The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 (5 page)

Xander closed the book as he thought about what was written.
Witches had the power to fly! He had never known his mother to accomplish such a feat although he did know from talking to her that witches had different levels of power and some could not accomplish all feats. He wondered if this ‘ether’ his father talked about was the cause of it all. Maybe different spells took more ether out of you than others, if that was the case then those with low ether could not perform certain spells. First thing was first though, Xander needed to find out if he was an enchanter or not.

The first stop the wagon took was when the sun had just begun it’s decent after being at
its apex in the sky. Xander grabbed both of his swords along with his longbow and got off the wagon. He briefly considered taking his coin purse, but since it was well hidden in a secret pocket he deduced no one would ever find it unless they too his entire pack. If he was seen opening it up it would only invite thieves. Xander hopped off the wagon and began gathering any branches he thought heavy enough to make a spear.

“Okay Red, how is this for a branch?” said Rolle as he stood over Xander. Seeing Rolle standing next to him for the first time, he could see he was almost as tall as
Gowan, though not as broad across the shoulders he was still heavier than Xander was by far.

“That should do fine,
take this” said Xander as he gave Rolle his extra sword. “Just begin sharpening the tip. If we find big game a bunch of us can take it down after an arrow or two to the shoulder.”

The stop proved to be a quick one, as the group did not stay out of the wagon for long, it was just until the wagon master could answer the call of nature. Xander stayed out of sight of Lady Sharon, although he did not see her leave her carriage or her driver depart his seat during the stop. Xander and the other boys got on the wagon and continued their trip.

The next time the wagon stopped, the boys had 7 good spears made, that along with the longbow Xander figured they were pretty well armed to take on anything the forest had to offer, and was eager to see if they could in fact work as a group.

“Hey there fancy sword” said Sam as he walked along side of Xander. “Where did you get a sword that good from?”

“My mom made sure I had one and knew how to use it since I was small,” Xander said before continuing “I figure she just had the Soldiers in Riley make it for me.”

“You actually know how to use one?” said Sam with none of the
contempt in voice he had earlier in the wagon.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’m boasting when I say I’m pretty good too. I have never taught anyone but I think I can show you a few things before
we reach Meadow. Where did you get your sword at?”

“My mom paid Old Charlie for it.”
Sam said as he held the blade out flat. “Charlie said he found it during the war during a battle and kept it. I don’t know how to use it but the other boys thought I was pretty cool until you came along with those fancy blades of yours. You have a long bow, a crossbow and everything a soldier would need. I want to join the city watch myself, but they only take the best recruits from the Army.”

“Well I know all about the recruiting process for the army, I heard the first thing they look for
is to see if you can follow orders.” Xander said happy he and Sam were at least talking.

“Well any idiot can follow directions, unless they want to be sent to the arena.”
Said sam.

“Yeah but can they follow directions whe
n there are no females around? Just getting selected is the easy part, going through the training they put you through is the hardest. I think I can get you selected though. All it is, is a simple sword duel.” Said Xander as he pulled off his longbow.

“Let’s talk more about it later fancy sword
, My stomach wants to see if you are as good as you say you are.” Said Sam as he dropped his sword and held onto the crude spear he had made.

“It’s good to see you two
nancy boys kissed and hugged it out” said Paddy as he held up his spear. “Do you think you could wait until we eat before you go out and get a room?”

Xander smiled as he began giving them orders to fan out to broaden their search. One great thing about Rangel is that the normal
apex predators this far out were hunted for their coats, leaving plenty of deer and other animals around with no natural fear. It was not before long that someone in their party spotted a feral hog.

Xand
er drew back his arrow, just as their prey walked behind some thin but numerous trees. Sensing he had no shot, Xander drew his short crossbow, and motioned for Rolle to follow him. As Xander got closer, he could see this was no ordinary hog, this was a Thornian Razorback. Normally seen closer to the border, these animals were close to 800 pounds and had 8 inch tusks capable of shredding even the most experienced hunting dog. Xander remembered a soldier a couple of years back in Riley gets killed and his partner injured to point that he never walked again. Xander froze and started walking backwards. Unfortunately one of the other boys took that chance to throw his spear at the razorback, which did little but bounce off his hide. The Razorback cocked his head up and looked directly at Xander.

Xander let a bolt from his crossbow fly which landed in the beast shoulder, not even slowing him down for an instant. Rolle held his spear out in front of him trying to dissuade the animal from attacking as the other boys
maneuvered around it. Unfortunately the razorback never slowed down as he took the spear in the shoulder. The spear dug deep into the animal chest, as the weight of the animal yanked the spear out of Rolle’s hand where it snapped in two. Xander pulled out his sword as the animal hit him square in chest, just avoiding impaling him with its tusks. The razorback backed up and prepared to gore Xander as Sam picked up Xander’s sword and drove it through the neck of the beast. The razorback backed up squealing as Paddy and the others started impaling it with their spears. Many of the crude weapons broke but eventually the animal breathed life no more.

Rolle helped Xander up as the other boys went over to him.

“Are you alright Xander?” said Paddy as he checked him over.

“I think I’m fine, just got the wind knocked out of me.”
Said Xander as began to breathe normally.

“You lucky I was here fancy sword, you would have been done for!”
Said Sam as he twirled Xander’s sword around in his hand. “Now that I have held a real sword, mine doesn’t feel anywhere near as solid as this.”

Sam gave the sword back to Xander smiling.

“Now that we are finished chugging on each other’s rod, how in the hell are we gonna turn that thing into food? Better yet how in the hell are we gonna bring this thing back?”

Xander and another boy whose father was a butcher quickly dressed the animal and got it ready to haul back to the wagon.
The choice parts of the animal were quickly cooked over a fire as everyone began to settle down for the night.

