The Wizard Assassin Page 7

  “So I am being sent to the front because I am expendable” Dax replied.

  “You can always stay here and get to know your real father better” Duke Bartlett replied.

  “I’d rather stick my cock into a whore with the incurable pox, Your Grace” Dax replied. “But I don’t like leaving Asher.”

  “Asher will be okay” Duke Bartlett replied. “It is time he and Bethany got to know each other better, that is easier to do without you here.”

  “Your Grace” Dax began. “Might I ask you a question?”

  “Go ahead” Duke Bartlett replied.

  “I have lost track of time, how long have I been here?” Dax asked.

  “About seven months” Duke Bartlett replied.

  “One more question Your Grace” Dax replied. “Why?”

  “Why you have been here so long?” Duke Bartlett asked confused.

  “Why go in with the Nettletons?” Dax asked. “I have never met the Duke but if his granddaughter is any indication then they are only in this thing for power while you are in it for more honorable reasons. You must be desperate, Ashley has royal blood but she is not much to look at. I couldn’t imagine anyone like you being happy with someone like her or having her imprint your children with whatever garbage her mother imprinted in her.”

  “You have answered your own question” Duke Bartlett said with a small laugh. “My daughter told me you were a smart one, she also thanked the gods that Asher was more like his father without the womanizing instead of like his mother who I will have to deal with soon. Between you and me, I cannot stand the woman and before Prince Jordan, her father was trying to saddle me with her.”

  “So I am supposed to go in as Lord whoever, sent there by you to let the men know that you are working with members of the royal family” Dax said as his voice took on a serious tone. “I am not stupid enough to try something sneaky, but I would like to know how long would I have to be there for?”

  “I am unsure” Duke Bartlett replied. “But you won't be put into too much danger unless you ask for it and two mages will be going with you to the front along with three of my finest guards and two of Prince Jordan’s guards.”

  “Your insurance policy” Dax laughed. “Can I say good bye to my brother before I depart?”

  CHAPTER 8

  War

  “Could you not do that?” Dawn grumbled as Dax floated some water out of a tankard and began turning pieces of it into ice.

  “You can fuck off” Dax replied.

  “How long are you going to keep this up?” Dawn asked looking over at Dax. “We have been on the road for two days now.”

  “If you don’t like it, sit somewhere else” Dax replied. “If I had known you were one of the mages that was being sent here, I would have objected.”

  “For such a pretty face you have a foul mouth” Dawn replied.

  “Now I am a pretty face” Dax said shaking his head. “Not even a full year ago I was the royal bastard. You can save your half compliments for someone who actually likes you.”

  “You were an insult to my aunt just by existing” Dawn replied. “We had to be nasty to you, didn’t want you thinking you were above your station. Now that you have been formally adopted though, we are almost equals. There is only one other noble here and I doubt you and Lord Appleton have anything to talk about.”

  “I have Harris” Dax replied. “Here he is now, coming through the door.”

  “Why do you insist on eating with the guards” Dawn replied disgusted. “They are the help.”

  “Harris is the closest thing I have to a rival” Dax replied. “He is a complete asshole but I trust him with my life, he doesn’t use double speak like the rest of you and says what is on his mind.”

  “Milord the horses are tended to” Harris said as he walked up to Dax and snapped a salute.

  “If you call me that again, you are going down the right path for a black eye” Dax replied as he gestured to a chair and let his drink fall back into its cup.

  “Davary I am still shocked at this whole thing” Harris said as he took a seat. “I never knew we had the royal bastard at training and that he was so damn capable. You pissed me off the entire time I was there with your fancy uniform. Now I know you were nothing but a cheat.”

  “I bet you stayed up long into the night trying to figure out how I got them clean and pressed every time” Dax laughed. “That was the only bit of magic I permitted myself, the rest was all skill.”

  “Didn’t matter” Harris replied. “I had to know our final score, I beat you by a point.”

  “Doesn’t matter” Dax smiled. “You were already gone and I was given the title of Honor Graduate. I got the medal and the training of my choice” Dax finished as he held up his gold colored glove.

  “I got to work for the royal family though” Harris replied. “For all the good that has done me. I was almost killed two different times and now I am heading to a warzone.”

  “Can you two do this conversation some other time” Dawn said looking at Harris. “I am waiting on my meal and I don’t want to hear your voices.”

  “Let's head over to that table” Dax said as he went to stand up but Dawn grabbed his arm. “You better move that hand if you plan on keeping it.”

  “Guard Harris isn’t there something else you should be doing instead of being in here?” Dawn said as she looked at Harris.

  “Of course Milady” Harris said as he gave Dax a sympathetic look then went towards the other side of the room.

  “What was that all about?” Dax said angrily. “I am not your little boy or even a friend.”

  “You do know I am your real back up” Dawn replied. “We are going to a warzone and no men with little swords can do anything to me. I even took you out rather easily.”

  “You blindsided me” Dax replied and snatched his arm away. “Doesn’t matter, whatever you want to say, just say it so we can get this over with.”

