Death Mages Ascent: Revised Edition (Death Mage Series Book 1) (6 page)

              “I know of a town near there,” Da’san said. “The area is technically part of Ale’adaria, but with so few people living there, they do not ever see tax collectors or soldiers.”

              “How do you know that?” Jaxom asked.

              “I have traveled much to bring the word of the Goddess to others. I have visited this town in the past, but I would not expect a warm welcome from them. They do not trust outsiders and do not think much of Ale’adarian soldiers,” Da’san said.

              “But we are not soldiers,” Brenin pointed out.

              “They will not see a difference. Patrols rarely ever go that for north if at all, so they are left to fend for themselves against bandits.” Da’san replied.

              “It’s as a good a place to start as any,” Jaxom said, grateful the priest had agreed to come along. Da’san would prove useful.

              “I know a small inn that traders on the road use. We can be there just after dark,” Cribble said, perking up. Jaxom nodded his assent, and the small group made their way down the road.

Chapter 7

              Celia had spent the day since Jaxom left with Nelix going over the plans for slowing the enemy advance. Her father’s men--her men now--would arrive from her family’s holding today. Tomorrow, the entire force of a thousand cavalry would move south. The plan was simple. They would harass the scout units and baggage train or any other weak spots in the invading forces. They would never engage in any fight they could not easily win, and they would retreat at the first sign of a situation turning against them. 

Even though she had feigned confidence with Corin and Jaxom, she still felt unsure of her ability to lead men into a fight. She had not lied when she told them that her father had been teaching her to do so, but she neglected to mention that her training had been informal—not at all the kind received by young lords. Her father had indulged her interest in battle tactics as a hobby, and she had learned her skill with the sword from a retired instructor. Celia’s father had never stopped hoping that she would marry. Celia loved her father but had no intention of settling down to raise children, at least not anytime soon. It hadn’t helped that the young nobles who had pursued her over the years had been pompous and arrogant.

After convincing Corin that she could lead, she had sent a message to her father, Lord Andel, brother of Corin’s mother, that the king needed men for the coming war. In the message, she had written that the king recognized his uncle’s failing health and would not ask that he himself march to the call. Celia knew that last part would hurt her father’s pride deeply, but it was the truth. By taking command of the men herself, she could keep her father from the field.

A knock at the door brought her out of her reflections. She opened the door to find a man she had known much of her life standing in the hall. Graydon had served as her father’s master-at arms for more than fifteen years and had taught her how to use a sword. His average height and build belied his deadliness with any weapon. She would need his help if she was going to pull this off.

“Lady Celia,” Graydon said, bowing slightly forward. She threw her arms around the man, giving him a hug which he returned with as much strength.

“I have so much to tell you,” she said. She invited him to sit and poured wine for both of them, then recounted the events of the past few days involving Jaxom and the shades, the impending war, and finally her slight deception.

The man leaned back, whistling through his teeth. “That’s quite the story. I’m not sure how I feel about lying to your father, and the king.” Graydon ran a rough hand through his short salt and pepper hair.

“You know my father wouldn’t survive a war in his condition,” she said. Celia’s father had been having problems with breathing for the past two years, and the priests had all said that his illness was beyond their power to heal. “What do you need from me?”

“Help me when we go south. If you see me making a mistake that may cost men their lives, let me know,” she said. “That’ll be easy. I’ve been stopping you from making mistakes most of your life,” he said, giving her a warm smile.

She returned the smile. “I know I’m stubborn and hard-headed. I’m the first to admit it.” She shrugged then changed the subject. “How many men did you bring?” “Two hundred on horse. Twice that will arrive in a few days’ time on foot. Your letter said that the cavalry was needed sooner to stall the southerners.”

“Yes, Corin has commanded General Nelix to take a force of a thousand men and slow their advance as much as possible to buy more time.”

Graydon stared down in thought, as if envisioning troop movement on an imaginary map. “A sound tactic. It will allow the king to better position his forces before the brunt of their army arrives. If we’re lucky, we may even cripple their ability to siege if it comes to that. When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow. Will the men be ready?”

