Stranded Mage (13 page)

Thad turned to the young elf who sat in the room nervously looking around. “Why would you choose to come along knowing what was coming?”

“My grandfather used to tell stories of what it was like before we retreated to the island,” the elf said somberly. “When I heard Lady Salina talking to the rest I asked her to let me come. Almost every elf was asking though, so she didn’t want to let me come. I followed her and begged her to let me join.”

“Why?” Thad asked, looking around more than just a little confused. Thad couldn’t understand why so many would want to go on such a dangerous mission.

“Is it that hard to understand?” Reeve said darkly. “Elves were not meant to stay locked up on a single island. We sit around listening to the tales of when our people roamed the land freely. While the nobles sit around filling their time aimlessly playing politics the rest of us must sit an idly watch the years pass. We long for a time when we can walk freely, to once again go on a sojourn.”

“I must admit that it was not what I expected,” Thad replied, his voice slightly unsure. “I have plenty to do and much to think about. In the future I will be relying on you two heavily,” Thad said, dismissing the two elves.

“We are at your service Master Thad,” Parson said, bowing.

The two elves left leaving Thad alone with Tuck who still sat nervously at the table. “Do you require anything?” Tuck asked, rising to his feet.

Thad walked over to the trunks that were secured in his room. He had a lot of work to do in order to make a shield large enough to cover the large force he would be bringing with him. “I will require food and drinks as I work,” Thad said pulling a few select pieces of silver from one of the trunks. “I will be staying in my quarters working for most of the trip. I will need you to keep in contact with the captain and inform me of anything that may need my attention. Can you do that Tuck?”

“Yes, Master Thad,” Tuck said hesitantly.

Thad sighed and looked at the young elf. “Look Tuck, we will be spending a lot of time together. It would be much easier on me if you treated me with the same frankness as you would someone of your own station.”

“Master Thad, that would not be proper,” Tuck replied, dazed.

“Tuck, what was your job before you decided to board the ship.”

“I was an apprentice to a woodworker. All I really did was turn the wood and other minor tasks.”

“Would you like to know what I did before I found myself on this journey?” Thad asked as he sifted through the gems looking for the ones that had the best clarity.

“What was that, Master Thad?” Tuck asked curiously.

“I was a slave,” Thad said pointedly. “Now I really need to get to work and I am a bit peckish. If you have the time would you please talk to the cook and bring me up something to eat.”

Tuck, too surprised for words, simply nodded his head and left the room. Thad laughed to himself. Slave or Noble the only thing that really mattered in the world was who you were not what you were.

Thad picked up a grape sized ruby and pressed it against the piece of silver in his hand. As Thad focused the silver parted like water for the gem. Once the gem was firmly embedded Thad started on the next phase of his work.

Thad sat for hours his mind fully engulfed in the task of writing the enchantment on the silver orb. When his consciousness finally, fully surfaced, Thad found a large plate of ham and bread waiting on him. Looking around Thad couldn’t find Tuck anywhere.

Do you really want to make friends with someone who you are sending to their death?

“Would you please stop it?” Thad asked, annoyed. “Is it so wrong to want someone to talk to? I
know full well that he will most likely die because of me, but what would you have me do? Should I lock myself away from the world? I will risk my life to kill the Brotherhood and if they are willing to give theirs then I will let them.”

You should be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

“QUIET!” Thad yelled loudly, startling Tuck who had chosen that moment to open the door to Thad’s chambers.

“My apologies Master Thad, I did not mean to bother you,” the elf said shakily.

Thad rubbed his forehead with his thumb and forefinger. “It was not you Tuck, my staff was doing its best to aggravate me.”

“Your staff, Master Thad?” Tuck said eyeing the magical item with apprising eyes. “Does it have a name?”

“A name?” Thad asked, surprised. “I have never given it much thought to tell you the truth Tuck. Should it have a name though,” Thad said, looking at where his staff sat.

It would make things far easier for me. Maybe if I had a name you wouldn’t just order me about all the time.

“It seems to like the idea of having a name,” Thad said to Tuck as he slowly shook his head.

Tuck laughed for the first time since Thad had met him. “Most of the magical weapons and items from the past had names. What are you going to name it?” Tuck asked, bending down to look at the staff more closely.

“A name,” Thad said, thinking out loud. What kind of name would suit the staff? It had a tedious nature and loved to argue with him but most of the things it said were true even if he didn’t want to hear them. “You said that you are part of me?” Thad asked his staff.

In a large way I am part of you. If you want a more tangible connection, then I would say you were my father. You did create me after all.

Thad had never thought about it along those lines but his staff was right. “For the life of me I can’t think of a name for the staff,” Thad said, shaking his head.

“What about Thuraman, it means Thunder Strike in the old tongue.”

Thuraman, I like it.
The staff said, sounding slightly amused.

‘He seems to like it,” Thad said to Tuck. “Thuraman it is. Now that we have that issue resolved I can get back to my work.”

The next four days Thad never left his quarters. It had been a trying few days and had left him completely drained but he had finished two dozen of the enchanted shields.

Thad poured himself some water from a jug that sat beside the table. Tuck had ran in and out of his quarters constantly making sure anything that Thad might want when he took a break was at hand. Reeve and Parson also visited often though their visits were more of a practical nature.

The two elves had separated the members aboard the ship into four groups. The first group was the forward guard that was made of those in Reeve profession. The second group was the scouts made up of the better of Parson’s people. The third group was the simple fighters, for those who had skill with a blade. The last group was of support, the people who would tend the wounded and prepare supplies.

