by Lisa Cassidy
“Thank you,” she said, and meant it.
Chapter 17
By the time she made it home and up to her dark bedroom, her hands were trembling again, and this time she couldn’t stop them. She ached for Dashan so badly that her chest hurt. Slowly, tiredly, she lay out on the bed, pulled the covers up around herself, and shifted so that she could stare out at the stars through her window.
She was still awake when the big knocker at the front door sounded. Safia was making his way towards the stairs when she emerged from her room, but she waved him off.
“Cayr!” she said in surprise as she opened the door, then winced as she registered the look on his face. Angry Cayr rarely made an appearance, but when it did, it was never fun.
He didn’t bother with pleasantries. “We’ve been worried sick!”
She sighed, too weary to raise much of a defence. “I’m sorry. There was something I had to do, and…it won’t happen again. I promise.”
His gaze was fierce on hers. “That’s not good enough. I get that you’re still grieving, but that just makes it worse. It means you’re not acting rationally. You need to let people help you.”
“You couldn’t help with this,” she murmured. “Are you really here this late just to tell me off?”
His mouth tightened, but after a moment he let out a sigh, seemingly accepting he wasn’t going to get any further apology. “No. I came to make sure you were okay and–I wanted to give you something.”
She stepped outside, the brisk night air refreshing on her skin. Ten Bluecoats sat their horses just out of hearing distance.
“I suppose you can’t just give your guard the slip anymore,” she said ruefully.
Cayr chuckled. “Responsibility takes a lot of the fun out of things.”
Alyx let out a breath, more guilt curling through her. “I’ve been whining and complaining all this time about how hard things have been for me, while you’ve had it just as bad, if not worse.”
He was silent a moment, then, “Do you ever wish we were born the baker’s son and the smith’s daughter?”
Alyx laughed. “No, never. Ugh, have you seen the soot that gets everywhere in a smithy?”
“Hey, a laugh! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you smile.”
She reached out and took his hand. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now.” Cayr bent to pick up a paper-wrapped package at his feet, hesitating briefly before passing it to her. “This is for you.”
Curious, she carefully unwrapped the paper, peering into the contents in the light from the lanterns on either side of the door. Lying neatly folded inside the brown paper was a thick cloak of royal blue.
“A Bluecoat cloak?”
“Dashan’s,” Cayr said gently.
Emotion hit hard, tears instantly filling her eyes. She reached out a trembling hand to touch the soft fabric. Cayr’s hand settled on her shoulder.
“If it’s too much, I understand, I’ll take it away,” he murmured. “I just thought maybe you’d like to have it. I know he would have wanted you to have it.”
Alyx looked up at her childhood friend, swallowing back her tears. “You still know me better than anyone.”
He smiled softly. “I think he knew you even better than I do, but thank you.”
“Thank you, Cayr.” Alyx reached up with her free arm to hug him tightly. “Thank you so much.”
“I’d do anything for you. Don’t forget that.”
“Same goes,” she said, touching the thick fabric again, before covering it back up and clearing her throat. “I’ve called a meeting with the mages tomorrow morning. Can you be there?”
Sadness filled his face. “I suppose even the death of a beloved friend doesn’t allow us to keep the world from going on around us.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
A watery sun rose slowly above the horizon as Alyx readied herself the next morning. Winter was almost gone. With spring would come Dashan’s birthday, then hers and Cayr’s in quick succession. Twenty years old and she was about to take the first steps in leading the entire mage order.
She hesitated by the neatly folded pile of clothes atop her chest of drawers—her mage attire. She hadn’t touched it since Sandira, and while there would be a comforting sense of familiarity in donning those clothes again she’d meant her words to the others the previous night.
She was done with the council and their way of doing things.
