Death Mages Ascent: Revised Edition (Death Mage Series Book 1) (18 page)

Chapter 22

              After leaving Adriana, Jaxom and seven hundred men rode out of the camp, heading south to meet what remained of the advance force. Jaxom rode near the front with Lord Wilbrin, who wore a full face helm along with his plate armor. When he had left Adriana, she had been lying on the cot, staring up at the roof of the tent. He had whispered that he loved her, and she had smiled broadly but never took her eyes off the roof. He hoped it would not be the last time they saw each other.

              A hand tapped him on the shoulder, and he looked to his left. Darian had ridden up beside him while he was deep in thought and was now looking at him intently. “I just asked how you got yourself an invitation to this little get-together?” he said.

              “General Blackburn and Lady Celia are friends of mine. They command the forces we are going to aid,” Jaxom replied. “How about you?”

              “I was given no choice. The three of us here were chosen because our wise leader, Magus Serin, does not appreciate how we question the way things are run within our ranks,” Darian said.

              “What do you mean?” Jaxom asked.

              “Many of the younger mages, myself included, wish to have a more involved role within the kingdom. To use our abilities to help the people of Ale’adaria in more mundane ways. For example, how much more food could be produced if an earth mage helped till the land or a storm mage called rain to water it. The temple priests heal the sick and injured, granted they do so to further the worship of their gods, but they are still helping others. We could do the same.” Darian’s words bubbled out in a rush with so much enthusiasm it seemed that he could barely contain them.

              Jaxom tried to think of ways that his own magic could help people, but he could think of nothing. Was his power only good for fighting and killing? The idea disturbed him.              “Tamrick and Danika Heartwind are the other two,” Darian continued. “Sibling green mages who are as vocal as I am on this topic. Serin has an acute dislike for us, and we for him. If one or all of us do not return from this mission, he would not miss us,” Darian said. His horse side-stepped a little as though it could sense its rider’s agitation. 

              “Why would Serin be against helping the common people?” Jaxom asked.

              “He says it is beneath mages to perform menial tasks. To be honest, I think he wishes we could return to the time before the mage wars, so he could rule as a king,” Darian said, lowering his voice.

              Jaxom could appreciate the man’s apprehension. Such an accusation was a serious affair. After the Mage Wars, all mages had sworn to never again seek rule over others. In some tellings of the story, the mages had been forced into the vow by average men. Tired of fighting, they had overwhelmed the mages in sheer force of numbers and threatened to destroy the mages entirely had they not agreed. If it became known that Serin had such ambitions, the other mages could very well execute him to keep similar suspicions from themselves. Jaxom resolved to keep a closer eye on Serin, if only to keep Corin safe.

              “Tell me of the brother and sister,” Jaxom said. He had not known that there was dissension among the mages in Ale’adar. Mages who disagreed with Serin might prove allies if the man did try to take control. “Do you know them well?”

              Darian laughed fondly. “Tamrick is a few years older than you and has always acted the older brother to me. My mother died in childbirth and my father was not around after that. I was raised by a kindly old woman in the castle, but I had no real family to speak of. Danika and I would play together while Tamrick watched over us,” he said. Jaxom thought he heard something else in his voice when he spoke of her, but the other man moved on quickly. “I ate many evening meals with their family. Their mother and father treated me well and have always been there for me. They are the best people I know.”

              Jaxom knew how the other man felt. “They think as you do about the need for changes in the mages’ castle?” he asked.

              “Yes, but many of the older mages still support Serin and more are simply afraid of him,” Darian said.

              “Why would they have reason to fear him?” Jaxom asked.

              Darian remained quiet for a minute before continuing. “Serin took over leadership long before I was born. He was a young man at the time, but we have heard whispers that two other older mages were also in contention for the position. One stopped breathing in his sleep, and the other was thrown from her horse while out riding. Both died within two weeks of each other, and Serin took his place as the first amongst us. He has led ever since.”

              Jaxom had never liked Serin and avoided him as much as possible, but the more he heard, the more he began to worry that he should have been paying closer attention to what was happening in the mages’ castle. For now, they had more pressing concerns. As far as Jaxom knew, Serin had never caused any real trouble for Ale’adaria beyond opposing Corin whenever he could. Clearly, the matter warranted further investigation.

              “Tell me more of your friends. You said they’re green mages?” Jaxom asked. He knew only that green mages drew their energy from the plants and trees, controlling them so that they almost seemed self-aware.

              “They are the most powerful among their school, though very few share that type of casting. Including their mother, there are no more than half a dozen of them in Ale’adar,” Darian said.

              “Will they know what to do when the times comes?” Jaxom asked, broaching the subject gently so not to offend.

              “If you are asking if they know how to fight, you do not have to worry about them,” Darian said with a laugh. “They do not have the type of ranged casts I do, but then neither do you, and you seem to do well enough.”

              They rode the next couple of hours in silence, both preparing for the coming fight. The call for halt came down the line, and a soldier came to tell them that Lord Wilbrin had requested the presence of the mages. They had stopped near the forest, and Jaxom wondered why they had strayed so far from the road heading south.

              They found the Lord near the front giving orders to several of his officers who then rode away to convey those orders to the men. The column began breaking up, forming a line that faced the general direction of the trees. The men began to check their weapons and armor in preparation. Many dismounted to ensure that the straps holding their saddles in place were secure to the horses.

              The commander waved them over. His face was grim. “The riders I sent to search for General Blackburn’s force have just returned.”

              “What did they find?” Jaxom asked, fearing to hear the news.