  “I want in on everything that is happening” Dawn replied. “Ashley is getting to become a Duchess, Bethany will be crowned queen eventually and I will only be the granddaughter of Duke Nettleton. My father is a very minor noble who agreed to marry my mother for the dowry. The person who marries me will get a nice dowry but then what? I will just be a footnote in history. I know you are going places, the bastard who rose above his station and despite his handicap of being a wizard, became a master weapon man or something. Your tale is romantic and I want to be a part of it.”

  “Have you been sniffing fumeroot?” Dax asked laughing. “Why in the pit would I want to be anywhere near you?”

  “Because I can offer you legitimacy” Dawn replied. “And our union would just strengthen the relationship between our families.”

  “Legitimacy?” Dax laughed. “What kind of legitimacy? You know what, it doesn’t matter. I make my own name and I don’t give two shits what someone other than my mother and father thinks of me. And despite whatever Dukes Bartlett and Nettleton has going on, I don’t care if they have a strong alliance or not.”

  “My husband would get a sizable dowry and for my part in this my grandfather is going to have the eventual King Jordan name me Baronetess while my eventual husband would be named Baronet” Dawn said quickly. “Your parents would never have to work and would live comfortably for the rest of their lives.”

  “Hmm” Dax said thinking it over. “You make a good deal but I have to decline. You are a sour mouthed shrew and I can't live with that for years on end. Besides I stand to make a decent amount of money once this is all over and I don’t want to go through life without being someone’s Da.”

  “We can adopt” Dawn replied. “There are a lot of orphanages in the kingdom.”

  “You aren’t telling me something” Dax replied. “You could have any pretty boy out there that will be a much better match for you than I am. Having a chance to be named Baronet is worth it for many and almost got me to bite.”

  “This can only happen if you are my husband�
�� Dawn replied. “King Jordan would only do this if he knew you were to be the husband despite whatever my grandfather wants. My Aunt is not big on the idea but her relationship with King Jordan is not what it once was, she has steadily been losing favor.”

  “Serves her right” Dax replied. “The way Asher had tried to make it seem is that his father never sought me out because of his wife, your Aunt. I still think it is a coward’s excuse and he is angry at her for her part in his capture at the hands of Duke Bartlett.”

  “Probably, but it doesn’t change anything” Dawn replied. “King Jordan has at least started to talk about the throne which is good since he is almost on it. His generous gift would make us both very rich and powerful, my grandfather would be pleased and the King could make amends with you.”

  “Fuck his amends” Dax snapped. “I don’t want or need anything from the guy.”

  “Even if your parents end up set for life?” Dawn asked. “They would be put up in a nice home and have two servants to help them out with everything. Is your pride worth their comfort? You would throw away having a king as your ally?”

  “This is bullshit” Dax said angrily. “It is like the same bullshit Asher is going through, a double-edged sword. Except I don’t like you, I don’t like you mentally or physically and I think I can do much better. Would I have to have sex with you?”

  “What kind of question is that?” Dawn asked shocked. “You would be a husband, of course you are supposed to have sex with your wife.”

  “What if you just sneak off and do your own thing and let me do mine” Dax asked.

  “So you want to be like your father?” Dawn asked and smiled as Dax’s face screwed up into a frown. “I didn’t think so, besides you make it seem like I am some back alley trollop.”

  “I’d rather have the trollop” Dax replied. “But I would be a fool for not considering your offer. As of right now I am interested in your business arrangement, not you. This can never be anything more than that, let's not fool ourselves.”

  “And why can't it be” Dawn asked.

  “Have you been listening at all?” Dax asked.

  “What about if we just start over” Dawn replied. “You don’t know me enough to hate me yet. I have always thought you were cute despite your birth. It is one of the reasons all noble girls you have come across have been nasty to you, falling for your charms would have been disastrous. Defiled by a bastard, do you know what that would have meant to our future?”

  “So you couldn’t even give me the common courtesy of not insulting me every time you saw me?” Dax asked.

  “All sweaty with clothes sticking to your body?” Dawn replied. “It was much easier to give you a reason not to hang around, I can only speak for myself since none of us would have ever admitted it, but you were more than distracting.”

  “Maybe you have a point but if you were me why would you even want to be bothered?” Dax said as the door to the inn they were staying in opened up. Dax was shocked as his eyes met Captain Runes who looked equally as shocked when he saw Dax. Dax stood up as Runes came inside along with six crossbowmen.

  “I am guessing by your uniform that we are on opposite sides” Dax asked as he gestured at Runes royal army uniform. “Nice promotion by the way Major.”

  “So you are now acting as a puppet for the unsurpers?” Major Runes said looking Dax over. “I see you have earned your golden glove, what is with the outfit?”

  “Duke Bartlett’s idea” Dax replied. “I was a prisoner for a good while then we came to an understanding. He adopted me and offered me the world, of course he let it be known he also has my parents so then there is that.”

  “Well this is odd” Sergeant Tenkay said as he lowered his crossbow.

  “So what brings you lot this way?” Dax asked. “We are less than a day away from the front lines and I was under the impression the royal army has other things to worry about at the present.”

  “Why we were sent is our business” Major Runes replied. “Just know we have this place surrounded.”

