Adventures of Ariston the Boy Mage: Realm of Friends

By David Scott Webster

"What mage?" Aheam immediately questioned.
"Me, what do you want with me?" Ariston whimpered.
"I have questions!" the red dragon Zaira replied.
"After we discuss the terms with the Earl, and while Aheam looks for the scepter, you may talk to Ariston in my presence!" Tibalt firmly insisted. Tibalt had heard of the red dragons' deep hatred for mages and he had grown fond of Ariston.
"Ariston's a mage?" Aheam stated in shock. Ariston had slain a dragon and had performed admirably as a squire for Tibalt, it was turning Aheam's idea of mages upside down. He actually liked Ariston.

Having lost his parents at a very young age and having his elder sister ripped away from him by the sinister Dark Mages might make anyone lose hope. But the twelve-year-old Ariston isn't just anyone. Sure living day to day isn't easy, but he and his two best friends, Elina and Faustus, make do. Their courage, perseverance, and loyalty inspire new friendships-honorable men including the Great Knight of Adar and the mage Pilan the All Powerful. Perhaps it is possible to rescue Ariston's sister from the clutches of the Dark Mages. After all great friendships lead to great deeds!

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 27, 2005
• ISBN: 9780595792047

David Scott Webster

David Scott Webster was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1971. He has lived in Mesa as well as Clearwater and Orlando, Florida. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and has worked many years as an instructor. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Thief! A well-dressed nobleman yelled as he tried to grab the hand of a boy that was currently wrapped around his money pouch. The boy, having just finished cutting the pouch free with his other hand, avoided the man’s grip and took off. Thief! The man shouted again as he pointed at the fleeing, poorly dressed peasant boy. Several men, including three of the victim’s personal bodyguards, unsuccessfully tried to grab the slippery boy as he skillfully avoided their efforts.

The boy weaved in and out of the large crowd as he worked his way towards the main market square entrance with the victim’s bodyguards trying desperately to catch up. The city guard quickly blocked all the entrances to the square, in effect sealing the square to allow them time to figure out what the sudden commotion was. The boy, knowing what horrors was in store if he got caught, slid underneath a merchant’s wagon.

Regal blue! The boy commanded as he took a hold of his worn out cloak. Immediately the light brown, practically falling apart cloak the boy was wearing transformed into a beautiful, expensive looking, dark blue cloak. The boy quickly ran a comb through his hair as he reemerged from under the wagon. The boy’s whole demeanor changed as he walked with a noble strut towards the square’s exit.

A boy about ten stole your pouch? the main guard repeated as the victim was now standing near the main entrance to the square. What did he look like?

I couldn’t see his face since he had a hooded cloak, but he looked like a beggar! The man practically barked at the guard.

I don’t know what you think we can do about it! The guard replied. Do you realize how many beggars are in the square? The other guards, having listened to the conversation began to allow people to enter and leave the square while keeping their eyes opened for any young beggars.

I’ll recognize him if I see him! The man said firmly as he began scrutinizing every child within sight. As the man spoke a noble boy dressed in a dark blue cloak walked straight for them. No one said a word as the boy confidently passed within five feet of the guards as he left the market square.

Bly was a very dangerous city of decaying wooden buildings with clay roofs that most people that could avoided like the plague. It had plain dirt streets that half the time were nothing but mud. The market square brought in mostly second rate merchants that specialized in selling specially acquired items and was the city’s one drawing point for the few noblemen that visited.

Ariston! A black haired, brown-eyed boy yelled as he approached the boy in the blue cloak. I almost didn’t recognize you in that cloak! Where did you get it?

I borrowed it, Ariston lied realizing he had made a mistake by not having his cloak return to its peasant form.

It’s beautiful! I’ve never seen one that nice around here! Faustus declared. You’d better sell it before you get caught!

Why would I get caught? Ariston replied feeling insulted.

