by Lisa Cassidy
“Wait a second,” she mumbled as she relaxed against him. “If you’ve loved me since you were ten, why did you keep pulling my hair until you were fifteen?”
He laughed, his chest vibrating pleasantly against her ear. “Because it was fun.”
Alyx blinked bright sunlight from her eyes as Dashan woke her with a gentle touch. She’d slept a lot in the four days they’d been sailing, her mind and body recovering from Casovar’s torture and her overuse of magic in the battle against him. At first she hadn’t been able to sleep without waking screaming from nightmares, nor had she been able to stop the trembling in her hands whenever she thought about what had happened. At least the nightmares had been normal ones, and not instigated by Shakar.
“You were muttering in your sleep.” He squatted beside her on the deck, worry in his dark eyes.
“I was dreaming about Casovar,” she replied, sitting up and stretching. “Thanks for waking me. Is it time to eat?”
“We’re only a few hours’ sail from our destination, but it’s not long till sunset, so I’d prefer to anchor here for the night.”
“Okay.” Alyx rose to her feet and looked around them. She could just make out the hazy outline of the western Rionnan coast in the distance, but otherwise they were surrounded by the blue of the ocean.
As the sun set over the horizon, they ate their dinner of freshly grilled fish and the stale remains of the bread Dashan had brought with him.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Better than I was,” she said, and it was true.
Over the previous four days, she’d told him bits and pieces of what had happened to her—the way Casovar had ravaged her mind and tainted her memories of everything good, how she couldn’t think of that night they’d danced together at DarkSkull without feeling Casovar’s scorn as he’d rifled through that memory.
The first time she’d spoken of it, Dashan had tensed in anger, his body literally vibrating with the desire to do something, anything, to Casovar. But the lord-mage was dead, and Dashan quickly learned that all Alyx really needed was his hand in hers, and the warmth of his love.
But it wasn’t all about Casovar. Throughout the sunny days and into the nights they talked about everything, conversations ranging from the most inconsequential and light-hearted things, to their deepest fears and concerns.
Dashan told Alyx of his fear that he would never be good enough, that he would fail when it mattered most. She told him of her fear that she’d never be strong enough to face down Shakar.
The long hours of sleep and rest, combined with warm sunshine, good, simple food and Dashan’s unwavering reassurance had worked wonders. The trembling of her hands faded, and the memories caused her less pain when she thought of them. Parting from him she dreaded, but this time they’d had together she would hold onto always.
“If you need more time—”
“No.” She shook her head. “We have too little time as it is. I need to get back to Alistriem as soon as possible.”
He sighed, settling back against the prow. “And I need to get to ShadowFall Island.”
She heard the words he didn’t say. “You’re not running away,” she said firmly. “You can better protect yourself against the council if you’re trained. Besides, you’re the one who told me there might be things you can learn about Shakar on the island. He spent a year training there, after all.”
“I know all that,” he said. “I hate the idea of leaving you alone, that’s all.”
“I hate it too,” she said quietly.
The small boat approached the town as the morning sun turned the ocean a bright turquoise, a stiff breeze filling the sails and increasing their speed. With a few deft turns of the sail, Dashan aimed them towards the smaller of two jetties jutting out from the coastline.
Buildings clustered on the hillside leading down to the shore, and other fishing boats bobbed at anchor close to the jetties. People walked through the streets, others down by the beach. A group of children were swimming under the watchful eye of two adults not far from the larger jetty.
“Welcome to the town of Ester.” Dashan appeared beside her at the prow. “Is he there?”
She nodded, pointing towards the tall figure standing on the road running along the shore, only a few paces away from the beginning of the jetty.
“Good.” But he sounded sad, echoing the melancholy she felt at their imminent parting. He squeezed her shoulder, then returned to the sails.
In a short time, Dashan had them bumping gently up against the jetty. He jumped gracefully from the boat and onto the deck, looking around watchfully before turning back to Alyx.
“Pass me the mooring rope.”
Alyx picked up the heavy coil of rope, and was working out the best way of tossing it to him when she heard him sigh.
“It’s rope, not a snake. Stop worrying about breaking a nail and throw it up here.”
“I am not worried about breaking a nail.” She scowled.
He grinned, deepening her irritation. “I know you. Look at you there in your perfectly tailored mage uniform. Of course you’re worried about breaking a nail.”
Alyx threw the rope at him with more force than was necessary, but he only laughed as he caught it and wrapped it around the mooring iron.
“Let’s go, mage-girl.” He leaned over to give her a hand off the boat, but she ignored it with a sniff and jumped by herself. Her mage powers were still a little unsteady so she didn’t try flying.
“You are a very irritating man.”
“But you love me anyway.” He caught her hand.
“I was clearly experiencing a moment of madness when I told you that.” She tugged her hand from his and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You’re cute when you’re angry with me.”
“You’re not cute in any sense of the word.”
Dashan threw his head back and laughed, before swinging his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his side. “I adore you, Alyx Egalion.”
Unable to hold on to her irritation, Alyx smiled and pressed closer to him for a moment before stepping away. “You’re staying?”
