As expected, when she first met the children they attempted to swarm all over her like locusts. Akosh braced herself for an assault of tiny, grabbing hands and screeching voices. She was almost knocked off her feet by the tide and forced herself to endure it for a while, answering an endless barrage of questions. Sooner than the children would have liked she signalled to the matron that she was ready for an extraction. The children were disappointed to see her leave but she made them all promise to be true to her for all their lives. As they solemnly swore Akosh felt a tingle of energy run across her skin and her smile stretched wider.
By the time Akosh walked into the third orphanage the tedious chore had become a valuable reminder of their importance. Without the orphanages and the children she would have disappeared years ago. While being close to so many children tested the limits of her endurance, Akosh bore all of it with a smile. Even so a headache was starting to form. There was a dull throb at the back of her head and it seemed to be growing worse. If she hurried through this last visit it might not be too bad.
The man in charge of the orphanage was more organised and efficient than the previous two. The building was already in a much better state with all repairs completed. The classrooms were busy with children and he went on to boast about the wonderful work they’d done in the garden.
“One of our members of staff has been spending a lot of time on it,” he said with a hint of pride. “It’s amazing.”
As they passed down a corridor Akosh saw several children staring through doorways at her in open-mouthed wonder. A flurry of whispers followed in her wake and she graced the children with a brief smile and wave. The pain in her head was starting to get worse. She gritted her teeth and hoped that it would pass but, if anything, it seemed to be spreading.
“We’ve been telling the children for weeks that you might visit us,” he said. “They’re so excited to meet you. We’re all so excited!” he admitted with a laugh.
Akosh chuckled at the startled look on his face. “Didn’t you think I was real?”
“No, I mean, yes. Of course, but whenever I’ve asked people to describe you they’re unable to tell me very much.” He was looking directly at Akosh but she knew in a couple of hours he would struggle to tell others about her face, her build or her height. The only things he’d be able to remember clearly were the emotions she projected and the echo they created within.
Nothing strengthened a child’s first impression of their god more than a strong memory of love, compassion and kindness. It rarely converted any of the adults to follow her path, but it did make them more open to her visits in the future. It required she expend a small portion of her power but it was something she always did on a first visit.
“Well, I’m here now,” said Akosh. “When will I meet the children?”
“Soon. Their lessons are almost over. Would you like to meet the other members of staff?” he asked hopefully.
Akosh swallowed a sarcastic reply and inclined her head. She needed to leave but could endure this a little longer.
He led her into a sparsely furnished room where three women and one man were sitting talking and drinking tea. They rose to their feet and seemed almost as excited as the children to see her. Akosh extended her aura of euphoria as the administrator introduced her to all of them. She pretended to make a note of each one and mouthed their names, but made no real attempt to try and remember them.
“We have one more member of staff,” he said. Just then a petite woman with dark, wavy hair came into the room brushing dirt off her hands. “Ah, here she is. I was just telling Akosh about the wonders you’ve been doing with the garden.”
The woman stopped and stared at Akosh as if suddenly unable to move. She seemed utterly dumbstruck and barely seemed to be breathing. This happened from time to time and Akosh smiled indulgently at the woman.
“Akosh, this is Munroe,” said the administrator.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment, for a long time,” said Munroe. “I’ve been dreaming about it.”
“I’m sure.” It was probably the highlight of her boring little life. That was when Akosh noticed something unusual about the newcomer. The other members of staff were still staring at her with wide-eyed adoration but Munroe hadn’t even smiled. In fact, Akosh could see rage building up behind her eyes. The air in the room suddenly felt close and the hairs on the back of Akosh’s hands began to stand up. The others remained blissfully unaware and continued to stare with reverence.
Something made Akosh extend her senses and Munroe twitched as if she’d been pinched. She gasped in surprise as she realised the reason for her headache. The woman in front of her was a mage whose connection to the Source was so strong it set her teeth on edge. As Munroe started to draw power into her body Akosh felt the pressure of her will beginning to build.
“Gorell,” said Munroe to the administrator. “Get everyone out of the building.”
He looked at Munroe as if she was mad but something slapped him across the face and he came out of his trance. “What’s happening?”
“You need to run,” said Munroe, still drawing power into herself. It was impossible. She’d never seen any mortal that was so powerful. Akosh could see her skin beginning to glow with the build-up of energy. “Now!” hissed Munroe.
Gorell looked between her and Akosh and finally noticed something was terribly wrong. He didn’t understand what was happening, only that it would be dangerous to remain. Shoving the others ahead of him, they hurried out of the room. Akosh could hear him shouting at others in the rest of the building but Munroe didn’t wait.
With a feral scream Munroe lashed out with her magic. Something slammed into Akosh and she was thrown against the stone wall, which shattered upon impact.
CHAPTER 44
Regent Choilan wanted to slap the girl for being so stupid, but instead he maintained a disappointed expression.
“And you had no idea that Tianne was thinking about leaving?” he asked Kalina.
“No. I didn’t.”
