The Lightbearer's Gift

A knock at my door woke me up, after giving the servant approval to enter, the young servant brought breakfast along with my laundered clothes. It was a hardy meal with bread and cheese along with a thick stew filled with meat. I put my clothes on, equipped with my sword and went downstairs. Sten was already sitting in the main room, wiping the last of his stew with a piece of bread. The large man wasn’t wearing armor this time instead choosing to sport a well-tailored brown shirt and red trousers.

“Moon come join me.” he said while swallowing the least of his bread. Taking a seat next to him he continued.

“Will be heading to Vendel. It's only a few hours travel by carriage, I figure, we can just rent one for the day.”

“How are the roads to Vendel?” I asked.

It must have been safe since he wasn’t wearing any armor except for his sword.

“Oh, the Baron loves hanging bandits and highwaymen. There hasn’t been an attack in years.” Sten has shown himself to be a man of sense, so I put my faith in him.

After he finished eating, we exited the Inn and made our way back to the main road. It was early morning, so stalls were just being set up for the day. We made our way back to the main gate and entered what looked to be another Inn that was near the exit to the city. The entrance was manned by a fat man with a balding head and a red mustache. As soon as he saw Sten he said, “Hoy there Sten what brings you to my tavern?”

“Just came to rent a cart for a day in Macon. No need to call the others out?” Sten gave him the same salute he gave Richter. He looked at me then said. “What’s this now another one? I swear I don’t know if you run a mercenary company or a Circus.”

“What matters so long as the coin is good. “Sten said nonplussed.

“The cart? “Sten said, apparently not wanting to be dragged into another conversation.

“Sure, 2 Sterling for the day?” Macon replied in a questioning tone.

“That’s highway robbery” Sten said though he had a smile on his face. He gave him the silver anyways.

“You should come by more often. It's been years since we’ve had a proper row, “Macon said as he accepted the coin.

“GREN” he yelled a young brown-haired boy who came running in from the main room. As soon as he came in Macon said.

“Saddle up Bella, Sten here is renting a cart.” Macon ordered, his tone vaguely reminding me of Sten when he gave orders.

The boy hopped to his task Sten moved to leave and before he could exit Macon said. “First rounds on me when you come back.”

“Sure, Macon I’ll have a pint for old times’ sake.” With a wave he left the building. The boy was just bringing around a small cart pulled by a single back mare.

He hopped off the driver’s seat then said.” Here you are, Mi lord Bella’s a gentle girl, so you’ll have a good ride. “He said. Sten gave the boy a few shillings.

Bowing in thanks the boy pocketed the coin and made his way back into the Inn, then we mounted the cart. There was a large number of carts waiting to exit the city and there was a loud creak as the portcullis was raised and the bridge began to be lowered. Once the way was clear the guards began to signal people to exit. Men and women began streaming out of the city driving carts filled with everything from tools, strips of cloth, clothing, weapons. Merchants traveled in groups who were being guarded by armed and armored mercenaries. Outside after crossing the bridge a long train of carts and carriages waited to enter.

We traveled along the main road for roughly half an hour until the road branched off to the east. Sten set a quick pace as we headed to Vendel. After an hour, the flat grassland began to turn into forest. During the trip I brought Sten into a conversation. I wanted to know a little more about Garett before meeting him.

I asked Sten, “What kind of man is Garrett?”

Sten thought for a moment then replied, “He’s a decent sort. A hard man to be sure but he’ll never turn away the sick or poor if he can heal them.”

“Me being an elf won’t be a problem?” I wondered.

“I don’t think so. Imperial mages are more ‘enlightened’ than most so you being an elf will hardly matter. “Sten continued with a smirk.

“He does have a little girl though she might be more excited about meeting an elf than he is.”

“No wife in the picture.” I asked.

“She died a few years back” Sten said he signed then continued. “Some things even light mages can't heal.”

“Is that why he lives out here, so far from the imperial capital.”

Sten said. “That and………………other reasons.”

