by Lisa Cassidy
“I’m not sure what makes you think I wouldn’t have a problem with you,” she said coldly. “You stood by and watched me get beaten within an inch of my life.”
“I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.”
“You hoped?” She gaped furiously. “That was my life. Don’t pretend you don’t know Galien wants me dead.”
“It was a calculated risk. Howell was being too patient with you,” Rothai said. “You needed to come into your magic, and it was taking too long. The threat to your life served its purpose.”
She stared at him, breathing hard, his words shocking her even though she shouldn’t be surprised. His ice-blue eyes were unflinching despite the sudden glow of mage power lighting up her arms.
“You did it on purpose.”
“I did.”
It was a sucker punch, but she swallowed the rush of emotion. “One day I will be powerful enough to take you down.”
He smiled thinly. “Believe it or not, Apprentice Egalion, I look forward to that day.”
The response was not what she expected and took away some of the force of her anger. Realising she faced expulsion if she pushed further, she slowly clamped down on her anger until she had it under control.
“Are we done here, sir?” she asked. “I have classes I need to attend.”
He stepped closer, blue eyes directly on hers. “You have potential, but you’re not invincible. Don’t let pride ruin you.”
“I’ll see you later, sir.” She walked away.
The others waited for her outside the gate as she came stalking out. From the looks on their faces, it was clear they’d seen at least part of her interaction with Rothai.
“What was all that about?” Tarrick demanded. “I saw your magic light up. Alyx, you can’t threaten a master!”
“He stood by and watched me almost die that day,” Alyx snapped. Not to mention his lies about Brynn’s death. “So back off.”
“I don’t think he deliberately—”
“He did. He just told me so himself. It was an attempt to force my magic out.”
“Look, you’re both right,” Dawn spoke into the tense silence. “Alyx, what Master Rothai did was wrong, there is no doubt. But that doesn’t mean you should challenge him openly. Do you want to be expelled?”
“I know I shouldn’t have done it.” She gritted out the words, admitting it difficult in the extreme. “It was stupid. I’ve been so frustrated over Galien, and I’m still furious when I think about what Rothai did. It all seemed to boil out of me.”
“He was wrong,” Finn said earnestly. “And we get that it isn’t easy for you.”
Alyx let out a breath. “Rothai thought Howell was being too patient with me, that’s why he forced me into the sparring match with Fengel.”
“That’s no excuse!” Dawn said indignantly. “What if it hadn’t worked? And even though you won in the end, you were badly hurt.”
“My apologies, Alyx,” Tarrick said stiffly.
“Tarrick, I know—”
He raised a hand. “I’d really prefer not to talk about it. Can we get to class?”
He strode off without waiting for a reply, and Alyx fell in behind them. Tarrick often struggled between his friendship and sense of duty towards Alyx and his instinctive respect and love for the mage order. It couldn’t be easy for him, the way she was constantly in conflict with the council and the masters.
She sighed. It wasn’t easy for her either.
Alyx stood in the entrance hall of the Magor Inn, pulling on her cloak in anticipation of the bitterly cold winter’s night. They were on watch duty at the northern tower starting at midnight, and had come to Weeping Stead for a mug of hot mulled wine beforehand. Her shoulder gave a twinge as she stretched out her arm, but the pain was much diminished, and she’d regained full mobility.
She glanced out the window where Dawn and Tarrick were already walking back towards the horses, glad to see it had stopped snowing for the moment. She debated whether to go after them or linger in the warmth until Finn and Dashan finished settling their account at the bar in the back room. She’d just made up her mind to face the cold when Finn appeared, walking quickly through the narrow corridor between the dining tables, a grin threatening to break out on his face.
“What’s so funny?” she asked suspiciously as he stopped beside her, reaching for his cloak.
He opened his mouth to respond, but was forestalled by shouts coming from the back room. Seconds later, the door swung open, and Dashan came running through with a laughing grin on his face.
Alyx frowned, opened her mouth to ask Finn again, but closed it abruptly as Galien come sprinting through the door behind Dashan. Oscar and Tarran were close behind and they all looked furious.
“Run!” Dashan called, half-laughing. “Quickly.”
Finn needed no further urging. He grabbed his cloak off the hook, shouldered the door open and sprinted out into the night. Dashan reached Alyx, grabbed her arm and dragged her with him. At the look of murderous fury on Galien’s face, she moved of her own accord, ducking out the door and letting it slam behind them.
They emerged into the night, breath steaming from their mouths, boots skidding in the snow as they turned onto the main road. Ahead, Finn caught up to Dawn and Tarrick and all three broke into a run.
“What did you do?” Alyx asked, glancing back to see Galien and his cronies burst out of the inn and come running after them.
“I put a handful of baby spiders in their jug of ale.” Dashan laughed as he ran. “Found a nest about to hatch out near the privy earlier. Both Tarran and Galien got a mouthful of spiders before they realised.”
“You idiot!” Alyx groaned, not sure whether to be pleased or worried that he’d successfully pulled a prank on Galien. “They’re gaining on us.”
“Run faster, then!” he urged, doubling his pace.
