Dale looks over at the sleeping mage, "Wow he is seriously out."

Annassa nods, looking a little worried, "Exhaustion for the most part. I feel sorry for the man truth be told but I hope the those idiots at the main gates will leave him in peace."

Varlissa comes over, puts a tarp over him and then secures him carefully to the side and slightly under some of the pelts she and Lenora recovered, "There, now if they don't look to close they won't find him."

The others think that is for the best. They know how corrupt and greedy those guards can be. As well as stupid to any dangerous individuals they may cross. The city gate was just rebuilt this last month after these same greedy fools tried to steal a rare item from a powerful mage. A mage who turned out to be very powerful and with a bad temper. Blew up the gate house while triing to kill them. They survived and drove off the mage. They only got chewed out, but the lazy bastards in charge just put these same stupid greedy bastards on gate duty again.

The trip even after packing and taking an extra slow pace took only 4 and a half hours from the encounter zone to the city of Tomlin Hieghts. This city is run by a Baron who is almost as corrupt and greedy as his guards. But it is also the location of one of the larger branches of one of the most powerful Adventurer Guilds in the known world - The Arcadia - This gives the adventurers who work for them some leaway in dealing with the officials of this kingdom.

They arrive and see an army in front of the gate and well around the town. The army is flying the Dukes colors as well as that of at least three high churches and several greater lords. Over 500,000 strong.

The party is stopped by a group of low level paladins and knights while with in site of the gate.

They are understandably nervous.

Arrogant head paladin of the war God Artimal (Favored war god of the Palace) - "Halt!" the party stops of course, reigning in thier horses. They watch this guy, knowing that his sort are worse in their own way than the city guards. Fortunetly the knights near him glare him in to silence before one approaches the party, "Sorry but the city is closed for the moment. Baron Vouchen is being removed from his place here."

Dale looks at him, "Are you going to take the city guard away to ? They are even more corrupt than the Baron really."

The knight licks his teeth, "Why do you say that ?"

Lenora coughs, "The Baron had to have the city gates rebuilt a few times cause his guards try to rob anyone entering or leaving the town. More pissed off high level mages and adventurers have removed the gate than I can think of in the last couple years alone. For some reason we have never figured out, the same very corrupt guards keep getting put on the same guard duty at the gates even after they get people hurt or killed."

The knight relays that via small crystal ball to someone further up. They get the groups IDs (showing they are from the Arcadia guild) and they tell them they are returning from a Star Wolf event near the now Gone Skworg Palace area. They explain someone Finally destroyed the place, and killed at least 4 of the Skworg in the process. They witnessed it's destruction by a very powerful mage.

They end up with layered truth compulsions on them, which in turn forced them to reveal the sleeping mage in the back of the cart.

The war paladins pushed them asside and tried to drag the groggy super mage out of the cart, it was almost a fatal mistake.

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I get woke up as someone grabs me around the shoulders and yanks me over the raised sides of the cart. I yowl in pain then 'light up' my lighting field. That was instictual really. Did not know I could do that. But it forced them to let go, well actually it blasted them off of me and in to a group of heavily armored individuals who all seem rather upset for some reason.

I manage to roll forward, getting my back off the narrow sides of the cart, mildly 'ow'ing over the rough treatment. I slowly turn and see a dozen bow men pointing their arrows at me, while the party is surrounded by the rest of this small group of heavily metal clad persons. For me, all that metal pretty much screams heavy target area.

They are loud and noisy and really rude. I don't know what is going on either. I was having a lovely dream about sleeping in a soft bed. Yes I know dreaming about sleeping is not normal, but it's the kind of dreams I get when I am exhausted.

Any rate, I look around and yawn, then look over at the party, "What is going on ?" I ask them.

Dutch, who is closest to me, "The local lord is in the process of resisting his being replaced. Um, we told these people about you taking out the Skworge and they took offense for some reason. I don't know why they are treating you so roughly though."

I look around and sigh, I can feel my shields coming up and looking at the 'character sheet' in my head I can see 'telekinetic armor active' appear on the field that shows my subconsious defenses. With the mark of AC:2 (Plate) and Hit Points: 300 (50/lv) Energy Regeneration at : 30 HP/ round (6 seconds - or 5hp a second).

