by Imogen Elvis
“It was Julia’s idea,” Ava said. She nodded at the red-haired girl. “The guards watched us all the time. Even if we wanted to get away, they would have caught us and brought us back. There was one boy who did that. They brought him back, and after that, well, he never tried anything ever. He didn’t talk. Didn’t eat. Just sat there, like he’d seen a ghost. We couldn’t get away while they were watching us. But Julia thought that in Mizra, the Nameless Ones would leave us alone. We were promised that all the glory was ours. So, we thought that the guards would have to leave us at some point. At first, they stayed too close, and we couldn’t get away, but then they just disappeared, and that was when we slipped away. No one noticed. They just kept going. We hid in one of the broken buildings until everyone was gone.”
Briar couldn’t imagine how scared they must have been, huddling there in the shelter of a building their companions had ruined, taking cover behind lumps of rubble, jumping at every noise and expecting at any moment that one of the Nameless Ones would appear beside them. “What did you do then?” she asked.
“We hid,” Ava said. “Begged for food. No one looked at us. They didn’t know who we were, or what we did.”
“Ava took care of us,” Julia added.
“Then we heard that the prince had been captured, and they were going to kill him. I overheard some of Lord Sachio’s people talking before, when we were in the camp, how he wanted to kill the prince, and how that would help him. And we all decided that we wanted to help the prince. Because then that would stop Lord Sachio.”
“So, you all came to the execution to make sure that Master Sachio didn’t kill him.” It was such a brave, foolish, amazing thing to have done. Ava and her friends had nothing. They only just escaped with their lives. And instead of running for safety, they came back to join the fight, even though they didn’t know the prince. They came back anyway.
Ava nodded. “And then you were there, and you stopped Lord Sachio, didn’t you?”
“We all did,” Briar said. “He’s been arrested, and the king is going to punish him for everything that he’s done. He’s never going to hurt any of you again. You’re all safe now.” Briar smiled at them, and it was a real smile this time. “The magicians here will take care of you all, won’t they, mistress?” She looked up at Mistress Brynn.
The mistress nodded. “You will all have a home here for as long as you need it,” she said. “We take care of our own, and that includes you. If you have homes to return to, we will help you go back to your friends and family. And if you don’t, you are welcome to stay with us, or we will help you find a new home if you need it.”
The children shuffled warily, their eyes downcast, and Briar couldn’t blame them. Not after what they’d been through. But they would be safe here, and the magicians would care for them. And she had Ava again. No matter what else was thrown at them, Briar was sure now that they could weather it.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
The children were tight-lipped about their pasts. Perhaps it was from force of habit, keeping their secrets to stay safe. Or maybe they didn’t trust the other magicians in case they were in league with Master Sachio. But they trusted Ava, and Ava trusted Briar, and between the two of them, they coaxed each of the other five children into sharing where they’d come from, and whether they wanted to go back. Some had families in the towns where they had been taken, and they grew a little teary at the promise that they could go back. However, in the cases of the freckled Julia and the quiet, hollow-eyed Tyrial, who had both been novices taken in earlier attacks, neither of them wished to go back. They would stay in Mizra for now.
It wasn’t until the evening meal when the children had finally settled at the table in the corner, which had been set up for them all, that Briar had a moment to breathe and reflect. Being in this Order house felt both familiar, and yet strange and exhausting at the same time. She sat in a room of strangers who all knew each other’s names and histories. Everyone had been kind, but somehow, it felt like she fitted in this corner with the rescued children more than among the magicians.
Ava and her friends talked together in low voices, their heads close together as they shared their stories and jokes, their faces lighting up as Julia teased Tyrial about making doe eyes at one of the Mizra novices, poking her elbow into his ribs. It felt so good to see them acting like normal children. But even better than that was seeing Ava free and happy, so close that, if she had wanted to, Briar could touch her to reassure herself that Ava was really there. She hardly felt that she deserved to have her sister back, but she was so grateful that she did.
“Excuse me, Briar. This came for you.” Briar turned, to find Mistress Arloa standing at her elbow, holding out a folded piece of parchment. A red wax seal held the letter shut. “It’s from the castle.”
“Thank you.” Briar took the letter from the mistress. Who would write to her from the castle? She slipped her finger under the seal and lifted it carefully. Out of the corner of her vision, Briar caught the children darting curious gazes at her, their voices lowering. In silence, she scanned the letter, reading it once, twice, then a third time, her disbelief growing deeper with each reading. The letter invited her to the castle tomorrow morning, to be present for the sentencing of Master Sachio. So soon? Briar knew the king would move swiftly, but she hadn’t thought that a decision would be reached quite so quickly.
Inside the first letter was a second, folded up small so that it would fit inside the invitation. It had no seal, just her name, hastily scrawled on the outside. A small smile spread over Briar’s lips as she read this second note.
Briar,
I wanted to come and see you, but Mother and Father won’t let me out of their sight just yet. Briar could just imagine Kade’s frustration at that, though, out of love and respect for them, of course, he would follow their wishes. I know the magicians will take good care of you, but I still worry. Mistress Brynn told me that Ava is alive. I’m so happy for you, Briar. Please, bring her with you tomorrow, if she would like to come. We all deserve to see the end of this. And I would like to see you too.
