The man was willing to slaughter his own people, mages he was supposed to protect, so he could rule. Gaining freedom for the rest of the mages and being outcast wasn’t enough for him, he’d make others pay for his perfidy, a price he’d never willingly pay or live up to. He wasn’t so naïve as not to see why that was, but it still disturbed him. He’d willingly leave, if it would save lives and free mages. Of course, he wouldn’t have committed treason in the first place, to earn that banishment or death.
Still, he didn’t understand how the others that supported Tanner didn’t see right through the bastard. The fighting and violence weren’t about their freedom at all, it was about Tanner’s power and standing in the kingdom. How could they not see that?
Lia asked, “You alright?”
He nodded, “I think so. It’s all the adrenaline, and no fight. It was the right thing to stay at our posts, but there’s no outlet for it. You?”
His whole body was trembling with it, and the others weren’t far behind.
Lia nodded, “Shocked, but okay.”
Karina and Carolynn dealt with it better than they did, and didn’t look so shell shocked, but then they were ten years older, more experienced, and had seen a skirmish or two at their borders during their service.
That wasn’t to say they were okay with it, nor were they understanding of Tanner’s position at all. They’d also lost close friends and family, not just comrades in arms, and were deeply upset. They’d just seen it before, had gone through similar ordeals during their career and other missions, and controlled those emotions better.
Regardless, they abided in and embraced their duty, what other choice did they have?
Chapter Nineteen
The rest of the afternoon dragged in a somber aura. Their usual light conversation while standing outside the inn had faltered, and their grief and anger fought with their duty and focus. He managed to hold it together, as did the others, but it was a hard thing. His heart ached, and for the first time in his life he really wanted to kill someone.
He’d always been willing to kill, in self-defense, defense of others including his charge and the people on his team, but he’d never wanted someone dead so badly as he did Tanner that afternoon.
The day seemed to drag on forever, the only thing holding him together was his duty, if he faltered another of his comrades may die, or the queen he protected, or worst of all, perhaps Lia. It’d always been a possibility before, but a remote one in his mind. Life’s randomness had taken Celane away from him, and he knew it was more than possible for life to kick him in the ass again. He also cared for Lia far more than he had Celane, after all they’d been courting for six months, and had spent far more time alone together, talking and planning out that future.
He also knew those emotions were dangerous, he could only do the best he could, he had to accept what life threw at him that he couldn’t control, or he’d become a monster like Tanner. Trying to control things that couldn’t, and shouldn’t, be controlled, wouldn’t lead anywhere good.
Life was messy, and sometimes cruel, but life was also good. It was just hard to believe that last one, during that afternoon.
Lastly, he felt deeply and personally guilty about the royal guards. It’d been his idea to invite them in, thinking the arena would keep them safe, and they were hit the hardest. He’d been so sure the enemy wouldn’t have a chance against their defense, the arrogance of youth. Exploding corpses packed with nails and other metal shrapnel? What kind of sick bastard came up with that?
At least they’d won the battle, but he wondered if Tanner had sent all his people, if they might’ve even lost before they could adjust to the surprise. It’d all happened so fast.
On the good side, at least they’d sent out their apprentices and most of the youngest mages, anyone not included in the defense and not temporarily living inside the arena itself. At least those lives were saved. He had no doubt in his heart now, that Tanner wouldn’t have paused to use their lives as a lever.
His mind went in those circles all afternoon, mostly because he kept pushing the anger away every time it settled on him. He wanted to be better than that, he just wasn’t sure if he really was. The only relief was for five minutes an hour, as he focused on stressing and growing his magic through channeling. It took a lot of focus, at least when he was pushing his limits like that.
Lia asked, “Is it just me, or is dinner time long passed?”
Karina shook her head, “Not just you, they must be working late to get it done.”
Carolynn nodded, “Not that I’m all that hungry, but yes, it’s late. Close to sunset I’d imagine.”
The door opened behind them, and they turned. Talia stood there and she looked exhausted, though there was a glint of satisfaction in her blue eyes. She cast a rune spell of air, and her voice boomed out loudly enough to be heard throughout the arena. Of course, everyone on their side was in the arena, and living temporarily there, so everyone should hear it.
“Gather around the front of the inn please, except those guarding the entrances.”
It didn’t take more than a minute or two to get everyone there, most of the people looked tired and strung out, exactly how he felt, but there was curiosity in a lot of eyes. The four of them moved inside the inn, to take their post near the queen.
Talia said, “I’d like you all to contact anyone you know in the other three towers. Try to get everyone on their side seeing and hearing what you see and hear. You have five minutes.”
Lia asked, a hint of hope in her voice, “You came to an accommodation early.”
Talia’s lips twitched, “Yes, and no. Not early for us. My earlier announcement was disinformation, for the enemy. I knew it would reach them when I said to spread the word. We didn’t want Tanner to panic and attack us again right away, and he would’ve if he’d known the truth. That seemed the best way to give him the false impression he had breathing room, and to get the rest of the details nailed down.”
Lia spluttered.
