The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 30)

The big bad wolf growled at them, ready to pounce, when something wooshed overhead and stuck in its flank. The fenris staggered, then Queen Greor arrived with her troops.
'...should be able to practice more.' She was saying to one of her generals as she thundered past.
The Jotnar hacked at the beast and the Queen launched herself at the spear, swinging on it to free it. When another fenris jumped the crowd of defenders, she caught it in the throat with a swift throw.
'Getting closer.' She retrieved Gunnir as the second wolf gurgled its last.
Tom could see Kael towards the back of the press of bodies and ran over as more fenris sailed over them.
'We have to go.' He pulled on the big man's arm.
'We have to defend this city.' Kael said. 'Your plan won't work now anyway.'
Tom looked around desperately, there was still some stone left for creating the dam with. He levitated all he could see of it and swung it around to be in line with the broken wall, then he started smashing the rocks in to place, one by one. As the monsters had pushed forwards, it was them that the rocks crushed. Those that could, fell back, wary of the rain of boulders. Tom finished roughly rebuilding the wall, several creatures protruded from the stone work. He turned to see Queen Greor pulling Gunnir from the eye-socket of a fenris. She gave him a thumbs up and was about to say something when another section of wall, weakened by the days of attack and the water, gave way further along. She had time to turn before a bear-monster was on her. It raked at her armour before the Queen's bodyguards skewered it with swords. When they helped her up, it was clear she was badly hurt, blood dripped from rents in her armour.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 29)

Watching the full might of the Jotnar army fall in to ranks on the sodden valley floor was impressive. Raiding parties were taking care of the isolated and injured monster left around the river and eventually regiments were dispatched to clean up the small groups that had formed at the mouth of the valley. The flood had confuse and frightened the creatures, and they ceased to be a single horde, making them easier to surround and exterminate. There were a dozen of the invincible, magical tentacled monsters left, but Tom took the job slowly and carefully. Even then, his arms felt stiff and he was struggling to keep his eyes open when he returned to the knot of Generals and advisors that the Queen had gathered. Her plan was simple: cross the mountains, then march South-East and cross the Aviron. That would allow the army to march North again to Harrowden without having to lift the siege, and then they could bolster the city's defences. Tom wondered how they would then break the siege, but kept his thoughts to himself as he was too tired to discuss it.

The Elvish scouts had come down and were preparing to leave. Tom thanked them all warmly again.

'Any Elf can roam free in Dunland. My father will decree it and I will uphold it.'

'Thank you Prince Tom.' Alvis said. 'We may take you up on the offer.'

'Will you ask King Freyr to please helps us in any way he can?' Tom stifled an involuntary yawn.

'I will pass along the request.' Alvis assured him.

'Then all that is left is to wish you good speed and good luck.'

'To you also. I hope you can save Harrowden.'

The Elves set off at a jog down the valley and were out of sight within an hour, leaving Tom and Amelia with the Queen and her entourage.

'You need to rest.' Amelia was concerned as she watched Tom.

'I'll be ok.' He assured her.

The Queen found them, shooing away the clerk and Generals that followed her everywhere.

'Bloody nuisances.' She said under her breath. 'We're about ready to move out. We'll make camp on the mountain tonight and we should be crossing the Aviron by tomorrow night.'

'The Jotnar march fast.' Tom observed.

'The Jotnar march at whatever speed I tell them.' The Queen replied. 'But you two will find it difficult to keep up. I suggest you wait and come on at your own pace, we have no means of carrying you with us over the mountains.'

Amelia nodded, but Tom wanted to go with the Jotnar. The Queen left them alone to talk about what they were going to do.

'You need rest.' Amelia pleaded with him. 'If we try to keep up with the Jotnar you'll be no good for anything when we reach Harrowden.'

'But I need to save my city.' Tom said, stubbornly.

'You've already saved one city. Let the queen pay you back.'

Tom wanted to continue the argument, but his thoughts were sluggish. He acquiesced and let Amelia lead him back in to Oesterin and up to her room at the Troll's Head. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow. In the valley below, the Jotnar army started its march.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 28)

The fire at the centre of the clearing was roaring when Tom awoke from a nightmare of the dark army tearing Harrowden apart. The entire sammargat was gather around it, talking and singing in their ancient tongue. Tom cautiously ventured down in to their midst and soon found Alvis with Vidar, Gunnar, Baldr, Orvar and Tyr. They were drinking a sweet beer-like drink and telling tales of previous adventures.

'Prince Tom!' Baldr exclaimed. 'You join us at a tense moment; Vidar was just explaining why he was caught hanging from the window of Brendak's daughter's room wearing nothing but a pink nightie and a cheeky grin.'

