Mathew woke earlier than the sun did, something woke him but he didn't know what. They had spent the evening up at the main house celebrating their tiny victory. But as the evening wore on most of the men who fought earlier had quietly slipped away to their own stalls as yesterday's endeavors took their toll and their strength and stamina failed. Mathew kissed Felicia and made his way down to the guest house, with just enough strength left he was able to strip naked and roll out his travel bed-roll. He woke later when Felicia came to bed. She had kneeled down to kiss him. But when he woke she was standing next to him asleep. Felicia like to sleep standing up, something no human could ever do. The few times they had passed out together after making love to each other, he always woke to find her standing over or next to him sleeping. With her upper body leaning back and her head nodding forward. Her hair would slide off her back to frame her beautiful face.
All the day's cares and worries left her face as she slept. Mathew's heart broke every time he saw her sleeping, she was so beautiful. Mathew carefully slipped out from next to her and pulled on some under clothes. Since the guest house didn't have a well inside, he grabbed his shaving kit and padded outside. With several buckets of water for the guest house filled he washed in the cold water then shaved. In just his armored pants and boots he went inside and cleaned up the wash basin and area around it for Felicia when she woke. Two buckets of fresh water later he decided to check out his parents' house to see how it faired from yesterday's raid. Once he settled the chain mail and strapped on his bracers he slipped the open face helm on and grabbed the broad-bladed spear by the front door. He quietly walked to the barn, behind the main house to see if his father's horse was stabled there. He lost track of the older medium war horse when the hobgoblins attacked. The old horse wasn't there, he might have gone home looking for his old master. Mathew swallowed, just like dusty he would do the same. But as he looked across the valley to the northern hillside where his parent's house stood, he knew he wouldn't find them home waiting for him, just two fresh graves.
Mathew shouldered the spear and started walking north across the valley After nearly an hour he came to the crossroads, one leading to Sir Fellis's farm, one to the valleys opening, and the lower plains, the last one was uphill towards home. Mathew followed that one. As he came to the lower glade, below the family house, he saw Dusty. The old war horse didn't make it home, it looked like a few Hobgoblin's had used the old horse as a practice dummy for their short bows. As he neared his father's old horse, he knew he was wrong, they not only used him as a practice dummy for their bows but as a free meal as well. One whole rear haunch was hacked off and was missing. Mathew closed his eyes, such a tragic end for such a majestic mount.
Looking around, making sure no one was watching, he removed his helm and gloves. Putting a bit of power into the air he scanned several hundred feet around him in every direction. With the sure knowledge that no one was near, he laid both hands on the long, cold, dead body, of the horse and started to chant. The Spell was a minor one, something every third-year mage student could do. As soon as the last of the chant left his lips he stepped back to allow the spell time to work. He carefully backed away till he was at the limit of his spell range. As the spell formed, the klatha he willed into the spell started transforming the free, lifeless organic matter into heat. Ever so slowly the spell started turning the lifeless body into heat. As the spell consumed more of the organic material, the faster it converted it into heat. As the spell hit critical mass Mathew slowly started pulling free klatha back into himself controlling the spells potential. Just at critical mass, the body folded upon itself, pulling all free lifeless organic material into its self. Once the spell consumed the lifeless body Mathew pulled all the klatha from the spell as fast as he could, effectively canceling the spell. Mathew kneeled in the open glade resting his elbow on one knee, holding his head up with the other. It has been a long time since he used magic. Magic just like muscles needed to be exercised regularly, Something Mathew didn't do. Plus he didn't want someone to report a failed second-year student to the mage college, seen using third and fourth-year spells. Once he was ready he slipped the helm back on and crossed the field. Looking to where Dusty had lain, he made sure there wasn't even a dark spot from his spell.
