Stranded Mage by D.W. Jackson Read Free Book Online

be the best on a ship but put a foe in front of them and they will cut through anyone, and I have a few tricks that might help.”
    The captain patted Thad hard on the back. “You’re more than welcome to join in the fun my friend.”
    “Yer dang right were joining in tha fun.” Crusher yelled from behind them. While his voice was determined the dwarf’s face still had its slight green hue. Thad forced back a laugh and set his face and mentally prepared himself for the coming battle.
    “Catch love,” Brianna shouted, tossing Thad his sword that he had left in their chambers. “Ya might need this,” Brianna said, than let out a loud curse, “I forgot to grab yer staff.”
    Thad laughed as he stretched out his hand and called to his staff. Instantly it appeared in his outstretched hand, causing everyone to jump back. ”Blazes, warn a dwarf before ya do something like that boy,” Crusher yelled along with a string of curses.
    That was enjoyable. We should do that more often. The feeling Thad got from the staff was one of enjoyment, it seemed the staff enjoyed pranks almost as much as Arianna.
    Thad belted on his sword and adjusted it so that it felt comfortable on his side. With his weapons in hand Thad turned toward the approaching ship. The Brotherhood’s ship was still a good distance behind but it was gaining, though slowly. The Rose Runner was turning about and positioning itself for a fight.
    Thad didn’t know much about ships but he was sure the lighter Rose Runner could easily outpace the large bulky warship. The fact they intended to fight lifted even more of the guilt that had weighed down upon his heart.
    To Thad it looked like every sailor on the Rose Runner had lined up port side with a crossbow at the ready. Thad began his own preparation by drawing in magical energy. He wanted fire elemental energy, but it was scarce and he knew he wouldn’t have the time to gather enough to cast a spell strong enough to damage the ship. There was plenty of water elemental energy around but Thad was completely inept at controlling it, so with little choice he was forced to draw in the light elemental.
    As he drew in the energy Thad began to think of any spell that might be useful against a ship as heavily armored and equipped as the one he was about to face. The only spell that came to mind was a concentrated light spell, though he wasn’t sure that it would work against the ship.
    As the ship drew near Thad could see numerous Brotherhood soldiers lining up against the railing. Thad could hear the sound of the ballista’s ropes being pulled taught as they readied to unleash their devilishly large bolts against the Rose Runner. Looking at the imposing weapons Thad made a decision to destroy them first, knowing that the Rose Runner couldn’t take too many hits before she would be bound for the bottom of the sea.
    As soon as the Brotherhood’s ship was within range Thad let loose a blinding stream of light that raked across the deck, destroying two ballistae and tearing up planks off the deck as if they were made of paper. All too soon the large supply of magical energy Thad had gathered had been expended. He could gather more but it would take time for him to be able to cast another spell of the same strength.
    “Can you do anything?” Thad asked his staff as he looked at the three remaining ballistae.
    I have enough stored energy to throw a few strong blasts but it will be hard to hit something at that distance.
    Thad knew it wasn’t perfect but he had little else to depend on. Leveling his staff, Thad let loose a barrage of magical bolts, two of them hitting their intended target. “Only one more to go,” Thad told himself.
    A loud course of high pitched sound filled the air as both the Rose Runner and the Brotherhood let loose a torrent of bolts at each other. Thad hastily put up a shield, but he was too late for most of the sailors as more than a dozen fell to the deck either dead or wounded.
    Thad’s