Chapter 56: You Got Some Explaining to Do A Soldier's Life
Ranobes
Chapter 56
My climb up the steps was not easy. I used my hands liberally to brace myself as I climbed. I think most of the butter ended up plastered on my pants, sleeves, and armor. When I cleared the buttered section of steps, I increased my pace, almost falling twice as the bottom of my boots still had significant butter residue. The hundred-foot climb felt like a thousand feet. My knuckles were bleeding, and pebbles were embedded into cuts on my hands.
When I reached the top step, my heart was pounding, and I was breathing heavily. Flavius had his bow aimed at me, and Brutus and Mateo had spears leveled at me. I put my hands up, "I surrender!"
Brutus asked with shock on his face, "How did you? I mean, you were bouncing down those steps after getting hit by the arrow…"
Konstantin came from my right, "Castile wants to see you, Eryk. Now!" He emphasized urgency. "She is on the aqueduct," he said, pointing past the sluice controlling the flow of water from the lake.
I left the six men guarding the top of the stairs and went to the aqueduct. My mind was spinning with ideas on how to explain my escape. I stepped onto the aqueduct. It was twelve feet wide with a one-foot curb on the edge to channel the water. The water was only an inch deep, and the flow was not too strong. I walked in the water, not wanting to risk walking on the lip. I moved out to the aqueduct to join the rest of the legion.
Castile, Adrian, and Delmar were near the lip but standing in the flow of water. They were staring out onto the rocky terrain below. I was able to look down at the stairs as I approached. I could see the top half of the stairs, but rocks and curvature obscured the bottom half. The bodies of the two elves were not in sight, and I wondered if they lived.
The commanders eyed me appraisingly. Castile spoke first, "You continue to surprise, Eryk. We thought we lost you. You can thank Blaze that we did not put an arrow in your back during your climb."
Since my jaw didn't work, Delmar explained, "We could not see who was climbing the steps in the low light. Blaze was certain the person was wearing legion armor, so we held fire."
I looked at the archers further down and said, "Thanks for not shooting me in the back."
Blaze's voice came back in, but I could not identify who was speaking as they were all facing away from me, "You owe me, Eryk. I will let you know when you can repay me."
Adrian looked me up and down, and I noticed that the sky was starting to get lighter. The sun was coming. Adrian said, "Brutus said an arrow struck you and then fell down the steps? Yet you look relatively unharmed."
As I thought about what to say, Castile answered for me, "I gave Eryk a lesser healing potion. He was to heal me if I became incapacitated." She was covering for me and had obviously not revealed to Adrian or Delmar that I could heal myself. She focused on what had happened below, "What was the flash and explosion? Are their mages already below?"
"Mages?" I asked, "Yes, there was a mage." I started to tell the events in order to give me time to think. "I fell down the steps after getting shot. Well, I guess bounced and slid is a better way to describe my inglorious descent," I tried to smile, but their serious faces had me end my attempt at humor.
I paused, getting my thoughts together as they waited. "At the bottom, I got to cover to hide from the archer. I was sitting against a rock and…healed myself." I was unsure why Castile was helping me keep my healing spell form secret, but I appreciated it.
Delmar asked, a little impatient, "What was the flash of light and explosion?"
I nodded, continuing, "The archer approached me from the shadows. He must have circled around while I was falling. I think he planned to take me prisoner. Then the mage appeared and was casting a fireball spell, I think... I surprised her with a vial of lamp oil I took from the villa. I was just trying to stop her from casting the fireball. It was the only thing I thought might help in my dimensional space. The vial exploded, and it tossed both of them away from me. They were not moving, so I hobbled up the steps to rejoin the company," I finished triumphantly.
Delmar looked skeptical, and Castile was hiding a smirk. I hoped she had been out of aether and did not have her all-seeing-eye watching me. Adrian was still nursing his arm, and there was more discomfort at his injury on his face than interest in how I escaped.
Castile asked, "So you did make sure they were dead? The mage and the archer?"
"I…I…I did not. The healing potion was still doing its work, and I was not sure how much time I had before more advanced scouts arrived," I explained, but I thought that would have been a good idea. If the griffin rider lived, she might figure out what happened to her. But then again, she was on the other side of this battle, so I should be fine.
"Can you swing a sword?" Delmar asked, and I nodded sharply. "Good, go reinforce the six men at the top of the stairs." I heard them whispering behind me as I walked away, splashing lightly in the water.
As I walked back to the stairs, I realized my boot's waterproofing was starting to fail. The warm water had penetrated my sock. My left foot was making a squelching sound as I walked. The six men were there, and I sat on a stone twenty feet from the top of the stairs to rest near the pile of backpacks. My own backpack, half full of butter, was at the bottom of the stairs. I picked up a random canteen and, finding it empty, turned my sight to the reservoir.
There was enough light to see now. It was a large circular lake surrounded by rocky, cragily, cliffs. The glass surface would have been picturesque if not for the fact that it looked like we were trapped up here. It would be difficult to circumnavigate the lake. Lirkin hobbled over to me. He had received an arrow in his hip and could barely walk but seemed intent on doing his duty as company cook. He handed me a wrapped meal, "Thanks for helping carry me, Eryk." He hobbled away, dragging his left leg.
"I am going to fill the canteen," I announced, holding up the empty canteen.
Mateo responded, "Fill all them, Eryk."
I gathered up seven empty canteens and walked the short distance to the water. I took off my left boot to wring out my sock. I left it off to let my wet foot air dry while filling the canteens. The water was clear and cool. I drained the first canteen I had filled before filling all seven. I remained seated on the rock on the shore, just watching the sunrise. I was ready to respond if I heard the sound of combat, but I felt I needed a moment.
Felix came to the water with his empty canteen. He looked at my barefoot, "Eryk, you are not seriously thinking about taking a bath at this moment?" He looked at me in the early day's light, "Although you could use it. You are a mess of grease, blood, and dirt."
I looked at my hand and all the scraps, cuts, dirt, two missing fingernails, and dried blood. I shook my head, "No, my boot is no longer waterproof." I kicked it lightly to emphasize it.
Felix picked it up and inspected it. The sole had come detached near the toe. He was able to wiggle his finger into it. "Kolm can fix this. He is not just a good blacksmith." He handed me the boot. I sighed and put on the damp sock and boot. Felix asked, "So what was the flash of light?"
