Chronicles of a Mage, Book One

Chapter 6: Getting Aid

 " *Pant pant* Hey!" When I saw the city of Inderishas in the distance I unintentionally ran towards the city gate where stood a couple guards clad in chain mail.
"Hey kid, why are you in such a hurry?" The guard on the left asked me
"*pant* I'm from *pant* Tlalil. It's *pant* in trouble. There was smoke and I *pant* decided to get help here"
"Tlail's in trouble? Maybe you ought to bring that up to the captain. That sounds way above our pay grade-"
"Uh yeah the captain of the guard here in Inderishas, I'll take you too her because this seems important and not definitely not because nothing happens around here." The second guard interrupted his comrade.
"My what dutiful guards." Eeuna commented
I followed the guard through the paved streets of Inderishas. He took me up a hill and up some stairs and eventually we came to a building larger than the houses surrounding it and a little sign above the front door said "barracks". Inside the barracks were some people hitting training dummies and others sitting around doing whatever guards do. There was one person looked out person sitting to the far left of the room. A boy with indigo-blue hair, wearing an expensive looking outfit with coloration similar to his hair. Was he a noble? At the back of the room was a set of stairs that we used to go the second floor and the guard (whose name I still didn't know) opened a door at the very back. "Captain, I have grave news."
"Gods Vosnen don't you know how to knock? What is it? " inside the room a woman sat at a desk. She had black hair with her face being adorned with scars. She wore a gold breastplate that had almost as many dents and scratches as her face. I doubt the armour itself was actually made of gold and the rivets on the collar was tell tale sign that it had been made by dwarf craftsmanship from Alinheas (Alinheas is a country down south, not all that important yet). This lady had obviously seen some combat.
"Oooh what pretty piece of armour can we get a set?" Eeuna said but I was unable to reply to that
"This lad came from Tlalil. He says the town is in trouble" The guard who's name was apparently Vosnen said
"It's true. I was coming back from the forest when I saw the plumes of black smoke and what looked like... hordes of undead."
"That's grave news indeed. Good work for bringing this to my attention. I'll gather some men to find out what's going on down there. In the mean time, you should get something to eat. You look famished." 

I was downstairs, eating some bread and salted meat. "Well this is the height cuisine" Eeuna said while I ate my meal. Right across the room was that same boy in blue clothing. His demeanour and posture looked refined, like someone who had spent a life of luxury. He was definitely a noble of some kind which would explain his well made clothing. But before I could divine anymore than that the captain came down the stairs with purpose in her stride.
"Where are you going?" I asked
"Most of the guards are off duty. I'm going to the taverns to round them up and then we'll march to Tlalil" It's barely even noon though. Why are they all at the taverns so early?
"Wait I want to come with you, I have family in Tlalil." In truth I wasn't very worried about my family. If I knew anything about Uncle it's that he was wise and powerful. If there's anyone who could survive whatever happened at Tlalil it was him. Not to mention I was eager to ask him about the ring and Eeuna.
"Hmmm..."  She sized me up "You're a mage aren't you? You look like you could be useful in a fight. How about this, I'll let you tag along with us and when you get to Tlalil you can search for your family. You're not an official guard but I might "lose" some funds I have for hiring mercenaries"
"You can hire mercenaries?" I inquired
"Well actually I technically  can't hire mages as mercenaries, or else the church might ream me... So I'll just leave you out of the paperwork. But yes I can and often do hire freelancers. Do you see that guy over there?" She pointed at the boy in blue "He came here a few months back looking for work. He's a bit green but he's not too shabby with that rapier of his" I noticed the scabbard holding a rapier on his waist. "Speaking of which I want you to come with us too" she directed at the boy "Both of you meet me outside the city gate in 30 minutes." With that order she took off and went outside.

"What was that about?" The boy spoke. His voice had this sense of entitlement to it but also had this kind of earnesty to it.

"Something happened in Tlalil and we're going to find out what. That's the gist of it anyway" I replied
"Ah right Tlalil um where is that?" He said, looking honestly curious.
I guess Tlalil is an obscure town. I'd doubt that anyone not from the local county would've even heard of it. But this is Inderishas. The folk here often trade their crops for fish and other goods from Tlalil.  "Yeah. Just east of here."
"Ohhh right Tlalil. Yes I've heard of that place" He didn't sound very convincing. 
"Look let's just get to the gate in time" I said