The next day after breakfast we teleported to the bolt hole nearest the cottage. We didn’t waste much time there, heading out to find the road within an hour of arriving. Finding it didn’t take long, it was a trade road used by those few who traded with the fringes of the wilds. The hunters and various people who stalked the woods for cores and other magical ingredients would trade with them at set rally points along the border. They mostly traded for supplies, food, weapons and other basic goods as well as coin.
Traffic on the road was sparse, seeing one trader and a few farmers traveling toward the closest city. That first night we camped to the side of the road, using an enchanted tent we had found in the bolt hole for comfort. It was an interesting magical creation, spatial magic made the interior closer to a grand pavilion rather than the small tent it appeared to be. Climate controlled and with security features that would either hide or repel beasts and other undesirables. It made camping much more comfortable and comfortable.
The next day was pleasent as we exited the tent a cool breeze blew across the road as we traveled. Badb would stay aloft and scout the area for a while then a return to perch on my shoulder. For my part I walked and read, just enjoying the return of something so normal. We had lunch beside a small stream, a few fresh fish I fought cooked over an open fire. It was a pleasent meal in a peaceful location. Badb took off scouting as I walked further down the road. He returned not long after with a report, it seemed some bandits wanted to interrupt my peaceful day.
“There is ten of them, rough looking with three single shard mages. The boss is a two shard mage who is very unpleasant.” Badb cringed at some memory regarding the man. “He was attacking a farmer when I saw them, the man had nothing and they still beat him unconscious, he may die were they left him. The boss laughed while the beating took place.”
“How far?” My ire was up, this wasn’t something I could allow.
“They’ll ambush you about a half mile or so. The boss will stand in the road while his men flank you on the side, probably try and encircle you.”
“That seems oddly detailed.” I raised an eyebrow at how detailed his information was.
“They know you’re coming and I overheard their plans.” I could feel his mental shrug as a response.
“That does make it easier.” I laughed storing my book and taking the staff out of my ring, using the magical bone staff as walking stick. I didn’t think I would need it but better to have it on hand. Badb took to the air again, his laughter ringing in mind.
It didn’t take long to find the sight, standing in the middle of the road ahead was a lone man. He was dressed in black leather armor leaning on a massive sword. He took in my simple robes with a grin, his eyes glanced over my staff like it was nothing. A dark smirk spread across his face as I contiued walking toward him, never slowing my steady progress until he called out to me.
“Ah my young traveler, it’s time to pay the tax.”
“Tax?” I asked curiously never pausing in my stride.
“Yup, my road my tax. You can pay or die it’s a simple choice boy.”
“I’ll die then.” I shrugged still never slowing my steps, I was about twenty feet away now. My response seemed to throw him off, he hadn’t expected that.
“Ummm did you willingly pick death boy?” It must have really caught him off guard because the look on his face was flat confusion.
“I did, so kill me if you can.” I was within ten feet now and the man’s face was starting to change. A look of concern was coming over his face now, his men should have broken from the woods and surrounded me by now. “Oh are you waiting on your men? They won’t be coming.”
“What do you mean?” He asked, visibly nervous now.
“They are all dead.” I grinned. “I killed them.”
“How?” He stared at my face, I finally stood in front of him only five feet separating us now.
“Does it matter?” My cold voice must have shocked him because he started to try and pull his sword up. The look of shock on his face was amusing. I had melded the blade to the ground as I approached, now I cut off his access to his shards, he man panicked.
“What did you do?” He slowly fell to his knees infront of me.
“I killed you, what are you confused by?” My staff spun the instant I finished talking and the force decapitated the man, his body fell to the dust covered road.
“Hurry, the farmer isn’t dead yet!” Badb’s cry in mind got me moving. I gave up the casual walk and burst down the road at speed. The old man was crumbled up against a tree struggling to breathe when I arrived. Kneeling quickly beside the man I sent my healing magics out exploring his wounds. Once triage was done I healed the multiple wounds, as soon as the ribs healed he breathed easier.
“Thank you master mage, but I have nothing to offer you in payment.”
“There is no payment needed friend, what did they take from you?”
“The bandits my lord, beware the Sword knights bandits! They have waylaid travelers in these parts for years, they’ll come for you if you’re not careful.” The old man was panicked now trying to get to his feet.
“Be calm, they’re taken care of.” I smiled helping him to stand.
“Taken care of?” The look of incredulity spread across his face. “My lord?”
“They’ll harm no one else.” Was my simple answer. “My name is Syn, certainly not nobility good sir.”
“Master Syn, please forgive me my name is Hadi a simple farmer.” He bowed slowly infront of me.
“None of that now, please tell me what the bandits took from you?”
“Naught master, I had nothing with me that’s why they beat me.”
“I rushed here to aid you, are you going to fine master Hadi? I need to go clean up the remains of the bandits, can’t leave a mess for others to deal with.”
“Oh I am fine master, please go about your business my home isn’t far.” He bowed at the waist again. “Please be about your needs, I’ll make my way home the wife will be wondering about me by now.”
