“Soon,” said Folt, “then he can decide what to do with you for killing so many of his men.” The ugly man sighed. “I liked you Saben.”
Saben shrugged. Jaswei shook her head.
“Your troops should not have raided Soucot, not without warning.”
“Do you know what a raid is?” Folt said. “You killed a lot of the king’s men, Saben. He will make you answer for that.”
Saben grimaced.
“I suppose we aren’t friends, then?”
Folt shook his head.
“No.”
Melissa
The celebration for Melissa's victory in the duel spilled out of the palace and the citadel.
She wandered the streets of the hillside where the magister's guild dominated. Now, things could change. Melissa doubted everyone would be celebrating it wasn't for Kadatz’s lack of popularity. He and his predecessors held an iron grip on magic in the region. Nowhere else in the land of mercy could one organization control the training of mages as thoroughly as the magister’s guild did until that day.
Joined by Niu and Elaine, Melissa wandered the streets. A bottle swung from her fingers, wine given to her by one of the governor’s officials, a gift from the woman herself. Ever since the duel ended, Governor Lokoth stayed in the palace, as had Deckard Hadrian. The two of them might be planning for the coming conflict. The attack on the gate did not bode well for the future.
Melissa and her friends made their way through the merchant’s quarter to a particular shop.
“My aunt brought me here.” Elaine pointed toward a building that looked transplanted from a different age, with soaring columns supporting its front entryway. The building bore signs of great wealth from more recent times. Candles glowed in the windows. Flowers hung in wreathes around the doorway. The longer Melissa looked, the more beautiful the building appeared.
Elaine waved her forward.
“Are you going to stand there all night? We should go in.”
“Melissa,” said Niu, “let's go inside.”
Melissa followed the others into a room crowded with magical artifacts, hidden during the magister's occupation of the city’s magic, for over 50 years. Ever since the final battle with Kanor, the magisters controlled Soucot’s magic. That control ended today.
Melissa smiled. She couldn’t have imagined a better way she could have served the governor’s cause. She and the others wove their way among other patrons, would-be mages investigating the wares on display. Melissa and Niu made their way to the basement stairs in Elaine's wake.
An old man crossed their path.
“Nothing down there, girls, everything got brought up.”
Melissa turned to the man.
“Are you the owner?’
‘I am,” said the man. “And you are the woman of the hour if I’m not mistaken.”
“That's true I suppose.”
Elaine laughed.
“Of course you are,” she said.
Niu nodded.
“Melissa, you beat the magisters for all of us.”
“I still can't believe I did it,” Melissa said.
Her arm and leg still wore bandages with healing poultices bound beneath. Her head still felt light from her wounds, only furthered by the drink. She won. The pain confirmed that fact. Melissa smiled at the old man.
“You did a good service for the city by not letting all of these things fall into guild hands.”
“I appreciate your kind words, my lady.”
Elaine glanced at the others from the top of the stairway.
“You moved everything out of here?”
“Yes,” said the old man, “and it's a good thing this girl won the duel today. I needed to empty the room because of a dissonant essence creeping in the basement.”
Elaine's face turned pale.
“A dissonance?”
“Yes,” said the old man, “dissonant sprites and banes could have afflicted everything down there.”
“Dissonance.” Elaine frowned.
“Is something wrong?” said the old man.
“No, not really.” Elaine turned to Niu and Melissa. “I should go.”
“You can tell us if something is wrong,” Melissa said.
Niu nodded.
“Please, Elaine. You can tell us.”
Elaine flushed.
“I think I know what happened to the basement.”
“What happened?” The old man. “Please, you must tell me, my lady.”
Elaine frowned.
“When I was down there, with my aunt, I met a man.”
“One of my customers?”
Elaine shrugged.
“I don't think you bought anything. He wears a half-moon mask. His name...” she said with a flush, “...is Lakses.”
“I noticed some disruption back then. But the dissonance did not spread until several days later.”
“Perhaps we should go investigate,” said Elaine.
Melissa glanced to Niu. Niu shrugged.
“If Melissa isn’t too hurt.”
“I can manage as long as it's not too dangerous down there.”
“Dissonant essences aren’t dangerous to people,” said the old man, “only to artifacts and scrolls.”
“All right,” said Melissa.
Elaine led the way into the basement.
They descended, making their way through the dark room. No artifacts or scrolls remained below and the tables had been cleared away. Dust covered the floor. Melissa and Elaine sent out sprites to illuminate the room. Melissa moved cautiously through the vacant room.
She listened for any sounds as they advanced. Halfway across the room, Elaine stopped and pointed across at a curtain covering a doorway on the far side.
“I met him over there.”
They approached the curtain. Niu inclined her head and listened with a frown.
“It doesn't sound like anything.”
“No,” said Elaine, “it wouldn't. The echo is faded.”
“It's barely there,” said Melissa.
A slight tone of a distant song reached her as if the music played far away.
“So this Lakses,” said Niu, “He created dissonance?”
“Strong dissonant sprites surround him. I noticed at the time,” said Elaine.
