Journey of the Messenger Cycle 1 Part 9d
The pretty woman stared at her, her gaze intent. She took a deep breath before saying, “I owe you thanks as well. I know I did not suffer as some of the others did, but I cannot easily express my appreciation to be out of there. I would offer my services for a year and a day, if you would accept. I am the fourth daughter of Lord Herlington, I know horses and have trained with sword, shield and the light lance. In a sense, I would be your squire.”
Ijah was taken aback, “You saved my life. I’m not sure you owe me such a debt.”
She pursed her lips, then smiled shyly. “I almost saved your life, the truth is your present squire likely saved both of us from falling into captivity again.”
“Ah, she’s an initiate actually. But yes, she does in many ways serve the role of what a squire is supposed to do, especially on this trip. She has saved me many times.”
“For that, I am thankful. Otherwise, I would never have had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful woman as yourself.”
Ijah thought that the woman might be flirting with her, “How about this, Lady Herlington. My companions and I are headed to West Port, your father’s lands are somewhat further west. Why don’t you travel south with us? Perhaps you and I will become friends along the way.”
“Please, call me Roddarra. I’m not the lord of the hold and it is unlikely I ever will be.”
“As you say. Though, calling your father’s lands a hold is a wild understatement.”
“I accept. Would you mind if we salvage what we can from the battle field? I find myself lacking at the moment.”
There was no attempt to further discus the issue of the father, nor his lands, Ijah noted. “Yes, let’s be about it. I’m sure there are plenty of useful and needful things.”
The wounded were tended to, the horses gathered near the base of the hill where they had taken shelter, the fallen enemy were stripped of weapons, armour and gear. Their own fallen, two that had chosen to fight alongside Ijah, were taken up to the standing stones and respectfully laid out to return to the land. Food was prepared, water collected. When all was said and done, much of the day had passed. Roddarra was by her side throughout these activities, she did not balk at any of the tasks and she was known to the other women, most of whom were asleep well before sunset. Those too troubled to sleep helped to keep a watch on the surrounding countryside.
No one expected the brigands to try and attack on the hill during the light of day, but a few of them were spotted, skulking around the low laying areas or up on nearby hilltops. It was assumed that at least one of their number had returned to Freeton to gather additional men and that those who remained in the area may attempt an attack under the cover of darkness.
Flint and Walker had set up their camp on the edge of the stone circle overlooking the southeast approach to the hill, the road and where they had corralled the horses. Berri and Osran had both set themselves up near where the men were. She asked Roddarra to join her, “Come meet my companions. The men are acceptably civil.”
She laughed, “I’d heard you Kereshi had little use for men, I had thought it to be an exaggeration. I take it the two of them are not typically in your company?”
“No, they are not, but I have encountered them on three separate occasions this summer. They are descendants of the half-men.”
Roddarra raised an eyebrows, “Now that is interesting. Please introduce me.”
They joined where the other four were casually talking. Berri bounced to her feet when she noticed their approach, “Ijah. I broke my crossbow, but Flint gave me a bow he found in some old ruins. Walker says it’s magical. I prefer a crossbow, really, but look, it’s a very pretty bow. Flint made me a couple strings from horsehair and tomorrow he and I are going to make some arrows. He shot a lot of arrows today. I think he killed as many of those men as the rest of us combined. Today, not counting the earlier fight at the crossroads.”
“It’s a nice bow, Berri. Will you allow me to introduce my friend?”
“I already know Darra, I was talking with her last night.”
Ijah scowled. Berri shut up. “This is Berri, as you already know. I’m sure you’ve met Osran as well, the three of us are going to West Port. Roddarra will be travelling with us for a while.”
Berri was delighted, “That’s great!”
Osran looked the woman over from where she sat leaning against a standing stone. She gave a wave and a grunt of acknowledgement.
Ijah continued, “As you may have gathered from Berri’s outburst, this is Flint and Walker.”
Roddarra gave a half bow, “Gentlemen, I am honoured to meet you. Your help today saved all of us from death and recapture. I acknowledge a life debt is owed. How can I balance the scales?”
Flint stood and gestured to the stone he had been sitting on, “Please sit here. Fear not about a life debt between us and you. This woman, Ijah, saved us earlier this summer from certain death. We have balanced the scales with her, nothing further need be made of the issue.”
