The Wizard

by Whiskey Flowers

  “This cost me some coin,” Geflin said. “It is supposedly top of the line and has a draw weight much harder than Farelin’s bow. It is my going away present to you. Go ahead and give it a couple of shots, you only have a few arrows. The cost of this thing was something else but I was assured it would be difficult to break.”

  It took Devin a few shots before he became comfortable with the heavy bow. The draw didn't bother him as much as it did before and he was able to put arrows on target. Devin thought he could fire an arrow every five of his heartbeats and keep it up for a while. When Farelin finally came he had Devin practice hitting moving targets. It was difficult at first but Devin had quickly gotten the hang of it which according to Farelin should have been impossible. Devin thought the technique was just natural to him, the pull, the sighting, everything just felt right. Sword practice was a little better but to Devin it was obvious he would have been killed if he went against the old swordmaster. Maybe if he was well armored he could have lasted a bit longer but winning would be tough to do.

  At the end of the week Devin thought he had learned whatever could be taught with the longbow. Farelin remarked that Devin had to be the best archer he had seen and was more accurate with the warbow than anyone he had seen with a much smaller and lighter bow. Devin was able to hit the apple at two hundred paces now and the heavier draw made it so Devin could hit a target the size of a small shield at three hundred paces. Devin was passable with a sword but knew he still had a long way to go. Getting a hit on Farelin was still beyond him but now the man had to work to keep Devin off him. Devin didn't have a big send off which put him off a bit. His brothers had been taken by their grandfather who knew when Devin was leaving. Even his stepmother was not present which Devin thought was typical of her. His father was there though and gave him a good meal before he saw Devin off to the recruiters, it was there when things went wrong almost instantly.

  CHAPTER 4

  “I don't give a pit what General gave you what,” a bald gruff man said as he ripped up Devin’s paperwork before his eyes. “You got a bow so you are an archer and it looks like a good bow.”

  “I was supposed to be part of a security detail,” Devin said. “If I cannot then I am not signing up.”

  “Then you will be pressed into service,” the bald man said. “Either way we need more archers and you are one.”

  “You try that then,” Geflin said. “I don't know who the pit you think you are ripping up things.”

  “So what?” the bald man said. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “I am going to make sure that General hears about this,” Geflin said.

  “You do that,” the bald man said.

  “I will,” Geflin said. “Let’s get out of here son. You can smith with me for His Grace.”

  “You just wait right there,” the bald man said angrily. “We need more archers in the Royal Army and your boy has a bow. He ain't going nowhere to fight for no Duke.”

  “You try to stop him then,” Geflin said. “I’ll make sure you won't live to brag about it.”

  “What is going on in here?” said a young looking man as he came from the back of the building. His uniform looked spotless and his brown hair was slicked back and tied into a pony’s tail. Devin thought he couldn't be older than twenty.

  “This one came in here with some letter from General Savare saying he was supposed to be a part of his personal security detail," The bald man said. “Obvious forgery so I ripped it up. Now he says he isn't going to join and will fight with Duke Harrell’s men.”

  “And he will,” Geflin said.

  “You don't give orders here,” the young man said.

  “I ain't in no army,” Geflin said. “You come over here if you want telling me what to do with my boy and you will regret it instantly.”

  “Sergeant Conn,” the young man said looking at the older man. “Take his bow as needs for the army. If he doesn't want to fight then he doesn't need the weapon.”

  “Do it and the man who gave it to him will be down here to have your head,” Geflin said bluffing and snatched the bow from Devin and tossed it down. Enjoy whatever you have left of your life.”

  “Wait,” the young man said and rolled his eyes. “We need archers. Sergeant Conn is a bit blunt but we are desperate. I do not have much time to field a semblance of a force before people start getting pressed into service. I need strong men who can hold a pike and archers. I don't see anyway a regular swordsman can defeat the Savians when they have a good amount of Wizards fighting for them.”

  “Wizards?” Geflin said. “Wizards are neutral?”

