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

mercenary escort appeared to be hardened professionals. Each with their own

mismatched set of leather armor improved by small iron plates distributed at the

owner’s discretion. Helmets and weapons were also eclectic in diversity and shapes.

The only common thread among their gear was the shield adornment, a stylized dark

yellow hammer in a white field, and the spear each carried.

Tyler didn’t bother dealing with the mercenaries, Jorund took care of that. Even during

camp, the mercenaries gathered among themselves, staying some distance from them.

But the posted watches conducted by the mercenaries included their area. March order

was also organized, with three riding point, three at the back and the rest distributed

along the sides of the carriage.

His new companion, Habrok, was a distraction. A thin but muscular man, with blond

hair and a pleasant face but the likability ended there. The priest had mentioned that

the warrior was his best scout and bowman but didn’t mention how talkative he was.

Even when nobody was listening.

He sang when he didn’t try to begin a conversation with Tyler or with any guard who

came near. He now knew what Jorund meant when the man slowly shook his head the

first time Habrok had a discussion with Tyler. Which was more of a monologue of

Habrok’s real or imagined adventures, sexual conquests, complaints and the like. The

man never ran out of topics. Tyler was reduced to answering with a yes, no, or a grunt

when Habrok tried to start a conversation. He didn’t even know the places the man

talked about nor understand most of the situations portrayed by Habrok. Quiet only reigned when Habrok got tired of talking. Or of being ignored.

Jorund was no help in reining in Habrok. The only time he heard Jorund talk to the

man, except for orders and instructions, was at camp when Habrok starting telling a

story about a tavern girl. Jorund called him a “kveldulfr,” which translated as an

evening-wolf. A term which was followed by Jorund’s reference to one of the reasons

why Habrok was assigned to the journey. Habrok clammed up after that. For a little

while.

But Habrok made for an excellent camp manager. He handled and cared for the horses

well, was a decent cook, and was attentive to small camp details. Armed and in his

black leather armor, he slept near Tyler who had his sleeping area under the wagon.

But the man snored. Loudly.

The sound of nearing horses broke Tyler out from his reverie. He heard Jorund give the

order to move off the road. As they waited for the column to pass by, Jorund went to

Tyler.

“More reinforcements from Maljen for Scarburg, my lord. Four batur’s worth. Or

one pentekostyes.”

“Isn’t that Greek?”

“Yes, my lord. Fighting jotunn the old way was inefficient. The old way was for fighting

men, as it gave an opportunity for honor. Against most of the jotnar? Against

monsters? It may be a way to go to Valhalla but for no other purpose.”

“So you adopted the Greek way of war?”

“Only the dead don’t adapt, my lord. We took some lessons from the Greeks whom we

have fought in the past. But the shield wall remains. In melee, our way of fighting is

still the best. Now as in the past, our warriors have always proven to be ferocious and

vicious up close.”

Tyler was impressed. For Jorund, those few sentences were already a speech.

The warrior column was now passing the group. It was followed by some supply

wagons. Again, Tyler observed the mismatched armor with the only commonality being

the helms and the shields. The helms were of the conical shape with eye guards. Most

were colored black, while the round shields were similar in size and decoration – green

with red bands from edge to edge. The shields were all slung on the backs of the

warriors though Tyler noticed something.

“No spears?”

“They’re in the wagons, my lord. Makes no sense to carry spears while in marching

order in peaceful country.”

“Same kind as our guards?”

“No, my lord. Heavier. Boar spears. Around eight to nine feet in length. Also javelins. At

least two for each man.”

Tyler noticed that Jorund was back to his clipped way of talking.

“We have been permitted to be part of the column, my lord. But at the back and at

their speed.”

“That’s perfect! Then our journey will definitely be safer! No bandit will even think of

tangling with us!”

That was Habrok. Tyler sighed. The man just jinxed them. He was sorely tempted to

push him off the driver’s seat.

But the journey continued without incident. They did have to speed up but it was not a

problem. During camp, each group stuck with their own and posted their own

watchmen. It did give Tyler a greater sense of safety and security. Towards the end of

the second day since they joined the column, Tyler saw that they were approaching the

end of the hill range. The road passed through a series of hills and the edge of a forest.

It was nearing dusk and he was looking forward to the night-meal and some rest. The

novelty of the journey through Skaney’s countryside was gone. It was hills, forests, a

bit of flat land topped with a solitary hill now and then on the right side of the road. No villages or settlements. It was obvious that people wanted no part of being near

Fossegrim Forest.

The column stopped. Tyler asked Habrok about the reason. After a few inquiries,

Habrok turned to Tyler and said that the commander thought it better to get the men

to arm shields. The gap ahead was a perfect ambush site for bandits. The commander

was playing it safe. And then Habrok continued with a long dialogue. With the singular

thread of how safe and lucky they were that they had joined with a warrior column with

such an experienced and brave leader. Tyler tuned him out and held up his hand, palm

out, signifying the end of the conversation. All he could think of was how Habrok jinxed

them again.

After a while, the column started moving. It was obvious that the commander wanted to get past the gap before finding a place to camp. As they neared the gap, the last

rays of the fading sun were disappearing. Then, it happened.

Even from the back of the