Free Stranded Mage by D.W. Jackson Page A

Ladies,” was Thad’s only reply though he knew Emeriss wished he would say more. He felt a pang of guilt as he looked upon her face but he didn’t want to risk his departure being delayed over interfering with local politics.
    Though his issue had been resolved the council had other matters to attend so at Emeriss’s urging Thad excused himself and went off to wander the town and see what mischief he could find.
    As he walked among the elves Thad tried to remember that he was in a land only known in legends, but it did little to lighten his heavy heart. He had never known such pain before in his life and he wished to never know it again. What use was love if it ended in such sorrow?
    Can you stop your incessant moaning about Brianna. She was a good woman but all your whining will not bring her back, nor will the insane death wish of a plan to assault the merchants guild at Rane. All you will find is your own death if you pursue that path.
    “I didn’t ask nor do I want your advice,” Thad replied to his staff. He knew it was suicide to go into the stronghold of his enemy but his anger would accept no less from him. Death was no large price to pay if it would alleviate the pain that now burned within him.
    Thad let his feet carry him to the harbor and as the elven lord had promised many vessels filled its docks. Most of the ships were far grander than anything Thad had seen before. Just like the house they seemed to have been built more as a show of status than for practical use but Thad was sure they could still weather the open seas.
    As Thad looked over the water at the assortment of ships he spied something in the water. It was larger than any fish he had ever seen so close to land. Bending down Thad tried to get a closer look when the creature darted up its head shooting out of the water only inches from his own face. Thad was surprised and fell back but quickly recovered and began laughing at his own actions.
    “You are well manling?” A high-pitched voice said within his head. Thad looked around for the voice knowing it was not from his staff. Thad’s eyes fell on the creature that floated in the water. “We did not know if you lived after we brought you to the door of the elves.”
    “You are the one who saved my life?” Thad asked out loud, his face showing his confusion.
    The odd creature tilted its head slightly, the surface of its scales glistening like a rainbow. “Yes we saw you in the water and carried you to the isle.”
    “The ship I was on, what became of it?” Thad asked, his voice slightly panicked.
    “Ships, the large one sank the other was still afloat when me and my brothers carried you away. Some of my brothers tried to help those that were in the water near the ships but they stabbed at us with sword and steel.”
    Thad could feel the sadness emanating from the creature. Thad didn’t know if they were his or not but a few tears streamed form his eyes to fall in the water below. “Thank you manling for your salt and water,” the odd creature said in his mind before disappearing back below the water’s surface.
    Crusher stood on the deck of the ship, with Avalanche and Arianna beside him, as it limped across the water. It had been five days since the battle with the Brotherhood and they were now nearing the port of Farlan.
    After finding Brianna’s lifeless body floating on a piece of driftwood Crusher had wanted to look for Thad, but with the ship in such poor condition the captain had refused to search for the mage. Of Thad, the only thing they found was his staff, discarded on the deck of the ship.
    Crusher had feared for his friend’s life until the night before when the staff had suddenly disappeared from his chamber. He knew Thad was alive he just didn’t know where the bloody mage was. He knew his friend to be a resourceful lad, but there was only so much a man could do when faced with the endless rolling waters of the sea.
    “Ohhh the light is so pretty,” Arianna