  “I don’t see any mages with you and I have two” Dax replied. “Not to mention if your men are not perfect shots then they would have a weaponmaster to deal with.”

  “Not all weaponmasters are equal though, are they?” Major Runes replied. “I doubt you have come so far that you can overcome my skill.”

  “Probably not” Dax admitted. “Sergeant Tenkay probably can take me as well and he doesn’t have the golden glove. But I cheat, ask my friend over there.”

  “He does” Harris replied as he had his sword out and was hiding behind his shield.

  “Harris is that you?” Sergeant Tenkay asked. “You were supposed to be working for the royal family.”

  “I am working for the royal family” Harris replied. “I work for Prince Jordan.”

  “So how is this going to play out?” Dax asked. “I only can think of one way that ends with all of us getting out of here alive.”

  “All of you give up?” Major Runes asked.

  “Of course not” Dax replied. “You don’t even know where my other mage is, I am surprised that he has not taken out your men outside. He is a paranoid sort and always does his own thing, lucky for me he keeps a low profile.”

  “Why are you even bantering with them” Dawn said. “They are only a bunch of commoners led by a fool and you have me with you.”

  “Major Runes is no fool” Dax replied. “And he has never loss a duel to me, I suspect he will have his crossbowmen overwhelm your shield. The one who lowered his crossbow is probably the most dangerous of his men. Either way we will have deaths on both sides.”

  “Mostly yours” Major Runes replied.

  “True but you wouldn’t make it out of here alive” Dax replied. “And at least half of your men would be killed as well. Of course we could pretend we never saw each other and go about our happy way. Me and this group can head up to the front line and you and yours can do whatever it is you were doing.”

  “Why would I do that when I have the upper hand?” Major Runes asked.

  “Well then I guess we are waiting on you to make a move” Dax said as he drew his blade. “I think you will find me a tougher fight than you remember. Some of the guards on my side saw this first hand.”

  “Is that a challenge?” Major Runes asked.

  “I am a weaponmaster Runes” Dax replied. “I am also bigger and faster than you are and I cheat. It wouldn’t be fair between us.”

  “So that is a challenge” Major Runes said as he walked forward.

  “Once I beat you, you should have your men stand down” Dax replied. “If any of them move then I think a great fight would start.”

  “You have gotten arrogant” Major Runes said as he moved a table out of the way.

  “Not really” Dax replied. “I was already decent with the blade before you met me, me and my father practiced to no end. You taught me humility by beating me at the blade but you have not seen my greatest technique. Truth be told I barely met the standard for my gold glove but I think if I were using all of my abilities that I wouldn’t have had any problems.”

  “Are you talking about your magic” Major Runes said and shook his head. “I will run you through before you can murmur anything. You don’t even have a staff.”

  “So you say” Dax replied and narrowed his eyes.

  Major Runes came at him quickly, it was a simple thrust that Dax barely dodged. Dax brought his sword down but Major Runes got inside of the blow and was poised to strike as Dax grabbed him by the shoulder. Dax poured on the electricity for a moment which made Runes drop to a knee, Dax was quick in his movements and snatched Runes sword away and backed away.

  “I think I won this battle” Dax said admiring Runes sword. “I think I should be entitled to this blade, but I can give it back if you go.”

  “What did you do to me?” Major Runes said as he breathed heavily.

  “I beat you” Dax replied. “Utterly beat you, took only a few seconds.”<
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  “I had you dead to rights” Major Runes replied. “I was inside your blow, I should have at least cut you.”

  “You did neither Major” Dax replied. “Now about our deal.”

  “I’ll honor it” Major Runes said as he got up off the ground. “Give me a few hours to get away and accomplish my mission.”

  “We can do that” Dax replied as he handed Major Runes back his sword. “Pleasure seeing you again Sir.”

  “I wish I could say likewise” Major Runes replied. “You would have made an interesting addition to my team. Too bad when this is all over you will probably hang.”

  “I doubt that” Dax replied. “I am close enough to the border with Saul that I can flee if need be. But thanks for your worries.”

  CHAPTER 9

  The Black Band

  Dax looked over the battlefield, he looked even better than he imagined in his dreams as a little boy. His armor was highly polished and he had a blue gray cape that had Duke Bartlett’s symbol on it, that of a great gray wolf’s head. In addition, Dax was given a helm that looked sort of like an opened wolf’s mouth with Dax’s face in the middle. The only thing Dax did not like about the whole thing was that he had to put his father’s sword away, Duke Bartlett’s man on the ground, Vince Martins insisted he made a better impression with the sword he had made. The sword was larger and heavier than Dax would have liked and something was done to the metal to make it shine a grayish blue like his cape. Dax was reluctant to fight with the weapon and had practiced with it for five days to get a better feel for it. The shield he was given was also oversized but it was solid metal like he wanted. The shield had to be made thin so it wouldn’t be too heavy but it would work for what Dax needed it for. The time for practicing was over with, now Dax planned on joining the fight instead of just walking around and asking others how they were doing.

  “Milord!” a man said addressing Dax. “You should leave Milord, we are expecting a charge this very moment at this very spot. We are tasked with holding the line until the mages can attack.”