I kept with my story, "Elf mage. I surprised her casting and managed to get away from her and the archer."
Felix shook his head in disbelief, "You have to be the luckiest legionnaire in the Empire. You have escaped a bulette, survived a bite of a death dog, and now escaped a Bartiradian mage. Satis gladio is not a fitting nickname. Maybe felicem (lucky man) or infelicis (unlucky)." He smiled, "Because you have to be unlucky to get yourself into all these situations." I grunted in response because I definitely felt unlucky.
Felix looked up, and I followed his gave. One of the griffins was overhead, well out of range of the bow. It circled our position and then the lake. It landed about half a mile away on the shore, and the griffin was taking a drink while the rider dismounted and stared at us from a distance. A second griffin landed next to the first. They were taunting us, letting us know death was coming.
Felix grunted, "Not long now. We should get back to the steps." He picked up all the canteens I had filled and hauled them back.
I knelt by the edge of the water and washed my hands and arms. The filth in the water was quickly diluted as I washed. I kept an eye on the resting griffins as I moved to wash my face. I realized I had lost my helmet in my fall. I also found a glob of butter in my hair. I made a point to wash my hair and face, scrubbing out the dirt.
Finished, I stood and looked at my abused hands. I did not have much aether but used my healing spell form anyway. The missing nails grew back in slowly, black dirt and tiny pebbles pushed out of the wounds as they closed. I only healed my hands so it would be easier to swing a sword. I was also now out of aether. A shriek from another griffin in the skies was a call to the two resting griffin riders. They mounted and took to the air. The three griffins were soon circling high above like vultures over a carcass.
I heard the twang of bows from the aqueduct and left to join my companions to guard the stairs. The enemy forces had arrived.
Chapter 57: Battle at the Aqueduct A Soldier's Life
Ranobes
Chapter 57
The morning air quickly became humid as I walked over to the stairs. I only had one canteen as Felix had taken the rest. I sipped it and sat near the backpacks, just a few feet from the others. I was not worried about the fight coming anytime soon as I knew how narrow and treacherous the steps were. I was only twenty feet away and could quickly support the others guarding the top of the ascent. My seat also gave me a view of the aqueduct where most of our company was positioned.
I looked up into the sky, and four griffins circled well outside of bow shot range. The clear, pale blue morning sky gave them a nice backdrop. The morning was too picturesque. Besides the twang of the single bow on the aqueduct, it did not feel like we were going to be fighting for our lives. A second archer joined the first on the aqueduct. My guess was Delmar was conserving arrows until the men had better targets.
Flavius fired a single arrow from the top of the stairs. He was the only legionnaire at our position with a bow. I had three bows in my dimensional space, well, four if you included the elf bow. But that was a long bow compared to the legion composite short bow.
All eyes were turned away from me, so I produced the quiver with seventeen arrows and the minor essence of power from my dimensional space. My aether had barely recovered, and it took nearly all my aether to bring out the two objects. It was a risk as they may have counted all the arrows when they got up here. It had been dark then, so it could be said someone overlooked a single quiver. They were going to be more useful to the archers than to me.
I should have stockpiled arrows in my dimensional space. Next opportunity, I would do a better job. I put the essence into my mouth, savoring the euphoria of the minor power essence. Strength was the only physical trait I had not taken an essence for now. I had a major essence for strength in my dimensional space but figured the minor essence was all I could handle so soon after the dexterity essence. Just some minor indigestion followed in the few minutes after.
A third Bowman on the aqueduct was now firing, and a few return arrows were starting to appear from below. The aqueduct was almost 90 feet off the ground where they were positioned. The fifteen archers of the company were patient, standing and firing, and then kneeling out of visual range of the Bartiradians below. Behind the row of archers were men in the center of the aqueduct waiting with our leaders for orders. On the other side of the aqueduct were two archers and three spotters looking for enemy movement.
Brutus stepped back to talk with me, "Once they see the men climbing the stairs, they will send others to reinforce our position." He paused, inhaled, and continued, "Eryk, I am sorry for leaving you. I did not know how many scouts they sent forward. After your fall, I thought it would be suicide to come to you, especially after you greased the steps."
I looked Brutus in his eyes, "There was nothing you could have done to help me after I fell. In your situation, I would have done the same thing." I looked at the archers firing and asked, "How many arrows do they have?"
"Not many. I think they counted three hundred and fifty-something before they went out there. Twenty arrows each, I think they said. Flavius has another thirty," Brutus said gloomily. As we watched, one of the men took an arrow in the eye and tumbled forward off the structure. "That was Cathius from my old company. He had three children," Brutus announced softly.
I could hear echoes of metal from below. That meant the heavier armored men had reached our position. Delmar had the men sliding before standing and quickly firing now. An archer took an arrow in the chest, and two men pulled him back from the edge to help him. One of the archers on the other side fired an arrow below and turned and said something to Castile.
"Bastards," Brutus muttered and pointed in the distance. Maybe half a mile down the aqueduct, the enemy was climbing up ropes, like little ants trying to swarm a picnic table. "If the general is smart, he will form up men there and rush the aqueduct and stairs simultaneously."
Adrian was not going to let this happen. Even with only one good arm, he drew a sword and pulled five men to him, all from Gregor's company, I think, and they splashed down the aqueduct with shields forward to stop the climbing Bartiradians. They might have a chance if he could cut the ropes quickly enough.
The enemy arrows suddenly picked up, causing everyone to crouch low for cover. A griffin swooped down and lifted one of the men running with Durandus. It only carried him far enough to drop him to the rocks. Two of our archers fired arrows, and one struck the griffin on the wing at two hundred yards. The griffin flapped its wings in pain and did not rise. It glided to the ground.
"At least they shouldn't try that again," I muttered.
I picked up a spear from the gear pile and sheathed my sword. I moved behind the other men on the stairs as the shouts from below were increasing in intensity. Maybe they found the general's sister and would withdraw to figure out how she got there. I hoped she had not died after I left her. Not because I cared for her life, but if she lived, the general might be less hell-bent on our decimation.
Adrian had reached the climbing Bartiradians, and it was too far to see clearly what was happening. The rope that two men were climbing suddenly let go, and they fell to the ground. My group cheered as the second and third ropes were cut. Still, Adrian and the men were slightly outnumbered.