Vidar was looking uncomfortable, while his colleagues appeared highly amused and not a little drunk. Alvis handed Tom a beer and fetched him a stool and soon they were all swapping stories like old friends. It was the small hours of the morning before Alvis and Tom staggered back to the treehouse. Given how drunk they were, they decided to use the basket lift instead of the rope ladder and took it in turns to hoist each other to the balcony, before retiring to their rooms.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 26)

The ceilings were not as high as most of the palaces Tom had been in, but they made up for it by having exquisite paintings depicting the history of the elves. Every now and then, a light-well would extend up to the blue sky, providing ample lighting for the windowless corridors. Alvis showed Tom in to a large room with a throne in the centre, sitting ramrod straight in it was a middle-aged man. His once handsome features had been weather beaten in to rugged good-looks and his pale blue eyes gleamed against his tanned complexion.
'Prince of Harrowden.' The King said. 'It has been a long time since our peoples talked, I hope that our previous encounters will not colour this meeting.'
Tom wore a puzzled frown.
'What past encounters? I didn't know that Harrowden had anything to do with the elves?'
'Ah. Then the bad blood has been buried, and rightly so. A tabula rasa, as the saying goes.'
The King rose from the throne and Tom saw that he was tall, more than a foot taller than him, and despite the broad shoulders, the king moved as quietly and gracefully as the rest of his subjects, practically gliding up to Tom. He bent and offered his hand, which Tom accepted.
'Now, Prince. What can you tell me about the dark army marching across Halva?'
'The Archmage is invading.' Tom said. 'I don't know why, but it all appears to have been triggered by me.'
'You?' The King was surprised. 'And what makes you so special?'
'I'm a mage.' Said Tom. 'I was learning to be one, anyway. I got to The Book of the Mage, and then this situation just sort of unfolded.'
Tom explained his journey to this point, while the King listened intently.
'You have been brave, resourceful and foolhardy in equal measure I think.' The King sounded like he was talking to child. 'When the Archmage learned of your existence, the pax that has been in place for hundreds of years was broken.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 25)

Tom woke up with the warm sun on his face and a wooden ceiling instead of a canopy of trees over him. Whatever he was lying on was soft and comfortable, and felt like suede under his fingertips. He tried to sit up but was still really weak from the day before. There was someone else in the room who, noticing his struggles, came over to him. The footsteps sounded light and like they were being made on plained wood. A handsome face came smiling in to Tom's field of vision and strong hands lifted him in tot he sitting position.
'You are awake.' The man noted. His voice had a musical lilt to it, as though he'd break in to song at any moment.
'Yes.' Tom managed, past dry lips.
'Ah, here.' The stranger passed him a wooden cup full of water and what tasted like honey.
'Thank you.' Said Tom, after drinking a little of the sweet water.
'You're welcome.' The man took the cup back and set it on a small table next to the bed.
Tom took a moment to look around. The room was made exclusively from wood, and smelled fresh. In one corner, the trunk of a tree protruded appeared to be integral to the walls. Through the open window, Tom could see a balcony and the tops of the trees.
'We're in a tree house?' He asked.
The man nodded.
'Much safer than slumped on the forest floor, no?'
Tom smiled and nodded.
'So where is this and who are you?'
'You are in Juvethil, the new city of the elves. I am Alvis, I was one of the scouts who saved you from the fenris.'
'City of the elves? I thought you all left for good about five hundred years ago.' Tom looked at Alvis in shock, then remembered his manners. 'I'm Tom, pleased to meet you.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 24)

The rain of wood and stone from the explosion had everyone finding what cover they could. Tom put his shield up and extended it as far as he could. Once the sound of falling masonry had subsided, the Captain released Tom to go and look for his friends. He walked through the throng of battered soldiers, some were expiring right there on the street, others were being helped by their comrades to get to the large triage area near the hospital. All told, there was maybe only a third of the original force still able to fight. The horde had less than a quarter of its strength left, and for the moment they were restrained by the river. The rest of the dark army had forded the river eleven miles downstream and the remaining beasts were heading there now. There was no movement to track back from the main force headed towards Oesterin and the Frostheims. Tom levitated to get a better look over the carnage and saw Shae's black scales in a square to the South. Hurrying over, he was pleased to see Kael was with her. They both looked exhausted and had flesh wounds in various places. Tom hugged Kael, ignoring the patches of gore on his armour, while Shae transformed back in to a human.
'Any sign of Isabelle?' Tom asked.
They both shook their heads.
'The last I saw, she was leading a charge in to a breach on the North wall.' Shae said. 'That was about half an hour before the call to fall back.'
Shae eased on her tunic with a wince and Tom hugged her gently.
'Do you need a doctor?'
'I'll be fine, let's go and find out what's happening.'
The three of them wandered towards the shouting. The big sergeant at arms was standing on a box and directing the forces again. His arm was in a sling and he had a bandage around his head.
'Where's the Duke?' Tom asked, when the sergeant paused for breath.
He briefly pointed to a building further up the waterfront, then got back to shouting.
As they approached the building, Tom could hear a familiar voice raised in anger.
'...blow up half the city? That's not a plan, it's a disaster! You don't know the first thing about tactics.'
They ran to the argument and came upon Isabelle being restrained by two guards, while the Duke stared impassively in to the onslaught.
'Isabelle!" Tom cried and flung his arms around her.
'Are you happy now, Tom?' She rebuked him. 'I gave him a chance and he's destroyed the city.'
She did calm down, however, and the guards loosened their grip on her.
'I am happy.' He said. 'Happy to see that you're ok.'
Isabelle stuttered as her brain changed tack.
'I-I'm happy to see you, too.' She even managed part of a smile.
'But you know he's doomed the city, don't you? It won't be held, even against the last few of the horde that are going to ford the river.' Her anger had turned to dispair. 'So many died for nothing.'
'Not for nothing.' The Duke said quietly. 'Never for nothing. They died to keep the horde here. To cost the dark army as many recruits as possible so others might prevail. The battle wasn't winnable, but we lost as well as we could.'
There seemed to be a dampness to his eyes as the Duke ran his hands through his hair and sighed.
'We're taking those that can make it back to Oesterin. The rest will have to hide in the forest as best they can.'
He stood and donned his helmet.
'Will you come with us to help?'
'I'm not welcome in Oesterin.' Tom said. 'But I will make sure those left behind get to cover before heading home.'
The Duke nodded.
'Then I thank you for the help you have given and will give. The Queen will hear of your deeds and those of your companions when we reach Oesterin.'
'If you reach Oesterin.' Isabelle said, not quite under her breath.
The Duke paused, then left the building with his retinue.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 23)

