Things only got worse after they fell back. There was nowhere to fall back to except the base of the hill, close to where the 3rd Arcane’s tents and supply wagons were still either on fire or smoldering. A loose ring of soldiers was formed, with the remaining mages, Ilthur, Vulmar, and Commander Cardon clustered in the middle.
“Some of my men broke on the right flank sir. The enemy did not accept their surrender.”, Vulmar said as he unsheathed his sword.
“Where is Ghol? Has anyone seen him?”, Commander Cardon said. No one had. The enemy took their time, fanning out around the cluster of battle-weary mercenaries. There was nowhere to run.
“I’d really rather not die today.”, Cody said, his body still shining with whatever spell he’d used to make himself more durable. Thequen presumed it was gold mana, earth or forge magic of some kind-- but he knew very little outside of his own specialties of nature and air.
“I’m sorry to say Vulmar, but even my skill in spell-craft can’t win against these kinds of numbers. But I could get some of us out, if you’re all willing. I. of course, don’t intend to die here regardless. The Tower must have mages.”, Ilthur said as he leaned on his staff.
“As a mercenary, am I deeply uncomfortable with the idea of abandoning my employer before I’ve secured our paychecks.”
“I vote for living to fight another day, if my vote counts. We can always get more money.”, Cody said.
“A-agreed.”, Ariana added. The enemy soldiers remained at a safe distance. Thequen saw squads of archers begin to appear along the upper edge of the hill. Red robed priests too. The priests formed a line and started to chant something in unison, the notes rolling out wordlessly, a low droning punctuated by eerie high notes.
“Stay for honor and a chance of pay, Commander, or come with us and live to fight another day. I will begin the casting now. Anyone who wishes to join me, step in close, please.”, Ilthur said quietly.
Thequen was the first to step in close. He wasn’t about to die here for nothing. Especially when Ilthur had already promised him better pay and a chance to further expand his study of magic. Ariana and Cody joined him. As Ilthur continued to chant, a circle appeared on the ground, glowing faintly white and getting brighter by the second.
“Sorry Commander.”, Vulmar said as he stepped into the inside of the circle.
Whatever the red robed priests were doing, it concluded. Three in the center of their line held up their hands, and thin little lines of flames arced down toward Thequen and the pinned mercenaries.
Commander Cardon stepped inside the circle. “It’s my fault. I should have prepared better.”, he said with a grimace. A few of his soldiers squeezed into the circle. Ilthur’s incantation ended. The circle flashed a bright white, so bright that it obscured anything else. Thequen felt his stomach lurch as he grew suddenly nauseous. The sounds of the battle, the smell of burning-- it was all suddenly gone. The ground beneath Thequen’s feet flared white for a moment, and then suddenly he and everyone else was somewhere else. Thequen had never experienced a teleportation spell before, but this matched what he’d read about-- it was certainly more unpleasant to feel it firsthand than to read about it though. The textbook didn’t mention how sick it would make him feel.
They stood on cold stone tiles in a space that was entirely unfamiliar. The interior was dimly lit by little glass jars nestled in alcoves along the walls. The walls themselves were constructed of bland smooth blue-gray brickwork, mortared quite tightly together. The space of the room was roughly rectangular, with a sweeping spiral staircase in one corner, and a handful of arched openings that led into dark passageways spaced evenly on each wall. Eight exits via passageway plus one staircase that went upward. “Where are we?”, Thequen asked.
“A Tower, of course. One of the few remaining which are intact.”, Ilthur said as he leaned on his staff for a moment. He too seemed somewhat off balance from the teleportation. He pointed with his free hand. “A few bedrooms. Bathroom. Lounge, you’ll find some food and refreshments in the cabinets there. That way there is a passage which leads outside, which I point out simply to reiterate that none of you are prisoners or anything. Rest up for a while, or leave as you please. Whoever remains, we will have much to discuss over the coming days.”, Ilthur added, then he turned and hobbled toward the staircase.
“Just like that-- we’re safe?”, Ariana said as she looked down at her boots, still covered in a layer of dirt and blood.
“Indeed. For the moment.”, Ilthur said as he paused at the foot of the stairs.
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Commander Cardon was silent. The three soldiers who’d managed to be teleported with him stood to one side, whispering among themselves. Vulmar stood with them, but remained silent.
“My offer of employment, with many benefits besides, still stands. But I need rest. And presumably you all do too. I’ll be back down in a few hours. Please do not come upstairs. Use the ball in the lounge if you have questions while I’m away.”, Ilthur said.
No one said anything as Ilthur ascended the staircase. Cody stepped over to stand next to Thequen.
“Teleport circle, or something like it? You meet anyone in the Academy with that kind of skill? I never known anyone that strong. Didn’t even see him consume a crystal.”, Cody said.
