Magician In Battle (Power of Poses Book 4)

by Guy Antibes

  “What is happening?”

  “A magician is coming to level the city. We are leaving to protect ourselves. Don’t go into Bitrium if you value your life.”

  “How can a simple magician penetrate Bitrium’s defenses?”

  “It’s the same one who invented the flyer. We have our own, circling the towers, but they might not be enough. It is said the man is the most powerful magician in the world. We’ve been told we will be safe two or three leagues away from the city walls.”

  Trak couldn’t help but smile. One of his major worries was killing innocent residents of the towers. He felt better that the people had been warned. He looked at the towers in the distance, wanting to destroy the symbols of Colcan, not the people.

  Flyers didn’t circle the towers, so they must be on the ground ready to lift off when Trak appeared. Capture would mean his death, since the Colcanans still regarded his death sentence as unfulfilled. He took a deep breath, ready to get the task before him complete.

  He spelled himself invisible and flew above the towers. He spotted at least ten flyers complete with three magicians on each craft. They were combatants in his mind. He drew his sword and shot a blast of power, invisible to anyone observing, at a flyer, destroying it and those who stood on it. He flew to another spot and did the same. Suddenly all of the remaining flyers were above him at different levels. Now that they had taken off, Trak could descend to the ground and begin.

  Trak pointed his sword at Berin’s tower. It was the tallest and the one used to execute criminals such as himself, so it would be the first to fall. He used pulsing power to push on the bottom floor until bricks and mortar began to fly. He raised his sword and took out the area above it. The tower began to creak.

  After taking to the air, he watched the tower tilt, while the lower floors crumbled. The tower fell like a great tree. Dust billowed out as the destruction pulverized the masonry. He shot another flyer out of the air and methodically toppled the towers, each time moving to a different spot and killing the magicians in the closest flyer. Trak wound a scarf around his mouth while the dust continued to build from all the destruction. By the time he destroyed the last Bitrium tower, all the other flyers were down. They had never found him, and that suited Trak just fine.

  He teleported out of the city, towards the mountains. Citizens of Bitrium had taken to the hills, as well, but Trak found a secluded space and watched the last rays of the sun paint the huge cloud of dust that still covered the remains of Bitrium. A chill wind began to blow and uncovered the devastation that Trak had created. Dust from the ruins of Bitrium’s towers still rose from the air like towers of smoke. None were more than a handful of stories high, and most of the towers were reduced to rubble.

  Trak had seen enough and took off again, teleporting over the pass and into the forest that covered the north slope of Colcan’s barrier mountains. He found a suitable spot to land and pulled out the last of his food. He ate and drank until he slept.

  ~

  Trak woke amidst the chill of an early morning mist. He stood, sore from sleeping on the bare ground. He felt at loose ends and his life unanchored. His act of vengeance bothered him a little, but he realized that Willing’s warning to Bitrium saved innocent Colcanans.

  He took a deep breath of the cold morning air. The low clouds above looked like snow, so Trak decided to jump in small stages all the way to Espozia.

  Midday, he looked across the River Glazia at Espozia. He imagined Honor’s doorstep and found himself facing the entrance to her house in the very place where he was impressed into the service of the Espozia Magician’s Guild.

  He felt older, but Trak had barely made it to twenty. He had seen too much, he thought, for a twenty-year-old and didn’t want to think past a reunion with Honor, his aunt. After pressing his lips together to summon the courage, he knocked.

  Honor Fidelia opened the door and looked at Trak in shock. She put her hands to her face and screamed, but he could see was overcome with joy. She threw her arms around him. “Trak! What are you doing here? Come in, come in. Misson should be back from the new Assembly building.”

  “Assembly?”

  “Espozia has a new government. We have a President as head of state and two assemblies, one of Notables and one of Citizens. Mission is in the Citizen Assembly, for now.”

  “Garono Dalistro?”

  “He is a member of the Assembly of Notables, mostly nobles and large landholders. Come in.” Honor pulled on Trak’s arm.

  She clapped her hand on his shoulder and dust billowed out. “Did you walk all the way here? I thought you would return to Espozia on a flyer?” She poked her head further out the door and looked around.

  “I teleported, like a Vashtan,” Trak said. “I have learned new things.”

  “New things?” Honor smiled. “That sounds interesting.” His aunt seemed more relaxed and happier than ever.

  “You look great,” Trak said, trying to hide the way he truly felt.

  “I do?” Honor said. “I feel great. Misson and I have married.” She lifted up her hand to show him a fancy gold ring. “I’m sorry I didn’t invite you. I think you were far, far away six months ago.”

  “As far as one could be. I was in Beniko.”

  “Really?” Misson said. He walked into the room, toweling his hands. “Forgive me, but I was doing a bit of gardening when I heard voices in my house.”

  “Congratulations,” Trak held out his hand. “I’m happy for the both of you.”

  Misson twisted his mustache. “I must admit, a few people were disappointed.” Madame Barazzi came to Trak’s mind. “But I haven’t been happier. Honor sometimes comes with me on my journeys, although we felt that Zamiel would be too dangerous. Did something bad happen in Western Torya?”