The party hurried down the slope, hugging the tree-line.

'If Sudjo can stay standing, we might be able to delay the army's progress.' Tom said to the others.

'If.' Amelia replied. 'What do you think we can do to affect the outcome of battle here?'

'Well I'm a mage, Shae's a falnir, Isabelle's a paladin and Kael's an experienced mercenary.' Explained Tom.

'And me?' Her tone was icy.

'You can... Um. You can get a message to Oesterin past the main army, or all the way to Harrowden.'

'You're making me a messenger?!?' Amelia was going red. 'You expect me to let you wade in here on your own, while I scamper off to tell people that the giant horde of monsters coming their way plans to attack them?'

'Um.'

'What am I lacking that this lot have?' She demanded, gesturing at the rest of the party. 'Ok, so I'm not part dragon, and I don't have magical powers.'

Shae and Isabelle looked embarassed.

'But I'm at least as experienced as Kael - he's been babysitting you for years, I bet he's forgotten what proper battle is like.' Amelia looked at Kael 'No offense.'

Shae cleared her throat.

'We did have to take care of several assassins during that time.'

'What?' Amelia and Tom said together.

'Seven hundred and twenty one.' Kael stated, matter-of-factly.

'You never told me.' Tom looked from one bodyguard to the other.

'It's part of the contract to keep that information from you.' Shae explained. 'We shouldn't be telling you now, but it seemed relevant.'

'Fine.' Amelia crossed her arms and pouted. 'I'm relegated to being the bearer of bad news.'

'I hate to rain on your well thought out plan, but we don't have any weapons.' Isabelle said to Tom.

'I've got an idea.' He said.

Isabelle groaned.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 22)

'I'm sorry.' Tom had a pained look on his face.
'It doesn't matter now.' Isabelle said. 'How do we get out of this?'
'Well I can try levitating us through the window.' Tom suggested.
Amelia shook her head.
'It's too slow, they'd be able to fire on us for about ten seconds. How about teleporting us out?'
'I only know how to do personal teleportation and if I screw up the spell, we'll be in even more trouble.'
'Why don't you just immolate them like you did to the other guard?' Isabelle asked.
Tom looked shocked.
'Maybe that guard had it coming, but it was unintentional and the rest are just doing their job out of fear. I'm not going to start killing people just to escape.'
'Then what?' Amelia was exasperated.
There was a knock on the window. Everyone's heads snapped around to see Kael waving at them to hurry up. Isabelle was closest and unlocked the window, allowing Kael to pull it open.
'Come on you silly sods.' He shouted.
An arrow fired from the courtyard sailed through the open window and lodged in the ceiling. The cannister attached to the shaft started leaking an oily gas. That seemed to galvanise the group in the room in to action and they filed out of the window on to the scaly black tail that Kael was standing on. Shae waited for them to gain purchase, then kicked off of the tower and swooped away, arrows clattering against her scales.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 21)

Dawn brought a cool breeze in to the cave, which was refreshing, but at the same time made Tom shiver. He awoke to the sound of Pelenes shuffling along and coughing. The old man had already rebuilt the fire and now slapped a pair of some kind of rodent down on a flat stone, producing a knife to skin them.

'Ah, you're up.' Pelenes noticed him. 'Make yourself useful and put the tea on.'

Tom did as he was told and then sat down, watching the man.

'I'm not complaining but why are you suddenly being nice to me?'

Pelenes snorted.