I can think of a few reasons! Let’s see, your hair is a mess, your pants are shabby and covered in mud, you have no shoes on, and you’re filthy. Faustus bluntly declared, pointing out the obvious weaknesses in his disguise. It was true, Ariston’s sandy brown hair was as always a complete mess. What one could see of his pants sticking out from under the cloak was muddy and covered in holes. He was also, as always, barefoot and dirty. That didn’t mean that Ariston wanted to hear it.

What about you? Ariston stated, You’re as dirty as I am!

Yeah, but I’m not the one wearing an expensive cloak that obviously doesn’t belong to me, Faustus replied.

You’re right, Ariston begrudgingly replied.

If it makes you feel any better, I was fooled until I decided to pick you! That when I noticed it was you! Faustus stated.

What! Ariston barked, I told you not to pick anyone! You’re not ready!

Yeah, but you looked like such an easy mark! Faustus replied.

Where’s Elina? She should have been keeping a closer eye on you! Ariston replied with a smirk.

She’s not my boss any more then she is yours! Faustus stated. During their conversation Ariston subtly walked into a nearby alley. Once they entered the alley, he quickly pulled off his cloak.

Take off your cloak! Ariston instructed. Faustus immediately removed his cloak and Ariston grabbed it out of his hand. He wrapped Faustus’ tattered cloak around his elegant cloak, making sure every last piece was completely covered. The two boys were now nearly identically dressed in their raggedy tan pants and a raggedy white long sleeve shirt. If it was possible, they now looked even more like the poor peasant beggars they were. Ariston hated having to take off his cloak, but he couldn’t let even one of his best friends know that it was magical and was the same cloak he always wore.

Did you get anything else? Faustus asked, knowing that his friend was one of the best pickpockets around.

Here! Ariston replied as he shoved the bundle of cloaks into Faustus’ hands. He then removed the money pouch he had lifted from his extra large pocket to see how much he had scored. He opened the pouch, whoa!

How much?

Too much! Ariston replied as he quickly slid the pouch back into his pocket.

What do you mean too much?

I mean, the man is going to want it back, and we had better be careful!

How much? Faustus asked again.

I saw four platinum pieces!

Someone is definitely going to miss that!

We better find Elina and lay low for a few days! Ariston remarked. He suddenly had a vision of himself sitting on a bench in the middle of the square with his ankles and wrists locked in the stocks. He had seen several unlucky thieves spend days locked in the stocks with the crowd occasionally throwing things at them.

In a rundown kitchen that was connected to a rundown inn, Elina was finishing her first full day of work. She had talked the inn owner’s wife into letting her help clean the kitchen, guest rooms, and serve some of the food to the customers.

Elina, you’ve done a great job today, said Malva, the inn owner’s wife. She then handed Elina a silver piece for her long day of work. As we agreed you and your brothers can stay in the barn as well as use the tub once all the paying customers are done, but make sure the boys hold up their end of our bargain!

When should we come for the dinner? Elina asked, trying to politely remind Malva that she had also promised to feed them.

After you take your baths come see me and I’ll scrape together something! Malva replied, acting a little worried. Don’t let my husband know about the food and baths! He’s already upset that I hire you and wasn’t very happy when I told him how much I was going to pay! If he sees you we’ll tell him you paid for them!

Thank you for your kindness, Elina politely replied, knowing full well that Malva was getting a pretty good deal. In her opinion Malva’s husband was probably thrilled to have a highly attractive fourteen-year-old, blond haired, green-eyed girl doing most of his wife’s tedious work. As an added bonus he was also getting two boys to work the barn at nights allowing him to rest easier. I’d better go find my brothers!

Maybe, we should put them to work around here during the day! They’re bound to get into trouble running loose in the city! Malva replied, trying to capitalize on a little more cheap labor.

I’ll ask them, Elina replied, knowing they wouldn’t do it. She was going to have a hard enough time getting them to look after the barn at night. As Elina left the inn she ran straight into her uncloaked messy looking brothers.