Thequen shook his head. “There were records, but it would take at least ten crystals and a very competent spatial mage.”, he admitted. Ilthur’s abilities were beyond anything he’d encountered before.
“Well to the hells with it. Let’s see what he meant by refreshments.”, Ariana threw her hands up and sighed. Then she stepped into the dim light of one of the passageways. Thequen looked at Cody.
Cody shrugged. “Might as well. It’s either trust the powerful mage who’s just saved us from death, or don’t, right? And we were already about to sign on and work under him as apprentices, basically? So… why hesitate?”, he said as he turned and followed Ariana.
Thequen approached Commander Cardon and the mercenaries. “Commander?”, he asked.
Cardon sighed. “Just Zafar Cardon now, I think.”, he said. Vulmar frowned a little.
Thequen didn’t know what to say to that, so he just waited.
“I have at least these three fellows whom I owe a paycheck. There’s money waiting for me in an account at the capital. So that’s what I’ll be doing, if I can convince Ilthur to either teleport us there or provide provisions and a map. I assume we’re nowhere near Ghol’s territory or civilization, given what rumors I’ve heard of the Towers.”, Cardon said as he ran a hand across the stubble of his chin.
“We needn’t give up so easily. We can rebuild. Re-hire, do small jobs, work merchant caravan guard duty for a bit.”, Vulmar suggested, but this did not seem to lift Cardon’s spirits at all.
Thequen on the one hand liked Cardon. He was a good leader, fair, reasonable. Not easy qualities to find in a mercenary commander. On the other hand, Thequen wanted to believe that Ilthur would make good on the extra pay and the promise of sheer magical power. What mage didn’t want to be able to sling earth-shattering spells the likes of which were only really told of in myth and legend? Enough power, hopefully, to carve out a corner of the world all to himself, be debt free, and bend his knee to no one ever again.
“Well. Think Ilthur can be trusted?”, Thequen asked. Before Cardon and Vulmar were gone for good, might as well get some perspective on things.
Cardon shrugged. “I barely know him. Vulmar?”
Vulmar nodded. He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke. “Ilthur won’t give you a bad deal. That said, the powers that he deals with, and is obligated to fight against are greater than any danger you’d face as a regular mercenary or house-mage. I never joined him because I value my long, relatively safe life more than what he could offer. But you’re merely human. The deal may be better for you.”
“Hmm. Thanks, I think?”, Thequen said.
“Of course. We’ve not said our goodbyes quite yet hmm? Let’s see what there is for food, and I for one would be happy to get out of these boots.”, Vulmar said as he bent forward and started to unlace his boots. Thequen went down the same passage that Ariana and Cody had. The walls remained uniform, and eerily smooth. Thequen let his fingers drag along the edge for a moment. It was indeed as smooth to the touch as it looked, and completely dust and dirt free. The tunnel stretched on for a while and curved slightly. The smell of fresh baked bread hit Thequen right before he came around the corner and found an open door at the end of the hall. He pushed forward into the room beyond.
A wide hardwood table with a crystal ball in the middle, chairs evenly spaced all around. Along one wall was a smooth wooden counter with cupboards above it. On the counter were a variety of snacks, crackers, cakes, truffles, muffins, and a selection of fresh sliced fruit. A pitcher of water and a handful of mismatched pottery cups occupied one corner of the counter. Cody and Ariana sat in the chairs. Cody worked methodically through a plate full of fruit. Ariana nibbled absently on a muffin and repeatedly glanced toward the crystal ball. The room, like the room and hall before it, lacked any kind of decoration and had no windows. There were no other exits other than the door that Thequen entered through, as far as he could tell. “Well this is somewhat surreal.”, he said as he wandered over to the food and picked a couple items at random. He pulled up a chair and sat down.
“You’re telling me. I’m guessing this whole thing was constructed via spells. This degree of precision isn’t possible with mere human hands.”, Cody said as he pointed at the brickwork.
“Did you expect a drippy, drafty castle built into a mountain-side? I think we got a pretty good deal. Or rather, I will once we get paid or he shows me the library with the spellbooks.”, Ariana said, then she popped the last bite of a muffin into her mouth.
“Didn’t he say the crystal ball would answer questions?”, Thequen said as he reached a finger out toward it. He gave it a very gentle poke. Normally that would be a device used for scrying, right?
The moment his finger touched the orb it glowed gently for a moment. I can answer questions.
For a moment, everyone froze. “Did you hear that?”, Cody asked.
“I can answer questions?”, Ariana said.
“Telepathy?”, Thequen guessed.
Of course, I have no mouth, yet I must communicate. Telepathy is the simplest way. I am obligated by the terms of my service to inform you that I am not a mind reader. Further questions?
“Do you have a name?”, Ariana asked as she got up and started to stack more pastries on her plate.
I am normally referred to as Susan.