Xiaolang was standing beside Hayate, eyes as big as saucers. He looked like he wanted to say something, but his mouth wasn't cooperating. His jaw was flapping like a landed fish.
An Meiling didn't give him a chance to pull his scattered wits together. She framed his face with both hands, pulling him down a little to her level. Despite the fact that Xiaolang was surely twice as strong as this petite woman, he docilely allowed the maneuver. "I have had enough of this nonsense. You will come home, De Xiaolang."
His eyes closed in pain. "I broke the law, An Meiling."
"You protected your family," she corrected sharply. "Did you think we would judge you harshly for that? Nonsense, boy! I will not hear any contradictions. You will come home." Now, her tone added.
Li Shen went to their sides, affectionately cupping the back of Xiaolang's head. "We've missed you, child."
A single tear traced its way down Xiaolang's cheek. "So have I," he whispered huskily. As I watched, all of the sadness and pain just melted from his face, and fell away. What replaced it was a joy so pure, so immense, it was nearly blinding. A smile broke out on my face seeing it.
Yu Tung and An Quon joined them, bracketing Xiaolang on all sides. I'm not sure what passed between them, but I knew that I felt uncomfortable watching it. Somehow, that moment seemed too private for me to witness.
I turned away to give them some privacy. And since I had nothing better to do, I decided to take a look at the earth under my feet. I had sensed a great deal of power when we were traveling the earth path. Strangely enough, I thought I sensed enormous power in the trees as well. Now, it's true that plants have their own innate power, but it's not terribly strong. Not by itself, at least. If it grows on a ley line, that changes matters. I went to the nearest tree and placed a hand on it, closing my eyes so that I could better focus on what my senses were telling me.
It just about knocked me flat.
I could not believe the sheer amount of power in a single tree! I know that it’s a big tree, but still! Were all of the trees like this, or was this one sitting right on a ley line?
Someone's hand descended on my shoulder. I jumped, startled, and whirled around. Xiaolang was watching me through narrow eyes. "Garth, what are you doing?"
"Checking something," I answered. I still felt like my head was reeling and I wasn't even touching the tree anymore.
"You look…drunk…" he said slowly, eyes searching my face.
"I feel a little drunk," I replied with a dazed smile. "Whew. You would not believe how much power is in this tree."
"You're punch-drunk from being touchy-feely with a tree?"
I grimaced. "It sounds ridiculous when you put it that way."
"Garth, it will sound ridiculous regardless of how I phrase it."
I hated to admit it, but he had a point.
"We're ready to go back into Q'atal," he informed me. A mischievous twinkle lit his eyes. "And I think we should leave before you get so giddy that you start going around and hugging the trees or something."
I had this childish urge to stick my tongue out at him. I wasn't so far gone as to do that, however. I manfully glared at him instead.
Xiaolang ignored me and beckoned Hayate with a wave of his hand. "Come on, Hayate. We're going into Q'atal."
Hayate eyed him distrustfully. "Go in earth?"
"Yes, we're going by the earth path. It's faster that way."
Hayate shook his head adamantly, the reins jingling at the rapid motion. "No."
Xiaolang growled in exasperation. "Why not?"
"Night not like it. I not like it."
"You haven't even tried it!" Xiaolang retorted, flinging his hands up in the air.
"Not like it," Hayate insisted stubbornly.
"You like caves," Xiaolang pointed out persuasively. "Going by the earth path is like going into a cave."
That made the dragoo pause for a moment. "Like caves?"
"Yes, it's just like going into a nice, warm cave."
I thought that was a bit much, as Xiaolang had never traveled by earth path either. How would he know what it was like? Still, if this argument worked, I wasn't protesting.
Hayate didn't look like he entirely bought this story, but he sidled up next to the group regardless. Before any other issues could be raised, I gathered everyone up and took them back to where we had left the rest of the group. I had the presence of mind to turn slightly as I brought us to the surface, so that I could see Xiaolang's face.
I wasn't disappointed.