“Do you know where Tianne might go?” Kalina took a moment to think about it but then shook her head. “And you didn’t see her leave the palace in the night?”
The girl shook her head again. Her face was the picture of innocence but even so he wondered. Selina’s people all reported that the girl was loyal and that getting the tattoos had been her idea. To permanently mark her flesh and dedicate herself to his service was noble and patriotic, but it was also naïve, reminding him they were only children. At times he could see them as lost little lambs looking for their flock. But when he saw them practising their magic in the walled courtyard, a shiver of fear ran down his spine. The primal forces they commanded made him wonder if they were really wolves in disguise. A wolf wasn’t a faithful hound that could be trained to obey commands. It was a wild beast and eventually it would revert to its true nature.
“Do you want to leave my service as well? Maybe go back home to your father’s tavern?” he asked.
A hint of steel crept into Kalina’s expression. “No.” The way she said it told him many things about her past. Someone who’d been told always to be polite to the customer, no matter what they said or did. An only child with dreams that were bigger than serving drinks for the rest of her life. The fire in her belly made her ambitious but it also fuelled her anger. It was all in tune with what he’d read from his agents. “I belong here,” she insisted.
“I’m glad to hear that. You are now first in my cadre,” he said, holding up a second blue star for the front of her uniform. “Can I count on you?”
“Yes. Of course.” She was on the verge of tears.
“Get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow.” He dismissed her with a wave and she hurried out of the room, practically skipping.
“Deftly handled,” said Selina, coming into the room from a side door. He suspected she’d been eavesdropping.
“Do you believe her?” he asked.
“Maybe,” said Selina. “But i
t doesn’t matter. The tattoos are hideous, but now there’s nowhere she, or any of the others, can go without someone recognising them.” Selina helped herself to a glass of watered-down wine and picked at the grapes beside him.
“True. That’s why I’m sending them out to find other children.”
Now that the capital city had been swept clean of all charlatans, and any youngsters with magic had been recruited, it was time to widen the net. Six mages from his cadre would soon begin a two-week journey to several of the larger towns and two cities to find more recruits. He wanted at least a hundred mages in his cadre by the end of the year, if not more. Then Zecorria would be secure against any invasion, whether or not they had magic of their own.
“I’ve been thinking, it’s time we went to church,” said Choilan. Selina raised an eyebrow, baffled by his suggestion. Choilan felt an extra thrill as he’d managed to surprise Selina. She was so rarely caught off balance.
“Why?” she asked with suspicion.
“We need to be seen as loyal followers of the Lady of Light, the true faith.”
She still couldn’t see where he was going with it. “And?”
“And, I think it would help the people if they saw the mages at prayer. Being a patriot and servant of Zecorria might not be enough for some. If they are seen as being dedicated to the faith, then it might ease some of the remaining tension.”
“Perhaps, but you’ll need a gesture,” said Selina. “Something to make it stand out and generate gossip.”
“I thought the High Priest Robella might personally bless them,” said Choilan. “If she announced in public that they were noble and faithful, it would be remembered.”
“She might object to that.”
“I’m sure she can be persuaded,” he mused. Bettina and the others had detailed personal information on almost everyone in key positions in the city and their vices. This included areas where pressure could be applied to make them more compliant.
He needed to shift public opinion. Children with magic were seen as dirty, dangerous and something to be hidden. Choilan imagined a future where parents would be proud to have such a child and would bring them forward to his people. A place where mages were seen to be as dedicated and loyal as his Royal Guards. It was going to take time, and a lot of patience, but a few large gestures would put them on the path. He was going to create a strong nation. One that could never be manipulated or controlled as it had been in the past.
“The High Priest will have to be very convincing for it to be effective,” said Selina.
“I’m sure Bettina can find a way to motivate her,” he said and they briefly shared a smile.
After Selina had left Choilan was alone for a short time before his next meeting. His mind drifted as he considered the possibilities of having his own army of mages. Seven mages had changed the course of the war and one had brought about its end. He wondered what fifty or a hundred mages who were loyal to him could accomplish. It was a remarkable and slightly terrifying idea.
They would have to be rigorously assessed to ensure they were true patriots. He didn’t want any more of them running away. The earlier they could be recruited the better. Then they could be indoctrinated and made to feel important. Few people would find it easy to walk away from power, privilege and a form of authority.
A crisp knock on the door told him Bettina had arrived. She swept into the room in a pale yellow dress with a high neck and a trailing hem. Even the sleeves were uncommonly long. Her choice of clothing that showed as little bare flesh as possible had been noted and investigated. He was very aware of her secret and the marks on her flesh the dress was hiding. Everyone had their vices.
“I bring good news, my Regent,” she said with a formal bow. It was exactly the right depth to show the appropriate level of respect. If only everyone who worked for him was so precise. “The parade seemed to work. People were pleased at seeing Garvey in chains.”
Telling everyone in the city that they had captured the most notorious rogue mage was not enough. They needed to see it. And to believe that his cadre of mages were responsible. Another grand gesture to help tip the scales in their favour.
