A Soldiers Life - 201 - Surprise, Bitch!

Chapter 201: Surprise, Bitch!

I walked at the rear of our group, keeping Renna in sight. She walked ten yards behind Mage Cashius and the other mages. Her ostracization from the group wasn’t a surprise. Even being back thirty yards, it was clear Cashius had plans to humiliate Renna today by the constant whisperings of the lead group.

After a mile, I frowned as the mages diverted from the clear path ahead, well at least clear to me. Instead, they followed what was clearly a path made by water runoff. It wasn’t long after before the group stopped at a shallow gulley, confused. Mage Cashius had out the map he had been given and was trying to orient himself. He was evidently untrained as he would need to gain elevation above the tree line to make out any landmarks.

I took the opportunity to walk a short distance, kneel, and send out an earth pulse. It was still disorienting with the amount of feedback. I found that trees appeared blurry and water gave almost no image from the pulse. Only earth and rock were clear. Creatures appeared blurry, but their shapes were defined. I stood and pissed on the tree to explain my short walk.

When I returned, the old mage instructor took the confusion to sit on a log. She sighed heavily as she rested. My fellow legionaries spread into the woods, forming a makeshift wall. I leaned against a tree nearby, watching Renna, who remained apart from the group. If Cashius planned something last night and was frustrated, he would probably try something today. The frail-looking mage started chewing on something that smelled like tobacco.

“Think they will ask Mage Renna to fly up and get oriented,” the old mage said, spitting a gross mass of brown saliva.

The old woman on the rock shook her head negatively. “Doubtful. My guess is they will backtrack and try to find the trail again.” The legionnaire that was assigned to Cashius started to tap his shield into a tree. It took the mage a good minute to look back at us. When he did, the legionnaire pretended to stretch and point back the way we had come. The obvious assistance was met with a chuckle from the frail mage.

That was how the morning went, with Cashius’ legionnaire clearly assisting the incompetent mage when he got flummoxed. It took over five hours for the arrogant and overconfident Mage Cashius to find the first marker, and mid-day was almost here. The marker was a red sash tied around a tree in a small clearing. There was no way they would find the other two markers and get back to camp before dark. The old mage sensed this, and she was growing agitated but made no move to intervene the test.

The frail man scoffed as the young mages took out lunches to celebrate claiming the first marker. “I am not spending the night in the woods, Silvia. If Mage Cashius can’t get them headed in the correct direction in the next two hours, I will force them to return to the tower, success or not.”

“Pytor, Mage Cashius is a First Citizen. He is spiteful too and will make your life miserable if you interfere with his leadership test,” Silvia retorted.

The frail mage, who I now knew was named Pytor, groaned. He looked at the legionnaires, an idea forming in his mind as his eyes brightened. Cashius’ legionnaire had been giving him hints all morning from a distance, and Pytor turned to him. “I sense danger in the area. Protocol is you all need to be within ten feet of your charges.”

It was a clear attempt to expedite the assistance the legionnaire was giving First Citizen Cashius. A few legionaries didn’t see through the facade and tensed, drawing their weapons at the mage’s warning. The old woman groaned, “Put away your weapons. He wants you closer to guide the mages so we don’t end up walking in the dark.” She eyed the legionnaire. “Mage Pytor and I will remain further back.”

Cashius’ legionnaire nodded like a good, obedient dog, sheathed his blade, and stepped forward with another legionnaire who I recalled was tied to Ona. This allowed me to walk up to Renna, who was chewing on some bread and greasy sausage on a rock about twenty feet from her mage companions.

I produced a hot burrito and handed it to her. My inventory had dozens of burritos, but one of these large burritos was enough to satisfy me for two days. “The legionaries are going to stay close to mages to speed things up. I don’t think your fearless leader has ever been out of a city.”

The burrito was also fragrant, and I admit my generosity had secondary goals. The aroma and noisy eating of Renna soon attracted the envious stares of the mages and legionaries nearby. Renna was obviously famished from the long walk, nearly ten miles in my estimation. I handed her a canteen of lemon water. With a full mouth, she said, “Be careful what you say. Mage Avaro has a spell that can listen in from over a hundred yards away.”

The five legionaries had surrounded the five mages defensively. As everyone ate a dry lunch, repeated glances drifted our way. “What else can those mages do?” I asked. Renna made to finish the burrito before answering. I found her lack of decorum cute.

