Baron Fury and his men were burned horribly, Devin didn't think anyone could survive his fire and the people who found them would just find charred bodies. It would take them a while to do so, the big estate was in flames and putting it out would be hard. Devin thought it was tough luck for the man that had been lashed. The dungeon was stone but the smoke would probably get to him.
“Next town we trade the horses and buy supplies,” Suzan said. “No real haggling, whatever we can get and then start moving. Buy yourself a bow as well, speed is our friend, not secrecy.”
“Haven't we had it out in this town coming up before?” Devin asked.
“If anyone gives us problems, we kill them,” Suzan said. “Any pursuers we kill them as well.”
“Yes Master,” Devin said. “Buy the weapons I need, you may need a heavy coat to snuggle up in when it gets cold.”
“When we get to town, we split up,” Suzan said. “I saw a stable through here before. I will take the horses there to trade along with tack. I should be able to get saddlebags thrown into the deal along with old blankets and coats or something. These are prized horses and I will likely get old beat up animals that can't move as fast. They will be enough to get us a few towns down the road and we try it again.”
When the town came into view Devin had a good idea of what his part was. There was a bowyer near the smiths and he would buy a bow and some arrows from him. Devin knew he would overpay but wanted a decent number of arrows just in case he had to use them. After that he was to meet Suzan at the stables she mentioned and they would both go buy whatever else they needed and be on their way. Suzan wanted to stay in town no more than an hour, if it took longer than that then they were going to steal what they could and leave. Suzan didn't care that they had to probably kill people and only wanted to get going. As they rode through town, Devin separated and went into the bowyers. There was a man around seventy summers inside.
“I need a bow and I need it fast,” Devin said as he held out his coin purse.
“Well that depends on what you need it for son,” the man laughed.
“Not in a mood to jaw with you and I don't want to be disrespectful,” Devin said. “A hunting bow, bring me what you got.”
“Well you haven't told me the draw weight you need or what you will be hunting,” the old man said.
“I am not trying to be funny with you,” Devin said irritated. “Just give me a hunting bow, don't care what you grab.”
“This isn't how to pick a bow,” the man drawled. “I like satisfied customers.”
“I am shooting deer and whatever draw weight you think is best,” Devin said quickly. “Just get me a bow with some arrows.”
“So you are shooting deer?” the old man said. “Well what kind of deer are you shooting?”
“Nevermind,” Devin said as he snatched his coin purse off the counter and turned to leave.
“Well wait a minute,” the old man said. “You came in here bothering me and all I am trying to do is help you.”
“No you aren't,” Devin snapped back. “You are being an ass and think it is funny. I have asked you for a bow four times and you keep giving me stupid questions.”
“I am trying to help,” the old man said offended.
“No you are not, I said I need a bow!” Devin screamed. “I don't care what kind, just a bow. You wanted to know what it was for, I gave you an answer and said I wanted one and then you went into all sorts of even dumber questions.”
“So you can get the right bow!” the old man said.
“You are a terrible businessman,” Devin said. “I hope when the next lad comes through the door you will just give him what he wants instead of what you want to give him. A man asks for a bow, then get him a bow. At least show him some product instead of sitting asking stupid questions.”
“I’ll get you a bow,” the old man snapped. “A deer hunting bow and you better be happy with whatever thickness, draw weight or arrowheads you get.”
“Finally,” Devin said. “I need forty arrows and quivers to carry them. I don't care about fletchings, wood type or anything else you want to talk about. Give me whatever fits into the bow and we will call it even. How much for a bow, and the arrows, and the quivers to hold all the arrows?”
“Well normally all of that would run you five silver but you have been an ass,” the old man said.
“Here is a gold,” Devin said as he slammed it down on the counter. “I just want my stuff.”
“I don't get why you are in such a hurry,” the old man said as he took the gold. I have been in the bow business for over fifty summers. I know everything there is about hunting game, best type of bow, best type of string and what arrows to use. I could save you money by ensuring you don't buy too much bow for your needs.”
“And that is nice, but I told you I was in a hurry and don't want to chat,” Devin said. “Now please, go get, my things.”
“I’ll get up,” the old man said angrily. “Whatever you are all spun up about doesn't mean you have to be an ass to an old man. Why, back in my day, even if I was angry I would show some respect.”
“MY BOW SIR!” Devin yelled.
“That is what I am talking about, no patience and want everything done right away,” the old man said.
“Give me my coin back,” Devin said as he stretched out his hand. “You keep all of your stuff, I’ll find someone with a bow that is willing to sell it.”
“Well you just wait a minute, I said I was getting it,” the old man said.
“And you are taking forever and are happy berating me instead of getting my things no matter how much in a hurry I told you I am,” Devin said. “My coin, give it to me.”
“I already have the money and I am getting your things, you just need some respect,” the old man said.
“I don't want your things, I want my coin,” Devin said.
“Well I could have gotten it if you would let me,” the old man said. “It is only rush rush rush with you.”
