The Accidental Archmage - Book Five, Edmund Batara [best way to read ebooks txt] 📗

would usually run away when they started to suffer fatalities.

After a few minutes, a distinctly powerful shriek sounded, and the remaining lizards all turned and fled down the slope. A huge beast then strode into view of the bluff. It was a magnificent specimen. It had not joined the battle and was out of sight behind the cliffs on the party’s right side. Unlike the other large lizards, this one had additional scales on its head, making it look as if it was wearing a cowl. Its massive tail was almost as long as its body. It gave a loud and extended hiss, then a growl in the direction of the party, a challenge Tyler immediately answered with a large force blade.

To his surprise, the force blade broke against an invisible barrier in front of the peculiar monster. It then turned and quickly vanished, joining its rapidly retreating brethren.

Tyler was stunned. The damned thing had a shield? A magical barrier?

Then he heard Kobu speak to him.

“A curious beast. This is the first time I have seen a creature, a lizard at that, able to wield defensive magic. Of course, there are magical creatures with innate abilities, but this one appears different. Quite intelligent, too. But then again, these are the Barrens,” said the exile.

“Well, Kobu. Add another being to our list of non-admirers,” commented Tyndur. “The list of beings and creatures who would love to kill us appears to be getting longer.”

“The number is bound to increase,” added Habrok. “We still have a long way ahead of us. Even after the Barrens. The spice of life, as a huskarl friend of mine used to say.”

Chapter Eight

Predator Magnet

Gefjun spake:

19. “Why, ye gods twain, | with bitter tongues

Raise hate among us here?

Loki is famed | for his mockery foul,

And the dwellers in heaven he hates.”

Loki spake:

20. “Be silent, Gefjun! | for now shall I say

Who led thee to evil life;

The boy so fair | gave a necklace bright,

And about him thy leg was laid.”

Tyler smiled wryly as he faced the others.

“I hope that list doesn’t turn out to be a book,” the mage remarked. “Though I wouldn’t bet against it.”

At his comment, the three laughed. Tyndur was guffawing so hard he nearly dropped the battleaxe.

Hey, it wasn’t that funny, the mage thought. Battle stress?

“Now, that would be one book I’d love to read,” he uttered after regaining his breath. “The memories each and every entry would bring! That alone would be worth bringing along a barrel of mead!”

“I believe they’re waiting for us, sire,” spoke Kobu, meaningfully looking down the slope.

Tyler turned around and glanced at the caravan below them. The humans had disbanded their square, but a number had formed a line-abreast formation facing the bluff.

Other warriors were tending to their dead and wounded, while a few, armed with spears, were walking around the fallen lizards, making sure they were all dead. The leader of the caravan was positioned at the back of the warriors standing at the ready.

“Form up and let’s see who they are,” said Tyler.

The party went down with Tyler making sure he didn’t make a stupid spectacle of himself by tripping and falling down the slope. A broken neck would be preferable to sniggers behind his back for the rest of his life. He knew his companions were as sure-footed as mountain goats given their experience. But Tyler recognized his limitations – a city boy born and bred. Learning to move fast in rough terrain was a skill born out of experience and training.

As they reached the foot of the rise, he activated the shield again, this time, a taller one, a barrier which went up past his head. Tyler knew his group had saved the asses of those in the caravan, but it didn’t mean they wouldn’t turn on the party. He was learning how to survive in this world but knew his survival skills had gone up but a notch.

As the party came to within twenty feet of the waiting warriors, Tyler called a halt. Kobu walked to him and offered to deal with the situation.

“What languages do you know?” asked Tyler. The man was the perfect person to handle the situation, he suspected. If what the Feathered Serpent had said was true, diplomacy would be part of the skill set of Kobu, the war leader.

“Primarily Greek. I can handle the language of Skaney, Kemet, and the Inkan Kingdom. A smattering of the imperial languages of the west. Plus, some languages of the black kingdoms and empires to the south of the Zhong Empire. Being a soldier and a mercenary had its perks. Though it is always a matter of honor among the more advanced cultures that the leader of a party does not deal with strangers directly.”

Zhong Empire? Interesting, thought Tyler.

That also means Kobu has knowledge about a lot of lands I know nothing about. Some might have familiar names, but a lot will probably be beyond what I know. Should have watched History Channel more often.

“I agree it would be best if you dealt with them. But keep to within five to six feet in front of me. Otherwise, you’ll be beyond the shield barrier,” advised Tyler. No way would he risk betrayal from the waiting caravan.

The exile walked forward, held up his right hand, and said a greeting in Greek. The armored leader came out from behind the line of warriors and removed her helmet. Long black hair tumbled down, freed from the confines of the metal cap.

The three at the back of Kobu exchanged glances. Few women adopted the formal study of magical arts because of the time needed to perfect the skills, except in Skaney where magic was taught as part of battle skills. Astrid was a product of those warrior academies.

But in Kemet and Hellas, women predominated in priestly or ritual magic. The spells and abilities they learned could be deadly, being broader