by Lisa Cassidy
Both girls jumped violently as a loud bang sounded through the hall.
“Sorry, sir.” Tarrick didn’t sound at all repentant as Howell eyed the tiny charred pieces that were all that remained of the rock.
“Sir?” Alyx spoke up as a thought occurred to her. “Last year, when you told me you thought I was a mage of the higher order, you said something about staying away from the Taliath?”
“I did.” Howell was frowning at Tarrick’s exploded rock.
Alyx had thought her question obvious, but she persisted, making it clear. “At the time I wasn’t interested in asking questions because I never planned on becoming a mage. Now that I’m back, could you elaborate on what you meant? I’m curious, especially given the Taliath have essentially disappeared from the world.”
Cario gave a long-suffering sigh, then slid down further in his chair, rested his head against the back of it, and closed his eyes. Howell took a chair and crossed his legs, settling himself before answering. “I didn’t mean you had to literally stay away.”
“Sir, I’m very confused.” Alyx tried to remain polite.
“She’s not the only one,” Finn muttered, pitching his voice so that Howell couldn’t hear. Tarrick smirked, but wiped it off his face as Howell glared at him.
“You wrote your exam essay on Shakar, yes?”
“I did.” What did that have to do with anything?
“Then you know that he killed over half the mages in existence before he was killed? Amongst those he murdered were all the other mages of the higher order.”
“Is that why there are so few now? Because they were all murdered two generations ago?”
“Partly, but mages of the higher order have always been rare. I don’t think there have ever been more than a handful at any one time.”
“And now there are three?” Finn asked. “Alyx, Galien and Lord-Mage Casovar.”
Howell nodded. “Exactly.”
“How did Shakar manage to kill multiple mages of the higher order, sir?” Tarrick asked.
“Well, that brings me back to Alyx’s original question. Shakar was unique amongst his kind. He had a lover, a female Taliath.”
Finn glanced at Alyx with raised eyebrows, but she shook her head, having no idea what Howell was talking about. There hadn’t been anything in the History of Mages tome that talked about Shakar having a lover.
“Mage historians believe that when they became lovers, a connection was formed.” Howell scowled as Tarrick and Finn smirked at each other. Even Cario’s eyes flicked open for a moment in amusement.
“I’m not talking about the purely physical,” he snapped.
“No, sir.” Tarrick fought to keep a straight face while Dawn reached over to smack her brother’s shoulder.
“Their physical bond somehow extended to their magic. It hadn’t happened to our knowledge before, but Shakar absorbed his lover’s Taliath power.”
“Her ability to fight well with a sword?” Alyx guessed.
Tarrick dropped his face into his hands with a loud groan.
“What?” she asked, indignant.
“Rionnans really do know very little about magic,” Cario noted dryly.
Finn cleared his throat. “We know there was more to the Taliath than their fighting ability. In fact, I’ve been reading a lot recently about how mage scholars dispute whether Taliath are actually just mages, or whether they are something different entirely. It’s fascinating. You see…”
“Perhaps another time, Finn,” Howell interrupted.
“Of course, sir. Sorry.”
“The Taliath are invulnerable, to a certain extent, to mage power. The scholars who argue that Taliath are something different from mages use this fact as their central argument. The invulnerability extends to the physical also, and in battle, acts like an invisible shield. As with mage power, however, Taliath invulnerability is not limitless, and when their strength runs out, they can be killed by magic or physical weapons like any normal human.”
“That’s the power Shakar absorbed from his lover,” Alyx realised. “And because he was already a mage of the higher order, invulnerability would have made him practically invincible.”
“Exactly.”
“But mages of the higher order absorb powers via proximity, like Alyx absorbing Tarrick’s and Dawn’s. Why was Shakar the only one to absorb Taliath ability?” Finn wanted to know. “Surely other mages of the higher order spent time with Taliath?”
