The prince stood up and bellowed, “It is as I said all along...” He gave a sidelong glance to Sane and added, “Wizards can not be trusted. We have been far too lenient with them.”
“Watch your words!” Byrn shouted and the room fell silent. He knew insulting the prince could mean his life, but he did not care. “I, too, am a magician and I saved the Lady Nightwind. It was through magic that I was led to her and through magic I defeated her captor. If not for the use of magic she would be a prisoner still.
“Magicians can be evil. They can cause pain and suffering, but they are also equally capable of doing great good. Locking us all up and separating us from the rest of society only serves to turn us against you when we could be your allies.”
The prince's face turned red with anger and more than one guard's hand went to his sword, but King Kale held up a hand to silence his son. To Byrn, his voice was harsh when he said, “Your insolence aside, I would speak with you. Rescuing Tian is the only reason you have not been subdued already, so I would watch my tone when addressing the royal assembly. What is your name, magician?”
A more subdued, but still proud Byrn added. “My name is Byrn Lightfoot and this is my mother Marian Lightfoot.” The young magician said indicating the well-dressed woman beside him.
“Your grace,” Marian bowed as was proper. Seeing her, Byrn followed suit if a little late.
The king looked at Byrn as if trying to place him. “Your name sounds familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?”
Byrn shook his head, “We have never met... your grace.”
“I recognize the name! He is the boy who escaped from Baj a few years ago, father,” Prince Janus looked to Sane with a wicked grin and to the king continued, “Sane's lost apprentice. He is a wanted criminal.”
The assembled nobles murmured at the revelation. Minutes ago they cheered for Byrn Lightfoot now they looked upon him with mixed wonder and fear. The guardsmen who stood by his side in the streets moved their hands to their weapons discreetly. Waiting to see how this would all unfold, but prepared for the worst.
The sorcerer stepped forward to stand next to his former student. “It is true, my lord. Years ago I vouched for this young man...” Sane’s eyes locked with Byrn’s as if the sorcerer was trying to make his mind up about something, but Byrn could not guess about what. “Now I will do so once again.”
“Indeed,” the king glared at his adviser as if there was some unspoken exchange, “Your judgment is well regarded, Sane.” The king took his place on the dais and addressing the gathered nobility told them, “Despite recent revelations we have much to celebrate with the return of Lady Tian Nightwind who is like a niece to me. The magicians, Byrn and Marian Lightfoot, will be treated like guests. Tomorrow night we will dine together and rejoice in our good fortunes.”
Byrn was about to object to his mother being mentioned as a magician, but she whispered, “We will sort it out later.”
Before dismissing them, King Kale added, “Sane, as the court magician, I am putting our magic guests under your care. See that they use their best behavior.” He shot a glance to Byrn.
***
Sane and Sari escorted the three guests to a wing used for housing visiting nobles. The sorcerer asked of the ladies' health and made polite conversation until they reached the guest quarters.
When it was only Byrn and Sane left the sorcerer told him, “I will have clothing brought to you for dinner tonight,” matter of factly and turned to walk away.
“Sane, wait a moment. I owe you thanks for vouching for me back there.”
“Do you know I was ordered to hunt you down and kill you after you escaped from Baj?” Sane chastised his former apprentice. Now the sorcerer's anger could no longer be contained. He shoved Byrn hard pushing him into his room. “I trusted you and you betrayed me! My life could have been forfeit for your rash actions!”
“That was not my intention. I just wanted to be free.” When Sane did not respond Byrn asked, “I knew you were searching for me and I don’t blame you for following orders, but I have to know if you would have found me, would you have killed me?”
Sane’s eyes burned with intensity for a moment. Then with some great degree of restraint the sorcerer put his anger in check. “When you meet the king you must be on your best behavior. You represent not just yourself, but all magicians whether they are in hiding or otherwise. Show him that despite all that has transpired that I was not wrong about you.” The sorcerer began to walk away, but turned and added, “When you return to Lion's Landing give Avelice my best wishes.” The off-hand comment left Byrn dumbfounded and he wondered if Sane had known where he was all along.
