The Accidental Archmage - Book Five: Loki's Gambit

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  A loud screech sounded from the chaotic struggle below the party, a bedlam already marked with the loud crackle of lightning bolts, the defiant howls of fighting men, the characteristic hisses of the lizards, and the sound of steel and iron weapons in battle.

  At the distinctive call, a large number of the lizards left their main group continuously being decimated by lightning bolts and flames erupting from random areas in the ground. The separate mass of beasts started to swiftly move toward the escarpment, closing the distance at a frightening speed.

  “I do believe you’re right, Habrok,” said Tyler as he let fly a blizzard of small triangular force blades. The transparent magical knives cut through the leading ranks of the lizards, slicing through faces, necks, and legs. The mage heard no reply from the ranger, but he saw arrows flying in the air and embedding themselves in the eyes of the approaching creatures. Occasionally, he could see projectiles tipped with flaming or crackling energy.

  Quetzalcoatl’s gift, thought Tyler. I do hope this guy doesn’t run out of arrows.

  The large lizards were stumbling over the remains of their dead kin, clambering up over those already piled up in front of the horde. Tyler then erected a low energy barrier in front of the attacking mass to make their progress doubly difficult. He could see the beasts slamming into the unexpected obstacle. Then he heard Tyndur complain.

  “Sire, would it be too much to ask if you let a few through?” The First Mage could imagine a petulant tone in the request.

  “Don’t worry, Tyndur. That energy wall will eventually break under the pressure of their assault. Though I am surprised no creature has jumped over it. Look, more are joining the fun,” answered Tyler with some amusement.

  Inwardly, the mage wondered if he was reassuring a petulant child, though the einherjar was always crabby when he felt he didn’t get his share of any fighting. More and more lizards were abandoning the attack on the humans on the open plain and joining the massed assault on the small cliff. He kept on flinging force blades at the incoming mass which had noticeably and dangerously grown in numbers.

  Barely a hundred beasts remained on the plain to harass the warriors in their square. Tyler continued using the blade spell which, of all the offensive spells available to him, consumed the least magical energy to create, and by now, was easily formed with but a moment's thought on his part. To the mage, the magical formation of sharp shapes appeared very effective against enemies made of flesh.

  Then the barrier broke as Tyler expected and scores of lizards surged forward. He looked at the pattern of attack and found another proof that the predators were indeed intelligent. The mass formed a U-shaped outline, the horns directed at their flanks. The First Mage continued with the blade spells, resulting in heaps of bloody body parts to his front. For the flanks, he created small barriers to delay the attacks coming from the sides and cast fireballs to the rear of each assaulting group. Some of the large lizards—which he guessed were the pack leaders—had already fallen.

  The delaying walls on the flank shattered from the sheer force of the attacking horde and a few beasts were already within reach of Tyndur and Kobu. Tyler didn’t stop to observe what they were doing; his focus was on thinning the lizards’ ranks, though he could hear Tyndur’s whoops of joy as he battled the lizards now charging him.

  Despite the massive casualties they had suffered, the beasts still continued their onslaught, a puzzling fact to the First Mage who observed that in comparison, animal predators on Earth would usually run away when they started to suffer fatalities.

  After a few minutes, a distinctly powerful shriek sounded, and the remaining lizards all turned and fled down the slope. A huge beast then strode into view of the bluff. It was a magnificent specimen. It had not joined the battle and was out of sight behind the cliffs on the party's right side. Unlike the other large lizards, this one had additional scales on its head, making it look as if it was wearing a cowl. Its massive tail was almost as long as its body. It gave a loud and extended hiss, then a growl in the direction of the party, a challenge Tyler immediately answered with a large force blade.

  To his surprise, the force blade broke against an invisible barrier in front of the peculiar monster. It then turned and quickly vanished, joining its rapidly retreating brethren.

  Tyler was stunned. The damned thing had a shield? A magical barrier?

  Then he heard Kobu speak to him.

