Endrance ran off, no longer able to keep his stomach in check. He stopped ten yards to the side and dropped to his knees, retching.

  "Ah." Bridget said, sliding her weapons into their scabbards. "Now it feels like old times."

  Chapter 05:

  Four days later, Endrance still felt a little nauseous whenever they prepared food. The rest of the trip through the mountains was entirely uneventful. It seemed that most of the wildlife there had been either eaten, or driven off when the hydra had moved through the pass. Endrance had spent days wondering how the creature had survived the previous fight. And even then, how did he end up encountering the very same hydra over a year after their last encounter? Not only that, but the hydra had gotten bigger than before. It was more muscular, and it remembered fighting him. It was almost as if it had been waiting for him. He concluded that hydras may, in fact, be more clever than he thought.

  They had regrouped with the Ezeilo, Tanya, and Giselle shortly after the fight, and they were able to finally rest. Joven had managed to salvage several square feet of intact hydra hide and over thirty pounds of meat, the rest of which he left for scavengers. He also had collected a large assortment of the creature's bones, including several of its long teeth, the largest of which was a bone from the foreleg, which was just a little bit longer than Endrance was tall.

  The mountain pass spit them out only two day’s ride from the fort of Commander Gural. Joven suggested that they take a circuitous route around it, which Endrance quickly agreed with. They would run east of the fort, and head south down to Lakestead, where they would resupply before cutting through the Iron Satrap into Ironsoul City.

  That night, and the night after, they didn't light a fire for fear of being spotted by any of the regular patrols coming out of Commander Gural's fort. It wasn't that Endrance had a warrant on his head that was the problem; he had, after all, complied and was actively returning to Ironsoul. Rather, he was more worried about the commander carrying a grudge for events that Endrance did not have a direct part in.

  The night that they could finally have a large fire, Joven spent several long minutes inspecting the hydra’s radius.

  "What did you take that huge bone for?" Tanya finally asked. "Don't you have enough weapons?"

  Joven shrugged, holding it up. The bone at its thinnest point was as thick as Endrance's wrist, and as thick as his clenched fist at the ends. It wasn't white like Endrance had expected, but Joven had told him it would take time for it to do that naturally.

  "I was thinking that it would make an excellent trophy for Endrance." he declared. The mage, who had been jotting some notes down into his spellbook, looked up.

  "What?" he asked.

  "He said he got it for you." Selene said, putting a hand on his shoulder. She had been sitting next to him, quietly watching him go about his work. She didn't understand any of what he was writing, but something about the intense concentration and focus he had when working on a spell form, captured her attention like no other. Something in the demonic half of her was enraptured by the singular will the young man had.

  Bridget looked at the bone from her spot by the fire, where she was heating up a pot of water. "That should be pretty strong." she observed. "He could definitely beat a man to death with it."

  Endrance stared at her. "Again," he said. "What?"

  Joven sighed, shaking his head. "I don't think it should be a weapon." he started. "But whenever travelers talked of wizards, I've always heard it said that they had a staff. I just thought that since we barbarians use trophies as signs of our accomplishments, then a staff made from a hydra bone would be a really good trophy."

  Endrance frowned. "I wish someone had told me that thing about staves when I was in training, then perhaps I'd know how to handle them." he replied with a shrug.

  "I don't think you have any trouble handling your staff." Selene interjected. She then realized what she had said, and clamped her hands over her mouth with a muffled 'eep,' her eyes wide with surprise.

  "Whoa." Tanya said, shaking her head. "Too much info."

  Bridget scoffed. "I don't know." she added. "She's half succubi, she probably knows what she's talking about."

  Selene's face turned bright red as she tried to control her embarrassment.

  Endrance shook his head. "Ladies." he said, "I take it you know how to fight with a staff?" he asked his bodyguard.

  "Yes." Joven declared. "It's called 'stick fighting.' It's easy to learn the basics, but versatile when you master it."

  "You know how to do that?" Endrance asked, ignoring the conversation the three Draugnoa were having at his expense. Giselle had stolen one of the dragon's finger bones and was gnawing on it by the campfire.

