Page 64 of The Dark Mage
They rounded a bend and stepped into a clearing.It was a natural break in the forest, but it had been carefully tended by the group living there.The brush had been cleared, and heavy canvas tents were arranged in a loose circle around a common area.One section of the clearing had been scuffed bare from repeated drills and sparring sessions.Two men were currently swinging their swords in slow-motion practice, pausing to offer each other feedback.
On the other side of the clearing, two carts were loaded with supplies and goods.A few horses grazed at the edge of camp, their tails swishing lazily.In the center, an unlit fire pit sat cold in the middaysun.
As Esrin stepped into camp, the two swordsmen broke off their practice to greet him, though their attention quickly shifted to Ren’wyn and Fael.Esrin led them to the center of the camp and called to the rest of the group for introductions.
Seven other people gathered around the firepit.
“There are two on patrol in the forest,” Esrin explained, and Ren’wyn thought of the bird calls again.“One of our number is traveling in search of intel and support.”
Ren’wyn and Fael stood close together, quietly observing the strange assortment of people in front of them.Ren’wyn counted twelve tents.They’re expecting us to stay,she realized.
A light brush of fingers against her flowing pants.Fael’s touch—a soft reassurance—loosened the tension coiled in her muscles.
“This is our band,” Esrin said, gesturing to the gathered group.“We’ve been together for the past nine months, traveling and recruiting those you see here.Our goal is to reach Riva and organize a rebellion.We’ve made significant alliances in Terrepin—one of whom told us of your arrival.Zev, who’s currently away, works with rebels in Kareht and the Steppes.”
He paused, giving them time to absorb his words.“We hope to sail to Anduan and secure their support once Zev returns.Otherwise, we’ll continue raiding imperial supply transports and forming alliances with local leaders.”
Ren’wyn felt the trust Esrin was placing in them.It was no small thing to reveal so much—especially when everyone here had likely hidden or been hunted by the empire.People with magic were always searching for safety and a place to belong, or sometimes, for a chance to fightback.
“We always begin with introductions,” Esrin continued.“Zev is a wight, which makes him an ideal spy.His abilities have allowed us to rob imperial transports blind.He’s originally from Kareht, and he and I started this group.”
He glanced affectionately at the people gathered around him.“As for the rest of us, our stories are our own.We share them as we choose—sometimes in pieces, sometimes not at all.Each person will tell you what theywish.”
His smile was warm and genuine as he looked at his companions, his affection for them shining in hiseyes.
Will he tell his own story?she wondered.
But Esrin turned to the first people in the group and gave a nod for them to begin.
Two middle-aged women stepped forward—identical twins with dark skin and long, braided hair.They moved with synchronized grace, and Ren’wyn felt their druidic power humming in theair.
“We are Sorya and Relya,” the one on the left said, gesturing first to herself, then to her sister.“We’re from Libuli.Our parents raised us in hiding until we reached marriageable age.Our father wanted to arrange matches for us, but our mother sent us to Anduan instead.There, we learned to wield our magic under an exiled Master.When we returned to the mainland six months ago, Esrin found us traveling covertly, unsure of where to settle.He offered us a place, and we accepted.”
Next to them, a broad-shouldered man stood with his hands in his pockets.“My name is Wilenrut.I’m from Krynvallen—theNorthern Foreststo the empire.”His accent was thick, familiar—like the northern classmates Ren’wyn remembered from the Academy.“I have no magic, but I would see the Ashkrens and their followers burn for murdering my younger sister—a lovely young wight.”
Between him and the next man stood a small woman with pale, fragile skin—almost paper-thin—and platinum hair so light it was nearly silver.She hadn’t looked at Ren’wyn or Fael since their arrival, her gaze fixed downward beneath thin brows.Wilenrut gestured toward her with slow, careful movements, as though she might startle at sudden motion.
“This is Avonlee, from the Territories.”
That was apparently all they would hear ofher.
The next person was wiry and muscular, a Luremalan man with the honeyed accent Ren’wyn had come to recognize from the shopkeepers nearby.
“Miguel,” he said simply.
Ren’wyn schooled her expression.Three parallel scars ran from his forehead to his chin, distorting his upper lip, and a black patch covered his left eye.He wore a sword on each hip and stood in a fighter’s stance, balanced and ready.Beside her, Fael surveyed him with interest.
“I was trained as a sailor after being sold into slavery in Riva at seven,” Miguel said.“I bought my freedom at twenty and purchased my first ship at twenty-five.I captained for seven years until imperial soldiers attacked my crew at port.They accused me of sheltering a berserker among my men.They held me, tortured me, and plundered my ship.”Miguel’s voice hardened.“Zev freed me—poisoned their ale and wiped them out.I’ve been with him and Esrin ever since, determined to bring down the empire however Ican.”
The second-to-last was a striking woman in her mid-thirties, armed with both sword and bow.Her red hair was braided sensibly down herback.
“My name is Leta,” she said.“I was once an imperial soldier.”
The group tensed at the admission, but she continued steadily.
“I left after my fellow soldiers stripped me bare, raped me, and left me for dead in the woods during my first patrol.”Leta paused, her voice calm despite the horror of her story.“I suppose I did die that day, in a way.Esrin found me along the road the next morning—by chance or fate.”She glanced at Esrin with quiet gratitude.“We’ve traveled together for eight months.I’ve been here longer than anyone exceptZev.”
“I’m Irik,” the last man said.“My brother Alen and sister Lia are patrolling the forest.We’re from Krynvallen, like Wilenrut.Our father was a druid with a gift for water magic and a love of ancient Vallori ways.When he was identified by an informant, the imperials came for him.They killed our parents, hoping to find and execute us too.We met Esrin, Leta, and Zev near the forest’s edge.The six of us started this endeavor together.”