Alyx fought to keep up. Her cloak whipped about her, expensive boots holding up admirably on the snowy ground. The others had disappeared from sight ahead.
Behind them, Galien called out furiously, demanding they halt and face him. Dashan dodged into a side street, then swung himself over a fence and into someone’s back yard. Rolling her eyes at his showy athleticism, Alyx hauled herself less gracefully over the fence and followed him through the yard, hoping the occupants of the house couldn’t hear them.
They crept through a gate and then emerged onto another side street. Dashan grabbed Alyx’s hand and pulled her down a narrow alley. Seconds later they re-emerged onto the main street. Now when she glanced back she couldn’t see their pursuers—Dashan had lost them for the moment.
They sprinted to the end of the street and up a set of stone steps leading to the town’s eastern gate. Finn, Dawn and Tarrick had already reached the horses and were untying the reins.
“Did you lose them?” Tarrick asked, like Alyx looking torn between amusement and concern. “Or are we going to have to ride for our lives?”
Dashan was looking around him. “I have a better idea.”
“What are you doing?” Alyx stopped too, looking warily back the way they’d come.
“Just a second.” Dashan ran to the public horse trough, grabbed a nearby bucket, and scooped it full of water. He then jogged back to the steps and tossed the bucket of water onto the stone.
“Dash, come on, we need to get out of here,” Finn urged, his mare shifting restively as she caught his anxiousness. Galien, Tarran and Oscar appeared suddenly, rounding a corner at a sprint. Dashan tossed another bucket of water over the steps before running for his horse.
Shouts echoed down the empty street. Even at a distance the anger in their voices was unmistakable, and worry began to overtake her enjoyment of the prank. Alyx took hold of Tingo’s reins and leaped up into the saddle. Together they rode a short distance away before Dashan urged them to stop and wait.
Tingo danced about and Alyx held him tightly, watching as their pursuers reached the steps. Galien was in the lead—at full sprint he
hit the first step and slid spectacularly backwards onto his backside. Those close behind him suffered the same fate, boots finding no grip on the now-iced over stone.
Dashan crowed with laughter, and Alyx couldn’t help but be amused by the spectacle.
“Nice one, Dash,” Dawn said, her beautiful laugh ringing out.
“Come on, we’d best vanish before they recover,” Tarrick said finally, slapping his reins. He and the twins set off at a canter along the road back towards DarkSkull. Alyx followed a little behind, looking up in surprise as Dashan spurred his horse up beside Tingo.
“I’ll ride with you,” he said. “I’m on duty tonight.”
“Duty where?” Alyx asked.
“I’ve been training the local lads to be deployed as a support unit to the mages on guard up at the watchtowers,” he explained.
She looked up in surprise. “Really? Whose idea was that?”
“Mine. This is their second night on duty. I chose a sheltered spot along the valley wall within sight of both southern watch towers. Fifteen soldiers will be camped out there at all times. A similar post is set up on the northern side of the valley. If an attack comes, they’ll see the bonfire alerts straight away.”
She huffed out a breath, finding herself staring at him for a long moment. “That’s an impressive plan.”
“It certainly is.” He gave her his cocky grin. “When another attack comes, you’ll have fifteen Blue Guard-trained militia soldiers riding up in support.”
“When, not if?”
Dashan glanced around them before reining in his stallion to a slower pace. Tingo followed suit so that they dropped back further from the others.
“This information is being kept very quiet—only myself, the key commanders in the region, and Master Romas are aware—but another attack is expected imminently. The militia may not have our level of experience and discipline but they are really good at collecting information. They’ve learned that two separate Shiven units crossed the Tregayan border three weeks ago. Their scouts haven’t picked them up yet, but it’s a safe bet they’re headed here, given what happened last year.”
That corroborated what Brynn had said to her. It seemed like he might be a half-decent spy despite her doubts about it suiting his character. It also made her worry. Another attack on DarkSkull appeared inevitable, and she shivered. “Have they put you in command of the militia soldiers?”
“Commander Helson thought it would be best if the support units had a Bluecoat commander for now, largely because I have more fighting experience. In time, though, the idea is that the militia will be entirely self-sufficient.”
“No wonder the local soldiers like you so much.”
“It’s not me. They like the idea of being able to fight back, to do something about the incursions into their territory.”
“Yes, but you are a large part of that.”
“I was thinking, if you came back here next year, I would come too,” he said, glancing over at her. “The boys and I could expand the training to other militia units in the region. I think it would be a good thing for Rionn to have an allied neighbour with a well-trained and effective army.”
“You’re assuming I would want you in charge of my guard detail next year,” she said airily.
“Of course... I mean, I wouldn’t…” He spoke awkwardly, his smile fading.
Alyx frowned at his response, having expected a cocky rejoinder. “Dash, I was joking. I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
“Really?” He sat straighter in the saddle.
“You’re doing good work here. I’ve been paying close attention in my strategy classes, and I agree with your assessment about the militia. In fact, when I return, I might ask my father to send more Bluecoats under your command. The more men you have, the more militia you could train, correct?”
“Absolutely. If the king sent more men, though, I wouldn’t be able to command them.”
“Why not?”
