Reaching out towards the endless sea at the periphery of her senses, Wren drew power from the Source into herself. Delving deeper than she had in a long time, perhaps since she’d faced Brunwal, she embraced the energy, letting it fill her with its light and glory. Her skin tingled, her senses sharpened acutely, and as the raiders’ camp came into sight up ahead she released part of the energy into the air.
Bright flares of white light rushed into the sky, burning away the darkness and illuminating every corner of the raiders’ camp. With cries of alarm they scrambled around for weapons thinking they were under attack. Boros emerged from a tent and began searching for the source of the light while others around her panicked. Eventually someone looked in Wren’s direction and bows were drawn and pointed at her. To make it easier she summoned a mage lantern in one hand and raised it above her head, revealing her position to everyone.
A crowd had gathered at the edge of the settlement but none of the raiders seemed willing to step forward. Boros pushed her way to the front and boldly walked ahead of the others who still held back. A peculiar hush had fallen over the crowd until a dense silence filled the air.
Wren stared into Boros’s cold blue eyes and tried not to show her fear. More important, she had found their camp and had apparently come alone, sending a clear message of its own. It wasn’t over between them.
CHAPTER 32
Regent Choilan took his time settling himself into the chair before accepting the proffered glass of wine. His first wife, Selina, waved the servant away and waited until she’d left the room before speaking. Choilan had no concern about anyone overhearing their conversation as a Royal Guard was posted outside the door, but Selina was not taking any chances. She’d always been careful but more recently her behaviour was bordering on paranoid. He blamed it on indulging her interest in espionage. It was to be expected that after spending so much time with professional agents she would absorb some of their habits.
Selina’s new passion had produced some remarkable results in the last few months, outdoing his own agents from time to time. After all, it was her new group that had found and imprisoned the person responsible for the murder of their predecessors.
“Are you even listening?” said Selina.
Choilan forced himself to focus on her face rather than the intriguing curve of her calves. “Yes, you were telling me about my cadre of young mages. So, they’re all behaving? No signs of disloyalty?”
As expected it was proving difficult to convince the people that any mages, no matter whose colours and what kind of uniform they wore, was a good thing. It would happen eventually, but it might take a few years. At the same time he wasn’t naïve and made sure all the mages were closely watched. So far they seemed to be true believers in the cause, but after the initial rush of power he needed to ensure they remained loyal and didn’t abuse their magic. As a secondary precaution a number of Royal Guards had taken to carrying a concealed poisoned dagger that was reserved for the mages. The snake venom wasn’t deadly but even the smallest cut on bare skin would paralyse a large man in seconds.
Selina eyed him with suspicion but eventually continued. “No. So far all ten of the young mages are behaving. But you should be careful not to trust them too quickly.”
Choilan raised an eyebrow. “I don’t trust them at all. Give it ten years of loyal service and then we can have this conversation again.”
The corners of Selina’s mouth lifted briefly which he took as a small victory. “I must say, I’ve have been impressed with Tianne,” he conceded. “So far we’ve rooted out almost every fraud and charlatan in the city. She has a real fire in her belly for them.”
Selina was less impressed. “I take it you’re aware that she’s attracted to you?”
“Of course. I’ve played on that several times.”
“Then isn’t there a risk she’s merely doing all of this to impress you?”
“It’s possible, but I doubt it,” he said with a shrug. “She came a long way to help, based on my amnesty. But surely wanting to impress me is a good thing?”
“Hmmm,” said Selina, sounding unconvinced. “Then may I suggest you make a point of visiting her. My agents tell me her enthusiasm seems to be waning. I suspect she’s having doubts.”
“Doubts?”
“She was the first. Now, she’s merely one of many. Give her something symbolic to make her feel special.”
Choilan considered it and thought it an excellent idea. “Anything else?”
“I’d also suggest bringing in the parents, hers and others. Get them to talk about how proud they are of what their children are doing with their magic. Using it to help people. All of that nonsense.”
That would be more of a challenge. Almost all of the parents had either disowned or tried to drown their children once they discovered their child had magic. It wouldn’t be easy to make them sit down in a room and talk to their child, let alone make their praise convincing. However, he was confident once he explained how important this was, and the lethal consequences of refusing, the parents would be happy to comply.
“All of that should win her over,” said Selina, offering a smile that made him nervous. “Failing that, if Tianne doesn’t come around, then she’ll end up like the others.”
Those with tenuous magic, and anyone unwilling to serve, initially spent some time in the cells to convince them. If that failed they were beheaded and the bodies burned, just to make sure. He knew magic couldn’t be eradicated, but Choilan intended to control those who were born with it in Zecorria. Murder was a crude and rather final tool, but he understood that sometimes it was necessary. The way Selina spoke about it so easily, and smiled at the idea, served as another reminder why he’d not invited her to his bed for several years. It was a lot safer to spend time with his other wives. Her smile widened as their eyes met. It was as if she knew what he was thinking.
“Do you have any more news for me?” he asked, covering up his discomfort. “Any news of foreign agents?”