What have you been up to? Elina asked looking them over.

We need to talk! Ariston hastily replied.

I arranged for us to stay in the barn, let’s talk there, Elina stated. She then led the two boys over to the barn. Once inside, Ariston, took a quick look around to make sure they were alone. Well? Elina asked.

How did you get them to allow us to stay in the barn? Ariston asked, avoiding her question. Now that he was safely tucked away out of sight, Ariston didn’t feel the same urgent need to make a run for it.

I got a job helping around the inn, in exchange I get one silver piece a day and a few other things, Elina replied.

Does that include food? Faustus immediately asked. At eleven, Faustus was only four feet two inches tall and weighed only fifty-six pounds. He had spent the majority of his life badly malnourished and it had resulted in him now being basically the size of an eight-year-old.

Yes, after we each take a bath, Elina replied.

Oh, Faustus replied, wondering if the food was worth taking a bath for.

What did you have to tell me? Elina asked.

He swiped a nobleman’s money pouch and has a lot of money! Faustus blurted out.

How much? Elina nervously asked, knowing the amount of trouble they could get into.

I haven’t counted it all, Ariston replied as he took the pouch out of his pocket. He opened the pouch and dumped the money into his other hand. Elina’s eyes widened in amazement when she saw how much money Ariston was holding. He quickly finished counting the coins as he placed them back into the pouch. Eight platinum, five gold, eleven silver, and twenty-five bronze pieces! Ariston declared upon finishing his count.

How much is that? Faustus asked, realizing it was a lot of money, just not exactly how much it was.

I’ve told you how to figure it out, Ariston replied.

We need to get out of here before they come looking for us! Elina stated as she started to panic. Faustus knelt down and began drawing numbers in the dirt.

Relax, they didn’t get a good look at me, they only know I was a beggar! Ariston stated.

They caught you in the act? Elina demanded to know, thinking things were even worse than she thought.

Well, kind of, but they couldn’t see my face, Ariston replied suddenly feeling completely relaxed having handed all his stress over to the real worrier. I’m am hungry! Ariston unlike Fuastus was an average sized twelve-year-old, who had managed to never truly go hungry a day in his life.

If one platinum piece is worth ten gold pieces, and ten gold pieces is worth ten silver pieces, wait that can’t be right! Faustus declared.

Here! Ariston said as he knelt down and began to write. It’s all based on tens!

One Bronze Piece = One Bronze Piece

One Silver Piece = 10 Bronze Pieced

One Gold Piece = 10 Silver Pieces or 100 Bronze Pieces

One Platinum Piece =10 Gold Pieces or 100 Silver Pieces or 1000 Bronze

Pieces

Do you see? Ariston asked pointing to the chart he drew in the dirt.

Let’s just say I would have to work every day for nearly two and a half years to earn that much! Elina stated.

It’s a lot of money! Faustus replied.

It is to us, but I doubt it is to a nobleman, Ariston replied.

Let’s go get cleaned up so we can eat! Faustus stated.

First, I’ll bury the money over there, Ariston said as he pointed to the corner of the barn behind where the somewhat fresh hay was stacked.

One more thing, Malva thinks you guys are my brothers, Elina said.

How did she get a crazy idea like that? Ariston teased. I figured it was the only way she would let us all stay here, Elina replied. I guess there are worse people to be related to, Ariston joked. Name one? Faustus jokingly added.

CHAPTER 2

Do we get breakfast? Faustus asked. He had really enjoyed the meal Malva had given them the previous night.

No, just dinner, Elina replied.

Maybe we can give the bath up and get lunch! Faustus suggested as he tossed some hay to the horses that were currently being housed in the barn.

We only get one free bath a week, Elina replied. Try not to get overly dirty!

Maybe you could sneak some scraps when you’re working today! Faustus suggested.

I swear, you only think about eating! Elina replied as she looked around the barn. Where’s Ariston?

He went to get rid of that expensive cloak, Faustus replied.