For the first time in seven years, Xiaolang was seeing his homeland again. I can't begin to describe the mixture of emotions on his face. There was joy, relief, and a sense of belonging; it was only now, as I watched it play over his face, that I realized that peace had been missing.
His eyes sought mine, the only other person here who could fully comprehend what he was experiencing in this moment. I smiled as he did, and said the words that he obviously so wanted to hear. "Welcome home, De Xiaolang. Welcome home."
Chapter Nine: Surprises
Chatta was never so glad to see Del’Hain in her life.
It had been a long, long week. Once she had Remcarparoden safely in custody, she and Aletha and Shield had ridden hard for the capitol. She had kept a weather eye on the young Mage as they traveled, but he stayed very quiet and very subdued the entire trip. Chatta had a hunch that this submissive attitude was somehow brought about by Garth. She’d seen him talk to Shield, and shortly afterwards, Shield had taken Aletha aside to have a quiet conversation. Both Ascalon soldiers had acted very differently toward Remcarparoden ever since then. Maybe Chatta was just being paranoid.
But she wouldn’t bet on it.
It was a definite relief to enter the city walls. All Chatta needed to do was deliver Remcarparoden to the Trasdee Evondit Orra, explain everything, and then she was home free. Well, she should probably go and talk to Guin and give him a more formal report. And going to see her father while she was in town was probably a good idea as well (in the interest of staying on said parent’s good side).
They went to the Academy of All Magic first, as it was the only building in Del'Hain that could hold a captured Mage. One would have thought a circus had invaded the school because it was so crowded with people and curious Nreesces. Granted, the Academy was always chaotic to some degree, but this was more of an uproar than usual, which was confusing to Chatta. Judging from the amount of people in the main courtyard, no one was in class. Had she forgotten some holiday?
"Chatta!"
She turned, looking for the person calling her. Kartal was moving toward her in long strides, relief written all over his face. She regarded him with justified confusion. Never in their acquaintance had Kartal been relieved to see her. She stopped, turning so that she could keep one eye on Remcarparoden, and the other on Kartal as he approached.
As soon as Kartal was within hearing distance, he started talking. "I'm so glad to see someone from Garth's team. But what are you doing in Del'Hain?"
Chatta jerked a thumb at the Mage standing next to her. "Delivering him."
Kartal took a long look at Remcarparoden, and his scrutiny was thorough enough to make the young Mage shift uncomfortably. "That's a Fire Mage."
"One that has proven incapable of handling his power," Chatta informed him flatly. When Kartal stiffened in alarm, she smiled humorlessly. "It's a long story. I'll fill you in later. For now, I need to get him to a holding room, and call an emergency Council session. What's all the ruckus about?"
A truly sadistic smile grew on Kartal's face. That expression thoroughly alarmed Chatta—she braced herself, trying to prepare for whatever Kartal was about to throw at her. "I'm so glad you asked. Three Mages from Bromany showed up yesterday."
"Three Mages from Bromany," Chatta repeated. Her tone indicated that she was trying to do some elaborate formula in her head using those four words, only it wasn't computing.
"It gets better," Kartal assured her. His smile was nearly diab
olical. "They're the descendents of the surviving Mages from the Magic War."
Chatta stared at him, speechless. Was he joking…?
Aletha interrupted at his point, nearly spluttering. "Now wait a minute; I thought that no one survived the last battle of the Magic War."
"That's what we all assumed," Kartal corrected. He was truly getting a kick out of their reactions, bouncing happily on the balls of his feet. "No one came back from the Isle of Strae, so we thought they must have killed each other off. But no one went and investigated that, either. The Remnant Mages—”
"Remnant?" Shield questioned, highly curious.
"That's what they call themselves," Kartal explained, a trifle impatiently. "The Remnant. Anyway, these Mages claim that there were a few Mages and Witches that survived that last battle, but they chose not to return to Chahir. They went to Bromany instead, and established a colony there."
"Claimed?" Chatta pounced on that word like a cat on a trapped mouse. "You don't believe them?"
