Chương 62: Chapter 200: Maveith

Maveith plucked the feathers from the two fat pheasants he had taken for the company pot. Mateo passed by and patted him on the shoulder appreciatively.

"Nice birds, Maveith. Checkers after dinner?" Maveith grunted, "Sure." The men in the company treated him like he was one of their own. Mateo had even started a brawl in a tavern when the owner said he wouldn't serve the goliath. Half the company had been involved in the scuffle, and Maveith was surprised when Adrian scolded the men publicly in the tavern, but then rewarded them privately for defending him. Maveith absentmindedly rubbed the ring of sustenance Eryk had given him.

The thing was just as much of a curse as a blessing. He didn't mind only needing a few hours of sleep every night; that was a blessing. The curse was his massively decreased appetite. Maveith liked to eat, and now he barely needed anything at meals to feel full. The Mage Commander, Castile, had figured out what the ring was after a few days, and Maveith had almost hoped she would ask for the ring. Even when Maveith admitted that Eryk had given it to him, she never asked for it; she just looked mildly surprised.

The birds were plucked, and Lirkin came to collect them with a grateful nod. The company meals were always copious as the company seemed to try to make up for their time starving in Caelora.

"I will simmer them for soup in the morning. Do you want any choice cuts?" Maveith shook his head but appreciated the offer. Maveith only kept the livers for himself. He would mash them into a paste, mix them with flour, and fry small patties with them. It would be his entire dinner, fueling him for half a day. Brutus walked by, not saying a word. No matter how many times he apologized, Brutus was still angry with Maveith for getting separated upon entering the Simmering Labyrinth.

He was also angry with Eryk for taking back the runic blade and voiced it frequently among the others. The problem was the other twelve legionaries in the company all liked Eryk, so Brutus was isolating himself further, making himself more miserable. Kolm and others had tried to cheer up Brutus a few times, but the man didn't want the pity—or so he said. He heard rumors Castile would have him transferred, but the company only had thirteen legionnaires and would not receive a replacement.

As he prepped his small meal, Konstantin came and sat across from him.

"I will need you tomorrow to sweep our trail." Maveith looked at the grizzled veteran. He thought the graying man missed Eryk too, but half the time, Konstantin spoke of Eryk with disparaging comments and the other times with fondness.

"I thought you were training Benito to sweep the trail?" Konstantin grunted, "After a week he still can't tell the difference between bear and human shit, even if he was the one who squatted and made the mess a few minutes ago." Maveith rolled his eyes, a habit he got from Eryk. He heard Benito was slow at learning, but Konstantin also lacked patience. When Konstantin showed you how to do something, he expected you to understand without being told again.

He reasoned that if you forget something at a critical time, it could get you or a companion killed.

"I will do it. Are we going to hunt tonight?" Maveith asked hopefully. When Konstantin realized Maveith didn't need much sleep, he dragged him on hunts for large game early in the morning. The meat was not for the company but for the next village where they would test the youth. Although people this far west were not starving, the price of food had almost doubled, and winter was starting.

"I didn't see elk tracks today," Konstantin said, but seeing Maveith frown, added, "But maybe we can find a buck or a doe." Maveith nodded, and Konstantin left. After his minimalist dinner, he played checkers with Mateo and Wylie before settling down on his bedroll. A passing, cold, misty rain caused several legionnaires to curse in the middle of the night as they hadn't set up their tents because the skies had been clear.

Maveith found the cold mist refreshing as his other ring shielded him from feeling the cold—another hard-won gift from the Labyrinth. Eryk had almost been killed by the blizzard lizard that had rewarded it. Konstantin approached a few hours after the camp had settled. Maveith sat up, Konstantin shaking his head in annoyance. Maveith thought the veteran was annoyed with him since Maveith needed less sleep than him. Konstantin did take perverse pleasure in waking others from a deep sleep.

Maveith's bow was in hand as he moved from the camp silently, letting the others sleep. The hunt went well. They had settled near a noisy stream a mile from the camp, and a small buck and large doe had come to drink in the moonlight. Konstantin took watch at elevation while Maveith used his runic skinning knife, prepping both kills to be transported back to camp. Maveith hoisted both animals easily and returned to camp with Konstantin following.