“It’s hard to know for certain with only one test case.” Howell hesitated, shifting in his chair. “Mage healers have studied it... they believe a Taliath’s combination of abilities are almost impossible to absorb.” He looked at Alyx. “An important thing for you to know is that some mage powers are absorbed more readily than others. There isn’t a single mage of the higher order on record, for example, who managed to fully absorb healing ability.”
“And since Shakar is the only mage of the higher order known to have managed to absorb Taliath ability, there must have been something unique about his situation,” Finn reasoned.
“The fact that he was in a physical and romantic relationship with a Taliath, yes,” Howell said approvingly. “Hence the rule forbidding liaison between mages and Taliath.” He sobered. “Hear me on this, Alyx.”
Cario’s eyes opened again, this time settling on Howell with a contemplative expression.
Alyx rolled her eyes at the dramatic statement. “I hereby promise not to take a Taliath as a lover. Good enough, sir?”
“Alyx is already dreamily in love with the dashing Prince Cayr, who is neither mage nor Taliath, so I think she’ll be safe.” Finn grinned at her.
“Shut up, Finn.”
“Perhaps we could do some actual magic training in today’s class?” Cario interrupted the bickering.
Howell changed topics, and Alyx listened idly for a few moments, her mind churning over what he’d said. She wondered what her mother had thought of the rule about...Her mouth dropped open and stunned shock flared through her, sharp and potent.
Could that have been the true danger her parents thought they were protecting her and Ladan from? Was it really her mother in danger, because she had married a Taliath, had children with him?
“Sir?” Alyx cut over what Howell was saying without thought.
“Alyx?”
“Does… did everyone know about Shakar? About his Taliath lover and what it meant?”
Howell’s expression sobered. “Initially, no. The Mage Council thought it best that the knowledge of what a mage of the higher order could become be kept secret, particularly since for years after none others managed to do it.”
“When did that change?”
“A few years before you were born, the council decided the knowledge was too dangerous to be kept hidden and made it public. The rule was implemented at that time.”
He knew. Alyx could tell from the look in his eyes that he knew what she was getting at. Her heart thudded.
“They decided it was too dangerous because they learned she married my father,” she said flatly. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
Howell rubbed at his eyes. Around them, Alyx’s friends had fallen silent, confusion mixed with intense interest written on their faces. “It was a factor in their decision, yes. But Alyx, your mother was never shown to have absorbed invulnerability. She submitted herself for testing after the announcement, but she wasn’t invulnerable to our magic.”
“But how…” Finn piped up, confusion written across his face, words trailing off at a withering look from Howell.
Alyx barely heard Finn. “What happens to mages of the higher order who disobey the rule?”
“The same as for any other serious transgression of our rules, expulsion from the order. The council takes its responsibilities very seriously, especially its responsibility to prevent mage powers from becoming a threat. Nobody wants another war like the one against Shakar.”
“I see.” She met his eyes. “My mother was a threat t
o them. They were afraid of her.”
“The rule didn’t exist when your parents married, Alyx.”
His answer was factually correct, but told her nothing. She searched his face, looking for signs of dishonesty. There weren’t any but she still wasn’t sure. Maybe Dawn could give her an indication later. Ignoring the curious looks from the others, she sat back. “I’m sorry for interrupting.”
Alyx tried to concentrate for the remainder of class, but found her thoughts continued to diverge to her parents. Tarrick and Finn seemed unable to concentrate either, both shooting confused looks her way when they thought she wasn’t looking. Howell eventually gave up and dismissed them, disappearing to the library while they were still closing their books.
The moment the door shut behind their master, Finn’s mouth opened. Dawn raised a hand, stopping the words before he spoke.
“Alyx’s father is a Taliath. He stopped being one when he returned to Alistriem because he believed it placed Alyx in danger. It’s not something she wants to talk about endlessly with you, Finn, so please leave it alone.”