“Well then get it!” Devin screamed as the door opened behind him.
“What is taking you so long?” Suzan said. “I got the horses quickly, traded them for some others the owner was coming to pick up. He threw in almost everything we needed and I got food.”
“I am getting my money back from this old man who is moving slow and doing nothing but complaining,” Devin said irritated.
“So this little lady is why you are in a hurry,” the old man smiled.
“Get my things or give me my coin,” Devin said.
“Unlike you I can always take the time to be nice, especially to a young lady,” the old man said.
“I’m done with you!” Devin said. “I am about to go around that counter and take it directly out your ass!”
“Well what?” the old man said as Devin jumped the counter and grabbed the old man by his shirt.
“I asked for my money and you want fun and games,” Devin said angrily. “Here is some fun and games.”
“Let me go!” the old man said as Devin’s fist slammed into his stomach, bending the old man over.
“I said I want my coin or my things!” Devin screamed as he picked the man up and belted him hard in the stomach again. “How does that feel? Looks like it hurts. Now go get my bow.”
Devin picked the old man up and felt bad by bashing his head into the door to open it. In the back room was only one dusty bow that looked like it had been there a while. Devin tossed the old man down and grabbed the bow along with a rotten looking quiver and the only five arrows he had. Devin wanted to scream as he looked around the place, all of that and the old man didn't have anything. The old man was still on the ground and was looking wildeyed, Suzan was looking confused as Devin looked down on him.
“All you had to do, was get me a bow,” Devin said. “None of this had to happen but you wanted to play games. You only got one bow back here, it wouldn't have been hard for you to just go get it and come back. I am the best customer you could have hoped fo
r, one that would have taken whatever and left. I should beat on you more so the next bloke that comes in here does not have to answer stupid question after stupid question. Now go ahead and say something so I can stomp your teeth clean down your throat.”
“Just go,” the old man said as he covered up.
Devin felt bad for his actions, he should have just walked out when the old man first started his questions and left. Then again Suzan said if they couldn't buy what they needed then they should steal it and didn't care if anyone died. Devin left him in the back room and spotted the gold on the floor. Devin picked it up and tossed it in the room with the old man who had to be shocked to get a proper throttling from a man a quarter of his age. The more Devin thought about, the less he felt bad. That old man probably used his age to annoy people and definitely wouldn't be doing that anytime soon. Devin didn't mind talking to older people about whatever but thought respect went both ways. When someone was in a hurry stop trying to delay them with stupid stories. Devin had asked for his coin back and the old man refused and then went into another story. Devin climbed on his horse and took off out of town. They had been riding an hour before Suzan started to speak.
“Was that necessary?” Suzan said. “I know I told you to steal and kill if you have to but that was a frail old man Acolyte.”
“He just got to me,” Devin said. “Reminds me of my brothers’ grandfather, Mr. Darcy. Nothing is ever easy for me, I could ask for a plum and he would talk about how lazy I am and why don't I buy my own land like he did. Then I could get some seeds and plant a tree and have my own plums. Only to me he would do that to, with his grandsons he never bothered. That old man just reminded me of him too much, people who think they are cute by being annoying. The last straw was when he had my coin and still didn't go get my things. I went too far but I bet he will never make that mistake again.”
“It will bring attention to us that we don't need Acolyte,” Suzan said sharply.
“Sorry Master, I will try to do better,” Devin said.
“See that you do,” Suzan said. “We are already trying to stay ahead of a possible mob.”
“It might take them a bit to even come looking for us,” Devin said. As if on cue Devin heard some people riding hard behind him. Suzan turned back and saw the riders as Devin had them take the horses and turn off the road. Devin used the time to scale a tree, Suzan was going deeper and if they were being pursued then the riders would have to go in and get them and put themselves in his sights. The riders did come, it was fifteen of them, most were wearing Baron Fury’s colors and they were joined by what looked like two City Watchmen from Mayalia. They got off their horses and started into the brush.
“That is far enough,” Devin said from above them. “Turn around and leave.”
“There you are you little shit,” Jasper said as an arrow took him in the throat.
“I said turn around and leave,” Devin repeated. “Leave your horses and drop your weapons.”
“We can cut him out that tree,” Teo said as he hid up against a tree. Devin leapt from his tree and started running along branches until he got to Teo’s tree. The man didn't even notice as an arrow took him right through the top of the head.
“I said drop your weapons and leave your horse,” Devin said as two arrows thudded into his tree.
Devin ran back around the side and waited. His attackers were trying to get him and already they were two down. Devin took off to another tree and then another tree as he went deeper into the forest. Devin was fast, he found Suzan who had tied off her horse and was trying to climb a tree. Devin ignored her as he sighted his bow and looked through the branches. His pursuers came walking up with bows drawn, Devin took one in the chest which made them all scatter. Devin knew he wasn't seen and didn't want to give away his position by moving. They knew he was in front of them but that was it.
