by Lisa Cassidy
“The council never recovered a body,” Cario spoke into the silence.
“What?” She turned to him.
“My grandfather told me the story once,” he said softly. “The final battle against Shakar went on for days. The council had mustered every single mage it had, and they cornered Shakar in a small town called Serrin. By the end, over a hundred mages were dead, including all living mages of the higher order. There was a magical explosion right where Shakar was, and it destroyed everything around it, including the buildings. Every living thing in the area was killed. The blast was so intense that it pulverized everything in its path. There were no bodies.”
“And you’re suggesting Shakar survived that somehow?” Alyx asked.
“I don’t see how, but nobody ever recovered his body. It was assumed there was nothing left of it after the blast.” He shrugged. “The council truly believes Shakar is dead.”
Alyx rubbed her forehead, the beginnings of a headache throbbing at her temples. Casovar was a problem, but one that had become almost manageable, or at least one they had a plan to deal with. But Shakar…
“Suffice to say, we have to take Casovar out cleanly and quickly.” Tarrick leaned forward. “If he’s in league with Shakar—”
“No,” Cario said decisively. “Casovar is the lesser threat, and there’s a plan in place to deal with him already. If Shakar is truly alive and at the head of this renewed Shiven effort, we are in a world of trouble, and when I say we, I mean everyone from Rionn to Zandia.”
“Hold up, this doesn’t make a lot of sense.” Alyx shook her head. “Even if we assume Shakar didn’t die, the battle in Serrin took place what... fifty-two years ago? How is it he’s not a doddery old man by now, and why has he waited this long to re-appear?”
“We talked about this a lot. Your first question could be explained by magic,” Tarrick guessed. “It might be he’s absorbed a power that allows him to extend his life.”
“If that’s the case, maybe that partially explains why he hasn’t reappeared until now,” Finn said. “Maybe he only discovered the magic recently, sometime in the last few years.”
“That logic is thin,” Cario said flatly. “I’ve never heard of a mage with the ability to extend his or her life.”
“That doesn’t mean he didn’t find one. And what if he’s been using all this time to plan?” Dawn spoke into the ensuing silence. “The situation with Shivasa has been building for several years now, same with the threats against the mages. Last time he fought the council he did it openly and they threw everything they had at him. Maybe this time he’s trying to conceal what he’s doing until it’s too late.”
“By using Shivasa as a tool to achieve his end game?” Finn said. “Which is what exactly?”
“Last time it was to supplant the Mage Council,” Tarrick said. “He wanted absolute rule over mages.”
Destroying the council. Those words rang a bell in Alyx’s mind, but Finn spoke before she could chase the thought down.
“As I keep saying, we need to tell the council about our suspicions,” he said. “If Shakar’s alive, the council is the only entity with the resources to deal with it.”
“You take this to the council and they’ll laugh you out of the room,” Cario said. “You need proof. If you’re right about Casovar working with Shakar, then he’s the proof you need.”
“Okay.” Tarrick thought for a moment. “The first thing we need to do is re-form Third Patrol. We may not be at DarkSkull any longer, but we have a battle to fight.”
“You’re all going to have to be so careful around Casovar,” Alyx said pointedly. “Tarrick, that means no lazy shielding. Do your best to avoid being around him.”
He gave a short nod, clearly still angry with her.
Finn rose. “Brynn, will you join us for dinner? I have a million questions for you, and I’m sure Dawn and Tarrick do too.”
He seemed wary. “I know I’ve upset you, so don’t feel like you have to—”
“We missed you terribly,” Dawn said. “Please stay.”
“I’d love to,” he replied.
“Cario and I should stay close to home in case Casovar has his Mage Guard watching us.” Alyx stood too. “It’s time we start behaving like he’s a genuine threat.”
“What about Shakar?” Tarrick said. “We need to come up with a plan.”
“The three of you are exhausted,” Cario said. “And Alyx is right—we shouldn’t linger here too long.”
