“Steady!” said the deep voice of the Knight Commander. Devin had recognized the voice from the party and should have figured that the man would be in the thick of the action.
“Keep that fire going Wizard,” said another deep voice from somewhere to Devin’s left.
Devin tried as the enemy archers tried filling the air with arrows, they were too far away and any arrows that were close were batted away by shields. Devin could hear a lot of movement behind him that eventually went in front of him. It was the Kingdom’s own archers who started firing into the confused mess before the enemy could regroup. A couple of horns and drums were sounded as the enemy started dropping back, Devin was almost out of magic and let his fire attack drop. The march started again, other soldiers had formed up and were right behind the archers who Devin thought were brave for leading the way with little armor.
The enemy was eventually formed up enough to fight, at least their Wizards were who started firing off spells into the crowd of rapidly dispersing archers. The Knights just kept their shields high as the rest of the soldiers decided to charge. They were throwing themselves on the spells in an act of foolishness Devin thought. The Wizards couldn't miss with their spells and neither could the archers who had formed back up. The onslaught wouldn't be denied, they eventually were too close as the hard fighting started. Devin couldn't see much from the glut of men around him but could hear men dying all around him.
Devin couldn't do much with his bow when the Knights got into the fight. Things were too close together and he didn't have any clear shots. The Knights fought through the crowds despite taking numerous hits and still looked ready to go. A few spells had hit them, Devin wasn't sure if the casters were killed or out of magestone since it was not a sustained attack. Loud drums started playing from behind Devin and the sounds of more screaming men filled his ears. The Savians were being pushed back and the combined forces were gaining momentum. Devin hung his bow over his shoulder and just grabbed an axe in each hand.
“I can't see pit,” Devin said as all he could see were shoulders and backs.
“The Knights are still pushing,” Adder said as he gripped the back of a big Knight and pushed himself up to balance on a few pairs of shoulders. Devin watched Adder take out a throwing knife and toss it, The Acolyte lowered himself after the throw.
“Big jumble,” Adder said. “We can't do anything here.”
The fight was the longest Devin had been in. It sloshed along until both armies gained enough control that their leaders could at least determine what was happening. Devin thought his side had definitely gotten the best of the battle, they had done the pushing and they had killed a decent number of archers and probably some Wizards as well. The Savians had withdrew further than they needed to, Devin thought they needed the time.
CHAPTER 15
“What is happening?” Devin asked as he could see almost every Knight, Wizard and high ranking military gathered around a tent.
“It’s over,” Adder said as he looked at the gathering of important people.
“What do you mean by it is over?” Devin asked.
“The Grey Fortress itself is under attack and has been probably since we left,” Adder said.
“An attack?” Devin said surprised.
“Three of the other Kingdoms are attacking the Grey Fortress,” Adder said. “I think all of us are traveling back to defend it.”
“Where does that leave this Kingdom?” Devin asked.
“We have to abandon our allies,” Adder said.
“My family lives there,” Devin said. “Being a Wizard and getting good money is nice but I still have my Da and brothers to look after.”
“The Savians need to be crushed,” Adder said. “We are pushing them back and I think we can do more. We just don't have the time.”
“Here comes Wizard Tasha,” Devin said. “She doesn't look happy.”
“We leave,” Tasha said. “Grab everything you can.”
“We are just walking away?” Devin asked.
“No choice,” Tasha said. “The Seniors sent out word that they are under attack. All of our people, even the youngest are there fighting for their lives. Everyone is on the wall and is killing the enemy but there are just too many of them. We are going into an unwinnable fight.”
“So we are just going to get our licks in before we fall,” Devin said.
“That is what it seems like,” Tasha said. “We are all going to have to make a choice soon. If the Grey Fortress falls, what happens then? You are expert guards, maybe even expert assassins if need be.”
“That doesn't make much coin,” Devin said. “I can probably pick back up being a Squire, even with all of them angry because of my height. I am not going around in any shadows doing illegal stuff.”
“I have enough money saved up over the years,” Tasha said. “I will be okay but the Acolytes might not. I know if the Fortress falls, we are going to try and destroy everything possible. All magestone and all of the training that we have cultivated over centuries will be destroyed. It is information that should not just be shared or given away.”
“I think that is what got us into this,” Devin said. “But you can depend on me until it all ends. I know you have to be worried about Gerald. I still am not sure if my Da has even gotten into the war yet.”
“Gerald can take care of himself,” Tasha said. “He was a Knight and has gotten out of worse.”
“The Kingdom has to call everyone up if the other three nations are fighting on the behalf of the Savians,” Devin said. “If that happens I already know where my place is going to be.”
Devin followed Tasha as she, along with what had to be at least a hundred Wizards and Acolytes. Devin didn't think they had that many and was even further surprised when ore people from his Kingdom joined in and were also going the same way led by Gerald and Senior Wizard Ashley. The Wizards had taken precautions in the case of an attack and had tunnels that Devin knew about leading to the small town of Cephil and other places all throughout the forests surrounding the Grey Fortress. Devin could tell that Tasha hadn't known about the contingencies that were in place either, Senior Ashley had only shown the one tunnel she used to escape and had met up with Gerald by luck.