As the battle a half mile away raged in the water of the aqueduct, the arrows from below suddenly increased. Flavius turned to us, "They are going to be coming soon at the stair soon." He moved to the right, and I stood behind our two men with round shields with my spear ready. We could hold this position easily with the seven men we had, with the stairs being so narrow.
Flavius seemed a little unsure. "They should be here by now…"
The racket of metal and a foreign tongue below was extreme, and Brutus started laughing. "Do you know what they are saying?" I asked him gripping my spear tightly.
"Your butter trick seemed to work. They think the steps are spelled with a grease spell. They are calling for a mage to burn it away," he continued laughing, and everyone joined with him. It was a very small victory.
Flavius looked around and ordered, "Brutus and Eryk, gather some rocks. About the size of a head. You will need to go to the water to get them, but we can roll them down the steps to slow them."
I looked around with Brutus, and all the close stones were massive. Along the shoreline, there were numerous stones. I leaned my spear against a rock, grabbed the first stone, and rushed back. On my return trip, I could see Adrian and just two men returning with him. All three were struggling to get back, obviously injured. It also looked like our archers had also thinned some, but I did not know if they were injured or dead.
On my third trip with a stone, an intense heat washed up the steps. Causing everyone to step back. Their mage was burning the butter away. "Eryk and Brutus get your spears ready."
My spear was by the water, and I raced to grab it. It only took seconds, but as I returned, arrows were flying everywhere from below. The Bartiradians were firing blindly as they could not see us. The men on the aqueduct and the men at the top of the stairs were seeking cover from the barrage. This was the Bartiradian push. A lucky arrow took Flavius in the chest as he stood and returned fire. It did not look bad as he continued to draw and shoot with the arrow in him.
Lirkin, on his knees, was rolling the six rocks we had gathered down the steps. To my ears, it sounded like there were a thousand men below from the cacophony of sounds. I could not find fear, though, just—anticipation. As the arrows paused on our position, the aqueduct men were not as lucky. I saw another archer fall off the aqueduct from an arrow strike. The heavy storm of arrows continued to pin them down. The first Bartiradian came up the steps with a shield in front of him. Spears pushed him and hacked at him. He did not last long before Brutus speared his groin, and Mateo slashed his neck.
I was focused on the steps but noticed men coming back from the aqueduct. Konstantin reached us first. He had lost his helm and was bleeding from a long gash on the side of his scalp, "We are out of arrows! But a few men are climbing the bloody cliffs to flank us! We need to get ready; they are over halfway up!"
"There is a quiver by the packs, and Flavius' quiver is still half full," I told Konstantin, who paused, grabbed both quivers, and tossed them to Blaze, who had arrived. Blaze was soaked but uninjured as he smirked at more ammunition. Flavius was now sitting as he was attending to his arrow wound.
Adrian appeared and sat heavily among the packs, bleeding from numerous wounds. I gave him a canteen and started to help the others arriving. From the our left, Konstantin yelled, "I am going to need help over here."
Delmar, who was uninjured, looked around, "Felix, Kolm, Eryk, and Antonio; go help, Konstantin." I scrambled up the rocks with the others who were all free of serious injury. Kolm was bleeding from his knee, but that was from falling and not an enemy. Antonio was from Gregor's men, and he had a thigh wound from an arrow but still moved fairly well. We scrambled up the rocks together for higher ground and to join Konstantin.
Konstantin nodded as we came. "They were almost up in this area; maybe a dozen were brave enough to attempt the climb." The cliff was steep and not a climb I would have tried myself.
"How do our chances look?" I asked Konstantin, knowing he would tell me the truth.
"As long as they do not have more men coming from the city, we can hold. Adrian thinks they used all their grapples in their first attempt to climb the aqueduct. A griffin can get them more in an hour or two if they think of it, but we should be able to hold." Konstantin said reassuringly.
Felix offered with a smile, "The archers took down maybe fifty men and Adrian's squad another dozen. Besides, Firth took an arrow in the ass. We have to survive this just so we can mock him about it."
The first Bartiradion scrambled up over the edge of the cliff, and Antonio went to engage him near the edge. As he approached, a dozen arrows came at him from below, all fired blindly, four connecting. One went through his throat, and he fell to his knees, struggling to breathe. Without healing potions, there was nothing we could do for Antonio.
Konstantin voiced the obvious, "Stay away from the edge. We will engage them here. They will be tired from the climb and only come at us in pairs at most. Work together, and this will be easy." The Bartiradians signaled when a climber was about to reach the top by sending a flight of arrows to cover the last part of his climb. We were out of the path and not endangered at all.
The next hour was a bloodbath for the climbers. We killed fifteen on our side, and another group killed eight on the other. The attack slowed, and we waited. A griffin high above shrieked, and we all looked up. "Look!" Konstantin pointed over the lake. A single flyer was streaking toward us. It was not a griffin but the silhouette of drake.
Konstantin whispered, "That is fire drake." We watched as the griffin tried to flee, but the drake was like an arrow and closed too fast. Glinting in the sun, the metallic red scales passed high above us as a small ball of flame belched from its mouth. It struck the panicked griffin in a flare of fire. The griffin and rider were both smoking and had flames trailing their burning bodies as they quickly fell from the skies.
The drake circled, looking for other prey, but the other two griffins had already retreated toward the city. The drake circled above our position, and Konstantin announced, "Let's go join the others. I think the Duke's army is close."
The massive reptile landed near the lake, and a tall man dismounted and let the drake drink its fill while he walked toward our group. Castile stood to meet him. The drake rider wore black and red leathers and had a black cape with the markings of a mage.
Castile greeted him, "Master Mage Sebastian, thank you for your timely arrival." Castile's voice sounded relieved but cautious.
"The forces below are retreating, Mage Castile, but do not thank me yet. Duke Tiberius is still a day away, and Duke Octavian is with him," Sebastian stated coldly. Castile jerked like she had been slapped, and I knew Duke Ocatavian had sent her to defend the city of Macha on this apparent suicide assignment.
"I am only here to hear what happened to my brother, Durandus." His words were icy and angry. It did not feel like we were being saved.