I assumed that this was probably something to do with his debt. He closed the door on that conversation before, so I had no interest in trying to open it again. I changed the subject.

“Did you even find out why Baroness Ruben was visiting Baron Vernon.” It didn’t really matter to me, but I assumed it would be good to know the political climate of where I reside.

“I can only guess. The Baron was some war hero a while back and he got injured then was forced to retire. Vernon ended up marrying Baroness Ruben’s daughter. The town's gossip is that he spends more time in bed with whores than his own wife and mostly ignores his son. “Sten summarized but that didn’t really explain why the Baroness would visit.

“What does that have to do with Baroness Ruben?” I asked.

“It’s no secret she hates him, and they constantly argue. So, I’m guessing that the baroness is here to mediate matters. It’s quite disrespectful that he takes many whores to bed. That and his drinking likely makes it a difficult marriage.” Difficult might be putting it mildly.

Staying in a city with such a man ruling it would not be in my best interest. I wouldn't want to be there if instability began to break out. The city seemed prosperous, at least the little of it that saw a man so eager to satisfy his base desires in such a manner is not likely to be an effective leader. So, I had to ask.

“Is there a chance he would put the barony in jeopardy?”

“No.” Sten said firmly, which was surprising. “He’s a drunkard, glutton, and a whoremonger. But he also has a good mind for leadership and business. Most of the guards are from his army days and he pays them well enough so you can’t bribe them easily.” Sten said approval seeping into his voice.

“He likes the city nice, stable, and profitable all the better to enjoy himself. Anyone who tries to rock his boat gets the headsman’s ax, noble or peasant, and he won’t hesitate. They don’t call him the ax for nothing.” He seemed quite certain of the Barony’s stability.

“What do the people think of him? “I wondered.

“Most fear him but very few hate him. His roads are safe. His guards don’t rob everyone that tries to enter and there is rule of law. There's endless tales of noblemen who treat the citizens like little more than tools. So, most think they’re better off with him.” He explained.

I thought about the baron for some time. He was something of a paradox, a drunkard and whoremonger that rules a prospering city on the outer edges of the kingdom. This city apparently owes its stability to his stern nature and smart business sense. I suppose in the end that’s all that matters. Stability, safety, and protection from law so long as they had what they needed, the morality of the one providing it likely matters little.

Hours passed and Sten taught me more about the neighboring kingdoms and villages. Vendal was about 3 times the size of Mistle with a wooden wall surrounding it. There were men at the gate in some poorly made leather armor. They drew swords as soon as we approached one of the men shouted, “Ho there travelers what do you want in Vendel.”

“Just passing through to see a friend.” Sten replied in a jovial tone.

The same man looked at me then said. “What about the elf.” he said, pointing his sword at me.

“He’s a friend as well.”

“Who are you here to see? “The man asked.

“Garett. He still lives near here. “Sten asked.

“Aye he does what you want with our only light mage?” asked suspiciously.

“Why healing of course” Sten said. I really didn’t care for this idiot, but I suppose it was just my impatience coming though.

“Alright then no funny business or I’ll see to you and your pet elf personally. “The guards gave us suspicious looks then let us pass. It seems like they just wanted to throw their weight around.

We quickly passed through the village and exited from the other side. This was also guarded but the lone man and the guard did seem to care either way. We traveled for another quarter before Sten stopped. There was a 3-foot-wide dirt path leading into the forest.

Sten said. “He lives just up this path.” Sten said. My anticipation was rising at each passing moment.

Eventually we reached a small cottage with a chimney emitting smoke. It was quiet and unassuming, nothing like what I would expect from a mage’s dwelling. It barely looked big enough for two rooms. Movement by the window caught my eye then the door opened. A man who I assumed to be Garret Stepped out.

He was an older man perhaps in his forties by the graying of his brown hair and the lines in his eyes. He had a hawkish nose, and his hair was cut short. In his youth he was probably a very handsome man. He wore a plain brown shirt and pants barely better than what any peasant would. As soon as he saw Sten's face, he frowned.

