by Lisa Shearin
Sathrik had called it treason. I called it an extermination that was long overdue.
Besides, it’s not treason if you win.
I’m Tamnais Nathrach, chief mage for the House of Mal’Salin.
Again.
I had served Sathrik’s mother, Gilcara Mal’Salin, for five years, an eternity when it came to survival in the goblin court. Sathrik had me framed for my wife’s murder, then driven from my post and my country. Once I was gone, he killed his mother with his own hands. I risked my life to put his younger brother Chigaru on the throne, and there’s no doubt in my mind that as his chief mage and chancellor, I’ll have to put my life on the line to keep him there.
Sathrik is gone, but his allies still plot in dimly lit rooms and shadowed corridors. My enemies from the goblin court haven’t forgotten me; they’re just waiting for me to turn my back.
Just like old times.
I smiled. It was good to be home.
Chapter 2
“You didn’t tell her,” said a voice from behind me.
I hadn’t heard or sensed him until he spoke. Kesyn Badru had always been able to sneak up on me—now he could do it even through a locked and warded door. Good thing he didn’t want to kill me. At least not most of the time. I glanced over his shoulder to the door. He’d even relocked and warded it without my hearing. Definitely a good thing he was on my side.
“You don’t really think I should have?” I asked.
The old man barked a laugh. “Not unless you wanted to give the girl nightmares.”
“Precisely. And I don’t trust communications of any kind right now.” I nodded toward the crystal ball. “I’m taking chances even using that.”
“You suspected what Sandrina was really after, when you were on the Isle of Mid for Raine and Mychael’s wedding. You had ample opportunity to tell them then.”
“I didn’t know for certain.”
“You knew enough.”
“What good would it have done? Word would have leaked, we would have had a race to Aquas, and it would have been a bloodbath when we arrived.”
Kesyn was grinning.
“What?”
“I never said I disagreed with you,” he said. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate and enjoying the sight of you not only thinking things through, but opting for caution and subtlety once you did. It’s a new experience for me—and a good look on you.”
“Do I detect a compliment?”
“Would I do that?”
“You never have. Why start now?”
“Why indeed. I was simply stating a fact. And savoring seeing caution and subtlety in the father, because I’m sure as hell not getting it from the son.”
I winced. “Sorry about that.”
Kesyn waved a hand and dropped into a nearby chair. “It’s not your fault.”
“I’m his father, and he’s me made over.”
My teacher shrugged. “Talon hasn’t done anything that I haven’t already seen from you. Power level, that is. Talent wise, he’s an entirely different bird.” Kesyn leaned back and regarded me. “The boy’s half elf.”
“Yes.”
“The skills in his magic arsenal aren’t the same as yours.”
“I know.”
“They’re from his mother, I take it?”
I nodded once, tightly. I knew where this was going and it wasn’t a place I wanted to go, even for a brief visit. I’d been slamming the doors in my head every time Talon did anything new. I couldn’t keep doing that. The older Talon got, the more talents from his mother’s family would emerge. It had to be faced and dealt with, and soon.
“Who was she?” Kesyn asked quietly. “You don’t have to give me a name, son. Just tell me what she was packing—and her family. If I’m to continue teaching the boy, I need to know.”
“She was a spellsinger,” I said. “But she and her family were omnitalents.”
Kesyn swore softly. “Couldn’t you have fallen for a normal girl?”
I gave him a half smile. “I never have, and I doubt I ever will.”
“Other than spellsinging, did she or her family have a particular talent?”
I hesitated. “Mirror magic.”
Kesyn sat unmoving, unspeaking. An elven family of mirror mages. I didn’t need to give him the name. He knew.
After a few moments, he slowly nodded once. “Duly noted.”
“I appreciate you going with me—and Talon.”
“I’ve made the commitment,” Kesyn said. “You can’t get rid of me now.”
“And I don’t want to.”
“I noticed you didn’t say ‘we don’t want to.’ Talon would probably like nothing better than for the ground to open and swallow me whole.”
“He said that?”
“Not yet. He’s actually showing up on time for his lessons.” My teacher slouched down in his chair, crossing his feet at the ankles. “Though I’ll admit I’m enjoying the time off while the boy’s out of town with Cyran and Deidre.”
My parents, Talon, and my brother Nath were presently visiting our country estate. My family had led the goblin Resistance, with victory coming at the taking of the Khrynsani temple, the death of Sarad Nukpana, and the destruction of the Saghred. They deserved some peace and quiet, and Talon deserved to get to know his grandparents and uncle. He’d met them only two months ago, and I wanted Talon to be able to spend time with them before we left for Aquas. I didn’t know how long we would be gone.
Or, to be completely honest with myself, if we’d come back.
“Do you really think taking him with you is the best idea?” Kesyn was asking. Talon was due back later this evening.
“The only mages going with me are those I trust to have my back—and not use it as a target. You’re at the top of that list. If you’re going, Talon’s going. Aside from myself, you’re the only one qualified to handle him. Talon’s a couple of years older than I was when I started down the wrong path. I’m determined that he will never set foot on it.” I hesitated. “I want my son with me. He spent most of his life on his own, and I never want him to feel abandoned again. I know if I tried to make him stay here, he’d simply stow away like he did last time.”