  “Not anymore,” Sergeant Conn said. “Supposedly a good number of them split off from the main group. They hate us because we don't pay as much and have the Knights to protect us instead of them.”

  “What does that have to do with us?” Geflin said. “That sounds like your problem.”

  “It is all of our problem,” Sergeant Conn said. “And your boy is the first one I have seen come in here with a bow. He can come fight with an actual trained force or go with your Duke and a bunch of nobodies and get himself killed.”

  “Better than being here,” Devin said as he picked up his bow. “Rip up paper in my face will you? Duke Harrell needs a good archer, I only got this because I was supposed to be guarding a General.”

  Devin followed his father outside and was at a loss. The army men had ripped up his paper and now he was unsure of what to do. Duke Harrell would use him as an archer once Devin showed off his skill, he was sure of it. Just as Devin was getting ready to leave and go back home he spotted a rich looking carriage. Devin stood there shocked by the appearance, it was even better than what Mr. Darcy had.

  “Take a knee boy,” Geflin said as he got down.

  “Why?” Devin asked as he did what he was told.

  Devin looked up to see the carriage stop in front of the army recruiter’s building. An auburn haired man walked out of it flanked by three guards. Devin noticed he was dressed in the royal colors. The man turned out to be a boy, Devin thought they could have been the same age and the sneer the boy gave him before he walked inside made Devin hate him instantly. Once the Prince or whoever he was went into the building Devin and his father turned to leave. They were not out of town before they were stopped by an official looking messenger who demanded Devin and only Devin return. Devin was about to tell him to get lost when the man pulled out an official looking summons asking for experienced archers. Geflin just looked hard at the paper and noticed it was signed by Prince Victor who was probably the boy from the carriage. Devin gave his father a hug and returned to a smiling Sergeant Conn and the young officer from earlier, Lord Nelson who was a newly minted leftenant in the Royal Army and apparently someone who either knew the Prince or was bold enough to ask for help.

  “Now that you are going to be with us boy,” Sergeant Conn said. “I need to see what you can do and then get you a uniform. What do you think about that?”

  “I just want to get this over with,” Devin said.

  “You better get used to using my title or I will have you flogged,” Sergeant Conn said.

  “I want to get this over with Sergeant,” Devin said through gritted teeth.

  “That is better,” Sergeant Conn said. “I have a few targets set up out back. I will have a go with my bow and then watch you with yours.”

  Devin briefly thought about missing his shots, maybe he would be bounced out of the Army or maybe he would be handed a pike. Devin didn't want to chance it and followed Sergeant Conn out back and saw the man did have a target set up. The bow he used was a delicate looking thing, it was a lot shorter as well as thinner and the bowstring did not look as thick. He picked up a thin arrow and fired it right at the target. It was in the center dot but off to the right, Devin noticed the bow barely made a sound when fired and the arrow did not have the same kind of velocity his did. Devin pulled his bow back and nocked one of his big arrows, it was like the target was only
a pace away instead of thirty and Devin let his arrow fly. The thick arrow flew quickly through the air and buried itself into the target. Sergeant Conn looked over at Devin and nocked his own arrow, before he could let it fly, Devin had another arrow in the center of target, practically touching his first. The sudden movement startled Conn and his arrow went wide of the target. Conn nocked another arrow and before he could fire, Devin had two other arrows in the center of the target.

  “You got some skill with that warbow,” Sergeant Conn said. “We were just looking for people to fire bows like these. They are easier to make and easier to fire. Take this one and see if you can use it.”

  Devin thought it felt like a child’s toy and he was surprised he didn't break it just pulling it back. Devin fired off a shot and was just left of center. His second shot went next to it and by his third shot he was able to hold an arrow while firing another. Devin could keep up a higher rate of fire with the smaller bow but preferred his warbow. If someone got close to him he could still whack them with it. Devin put down the small bow and went to get his warbow and retrieve his arrows.

  “You got skill boy,” Sergeant Conn said. “You are going to make a good addition to the legion. Have you ate yet?

  “No and I won't accept anything from you,” Devin said before adding, “Sergeant.”

