by Alex C Vick
Peric, convinced their situation was worse than the local mage-doctor would admit to, had broken into their village's small clinic one night to use the Calculo Clock. The result had horrified him. They'd sold their belongings and resolved to travel to Vayl with the proceeds in hopes of accessing better treatment and sponsorship for Marty.
It had been a difficult journey. Peric fought off would-be thieves several times and not always successfully. The small family was perceived as an easy target. Others had attempted to trick the Ricards out of their lumien with false promises of a cure. Peric had become bitter. Distrustful.
They hadn't told Marty anything about his future as an orphan. Savra had argued the importance of creating as many happy memories as possible, convincing Peric that Marty was too young to derive any benefit from knowing what would happen. The knowledge would only be a burden.
"This is our story. And I'm afraid it's nearly over," said Peric. "We have to say a proper goodbye to our son before we lose our chance. Will you look out for him after we're gone? Be his friend?"
"Yes. Of course I will." I didn't hesitate. I would find a way to protect Marty despite the uncertainties surrounding my own future. I'll take him to Terra and raise him myself if I have to.
"They told us he'll need a procedure when he's older," said Savra. "To keep him safe from mage-sickness."
My hand twitched in my lap but I managed to keep my face blank. "Oh?" I said.
"I don't like the idea of Marty having surgery, but we're told the famous Vayl sponsorship model depends on it," said Peric.
Before I could say anything, I heard the pitter-patter of running footsteps.
"Papa," said Marty, climbing onto his father's bed and wrapping his arms around Peric's neck. "I missed you."
Peric hugged him back. "I missed you more," he said. Savra reached her hand across the gap between the two beds and squeezed Marty's arm.
Unexpectedly, I was reminded of my own parents. My throat tightened as I held back sudden tears. The injustice of the Ricards' circumstances was hard to accept. And I couldn't bear the thought of Arin plunging a knife into Marty's head.
"We found a snack," said Marty. "The other Ammartus is bringing it, but he's really slow."
"Maybe you're super-fast?" said Art from behind us. "Did you ever think of that?"
I stood up and gave him a quick smile. I still felt self-conscious from Peric's earlier comments. Art put a plate of brightly coloured biscuits on the cabinet and Marty grabbed one, forcing the whole thing into his mouth at once. Peric ruffled Marty's hair and laughed. The laugh turned into a cough.
Art stepped away from the beds and signaled for me to join him. "Is everything OK?" he asked quietly. "I couldn't keep him distracted any longer. Xavic said my mother already left."
"It's fine," I said, glad to hear about Adelle. "You did a great job keeping Marty busy."
Art shrugged. "Xavic helped," he said. "And Marty's nice."
I lowered my voice. "Apparently he has to have the procedure when he's older."
"I thought so," said Art. "He reacted to the Detection Spell, didn't he?"
"So did I," I reminded him. Peric coughed again.
"Wait," I said, whispering. "I wanted to ask you something. Why didn't the Detection Spell affect Peric and Savra?"
"It only works in the early stages of mage-sickness," Art whispered back. "Magicians in Vayl developed the spell, and the other territories refuse to use it. They disagree with the terms of the sponsorship model."
"It makes me wonder what the spell is detecting," I said.
It might not be detecting mage-sickness at all.
The panic I'd felt in the underground chamber returned. On the face of it, the Detection Spell identified underage cotidians who would subsequently need the procedure—a procedure described as the cure for mage-sickness. Except it might be the same as the transition that turned a magician into a cotidian.
What if the Detection Spell reacts to magical energy? What if the sponsorship model is designed to suppress the magical population?
19 A Change Of Plan
"Serena, what's the matter?" said Art.
My head was spinning. "I… I'm probably getting carried away. And like you said, we can't talk here."
"No. But we do need to talk," he said.
He took the list out of his pocket and we looked at it together.
