Master Mage by D.W. Jackson

didn’t notice the young page and continued, while the
four mercenaries stared down the young girl until she closed the
door quietly. Once the story was finished, Thad let out a nervous
laugh and looked around at his audience, who each held their own
look of reverence on their faces.
    “That was a grand story, my friend,”
Darryl said, placing his hand on Thad’s shoulder. “But I think we
better not keep the queen waiting for too long. They tend to take
it the wrong way,” he added, giving Thad a slanted
smile.
    When the five men walked into the large
audience chamber, it was apparent that Maria didn’t take kindly to
being made to wait. Thad flashed her a pleading smile that knocked
off some of the coldness emanating from her, but her icy stare
remained.
    “Welcome to Farlan, honored guests,”
Maria said in a grand tone.
    “Queen Maria, while we are pleased to
be received in such a grand fashion, it would be much easier and
time-efficient if we kept this simple and concise,” the older of
the mercenaries said, his voice firm and unwavering under the
queen’s glare. “Before we agree to aid you in your battle, we need
to know two simple things. First, why are you going to war against
Rane, and secondly, how much are you willing to pay?”
    “We are not going to war against Rane.
They are going to attack our queendom,” Maria replied
defensively.
    “Then why are they attacking you?” the
soldier asked, his voice betraying his annoyance.
    “We have taken people of magical power
and origin under protection. Rane is working with a group of men
who call themselves the Brotherhood of the Fox. They are attacking
us solely to kill those I have taken under my
protection.”
    “Could you not simply hand these people
over to Rane and avoid the slaughter of your own people?” the
soldier asked coldly.
    “How dare you insult me as well as the
people of Farlan!” Maria exclaimed, her face turning a light red.
“We would not sit by idly and watch while people who have committed
no sin other than being born are being slaughtered.”
    “And how much are you willing to spend
in hard gold?” the mercenary asked, the queen’s words showing no
effect on him.
    “If it pleases you, I will let you
empty my vaults. Take hammer and file to my banisters and remove
the gold that lines their edges. Whatever cost you ask, I and my
people shall pay it.”
    “That is all I needed to know, Your
Majesty. At present, I have a little more than 1,800 men at your
disposal. I shall send word back to our home camp and ask they
bring every available warrior we have to support your
cause.”
    “Will you take your price now?” Maria
asked, slumping back in her throne.
    “No, we shall wait until the battles
are over. There is no honor is taking payment before a task is
completed,” the soldier said before signaling the others to follow
him.
    “What in the nine hells is wrong with
that man?” Maria shouted at Thad as soon as the heavy door closed,
leaving him alone to face her wrath.
    “He is a warrior,” Thad said as if the
simple phrase explained everything. “We need them, Maria, more than
we need our pride.”
    “You don’t think I know that?” Maria
asked vehemently. “If I thought it would win us this war, I would
get on my hands and knees and bow to the man. That doesn’t mean I
have to enjoy it.”
    The queen’s tirade continued on, and
Thad found the first excuse that came to mind to escape to a safer
place. Once he was outside the palace walls, Thad headed straight
for the Katanga camp. There were plenty of questions to be answered
and even more to discuss. As he saw the sizeable force fanned out
along the city wall, Thad felt the beginnings of true hope spurt
within him. They were still greatly outnumbered, but their chance
of holding out long enough for more support to arrive was
increasing. That was if the support arrived at all.

CHAPTER VIII
    The Katanga camp was a lot different
than the other military camps he