It was early winter, and most predators would have moved south or would be in hibernation. Even though it was well before sunrise, the company roused and helped cut and salt the two kills. The Magistrate erupted from his tent, cursing again at the early morning noise. Adrian turned away from the ranting man to hide his smirk. Maveith had to admit he didn't like the white-robed magistrate either. He complained about everything and never helped when they camped between towns.

Maveith was certain that Castile left a town later than required to ensure the company had to camp that night in the woods just to anger him. The men didn't mind as most of these small towns had no Legion Hall. Firth had whispered that Magistrate Rufo was being punished for stealing from a count, but the count hadn't been able to prove it. The odd thing about the story was that the Count was the Magistrate's brother. Maveith couldn't understand why family would steal from each other.

The count got the Magistrate assigned to supervise the tablet reading. As the camp stirred, Lirkin heated the soup he had made last night, and everyone slowly got ready for the march. Donte tended the only horse in the camp. It was the Magistrate's personal horse, as war horses could not be spared for the entire company with the war in the east. As the company returned to the road, Maveith lingered in the camp. He looked east and wondered how Raelia was doing.

He hoped she had made it back to her people and appreciated the gift of the griffin egg. He thought Eryk and Raelia might actually be good together if they had more time. He stared for a long time, and the wintering birds had gotten louder, meaning the company was a distance ahead. Maveith released a long sigh and settled in to following them. His job was to make sure no one was following the company. Castile and Adrian were worried the company was a prime target as most of the men now carried runic weapons.

They were also traveling toward Duke Octavian's lands, an enemy of Castile. So far, after testing in six villages, nothing had happened. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The morning walk was boring as Maveith moved alongside the road. Three farmers with laden carts headed east to sell their harvests for a substantial profit. Maveith took a moment to warn them about Baron Bonavita.

That baron was seizing independent farmers' carts, paying last year's prices, and then selling the harvests for massive profits. There had been no need to warn them as Castile had done it herself, but they appreciated the news anyway, giving him a large potato. Konstantin was sitting on a rock outside of town, oiling his blades. He looked up as Maveith approached.

"Nothing today," Maveith's deep voice intoned. Then he asked a question, "Are you having me sweep because you don't want me to enter the town with the company?" Konstantin arched an eyebrow.

"Yes," he stated flatly.

"After the tavern incident, we have decided to prepare the villages for you." Maveith nodded in understanding. Most of the time, when he entered a town, he got gawking stares of wonder or fearful stares.

"Should I depart the company, then," Maveith asked as Konstantin settled beside him to walk the last half mile. Farmers in the outlying fields paused to watch them pass. Konstantin was quiet for a while before answering.

"The company needs you, Maveith. You are one of the better warriors among us. Much faster than any man of your size has a right to be." Maveith grinned to himself at that. As he consumed the essences, he had trained hard to improve his speed in combat.

"Besides, your rings and hammer would get you noticed by a First Citizen if you were not with a mage company."

"I could leave the Empire," Maveith mumbled. Konstantin considered Maveith's words as they approached the center of town. The Magistrate was already summoning everyone to him, bathing in the light of his self-importance. Konstantin finally said, "It is your choice. If you choose to leave the Empire and wish for me to get a message to Eryk, I will." Maveith nodded but had no plans to leave the company. Mateo, Lirkin, and Kolm were dispersing the venison to happy women.

This town only had about two hundred people if you included the surrounding farms. Magistrate Rufo felt like he had enough of a crowd to start.

"Good citizens of Arrabona. There is great news! The Empire has found space at the Mage Academy for two of your children who have tested in the past! Citrio Tranio and Casesetia Fidelis, you are going to the capital!" There were no cheers as the people were not stupid, and word had spread of the Empire's desperate need for mages. Maveith knew these two young people had been tested in the last few years and had been passed over because their affinities were not strong enough to bother training a spell form.

Most likely, they were between 30 and 40 in an elemental, healing, or protection affinity. At least, that had been their experience so far. The Magistrate continued with his fake smile, making Maveith uncomfortable for being part of this.