Sten with an overly friendly tone said. “Garett my friend how are you today.” Garett’s frown deepened as he said. “Sten what do I owe the pleasure.” He said gruffly.

He gave me a curious glance and then looked back at sten. Sten abandoned his jovial tone then said in frank seriousness “I’m here to settle our debt.”

There was a slight twitch in Garretts expression. “Well out with it then, I’m assuming it has something to do with this elf.”

Sten’s voice returned to his jovial tone. “Indeed, tell me. How long does it take to train a light mage?”

Garrett clearly didn’t like this question but answered anyway. “Years. Why?”

“Well to make a long story short Moon here, has potential for light magic and has shown the aptitude for mercenary work, he has no memories and is looking for a way to support himself.”

Garrett's expression turned quizzical. “No memories, elf is this true.”

I disliked being referred to as ‘elf,’ so I said a bit testily. “My name is Moon and yes, he is correct. Anything you would consider personal memories have been stripped from me.”

Garrett looked at Sten and said. “And you expect me to spend the next several years training him. My debt to you is significant but not so much as that.”

Sten had a sly grin then said. “Oh, I don’t think it will take years, a few months at best. He knows practically everything but medicine, mathematics, natural philosophy. Check for yourself.”

Garrett looked at me then said. “Compute the volume of a hollow sphere whose diameter is 5 paces and thickness is 1 pace”. Quickly as I could I did the difference of the larger sphere to the inner sphere and approximated pi to 3.14. Half a minute later I said. “51.3 paces cubed.” He seemed surprised at my response and asked another question. “If each ‘cubed pace’ as you put it weighs 5 pounds then how heavy is a sphere 4 times its size.” I did some more mental math using the square cube law I then said. “Assuming all the dimensions including thickness increased by a factor of 4, 16420 pounds.” He kept asking me even more questions attempting to find somewhere where I would fumble. I did not.

What was likely advanced mathematics and physics to him was elementary to me. any confusion was quickly cleared up as nomenclature and symbolism for mathematics were different. Math being a universal language made it easy to clear up any misunderstanding. When we reached differentiation is when I started to reach the edge of my mathematical knowledge. Fortunately, he didn’t go past asking me to find the derivative of a few polynomials. Eventually Garett’s questioning moved on to my medical knowledge. This being my area of expertise, I passed with ease and a feeling of nostalgia came over me as I was grilled relentlessly on what medical procedure to perform on different kinds of wounds. To categorize different diseases. Sten was almost forgotten as he tried to find some chink that was the armor of my knowledge. Unfortunately, he did find them. These chiefly being in this world's herbology and medical ointments.

Half an hour later his grilling was finished. “Hm, no memories. How about this? What is Ether?” He asked if I still didn’t really understand what it was, so I just said. “I don’t know.”

“How do you expect to learn Magic without even the most basic understanding of Ether?” He said apparently still digging for reasons to not agree to Sten’s request.

“Because my affinity for light attenuated Ether is simply that great.” He looked doubtful then said. “Oh, how do you know that?”

With a smirk I said. “This is how.” I walked towards a tree and placed my palm outward concentrating; I gathered the Ether. Garrett looked like he was about to say something then with blinding light I burned a roughly palm sized hole into the tree. I knew at this point that was impressive for someone untrained. “I see. How did you learn to do that.” His voice was completely devoid of emotion.

“A goblin tried to kill me. I did it by accident at first then I practiced until I could do it on command.” I said.

Garrett Stood in silence staring at me in contemplation. Then he looked at Sten and said. “I teach him and my debt with you is satisfied?”

Sten said with a serious expression. “By my word and heart if you teach him to the best of your ability your debt to me is repaid. never be spoken of again.” He said, placing a fist on his heart.

Garred placed a fist on his heart and said. “By my word and heart, I will teach Moon light magic to the best of my ability and when he is trained my debt to you is repaid. never to be spoken of again.”

They concluded their odd oath and with a sigh Garett said, “You might as well join Lori and I for dinner. We don’t have much company out here. And you Moon will tell me all about how you met Sten.”