day 9 16060

Bree smiled. “Looks good to me, you have all ready done the imposable. Which I am often told is what I require from my mages. More important you are not afraid to just jump in. If you want to go get your partner then meet me at that table there we will go over the details and see if you are still willing to sign up with this bunch.” He nodded and left. Once he was a distance away Bree turned back to the map. “So kid where did you find the map at?”

Kell said. “Well it was in a book. The book will need further study before I can know if it is relevant or not. It was not one that I had expected to find anything in.”

Bree looked at her. “And where was the book?”

Kell bit her lip. “Well it was in the library I have been looking in the past week. I have it for the time being. Books in that archive tend to change homes. So it is hard to say where it is from. I will need to look closer, but  I think it is safe to say the map is around hundred-fifty years old.”

Bree looked at the map. “Do you recognize the area?”

Kell looked at the map. “I am not the best at maps, but I think it is the Dragon Empire. Robert you are better what do you say?”

Robert said. “It fits. We can be sure when it is translated, Athions how is it coming?”

Athions said, not looking up. “I have a number of the place names done. I started with those thinking the legded could wait.  They are nothing I have heard of, but I have rechecked my translations. That little one that looks like a hat is Elfdome, the big one to the left is Rightside and the one on the right is Sunhallow.”

Bree said. “Those are all names in the Dragon empire if I remember rightly. So that would fit. But we are finding it in Amerdaen, though it is slow going. Hum well we can break in two, one on this and the others stay where they are. No since in dropping it just when we are starting to get some place. Once you get done with a translation we can take it to the rest and see who want which branch.”

Kell said. “I will take Dragon, I am more used to those languages, and have run out of place to look for what I was anyway.”

Bree nodded. “One road leads to anther. Well at least we are getting someplace now.”

Anthios said. “I should have this done by lunch, if that works. Rick you can start writing the translations on the other copies as I finish theses. That way we can have a few done.” Rick nodded and set to it.

Kell said. “I am going to make a couple of copies that will just have the translated names. We might want a few that don't have all the information.”

Bree nodded. “Sounds good to me. See you latter.” The morning passed quickly. At lunch they shared the findings with the rest and got updated on what they had learned then it was back to work.

 After lunch the went back to work on the maps. Once Kell had finished a few with out the original names she took two of that did have and stood up. “I am going to stretch my legs and deliver these. Shouldn’t be long.”

Bree smiled. “Well no longer then it take to finish of a jug of ale, anyway.  See you at supper, and try not to get the good Father to drunk.”

Kell nodded and head out of the library. She reached the main hall just as the front door bust open. The man who entered said. “Where is Brendar? I have an urgent message.”

Kell could see it must be as the man had clearly ridden hard. “Why don’t you.” Her voice died as she saw the lion on his coat.  She turned to the student who had stopped to watch. “Run to the library yell at the door that there is an urgent message from Lion, and you are need in the main hall. Don’t just stand there. Go” Turning back to the man she said. “That will get Bree here. You go a head a sit before you fall. Can any of you get this man a glass of water and some food? One of you go see to his horse.” The remaing students scatted.

Father Jones said. “He will need more than water, from the look of him.” That sent the novices running.

Kell turned to him. “I was coming to see you. I fond a map and thought you and your guest might want a copy. Something tells me I wont have time to deliver them to your study.” She handed him the maps. “Could you see the other gets where intended?”

“Of course but.” He looked at the map. “Yes I will see they get there, no worries.”

Bree entered and the man sprang back to his feet. “Thank God the information was right. We need you, all of you.”

Bree said. “I thought that was why I was summoned, but you need to set down and take a drink. Then try starting from the beginning. I know it is bad, or he wouldn’t have sent you, but you wont help by rushing.”