“Fortunately he gave you tomorrow off, so we can meet again first thing,” Alyx added.
Neither Tarrick or the twins protested Alyx and Cario not staying for dinner, and even Dawn seemed cool when saying her farewells.
“They’ve clearly had an awful time up north, and the Shakar thing has probably been eating at them,” Cario said as they headed home together. “They’ll be in better moods tomorrow.”
“I hurt them,” she said. “And they’re angry with me. It’s fair enough. I’d be furious in their position.” In fact she had been in their position constantly the past two years, and the anger that caused had never gone away. Instead it continued to simmer inside her. And now she was doing the same thing to others. A rush of bitterness joined the anger and she had to take a deep breath to force it all down.
“Life doesn’t let you do everything right all the time,” Cario said. “Finn knows that better than the rest of you. They’ll be fine.”
“I hope so.”
“You’ve been distracted all evening, Aly-girl,” her father said as they settled in his study. “Is everything all right?”
“The twins and Tarrick came back today,” she said. “We managed to meet this afternoon.”
“They had news?”
She nodded distractedly. “Papa, it’s—”
A soft knock at the door cut off Alyx’s words and they both turned as Safia pushed it open. “Lord Egalion, I wasn’t aware you were expecting visitors, but another lord is approaching the house. He has a retinue with him, but they’re not Bluecoats.”
Garan frowned. “I’m not expecting any visitors. You’d best show him in. I’ll be right there.”
“Not Bluecoats,” Alyx murmured to herself as Safia left.
“Odd,” Garan said. “Presumably the Bluecoats on the gates recognised him though. It’s late for a visit. Maybe he’s one of Sparky’s—”
“Oh!” Alyx leapt to her feet in realisation and ran for the door, ignoring her father’s startled shout.
The lord was being shown in by Safia when Alyx came out into the entrance foyer. A step behind him came a muscular warrior with a shaved head and fierce expression.
“Ladan!” She broke into a run towards him, reading the surprise flashing on his hard face the moment before throwing her arms around him in delight.
“Aly-girl.” His strong arms closed around her, holding her tightly to him. She buried her face in his neck, embarrassed by the tears threatening. “Are you all right?”
“I am now.” She swallowed and stepped back, hurriedly wiping at her eyes. “You came.”
“Lord Egalion, Lord Ladan Mirren of Widow Falls to see you.”
Safia’s voice echoed across the cavernous foyer. Alyx spun to see her father had reached the hall and stopped dead, staring at Ladan as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. Emotion worked on his face, and his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.
“Lord Egalion.” Ladan stepped away from Alyx, shoulders rigid. “I apologise for arriving unannounced at such a late hour.”
They looked more alike than Alyx had realised, seeing them standing close like this. They were of the same height and colouring, and the strength in Ladan’s features were an echo of his father’s.
“I am very glad to see you, Ladan.” Garan offered his hand.
Ladan stared at it for a very long time, before slowly, very slowly, reaching out to take it. “Thank you, sir.”
And with that, the tension eased slightly.
“What br
ings you here?” Alyx broke the silence.
“I had been considering visiting, as you asked.” His green eyes shifted to her. “And when Dashan arrived on orders from you, Lord Egalion, he told me about Alyx’s courting of Prince Cayr.”
“I see.” She ignored the despair that surged at the reference to Dashan, and instead focused on the little bit of happiness that came at the realisation Ladan, protective as always, had come to assess her future husband.
“You’ll stay here, of course.” Garan injected just enough authority into his voice that he gave Ladan no choice. “Your men can be accommodated in the barracks with my Bluecoat detail and your second is of course welcome to stay in the house with us. Safia, please organise the rooms at once.”
Safia bowed silently and left. Ladan gestured to Romney. “Romney, Lord Garan Egalion. Lord Egalion, this is Romney, my second.”
“Well met.” Garan nodded acknowledgement.
“Sir.” Romney bowed his head.
“We can’t stay long,” Ladan said. “A few days only. Widow Falls remains vulnerable while I’m gone.”
