Mage Legend

Lynch sat on the ruins and opened his notebook that recorded all his insights on magic. The rising acrid smell around him did not distract him. The water being continuously transported was extinguishing the remaining flames in the village, and as the smoke cleared, the noon sun finally appeared bright again.

Macken and Morgan gathered the villagers' bodies together. It was a grueling task, as many were left with only broken limbs and their deaths were tragic. The dwarf kept cursing the beastmen nonstop, while Macken the knight remained silent, his movements now resembling a machine crafted by a gnome.

"They're back." Zilvra jumped out from behind Lynch. She had found a few good crossbows and a large number of arrows on the battlefield and had also packed her pouch, used for storing daggers, to the brim. Following the direction Zilvra pointed, a group of cavalry rapidly approached, unfurling their flags against the wind as their swift hooves swept across the plains. It was the majesty of victory, even if they were only dealing with remaining small groups of enemies.

Lynch put away his notebook and then also hid the "troublemaker." As the knights drew nearer, everyone noticed an extra two spare horses.

"Oh, gentlemen, I'm so glad to see you all safe and sound." Wood dismounted before his horse even stopped and came smilingly towards the group: "We were always worried whether the beastmen might harm these friendly and brave guests. The Light God bless, no one was injured."

"Your group has two more horses; did someone sacrifice?" Macken the knight asked.

"Oh no, old man, these are spoils of war," Wood replied, smiling: "Somehow those beastmen had hidden horses, but their riding skills were absolutely atrocious. I suppose even these handsome horses wouldn't want to be mounted by lowly beastmen, so we brought them back along with us."

"It seems this battle ended quite satisfactorily," Lynch said: "Knights, we are heading north. Are there any relatively safe roads we might take?"

"North? There are quite a number of beastmen there." Wood pondered for a moment and said: "But I suggest you wait until winter descends before heading north. By then, the beastmen will be huddled like mice in the destroyed villages they occupy for winter, making the roads a bit safer."

"Don't worry, young man." Morgan shook his hammer: "I don't take those things seriously, they are no match at all!"

Wood surveyed the village's current situation. The many beastmen, evidently freshly dead, still bled. He said: "Seeing this in front of me, I have to admire your strength. It seems you are a seasoned adventure group. But I still advise everyone to try to move along the west; at least that area is still firmly under our control."

"We know, thank you for the reminder," Lynch said: "How far is it to the next village where we can rest? Overnighting in the wilderness is very dangerous."

"In that case, you must hurry," Wood said: "Heading north from here, you'll reach Green Dragon Valley, but it will take half a day on the road. Although dealing with spoils without permission doesn't fit a paladin's regulations, these two fine horses are obviously things of the village, not belongings of the beastmen, so they aren't war spoils. I think giving these two horses as gratitude from the villagers, to commend your acts of revenge for them, is very fitting. Don't you think so, brothers!"

All the members of the paladin patrol cheered; they had just experienced victory and were still in excitement and elation. Zilvra led the two horses back to the cart, and Lynch also went to help. Macken the knight called Wood aside and spoke with him in hushed tones for a while.

The mage quickly tied up the horses; when he was young, he helped at his family's inn, often doing this kind of work. He threw the reins onto the front seat and then climbed into the carriage. Macken the knight bid farewell to the cavalry who needed to report back and returned to his seat.

"Did you find out anything?" Lynch asked him: "Is there anything ahead in our direction?"

"The situation isn't optimistic, but it's also beginning to improve, young mage." Macken set the vehicle slowly in motion: "Now Pate's warriors are taking back the villages lost to the beastmen, and those invaders, sensing the threat, are making their final stand. Though their dying counterattack appears strong and powerful, we cannot let them escape their doomed fate."