“He also retains the portal knowledge that we have lost,” Galida said, “which gives him additional powers of frightening consequence. The slaarh reported in Trelian, for example, were brought through a portal from somewhere. We must assume that Mage Krelig instructed Sen Eva on how to accomplish that. Although Mage Devorlin’s journal does contain a lot of information from his own private, ah, experiments. We will be studying his notes very closely.”
There was some general confusion at this, and Calen realized that not everyone knew about the journal. Serek seemed to realize the same thing. “We found a journal in Sen Eva’s possession,” he explained. “It was written by Mage Devorlin of Kragnir, who we believe to be the partner Mage Krelig had tried to cultivate in Lysetta’s day. Sen Eva discovered the journal while serving as an advisor to King Ryllin and began experimenting on her own, unmarked and untrained. There was an accident of some kind in which her older son was killed and her husband lost. It seems she had been opening portals in an attempt to find her husband, when she found Mage Krelig instead.”
“But why send such an attack?” one of the other council mages asked. “If it was Mage Krelig behind what happened this afternoon, what did he hope to gain? Damaging and startling as it was, it did not seem of sufficient strength or viciousness to cause serious harm to the Magistratum. Was it some kind of warning? And if so, to what end? One would not think Krelig would want to do anything to alert us to his continued attempts to return to this world.”
“Seems likely the spell was intended to do more harm than it did,” said Mage Lisbette. “If he is coaching this Sen Eva from afar, she could simply have failed to perform the spell correctly.”
“I believe,” said another mage, “that there was a different reason.” Calen recognized him as one of the mages who had been waiting for him and Serek after he’d gotten his tattoo that morning. “It was surely no accident that the spell was cast when and where it was. We cannot ignore the possibility that Mage Serek’s apprentice is somehow involved with those who sent the creatures.”
Calen’s mouth fell open. What?
Serek got slowly to his feet, his eyes practically shooting sparks. “Mage Brevera,” he growled, “you go too far —”
But Brevera rushed on, nearly shouting in his attempt to talk over Serek: “There are those of us here who have believed for some time that there is a danger associated with the boy. We have attempted to discuss this matter with Mage Serek, but he has been unwilling to consider our findings!”
Serek’s expression grew even darker, but he did not raise his voice. “I have been unwilling to consider your findings in secret meetings behind closed doors, Mage Brevera. I have been quite clear on how I feel about that. If you have accusations to make, make them here in full council, or keep your opinions to yourself.”
“They are not opinions!” Mage Brevera answered hotly. “They are findings that my colleagues and I have verified through multiple divinations —”
“Privately cast divinations, of which your word is not sufficient evidence.”
Mage Brevera stood up. “How dare —”
“Enough!” Council Master Galida shouted. “Mages, must we remind you of the council rules for debate?”
“No,” Serek said at once. “My apologies, Council Master Galida.” He sat back down.
Mage Brevera sat as well, muttering something that might have been an apology. Calen finally remembered to close his mouth, but he still felt as if the ground had fallen away somewhere far beneath him. He swallowed and then asked in a small voice, “What danger?”
Galida looked at him. “Did you say something, Apprentice Calen?”
Calen nodded and tried again, willing his voice to cooperate. “I asked what danger, Council Master. If there is some kind of danger associated with me, I would like to know more about it.”
“Indeed,” she said. “So would I. Mage Brevera, if you would be so kind?”
Mage Brevera smiled smugly. “Gladly, Council Master. As you know, Mages Thomil, Mettleson, and I routinely cast divinatory spells concerning the Magistratum, its members, and related events. We report our findings when they are significant so that appropriate action may be taken if necessary.” Galida nodded, and Mage Brevera continued.
“For nearly a year, we have encountered disturbing trends in our findings. Until recently the warnings were vague and unfocused, and we were aware only of a general sense of danger approaching. I have reported this in the past, but since we had nothing specific or helpful to go on, there seemed to be nothing the council could do but wait for further signs. Those signs recently began appearing. We know that a newly marked apprentice will be directly connected to vast and destructive danger to the Magistratum. We —”
“Calen is hardly the only recently marked apprentice,” Council Master Renaldiere broke in.
“With respect, Council Master,” Mage Brevera said with a tiny nod of his head, “there is more. We know the danger involves a boy who is the first apprentice of his master and one who traveled here from the north. There are many little such facts we can relate. But most significantly, we know the apprentice in question has unusual abilities that others do not share. Can you doubt that our findings must point to this boy?”
There was more muttering from the assembly, and Calen saw far too many mages glancing in his direction. Serek sat stone-faced, listening. Calen wished his master would say something in his defense. Obviously there was some mistake. He certainly wasn’t involved in any kind of danger affecting the Magistratum!
Mage Brevera looked at Serek with a sour expression. “We attempted to discuss the matter with Mage Serek in order to gain his permission for some, ah, testing of his apprentice so that we might further determine the nature of the danger he presented. Mage Serek refused to cooperate.”
“Why did you not report first to the council?” Galida asked.