Instead, she raided her closet, pushing aside silk dresses that hadn’t been worn in years to find a comfortable pair of breeches and light tunic, both in a light shade of blue. She was untangling herself from the dresses when she almost stumbled over a pair of beautifully tooled grey leather boots sitting neatly on the floor of the closet. A smile tugged at her mouth—they were the ones she’d had custom made before returning to DarkSkull as an apprentice mage. Dashan had teased her to no end about how fancy they were. Her smile widening, she grabbed them too.
Once dressed, she sat on her bed to lace up the boots. They still fit her perfectly, well-worn but delightfully soft. The paper wrapped package Cayr had given her rested nearby. With trembling fingers she unfolded the thick, fine blue cloak that had belonged to Dashan.
Standing, she slung it over her shoulders, closing her eyes as she was enveloped by his smell and the warmth of his presence. Tears spilled down over her cheeks, but she quickly scrubbed them away and opened her eyes.
The cloak was too big for her, but that could be fixed. She had at least an hour before the meeting, and Alyx had always been Sorin’s favourite customer.
The tailor’s delight at seeing her plunged to a frantic fluster when she told him what she needed. He shouted for his assistants, snapping orders at them as they gathered like hens around her, taking measurements as fast as they could.
Armed with her new sizes—apparently she was both taller and leaner since the last time she’d been in—he vanished to his workroom out back. Alyx was left waiting in his comfortable office, a cup of steaming tea in hand and several parchments depicting the latest court styles in her lap.
He stuck his head around the door at one point, eyebrow raised in question. “If this is to be your new mage cloak, Lady Egalion, do you wish me to stitch a sigil into it?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say no—council mage robes had no sigil—but then the memory of their arrival at DarkSkull after the attack flooded into her mind. The sharp scent of smoke and charred flesh filled her nose as clearly as if it had been yesterday.
They’d spent hours carrying the dead bodies from the main hall and surrounds, reverently placing them together out by the green lake. As night fell they’d lit a funeral pyre to honour the dead, bright orange flames reaching up into the starlit sky. The sight had called to mind her father’s Taliath sword. Heartfire. It had felt like that too, the apprentices and initiates she’d known. Mika. Howell. All burning together.
“Lady Egalion?” Sorin prompted.
She blinked, nodding. “Actually, I have an idea about that.”
When she finally entered the lord-mage offices, Tarrick and the twins were already there. Dashan’s blue cloak hung from her shoulders. Sorin had altered it to fit her slighter form, but it wasn’t the cloak that drew the gaze of those already in the room, it was the emblem he’d stitched out in scarlet thread over the left side of her chest.
A leaping flame.
Dawn’s eyes went straight to the cloak, and a little smile flickered over her beautiful features.
“The funeral pyre after DarkSkull,” Tarrick murmured, eyes dark with memory.
Alyx nodded. “I don’t want us to ever forget them, or what Shakar did.”
“It looks good on you,” Finn said quietly. “It looks right.”
Recognising the peace offering for what it was, Alyx accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, Finn.”
The door swung open then to admit Cario. His approval of the cloak was obvious from the sweeping glance he gave her, but he di
dn’t comment on it. “I just spoke with the kitchens. They’re sending up some food for us. His Highness sent a message to say he won’t be long, but requested we not start without him.”
“And in the least surprising news of all time, Rothai is out checking the guard detail,” Finn said dryly.
So they had a little time. Alyx’s heart thudded nervously. After Cayr’s visit the previous night, she’d lain awake the rest of the night thinking. She’d known that she couldn’t come to this meeting without resolving what to do about Astor’s suspicion—that someone was passing information to Shakar and the council on her. But even now she remained undecided, and she didn’t have long. Once Cayr walked in, it was time to move forward.
Her father and Ladan she’d ruled out entirely. That it could be one of them was unthinkable. Cayr too. But from what Galien had said, the spy knew she’d fled Alistriem with Dashan after killing Casovar. That was a specific detail that further limited the pool of suspects.