Gerald had seen the enemy closing in and had taken his armor and anything he had of worth and left. He had met Senior Ashley on the road and together they went to the Citadel and then on to talk to the King himself. The King knew his people were now winning battles but would ultimately lose the war if the Grey Fortress were to fall. Senior Ashley had worked out a deal with him and Master Katee who was a stand in for the Knight Commander. The King was now pressing his entire populace into action, even those who had previously paid before since it was now four kingdoms versus him. Women were surprised to be tossed into battle, those with no children younger than eleven were taken. Anyone over eleven was also tossed into the war effort.
Devin surmised that Senior Ashley had to mention some of the things that went into spell casting since there were only women and a few nervous looking boys and men on the march. Devin hadn't really talked to either of them, he had gotten most of his information from Gerald who was always hugged up with a very nervous Tasha. Getting into the Grey Fortress was harder than Devin thought it would be. The tunnel really wasn't wide enough for more than two people at a time. The Wizards in the front made it through because they realized how a line worked, even in darkness they just grabbed the person in front of them and continued walking until they reached the end. The citizens of Hatos were another story. They complained about the darkness and stopped frequently until Senior Wizard Ashley had started separating people and sending them out. Once they learned she was sending them back to the kingdom along with a missive saying that they were too lazy and refused training, they started shutting up and moving along. Many were out of shape and had to stop during the walk which made things even worse. Eventually a system was worked out where the ones that had to stop would move off to the side a
nd let the others through. Devin thought it took hours longer than it needed to, Devin and a few others were placed in the back by Senior Ashley. Once she saw them then she knew there were no others.
“Finally,” Devin said after hours in the dark. The route Senior Ashley took them through was through thick forests that the enemy didn't bother with. Devin hadn't seen any of the enemy but knew they were out there when he had gotten out of the tunnel. Everyone was around and doing something. Devin had never seen the place so spun up and his annoyance at being in the dark soon faded away.
“Wasp,” Tasha said. “It took a bit longer than I thought to get you all through. During that time I have our orders.”
“How bad is it?” Devin said. “I haven't heard or seen anything of the enemy.”
“We are surrounded,” Tasha said. “But we have the high ground and our spells can reach them easily. They found this out the hard way since we are sitting on a large reserve of magestone so we can cast spells indefinitely. All of those oathbreakers have pulled outside of spell range and are now content to just surround us.”
“So it is not as bad as we thought?” Devin asked.
“They are waiting for us to run out of supplies,” Tasha said. “They know we cannot attack them and risk opening ourselves up to counter attacks.”
“I don't get it,” Gerald said. “Why not send a force like the Savians used to do and attack them?”
“That is what I was going to tell Wasp and Adder,” Tasha said.
“I don't think you understand,” Gerald said. “By them, I mean where they sleep.”
“And that is what we are doing,” Tasha said.
“So when do we leave and what do we pack?” Gerald said.
“Pack?” Tasha said, confused.
“You don't get what I am saying,” Gerald said. “I mean go into those Kingdoms and start the killing. So what they sent an Army to siege, they are probably safe at home thinking they will have magic before long. Strike them at home. Go after the men who think they are safe back in their kingdoms. They started this fight, all you are doing is ending it.”
“You want us to kill a King?” Tasha said.
“No,” Gerald said. “Kings are often well protected and ready for war. Barons, Baronets and Viscounts? They wouldn't be expecting to be ambushed.”
“You are talking about assassinations,’ Tasha said.
“And what of the babes here who died when they were attacked unexpectedly?” Gerald said. “Some weren't even ten.”
“I have to bring this higher,” Tasha said. “And you are not going even if I do.”
“What do you mean I am not going?” Gerald said.
“You are a huge heavily scarred man that sticks out in a crowd,” Tasha said. “Wizards do not stick out, we can look like everyone else. Once we get close we can strike, kill who we need to and keep moving. Here you will be safe and you can teach some of the people from your kingdom how to defend themselves. There isn't enough time to give them our techniques. Wasp I want you and Adder to help Cameron in the healing bay. He has a job that you both are going to hate with all of your being but it has to happen and happen now.
Devin was unsure of what she meant but went to go to the healer. Devin remembered Cameron for being too handsy during his initial health inspection. As Devin got closer he got a sick feeling in his stomach about what Cameron could need help with. When Devin saw groups of men in a line outside of the operating room he was sick to his stomach. Devin walked inside and saw men laying on each table and all looked unconscious. Cameron was the only person there and was about to begin a surgery.