“They just need to rest for the night. They are ready.”

“I mean ready to follow me,” she said, looking him directly in the eye. “The men know you. Many are fond of you like a little sister. They will support you,” he said.

“I don’t need them looking on me as a child who needs protection, Graydon,” she said. Nobody would coddle her.

“They may think of you in that way, but they are soldiers and know how to follow orders. I just mean that they will stand beside you.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said with real relief in her voice. “I will inform the men and get them settled for the night.” Celia followed Graydon to the door and embraced him again. After he left, she sank back into her chair near the window. With Graydon’s help, she might just be able to make it through this. With a little luck her father and Corin would not discover her deception until  it was all over.

Chapter 8

              Jaxom and his small group had been on the road for five days. They rode during the day and sat around a common room hearth or campfire on nights when no inn could be found. He had learned a considerable amount about all of the men except Cribble, who remained quiet, speaking only when asked a direct question or to make a surly remark. Jaxom had tried to alleviate the tension between the Captain and himself, but the man simply refused to meet him halfway. The others had been more forthcoming. Jerup had a wife and two children, a nine-year-old boy and a twelve-year-old girl. He was also very fond of singing but was incapable of carrying a tune. Brenin had joined the Guard at eighteen, his ability with a bow earning him the spot at a young age. He was a cooper’s son and had decided early on that he would not spend his days making and repairing barrels. Da’san had joined the priesthood at sixteen and had begun to spread the word of the Goddess a year later. He had made pilgrimages to temples in many kingdoms. Because of this, his knowledge of the world beyond Ale’adaria was substantial, especially considering his youth. In spite of his devout temperament as a devoted servant of Sarinsha, Jaxom often caught him laughing at Brenin’s crude jokes.

Dark clouds had been moving in throughout the day, and it was not difficult to tell that a heavy storm was developing. Jaxom informed his companions that they would shelter at the next inn. Empty grasslands gave way to plowed fields, then scattered houses. Cribble informed them that the town was called Toppers Pond. He had visited years before, and the inn where they could stay brewed an especially fine ale. One of the few things Jaxom had managed to learn about Cribble was that he loved ale. As they rode into town, the wind picked up, blowing sheets of rain. The dirt road turned to mud, sucking at the hooves of their mounts. The inn was a two-story stone building with a tile roof and a stable to the side. A couple of wagons in the open area showed that a few traders had also sought shelter there. A man in work clothes emerged from the stable to take their horses. He hesitated a moment when collecting Jaxom’s but said nothing.

The common room was neat and clean with only a dozen customers scattered at the tables and the bar, some speaking quietly while others played at dice or cards. A fire in the hearth warmed the room. They took a table near the rear of the establishment, and a young woman in a simple skirt approached them holding a tray laden with mugs.

“What will it be?” she asked, smiling warmly. Jaxom thought her eyes lingered longer on Brenin.

“Three ales, wine, and water,” Jaxom said. The three Guardsmen would want ale while Da’san did not drink alcohol.  “What do you have for the evening meal?”

“Roasted pork with boiled potatoes.”

“Five plates of that. Do you have any rooms available for the night?” Jaxom asked.

She paused a moment to think before nodding her head briskly, sending curly brown locks over her shoulder. “We have two left. Each only has two beds, so one of you will have to sleep on the floor.”

Jaxom pulled three silvers from his pouch and slid them across the table to the woman. She picked them up and peered so closely at them he thought she might bite down on one. Satisfied, she tucked them into her skirt.

“Upstairs, the last two doors on the right.” She pointed. “I’ll have your drinks out in a bit,” she said cheerily, winking at Brenin before she moved off to the next table. 

“Why do you have to make eyes at every girl we meet?” Da’san asked Brenin.

“I didn’t do anything,” Brenin protested. “She was making eyes at me. Besides, you’re just jealous that she didn’t take a second look at you.”

“I am a priest of Sarinsha,” Da’san replied, as if that absolved him of such trivial emotions and desires.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t lay with a woman. In fact, I know a priestess who is very open to--” Brenin started.

“Enough!” Jerup interrupted. “We aren’t here to debate which of you is prettier.”

