The Hedge Wizard: A Progression Fantasy, Book One by Maher Alex

Author:Maher, Alex
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2022-06-21T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

DARK RITUALS

The kobolds fled, shrieking, scattering into their tunnels and disappearing into the dark. Hump shook with adrenaline. His throat hurt from screaming so hard, but gods, it felt good. They’d won. They’d saved the village, saved Kassius and his party, and they’d looked damn good doing it. Now they just had to get back to the surface in one piece.

There was relieved laughter among the villagers, and some quiet cheers. A few of them sat on the stone ground and caught their breath, still holding their improvised weapons in their laps. Still ready for a fight.

When the kobolds were fully gone from sight, Hump leant on his staff and took a deep breath. He tried to ignore the smell of blood, but many kobolds had died.

“Excellently done!” Kassius said, approaching. He wore a broad smile on his face, and Hump could see the thrill of battle gleaming in his eyes. “Where are the rest of your men, Vamir?” he asked, looking around.

“It’s just the four of us, I’m afraid,” Vamir said. “With any luck, reinforcements will be on their way, but it will be a long time before they reach us. Until then, we’re on our own.”

Kassius blinked, surprised. “It was a bluff?” he asked.

“Exactly so,” Vamir said. “Kobolds are cowards. If we could convince them of a large attack, I knew we could make them run.” Vamir grinned. “It was a dice roll. I guess it worked out.”

“Worked out…” Kassius shook his head slowly. “That’s incredible. Truly, I’m impressed. And that, my friend, is a rare thing these days. You have my sincere thanks,” his eyes passed over each of them. “All of you. You can be sure your efforts won’t go unrewarded; I can promise you that.”

Now that was a promise Hump liked the sound of. For their efforts, they’d certainly earned a reward. Though looking over the villagers now, and the near disbelief on their faces that they were free, he felt was rewarding enough. Still, a prince’s reward was nothing to scoff at. He’d never say no to a bit of coin, and a title like that came with a heaping ton of coin attached.

Kassius tilted his head back and barked a laugh. “Four of you just sent an entire kobold village running like rats. Genius. Pure genius. Imagine what the guilds will say to that. Those Silver Spear pricks are going to look like the bleeding cowards they are.”

Hump grinned. “Which is the only reason we’re here, really.”

“I’m sure! I’m sure!” Kassius said, smiling. “And don’t think that spell of yours escaped my notice. What was it you cast there at the end, Hump? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen light magic like that before. You truly did look spectacular. An affinity for light is a rare thing.”

“It was nothing that special,” Hump said quickly. “Really. My affinity with light is average at best. It was just a simple Light cantrip that I spiced up a little with an Essence Blast chained in at the end.

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