“Travel well my friend.” I bud the man farewell before moving back to the site I had left the bandits. Badb had been complaining about the sword blocking the road for some reason, he sounded amused but there was something there. When I finally reached the spot I understood why.
A rather large man was standing in front of the sword trying to pull it from the ground. He wasn’t getting far since I had melded it with the ground for about a hundred feet. I dropped to the ground before approaching, walking casually on my staff, not because of the man at the sword. The ten mounted soldiers that stood behind him and the expensive looking carriage surrounded by another ten soldiers had my attention. Evidently the sword blocked the road rather effectively.
“A problem my lord?” I asked casually as I came within speaking range.
“Nothing for you brat.” He snapped without looking at me.
“But it is my concern, you seem to be trying to take my sword.” I didn’t like his attitude so I decided to be difficult. The ten soldiers behind him suddenly took note of me at my words.
“Your sword?!” He scoffed. “There is no way someone like you could claim this sword! Now get out of here.”
“What is taking so long captain!” The shrill voice that screeched out of the carriage made my ears hurt. Evidently it had the same effect on the captain because he visibly cringed at it.
“The sword is stuck my lord, as soon as I get it moved we will be on our way.” He finally answered and went back to trying to jerk the sword out of the ground.
“I told you it’s my sword.” I offered to the straining captain.
“Then take it!” He said snapping at me in frustration, the man had still not looked at me aside from a quick glance. He finally stepped back offering me to take the sword.
I smiled and simply stepped forward and with a flick of my will took the sword into my ring. The captain staggered back I shock, he couldn’t believe his eyes. This waif thin half elf had just taken the huge sword from the ground like it was nothing. I simply bowed and stepped off to the side of the road waiting for them to move on, sadly the screeching thing in the carriage had other ideas.
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“Did that thing just take the sword?” He demanded stepping out of the carriage. The disdain in his voice was obvious. When I stepped in front of the soldiers I took in the man. Tall thin, dressed in finery but something about him just felt disgusting. He was a four shard mage, so I had to be aware of his power but he didn’t feel particularly strong.
“He said it’s his sword.” The captain offered, not in a helpful way.
“You, give me the sword.” He demanded.
“No.” I said simply, still standing at the side of the road. The look that passed over the nobles face was interesting, something between amazement and rage. I did think it was an interesting color that spread across his face.
“Do you know who I am?!” The shrill voice nearly pierced my ears as he yelled.
“No, should I?” Was my disinterested response.
“I am master mage Corilian Arabus! “ he yelled. “Now grovel at my feet and present me my new blade.”
“No.” That took him back again, the captain and other soldiers seemed truly surprised by it.
I felt the man reaching for his magic now, he was done with this game. He intended to destroy me in one quick attack, I smiled waiting.
When I felt the magic gather in his hand I almost laughed, really a lightning bolt? Did he actually think that would work? Okay maybe he did since he hadn’t even bothered to really look at me to see if I was a mage. I just waited knowing the man wouldn’t be able to act without further monologuing.
“Now witness the night of a four shard mage pleasent! I am the mighty mage Corilian Arabus and there will be nothing left of you save ash!” He yelled as the power gathered in his hand. “My might can make the king of beasts tremble!”
The power finally flashed toward me, the man’s showy magic flashing toward at impressive speed. For my part I looked uninterested. When the spell hit me it simply seemed to disappear, in truth I had been prepared for a bit now, having fashioned an absorption spell as soon as he started.
“Was there more?” I asked still standing relaxed at the side of the road making the noble gap at me, lost about what to do now. The captain for his part was standing with his mouth hanging open in stunned silence, his soldiers all took a step back from me. “Are we having a duel my lord? Should I strike back now?”
I didn’t wait for a response, using the magic I had absorbed from him I targeted the carriage. It turned into a pile of ash in a flash of light. Once everyone except me recovered their vision, I was prepared for the flash. Badb was as well but he was still perched I a tree, his laughter ringing in my head. I could hear him plainly because the rest of them stood staring at me in silence. I just smiled, shifted into a shadow and disappeared into the failing light. I didn’t go far, just high enough in a tree to join Badb. Appearing beside the cackling bird I joined him with a grin watching the confused men below.
“Master where did the man go!” The captain asked in shock.
“That was no man, it was a king beast, that’s the only way that could have happened!” Corilian stated it as an absolute fact. “Beast kings can assume human form, it’s the only way it could have survived my attack. We must go, there is no telling if it will return.”
“But the carriage my lord?” One of the soldiers standing near the ashes said.
“Damn the carriage man, did you not hear me! A beast king, we must run and want the master!” Corilian was done talking, he stared moving with magic quickly leaving behind the soldiers that tried to keep up with him. I could smell the fear washing off the man as he went.
Once the rattle or armor running had faded into the distance back the way we had come I descended from the tree. With a simple flick of my will four storage rings floated toward me, three from the bandits and one from the carriage. I had no idea why Corilian wasn’t wearing the ring but I would gladly take it. I would sort through them once we reached the cottage.