RODDEL'S WAR

By Bob MacKenzie

Roddel is an emotionally and mentally damaged warrior who has spent the last thirty years hating his enemies and running from his past and himself. All he knows is violence and survival, fierce commitment to his friends, and swift judgment to his enemies.

Suddenly, a good friend's call for help forces him into cooperation with the very enemies he has sworn to kill. His only stability is the old friendship that he never thought would fail; but people change, loyalties shift, and even good friends can have ulterior motives.

Roddel finds that his pride leaves him feeling angry. His anger leads to loneliness and regret. His only release from these seems to be violence, until he meets a blind man who shows him a better way and better reason to live.

Perhaps the peace that he seeks, peace that transcends his past and his prejudice, cannot be found within himself. Perhaps true peace comes from another source. Can his greatest enemies hold the key to his future?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889432234

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RODDEL'S WAR

Bob MacKenzie

ISBN 979-8-88943-222-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-223-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Bob MacKenzie

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

About the Author

Chapter 1

Roddel was aware of the three strangers as they entered the public house while not taking his attention away from the men gathered at the bar. In this part of the country, strangers were a matter of interest but not alarm. Many of them came through during the summer months, but now that it was getting into the middle of autumn, they were rarely seen.

As Roddel poured more drinks for the lunching laborers, he tracked the progress of the newcomers in his peripheral vision. It was a skill that he had developed in the service of the king many years ago. In this way, he would not be surprised by any sudden movement and be able to respond swiftly to any threat.

However, the strangers did not appear threatening in any way. They simply traversed the room to a small table in the far corner near the fire, where they could warm themselves and watch the room.

Two of the strangers pulled back the hoods of their woolen cloaks, revealing the marks on their foreheads of Magi. This intrigued Roddel. Magi were a common sight in the large cities of the kingdom and an occasional sight in the outlying citadels, but for Magi to travel so far from their school and civilization was highly unusual. Unfortunately, Roddel could not tell from which college these particular Magi hailed. The nearest college was several hundred miles away, near the Royal City of the kingdom of Zaddor.

No one else in the public house gave the strangers more than just a passing assessment. Everyone was too interested in their own conversations about life in the small pastoral village. Which farmer's produce fetched the highest price at market? Whose flock was suffering the most with the recent bout of sickness? How many weddings were being planned for the winter and other such trifles with which people in these kinds of communities consumed their time?

Roddel was the owner of the public house and had only been a part of this particular community for three years. As he ended his conversation with the men with a quick-witted joke that left all but one roaring, he turned to cleaning a few cups that had been left by recently departed patrons. Darcy, the serving girl, approached the three strangers to take their orders.

Suddenly, the door to the public house was thrown open wide, and several children marched in with great pomp. The leading child, a girl only ten years old, marched straight to the bar and hopped up on a stool. Each of the other six children followed her lead. They all wore solemn expressions as if they were about important business.

Roddel immediately recognized the children. He had a particular affinity with the children of the village, and they all enjoyed his preferential treatment of them. He quickly stopped cleaning cups and wiped his hands on his apron.

My lady, he inclined his head to the eldest child. Lords and ladies—he spread his hands to the other children sitting around her—I welcome you to my humble establishment. All the children, except the eldest, giggled at his grandiosity and flawless replication of the courtly accent.

It is my pleasure to serve such esteemed guests as yourselves, Roddel continued. How may I serve you? He bowed slightly and awaited their request.

The eldest girl stroked her chin as though she were a queen making an important decision. Beer, my good man, for me and my followers. The girl tried to mimic the courtly accent but mangled it horribly with her western highland brogue.

Of course, my lady. Roddel bowed deeply from the waist, making large movements with his arms in deference. He did this three times, taking a step back each time until he reached the door to the kitchen.

After he entered the kitchen, he realized that he might have made a mistake in using perfect court manners with the Magi watching. If the townsfolk ever asked him where he had learned such things, as they often did regarding his seemingly remarkable abilities to understand the ways of the world outside the village, he would respond to them simply, I can read. Since the majority of the villagers spent their lives in no other pursuit than survival in the high plateau, almost no one else in the village could read. They also had no way to know that the mannerisms Roddel employed in his interactions with the children were exactly what was required of an official in the king's court.

This was the way Roddel preferred it. He did not want people prying into his past or knowing much about his present pursuits beyond the public house. However, the Magi would recognize Roddel's flawless diction and manners for what they were, and they most likely would not accept Roddel's ability to read as an explanation of how he had come about such knowledge.