  “Go ahead and be nasty,” Sergeant Conn said. “It will not change anything. We still have a war and one day you might need me to save your life.”

  “Then let me die, Sergeant,” Devin said as he started pulling out his big arrows.

  “Go ahead and get mad,” Sergeant Conn said. “Let me show you where you are going to be bedding down at.”

  Devin followed Conn to a small building that looked like it was recently made and shoddily. It was nothing but a bunch of bedrolls on the floor and he was told to take one. Devin was the only person living there it looked like, he picked out one and sat down with his bow and arrows. Conn left him for a bit and returned with a wrinkled uniform and told him to put it on along with a pair of stiff boots. Devin put everything on and Conn told him that was the new uniform and if he knew anyone else that was good with a bow. Devin just shook his head at the man who laughed a little and let him be.

  The next day Conn returned, where he slept at Dell didn't know. The Sergeant came in and made Devin follow him back to the rear of the recruiting office. There were others there now, Leftenant Nelson and another man who also had a warbow. This man was big, he could have been a Knight if he wanted to and Devin wondered if he was a Knight. He had big arms and a strong wide chest. This man had no hair anywhere, even his eyebrows were gone which gave him a weird look Devin thought. There was another quiver filled with big strong arrows like the four Devin had. Conn handed it to him and then stood back.

  “This is your boy?” the big bald man said. “He don't look like much and that bow he has will tire him out in three shots if he is lucky.”

  “He can shoot that thing,” Sergeant Conn said. “Good too.”

  “Well boy I am going to see what is what,” the bald man said. “Pick up your quiver and fire away. You have ten and I have ten, keep going until you have no more arrows.”

  Delvin picked up the quiver and fastened it on his hip like he saw the bald man do but fumbled in his task a little. His opponent laughed at his experience and said he would begin when Devin grabbed his first arrow. Devin grabbed it and nocked it quickly, it was still in the air when he grabbed another one and had it nocked as his arrow hit its target. Devin thought the motion was smooth and kept it up, it took a little less than a minute to have all of his arrows on target and during that time his opponent only had five on target and was rotating his shoulder to relieve the soreness.

  “Well,” Sergeant Conn said. “You are the master bowman Terry. Is he as good as I told you?”

  “From thirty paces,” the bald man Terry said. “Let’s bring it to a hundred paces and see what he has. Bring us another target and some more arrows.”

  Devin beat him again and had to admit he liked the quiver on his hip. It was easy to draw from and gave him better speed. Devin was tested from two hundred paces and it was the same thing except Terry only got one on target and missed everything at three hundred paces. The arrow didn't even reach the target most of the time but Devin thought it was because he was using a lighter draw weight than the big warbow Devin had.

  “He is for real,” Terry said. “Don't talk much, he doesn't seem happy to be here at all.”

  “He is still ticked that I ripped up some missive and His Highness had him come right back up here to join the Army. He wanted nothing to do with us and has been sulking ever since.”

  “That is not good,” Terry said. “Angry men will never put their lives on the line for you or look out for you. This one will kill enough of the enemy but if they get close and you need help out of a tight spot then may the Gods help you. I will tell you this though, he fires like the elves of old.”

  “Ah he will come around,” Sergeant Conn said then looked at Lord Nelson. “What do you think Sir?”

  “I think we need to start grabbing men off the streets and start teaching them the bow,” Nelson said. “We don't have long before we leave, maybe get some pikemen as well. These commoners are too scared to join a real force and are relying on Duke Harrell to pull them out of the fire.”

  “Get me the men and I can make it happen but I am not cheap,” Terry said. “They will not be on this lads level but they will be able to fire those toys you have.”

  “Start the round up Sergeant Conn,” Nelson said. “His Highness wants us on the move by next week. Take only the strongest you can find. They need to be able to pull the bows back and it is tiring. We meet up with the rest in less than a month and we are going to be the most inexperienced unit by far.”