“Perhaps we should have, Council Master Galida,” Brevera said, making what Calen thought was a very poor attempt to sound apologetic, “but we wanted to have more information before presenting our findings. Divination is such a difficult and inexact art, and we wanted to be sure before bringing any suggestions before the council. And until this afternoon, we were still uncertain. But now . . .” He hesitated, then went on in a rush. “We submit that, for the protection of the Magistratum, Apprentice Calen be immediately subject to investigation to determine the further nature of the danger he represents.”
Serek was suddenly back on his feet, and he and Brevera began shouting at each other across the chamber. Other mages joined in as well. Council Master Renaldiere was ringing his tiny bell like a madman, but no one was paying any attention. Mage Anders caught Calen’s eye from the other side of Serek and gave him what seemed a sympathetic expression. That did nothing to assuage Calen’s fears. What exactly did “subject to investigation” mean, anyway? It certainly didn’t sound good. This was crazy! He hadn’t done anything!
The sound of the silver bell suddenly became deafening, and Calen could see that the council master had cast an enhancement spell to amplify the ringing. Serek sat heavily back in his seat, and the shouting died down around them. He turned to look at Calen, and his face was angry and worried. Calen didn’t mind the anger — he’d seen Serek angry more often than not, and at least this time he seemed to be angry on Calen’s behalf, not at Calen himself — but the worry was . . . well, worrisome. Serek did not generally appear worried. Calen was beginning to feel very scared.
“Thank you,” Renaldiere said when everyone had finally quieted down. He leaned over to speak with Council Master Galida for a moment, then addressed the room once more. “It does seem that we should be open to exploring every avenue that might help us figure out what happened here today. And the findings of Mage Brevera’s group are not to be discounted out of hand. We believe there can be no harm and much possible good in allowing him to proceed with his investigation.”
“I submit that the matter be put to a vote,” Serek sai
d quickly.
Council Master Galida looked at Serek with what seemed like regret. “I do not believe a vote is required, Mage Serek,” she said. “No action is being taken other than an attempt to gather further information about Apprentice Calen’s ability and his possible significance in relation to the mysterious casting we all experienced today. He is not being formally accused of anything or being placed under any kind of official reprimand or notice. We would ask that he comply willingly with this request. Overriding his refusal would call for a vote, but I cannot see any reason he should refuse, unless he has something to hide.”
Serek seemed to be searching for some other objection he could make, but finally he only nodded. He turned to Calen. “They only want to learn more about your ability and to have you participate in some more divination spells,” he said quietly. “We already knew your ability would be a topic of consideration during this visit. And perhaps the divination will be helpful. I don’t like the way this decision was reached, but truly there’s nothing to worry about. Just be polite and cooperate, and tell them the truth about whatever they ask you. We have nothing to hide from the council.”
Calen wished Serek could have managed to erase the worry from his expression while telling him there was nothing to worry about. But his words made sense, and Calen knew there was no real reason to be afraid. This is the Magistratum, he reminded himself. I’m one of their number. No one here is my enemy. He wished he felt more certain, though, that everyone here was his friend.
“I believe we should adjourn for now,” Council Master Renaldiere said. “Mage Secretary Ettien will form the committee to investigate the nature of the spell cast this afternoon, and Mage Brevera will lead the investigation of Apprentice Calen’s abilities and possible connection to the attack. As originally planned, tomorrow morning’s meeting will focus on what we can do to prepare for the possible return of Mage Krelig. We will have the records of Mage Krelig’s crimes and subsequent exile available for examination at that time, and anyone with any information passed down via apprenticeship or personal connections should be prepared to share that information with the group tomorrow.”
He rang his bell a final time, and the mages began to rise and collect their belongings and talk among themselves. Servants quietly stepped in to begin clearing away the food and table settings.
Calen and Serek stood up, and Serek led Calen through the crowd to where the head mages sat waiting. Mage Brevera and his colleagues were standing before the table as well.
“Come with us, please, Apprentice Calen,” the man beside Mage Brevera said. Serek looked resigned, and Calen realized that Serek had known they would want Calen to go by himself. He threw his master a frantic look, but Serek only nodded at him firmly.
“Go on, Calen,” he said. “I will see you as soon as they have completed their work.” Serek stared fixedly at Mage Brevera when he said this last, and the other mage seemed as if he were going to say something in response but then thought better of it. Instead, the mage turned and led the way out through a narrow door behind the last row of tables. Calen followed, looking back once just before he left the room. Serek stood there, still looking in Calen’s direction, but whatever he was seeing was something else, his gaze directed inward. Calen turned back around to pass through the doorway. He felt a sudden chill as the door clicked shut behind him.
QUEEN MERILYN AND KING TORMON LOOKED at each other grimly. Meg watched them and waited, unhappy to have had to bring them such troubling news. Jakl was still pushing at the barrier she’d put up, like a cat scratching at a closed door, clamoring for her attention. Hold on, she thought at him. She didn’t like how insistent he felt, agitated and impatient. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
“I think you handled this well, Meg,” her father said, turning back to her. “Whether or not Wilem is telling the truth, the extra guard makes sense. And once Mage Serek returns, we can ask him to investigate the matter further.”
“Do you know when they’ll be back?” Meg asked. “Have you gotten any word?”
