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

Norse longhouse or a variation of the theme, but what he saw was a strong stone structure with the main hall in the middle and large buildings at each side attached to it. The roof was made of wooden tiles covered with a substance which the mage assumed to be fireproof coating. A low stone fence was in front of the keep, though seen from the front, Tyler couldn’t determine the size of the entire building. Some windows could be seen and they were narrow ones, and if he was not mistaken, each was more like four slits arranged in the form of an ordinary window.

The throne room itself had doors on each side. Decorations were plain – a large banner bearing the raven symbol and Odin’s colors were on the wall at the back of the jarl. Two similar though smaller flags were hung from the walls on either side of Tyler. Weapons locked with small chains comprised the rest of the items adorning the space.

Practical, thought Tyler, remembering the murder holes he saw on the way to the throne room. He did notice that the windows had thick iron bars on them.

The jarl suddenly stood up.

“Now that’s done!” the jarl exclaimed, referring to the introductions. “Let’s go talk about defending my realm!”

An old man who had stood beside the jarl all the while, quickly stepped closer and whispered to the ruler’s ear.

“Oh, right. You do need to rest and freshen up. Aage will take care of the arrangements. Feed them well, mage! It’s not every day we have a High Mage to help us.”

“As you command, jarl,” Aage bowed.

“I have to be off. I’ll deal with reports and checking the preparations for now,” said the jarl. “We’ll meet in the war room in three hours. Aage will bring you there.”

Then he looked over the party.

“Strange armor and weapons! A delight to the eyes! I daresay you’ve had your share of beasties!” the ruler finally laughed. “Rest. If you need more time to recover, tell Aage. I’ll understand.”

With a wave of his hand, the jarl then left the room.

Aage led the way as the group went to their quarters. Tyler was given a separate room, but Kobu insisted on staying with him. The mage didn’t argue. He knew it was useless.

“You’re right, Aage,” Tyler told the man as he was about to leave them. “Proud, but not arrogant.”

“He shares in the perils faced by his warriors and looks after the welfare of his people. What more could the people of Hedmark ask for?” Aage replied.

“But he does appear to be young to be a jarl,” commented Tyler.

“The bane of his family. Warriors to the bone. He’s the youngest of three siblings. The eldest died in an ill-fated attempt to extend the reach of their territory. The second fell trying to aid a settlement under siege by creatures from the Barrens. That still happens these days.”

“No heir?”

“That’s the problem. He was out on raids and explorations too often to settle down. More drotten than frea. We had hoped he’d grow into the role but this crisis could have severe consequences for Hedmark if things go wrong. The warriors kept it from him, but his hird already has an additional group committed to reinforcing the huskarlar. All volunteers and willing to die to ensure his line do not die out.”

“Thanks, Aage. I appreciate the information,” said Tyler.

Aage smiled.

“He’ll probably ask me about your armor and weapons, though only the material of the armor is familiar to me. Do you have any objections on giving him such knowledge?” asked the battlemage.

“None, Aage. Though you could also add that these were gifts from very powerful beings. They wouldn’t be happy seeing them on anyone else.”

“Indeed, they won’t be. Magnificent armor made out of wyrm and draken scales is exactly not that common. First time I’ve seen such legendary items. We were only shown a single scale of each kind back in the temple at Hirdburg.”

Now that removes the possibility of any unpleasant business if any stupid arse thinks about appropriating our weapons and armor. I guess I am safe from such envious actions, but my companions are not,Tyler considered after Aage left. Then he heard Kobu laugh. The exile was listening to the exchange.

“A point well emphasized, sire. Warriors are quite fond of enchanted items, and some could be quite unscrupulous about how they get them. But petty nobility is worse. Ten acres of land and a few retainers make some think they can get away with anything.”

Where’s a good frog spell when you need one?thought the mage.

***

Some minutes later, refreshed and having eaten, Tyler was on the bed trying to grab some sleep. The comfortable embrace of a proper bed with clean sheets insisted on it. He was wearing new clothes, and the armor hung on a stand beside the bed. But the staff was lying down on the bedcovers. He had Kobu as a guard but was hesitant to confide in the exile his ability to disappear into the dimensional space he had created – a spell courtesy of Dionysus.

All of a sudden, the staff again began to get warm. Tyler looked at the weapon, wondering what was happening to it.

“My lord First Mage.”

It was Birki’s voice, echoing in his mind.

Chapter Eighteen

A Wretched Tour

Tyr spake:

39. “My hand do I lack, | but Hrothvitnir thou,

And the loss brings longing to both;

Ill fares the wolf | who shall ever await

In fetters the fall of the gods.”

Loki spake:

40. “Be silent, Tyr! | for a son with me

Thy wife once chanced to win;

Not a penny, methinks, | wast thou paid for the wrong,

Nor wast righted an inch, poor wretch.”

“Birki? How the hell are you talking to me?” exclaimed Tyler.

“Your extended discourse with the chieftain of the Norse pantheon had something to do with it, I guess. Close proximity enabled more stray energies to be absorbed