What expensive cloak?

The one he stole yesterday.

He’s going to get himself caught!

No, he decided it wasn’t a good time to risk selling it so he was just going to dump it! Faustus stated.

Did you guys manage to get some sleep last night? Elina curiously asked, after all she had been so tired from working that she had fallen asleep as soon as she had laid down.

Yeah, we had to get up a few times to brush and put away some customer’s horses, and a couple of times when the inn owner came to make sure we were doing our job. By the way it might have been helpful if you had told us about! Faustus replied with a smirk.

Didn’t I tell you last night, Elina asked, knowing full well she hadn’t.

No you didn’t! Faustus stated, Ariston said you would try that.

Try what?

Playing innocent!

Elsewhere, Ariston was once again wearing his magical cloak having returned it to its brown falling apart peasant appearance. The events of the previous day had made him think about his life, something he tried to do as little as possible. He loved hanging around with Elina and Faustus. Despite his jokes, for the last year they had truly been like his brother and sister, but he missed his real sister Amara. Having lost his parents when he was eight, his then fourteen-year-old sister had taken care of him. She had taught him how to survive, how to control his magical ability, and had protected him. Small tears rolled down his face as he thought about what had happened nearly a year ago. A Dark Mage named Livi-dus had taken her away. She had went willingly trying not to let the mage discover Ariston’s presence in an attempt to protect her little brother one last time.

As he walked aimlessly through the city Ariston found himself tightly gripping the amulet he wore around his neck. It was one of the two most important items in his life, both of which his sister had given him before she was taken. The amulet and the cloak were really the only reason he could survive. The cloak not only had the ability to transform into any style it also magically kept the wearer warm when it was cold and cold when it was warm. Although Ariston had never tested it, the cloak was also supposed to provide some magical protection from weapons. The small amulet on the golden chain that had belong for so many years to his sister was a family heirloom. It was a simple, yet powerful form of magic. It was one of the very few items that could hide the fact that its wearer was a mage. It was so powerful that even the most powerful mages couldn’t sense the presence of a mage wearing the amulet.

Being a young mage who was nowhere near powerful enough to suppress his own magical ability from the powerful Dark Mage Judges, the amulet was perhaps the most important item he owned. It allowed him to forget he was a mage, to relax and not worry about a Dark Mage Judge deciding his future. After all, there were only two possible futures where the Dark Mages were concerned, join them or die.

Ariston wished he could tell his new friends about his powers. He completely trusted them, but he was still slightly afraid they wouldn’t like him any more. Normal people hated and feared the Dark Mages and since all mages were either Dark Mages or future Dark Mages they hated all mages.

‘Enough moping about the past!’ Ariston told himself, he needed to get back to the barn and see what the new day held in store.

Ariston was halfway back to the barn when suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks. His heart began racing. He looked for somewhere to hide as a Dark Mage walked down the street. Ariston didn’t have to even try to sense the man’s power. The Dark Mage was radiating power as he walked down the street actively scanning the crowd for signs of magical ability. Ariston thought to himself that it must be nice not to have to worry about being caught, not to have to hide what you are, or what you can do. The mage briefly looked at Ariston.

Ariston felt the man scan him, terror seized his body, but the Dark Mage showed no interest in him and moved on. The very fact that a boy had lost all color and looked like he was scared out of his mind wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for a Dark Mage to see, since everyone feared them. Once the Dark Mage had moved on far enough down the street, Ariston ran for the barn. In his opinion it was time to leave.

When Ariston got back to the barn, his color was just beginning to return.

What’s wrong! Elina asked as soon as she saw Ariston panicked face.

I have to leave, Ariston stated, The guards are looking for me! Ariston felt extremely guilty for his lie, but he knew someone was looking for him, well if not him people like him.

I’ll get the money! Faustus said. He then went to the corner to dig it up.