Melissa frowned.
“Who is he?”
“He seemed interested in me. I don’t know much more.”
“He must be some kind mage, surely?” said Niu.
“Probably,” said Elaine,
“He isn’t from Tancuon, I would wager,” said Melissa
“I doubt he's from too far,” said Elaine. “He had a Tancuonese accent.”
Melissa frowned in thought. Elaine nodded.
“Wherever he’s from,” said Melissa “He may support the king of Nassio.”
“It’s possible, I suppose,” said Elaine.
“I'm glad you can see that,” said Melissa.
“Thank you both,” said Elaine. “I've been confused about him and his motives.”
Niu nodded.
“Were you out with him the night of the palace attack?”
“Yes,” said Elaine. “I’ll be careful if I see him again.”
They returned to the surface, leaving the echo behind. They found their way back onto the street. Giles’ messenger, Peter waited for them outside. He wore a solemn expression among the revelers.
“Magic and mayhem. Magic and chaos,” he said.
“What do you mean by that?” asked Melissa, walking toward him.
“It means magic must be controlled,” Peter said.
“You're right to an extent,” said Elaine. “We allow Mother Mercy to govern magic in the northlands, so why not here?”
Peter squared his shoulders.
“New masters always make adjustments.”
“Can more magic be bad?” asked Niu.
Peter shrugged.
“Too late for that question. The guild's authority is gone now
that Kadatz is ceding his authority to the governor.”
Melissa nodded, glad for the news from within the guild.
“What brings you to us, then?
Peter put a hand to his chest.
“I'm genuinely sorry to say it, but I have a message for you. I wish I could have simply come to talk.”
“Go ahead,” said Melissa.
Peter nodded.
“You have been invited to a summit.”
Melissa’s eyebrows rose.
“A summit?”
Peter smiled.
“My master, Giles Dorian would invite you to meet with him tomorrow.”
Melissa looked at the bottle in her hand.
“I guess I better stop drinking, regardless.” Melissa exchanged looks with her friends. “May I bring witnesses?”
“The invitation for you and whoever you wish to bring along,” said Peter. “I will be there, of course, as Giles’ witness.”
Melissa smiled at him.
“Very well, Peter,” she said, “you can tell Giles to expect me.”
Peter's face glowed golden in the gleaming firelight of the revel.
“Thank you. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it.”
Melissa and her friends returned to the palace gradually, laughing and sharing the night of revelry.
Melissa
A light rain fell as Melissa, Niu and Elaine rode palace horses into the orchards to meet Giles and Peter.
They arrived at a pavilion, a building different from the one where Melissa first met the governor and saved her life. She looked up at the steeple on the roof and frowned. Though there were no walls at the base, the roof resembled a church of Mother Mercy.
“I never knew such devoted witches lived down here.”
“In the south, there aren't as many clergy,” said Elaine, “but there are still many dedicated worshipers.”
“Mother mercy is good,” said Niu.
Elaine nodded.
“That she is.”
Melissa and the others made their way toward the pavilion, then dismounted.
Giles waited under the eaves with Peter. The two of them wore noblemen’s garb and carried no weapons. Their horses were tied up on the other side pavilion. As Melissa tied up her steed, she nodded to Giles.
“Greetings,” said Giles. “Right on time.”
“I've always been punctual,” said Melissa. “You know that.”
“Many things can change in years,” Giles said.
“Given that,” said Melissa, “what did you want to tell me?”
“I wish to make a deal with you,” Giles said, “because we are brother and sister.”
Melissa approached him under the eaves. The others joined them as they moved into the center of the pavilion. Raindrops pattered on the rooftop overhead, creating a light clatter of sound.
Melissa motioned for Giles to continue. Her brother nodded.
“Our parents have not returned to Soucot in some time.”
Melissa raised an eyebrow.
“So,” she said, “Where are they?”
“Mother and father migrated to the northlands,” said Giles, “Judging by your reaction I see you never met them there.”
Melissa nodded.
“I receive letters from them regularly,” said Giles. “I told them of your return. They've been interested in offering you an opportunity in the city of Alliance.”
“I serve the governor,” said Melissa. “Until the present perils are over, and my training complete I'll not be going anywhere.”
“Something to consider, though,” said Giles, “because if you don't find what you're looking for here, there are always more options.”
“What is your deal for me?”
“With Kadatz defeated, I doubt he will remain head of the magister's guild for long. Our order is quite cutthroat. The guild will revoke his leadership privileges soon. I think Alma’s mother would make the best replacement guild master.”
Melissa nodded.
“Go on.”
“Malkiah is her name,” said Giles. “She is a skilled mage and a powerful guild member. She can unify the guild with the governor's forces once more. She has the will do so as well. That's where you come in,” said Giles. “Malkiah is older than Kadatz, and her taking over as the leader of the guild may be controversial to some members. If you could endorse her position, it would help our situation.”
“If it's true, she will be helpful to the guild, how can I trust that she will do right by the governor and by me?”
Giles shrugged.
