by Lisa Cassidy
“Alyx,” he said, voice raspy as if he held back strong emotion so that he wouldn’t upset her. “I heard what happened to Dashan. I came straight away…I…”
His voice trailed off as if he didn’t know what to say. Alyx was getting better and better at managing her grief, and she swallowed back the rush of emotion, even managing a smile at the sight of him.
“I can’t believe you’re standing here.” Her smile widened to a genuine one. “Where have you been all this time? We’ve been worried sick!”
“That doesn’t matter.” He dismissed her words, taking a step towards her. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea what had happened to Dash, and when I heard, I—”
“It’s okay, Brynn.”
“It’s not, it’s not okay.” He stopped his forward movement. “Will you tell me what happened?”
Alyx let out a breath—going through everything was the last thing she wanted to do, but Brynn deserved to know. Slowly, haltingly, she relayed everything that had occurred that night, and all the developments since.
When she was done, Brynn looked even more tired than he had, and his eyes were dark with emotion. Alyx gestured him to one of the chairs by the fire and she sat in the one beside it. They sat in silence for a while, not needing to talk.
“Where have you been?” she asked eventually.
“That’s a long, tiring story.” He sighed. “In short, I’ve been spying for the council, working against Shakar.”
“Why didn’t you come to us, to me?”
“At first I couldn’t find you. I didn’t know what had happened or where you’d gone after DarkSkull was destroyed. Then, when I did learn where you were, I couldn’t leave. I had worked my way into a key position with a group of mages allied to Shakar.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“The council killed them,” he replied.
“I’m sorry,” she said, squeezing his arm.
“Don’t be. They weren’t good people. I just hate the killing, you know?”
“I know,” she said softly.
“Safia told me that you’re establishing a new mage order.” Brynn sat forward, face eager. “If you truly have become Magor-lier, then I don’t work for the council anymore.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He spoke so emphatically, she almost laughed.
“Oh Brynn.” She sank back in the chair, taking in his familiar features and feeling some of her tension drain away. “I’m glad to have you with me, finally.”
“The council’s worried about you, Alyx. They wouldn’t say much to me because they know how close we are, but you’re scaring them. When they hear you’re setting yourself up as an alternative—”
“They murdered Dashan,” she gritted out, hands curling into the arms of the chair. “They don’t scare me.”
“They should. At least be aware that they’ll be watching you closely.” He sighed when she refused to look at him, then reached over to squeeze her hand. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you head up to bed, and we can talk more in the morning?”
“Sounds good.” She smiled. “But how do you feel about talking while we ride instead?”
“Where are we going?”
She waggled her eyebrows. “It’s a secret.”
Brynn laughed. “Count me in.”
Chapter 20
Tingo moved at a swift gallop, his hooves thundering over the flat surface. Tarrick and Finn rode close behind, Brynn a little further back with the other mages of her protective detail.
The hazy outline of Tennan appeared in the distance, and then was hidden again as the road took them through a forested area. Rothai and Jayn, also mounted, waited for them just before the trees ended and the road continued towards the city. Alyx reined Tingo in sharply. Clouds of dust rose into the sky as horses milled around on the dry road.
“Magor-lier,” Rothai greeted her. “I assume you had no issues on your way here?”
“None. Is everything in place?” She hoped so. They couldn’t afford to linger.
Her old sparring master actually smiled. “Yes. They’ve been gathered about an hour already. Lord Egalion is overseeing them.”
She matched his smile. “In that case, we’d best get to it.”
Alyx urged Tingo back into a gallop along the road, hooves thundering as mages fell in behind her. It took them through the open fields surrounding Tennan before straightening into a line towards the southern entrance to the city. A group of people was gathered before the destroyed city gates, most standing in the shade cast by the half-ruined wall. Though still early morning, the sun was warm and bright in the sky above.
A jolt of surprise went through her at how large the crowd was—at a glance she estimated well over fifty mages. Many more than she’d expected. Not one of them looked comfortable. Most shifted restlessly, while some even had their staffs drawn. Moments later, the reason for that became clear as her magic suddenly winked out of existence. Even though she’d been expecting it, she winced. Behind her, several curses were uttered, and there were a couple of gasps.
Those at the back of the crowd caught sight of the approaching riders and started moving aside, creating a passage down the middle of the road leading to the gates.
Alyx reined Tingo in and dismounted. Casting a single glance back to check that Cario, Finn, and Tarrick were behind her, she straightened her shoulders and began walking with long, loose strides down the road.
There were many things reflected in the faces of those she passed, from curiosity to fear, and in one older man, a focused attention, like he was assessing her already. All of them had a medallion hanging from their necks. All stared at the scarlet sigil on her chest.
Her father waited at the base of the wall, standing alert but relaxed. Heartfire was sheathed at his side. He inclined his head in greeting but made no move to approach her. She gave him a quick smile as she passed him and began climbing the rubble towards the top.
Now she was alone. Cario, Tarrick, and Finn remained at the bottom, taking up positions beside her father. A cool ocean breeze whipped at her blue cloak and tugged free loose tendrils of her braided hair. At the top, she paused a moment, facing the waiting crowd of mages below.
