare said. “This is an opportunity that not many people receive. But fighting off an Acolyte and a Squire is worth praising.”
Devin waited as General Savare wrote him special summons and signed his name on the bottom. Devin hung onto it like gold as he was ready to leave with his family. Devin could tell something was not right, right away. He had just gotten into a good fight with some serious characters and looked like the pit. Martha didn't even remark on his appearance. Troy was not his usual self-important self either. All of them seemed to be doing their best impersonation of Damon who himself seemed especially distant.
“Okay, someone knows something that I don't,” Devin remarked. “Was I right about the war being more important than making coin?”
“It is horrible,” Martha said. “There was no coin to be made. The kingdom wants all of the merchants to start donating or selling items to the war effort for half cost.”
“Forget the coin mother!” Troy said. “They are going to send us to war, we could die and the only thing you are worried about is money.”
“I am not worried because there is a way out of it,” Martha said. “Your grandfather was angry at the price. Fifty gold coins for the first family member, one hundred gold coins for every family member after that. I don't know if he would pay that for you Devin.”
“I have other plans,” Devin said.
“What other plans?” Troy said as Devin could see his brother visibly relaxed.
“I am going to be a part of General Savare’s protection detail,” Devin said. “He was surprised I got it on with big Squires.”
“What was that fight about anyway?” Troy asked. “I got punched in the face for you.”
“You did?” Devin asked.
“Well I couldn't let you get beat up and not jump in,” Troy said. “Father would have my hide when I got home and I doubt mother could save me.”
“Well you look pretty good,” Devin said.
“Because the little wizard who hit me was a girl but it still hurt,” Troy said. “Damon tried to help me and got thrown on the ground. That is when we were smart enough to go get help.”
“They are fast,” Devin said. “I saw that big blond one I was getting it on with get taken apart by two of those girls. The one who came after me just got too close to get away. Da’s fighting technique worked like a charm.”
“What technique?” Damon asked. “He never taught us any technique.”
“Because you both hide out in the house instead of coming out and working,” Devin said. “Da’s technique is simple, step on someone’s foot if they get too close and beat the daylights out of them. Bonus if you can grab them by the hair or shirt or something. I am always swinging a hammer or an axe or something. If I get close I can really pour it on.”
“You don't have to worry about fighting anyone Troy,” Martha said as she took a deep breath. “Maybe we can use this to our advantage. With most of the boys and youngmen gone maybe the both of you can find better prospects.”
“Is there an age limit?” Devin asked.
“It doesn't apply to tradesmen like Geflin,” Martha said. “Your Da is expected to help out.”
“Da is supposed to go?” Damon said. “Grandfather could get him out of it.”
“Da would never accept something like that,” Devin said quickly.
“And my father wouldn't do it anyway,” Martha said. “The both of you, Troy and Damon are really going to
have to make it up to your grandfather. There are going to be a lot of hurt feelings going on for people that cannot afford to buy their way out of it.”
“Me and Da are both going,” Devin began. “That should be enough to move any blame away from my brothers.”
“Grandfather should be buying Devin the best training he could afford,” Troy said.
“Da has got me covered,” Devin said. “Besides I have General Savare liking me.”
“Don't say that man’s name around me anymore,” Martha said. “He was so smug when he gave out the prices for exemption while lowering the cost for a commission. The cost for exemption is bound to go up. You should have seen him smiling at everyone, my father let him have it.”
“The price goes up?” Devin asked.
“Anyone who pays right now has to spend the price in gold I gave you earlier,” Martha said. “That man said if the war doesn't happen that the money will be considered a donation and not refundable. If we wait too long then the price is going to double the closer we get to war but the cost of a commission will shrink.”
CHAPTER 3
“Faster boy!” Geflin said as he yelled at Devin. “Put your back into it!”
“Hold!” Farelin said as he put down his blade.
“How was I?” Devin said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Untrained,” Farelin said as Devin’s face fell. “But you have good reflexes and are light on your feet. That sword arm of yours is strong and you can really beat someone down with it if they let you. You have some glaring holes in your game but they can be fixed depending on your style of fighting.”
“I am supposed to be watching a General,” Devin said.
“Hmmm,” Farelin said and rubbed his chin. “Fighting with a sword is decent but you may be more of a sword and shield man. You would need to learn the horse as well. Maybe a bow would be something you need to try but I don't have a regular hunting bow. I only have a longbow and it is a nasty piece of work. Cumbersome to carry around and the draw weight of it is not for the faint of heart. Keep your coin Geflin. I am too old to be running off to any wars but I can train your boy with what I know right now. When do you have to report?”
“In a week,” Geflin said. “I want to get him trained up as best as I can until then.”
“I am going to get my bow,” Farelin said. “If this thing with a General doesn't work out you are going to need real skill unless you want to go the smithing route. Geflin you and your boy can have a talk while I go get all of my things.”
“You are a good man Farelin,” Geflin said as he shook the other man’s hand.
Devin watched the old trainer walk away and had to admit he was humbled. He was faster than Farelin was, Devin suspected that he was stronger as well but the old man was crafty. Farelin looked at least fifteen years older than his Da and moved like it as well until he had a sword in his hand. Then the man moved like a master of his craft, he didn't have the exaggerated moves Devin himself had but instead only moved slightly to avoid a blow. He had a lot of knowledge that Devin was excited to learn.
“You really got to pour yourself into these next couple of days boy,” Geflin said. “Even then it won't mean much except it wouldn't be the first time you handled a weapon when you meet the General’s people.”
“Anything would help,” Devin said. “I want to impress him and let him know he made the right choice. When do you leave?”