Roddarra gracefully sat on the stone, “Still, it might be that I could send horses to you come next spring, my family owns substantial herds and I would feel better about making a personal show of gratitude.”
“We would be foolish to spurn such an offer. If you still feel the same way come next spring, you could send horses to Darner’s Hold.” Flint replied.
“Oh, I did not know that was still an active holding. It is marked on some of the older maps, but the only active hold we knew of from that area is Allark’s.”
Walker cleared his throat and addressed Ijah, “Berri had been regaling us with the fight you had with the wyrm and had mentioned her impressions of the Republic of Caffern. I’m curious about how things went with your meeting with the sorceress?”
Ijah felt a wave of confusion pass over her. She sat down heavily, “Excuse me? What sorceress?”
Flint and Walker exchanged a look. Walker continued, “The necromancer, Igma Kalit?”
Osran sat up and slammed her fist into the ground, “Yes! Igma, the name you said! That is why we were going south.”
Ijah’s head hurt, she felt her pulse quicken, “Are you sure?”
“Very sure. You said the council of Swampdon had sent you to request her aid in the battle against the Tannicans.”
Berri piped up, “No, I think I would have remembered that.”
Osran insisted, “You had said we go south of Capital City, on the lake, to see someone called Igma.”
Roddarra moved over to Ijah, “Are you alright?”
She was not alright. She felt dizzy and struggled to regulate her breathing, her heart pounded in her chest. She waved Berri over. The girl came to her immediately, seemly not affected to the same extent by this revelation. “Get the messenger’s satchel. It is with the rest of my gear.”
“Do you want some water?” Roddarra asked.
“Please.”
She drank a bit and was able to regain some control over herself. She was sweating and chill at the same time. Surely there was something amiss with this situation. Berri returned with her gear, then found the satchel and passed it to her. With shaking hands Ijah pulled out the papers from within.
Roddarra remarked on the capacity of the satchel, “This pouch holds much more than it should. Enchanted I assume?”
Ijah nodded. There was a substantial amount, much of it copies of reports from GreensBridge and Janderton. A moment later she found a folded message, the wax seal had been stamped by the Swampdon Council, the name on the reverse side was Igma Kalit. “Someone has ensorcelled me. How else can I explain this?”
Berri added, “Me too.”
“If you would allow it, I can attempt to discern if there are any active spells affecting you. I should also be able to dispel such, if it’s the case.” Walker offered.
Despite the situation, Ijah hesitated. A lifetime believing men were not to be trusted with magic was not something easily overcome. Still, she rather liked Walker, he had been polite and rather charming. Except for her own biases, she had no reason to distrust him, “Please. Yes, please do.”
Walker nodded, “Please give us some space.” Roddarra and Berri backed up a pace or two. He sat down, cross legged in front of her.
Flint stood, “I will check on the horses.”
Roddarra paused a moment before saying, “I will go with you. It is the most likely place for the enemy to strike.”
“Just so, I would be happy for your company.”
Berri, full of curiosity sat down near Osran, the half-orc said, “I tell you, yes?”
“Yes, Osran. Now let’s be quiet. He’s going to do magic, I want to see.”
Walker placed the finger tips of his right hand on Ijah’s brow, he muttered a few arcane words, different than what she was familiar with. That was not surprising, given that her people’s tradition stemmed from Tannican magic and his from the ancients. After a moment he nodded, “You are indeed under the influence of active sorcery.”
“Can you remove it?”
“Normally I would not have been able to, it is very complex. But, here in this circle, where the natural magic is so potent, I should be able to dispel even a powerful sorceress’ magic.”
“Please do so.”
He closed his eyes, touched her forehead and muttered more arcane words. It took a long time. There was no sudden return of her memories but her physiological distress passed, “I think that should do it. You’ll likely want to rest. We can talk further on this in the morning.”
“Thank you, Walker.”
Berri’s disappointed comment followed, “That’s it? I didn’t see anything.”
Walker informed her, “Most magic is subtle. Can I check to see if you are also under the influence of magic?”
“Yes, please!”
Ijah felt a wave of tiredness settle over her. The thought of going all the way back east and what that meant for her greater mission weighed heavily on her. She laid against her gear, closed her eyes and could not help the few tears that ran down her cheeks. She slept.
—
Leave a Reply