“I’m only a Lieutenant. More than twenty men and I don’t have the rank to be in command.”
“I’ll talk to my father about that.”
“You sound like Cayr.”
“I’m not Cayr,” she said sharply. “And I’m not promising you a promotion or a larger command. I’m just promising to speak to my father.”
“Fair enough,” he said. “Thank you, Alyx.”
“And I do plan on coming back next year,” she said quietly.
“I thought you might.”
A comfortable silence fell between them for a while, and neither made any effort to catch up to the others. Alyx wasn’t late for her shift yet, and despite the cold it was a beautifully clear night.
“Dash, about Galien?” She waited until she had his full attention. “While what you did back there was amusing, and the sight of him slipping on the ice will never fail to make me smile, I think it’s best if we all leave him alone.”
“I got the impression things were better there after you beat Fengel in that fight?”
“Galien is still stronger and better trained than I am…” She hesitated. “And after I showed him up in class a few weeks ago, one of the initiates I sparred with was found with a broken leg in the woods, almost dead of exposure. She begged to go home and left the next day.”
“Galien?”
“It’s something he tried to do to me last year.” Alyx looked across and met Dashan’s eyes in the darkness. “I know it was him, and I know he did it because of me.”
He glanced away, his fingers toying with the reins. She recognised the stiffening of his shoulders and hard cast to his jaw, but let him think through what she’d said without pushing. Eventually he did speak.
“I understand. I’ll leave Galien and his friends alone from now on, no matter how tempting it might be to put spiders in their ale.”
“Thanks,” she said, taken aback by his easy capitulation.
“Don’t look so surprised, Egalion. I’m not a completely horrible person. I understand the position you’re in.”
“You really do,” she said, surprised by that, as well.
“Indeed.” His face darkened then into something truly fearsome. “But if I ever find myself alone in a room with that Shiven piece of scum I’ll tear him apart limb by limb for what he did to you, mage of the higher order or not.”
“Dash... ” Her voice shook, even though she didn’t know why.
“I will never let anyone hurt you if it’s in my power to stop them. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I do. Thanks.”
He cleared his throat. “So, I’ve been meaning to ask, have you seen that friend of yours again? The one who showed up in the woods that time?” Before Alyx could respond, Dashan raised a hand in the air. “And no, I haven’t told anyone about seeing him, I promise, not even my pet hamster.”
“You don’t have a pet hamster.” She laughed. “But yes, I’ve seen him again. He works for the council but he won’t tell me what he does for them.”
“Isn’t it odd, a mage initiate already working for the council?”
“It’s very odd. I think he has a particular skillset they’re taking advantage of.”
“It makes you uneasy,” Dashan said perceptively.
“Yeah, it does.”
“It’s always a good idea to go with your instincts.”
They reached the cleared area before the watchtower then. Tarrick and the twins had already dismounted and were leading the horses into the barn.
“See you later, mage-girl.”
Dashan spurred his horse and was gone before she could do more than raise a hand in farewell.
“I’m surprised we couldn’t hear the bickering, you two weren’t that far behind us,” Tarrick said jokingly as Alyx led Tingo into the stables.
“Oh, we were just talking,” she said absently.
“You look distracted,” Dawn said. “Everything okay?”
“Sure.” Alyx nodded.
The four apprentices on duty met them at t
he door, told them everything had been quiet, then went off in search of their warm beds back at DarkSkull.
Cario came riding in as the apprentices were leaving, giving Alyx the opportunity to tell them Dashan’s information about an impending attack. She also related the details of his plan to have militia soldiers encamped close to the watchtowers.
“I like it,” Tarrick said approvingly as they made their way up the spiral stairs to the top. “Having a unit of cavalry to support the watchtower mages in case of attack strengthens DarkSkull’s defences exponentially.”
“It might even prevent an attack,” Alyx said.
“Exactly, or at least make the Shiven more cautious about one,” Finn agreed.
“All right, who wants first watch?” Dawn raised her eyebrows. “I’m happy to volunteer, I’m not sleepy yet.”
“I’ll join you,” Alyx said. “I’d like to get a start on the pages of equations Dirrion set us yesterday.”
“Okay, then Finn and I will take the second watch. Cario, you’ve got dawn watch,” Tarrick said.
“Oh, I think you all know me well enough by now to know that won’t happen,” Cario said easily. “I’ll take first watch in the morning.”
“I’ll take dawn watch and catch up on sleep in the morning.” Alyx hid her smile as Tarrick scowled.
“Only two and a bit months until the spring dance.” Dawn said softly.
Alyx glanced across the circular tower room, catching the wistful look on her friend’s face. Both girls were sitting in opposite window seats, where they could see any signal fire being lit. Finn and Tarrick slept curled on mats on the floor, while Cario sprawled in the single chair by the fireplace.
“That can be a long time in DarkSkull weeks.” Alyx paused, curious. “You seem very excited about this dance.”
“I am. You should be too—the festival is the only bit of fun we’re going to have all year. Plus, once the dance arrives, it won’t be long before we get to go home for the summer.”
“Have you asked Dash yet?” Alyx teased.
The girl flushed. “No.”