He snickered, then felt guilty for laughing.
There was more than a little speculation over the next five minutes in quiet side conversations. He also imagined there were air and fire mages working together to bring up the inn, and to watch and listen to the announcement. The life mages could also create mind to mind spells, allowing others to see and hear what they did. All the disciplines had varying ways to communicate over distance, on some level or another. One way or the other, the enemy mages dancing to Tanner’s tune would hear their side.
The only question that burned in his mind, was if they’d abandon their masters and give up the fight in good faith. Surely some would, the question was would it be enough.
Aubrey took over at that point, with the queen standing at her side, to back up her words.
“Please bear with me, there are a lot of changes to come with our freedom. Rather than explain it line by line and get lost in the details, I’ll explain it from the perspective of a new apprentice that has just gained their magic, and the various stages that follow.
“A new apprentice will be given a choice. The first two are the same as they were, swear fealty and work for the queen, except it will be for ten years. Their service will be a payment, for food, boarding, education, support, and of course the monthly stipend. Freedom does not mean entitlement, and someone has to pay for all that. If a new apprentice wants the queen to foot their bill, they will serve, just like any other job or apprenticeship.
“The second option remains the same as well. To be burned out, their magic will be removed, and they can go on with their lives. The new third option is they can pay to live at the tower, and to be taught. It would be a harder road, but they’d be free to learn to control their magic, grow their magic, and learn spells. They’d also need a job, but they’d be separate from the crown on day one.”
She paused for a moment.
“After ten years of service, that debt will have been paid. At that point, they have several c
hoices. They can continue to serve the crown, and work to secure our kingdom, and to reflect the idea the debt has been paid, their stipend will be increased. Shelter and food will also remain free at that point, or rather a part of paying for their service, a benefit to choosing service.
“If they choose to go their own way, the options are too numerable to recount. However, they’ll have to pay some of the coin they earn to live and eat. Whether that’s at the tower or not, just as they would have at the apprentice level if they choose not to serve.”
She paused for a second.
“There are complications with freedom, and exceptions. We wanted to be free like the commoners, but like them we can be pressed into temporary service during wartime. There are also limits. A mage that goes their own way can’t open a competing school of magic for instance. Just like hunters and tree cutters have limits on where they can hunt or cut down trees.
“Many of the tower rules are now laws of Reton, and freedom comes with responsibility, including following the laws. Save a school of magic, there isn’t anything to stop you from doing whatever you want, with magic or without, living in the tower or not, when you’re free.
“The only required thing is going through your apprenticeship if you wish to keep your magic, whether you do so paying your own way or letting the crown do it and serving for ten years. An untrained mage is just too dangerous, both to themselves and to others.”
She tilted her head, “Not much else has changed in truth, our lives will be very similar, but let’s be honest. We’ve always lived in good conditions, ate what we want, and had good lives. It’s just now we’ll be free as well, and service is our choice.
“The last change is the post of guild master or mistress is now a government post. Just like before, you can earn the title master mage through hard work and experience, learning to control your magic and spells better. But, to rule a tower, to be the head of the guild, you must swear fealty to the queen for life. Some will be angry about that, but if you think it through it’s a reasonable precaution, and it will keep us close to the royal family. It’s also not an infringement of your freedom, you don’t have to be a guild master after all. That’s a choice. All choices have consequences, good, bad, or indifferent.
“It’s also required because we’ll be making judgements of our people, as we’ve already been doing. Except our decisions won’t be mage rules, they are kingdom laws now. To do that we need a certain standing in the government itself to have that authority. As ever, Reton is a kingdom of laws. Freedom doesn’t absolve you of the responsibility of following laws, and you will be caught and punished if you’re found abusing the non-mage populace with your magic, freedom ends when you encroach on the freedom of another.”
She paused again, and then said, “Many of you listening to this feel passionately about freedom, and the fact we’ve had no choices in the past. I’m here to tell you, that you have it now. I’m also going to urge you to return to the arena now, and to submit to questioning. If that is truly why you chose to stand with your guild masters, who are guilty of treason, sedition, and treachery, you will be pardoned and returned to your towers. New guild masters or mistresses will be voted in, and they’ll give oath, if they accept.
“I urge you not to stay there out of a misguided sense of loyalty, do not kill, or die, to put a megalomaniac in power. Tanner and Sun, there can be no doubt of their guilt in these matters, Sun is guilty of regicide as well. We would like to see this resolved without further deaths, and with you all in your homes where you belong.
“I have no doubt he will plant doubts, and give a stirring emotional speech, but what it comes down to is your guild heads are asking you to die for their own ambition, because you now have freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it. As for them, they must pay the price for their trespass, or flee justice and accept banishment.
“To Kaitlyn, I would say come back as well. You’re welcome to return, and I know you, you didn’t want this. The deaths that happened today were horrific, and too many of our mages have already died. To continue to fight, when you have what you want, would be unconscionable.
