Gavin turned away and moved off to one side of the space, conjured a rather comfortable-looking chair, and flopped into it.
* * *
It was sometime later when Lillian drifted over to where Gavin was lounging, watching the two groups.
“You were a little rough with them,” she said by way of greeting.
Gavin shrugged. “I didn’t want to be, but they were quickly approaching the point where I might have done something far less palatable. At least this way, they’re talking, and no one’s drawn blood yet.”
“‘None of us is as strong as all of us.’ You really believe that?” Lillian asked.
“Yes, I do,” Gavin replied, adding a nod for emphasis. “I believe it with every fiber of my being. I don’t care what your motivations are. I don’t care what you want out of life. As long as we can find some common ground—even one little thing we agree on—we can work together to build something better than what we currently have. It’s when people—no matter their species—try forcing their views and beliefs on others, or deciding some people don’t matter, that you start having problems.”
Gavin shifted in his chair just enough to look directly at Lillian. He continued, “Take my situation, for example. Anyone who says returning to Tel is going to be all smiles and roses and cheers and happiness is delusional. And let’s be honest, I’m going to turn what has been ‘normal’ on its ear. There are going to be countless people who hate what I’m going to do, and honestly, that’s fine with me. I don’t mind people not agreeing with me. I do mind people fighting me instead of working with me, instead of presenting their side of it to see what would work better for both of us. I don’t like binary thinking, Lillian. The world is not black and white, us or them. I just have to figure out how to show everyone that.”
“It’s times like this, right now, where I’m not sure we deserve you,” Lillian said, her voice so small and quiet Gavin almost didn’t hear her.
Gavin chuckled and shook his head. “That’s utter horseshit, too, Lillian. Don’t you dare start thinking I’m perfect or anything like that. I can’t do what needs doing alone, and I have no doubt there will be days I won’t want to do any of it. I’ll be relying heavily on my friends, those days. You, Kiri, Mariana, Braden, Wynn, Declan, and so many others are why I accepted Bellos’s offer. I didn’t want this job, but I didn’t want anyone else to have to face it, either.”
“Kirloth making the hard choices, so no one else has to?”
Gavin’s eyes drifted to the other group and focused on Kiri specifically as he said, “Yeah, something like that.”
Chapter 12
With the dracons assisting, the rebels in the former siege camp soon had nowhere to go. Recognizing their situation, they surrendered en masse when Terris promised fair treatment and no executions. It soon became a matter of moving through the horde of people with Divination of Truth to identify those who had brutalized others. Gavin, his apprentices, and his friends made quick work of that. It took little more than two weeks.
* * *
Terris found Gavin standing in the small garden his wife had loved tending. A slight breeze ruffled the leaves and flowers. Gavin turned when he heard someone walking across the gravel behind him.
“I’m not sure what’s left for me to do here, Terris,” Gavin said, almost sighing. “The rebellion is broken. Kiri is home where she belongs. The slave marks are no more.”
Terris answered with a nod. “You’re a good man, Gavin. I will never forget everything you’ve done for us. You should visit Kiri before you go.”
“Yes, I suppose I should,” Gavin replied and turned to go. He stopped. “Terris, if you should ever find yourself in a situation where you don’t know who to trust, look for people with runic tattoos on the inside of their left wrists, just behind the joint. I think you’ll recognize the glyph at the tattoo’s center.”
By the time Terris had processed what Gavin had told him, the new Archmagister was gone. The dominant thought in Terris’s mind was that he’d seen Declan with a tattoo on his left wrist.
* * *
The door swung open moments after Gavin knocked. Several emotions flitted across Kiri’s expression as she held the door to her suite with her left hand.
“So, it’s that time, then?” she finally asked.
Gavin nodded. “I’m not sure what else there’s left for me to do here, and as much as I’d rather not, I should probably get back to Tel Mivar. I did agree to do a job there.”
Kiri’s eyes roamed across the gold robe Gavin now wore. “Yes, I suppose you did.”
Just then, a woman dressed as a maid and carrying a laundry basket came up behind Kiri.
“This is Lilly,” Kiri said as she gestured for Gavin to step inside and clear the doorway. “She’s one of my personal maids.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lilly,” Gavin said, noticing how the maid took extra effort to show Gavin the tattoo on her left wrist. He leaned close as she passed, and he whispered, “If any harm ever comes to her, you and your associates had better be dead.”
“Of course, Milord,” Lilly replied, also in a whisper, before going on her way.
Gavin closed the door behind him and turned to find Kiri eyeing him.
“What was that?” she asked.
“She’s one of several people scattered throughout the palace like Declan,” Gavin answered.
Kiri’s eyes shot wide. “You mean—”
Gavin nodded. “Yes. I told your father to look for their tattoo if he ever finds himself not knowing who to trust. The same goes for you. If you ever need me, and I mean right now, tell one of them.” Gavin took a deep breath and released it as a sigh. “Well, I’d better go. Take care of yourself, Kiri.”
Gavin turned and reached for the door, but before he grasped the latch handle, Kiri took two quick steps and wrapped her arms around him. Gavin returned the embrace and held Kiri tightly for several moments. Then, he pulled away and was gone.