Roddel quickly poured seven small mugs full of potato beer, a sweet drink that the children of the village particularly enjoyed, and placed each on his most impressive-looking silver plated tray. He carried the tray high above his head as he entered the dining room.

My ladies and lords. Roddel could not help but continue the courtly manner as he presented the drinks to the excited children. They giggled and clapped their hands as he slowly distributed the drinks. Roddel liked making children feel special; he often treated children like these to free drinks and treats when they came to his public house. Their parents usually appreciated his interactions with the children, and Roddel had earned a certain level of trust in the community in the short years that he had been there.

Finishing with the children, Roddel smiled and returned to cleaning the glasses.

Two wines and an ale, Darcy drawled in her distinctive northern accent as she relayed the order from the corner table.

That's all? Roddel responded, returning to his usual western accent.

No, they also want two hens and a loaf of dark bread, and they asked to—Darcy cleared her throat as if to say something important—speak to the proprietor of this establishment.

Very well. He sighed as he filled one glass with ale. He had to collect the wine from the back room; it was not a drink usually ordered in this part of the country.

He placed all the drinks on a tray and expertly balanced it on the fingertips of one hand while maneuvering through the room crowded with tables and thick wooden chairs.

As he approached the table, he became increasingly concerned that perhaps his theatrics with the children had given away his secret. When he had left the service of the king many years ago, Roddel had tried to make a new life for himself, but the war had left him so scarred that fighting was all he was good at and capable of doing. He had taken in with rogues and mercenaries, fighting others' battles for pay.

After he had made a reputation for himself, he had gathered a number of individuals like himself to form a band of rogues that took employment in various forms of combat, sabotage, and intrigue. As the leader of this group, Roddel's list of conquests was long and bloody. He had many enemies, including many who were very wealthy and influential.

He had moved to this particular village to hide from the constant scrutiny of would-be betrayers and now ran the group of rogues through a network of contacts. He was still involved in the frequent forays that kept the rogues employed but always managed to balance his work as the manager of the public house with his business as leader of rogues.

Roddel pushed aside his discomfort as he set the tray down on the table.

Welcome, friends, he exclaimed loudly as a jovial innkeeper should. Your drinks.

As he distributed the drinks, he noticed that one of the Magi was a woman, an interesting choice of vocations for an educated lady. Her hair was dark and long, the bangs being separated around her forehead to frame the mark of her office. The other was a rotund man with his forehead shaved to display his mark.

The third member of the party was smaller than either of the Magi but kept his hood up so only the tip of his nose was revealed in the light. To Roddel, it seemed that the hooded stranger's eyes glowed. No, he thought, it's only the reflection of the lights.

The male Magus, who was apparently the superior in rank, invited him to sit with them. Roddel hesitated and scanned the dining room as if he was too busy to be detained in a conversation that would take his attention away from his guests. The public house was almost empty except for a table near the door where some housewives fresh from the day's market were gossiping and some out-of-work laborers who were complaining at the bar.

Since everyone else had already been served, Roddel pulled the last chair away from the table. It was difficult for Roddel to sit comfortably with his back to the room. He could not see the movement of the people behind him, and it grated on his military senses.

Very well, Roddel began, what can I do for you?

The male Magus answered, We are looking for a certain man whom we heard was in this village. I'm quite sure that you know of him. His name is Roddel.

Roddel's pulse quickened slightly, but he maintained a nonchalant demeanor. What makes you think that he's in this village or that I know of him?

The Magus took a pull at his ale while scrutinizing Roddel. For his part, Roddel just gazed back as though the information the Magus had disclosed was entirely foreign to him.

Finally, the Magus responded, We have received many and confirmed reports of his activities in this region. Our spies have pinpointed his dealings to this village and specifically to this tavern. Roddel smiled slightly that the Magus had called his public house a tavern, as though he were trying to make it highbrow.

The Magus continued, I would appreciate your forthrightness on this matter. We know that Roddel is here at the present time. We simply ask your assistance in speaking with him.

What do you want with him? he asked. Roddel could not afford to reveal himself to this group. Two Magi were a formidable force, and Roddel was still unsure of their motives. If they had been sent by his enemies to destroy him, Roddel wanted to know about it before they tricked him into anything.

Our business is our own, the Magus responded. Suffice it to say that we have dealings with him and must speak with him on a matter of utmost importance.

