Stranded Mage (2 page)

The smile on the captain’s face at seeing the larger gem made Thad cringe. Thad had dealt with merchants before and he recognized greed when he saw it. It wasn’t just the greed for his gems, he felt another yearning, the yearning for his secrets and he believed that to be much more dangerous.

“You must tell me how you came across such a wealth in splendid gems,” she said, her eyes firmly fixed on his.

“There is not much to tell,” Thad replied casually. “I spent a great deal of the past few years searching caves looking for just such riches. Now that I have them I thought it was time to return home to my master,” Thad added, keeping his voice calm and reserved. It wasn’t really a lie, though he had left off a large number of events; such as his time living with the dwarves or the fact Avalanche; his rock hound had been the instrument to finding the gems. He was not sure if the captain would use the information to her benefit or not, but he didn’t want to risk finding out.

Shaking her head slightly, the captain opened a large chest and started counting gold coins from it. Once she had a sizeable stack she pushed them in front of Thad. “That should cover the cost of the gem though you won’t be hanging on to them long,” she said, giving him a sly smile.

Thad placed the gem in the captain’s outstretched hand and pulled the sizable stack of gold coins toward him, palming a few and placing them in his coin pouch.

The game was fairly simple, you threw the three dice in the bowl and whoever rolled the highest number was the winner of the round. There were a few exceptions, if one was to roll a four, five, and six it was an automatic win of four times the bet, but if one threw a one, two, and three they had to pay four times the bet.

Thad picked up two of the gold coins and set them next to the bowl as his bet then picked up the dice and gently tossed them. Thad watched the dice intently as they rolled around ending up with a three, five, and six.

“Not bad my Young Lord,” the captain said as she deftly retrieved the dice tossing them into the bowl with a slight flick of her wrist. As much as he complained Thad had to admit he enjoyed the game. There was a certain thrill in watching the dice as they moved and slowed, deciding the fate of his gold. The dice bounced around until they finally came to a stop; six, six, and one. Thad had won the first round.

The game continued, each turn the person betting changed. When it was Thad’s turn he bet one or two coins at most, on the other hand, the captain seemed to favor higher stakes and often would bet ten or more coins on a single throw. Thad was doing well for himself today, his pile of coins a good deal larger than it had started at.

“
You’re not using magic today are you Young Lord?” The captain asked just as Thad began to throw causing his aim to go wide, one of the dice missing the bowl altogether. The captain laughed as her face twisted with a devious grin. “Did I hit a nerve, Young Master?”

Thad quickly regained his composure and returned the captain’s smile. “I was just surprised that you would think I would cheat,” Thad replied tentatively. “Though why you would suggest something as nonsensical as magecraft is beyond me.”

The smile faded from the captain’s face and was quickly replaced by a look a sheer exasperation. “Do you take me for a fool boy?” The captain asked, her voice changing from its normal light tone to one of utter annoyance.

Thad let his hand slip to the hilt of his sword as his eyes scanned the room. Before he could move, Oren’s sword tip was already touching the soft skin under his throat. Thad released the hilt of his sword and cursed himself for forgetting the first mate was still present in the room.

“Young man I have traveled a fair amount during my time on the seas and unlike most the land bound dolts you have met, those of us who live on the waters know a bit more about the magical folk. I know you travel with dwarves as well as a fairy. I can’t rightly say I know what that dog is though. Now I have been patient, trying to wring what I could from you bit by bit but my patience has been exhausted. You will tell me what I want to know or I will have you and your friends tossed overboard.”

If you have to tell them you might as well tell it in a way they won’t forget.

For once Thad had to agree with his staff. “Ok, I will tell you whatever you wish to know but first,” Thad said, his voice low and hard as steel. Thad let loose a bolt of energy sending Oren flying with a loud clatter into the nearby wall. Thad waited for a moment to make sure the large sailor was down then turned toward the captain, pointing his staff at where she sat. “If you guessed that I might have the use of magic, why would you threaten me? You’re a smart woman. You must have known that would be a dangerous course to follow.”

Thad had expected the captain to curse him or pull her own weapon in a feeble attempt to strike him down but instead she just gave him a level gaze with a rather brazen smirk on her face. “That’s more like it. Now why don’t you sit back down and we can continue our game of dice,” she replied, still smiling. When Thad didn’t move she sighed and shook her head. “Boy, think it over for a bit. If we fight and you win then you will be stuck out here on the seas without a clue how to make landfall. If you lose well then you and your friends will have to try and walk on water.”

Thad lowered his staff, she did have a point. “To answer your question, no I haven’t been using magic. The thought never even crossed my mind,” Thad said in a lighter tone, hoping to relieve some of the tension that had built up in the room.

The captain laughed vigorously. “I am glad that is over. I don’t think we have been properly introduced. My name is Captain Cheryl, it is a pleasure Master Mage,” Cheryl said, holding out her hand.

Unable to help himself Thad joined in her laughter and took her hand in his own. She had a far firmer grip than he could have imagined. “Thaddeus Torin, at your service,” Thad replied, bowing slightly.

And here we go again. Are you trying to collect every woman from here to the ends of the earth?
Thad ignored his staff’s comments and tried to focus on the game and his conversation with the captain.

A short time later, Oren opened his eyes and immediately jumped to his feet and rushed over to retrieve his sword. As soon as the blade was once again in his hand the large sailor cautiously moved toward Thad, his face full of chagrin.

Thad lifted up his staff, ready to send the large man back into the wall for a second time but he stopped when Cheryl raised her hand. “That is enough Oren,” she said, her voice cold and commanding. “We have settled our argument. That is unless you want our friend here to pummel you against the wall a few more times. If so go ahead but the cost of repairs will come out of your pay.”