  “Come on then you,” Sergeant Conn said looking at Devin. “And pick up your quiver. Any man leaving his weapon unattended is bound to get lashed.”

  Devin picked up the quiver and followed Conn to an inn. Conn walked in and took a seat, seconds later some kind of soup was placed in front of them both and Devin thought it smelled good but it was probably because he didn't eat supper. Conn dug into his and gestured to Devin to eat up. Devin just looked at the bowl and refused to touch it. Conn shook his head and finished up eating.

  “You not gonna eat boy?” Sergeant Conn said.

  “My name is not boy, Sergeant,” Devin replied.

  “You are not going to eat recruit?” Sergeant Conn said.

  “Not with you,” Devin replied. “Can I go now? I will find my own food.”

  “Get out of my face,” Conn said annoyed. “That bit yesterday is over with. We need you more than some General. With your skill we may be able to take out a few of them before they know what is going on.”

  Devin didn't reply but instead left the inn. He had a few coppers and knew where the cheapest food was. Devin grabbed a hard roll of bread and some meat that was probably rabbit. The food was filling which is what Devin wanted. He had enough coin to last the week on the meal but would be hard pressed after that. Maybe he could hunt, Devin had never done it before but thought it couldn't be that hard.

  CHAPTER 5

  It was a little under a week when Devin marched out along with almost a hundred other men armed with pikes and bows. They were broken down into two groups called legions and Lord Nelson, or Leftenant Nelson as he wanted to be called, took the oldest amongst each group and made them into junior leaders under Sergeant Conn and himself. The first day was filled with non-stop walking, most of the men were grumbling when a halt was finally called for lunch. Devin had snuck off during that time and was sure he had seen many small animals and birds in the forest surrounding the roads.

  Devin thought the brush was too thick and climbed a tree. Devin was amazed at how easy it was even holding a warbow and took a look around. There were no animals since they had probably run off with the men being so close. Devin was able to jump from tree bra
nch to tree branch effortlessly, he was amazed he hadn't fallen and broken his neck and soon began to get bold with how quick he was moving. Devin had been running through the tree tops for about fifteen minutes when he spotted a hare. It was a bit tricky keeping his balance and firing from a treetop but his thick arrow took the hare in the head and was so strong it then embedded itself into the ground, pinning the dead animal in place. Devin hopped down and grabbed his prize, he just didn't know what to do with it. Devin brought back his kill and was tackled by an angry Sergeant Conn.

  “Where in the pit have you been?” Sergeant Conn snarled as Devin tossed the man off him. Devin had heard a crack when he went down and saw the tip of his bow was now broken. Sergeant Conn looked at the hare and then at the bow and then back at Devin.

  “Let that serve a lesson for you,”Sergeant Conn said. “You don't go anywhere without permission even if it is to hunt. Now go turn that hare in to our cook. Everything hunted goes to everyone, not just yourself.”

  “You broke my bow,” Devin snarled.

  “You broke your bow when I thought you deserted,” Sergeant Conn said. “It is junk now.”

  “That bow cost my Da a lot of money,” Devin said angrily.

  “I thought the Duke bought it for you,” Sergeant Conn said. “So you are a liar as well as an idiot. Serves you right. Now do what I said.”

  Devin just stared at the man and thought he wasn't worth it. Devin turned in the hare but was too angry to watch how the man cleaned it. When Devin finally ate, there wasn't anymore of the hare left. The leftenant had eaten most of it and whatever was left Conn probably had. During the night they were made to pull watch, someone had to stay up to make sure they were not attacked. Devin was middle watch, he spent the time looking at his broken warbow and saw it was hopeless to fix. When he was done with his watch he went to bed and was up early the next morning. The march started after breakfast and he noticed Conn smirking at him as he carried the broken warbow. The march that day was just as long but frequent breaks had to be made. Only Conn and Nelson had horses so the rest of them were on foot. Whenever they stopped to rest, Conn had them spread out and hide in the woods to provide security. No one would be able to sneak up on them. People looked at Devin oddly with his broken bow, Devin kept it stringed and let the broken piece dangle.