Kade
Still smiling, Briar folded the note again and tucked it away carefully. It would be good to see Kade again. Everything was changing all at once, for all of them. No longer would they travel and work together, sharing their stories and jokes. Kade would be a prince again, Lara would take up her title again, and Briar, well, who knew what she would be now?
But she would be at that sentencing, that much she was sure of. Perhaps if she saw Master Sachio facing his crimes, and hear for herself what his punishment would be, then she could believe that it was truly over. It was kind of Kade to invite Ava too. Would Ava want to come? Or would the sight of the man who had kidnapped her be too difficult? Briar would ask her. But, maybe not just yet. Ava’s head was close to Julia’s, and the two girls were giggling at some inside joke. Asking her could wait for a little.
Pushing her chair back, Briar made her way out of the dining hall and into the garden. Kade’s letter reminded her of how much she missed him. There had been so little time after he was saved from his execution to speak to him and reassure herself that he was alright. To revel in the knowledge that they’d succeeded.
The moment Briar stepped out into the cool evening air, it was like a weight fell off her shoulders. Somehow, being in the Order house, surrounded by all those magicians, didn’t seem to fit her anymore, just like the borrowed habit was too big. Even the official letter from the castle had been addressed to ‘Novice Briar’, and that name didn’t really suit her anymore either. Mistress Brynn said that there would be something else she could do with her life now, and Briar hoped that that was true. Being a magician had saved her, literally, when her family died, and she and Ava came to Osman. It gave her a home, a purpose, and the skills she’d used to stop Sachio. Now, it was time to move on. But to where?
“Briar?”
She turned, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as Ava came
to join her. “I thought you were with your friends.”
Ava shrugged. “I’d rather be with you.”
She joined Briar, and together they strolled slowly down the path. The sun sank behind the trees, and purple twilight gathered in the shadows. Crickets sang in the grass, and the flowers closed their petals against the coming night. Briar let out a quiet sigh.
“It’s funny how, even though I wouldn’t let you go to Mizra, we ended up here all the same. I should have said yes in the beginning,” Briar said. “I was wrong to stop you.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Ava said. “You wanted to look after me, and I was silly to be so angry. You always look after me.”
“I think you looked after yourself pretty well,” Briar said. “And your friends. You helped save them. It wasn’t me they believed in. It was you. You’re the one who saved their lives and Ka-and Prince Levi’s as well.”
“You know the prince pretty well, don’t you?” Ava asked.
“We travelled together a lot. He’s one of my friends,” Briar said carefully. “I suppose I do know him fairly well.”
“Did he write the letter that came tonight?” Ava’s glance was a lot sharper and more suggestive than Briar would have liked.
Her cheeks heated, and she fixed her eyes on the path, rather than meeting Ava’s gaze. “As a matter of fact, the letter was from the castle. An invitation.”
“For what?”
“Master Sachio is being sentenced tomorrow. You and I have both been invited.” Briar’s eyes darted to Ava, trying to gauge her reaction. “Would you like to come? You don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s your choice.”
Ava bit her lip and didn’t answer at first. It was impossible to read her thoughts on her face. Briar missed being able to touch Ava’s life song and figure out her emotions. Finally, Ava nodded. “I want to go.”
Whether or not she thought it was a good idea for Ava to be there, if her sister thought she could handle it, then Briar wasn’t about to question her. So instead she said, “It’s hard to believe that tomorrow, this will all be over.”
“What are we going to do then?” Ava asked. “Do we go back to Osman?”
“Do you want to?”
“I don’t know.” Ava’s voice was raw with honesty. “I don’t think I’ll have my job anymore. And you don’t have your magic, so you can’t go back to the Order house.”
“But you have yours.”
A frown wrinkled Ava’s forehead. “I’ve been thinking about that too. I need to be trained. I want to know how to control it, so I don’t hurt people by accident.”
Briar stopped and took her sister’s hand, looking into her face. “If you want to be trained, then we will find a way. I can talk to Mistress Brynn about you training here if you want. Or we can figure something else out if you prefer. But you won’t be like Mama, hurting people you never meant to, I promise.”
“You’d do that for me?” Ava’s eyes widened.
“Of course. You’re special, Ava. Not because you have magic, but just because of who you are. I’m not here to control your life. I thought I knew better than you before. Now, I just want to help you find what’s right for you.”
Ava twisted her fingers together, her eyes lowered. “I’m not like you, Briar. I’m not strong or brave or smart.”
“No,” Briar said. “You’re not like me. You’re better. And you’re going to do greater things than I have. You’re not going to hurt anyone, and I am certain that you will find ways to help people like I’m going to find a way to help you.” Briar tugged her medallion over her head and pressed it into Ava’s palm. “I want you to have this.”
“I can’t take this.” Ava’s eyes widened, and she tried to push it back into Briar’s hands. “It’s yours. I know how much you love it.”
“And now it’s yours because I love you too.” Briar smiled, closing Ava’s fingers over the battered medallion. “Whether you join the Order, or you choose something else, you’re a magician, and I am so proud of you.”
