Feral Mage Book 2: Chapter 37

“There’s nothing here,” Bellamy said as she scented the air once more.

Bryce ran his fingers along the deep grooves cut into the tree Levi had been tied to. Given their depth, he knew that they were made with extremely sharp claws. It confirmed his theory that the dwarf had escaped with Thea’s help.

Why?

He turned and looked at Bellamy. Her eyes were cat-like, and she had two horns sprouting from her head. She didn’t use her Howler Aspect too often, preferring her Griffin or Serpent Leviathan, but it was the Aspect with the best sense of smell in her arsenal.

“I’m not picking up any trails either,” Bryce stated, even the claw marks now lacked enough scent for his Manticore Aspect to track.

Bellamy let out a frustrated sigh.

“Hopefully, we’ll have better luck at this graveyard where you first saw her,” Bellamy said as she moved to stand by him.

“I know that look. What are you thinking, Bryce?” she asked, joining him in staring at the claw marks.

Bryce ran his tongue along his bottom lip in thought.

“The Red-Shield Company dwarf that attacked us, Levi. I tied him to this tree the night Thea visited us. He escaped, ran into the woods, and she killed him,” he stated.

Bellamy shook her head.

“So she helped him escape just to murder him? That’s more forethought than most monsters would have. Hopefully that means Thea is still somewhere in the chimera, or that she has lucid moments where she’s in control,” Bellamy said before frowning. “That also raises the question of why she killed the dwarf.”

Bryce nodded.

“There’s a lot of strangeness going on with the Red-Shield Company. Levi admitted that he was acting without the Company’s knowledge. Mark pretty much confirmed that Duchess Frozenveil didn’t hire them, otherwise they’d be up north helping her with the vassal war.” Bryce clicked his tongue. “Baroness Julia, though, thought they might be working for the Kingdom of Volpine, which I’m starting to believe, especially since the King of Volpine’s brother is visiting a Count in the area.”

His former master’s head whipped toward him.

“Harold Volson is here?” Her tone was filled with dread.

He turned to look at her, his eyes narrowed.

“I don’t know the name, just that Baroness Julia was going to attend a feast in his honor,” he replied.

Bellamy swore.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking at her.

Bellamy wore a grimace as she stared at the tree.

“Back in the Red Pine Kingdom, I fought against two corpses being controlled by some strange wooden heart, and I suspect Harold Volson was the one who created them.”

Bryce’s brows furrowed.

“That just sounds like Necromancy,” he stated.

Bellamy shook her head.

“When a Necromancer raises a corpse, you know it’s an undead at a glance. Whatever this is? You can dine with it, have conversations, and hear stories from it about its youth. All while it’s a…puppet under someone else’s control. I traveled with the two soldiers from the Volpine Kingdom to the Red Pine Kingdom without ever knowing they weren’t human.”

Bryce thought about the implications of what Bellamy just told him.

Fuck…

“So, when Harold Volson is involved, trust no one?” he asked.

Bellamy nodded.

“Let’s get back on the road,” she said, turning to head back to the wagon. “If he’s here, I want to find Thea as soon as possible.”

***

The wagon’s wheels made a rhythmic thumping sound as they rolled along the wooden bridge connecting the few patches of earth dry enough to build on in the wetlands. This was the last bridge before they reached the town with the stone wall, and the first tavern on their journey.

“Well, that certainly looks welcoming,” Callie said as the town came into view.

They were some distance away, but it was clear that people were building wooden structures along the stone walls that gave the town its name. Structures Bryce instantly recognized.

“What are they building?” Janna asked.

“Palisades,” Bryce answered. “The town is preparing itself for an attack.”

As they drew closer to the town, the spiked logs became clearer, as did the armed soldiers overseeing the progress. A few showed signs of training, but most were clearly conscripts. Locals of various trades and lives, handed a spear with armor, then told to play soldier until they died or became seasoned enough to be considered one.

“Do you think there have been more sightings of Thea, and they’re now worried?” Janna asked.

Bryce shook his head, but Callie answered.

“This is for war, not monsters,” the snow elf said grimly. “The Divines know I’ve seen my fair share of it.”

Vex’s head poked between Bryce and Janna in the driver’s box.

“Why are they building a wall if they already have a wall?” she asked.

“The stone wall they have was built to keep monsters and animals out. It provides some defense, but not enough to hold off an army for long. The palisades, or second wall as you called it, is there to slow the enemy down before they reach the stonewall.”

“And hopefully fill the bastards with arrows,” Callie added. “Watch, mutt. Once we enter the town, you’ll see scaffolding being built against the wall for archers.”

