by Mark August
“True. A very deadly weapon in our arsenal. He’s a cannon waiting to go off, and we want to make sure we point it in the right direction.”
“Then we need to create a plan to control the direction and range of this loaded cannon,” Giomar said.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We need to convince the carpenter to be our ally.” Her father was back to normal. He strategized several steps ahead.
“That’s my husband. We need to barter with him for his sister’s life. If we can help them with the sister’s freedom and promise to work with him, then we can gain a powerful force within our city.”
Vedette pushed her chair back from the table and placed both of her hands in front of her. This slight motion and sound turn the attention in the room back to her. “We need Magi Cormac.”
“No.” The former Duke set his jaw.
“He’s the one who can help us without threatening the entire city.”
“No, he can’t.”
“Why not, father?” Vedette asked.
“Because we do not and will not have a lever over Cormac again.”
“You imprisoned him wrongly.” Not a question. A statement. Vedette was sure she was right.
“I imprisoned him when I realized the threat. He showed me he could capture a wizard with his chains, and he was not comfortable with that knowledge. The only lever I have over him is his freedom. And restricting his magic.”
“But you don’t know how he’ll respond when he’s released.”
“Exactly. That’s why I kept him in prison. Now that the other sorceratti have seen him in prison, the Council will begin an investigation into this matter.”
“We have a great deal of work to do then, Attius.” His wife caught the attention of the entire family. “We need to remember that we’ve always survived by thinking further ahead than anyone else. This time we are out of allies, and we will create this new effort alone.”
Vedette sunk her face in her hands. She pressed her fists into her cheeks. Her brother was the first to notice. “Vedette, what’s bothering you?”
“Dealing with a wizard with the power of Magi Cormac is not a game. An unknown wizard with significant power is in prison with him. I don’t know if I can defeat either of them and certainly not both of them working in concert. I don’t think we should pat ourselves on the back for some brilliant plan. Don’t underestimate the arcane forces they can use with or without our consent.”
“Your point is well taken, sorceratti. But start with the boy. We need to get him on our side of the struggle. The barter for his sister’s life is the first act of our new play. We set him against the rest of the houses and their sorceratti. Then we reconcile with Cormac.”
A pair of guards strode through the ruins of the outer door. They paused and rendered a salute to their sovereign. The leader spoke, “Forgive our intrusions, my Lord. But the sorceratti returned to the prison.”
“How many?”
“All of them.”
Fifty-One
Kincaid - Sorceratti
Arcane power announced the sorceratti’s arrival long before the guards heard a knock. Six children trained to manipulate the flows of magic by harnessing their souls' energy came ready for battle, and Kincaid barely got to his feet before the guards scrambled to unlock the door.
Kincaid shot a glance toward Magi Cormac. His trainer also stood up, balancing himself against his shackles' restrictions, and his brows had lines of wrinkles. Cormac responded to Kincaid’s glance with a head shake.
The youngest members of the ruling houses marched into the Atros cell block. Outnumbered six to one. The houses must be wary of his power.
Unaware of the arcane demonstration, the prison guards accomplished their duty with precision. After setting aside the crossbar, they scrutinized the paperwork from the City Council. With six sorceratti and a dozen guards, their choice was inevitable. In fact, Kincaid doubted the entire city guard could handle this group.
The wizards were respectful and waited for the inspection to be complete. Kincaid saw the effects of the long-standing treaties between the houses. Each sorceratti respected the others' power and position, and their errand was for the City Council. Peer pressure wasn’t always bad.
Vedette wasn’t with them, though. Wars started for less than this.
With the formalities complete, the six sorceratti and twelve guards moved into position facing Kincaid. Three men and three women from the houses bore an uncanny resemblance to each other, long related by marriage. None looked older than twenty, and all carried themselves as children of privilege and trained in magic. Kincaid was no longer impressed.
As he rested one hand on the blackwood cane, he ran the other through his unkempt red hair.
“I’m afraid I haven’t had time to clean up for this meeting.”
The aggressive sorceratti who tried to kill his sister stepped forward and took over the conversation. “Prisoner, we’re not your equals. You shall address each one as Lord or Lady.”
“I don’t think so. My fate is the same either way, and six of you prepared with magic makes this serious. The power must long for release, and I’ll bet each of you is ready to burn me to the floor.”
“You will not goad me, prisoner.”
“That’s too bad. I hoped we could skip the unpleasantries and move on to the execution. Six sorceratti against the carpenter. Shouldn’t be much effort.”
“If you wish—”
“Enough.” The reasonable male sorceratti from the last interrogation stepped forward and placed a hand on the woman’s arm. She pulled her arm out of his grasp but relinquished the control of the interrogation.
“We came to question you again, Kincaid the journeyman.”
“Where’s Vedette?”
“The insolence of this one.” Kincaid hadn’t heard this voice before and sized up the youthful man, barely as tall as Kincaid. He gripped the handle of a flintlock with white knuckles.
