The Accidental Archmage by Edmund Batara (read out loud books .TXT) 📕

it for now. At least, you’ll be safer here than in Eric’s

house.”

“How many of our guards made it?”

“Unfortunately, only one. The remaining guards on horses were killed by the ice drakes

and the other one on the carriage died of his arrow wound. We were too late to save

him. The mercenary guild is furious.”

“Did we kill any of the ice drakes?”

“Only one. By fireball. The two others flew away when the town guard drew close.”

“I thought there were no bandits around?” Tyler remarked, his voice rising a bit.

“I thought so too. The information came from the town guard and was confirmed by the guild. We had no idea that things would turn out the way they did. I will deal with

the guild tomorrow.”

The Gothi sat down on the other chair.

“But I believe those were not bandits,” he confessed in a low voice, “Bandits don’t have

mages. Only mages have access to spells like the fireball we saw. My use of the spell is

but a gift given by my benefactor but I am merely an adept. A principal adept yes, but I

have yet to reach mageship. There are also no bandits using ice drakes. I imagine that

there were actually three groups waiting for us, each with its own reasons. I saw the

first ambushers fighting with the second group so that dismisses any possibility of them

working together. The ice drakes are another matter altogether, I have not heard of

any instance of them working with humans.”

“You have that many enemies?”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Havard. They were there for you, not me. The first group

could have killed you with that first arrow but they didn’t. They wanted you alive, that

much is clear. I guess the second group also wanted to capture you. Only the ice drake

rider tried to kill you. You, not me.”

“Freaking shitstorm!” exclaimed Havard, “Why me? For God’s sake! I just got here!”

He had a suspicion that the ambushers were there for him but part of his mind wanted

to believe that the Gothi was the target. Nobody wants to walk around with a bull’s eye

painted on his back.

“That would have puzzled me also if I have not seen you stop that ice spear,” said the

Gothi calmly.

“Just who are you, my friend,” the Gothi asked while looking at him directly, “you are

from Earth, that much is certain. But as I said, those that come from Earth do not have

any inborn magical ability. Even those from Adar have to use runes and other material

channels to cast magical spells. But you stopped an ice spear without such means.

What you only had was the medallion and its magical purpose is limited to what I

described before.”

Tyler’s shoulders sagged.

“I don’t know, Andreas,” answered Tyler, the distress evident on his face making him

forget the Gothi’s assumed name, “I mean, a few days ago, I was on my way home

from a convention. I was a normal guy from Earth. Now, I find myself here. Then you

tell me that I am using magic when I am supposed to be incapable of doing so. And that’s on top of what you have told me about this world.”

“I can see what you mean, Havard,” the Gothi answered in a serious tone, “You appear

to be an anomaly. Though your pursuers may not know of your ability. They may be

after you because of your Earth origin and the ice drake riders may put down what

happened to rune magic. What you have shown is a deity ability. A major deity power.

You may not know how to control or use it consciously but it is an ability supposedly

beyond mortals. To a great many, the very idea is incomprehensible.”

The Gothi stopped and thought for a while. Tyler remained quiet in his depressed state,

his bewilderment reflected in his mien.

“Havard.”

Tyler looked at the Gothi.

“I apologize for suggesting this but I have to know for sure. My benefactor also has to

know the truth. Would you allow me to test your truthfulness in this matter?”

“Yes. I would also like to know if I am a freak anyway,” replied Tyler.

“You are not a freak, Havard. There are no freaks in this world. I will go get the runic

test plate. I will be back quickly.”

When the Gothi came back, he placed a square piece of copper on the table. It had

runic signs on it.

“This is a runic truth plate. I will place my right hand on the edge facing me and you do

the same on your side. After you see me finish my incantation, you say “I don’t know

why I can cast magic”. I think that’s a sufficiently general way of covering it.”

The two did the test. Tyler looked at the Gothi.

“Well?”

“You are telling the truth,” came the reply, “Unless you are powerful enough to

overcome the embedded spell. Which I doubt.”

“Unfortunately, the result of this test raises more questions. I have to think about what

to do next. Are you hungry?”

“I think I just lost my appetite.”

“Oh, come on. You’ll feel better when your belly is full. You are the first guest in my

house anyway. Let me treat you like one.”

“You just finished constructing this house?”

“Of course. Been here for a little more than eight months, remember? I had to rush

things. I had to stay in the temple before it was built. Drafty and uncomfortable living

quarters, that temple.”

“How did you get the money to build it? Didn’t you just start your trading business?”

“As a Favored of the All-Father, I was given some… how would I refer to it… operating

capital when I was instructed to take over the temple here. The funds also enabled me

to start the business. Appearances have to be maintained anyway,” replied the Gothi as

he smiled.

“Let’s go feast!” exclaimed Tyler’s host, “It may be only the two of us but then it means

more for us!”

As they started to walk to the door, the Gothi turned and spoke to Tyler.

“A piece of advice, my friend. Enjoy the quiet times. I have a feeling things are going to

be very interesting not only in Skaney but in Adar itself. And you may find yourself in

the middle