  “A curious beast. This is the first time I have seen a creature, a lizard at that, able to wield defensive magic. Of course, there are magical creatures with innate abilities, but this one appears different. Quite intelligent, too. But then again, these are the Barrens,” said the exile.

  “Well, Kobu. Add another being to our list of non-admirers,” commented Tyndur. “The list of beings and creatures who would love to kill us appears to be getting longer.”

  “The number is bound to increase,” added Habrok. “We still have a long way ahead of us. Even after the Barrens. The spice of life, as a huskarl friend of mine used to say.”

  Gefjun spake:

  19. "Why, ye gods twain, | with bitter tongues

  Raise hate among us here?

  Loki is famed | for his mockery foul,

  And the dwellers in heaven he hates."

  Loki spake:

  20. "Be silent, Gefjun! | for now shall I say

  Who led thee to evil life;

  The boy so fair | gave a necklace bright,

  And about him thy leg was laid."

  Chapter Eight

  Predator Magnet

  Tyler smiled wryly as he faced the others.

  “I hope that list doesn’t turn out to be a book," the mage remarked. "Though I wouldn't bet against it."

  At his comment, the three laughed. Tyndur was guffawing so hard he nearly dropped the battleaxe.

  Hey, it wasn’t that funny, the mage thought. Battle stress?

  “Now, that would be one book I’d love to read,” the einherjar uttered after regaining his breath. “The memories each and every entry would bring! That alone would be worth bringing along a barrel of mead!”

  “I believe they're waiting for us, sire,” spoke Kobu, meaningfully looking down the slope.

  Tyler turned around and glanced at the caravan below them. The humans had disbanded their square, but a number had formed a line-abreast formation facing the bluff.

  Other warriors were tending to their dead and wounded, while a few, armed with spears, were walking around the fallen lizards, making sure they were all dead. The leader of the caravan was positioned at the back of the warriors standing at the ready.

  “Form up and let’s see who they are,” said Tyler.

  The party went down with Tyler making sure he didn't make a stupid spectacle of himself by tripping and falling down the slope. A broken neck would be preferable to sniggers behind his back for the rest of his life. He knew his companions were as sure-footed as mountain goats given their experience. But Tyler recognized his limitations – a city boy born and bred. Learning to move fast in rough terrain was a skill borne out of experience and training.

  As they reached the foot of the rise, he activated the shield again, this time, a taller one, a barrier which went up past his head. Tyler knew his group had saved the asses of those in the caravan, but it didn't mean they wouldn't turn on the party. He was learning how to survive in this world but knew his survival skills had gone up but a notch.

  As the party came to within twenty feet of the waiting warriors, Tyler called a halt. Kobu walked to him and offered to deal with the situation.

  “What languages do you know?” asked Tyler. The man was the perfect person to handle the situation, he suspected. If what the Feathered Serpent had said was true, diplomacy would be part of the skill set of Kobu, the war leader.

  “Primarily Greek. I can handle the language of Skaney, Kemet, and the Inkan Kingdom. A smattering of the imperial languages of the west. Plus, some languages of the black kingdoms and empires to the
south of the Zhong Empire. Being a soldier and a mercenary had its perks. Though it is always a matter of honor among the more advanced cultures that the leader of a party does not deal with strangers directly.”

  Zhong Empire? Interesting, thought Tyler.

  That also means Kobu has knowledge about a lot of lands I know nothing about. Some might have familiar names, but a lot will probably be beyond what I know. Should have watched History Channel more often.

  “I agree it would be best if you dealt with them. But keep to within five to six feet in front of me. Otherwise, you'll be beyond the shield barrier,” advised Tyler. No way would he risk betrayal from the waiting caravan.

  The exile walked forward, held up his right hand, and said a greeting in Greek. The armored leader came out from behind the line of warriors and removed her helmet. Long black hair tumbled down, freed from the confines of the metal cap.

  The three at the back of Kobu exchanged glances. Few women adopted the formal study of magical arts because of the time needed to perfect the skills, except in Skaney where magic was taught as part of battle skills. Astrid was a product of those warrior academies.