Chapter 39
The dinner party honoring Lady Tian's rescuers was a lavish affair. Venison, roasted duck, and chicken sat on a large table nearly the length of the immense dining hall surrounded by various fruits and berries from across the kingdom. At smaller tables various nobles and guests of honor sat around making polite conversation, but the attention of all of the party goers flickered to the head table for most of the evening where King Kale ate with Byrn sitting to his right. Queen Wendi sat to her husband's left next to Prince Janus, Sane, Edessa Nightwind, Warlord Ethiel Nightwind, and circling back to Byrn's right was Lady Tian who appeared to be no worse off for her encounter with Mantellus- at least not physically. Although Marian Lightfoot was counted as a heroine to Lady Tian as well, she was relegated to a nearby table where she ate with Sari and several others who had the look of well off nobles.
Much to Byrn's discomfort the subject of their discussion was the young magician's fate. As an escaped prisoner from Baj and a rogue magician he was considered a dangerous criminal and there was still an outstanding order from the very king he now dined with to kill the magician on sight.
“You can see the predicament I face,” King Kale told Byrn during the second course, “On one hand I am indebted to you for saving Lord Ethiel's daughter. On the other you are a criminal and the only person to escape from Baj in nearly two centuries.”
“Agreed,” Prince Janus added more subdued than during his earlier outburst, “It is a difficult position my father now faces. He is honor-bound to reward you, but if he were to do so, then he would appear soft on the magician sect and tacitly condoning your actions as a criminal up to this point. Any sign of weakness would embolden your fellow rogues.”
Byrn took a drink of wine as he framed his response. Sane's warning that he would be viewed as a spokesman for all magicians had been taken to heart and he wanted to speak in a way that would make Avelice and his friends proud. “You may be right. There are magicians out there who hunger for power or are sadistic monsters. Mantellus Firekin is a perfect example of what a magician can be at his worst, but there are also those who feel it is necessary to wage war on the kingdom to secure their own freedom, but in my experience over the past few years they are few in number. Most of the magicians in hiding simply wish to live in peace and enjoy the freedoms that the rest of the citizenry have.
“I come from a school that trains young magicians. That may sound like a crime to some here, but in truth they are doing Aurelia a service by helping young people who do have incredible abilities learn to control their gifts. They mean no harm to anyone and just want to live a safe and happy life. They have no designs on the kingdom and no interest in harming anyone.”
“They can live such a life in the domains,” the prince countered deeply engrossed in the exchange. He waved off a servant refilling his cup without taking his gaze away from the guest of honor.
“They can live, but not happily,” Byrn replied calmly, being careful to keep his temper in check after his earlier outburst. “A gilded cage is still a cage. They cannot leave; they are watched constantly; and they cannot use magic. Most of them do not have even the simplest understanding of how to use magic. If anything that lack of knowledge makes them more dangerous, should they ever find themselves outside of the magic dampening runes' influence.”
> “You speak very eloquently,” Queen Wendi told Byrn holding up her chalice of wine in salute, “and you surely speak from your heart- a most noble quality,” the queen looked at Byrn with hopeful eyes and a smile that seemed somehow brave, “but I fear that as most youths do you speak more from your heart rather than from your head. Perhaps as you grow older you will see the wisdom of how things are done- like Sane has.” The queen added the last bit with a warm smile at the sorcerer.
“The world is rarely so black and white,” Sane answered with a hint of melancholy and a long drink of wine.
Warlord Ethiel Nightwind chimed in. “Let me play the magician's advocate. Byrn, if the domains were freed and magicians were allowed to use their special skills freely, what would stop them from overthrowing the kingdom?”