“To any mage that doesn’t return, this clemency has a time limit. If you stand with murderers and insurrectionists, continue to hedge your bets, you will be treated as one yourself. The choice is yours, act now and return, or stand with the guilty. Don’t let Tanner and his ambition destroy your lives, as it has with so many already. The time has come for you to pick a side, permanently. To follow the orders and lead of your guild master is natural, and the only reason clemency is being offered at all. I’d suggest you take advantage of it.
“Tanner and Sun will no doubt argue mages are meant to rule, but it is him that burns with that desire, for selfish reasons. That’s why he really rebelled, he wants to rule, he cares little for your freedoms, he just wants to be the one to rule you. You know our history, it would be a disaster, the people would balk, the army would balk, and we’d be endangering the kingdom itself to external enemies. Tanner would see it all burned down out of spite if he cannot rule, and that’s exactly what will happen, because mages cannot rule. Not because we don’t have the power, simply because we would not be trusted. Freedom must be enough for us. Will you support that? Or am I wrong, and your choices weren’t about freedom at all? I urge you once more, come home.”
Aubrey looked around, there was hope on a lot of faces, and not a few tears as well.
“That’s it everyone. Get ready to receive our brothers and sisters, one way or the other. No doubt, Tanner will try to stir them up to attack immediately, a last-ditch effort, and prudence forces us to be ready for such a thing. Hope, and trust, but do not let your guard down until we can verify that trust. Any coming in will be questioned by a life mage. If they will agree to live by the new laws in freedom, recognize and honor the royal family as the rulers of Reton, and show that they’re not here to betray us to our true enemy. Those will be the only questions asked. Your majesty?”
Vida held up some parchment and replied, “I would just say that all of that is already ratified into law. Signed by my hand. I also regret it took such turbulent times to make it happen. The royal family has held the mage population under our thumbs out of fear, mistrust, and simply because the mages had us under their thumbs in the past. It is more than time to move beyond that, forgive the past, and extend trust on both sides. I look forward to our relationship in the future.”
Aubrey said, “Thank you, your majesty.”
The meeting broke up then, and dinner started. His hope and anger fought, and it wouldn’t be long until they found out what side won out on the enemy’s side. He also managed to eat, despite not being hungry in the least, he knew his body needed it.
Chapter Twenty
Their dinner waned, and his stomach turned in worry even as he hoped, but he managed to keep the meal down.
All eyes went to Aubrey, as she gasped.
“The throne room,” she said in a strangled voice.
He, and everyone else in the room stood up, and stared at the table the queen and guild masters sat at. He felt Talia cast the same fire and air spell he had days ago now, and a current view of the throne room appeared.
Tanner lounged on the throne, with Sun at his side, and a white-faced Kaitlyn stood on his other side. Kneeling before them were two fire mages, three death mages, and ten air mages. Fifteen of them. They all looked beaten to within an inch of their lives, and they were bound by manacles so they couldn’t gesture to access their magic.
Surrounding them and standing were the rest of the air, fire, and death mages in Tanner’s camp. About thirty-five of them.
It looked like to him, that Aubrey’s speech had persuaded about a third of the enemy mages to defect to their side, but they weren’t going to be allowed to leave. Still, he waited, he didn’t want to make assumptions. It wasn’t long though, before Tanner backed up that assumption.
Tanner smirked, “I’m going to assume my message g
ot through, it’s their turn to watch, don’t you think? They seem to be deluded about something very simple.”
Tanner stood up, and his face suddenly looked thunderous, “I am king, and rule here. It’s already done, and very shortly the rest of the fire, air, and death mages on the border will be joining us here. We are mages, and mages should rule mages and non-mages alike. We have the power, and we certainly shouldn’t be settling for a longer leash made of silk, when we can rule what is rightfully ours.
“These fifteen fools, currently being held with magic, were found trying to leave the castle. Apparently more than happy to be lapdogs to our lessors, now that the young princess patted them on the heads and said good boy.
“Yes… princess. Those documents she held aren’t even legal, it must be a trick. Only a crowned king or queen can pass new laws, and she’s not queen yet, is she? I’d hoped to preserve mage lives, and not undertake the kind of missions we had today, nor did I wish to face a moment such as this. But my own people have continually sided with the old regime that has kept us as slaves for centuries, and they have continued to frustrate all my attempts to give us true freedom.
“Free to do whatever we want within the law, and to be ruled by ourselves. These fifteen traitors to our cause are merely one more betrayal. I don’t wish any mage to die, but we can’t allow betrayal in our ranks. In the morning, these fifteen will be hung as traitors, then we will fight and reclaim our mage towers, and once and for all end the royal family and their toadies.”
He paused for a second, “Our population will be gutted, it seems my only choice, and I do regret that necessity, but it’s their dedication toward their former enslavers that has forced my hand. The fools will die, as will all that follow them. We will recover however, and we’ll regain our strength and grow even stronger in time. I make a similar offer to those on the other side, join me, tonight, and you will be spared on the morrow as we finally secure our rightful place once and for all. True freedom, not the lies they offer you.
Rune Mage: The Rune Mystic: Book Two Page 15