“Spellcasting requires taking Mana from the Core and giving it form through concentration and willpower. The Spell Matrix assists, but it is the Mage who must force the unruly Mana to obey. The Tier of the spell is reflective of its difficulty to form and the strain it places on the body.”

On Tiers of Magic

Chapter 25

The early morning blue sunlight warmed his back as Wil left Whitewater, riding out of the newly rebuilt gates. The road was surprisingly busy, with streams of carts and wagons filled with supplies leaving the town. Craftspeople and farmers were on their way to repair the surrounding farms and homesteads.

Wil had observed a steady flow of supplies and materials arriving at the docks from boats upstream. They unloaded at the dock warehouses before rowing back up the slow-moving Whitewater River.

He was offered a ride in one of the river boats but declined. He had a month to travel to Aachen, he would rather travel slowly overland by horse and search for opportunities on the way.

Wil had said goodbye to his friends the night before, both Erinn and Gunther promised to meet him in Aachen in a few months, when they finished their contract here in Whitewater.

Gunther had said that he would bring Wil to see his home in Innesvale. It was a week’s ride to the north of Aachen and still untouched by the fighting with the undead.

As he traveled along the road west, he reflected on the conversation he had with Greaves. He had made the decision to accept the transfer, he would grow stronger with the fighting in the west. When he was a higher rank, he would return home and seize his inheritance from his father. He would also have the truth from him regarding his mother’s death.

To avoid dwelling on dark thoughts, Wil instead considered of his western destination. He reviewed what he had learned of the undead threat when he studied at the Academy.

Aachen was a coastal city, the largest on the Garnet Coast. It had been the gateway to trade over the Azure Sea for generations and the second wealthiest city in Illyria.

A flow of goods left the empire from Aachen’s ports, silks and cloth from the south. Grains and leather from the east. Hides and precious gems from the north. Iron and steel from the west.

A few years ago, a group of high-ranking adventurers had been hired to investigate the disappearance of a rich merchant’s daughter. Wil knew they had uncovered a cult in the city, although he couldn’t remember which god they worshipped.

He did remember that the adventurers had interrupted the ritual at a critical moment. Instead of summoning their god or whatever their goal had been, the result was the current undead threat of Aachen.

Since the ritual, Aachen has been overrun with the Undead. They remain in the sewers and inside dark buildings during the day to avoid the light, but every Night they will infest the city streets.

The empire has evacuated Aachen, and the Legion suffered such horrendous losses that the emperor declared the city lost. Unauthorized entry into the city is forbidden, any deaths would just add to their enemies ranks.

Trade relocated to some of the surrounding towns, but the loss of the largest warm water port on the coast was a devastating loss to the Merchants and Traders. They pooled their resources, and for the last few years have been paying large sums of gold to hire auxiliaries and adventures to fight the undead.

With the assistance of the clerics and their divine magic, some of the city has been recovered. However, it was still one of the most dangerous locations in the Empire.

Wil looked up, disturbed from his thoughts by his arrival at a small farming village. It was a two-day trip from Whitewater to East Haven overland and this village marked the half-way point. It was a perfect resting place for travelers.

Wil judged the time by the setting blue sun, startled at how much time had passed while he was lost in thought.

Wil entered the village, Riverbend, moving pass the small village houses and approaching a larger building. The two-story structure had an attached stable. Wil could spot several horses already in stalls, with carts and carriages arranged in front of the building.

Wil saw a sign on the front of the Inn, “The River’s Bounty”. Dismounting from his horse, he led her to the side of the inn towards the stables. A stable boy was caring for the horses and seeing Wil, stepped forward and took the horses reins.

“Bring the bags and saddle to my room when you’re finished.” Wil said to the stable hand, patting the mare fondly before entering the Inn through the nearby door.

The common room was only half filled. Only a little over a dozen people filled the tables, mostly a mixture of craftspeople, traders and locals. Wil spoke with the innkeeper and arranged a room, meal and bath for only a silver coin.

After dropping his belongings in his room and refreshed from his bath, Wil cast a quick cleaning spell on his clothing. He re-entered the common room and found an empty table.

The room had new patrons in the hour Wil had left, clearly a merchant and her guards had arrived here for the evening. The merchant, dressed in fine silks, was eating by herself at a table. Several of her guards occupied the table next to hers.

Wil sat down and one of the serving girls brought him his dinner, along with a tall mug of cold ale. Filling the plate was a large piece of fish, along with a bowl of soup and bread. As Wil enjoyed the meal, he was interrupted by someone sitting down at his table across from him.

Wil looked up at the stranger, fork halfway to his mouth. He was genuinely confused at the other person’s presence at his table.

It was one of the merchant’s guards, grey haired and grizzled looking. He smiled at Wil with a mouth missing a few teeth. Wil could smell sour wine wafting from him, and he had large stains on his faded grey quilted armor.

“Evenin’.” The stranger said to Wil, pouring himself a mug of wine from the bottle he had brought with him.

“Evening. Can I help you with something?” Wil asked, putting down his fork and looking intently at the other man.

“Yeah, you can. See, we just passed through Whitewater. Headin’ back from Angkor with Miss Quentin.” He said, nodding towards the Merchant.

“Just wonderin’ if you spent the Night there? We heard there was trouble, saw half the town burnt to the ground.” He finished, taking a large swallow of wine.

“Yes, I was.” Wil picked his fork back up and starting to eat again.

The man whistled in appreciation, before asking. “So, you a mercenary, one of those Auxiliaries?”

Wil nodded, continuing to eat his meal as the man continued.

“Bad business, mercenary work. Not for me at all. Worked as a town guard for a while, but the missus kept badgerin’ me about my drinkin’. Complain’ that I wasn’t home, that I wasn’t making enough. You know how it is, right?” He kept talking, refilling his mug each time it emptied.

Wil kept nodding his head at the man. He finished his fish and tore into his bread, dipping it in the soup as he ate. It was surprisingly good, much better than he expected in a small village. The man kept talking, not taking offence at Wil’s short answers.

“So, I joined up with a caravan. More money and it gets me away from the wife! Truth is, the only time I see her happier than when I get home, is when I’m leavin’ again!” He roared, laughing loudly and banging his cup on the table.

Wil nodded, finishing his meal. He picked up his mug and downed the remainder of his ale.

“Thank you for the company, Mr…?”

“Bell’s the name!” He said, slinging his hand out towards Wil. He took it in his hand and shook it before letting go.

“Well, Bell. Thank you for the company, but I’m leaving early tomorrow morning.” Wil said, standing up.

“Where ya headin’?” Bell asked, not taking the hint that Wil wanted him to leave.

“West. I’m going the Aachen.” Wil said, standing awkwardly in front of the other man.

Bell winced at the name. “Bad spot Aachen, I’d steer clear if I were you.”

“Unfortunately, I’m contracted to go. I need to be there at the end of the month.”

Bell nodded, before looking Wil directly in the eye. “Got an offer for you, eh…?” Bell realized he didn’t know the other man’s name.

“Wil” he said, providing his name to the other man.

“Wil” Bell nodded. “Well, Wil, we got an offer for you. We’re headin’ west to Elbing. Since you’re goin’ that way as well, figured you might want to join up with us and guard the caravan? Few silvers a day and it’s safer than travelin’ alone.”

Bell finished his drink and stood up. “Come on, let’s meet the boss!’ he said, waving at Wil as he went back to Quentin’s table.

Wil stared speechless at the man for a moment, before following after him.