Byrn took a slow sip of his wine while he composed his answer, then said, “Like Master Sane, there would be those who, if the olive branch of friendship were extended by the kingdom, they would choose to serve it faithfully. I am a wanted fugitive and I still served the kingdom.” Byrn winked at Lady Tian. “Did I not?”
Lady Tian coughed the wine she was sipping at unexpectedly being included in the conversation. “I do not speak for the kingdom, but to my great happiness you have served me well, Sir Byrn.” The Lady smiled politely and blushed ever so slightly.
“Byrn is fine, my lady. I am no noble.” Byrn raised his glass to Tian and he noticed that her father, Lord Nightwind, gave a short nod of approval even as he suppressed a grin.
The king laughed heartily as if he just heard a great joke and everyone stopped eating to look at him. “Young man, you have a great wit about you and speak well when you have a mind to.” The king looked down at his plate, then to the sorcerer. “It seems I should have been a little more mindful of my magical adviser's suggestions.”
Sane nodded and produced a weak grin. King Kale held his cup up in a salute and all at the table drank. Then he turned his attention back to Byrn, “A decision on the magician conundrum is not something to be made lightly at a dinner party, but you have given me something to think about, Byrn. Lord Nightwind and I have discussed your heroism and your... indiscretions at length and we have decided that the good you have done outweighs the negatives, if only barely. You are to be rewarded. Tomorrow morning we will hold a ceremony to make the announcement.”
***
Byrn awoke to a knock at his door.
“You may enter,” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes to see a servant boy enter the room.
“His highness bids you come to the throne room in one hour,” the boy said formally. Seeing Byrn nod in agreement, the servant asked, “Would you like me to come and get you at the appointed time?”
“I can manage,” Byrn told him with good humor, “It is the big room in the central castle. Is it not?” He looked around for the fine clothes he was given for the dinner party and found them in a heap by the foot of the bed. Following the dinner he had nightcaps with the Nightwind family, the elf, Sari, and his mother and when he returned to his room several hours later he was well exhausted and intoxicated.
“Sir, it is,” answered the boy humorlessly and bid the magician farewell with a short bow before taking his leave.
An hour later Byrn and Marian stood before the king's court in the throne room. It was much the same as when he stood before the assembly two days earlier except now that they had ample time to prepare, the nobles in attendance were dressed in their finest attire and the soldiers wore their finest armor bearing the kingdom's crest of a raven in flight against a red sun.
The attending herald announced the arrival of the king and his entourage including the queen and the Nightwinds, but Prince Janus was nowhere to be found. King Kale welcomed all those in attendance as was customary at formal celebrations and turned his attention to the Lightfoots.
“Welcome to the master magician, Byrn Lightfoot, and the master ranger, Marian Lightfoot,” King Kale said standing atop the dais. Byrn was about to object to being called a master fore he did not think himself deserving of the title, but Marian squeezed his arm and he held his tongue. “The Lady Tian Nightwind has told me of both of your bravery in her rescue and the grim fate you saved her from. It is my honor as well as that of the Lord Ethiel Nightwind to bestow upon Byrn Lightfoot the rank of Knight of the North Lands, Western Province, and to Marian Lightfoot the rank of Dame of the North Lands, Western Province, along with all of the rights, privileges, and duties associated with their new titles.”
A hushed murmur passed over the crowd that quickly turned into cheers and applause. Several of the nobles came forward to congratulate the new knight and dame and shake their hands. After a few minutes the king raised his hands for silence and the crowd turned quiet looking to him to see what King Kale would say next. Instead of any other lofty decree or announcement he only added, “This is a joyous occasion. It is not every day that a commoner is made into a nobleman, but we still have the kingdom's daily business to attend to. Sir and Lady Lightfoot, you have leave to exit the hall. Lord Nightwind will speak with you following the court's dismissal to discuss the specifics of your new ranks and duties. As subjects under his banner you will be answerable to him and will, of course, take residence in the Western Province.”