'Mages never care about where their power comes from, at least you've shown some promise in that regard. Plus its been a while since anybody has been around. I guess I want some company, even if it is a mage.'

'Are we really that bad?'

'Yes.' There was fire in Pelenes' eyes again for a moment. 'Mages are selfish. They take without asking and have no respect for the power, or for the world they use it on. Look outside - this used to be a fertile place, now monsters roam the blighted land.'

'Sorry.' Was all Tom could think to say.

'S'pose it's not your fault.' Pelenes relented. 'You're still young and haven't had a chance to do much meddling yet, have you?' He eyed Tom suspiciously.

'Um, no.' Tom said, thinking of how he'd ended up in the situation.

They ate in silence, then Pelenes led Tom through twisting tunnel to the cave entrance. Tom produced a map.
'Could you show me where I am, please?'
Pelenes looked over the map.
'Heh, they're still going are they?'
'What? Who?' Tom was confused.
'The resistence.' Pelenes replied. 'I drew this one for them.' He looked at it closely. 'Or at least the original.'
'There was a couple in Risoli.' Tom furnished.
'Hmmm, good for them - doing something worthwhile with their lives, however short they turn out to be.'
'So, I'm...?' Tom gestured at the map, encouragingly.
'Oh yes.' Pelenes went back to looking at the map. 'You're about here.' He took a stub of charcoal out of a pocket and marked a neat little "x" towards the top of the map.
'How did I get here?' Tom puzzled. 'I teleported from the tower.'
Pelenes shrugged.
'Mind how you go with all these whispering flames around the place. Come back when you really want to know about Therina, too.'
'I will.' Tom started. 'Hang on - you know what those columns of fire are?'
'It's old magic.' Pelenes explained. 'From before mages or priests were around from what I understand. It was a way for the gods to talk to humans.'
'So what have they got to say to these monsters?' Pondered Tom.
'Beats me.' The old man said. 'But they're being long-winded about it - they've been active for a couple of weeks.'
Tom thanked Pelenes and started making his way South, back to the Magehold.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 20)

In the gloom of the cave, Tom shuffled forwards, trying to use all of his senses to find a way out. Water dripped from stalactite to stalagmite and there was a faint sound of rushing water deeper in the darkness. The air was humid to the point that Tom started to sweat as he made his way past the rock formations. He could only see the faint light of his pendant glinting off of the wet walls, so he decided to try a small illumination spell. Tom moved his hands and muttered the words as he'd done a thousand times, but this time the spell fizzled. Frowning, Tom tried again with the same result, it was like an anti-aether field had been set up. If that was the case, however, it would be the biggest he'd ever heard of. With nothing else to do, Tom ploughed on and after what seemed like hours he came to a cavern with a bright spot of light on the floor.

There was a hole in the ceiling, but it was too high to reach. The spot of light was from the dull grey clouds, underscoring how pitch black the cave was. The sunlight reflected slightly off the wet stone, creating a diffuse glow in the chamber. As Tom looked around, he spotted a figure standing behind him, at the back of the cave.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 19)

Kael and Shae drew their swords. The monster bellowed at them and then charged. It was quick, but not agile so the party variously dived, span and flipped out of its way. Turning for another attack, it pawed the ground. Amelia darted forwards, stabbing with her daggers and the beast reared up, allowing Kael to take a swipe at its underbelly. When it crashed its front paws back down to the ground, Shae jumped on its back and started hacking at whatever she could. It screamed and ran, knocking Shae off and disappearing back in to the outcropping.

'Easy.' Kael smiled.

There was a growl like grinding rocks and another bear-monster came lumbering out of the rocks. This one was almost three times the size.

'Scatter!' Shae yelled.

They all ran in different directions, the beast looked around and then followed Amelia at a lumbering run. Kael tried to get its attention by attacking its back legs, but it didn't seem to notice and was gaining on Amelia by the second. Tom was about to fire a spell at it when Shae swooped in in dragon form, biting the back of its neck and clawing at it. With a mighty roar, the beast turned to attack Shae, who baited it away from the others.

'Quick, lets get hidden again.' Amelia said.

'What about Shae?' Tom asked.

'Shae can fly.'

While Shae continued to taunt the bear-monster the others ran for the relative shelter of the ditch again. Their progress was slow as they tried to keep their heads down. Every so often a large creature would shuffle past, freezing them in place, but by mid-day the activity around them had dropped to the point where Tom decided they could stop and take stock of their situation. He laid the maps out as best he could in the cramped conditions and found Risoli again. The path they had been following skirted the Magehold to the South, but the ditch they were in, which was a remnant of a tributary, tracked North and came very close to the black stone walls at one point.

'We can't carry on down here.' Tom decided. 'We'll be the wrong side of the tower and too close for my liking. We'll have to take a chance and go overland South East to try to pick up the original path.'

'I want to go looking for Shae.' Kael said.

'She'll see us if were going overland.' Amelia said. 'Probably the only reason she's not here now is that we've been hiding.'

