The Accidental Archmage - Book Five by Edmund A.M. Batara

Author:Edmund A.M. Batara [Batara, Edmund A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2019-02-15T06:00:00+00:00

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Jarl Geir was indeed young. At least for the important position of ruler of a vital and dangerous border region. But the long, thin straight scar marking his cheek down to his neck spoke of being a veteran of battles. The bronzed tone of his skin told of one accustomed to the wilds. And he was looking at the mage, an extremely thoughtful expression in his eyes.

Probably wondering if it was a good idea to turn over the defense to me, observed Tyler. We’re almost the same age. Mages here are usually old men.

Introductions had been made with Aage off to one side doing the honors. The jarl was seated in a wooden throne with a high back, decorated with exquisite carvings, yet it bore no precious metal of any kind. The jarl’s large dwelling was made of stone and looked from the outside to be a two-level building with long structural extensions to the sides. But inside, it had only one floor, but with a high ceiling.

Tyler half-expected a Norse longhouse or a variation of the theme, but what he saw was a strong stone structure with the main hall in the middle and large buildings at each side attached to it. The roof was made of wooden tiles covered with a substance which the mage assumed to be fireproof coating. A low stone fence was in front of the keep, though seen from the front, Tyler couldn’t determine the size of the entire building. Some windows could be seen and they were narrow ones, and if he was not mistaken, each was more like four slits arranged in the form of an ordinary window.

The throne room itself had doors on each side. Decorations were plain – a large banner bearing the raven symbol and Odin’s colors were on the wall at the back of the jarl. Two similar though smaller flags were hung from the walls on either side of Tyler. Weapons locked with small chains comprised the rest of the items adorning the space.

Practical , thought Tyler, remembering the murder holes he saw on the way to the throne room. He did notice that the windows had thick iron bars on them.

The jarl suddenly stood up.

“Now that’s done!” the jarl exclaimed, referring to the introductions. “Let’s go talk about defending my realm!”

An old man who had stood beside the jarl all the while, quickly stepped closer and whispered to the ruler’s ear.

“Oh, right. You do need to rest and freshen up. Aage will take care of the arrangements. Feed them well, mage! It’s not every day we have a High Mage to help us.”

“As you command, jarl,” Aage bowed.

“I have to be off. I’ll deal with reports and checking the preparations for now,” said the jarl. “We’ll meet in the war room in three hours. Aage will bring you there.”

Then he looked over the party.

“Strange armor and weapons! A delight to the eyes! I daresay you’ve had your share of beasties!” the ruler finally laughed. “Rest. If you need more time to recover, tell Aage.

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