  Trak grimaced. “And Warish, and Colcan, and Eastern Torya, and Bennin. I’ve been to them all.”

  “I would be astonished, but our meeting in Zamiel had to be evidence of a string of adventures. I haven’t had much news lately, since it is winter and shipping is less active.”

  “If you let me spend the night, I will tell you all tomorrow. My story is filled with the adventures you talk of, and of great sadness.” Trak sighed. He really couldn’t go on without becoming emotional. The story would bring tears to his eyes, but he had to tell it here or he would burst.

  “Should I take notes?” Misson asked with a grin.

  “Much of it is history. New history.” Trak just about choked up.

  “This way. You are about Misson’s size I will find clean clothes for after your bath.”

  ~

  Trak had stayed in bed late into the morning. He had slept poorly, and then didn’t feel like getting out of bed at all. He recognized that without any diversion from thinking about Lia’s death, he had fallen into depression. Trak knew he couldn’t live a life spent thinking about the past and forced himself to rise and face the rest of the day.

  Over their midday meal, Trak looked forward to reciting his story and began to relate his adventures as soon as Honor cleared the dishes. He continued to talk through the afternoon, but stopped short after telling of Tembul’s rescue. Talking about Lia’s death and his vengeance helped Trak work through his shattered emotions again. Misson and Honor had totally supported him in all that he had talked about.

  “I’ll get Millia going on dinner,” Honor rose from her seat. Misson did the same, stretching.

  Trak looked outside, surprised the sun was about to set. “Millia? Who is she?” Trak said.

  “Our servant,” Honor said. She looked a little sheepish.

  “I hope you treat her well,” Trak smiled at his aunt. She had said all the right things when he had told her about the Colcanan alliance with King Basiul. Trak wondered if he had been totally fooled by everyone in that country when he stayed there.

  “She comes from the Guild. Millia was a weak Yellow, but removing the allegiance spell after many years serving the Guild, unfortunately also erased all her memorie
s when we used Worry on her. Strange things can happen when compulsion is removed,” Honor said.

  Trak nodded. “Is she happy here?” He was relieved for the distraction from his story. Questions would certainly come later.

  Misson smiled. “She is being educated and serves us happily, knowing that she’s being trained for a better life.”

  Trak nodded and followed Honor out of the room with his eyes.

  “You are concerned about the Colcanans in Espozia?” Misson said.

  Trak had to nod. He felt totally comfortable around Misson. “I left out the part about killing all of the Colcanans that helped with Lia’s death and that I destroyed the Bitrium towers yesterday. Berin and Leaf are dead. I couldn’t kill Ben’s son, even though they are estranged.”

  “You what? I can accept your wanting to destroy those who plotted to kill the Toryan Queen, but the towers? I didn’t know you were that powerful!”

  “Why do you think they wanted me dead? The Colcanans saw the potential when they tried to execute me.”

  “But you thwarted that with Ben’s help. I’m glad you knew enough to save yourself.” Misson said.

  Trak smiled. “I didn’t know anything before I met you.”

  “I agree. Getting back to the Colcanans. I am sure that Nullia didn’t know Riotro was a Colcanan. None of us did. I saw you looking anxiously at Honor. I assure you that she has set aside her ties with her home country. Her banishment was no act.”

  “What about Rasia?”

  “She might be a different story,” Misson said, the good humor leaving his face. “She will be here for dinner tonight along with Ben. I wouldn’t be surprised if the pairs in Espozia haven’t already notified her of your actions in Bitrium.”

  “There are pairs here?”

  Misson nodded. “Two halves. I know who they are. We just leave them be.”

  “I don’t know if that is a good thing to do in the future. So I am in danger?”

  “Trak, when have you not been in danger? You have nothing to fear while you stay in this house, but you still have enemies in Santasia. General Niamo might still harbor resentment, for one.”

  Trak has assumed that. “The war is over. Would he try to assassinate me?”

  Misson shrugged. “I believe that Adolphus is too honorable for that. If you had gone ahead and taken up residence with your Lia in eastern Santasia like you suggested, I don’t think he would have minded, but I don’t think he would want you to set up a household in Espozia.”

  “I don’t intend to.”

  “Good boy. Why don’t we visit him tomorrow and clear the air with him? I’m certain he would like to know what is going on in the world.”

  Trak chewed on his lip. “He will be cordial?”

  “I can guarantee it. He is the leader of the Assembly of Notables.”

  “What of your father?”

  “Mostly retired from politics, even though he is still a member of the Notables. After the revolt, the devastation of the Estian part of Espozia disheartened him, and he now spends most of his time supervising the rebuilding of our family home. I’ll show you around after we meet with Niamo.”

  Trak didn’t know what he expected, but he didn’t ever think he would be reuniting with General Niamo.

  “I would restrict your story to Bennin and Warish, though, unless he brings Torya or Colcan up.”

  “Your message is received.” Trak said.