1. Visit clinic / return bag / check Ricard family
2. Mage-sickness cure
3. Gallium dagger
4. Tower library: research Detection Spell?
5. My assessment
6. Mage-glass
7. Portal / Serena's world
"Thanks to my mother and that horrible live demonstration, we seem to have dealt with two, three, five, and six," he said. "Once we leave here, there's only the library left. And then…"
"Yeah," I agreed. "Then we can escape."
I looked back at the Ricard family. Marty had moved to Savra's bed and was eating another biscuit, more slowly this time, while she read to him from his book. Peric was still coughing, mouth closed, doing his best not to make too much noise.
I was almost tempted to suggest they leave with us. Perhaps they'd be better off in a world where mage-sickness didn't exist? But the range of spell bottles on the cabinet was extensive. I could never hope to replicate their treatment plan. Three days, Art had said. Hopefully it was longer now.
"How much time do they have?" I asked.
"We can ask Xavic to check," he replied.
"I promised to be Marty's friend," I said. "I haven't known him long, but his sponsorship family will be complete strangers. At least he knows my face."
Art's purple eyes darkened.
Does he have a problem with that?
"I don't know Marty's foster parents, but the Dantails are sponsoring him," said Art.
"Xavic's family?"
"Yes," said Art. "I'm sure Xavic would be delighted to spend more time with you."
I stared. "Are you jealous? Is that what this is?"
"No." A pause. "All right—yes," he said.
"Well, there's no need to be," I said. "I don't like Xavic that way."
"You don't?"
"No."
It was true. Xavic, objectively speaking, was attractive. Friendly too. But he didn't touch my heart. When I looked at Art, it was like being hit with a spell. I was scared and elated at the same time.
"OK," said Art. Another pause. "I… I don't really know how this works. Should I apologise now?"
"This?" I said, confused.
"This," he repeated, gesturing back and forth between us. The tops of his cheekbones were red.
"Oh, this," I said. "I'm not sure."
"You're not?"
"No. I'm not exactly an expert."
Does he think I've had loads of boyfriends or something?
"I thought… Well… Everyone's an expert compared to me," he said.
"Not in this," I said, remembering Matheus and how different it had been. It was black and white versus a rainbow of colour. "Falling in l-l-like with someone is new to me too."
Androva help me. I practically said the L-word. It's Peric's fault for putting the idea in my head.
Avoiding Art's gaze, I turned back to the Ricard family. Peric was resting his head on the wall behind the bed, eyes closed. Marty was snuggled against Savra, listening to her read. His mouth and cheeks were smeared with pink and purple from the biscuits. Savra reached the end of a sentence and looked up.
"Sorry, but we have to leave," I said.
Peric opened his eyes. "You'll come back," he said.
"Yes," I said. "I'll come back. I promise."
"We'll both come back," said Art. "I'll bring some books for Marty."
"And some more biscuits," said Marty.
"And some more biscuits," Art agreed.
"Thank you for the lumien," said Savra. "It will really help. I can get Marty some extra clothes and toys and things."
"
What do you need?" said Art. "Please, make a list."
"Are you sure?" said Savra.
"Very sure. If it can be purchased, I can get it. I can't do much, but I can do that."
She nodded. Art and I left the ward side by side. Our hands touched a couple of times and I flinched, hyper-aware of my proximity to him. The more I tried to walk casually the more awkward I felt.
You don't tell someone you're falling in love with them after two days.
I wondered if I could pretend that falling in like was a well-known Androvan expression. Except mentioning it again would only draw attention to the whole thing. Besides, there were more important problems to focus on. I exhaled loudly.
"All right?" said Art.
"Fine. Just—you know—thinking of spelling my mouth shut until it reconnects to my brain."
Before he could respond, we arrived in the reception area. Xavic was at a desk in the corner with a stack of different coloured folders in front of him. One folder was open, and he was making notes in the margin of the uppermost piece of paper.