“The boy is fond of you,” Kesyn said, “though he’d never admit it. I’ll continue his lessons on board the Wraith. Though I’ll hold off an anything involving fire until we’re not on a floating tinderbox.”
“That would be wise.”
“I thought so.” Kesyn shifted in his chair. “Speaking of wise choices, how many people have you told what Sandrina Ghalfari is really after?”
“You.”
“You haven’t asked Cort Magali to go as the expedition gem mage?”
“I had no intention of asking him until I’d had the chance to meet with him first. That turned into a moot point since he refused to open his door to speak with me, let alone allow me into his home.”
“He wouldn’t even talk to you?”
“Oh, he talked to me. That is if you consider ‘No’ and ‘Go away’ the beginnings of a productive conversation. I got the feeling he didn’t want me to be seen on his doorstep.”
“Who would?”
“Kesyn, I’m no longer the queen’s enforcer.”
“You’re her son’s chancellor. A more civilized title for basically the same work—at least for the time being. You and Imala have been cutting quite the swath through the Khrynsani’s leave-behinds.”
“Anyone who allies themselves with sadistic monsters should hardly be surprised to receive a visit when said monsters are tossed out of power. I believe you’ve called it ‘cleaning house.’”
“Not many people do it with an executioner’s axe.”
“What would you suggest we do with traitors? Tap them lightly on the wrist and tell them to play nice from now on? If Chigaru and Mirabai are going to survive their first few months on the throne, let alone their first year, heads will need to roll. Literally.”
Kesyn held up a hand. “A
gain, I’m not disagreeing with you. You and Imala have to clear out the vipers and cut off some heads. I’m just saying that’s probably why Cort Magali won’t come outside and play with you. Got anyone else in mind?”
“I’ve heard Agata Azul is back in the city.” My eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
I saw my teacher do something I’d never seen him do before. He squirmed.
“Well?” I pressed.
“Yeah, I knew Aggie was back.”
“Aggie? I knew you were her teacher at one time, but—”
“And she outgrew me.”
“Actually outgrew or, like me, just thought she did?”
“Actually outgrew. There wasn’t anything else I could teach her. A smart girl that turned into a brilliant woman. I can talk to Cort, if you’d like. He’s a fine gem mage. Once he stopped feeling squirrely around you, he’d do nicely.”
“Yes, ‘he’d do,’ but he’s not the best. From everything I’ve heard, Agata Azul is. I want the best. I need the best.”
“Son, did it ever occur to you that the best might not want you, or want to be near anything you’re involved in? You’re notorious, and that’s putting it nicely.”
“Since when do you put anything nicely?”
“Since you dragged my ass back to the royal court. I’m looking forward to weeks on a stinking ship just to get away from wearing fancy robes.”
“I seem to recall saying that you didn’t have to wear anything you didn’t want to.”
“Imala outvoted you.”
“Since when?”
“Since she’s scarier than you are.”
I just looked at him. “The chief of goblin intelligence is scarier than I am.”
“There, you said it; I didn’t. That little lady makes people disappear.”
“Imala wouldn’t make you disappear. She adores you.”
Kesyn didn’t say anything.
I gave my teacher a slow smile as realization set in. “And you adore her. She asked you to clean yourself up and you did it. For her.”
“That’s not the reason.”
“It’s the only reason. She’s a spymaster and a woman. She knows how to get what she wants.”
He barked a hollow laugh. “Ain’t that the truth. And those are some dangerous dimples. One smile and a ‘please,’ and before I knew it I was wearing brocade. Gods help us if the woman had more magic than she does.”
I nodded sagely. “With greater power would come even greater responsibility.” I paused. “So you’re saying Agata Azul wouldn’t work with a reformed dark mage.”
“Dark ain’t got a thing to do with it. Whenever there’s been a political shitstorm—or even a shitstorm of any kind—you’ve been in the middle of it. It’s a fact and everyone knows it. Anyone who signs on to help you do anything will be taking their life into their own hands. There’s no amount of money worth that, and I know for a fact that Aggie doesn’t care about money.”
“Tell me what does she does care about.”
“It’s been several years since I spent much time with her, so I don’t have an answer for you, but I can tell you that survival would be near or at the top of her list.”
“If she cares about survival, she’ll understand why she should agree to help.”
“I have to admit if any gem mage can sniff out this Heart of Nidaar, it’ll be Aggie.” Kesyn paused and his brow furrowed. “Though you’d think if there were goblins living over there we’d have heard something from them by now.”
I gave him a look. “If you were living a peaceful and tranquil life, would you reach out to us?”
“Good point. If we’re not at war with each other, we’re at war with someone else. We do excel at screwing things up for us and everyone else, don’t we?”
“Not to mention, if you had a self-sustaining city, peaceful, and full of gold, would you want to share? Since Chigaru and Mirabai have confiscated all of the Nukpana and Ghalfari lands and given most of them to my family, I’m certain Sandrina wouldn’t mind filling up a few bags of whatever treasure is there after she gets the Heart.”
“I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that you’re going after another rock.”