Rothai and Jayn had spent the past months tracking down every mage they could find, council mage or not, asking them to be present in Tennan on this particular day. Those that agreed to come had been given a medallion and strict instructions about timing their arrival so they wouldn’t be there long. None of them had been told what the meeting was for, only that it had to do with the destruction of Shakar.
Alyx raised a hand. Slowly the shuffling and hum of conversation silenced. The weight of their attention on her was palpable, as if over fifty pairs of eyes were boring into her soul.
Swallowing, she closed her eyes and summoned every bit of strength she’d managed to cobble together in the months since Dashan’s death. Then, letting out a low breath, she straightened her shoulders and let her gaze run over the crowd below.
“I am Alyx Egalion.” She made her voice loud and clear, filling it with confidence. “I have assumed the position of Magor-lier of the mage order. That is my right as the most powerful mage alive in time of war.”
Muttering broke out at her words, and she raised her hand again to quiet them.
“I went to DarkSkull Hall just like all of you. I survived through dawn breakfasts, Master Rothai’s sparring sessions,” she paused for the brief chuckle, “and long nights of watchtower duty in the middle of freezing winter snows. I learned the same things you did. I am one of you. But I am not a creature of the Mage Council.” She paused again to let that sink in.
“The council wants Shakar dead too, I know. Council mages do good work across all countries you come from, I know that as well. But the council is also afraid. They are terrified of Shakar, and more than that, they are terrified of losing the power they hold. That fear has led them to hunting and killing every Taliath potential they could find over the pa
st decade.” The shocked outbreak of chatter was loud and intense, forcing Alyx to stop. Without using telepathic magic it was impossible to tell whether the outrage she saw on some faces was directed at her or the council. Eventually she raised her hand again and slowly they quieted. “The council’s fear makes them prize the most powerful and pure-blooded mages over all others. ‘Lesser’ mages are treated as worthless.” When more talking broke out this time, Alyx raised her voice, silencing them all.
“I am not afraid! I am not afraid of the Taliath, I am not afraid of having or losing power, and I believe there is no such thing as a lesser mage.” Her words rippled over them, ringing with conviction. “I am here today to ask for your loyalty, to help me build a new and better mage order. If you choose to follow me, you will be working alongside mages and Taliath. In return, I offer you protection and the chance to destroy Shakar. The Mage Council cannot defeat Shakar, but I can. I will. It won’t be soon, but it will happen. I promise you that.”
Alyx let those words settle for a long moment then,
“That is all I have to say. We shouldn’t linger here or we risk detection. Those who wish to join with me, please remain and speak to myself or one of the mages you see standing below. You will need to temporarily take off your medallions, lower your mental shields and allow either myself or one of my telepath mages to verify your honesty. That is for your protection as well as mine. You’ll be provided details about the safe house and code system we’ve set up. If you choose not to join me, then you’re free to leave. Thank you.”
Without any further fanfare, Alyx began stepping back down the rubble towards the ground. After three steps, someone started clapping. Two steps further and it sounded like at least half the crowd had broken into applause. Soon there were whistles and cheers too.
By the time she reached the ground, almost all the mages who’d been gathered were lining up into rough rows before Tarrick, Cario, Finn, and Rothai. She spotted only a handful leaving.
Cario’s intense blue gaze snagged hers. “Well done, Magor-lier,” he said quietly. “That was exactly right.”
Once all the mages had been spoken to and then dispatched to various safe houses already set up across Rionn, Tregaya, and Zandia, Alyx went looking for Finn. He was digging through his saddlebags.
“Tarrick’s found a good campsite and your father has promised us a decent stew with a rabbit he caught if I can find the flask in my…” Finn muttered, then “There it is!”
“Before we join them, can we talk?” she asked.
Finn successfully tugged the flask from his saddlebag, then turned to look at her in surprise. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She smiled a little. “I just want to borrow that genius brain of yours for a little while.”
It was late when she and Finn joined the others at the campsite. The stew was long cooked, the remnants bubbling over a fire waiting for them. Rothai had disappeared, unsurprisingly, to patrol. When Tarrick asked where they’d been, Alyx shrugged it off. “My ribs have been sore recently, I wanted Finn to take a look.”
Her father lifted an eyebrow as if he sensed the lie, but didn’t push her on it. “Once you’ve had a rest and something to eat, you should get moving,” Garan said.
“She’s fine, Tarrick.” Finn chuckled when Tarrick opened his mouth. “Promise.”
Alyx ignored them, looking at her father. “Will you be going straight to ShadowFall?”
He nodded, face brightening. “I had a message from Ladan two days ago. He and Dawn have found three potentials already. Ladan wants to take them to ShadowFall to start learning before expanding his search into northern Tregaya and Zandia.”
She was pleased, and not just at the idea of potentials being found. The idea of rebuilding the Taliath had given her father a purpose and life she had never seen in him before. “I will send three warrior mages with you.”
“What’s next for you, Alyx?” Brynn asked, mouth full of bread and cheese.