“I can introduce you. However, I think it's more important that I offer you what I'm prepared to do on your behalf.”
Melissa frowned.
“So this is a bargain?”
Giles took a deep breath.
“If you are prepared to help Malkiah become guild master, I would help you with your training. I know lady Nasibron is an excellent teacher, but we can tutor the mage guard much more quickly with guild aid.”
“You should have gone to the governor,” said Melissa.
“I'm bringing it to you,” said Giles, “because the governor still feuds with the guild. We cannot afford to look weaker before the people.”
“You want the guild to continue?” Melissa said.
“I do,” said Giles, “because keeping mages from practicing at will and taking over the city in fiefdoms is my design. With the magister's guild to regulate, I'm prepared to reduce our power, but not eliminate our role completely.”
“The governor could replace you,” said Niu. “Perhaps that would be better.”
“I think she's right,” said Melissa. “Giles, If I’m to broker a deal, I will need an assurance Malkiah will be loyal to the governor.”
“We can arrange that,” said Giles, “though I fear there may not be much time.”
“Not much time?” said Melissa.
Giles nodded.
“One of our mages detected ships at sea. We will need all our forces to protect against a Kanori attack.”
Niu started forward. Melissa held a hand to stop her. Elaine glanced at Melissa.
“You think,” Melissa said, “there's a Kanori fleet approaching the city?”
“We are almost certain the fleet will arrive by tomorrow.”
“They're going to attack again,” said Niu. “Those fools.”
“They have a fleet of fortress ships at their disposal,” said Giles. “And the king of Nassio has joined them.”
“The king is coming himself?” Melissa scowled.
Giles nodded.
“When he arrives, he’ll bring an army of vakari warriors with him.”
Melissa shuddered as she remembered the massive winged lizard man throwing her through the pavilion. Deckard defeated that one, but how many more could there be? He can't handle them all.
“All right,” said Melissa, “I will endorse Malkiah. Do you have something for me to sign?”
Giles held out a scroll case. Peter helped him unfurl the parchment. They offered the scroll with a line at the bottom to sign and a pen to write. Melissa sealed the scroll with her name.
“Thank you,” said Giles. “Now we can try to defend the city alongside the governor.”
“We must do better than try,” said Melissa. “This is our home now. Both of ours.”
Elaine nodded. Melissa turned to her.
“Elaine, we'll have to put that other issue on hold for the moment. If there is indeed a fleet arriving we must put that first.”
“It's already in motion,” said Giles. “I thought you would sign.”
Melissa shot a grimace at Giles.
“It was wrong to hold this over my head.”
Giles shrugged.
“I've been taught by magisters, forgive me. Peter,” said Giles, “take the scroll. He handed the contract to Peter. Ride hard for the guild house. I will go to the palace with them.”
“As you wish, master,” said Peter. He glanced at Melissa. “Th
ank you for agreeing,” he added in a soft voice.
“I didn't have much choice,” said Melissa.
Peter’s face reddened. He climbed onto his horse. Tucking the case into his backpack, he set off at gallop. Melissa and the others mounted their horses. They rode for the city.
Saben
He, Jaswei, and Rond followed Folt through the belly of the Kanori ship. All around them, beneath the ship’s metallic armor, vakari warriors flexed their wings. Saben hoped his alliance with Folt held after. Deel’s offer must mean we have a chance to get through this without fighting, he told himself.
They arrived before the king of Nassio, sitting in a heavy wooden chair in the center deck of the ship. The humans of the Kanori crew went about their duties while the vakari warriors waited. The king’s wings folded behind the makeshift throne. His pale and thorny body looked as wrinkled as any old man Saben had ever seen. Folt knelt before the king. Saben, Jaswei, and Rond did the same.
“Stand up,” barked the king in a harsh voice. His Tancuonese was understandable but thick and slurred with drunkenness.
Saben and the others rose. Folt remained kneeling. The king turned to Saben.
“You thwarted my attack on Soucot’s gate. Is that so?”
“Forgive me, king of Nassio,” said Saben. “I attacked because maladrites assisted your surprise attack.”
“Maladrites? Of course,” said the King. “My forces are allied with a Dominus band.”
“My king...” Saben trailed off.
“I'm not your king,” said Zalklith. “Prove you are not my enemy.”
Saben glanced at Jaswei. She stepped forward.
“My companion was attempting to learn to use a sacra scroll,” she said. “And he gained the ability just before you began your attack.”
The king scowled. His reptilian face folded into new crags.
“You tested your abilities against my soldiers?”
“Be my decision cursed,” said Saben
Folt raised an eyebrow, opened one eye and glanced at Saben. Saben bowed his head to the king.
“I tested my skills against your warriors. I thought them a worthy challenge.”
“They were not,” said the King. “You tore apart thirty of my warriors. More have fled into the land of Lowenrane.”
“Forgive me,” said Saben. “I will fight for you to wash away my debt.”
“You would fight for me?” said the king. “You owe more than forty soldiers and you have one to replace those who died in the walls. Many more probably perished besides but I can attribute at least that many to your actions.”
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