The Young Magician

throne, he would soon find himself missing a head.’

‘I don’t think you are quite hearing what we are saying, Captain,’ Master Glim spoke out. ‘If a magician as powerful as Samuel is suggesting takes the throne, no one-no army-could do anything about it.’

‘I don’t know that any of this sounds feasible,’ Orrell said, sounding decidedly sceptical. ‘You’re trying to tell me that one magician could be powerful enough to overthrow the Empire alone?’

‘Before now, Captain,’ Master Glim questioned, ‘did you think that a creature could be summoned from some despicable hell and almost destroy your entire squad?’ Orrell’s sceptical look vanished. ‘Do you see what we are saying?’

‘Then I suggest we do something about it,’ the captain stated.

‘Exactly,’ Master Glim responded. ‘We’re heading back at once.’

‘But Grand Master Anthem is there,’ Goodfellow said. ‘He will keep an eye on everyone.’

‘That’s what worries me,’ Glim replied. ‘Rimus was quite insistent in getting the Grand Master to come with us, but the stubborn old goat refused. If he is in Rimus’ way, then that spells trouble for him. We should get back immediately.’

‘I’ll join you,’ Orrell said. ‘If what you say is true, then the Empire is in danger.’

‘Very well, Captain,’ Master Glim said. ‘If all this does prove to be true, then I’m sure that our return has been allowed for and we’ll need all the help we can get. We need to return to Cintar as quickly as we possibly can. There’s a slim chance, but the fate of the civilised world could depend on it. Rimus said we have until the month is over, but given that everything else he said has proved false, I would bet my front teeth he’ll try to get his hands on the Staff of Elders as soon as he can.’

‘I’ll ready my men-what’s left of them,’ Orrell said and stood, barking orders to Valiant.

‘How are you feeling, Samuel?’ Lomar then asked. ‘Do you feel ready to travel?’

Samuel groaned. ‘I have to be, but I won’t enjoy it. We need to get back-quickly.’

‘None of you is the best of riders,’ Captain Orrell explained, ‘but if we ride straight through, and change horses wherever we can, we can make it back to the city in about two days. It won’t be easy. We won’t be able to sleep-we’ll barely have time to rest. You’ll be wrecks when you get there. If we had the luxury, it would be better to stretch the ride over three days.’

‘We’ll aim for two, Captain,’ Master Glim informed him.

‘We must go as quickly as possible. Don’t worry. We will persevere,’ Orrell stated.

‘Let’s go,’ Samuel suggested firmly and he stood, ready. ‘I can barely wait to get back to Cintar and see Rimus’ expression when he sees we’ve survived-and then finally, finally get my hands on Ash.’

‘I reckon you’ll get your chance, Magician,’ Captain Orrell said. ‘And I hope you enjoy it.’

They had been hurtling along the roadway for a full day when the magicians had to admit they could not go on. They had exchanged their tired mounts for fresh ones every time they came to an Imperial garrison or met soldiers patrolling the road, but the long hours of constant motion had taken their toll on the magicians. Samuel had been sad to see Jess left behind, but he had no other choice. The animal was spent and no amount of magic was going to keep her on her legs much longer, so they had left her behind in Dunbarton in exchange for a fresh ride.

They had afforded themselves six hours’ sleep in a busy country inn, but Samuel’s head had no sooner touched the pillow than the others were already rousing him. His body ached with each movement, but somehow he managed to stay on his horse hour after painful hour. The others were also feeling the strain, and they all said little, except for the brief moments when they were dropping from one horse to climb upon another.

They were barely half a day from Cintar when heavy rain set in, filling their eyes and making the trip even more miserable. Captain Orrell, leading the way, raised his hand and began to slow his mount. His last four remaining men did the same and the magicians pulled back on their reins, letting their horses fall back into a gentle canter. Ahead, there was a large encampment beside the road and a soldier was hailing for them to stop.

‘Ho, there!’ Orrell called to the man as they neared. Troops were armed and readied at their tents and began to stand and take notice as the magicians arrived.

‘Ho, Captain Orrell!’ the man returned. ‘We have been waiting for you here a long time.’

‘Captain Garret’s company?’ Orrell asked the man.

‘Aye, Sir. He’ll be here momentarily.’

‘What in damnation are you doing here?’ Orrell commanded him to explain. ‘You were supposed to meet us at Hammenton.’

‘Hammenton? I’m sorry Sir,’ the man replied. ‘I haven’t heard anything about that at all.’

A tent flap flew open and a middle-aged, stocky man clanked out. He was not wearing the light riding armour of Captain Orrell, but the heavy plated armour of the city garrisons. He looked almost like a living fortress himself.

‘Captain Garret!’ Orrell called out from atop his mount.

‘Ah, Captain Orrell,’ the other man replied with a rough voice, clanking over. ‘You’ve finally arrived. What’s happened to your squad?’

‘All dead. Just these men are left. I’m taking the magicians back to Cintar.’

‘Ah,’ Captain Garrett returned. ‘Then I need to speak with you. There have been a few developments you should be aware of. Let your men rest a moment and get out of the rain. We’ll ready you fresh horses for the rest of your journey.’

Orrell looked back at the magicians for a moment, and also to his men. ‘Wait here, magicians,’ he told them. ‘I’ll just be a moment.’ He swung himself down and went to talk with the gruff older man out of the rain.

Samuel let his horse step up besides Master Glim’s. Ahead, from a pair of tents, Samuel could see the telltale shimmer of magic emanating.

‘Can you feel it?’ Samuel asked of his teacher.

Master Glim nodded, looking grim.

‘What does it mean?’ Samuel asked him. ‘What would magicians be doing, hiding away like that?’

‘I don’t know,’ Master Glim mused. ‘Lomar, what do you think?’

Lomar moved up to the other side of Master Glim. ‘This could be a trap. These men seem unsettled-not as if they have finished their duty by finding us, but rather as if their work is about to begin.’

Samuel looked to Captain Garret’s men. They were eyeing him back and looked serious. They had the look of men who were waiting to act. Lomar was right.

‘Perhaps,’ Master Glim replied. ‘They are readying spells. It can’t be good.’

Just then, Captain Orrell came striding back. ‘It seems Captain Garret can help us. We can eat something and change our horses here before setting off again.’

‘I don’t think so, Captain,’ Master Glim told him, his eyes glancing to Garret’s men. ‘Something here is out of place.’

Captain Orrell looked back at the camp and regarded it for several moments before turning back to the magician.

‘I believe you’re right,’ he said softly. ‘You have good instincts for a magician. If anything happens, make for the city and ride as fast as you can.’ Orrell turned to his men and spoke loudly to Valiant. ‘Lead the magicians to the back of the camp. Tie their horses up there and then come and get something to eat.’ At the same time, Samuel noticed him put his finger to his ear, as if scratching it. Valiant nodded back in quiet understanding, and Samuel was sure they had passed a secret sign.

‘As you wish, Captain,’ Valiant replied.

A slight movement caught his eye and Samuel glimpsed riders gathered amongst the trees.

Captain Orrell nodded to Master Glim. He mouthed the word ‘go’ silently with his lips. With a sudden shout of ‘ya!’, Orrell’s men kicked their heels into their mounts and sent them leaping forward, out of the hands of Garret’s men. Master Glim followed suit and Samuel did the same, followed by the others. Captain Orrell was already astride his horse and ready to follow them.

They galloped away from the camp and into the trees, with Garret’s men shouting in pursuit and with drawn swords. Branches struck Samuel’s face, but he did his best to follow Master Glim’s mount in front. A flash of magic drew this attention and Samuel caught sight of a magician darting through the trees towards them. A spell flew out