Yet he’d risked it to come and see her. Warmth filled Alyx, dispelling some of the misery that had been building up in her for days.
“I’d like to meet Prince Cayr,” he continued now. “And speak with the king, if possible.”
“I can arrange it,” Garan said.
“Good. Romney and I will see my men settled in the barracks and then we’ll take our leave for the evening. We’ve ridden a long way today.”
Garan looked thoroughly bemused as Ladan and his second strode back out the front door. Alyx smiled again.
“He’s your son.”
“He’s a grown man,” Garan said, a dazed expression on his face. “I remember a boy.”
Chapter 25
Alyx arrived at the A’ndreas house the next morning to find Dawn sitting out on the front porch, a little smile on her face as she watched a group of children across the street playing. The smile faded at Alyx’s appearance. “Where’s Cario?”
Alyx shrugged. “He wasn’t up when I left. Maybe Tarrick’s scowls yesterday scared him off.”
“He was well within his rights to behave like that, you know.” Dawn looked away. “All of us were.”
“You’re still angry with me.” Alyx sighed and took a seat beside her friend.
“We talked a lot with Brynn last night. He tried to explain why he hadn’t told us, and I do understand, but at the same time... ”
“Knowing there are good reasons for being lied to doesn’t help much does it?” Alyx said as Dawn trailed off. “I’m sorry.”
“I thought that we trusted each other above everything else.” Dawn’s voice was sad, and it cut through Alyx like a knife. “But you prioritised Brynn.”
“Dawn, I—”
“I’m not angry anymore, truly.” Dawn turned to her with a smile that seemed genuine. “Come on, let’s go inside.”
Alyx hesitated, wanting to continue the conversation, to fix what she suddenly felt had been broken somehow. But the words weren’t there, and Dawn was already getting to her feet.
“Where’s the traitor?” Tarrick asked when Dawn and Alyx joined the young men in the front room.
“Still asleep, I think,” Alyx said, rubbing at tired eyes. “But someone else is coming to join us. Ladan arrived in the city last night.”
Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, a knock sounded at the front door. Dawn left them to get it, and moments later Ladan’s tall frame filled the doorway.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, serious as always.
“Come in, Lord Mirren.” Finn gestured for him to enter. “Can we get you anything?”
“No thank you, we’re fine.”
We?
Alyx’s gaze went straight to the man that came through the doorway behind Ladan, her heart thudding against her chest at the unexpected sight of Dashan. She took a step towards him before she’d even realised it, wanting to throw her arms around him and feel his settle around her. He didn’t notice, gaze firmly directed away from her.
“Team.” He grinned at them all. “I heard we’re back to secret meetings and plotting. Did my invitation get lost in the mail?”
“Dashan! Where have you been?” Tarrick rose to shake his hand. “We asked at the barracks for you yesterday but Nario said you were off on some secret assignment.”
“I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you,” Dashan said easily, clapping Finn on the back and flashing his smile at Dawn and Brynn. He continued not looking at Alyx, and it stung. Her heart ached—with him away she’d been able to ignore how badly she missed him, but to see him alive and well and so close... it hurt more than she’d imagined it would.
“What is it that you have to tell us?” Ladan asked impatiently.
The attention of the room swung to the lord of Widow Falls. Alyx hid a smile, glad for something else to focus on. Dashan settled back in a chair and put his boots up on the table. She fought not to roll her eyes, gesturing for Tarrick to fill them in. The Zandian spoke quickly and concisely. As he did, Ladan’s expression turned grim, while Dashan’s eyebrows shot skyward and he gave a low whistle.
“Why are we having this conversation without my father, the king or the prince in the room?” Ladan demanded as soon as Tarrick finished.
“Because we haven’t had time to plan our next step yet, and I think we need to consider it very carefully,” Tarrick answered. “The fact that so many people in close contact with Casovar already know is bad enough. We shouldn’t widen that circle unless we really have to.”
