With that, the old Grand Master bade farewell and Samuel ate the rest of his platter quietly in bed. Afterwards, he reached back under the pillow, pulled out the ring and held it up, inspecting it in the daylight that streamed in through the window. It looked so small and insignificant, yet it was the key to so much power. Samuel closed his eyes a moment and could feel the ring almost shivering in his fingers, as if its magic was bursting to be released. How incredible, he thought, that such a small thing could hold so much power. He thought about slipping it onto his finger and feeling its energy inside him, but then he thought better. The relic had already proved too powerful and was dangerous.
Still, he had a great desire to put it on for, since waking, Samuel had come to a terrible realisation. It was the same terrible feeling as being in the Mage Cell, as if some great force was stopping him from tapping the ether. He had tried to call his magic several times, but it would not come. He was starting to feel, with dread, that somehow he had been damaged during his duel with Ash. Somehow, using the Argum Stone and opening himself to its vast power had destroyed some vital part of him that could summon magic. He hoped it was only temporary and his power would return as his body healed, for the very thought of not having any magic made him tremble with anxiety.
Each time he felt nervous, however, he squeezed the Argum Stone in his fist and he felt a little better, for he knew, should he desire it or should he really be in need, he could simply call on the vast power within the ring.
Samuel finally roused himself from the bed. After his small meal, he felt much better and decided he should go and find something more substantial to eat. There was a new set of fine black robes folded on the dresser, and so Samuel dressed himself and then combed his hair in front of the mirror.
Before leaving, Samuel’s heart began racing a little more. He was still trying to convince himself that his magic would return any moment, but he felt an unsettling fear inside. He just needed to feel the tiniest touch of magic to calm his nerves and then all would be well.
He turned away from the dresser and faced the opposite wall. He held the Argum Stone firmly in his fist and called to it gently. He could feel its magic beginning to seep out into his hand, so he directed a spell towards the centre of the room. A simple mage-light would do the trick nicely. Suddenly, there was a rush of power and a huge sphere exploded into being, filling the room with blinding light. Samuel yelled and released the ring to shield his eyes. It dropped to the floor and, at once, the enormous mage-light vanished, leaving the room devoid of magic once more. The ring bounced once with a soft clink and then spun around a few times before rattling over onto the timber floorboards.
Samuel’s heart thudded in his chest. He was at once relieved and anxious, for the feeling of magic had calmed his nervousness, but now he was feeling alarmed at the very power of the thing. It was far too powerful for him to use for commonplace tasks. Using it felt like trying to shell an egg with a sledgehammer. He would be much happier when his own spells returned but, in the meantime, Samuel had little choice but to pick up the ring and he dropped it back into his pocket.
Another soft knock sounded on the door just then and Samuel called, ‘Enter!’
‘Well, well, well, Samuel,’ said a man as he stepped through the doorway and Samuel was surprised to see it was Soddan. The mysterious man was dressed in plain clothes, as usual, but he had a beaming smile on his face that was quite out of character.
‘What are you doing here?’ Samuel asked accusingly.
Soddan raised his hands defensively. ‘No need to get upset. I merely came to congratulate you and, with the stream of guests you’ve been having, I had to wait my turn.’ He closed the door carefully behind him and sat on one of the cushioned wicker chairs, avoiding the hard stool. ‘What a grand job you did, Samuel. I must say, I’m very impressed.’
‘Why is that?’ Samuel asked suspiciously. ‘After you sent me off to meet Ash, I thought you wanted me dead?’
‘Dead? Oh, goodness, no. I told you the truth. You needed to leave the city before Jarrod’s men found you and you also needed to develop your skills. It seems you accomplished both tasks quite well. It was pure coincidence that you and Ash had some sort of disliking for each other and I wasn’t going to interfere with that. Grown men should deal with their own differences, after all. And I thought it would be a good chance for you to hone your skills. I really thought a man like him would be no match for a magician of your calibre. Of course, he was in Tindal retrieving the Argum Stone for me at the time, so his death would have been inconvenient, but one of my other men could have returned it without too much of a fuss. He did prove to be much more cunning than he appeared, I must admit—working both the Circle and Lord Jarrod from the beginning, gaining spells from us and black magic from Jarrod and Dividian. He had promised to deliver the Argum Stone to us once he and Master Dividian had found out how to awaken it, but it looks as though he had been planning to keep the thing for himself all along. I blame myself. I really didn’t have time to keep a proper eye on him. I have to thank you for taking care of him for me. It turned out he nearly had the better of everyone.’
‘So he was working for you all the while?’
‘So to speak. You’d be surprised to learn exactly how many people do work for the Circle. Although, Ash was using us as much as we were using him. He was quite the conniving trickster, as you learned. I’m sure you must be quite glad he’s dead?’
Samuel nodded darkly. ‘That’s an understatement.’
‘Good. Then with that out of the way, it’s time we set to business. My leader is a man called Cang and he has just given me some disturbing news. It seems time is growing short and your assistance will be required sooner than we expected.’
‘Wait, wait, wait,’ Samuel insisted. ‘How can you just shrug off the loss of the Staff of Elders and the Argum Stone like that? They were the two most powerful artefacts in the world!’