As armors go it's a pretty good one really. Not only does it resist damage it repairs itself to. Going by what I can see, it set up on a 1 level for every 2 level system, ie 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 - would be in Hit Points - 50, 100, 150, etc, or level 6. My other innate abilities are at the same level. So my fire and lighting stuff, if I am reading this right, with out resorting to magic, is a level 6 attack. I can use it to boost the damage output of my magical attacks by that level to. Which really explains a lot to me about how my magic does so much added damage.

All this took me maybe a minute to comprehend while Dutch is being questioned about the language. From what I understand there she is telling them my native language is very similar to the Holy Language, enough so they can communicate with me but different enough not to accidently work spells. I realize my subconscious has been busily desiphering their language while I was asleep, as I understand more of what they are all saying now.

These others on horses and to one side, different colored tabards, "Your actions do not speak well of you Sir Thom. There was no need or reason to treat the man so harshly."

Sir Thom glares at the other knight, "Stay out of this Sir Percy, this is a matter of honor of my church. If this man has stolen our rightful prize then we will have retribuition."

I blink as I hear that, something I did, while trying to survive this insane place ... I am thinking and well for some reason I got this odd shrinking charm running around in my head.

I look at Dutch, but she is busy staring at a sword aimed at her throat, I clear my throat and ask what is going on.

The knight in badly spoken and carefully stated 'holy' words, "The knights of the God Artimal, Lord of Battles, seems to think your supposed killing of the Skworg has taken away their rights to glory and so they are going to punish you for it. Probly by killing you."

I nod, and sigh, "Program; Ladies of Mystery, Luck and Time, I your champion ask your aid, Dos, Line, Let all those glory seeking fools who wish harm to me or my new friends be made the size of fairies, Exicute!"

The knight looked surprised at my strange prayer, then his eyes got larger as the near by paladin army all glowed and shrank till they were the size of fairies, roughly 4 to 6 inches tall. He noted though, only their clothing shrank with them, all armor and weapons remained normal sized and gently drifted to the ground, settling around the now tiny men and women with care and ease.

The knight slowly starts to chuckle. He understands. These glory seeking fools took on a high ranking Champion and HE called on his gods for aid. They answered to.

The cries of fear and outrage from all the now tiny villains is pretty easy to ignore for me. The party looks surprised and a touch relieved. Only about 40 persons were affected but the shrinking did not go unnoticed by the other army. Their only responce was to call to the kind knight via a crystal ball. I watch and listen as he answers it, explaining that a group of paladins took offense, to the point of challenging someone of greater power over something he had done. No deaths, but the Paladins of Artimal and their men are presently tiny.

A few other words I don't know and the word Champion, me, is spoken then he signs off.

"Well according to Lord Martin, a Count you understand ?" I nod, "As you refraned from killing them he has no problem with you or yours."

I yawn, "My only other spells would have killed everyone here and I rather like the adventurers, hate to have to ressurrect them just cause of some glory seeking morons."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I lean back, popping my back and shoulders as I speak, "See I am a Holy Mage, I answer to a Pantheon not a single god. But I can work both mage and holy spells, which gives me a greater advantage in such things."

Annassa explains it to them, in their own language. Even telling them about the Godly clerks I 'summoned' and what they learned from them. How I was a retired Holy Warrior, who was trained in Demon Hunting. Most of my abilities are in fighting demons and well that worked out as over kill on fighting normal monsters or persons. Also according to the Gods I was a level 11 being and a Natural Mage on top of that. I personally don't fully understand what that means to them but I am still a bit out of it at this point.

With the danger past and the party is allowed to move off to one side, I snuggle around my bags and go back to sleep.

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The party, having nothing better to do, sets up a camp and sorts through their treasure, working out what to keep for themselves and what goes to the guild. Dutch identifies several very nice items a few well beyond their level. Those they realize are there because Rob is of the right levels to maybe use them, so they set them to the side for him.

Of Rob he wakes usually long enough to pee, then crawls back in to the wagon to sleep. Given the look in his eyes (Out of it) they keep their interactions to a minimum.

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It is the smell of food that wakes me up more than anything. But as I am sorting myself to come out of the back of the covered wagon I hear voices, loud and close.

Male voice, gruff and annoyed, "I don't care if he is asleep or exhausted, the Duke ordered all the Mages in the land to aid him and so I have come to collect your mages."