"We will also be testing all your children between the ages of twelve and sixteen tonight at the inn." His smile was genuine this time as Castile shifted her stance. Maveith noticed Castile's displeasure. Normally, she had them start the testing immediately to be on the road to the next town. The Magistrate was clearly delaying the testing to ensure he stayed in an actual bed tonight. At least the ire of the village was focused on the magistrate and not Maveith.

The Magistrate droned on about the process and the benefits of being part of the Telhian Empire. Maveith had stopped listening. Later that evening, Maveith was standing behind the Magistrate inside the tavern at his insistence. He wanted it to appear that the imposing goliath served and protected him. A narrow table in front of the magistrate had the tablet. The new porter, Legionnaire Malory, had been carrying it for the magistrate. It was all he could fit inside his small dimensional space.

The fidgety Malory did not fit well into the company as he was constantly compared to Eryk. His subpar spear skills, smaller dimensional space, and inability to stay awake on watch all led to others in the company teasing him. Maveith had tried talking to him and getting him to play checkers, but Malory was either afraid of goliaths or didn't like them. The only good thing about standing behind the magistrate was that Maveith would get to see all the testing results from the affinity tablet.

A long line of nervous children and teens lined the tavern. Townsfolk huddled against the walls in support of them. The dense sea of humanity gave the tavern the scent of the working man. It made Maveith's nose itch a little. Maveith smiled at the first child, a young girl with large blue eyes and fine golden hair that shimmered in the light of the tavern. She tilted her head, curious at the goliath as the Magistrate read a name: "Corinna Aparo. Fourteen. Daughter of Major Domus Illario Aparo?"

The girl nodded firmly, and the Magistrate smiled creepily.

"Good, grasp the sides of the tablet. I will supply the aether." The girl took the tablet in her hands, and the Magistrate activated the tablet. Maveith watched the numbers appear. Only two affinities showed a non-zero number. The Magistrate was disappointed as he announced, "No marketable affinity." The girl had a seven in air and three in healing—a very typical reading. The magistrate whispered to the girl.

"We can test again when I return and you are fifteen and more mature." Castile shook her head disapprovingly nearby. Even Maveith knew it would likely not grow any further. Affinities typically manifest during puberty in humans, which is why testing is usually conducted for just 15- and 16-year-olds to ensure they have started adolescence. Once it manifested, that was your affinity for life unless you could purchase dozens of extremely rare apex affinity essences.

The testing continued as twenty-one young men and women were tested. A farmer's daughter was the first to show an affinity above ten, an 18 in the lightning affinity paired with an 8 in the air affinity. The magistrate was getting frustrated as he dismissed the girl. Two others, a large young man and his younger brother, showed an affinity of 12 and 10, respectively, for the spirit affinity. He scribbled the names down and their affinities.

The healing spell form they could imprint would be extremely weak but might be needed. Seeing he was finished, he stood.

"Unfortunately, none of your children have satisfied the Empire's requirements to attend the Mage College. But an army captain will be coming by this winter to recruit your strongest boys to defend the borders." He paused for dramatic effect.

"The Empire is offering a fifty silver enlistment bonus. There is also the possibility of joining the Legion of the Lion." He paused to wave his hand at the half dozen men of the company standing in the room. Only Benito waved back at the crowd.

"Citrio Tranio and Casesetia Fidelis will be returning to the capital with the army captain as my important duties are taking me in the other direction. Thank you for being so cooperative," he said curtly. On standing, the magistrate stumbled a little from sitting for over two hours but made his way up the stairs to one of the few rooms. After the legionnaires and Maveith left, the room erupted in conversation of the townsfolk filled with relief and pity for the two who would be collected when the captain arrived.

Konstantin met Maveith outside.

"Come on, Maveith, some green goblins have been bothering an outlying farmer." Maveith looked and saw that Blaze was checking arrow fletchings, and Benito was also ready beside him. This was not the first time Konstantin had dragged a few of the company on a personal quest since they left the capital. Maveith could see why Eryk found Konstantin so demanding, the man never took time to relax. He checked his runic hammer cinch on his belt, made sure his runic skinning blade was secure, and moved to join them.

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