Renna stared at the group. “We are the strongest collection of mages among those who have recently cast their first true spell.” She paused as she diverted her eyes. “Mage Cashius is a decent water mage.” Her tone was laced with scorn, though. “He can condense water and turn it into ice, encasing a foe or covering a floor. I know he also has the abyssal affinity, but I do not know if he has learned a spell form for it yet.”

I nodded as I knew that could be a problem if I had to fight him. The celestial and abyssal affinities were poorly named. Blessings and curses would have been a more apt name, as celestial magic enhanced a person or object while abyssal magic hindered or cursed a person or object.

I studied Mage Cashius from a distance as he talked to his sister. “His sister is kind of pretty.” Mage Ona looked nothing like her brother. She was graceful, young, and tall for a Telhian at maybe 5’9” but hadn’t filled out yet, being just sixteen or seventeen. She had striking gray-blue eyes that I would describe as stormy. Her silky black hair was pulled back into a ponytail. My line of sight drifted to Renna, who wore a cloudy and angry face. “I mean, she looks attractive in a malevolent villainess kind of way,” I corrected myself.

My reevaluation did not appease Renna, who continued tersely, “Ona also has a strong water affinity. She has been practicing freezing creatures from the inside out. I have seen her do it with mice.” A little more hotly, she added, “She also has affinities for healing and charm. But she was not raised to a First Citizen like her brother.” I looked again but felt no magic influence from the young mage. Our eyes met, and she wore a devilish smirk, clearly accustomed to men checking her out. Now, I could feel something tickling my aether core and my mind. I broke eye contact, ending whatever she had been attempting to do.

“…has affinities for both air and illusion. He is one of Cashius’ loyal minions, torturing other students with illusionary spiders and disguising traps in the dorms.”

I realized I had missed a few seconds of time while Ona tried to use her magic on me. Ona was as dangerous as she was beautiful. And yes, she was beautiful even though I sensed a predatory nature in her. Mage Cashius had seen our interaction and had put his arm protectively around his twin sister—no, it was possessively around her. Cashius’ angry glare focused on me, and I just smiled before returning my attention to Renna.

“I know Mage Elsa has a rare affinity for time, but it is not strong. I don’t even know what her spell form for time is. She can also cast small lightning arrows, because she also has an affinity for lightning.” Elsa had a pockmarked face and was extremely pale—like she rarely ventured into the sun.

“What about the last boy,” I indicated the last mage, who I think was Cirano from memory. Boy was too weak a term as he appeared older than me with a full red beard and hid a fit muscled body underneath his robes.

“Mage Cirano is a commoner from the army. He manifested a spell form that transferred attacks back at the assailant. It even works for some magical attacks. The only true spell that I know he can cast is light. The simplest spell form there is.” Renna explained while not looking at the group.

“I thought you said he didn’t target you at the College.” I glanced at the disinterested Cirano.

“He has never participated in the harassment, but he is not stupid. Cashius is a First Citizen. If Cirano cannot learn more spells beyond light, he will be trained as a Hound.” That was a surprise—maybe we would be training together.

Finally, Mage Cashius had savored his victory in claiming the flag long enough. He stood and scanned the edge of the clearing, deciding what direction to travel next. His legionnaire took a slight step in a direction, and then Cashius pointed in roughly the same direction, announcing, “Legionnaire Virgo, clear the brush ahead of us as we walk that way.”

Renna snickered next to me as all the bushes and branches could easily be walked around. The legionnaire tapped his chest and extended his arm in salute and respect. He drew his sword and moved to lead the group. I looked back at the two mage instructors, who looked extremely relieved. It still took our group three hours to reach the second marker. It was the same as the first, a bright red scarf tied around a tree.

Mage Cashius trotted out first, his chest out like he had just led the group to the promised land. Untying the scarf, the rest of the group moved in closer. Ona advised her brother, “There are only, at most, three hours of daylight remaining; you should send Renna ahead to retrieve the last marker while we wait here.”

“How will that be any faster!” Renna demanded.

“You can fly, can’t you?” Cashius said while grinning.

“Not for five miles there and back,” Renna argued angrily.

Cashius shook his head, disappointed. “I am in charge. And this is the fastest way we can complete the task.” Renna was biting back anger. Everyone knew if he hadn’t dawdled to find the first flag, we would all be heading back by now with all three markers.

I turned to look at Mage Pytor and Mage Silvia. Mage Silvia was grinding her teeth. “Mage Cashius, you are responsible for the safety of everyone in your group. Separating someone from your group will put them in danger this deep into the woods.”