Kartal spread his hands in a neutral shrug. "Guin tells me that they brought proof with them, and he doesn't doubt their story. I just haven't seen it for myself. Anyway, back to my original point. The Remnant Mages have come here specifically to talk to the Mages. They really want to talk to Garth, because he was the first one out of Chahir. We've been trying to figure out a way to contact you."
"That's why you're glad to see me," Chatta surmised. Her head was still spinning madly—Mages? Remnant? Bromany?! That was across the ocean! Fortunately, her mouth came up with an intelligent response without much input from her brain. "Well, I guess our timing is good, then."
"Very good," Kartal approved. "Especially considering that they were going to send me to hunt you down."
"I'm so glad that I've saved you some extra work," Chatta drawled.
"So am I," Kartal agreed, deliberately disregarding her sarcasm. "I'm overworked as it is. I wish Garth would get back here; they keep shifting his duties over to me. It's a pain."
That was so like Kartal that Chatta just ignored it. "So where are these Remnant Mages now?"
"Talking with the Trasdee Evondit Orra, I imagine. Let's get this Fire Mage of yours in proper lock up, and I'll take you to them."
Chatta nodded. "Good idea. Shield, Aletha? Can you go to Guin and update him on what's happened? I think I better go talk with the Trasdee Evondit Orra first."
They both nodded in understanding. "No problem," Aletha assured her. "We'll see you later?"
She had been fantasizing about a long hot bath, but with this new situation, that wish was going up like so much smoke. "Much later, probably," Chatta sighed ruefully.
The Remnant Mages were not at all what Chatta was picturing.
Bromanans were known as a very expansive, loud, physically affectionate culture. They were into every type of business imaginable, and didn't think twice about travelling all over the known world to expand their business. Chatta had expected the Remnant Mages to be rather like a Bromanan, considering that they grew up on that continent.
They weren't.
In fact, she couldn't place them in any single culture at all.
Her first look at them was necessarily brief, because they were in the Council Room with the rest of the Trasdee Evondit Orra. To avoid being rude, Chatta had to properly greet the rest of the Council first. Still, she got quite the eyeful as she entered the room. There were three of them, as Kartal had mentioned; two men and a woman. The woman was in a deep red coat that fit her snugly, flaring out at the hips. The two men were dressed in a similar coat, but they were in different colors—deep blue and white, respectively. Chatta had a suspicion that the colors signified something.
"Witch Delheart, we are pleased to see you," En-Nelle of Tain said, perfectly sincere—perhaps even relieved. "Allow me to introduce our long-lost comrades."
Chatta personally thought that statement was a bit much, but held her tongue.
"This is Magus Tyvendor, Air Mage from Coven Ordan."
Tyvendor was a large man, not so much in height as in stature. He was solid, like an ancient oak tree, with wildly curling brown hair. The only soft part of him was his light blue eyes and childlike smile.
"Magus Hay-el D'Auch," En-Nelle continued, "Life Mage from Coven Ordan."
Hay-el D'Auch was a woman that could only be described as striking. Her dark hair and wide black eyes were set in a face too angular to be labeled as pretty, but something about her made her looks attractive instead of plain. The smile she gave Chatta was genuine, and perhaps a touch curious.
"And Magus Terran Far'Auchmage, Water Mage of Coven Ordan," En-Nelle finished with a triumphant smile. Chatta had no doubt that En-Nelle was silently plotting on how to get control of these three Mages.
Terran Far'Auchmage was as fair as the other two were dark, aside from his dark eyes. In fact, with his slim build and fair coloring, he could almost pass for Chahiran.
Almost in perfect unison, the Remnant Mages bowed slightly, hands spread out to the side. "We seek the balance."
Chatta, after a startled beat, translated that, roughly, as how do you do?
"Mages, this is Witch L-Chattamoinita Delheart."
Chatta had spent so much time in Chahir recently that she gave them a polite bow without thinking about it. "A pleasure to meet you."
With the proper introductions out of the way, En-Nelle turned eagerly toward Chatta. "Is Magus Rhebengarthen with you?"
