The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Edmund Batara (classic children's novels .TXT) 📖

place to visit in untroubled times. Instead, the party found closed houses and establishments, barricades at strategic road choke points, and groups of well-armed and wary fighting men manning roadblocks or marching toward their destinations. The only non-fighting clusters they could see were long lines of refugees walking or riding wagons piled with their meager belongings.

Yet, unlike during the siege of Scarburg, Tyler couldn’t sense or see desperation on the faces of those fleeing the undead horde. Instead, people looked grimly determined. After watching the resolute expressions, the mage didn’t doubt that the men he saw escorting their families would return and take up arms under their jarl. If not in Hedmark, then wherever they were sent. Even the evacuation was a well-organized affair. Tyler could see town guards with tabards of red and black directing the movements of the caravans.

“Their jarl appears to be a good ruler. Everything is being done in an orderly fashion,” said Habrok. The party had turned right from the main street into what Tyler assumed to be the road leading to the jarl’s house.

“He is,” said their guide. “His family had long been guardians of Hedmark. The present jarl honors the memory of his ancestors. Proud but not arrogant, a warrior yet capable of deep thought. His people will willingly fight for him.”

“You think he can handle this crisis?” asked Tyler.

“The fighting, yes, but not the war itself, High Mage. I believe you know this is a conflict where magic is paramount. Steel and iron take secondary importance,” answered Aage.

“And what do you think of the present enemy?” he continued, pleased that the mage finally was willing to talk. As always, Tyler sought information first.

‘I am but a minor battlemage, sire. Higher levels of magic are not my domain. The details of the supernatural threat and the characteristics of the undead we now face are both beyond my knowledge.”

“I suppose some mages here used purification spells in skirmishes?”

“Of course, High Mage. There were some undead before the present threat arose. But unlike before, we found such spells merely delay or slow them down. These are strange undead. They only fall when their heads are crushed.”

What Odin sensed as a strange energy membrane must be preventing ordinary purification spells from taking effect, thought Tyler, reflecting that the purification trait of  Eldhofud, the einherjar’s weapon, would find little application in the coming battle.

“We just need to find another way then,” replied Tyler as the memory of the amuck spirit bull arose in his thoughts.

“You didn’t encounter any of them on your way here?” asked Aage.

“We did. A group of undead warriors along a narrow forest trail near the mountains. The left side, if one is facing the Barrens,” said Tyler.

“Forest trail… left side… that would be the missing scouting expedition of Ragnar. Only one such force was sent to that part of the land.”

“How can you be so sure? I was told there were numerous battles fought here before,” asked the surprised First Mage.

“Battles, yes. We also keep a record of those, as accurate as we could make it. Though I fear it’s an impossible task. There were too many. But we have a complete list of expeditions coming from Hedmark,” said Aage. “We kept the records to allow proper burial if and when human remains are discovered. I have a copy, being the assigned mage to Rona’s redoubt.”

“They’re a mashed and churned-up lot now,” butted in the einherjar, referring to Ragnar’s undead contingent.

“Don’t tell me you memorized the list?” continued Tyler, ignoring Tyndur’s comment.

“I didn’t have to, High Mage. Ragnar’s expedition was the very first to set out right after the Hedmark trelleborg was built. Of that expedition, only two escaped out of three baturs’ worth of excellent fighting men. What the survivors reported became a popular skald’s tale in this region, a precautionary and educational one as it mentioned what beasts and creatures they encountered and fought. A popular story, even if almost all of them were killed.”

“How many sorties were made according to your record?” asked the mage, fearing the worst. The more lost expeditions, the more undead they would have to face.

“A lot, I’m afraid. It’s a veritable tome. It does not even include the forces committed to large battles. It was a violent era, you must understand. Warriors and mercenaries came from all over Skaney, Hellas, Kemet, and even from the Imperii. It was a long and bloody struggle, but well worth the price. Sadly, we now have this… problem,” said Aage as they walked down the avenue toward the jarl’s dwelling. Tyler had already drawn abreast of the mage.

“Just how many do we have now to defend this place?”

“Ah, such a question should be addressed to Jarl Geir. I am but a lowly battlemage. Matters of strategy and defense are not within my purview,” replied Aage with a grin. “A mule in the grand scheme of things.”

Ouch. He had heard Tyndur’s comment, Tyler realized. At least he’s got an even temperament.

 

***

Jarl Geir was indeed young. At least for the important position of ruler of a vital and dangerous border region. But the long, thin straight scar marking his cheek down to his neck spoke of being a veteran of battles. The bronzed tone of his skin told of one accustomed to the wilds. And he was looking at the mage, an extremely thoughtful expression in his eyes.

Probably wondering if it was a good idea to turn over the defense to me, observed Tyler. We’re almost the same age. Mages here are usually old men.

Introductions had been made with Aage off to one side doing the honors. The jarl was seated in a wooden throne with a high back, decorated with exquisite carvings, yet it bore no precious metal of any kind. The jarl’s large dwelling was made of stone and looked from the outside to be a two-level building with long structural extensions to the sides. But inside, it had only one floor, but with a high ceiling.

Tyler half-expected a