Selina’s smile faded. “No, not at this time.”
He sensed she was withholding something. “Is there something I should know?” Choilan folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, waiting for an answer.
“They’re unconfirmed rumours. It could be nothing.”
“But?” he persisted.
Selina realised he wasn’t going to budge but was equally stubborn. “I’ll bring it to your attention at the appropriate time.” She folded her arms and a staring match ensued, neither willing to concede. Choilan suspected it would have continued if not for a frantic knocking at the door.
A Royal Guard burst into the room looking uncharacteristically flustered, which made his heart race. “What is it? What’s happened?”
“My apologies, Regent, but a group of soldiers has returned from the border with a prisoner.” The guard’s fear was making him increasingly nervous.
“A prisoner? What kind of prisoner?” he asked, but the guard was rendered speechless. Something had scared him badly.
“Spit it out. Who is it?” asked Selina.
The Royal Guard finally found his voice. “I think it’s Garvey,” he whispered.
The ground seemed to drop away from Choilan even though he was sitting still. He felt his stomach moving up into his throat and he struggled to breathe. Looking across at Selina he saw she was equally stunned.
“Are you sure?”
“I think you should see him.” The guard seemed unwilling to answer him directly.
Choilan’s mind started whirling as he tried to find something to hold on to but there were only questions. Why had Garvey surrendered? Surely there was no cell in the world that could hold him. So why was he here? Was it a trap? Had he allowed himself to be captured merely to unleash the full force of his magic in the capital? Where were his followers? A dozen more questions ran through his mind.
“The mages,” he said suddenly, clutching at straws. They weren’t ready. They were crudely trained, not batt
le-ready mages able to defend him against such a dangerous and powerful threat. But the children were also the only thing Choilan had standing between him and oblivion. What had he been thinking? He should have been looking for someone to train the children at the same time as cultivating their loyalty.
“Show me,” said Choilan, gesturing at the Royal Guard. He felt something tugging on his sleeve and looked around to see Selina holding onto his jacket. He’d never seen her afraid before today. It made him think back to all that he’d done to reach this moment and be here. The sacrifices, the political games, the marriages to build alliances and the countless years focused on a single goal. Choilan would not be cowed. If this was a trap, and this was to be his final moment, then he would face it head-on like every other obstacle in life.
He patted Selina’s hand and followed the nervous Royal Guard through the familiar corridors of the palace. They descended countless flights of stairs going deep underground past corridors echoing with the cries of prisoners rotting in their own filth. Down and down, away from any natural light, soon they were surrounded only by thick stone walls.
The temperature continued to fall as they went deeper into the earth, his breath frosting in the air, until finally they arrived at the lowest level. Historically this was where the Mad King had kept the most dangerous prisoners. Those he’d deemed the biggest threat to his power. In reality they’d probably been people he’d simply disliked because of how they spoke or dressed.
When Choilan had gained the throne he’d found the cells full of bones and rotting bodies. They’d been cleared out and remained empty until he’d ordered Tianne to be dropped into one of the water cells. His dramatic rescue of her had been carefully orchestrated and yet unfortunately her loyalty was still wavering. Selina was right. He’d make her feel special and if that failed she’d find herself visiting her old cell again.
A dozen Royal Guards, all heavily armed with swords and shields, waited for him at the main door to the cells. They weren’t as anxious as his guide but he could see the tension in their faces and posture.
“Tell me what happened,” he said to the Captain.
The burly man stepped forward and gave a short bow. “Regent, as per your instructions, patrols were regularly visiting all towns and villages close to the southern border. There had not been any sightings of Garvey and his rogue mages for some time. When they arrived at Ore Birch they found blood on the street and one building had collapsed. Garvey and his people had been holding the villagers hostage until they were rescued.”
“By whom?”
“They don’t know, but someone started killing Garvey’s people. They heard a terrible fight and saw lightning fall from the sky. Then there was a long silence. When they emerged they found several dead mages and also Garvey. The patrol arrested him and brought him here to stand trial for his crimes.”
“How did they arrest him?”
“He’s injured,” was all the Captain would say. Even so he was clearly nervous of Garvey and rightly so after everything that he’d done. Choilan considered that perhaps this wasn’t to be his final moment after all.
“Show me,” he said, gesturing at the door.
The three huge locks clanged open and a thick metal bar was removed before the heavy iron door could be pushed open. Flickering torches provided erratic light and strange shadows danced on the stone walls. This far down they were roughly hewn, damp in places with green moss and glittering with shards of crystal. It also stank. Of decay, sweat and stale piss. No amount of sluicing out the cells had got rid of the smells left over from the Mad King’s paranoia.
Only the Captain came with him into the cell block. The others remained at the door, weapons at the ready, just in case. The further he went into the cell block the worse the stench became. Despite covering his nose with a sleeve and breathing through his mouth, Choilan gagged a few times before his stomach settled. The Captain led him to the last enclosure on the left.