Oren slid his curved sword back into his scabbard but his eyes remained alert. Thad was not sure if the man would try anything later once the captain was out of sight. All he knew was he should keep his guard up just in case.

“My mother had a bit of power to her as well, though nothing near as strong as yours seems to be. She always could tell when the weather would turn bad, and she had a great affinity for the fish folk.”

The captain’s statement caught Thad slightly off-guard. “Where is your mother now?”

“She was killed when I was in my adolescence by a group of knights. They called her a witch and her end was not a pretty one,” Cheryl said, her voice filled with a hint of anger and anguish.

“My condolences for you loss,” Thad stuttered awkwardly.

“It is of no matter; it was a long time ago. Now let us return to our game so I can take the rest of your gold,” Cheryl said, smiling greedily, though Thad could still see sadness lingering in her eyes.

That night as Thad made his way back to his own chambers he thought about what the captain had said. The group of knights most likely had to have been the Brotherhood, but did she know that?

Back in his room Thad found Brianna sound asleep still propped up in the corner. Thad gently picked up the covers that had fallen to her waist and softly tucked them in around her shoulders before climbing back into his hammock.

Why did it always seem as if things happened in spurts? Things would go well, with nothing out of place, and then all of a sudden everything would rush forward.

They don’t just rush forward. You just don’t pay enough attention to notice the warning signs. I swear you could stand on a snake and not notice it until it has bitten you.
Thad noticed the dry tone in this staff’s voice and tried to think of something to say back but he was at a loss for words. In the end his staff was right, he took too little care of his surroundings.

“I will have to work on that,” Thad replied to his staff, his voice lazy.

Yes, with that amount of conviction all my worries have been set aside. I no longer have to worry that you will dive into a pit of vipers because your eyes are on a female’s backside rather than what’s in front of you.

Thad could feel the annoyance in his staff’s words but chose to ignore them. There was little point in arguing with his staff. In the end it accomplished nothing, especially when his staff had a point.

As Thad slept he once again found himself standing with Princess Maria in his dream. She had the familiar hard look on her face that he had grown accustomed to in his dreams. Looking at her he admitted to himself that he still preferred her with the innocent, inquiring eyes she had when they had first met.

“It is almost over,” the princess said, her voice etched with sadness.

Instinctively, Thad put his arm around the princess to console her. “Why did you start a war against your mother?”

Thad regretted his words almost immediately as the princess burst into tears. Thad could tell she was trying to speak in between the wracking sobs but her words were lost in the garbled noise. Thad tried to reassure her but the world suddenly began to grow dark again as he lost contact with the dream. It was frustrating, he still didn’t know if the dreams were real or not, and any time he thought he was close to learning anything meaningful it abruptly ended.

Thad stood on the bow of the ship as the port town of Relane came into view. It was a massive city, one of the largest of the island nations. Even in Farlan it was well known for its diversity in not only products, but people as well.

A smile touched Thad’s face when he heard a string of curses come from behind him. Turning around, Thad was glad to see that he had been joined on deck by all of his companions.

“I can’t wait ta get me legs back on some solid land. Haven’t even been able ta enjoy me ale on this blasted tub,” Crusher grumbled loudly. The stocky dwarf’s pale visage was made even more apparent by the fact he had recently shaved and not all that well. Thad could see numerous places were the dwarf had nicked his chin and scalp.

“Fer once I agree with tha boulder brain,” Brianna said weakly. “I can’t wait ta get me feet back on something solid.”

Avalanche barked as she bounced around, her large doglike body sending shockwaves through the planks below Thad’s feet. Thad fought the urge to laugh but he was sorely losing the battle. His friends gave him infuriated glares but all that did was fuel the fire that grew in the pit of his stomach. Soon the deck of the ship was filled with the sound of blusterous laughter.

Within moments Thad found himself pinned to the deck of the ship by two angry dwarfs. After a bit of pleading and a few punches they allowed him to return to his feet.

Not very bright are you.
His staff said in a slightly amused tone.

“
Don’t start with me, if I start laughing again they might decide to see if I can swim to shore,” Thad answered back, laughter still teasing at the edges of his words.

As soon as the large gangplank touched the pier the group of land hungry companions rushed down to the harbor town. Thad purposely walked slowly letting the others rush ahead. He knew where they would be going and wanted some time alone to explore the large city.

One night was all they were staying in the large town but even that long seemed like wasted time to Thad. He didn’t know why but he felt rushed and wanted to make his way to Farlan with due haste. It was as if a dark shadow hung over him and every moment he stood still it grew slightly larger.

A cold shiver ran down Thad’s back causing him to stop in mid-stride. Thad quickly looked around but found only the normal people milling around on the narrow street. Someone had been watching him, he was sure of that but he had no way of knowing who. Out of habit Thad let a magical barrier surround him. It was built so close to his skin that no one would notice if they touched it. He had spent countless hours perfecting how to alter the shield’s size and now he could either keep it close enough it nearly touched his clothes or push it out so that it extended slightly beyond the range of his sword.

“Do you sense any of the Brotherhood about?” Thad asked his staff.

No, none within my range but I would only sense them if they were carrying one of those accursed swords. If you are not careful a petty cutthroat with a knife could do you in just as easily.

“You don’t have to be so blunt. There are ways to make a point without being insulting,” Thad said, slightly vexed.

I am sure there are, just none that would get through that thick skull of yours. For someone with such a brilliant mind you do some of the dumbest things.