As the story continues, the Royal Expeditionary Force, led by Captain Gerald, is heading for the northern village of Farmdale to investigate the systemic and wide-spread destruction of the farms and ranches in the area. The Force is on the road from Kingston, the capital of Franconia, to the city of Fairview, which is the first stop on their way to Farmdale.
After the force departed Kingston, they were followed by a magician and his accomplice, but they are not sure why. When confronted, the Sorcerer killed his companion, then drank poison in order to avoid being questioned under the effects of Truth Serum. The Battle Mage, Sir Edward, is concerned by this development, and advises Captain Gerald to take additional precautions to safeguard the force during their journey.
The mystery deepens when Edward discovers that the captured Sorcerer’s mount has a Tracer spell on it’s saddlebags. A Tracer spell enables the conjurer to track the location of the saddlebags wherever they are in Franconia. Rather than simply dissolving the Tracer spell, Edward magically transfers the spelled saddlebags into the wagon of a merchant headed back down the road to Kingston.
Captain Gerald and Mage Edward discuss the vulnerabilities of the Royal Expeditionary Force, and decide that their horses are one of their greatest assets, but also a vulnerability. Anything that could disable a large number of mounts would seriously impact the Royal Expeditionary Force’s speed of movement, and could delay their arrival in Farmdale.
Battle Mage Edward was particularly concerned about cactus burrs, which were normally only found in the western sections of the country, but which could cause a horse to go lame if stepped on. Conjuring a large number of these burrs and scattering them across the road would be an easy task for a magician, and the effects on the Expeditionary Force would be devastating. Edward begins riding with the advanced guard in order to search for any such impediments. He finds them, scattered across the muddy road a few days out from Fairview. Edward successfully removes the cactus burrs, but he is now convinced that someone is deliberately trying to sabotage the Royal Expeditionary Force’s trip to Farmdale.
Meanwhile, Donovan has found enjoyment riding with the forward and flank scouts each day (until it started raining), and gambling with the soldiers when they camp for the evening. He has already won several coppers from soldiers who bet against him in knife-throwing contests. While Edward is pleased by Donovan’s interest in the military, he knows that Franconian soldiers don’t get paid much, so he magically replaces the copper coins that any of the soldiers lose while betting with Donovan.
As a result of the events on the road, Mage Edward convinces Captain Gerald that it would not be wise to stay in Fairview for even one night. This is going to be a very unpopular decision, as all of the solders (and Donovan) have been looking forward to spending some time in Fairview after ten days on the road.
After Captain Gerald informs the men of his decision, several of them ask for ‘special considerations’ to go into town for just ‘a couple of hours,’ to see a wife, girlfriend, or parent, but Captain Gerald makes no exceptions. Donovan is especially upset by the decision to bypass the city, since he hoped to see his friend Maria while the Force was in town.
During his discussion with Donovan, Edward asks if his son is feeling ok, as he seems to be overly weary. Donovan admits to ‘dragging’ for the last few days, but blames it on the dreary weather. Edward is startled by the term ‘dragging,’ and casts a spell on Donovan to see if there may be another reason for his fatigue. He finds that Donovan is carrying a copper coin that has a Tracer spell on it.
Donovan informs his father that the old Henry VIth copper is one that he won from Sergeant Williams their first night on the road. The coin is very old (the current King is Henry XI) and collectable; making it an ideal item for a Tracer spell, since the owner would keep it as a keepsake, rather than spend it on ale.
Edward informs Captain Gerald of the spelled coin, and how it came from Sergeant Williams. Gerald doesn’t know if the sergeant is a spy, in league with the people who are attempting to delay the Royal Expeditionary Force, or just an innocent bystander, who received the coin from another party.
Captain Gerald and Mage Edward need to decide what to do about Sergeant Williams and the spelled coin before they proceed any further.
Battle Mage Edward