The torchlight didn’t reach the back of the dingy cell but he could make out most of what it contained. A stone shelf for a bed, a bucket in one corner and a scraggly old blanket. There was also a man chained to the walls by his wrists and ankles. The restraints were enormous with huge steel links, as thick as Choilan’s wrist.
The prisoner’s origins were difficult to pinpoint as he had no discerning features and any bare skin was tanned from being outdoors. Part of his face was hidden in shadow but Choilan could just make out a red beard and wide jaw. He was dressed in stained clothing that was marked with dried blood and dirt. At first glance Choilan noted the bruises on his arms and the blood on his chin, but couldn’t see any crippling injuries that might explain his capture. It was only when he coughed at the smell that the prisoner shuffled forward into the light, revealing all of his face.
Someone had gouged out both of his eyes.
“I can hear you breathing out there,” said Garvey, turning his face towards Choilan with an eerie smile.
The Captain gasped in spite of himself and reached for his sword. Garvey faced the Captain and lurched towards him, chains clanking. With a cry the Captain fell back against the far wall, tripping over his own feet in a panic. Garvey was brought up short, his arms and hands stretched out in front of him, but they were still some distance from the bars. He began to laugh at the Captain who scrambled back to his feet, untangling himself from his sword.
Garvey turned back to face Choilan and despite his blindness he knew the Sorcerer was studying him. “You must be someone important to have Captain Nervous accompany him. The body oils you’re wearing are rich, much like your silk clothing. Regent Choilan, I presume.”
Despite being dressed in rags, recently blinded, defeated and imprisoned, he remained defiant and arrogant. It was Garvey. Choilan had no doubts. Without saying a word, he walked from the cell block already planning what he would do next.
The greatest threat to his country and the west had been eliminated on Zecorran soil. It wouldn’t take much to turn this to his advantage. Whoever was responsible for Garvey’s defeat had not hung around to claim the glory. So, who was to say his new cadre of mages had not been responsible?
Such a victory would certainly help to convince the people that the new recruits could be trusted and were loyal patriots. But first they would parade Garvey through the streets so that everyone could see that their Regent had brought him to justice. It would be good for them to see the focus of their anger in the flesh. Then there would be a short trial and an execution. The people’s faith in him would be restored. This would ensure that those lurking in the shadows, waiting for him to fall so they might claim the throne for themselves, would have to wait a bit longer. Such a grand spectacle might also encourage more young people to come forward and join his growing cadre of mages.
It didn’t matter how it had happened, he would turn this opportunity to his favour and strengthen his position on the throne. His first task was to send messages to all of the leaders in the west, informing them about Garvey’s capture. He’d also need to make a speech in the capital to let the people know that the danger had passed. Merchants and travellers would carry the news from there to the rest of the country.
The future of Zecorria had never seemed brighter and he would be remembered throughout history as the man responsible. Choilan didn’t notice the smell or care about the cold any more as he climbed the stairs towards the sunlight, his mind whirling with possibilities.
CHAPTER 33
Tammy stared at the letter from the palace in disbelief. She had been staring at it for some time, considering the immediate repercussions and long-term effects. There were so many possibilities she was having difficulty making a prediction. All she could do was prepare for the worst in the city.
Garvey had been captured in Zecorria.
Regent Choilan had boldly made a proclamation and was taking full credit. He claimed that it was only because of his vision of creating a loyal cadre of mages. She had serious doubts that his newly
recruited children could have defeated Garvey, a mage with decades of experience. As far as she was aware, his skill and power was on par with that of Balfruss. He, too, had used the title of Sorcerer which she understood was more than just a name. It meant that his understanding of magic had reached a deeper level that few ever achieved. All of which raised an even more worrying question. Who had defeated Garvey? She hoped it was Balfruss but at the moment there was no way to know as he’d disappeared.
Tammy had picked up a letter from the palace a few hours ago but on her walk back to her office she’d heard people gossiping in the streets. The news was already everywhere. On the surface Garvey’s apprehension sounded like good news, and people were treating it as such, but she wasn’t so sure. Without their leader his followers were faceless and nameless. She knew they were young, but beyond that no one really knew anything about them.
There was a possibility some of them would attempt to rescue their leader. Or worse, if the Regent rushed through a trial and then an execution that could make Garvey a martyr. In some ways that would be worse. If Choilan thought they had been dangerous before he would learn how destructive magic could be if Garvey’s followers focused all their power on his capital city. That would certainly put his new cadre to the test.
Tammy also had to consider another possibility. That his followers would simply scatter into many smaller groups. Some could be on their way here. Others might go into hiding and never emerge, and some would go on a vicious killing spree, worse than ever before. There had been no dramatic escalation while Garvey had been in charge. The attacks on villagers, in both countries, had been oddly spaced apart but she couldn’t explain why. It seemed ludicrous to suggest their restraint was because of him. And yet.
In the six hours since picking up the letter from the palace she’d heard about four magical attacks on communities in the north. She suspected it would also be the same in Zecorria.
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