“Alright new meat, this is how night works out here” said the driver of Xander’s wagon the first time he had ever heard the man talk. “We pull watch on the Lady’s carriage throughout the night. Out here, the rules of nature apply. Lady Sharon is a witch, not just one of those prissy noble
types, she can actually back up her talk. I saw that little display when we picked you up and talked to Gowan. He is a good man, told me to watch out for you while we head north. This nightly watch, I’ll have you take it with the other Reds. Stay out of her damn way boy, she hasn’t made a move towards you and if she does there is nothing we can do about it. You’ll be dead and none of us are dumb enough to against a female especially a witch. Watch your back.”

Xander took his advice and he along with the rest of the Reds took first watch just as the moon came out
into the sky. He could see Sharon’s driver in his tent, apparently he did not sleep in her carriage. The driver came out of his tent and made his way towards Paddy and Sam. From his area off to the right, Xander could see him talking to them as Sam held his sword out in front of him.

“Alright boy, what do you think you are going to do with that huh?” said the carriage driver. “You kill one dumb animal and now you think you take a real man? Put that thing away before you get yourself killed. I don’t need a reason to kill you bastards of the war. Where is the new one we picked up?”

“Sleeping with your mother, he was a little chilly and needed a arm body to snuggle up with” said Paddy as he separated from Sam and began circling him.

“Insults boy? Nothing will save you idiots. Answer my question!” said the driver as he pulled out his sword.

Sam immediately tried to attack the driver as Sam circled around him. The driver went for an overhand swing which was met by Sam’s sword. The driver went for an underhand swing and knocked the sword free from Sam’s grip and spinned putting the tip of his sword right under Paddy’s chin. Xander saw enough and was about to draw his weapon as the driver from their wagon appeared, holding crossbow.

“That’s about enough James” said the wagon driver. “Let the lad go or I’ll fill you with bolts as sure as the crow flies.”

“You would threaten me to save a bastard of the war? First chance they’ll get they will turn on you and head across the border to be with their own kind.”

“
Well you won’t be around to see it happen if you don’t lower that sword” said the wagon driver.

The door to Lady Sharon’s carriage opened and out she walked dressed in a simple dress, not like the dark robes Xander had seen her wear before.

“What are you idiots doing disturbing my sleep?” Sharon said as she looked first at Xander, then walked towards the group.

“This oaf was trying to cut us down
Mi’lady” said Paddy as he backed away from Sharon’s driver James.

“Did I give you permission to talk boy?” said Sharon as her face took on a sneer.

Paddy wisely said nothing as he began to back away.

“I have been out here for too damn long as it is.
Since I can’t sleep properly neither will you. Prepare to leave. For now on our stops are no longer than an hour. If you are not ready you just aren’t ready and will be left behind.” Lady Sharon then began a chant as she started walking away the the wind picked up, but instead of blowing the warm spring breeze, this was more like the icy chill of winter Xander thought.

James started mumbling under his breath as he walked away. “Just great” said Sam picking his sword off the ground.

“I don’t see why you are all upset boy; you aren’t the one that has to drive this blasted wagon with no help. It is madness riding in the darkness; the horses could step into a hole and break something. I knew that witch was bad news!” said the wagon driver as he started walking to get the horses lashed back up.

Over the next two days very little changed since they were always on the move. Xander did not pull out his father’s book for fear it would invite many questions, and he had found out none of the other boys could read. Lady Sharon, upon hearing fresh meat was to be had commandeered a good portion of it, being sick of eating whatever she had been eating. Near midday, three days after Xander had left Riley the driver of the wagon stopped suddenly and began screaming.

The boys instantly poured out of the back of the wagon, Xander had the one sword he always kept on his sword belt and grabbed his longbow as he headed out. He could see Paddy grab his other sword and another boy grabbed his crossbow. Normally Xander would not have liked other touching his belongings without asking but they had talked about what would happen if they were attacked way out here in the wilderness. By the time Xander made it towards the front of the wagon, he could see the wagon driver fall off with an arrow in his neck. All around Xander the bushes came to life as filthy men appeared out of them, each holding some type of crude weapon. Xander let his arrow fly as they began to approach the wagon.

Xander let two more arrows fly before he was forced to draw his sword and defend himself. Out of the corner of his eyes,
he saw one of his attackers bash in the head of one of his companions a boy called Rafe that was traveling with him. After Rafe fell Rolle came at him swinging his club which connected solidly with his bandit’s back. The bandit stumbled but did not go down and swung his mace at Rolle connecting with his arm, shattering it. As Rolle’s club fell the bandit kicked him in the chest as Xander ran over leaving his back exposed to stop the warrior from making the killer blow. Xander thrust his sword out getting the bandit’s attention but leaving himself open. The bandit swept his legs out from under him and raised his mace to deal the final blow when suddenly another flying bandit knocked him off of his feet. Xander quickly hurried to his feet and began picking out an opponent when he caught sight of her.

Lady Sharon was chanting and wherever she pointed bandits went flying. One unlucky bandit tried to sneak up on her and was burned to a crisp instantly. This wasn’t the small fire ball she tossed at Xander. It appeared to Xander like she was a living furnace with a solid wall of flame erupted from her hands. Xander turned attention back towards the front of the wagon where he saw Paddy take
a arrow in the thigh.

“Sam
help! Xander screamed as the bandit was apparently satisfied with his shot, promptly shot Sam in the arm just as Sam was closing on his position. Sam crashed through the woods not slowing down from his injury as his attacker began to flee. Xander did not know how many bandits there were but figured Sam could use all the help he could get. Xander hurried after Sam and could hear a sword fight going on.