Well, as you say, I know of the man. I heard of his exploits just this month past regarding a raiding party that destroyed the temple of Vlad and killed the house of Lord Vildar. Might that be why you've come to find him? Roddel was trying to buy time and figure out what these strangers wanted. He did not recognize either of the Magi, and the other stranger had not revealed himself.

I have already said that our business is with him alone, the Magus responded calmly, though the female Magus shifted slightly and leaned forward to scrutinize Roddel more carefully.

Well, it might be that you're too late. I heard that he was planning to leave this province due to some ramifications of his dealing with Lord Vildar. It's likely that some offspring was left alive, and they'll be seeking retribution. Roddel leaned closer conspiratorially.

I might know where he is, but I happen to take preference to the young man, he continued, sitting back again. I'd have to know that your business with him was on the up-and-up. So why don't you just divulge a little information, hmm? You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, as we say.

The three strangers were silent for a moment. Would you excuse us, the Elder Magus finally said.

Roddel nodded. I'll go prepare your food.

As he walked away, Roddel caught a sense of dismay from the group, as though they were faced with a dilemma because of his persistence.

Roddel observed them through the kitchen door as Darcy finished preparing the food. They seemed to be looking to the unrevealed companion as the leader in the group, seeking his guidance in the situation.

When the three seemed to come to a decision, Roddel picked up the tray and returned to the table. He set the tray in the middle of the table and stood until he was invited to sit, a customary formality in the public house business.

The three strangers scrutinized Roddel closely. As Roddel began to fidget under their gaze, the Magus spoke. We must first know to whom we are entrusting our mission.

Roddel knew what the Magus was saying but feigned ignorance as an uneducated layman.

What is your name? asked the female Magus impatiently.

Oh, exclaimed Roddel. Why didn't you say so in the first place? He didn't have the luxury of time and he knew that his put-on accent tied him to the western kingdoms. My name is Bradley. I'm from the coastal kingdoms.

The hooded stranger seemed to sit up straighter, or maybe it was Roddel's imagination. He suddenly felt as though he was being very carefully scrutinized, as though every word he said was being carefully measured.

Secondly, you must understand that our business with Roddel is one of utmost secrecy, the senior Magus continued. It regards matters of security to a particular kingdom and could mean the difference between success and defeat for a particular dynasty.

It was Roddel's turn to be silent and consider carefully the meaning of these words. Years ago, before he became a wanderer and rogue, he had promised the successor to King Kedorlemor his undying fealty and his sword. If this Magus was referring to this particular oath, Roddel had no choice but to reveal himself to them. But Roddel had since acquired more than his share of enemies, so he was still hesitant to simply believe three strangers who brought up a past vow. Perhaps they are using that vow to cause me to reveal Roddel in order to take revenge on some past misdeed, he thought to himself.

I understand, was all that he said aloud.

The group sat in silence for a moment as each weighed the response of the other. When the Magus did not speak again, Roddel chimed in with a few demands of his own.

I know Roddel personally, and I know that he has many enemies. How can I be assured that you come on royal business and not out of vengeance?

The Elder Magus glanced at the unrevealed companion. The three strangers were silent once again. Roddel sensed tension emanating from them. He could tell that the female Magus was running out of patience. At any moment, she might respond to Roddel's delay tactics with an outburst of violent majik in which the Magi were trained extensively.

After several moments of silence, the hooded stranger nodded slightly. Roddel sat still but tense, knowing that at any moment the Magi could start spewing out the words of a fire incantation or other majik that would mean the end of him and his patrons if he did not act quickly. A small boot knife was tucked in easy reach just under the cuff of his pants, and though his hands were resting casually on the table, Roddel could grab it and cut the throats of all three strangers before more than two syllables of any majik incantation had been uttered.

Finally, the unrevealed stranger spoke in a soft, feminine voice. We bear papers addressed to Sir Roddel Bradleyson under the seal of King Selamor, successor to King Kedorlemor, to whom the Knight Roddel vowed undying fealty and his sword. Though the stranger used the royal language, her voice had the distinctive whispers and sibilants of an Otherworlder.

Roddel tensed with surprise when the hooded one spoke his full name. He realized that since they knew his surname, using his father's name as his own did nothing to conceal his identity.

She continued, It is our duty to deliver these papers into the hands of Roddel and bring him to King Selamor or, if he refuses, to bring swift justice upon his pate.

Roddel wasted no time in his response; his duty to his