  But in Kemet and Hellas, women predominated in priestly or ritual magic. The spells and abilities they learned could be deadly, being broader in scope than mere battle magic. Though in all the kingdoms, magical practitioners were subjected to a form of structured teaching. Here in the Barrens, they found a woman warrior not of the known kingdoms, with skills similar to what the Norse called battle magic. It was a surprising exception to what was practiced in the larger realms.

  Tyler observed the woman carefully. She had brown complexion and a small but wiry frame. She was beautiful though a facial scar running down the left cheek marred her looks. The mage tried to examine the men at her back, but armor hid most of their features. However, the complexion and height of most mirrored that of the woman.

  Then he observed variations in the armor worn by the strangers. The cuirasses were indeed Greek in design, but complemented by chainmail. The chainmail extended to the upper arm and also had a cowl, over which the metal cone helmet, framed by studded iron or steel, was worn.

  They also wore thin pants made of some sort of cloth. Cotton, assumed Tyler. The strangers had metal greaves, leather sandals and gauntlets, though the armor pieces looked like they were made of bronze.

  Below the Greek cuirass was a kind of tasset—bands of metal connected or tied with leather to form a low skirt. The entire combination looked strange to Tyler, not falling into what he remembered as hoplite or Roman armor.

  The woman also raised her right hand and answered in Greek. Unfortunately, Tyler's mind during the exchange was on observing the strange armor and he missed the discussion.

  “Sire?” asked Kobu, using the language of Skaney.

  “Oh, sorry about that,” said Tyler, “I got caught up observing their armor.”

  The exile came over and whispered to the mage.

  “They said they come from a small village right in the direction where we are headed. At the foot of the mountain range. They're on their way to trade with the Pelasgians. Of course, they thanked us. Their leader says you're a mighty mage. Her name is Keshini.”

  “Keshini? Doesn't sound Norse or Greek. I doubt she comes from Kemet or the southern lands. Those territories are too far from here,” remarked Tyler.

  “They could be descendants of ancient exiles from those lands. But, I agree, it's not a possibility. Such migrants would have been welcomed in Kemet,” observed Kobu. “That land accepts people from everywhere provided they hew to the traditions of Kemet and are willing to fight for the kingdom.”

  “What we do now?” asked Tyler. “Wait. What I meant was–are they hostile? And if not, what are their plans? As for us, we know where we’re going.”

  “I believe they're not hostile. Rather, they're quite afraid of us. They did see the impressively murderous show we displayed. They know even one of us can wipe them out,” said Kobu.

  “Their plans then? Casualties? We could help in the healing, if needed,” Tyler continued.

  Kobu asked the woman, though Tyler could perfectly understand the reply. He appreciated Kobu's small deception. Better to let strangers underestimate what you know or can do.

  “They suffered three dead and some injuries among their men. The leader says thank you, but they can handle the healing themselves. They plan to continue with their trade mission, although I inferred we can’t go with them as they hold those routes secret.”

  “That’s fine with me. We don't plan on going that way. That would be a circuitous way to get to Skaney. Well, if they don’t need our help, I guess we best be on our way,” answered Tyler.

  Kobu talked at length with Keshini. He felt some fear from the leader when the exile mentioned the direction where they were headed.

  Curious, concluded Tyler.

  As the companions continued their journey, Keshini gave Kobu a token by which they would be identified as friendly by the village. Tyler glanced at the bronze object. It was shaped like a rune plate, but the characters inscribed on it were neither Greek or Norse.

  ***

  "You believe that village story, sire?" asked Habrok when they were out of sight of the caravan.

  "No, Habrok,” Tyler laughed. “The caravan was a sizeable one and meant to encounter trouble along the way. The warriors were well-equipped and armored. Their leader was a warrior-mage. No mere village could come up with that ensemble."

  "True," added Kobu. "We will find a village, maybe a large one. But that settlement would be just for show. There's a civilization in these parts, surprising as that may seem, being on the edge of the Barren Lands."

