The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 (13 page)

             
“Patrick is the only one among us that is not a slave. He fought at his mother’s behest just to test the potioning process against the best of the best. His opponent was fast and almost killed Patrick using a spear, sword and even a small crossbow. We thought Patrick was in trouble until he got his hands on his attacker. Patrick crushed his skull like a small child crushing a grape.  I never seen anything like it, the Queen looked furious. It was great to see her sat on her pompous ass for once. You should have seen it; she looked at our high witch and stormed out of the arena with all those pompous asses she keeps around in tow. Her kids seemed awestruck, especially her heir.”

             
“You over here telling stories again Wyclef?” said Patrick as he walked up to the pair. Standing closer, Xander could see Patrick was even larger up close. He had the bluest eyes Xander had ever seen with close cropped blond hair set off by a beard and moustache. Overall Xander figured him for maybe 25 summers at the most.

             
“Just telling the lad about your heroics last week Pat” said Wyclef.

             
“I wish I could have seen that bitches face when her champion fell. I know the princess saw me. The only reason that stupid bitch hasn’t given her blessing is out of rivalry with my mother.” said Patrick.

             
“You two aren’t scared talking about the Queen like that?” asked Xander suddenly aware of his surroundings.

             
“What for? What is that stupid bitch going to do? Execute the high Witch’s son? She has no power here. I proved that last week. Change is coming runt; all you gotta do is pass the arena. We will all help you prepare for it. First thing is first though, let’s see you in the circle and see what you got. You gotta be better than them four.” Said Patrick motioning to the fighter he just dueled.

             
Xander was nervous as he went inside the circle. He decided not to use his father’s sword, he didn’t want his secret spilled unless it his life depended on it. He picked up the sword of one of the men dropped and prepared himself as Patrick walked to the other side. Xander knew Patrick was fast and liked to use his offhand a lot, but figured Patrick and never fought him before, so he was rushing in blind too, albeit with a 100 pound advantage.

             
“You ready now huh?” said Patrick before continuing. “I hope you know what you are doing, I haven’t fought anyone young as you, since I was ten.”

             
“Enough bantering, Patrick do try and not hurt the new guy. Xander go all out. Alright now fight!” said Wyclef as he backed out of the circle.

             
Xander stood in his stance and waited for Patrick to advance. As soon as he saw Patrick lift his club Xander delivered a kick at his midsection which landed solidly. Unfortunately to Xander he felt as if he kicked a solid Oak tree. Patrick laughed and swung a punch at Xander which he avoided. Xander then started going on the attack with his blade, going into the dragonfly technique trying to score a hit on Patrick, but not seriously injure him. Most of them Patrick swept aside with his club or avoided altogether, making Xander frustrated.

             
“Patrick stop playing around with this slave and end this, I need you. I’m heading to the palace.” Said the witch Xander met when he walked through the gate.

             
“Sorry boy, it has been fun” said Patrick as he brought his club down with surprising speed. Xander moved out of the way and tried a backswing with his sword, Patrick caught his wrist and in one moved sent Xander flying out of the circle.

             
“Wyclef make sure that one is ready for the arena, he has three days to prepare. Her Highness may pull something like she has been, despite her setback last week.”

             
“Yes my lady, he shall be ready.” Said Wyclef as she walked away.

             
“Alright Xander, first thing is first. If you fall I doubt you will get the same treatment Patrick did last week. He was pretty banged up, but he was facing the captain of her guard. Still I doubt you will be given a bunch of potions to heal so we are going to go with plan B.”

             
“What is plan B?”

             
“Plenty of armor. The palace guard wears nothing but heavy plate. It limits their movement, but it makes them almost impossible to harm without getting close. All of us are getting custom armor, it may not match theirs in quality, but it’s better than wearing what we did have for armor.”

             
“What was that Wyclef?”

             
“Nothing. We went out there just like the condemned did, in nothing but clothes. I doubt you will get a full set of plate so soon with you being untested and all. You also are shorter than most of us here, built more like a southman you are. We can piece together some leather armor one of the others came in here with. It’ll help you from getting gutted for a while until the damn thing gives out, but know what you are fighting for.”

             
“My life to join this seems a bit much. I don’t want to kill anyone, and I don’t want to be killed. This isn’t fair! I did nothing to become a slave.” Said Xander on the verge of tears.

             
“It doesn’t matter lad, life ain’t fair. I don’t care one way or the other, I know here the witches mostly leaves us be. All of the chores here are done by people fulfilling their commitments. I get good food, and all I have to do in return is practice fighting all day. It don’t get better than that for a slave, hell I didn’t have it this good in the army.”

             
Xander spent the rest of the day down in the basement fighting with the other men, learning new tricks as the day progressed. The main lesson Xander learned was that there are no rules when it comes to your life. Some men had blades embedded in their boots, others had special sleeves which had a mechanism that could instantly spring load a throwing dagger into the wearers hands. Xander liked both of the ideas but found that he would accidentally cut himself with the boots and found he really couldn’t grip his sword right while wearing the knife sleeve. Xander decided just the extra dagger in his boot would have to be enough. After practicing what seemed like forever, Xander discovered while he wasn’t the best swordsman there, he certainly was far from the worse. After training was over, Xander was given a tour of the facility by Wyclef.