That left the twins, Tarrick, Cario, and Brynn, all but one in this room. Of them, only Cario knew for a fact she’d been with Dashan—but Finn had suspected it, and the others could have guessed. She could secretly read their minds in a heartbeat, and possibly only Dawn would notice. Better, she could tell them outright that she needed to read their minds. If they were innocent, surely they’d be more than happy to let her do it. But it would also tell them that she doubted them. It could ruin any attempt to re-build the trust between all of them.
The sound of the twins’ laughter had her looking up. They were clustered with Tarrick, who was grinning, relaxed, hands in his pockets. All at once another memory flashed, their second day at DarkSkull after spending hours in the cold cutting themselves a mage staff. Dawn’s words from the past echoed through her mind: ‘The three innocents from Rionn, we’re a team? We get through this year together?’
And they had. Ever since that moment they’d stuck together. Finn had doubted her and betrayed her, but his intentions had always been to protect her. She knew that with as much certainty as she knew her hair was brown.
The laughter broke out again, this time from Tarrick, his white teeth gleaming against his dark Zandian skin. He’d given up so much to stay with them, his honour demanding he stay at Alyx’s side to keep her safe despite it taking him so far away from home and his family.
“Is something wrong?” Cario had dropped into the seat beside her, making her start.
“No, I…” Her voice drifted. “I have a difficult choice to make.”
“Can I help?”
Cario had spied on her once before, and for the council too, but she believed he truly regretted that. And Brynn was a council spy. Brynn with his constant impertinent questions and a smile that could cheer her in her worst moments.
“Alyx?” Cario prompted, a hint of concern in his voice.
She took a long, deep breath, her decision made. “If we’re going to rebuild the trust between all of us, then we need to start somewhere.”
“I…agree?” He frowned. “Are you talking about something in particular?”
“Just something I’ve been wrestling with.” She smiled and squeezed his shoulder as she stood. “Where is that food? I’m starved.”
It wasn’t any of them. She was going to have faith in her friends, in what they’d built together at DarkSkull. There was another explanation, and eventually she would find it.
Chapter 18
Alyx was finishing off the last mouthful of a deliciously buttery pastry when Cayr, Ladan, and Astor walked in together. A step behind came Garan Egalion, Heartfire hanging at his hip, stride loose and graceful.
“Papa.” Alyx opened her arms as he came towards her and enveloped her in a warm hug. Behind them, the door opened a final time to admit Rothai.
“Ladan told me you were well again, but I am so glad to see it with my own eyes, Aly-girl.” He stepped back to look over her, reassuring himself she was okay. “You and I will discuss your abrupt departure later. When we’re alone.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the stern look on his face. “Yes, Papa. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Good morning.” Cayr instantly commanded the attention of the room. He sat down at the head of the table, Astor taking the chair to his left. Garan Egalion took the one to the king’s right. “I apologise for being late.”
“Has Jenna returned?” Alyx asked him while everyone else busied themselves taking seats.
Cayr nodded. “Late last night. She’s on guard just outside.”
“She should be a part of this meeting,” Alyx said. “If it’s all right with you.”
He gave her an odd look, but nonetheless rose to go and open the door, murmuring a few words she couldn’t quite make out. Jenna strode in a moment later, her watchful gaze taking in the room in a glance. When it landed on Alyx, a little smile curled at her mouth. “Lady Egalion. You wanted me?”
“Take a seat.” Alyx waved her to the remaining free chair. Slowly, conversation died and the room’s attention turned to her. With Dashan’s cloak around her shoulders, she faced them confidently.
“Thank you all for being here. Your time is precious, so I won’t waste it. Your Highness, Lord-Mage, Papa, you should know that I no longer recognise the Mage Council as representing the mage order. I am Magor-lier and I am going to build a new order. I am going to lead the mage fight against Shakar.”
Her father looked utterly floored, but after a moment he frowned. “You can’t fight the council and Shakar at the same time.”
“I don’t intend to fight the council.” She glanced at Jenna, giving her a little smile. “I’m just going to make them irrelevant. In time, their mages—and their resources—will become mine.”