Chapter 58: False Salvation A Soldier's Life
Ranobes
Chapter 58
It was obvious that Master Mage Sebastian and Mage Castile were not friends. As our wounded company watched the interaction, Sebastian was in charge and talking down to Castile. Sebastian turned to face the lake and lowered his tone. Their conversation turned private as they faced the lake and talked too low for anyone to hear.
Delmar looked at everyone and started giving orders. "Eryk and Blaze go to the aqueduct to maintain a watch. Benito, Wylie, and Felix. I want you to help Linus get all the wounded together for treatment. Bring them near the lake. Konstantin…" I was out of earshot as he continued to give orders.
Blaze and I walked out on the aqueduct, and I was quickly reminded that my sole was becoming detached as my sock was soaked again. Blaze looked to have come out relatively unscathed in the battle. "That was pretty close. How did you manage on the aqueduct?"
Blaze started to get animated with words and hand gestures, "Craziest fight I have ever been in," he indicated the aqueduct. "Shoot, duck. Shoot, duck. Lay flat in the water while protecting the bowstring. Get up, shoot."
As we reached the position, there were five dead men, their blood still turning the water flow red. I recognized two men from our company, Malcolm and Fidel. I did not know Fidel at all, and I do not ever remember hearing him talk to anyone. The other three men were from Gregor's company.
Blaze was doing a better job than me at not being affected by the death. He immediately kneeled in the water at the edge, and scanned the rocks below. I joined him and looked down on the carnage below. Dozens of bodies were scattered among the rocks. Blaze must have caught movement because he drew an arrow and fired. A Bartiradian who had been sitting in the shadow of a boulder groaned as he now had an arrow in his heart.
Blaze commented without remorse, "I was just speeding him on his way. He was in a lot of pain."
A few minutes later, Brutus walked down the aqueduct with Pavel. Pavel had a serious limp but carried his bow. Brutus announced, "I have to drag the bodies back. Pavel is here to help watch for the enemy." Brutus tied a rope to the first body and started to drag it through the water.
Pavel kneeled painfully next to Blaze. I had remained standing, not wanting to get my pants wet. Pavel said, "You will want to kneel. If enemy archers are still out there, you are a bigger target standing."
I did as advised and knelt between them, quickly soaking my linen pants. I asked, "Why does Duke Octavian have it out for our company?"
Blaze and Pavel looked at each and Blaze answered, "Duke Octavian is one of the sons of the Emperor. He controls the Sacegoes Province. After the Telha Imperial Province of the Emperor, it is the most profitable region in the Empire."
Pavel picked up the explanation, "There are six cities in his province. Castile grew up in one of them. We do not know which one. When she was tested and was found strong enough to go to the Mage College, Duke Octavian sponsored her. When she graduated, she did the only thing she could to forgo her debt to Duke Octavian. She joined the Legion of the Lion in service of the Emperor."
"I thought all mages joined the Legion after they graduated?" I asked the pair of archers.
Blaze smirked, "You are asking the wrong people, Eryk. But as I understand it, only those who can not pay for the schooling at the college have to serve in the Legion. That is why you do not see First Citizens or wealthy merchant mages leading companies."
"So, instead of paying off her debt to Octavian, she is working for the Emperor? For how long?" I asked, curious as to Castile's motivation.
"Twenty years is the term for mages. I think Castile is seventeen or eighteen years in. Duke Octavian is getting desperate for his revenge on her before she leaves the Legion," Blaze noted.
Pavel added, "And that is not her only enemy among the First Citizens. There is Baron…" Blaze stopped Pavel from talking by slapping him with his bow.
Blaze said seriously, "The less you know, Eryk, the better you can sleep at night. I have been with Castile for almost six years. I hold her in higher esteem than any First Citizen." His statement quieted the young Pavel, who was still anxious to reveal Castile's other enemies.
Brutus returned for a second body and said, "Master Mage Sebastian is leaving soon. I think we are going to make our way around the lake soon. Castile purchased a few simple healing potions from the mage for the more heavily wounded men." Brutus tied a rope and hauled another body away.
Donte and Lysander walked past us. They were headed to drop the bodies off the aqueduct where Adrian had fought. Blaze noted, "Even though we do not control the city, Castile does not want the water fouled for the citizens. The Bartiradians will repair the aqueduct if they keep the city."
Brutus had finished with the bodies and came to sit with us. "Flavius is going with Sebastian to look for the collector."
"What? Out in the swamps?" I asked louder than I had wanted.
"Yeah, he is going to direct him to the island where Durandus lost it. After they find it, they will probably fly back to the Duke's army. We are going to have to walk around the lake." Brutus said while studying the dead bodies below.
"What if they do not find the collector?" I asked conversationally.
"Oh, Sebastion is a powerful mage. He specializes in dominating the minds of creatures. He will probably dominate a fish, frog or something to find it for him," Brutus replied before kneeling with us, having finished his inspection of the dead Bartiradians below.
"He can do that?" Pavel asked in disbelief.
Brutus frowned as his pants got wet. Then he responded, "Yes. He has dozens of creatures on his estate." He heaved a heavy sigh, "Once, Durandus and Sebastian were tasked with killing a Baron. Sebastian brought ten dire wolves to attack the baron and his family's carriage in the countryside. I have never seen anything so brutal in my time as a legionnaire. The entire time the wolves were tearing the family apart, the high mage was just smiling at his pet's ferocity." Brutus shivered at the memory.
A small roar from the lake had us all turn to see the red drake take to the sky with two passengers. I watched them speed south, and I think I had just condemned Falvius to death. If Sebastian did not find the essence collector, he would kill Flavius in anger.
While watching the drake, Pavel asked, "Does he command any legionaries?"
Brutus shook his head clear of his thoughts, "What? Yes. He has two dozen or so. They take care of his pets. He actually breeds the drakes for the Dragon Legion on his estate. The brothers were close. I do not think he is going to take kindly to his death. My guess is we will not see Flavius again. If that does satiate his revenge, he will track me down."
Blaze offered unhelpfully, "Eryk was there too."
"Yes, but he was not assigned to protect him." Brutus looked at the reservoir lake where our company was getting ready to move out, "I think just Flavius, Quentin, and myself are left. And Quentin was left at the road to guard the gear and was not on the island when Durdandus got himself killed."
