Light in the Barren Lands: Travail of The Dark Mage Book One (9 page)

Ping!

Another crossbow bolt was deflected by the sudden appearance of the shield. Yet, a split-second later, the shield was struck by a massive power surge. So strong was the attack that it collapsed the shield and shattered the crystal that powered it. Had the energy for the shield been coming from James, it would have been he, and not the crystal, who would have cracked under the blow.

James staggered backward out of reflex just as another shield sprang into being in response from another crossbow bolt.
Ping!
And again, a massive power surge brought down the shield and shattered the crystal powering it.

This time James reacted fast. Turning about, he dodged back to join Jiron behind the tree.

“What happened?” his friend asked.

Not answering right away, James brought his hand to where the three crystals sat in his slug belt. Of one there was naught left but a fine powder, while a second crystal pouch held nothing but shards. The third, thankfully, was still intact and glowed with power.

“He’s targeting my magic.”

“
Your
magic?”

James nodded. “If I do anything, I risk retaliation.” Moving his gaze from the trees to his friend, he added, “And this guy is strong.”

“I thought all the powerful mages were destroyed in the battle five years ago.”

“So did I.”

Motion caught out of the corner of his eye drew his attention back to the trail. Soldiers were making their way slowly toward them. The first line was composed of five crossbowmen with over a score of men-at-arms following close.

“If not for that mage this would be over already,” stated James. Thinking fast, he recalled an idea he had toyed with a year or so ago. Within his workshop was the result of that idea, and though he had never tested it, he hoped that it might prove useful now. “Think we can draw them to my workshop?”

“If you head there,” replied Jiron, “they’re going to follow. I doubt if they’ll rest until you are neutralized.”

“Good.” Squatting down, he picked several more stones from off the ground. After a brief run-through of his battle tested spells, he realized there were few that didn’t require a lengthy expenditure of magic. Anything lasting over a fraction of a second would run the risk of calling down an attack similar to those which shattered the crystals. Should he make it out of this alive, he vowed to update his repertoire. ”Let’s go.”

Crumph! Crumph! Crumph!

The first lines of enemy exploded in a mass of rock and debris, dust filled the air. Using the cover provided by the dust and confusion, James and Jiron ran with all speed back down the trail.

As soon as the trail jogged out of sight, James paused beside the trunk of a tree. After placing his finger against the bole for half a second, he said, “That should give us a few minutes.”

Moving from the tree, he felt the magic seed implanted within the trunk flare to life. “Down!” he yelled. Hitting the ground hard, he felt a surge of magic from the enemy impact the tree.

Bam!

Splinters flew as the tree exploded. The upper reaches toppled to the side and crashed to the forest floor below.

Picking himself up off the ground he saw his friend covered in fragments of what just a second ago had been a mighty pine. A glance down at himself revealed that he, too, looked like something out of a woodchuck’s nightmare. Two seconds later, another explosion sounded from deeper within in the forest.

“What did you do?” asked Jiron. Brushing off the worst of the wooden fragments, he joined James in quickly returning back up the trail toward the workshop.

“I got to thinking about what you said,” he explained. “About how they would follow me. Remember how I confused the Empire’s mages that time by sending magical bubbles floating through their streets?”

Jiron nodded with a grin. “I remember they thought you were all over the place.”

“Exactly.”

Bam!

Another explosion blasted even deeper within the forest.

“So I gave them something to follow while we readied ourselves. It’s going to move from tree to tree in a random pattern angling north up the island. Eventually though, the mage is going to get wise.”

Coming to the stream, they crossed the wooden bridge and were soon on the main path.

Bam!

James paused to glance back. “With any luck, they will continue until they reach my castle.”

“Is that where it’s going to lead them?”

“Yes. I didn’t want it randoming back this way, so gave it an ultimate goal.”

“They’ll know they were led on a wild goose chase at that point for sure,” said Jiron.

“At least we have a few minutes breather to get ready.”