Alyx smiled in gratitude at her friend—it was time the others knew, but she hadn’t wanted to say it herself. Dawn had sensed that in her thoughts. Finn simply gave a slight shrug of his shoulders and nodded at his sister. Tarrick’s hand settled warmly on Alyx’s shoulder. ‘Thank you for your trust in us.”
She leaned into him a moment before walking towards the door. Halfway there, she realised Tarrick hadn’t followed. He was standing before Cario, shoulders broad and fists clenched.
“One word to anyone about what you heard here today and I’ll kill you,” Tarrick said simply. “Do we have an understanding?”
“My my, all so protective of Alyx.” Cario smiled. “I’ll keep her secrets, don’t worry. They’re of absolutely no use to me.”
Chapter 14
Another nightmare left Alyx sleepless and shivering for hours before the blue light of pre-dawn finally leaked through the window. Dawn took one look at her as they rose to dress, her face tightening, but she said nothing until they were down at breakfast. It only took Finn to see Alyx’s pale skin and the dark shadows under her eyes and ask what was wrong for Dawn to say her piece.
“Enough is enough,” she said firmly. “I don’t truly believe Howell is out to harm you and while I understand your reasons for not trusting him, these nightmares are beyond what we can do to help you. It’s time to get proper help.”
“She’s right,” Tarrick added firmly. “And if you don’t tell him, I will.”
“You know I think you should tell him,” Finn mumbled around a mouthful of toast.
Under the pressure of three equally unyielding stares, Alyx raised her hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll bring it up in this morning’s class.”
“Good,” Tarrick said, and that was the end of it.
Despite her promise, she waited right until the end of their class, still reluctant, but at Tarrick’s increasingly pointed looks she’d capitulated.
“Hmm.” Howell said, stroking his beard.
Alyx glanced at the others—was that all he was going to say?
“Do you think it’s possible there’s a mage out there doing this?” Dawn asked. “Someone like Galien?”
“Are we sure it isn’t Galien?” Finn said.
“Galien hates you because he feels threatened by you,” Howell said absently. “But if it was him causing these nightmares, Alyx would recognise it. You all know the feel of his magic by now.”
“Then who could it be?” Tarrick asked. “By that logic, Alyx would know if it was anyone at DarkSkull Hall.”
“I don’t know everyone,” Alyx objected. “Especially the new initiates.”
“An initiate wouldn’t have the strength or training for what you’re describing,” Howell said. “No, Tarrick is undoubtedly right.”
“It’s always possible that a mage not trained at DarkSkull is causing the dreams,” Cario drawled, causing Alyx and the twins to look at him in surprise. She deliberately hadn’t shared with him what Romas had told her about Shivasa, still uncertain whether he could be trusted.
“What do you know about mages being trained outside DarkSkull?” Finn asked curiously.
Cario shrugged, and Alyx rolled her eyes. His affected disinterest in absolutely everything was beginning to grate on her. Howell appeared not to have heard Finn and Cario’s exchange, still lost in thought. “It almost reminds me of…”
“Of what?” Alyx prompted when he didn’t continue.
Howell shook his head and stood. “I’ll do some research and talk to the masters about your situation. If anything comes to light, I’ll let you know at once. You’re dismissed.”
“Sir, is there anything we can do in the meantime?” Dawn persisted.
Howell’s distracted look softened and he reached out to squeeze Alyx’s shoulder. “While it’s possible a mage is causing your nightmares, it is also possible, and more likely, that they are nothing more than bad dreams. You have been through a lot in the past twelve months, after all, and it would be surprising if you didn’t have nightmares. I promise to find out what I can. In the meantime, if you truly feel yourself in danger, you know that you can come to me at any time of day or night.”
His words were heartfelt, and despite herself, Alyx felt a frisson of relief. “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome.” A warm smile accompanied his words before his eyebrows lifted, his thoughts shifting away from her. “Oh, I forgot to mention! As of next week, you’ll be required to go on the roster for guard duty up at the watch towers.”
Tarrick’s face lit up. “Really, sir?”