“No. I’ve got enough supplies to get me to ShadowFall.”
She took a deep breath. “I suppose this is it, then.”
Eyes dark, he kissed her. For a long time, there was only the feel of him, and the joy of them both together. Eventually he pulled back, his hands framing her face.
“You go and do what you need to do. Remember always that I love you and I’m thinking about you.” He kissed her again. “As soon as I can, I’ll come to you. I promise.”
“I’ll be waiting,” she whispered.
“Stay safe,” he said. “For me.”
Alyx smiled through her tears. “If you promise me the same, we have a deal, Dashan Caverlock.”
Chapter 38
Ladan was watching the departing boat as Alyx reached the end of the small jetty and joined him. He was silent for a moment, then, “I was expecting Dashan.”
She hid her amusement in a sniff. “He brought me instead. Sorry to disappoint you.”
He considered that for a moment. “Not marrying Prince Cayr, then?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Good.”
She fought a smile. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Not that that situation is any better.” He glanced meaningfully at the departing boat. “How do you always manage to get yourself in so much trouble when I’m not around?”
“Maybe you should be around more.” She shrugged. “I take it you got Dashan’s message?”
“He’s lucky I did.” Ladan was irritated. “High-handedly ordering me to leave Widow Falls while it’s under constant attack to travel to this tiny village and instead of showing up himself he leaves you here.”
“He knew I needed you,” Alyx said simply. “What do big brothers do?”
His entire face softened. “All right, Aly-girl. Let’s go.”
She scrambled to keep up with his long stride as he headed towards the town. It wasn’t long before they reached an inn. Two high quality horses stood tied up out front, bulging saddlebags on their backs.
“We can rest here tonight, if you like. Start out tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “Let’s start out today. Which one’s mine?”
He pointed to the chestnut on the left before crossing to the other horse and mounting in one smooth movement.
“We need to work on your conversation skills,” she grumbled. “Where are we going?”
“A small town called Apara. That’s as far as I could track him. It’s about
two days’ ride from here.” He turned his horse and urged him into a canter down the street. Smiling to herself, Alyx mounted and spurred her horse after him.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?” he asked that night as they camped by the ocean. The firelight flickered over his features, accentuating the hard lines of his face. Nodding, she settled back into her blankets and told him everything, succinctly and without emotion.
“Casovar kidnapped you,” he repeated into the silence that followed the end of her tale.
“Yes.”
“He’s dead?”
“Yes.”
A beat of silence, then, “You’re okay?”
“Not really. But I will be.”
He made a gesture towards the ocean. “He helped you?”
“More than I can ever say.”
Another silence. “This trip we’re on. It’s really that important?”
“I have no evidence for it, but instinct tells me that learning the
circumstances of our mother’s death could be crucial. At the very least, if we can confirm she did learn that Shakar is still alive, it will help us convince the council.”
“And how is the council going to defeat Shakar when they couldn’t the first time, and this time they’ve hunted down and killed their strongest allies—the Taliath?”
“If you’ve got a better idea, I’d like to hear it.”
“I do have a better idea.” A stubborn look filled his face. “I say forget the council. Their motivations are dubious at best, and they’re corrupt and impotent. In my book, they’re not a huge step above Shakar in terms of morality. Leave them. Do this yourself.”
“Defeat Shakar myself?” Incredulity filled her voice. “Me and what army of mages?”
“What army of mages do you have with the council? Ones you can’t trust? Ones who would kill you if they knew who you loved.” Bitterness filled his voice. For the first time Alyx realised how deep her brother’s antagonism towards the council ran.
“I will never forgive the council for what they’ve done,” she said gently. “But this is greater than me. Shakar won’t only kill mages. He’ll kill innocents too. The council can bring all the mage warriors and expertise together in a way that I can’t. We have no choice but to work with them.”
“I understand your logic, but one day I think you’re going to find I’m right.” He stood. “Get some sleep. I’ll take first watch.”
They reached Apara the next day, and inquiries in town led them to the farm of the local named Terin. Alyx and Ladan left the horses at the farmhouse and walked through the fields. The property was characteristic for southern Rionn, set amidst rolling emerald plains under a clear sky. In the far distance, the ocean sparkled in the afternoon sun.
A man worked alone in one of the fields, the trickle of his magic clear as day to Alyx as he hunched over a row of failing wheat. He wore scuffed breeches and shirt, his boots careworn leather. A shock of grey hair spilled out from under a green cap, and as they drew closer, she could make out a grizzled beard and large, tanned hands.
“Are you Terin?” Ladan called out.
He started violently, so focused on his work that their arrival was a complete surprise. A suspicious frown deepened wrinkles on a leathery face as he brushed soil from his hands and rose to his feet.
“Who’s asking?”
“My name is Alyx. This is my brother, Ladan.”
It was impossible to miss the flare of recognition that flashed across the man’s face and she relaxed slightly—this was who they were looking for. He wasn’t tall, his back stooped from years of farming, and he didn’t wear a mage robe. There was no staff in sight, either.
“What do you want?”