“I have been talking to the engineers in town about it,” Geflin said. “They actually tracked me down along with some others. I am going to fight alongside of Duke Harrell’s men, he wants to get all of his crafters together and go over the things we might be called to do. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up another trade just in case there are other smiths. I am going to leave right after you and travel to Duke Harrell’s estate where he can then tell me my business.”
“Maybe I will get to see you out there,” Devin said. “After the war I have to see what I will be getting paid and decide if a commission is better for me.”
“Your brothers are being foolish for not taking advantage of free training,” Geflin said. “They should be out here trying to learn something instead of whatever they are doing. This war seems like serious business that is going to happen.”
“I don't know why you let their grandfather have so much power,” Devin said. “They are your sons and he seems like he is always in your business.”
“There is a lot you don't know there,” Geflin said. “Maybe one day but today is not the day.”
“You should still say something,” Devin said. “It is like we are a family apart from the family. Me and you versus everyone else.”
“It is sort of like that, isn't it?” Geflin said. “Maybe when you get older it will all make sense. Enough about them, tell me more of this Wizard fight. I heard they were deadly adversaries to tangle with.”
“If they had a dagger or something it wouldn't have even been a fight,” Devin said. “They moved like the water, hard to lay a punch on them. When I got a hold of one of them I just laid into them. The Knight I fought was strong and at least a head taller than I was. I don't think he was ready for me to paste him like that though.”
“Cracks me up,” Geflin said. “My boy out there mixing it up with the best in the Kingdom. I wish I could have seen it. Troy even jumped in and got a piece. Damon most likely would have been the one I guessed. Troy seems a bit too snooty for fighting but those are my boys.”
“Here comes Master Farelin,” Devin said. “And what is that?”
“That is a heck of a bow,” Geflin said. “It looks taller than he is by far.”
“How would you even use something like that?” Devin said as Farelin came riding up on his horse.
“This is a warbow,” Farelin said and handed it over as he got off his horse. “This is what someone in war would fight with instead of the smaller hunting bows.”
“Well it is massive,” Devin said as he held the weapon.
“It can get you out of a jam,” Farelin replied. “Smaller bows won't be able to penetrate the armor worn by the enemy. Even a good longbow might not be able to get through shoddy armor. This one might not as well but it will have more sticking power. Faster shot and the arrow will not be able to be reused.”
“Other than being bigger, what else does this bow do?” Geflin said as he took the bow.
“Smaller bows you have to arc everything and you may not even hit anything,” Farelin said. “They are meant to be fired en masse and rain down on the enemy. This longbow is for those on the frontline. This bow you fire straight at someone and it can get to over a hundred paces away. More accuracy and better equipped to fight in war. I will show you the technique, it is a bit odd compared to firing other bows but effective. You have to lean into it with your chest.”
“What about crossbows?” Devin asked.
“Costly to make,” Farelin said. “More punching power and easier to aim.”
“What makes it costlier?” Geflin asked.
“Well you need a woodworker, a smith and a good string man,” Farelin said. “Loading it is something else but that depends on the crossbow, it is much like a regular bow how technology has changed the war fighting game.”
“I have seen crossbows load just as fast as a decent archer,” Geflin said.
“Because that is for hunting game,” Farelin replied. “Some crossbows you just pull back on the string with your hands, load a bolt, aim and fire. Takes about five or six heartbeats longer than a regular bow. Against an unarmored human or poorly armored ones you could do damage. Against good plate though it would bounce straight off. Good chainmail would bounce that right back at you as well. You would need a windlass bow which involves a lot of cranking and takes a long time to reload. I could fire off nine arrows before the second bolt could be fired. You really need two windlass crossbows and a second person to load it for you to be effective. Maybe they could just load their own bow and shoot at different times.
It is the weapon of someone with a lot of money who does not want to train how to use a proper bow. Now let’s get this thing set up.
Devin watched Farelin shoot the bow, he had seen an archer shoot but not the way Farelin was. Farelin stood with his feet shoulder with apart then leaned over and really put his chest into the bow. His drawing hand was actually passed his body along with the bowstring when he released it, every archer Devin had seen had the drawstring roughly midchest. When Farelin let the bowstring go and the sound it made was much sharper than any other bow Devin had heard. The arrow took off across the area and impacted with a hard thwack. Devin was surprised at the weapon as Farelin grabbed another arrow. Devin noticed the old man struggling to nock the bow. Farelin finally fired and then opened and closed his nocking hand and started rotating his shoulder.
“This bow ain't for women,” Farelin said. “You need a strong back to fire something like this.”
“My boy has a strong back,” Geflin said. “All he does is bang on a hammer and chop into wood. He can really get after it too, better than I ever could.”
“Well come over here and let me show you how to hold this thing,” Farelin said.
Devin thought the technique would feel unnatural but it was like he was made to hold it. In only an hour’s time he was outshooting Farelin and was able to keep up his rate of fire without getting tired. Within fifty paces Devin could hit an apple dead on. At a hundred paces it would take him three or four shots and at two hundred paces he had come close but had not had a hit on target. Devin ended up going back to sword practice but loved the bow. The first day ended and Devin was a bit more comfortable with the sword and could move okay but Farelin told him it would take some time.
The next day Devin woke and was confused to see his father with a bow even larger than what Farelin had. Devin tested the string and could see the draw weight of this bow was significantly higher than the big bow he trained on the day before. Devin looked the bow over, it was two different colors. Devin stood the bow up and was right about the size, it was not only taller than he was but was probably taller than the big blond he had gotten into it with.
The Wizard Page 3