‘The destruction of the Staff of Elders is of no real consequence to us. We would have liked to have added the Argum Stone to our collection, but its loss is not so important. The fact that it was so easily destroyed only proves that it was not one of the particular items we have been looking for. The world is a much bigger place than just the petty Empire of Turia and the lands of Amandia, Samuel. The Circle has all manner of ancient artefacts at its disposal. We have been scouring the earth for them since this Age first began, and now there is something even more important to consider. All such artefacts are merely a means to an end.’
‘So you’re telling me that you could have killed the Emperor at any time—that you could have stopped the Empire long ago and halted all this infernal trouble whenever you felt like it?’
‘Yes,’ Soddan replied, as if the answer should have been obvious in the first place.
Samuel was infuriated. ‘Then, why didn’t you?’
‘As I’ve already told you, these things are inconsequential. It’s better to let such matters play out in their own time. The Circle does not meddle with such things. You just don’t seem to believe me no matter how many times I tell you, Samuel. There are always wars and tyrants to deal with. If we stop one, another just pops up in its place, but the Circle of Eyes is the one thing that can save this world and all our precious souls.’ His brow furrowed and he leaned a little closer towards Samuel. ‘What would you say if I told you that everything we have come to believe is untrue—that everything we take for granted is just an illusion?’
Samuel had no idea what Soddan was talking about and it was written plainly on his face.
‘There is a war of good and evil taking place in the universe that has been waged over time and space immeasurable. Our world is nothing more than a larder and a breeding ground for that evil. Every thousand years, the demons return here to feast upon us and revitalise their numbers, fuelling their eternal war. They wait until a specific time, when our lands are full of life, and then they come though from their world and into ours, and they consu
me everything they can find.’
Samuel looked steadily at the seated man, trying to gauge him for seriousness. ‘What are you saying?’ Samuel asked him. ‘That this is going to happen here, in Amandia?’
‘Not just in Amandia, Samuel, but all over this world. The demons found a way to come here in the time of the Ancients and they have returned many times since then. They devour everything, leaving only just enough life so that our world can slowly recover, then they come again.’
Samuel shook his head. ‘That’s ridiculous.’
‘Is it? We have a collection of books you would be interested to read—things not found in your Great Library. Even Dividian believed us, for he had practised many dark rites and had begun to hear their whisperings in his ear, the foolish man. Listen to me, Samuel, and listen well. These things I tell you are true. We have little time and we need your help. Anthem and his Lions are too caught up with their own petty struggles to believe us but, when it’s too late, when the gates of hell open and the beasts surge forth, everyone will believe, and it will be too late. We have only one hope. Before the demons can enter our world, two great items of power must be brought together. The Staff of Elders we had already examined and the Argum Stone’s destruction has proved that it was also worthless. The power of the things we seek is so great that they can crack open the barriers between our realms and allow the demons to cross.’
‘So why would you want to find such things if they are so dangerous?’ Samuel asked.
‘To destroy them, of course,’ Soddan answered, ‘or at least to keep them out of the wrong hands.’
‘Then you’ve been retrieving all the relics so you can to try to find the correct ones?’
‘That’s right, but so far we have been unsuccessful. What’s more, we believe that in every Age before ours there has been some awareness of this fate, as we have now, and they also tried to find these two relics. So far, none has been successful. Every Age has ended tragically, to say the least. Our Age is nearly at an end, perhaps even within our lifetimes. To save all our lives and our very souls, we must find those two artefacts and stop them from ever being used. The demons leave them somewhere, perhaps at completely opposite ends of the world, easily in view where people can find them. When the time comes and people have become accomplished and learned to travel, they will inadvertently bring them together and thus signal humanity’s own demise. They must be powerful things, immediately recognisable as a pair, so that people would have the notion to put them together.’
‘But you haven’t a clue where or what they are,’ Samuel assumed.
Soddan nodded. ‘That’s right. All our efforts so far have been in vain, and the signs all point to the fact that our time is quickly running short. Somewhere, we are sure, they have already been found and whatever witless dotards have them will surely be coursing them together as we speak, like puppets fulfilling the demons’ plans. If we cannot find these two great icons of power and destroy them, or at least keep them safely apart, we are doomed. If we can achieve our goal, our world will be safe forever more. You can see how the politics and affairs of nations are inconsequential compared to this.
‘Can you not see why we need you, Samuel? Your skills are great, and will become ever greater with time, for you are still young. You even proved Master Celios to be correct, although I’m sure few others would guess it. Help us, Samuel, I am pleading with you.’
Samuel shook his head as he began pacing back and forth across the room. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said. ‘It sounds…fantastic.’
Soddan stood. ‘Very well. Come and see for yourself. I can arrange for you to visit our library, or go browse through Dividian’s collection yourself. I’m sure you will be convinced.’
‘Dividian’s collection was destroyed by Ash.’
Soddan scowled. ‘Unfortunate.’
‘I need some time. These last few days have all been too much. Give me some time to think about it.’