Wait here, I’m supposed to be at work, I’ll go in, slip a little food in a bag and then we’ll sneak off! Elina stated. Ariston was surprise because they were both so willing to just pick up and move on just because he said he was in trouble. They weren’t teasing him or giving him a hard time, they were just doing what needed to be done. It was at this moment he realized, when it was safe he owed them the complete truth.

CHAPTER 3

Inside a canvas command tent in the middle of a large pass on the south end of Duke Adalardo territory, Earl Carroll was looking over his map as one of his knights entered.

Sir, Knight Aheam said drawing the Earl’s attention.

What do you have? Earl Carroll asked as he looked up from his map.

We lost another man today, Aheam replied. He’s the tenth man we’ve lost since we decided on this route!

What happened? Earl Carroll inquired as his eyes returned to the map spread out before him.

I think he died of exhaustion! With the sun, the long days of marching, and the rough terrain the soldiers are exhausted! Aheam stated.

We’ll rest here tomorrow before continuing on, Earl Carroll replied.

Sir, do you think it is wise to continue? Aheam nervously asked as he started looking at the map.

No, but it is even more unwise not too!

We could turn back, Aheam suggested.

And say what?

We could say that we were unable to find it!

Duke Caedmon would never settle for that. If we return without it or something to prove we tried, then he would just send more men. Without us of course! Earl Carroll declared.

Without us? Aheam asked, surprised.

We would be too busy in the salt mines! Earl Carroll stated.

Oh, maybe we could try this route, Aheam suggested as he pointed to a flatter area on the map that headed towards where they were going.

No that’s the one the last group tried! Earl Carroll replied.

Last group?

The dead ones! Earl Carroll flippantly stated.

What happened to them?

Only one scout returned. He was sent to scout ahead of the column. After three days he returned to report in only to find the charred bodies of the entire column. He couldn’t immediately tell exactly what had killed the thirty men and he really didn’t hang around to find out!

What about this route? Aheam asked pointing to another safer looking route on the map.

The first group tried it!

First group? Aheam asked.

The other dead ones! Earl Carroll stated growing a little more serious.

What happened to them?

I’m not sure, I only know they didn’t make it, and no one returned!

I think we should continue on our current path! Aheam declared.

I’m glad you agree!

At nearly the same time, back in Bly, Ariston and Faustus were patiently waiting for Elina to return.

Are you ready? Elina asked as she entered the barn. She was carrying a way overstuffed cheap canvas bag that had bread almost falling out the top.

Yeah, I’m wearing everything I got! Ariston replied.

Grab some of the blankets and saddle those horses! Elina barked pointing at the only two horses in the barn.

We can’t just take them! Ariston replied in shock. He knew the penalty for stealing the horses would be a lot worse then a few days in the stocks. Faustus immediately began to saddle the first horse.

If we are to get anywhere we’re going to need them, Elina replied. Ariston, grab the blankets! Elina barked seeing him standing there in complete shock. Considering she was the one who frowned on stealing anything no matter how justified it seemed, Ariston was having a hard time comprehending her sudden transformation.

I don’t think we should take the horses! Ariston stated. It was a crime greater then any of the hundreds of smaller ones he had committed in order to survive. A crime he wasn’t sure he was willing to commit.

Are you in danger or not? Elina demanded.

Yes, Ariston weakly replied, then added, maybe.

I assumed the guards were looking for you! Elina inquired.

Not exactly, Ariston answered wondering if it was time to tell his friends the truth. The simple truth was he wasn’t even sure if he was in trouble. He had just been frightened by the Dark Mage’s presence and felt that he needed to get out of the city. He would have to explain to them that he was a mage, that he sometimes sensed things that he couldn’t explain, and he sensed it was time to leave.

Well I’m in trouble now! I just swiped half the food in the kitchen! Elina practically yelled at Ariston growing extremely angry.

Let’s go! Faustus said. He had finished saddling both horses and had just finished climbing onto one of them. We can discuss this later!

Elina calmed herself down,