“Any ideas?” asked Jiron.

Coming to the fork in the trail James took the right-hand path. Continuing straight would lead them back to the manor house. For a brief moment he worried about his wife and son. But of all places on this island, the manor area held the best protection. Though considering the might of the enemy mage, he worried that it may not be enough to hold. He and Jiron had to stop them. No, correct that. He and Jiron
had
to wipe them out!

Explosions in the distance indicated that the enemy still followed his “will-o-the-wisp” as he liked to think of it. Moving at a run, they quickly passed through the hills and reached the workshop.

“Defense code Alpha/Dormant!” James shouted. To his friend he said, “We’ll know as soon as anyone comes calling.”

Jiron nodded gravely.

“An intruder master.”

Stopping dead in his tracks, he turned to find the spear bearing hooded creature pointing the spear toward the trees to the south.

“How many?”

“One,” the creature replied.

Then a surge of magic came from the east and the creature was no more.

“Damn!” cursed James. “They’re on to us.” Glancing to his friend, he said, “Won’t be long now.”

Jiron nodded. “You do what you have to.” Then flicking his eyes surreptitiously toward the western treeline to which James’ construct had pointed, he quietly said, “I’ll see to this.”

“Alright.” Running full out, James headed for the workshop. Jiron on the other hand angled for the trees and disappeared within their sheltering boughs.

Moving deeper between the trees, he worked his way over toward the area indicated by the hooded creature. Stepping carefully so as to avoid any undue noise, he closed the distance. When he saw a bush move in a way no bush should, he nodded to himself. Pulling forth his knife, he crept closer.

Still unable to see who it was hidden within the bush, he was surprised at the ease with which he had been able to approach so closely. Now just three yards away, he sprang into action; two quick steps and then a dive for the bush. Knife raised to quickly end the life of the intruder before an alarm could be given, his strike was forestalled when the intruder screamed, “Father!”

Unable to stop his forward momentum he slammed into the bush and bowled his daughter over. “Jira!” he exclaimed. Rolling to a stop, he quickly rounded on his daughter, directing a look toward her that she had never seen before and hoped to never see again.

“I came to help,” she said bravely, though her bravery quickly dissipated beneath her father’s withering glare.

If it had been anyone but her, they’d be dead right now. It was only by the barest of margins that he had been able to alter the knife’s aim enough to spare her life.

No longer dressed in her party dress, she wore her leathers and strapped about her hips were her knives. “This is no game Jira!” he scolded. “Men are going to die this day.”

“But father…” she began when her father suddenly grabbed her and clamped a hand across her mouth.

“Quiet,” he said in a voice all but silent.

Shadows moved amidst the trees alongside the path. How they had arrived so fast was inconceivable, unless the mage had never been fooled by James’ trick. A glance over to the workshop showed the door was still closed. James may very well have been oblivious to the new threat developing.

He let go of his daughter’s mouth and looked her in the eyes. “Jira, I want you to do exactly what I say.” Pausing a moment, he allowed her to bob her head affirmatively. “Run as fast as you can to your uncle’s workshop. Don’t stop for anything, do you understand?” He planned to raise merry hell with the soldiers after she reached the safety of the workshop.

Again, her head bobbed that she understood.

“They have bows…”

“Like mother?” she interrupted quietly.

Her father nodded. “So I don’t want you to run in a straight line. Every third or fourth step, zigzag, understand?

“Yes father,” she replied. She understood about trying to avoid arrows and such.

A glance toward the path showed the enemy was beginning to emerge from the trees.

“Now Jira, go!”

In a flash she was up and speeding toward the workshop. A cry went up from the enemy as they became aware of her. The twang of crossbows preceded a hail of bolts that sought Jiron’s daughter. Zigzagging as her father had said, she avoided the bolts and reached the door.

Jiron heard her cry out to James as she flew inside. A moment later, James stuck his head out and saw the enemy. “Twenty!” he shouted. Jiron knew James was not referring to the number of the enemy, rather marking a countdown. Shouting as he did had been for his benefit. There was no longer time for him to play merry hell with the enemy.