“It’s not a debate,” Da’san said under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Jerup ignored the statement and continued. “Captain, any idea how close we are to Teriken?”

“I would say at least another three days, but Da’san would know better than I. This is as far north as I’ve ever been,” Cribble said.

“That is right. From here, the road will get rougher. We will see few towns and fewer people. The folks who live near the forest survive through farming and hunting. Some of the finest furs and leather comes from that area, but few wish to be so close to Teriken.

“What do you think, Magus?” Jerup asked.

Jaxom had only half been listening because something had caught his attention. He had been secretly looking about the common room trying to find what was bothering him. His eyes kept coming back to a man sipping wine at the bar. He appeared to be a simple trader with a long beard and clothes of better quality than the average farm hand. Jaxom couldn’t put his finger on what troubled him about the man, but he couldn’t get past the sense that something was off about him.

Realizing that he had been asked a question, Jaxom returned to the conversation. “I told you before, Jerup, don’t call me magus.” He had told them to call him by his name once they left the city and had the Guardsmen put away their livery. “Sorry, Jaxom,” Jerup corrected. “What do you think?” 

“The plan hasn’t changed,” Jaxom said. “We’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, let us just enjoy the comfort of a roof for tonight. If Da’san is correct, we’ll be sleeping in the open for the next few days.”

The others nodded their heads in agreement, and even Cribble seemed satisfied with that. Before anyone could talk further, the young woman came back with their drinks. She took a moment to pat Brenin’s hand when she gave him his. This started up the banter between him and Da’san again.  Jerup talked about his time in the army hunting bandits while Cribble described some trouble he had been having with street gangs near the wall in the poorer parts of the city.

When Jaxom looked back to where the trader had been sitting, the man was gone. The bar maid returned with their meal, and Jaxom eventually put the man from his mind. The food was surprisingly good. Jerup started telling stories about some of his funnier experiences in the army, which even had Cribble laughing. As the night wore down, Jaxom told Cribble and Jerup to take one room while he and the younger men would take the other. Jaxom would sleep on the floor. These men were here because of him, and he felt obligated to make the journey as comfortable as possible for them. Da’san argued for a moment but acquiesced after Jaxom insisted. They rose with the sun and went down to the stables to collect their mounts. The man who had taken their horses refused to collect Jaxom’s horse now that he could better see it in the light of the day. Jaxom commanded the risen animal to come, which seemed to frighten the stable hand even more. As they saddled the horses, Brenin kept laughing and talking about the man’s reaction. They had all become used to Jaxom’s mount, but it amused Brenin to no end every time someone new saw it.

Back on the road, the scattered farmland ended, yielding to flat grassland sparsely dotted with small clumps of trees. The road narrowed to no more than two ruts in the dirt. Last night’s storm had completely moved on, not leaving a single cloud for shade, and it wasn’t long before the heat had them all sweating. The Guardsmen had it the worst with their heavy chainmail. Jaxom even regretted wearing his customary black as the temperature continued to rise throughout the day.

At mid-day, they came upon a small grove of trees surrounding a stream. They dismounted and started a small fire. While Jerup was busy making soup from the dried meat in their supplies, Jaxom went to the stream to fill the water bladders.

As he knelt by the slow moving stream, Brenin walked up to him, a worried look on his face. “I think we may have trouble coming our way.” He led Jaxom to the edge of the grove and pointed down the road behind them.  Straining his eyes, Jaxom could just make out two men on horses. “How long have they been there?” Jaxom asked.

“I don’t know. I thought I saw them a couple of hours ago, but I couldn’t be sure. They should have closed with us since we stopped,” the bowman replied.

“Unless they want to follow us without being seen,” Jaxom said.

“Why would they do that?” Brenin asked.

Jaxom had no answer. He walked back with Brenin to where Jerup was now serving the soup into small metal bowls. Once they had all gathered around the fire, he told them what Brenin had seen.

“What do they want?” Da’san asked, to no one in particular.

Cribble spat into the fire. “It doesn’t matter. Whatever they want, it isn’t in our interests.”

