The Accidental Archmage - Book Five by Edmund Batara (best e ink reader for manga .txt) 📕

“How about the force near the Barrens?” Kobu asked.

“That’s quite the distance. That army would take around three days to get here at their fastest pace, and I am assuming a continuous march. The dead don’t need breaks,” answered the forester.

“Our own forces?” asked Tyler.

“Hedmark is the strongest region in Skaney, at least in the number of warriors. Even more than Hirdburg, the seat of the High King. In terms of numbers. That’s because of the wide area we have to protect. Scarburg is lucky. They’re just concerned with a gap blocked by a stone wall. Unfortunately, the nature of the blight compelled us to disperse our forces. Many of our warriors are now protecting the towns and large villages, others escorting evacuees to larger settlements. And we have already lost men amidst the reality of destroyed villages and hamlets, a situation leaving us with…”

The jarl looked at Hendrik.

“6,000 warriors led by the various chieftains, experienced and hardy men. Another 2,000 older men are warriors past their prime but could still swing an axe or sword. Then, there are another 1,000 freemen from the town and the surrounding areas, and an equivalent number of bondsmen. 10,000 all told,” said the man. “But the freemen and bondsmen are not as trained or well-armed as the others.”

“A paltry force,” said the jarl. “An equivalent number is now guarding the towns and villages of the region. We can’t expect reinforcements as the plague is everywhere. Before this calamitous event, Hedmark was the least affected among the strongholds of Skaney. Now, it has come to us with a vengeance, meaning we live or die here. There is nowhere else to run.”

Nowhere else to run. It’s beginning to sound like a refrain, thought Tyler. But couldn’t they just stop mentioning it? The reminder isn’t doing me any good.

“At least, nobody would be considering deserting,” commented Tyndur. “As the jarl said, the plague is everywhere. To reach a safe town would mean running a gauntlet of revenants roaming the countryside.”

Tyler let the discussion continue as he maintained his silence. Actual physical war was never his forte; he had Jorund to lean on in Scarburg and Akrotiri, Tyndur in the Inka kingdom. But this conflict was indeed a war of magic similar to the second part of the Akrotiri battle. His mind was busy trying to figure out the nuances of the spell. The mage had an idea, but it was based on untested assumptions and pain. A lot of pain.

“With your permission, High Mage, I’ll let your men go with Aage to make the rounds and meet Skarde.”

The jarl’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.

“Of course,” he replied, mind still partially absorbed in his musings. “I’ll just be around the jarl’s keep. Don’t worry, Kobu, a few undead wouldn’t be a bother. There are a few things I have to think about.”

“The meeting with the dwarves will be tonight after the night-meal. Aage will fetch you and your companions. Only the leaders of the two dwarven groups would be attending,” said the jarl.

“In the room, yes. But the hallway outside will be full of their warriors. I don’t know if they’ve already agreed on how many will come from each group. Otherwise, expect everybody,” advised the einherjar.

“I never thought dealing with dwarves would be so complicated,” complained the jarl.

“This situation was easy. It’s more convoluted if you’re the one leading a delegation to one of their courts. And don’t get me started on the food,” said Tyndur.

***

Covered by an invisibility field, made smaller to cover only his person, Tyler made his way out of the keep. Few people were in sight. The mage assumed most were near the fortifications. He was looking for an out-of-the-way park near the jarl’s house. Finally, he espied an acceptable location surrounded by several trees with the establishments around it locked and deserted.

Tyler stood in the small grove and extended the cloaking field. Then he focused an intense burst of magical energy into the ground. Once the power sank into the earth, he stopped its downward spiral and let it radiate outward. The effort was similar to a scrying spell, with two distinct differences – it was exerted below the ground, and it carried Rumpr’s name.

The mage stood there for a few minutes, waiting. Tyler knew he was but taking a chance that the being was within reach of his magical call.

“Not too loud next time, lad. Nearly deafened me. Didn’t anybody tell you magical vibrations pass faster through the ground?” A familiar voice came from the back.

“Sorry about that. First time I used energy that way. An experiment. I didn’t even know you were in Skaney, just took a chance. Could you handle the sound dampening? I haven’t learned that yet,” said Tyler as he turned and faced his friend.

“Oh, by Tyndur’s beard! Experiments! A First Mage who knows fantastic spells yet couldn’t handle a basic one, second nature to even journeyman mages!” crossly replied the being, though he did as Tyler requested.

“I am just curious, but where were you when my call arrived?”

“I was along the borders of the Great Tundra Waste, watching what Ymir was doing. Quite a show,” answered Rumpr.

“I know. Massing forces. Same with Sutr.”

“Hrun told me about it. A mighty storm is coming, lad, and I fear you’re going to bear the brunt of it,” said Rumpr unhappily. “I wish I could do more to help you, but my constraints still bind me.”

“I understand that, Rumpr. But I heard the fighting between the two had stopped. Any idea why they’re massing such forces?” The mage had to ask the inevitable question even though he knew the answer. He doubted if the avatar told her native elemental followers.

“Well, they’re all facing southward, and that’s a terrible sign for mortals and deities alike. I never thought I’d see the day those two giant buffoons would work together,” answered Rumpr.

“Any news of Loki? I also heard he was sent there by Odin to