Ladan nodded sharply, seeming to accept that. “The Mage Council needs to be told at once.”
“You think they’ll believe us without any evidence? Half-trained apprentice mages who have been out of their control for several months?” Alyx asked her brother.
His jaw tightened. “Then what are you planning to do about it?”
“Our priority is to get proof,” Tarrick said.
Dashan lifted an eyebrow. “And where exactly do you think you’re going to find that convenient proof lying around?”
“Casovar’s house,” Finn said, unravelling a folded piece of paper onto the table. “Dawn and I drew this up last night. Casovar’s home is in the rich quarter right on the riverbank. Luckily for us, it’s built higher than the homes around it. You can see his upper level from a row of warehouses across the other side of the river. Three of them are currently empty.” He pointed to the hand-drawn map.
It was the first time Alyx had heard the plan, and it sounded pretty thin. “You think there is proof of Shakar’s existence in Casovar’s house?”
Dashan shifted forward to look at the map, eyes narrowing as he studied it. Ladan joined him, pushing Finn out of the way. The scholar sighed and ceded the space. “If Casovar is working for Shakar, then they must be communicating somehow. I doubt Casovar is keeping records of that in his offices at the palace. Too much chance someone might stumble over it.”
That was true enough, and Dashan’s little nod indicated he agreed. She couldn’t help looking at him, trying to see how he was. His hair was longer than regulation length, curling over his ears, and he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, but he seemed well. In fact, he looked good—her attraction to him hadn’t faded at all, her mind conjuring up the memories of the last time he’d kissed her. Roughly, she pushed them out of her mind, burying the pain that went with them.
“They could be communicating telepathically,” Dawn added. “But it’s not the easiest method for complex planning, so we have to hope there are some physical records.”
Alyx tore her eyes from Dashan and rubbed at the growing ache in her temples. “So if not at the offices, then there’s a chance he keeps them at his house. We’ll have to break in.”
“Given his house is right on the river, it would be best to swim in. No more than two people or the risk of being spotted is too high.” Dashan was still looking at the map.
“Dawn, you and someone else can sit in a warehouse and keep watch. If the alarm is raised, you’ll know and can contact those inside the house instantly.”
“Then I have to go in,” Alyx said. “Dawn can speak to me clearly and quickly.”
Dashan nodded, still not looking at her. Even so, his next words set her heart thumping. “I agree. I’ll be the one to go with you.”
“I think I would be better to go,” Tarrick disagreed.
“Council spy sitting right here,” Brynn spoke up. “I’ve sort of been trained for this type of thing.”
“No,” Tarrick said. “I want you focusing all your efforts on finding alternative avenues of proof of Shakar’s existence. We can’t rely only on Casovar. I’ll go in with Alyx.”
“Alyx and I grew up here. We know the area, and probably Casovar’s household, much better than you do,” Dashan pointed out. “In the event we get spotted, we may be able to talk our way out of it. If a Zandian mage is caught inside Casovar’s house, how do you propose to explain yourself?”
Tarrick looked at Dashan, clearly weighing the sense of what he’d said. Dashan smiled to break the tension. “How about you and Cario loiter in the streets around Casovar’s home? If we’re spotted and the alarm is raised, you can create a diversion for the Mage Guard until Alyx and I get clear.”
“Fine,” Tarrick said decisively. “If Cario ever makes an appearance. Dawn and Finn will take up an observation post in the warehouse. Alyx, we’ll need to run this by your father first. And Prince Cayr.”
“No.” She shook her head decisively. “Cayr can’t afford even a whisper to get out that he was involved in breaking into one of his lord’s homes. Neither can my father. It would destroy their credibility with the lords, not to mention ruin our plan.”
“You’re betrothed to the prince. It’s not like you could afford to get caught either,” Ladan pointed out.
Across the room, Dashan stiffened. Alyx glanced at him, then immediately looked away at the hard expression on his face. “I won’t get caught. We do this on our own.”