The next few hours were some that Devin would never forget. He had never dreamed of holding another man in his hands but that is exactly what happened. They were put under by some weird powdered magestone mixture and operated on. Cameron did his operations ten at a time and then his patients were put on stretchers and taken away by those waiting in line to other rooms to recover. Devin was wishing Wizard Tasha would come get him but she never did. Devin had to stay for the entire thing, every cut, every grizzy thing. There was a bucket of stones that they all went into, Devin almost vomited looking at it. When it was over, Devin was shaken and Adder and Cameron found him humorous and overreacting. Devin thought they were depraved and wondered what the men were given to make a decision like this. Devin slept good and was only awakened when Venom came to get him.
“Why are you still in this armor?” Venom said as she touched his chest.
“What are you doing in here Venom,” Devin moaned as he stretched.
“I came to get you,” Venom said. “You could have had a bit of fun but you still have all these things on.”
“Huh?” Devin said and then got her meaning.
“The Squires were quick to play with me,” Venom said as she ran her fingers down the side of Devin’s face. “I know you want to as well.”
“Maybe,” Devin said. “But you have something going on with other lads here and I don't want any trouble.”
“Please,” Venom said sarcastically and rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how long it takes for them to warm up and even then it is not worth it. They can last with the right set of circumstances but they are not really having fun. Boys like you shiver when their necks are kissed and are so excited you become clumsy. That is a turn on in itself and many of you don't mind playing with me instead of the other way around. I had fun with the Squires, I could have fun with you too.”
“I think there are acolytes here that object to that,” Devin said. “Besides, there are plenty of men here now, not just me.”
“They will be busy,” Venom said. “Do you seriously think I’m going to beg for something I can get anywhere?”
“You might can get it anywhere,” Devin said. “Anywhere but here. I don't want any of the drama that comes with it. Was that all you wanted?”
“In a few minutes we are supposed to be woken up to listen to the day's orders,” Venom said. “There are a lot of new people here so you are eventually going to have to share your bed anyway when you are working. “Wouldn't you rather share it with me?”
“I would rather share it with you,” Devin said. “And I am sure I could have a whole lot of fun with with you. I ain't never laid with a girl before and trust me I want to. I just don't want any drama and you and the others seem like that is what you are about. Even my master warned me about having a relationship with a young Wizard girl, you only out for one thing.”
“Isn't that what boys are about?” Venom said.
“Maybe,” Devin said. “Just not this one.”
“What are you doing in here?” Krait said as he walked in. “And with him?”
“Ahh, there is the drama,” Devin said.
“When did you get back?” Venom said as she got up.
“I heard all about you from Wizard Daniel,” Krait said. “Throwing yourselves at those Squires and making their heads all big. You are nothing but a whore.”
“Big?” Venom said. “Are you scared you don't measure up? They are bigger than you are and you are worried if it is all over.”
“Just like a whore,” Krait said.
“Relax,” Venom said. “Even if I had fun, that doesn't take away from my time with you.”
“Disgusting,” Krait said as he walked away.
“Wizard boys are so much work and drama,” Venom said as she retching sound. “The Squires were way more fun.”
“Well look at his way,” Devin said. “Poor bastard only gets his jollies from emotions. There is no fun in it at all for him when you lay down together. You get yours but he is only in it for you. When you decide you want to share yourself with whoever, you break that bond with him. He was feeling special thinking you were the only one and he for you. You telling someone like me that you still want to sleep around and still have fun with me is one thing. Many men would jump at that, the chance to have fun and not worry about hard feelings. My Da didn't raise me up that way though. With that said tho
se were some nasty words he used but his feelings are probably hurt. I always thought he was a tosser anyway so it could have happened to a nicer guy.”
Devin left Venom with her thoughts as he went to wash his face and get ready for the day. Grand Wizard Charlotte was personally handing out the roles each person would play. Some were in charge of sneaking out and killing whoever they could in the dark. Others were sent to get supplies from wherever they could. There were many jobs but the only one Devin cared about was the one he was put on.
There weren't any other Acolytes given the task, Devin would be going with full Wizards on the account that he didn't need magestone to cast. In all there were twenty targets spread out between four kingdoms. Twenty full Wizards would be sent to Savia, they had their main targets and if they could spot anyone trained at the Grey Fortress they were to kill them. Ten people apiece were sent to the other Kingdoms for a total of fifty Wizards sent out altogether. Devin’s group were going into the Kingdom of Raenalia and would be split into five teams of two. Each team had a target they would go after, Devin had to kill someone named Baron Fury. The man was difficult for the Wizards to deal with before the war. He was angry to see them in his lands and had little use for women other than warming his bed. Tasha had told him that the man was short, overweight and suffered from inbreeding. He held his head at an angle and one shoulder was higher than the other. There were many times where some laundry girl accused him of rape but it was impossible to prosecute a landed noble and the trials were always left to the City Watch who was in his pocket. Tasha wished that was her target but she was known to the man. Devin was teamed up with Wizard Suzan, a Wizard that was promoted early because of the war and lack of Masters. She would be Devin’s master during this trip, Tasha agreed she was perfect for it.
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