“No, Meg. I’m sorry. I am certain they will return as soon as they can, but you know there were many important things for the Magistratum to discuss.” He smiled at her gently. “I know you miss your friend, too.”
She smiled back, although she didn’t much feel like it. She did miss Calen, more than her father could guess. But it wasn’t like she didn’t understand. Of course Serek had important responsibilities. Calen, too. He couldn’t stick around here just to keep her company all the time. And really, she was glad he was getting some of the recognition he deserved. She hoped all the other mages were impressed with his special ability. She hoped he told them about the spells he’d refined, too, the techniques he’d worked out while they were trying so hard to get home, and then to get the evidence they needed against Sen Eva. Meg might not know much about magic, but even she could see that Calen was very talented. She saw the way Serek looked at him now, too, as if he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen Calen’s specialness sooner.
“I think it would be a good idea if you checked in with Wilem regularly,” her father went on. “I would prefer that he not need to send for you through the guards. And this way he will know we are keeping a close eye on him. And you’ll know right away if something changes.”
Meg tried to swallow her misgivings. If there was one thing she did not want, it was to see Wilem every single day.
“Of course, Father,” Meg said. “I will let you know the minute there is anything to report.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Meg.”
Her mother smiled at her, and being able to please her parents in this way was almost worth the unpleasant prospect of regular interaction with Wilem. They would see that she was perfectly capable of being the heir they wanted. She would show them, and the people of Trelian, and everything would be fine.
She stood up to take her leave, but as she opened her mouth to say good-bye, there was a sudden strange shifting in her head, followed by a wave of blinding pain. And then Jakl, flooding in, drowning her.
“Meg!” Her mother’s voice, no longer sounding very pleased. Both of her parents were on their feet. Meg realized she was back in her chair and had grabbed her head with her hands. Had she screamed? She didn’t think so. She was, however, moaning in pain. She clamped her mouth shut and tried to focus. This was certainly not helping anything. Stop it, Jakl! she thought at him, hoping her obvious dismay would make him back off. He was having none of it, though. With horror she realized she could feel him getting closer. Tired of waiting for her to come to him, he was coming to her instead.
Oh, no. No, no, no. This was not good. Not good at all. And it still hurt. Gods, what was he doing to her?
Meg’s mother was reaching forward across the desk as her father came around, knelt before her, and placed his hands over hers, on the sides of her head. “Are you all right? What is it, Meg? Talk to me!”
“I’m okay,” she managed. With effort, she forced her face to relax, made herself ignore the pulsing pain. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. Sudden, uh, headache.”
“Is it —?” The king looked at the queen, and Meg knew what they were thinking. They were right, of course, but that didn’t make it any better.
“No, it’s not the link,” she lied. “It doesn’t work that way. And besides, Jakl would never hurt me. It’s just a headache. Maybe from not sleeping so well last night.”
They clearly did not believe this. She didn’t blame them. But she wasn’t about to give them the truth. “Meg —” her mother began.
“I’m fine, really.” She gently removed her father’s hands and stood up. “I just need some air. I’m sure I’ll feel better in a moment. Please.”
She fled, trying not to look as panicked as she felt, leaving her father still kneeling beside her vacant chair.
Stop! she thought furiously at the dragon as she raced toward the garden. Stop it right now, you gods-cursed thing! I’m coming — just wait! It felt li
ke he was ready to come right into the castle to find her.
And it still hurt. Why was he hurting her?
She kept running, one hand holding her head, the other hitching up her dress, ignoring the startled stares of those she passed in the halls. Finally she reached the garden doors and burst through them, eyes raised to the sky. Jakl was there, as she knew he would be, circling, screaming. People were running, terrified.
Wonderful.
He screamed again when he saw her. He was so angry — she’d never seen him like this. He dove toward her, and for just a second she was certain he was about to kill her. She stood her ground, too angry herself to be afraid and still unwilling to believe he would truly hurt her. Even though he was hurting her, still, now, every second. He crashed to the ground beside her, and she scrambled up on his back, wanting nothing but to get him away from here so they could have this out more privately. Whatever this was. This horrible flood of anger, flowing between them, feeding on itself with sickening intensity.
As soon as they were up again and moving away from the castle, she screamed back at him. “What is wrong with you?” She pounded her fists against his neck, knowing he could barely feel her blows but needing to strike out at him just the same. “Are you crazy? Are you trying to make everything even worse? Stop it! Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!”
She was crying now, she realized. From the pain and from the wrongness of it, that they were screaming at each other this way, that he could make her angry enough to hit him, that he could hurt her the way he was. She didn’t understand.
Slowly, Jakl seemed to come back to himself. She felt him take in her fear and pain along with the anger, and he seemed to grow a bit confused as he grew calmer. He circled again, angling toward a clearing, and set himself down as gently as he was able to. She was off his back at once, striding around to face him. He arched his neck back slightly to look at her. He was breathing heavily, exhausted from his furious flight and from the effort of holding back his fire. She realized suddenly that if he’d had a little less control, he might have set the whole garden ablaze. Or worse.
The Princess of Trelian Page 7