Kael looked troubled, but agreed. They clambered out of the ditch and started on the trek across the nightmarish land.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 18)

The brown and grey vista stretched before them, interrupted by the ocassional dip or hill and pock marked with fortifications. Miles away, a massive black stone edifice reached in to the sky. The clouds seemed to be rotating about it, like the hub of a giant wheel. None of this, however, shocked the party as much as the sight of millions of abominable beasts gathering, and apparently worshiping, enormous columns of fire.
'Well.' Amelia broke the silence. 'Shall we go on?'
'Ummm.' Said Tom.
'None of the refugees ever mentioned this.' Shae was confused. 'What are they doing?'
'Does it matter?' Amelia replied. 'They're occupied. I say we go on to the dark tower, find Isabelle and Lathi and get the hell out of here.'
'This doesn't look good.' Tom said. 'We need to find out what's going on as well.'
Amelia rolled her eyes as the group set off down the slope to the blasted countryside beyond.
'What're you going to do? Ask them?'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 17)

Tom was listless all day, speaking little and spending most of his time with a copy of The Book of the Mage, that he'd prudently made as soon as they had got back from Oesterin. Even Amelia struggled to get a smile out of him. They made good progress and by noon were approaching the mouth of the Aviron. The supplies had been hastily cobbled together from what was available in Harrowden, so they stopped at a harbour town called Lingell to stock up.
'Getchore fresh fish here. Fresh fish caught this morning.' It was market day and the cries of stall-holders could be heard as the yacht berthed in the harbour.
'Come on.' Amelia had to practically drag Tom topside. 'Less moping, more shopping.'
'Hmmm.' Replied Tom, a look of apathy plastered across his face.
'Right.' She said. 'I'm fed up with moody Tom, can I have noble Tom who's off to save his friend back, please?'
'Hmmm.'
'Fine. Come find me if you decide to stop wallowing.'
With that she disembarked and went to find something to buy or, better yet, steal. Tom slunk back in to the cabin of the boat where Shae was making a cup of tea.
'Want one?' She asked.
'Hmmm.'
'Look, Tom. I know you feel you betrayed your father and your Kingdom. I know this feels like running away. But you're going to save your friend. And from Illumare - that's no act of cowardice.'
'Still feels like an act of cowardice. Besides, I'm not going to be able to save Isabelle from the Archmage, I'm nowhere near powerful enough.'
Shae sighed and thought about what Killburn would do to bring him out of his funk.
'Cheer up.' She said. 'It could be worse - it could be raining.'
That elicited a small smile.
'Thank you for trying, Shae. I wish he was here, I could use his advice.'
Shae went and sat next to Tom, putting a cup of tea in front of him and an arm around his shoulders.
'Thank you for helping me look for my mother.' She gave him a peck on the cheek.
Tom sipped at the tea and flicked through the book. Then he took a deep breath.
'You're right.' He said. 'You're all right. I need to just get on with it, otherwise I'm going be no use to anyone.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 16)

Troops were dispatched to see what had happened to Oesterin and help if they were needed. Unofficially, there was also a remit to search for Isabelle and Lathi, Shae's mother. Tom, Shae and Vrin wanted to go themselves, but the combined efforts of Levren and the King persuaded them to stay. Instead, Vrin joined up as a paladin recruit, Shae went back to being Tom's bodyguard alongside Kael, while Tom concentrated on his studies and with a few shortcuts made great headway, covering several months work in a matter of days.

'At this rate you'll be a mage before you know it.' Levren had said, happily.

'I need to get to Illumare if that's were Isabelle has been taken.'

Tom's expression made Levren pause.

'I think you're good enough for a practical demonstration of the dangers of going too fast. But your shadows are not to interfere.'

Tom nodded and told Shae and Kael to stay back, which they reluctantly agreed to do. Levren led him out to the practice fields outside the city walls and asked him to try an advanced teleportation spell.

'I'm not ready for that yet. It's too hard.' Tom said.

'Just try it, boy. Go on, just up on to the battlements.'Levren encouraged.

Tom nodded reluctantly, then started muttering to himself and moving his hands through the air. He could feel the spell building inside him when he made a small extra gesture in amongst the many he was concentrating on. The air exploded around Tom, throwing him to the ground. When he got to his feet, there was a large amorphous black blob sitting a few feet away. Eyes bulged horribly here and there I the mass and many mouths snapped at him. Tentacles extruded from the form and entwined themselves, raising it up on crude legs.

'What the hell is that?' Tom panicked and ran to Levren.

The beast came after them.

'That's what you can let through if you're not careful.' Levren gave him a shove. 'Don't just stand there, get rid of it.'

Tom put up a barrier spell, which the creature bounced off and then started to drain. He tried fire spells, ice spells, holy spells and necro spells; nothing seemed to work, it just soaked them up and kept coming, getting larger with every step.

'How do I kill it.' Tom shouted, desperately.