Konstantin came trotting out to us, "We are moving out. Once we get to the other side of the lake, it should just be a few miles to meet up with the Duke's army."
We abandoned our post on the aqueduct and went to the backpacks. There were twelve backpacks left for me to choose from—twelve men did not survive the assault. My gear was scattered at the bottom of the stairs, and my backpack was also full of melted butter from the heat of the day. Brutus pointed, "You should take Flavius' pack."
I nodded, picked it up, and checked the contents. It had the standard legion traveling gear with six wrapped meals. I shouldered the pack and looked at the bodies all lined up, eyes closed, and their hands crossed on their chest.
Delmar stood over the men, and we circled around them. Delmar spoke loud and clear,
"Oh mighty Pluto, we beseech you on this solemn day to remember the fallen warriors who have valiantly fought for justice in the Empire. Their courage and sacrifice will forever be etched in our hearts and minds.
Grant them peace and rest in your realm. May their spirits find solace and tranquility in the celestial lands. Guide them to eternal glory as they join the ranks of heroes who have gone before them. We humbly ask their next life be better than this one."
It was a warrior's prayer, and we all turned and left. Normally, the bodies would have been burned, but we lacked a way to start a fire. Whoever cleaned up the bodies below would have to take care of it.
We waded into the waters on the shore and started to move around the lake. Everyone was capable of walking, though a number of men still had upper body wounds. I was sure that Linus had stretched the potions that Castile had paid for from Sebastion. When the water got too deep, we had to scramble over the large rocks on the shore. It was easy to see why we had not tried to flee this route. Progress was painfully slow—literally for our wounded. The enemy would have rolled up behind us while we were trapped and exposed.
It took hours to make our way around the lake. Then we climbed to the lip of the crater and had to make a treacherous climb down to the woodlands below. It looked like when the mountain had exploded, the blast was directional toward where Macha was built. The forest below only had a few boulders near the edge that must have fallen from the cliff we were currently descending.
Adrian fell fifteen feet on the descent and broke his ankle. This fall was due to still only having the use of one arm. Other than that, we all made it to the forest floor. Konstantin was our only remaining scout. If he was correct, the road was about five miles north through the woodlands.
Konstantin warned everyone, "The next five miles will be difficult. These are wild, untamed woods. There could be any number of possible deadly and horrific creatures and plants inside."
A man walked out of the woods, "Now, Konstantin, do not try and scare the children."
Konstantin's eyes went wide in disbelief. He moved and shook his wrists with the man, "Cornelius! How did you ever find your way all the way out here from your stacks of books?"
Cornelius looked fit but old with snow-white hair. "I still like to travel now and then. Especially in an emergency." He turned to address Castile, "By order of the Emperor Maximus Augustus. Mage Castile, you are hereby remanded to my custody for the failure to hold the city of Macha from the Bartiradian barbarians. You are to come with me to sit judgment before a Tribunal of Dukes."
Everyone in the company tensed, and a number put hands to their hilts. The forest stirred, and a dozen men showed themselves. Castile had a hard look but did not look surprised and announced, "Stand down! It is the Emperor's order. We will go willingly."
I heard a number of men cursing under their breath, and Konstantin was arguing with Cornelius. All of it mattered little as soon our company was being escorted through the woods to the waiting Duke's Army.
END OF BOOK ONE
Chapter 59: Politics of the Empire A Soldier's Life
Ranobes
Chapter 59
Cornelius' men moved out to serve as a screen as we moved into the woodlands. I moved close enough to overhear Cornelius and Konstantin talking at the rear. "…can not seriously think this failure is the fault of Castile. The Duke's army was to attack as soon as the Bartiradians set up camp outside the gates."
Cornelius had a softer voice than Konstantin, and I strained to hear, "That is why I was sent, as a favor, Konstantin. My three best squads of Legion Hounds are here, and Duchess Veronica has called a Ducal Tribunal so Octavian can not hand out punishment to Castile on the spot."
Konstantin argued, "That makes no sense! The city only fell a day ago! How could a Tribunal have been called and your Legion Hounds be here already…" His voice had started loudly and faded at the end.
Cornelius confirmed Konstantin's thoughts, "The Duke's army was never going to reach Macha until it fell into Bartiradian hands. That is why Baron Hephestus abandoned the city to join the army. He is in Duke Tiberious's pocket and was aware of the plan."
"And Gregor and Durandus?" Konstantin asked softly, seeing the bigger picture.
"Gregor is not well-liked but was apparently just a disposable piece on the board. When Durandus insulted Duke Santino by not marrying his daughter and paying for her First Citizenship, he sealed his fate. Before we learned Durandus was killed, Duchess Veronica thought I would also be rescuing him as well." Cornelius walked past me as he moved toward the front of the formation.
I moved back, planning to talk with Konstantin, but Cornelius spun and talked loudly as he walked, "We dispersed a gnoll camp on our trek through the woods. They should not bother our large group but be on alert. These woods also used to be the home to a herd of centaurs. No sightings in the last two years, but that means very little." With his warning done, he moved off to join the screen. For an old man, he moved with surprising grace.
I was not the only one seeking explanations from Konstantin. Castile and Delmar had fallen back to walk with him. I ended up in front of the trio. Konstantin started with, "That is Cornelius. He trains the Legion Hounds for the eastern part of the Empire. I was trained by and worked for him as a Hound."
Castile stated, "Why did he not have me killed immediately?"
It was a moment before Konstantin spoke, "He is here at the direction of Duchess Veronica. I think she is a new duchess, one of the Emperor's many great-granddaughters."
It was quiet for a few minutes, and as much as I wanted to ask a question, I remained silent. Delmar asked, "The Ducal Tribunal?"
Castile answered him, "I am assuming the Hounds are here to protect me from Duke Octavian and Duke Tiberius until a formal Tribunal of Dukes."
Konstantin answered, "Cornelious did not say where or when the Tribunal will be held. If I know him, though, he has a plan to exclude Octavian from the Tribunal. I'm not sure what favors this Duchess Veronica has given for his help. Cornelious' help is never given freely."
Castile hissed, "If he can manage to exclude Octavian from the Tribunal, I will give him my firstborn."
Delmar asked quietly, "So we are just going to go along with this?"