I come around the back of the wagon, yawning and heading for the food, which is over a nice camp fire. I am looking it over when the brute of a soldier tries to grab me. I calmly twist, take his arm and toss him over the fire and on to his back.

Then I check on the status of the food, moving some off to the side so it does not over cook and making sure the rest is stirred properly.

The soldier, who is in some kind of field plate, is struggling to get back on his feet, his armor making it near impossible for him to do it alone.

I turn, catch a fist coming at me and easily drop the second brute, sending him with ease in to the group of thugs coming up behind him.

I limp around the pile of stunned soldiers and over to Dale and Lenora, "So what is with the ameture hour here ?" I ask around another nod. The two experienced veterans chuckling over how easily I just took out 5 men, while still half asleep and unarmed.

"The duke, in charge of that army is recruiting mages, apparently by force, to help him in his battle to take the city." Lenora informs me, "They know your a mage as you shrank that group of unholy warriors yesterday. While half asleep I may add."

I nod, "I recall them. So this fresh group of idiots decided to chance being tiny to then ?"

The one on his back screams, "YOU WILL SERVE YOUR DUKE!"

I look back at the idiot, "I am not a Citizen of your country oh stupid one, there for he is Not my Duke. I hold no alliegence to him or you."

That actually causes these men to pause.

Lenora nods, "No one in our group is from this country. We are adventurers from all around the world. We were just stationed at the guild hall here is all."

This sargent like fellow, part of the larger group who looks to be keeping a group of people in check, "Makes no difference, your mages are coming with us. If you try any magic us we have orders to kill you."

I nod, "By the Light and The Will of all that is Holy,Program, Let all evil be banished from my sight, Dos, Line and Execute."

Half the guards are blown off their feet (they were evil people or possessed by evil spirits) about a 1/3rd of the troops in the city vanish (evil spirits and minor demons and undead disguised as people). The city itself GLOWS then the light spreads out from there. (Roll: 10,8,8,6,4 - 4 successes on his blessing, caused the temples in the city to Purify the land - something it seriously needed.)

Lots of screaming and confusion.

The thugs are still there on the ground, staring in disbelief.

I look at them, "I am from a Holy Order." I state while the mages and wise women that are still in chains, all laugh or chuckle about what just happened.

Old man, stained blue robes, "Holy Mage, dang but you all are impressive. Mage with priest training makes for some powerful blessings." he nods.

I smile, "True. Though I am surprised by how many demons there were here. That spell Only affects demons, devils, and evil spirits. Has no power over the living types normally."

That sinks in and everyone now really looks at the army and the city. The army is it's old size and still there. The visible guards on the city walls, many are unconscious or just gone. The blue robed man sighs, "Someone brought in necromancers. Your blessing, amplified if I am right by the Church of Holy Light, only large church in the city." he says to me, I nod, "Seems to have caused all such things to discorperate."

I nod, mutter and gesture. Their chains fall off. They all look in wonder at that. I shrug, "When the evil dispelled, the magic created by that evil went with it."

Dutch grins, "Rob here is a High order holy man. Retired Holy Warrior to. Which is how he defeated the thugs over there." nodding at the slowly moving pile. Who are now all looking at me.

The one who threw the punch ask, "What level did you retire at ?"

Not seeing the harm in it, "I was level 12 when I retired. Took up mage craft as an interest and hobby more than anything else."

The mages all stare, then shake their heads. Mage as a hobby, yikes.

The man in blue robes, "I am Alphonze, conjurer and alchemist. Lv9 by the adventurers mark. I am pleased to make your aquaintence sir."

I nod, "I am Rob, Generalist and holy mage, level 11 as of yesterday and a Lot of monsters, was only level 7 when I started out."

He chuckles, "Lots of monsters" he agrees.

Annassa, rescuing the breakfast, "Rob took out at least 4 of the Skworge and an experimental spell of his blew up part of their Palace to. Those are high level critters, pure evil them. We witnessed some of that fight as we stood on a hill over looking the palace. Just past the barrier. He used the same spell later to take out a large number of Star and Horned wolves in an event we got caught in."

Dutch hand signs and says "BOOM! No more monster wolves. We think he took out a spawn point to."

Dale nods, "He mostly played support after that, low level spells and such. We had been grinding most of the day when he showed up. So I guess we did enough to set off the event. Really thought we had more time before the event was to happen."

I grin, "Events get sped up by grinding certain kinds of mobs."