'Calm down and do the teleportation spell again. Properly this time.' Levren replied.

Tom took a breath and then started the incantation again. This time he performed it flawlessly and appeared on the battlements feeling a little sick. He walked back to the practice fields, where Levren was waiting and the beast was nowhere to be seen.

'What happened to it?' Tom asked.

'When you messed up the spell, the build up of power allowed it to escape from the dark place on the other side of the aether. Finishing the spell properly closed the connection and it was sucked back there.' Levren explained. 'The more powerful the spell the bigger the surplus of power and the bigger the creature coming through. This is why it is important to be precise with your casting.'

'Couldn't you have just told me to deliberately mess up a less powerful spell?' Tom asked, irritated.

'And miss the look on your face? Not likely.' Levren smiled.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 15)

Tom edged up to the tunnel entrance, careful not to reveal himself to anything outside. There were several plumes of smoke rising over Oesterin and Jotnar troops were running through the streets to the battlements or readying siege weapons. Overhead, giant wings flapped, casting huge shadows over the city.

'Dragon riders.' Tom said to the others. He cringed back as another stab of white-hot fire split the air.

'What are we going to do?' Isabelle asked.

'We could use the attack to sneak out.' Amelia said. 'They'll be too busy to notice.'

Tom shook his head.

'They're probably looking for me.' He said, pointing up.

'And there's no way of knowing if they have ground troops as well.' Killburn added.

'I think I know a way out.' Shae said, looking at her family. Her father nodded. 'We can carry you.'

'Thank you, but I can imagine how traumatic it is to change. I couldn't ask you to do that.' Tom replied. 'Besides, I can't just leave the Jotnar to fight alone.'

'They're after you, lad.' Killburn said. 'They don't want Oesterin. If we leave, they'll follow.'

'We want to do it.' Shae's father interjected. 'It will make up for a little of what we did.'

'And I'm paid to protect you.' Said Shae. 'With my life if needed.'

'Thank you.' Tom said, seeing the sense in the plan. 'Ok, let's get this grate off.'

Kael and Killburn heaved at the solid iron grating until the old mortar gave way, and it dropped in to the street. Shae and her family went first, disrobing to save their clothes. Within seconds there were four dragons under the pipe and the rest of the group were clambering on to their backs. There was a shriek from above as they were spotted, then Tom just hung on for dear life next to Amelia as Shae took to the sky.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 14)

'So it's all just a big coincidence?' The master of the guard was skeptical.

Tom was sat on a simple wooden chair in a plain room, while the big Jotunn paced around firing questions at him.

'Look.' Tom said. 'I was out of the city doing a quest for your Queen, when the book was taken.'

'Very convenient.'

'Not for me. I nearly got myself killed just to have a chance to borrow the book. I wouldn't have bothered if I was going to steal it.'

'But we have only your word that you risked your life. You could've just been establishing your alibi by camping out for a night.' The guard suggested. 'What proof do you have that you went to the temple? Where's the ruby?'

'I left it where it was, because I didn't trust you lot to not commit genocide.' Tom explained. 'The draugr's gone, though. And I know it's not a ruby, it's a focusing crystal.'

The guard snorted, but appeared to accept the alibi.

'So which of your accomplices stole it, then?'

'None of them.' Tom was exasperated. 'We're all innocent.'

'Well I don't know about that.' The guard said, slyly. 'You're travelling with four falnir and we've had reports of deaths by dragons in the mountains.'

'Anyone who knows anything about falnir knows the shape dictates the behaviour after a while. They were changed against their will and they all feel really guilty about what happened.'

'So they were responsible?' The guard asked with a smirk.

'Look. Can I just speak to Queen Greor, please?'

'No, she doesn't consort with criminals - suspected or otherwise. Especially for crimes of this magnitude.' The guard was firm.

'So, what? We're just here forever? We're innocent.' Tom protested.

'If the book is found, the perpetrator caught and it is found that you had nothing to do with the theft, then you'll be able to leave.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 12)

'So why can't you just blow a hole in the wall, again?' Isabelle looked through the bars of her cell and in to Tom's.
'For the hundredth time: They have mages. To lock up mages you either put an aether barrier up, or manacle them in enchanted chains. In this case, they've done the former.' Tom was lying on the hard bed, his arm across his eyes.
'Besides, if we run we look guilty, we have to make it all the way through the city with guards chasing us and we don't find out what happened to the book.'
The gaoler brought Killburn in and roughly shoved him in to an empty cell, then he opened Isabelle's.
'Come on, you're next.'
Isabelle let herself be herded out of the room. Tom sat up and waited until they were alone.
'Killburn. Do you know what happened to the others?'
'No, lad. Me, Shae and Kael were in a room like this. I don't know where Shae's family are.'
'What's the interrogation like?'
'They have one of their mages do some chanting around you, then ask their questions. I've had worse.'
'Er, Killburn.' Tom seemed reluctant to continue the sentence.
'Yes, lad?'
'We didn't steal the book, did we?'
'Not as far as I know.'
Tom relaxed, he thought he could trust everyone, but sometimes people did silly things. Fifteen minutes later, Kael was led in and it was Tom's turn to be taken for questioning. The gaoler cuffed him with silver bracelets covered in runes.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 11)

