The Job

Legarde awakes with a lion’s yawn and a stretch that suddenly brings pain. He frowns and rubs his chest annoyed that the pain has gotten worse overnight.

He whistles and calls “Fear!” His large Black horse trots from the tree-line. He lifts an arm but brings it down abruptly to clutch his side at the sudden pain. He lifts his hand again more forcefully quenching the pain with his anger for it. A raven screams and perches on his hand. He looks at the bird affectionately, taps it on its nose and waves, boosting it into the air, watching it fly away. 

“You are sending it to find another job and you are this wounded?” The horse stomps at the ground asserting its logic.

“Nice to know you are worried about me.” He mounts his horse with a groan. “It’s just a scratch.”

“You won’t see that gem of yours if you are dead Mage!”

“Even dead I will still have a chance. The woman can see spirits.” The horse proceeds in the direction the raven flew following the path to the next city. “Besides, it depends on what the raven sees.

Legarde closes his eyes and sees through the eyes of his raven, perched on a post near the notice board has eyes fixed on a paper nailed to it.

“Ah Fear! This is a good one and worth good coin.  From the Lord of the city of Knightrest himself. All we have to do is, Travel to the Abandoned City of Ferngully, Kill its Guardian, and bring the guardian artifact back to Lord Fuller as proof and get paid.”

“Oh is that all? Will you be sending your goodbyes to your princess with me? I can drop you off and make my way straight there if you wish.”  Fear grunts at his master’s stupidity.

“That’s another thing Fear, She is only human and would be in danger if she were with me, I have to resist. I need to think. No good will come from killing Guardians and Lord Fuller knows better. I have to find out what the real reason behind this is.”

MAN AND HORSE arrives at the city just before night fall and they make their way to the mansion to see the Lord.

“The Mage!” Lord Fuller stood to greet Legarde with a hearty hand shake, as he is shown into his study by a mansion guard. He motions Legarde to sit.  “I am honoured to have such a powerful responder. You are responding to the notice, am I right?” He motioned his Guard. “Tell the maids to bring wine and food.”

The guard hesitates and looks in Lord Legarde’s direction.

“Go on. I am in no danger.” Lord Fuller waves dismissing him and he bows respectfully and leaves.

“Why isn’t your Mage attending you? Where is he? That boy doesn’t look like he could defend you from an angry cat.”

Lord Fuller looks over Legarde’s shoulder to ensure they are alone. “Well, that is part of it. We had some recent changes. I sent my mage on that very same job and he has not returned. It is then I posted the notice.”

“I am afraid that I am not here to take the job Lord Fuller. I am here to argue with you to take it down. If you want me to search for your mage I will. But, I will not kill a Guardian.”

“Fine. Let’s argue. That city needs to be cleansed. No one can get into its gates without getting hacked to pieces by that evil menace you call a Guardian.” Lord Fuller protests.

“Balance must be maintained and killing the guardian will only make everything worse. The ripple of that will not only affect your city but the other six cities as well.  The Guardians all know and feel it when one dies. They become angry and more dangerous. The city needs a Lord Mage and Guardian. I will help you do that I won’t help you kill it.” Legarde counters.

“It already has my mage, a dead one.”

“I am deeply sorry for your loss Lord Fuller.”

“Then help me protect my citizens of my kingdom cleanse the neighbouring city. It has become a haven for creatures and evil spirits. They are attracted to it. Then they lurk in the forest, along the paths. They attack the travellers and the attacks here are now nightly. With my mage gone for days the people are scared. I have asked my neighbouring cities for help but it has been slow coming. They are all suffering the same.”

“Lord Fuller, the answer is to do the ritual properly! Make the loss of your mage be the reason. Appoint a Lord, Find another mage, present the artifact and beg the guardian for forgiveness. There has to be balance for things to improve.”

“It cannot be done. I don’t have the artifact.” Lord Fuller sighs.

“Then it’s not your city to take.”

“No one has the artifact. That Guardian possesses its own artifact. It wears it around its neck like a trophy.”

Legarde puts his hand to his chin.

“I know you believe in the old ways Legarde, but there are times that great change will bring balance.”

“My answer is the same.” Lord Legarde stands.

“The people have even started to blame the mages. They are starting to believe what they hear from the other cities, that somehow it is them that is bringing the evil down upon us. My lead Mage is gone and my other mages who are now overwhelmed with keeping the spirits and creatures in check. That is why I don’t have a mage guard. I don’t have enough mages.”

“What you are suggesting is not the answer.”

“Consider this. My lead mage is gone. There is no medium between me and my Guardian, and I have never seen him this angry. If it continues my city will be the next abandoned.

“Do you know the history of these two cities Lord Fuller. The Abandoned city’s guardian is your guardian’s wife. How angry will he become then? Would you call me back to kill your Guardian as well? How much would you pay me then while you watch history repeat itself as your Guardian goes on its own cleansing rampage?”

“You are the most powerful mage in the land, do this for me. I will double the reward. Triple it if you disagree with me further.”

“Where are you getting the reward money Lord Fuller and the and resources to rebuild a city? A year ago your city was broke.”

“You know too much for your own good. A mutual Interest.”

“Don’t make it worse Lord Fuller. I am only retrieving the artifact for you so that you and your mages can cleanse the city and do the ritual, nothing more.”

The Guard and a maid return with bread grapes and wine.

“It’s not what I asked or want but it is a start. I will take that deal.”

“For full payment.”

“You are not doing anything I ask and you want full payment.”

Legarde nods. “You will have the control you need over it.”

”You have a deal it’s a start. We drink to it.” He motions to the maid. “Prepare a room Legarde will be my guest tonight.”