Master Mage Read Online Free PDF Page B

tonight. The moon is full enough. Why don’t we see if we can
make it to the fort?” Thad asked, pulling a rope from his pack, a
devious smile plastered on his face.

CHAPTER IV
    Even with the moon out, the trip down
the road was slow. Thad’s earlier boredom was gone, replaced with
the pleasant sound of curses from the man being pulled across the
ground behind him.
    It took slightly over two hours to
reach the fort. Had he known he had been that close, he would have
pushed on even after darkness had fallen, but then he would have
missed his party. The sentries called him to a halt but quickly let
him pass once they noticed the brand of two crescent moons on his
forehead. General Bache had to be roused from his bed and sounded
none too happy from outside the small building Thad waited in until
he saw what Thad had brought.
    “Looks like you caught a nice-sized
rat, but couldn’t your visit have waited till the morning hours?”
the general asked groggily.
    “Well, I didn’t feel all that safe
sleeping under the stars after running into five of his lot,” Thad
said, his tone serious and dry.
    “There have been reports of bandit
activity along the roads, but I never thought much of it,” the
general replied, shaking his head. “Guess we better send out some
patrols to make sure the roads are safe, or the queen will have my
hide.”
    “Now I know that you didn’t come here
just to bring us this fine gift, but if it’s all the same to you,
can we wait until daybreak for further business?” the general
asked, yawning.
    Thad agreed and was led to a large
barracks and given an open bunk. The room smelled of sweat and
feet, but it was warm, and within moments, Thad was fast
asleep.
    Thad was woken early the next morning
thanks to the bustling soldiers as they prepared for their morning
exercises. Thad followed the group out, his head still fuzzy from
lack of sleep. Once he stepped outside, he noticed that the sun
hadn’t even graced them with its presence yet.
    Thad thought it odd that everyone wore
such light clothing given that the air outside was cold enough for
an ice room. He quickly learned the reason after half an hour of
pushing himself up from the ground and running in place. His heavy
tunic and cloak were drenched in sweat, and his body felt hot and
cold at the same time. As soon as the sun touched the edges of the
horizon, the army went on a long run around the fort. Thad had
thought he was in good shape, but the army regimen quickly proved
him wrong. Long before Thad was halfway around the perimeter of the
fort, he had dropped to the ground gasping and spewed the contents
of his stomach upon the ground.
    His body aching and his body quickly
cooling down, Thad forced himself to his feet and back to the
barracks. He was caught halfway by the general, who had a probing
look on his face. “I had heard you were quite the fighter. Given
your reputation, I would have expected the little workout this
morning to be a breeze,” the general said as his lips curved into a
smile.
    “It seems I have spent too much time in
dark rooms hunched over parchment and scrolls,” Thad replied
weakly.
    The general took Thad back to his
office, which was no more than a rough log cabin with a fireplace.
The insides might have been sparse, but it was warm, and at the
moment, that was all Thad needed.
    “If you plan any extended fighting, I
would suggest you start working on your physical capabilities. Most
of the time, it is not skill that wins in long battles but stamina.
The most skilled swordsman in the world will fall before the blade
of a child if he finds himself out of breath during a fight,” the
general said teasingly.
    Thad tried to laugh, but his muscles
had already started to tense and hurt. “I think I will take your
advice. Do they do that every day?” Thad asked, amazed at the
soldiers’ resolve as he watched them through the window as they
continued their run.
    “Heavens, no,” the general said,
laughing.