  Joven shook his head. "I know the basics and some of the maneuvers. It was... uh... not direct enough of a fighting style for me."

  "It wasn't aggressive enough?" Endrance asked. The three men travelling with them mumbled some excuse and settled down for the night.

  Joven waved a hand. "Too defensive." he explained. "It took too long to kill an enemy with that style than with a great axe or two-handed sword."

  "Yeah... not aggressive enough." Endrance concluded. "But it sounds pretty good for me."

  Joven nodded. "I realized that after seeing the results of your knife fighting skills. You're good, but you hesitate to kill and you are unconsciously pulling your punches, so to speak. A staff would be less lethal and you could feel better about putting your all into it, since you'll be knocking them about, instead of cutting them up. That, and it is a ton easier with a staff to defend against attackers with swords or spears, than you could with knives."

  "Yeah, I think I'm going to leave the knife work to someone else." Endrance said after a few seconds of introspection. "I do appreciate the training though, it really helped improve my reflexes and ability to keep my cool when there's a lot going on around me."

  "So, can you do any... you know, magic with this thing?" Joven asked, waving the bone around.

  Endrance smirked. "Yeah." He replied. "It was formed of a living being, a naturally magical one at that. It should be exceptionally good at channeling power."

  Joven thought for a moment. "Oh, and speaking of that, how come you didn't absorb it when it died?" he asked.

  "I was too far away." Endrance replied. "I figure I have to be within about eight yards of the bulk of the body at the moment of death for the bracers to activate. I was safely forty feet or more from it when Gullin blasted it the second time."

  "Damn." Joven said. "Might have learned or gained something good from it."

  "Or I could have grown an extra head." Endrance added jokingly. "Who knows?"

  Joven laughed, and tossed the bone onto the ground in front of him. "Take your time. Get familiar with your trophy, and when you're ready, I'll start teaching you."

  Endrance set the bone next to him. "You know, I noticed something about what you said." Endrance started, looking Joven in the face. "You don't seem to follow the trophy tradition like the other barbarians do. Why is that?"

  Joven pointed at the mage. "You, being alive, is all the honor and trophy that I need." he replied.

  * * *

  The next morning they mounted up and rode for only two hours before they ran into someone.

  A man stood in the center of the path they were on, his arms crossed and feet planted firmly on the ground. Endrance examined his deep blue shirt with free flowing sleeves, tan breeches, a deep brown leather vest, belt and boots. He could have been anyone, except that Endrance's skin started tingling as soon as they approached.

  They drew near and Endrance had to do all he could to keep from scratching at his skin. The man had power, greater than his, by far; perhaps even more than Kaelob, but his aura was chaotic, distracting. The man had a severe nose and forehead, with a somewhat receded hairline that sprouted a mane of straw colored hair that looked to be well tended. The entire time they approached, Endrance could see the man's brown eyes staring at him.

  "Endrance of Wayrest." the man stated, not questioning. "I see you've managed to lose some of your escort."

  He looked behind him at Ezeilo and the two remaining soldiers. "I apologize." Endrance said. "Shortly after they arrived, we had an invasion of undead. I was only able to save a few of them."

  The man's eyes narrowed. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.

  Endrance considered what he had discerned of him and made a guess, "I would have to guess that you are the Iron Satrap's High Magus, Weldom."

  The man nodded. "At least that means you know your place." he said. "You came, even with the reduced number of men." Weldom's tone was harsh.

  "I wasn't made aware that I was to be held responsible for their well being." Endrance replied. "Or I would have taken them into my home, and treated them as guests of the Holy Circle."

  Weldom rolled his eyes. "You seem more clever than I initially estimated." he observed. "I'm sure this was calculated to help prove your innocence."

  Endrance held out a hand before Joven could open his mouth to object, knowing he would speak out. Weldom took notice of the marks on his hand.

  "You're spellscribed too." He observed. "Who did that?"

  Endrance looked at his hand, waggling his fingers. "Not sure." he replied. When he did, he felt a strange pulse in the tingling sensation around him. "I was tattooed when I was an infant. Is that a spell to determine my honesty I feel around us?" he asked.