“We’ve killed prisoners for less than this.” This speaker was a young woman who kept her arms across her chest. She had the look of a tomboy with pants instead of a dress, and she had the legs tucked into calf-high boots. Not the image of fine noble fashion. She tried to look more dangerous than the others. Kincaid studied her as the most dangerous threat.
Kincaid longed to reach out to his own magic now. His spirit wanted to test the strength of his opponent in a fight. Victory here against these odds were the stuff of legend. Stories told for the ages. No.
The instant they sensed his power, he’d be ashes. And then they would torture and kill his sister. At least she wasn’t with them. Kincaid checked his ego and put his fantasies to rest.
“What are your questions?”
“What is House Atros training you to do?”
“Nothing. I haven’t spent a moment training with a member of this house.”
“What about with the Atros sorceratti?”
“She’s rarely spoken to me. And like all of you, she asks questions.”
“Do you realize this is hard for any of us to believe?” the first male asked.
“Of course.”
“The City Council voted to remove Lord Atros from his role as Duke. They claimed it was about you.”
“I wish I could say it disappoints me, but the change of power hasn’t changed my prison. My sister is also a prisoner. I get nothing out of politics.”
The woman in pants pushed forward past the others. She pointed her finger like a spear at Kincaid’s heart. “Is this house training you as a wizard?”
Kincaid wasn’t sure anyone listened to his answers. He could answer the questions in any manner, and they would wait until he confirmed their suspicions.
“My experience with magic has been accidental. I only found power when the thugs threatened me, and then I woke up here.”
Magic surged as he spoke. They’d look for lies, but none changed their stance. The flow of magic returned to a constant level.
“
I believe him.” Maybe one was listening.
“What do you want from me?”
“Prisoner, we demand an agreement.” Back to the violent one.
The male trying to restrain her nudged her aside. “We want you to agree to take no action against the houses of Caesea. If we negotiate your release, you will exile from the city.”
Kincaid considered exile versus execution. He kept one hand stroking his chin as he replied, “What happens to the other prisoner?”
“None of your concern.”
“I want this man released with me. I want his sentence commuted to exile with mine.”
“No.”
“Then I believe we are at an impasse.”
Voices murmured as the sorceratti looked at him in disbelief.
“You are sentenced to die, and you turn away freedom for this filth?”
“I’ve had time to consider my fate, and I’m ready to die. Nothing’s changed since you walked into the prison.”
“How dare you, fool. We have your sister, and she will feel—”
“Nothing.” The words came across the cellblock like a gunshot. The six wizards recoiled at the word and turned toward the prison door.
Magic overshadowing the others flooded the room as the last sorceratti entered, and each guard found themselves unable to move. Air currents held them in place, and power cemented their feet in the stone. Vedette walked between them with ease, and their eyes flooded with fear.
“Making deals with the prisoner of House Atros?”
“No, Vedette, prisoner of the city. This one is now being held at the request of the City Council.”
“I don’t think so. From what I heard, you’re negotiating with our prisoner. I think you are acting on your own. Otherwise, the City Council would’ve already authorized his release and exile.”
“Your father already lost his place in the Council. Why are you making this harder?”
“Just curious now.” She let her words hang and waited for the others to question her intent.
Vedette tapped her foot as she waited. Even Kincaid waited for the explanation.
“Curious about what, Vedette?” The voice of reason tried to defuse the situation.
“Is this war?” Vedette's lips curled into a snarl.
Voices exploded, and magic sparkled. Guards couldn’t move to protect their charges. Vedette’s slight frame towered over the others with authority and arcane power.
“Enough, all of you.” The command barked across the room. All seven sorceratti obeyed. For the first time, they turned toward the other prisoner.
“Vedette, release the guards.”
The rattle of mail and clink of weapons gave confirmation she let them go. Each struggled with where to point their weapons, but physical prowess wouldn’t matter in this fight.
“Return to your families and tell them what you offered and what transpired here. Kincaid did not agree to your demands, and House Atros threatens war if the City Council does not change its ways. Each of you will be on the front line of that war, and you’ll fight each other when sides are chosen. Is this what you want?” The question rang through the prison, and each cast their eyes to the floor.
Postures relaxed, and Kincaid felt the power leave the room in a quiet whisper.
“Magi Cormac, we can’t let this prisoner threaten the way of life in our city.” The last sorceratti spoke.
“This is a prisoner sentenced to die under the laws of the city. He is secure in a prison held by House Atros. Their sorceratti has already killed a wizard in arcane combat. You think this one is a threat to your way of life?”
“But the Council…”
“Is run by your parents and families. They are scared because they don’t understand. You should know better. I taught you better.”
“I can’t believe we’ll listen to a pair of prisoners. I won’t be party to any of this.” Kincaid wasn’t surprised when the sorceratti who started the discussion stormed out of the prison. Her guards struggled to keep up.