The Lightfoots thanked their king and took leave of the proceedings. When they were in the main hall away from the nobles and the courtiers, Byrn asked, “What just happened?” unable to believe his own eyes and ears.
“We were made nobles- low ranking ones, but it is a great honor.” Marian sounded as shocked as her son.
“It is an honor to be sure,” Byrn told her, “But I have considered myself as someone living outside of the kingdom for a very long time now and have lived alongside others like myself. If I became a noble of the kingdom it would feel like a betrayal to those who took me in when I had no one else to turn to.
“The only reason I have stayed this long was to ensure your safety and to speak on behalf of the other magicians who are out there living in hiding or prisoners in the domains unable to speak for themselves.”
“You are a good man,” Marian told him giving her son a short hug, “Perhaps you can look at this as less of a betrayal and more of an opportunity to help your fellow magicians further by serving as an example of what a good magician can do.
“You also said you were planning to start a new school for magicians the other day. Why not petition Lord Nightwind to start a school sanctioned by the kingdom in his province?”
“Could such a thing be possible?” Byrn wondered aloud. “A kingdom sponsored school could lead to a regulation of magic that could leave both magicians and normal people happy.” Byrn's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Sari dressed in an elegant green gown of silk. It lacked the embroidery and bows that most fine dresses of the nobility possessed, but it suited her body in its simplicity as it clung to her lithe frame.
“Your tongue is hanging from your mouth. She is three times your age, you know,” Marian warned him as the elegant elf approached just in time for Byrn to preserve some of his dignity. “Men!” Marian proclaimed jokingly, “No wonder Sari prefers it in Aurelia instead of living with other elves. Wherever she goes, the men of the kingdom fall at her feet.”
“You figured out my secret, 'Master Ranger,'” Sari teased.
Marian's face turned red in embarrassment, “I never told anyone that I was anything more than apprentice. You know I would never presume...”
The elf waved off her apology, “Nonsense. You are the equal of any human ranger in the kingdom. You found the Lady Tian when I could not and proved yourself a hundred times over before that. In your heart you knew the truth as surely as I, but neither of us wanted to admit it. It is time we made it official.” Sari placed her hand on Marian's shoulder and bowed her head. “I gladly bestow upon you the title of Master Ranger and friend of the forest.”
Marian hugged her friend tightly. “I hope you do not think you are to be rid of me so ea
sily,” she half laughed.
“As a Lady and ranger of the Western Province you will no doubt have duties there requiring your attention. You followed me for four years as you learned my craft,” Sari told her brushing Marian's hair which had come loose from behind her ear in a motherly fashion, “I think I will follow you for a while.”
Chapter 40
Byrn was enjoying a midday meal of boiled chicken and soft bread with Marian and Sari in the dining hall when the courier arrived. The hall was half full at midday and the dining guests and residents of the castle behaved in a much more informal fashion than they had at the dinner party.
However, what did not change from the dinner party was that most of the eyes in the hall were still upon Byrn, though none dared go near him since the king’s proclamation that Byrn was a master magician before the court for fear of being turned into a frog or some other nonsense. It mattered little that Byrn was not truly a master. He was an adept in elementalism, necromancy, and manipulation, but had not yet managed to master any of them.
The courier was out of breath when he found the trio eating and he beckoned Sir Byrn and Lady Marian to come with him to the Warlord Nightwind's estate where the knight's and dame's duties would be laid out before them. Of course either Lightfoot could renounce their new rank and title, but such a thing was never done as the privileges were far greater than the cost of swearing loyalty to a lord and duties usually consisted of governing over a property or area of land that provided an annual stipend large enough to live on indefinitely.
Byrn packed his remaining chicken between two slices of soft bread and made it into a sammich so that he could finish his meal on the way. Marian told him, “You still eat like you are all stomach,” and the pair laughed while Sari looked at them wondering at the joke.
Rogue Magician (The Magician Rebellion) Page 23