Bellamy slowed her horse’s pace until they caught up with their wagon. Bryce could see her scowling at the fortifications being built and already knew his former master was thinking the same things as him, and even Callie. The most important question being, who do they think will attack them?

“I recommend we split up in town and ask around, both about Thea and why they’re building defenses,” Bellamy suggested. “Meet back up at the tavern before sunset.”

Bryce nodded in agreement.

“We should go check with the priestess,” Janna said to him.

Vex’s head turned toward him.

“Bad times, people pray. People talk,” the wolfkin added.

Bryce had to admit it was a decent plan. He had also been pretty generous with his coin purse the last time they visited. He had a feeling the priestess would be up for helping them as long as she was compensated.

“All right, we’ll check with her,” Bryce said.

“I’ll investigate the tavern,” Callie quickly added, the sly smile on her face telling Bryce she would also be checking out the food and ale.

Bellamy saw it as well and shook her head.

“I’ll visit some of the shops and craftmen, I guess,” Bellamy stated.

The guards caught sight of them approaching, but none moved to stop them. Even as they passed through the gate of the town, most of the guards seemed to barely acknowledge them.

Odd…

Given the state of the town, he expected them to search their wagon or, at the very least, ask them a few questions. The wagon rolled until it came to the inn, where Bryce stopped.

“If I were the commander of this place, I’d have the gate guards flogged,” Callie growled, glaring back at them. “Nothing. They did absolutely nothing. This is a rushed job if I ever saw one. Someone high up is scared and has issued commands to recruit and build defenses. The chain of command is at best a confused mess, and most of the soldiers have no idea what to do other than build palisades and stand around with a spear.”

She shook her head with a grim look.

“This town will fall during the first wave of an attack,” she said softly.

Callie jumped from the back of the wagon, already heading for the inn and tavern as the stable boy ran up to Bryce to take the reins. He could hear the snow elf mumbling curses under her breath as she went.

Bryce gave a parting wave to Bellamy as he and the girls started for the temple. Omelet trotting alongside them as he held the griffin’s leash. The town felt very different from the last time they were here. Blacksmiths still swung their hammers, and those in the market still hawked their goods at anyone passing by, but a tension hung over everything.

“This doesn’t look good,” Janna stated as they walked through the streets.

Vex nodded.

“Lots of fear,” the wolfkin added.

He kept hold of the leash, staring down anyone whose gaze lingered on them too long. Fear and distrust of strangers could quickly become anger and violence in times like these. Bryce wanted anyone even slightly considering that path to know it was their death.

As they neared the temple, Bryce noticed a guard standing in front of the door, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He frowned as they approached.

“Sorry, the temple is closed while the priestess is meditating,” he stated.

The man looked familiar, and it took Bryce a second to recall that he was the guard who had tried to arrest them the last time they visited this town.

I think Captain Taylor said his name was…

“Cadin, right?” Bryce asked.

The guard seemed taken aback for a second, but then relaxed.

“You’re the mercenary who was here a few days ago. The steel rank,” he said, his hand quickly moving away from his sword hilt.

It seemed Captain Taylor’s warning had stuck in the guard’s mind.

“Sorry, the priestess is doing some important ritual and doesn’t wish to be disturbed,” he said, slightly nervous. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Bryce nodded.

“Two things, actually,” he said. “Have you heard anyone mention seeing a winged monster in the area? The body of a woman with red eyes?”

Cadin shook his head.

“And I thank the Divine I haven’t, why? Is there something like that in the area?” he asked.

Bryce shook his head, lying. The last thing he needed was armed mobs scouring the countryside looking for Thea.

“Heard an odd rumor back in Witchbrook. Probably a drunkard too deep in his tankard,” Bryce answered.

Cadin relaxed some.

“Good,” he laughed. “Had me worried that this is what has the Baroness riled up.”

Bryce narrowed his eyes at the man.

“Baroness Julia is back? Was it her who ordered the buildup of defenses?” Bryce asked.

Cadin chewed his lip for a second.

“Captain Taylor said you aided the Baroness, so I guess I can tell you,” he said after some thought. “She returned a few days ago from that feast and quickly started ordering those around her keep to build defenses. She’s even having Captain Taylor drill the servants and maids in how to fight. She won’t say why, just keeps turning away envoys. Our Mayor is a bit spooked, so he ordered the buildup of our own defenses.”

Bryce frowned.

“That doesn’t sound like the Baroness Julia we met,” he said.

Cadin shook his head.

“No, it’s not like her. Even Captain Taylor seemed on edge when he came to town for supplies.”

Bryce’s frown deepened.