“I’m not appreciative of the irony, but the Khrynsani lost their chance at the Saghred. They and their new off-world allies need an energy source to power Gates to give them access to any place in the Seven Kingdoms at any time. The Heart of Nidaar would meet their needs.”
“So you’re sure that thing’s still in Nidaar?”
“The Khrynsani are convinced. Right now, that’s enough for me. Sarad Nukpana believed it since he was a child. I first heard about the Heart of Nidaar from him, when he was younger and hadn’t yet mastered discretion. Sarad had a tendency to brag. I had a tendency to listen. Later, I did my own research.”
“And you’ve since lost the tendency to listen. How sad.”
“You sound like my parents.”
“The highest compliment you’ve ever paid me. Tam, you’re going to search for a city that no one has gone looking for and survived.”
I raised a finger. “Some have.”
“Due to realizing they were in over their thick-skulled heads and turning around before it was too late.”
“I won’t be ‘searching’ for Nidaar. I know where it is. I’ve seen a map.”
“Where?”
“The Khrynsani library.”
My teacher swore. Expressively. “When?”
“Don’t worry, it was after the Khrynsani were overthrown. I wouldn’t set foot in that mausoleum of a temple unless there was the direst of needs. Like now.”
“Tam, it’s not safe for you of all people to be in there. Leave the cataloguing and removal of those books to people qualified to handle them.”
“And not be tempted.”
“I didn’t say that, but yes, and not be tempted.”
“I’ve only read those books with information on Aquas and the Heart of Nidaar.”
“That’s another thing. In case you haven’t noticed yet from your experience with the Saghred, only really evil rocks get names.”
“Denita Enric, Dakarai’s sister, is overseeing the inventory and moving of the library. She sent a messenger over saying she’d found another book for me.”
“When are you going to look at it?”
“I need to stop at my office and see A’Zahra as soon as we’re finished here. Then I’ll go to the temple.”
“I want to go with you.”
It wasn’t necessary. I knew it. Kesyn probably knew it. However, we both knew it’d be a good idea. I was a dark mage, and I always would be. My magic was a part of me, a part that was still susceptible to temptation.
“If that’s what you want,” I told my teacher.
“It is.”
“I’ve asked Denita to pull out any journals or records from previous Khrynsani expeditions,” I continued. “Sarad had to have gotten his information from somewhere. Sandrina probably read them to him as bedtime stories. I’ve also done some digging on most of the previous goblin expeditions to Aquas. All were funded—some openly, most covertly—by the Khrynsani. Some of the expeditions even predate the discovery of the Saghred. Once the Guardians took the Saghred for safekeeping, Khrynsani sponsorship of the expeditions continued.”
“So you’re saying that the Khrynsani lost their chance at one all-powerful rock, so they need to get their all-evil hands on another.”
“Exactly. Sandrina isn’t taking her new allies to Aquas for the vacation ambience. The Khrynsani—Sandrina included—never had an evil master plan without an ace up their collective sleeve. For the past thousand years, that preferred ace has been a stone of power. They came entirely too close to success with the Saghred. Sandrina’s dreams were dashed on the broken pieces of the Khrynsani temple. She has nothing left to lose. Now she has everything to regain. Without the Saghred to power their Gates, the Khrynsani’s plan to invade and conqu
er the Seven Kingdoms fell apart. The Saghred is gone. The Heart of Nidaar is the only chance Sandrina has left.”
“I can’t believe after what happened with the Saghred—and what nearly happened—that you would even consider going within a thousand miles of another soul-eating stone.”
I almost smiled. “The Heart of Nidaar doesn’t eat souls. It’s said to be completely self-sustaining.”
“That’s one thing in its favor.”
“It will power her Gates, and she doesn’t have to sacrifice people to it. A win-win for her.”
My teacher leveled his dark eyes at me.
“What?”
“Power without sacrifice. I can see in your eyes that Sandrina Ghalfari isn’t the only one that notion appeals to. Just what do you intend to do with this rock if you get it before Sandrina?”
“To be honest, I don’t really know. Considering what it is reputed to do, it’s in the Seven Kingdoms’ best interests that we locate and secure it first, as the Guardians did with the Saghred. I am well aware that we need to keep it out of the hands of anyone who would abuse its power. Is there a good way to use its power? I don’t know enough about it to answer that question. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Kesyn voice was quiet and solemn. “I’ll contact Aggie for you, if that’s what you really want. And once you cross that bridge, just make sure you take the right path afterward.”
Chapter 3
In the goblin court, no level of paranoia was excessive. It was a way of life, and of staying alive.
Walking into the Mal’Salin palace put all my defenses on high alert. I automatically murmured my shields into place, and cleared quick access to my weapons. Most people would think that a royal palace would be the safest place to be. Goblins weren’t most people.
Admittedly, I was a special case. Any who had been loyal to Sathrik wanted me dead. Any who were loyal to Chigaru didn’t trust me. I had been away from court for nearly three years. I was no longer the man I had been when I’d served as Queen Gilcara’s magical enforcer. Goblins’ allegiances could change with the wind, but the complete change I’d undergone had been met with anything from skepticism to outright disbelief.