* * *
Gavin arrived in the palace courtyard, the bottomless semi-sentient satchel hanging from his left shoulder by its padded strap. Roth, Q’Orval, and Terris stood with his friends and apprentices. When Gavin approached, Roth stepped up and extended his right hand.
“Thank you for being such a friend to Vushaar,” Roth said as Gavin accepted the handshake.
Gavin nodded. “You’re welcome, Roth. Take care of Kiri, and help Terris as much as he’ll let you.”
Roth grinned. “I see you’ve figured out how it works around here.”
Gavin returned Roth’s grin with one of his own, and the Cavalier released Gavin’s hand and stepped back. Gavin approached Terris, who held out his hand, and Gavin accepted it and gave a firm handshake.
“Gavin, I will be forever grateful for everything you’ve done,” Terris said.
Gavin nodded. “You’re welcome, Terris. I’m glad I was able to help.”
Movement at Gavin’s right drew their attention. Gavin saw Declan standing a couple feet away, lute in one hand and a packed duffle bag over his other shoulder.
“And it seems I’ll be taking a bard off your hands,” Gavin remarked.
Declan grinned. “You’re the first Archmagister in six hundred years, Gavin. Do you honestly think I’d let you return to Tel without me there to record it?”
Gavin chuckled. “No, I suppose not.” He turned back to Terris. “Take care of yourself. I’ll be here if you need me.”
“As will I,” Terris replied.
Terris stepped back. Gavin approached his friends and three apprentices, Declan still at his side.
“Well, I think we’ve done as much damage as we can do here,” Gavin said, his eyes sweeping across his friends. “Are you ready to go?”
Each one nodded. Lillian said, “We are.”
Gavin regarded his apprentices. “Are you sure you want to go also?”
Xythe, Holly Walsh, and Fallon’s nephew Jasper each nodded. Gavin knew that Jasper and Xythe had taken Holly
under their wing, so to speak, helping the young girl get used to being away from home. Gavin made a mental note to speak with them and make sure they knew he appreciated it.
“Very well. In that case, I think it’s time.”
Grooms from the palace stables brought the mounts that had carried them from Tel, and Gavin took a moment to rub Jasmine’s nose and neck when she pressed against Gavin’s chest.
“I know. I’ve missed you too, girl,” Gavin said, “but we’re going home.”
Mariana shook her head, still in disbelief over Gavin’s relationship with Jasmine.
Once Gavin finished giving Jasmine some attention, he turned to an open area of the palace courtyard. He focused his mind on his memories of the College gate and invoked the Word, “Paedryx.”
The resonance of Gavin’s power washed over every wizard present as a sapphire archway of crackling energy rose out of the paving stones. It was easily wide enough to drive a wagon through. When the archway rose higher than two horses standing atop each other, it flashed, creating a gateway to Tel Mivar.
Gavin turned and nodded once more to Terris and said, “Farewell, my friend. I’ll be in touch.”
Terris lifted his hand in reply as Gavin led his friends and apprentices into the central market of Tel Mivar.
Chapter 13
The last Grand Moot had occurred roughly six hundred years ago, when the dracons voted to withdraw from the world. Now? The Council of Clans for Qar’Zhosk had been face-to-face with the new Archmagister, and what’s more, he was of the Liberator’s House. An arcanist of House Kirloth occupied the office of Archmagister for the first time since the Founding. Faced with that new development, the councilors in Qar’Zhosk saw no other option than to call another Grand Moot. It would be the third in their entire history.
The ancient councilor from Qar’Zhosk stood to address the assembled councilors, and all chatter in the hall stilled.
“We called this Grand Moot to convey a startling revelation,” he said. “Last week, Gavin Cross, the Scion of the Liberator who helped us fix our skies, returned to Qar’Zhosk. He returned wearing the gold robes of the Archmagister. We have since prayed to Bellos, and Bellos verified that Gavin Cross did indeed accept the position of Archmagister of Tel. Bellos further informed our clerics that He chose not to name another Archmagister following Bellock Vanlon’s death, because Valthon counseled Him to wait. The naturals never offended the gods.”
There were graveyards louder than the assembled councilors, as they processed Bellos’s information. If that was indeed true—and no one would dare call Bellos a liar—it was the dracons, not the naturals, who had given offense. That was not so pleasant for them to contemplate.
The silence in the hall became awkward. One dracon stood, and the ancient councilor recognized her. “This offense must be corrected. It cannot be allowed to stand. Did Bellos provide any guidance on how we should do so?”
“Not that I am aware,” the ancient councilor answered. “Should we interview the mystics who conversed with Bellos?”
Another councilor stood, the ancient recognizing him before he spoke. “It is not the gods’ place to tell us how to correct our mistakes. My opinion is that we should reverse our decision to withdraw from the world and ask the assistance of this new Archmagister for insight on the best way or ways to correct our mistakes.”
Councilors around nodded the hall as that councilor resumed his seat. Another stood, soon recognized by the ancient. “I petition the Grand Moot to vote. The petition is to repeal our decision to withdraw from the world and, afterward, seek the Archmagister’s guidance in making right our error.”