"No, he is in Q'atal," Chatta answered.
En-Nelle blinked, obviously confused. "Q'atal? Not Chahir?"
"The Q'atalians asked that he take a brief detour and help them with something," she explained. "He should be there by now." Chatta wasn't about to be sidetracked, and launched into the more important matter first. "I came to deliver a rogue Mage. I put to the Council that this Mage must have his power stripped from him."
As she had expected, there were immediate protests from all corners. Chatta wasn't about to try to shout them down—for one thing, she didn't possess the necessary lung power—and just stared at them, waiting for them to settle again.
"I would like to hear the reasoning behind this request," Tyvendor announced. His deep voice rumbled through the room like approaching thunder, silencing people instantly.
Chatta liked this calm, reasonable response, and chose to direct her reply to him. She had spent most of the ride here thinking about how she would explain this, and so the words came easily to her now. It took several minutes before she was done explaining exactly what Remcarparoden had done in Jarrell, and when she was finished, the room was as still as any wake.
"That is grave, indeed," Doss finally stated, breaking the silence. "You are quite correct, Chatta. We must strip this young Mage of his powers."
"Surely the boy can be taught," En-Nelle protested, hands flapping in agitation. "I mean, consider his history…where he was…"
"Every other Mage that we have discovered has a similar history or worse," Chatta snapped back. Sometimes she was just ready to strangle this woman. "None of them have ever abused their powers. Besides, this boy went crazy after the new laws were put into place. He had even less of a reason to burn the city than all of the other Mages that we have rescued!"
O'danne actually applauded her. "Well said, my dear, well said. No, Nellie, we shan't play with fire—no pun intended, of course. A full circle must be called."
"I quite agree," BycLewsh stated in a deceptively mild manner.
En-Nelle knew when she was outnumbered, and grumpily subsided. But she definitely wasn't happy about it.
"A full circle won't be necessary," Hay-el D'Auch announced. "We will be pleased to assist you in this matter."
"Very pleased," Terran Far'Auchmage agreed darkly. "People who abuse their powers anger us. Where is this Fire Mage?"
Chatta wanted results, and she frankly didn't care who did the deed, so she answered quickly. "I put him in a holding room in the basement of this building. A Wizard is watching him now." Kart
al thought it prudent to keep an eye on Remcarparoden—neither of them had been sure if the building's wards, as old as they were, could really contain a Mage. He had surprised her by offering to babysit while she went up and talked to the Council.
"If you would show us the way?" Tyvendor asked her politely. "After we are done with that, I would like to talk with you about several matters."
You and me both, Chatta thought. "Certainly, Magus."
~*~
A half an hour.
Three Mages had done in a half-hour what it would have taken a full circle—that's fifteen people—a whole day to do.
Was she ever so glad that these Mages were on her side!
She wasn't sure how they did it, as she had been outside the room while they worked, but she certainly knew when the job was complete. Remcarparoden, when he realized his magic was gone forever, started sobbing hysterically. Chatta had half-expected this reaction, but even with his screams echoing in the hallway, she felt no pity for him. He had brought this entirely on himself.
They didn't even look tired when they came out of the room, just unhappy.
"It is done," Hay-el D'Auch assured Chatta. "Now, we would like to speak with you."
"Let's choose a more comfortable place to talk," Chatta suggested. She, for one, was looking forward to a nice, soft chair.
There were no protests to her suggestion, so she led them to some of the more private study rooms in the building. They were meant for students, but normally remained vacant because of their small size. However, there were enough chairs to comfortably seat four people, which made them perfect for Chatta's purpose.
She found a vacant room on the second try, and ushered everyone inside. It was with deep satisfaction that she sank into a faded, overstuffed armchair, relaxing for the first time in days.
"You look tired," Hay-el surprised her by commenting.
"It was a long trip," Chatta admitted. "And a little nerve-wracking. We weren't sure if the amulets would contain a Mage's power."
"By 'we' I assume you mean you and the Advent Mage?" Tyvendor inquired.
Magus (Advent Mage Cycle) Page 14