The twelve men he was now facing split up. Four went to the right, four to the left and four stayed in the middle. They must have had an idea of how far away he was and wanted to surround him. Devin let them run, He sighted his bow and just waited for the group coming around the left to come into view. The fourth arrow caught a man in the eye and Devin was moving. The group on the left didn't get a good time to set up as Devin shot another one and then quickly moved down the tree he was in and to one of the downed men he had shot. Devin took the arrows out of his quiver and then hid behind a tree. He had just nocked an arrow when he heard a scream coming from at least fifty paces behind him. The first scream was followed by another and then shouting.
“He’s over here!” a voice cried out as Devin was confused. The two men he was hunting shed their cover and came running straight at him. Devin hid behind a tree and was surprised when both men ran past him. Devin shot them both in the back and then topped off his quiver and traded bows with one of the men.
Devin snuck threw the forest and could see one man was dead with a throwing knife sticking out of his throat. Two others had been hit but the knife didn't have enough power behind it. The man struck in the shoulder bled but was still able to fight, the other was caught in the forearm. Suzan was up a tree and trying to hide, Devin saw the remaining four come up.
“He is right there,” a man said not bothering to lower his voice. “We finally got that bastard. He can't move from that spot and is out of arrows. He has these little throwing knives but is either out or only has one or two. We are going to surround this tree and…”
Devin had heard enough and took the speaker in the back. Devin was able to take the stunned man who was talking to him in the neck and then waited for the rest. They went running away from Devin and had forgotten about Suzan. A fireball hit one of the men and brought him screaming out of his hiding spot and into an arrow from Devin. Suzan was in the perfect spot as she started raining down arrows as Devin shot anyone trying to run. When it was all over they stripped the men of what they could and changed horses. They were still far from home but any pursuers they had would think twice about going after them and it would take time to even raise a good force.
It took the pair a little over two weeks of heavy riding to get to and pass through the border. Devin was sure Suzan was still holding her breath and wouldn't be happy until they were safe back in the Grey Fortress. The tunnel they used had a strange marking on it and neither Suzan nor Devin knew what it meant. The pair went through the tunnel anyway, it was slow going since they didn't know what to expect. When Devin finally made it through the tunnel, he could tell something wasn't right. He should have been challenged by someone, instead he wasn't and he and Suzan had walked on through. Suzan sensed it as well, Devin had his bow out and would follow her.
It was daytime so Devin could see, Devin could hear the sounds of people but was still cautious. Suzan pressed on a stone and a passage opened up, Suzan was met by a sword to her throat. Whoever it was recognized her and pulled her and Devin inside. A torch was lit and Devin could see it was Sting who had been standing watch.
“What happened here?” Suzan asked.
“We have been breached,” Sting said. “I was told that any who came would probably be safe if they came through the tunnel and headed straight for this passage.”
“They are through the gate?” Suzan asked.
“They made a big push and took a lot of casualties to do so,” Sting said. When they cleared the gate they were not ready for the drop and we took out even more as they tried to get around. Some jumped and hurt themselves but we took out a lot more. Eventually we all had to barricade inside of here. They have been trying to breach the Fortress but we have been making them pay. They tore down our walls, that was their main goal, I am amazed you didn't notice.”
“I didn't,” Devin said. “I was just focused on not being challenged and came straight for the Fortress.”
“We have been sending the Hatosians away along with our younger members. They have been retreating to Hatos with plenty of magestone to keep them up. There are not many of us here anymore. All
three kingdoms threw a lot of people at us, it was like they didn't care about dying.”
“Come Wasp,” Suzan said. “We have a story to tell.”
Devin followed Suzan through the passage as it let out in Cameron’s operating room. Suzan went through the halls and Devin was happy when he saw Gerald. The two gave each other a big hug, Tasha went to see what everything was about and gave Devin her own hug. Suzan told him to stay as she went to speak to the seniors.
“You done already?” Gerald said.
“Only took two hours once we got there,” Devin said. “I got into a dustup and was thrown into the dungeon. The Baron came to see us and we took him then and burned his estate to the ground. Got into it trying to flee but we met our goal.”
“I was worried about you,” Gerald said. “Not many teams have made it back yet. We expect in the next month to start hearing word on assassinations and if they were successful.”
“You think we will last that long?” Devin asked.
“A siege is a horrible thing,” Gerald said. “Too many of them died trying to get here and they can't just leave. We are sitting on magestone that they want, they have Black Wizards that have been trying to help out but we still have the high ground and they need to get through our walls which is difficult with fire raining down on you. Their magic users only have so much while our side is constantly getting fresh magestone to use.”
“This still can't last forever,” Devin said.
“Our last ditch effort is to destroy our teachings and collapse the fortress onto the magestone itself,” Tasha said. “Then we are all headed into Savia with as much magestone as we can carry and plan on slaying the King.”
“Any word on how the war is going?” Devin asked.
The Wizard Page 18