Ava wrapped her arms around Briar, holding her tight. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you, Briar.”
“I love you too.” Briar laid her cheek on Ava’s hair and closed her eyes, holding her sister next to her heart. Nothing could be better than this moment
They walked the garden paths in silence for a long time. Briar was more than happy just to enjoy having Ava at her side, and for her part, Ava seemed content to stay quiet, turning the medallion over and over in her fingers, her eyes still wide, and her face still shining with happiness. But, slowly, the sun slipped below the horizon, and the edge of the sky glowed a deep purple, that faded slowly as the night drew in. Inside the Order house, the light from the windows winked out as the masters and mistresses closed the shutters.
Briar let out a sigh. “I suppose we should go back inside.”
“Do we have to?” But Ava turned obediently to go back into the house. “I like it here, Briar. It’s nice. Everyone’s so kind to us. I’d like to stay.”
“Then I’ll talk to Mistress Brynn for you.”
“Do you really think I’ll be a good magician?” Ava looked up, her eyes searching Briar’s face.
“I know you will be.” Briar smiled at Ava.
“Thanks, Briar.” Ava’s smile widened. Then, “Race you back.” Ava took off down the path, sprinting towards the Order house.
Briar laughed and jogged after her sister. She couldn’t be happier to be here with Ava, knowing that tomorrow would bring the end of Master Sachio’s story, with all his plans and schemes. And maybe she would even see Kade again, and Lara of course. Tomorrow was bright with promise, in a way it hadn’t been for a long, long time.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
A carriage arrived from the castle early the following morning to transport Briar and Ava to Master Sachio’s sentencing. The air was still cool, though the sun was already peeking above the houses, and the square beyond the Order house was rapidly filling with people going about the business of the day. The carriage bore the royal family’s crest on its doors, and was drawn by two white horses, which stood patiently waiting for the sisters. The dark woodwork was polished, and the metal fixtures gleamed, even down to the hinges on the doors. The driver tipped his hat to Briar and Ava as they stepped out of the Order house, and opened the door for them, helping the girls inside.
Ava’s eyes were huge as she stared around the interior of the carriage. “Have you ever seen something so lovely?”
“I have not,” Briar had to admit.
Lady Madella’s carriage had been luxurious, but this one was even more beautiful and comfortable, though some of the appeal may have been to do with the fact that Briar could actually enjoy herself this time. She sank into a soft, velvet-covered seat and gazed out through the polished glass of the window. The seats were so wide that they could easily have seated three people side by side in comfort. A smile lifted the corners of Briar’s lips. This was a step up for both of them.
Ava sat on the seat facing Briar, her nose pressed to the window, watching the city pass by. For her part, Briar watched her sister, rather than the scenery. Once upon a time, Ava believed Mizra was the most wonderful place in the world, and the only thing she had wanted to do was come here. It was good to see that, even after everything Ava had been through, Mizra still held onto some of that magic for her.
“Is it as good as you imagined it would be?” Briar asked.
“Better.” Ava didn’t look away from the view. “I can’t wait to see the castle again.”
“It’s amazing,” Briar said. “You should see the inside.”
“Do you think the prince would let me see it?” Ava turned to glance at Briar.
“Maybe,” Briar said cautiously. Kade would probably show Ava around himself if Briar asked. But it was better not to promise too much.
“I’m sure he will if you ask him.” Ava gave Briar a sly look.
“What exactly are you implying?” Briar ra
ised her eyebrows.
Ava shrugged. “Nothing. Just, if you’re friends, then he’d probably say yes.” The way her eyes flicked sideways to Briar’s face suggested that she was implying something more, but her sister let it be, for now at least.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Briar turned away, staring out the window herself, to cover the flush that rose in her cheeks. Kade was a good friend, and kind, and she was sure that he would be happy to show Ava what he could.
“Look, Briar.” Ava pointed. “There’s the castle.”
Yes, there was the castle, standing tall and proud above the other buildings, the sun catching the golden stones and making them seem to glow. The crowds were thick here, but they parted before the royal carriage. They passed through the main gate and up the last rise before the front steps of the castle. For once, Briar’s heart beat fast with excitement as she joined Ava at the window. It made a nice change.
A throng of city folk filled the courtyard before the castle steps, talking eagerly, their voices blending into a dull roar. The carriage slowed to a crawl as it navigated through the crowd. Briar drew back from the window a little. Did these people really understand what had happened? Or were they just here from curiosity? At least, they didn’t seem angry at what was to come.
The carriage stopped at the base of the stone steps at the very front of the castle. These rose to a balcony that ran along the whole front of the building. A line of soldiers stood against the wall of the castle, while servants hustled and bustled about in preparation. A footman hurried up to open the door for the two girls, bowing. Ava leapt out immediately, but Briar hesitated for a moment. There were so many people here. More than she had been expecting. It was all a bit overwhelming.
“Are you coming?” Ava called back. “Briar?”
“I’m here.” Briar stepped out of the carriage, smoothing down the skirt of her habit carefully. She had been invited to be here. Behind her, the carriage rumbled away, leaving Briar and Ava standing at the foot of the steps, alone.