              “The general was forced to seek cover in the forest against mage attacks. The Dradon and Azuria forces must not be far behind them, so we can expect a fight as soon as the general arrives. He should be here within the hour,” Wilbrin said.

              “Any news of Lady Celia?” Jaxom asked.

              “My man says she was with them. He also said they have been chased for three days and are tired with many injured,” Wilbrin said. “I believe the king gave me such a small force because he expected the General to turn and fight with us. If they are in such bad shape, our task will be much more difficult.”

Just then, Tamrick and Danika rode up to join them. Jaxom was surprised at how much they looked alike. Both had long blond hair, but Tamrick’s stopped at his shoulders while his sister’s was tied in a tight braid that hung down to her mid back. The siblings wore bright green robes. Their sun-tanned skin and soft features made them two of the handsomest people he had ever seen.

“It is good you are here,” Wilbrin said. “I will be spreading my men out to meet the enemy, and I would like the four of you to space yourselves evenly behind them to give cover.”

“We will do what is required of us,” Tamrick said.

“Do we know how many mages and what schools they are from?” Danika asked.

“Our scouts found at least one ice mage,” Jaxom said.

“Speaking of which, where are your flying creatures?” Wilbrin asked.

“They will be here,” Jaxom replied, though he secretly hoped that Adriana and Brenin would arrive after it was all over. If Adriana knew what he was thinking, she would be angry with him.

              “An ice mage…” Darian said quietly to himself. Catching Lord Wilbrin’s look of concern, he quickly reassured him. “Do not worry my Lord. I will not seek the mage out, but I would relish a chance to see who is the stronger.

              Wilbrin nodded but did not seem completely convinced. “I have to check on the men, so I will leave you to decide where you will be.”

              As Wilbrin rode away, the mages conferred.

              “I will take the right flank,” Darian said. “From there I will be able to cast without fear of hitting our own men.”

              “I will take the center near you. We have always worked well together, and I see no reason to change that now,” Danika said. Jaxom saw a twinkle in the woman’s eye and noticed that Darian seemed to fidget a little in his saddle.

Her brother seemed amused by the exchange but said nothing. He looked to Jaxom. “That leaves us with the left. Would you prefer the flank or center?”

Jaxom knew the grim reality. Most of the casualties would be at the center, so his magic would most useful there. “I will take the center, if you have no objection.”

“None,” the green mage replied. He moved his horse closer to his sister and leaned over to hug her. “Be safe, mother and father would never forgive me if something happened to you.” 

“You worry too much, Tamrick,” she said, smiling.

“We should go,” she said leading her horse away.

Darian moved his horse closer and offered his hand to Tamrick who took it. Then he surprised Jaxom by doing the same for him. “Good luck,” the ice mage said and moved off after Danika.

The soldiers had taken their places, where they waited for the inevitable chaos. They had lined themselves into four ranks and most stood talking quietly among themselves. Tamrick moved off behind the formation with Jaxom riding beside him. “So you are the death mage who is advisor to the king. I have heard much about you and wish we could have met under better circumstances,” Tamrick said.

“As do I,” Jaxom replied. “I have not known Darian long, but I feel he is a man I can trust. If he calls you friend, I hope that I can trust you as well.”

“Trust is earned. I know that you are not welcomed by Serin and those who support him, but you should know that many of us believe you should have been offered a place in the castle,” Tamrick said.

The statement stirred old memories of resentment in Jaxom. “Serin would not allow it?”

“He and others still harbor prejudices against your school. I do not know why. It seems to be something that stems back to Mage Wars,” he said. “Truth be told, I think he feels threatened by you. He was adamant about none of us having contact.”

“You do not approve of how he manages the mages?” Jaxom asked.

The other mage gave him a measuring look. “Darian should not be voicing our internal conflicts, especially to one so close to the king. But no, I do not approve.” He stopped his horse. “This is where we part company. Good luck. I hope to see you after.” Jaxom turned to regard the forest in front of him. He tried his best to calm his mind in preparation. A short time later, the first riders came through the trees at a run. Seeing the king’s forces, they ran straight forward, and the line parted to let them pass. They looked exhausted. Many bore wounds wrapped in makeshift bandages. As more poured out of the trees, he spotted one rider with long blond hair trailing behind. He made his way over to her.

Seeing him, she turned her horse in his direction. “Jaxom, I’m so happy you’re here! I was afraid we wouldn’t make it.”

Dirt and blood stained her clothing and face, and the dents and scrapes on her plate armor attested to how bad it had been. Her eyes were ringed by dark circles. “You’re here now,” he said gently. “I promise to pour you a hot bath and cook you a meal myself once this is over,” he said.

She stared at him for a moment before tears welled in her eyes. She reached out for him. He hugged her awkwardly on horseback as she sobbed into his shoulder. He could not find the words to comfort her. Quickly, she regained her composure and leaned away from him. Beyond the streaks that tears had made in the dirt on her face, none would have known what had just happened. Looking around, she waved to a man riding toward the line. General Blackburn looked as bad off as she, but from his hard expression, he seemed simply out for an afternoon ride in the woods.

“I’m glad to see, General,” Jaxom said, offering his hand.

The general shook it with no less strength than he always had. “Me too, lad. There were a few times back there when I thought I would finally be able to lay down and take a break, but somehow I survived,” he said looking around. “Who leads you?”

“Lord Wilbrin is in command,” Jaxom said pointing to the plated lord who rode hard towards them.

Reining in his horse, Wilbrin brought his fist to chest in salute. “I see they haven’t killed you yet, General.”