The man took a drink and then said. “We took what looked like a simple bandit cleaning job. Not are usual, but Lion felt we deserved an easy job. All was going good. Then these other guys showed up. All trained fighters, and instead of robbing and running like the bandits had they took over a town. After a long fight we got what was left of the town back only to have them take anther. At that point our employer is at a loss, they are not a millet country. But after seeing what they did in the other town we had to help so ended up in an unexpected war, with unprepared people. The pattern repeated, so insured of going for the other Lion got with the employer and we began evacuating the smaller towns. Hated to leave them, but there was nothing we could have done at that point anyway. Things were going good but some how they got word of what we were doing and turned the trap on us. Some of use got out and the others were holding them out. But we can’t break the siege.  They have no honor, surding is a death sentence. Worse then death. The tings they did, make the disaster dwells look friendly. Yes I mean the ones that eat their captives. Pleas you have to help.”

Bree said. “We will, but we are not going to run off with out being prepared. It will hold until morning to let you and you horse rest. Do you have a map, and is there a signal to tell them you are friend?””

The man pulled out a paper. “This is where they are. And yes there is a signal.”

Bree took the map. “Would you teach our mages the signal wail we take a look at the map?” he nodded and the mages move to him.

Bree stepped back and Kell went with her. She handed the map to Kell. “How soon can your scouts be on the road?”

Kell said. “With in the hour.” Turning to the ones waiting she said. One of you go tell the rest of my guys that they need to back a go back and get there mounts read. I expet them out front in an hour. Get some eles to pack the rest of there gear.”

Servile took off in different directions. Rick said. “I will have you back out front waiting on you.”

One of the new hires came over. “You will need a mage. I have got the signal down and can be ready. My horse is steady.”

Bree nodded, so Kell said. “Go back then and meat us out front. But if your horse can’t keep up we will leave you.”

Kell turned back to Bree and they started going over the map. Once they had agreed on the approach and how to really information Kell stood to go. Then thought of something and turned to the man. “Excuse me. You said they were all trained. Were they displaying a flag?”

The man looked up. “No flag but there was a device on their amour. I never even thought about it. It wasn’t one I knew.”

Kell took a piece of paper out of her pocket. “By any chance did it look anything like this?”

The man nodded. “That is it. Where are they from?”

Kell said. “That is what we were trying to find out. There mages or priest or what ever the hell they are, have been plaguing us. Though this is the first we’ve heard of fighters. That mage had better have a decent horse.” With that she turned and left. Out in the courtyard Rick and Athions were waiting with the others though they did not have any horse. She whistled then turned to them. “Since when dose it take both of you to carry one bag?”

Athions said. “You didn’t think I would let you go with out a kiss did you?” Rick went and put the gear on the horse that had come up to them. Kell laughed and kissed Athions. He said. “Now that is more like it. You will not take any unnecessary risks before I get there will you?”

Kell shook her head. “I am just going to be scouting. Engaging will wait until there is back up. Yes I will be careful.” She turned and gave Rick a kiss then swung up on the horse. “Now both of you listen to your orders. No running off, and Anth don’t forget my books. You are in charge of packing. Love you both it won’t be long so there is no need to do anything foolish.” 

Rick handed her a smaller pack and two canteens. “Your supper and a drink. The left is water, the other isn’t. There is more food and drink in the saddle bags. Ride safe, and I will listen, and eat. No running off this time.”

Athions said. “I will see he eats, and you know that means I have to eat to. See you soon Mistress.”

Kell looked at him and frowned. “What have I told you about that Athions?”

Rick said. “I can’t seem to remember, Mistress. I guess you will have to remind us latter.”

Kell shook her head. “What am I going to do with the two of you? I will have to try and make a stronger impression on you when I have time. Ok Everyone mounted?” A course of yeses answered her. “I have lead. No fancy stuff. Rick your rear.” She nodded to Bree.

Bree said. “Ride fast. May the Gods smile on you. Remember that you are to look and report not engage. Ride well. We will be behind you.” At her nodded Kell head out of the yard and turned left.

They road for a time in silence and the miles passed. As it got dark Kell signaled a halt. The got down and saw to there horses then took out there own food.