PATRICK

              “That new slave looks promising mother, where did he come from?” asked Patrick.

             
“That slave was sent to us by Lady Sharon, if she is to be believed, his mother was a student of hers who allowed herself to be captured then defiled by the Thornians” said Elizabeth Brightly.

             
“For a little guy he fights with some skill” said Patrick.

             
“It is to be expected, his mother most likely meant for him to join the military or other such positions of power, much like the rest of them. He has probably been training since birth, Pity though I don’t think he will survive the potioning process.”

             
“I sort of like being the only one of me around, it has opened up many doors for me” said Patrick thinking about all the offers his mother had gotten for his hand.

             
“I bet you do Patrick, but you are a Brightly, you can’t just hook up, with anyone, no matter how pretty Lady Sharon’s daughters may be. Keep your eyes on the real prize; I will have you wed that bitch Celeste’s horrid excuse for a daughter. Have you been doing your part?”

             
“I have tried mother but honestly the Queen is out to get me. She tolerated me before when Princess Aubrey wasn’t all that interested, but since my transformation she has positively been icy. I can see it in the other suitors eyes they are jealous of me, and their mothers are powerful, no doubt trying to match their sons with her.”

             
“Patrick, never worry about the none magical, they have power but it extends only so far. I will put you by her side, but first we need a suitable situation to gain her trust.”

             
“What about the bandits? Rumor has it that they have gained considerable followers.”

             
“I am already working that angle Patrick, we have an inside man. I doubt they could travel all the way here without being spotted and eliminated though. The watch is more than competent the closer you move to the main cities, not to mention if they are discovered by the military. What we need is a small force, capable of overpowering the palace guard.”

             
“Mother that would be almost impossible, the Queen picks the best very best. Even with my talents I barely beat their Captain.”

             
“What we need is a strike force Patrick. Men who can kill quickly and put up a fantastic show before you kill them all.”

             
“Who would sign up for a job like that? We men may not be the smartest but no one will sign up for a suicide mission.”

             
“Patrick I will worry about that. I called you here from your little group down stairs to inform you of the ball the princess is having. A lot of powerful people will be staying here along with their entourage. I want you out of sight as much as possible. People are seeing it as a slight that I will not let you pick one of them to marry. Seeing as you have no sister, my fortune will fall to one of their daughters should they marry you. That makes you in demand. I wouldn’t put it past any of them to frame you for something, offering you their daughter’s hand to keep quiet. It’s what I would do anyway. Who among your number do you think would be able to turn a young ladies eye?”

             
“I am not sure mother, the problem is that I am among the youngest of our number at 23, most of the men are all considerably older than I am except for the new one Sharon found. But who would marry a child of war? Not to mention I am as old as the oldest of their offspring. If I remember correctly they are between 13 and 21 for all the high houses of magic”

             
“That could pose a problem; see how many of them are used to dealing with a woman of stature. Their mothers may be witches, but they are so minor in power as to be laughable, not even strong enough to secure a writ from the queen. The majority are backwoods trash, some may have promise though. Your job right now is to put some culture in them. Catch them up on everything you keep current on. Many powerful women will be there and I want the right atmosphere. Plenty of their sons will be there too, so warn the slaves they are not to start any trouble.”

             
“You are inviting slaves to dine with the highborn? Mother they may be good men but I doubt many will take that kindly.”

             
“They will take it as a venture into the lesser side of life. We will have two dining areas, they are to stay on their side and I will tell the rest of the witches. I doubt it will take long before they find themselves on the slave side of the party, if only out of curiosity. I wouldn’t worry about the Flamelys though, poor lady Pamela is not long for this world.”

             
“You have been looking with your magic glass again mother? Will you ever let them know about it?” asked Patrick

             
“Let the fools burn themselves out with useless displays of magic. I will soon have no rivals if they insist on meaningless displays of magic. It is a wonder they haven’t figured out yet why we die so young while the rest live long healthy lives. Remember that Patrick, it is not how strong you are, but how strong are your protectors. I aim to dispose the monarchy one day and that starts with you. Whispering in the Princesses ear, it will be easy to sway that one to our cause. If not her and her mother’s death will spark a mini civil war during a grab for power. I aim to come out on top with our little army. Anything other than total success with Witches in control will be considered a failure. You make sure you do your part.”

             
“I will mother, perhaps she will see reason after I marry her and take you as her councilor in addition to high witch.”

             
“I would gladly give up high witch to have the Queen’s ear. For her sake lets hope our first plan comes to fruition.”

             
“It will mother, it will”

Chapter

              “So that’s all there is to this place Xander, pretty nice a’int she?” said Wyclef.

             
“It is, I had no idea that there were so many Witches at this school, just to think all these buildings have huge basements underneath, taking this place would be next to impossible for all but the most determined army.”

             
“That is true words lad, just remember to stay away from them students though. It’s one thing if you catch one of their eyes; it’s another to go looking for trouble. Well lad this is a great talk and all but first things first, your date in the arena.”