“Really. All apprentices are registered for watch duty once their masters sign them off as competent to do so. I signed you all off yesterday. Master Rothai puts the rosters up on the wall outside the dining hall every Firstday. Please check them before next week.”
“Watch duty? I still can’t even move a pencil with my magic,” Alyx said in dismay.
He smiled at that. “Would it make you feel better to know that once apprentices are registered for duty, they’re also given additional privileges—the primary one being permission to be out of DarkSkull grounds at any time when you’re not in class, not just on your day off?”
“That’s excellent news, sir,” Finn said fervently.
“I thought it might be. Of course, it’s expected that apprentices won’t waste time that should be spent on studying, and absolutely no mercy will be given at the end of year to those that don’t pass their exams. Have a good day, Apprentices.”
Howell’s news did improve Alyx’s mood, but the beaming smile on her face faded as she noticed Dawn frowning after Howell’s disappearing figure. “What’s wrong?”
But Dawn only pursed her lips. “Not here. Later.”
The Magor Inn in Weeping Stead was boisterous after the dinner rush, full of village folk and workers from the surrounding farms unwinding after their day’s work. Alyx and her friends arrived on the tail end of dinner being served, wedging themselves around a rickety table in the corner of the hall-like room. Roaring fires at each end kept the place warm—almost too warm with the press of bodies—and lanterns hanging from exposed beams in the roof provided plenty of light.
Alyx leaned back as Dashan and Tarrick appeared with glasses and two jugs of foaming ale, plonking them down with a flourish before taking seats. For a moment they busied themselves pouring glasses and shifting to make room for each other. Alyx found herself pressed between Dashan and Dawn, while Tarrick and Finn were close enough across the table she wouldn’t have to stretch to touch them.
“Do you think you could tell us your secret now, Dawn?” Finn asked over the din.
“What secret?” Dashan looked up from his ale.
Alyx scowled at him, wondering for the thousandth time why he was always so damned insistent on being dishevelled and uncaring. He was in uniform, which meant it was strictly against Blue Guard rules to be drinking,
yet here he was quaffing down ale as if it were water.
He caught her look. “Alyx, could you relax your prim and proper moralistic code for one evening? Let Dawn tell us her secret.”
“It has something to do with Howell, right?” Finn asked. “You went all weird looking when he left class this morning.”
“Did you read his thoughts?” Tarrick looked horrified at the idea.
“He’s bonking a servant woman, isn’t he?” Dashan asked with a grin.
“Dash,” Alyx said warningly, irritation flaring.
Dawn smiled. “No. Remember Howell saying that Alyx’s nightmares remind him of something, but he never finished the sentence?”
All except for Dashan nodded.
“Well, something must have been distracting him, because he wasn’t shielding as tightly as he usually does around me. I picked up the finish to his sentence that he didn’t verbalise.” She paused. “Shakar.”
The table went quiet as the apprentice mages stared at her in confusion. Dashan looked around the table with raised eyebrows. “Somebody going to fill me in?”
Tarrick frowned. “Are you sure you heard right, Dawn?”
“It was clear as day. I wouldn’t have said anything unless I was completely certain.”
“Shakar was killed over fifty years ago,” Finn said.
Alyx considered that. “Could Howell have been thinking about another mage named Shakar? Is there a mage with that name running around now, Tarrick, one who conveniently has some sort of dream-related magic?”
“Not that I know of. It’s not a common name.”
“Excuse me!” Dashan’s irritated voice cut through their discussion. “Can I be clued in on what it is you’re all talking about?”
Finn gave Dashan a brief rundown of the story of Shakar from the History of Mages. “Alyx talked to our master about her nightmares today.”
“Finally!” He scowled at her. “And your master thinks this Shakar person is the one causing them?”
“No,” Alyx said. “Like Finn said, Shakar was killed years ago, before our parents were born.”
“And presumably before your master was born too, or just after,” Dashan shook his head. “So how can your dreams remind him of a mage he never knew?”