“Will you consider my offer to the exile deal? I will leave the city forever if you release my sister and Magi Cormac.” Kincaid had to try one more time. Magic or not, he needed to know.
The reasonable young man turned back to him. “No, Kincaid. We have no deal. I’ll propose a truce between the City Council and House Atros. We need time for negotiators to discuss. Then we’ll schedule your execution.”
“House Atros agrees to the truce between the houses.” Vedette’s face lined with profound fatigue. Kincaid thought he saw strands of gray in her black hair. She carried the price of magic. “I think Magi Cormac is right for all of us to slow down and think.”
“Very well. But we need to remind the prisoner and House Atros that we hold a hostage against his actions. Any attempt to interfere with house politics will cause her immediate execution.”
“I’m not some pawn in your game of—”
“You are, Kincaid,” Cormac said. “You are to be a party to this agreement while the houses settle their matters.”
Kincaid fumed. Arcane forces reached out to him, beckoning him. He wanted to grasp the power and take on the sorceratti in a flash of arcane death. He would storm the city and burn it to the ground.
Leave none to stand in your way. Escape with the wizard and your sister. You can. It’s within your reach.
He snapped out of his trance with his heart racing and mind flooded with images of destruction. This time, he saw his sister brutally attacked and killed.
Cormac’s eyes were wide in fear, but his voice was smooth and firm. “Kincaid, we know this is very hard on you. But bear with us, and you may appreciate the results.” The tone of the teacher and a mentor. All of this to say, we will discuss this later.
“I agree to the terms. But I promise the houses will feel my wrath if any of them harm my sister.”
“Agreed.”
Fifty-Two
Kincaid - Wizard's Secret
Kincaid lost track of time as the gloom deepened in the prison block. Cormac fidgeted with his chains as Kincaid ignored him.
Cormac’s voice cracked as he asked, “What did you do? You had a different look when we talked about agreeing with the City Council.”
Cormac had an unfamiliar tone in his voice, urgency fueled by fear. Kincaid considered the lies he could tell and decided to go with the truth.
“Agreed to the best deal I could get, Magi.”
“Then tell me what you did. We need to discuss this before the sorceratti come back.”
“I thought we bought time with the negotiations.”
“Each is a member of the ruling house, but they’re not empowered by their families or the City Council to decide. We need to move.”
“All the magic in the air flooded my senses.”
“Good. And you sensed it without channeling magic?”
“I could feel it before the guards opened the door.”
“Excellent, Kincaid. Then what happened?”
Kincaid knew what Cormac was referring to. He didn’t want to consider that voice or those images again. But they were running out of time.
“It was like the carpentry shop. I felt magic reaching back to me, and I wanted to grab it. But I knew the sorceratti would take me down.”
Kincaid considered how to describe the next part. He didn’t understand the voice in his head, and he didn’t know how it connected to him with the arcane plane.
“I saw the vision of the destruction of the city again.”
“Different, though.” The unstated question hung in the air between them. Kincaid had to answer.
“Yes. This was more real than the first time I saw the future. With the arcane power in the room, I saw how the city could die. It would happen right there. And this time, I saw my sister’s body in the mix of the destruction.”
“That’s not what’s bothering you, is it?”
“No. I heard that voice inside my head again. It was pleased with the city’s destruction.
It wanted me to be part of it.”
“Kincaid, I spent time in the Northern States and never heard of this power. I’ve been in this city for decades and explored magic to my limits. Men and women can wield unworldly power with their minds and souls, and I’ve watched each one destroy their lives. None described what you are saying.”
“What do I do?”
“Escape. You must get out of the cell, and you must leave the city. There’s nothing left for you here other than death. You need to find your training elsewhere. It’s that important.”
“But—”
“Rescue your sister. The city will always use her against you. They will use you like they used me.” He gestured with the chains around his hands and feet.
Kincaid considered his next request. He was committed.
“Come with me.”
Cormac shook his head. His face was downfallen, and his words came across as a whisper. “Kincaid, I have one more lesson to teach you. If you will let me. Then you will have to decide.”
Cormac was quiet, resigned, and subdued, and Kincaid had never seen him this way.
“To do what?”
“Have you wondered why I’m not old? Why the city trains the youngest as wizards?”
“Because you use your magic differently. Maybe sparingly.”
“I wish that were true,” Cormac said after a long laugh. “For decades, I’ve explored and taught magic. I have one secret I’m the only wizard to know. This is the darkest secret of magic.”
“Magi Cormac…”
“I must pass this on to you, Kincaid. I must know that you will survive. You are too important to die in your cell.”
Sweat beaded on Kincaid’s forehead despite the frosty air flowing in the windows. His body shook with the anticipation of something beyond the ordinary world. Something different was in the cellblock with them.
“Tell me.”
“I found a way to avoid the price of magic.” Cormac’s voice broke with emotion, and he tried to recompose himself. “By taking another human soul, you sacrifice their being to the channels of magic.”