Konstantin answered in a casual tone, "If we attack the Legion Hounds, the Emperor will send ten times this number after us. It is best to follow politely. Besides, almost everyone is injured." Adrian was meandering back to the group now. He was also in obvious pain, his arm still in a sling and walking on a broken ankle. We were not moving slowly, so you had to admire his pain tolerance.
Castile sounded angry, "They could have given us a few simple healing potions, at least."
Konstantin barked a loud laugh that had a few heads turn. He said conversationally, "I was a Hound at one point in my service to the Emperor. You never make your quarry stronger. Rest assured, they will get us to our destination even if they need to put their lives on the line."
Castile moved past me with Delmar. Adrian hobbled behind them. It gave me a chance to walk with Konstantin. He opened the conversation, "You look to be in fair condition, Eryk."
I went with Castile's explanation for my healing, "Castile gave me a simple healing potion to hold for her. I was supposed to use it on her if she was incapacitated."
"Did she now? And you used it on yourself?" Konstantin remarked with some skepticism in his voice.
"Yes, after my tumble down the stairs," I responded smoothly. I tried to turn the conversation, "What is a Ducal Tribunal?"
Konstantin grunted, "There are sixteen Dukes who control the sixteen provinces outside of the Imperial Province, which is the Emperor's Seat. The Dukes are the higher law, and three of them can sit in judgment of any mage or First Citizen. The three members of a Ducal Tribunal are assigned by the Emperor himself. Whatever game Duchess Veronica is playing at, it is dangerous. She is in charge of the Sobral Province. The newest and smallest province in the Empire. If I remember correctly, it has a modest city on a river, and that is it."
"Is the Duchess an ally of Castile?" I asked.
"Not that I am aware of. But if she is opposing Octavian, then there will be a reprisal for her action," Konstantin mulled. He then looked at me, "The politics of the Empire are more deadly than the Bartiradian Army. My advice to you is to stay as far away as possible."
We walked for a while. I asked, "Why does Castile not flee the Empire?"
Konstantin grunted and pointed at the men making their way around us in the woods, "The Hounds will always find you."
"How did you become a Hound?" I asked, watching the men flitter among the trees.
"Interested are we?" He chuckled. "Well, two things are needed. You need to complete legionary training, and you have to have a useful spell form."
"So I qualify?" I asked him. We were approaching a clearing ahead, and Konstantin's eyes were on it.
"I suppose you do," he said, distracted. "It is not as plush as you think it is. The Hounds track down beasts, mages, men, and sometimes children. They are the attack dogs of the Emperor. This," he motioned to our escort, "is out of character for them, and I am curious how Duchess Veronica sent the best of them to secure Castile."
We entered the clearing, and it looked like a campsite. There were two small shelters, and inside, foul-smelling bodies covered in fur and blood. I walked with Konstantin for a closer look. "These are gnolls. Do you have them in Tsinga?"
"We do, but I have never seen one before," I replied, inspecting the dead creatures. They had arrow wounds, throats were slit, bellies were cut open, and entrails pulled out. They were vaguely humanoid but definitely most beast-like, hyena men.
Konstantin looked into the other shelter and grunted before walking on. I looked inside as well. Puppies…no, baby gnolls all ruthlessly slaughtered. I moved to catch up with Konstantin. He waved his hand back, "That is what the Legion Hounds do best. I am sure if they were not tasked with bringing in Castile, they would have tracked down the rest of the pack. Gnolls are a scourge."
"Is that what you did? Hunted monsters?" I asked him. Brutus had moved beside us to listen.
"No, I was the monster. I hunted mostly soldiers for deserting their posts. Some legionaries for failing to do their duty. And a few regular men as well. Highwaymen and other criminals. If a Hound is coming for you, the trial is already over," he said hollowly.
Brutus asked, "Why did you leave?"
Konstantin smirked, "I didn't. I was recruited into the service of someone else. There are not many ways to leave the Hounds." He pointed at Cornelious far ahead, "To leave, you need to be reassigned by your commander or complete your tenured service. Someone negotiated with Cornelious on my behalf."
The sound of bow shots from deep to the right sounded, and everyone paused to listen. Konstantin unshouldered his bow and went into the woods. We all waited for ten minutes before Konstantin returned. Our group was moving again, but Konstantin was at the front talking with Castile. Word was passed back that the Hounds had encountered a giant spider and dispatched it.
Mateo joined Brutus and I. We broke out some wrapped rations. Mateo had gotten all of his soaked when he tripped in the reservoir. I gave him one of my meals from Flavius' pack. As we finished the meal, we reached another clearing. This time, it was a wide, packed dirt road bisecting the forest.
Cornelius was talking with Castile, and soon, we were walking down the road. The pace had increased, and Adrian was grunting with every step to keep pace. The forest finally faded into open fields of wheat. It was late evening, and a dozen men came charging toward us on the road, their horses raising a cloud of dust behind them.
We had remained at our group's rear and could not hear the exchange with the riders wearing the army's regular uniform. It did not matter as the riders rode away back in the direction they came from after a quick exchange. Delmar turned to us, "Legionnaires! Form ranks four abreast at the front!"
We scrambled to obey, and in a few heartbeats, we had a four-by-five block of men. Castile, Delmar, and Adrian walked into the front as we began a march. I was in the last row, and soon, all twenty of us had synched our steps as we continued down the road. We passed by a few fields, and a neatly arranged tent city appeared over a small hill. Mounted sentries were on top of the surrounding hills.
The tent city was still being formed as they must have recently stopped here for the quickly approaching night. The tent city had flattened a farmer's wheat field, but I doubted the farmer had complained. We held our chins high and walked through the soldiers, getting people to pause and stare. A few larger tents were flying a mage flag above them and surrounded by other men in legion armor. Our Legion Hound escort evaporated into the tent city, leaving us to march alone, their duty to deliver us over.
The rows of tents seemed to go on forever as we marched deeper into the encampment. We finally reached the center of the camp. A large white tent was erected here. Delmar ordered us to halt and wait at attention. I had not expected to wait long.
I was wrong. The sun had set, and we remained at attention in the humid early night. I wanted to ask a question or even just get a drink but was too afraid to be the first person to do so. And that was how we remained throughout the night, statues outside the command tent as the Duke's army continued their business.
