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

war-mage give permission for them

to stay in the town. They may yet serve some purpose in its defense.”

Tyler nodded his head. He did note that the laconic Jorund had been replaced by a

more talkative one. It must be the shift in allegiance. Even Jorund recognized the need

for Tyler to have information. That means Jorund knows or had seen more than he lets

on. Tyler now suspected that Jorund saw what he did to those attackers back during

the ambush. If he did, he clearly kept it to himself. At least the man knows how to keep secrets. He prayed Mr. Jinx also could keep such confidences.

The visit to the library was a let-down. The priest, together with his assistants, was too

busy packing books and other materials from the library for evacuation. He did

apologize for not being able to render any help or allow the use of the library

considering the mess. The war-mage, Snorri, was more attentive. Though he was busy

examining a map when they visited, he still invited them into his study for some fruit

wine. Jorund remained outside the door, resuming his guard role.

“I see Ivar sent you here. Right in the middle of a brewing war. Though to be honest,

Havard, his request is unusual. He asked me to leave you to your devices and lend as

much assistance as I can. Far it from me to question any request of a Favored of Odin

but you have to agree the request seemed odd. Do I need to know anything more?”

“My esteemed war-mage, rest assured that my interest here is also for the defense of

Scarburg. I have my reasons for acting the way I do. I would appreciate some

background on how we stand now. And free rein to go in and out of the town.”

“You mean into the Gap? You can leave and enter the town anytime you want without

special permission. The only exit needing approval is the gate leading to the Gap.”

“My work may lead me there, esteemed war-mage.”

The mage looked at Tyler for some time and with a sigh, finally answered.

“It’s your life, Havard. I don’t think you would throw it away needlessly. I do see that

you are almost at the mage level so you may be able to take care of yourself. The

blessings of the gods be with you if you do intend to leave for the Gap.”

“My thanks, esteemed war-mage.”

“While I am writing your pass for the gate, feel free to go to the balcony, you can see

how we are poorly preparing for the jotnar and the dokkalfr. At least the view is

memorable.”

Tyler went to the stone balcony. From there, he could see the expanse before him. The

Gap of Telemark. Numerous barricades made of sharpened wooden poles dotted the

landscape. There were crisscrossing deep pits. He didn’t doubt there were also a lot of

hidden pit traps. The arrangements funneled into predetermined killing zones for

arrows and javelins. Egress from the zones was again barred by buried but angled

sharp wooden stakes and barricades. About forty feet from the wall was another wide

and deep pit. He didn’t know whether the pit was filled with incendiary materials. But to

his mind, it should be.

Looking around, he saw that the town was in the center of the narrowest part of the Gap. No exit leading to the wide expanse beyond existed in the town’s walls. The town

walls however extended for around half a mile to each side through the town itself.

Scarburg was also enclosed by its own walls. He could see the gate house for the Gap

on the extended right wall. A few small fort-like defenses lined the wall at regular

intervals. The walls stopped at the cliff faces of the mountains at both sides. The stone

walls stood at ten feet in his estimation, with a walkway good for three people abreast.

But he didn’t see any crenellations. A five-foot wooden fence with iron bracings stood

on top of the walls. With spaces for archers, he assumed. He felt the war-mage move

into the balcony.

“I am a bit surprised at the fortifications, esteemed war-mage. Why the wooden fence

on top of the wall? Shouldn’t it be a higher stone wall with archer and javelin men

positions?”

“Ah, there lies the rub. The svartalfar were the ones engaged to work on the

fortifications long ago. The mountains on each side are now inaccessible from the front

due to their work. But when they started on the walls and the town’s fortifications, the

money ran out. I saw the original plans and it would have made for an impregnable

defense. But as I said, money ran out and the succeeding Jarls didn’t think too much of

it as they were able to beat back Ymir’s legions with what they had. But I fear what

Ymir has amassed against us now will be too much for these unfinished walls.”

“Do we have enough men to defend the walls?”

“Less than I would like. Only around a thousand warriors and another thousand raised

from the karls, the freemen. No reinforcements will now be coming from the east and

those from Ahrensburg still have not arrived. I only have a few mages available.

Though for healing, those seidr practitioners could help. I don’t know about those mad

hermits and the adepts. They could be of help or a hindrance. But we couldn’t leave

them up in the mountains to be killed by the dokkalfr.”

He gave the scroll to Tyler.

“As this is a matter for the temples, the Jarl doesn’t need to be involved. He wouldn’t

understand anyway,” said Snorri.

Tyler gave his thanks and rejoined Jorund. He asked Jorund to pass by the defense wall

so he could see up close the fortifications. A guard challenged him upon nearing the

walls but the letter from the war-mage settled matters quickly. One thing he did notice

was the number of dogs accompanying the guards. It seems there was a dog for every

two guards, whether posted sentries or on patrol.

“Why so many dogs?” Tyler was curious.

“There are jotunn who look like humans, dokkalfr with their magics, and even

shapeshifters. Runes can find them but dogs detect them faster and can attack. They’re

trained that way.”

Human-looking jotunn? Shapeshifters? Nobody told