It had not taken long for the truth of Thad’s objective to disseminate down to the entire crew. Thad had feared that it would cause problems but none of the elves seemed to care that he was marching them to their deaths. In fact most the elves seemed to look forward to the coming days.

Thad was glad that the two elves had taken such a commanding role. He was no soldier, if it had been left up to him he would never have thought of splitting up everyone into groups that best suited their abilities. If he ever made it back he would have to send his thanks to Salina for sending the two elves along with him.

Reaching into the chest Thad pulled out another chunk of silver and sighed. There was so much to do. Thad wanted to go up on the deck and smell the fresh air, but every second that passed was a second lost that he could not recover. Picking up a small gem Thad began working on the next enchantment.

Thad rushed onto the deck as soon as he was notified that they were nearing port. The captain had told Thad that the name of the small port town was Garn. Looking out over the waters Thad saw only a small amount of little ships moving about the water.

“Well Master Thad, how do you think we will be received?” the captain said, moving to stand beside Thad.

“It is hard to say,” Thad replied. “I do not know much about Delamar, but the stories I do know speak about them being simple people. Meaning they could greet us with open arms or they might denounce us as demons or spawns of devils, and try to burn us at the stake.”

The captain gave a low whistle. “So it’s an all or nothing situation? Well, no reason to float around with our sails fluttering in the wind. All men on deck let’s bring her in,” the captain bellowed.

As they moved closer to the port the elves began lining up on the deck, with Reeve and Parson at the head of the formation.

When the ship was only a few leagues away a large number of people began to gather around the docks. From what Thad could tell they didn’t look like professional soldiers but they were all armed.

“What do you think?” Thad asked the steely eyed assassin.

The assassin pulled out a copper spy glass and took a brief look. “They’re not soldiers most likely a lightly trained home guard. Only a few dozen of them, would be easy to just cut through them.”

“Do you think we can get through without a fight?” Thad asked, his own hand sliding to the hilt of his sword.

“Don’t know, we will have to find out,” Reeve replied with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

As the ship slowly moved into an open dock Thad moved over to the gangplank hoping to head off any problems before they arose. Thad looked over the railing as the ship came to a smooth stop and looked down at the armed militia below.

When the gangplank was lowered Thad ordered for everyone to stay on the ship until he signaled. “Afternoon,” Thad said, waving as he walked down to the docks below.

The men below formed a wall while a decently dressed man steeped forward. “We were not expecting any ships today.”

“I don’t think anyone would be expecting this ship, but none the less we have to dock here,” Thad said his voice light. When the man’s hand went to his sword Thad held up his own. “We don’t want any trouble, but we must make port. Just let us dock and we will leave town before the sun has a chance to leave the sky.” As he spoke Thad gave a slight wave of his hand signaling everyone to disembark.

If the lightly armed and armored militia had any fight in them it was quickly stolen as over a hundred heavily armed golden giants descended from the ship.

With his army behind him Thad moved forward. He wasn’t sure what would happen but he breathed a sigh of relief as the men moved aside and let them pass without complaint.

When Thad turned around he noticed that Kain and the other sailors were among those who departed the ship. Thad slowed his pace and came up next to the captain. “Do you think it wise to leave the ship unattended?”

Kain laughed. “We came along to work the ship that’s true, but we didn’t plan to turn back as soon as we reached port. I don’t own the ship, it belongs to Lord Hardgrove.”

Thad thought about it for a moment. The ship was large and well-made, more than well-made it was exquisite, a work of art that moved on the water. “Don’t you think letting such a ship just sit there to be claimed after we leave a waste? Never know the Brotherhood might just end up with it,” Thad said, a broad smile forming on his face.

“That it would Master Thad,” Kain agreed giving Thad a wink.

Speeding up his pace Thad made his way next to Reeve. “Lead everyone out of town. I will meet up with you after I finish up some business.” Reeve gave Thad a cold look but remained silent.

Thad dropped back to where Captain Kain was. “Should we visit the port master and see about our ship?”

“Might as well Master Thad,” Kain replied as the two broke away from the others.

Sailors all seemed to love pubs, and the port authority always seemed to be in the biggest pub near the docks. This town seemed to be no different than any of the others. Thad found a portly older sailor sitting behind a desk drinking ale and scribbling in a large leather-bound book.

“Can I help you?” the portly sailor asked, eyeing the two men cautiously.

“Yes we just brought a ship into port,” Thad said as he causally looked around the room. Everyone’s eyes seemed to be on the two. Thad couldn’t really blame them for their curiosity. How often did one see a seven foot tall golden skinned man?

“Dock fees are three gold coins a day.”

“Then we have a problem sir,” Thad said apologetically. “The truth is that me and my friends don’t plan to return for some time.”

The dock master pushed back his chair and ran his greasy fingers through his salt and pepper beard. “Johan!” the man yelled, making Thad wince slightly.

A few moments later a man in his mid-thirties staggered over to the desk reeking of ale. “What is it pop?”

“Run over to the house and tell your mother that I need my chest,” the old man said his eyes never leaving Thad and Kain.

“Why don’t you go get it yourself old man? I’m drinking with the boys,” the man said, his speech slurring.

The old man moved so fast Thad didn’t know what had happened until the younger man was picking himself off the ground. “Now listen boy, you can either go get my chest or you can find yourself a new place to bunk, your choice.”