by Lisa Cassidy
“Dawn?” Alyx blew out the lamp and crawled into her own bed.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to sound self-pitying, and I’m honestly not just feeling sorry for myself, but what Galien said tonight is true,” Alyx said, struggling to articulate how she truly felt. “Without my father, and his soldiers, and his power and money, I am just a spoilt rich girl.”
“Do you want me to respond to that honestly?”
“Yes.”
“Then yes, Galien was right, but only partially,” came the soft reply. “You’re more than just rich and spoiled. You’re also smart, and braver than you think, and you do care about others, as much as you try not to. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you tried to shield me back there by drawing Galien’s attention to you.”
Alyx laughed softly. “Thanks for being honest, Dawn.”
“Alyx...” she hesitated. “Howell had a point the other day. Maybe Galien wouldn’t find you such an easy target if you tried harder at things.”
“I don’t want to try harder!” The words burst out of her, hanging in the air and making her realise how self-pitying she sounded. When she spoke next, her voice was quiet. “I promised my father I’d do my best here, but I know I haven’t. I just don’t feel like I’m good at any of it. I don’t have magic, and I’m terrible at sparring. Even if I did try harder in classes, I don’t know how that will stop Galien coming after me.”
“You don’t know what would happen if you tried.”
Dawn didn’t say anymore, turning over under the covers and falling silent. Not long after, her steady breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep.
It was a long time before Alyx could sleep, her mind swinging between remembered fear of the night’s events, and her promise to her father.
Chapter 21
“What do you think they were up to?” Finn asked, mouth full of porridge.
“Who?” Dawn glanced at her brother’s table manners in distaste.
He rolled his eyes. “Who do you think? You said Fengel mentioned some sort of plan. What if they’re planning something bad?”
“Didn’t Dawn also say Galien mentioned speaking to the council about whatever this plan is?” Tarrick asked. “Whatever they’re up to, it sounds like he has the council’s permission.”
“We should tell Howell, at least,” Dawn said.
“And admit to being in the stables after curfew and leaving your staff in there?” Alyx asked.
“He needs to know Galien is still intent on killing us,” she pushed.
“He doesn’t believe Galien is trying to kill us.” Alyx tried to keep the exasperation from her voice but mostly failed. “I think we should just continue to avoid Galien as best we can. It only needs to be until the end of the year, and then we go home.”
“Except for those of us coming back,” Finn said pointedly.
Alyx shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know what to do, Finn, I’m sorry. I just want to survive the next couple of months and I can’t think of a better way to do that.”
“None of us know what to do,” Brynn said, slamming his spoon onto the table angrily.
They all turned to stare at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said passionately. “But even though Alyx can’t wait to see the back of us, and Tarrick looks down on us like we’re the peasants of the mage world, you’re all my friends and I care about you. I’m afraid of something happening to any of you.”
They all stared at him. Alyx felt emotion lurch in her chest; of all of them, Brynn was the one she felt closest too, that she was most comfortable with. His words made her realise again that she would care if anything happened to him or the twins, or even to Tarrick.
“Thanks, Brynn,” Dawn ended up saying, a soft smile on her face.
Both Finn and Tarrick looked away awkwardly, especially Tarrick, and nodded acknowledgement of Dawn’s words.
“How about this. We’ll tell Howell what we heard, but not the details of how?” Tarrick suggested. “We can say we overheard them while grooming the horses or something.”
Alyx’s attention was caught by Ladan’s figure striding towards them across the room. He stopped by their table, plate in hand.
“Can I talk to you for a moment, Alyx?”
“Of course.”
Alyx rose and followed Ladan out of the dining hall and into one of the gardens near the kitchen. He stopped when he was sure they were alone. His green eyes were an intense mix of concern and fury.
“I heard what happened last night. Are you all right?”
“How did you hear about it?” she asked in surprise.
“Doesn’t matter,” he said tersely. “Are you all right?”
“Physically, I’m fine. They didn’t hurt us, although they intended to,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”
He shrugged, his eyes drifting away from her. “Next time, tell your telepath friend to call me.”
“I don’t know if she knows you well enough to…”
“Then I’ll come to your next lesson with Master Howell,” he interrupted. “She can practice reaching my mind.”
“All right.” Alyx paused. “How are you, Ladan?”
“I’m fine.” He looked back at her. “Take care of yourself.”
Alyx returned to the table to face four identical questioning looks.
“Ladan says next time we get into trouble, he wants you to contact him, Dawn.”
Dawn looked taken aback, but nodded warily. “I don’t know his mind well enough to guarantee that I could. Finn is the only one I can reliably contact now when we’re any distance apart.”
“He said he’ll come to our next session with Howell so that you can become more familiar with his mind.”
“Oh.”
“How did he find out what happened?” Finn leaned in to whisper.
Alyx shrugged.
Tarrick leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head. “He’s an odd one. Superb fighter though. I think he’d even give my brothers a close fight.”
“I think we should take him up on his offer if we get into trouble again.” Alyx looked at Dawn.
“Maybe. I can try at least.”