The councilor returned to his seat, and the ancient intoned, “The Grand Moot has been petitioned. Cast your vote in favor or against.”
A podium stood in front of each councilor. The head of the podium had two inset stones: one white and one black. In all formal votes, touching the white stone indicated a vote in favor; touching the black voted against. The dracons had five cities that sent thirteen councilors each to the Grand Moot for a grand total of sixty-five voting attendees. In order for a petition to be binding across all dracon society, three out of four councilors in the assembly had to vote in favor of the petition, and no one could abstain. When the final vote was made, fifty-five councilors voted in favor.
The dracons would rejoin to the world.
* * *
Many leagues north of Qar’Zhosk, another council met. The Necromancer of Skullkeep looked across the table at each of his lieutenants, though ‘barely competent lackeys’ might be a better description. The current speaker, rather vehemently, was advocating an outlandish idea.
“I’m telling you, Master,” the mage insisted, “this is the perfect time to act! The new Archmagister hasn’t presented him- or herself yet, and when they do, there will be all kinds of learning to do. Whoever it is will be unbalanced and not ready. We should attack Tel Mivar now! Taking Tel Mivar puts us that much closer to our goal.”
“And just how well did that idea work out for Master’s pawn and his friend Sivas?” another lieutenant—this one supposedly a wizard—asked, practically sneering. “By the gods, man, the current Kirloth was trained by the man who dueled Milthas. Do you honestly think any of us here, except Master, can stand against him? Especially if he rallies the Great Houses? You might yearn to commit suicide, but I do not.”
“You’re a coward,” the mage replied. “It’s common knowledge that Kirloth and his apprentices are in Vushaar. They left almost a year ago now.”
“You are correct,” the Necromancer said, entering the discussion and neglecting to add for once. “I have received word that Ivarson now resides in the king’s dungeon and his army is broken. Our campaign to secure Vushaar has failed, and that failure rests on the shoulders of Kirloth.”
Silence descended on the room as the lieutenants looked at one another.
A mage at the far end of the table ended the silence. “Master, how can we prepare to war against Lornithar now? Doesn’t this mean our cause is in jeopardy?”
Silence stretched before the Necromancer answered, “The situation is no longer as clear as it once was. For now, we will consider what our next steps should be. Have your thoughts or recommendations ready for the next meeting in two weeks.”
Chapter 14
Gavin blinked and then smiled at the hint of salt on the air as he stood in the courtyard of the College of the Arcane. It seemed like such a long time since they’d started their journey to Vushaar. Looking around, memories of his first few days here flitted through Gavin’s mind. The place didn’t quite feel like home, but it was far closer than any other place Gavin could think of.
“All right,” Gavin said. “Let’s get our mounts to the stables, then we’ll see about getting Xythe, Holly, and Jasper settled in some rooms.”
Lillian reached out to touch Gavin’s upper arm, before pointing up in the sky and saying, “Gavin, look up there!”
Gavin stopped and looked where she was pointing. A massive castle hovered above Tel Mivar, easily hundreds of feet in the air. It was built on a piece of earth with the underside rounded and it gleamed in the sunlight. Gavin realized it was the other intense node of power he’d felt through his skathos during the time he’d been in Tel Mivar.
“That’s the Citadel,” Mariana gasped. “It hasn’t been seen since the death of Bellock Vanlon, the last Archmagister.”
Gavin merely nodded and turned toward the stables, leading Jasmine by her reins. It took little time to reach the large collection of structures set slightly apart from the main grounds by a simple fence. Master Robillard stepped from the main structure as Gavin and his people approached.
“So, the rumors are true, then,” Robillard remarked. “Bellos finally named an Archmagister.”
Gavin nodded. “Yes, he somehow roped me into accepting.”
Robillard laughed. “Oh, I daresay you’ll do a better job about it than most, and no one can say you came up throug
h the ranks and carry any intra-Society feuds or rivalries with you.”
“There is that,” Gavin replied.
Robillard nodded, saying, “Well, I won’t keep you out here yammering on. Leave your horses with me, and I’ll see that they receive the best care.”
“By any chance,” Gavin asked, “do you happen to have some leather cordage? Like something one would use to make a necklace?”
“I do believe I do.”
“I’d like to buy two pieces from you,” Gavin said.
Robillard shook his head. “I’d never dream of charging the Archmagister.”
Gavin now shook his own head. “Nope. If you’re not willing to sell it to me, I’ll get it somewhere else. I’ll not have anyone giving me stuff just because I’m the Archmagister, when they would’ve sold it to me as Kirloth.”
The stable-master sighed. “So be it. Two coppers a piece, then.”
Gavin produced his coin pouch and retrieved four copper pieces. When Robillard returned with the cordage and a few stable hands, Gavin traded him the coins for the cordage. The stable hands waited while Gavin and the others collected anything from their saddlebags they didn’t want stored with the tack. For Gavin, that meant he moved the ward-stones he’d used when setting camp from Jasmine’s saddlebags to the bottomless satchel where the rest of his belongings had spent the trip. Leaving the stables, Gavin scooped up three small stones, each about the right size to make a pendant.
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