The Mages' Winter of Death: The Healers of Glastamear: Volume Two by Charles Williamson Page A
Authors: Charles Williamson
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Perry’s church in that lawless place. What of Southport? Is it safe there?”
“Southport Province offers refuge to all who can reach the Green Mountain Pass,” Michael explained. “The white pneumonia is uncommon there and food is abundant. A gift of food and supplies has already reached Broken Arrow and Marigold Meadows. If you travel south, take word of what has happened in Hearthshire Town to High Priest Simon. He is a good man, and he will surely help you.”
After they rode on Michael explained to his friends that four nights ago, he had enchanted the Perry’s Hand symbol over the door of the Great Temple of Hearthshire Town with a spell that would prevent any fire magic. The rogue knights would still be formidable warriors, but not fire mages.
“I suggest that we go to this camp of the King’s Own Guards and find out if they are willing to try and bring order to the province.”
Later that day, they saw the encampment of the guard units who were assigned to Hearthshire Province. The soldiers had built earthen berms and trenches around their camp. Sharpened stakes made from small trees guarded the berms from horse charges, but the whole place looked temporary and disorderly. Recent rains had flooded areas of the camp and mud clung to everything and every soldier. Their misery in the cold and wet of winter was obvious.
They rode to the gates of the makeshift ramshackle encampment, and Michael removed his helmet. “Soldier of the King’s Own, I am Michael Son-of-William. I’ve been sent by Governor Talton of Southport to see how this province fares in this terrible winter. Refugees on the road claim that the knight protectors have gone rogue and driven you from the city. I would like to speak to your commander.” Michael gave the soldier a copy of the letter from Governor Talton appointing Michael as his agent in distributing aid to the provinces of Northport, Briarton, and Hearthshire.
“You don’t look like a merchant in that armor, good sir, but only a merchant would have a sword that elaborately jeweled. I’ll send someone to check with Double-Cohort Commander Farrier.”
“These troubled days, even a merchant with five guards needs armor,” Michael replied and the guard nodded.
The commander’s title would normally indicate the commander of four hundred, but there could hardly have been two hundred soldiers in this camp. Michael sat on his horse and talked with the guard about how these troops ended in this rough and muddy camp rather than in their barracks in the city. He expected to learn more from the common soldiers than the unit’s commander would be likely to explain.
A guard returned, gave the document from Governor Talton back to Michael, and escorted him to a large tent with the purple banners of royalty flying in front. A huge ancient oak tree stood behind the tent, its fallen leaves littering the ground. The tent’s banners still bore the insignia of King Justin who had been murdered that past summer on Perry’s Day Eve, and Michael didn’t know if the heraldry was intended as a statement, or merely the unit had not received new banners from Min Hollow before winter closed the only route into the great city. His five friends remained outside when Michael was escorted into the tent.
Commander Farrier, a stout man with a military bearing, greeted Michael. “I know both Governor Talton and High Priest Simon because I served in Southport for five years when I was younger. They are good men. It does not surprise me that they would send what aid they could north.”
“Yes, they are good men, and they’re preparing another shipment to send north. So far they have delivered provisions to Marigold Meadows, Broken Arrow, Oxbow Narrows, and Azure Falls. The next shipment would have come here, but if rogue knights control the town, I assume they will bypass Hearthshire Town and send the aid to Northport or Briarton.”
“Even the King’s Own grow hungry. We’ve been foraging to
“Southport Province offers refuge to all who can reach the Green Mountain Pass,” Michael explained. “The white pneumonia is uncommon there and food is abundant. A gift of food and supplies has already reached Broken Arrow and Marigold Meadows. If you travel south, take word of what has happened in Hearthshire Town to High Priest Simon. He is a good man, and he will surely help you.”
After they rode on Michael explained to his friends that four nights ago, he had enchanted the Perry’s Hand symbol over the door of the Great Temple of Hearthshire Town with a spell that would prevent any fire magic. The rogue knights would still be formidable warriors, but not fire mages.
“I suggest that we go to this camp of the King’s Own Guards and find out if they are willing to try and bring order to the province.”
Later that day, they saw the encampment of the guard units who were assigned to Hearthshire Province. The soldiers had built earthen berms and trenches around their camp. Sharpened stakes made from small trees guarded the berms from horse charges, but the whole place looked temporary and disorderly. Recent rains had flooded areas of the camp and mud clung to everything and every soldier. Their misery in the cold and wet of winter was obvious.
They rode to the gates of the makeshift ramshackle encampment, and Michael removed his helmet. “Soldier of the King’s Own, I am Michael Son-of-William. I’ve been sent by Governor Talton of Southport to see how this province fares in this terrible winter. Refugees on the road claim that the knight protectors have gone rogue and driven you from the city. I would like to speak to your commander.” Michael gave the soldier a copy of the letter from Governor Talton appointing Michael as his agent in distributing aid to the provinces of Northport, Briarton, and Hearthshire.
“You don’t look like a merchant in that armor, good sir, but only a merchant would have a sword that elaborately jeweled. I’ll send someone to check with Double-Cohort Commander Farrier.”
“These troubled days, even a merchant with five guards needs armor,” Michael replied and the guard nodded.
The commander’s title would normally indicate the commander of four hundred, but there could hardly have been two hundred soldiers in this camp. Michael sat on his horse and talked with the guard about how these troops ended in this rough and muddy camp rather than in their barracks in the city. He expected to learn more from the common soldiers than the unit’s commander would be likely to explain.
A guard returned, gave the document from Governor Talton back to Michael, and escorted him to a large tent with the purple banners of royalty flying in front. A huge ancient oak tree stood behind the tent, its fallen leaves littering the ground. The tent’s banners still bore the insignia of King Justin who had been murdered that past summer on Perry’s Day Eve, and Michael didn’t know if the heraldry was intended as a statement, or merely the unit had not received new banners from Min Hollow before winter closed the only route into the great city. His five friends remained outside when Michael was escorted into the tent.
Commander Farrier, a stout man with a military bearing, greeted Michael. “I know both Governor Talton and High Priest Simon because I served in Southport for five years when I was younger. They are good men. It does not surprise me that they would send what aid they could north.”
“Yes, they are good men, and they’re preparing another shipment to send north. So far they have delivered provisions to Marigold Meadows, Broken Arrow, Oxbow Narrows, and Azure Falls. The next shipment would have come here, but if rogue knights control the town, I assume they will bypass Hearthshire Town and send the aid to Northport or Briarton.”
“Even the King’s Own grow hungry. We’ve been foraging to
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