“Excellent. Has the inquisitor managed to extract a confession from him yet?”
Bettina’s expression soured. “Not yet. He’s exhausted all of his usual techniques and is now trying other methods.” She didn’t elaborate and he didn’t really care. He just needed Garvey to admit what he’d done in public and beg forgiveness. It didn’t matter if he really cared about his victims or not. He just had to say the words and make them sound convincing.
“Have they tried starving him?” he asked. Mages had to eat. For all their power they were still flesh and blood. As he’d seen in the last few months they could die like everyone else. The inquisitor had tested his theory on a number of those brought in with minor powers who wouldn’t serve the throne. He’d assured the Regent that magic didn’t change the inside of the body in any way.
“He’s not been fed for six days now.” When other people spoke about Garvey he could see they were angry. After all, hundreds of innocent people had died because of him and his group of rogue mages. Bettina’s voice remained cold and dispassionate. “They’ve given him a little water to keep him alive, but nothing else. It shouldn’t be long.”
“I hope so. Failing that we’ll just have to execute him with a gag. It won’t be as powerful a message to the people, but it may be all he gives us.” If only Garvey would do as he was told this would be much easier for everyone. Once he’d confessed they’d cut off his head and his suffering would end. It was really that simple. He was just prolonging his misery. Maybe he wanted to be punished for some reason. It seemed odd that he would suddenly develop a conscience, but it could happen. Either that or sometimes they went mad and were sent to an asylum like that poor fool Habreel. It seemed as if the pressure had proven too much and he’d cracked under the strain.
“Start making arrangements for Garvey’s public execution,” said Choilan. “The people have seen him in chains. Now they need to know he’s paid the ultimate price.”
“Yes, my Regent.”
“We’ll give the inquisitor another week. And make sure Garvey knows there’s a deadline if he doesn’t comply.” Choilan thought it might motivate Garvey to confess if he knew his days were numbered.
The sound of heavy footsteps in the corridor made them both look up in surprise. The door flew open without announcement and a dozen Royal Guards burst into the room bearing their weapons.
“What is the meaning of this?” asked Choilan. For a moment he thought there’d been a coup and they’d come for him. But then the Guards formed a protective ring around the edge of the room, facing outwards.
Beyond them a wall of four more Royal Guards took up their positions outside the door to block the corridor. In addition, he could see more Guards posted at intervals in the corridor. The Captain of the Guards entered the room and bowed. Beside him a scraggly man with remarkably clean hands also bowed deeply. The stranger had lank greasy hair and a rather plain face, but when he straightened up Choilan saw his eyes were two different colours. One was a deep brown and the other bright blue.
“Apologies, my Regent, but Inquisitor Marsh has urgent news.”
Choilan had never seen the inquisitor before but this weak-chinned man was not what he’d been expecting. “What has happened?”
The Captain nudged Marsh who bobbed his head and cleared his throat. “I went to check on the prisoner, to see if he was ready to confess, and found his cell was empty.”
Choilan’s mouth fell open. “Empty?”
“His chains were gone, the door was open and no one had seen him leave. He just disappeared.”
“We’re having the entire palace searched,” said the Captain. “If he’s still here we’ll find him.”
Marsh shook his head but said nothing. “You have something to say?” asked the Regent.
“No, my Regent.”
�
��Spit it out. Tell me!” said Choilan in a shrill voice. Fear was tightening his stomach and making him sweat.
“You won’t find him here,” said Marsh. “He’s gone.”
“Where? Where is Garvey?” asked Choilan, but no one had an answer.
CHAPTER 45
Munroe heard a loud crack as Akosh struck the wall hard enough to punch a hole in it, knocking her into the next room. With a snarl she slammed her will into the stones, gouging an opening large enough for her to step through. Akosh seemed a little stunned as she was still lying on the ground amid the rubble of a classroom. The room was empty except for the broken remains of desks and chairs which had shattered upon impact.
Akosh was still moving so it wasn’t over yet.
This might be her one chance to kill Akosh for what she’d done. Munroe only intended to stop when she’d ripped Akosh’s head clean away from her body. Drawing more energy into herself from the Source she forged a spear of molten fire. The cherry-red flames licked around her arms but didn’t burn her skin while the tip started to glow white hot like the heart of the sun. As Akosh stumbled to her feet Munroe charged, stabbing her in the chest.
As the spear came into contact with Akosh’s body there was a peculiar form of resistance. It wasn’t magic like any she’d felt before, but there was definitely a barrier of sorts. She could feel something trying to divert the power from her weapon and redirect it around Akosh. Channelling more energy into the spear, she held it steady and drove it forward with both arms.
Akosh screamed in agony as the spear pierced her right side just under her ribs. Pressure against Munroe stopped her limbs abruptly, preventing her from driving the spear right through Akosh’s body. She intended to pin Akosh to the wall then tear her apart, piece by piece. Munroe focused her will and pushed back against the barrier which was slick and flexible. She could feel it bending under pressure and the spear was driven a little further into Akosh’s torso.
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