Tom leaned forward eagerly.
'Yes?'
'Theere's a draugr that's taken up residence in an old temple on Mount Salamo. If you can defeat it and bring back the ruby heart of the statue of Otin, then you can have the book and welcome.'
'Then I shall leave immediately.' Tom said, confidently. 'Come on Isabelle.'
'Ah.' The Queen said. 'There is one condition - you must go alone.'
Tom faltered for a moment.
'Oh. Ok. Good, actually. A chance to prove myself.'
He left Isabelle with the Queen, chatting about past battles and went straight back to the Troll's Head. Killburn was at the bar, chatting to the waitress from last night, but stopped when he saw Tom scurry in.
'What's up, lad?' He said. 'You've got a face like a slapped arse.'
'It's nothing, Killburn. I just have to do something for the Queen before she'll let me have the book.'
Tom explained the situation to Killburn, who thought for a moment.
'That's a tough one, lad. It's not far to Mount Salamo, maybe a day's walk up the valley and over a bit. I'm not happy with you going alone, though.'
'If there was another way, I would take it.' Tom said, emphatically.
Killburn nodded.
'Then I hope you have the sense to tread carefully and not take on too great a fight.'
'I promise I won't take unnecessary risks.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 10)

The morning brought the smell of fresh coffee and a knock at the door of Tom's room. He dressed quickly and opened the door to find Isabelle with two cups of steaming brown liquid.
'Thought you might need some before our audience.' She said. 'A messenger has been along already with an invitation.'
Tom took one of the cups gratefully in both hands. The ceramic was slightly too hot, but his hands were unaccountably cold this morning, so he continued to cling to it as he sipped.
'Who's invited?' Tom asked.
'You and a guest.' She said, innocently.
'Oh. I was wondering why you were suddenly bringing me coffee.'
'Look, I want to meet the Queen. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for someone like me.' Isabelle huffed.
'Well I was thinking of taking Killburn. He knows the most about the Jotnar.' Tom said. 'But you are my oldest friend, so I guess I could take you instead.'
Isabelle's face lit up.
'Thank you!' She gave him a hug. 'I have to go get ready.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 9)

It was clear that the gate guards were tall for Jotnar, but even so most were more than a quarter again as tall as Tom. The architecture reflected this, making the city an imposing place for a human. That isn't to say there were no other humans in Oesterin, but they were a small minority, less in number than Dwarves or Kobolds. Killburn led them through the busy streets and up numerous flights of stairs until they were on the fifth terrace, outside an inn called the Troll's Head.
'I've stayed here before.' He said. 'What it lacks in polish it makes up for in atmosphere.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 8)

Shae looked from Tom to the other falnir, then stepped in front of the cave. The dragons roared at each other, then took to the air, spewing fire down on the cave. Tom hurriedly started the anti-spell, while Shae sheltered him with her wings. Seeing the lack of effect, the Falnir then stooped on Shae, who jumped to catch the first in her talons. They rolled down the mountain, pursued by another. Tom had nearly finished the spell, but the third Falnir had changed direction and was bearing down on him. It took a breath and then a hammer bounced off it's scaly head. Killburn, Isabelle and Kael came running up the path.
'Scarper you daft bastard!' Yelled Killburn.
Tom ignored him; he was so close. The dragon swept it's paw around just as he finished saying the last words. There was an immediate effect - the paw and the arm it was attached to began to shrink. The wings and tail disappeared back in to the body and the skin became lighter and more delicate. Within thirty seconds the Falnir was no more than a naked teenage boy. Tom took a cloak of the warlock's out to him.
'Here, wrap yourself in this he told the boy.'
Tom turned to look down the mountainside.
'Killburn, we must go after her.' He said.
Kael was already making his way down the slope. Killburn nodded and took off after him, closely followed by Isabelle.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 7)

Kael, holding his side, retrieved his daggers from the pile of ash. He opened his mouth to say something, when the sound of drumming feet echoed up the stairs.
'Don't let them reach the top.' Killburn shouted.
The sound got closer and closer, until there was a "shlick" of the trap going off and a troupe zombies started their ascent of the stairs, one apparently unconcerned with the bolt protruding from his calf. Tattered clothing hung from the zombie's gaunt frames, some wore Police uniforms, others were in farm labourers overalls. Killburn, Isabelle and Shae lined up at head of the stairs, while Kael and Tom hung back. The first line fell easily, but the second just stepped over them and kept coming. The stairs were now full and still they came. One nearly got Killburn, but Kael snaked forward and skewered it through the eye. The defenders were chewing up the horde, but they were getting tired, it was only a matter of time. They were starting to get pushed back from the top of the stairs when the floorboards behind them began to bulge upwards. When they could take no more, the floorboards split, bursting in to splinters and leaving a ragged hole in the floor through which rose a vampire demon.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 6)

Shilton was the largest settlement they'd been through so far, being quite a large town. They had plenty of choice for places to stay and plumped for The Journeyman's Arms, an unassuming tavern towards the far side of town. It was much busier than The Star and the clientele were a mix of locals and travellers. Once again, Tom and Amelia were left inside to find a table while the rest stabled their horses. They sat in embarrassed silence for a bit, then Tom said, sheepishly:

'Um, about last night?'