“I agree. If they didn’t mean us harm, they wouldn’t be trying to stay out of sight.” Jerup glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the unknown men.

“It could just be bandits sizing us up,” Jaxom said.

“Or it could be that those we are hunting have found us first,” Cribble said looking directly at Jaxom.

He knew exactly what the veteran guard was thinking. If the enemy had found him in the cells beneath the palace, why couldn’t it find him out in the open? This couldn’t be another of the shadow creatures, though. That being had flinched at the touch of torchlight. Such a creature could never stand in open sunlight. Nevertheless, the shades were men, or had been before their change. If the enemy had used such men to attack the castle, he may have sent more to find them out here.

“It doesn’t matter who they are,” Brenin said breaking his chain of thought. “There are only two. We can handle them.”

Jerup gave him a good swat on the back of the head. “Think, boy. Just because you only saw two doesn’t mean they’re alone.

Da’san shook his head in amusement at Brenin as the archer rubbed the spot on his head. “He is right. Who they are does not matter. What matters is why they are waiting and what our next move is,” Da’san said.

“They’re waiting to catch us asleep. They think we don’t know about them. Why attack now when they can kill us while we’re helpless in our bed rolls,” Cribble said.

“We still need to know our next move,” Jerup said looking to Jaxom expectantly.

Jaxom considered. The way he saw it, they had four options. They could turn back and face their pursuers, forcing them to fight or retreat. They could wait until night and see if the men came at them, risking a fight in the dark against an unknown number. Or they could try to stay ahead of the pursuers by traveling through the night, a strategy he had rejected out of hand. They risked becoming separated in the dark, leaving them even more vulnerable. That left him with one option.

“Pack up. We’re moving now,” Jaxom said.

Leaving the cover of the trees, they rode for a few hours more. Jaxom made it clear that they must not look over their shoulders but continue on as if everything was normal. He explained the plan as they rode. They would find a place where they could break the line of sight with the men following. Once they found a good a spot, they would lie in wait for their pursuers and find out what they wanted. Their path took them into an area with small, rolling hills, so it wasn’t long before they found a perfect spot where a hill dipped sharply down out of sight. It was exactly what Jaxom had been looking for. The small valley leveled out at the bottom, allowing room for his party to move about unhindered. As they came over the top of the hill, the unknown pursuers would have the high ground, but Jaxom saw no way around that.

A small outcropping of boulders offered a place for Brenin to stand in safety from a charge by horses. He admitted that he could shoot from horseback but would be far more affective on the ground. The rest would try to draw their pursuers, allowing Brenin to fire his bow freely. There was little chance of this going exactly how they wanted, but all they could do was prepare as best they were able. It still worried Jaxom that he had no idea how many were coming. He could only hope there would not be more than they could handle.

Jaxom had wondered what role Da’san would play with only a small knife to defend himself. When asked, the priest smiled, saying he would find a way to fit into whatever happened. Jaxom envied the man’s confidence that his goddess would protect him.

They waited for a little over an hour before Jerup crept down from his lookout on top of the hill.

“At least thirteen,” Jerup said as he reached them. “They’re in no hurry, so I don’t think they know what we are about yet.”

Cribble let out a soft whistle. “More than two to one odds. Not good for us if they aren’t friendly.”

“I doubt they are. They all carry weapons and wear leather armor,” Jerup said.

Jaxom thought he could handle that many on his own, which seemed why their attackers had been waiting for the cover of night. If they knew what he was, they would not risk a straight fight. Still, something about how few men there were bothered him. Taking on a mage in the open, even at night, was a risky affair. If a mage had help, it would make the task twice as difficult. “Mount up. Brenin, get to your spot and find their leader,” Jaxom said. The young guard nodded his head, trotting off to where he had tied his horse near the boulders.

Jaxom and the two remaining Guardsmen spaced themselves evenly apart, away from the base of the hill. Da’san took a position directly behind them where he seemed to be praying. Jaxom had never prayed for help in the face of danger, and did not feel hypocritical enough to do so now. Even though he wouldn’t pray, he did hope that Da’san was calling in a favor from Sarinsha.