"I'll be two seconds," he said, scribbling faster. When he looked up, he seemed pleased to see us, breaking into a smile.
"Hey," he said. "I was thinking maybe we could meet up later for a drink in the tower bar? If Art's family is sponsoring you, Serena, and mine is sponsoring Marty…" His expression was hopeful. "We should get to know each other."
Art folded his arms. "Put together, the Bavois and Dantail families sponsor more than five percent of the city," he said. "We've never made it a social occasion before."
I gave him a sideways look.
"We haven't," he protested. "Sponsorship is a regulatory thing. Magicians and cotidians don't hang out together in the bar."
"So? That doesn't mean it's illegal," said Xavic. "And I'm not a magician yet."
Art didn't answer, perhaps thinking of his own recent change in status.
"We're kind of busy today," I said. "But another time would be good. Maybe you could bring your… Brianne, was that her name?"
Xavic's smile faltered, just as it had the last time Brianne's name was mentioned.
"I suppose I could ask her."
"Great," I said. I waited for Art to say something, but he remained silent.
"Anyway," I went on, "we were wondering about the Ricards. They want me to watch out for Marty. Do you know how long…?"
"One week," said Xavic. He looked down. "I was just updating their file. Response to treatment has been about average."
I had known it would be ten days or less. That didn't make it any easier to hear.
"I'm sorry," said Xavic. He lifted a hand and twisted the cord of his amulet around his forefinger. "I like Marty."
"Me too," I said.
"We should go," said Art. "Can you let us out?"
Xavic went to push the lever, and the counter opened.
"Thank you," I said.
"No problem," he replied, smiling briefly.
As soon as we were outside, I turned to Art. "You could have been a bit nicer to him."
Art blinked. "What? He doesn't care."
"He does," I said. "And I think you know he does."
Art hunched his shoulders. We walked in silence until we reached the main square. The tower with its dazzling crystal loomed over us—a symbol of the absolute authority enjoyed by its magical residents. I reminded myself that cotidians weren't slaves. They could always live somewhere else.
Yes, and run the risk of dying from mage-sickness.
The sun was hot. A light breeze lifted my curls off the back of my neck. I rubbed my forehead. Keeping my magic pushed back for so long was making my head hurt. I didn't want to go back inside the tower. I wanted to swim in the Terran ocean and allow my force field to expand until I was glittering like sunlight on the water.
As we approached the entrance, I turned to Art. "I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to tell you how to behave."
His mouth lifted. "You're right, though. I get defensive around Xavic. I always have."
We walked into the tower, past the doors to the antechamber where I'd met him and Adelle. It was quiet compared to market day, and there were only a few people around. We continued to the final set of double doors on the right of the hall. They were engraved with "Library" in silver letters.
Art grasped one of the large handles, shaped to resemble a Judix symbol. Before he could pull the door open, the sound of raised voices came from the antechamber, spilling into the hall and causing every head to turn toward them, including mine and Art's.
"Time is of the essence."
"We have to find the source."
"Ammartus—"
"No. Secure the clinic first. There are at least seven cotidians who could—"
"He's my son. And your grandson."
We stared. Adelle, Vidian, Gentus, and three other amulet-wearing magicians stood in a tense group, oblivious to the attention they were attracting.
"Gentus. Let me look for them," said Adelle. A lock of hair had escaped her plait and was resting on her cheek. She was a little flushed.
"I think not," said the old man. "You and Jamith will go to the clinic as discussed. Negotiations with Helex and Midian are at a critical stage. They'll never sign up to the sponsorship model if they hear about this."
The man next to Adelle murmured his agreement.
"We'll find them," said Vidian, his tone encouraging. He patted Adelle on the shoulder. "Art will come to no harm."
Art and I exchanged panicky looks. Any one of the group would only have to turn their head to see us. Carefully, Art eased the library door open. Before the gap was wide enough to let us through, the hinges squeaked. He froze.