The rich blue moon lit the camp, and we soon fought to keep our eyes open. I felt pity for the injured men, especially Adrian, who shifted ever so slowly at the front of our block on his broken ankle.
We were all still standing when the hint of dawn crested the sky. Some of us had swayed during the night, somehow finding the ability to sleep while standing for short periods. But none of us fell. The command tent flap suddenly flew back, and a man in a General's dress exited the tent. He walked past us, not saying a word. Shortly after, another man exited the tent. He was tall with sharp features in the low light and hard jet-black hair. He had on legionnaire armor, only it was not leather but steel. He looked at all of us heavy on our feet, smiled ruefully, and announced, "Castile, so good to see you again. You look well. Why don't you come in so we can talk." I immediately did not like the man; he just had that air about him.
Castile stumbled on her first step before gaining her balance. She told Delmar, "Get everyone to the legion healers." And then she was gone inside to confront Duke Octavian.
Chapter 60: Recovery A Soldier's Life
Ranobes
Chapter 60
My legs were unsteady for a few steps, and my boots were still damp from wearing them through the reservoir. All I wanted to do was sleep, but as the army and small encampments of legion companies waking and packing. I feared I would not have that opportunity to rest. If it was possible, our marching block was more haggard than when we entered the camp, but we still followed Delmar and a severely limping Adrian to our destination. Delmar seemed to be scanning the flags of the legion companies, looking for something.
I asked Brutus, "Are all these flags for different mage companies? Do we have a flag?"
Brutus looked up and studied a few flags, "Most are mage companies. You can tell if a flag has a solid background. If there is a horizontal stripe in the background, it is a duke's legionare company with no mage. Dukes can not command mages, and they need to pay the Emperor a tax for legionaries under their command. Legion units without a duke or mage in charge do not have flags. I assume Castile has a flag, but I do not know what it is."
Felix was in the back row of the marching block and answered tiredly, "Castile has a black flag with an orange bull on it. I do not know if she chose it or inherited it. I have not seen the flag since we marched in the New Year parade in the capital a few years back."
Delmar found what he was seeking and increased his pace to a gray flag with a red serpent on it. Outside the tent entrance, he announced himself to two legionaries in pristine leather armor. "Mage Larita, Mage Castile's company seeks your healing skills. Please grant us your favor!" His tone was very respectful, and an older woman with mostly gray hair in blue robes exited the tent with a steaming cup in her hand.
She looked over our group and sighed, "Very well. Strip to your undergarments before entering my tent." She turned to one of her legion guards, "Do we have orders for moving out yet?"
He responded sharply, "No orders yet. The army will advance after the midday meal. I expect us to follow."
The old mage turned to Delmar, "We have time then, Delmar. You may enter and send in your men in threes. No armor or filthy clothes." She wrinkled her nose, turned, and went inside the tent. Delmar relaxed visibly.
He turned to us and spoke loudly, "We are fortunate! The best healer in the legion is going to see to our ailments. Everyone strip and keep as much of your body stink out of her tent as possible!"
We all stripped, and as I took off my boots, some of my calloused skin went with it. My heels were bleeding freely, and I did not feel the sting until the air hit the exposed flesh. My feet were not the only ones in dire need of attention. Everyone had gotten their feet wet getting through the reservoir, and the hard-earned callouses were puckered with water and peeling away from everyone.
The first few men were stripping to just their boxers, so I copied them. Adrian had protested being one of the first men in, but Delmar yelled at him, and he went in with the first group. Looking around at our remaining company, we were filthy, and about half had unhealed upper body wounds.
Brutus fell on the grass and laid back. Delmar snapped, "You fall asleep, Brutus, and we will not wake you when your turn comes."
I sat cross-legged next to him to wait. Brutus had his eyes closed as he spoke, "This is the largest benefit to being in the legion, Eryk—the healing. The regular army might see a magic healer in their infirmary who was looking to practice their craft, but that would be it. As a legionnaire, you can walk into any large city and find magical healing without paying for it."
I nodded, and it made sense why people would volunteer or fight to be in the legion over the army. I looked down the row of tents, "If all the solid background flags were mages, how come we were defending Macha with just three? There must be been twenty mage company flags in the camp," I asked.
Brutus responded sleepily, "More. Probably close to thirty in the entire camp. Do not ask me why. They never asked for my advice." He chuckled at the absurdity of a Duke asking his advice.
Adrian came out walking stiffly and testing his healed ankle. Lysander was behind him. Delmar turned, "Lysander, you are with me. Let us find a legion supply wagon and get new underclothes and socks for everyone." Lysander did not look thrilled but nodded and followed him. Brutus was snoring in the grass. I let him sleep until we were the last two remaining and kicked him awake to enter.
The tent had three tables in the center, a comfy bed along one side, and a modest dining table. An array of fruits, breads, and sliced meats was on the table. The legionnaire inside seemed to be preparing another teapot for the Mage Larita. I bowed and thanked her, "Mage Larita, thank you for healing us and us company. It is an honor to be healed by the best mage in the legion."
The older woman chuckled softly, "Best mage! I am as close to the best healer as I am to being a virgin. Delmar was just buttering me up to do my best. No fear, boy, I may not be the best, but I am better than most. Up on the table and lay down so I can assess you."
Brutus stood while I lay on the table. Larita moved to my head and placed her hands on my ears. I felt a pressure in my head that suddenly cleared. I felt lightheaded but not nearly as tired. "Some minor trauma there. You should wear your helmet more, boy."
"I lost it falling down forty feet of stone steps," I replied irritably and defensively.
"I am sure there were plenty of men in no longer need of theirs close by," she replied cleverly. She moved to my left arm, and I felt a warmth spread throughout. When she let go, my arm felt cold, and I got goosebumps. She repeated this with my other arm and then my legs. She mentioned, "Your knee has been healed several times somewhat sloppily, probably by healing potions of a bad healer."
I nodded but did not have time to speak as she had moved to my torso. She focused on where the crossbow bolt had penetrated, and I felt a sting. I reflexively reached for it, and she slapped my hand away, "Just some small fragments I am extracting. You probably used a healing potion. They close the wound too quickly to get all the debris out." She felt all across my chest, working her way down. Sometimes, I felt some warmth spreading from her hands, sometimes not.