  "They must have excellent concealment magic," spoke Tyndur, "I didn't come across such a civilization the last time I was here. And… and I forgot to take some lizard meat for us!"

  "It’s fine, Tyndur. I guess we’re nearing the village they mentioned. We..." The mage started to speak and then stopped.

  “Sire, you might want to know, several energy signatures are coming straight for the group. Still at a distance but moving fast. And the Elder signal has become quite clear and distinct. But we guess that can wait,” said Hal abruptly, jolting the mage from his reflections.

  “Isn’t that obvious, Hal? Of course, it can wait!” answered Tyler with some irritation as he immediately let his energy examine the area.

  Hal was right. He could feel several distinct and strong energy forms coming for them.

  "Something's coming! From that way! Burrowers!" he immediately shouted as he faced in the direction of the incoming threat. The rest followed suit.

  Damn these open plains. Crawling with all kinds of predators, I presume. We are at a distinct disadvantage here. They're underground. Surprise will be on their side, seeing that they could just pop out from anywhere, assessed Tyler quickly. I have to bring them out into the open. But this goddamned land will just soak up any magical energy.

  Then an idea came to him.

  “Kobu! Dig me a hole past the topsoil!

  The exile immediately transformed his weapon into a Shaolin spade and quickly dug as Tyler swiftly strode to his position.

  “Is this sufficient, sire?” asked Kobu.

  “It will do, as long as it’s past the magic-absorbing topsoil. Take your positions! I’ll try to drive them out into the open!”

  Tyler held his staff up and softly called to it.

  “Nehua. Come. We need you. But don’t step on the ground. Stay aloft.”

  A foggy stream immediately came from the rod and quickly formed into the form of the Aztecah spirit, floating above the ground. Tyler was a bit taken aback when he saw Nehua smiling.

  “Finally! I get to be of help!” exclaimed Nehua.

  “There are several approaching creatures, but they’re underground. We don’t know what they are. I need you to drive them out to the open. But be careful. And don’t step on the ground, it drains magical energy.”

/>   “Of course, my lord. Can I kill those I can?”

  “Please do. I don’t believe they’re friendly,” answered Tyler. “You can use that hole to enter the ground. Again, be careful about the soil!”

  “I’ll take care, my lord,” said Nehua as she disappeared. The mage saw a tiny mist enter the hole Kobu had dug.

  I have to fix that ‘my lord’ thing. It just won’t do. I could have used Birki, but I think Nehua’s powers are more developed at this point. That earth elemental said he still had to get used to his more powerful form anyway. Unless Nehua can’t take care of whatever is coming, thought Tyler.

  He quickly joined the rest, though their faces were full of wonder. It was the first time they had seen the Aztecah spirit in her form. Then he noticed the expressions of the group.

  “Hey! Something’s coming, remember?” he reminded them.

  “My apologies, sire,” said Habrok as he positioned himself beside Tyler. “I didn’t expect the Aztecah spirit to be a young girl.”

  “Me too,” said Tyndur. “But we’ll see in a few moments what she can do.”

  “I guess we will all be surprised. Speaking from experience, such elementals are quite powerful, even at a young age,” chuckled Kobu. His weapon had shifted again to a naginata.

  “Let’s spread out. But move quietly. I have a suspicion whatever is coming tracks our location by sound,” advised Tyler. And probably by scent. The smell of those dead lizards must have mobilized a lot of the predators of this land into action. Or made them hungry.

  Without warning, the ground about fifty feet in front of the waiting companions violently erupted in a geyser of soil and rocks, the large, sudden and powerful disturbance showering them with soil and small boulders.

  As the debris fell back into the field, they could see a huge, burning elongated object, broken in many places, and bleeding black slime all over its body. Another forceful eruption of dirt followed, and then another, all with dead or almost dead giant worm-like creatures. Some were cut in half while others were like the first, clearly broken in several places along their long bodies. All had one thing in common. They were on fire.