“It will take time to establish my leadership, and to ensure the safe house and communication systems are working smoothly. We also need to keep tracking and killing Hunters. After that…” She let out a breath. “We haven’t gotten anywhere in terms of learning more about Shakar. We can’t begin working on a plan to defeat him unless we understand him better.”
Tarrick nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. What do you think of giving the job to Rothai? He has extensive contacts within the mage world and he’s still the most powerful warrior mage alive outside you, so he can look after himself. Let Rothai loose and tell him to learn everything he can about Shakar for us.”
“It’s a better idea than you realise,” Brynn said quietly. “Rothai burns for Shakar’s destruction.”
“Why?” Alyx asked.
“Shakar murdered his family when he was a young child. Only he and his elder sister survived. Many in his village were killed in the same attack,” Brynn said.
Alyx paled. “I had no idea.”
“That’s why he was so against you and Dashan, Alyx, and why he is so protective of your safety,” Finn said in realisation. “Rothai has firsthand knowledge of what Shakar does to those he perceives to be a threat.”
Alyx glanced down, fingering the blue cloak still slung around her shoulders.
“Alyx?” Brynn said. “You did nothing wrong.”
“I made mistakes.” She looked up at him. “But all I can do now is learn from them.”
“I think I know exactly how you feel,” Tarrick said, meeting her eyes across the table. A flicker of understanding passed between them, a true and honest one.
“Send me after the Hunters,” Brynn volunteered. “I am trained for tracking, after all. Shakar might withdraw them once he realises your strategy. This is the best way I can serve you.”
She nodded slowly. For a long moment they were silent, all occupied with their thoughts as the fire crackled between them.
Eventually, Brynn rose to his feet, drawing their attention. “Well then, shall we go and try to destroy Shakar, one step at a time?”
“I’m free.” Cario carefully straightened his tunic as he, too, stood.
Finn shrugged. “I can probably fit it in.”
Alyx touched her cloak again, then looked up. “Yes, let’s. I’d like to keep the promise I made to those mages today.”
Chapter 21
Alyx’s boots whispered through the grass, quick strides bringing her closer to the farmhouse in the distance. A watery moon cast a dim glow over the empty fields surrounding it. Nothing moved in the open space around the house, which stood shrouded in shadows.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Adahn spoke at her side. A royal blue cloak hung from his shoulders, the scarlet stitching over his chest glinting bright when it caught the moonlight. Alyx couldn’t help a little smile at the sight. Heartfire. No longer just the name of her father’s Taliath sword, but a word and symbol that represented everything she was trying to build with her new mage order. Adahn had told her, years ago when he’d first donned the cloak, that he wore the leaping flame emblem for his cousin, an apprentice mage who’d died in the attack on DarkSkull. Each of her mages wore it in honour of someone who’d been lost that day.
“I’d like to second that,” Nario piped in from behind.
Alyx glanced back to where Casta and Nario walked behind them. Both Bluecoats rested their hands on the hilts of their swords. “Nario, you and Adahn always have a bad feeling about these meetings.”
Adahn’s mouth quirked in a smile. “For good reason, Magor-lier. We don’t trust those you’re meeting with.”
“To defeat Shakar, we need the council. For now, at least.” Alyx spoke the same tired old words she’d been saying for years. Until she could make all their resources hers, she needed to work with the council. And while she drew more and more mages to her every month, most of the order remained loyal to the old ways. If she fought them for control, it would only dilute the effort against Shakar, and for now it seem
ed the council agreed. Despite fury over her claim to the Magor-lier title, they hadn’t actively moved against her. A fragile truce lingered.
“The problem is, we’re not united,” Adahn said.
“Three years ago they wouldn’t even meet with me. Now we’re about to attend our fifth meeting over the past eighteen months. I call that progress,” she said.
“I’d term the information sharing as limited,” he said pointedly.
“We have to build on something.” Alyx stifled her flash of irritation with Adahn. It wasn’t him she was truly angry with—his sentiments merely echoed her own. It didn’t help that even the very idea of working in concert with the council made her insides twist with bitterness. After everything they’d done to her…Focus. Shakar is the goal. Whatever that takes.
“I can’t argue with you when you’re being so reasonable about it.” His smile flashed in the dim light.
“I’m the mage leader, it’s my job to be reasonable.” No matter how exhausting that was sometimes.
“And a fine leader you are too, if I may say so.” His eyes lingered on her, warm and appreciative. She ignored the look, and the deliberate flattery, turning away to employ her telepathic ability to do a sweep of the area for potential danger. The mages in the house they were heading towards had their minds shielded, of course, but she picked up nothing to make her worry.
“Good,” Casta said once she passed this on. “The smoother this goes the better. We’ll have to ride quickly if we’re going to make it to the mine to pick up Tarrick and the others and get to Alistriem in time for the wedding.”
Of the five Bluecoats assigned to her, Casta was the most disposed to worrying about Alyx’s schedule—he was like a mother hen at times. She loved him for it.
She smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to miss the wedding.”
Nario made a face at Casta. “I don’t know why you’re so eager. Guard detail for an event as elaborate as an Egalion wedding is the most boring post possible. Hours of standing there watching rich, ridiculously-dressed people talking, eating, and drinking.”