  Weldom paused for a second. "You're also more perceptive than I estimated." he replied. "That's good. You will be tried more thoroughly."

  Endrance frowned. "I mean you no disrespect, but what interest does a High Magus have in a trial of a lowly, newly minted wizard?"

  "I keep my interests my own, wizard." Weldom snapped. "and we're not so uncommon that this wouldn't be the talk of our order. Do you have any idea the last time we had to put a wizard on trial?"

  "The last time Kaelob filled the Arch Mage's chambers with cheese?" Endrance supplied, "Twenty... seven years ago?"

  "Cheese?" Tanya whispered to Selene, who shook her head.

  Weldom waved the answer off. "No, that was an internal matter." he replied. "This is the first time we've had to put a mage on a cooperative trial with the kingdom in eighty two years."

  Endrance blinked. "Wait... a cooperative trial?" he asked.

  Weldom raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you didn't know there was a difference?" he asked. "That's rich. Now, we can't just take care of this internally. We have to work with them, try not to step on the high king's toes, and all because you had to kill one of the magistrates."

  "Whoa!" Endrance cried. "I didn't kill a magistrate! I didn't kill any humans that night!"

  Weldom gave him a level glare. "I suppose that's what this trial's all about." he muttered.

  He looked around. "Well, are you going to resist?"

  "Resist what?" Endrance asked.

  "I'm taking you under my custody." Weldom said matter-of-fact. "So come on, let's go. Ezeilo, you and your men are released from duty."

  The three couldn't ride past the mage faster. Endrance didn't begrudge it; they had gone through some rough stuff just doing their duty.

  "Well, lead the way." Endrance supplied. "I'm under your custody now."

  Weldom pointed at him. "Get off the horse. Take only your spellbook and what you're wearing."

  "What?" Joven demanded.

  Weldom looked at the bodyguard. "I'm taking him directly to the tower. You can see him when you catch up. The trial will commence in one month, which I suspect will be long and tedious."

  "Take him directly?" Joven asked, his hands clenching on the reins.

  Weldom rolled his eyes. "Yes, I will teleport the two of us to the city tower, and there he will be inspected and then locked up where we can make sure he isn't... tampered with."

  Endrance heard the creak of a bow being drawn. He held out his hands to either side of himself. "Stop!" he shouted, commanding. "This man is a High Magus. He is the most powerful mage in their satrap, and he is not someone you or I can fight!"

  Weldom raised an eyebrow as Tanya put an arrow back in her quiver. "Well, you have more command of these simpletons than expected."

  "I seem to be exceeding your expectations quite often." Endrance replied angrily.

  "Not difficult since I didn't expect much from an apprentice of Kaelob." Weldom shot back.

  "I-I have to go with him." Joven replied. "I'm his bodyguard."

  "Which he no longer needs." Weldom retorted. "And as we are dispatching a temporary replacement for him to Balator. Do not say that the Holy Circle of Magi leave a job unfilled."

  "What?" Joven asked, his eyes bulging. "We... replace... what?"

  Weldom looked somewhat sympathetically at Endrance, as if he felt the mage was suffering under such idiocy. "Since your current... Spengur... may end up incarcerated for a long period of time, we have dispatched one of my apprentices to take his place until such a time as it is determined that Endrance will go free, or be permanently detained."

  "I hope he's a good fighter." Bridget replied. "’Cause Joven's the only guardian at the moment, and he's sworn to Endrance for life."

  Weldom smiled, but if felt more menacing than appeasing. "Oh, he is." the High Magus replied. "And he needs no bodyguard."

  Endrance took his spellbook, patted himself over, made sure he had a few essentials, and dismounted. He held the reins out to Selene. "I'll meet you all at Ironsoul." Endrance said, giving her a smile. "Joven, you show them the way."

  The barbarian nodded. Selene leaned down and kissed the mage on the forehead. "Don't die on me." she whispered. "We just got started."

  Endrance smiled reassuringly at her. "I promise you, we'll see each other again soon."