'Yes?'

'I'm sorry. It was just the alcohol, I...' He trailed off.

'Oh.' She seemed disappointed. 'I quite enjoyed it actually. I've never had a Prince recite poetry to me before.'

Tom was thrown for a moment.

'You didn't think it was an embarrassing display?' He asked.

'Well, yes it was.' She admitted. Tom looked at his feet. 'I thought it was very sweet too.'

Tom raised his eyes again and smiled. Amelia smiled back and gave him a peck on the cheek.

'Come on, let's find a seat.'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 5)

Breakfast was bread and cheese, washed down with surprisingly fresh water. As dawn broke, they were back in the saddle again, plodding on towards the foothills of the tall, ice-capped mountains that divided the continent. Tom was riding alongside Isabelle, nursing a hangover and moaning at every jolt of his horse.
'So you love her then?' Isabelle asked.
Tom considered trying to brush it off, but he knew Isabelle - if he lied to her she'd see through it and then be annoyed with him for the next couple of hours.
'What gave me away?' He countered.
'I think the poem, recited from atop one of the tables last night did it.'
'Ohgods.' The memories came flooding back: Scrambling up on to the table; Killburn looking away in embarrassment; the smile of amusement on Amelia's face.
'She must think I'm an idiot.'
'Well everybody else does.' Isabelle replied, teasingly.
Tom looked glum.
'Oh, come on.' She said, exasperated. 'A Prince and a thief, how did you possibly think it would work anyway?'
'I don't know.' Tom answered. 'Maybe you're right.'
He sighed.
'Gods my head feels like it's about to explode.'
'Here, take this.' Isabelle handed over a parcel of leaf, which Tom ate with a grimace.
'I know it tastes foul, but you'll feel better in no time.'
As Isabelle had predicted, over the next half an hour Tom's headache subsided, allowing him to get truly down in the dumps without being distracted.

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 4)

As dusk settled on the plains, the riders entered the village of Nycern. No-one paid them any heed as they made their way through the narrow streets to the only inn. Killburn, Tom and Amelia dismounted, leaving the others outside, and pushed open the door to The Star. Inside, the bar was made from wooden planks nailed on to a row of empty barrells and odds and ends of worn wooden furniture were dotted around. The only occupied ones were by the large fireplace, it being the major source of light in the darkened room. On the wall next to the bar was an oil lantern, but the tables only sported a single candle each, producing jumping shadows. The rush matting was beer soaked, giving the air a thick, hoppy aroma tinted by the sharp smell of wood smoke from the fire. Behind the bar a small balding man stood cleaning a glass. He looked up as they entered.
'Good evenin', sirs, madam. What can I get fer you?'
Killburn stepped forward and leaned lightly on the bar.
'We need rooms and stabling for six.' He said.
'Stablin's no prablem, sir, but I'm afraid we only 'ave four rooms t'rent.'
'Then we will have to make do.'
'Very good sir, that'll be one an' a 'alf gold, please.'
Killburn paid the landlord and turned to look at the other two.
'I'll get the horses stabled and take our things to our room, lad. You get something to eat.'
'Um.' Tom said, glancing at Amelia, who was appraising the drinks. Killburn paused on his way to the door and Tom lowered his voice. 'I thought I might share a room with Amelia. You know, as they are limited on space here. Just want to do my bit.'
Killburn grinned.
'As much fun as that sounds, I think we should keep our minds on the task at hand.' Then sotto voce: 'Also, I don't think she'd like being called your "bit".'

The New Archmage (NaNoWriMo 2011 - Day 3)

Several years passed. Tom progressed through The Book of the Novice and, to his father's surprise, continued on in to The Book of the Apprentice.
'When you told me you wanted to be a mage,' The King had said, one day. 'I didn't really think you meant it. I thought it was going to be another one of your fads.'
'No, father. I know what I'm meant to be and this is it.' Tom had replied, conjuring a small flame in to existence between his hands.
'Do you fully appreciate the dangers, though?'
'Oh I know the Archmage hunts down mages, but I'm not powerful enough to be a threat yet. In fact I've probably been forgotten about already.'
'It's not just the Archmage.' His father had explained, watching Tom make shapes with the fire. 'All sorts of eldritch horrors can turn up while you're casting.'
'I'm being careful, dad.' Tom had said, rolling his eyes and extinguishing the flame.