Stranded Mage (22 page)

The whole time the vines moved over the man’s body he continued to shout insults and commands at Thad and the elves but they paid little heed. While the magical vines seemed not to change the demeanor of the man, the servants who were gathered look on in sheer terror.

“Reeve if you would be so kind as to find a nice place to keep our friend here comfortable I would be most happy,” Thad said nearly laughing at the vine covered man who still glared at them vulgarly.

The inside of the manor was much nicer than Thad had expected. The foyer had high vaulted ceilings that were richly decorated. Large crystal chandeliers hung down illuminating the room in a soft yellow glow. Thad grabbed one of the servants that had shuffled back in though from the looks more than a few had taken the chance to dart for the gate after the guards. “Can you show me to a suitable room?”

“Yes M'Lord,” the man said, his face blanching noticeably.

The servant led Thad to what he assumed was the master's quarters. It was a richly furnished room with a large four posted bed covered in layers of exquisite silk. The bed looked inviting but Thad had other things on his mind. The manor and courtyard were more than large enough to accommodate them even if it was a bit crowded. The main problem was the place was nearly impossible to defend as it was.

The manor was a bustle of activity as the elves each tried to find a place of their own some even choosing to sleep outside under the stars. After nearly half an hour of searching Thad was able to collect Reeve and Parson and pull them outside.

“What is this about?” Reeve asked though not unkindly.

“We need to find ways to make this place more defensible,” Thad replied his face lined with worry. “The Brotherhood soldiers will be on us in a matter of days. As it stands, this place would be ill suited to defend.”

Reeve looked around at the thin walls and frowned. “I see your point.”

“First we will need wood for a proper gate, and I am sure you can all think of a number of different things that might be of use,” Thad said, trying to think of anything that might make the place safer. “The capital is just under a day’s ride away and I would like to leave as soon as possible but I will not before I know everyone is as safe as possible here.”

“You plan to go alone?” Parson asked, his face lined with concern.

“A large force would only draw unneeded attention. With everyone here the Brotherhood will most likely not look too hard closer to home though I could be wrong. The news I have received puts the bulk of the Rane forces retuning within a span of days,” Thad said before pausing and taking a deep breath. “If I do not return within half that time you are to take everyone and march west to Farlan.”

“I can understand the need to go undetected in the capital. I wish I could go with you but I believe even one of our kind would defeat your efforts,” Parson replied, his voice heavy. “I will send out every spare elf to gather supplies from wherever they may be found. We will have the manor as solid as any fort by nightfall tomorrow.”

Thad was glad to hear that his departure wouldn’t be delayed for too long. Looking back at his companions Thad knew he would miss them. He would even miss Reeve’s cold stare.

Even though night was fast approaching no one was preparing for sleep. The manor was bustling with activity as the elves looked for anything that could be of use. About an hour after the sun had set a small band of elves returned from an outing carrying long sturdy logs with them. The few they had wouldn’t cover the entirety of the portal but it was a start.

By early morning the elves had enough wood to start lashing them together. As the elves worked securing the logs to one another, Thad hunched over them weaving his magic strengthening them and doing everything in his power to make sure that nothing short of an earthquake could damage them.

Besides the gate Thad had also started working on something for the walls. He was short on time so instead of making a mock effort on a few of the stones Thad started on an enchanted item. It worked much the same way the ones he had made for the sticks and vines had. It wasn’t a perfect solution but it would allow the elves to continue to strengthen the walls long after he departed.

When Thad had made an offhand remark about wishing he had some glass orbs Tuck ran off and returned with an elf who had been an artisan on the elven island. With a little effort they had a makeshift forge and the elf began to melt down anything he could find to make the glass orbs. Thad was already tired long before the sun had reached the apex in the sky but he pushed on making two enchanted disks to charge the orbs before he fell asleep.

Having fallen asleep early the night before Thad woke well before the sun had graced the sky. He was amazed to find the elves still hard at work. Looking around it was not difficult to see that the fatigue from the past few days was beginning to bear down on them, but they continued to push on with their tasks knowing their very lives might hang in the balance.

Thad feared for the elves that he had come to call his friends. They had left the security of their homeland to aid him and now he was leaving them behind to pursue his own vendetta. As much as that thought pained him it did nothing to sway his need or want to leave. He took a small comfort in the fact that the manor had an abundance of food as well as a large garden. As long as the reinforcements returning from Farlan didn’t arrive before expected, the elves should fare well. It was all still hanging on the winds of fate but Thad hoped the dice would land in their favor.

“You are leaving today?” Tuck asked, coming up behind Thad making him jump slightly in surprise.

Thad turned to the young elf and gave him a warm smile. Unlike the dwarves, the elves were surprisingly different from each other. If he had to liken them to anything it would be leaves on a tree. They all belonged to the same tree but there was a distance between them and when the wind blew they all danced to it in their own way. Tuck was still a young leaf unsure of how he should catch the wind and often tried to mimic those around him. Thad was sure given time he would find his own pattern. He just hoped that he would be given that time.

“Yes,” Thad replied desolately.

Nothing else was said between the two friends as they stood in the courtyard. Thad knew he would miss their nightly talks and the young elf’s witty banter. Thanks to Tuck, Thad had learned a lot about the elves during their journey. Most of it was useless information but it made Thad fell closer to the people traveling with him.

Thad left his friend without saying goodbye as he walked toward the stables hoping that when everything was finished he would see the young elf again.