"No promises," said Gentus. His face was expressionless. "We just confirmed that Phidiom's last magician died a long time ago. Art is complicit in the lie."
"He might have been deceived himself," said Adelle. "As you were, Gentus."
She tucked the strand of hair behind her ear slowly, as if she were keeping her composure by sheer force of will.
Gentus ignored her. "I want his transition carried out as soon as he's found."
"And if it's too late for that?" said Adelle. "If he's already a magician thanks to this impossible magic?"
"Then it is too late," he said.
Adelle recoiled. She looked at the other magicians in the group, who seemed to be finding the floor and walls fascinating all of a sudden.
Vidian was the only one to make eye contact. He gave her a bland smile. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We can't assume anything," he said. "Remember that Serena is unlikely to be a threat. She is a cotidian, after all."
Condescending much? Irritation pushed aside some of my fear, clearing my head. I put my hand on Art's wrist, projecting my magic and filling it with an Invisibility Spell. He jumped when the edge of my force field touched his skin. I lifted my other hand and placed my forefinger in front of my mouth. He nodded, eyes wide.
I hadn't mastered Galen's Anonymity Spell yet, but I had enough skill to make us both disappear as long as we kept quiet. I pointed to the door and Art allowed it to close.
"Enough talking," said Gentus.
We'd only taken a couple of steps before Vidian started walking toward us, his pace brisk. Then he paused, and I almost stumbled, renewed panic stealing my coordination. Has he seen us?
"Father, I'll join you once I've searched the library," said Vidian over his shoulder. "With Art confined to the city, this shouldn't take long."
"Good," said Gentus. "I'll be in his apartment. Milla, Draven, talk to Petro and his team of wardens. Find out where Ammartus and Serena have been. Retrace their steps. Scan the city and the immediate perimeter. And send a magi-gram to the city's entrance. There's no harm in being thorough."
The group dispersed. Art and I were twenty feet away from the library door by the time Vidian reached it. He swept it wide and entered without even glancing in our direction. Slightly breathless with relief, we continued through
the archways. There were two magicians waiting in front of the mage-tunnels, talking in low voices about their dinner plans. We went to the left-hand staircase, Art directing me to go downward this time.
Once we'd descended twenty steps or so, he leaned in to whisper in my ear. "That path you saw on my map yesterday. It will take us out of the city without using the main doors. OK?"
He pulled back to check I'd understood. We kept walking, following the steps deeper underground. There were doors at intervals marking the different floors. Lumien Storage. Filtering. Donations. The tower's structure below the surface was extensive. After three floors, I had to stop.
"I need my magic to support my ankle," I told him, keeping my voice low. "Is it safe to lift the Invisibility Spell?"
"Yes. We're nearly at the bottom. This last section leads to a tunnel that no one uses. I think it was built as an evacuation route originally. You know—in case the city was ever attacked."
"How did you find it?"
"Accidentally. I was having a bad day," he said. "There's an Illusion Spell or something protecting the tunnel, but I was upset, and I… well… I might have kicked it."
We reached the bottom of the stairs, finding ourselves in a small room. Its walls and floor were made from rock, glinting blue-grey in the dim light provided by small lamps set into the ceiling. There was a large cabinet on our left.
"It's empty," said Art, pointing. "I suppose it was intended for emergency supplies."
We went to the far side, and he pressed his hand against the wall, dragging his fingers across its rocky surface until suddenly his whole hand disappeared into the stone.
"See? Fake wall," he said, waving his arm to show the width of the gap.
"Clever," I said. "How does the spell last if no one ever comes down here?"
"This room is still on the main network," said Art, showing me part of a narrow silver pipe sticking out of the rock by our feet. "The magical energy would be topped up automatically."
Once we were in the tunnel and on level ground, we were able to move more quickly. The ceiling lights were just bright enough to see by. I used Solo Transference so I could match my running speed to Art's without hurting my ankle.