Mathew kept walking up the hill, he knew no one was near, the birds were flitting from tree to tree and the spell he used earlier. But as he came to the last step landing, he knew he wasn't alone, the long dark stone house looked like it was built right out from the rock face. The heavy rock construction and thick glass walls were of Centaur construction. Something Great Grandfather insisted on. But as he neared the house, he noticed the front door was open, he could hear some hissing coming from inside. Then the sound of broken crockery being moved. Mathew laid the spear down and drew the ancient elfin sword. Stepping close to the open doorway he took a quick look inside.
But as soon as turned to look, he heard a voice say, "Come in Mathew, and put that toy away."
Mathew smiled because he knew that voice, sheathing the sword, Mathew walked into his Uncle Roberts hug.
"I am glad you see you, Mathew, I was worried."
"Uncle Robert, What are you doing here?"
"I wrote a couple of days ago, when I didn't get an immediate response from you, I waited a couple of days, then I came here looking for you. I am sorry for waking you up, but I had to know."
"That is ok Uncle, I was planning on coming home today anyways."
Robert nodded yes, "The trees and valley told me who recently passed through here, and you can't wash that stench away fast enough."
"About fifty attacked the farms down below."
"Anyone serious hurt or?"
"No Uncle Robert, a couple serious, but mothers healing potions fixed them up."
Mathew walked into the Kitchen where he was cleaning up, "A couple of them broke into the house and raided the pantry. They were still here when I got here this morning."
Mathew looked around.
"Lazarith had breakfast," he replied with a grin
Mathew nodded, Uncle Robert was a top notch mage, he specialized in potion making, but he minored in demon summoning. Lazarith was his favorite demon to summon. Mathew shuddered with that thought.
"Unfortunately a half a dozen were still in the barn having breakfast, I am afraid you are going to need a new cart horse."
Mathew nodded, "And a new riding horse."
Robert nodded, "I felt your spells this morning. You nearly perfected you control over both. I am sorry about my late brother-in-law's horse. He was a fine horse."
"Do we need to clean up in the barn?"
"No, Lazarith is now a full Demon Lord and has a small hoard of fiends he can call on. They all ate well this morn."
Mathew just nodded. He had seen Lazarith several times and had no wish to learn to summon demons. The creature was hideous, and not to mention its stench and the foul personality.
Robert swept the all the broken crockery and stuff into one large pile, using the dust he swept it into a circle around the pile of broken crockery.
"Disintegrate that will you Mathew."
Disintegrate was a top level spell, the force required wasn't very much, but one had to really be able to control all the focal planes while casting that spell or you could cause a big hole in either your floor or roof, not to mention controlling the spell itself, within the containing ring. Mathew leveled his hand above the pile of rubbish and concentrated on feeling the ring, the floor and the height of rubbish. The spell came easily to his lips. Robert had his eyes closed watching Mathew complete the spell, once he had all the right focal planes aligned he shouted the last keyword. The rubbish disappeared in a flash of controlled heat and light.
Robert casually swept over the spot, everything including the dust was gone. "Very good Mathew!"
Mathew resisted the urge to gloat, and just nodded accepting the compliment.
"Well, the question now is what are you going to do?"
"Uncle?"
Robert put the broom back into the side closet and pointed to the front door. "Well, first off Mathew," he said as they stepped outside and headed over to the bench under the large oak tree. "This little raid wasn't the Goblin nations only raid, three parties came over Crown pass. A larger one went straight down the hills and hit Harbor town, a second went north and hit the elfin city of Woodshome. And apparently, a smaller raiding force came south looking for an easier way to Midvale."
Mathew nodded, "Were many hurt at Harbor Town? Woodshome?"
"Harbor town took the brunt of it, not many walked away or sailed. The Elf's knew better and had always posted sentries. Not to say they took some heavy losses, but they were better prepared. The main force must have found a new way out of the central mountains on the eastern side, an even larger force came off the center peaks and are moving east across the lower kingdoms burning and killing as they go. The High King is across the sea defending the upper kingdoms and no one knows if he is returning with the army to defend the lower kingdom."
"Why doesn't the Mage College send someone to inform his Majesty?"