The lord of the manor, who now lay tied up in one of the storage cellars, had flaunted his wealth on many extravagances, including a fine stable of well-bred horses. As he neared one of the horses, a dusty brown gelding with a single white spot on his lower back, Thad touched the earring that hung in his right ear. “How fast are you?” Thad asked out loud still unsure how the enchanted item worked.

The horse tilted its head slightly and looked at Thad curiously.
“I am as fast as I need to be,”
the horse's voice resounded in his ears, ire evident at the implied insult.

Thad couldn’t help but laugh. He had never talked to animals before. On many occasions he had wished to know what Avalanche had been thinking but all he could do was guess. The horse seemed proud and regal but Eloen had once told him that horses were the proudest of any animal. “I think we will get along just fine,” Thad said, patting the horse fondly on its neck. “Do you happen to have a name?”

“I am called Brandinsaterabheaere,”
the horse replied with more than a hint of pride in its voice.

Thad tried to say the name and failed miserably much to the horse’s displeasure. “It seems that your name is too grand for my simple mind to comprehend,” Thad said hoping that a horse was not beyond a little flattery. “Would it give offence if I shortened it to Brand?”

Thad could have sworn that the horse rolled his eyes at him.
“If that is the best you can do, then it will have to suffice,”
the horse replied sounding insulted.

You have picked a fine steed. He will make for fine company along the road.
Thuraman said, its tone nearly laughing.

Thad didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, but he was sure that with these two as companions he would be anything but bored.

After Brand was brushed and saddled Thad led the horse to the gate where Reeve and Parson awaited him. Thad had hoped to leave silently but that looked like it was impossible.

“It looks like the time has come for us to part way my friend. It has been a pleasure to serve you and to serve with you,” Parson said, his voice light but his face showing his concern.

“Every meeting must end with a parting at some point. Sadly ours has come early. If all goes well I shall see you two again without much delay,” Thad replied, trying to smile.

“I hope that we do, though I have learned that the gods think nothing is more hilarious than the plans laid out by mortal man,” Parson replied with a slight chuckle.

“It has been a greater pleasure than I had expected working alongside you,” Reeve said blandly, his face keeping the cold look the assassin always wore. ”May your foes never see you coming.”

Thad had little clue of how to respond to Reeve’s statement so he simply clasped the assassin’s offered hand and remained silent.

With their goodbye said the door was laboriously opened for Thad as many of the other elves gathered in the courtyard to bid him a silent farewell. Looking back as the faces disappeared as the wooden gate was closed behind him Thad was fondly reminded of his last days among the dwarves.

Are you going to sit here all day and reminisce or are we going to get a move on it. I don’t like the idea of sitting still waiting for a passing member of the Brotherhood to pick us off.

Thad laughed and kicked Brand into a slow gallop. Before the manor was out of sight Thad took one last look over his shoulder and prayed that he would once again see Tuck as well as his other elven companions.

The trip to the capital was uneventful. Once Thad got on a major trade road he was astounded at the sheer number or travelers.

Thad had often heard that all roads ended in Thelsea, the capital of Rane, but now he understood why. The road was so crammed with travelers it was all Thad could do to keep from bumping into people. As he neared the gate Thad was even force to dismount and walk Brand through.

As he neared the gate he noticed guards posted, their eyes keenly focusing on the people passing within. Thad had to admit to being more than slightly nervous the closer he drew to the armed men. When he was not stopped Thad breathed a heavy sigh of relief and quickly headed in search of an inn in the poorer district of town.

Thad had never been in Thelsea before but he had found in his travels that all major cities were about the same. The farther one got from the market district and the palace the shadier the buildings became. Thad had an urge to stay in the finest inn the city had to offer, but the more prominent the place the more likely a member of the Brotherhood might learn of his location.

After checking out three different inns Thad settled on the Gilded Goose. It was run down and even though the sun was near setting only a handful of patrons sat at the bar. Thad paid the innkeeper a solid gold, more than enough to pay his board for a full season.

As Thad requested his room was the last one down the hall. Inside Thad found nothing surprising; dust, dirt, and stained covers. It wasn’t the ideal living situation but it would keep the rain off his head.

Are you sure about that? I think I can see some light shining through the roof. If it does rain you might just find yourself taking a cold bath while you sleep.

Thad dismissed Thuraman’s sarcastic remarks and started setting up the magical shields in front of the door and window. He doubted that the Brotherhood knew where he was but he wasn’t about to take an unnecessary risk.

The night was still young so after he had unloaded his luggage Thad headed back down to the common room of the inn in hopes of garnering some information.

The common room still seemed bare but Thad was not looking for idle gossip. What he needed to know was most likely common knowledge for those who lived within the city. Taking a seat at the bar Thad waited for the portly barkeep to waddle his way over to him.

“What can I do ya fer?” the man asked, his breath reeking heavily of ales and spirits.

Thad reached into his pouch and slid two silver coins across the table. Thad watched the portly man’s eyes light up with greed and he knew he had found the right person. “First off do you have anything to drink in this sty that won’t rot my gut?” Thad asked, putting on his most indignant air.

The barkeep laughed and gave Thad a wink. “That we do lad,” he replied, pulling a dark bottle from underneath the counter. “This here is me personal love, light a fire in your gullet without tearing ya up too bad in da morn.”

Thad took a healthy swig of the drink the barkeep placed in front of him suppressing a gag when the odor wafting off the man reached his nose. “Now that my bloods a bit warmer, I was wondering what you can tell me about the merchant guild?”