“She has the personal legionnaire sentinel of the Chancellor. I am sure he can protect her. If we all traveled to the last marker, we would all get exhausted and have difficulty returning. If the rest of us rest here, it is best for the group.” His tone sounded more like an order or even a threat. Mage Silvia did not say anything for a long moment, probably weighing her options in front of a First Citizen.

Silvia finally approached Renna. She spoke softly enough that only we could hear her. “There are six pairs of Hound trainers in the woods around us. You will be fine. Don’t worry, girl. After we file our evaluation, Mage Cashius will never command more than a stable boy. Can you see the trail?” She asked me, and I nodded. “Good, hurry along then. I will think of some way to ensure he doesn’t get the credit for retrieving all three markers.”

“Hound trainers, not Hounds?” I asked.

She answered hurriedly. “Yes. They train the Hounds in mundane skills as they do not possess a spell form themselves. Don’t look worried. They are some of the best woodsmen in the Empire. Hounds are in short supply right now, and the most recent class was sent early to the east.” A few thoughts drifted through my head at this moment. First, this probably meant I would be called on to join the Hounds sooner rather than later. Second, Mage Cashius would not rest here and wait for us to return. The First Citizen brat would return to the tower as soon as we disappeared into the woods concocting some reason why it was imperative to return immediately.

“Let's go, Renna. We shouldn’t tarry.” I nodded to her to indicate it was all right. I led the way past the other mages. Mage Cashius had a shit-eating grin as we passed them. Mage Ona, a deliciously evil smile was directed at Renna.

We entered the woods and I made to increase my pace. I paused a mile later to inspect some tracks. Renna was standing over me. “Gnoll tracks. Maybe three, four at the most, last night crossed this path. Probably a night hunting party.”

“Should we turn around?” Renna asked worriedly. “Or I can fly and get the marker,” Renna offered.

“No, it is still a good four miles from here; you would get lost and would be alone. We will move as fast as I deem safe on foot, and if we have to spend the night in the woods, we will.” I stated firmly. “The trail is easy to follow even without the map. But I will have trouble following it in the dark.”

As long as a small group of gnolls did not ambush us in the dark, I was fairly certain we could prevail or chase them off. The thing that concerned me was I had seen no signs of the Hound trainers Mage Silvia had mentioned.

Renna considered it, and she liked the idea. “Camp alone together? Okay.” She couldn’t hide her smile. Maybe I was hoping as well.

As we went, I tried to point out what I was following. “Look. You can see the pine needles here pressed into the ground. This stick was kicked over a day ago, exposing the soil beneath. This bush has no leaves on this side even though it gets good light. Also, the Hounds apparently like to climb trees, as many of the thicker ones show the signs.”

“What?” Renna was overwhelmed with what I was telling her. I paused at the trunk of a large pine, and the bark looked like thick, cracked skin.

“There are a number of easy hand holds, and they are all smoothed over with repeated use. I am guessing the Hounds use that branch there as a lookout.” I pointed up.

“How did you see that?” She said in awe. “Can you teach me?” She smiled brightly and fervently.

“Not in the few hours we have. I had a few good teachers.” I was starting to appreciate what I had learned from Konstantin. I would have never seen half the things I did if it wasn’t for his constant educational nagging. We had at most about two hours of daylight when I thought we had traveled the five miles. I suddenly froze and motioned for Renna to be quiet. The few birds nearby had gone silent.

Renna scanned the woods but didn’t see anything. “What is it?” She whispered.

“I don’t know. A predator or maybe one of the Hound trainers is nearby. The birds smell, see, or hear something that has got them spooked and it is not us.” I replied as I scanned from the forest floor up to the canopy.

We remained still, and an uneasy, heavy feeling permeated the air. I removed my glove and knelt, laying my hand on the ground. I sent out a pulse with the earth speak. I sorted the feedback, eliminating all the insects and small creatures that confused the image. Many animal burrows were in the radius, but nothing overly large or dangerous. The images from the trees were fuzzier and didn’t show any danger either, just three birds.

I crouched and moved slowly, checking with earth speak, every twenty-five feet, the extent of my range. A clearing showed through the trees with a bright red scarf tied around it, but I held Renna back. The bird song had yet to return. My blood chilled on the next earth speak pulse I sent out. A body, most likely one of the Hound trainers, was buried off the path to the right in thick mud. Submerged in the mud with the body was the outline of not a gnoll but an orc. And the orc was very much alive with a strong heartbeat as repeated pulses showed very slight movement. I had a strong suspicion it was not the only enemy.