  "That's sweet." Weldom exclaimed. "Now get your ass over here."

  Endrance walked up to the man. "Now what?"

  "Do you have any spells or objects that impede dimensional travel?" Weldom asked. "If you do, tell me now or you may end up smeared over the side of the universe."

  If I may interject. Gullin spoke up from his place up in the sky. I may have some... side effects on dimensional travel.

  Endrance pointed up at the sky. "I have a familiar." he said.

  Weldom rolled his eyes. "Well, call it down and take it with you. Don't try anything."

  Endrance scowled at him as he mentally called Gullin to his arm. "I'm cooperating, why are you so hostile?"

  "Just a feature of my winning personality." Weldom snapped back. He took a step back as the Fjallar landed on Endrance's outstretched arm, the talons wrapping around the bracer under his sleeve for support. "Gods!" he exclaimed. "That's your familiar?"

  Endrance felt a small surge of satisfaction. "Yes." he answered, "Is there something wrong with Gullin?"

  Weldom looked the mage over. "Your power is still in its infancy, but to be strong enough to summon one of the three... you had potential. Too bad it's wasted now."

  "That's yet to be proven, Weldom." Endrance quipped. There are only three of your kind?

  Yes. Gullin replied. Three of us, siblings.

  This makes being able to summon you seem all the more significant. Endrance observed. "So what do I have to do to take him with me?" he asked Weldom, who was still examining the familiar.

  "You can't." Weldom replied. "His astral form is many magnitudes greater than his physical form. You'll have to dismiss him and resummon him if you're given permission to, though I suspect you won't be given it."

  Endrance grimaced. You heard him. He said. I'll see you on the other side.

  I shall watch over your journey where I can. Gullin assured him. Endrance cut the link between them with a complicated mental command, and the Fjallar momentarily turned into fire and lost cohesion, vanishing. Endrance felt an empty echo in his mind, where he had gotten used to the familiar's presence.

  "There." Weldom said. "We're here."

  Endrance opened his eyes and realized he was no longer outside. Complex geometric spell patterns graced alabaster stone walls, inlaid in gold. Endrance looked around, and found himself in a small chamber with Weldom at his side. Two male wizards of the Circle, both decades older than he, stood by the door near a masterfully crafted silver table. They looked to Weldom, who nodded to them. The two wizards approached, one with thick black hair and the other thinning brown hair, but both of their faces looked like they were ready to react to any movement he made.

  "These two will examine you for latent spell effect, and relieve you of your spellbook and enchanted equipment." Weldom stated, gesturing to the table. "All items will be stored in a chest sealed by me, to be kept safe until your verdict is reached. Upon which, either they will be returned to you, or I will take ownership of them until they can be either destroyed or recirculated. I'm personally hoping for destruction."

  Endrance spread his arms as the mages cast their divinations on him. "Did... did I do something horribly cruel to you in a past life?" he asked. "Because I'm not entirely sure why you're so angry at me. It feels personal."

  "It is personal, wizard." Weldom snapped. "But you wouldn't understand."

  Endrance considered what he knew. "Maybe it's something Kaelob did?" he asked.

  "Shut up." Weldom said plainly. "Now turn out your pockets and strip out of those clothes. You will be given clean robes that we can guarantee haven't been tampered with."

  Endrance sighed. "Okay." he said, cooperating. He handed over the few spell tabs he had crafted, the necklace carrying the four rings, and his antler-handled daggers. The knives drew raised eyebrows from the two wizards, and Endrance shrugged.

  "It's rough up north." he replied.

  One wizard pulled a knife free of its scabbard, and noted the large number of scratches and signs of use on the sides of the blade. The edge was, of course, sharp and clear of burrs; Joven would murder him if he caught him mishandling his weapons.

  "I'd like those back. Trophies." Endrance said. Weldom glared at him. "It's a barbarian thing." Endrance explained. His objects were dumped unceremoniously on the silver table.

  He pulled off the coat, handing it to the duo. He shucked his shirt, and hesitated as the two wizards keeping a close eye on him gasped.

 

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