Nineteen…eighteen…

Jiron counted to himself. He didn’t know what would happen when the count reached one, but he did know being outside the workshop could prove unhealthy.

Fourteen…thirteen…

Soldiers were boiling out from the trees.
Where were they coming from? Didn’t James say there was but one boat?

At
ten
he readied to make the run.

At
eight
, he bolted from the safety of the trees.

Zigzagging as had his daughter before him, he sped for the door. It had been left ajar. Bolts were released.

Five…four…

Bolts peppered the ground on all sides as he zigzagged for the door.

Three…two…

Leaping, he hit the door and flew inside. A split second later the door slammed shut and…

Whoosh!

…the forest encircling the workshop area erupted in a ring of fire. Trees exploded, men’s screams were quickly silenced, the heat of the conflagration could be felt even within the walls of the workshop.

Jiron looked for Jira and found her hiding behind a barrel in the corner. He waved her over and she ran to him. With daughter clutched tightly to him, he turned to where James sat with back against the door.

“Think any survived?”

James shrugged. “Depends on whether or not everyone was within the blast area.”

Then as if in answer, his skin began prickling from the nearby use of magic. “The mage still lives,” he announced. Coming to his feet, James crossed over to the window and looked out.

Smoke rose to the sky. Fires burned everywhere. The clearing that housed his workshop was littered with burning debris, branches, bushes, even whole trunks that still smoldered. He turned his gaze toward where the path emerged from the forest. There he saw a yellow glow, similar in aspect to the protective shield he had utilized on more than one occasion. Within the glow walked a man.

“He’s coming,” James said.

“Is he alone?” Jiron asked. Coming to stand beside his friend, he looked out the window.

“As far as I can tell.” Leaving Jiron to watch the mage’s progress, he quickly rushed over to a shelf situated next to his workbench. Taking down a box, he rested it on the bench and opened it.

“Here,” he said. With a nod of his head he indicated for Jiron to join him. “Take these.” He removed six ceramic disks and handed them to Jiron. Each was the size of a dinner plate and had a crystal dark with absorbed power embedded in the center.

Taking the disks, Jiron asked, “What am I to do with these?”

“I’m going out to face him,” James said. “When magic starts flying, throw these toward him.”

Jiron glanced skeptically toward the disks. “As you wish.” Then he placed a hand on James’ shoulder. “Can you take him?”

A glance to Jiron’s daughter caused him to put on a brave front and say confidently, “Absolutely. We’ll have this over before too much longer.” Though inside, he felt anything but confident. The mage had taken the best his island’s defenses could muster and had survived. Patting her on the head, he said, “Stay here.”

Crossing to the door, he could feel the sheer magical energy waiting for him out in the clearing. The prickling sensation was very much present when he opened the door and stepped outside.

The mage had stopped ten yards from the trees and stood waiting for him. The yellow protective shield had been deactivated. Now, only a yellow glow emanated from the mage’s left hand. Something clutched therein inexplicably drew James’ gaze.

Moving outward from the workshop, James drew closer to the mage. As he did so, he mentally readied himself for battle. He had replenished his spent slugs from the barrel in the workshop. Unfortunately, only one of his crystals remained, but at least there was the island’s magic grid to draw from. Though he hadn’t sought to connect with it as yet, he was sure it remained. When he did, he would have to be quick for an attack would quickly follow.

“Who
are
you?” he asked the mage, stalling for time.

The mage remained silent, and immobile.

“Are you from the Empire?”

Again, the only reply he received was silence.

“I don’t suppose you would simply go home would you?” he asked. The stony façade of the mage did little to ease his nerves. “No? I didn’t think so.”

Smoke filled the air as grass ignited by the earlier conflagration burned throughout the clearing. The wisp of a breeze blowing in off the water did little to disperse the smoke.