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

Tyler felt somebody tugging at his sleeve. It was Tyndur.

“It’s unfair. They get to have all the fun?” complained the einherjar.

“Let’s put it to a vote,” blurted Tyler. “Those in favor of joining the foray, raise your hands.”

Tyndur raised both hands, with one also raising Habrok’s arm.

“I was joking, Tyndur. Of course, we’ll help in rescuing the dwarves and the scouts. That’s more than half the force we have right now. But let’s see what the arrangements are,” laughed the mage.

“I am glad to hear that, High Mage. I doubt if my men and advisers would allow me to join. Looks like an exciting battle. At times, I wish it were like the old days, being in the middle of the fighting. But enough of matters past, let’s see what Skarde has prepared for us.” The jarl motioned with his hand for the party to follow him down the stairs.

Below the tower, companies were already in ordered ranks, each with a group of dwarves at the lead. The two dwarven leaders left the jarl’s entourage and joined separate companies. A large bearded man in full-scale armor, with a bearskin cloak complete with a gaping head, approached them.

“My jarl,” the man bowed.

“My chief lieutenant, Skarde. We’ve been together since we both decided to play with the jotnar a long time ago,” presented the jarl.

Brief introductions were made, though Tyler noticed the man’s eyes widened at the High Mage description. The warrior’s eyes then swept over their armor and weapons. The man was struck speechless by what he saw.

The man knows weapons and armor. Few warriors ever notice what we’re wearing, much less our weapons, observed the mage.

“My lord High Mage, I have to say that this is indeed a night to remember. I knew a High Mage had joined us. But this! Wyrm and draken scales, wrought by the finest smiths. And I believe your weapons are also of the same legendary kind!” exclaimed the warrior.

“Hush, Skarde,” reproached the jarl. “Not too loud lest envious hands attempt unscrupulous acts, damning the thieves forever. Gifts from powerful beings, I am told. Are the men ready?”

“Yes, my jarl.”

“Good, Kobu here will lead the sortie with you as his second-in-command,” said the jarl.

“I understand. We’ve met, though this is the first time I’ve been with Habrok and Tyndur. I was already told that he would also lead the defense of the fort.”

“No problems about that, Skarde?” asked Kobu.

“None, sire. I have seen what you have asked to be prepared. You have a lot more experience in siege warfare than I would ever hope to have,” replied Skarde.

“Knowledge paid for in blood, Skarde. I can’t even remember how many forts I have defended or taken. Unfortunately, after a while, it becomes but a part of a warrior’s life.”

A commander’s life is what he meant. But that many sieges? Not including battles and skirmishes? He is a warlord. And the land of Wa is not a place to visit. Constant war must be their daily diet.

“How are we going to do this?” asked Skarde.

“The flashes of light in the distance must be them, though we don’t have an idea if it’s an organized retreat of the entire force or just separate groups trying to make their way to the fortress. Either way, the quicker we make contact with them, the better,” replied Kobu.

It took me a magical spell to see what Kobu had concluded from what he could observe. In the dark.

As the companions went to join the queue preparing to leave the town, Tyler saw Kobu hand Tyndur a thin extended object. The einherjar unwrapped it, examined the item for a few minutes, and gave it to Habrok. Despite the light of the torches, Tyler couldn’t see what the thing was. He was momentarily distracted when Aage called out to him about the mages who were going to accompany the force. Turning his attention back to the companions, he asked Tyndur what he had given to the ranger.

“The mace I promised him. I asked Kobu to look around. He’s got a better eye for weapons and gear. Now Habrok’s got the proper weapon to crush undead heads, not that pig sticker of a sword. The undead will just slide forward when you stab with it and then bite one’s nose off. A lot of girls would be unhappy if ever that happened. At least that’s what he told me.”

***

The force that left the fort arrayed themselves into the configuration Kobu wanted after getting past the deadly traps guarding the approach to the town. The ten companies were arranged in a wedge formation, five on each side. Shields were held facing the vulnerable frontage of each flank.

Skarde took charge of the left flank, while Tyndur was assigned to the right. At the tip of the wedge, where the warriors from both flanks meet, was a force of heavily armored dwarves with warhammers and mauls, led by their two chieftains. It was a last-minute change made by Kobu when he saw the battle gear of the dwarves. The ornate armor and equipment the party saw in the throne room was just their ceremonial dress. Apparently, armor was deemed daily attire by both dwarven races, except when at home.

Behind the battering ram of dwarven steel were Tyler, Kobu, and Habrok, together with four journeyman mages. The mages, already awed and overwhelmed by being in the presence of a High Mage, were strictly instructed by Tyler not to use flame spells. Instead, given their limited magical repertoire, they were to focus on illuminating the battlefield once the fighting started, with the spells of light to be cast in front of the wedge or where fighting was going on.

Two had some knowledge of barrier spells, so were assigned to support a flank each. Magical shields were to be used as walls to support sections that appear to be sorely pressed. One mage knew healing spells, so Tyler told him not to get close to the fighting. There would