I remained still as she reached my groin, cupped it, and squeezed a little harder than I thought necessary. "Healthy, unlike some of your fellows," was all she said. "You are the last one?" she asked Brutus. The sleepy Brutus nodded and took my place on the table. Mage Lartia quickly started to repeat the process.
I asked cautiously, "When the healing mages healed us during training, they never touched us…all over."
Larita paused on Brutus and looked at me, "They were not healing mages, boy. They were using spell forms. Very inefficient. I use a diagnostic spell form with a very focused range. Then, I heal just what needs to be healed. It conserves aether and is much better healing than a potion or spell form. I fixed a dozen issues you did not even know about."
"Thank you, mage, for your insight and thorough healing," I bowed slightly and stepped back.
She continued her work, and I think Brutus had fallen asleep again. Larita addressed me, "Delmar used to be one of my legionaries. He did a good job for me," she smirked slightly. She looked me up and down, "I could use a large boy like yourself. If Castile survives this mess, I might ask for you as a favor." I noticed she did not grab Brutus' groin as she had mine before finishing with his torso.
The old mage smiled with perfect teeth as I woke Brutus and pulled him out. I felt a little like prey under Mage Larita's gaze. "Thank you," I yelled as I went to our gear and began dressing. My feet were completely healed with new pink skin, and I could not find a single ache in my entire body.
Brutus mumbled, "I think she knocked me out when she started. I was not planning to fall asleep."
"Huh, do not worry, you did not miss anything," I said, dressing quickly.
Felix was waiting for us. While we were dressing, he said, "We are headed to a farmer's house. They have a pond in the back to bathe and wash our clothes. We started walking, following Felix. The army was packing up their tents, and some units were eating from meal carts. The farmer's house was outside the camp's perimeter, and no sentries stopped us.
Firth and Konstantin were already clean and headed back toward the camp. Konstantin paused to talk with Brutus and me, "We are going to see what is churning in the rumor mill among the legion companies. Brutus, do you know a few legionaries in other companies? You trained at the Legion facility outside the capital?"
Brutus nodded, "Yes, I trained with the legion volunteers at the Perfectus Legonis."
"Good, you can head back to the camp after you clean yourself," Konstantin said as he continued on his way.
When we got to the pond by the farmhouse, a dozen ducks were swimming in it, and most of the men had already bathed and were putting on clean underclothes. It was a little surreal as just a few hours ago, we could all barely stand, and now we were healed. Lirkin rushed up to us with some bundles of food, "The healing will have drained your body's stores. Eat all you can for the next two days." He rushed away to continue preparing food from a cart he apparently appropriated.
Mateo motioned at the cart, "He stole it. Best not to ask too many questions."
The pond was a good acre in size, and I think the farmer used it to water his livestock and horses. My bath was quick, and I was glad to put on clean underclothes. I rinsed the dirt and sweat from my canvas clothes and hung them to dry in a tree. I then worked on oiling my armor. Then, I sharpened and oiled my blades. Flavius' pack was well equipped, and I even found a gold and eight silver wrapped at the bottom. I hoped he returned from his adventure with Master Mage Sebastian to reclaim it.
The air was actually dry and not humid for once. The sun was clear, and the company was lounging bare-chested on the grass, happy to be out of armor. The farmer did come out once to talk with Adrian, who looked like he handed him a few coins. Lirkin handed out food as fast as he could prepare it on the meal wagon. It was jarring how fast our fortunes had changed.
I soon fell asleep in the grass. Konstantin kicked me awake well into the afternoon. My pale chest had burned slightly from the sun. "Get up, get dressed; Adrian and Delmar are talking to the company."
My clothes had mostly dried, and I put on some new socks. The boots were still damp but drier than before. As everyone circled around Delmar and Adrian, we were anxious to hear the fate of Castile and ourselves.
Adrian looked gaunt in his face but was completely healed. He had been in too rough of shape to do much leading, but now he looked revitalized. He spoke clearly to our small group, "Castile is going to be transported to Caranhagan. From there, she is going to be portaled back to the capital, Telha. Duchess Veronica has called for a Ducal Tribunal into her actions."
Everyone was quiet. Delmar joined, "We are going with her. Duke Octavian is as well with his fifty legionaries to guard the prisoner. We need to make sure Castile does not meet with an accident under the Duke's care."
Lucien, our horse master, asked, "What happens when we reach the capital?"
Adrian answered, "We will wait in the Legion Hall. The Emperor will name the other two Dukes to sit with Duchess Veronica in the Tribunal. Some of us may be called a witness before a Truthseeker."
"You know Duke Octavian is going to get himself on the Tribunal. Who will be the third?" asked Kolm.
Adrian made a pained face, "I guess we will see if the Emperor favors his son or a peasant mage."
Delmar added, "Get some rest. Octavian's company is mounted, and I do not expect them to wait on us. It is eighty miles to Caranhagan. It would not surprise me if they outpaced us and did not wait at the portal for our arrival."
"Are we going to have to do an eighty-mile jog?" Wylie announced, exasperated.
Adrian snapped, "If I told you to do an eight-hundred-mile run, you would do it with a smile on your face!"
Delmar calmed things, "Lirkin is working with the farmer to get us water and food for the long march. That road," he pointed behind us, "is the road they will travel past. As soon as we see their horses, we will fall in."
"Why don't we start now?" Blaze asked.
Konstantin barked, "Because Duke Octavian would probably have us executed for desertion. He can not do anything about us following our mage commander."
We all strapped our armor on so we could mobilize quickly. This time, I settled under the shade of a small tree and healed my sunburn under my armor. I rested my head on my pack and drifted off.
It was late evening when Brutus woke me, "News from camp. Duke Octavian is breaking camp. We are to assemble near the road."
We were soon formed into ranks and waiting. It was nearly dark when a mounted unit came from the mostly dismantled army camp. The fifty legionaries riding all had metal legion armor instead of the leather we wore. At the front of the group was the black-haired man who met Castile. I assumed that was Octavian. He looked fairly young to be the Emperor's son. The Emperor was hundreds of years old. Guess with magic, aging was not a concern.
Castile was riding in the middle of the group like she was a danger to escape. The Duke sneered at us as he pranced by, and Castile couldn't hide a small smirk at seeing us. We fell in behind the calvary. This was going to be a long march.