‘Time is something we cannot afford, Samuel.’ Then he rubbed at his chin a moment. ‘Very well. Take what time you need, but do not dally long. Leave word for me at the smoking den when you have decided—use my contact name—but I must tell you this, Samuel: I am a patient and forgiving man, despite my appearances. Cang, however, is not a man to anger. He has told me that your assistance is not optional. There are many, many ways to gain your aid should we require it and Cang will not hesitate to use them. He has charged me with gaining your help but, if he hears my efforts have been fruitless, he will not be happy. The fate of the world is at stake, and he will not accept failure—he cannot. Keep that in mind. I’m sure you still have friends, loved ones, even ambitions. Cang will take those away without a moment’s thought.’
Samuel stopped and looked at Soddan darkly. ‘Don’t threaten me, Soddan. Everything even remotely precious to me has already been taken away. Everyone I have known and loved is dead and my only ambition has been to revenge them. That wish was fulfilled the moment I killed Ash. There is nothing you can do to me to bring me down any further.’
Soddan again raised his hands in defence. ‘Please, please, Samuel. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not threatening you. I am merely telling you what will happen should you decide not to join us. You may think you have nothing, but you would be surprised at the things a man finds valuable when they are taken away. I know you still have friends in the Order, but there are other things also. Pray you do not find out. Past ages have had powerful magicians, too, but none has managed to survive. The Circle of Eyes is everywhere, ever vigilant, ever searching. We rebuild after every Age in our bid to undo the foolishness of the Ancients. I know you will come to the right decision, Samuel. You are not a foolish man.’
‘Very well,’ Samuel conceded. ‘I will let you know soon enough.’
Soddan continued to look at Samuel, perhaps weighing up his final statement. ‘As a measure of my trust, I will reveal to you my true name. I am Balten.’ And he even made a slight bow and gave a flourish with his hand.
‘You are Balten!’ Samuel said with surprise.
‘You see? When even young magicians know my name, you can see why I need an alias,’ the man replied light-heartedly. ‘Now, I shall bid you good day. Enjoy your celebrations,’ he added, as he let himself out and closed the door softly behind him, leaving Samuel to dwell on all that had been said.
Eventually, Samuel stepped out into the hall, although still with some uncertainty. Servants, nobles and courtiers passed by, seemingly unbothered by the events of recent days, although some eyed Samuel warily as he began making his way down the long corridors on his still unsteady legs. At one junction, a youthful mage came along and stopped upon recognising him.
‘Samuel!’ he said.
‘Artam?’ Samuel asked.
‘Yes, it’s me.’
‘I’ve not seen you since the old days in the school. Where have you been?’
‘Not far—in Duli since my graduation. I returned as soon as I heard word that the Emperor had been killed and many Masters had been slain. I am an apprentice Keeper of Records in the school.’
‘Congratulations then, Master Ritter. Do you know where Lomar and the others are?’
‘Lord Lomar? He and the other councillors are meeting with the Empress in the meeting chamber. I just came from there.’
‘Can you take me there?’
Artam momentarily glanced at the papers he held under one arm before discarding their importance. ‘Of course. This way.’
He led Samuel through the vast palace, through halls and across yards and along balconies. They crossed a great echoing chamber where a hundred men and women sat at a hundred desks, all furiously scribbling and making calculations and none bothered to look up as they passed. They passed a series of rooms, each resounding with a different music and Samuel could just catch a glimpse of youths in each one, busily practising their instruments. Finally, Artam brought him before a simple, yet finely polished, wooden door. He remembered it as being
the same room where he had accepted his dispatch to Hammenton just after the Emperor’s death, although he never would have found it on his own.
‘Farewell, Lord Samuel,’ Artam said, and he left Samuel to knock and enter. The young man had changed much in the short years, but he seemed to have completely dismissed their prior conflict.
Around the long table sat about a dozen men and women. Empress Lillith sat at one head, wearing a regal gown, and General Ruardin, enormous in contrast to her small frame, sat by her side. Two ladies-in-waiting stood behind her. Lomar sat closest to her, with Master Glim beside him. The others present were various court officials and representatives. They were all looking at Samuel as he entered.
‘Empress Lillith,’ Lomar began, ‘you may remember Samuel. Samuel, I’m sure you remember the Empress Lillith. Take a seat. It’s good that you have now arrived.’
Samuel bowed to those present and closed the door behind him before taking a place in a vacant seat near the end of the table. The men opposite him nodded to return the greeting.
‘Welcome, Master Samuel,’ the Empress began. She was slender and beautiful. Her proud cheek bore a vivid pink scar—perhaps a souvenir from Ash’s dungeon. ‘I must begin by thanking you. I understand it was you who brought an end to the horrid magician, Master Ash, who had imprisoned us.’
‘Thank you, Empress,’ Samuel returned politely.
‘As a result, I would like to offer you a place on the Magicians’ Council—as a temporary measure in recognition of your skills. I understand this is a great honour for one so young. Never has the Council had such a youthful member in its ranks. The permanent members will need to be elected in the coming months, but there is much to be done and the Empire needs the Council at full strength. I trust you will make good of the opportunity.’
The Young Magician (The Legacy Trilogy) Page 71