“You know who we are, don’t you?” Ladan stepped forward, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“You look like her.” This was directed at Alyx, then, as he looked at Ladan, an already grumpy tone turned downright terse. “And you look like him.”
Ladan and Alyx shared a quick look—he didn’t like their father?
“We have some questions for you. Will you talk to us?” Alyx asked. “It’s important.”
Terin turned around to pick up his shovel. “I’ll talk to you.”
The house was as careworn as its owner, but neat and tidy. Terin waved them to chairs in the sitting room, but didn’t offer food or drink. Alyx and Ladan stayed silent as he settled into a chair opposite them, giving him time to collect his thoughts.
“I knew your mother at DarkSkull,” he said eventually, his gaze distant, lost in memories. “It’s not much fun being a lesser mage there. Plant magic is far from lesser, in my opinion. But I always wanted to be a farmer, and that means nothing in the mage world. So lesser I was.”
“Our mother wasn’t,” Ladan said.
“No.” Terin’s expression cleared. “She was everything the order idolised. Not that she cared about that.”
“You knew my stepfather, too? Hodin?”
“I did. Those two were close. They were second year apprentices when I started, but their master—Astor, I think?—I never met him... anyway, he’d just left DarkSkull to take up a different post, and their new master was the same as mine and he sometimes combined our classes. My magic didn’t break out until the end of that first year, even though I was one of the oldest initiates ever to go to DarkSkull. Temari and Hodin had time for me, even though everyone else shunned me.”
“You know that she died?” Alyx asked.
Abruptly Terin’s face closed over, and he gave a casual shrug. “I heard when everyone else did. I was a council mage until I retired a couple of years ago.”
“She met with you right before she disappeared. What did you tell her?” Ladan asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ladan’s face darkened. Alyx reached out to touch his arm, speaking before he could. “Terin, Shakar is alive.”
His reaction was barely noticeable this time, but it was there. “That’s insanity. He’s long dead.”
Ladan shook off Alyx’s hand and rose to his feet, hand returning to his sword. “He’s not, and you know it. I have no time to mess around, old man. What did you tell our mother all those years ago?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“You’re damn right I am.” Ladan stepped forward and hauled Terin to his feet. “Start talking. Now!”
Alyx considered protesting, but doubted she would have any effect on Ladan when he was in one of these moods. Besides, they needed to know what Terin knew.
“I usually let your mother know when I was in the region on council business. She
wrote to me soon after arriving at Widow Falls so I knew she was there. The last time I wrote to her I never heard back. A couple of months later I heard she’d died,” Terin said. “That’s all I know.”
“He’s lying because he’s afraid,” Alyx said flatly, allowing her magic to seep out
through her hands. A bright green glow lit them up, and Terin’s gaze was drawn inexorably to it. “I’m just like my mother, Terin, so you know I can take the truth from your mind if I wanted to. I’d prefer not to go that route, but I will if you don’t start telling us the truth.”
His eyes challenged her. “We all learn to shield at DarkSkull.”
“You want to test me
?” She raised an eyebrow. “Because I am confident I can break through your shield in seconds. It will hurt.” She gentled her voice. “You have good reason to be scared, we understand. But you know as well as we do that Shakar being alive means people are going to die. Mages have already died. I want to stop that and I need your help to do it.”
He let out a breath and dropped back into his chair, shoulders slumped in defeat. “My parents were both mages who fought in the war against Shakar. While they were away fighting, they left me in the care of friends in a temporary camp near Serrin. Shakar found the place and attacked. I was three years old. They hid me in a wine cask. I heard everything that happened. I felt the magic that was unleashed. I felt his magic. I never forgot that night. I was barely three years old, but being so utterly terrified? So completely sure you’re about to die? That’s not something you ever forget.”
Alyx glanced at her brother, putting the pieces quickly together. “You felt his magic again, didn’t you? It was you who told our mother Shakar was still alive.”
Terin nodded. “I was sent into northern Shivasa by the council, ostensibly to work on a failing farm for a few months, but they also wanted me to collect information on the activities of the Shiven army in the region. I made it a habit to drink of an evening in the local inn frequented by soldiers. One night I walked in the door and I felt it, the trickle of his magic. The shock was so profound it was like ice freezing over my veins. I wanted to run and never look back, but figured he would notice that. So I walked inside, ordered my drink and sat at a table in a corner of the room, pretending like I wasn’t more terrified than I’d ever been in my life.” He shuddered, eyes bleak with remembered terror. “He didn’t stay long, but they were the longest minutes I’ve ever experienced.”
“And he never knew you were there?” Alyx murmured.
“No. I had my shield up the whole damn time and I sat as far from him as I possibly could.”
“Then what did you do?”
“When my assignment was over I went to Widow Falls. By then, I’d begun to wonder if maybe I’d imagined the whole thing. I knew for sure the council would laugh me out of the room if I tried to tell them about it. But your mother... when I told her, the look on her face.” Terin shook his head slowly. “It was as if suddenly everything made complete and utter sense to her. She believed me. I tried to argue with her, point out all the reasons it couldn’t be true, but she was adamant. Temari was the most stubborn person I’ve ever met, and once she got an idea into her head...”