“A question,” Brynn said. “Why does he want to help us?”
“I have no idea.” Dawn shot a look at Alyx, but she shrugged.
“I don’t know either. He won’t tell me.”
“I’m not trying to be negative,” Brynn said. “But even if Ladan truly did want to help us, his mage powers haven’t appeared yet either. He may be a good fighter, but that will mean nothing against a mage of Galien’s power.”
Alyx knew Brynn was right, and offered him a resigned shrug as she turned to finish off her breakfast. Further conversation was prevented as Howell appeared at the dining hall entrance, clearly looking for them. With a sigh, they stood and cleared away their dishes and then went to their master.
Five thick tomes awaited them in the spacious room where they learned from Howell. The books were dusty and old, with yellowed pages. Each had the same title: A History of Mages. This was the first time they’d done any sort of bookwork with Howell since their arrival, and they all looked curiously at him.
“Initiate exams are the week before your departure,” he said cheerfully. “The test will be based on material in that book.”
“Initiate exams?” Alyx asked.
“Yes. You won’t be allowed back here to continue studying unless you pass the exams. Mage apprentices are required to have a working knowledge of mage history and lore, as well as the rules we have to live by.”
“What about our other classes?” Finn asked. “Will we be tested on mapping and languages and everything else we’ve been learning?”
“Not until your second year. Initiates are only required to pass an exam relating to general knowledge of mage lore.”
“And you’re telling us this now?” Dawn asked in some consternation.
“Several weeks is plenty of time to memorise that book.”
Alyx picked up a copy of the book with purpose. Keeping her promise to her father meant passing her first year at DarkSkull. She would pass this exam if it meant studying every night from now until the day of the exam.
“Sir, before we start, can we tell you something?” Dawn asked.
“Go on.”
Alyx nodded at Dawn, who recounted the details of what they’d overheard in the barn the previous night. “It seemed suspicious, sir, so we wanted to tell you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you overheard this while grooming your horses yesterday afternoon?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If Galien and his friends were planning something nefarious, why would they be speaking about it in the stables during a time when many students are in there working with the horses?”
“I...” Dawn looked at Alyx for help, but she shrugged, unable to think of anything.
“Dare I assume that this tale has something to do with the singed barn roof that was discovered this morning? Perhaps this conversation was overheard at a different time?” He eyed them one by one.
All of them were silent, Alyx looking guiltily at the floor when Howell’s gaze turned in her direction. Eventually their master sighed, one hand lifting to rub at his eyes.
“I can hardly have Galien and Fengel censured for being out after curfew if you were all out too,” he said pointedly. “As to what you heard, I’ll speak to Master Rothai. It’s likely Galien was given a task by the council during the time they were in Carhall. As he grows stronger in his powers he is being given more responsibility.”
“He would have killed Dawn and I last night if Finn, Tarrick and Brynn hadn’t come along,” Alyx said boldly. “I know you don’t believe us, but it’s true. They were going to make it look like we’d run away because we were out of our rooms without anyone knowing.”
“I read his thoughts,” Dawn cut in when Howell opened his mouth to speak. “That was his intent.”
“Galien has a powerful and well-trained telepathic ability,” Howell said firmly. “Even Master Romas struggles to beat his shielding. You saw what Galien wanted you to see in his head. He wants to scare you.”
The door opened then, breaking the tense silence that had built up. The initiate who appeared apologised profusely for getting the wrong room and left again, slamming the door behind him.
“Right, those books.” Howell pointed to the tomes. “It’s important you study them.”
“Sir, what about—
“I heard what you said, Alyx,” Howell spoke with a note of finality in his voice. “As I was saying, you’ll have to study hard if you want to memorise this book for the exams.”
“That whole book?” Tarrick raised an eyebrow.
“Piece of cake.” Finn smiled happily.
Alyx was glad when Dawn threw a shoe at her brother.
They left soon after, each of them lugging a heavy tome. Alyx glanced back as they reached the door and saw Howell sitting in his chair staring at the floor, an expression of deep concern on his face.
“What we said rattled him,” Dawn murmured. “I think he might have believed us this time.”
“I hope so,” she said. “I really do.”
A lighter atmosphere increased the morale at DarkSkull Hall as spring settled firmly over the previously gloomy valley. The warmer weather made rising early much easier, and working outside pleasant. Mages teaching indoor classes found themselves with students more distracted than ever as they stared yearningly out into the bright sunshine.
Everyone was looking forward to the festival weekend, particularly when one of the mage masters, who had the convenient talent of being able to predict weather, announced that it was going to be a sunny and warm day.
The final months of her year at DarkSkull otherwise dragged painfully for Alyx. The days seemed longer, and her lessons, while always tedious and tiring, now seemed to take longer than ever. She thought about Cayr constantly, seeing him in her mind before going to sleep, then dreaming about him.
Her friends tolerated her continuous mention of Cayr’s name with rolled eyes and teasing jests about the wedding. She still hadn’t shown any signs of developing mage power, which was the one bright spot. She just wanted to go home, and it was starting to look like she might actually make it.