Strange look from everyone, "mobs ?" Annassa ask.

"Mobs, groups of monsters or other hostiles. Sometimes used as slang for high level monsters who's name you don't want to use or of a type unknown to you. Though generically speaking it works for any area with assorted monster types to. Ironically it's also a nick name for certain kinds of criminal organizations."

Alphonze grins, "Well learned a new word and definition. So nice that."

Several of the freed mages have left, but a couple are sticking around, though I don't know why at this point.

The party though, they are acting leery of them and the guards, which puts me on guard, though I don't act like it. I look at the guards, "You all should just leave."

They got their leader up, who looks miffed, "You are in these lands" he starts, I hold up my hand, lightning playing around it, "I owe no alligence to it or your lord, push me and it will be a moot point as you all and your pet mages will be quite dead."

I am looking at the mages as I state this. They are watching my hand as I spoke no words of power or anything.

Alphonze, "Pet mages ?"

"The other mages all ran off as soon as they got clear, save you 3 who seem to think I am blind to your motivations or the fact that the girl behind you Alphonze is casting a binding spell. Which I already countered." She steps around him, grin on her pretty face and points, speaks 'Excellllsheor!' which does nothing as she badly mispronounced the word. I used my electrical and bio control powers to give her a case of numb tongue. Which makes it impossible to cast spells. She looks confused as to why it did not work.

The other mage rubs her face and mutters, "he hith usth with a canthrip. Nnumb tongue."

Alphonze looks surprised as I grin at them, "Quick, no needed words, just a simple gesture and the right amount of will and focus. Perfect way to counter any spoken spell."

Dutch is nodding, "Ooo I never thought to use cantrips to stop enemy mages before, but he has a point. I am learning so much from him." she points out to her friends, who are watching the soldiers.

Lenora grunts, "I know these tactics. Bringing in anyone who is resistant, foriegn or what ever and then placing a geas on them to make them serve the lord."

I nod, "Does not work on me. Mind control spells and such because of my training. My mind is locked from outside influences, be they magic or spirit based."

Dale nods, "Standard for mid level demon hunters. He is a high level demon hunter, which is why that is."

Alphonze is frowning now. I think he is more than he said he is. "So what are you really Alphonze, mage I can see, your aura tells me that much, but I doubt your just a conjurer."

He is now glaring at me. Aura sight is considered cheating by some mages while a useful tool to others.

Varlissa, "He's a plant. Someone placed in the ranks of captured persons to help keep them from escaping and to convince them to just cooperate with their captors."

I consider that, then mutter my 'shrinkie dinkie' spell and put in the target 'slavers'. Just to see what would happen.

These men and the mages as well as 2 of the 'escaping mages' all shrank to 6 inches tall. This time all their belongings, armor, clothing, and weapons appear in my bag. That is different.

I look at the party, "Slavers, not apparently part of that army over there I hope. As none in that army went to tiny town I am assuming this."

Dutch scoots over, "Can you teach me that spell ?"

I consider, "Possibly, it's a level 4 transformation spell, simular to mass morph but with out the animal form side effect."

Dale and Lenora are chuckling over my 'tiny town' description while Annassa and Varlissa shake their heads over how I deal with human threats. Make them Tiny then let them run away.

Dutch sighs, "I am only up to level 3 spells. "

I nod, "Well I can tutor you some in my magic style and mayhap you can cross it with your own style, if you like."

She beams a smile, "I would like that. Um, no formal arrangement ?"

"I can if you want, or we can make a contract if you want formal training. Otherwise mostly just sharing spell books would work to as I am sure you know spells I don't and I don't mind teaching you spells I know as well." she considers then pulls out a scroll and we end up working out a straight forward agreement on spell and knowledge sharing as she realizes we have different teaching and learning methods, mine having been more of a study type prior to my coming here.

We sit on the back of the wagon, she shows me her spell book I wow her with mine. Cell phone with very nice notepad app. While the spoken word is the Holy language, it turns out the written version of english is not. So we end up in a lesson in reading before we can even get to the magic lessons. She comments about the English alphabet, only 27 characters, not including numbers, and how much simplier it is to theirs with its 40 characters, special characters and so on. I tell her about chinese, which has thousands of characters cause each one is a word in and of itself. Of which I only knows a few of those characters. She shakes her head over that bit of trivia.