“That sounds very…dramatic,” Astor said dryly. “But what do you actually mean?”
“I mean that while the council hides behind the walls of Carhall and does nothing to hunt Shakar, I’m going to lead the fight against the Darkmage. They have resources we need, and fighting them directly would only waste those resources, but eventually, by virtue of their inaction, their mages will become mine,” she said clearly. “The council’s corruption and fear will bring about their demise. I just need to be patient and let them destroy themselves.”
“I think you’re aware of Rionn’s position on the Mage Council,” Cayr spoke. “Officially, I welcome your proposed changes. Personally, you know I have faith in you, Alyx.”
Alyx nodded. “The mages in this room have already agreed to my plans. Astor, I love you. You may choose as your loyalty dictates.”
“He may,” Cayr said. “But if he chooses to remain with the council, he will be relieved of his position and provided a second comfortable retirement. Rionn’s lord-mage will be chosen from amongst your mages, Alyx.”
“No need for all this youthful posturing.” Astor appeared to be going to great effort not to roll his eyes. “I am with my god-daughter, of course. I do recommend you remain on good terms with the council, Magor-lier, at least until you grow stronger in numbers.”
“I agree.” Alyx’s shoulders relaxed in relief. Pulling out the chair beside Ladan’s, she sat, her legs shaking a little now as the adrenalin wore off. “Thank you.”
“Your Highness, Magor-lier, if I may?” Rothai spoke up.
Cayr nodded. “Go ahead.”
“We’ve agreed that you will no longer hide as before, Magor-lier, but there is still the issue of the Hunters. It is imperative we have a plan to either move you or deal with an attack when it comes.”
“I agree, and that is the main reason I called this meeting,” Alyx said. “I’m pleased to inform you the Hunters are now a manageable problem.”
Tarrick frowned. “What do you mean?”
“The reason I went away—Jenna and I went into Shivasa and tracked down the mage who was creating the Hunter medallions. I killed her,” Alyx said calmly.
Stunned silence filled the room. Expressions ranged from horror at the danger Alyx had put hersel
f in to reluctant admiration and shocked surprise. Cayr was glancing between Alyx and Jenna in astonishment, as if he couldn’t believe they’d managed to get along for more than two minutes, let alone succeed in a dangerous mission together.
“You went alone into Shivasa?” Rothai’s mouth had thinned until it was almost invisible.
“No.” An edge sharpened her voice. “I took a Taliath for protection. Just as things used to be in the old days. Like they will be going forward.”
“None of you could fight properly against Shakar while Hunters remained a renewable resource for him.” Jenna’s cool voice spoke before Rothai could respond. “The situation was untenable, and Lady Egalion and I solved it. Recriminations are a waste of breath. You would be better served turning discussion to what comes next.”
Biting back a smile, Alyx continued, “Of course, Hunters will continue to come for me and other mages, but Shakar can no longer create new medallions. The more we kill or capture, the fewer there will be.”
A low hum of conversation broke out. Alyx let them talk—it allowed her a moment to recharge. Rothai clearly still wasn’t happy, but he remained silent. Finn wore his thinking look, probably already considering ways to take advantage of the situation. Cayr had leaned over to Jenna and the two were conversing quietly; Alyx’s eyes narrowed at that, but her attention was drawn away when Ladan cleared his throat, quieting the room.
“Most of you already know I intend to leave Alistriem to search for Taliath potentials that have survived the Mage Council hunt,” Ladan said. “It’s time they were found, protected and trained properly.”
Finn raised a hand. “Despite the re-emergence of Shakar, I don’t imagine the Mage Council’s desire to kill Taliath has faded—it may even have strengthened. You and any potentials you find will be vulnerable, particularly if Galien is still the one hunting them.”
“Agreed,” Ladan said. “But now that we know where the danger is coming from, we will be better able to protect them.”