The Autumn Mage

Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter One

     The sight of smeared blood on the back of his hand enraged him further. The pounding in his ear was a stark contrast to the whispering green and orange trees swaying along the dirt road. He wiped his hand off on his dusty faded black cloak and struggled back to his feet in defiance.

     "That will be the worst mistake you'll make all day!" Aki spat, flecks of blood from his top lip flying with the saliva. He raised his staff and his arms dramatically, causing the redheaded gang leader to smirk arrogantly. He was a few years younger than Aki but taller and of broader shoulders. His hair was every bit as bright and tangled as the swaying red leaves and he was a couple teeth short of a full smile.

     "It'll take more than parlor tricks to scare the Red Herrings, boy." A rush of wind and another rustle of the trees sent a shiver down the young man's spine. His sparkling green eyes narrowed and his thin pale lips curled into a dare. He shoved his hands into his red corduroy overalls, regretting not wearing a shirt. His freckled skin was beginning to prickle.

     "Well, have you seen 'trick' before?" Aki began to spin the faint green staff above his head, his hands awkwardly juggling the shaft. It was made of oak and deceptively heavy for how thin it is. He finally began picking up momentum and flames set across the tip, engulfing the burnt cobra head that had been etched into the top of the staff. Its eyes began to glow red menacingly. "Feel the bite of my Flame Dragon!" Aki yelled as he whipped the staff forward. As the staff set into place a small explosion left the tip and a burst of flames shot forward, taking the shape of a large dragon's head, the flames trailing behind as it traveled in a wave-like motion. It turned sideways before clamping onto the first ruffian. It paused briefly as its teeth sank into the flesh searing the skin as its victim screamed in agony. It let him slump to the ground to coil its body around the next gang member's torso, bit into another one, passed straight through the body of the fourth, and finally knocked the leader three meters into the air by exploding into his torso. He landed with a thud and lay still as his hair sizzled.

     Aki walked over to the five burnt boys to expect his handiwork as the smell of burnt hair and flesh hung in the air. He bent over and patted the leader's pants, stopping on his back pocket. He removed from him two coin sacks, one a typical leather burgundy purse and the other a silky white pouch that was cool to the touch. He greedily made them both disappear and began to walk away with a smirk.

     "I'm going to let you off with a warning this time," the boy yelled as Aki walked away. "Next time you won't be so lucky!" Aki's smile fell as he had to steady himself with his staff. He was dizzy and his breath was heavy, and he began to stumble as he walked. He looked back worried that they would see him in his weakened state, but luckily they were not moving. He continued to hobble along until he could think clearly once more. By the time he reached the edge of Friedlich the sun was already beginning to set. The town was full of quaint one-story white block stone homes with orange clay tile roofs. Most citizens quietly tended their fields or sold goods to travelers on their way to the royal city. A thin calm river ran through the center of town and had become the town's symbol; not only was it soothing to walk over, but the farmers used it for irrigation. Every now and then a horse would clop lazily as it pulled a lonely buggy through the blue cobblestone streets.

     Aki walked to the local tavern and inn as if it were second nature as light began to fade from the sky. The Sleepy Gourd was one of only two two-story buildings, the other being the town hall. It was made of solid oak logs and a pointed "A" shaped roof. A chilled breeze made the small dangling "INN" sign squeal gently as it swayed. Aki gingerly shoved the green double doors open and was met with a familiar din and welcomed the smell of firewood and hen.