Finally the festival arrived, dawning sunny and warm with cloudless blue skies above the valley. By the time Alyx and Dawn had dressed and tidied their room, the sky had begun to lighten outside, and they headed off to breakfast.
Finn was literally bouncing up and down in his seat as they arrived, excitement written all over his face.
“We have two whole days off!” he announced.
“Really?” Dawn rolled her eyes at Brynn, who smiled. Catching it, Alyx frowned; his smile hadn’t quite reached his eyes—she didn’t think she’d ever seen that before. Come to think of it, Brynn hadn’t been his usual cheerful self for the previous few days. She wondered if something was wrong.
“I can’t wait to spend some time in this place without so many students around,” Finn said. “Even better, First Patrol are spending the day practicing for their exhibition match tomorrow. We’ll be safe to study in peace on that massive tome Howell expects us to memorise.”
Dawn and Tarrick’s shared look indicated that studying in the library didn’t rate highly on their intended plans for the day. Alyx smothered a smile.
“Could we all meet for dinner?” Dawn asked. “I’d really like to meet your family, Tarrick.”
“Sounds good.” Tarrick stood. “I’d best be off to brush my hair neatly and put on my good shirt. I’ll see you all at dinner.”
“I think I’m going to take a walk by the lake, alone.” Brynn stood too. “I’ll find you later.”
“Check the library first, we’ll most likely be there,” Finn called after him.
“Is he all right?” Alyx asked Dawn.
“Brynn? He seems fine to me. Did he say something to you?”
“No.” Alyx frowned. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
Alyx and the twins lingered at the breakfast table, enjoying the unheard of luxury of not having to rush off to sparring lessons. Students who were expecting visitors left to make their way out to the front steps and wait.
“Hey, Alyx!”
Alyx turned in her chair to see it was Jayn who’d shouted across the dining hall. The apprentice was hovering in the doorway and waved when she saw she’d caught Alyx’s attention.
“I think one of the visitors out there is for you.”
Jayn ran off before Alyx could question her further and she turned to the twins, bewildered.
“It has to be a mistake, but I’ll go and see what she’s talking about. Will you wait here for me?”
“Sure.” Finn rose. “I want more tea, anyway.”
Alyx jogged though the main hall and came out at the top of the massive front steps. The grounds spread out before her, emerald green under the light of the rapidly warming sun. A steady stream of people were coming along the main road. Amongst them was a small group of dark-skinned Zandians looking around in anticipation. Alyx smiled when they spotted Tarrick’s tall figure approaching them and broke into a chorus of excited greetings.
Other visitors called greetings as Alyx’s gaze scanned over those gathered, and the number of initiates and apprentices standing on the steps thinned as they spotted the people coming to see them. Mystified as to what Jayn had been talking about, she widened her gaze, searching beyond the huddle of those at the steps.
That was when she spotted the distinctive uniforms of the Rionnan Blue Guard as they came down the road, horses and tack gleaming in the sun. One of the riders detached from the group, kicking his horse into a gallop around the crowd and towards the steps. His bay stallion was big and showy and he rode with casual arrogance.
Alyx stared in utter surprise as he pulled up at the base of the steps, eyes scanning the waiting students.
“Dashan!” An uncontrollabl
e grin spread over her face and she found herself running down the steps to him.
“Haha!” He jumped down from his horse to swing her up in his arms and spin her around, dark eyes bright and sparkling as he grinned up at her.
“Look at you, mage-girl.” He finally put her down. “You’re all grown up!”
“You’re safe! I can’t believe it’s you. What are you doing here?” The words poured out of her.
He grinned again and took off his hat, revealing his short dark hair. “Wow, Alyx, I barely recognised you.”
“Stop blathering and tell me something!”
“I came because Cayr asked me to,” Dashan said. “He thought you might like to see a familiar face amongst your escort home.”
“He did?”
“He and your father both wrote you a letter.” His mouth quirked as he tugged two bulky packages from his jacket. “We almost had to pay for an extra berth on the ship, they’re so heavy.”
“You brought me letters!” she said with glee.
“Wait!” He yanked the letters back before she could grab them. “After I’ve come all this way, I expect to at least be given a tour of this DarkSkull Hall I’ve heard so much about before you hide away to read those.”
“I hate it here.” She sniffed.
He laughed aloud. “Well, I never liked school much myself. Maybe you could drop out and join the Blue Guard too? We could use a good cook right now; you can cook right, being a girl and all?”
“Lieutenant?” Another of the Blue Guard rode up. “What do you want us to do?”
Dashan looked questioningly at Alyx.
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “All right, I’ll give you a tour. I suppose you deserve that much at least—those letters do look heavy.”
“Excellent. Take the unit back to Weeping Stead, Nario. I’ll meet you back there this afternoon.”
“Will do.” Nario tipped his hat, wheeled his horse and rode away.
“Weeping Stead?” Alyx asked.
“It’s a village just on the other side of the valley wall, about a half hour’s ride. It’s on the road here. You probably didn’t see it on the way in because it was dark. We’ll be billeted there for the next two months.”