  ~

  Trak wore Misson’s clothes to dinner. It felt a bit odd, but he liked being clean, and all of his clothes were still being thoroughly washed and mended after his adventures in Western Torya and Bitrium. Dust had infiltrated everything Trak had brought with him.

  Honor answered the door and returned with Rasia, who had brought some cured ham that Misson particularly liked. She had obviously visited them often.

  “I’d like to see Nullia before I go,” Trak said.

  Misson pursed his lips. “Ben I can do, but Nullia now lives in eastern Santasia, where you might have ended up under different circumstances.”

  “With Sandy?”

  Misson nodded. “She runs a small magicians guild chapter.”

  “I’ll bet she’s happy.”

  Rasia turned to Trak. “Honor said she had a surprise for me. I never thought it would be you,” Rasia said, but her face didn’t carry the excitement that her words did. “How did you get all the way here?”

  “I flew,” he said, smiling, and waved his hand, “like a bird.” That was true enough, but he had to bait Rasia to find out what she knew. Did she gain her information from the Colcanan source?

  “How was the trip north?” she said, fluttering her eyelashes, and amending her comment. “You were in Bennin?” Trak noticed a bit of heightened color in her face.

  “I was, saving a princess.” Trak’s heart dropped when he referred to Lia as ‘a princess’ and looked Rasia directly in her eyes. “Unfortunately, she died recently.” Two and a half days ago, by Sirul’s hand. “I’m not welcome in very many places, so I thought to visit my aunt. My two fathers are in Pestle, and that’s a place where no one would want to see me.”

  Rasia looked at Honor and Misson. “Have you told General Niamo that he is here?”

  What did that mean? Trak wondered why she would address him in the third person when he sat in front of her.

  “We will visit him tomorrow,” Misson said. “Is there something wrong with that?”

  Rasia looked uncomfortable. “Trak is a criminal.”

  Misson sat up in his chair. “Only in Colcan. He committed no crimes in Santasia. Even though General Niamo doesn’t count him for a friend, Trak is welcome in my house.”

  “He killed many Colcanans two days ago.” Rasia held up her hand. “I don’t know how he got here so quickly, but he destroyed the towers of Bitrium.”

  Honor gasped in horror. “You did?”

  Trak stood. “I did.” He nodded his head. Trak fought for composure against a person who had all but stated she was his enemy. He didn’t expect it of her. “Your fellow Colcanans are monsters. They are the ones who have set the Vashtans upon the world. Did you know that? Did you know that Riotro is from your country?”

  “So?” Rasia said.

  “So?” Honor said, flabbergasted by Rasia’s reaction. “Riotro is an evil man. He caused the death of hundreds of Santasians in the civil war. Is this true, Trak?”

  “So what?” Rasia said again, ignoring Honor’s comment. “He has a brother in Pestle who is even stronger than he is.”

  “Do you support the Colcanan army that currently marches on Balbaam?” Trak said.

  Misson grabbed the armrests of his chair. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “I hadn’t gotten to that part yet. Riotro heads that army. Berin told me that just before I killed Leaf and him.”

  Honor put her hands to her mouth and Rasia snarled.

  Misson shook his head. “How big is the army?”

  “I don’t know,” Trak said.

  “You’ll have to stop them.” Honor looked distressed. “I can’t believe Colcan has taken this path.”

  “You didn’t know?” Trak said.

  She shook her head. “I lived in the Espozian Guild and in Pestle. You know how much time I spent in Colcan when we returned. I really didn’t know, and I kept away from Leaf when I was in Pestle.” She looked at Rasia. “Are you really our friend?”

  The former Colcanan scout looked confused.

  “Worry,” Trak said.

  Rasia suddenly relaxed and closed her eyes.

  “Compulsion spells are something I think Colcanan magicians picked up from the Vashtans, as well as teleporting.”

  Misson and Trak put Rasia’s sleeping form on the couch.

  Misson nodded and ran to answer another knock on the door. Ben came in beaming, but he stopped short when he saw Rasia on the couch.

  “She came by earlier, Ben, and started celebrating before anyone else. She should come to while we eat,” Mi
sson said. “We are here to celebrate Trak’s return to Santasia.”

  “Trak! I honestly thought I’d never see you again.” Ben gave Trak a hug. “What’s this I heard about Bitrium? Did you finally fulfill the Board’s worst fears?”

  “You’ve heard about that already?” Trak looked at Ben, and then at Misson. No one could already know about Bitrium unless a paired Colcanan communicated with another. That meant that Rasia and Ben had been in contact with the same Colcanan. Trak tried not to react to the implications. “I am relieved to say that the city was mostly evacuated when I did the fulfilling.”

  “I haven’t heard word about my son,” Ben said when he took a seat.

  Trak saw the concerned look on Ben’s face.

  “He lives. There are other Colcanan Board Members who don’t.”

  Ben nodded and furrowed his brow, as if he were searching for words. “Serves them right. Did you spare Will’s life willingly or by chance?”

  “Willingly,” Trak said. “That’s a pun, isn’t it?”

  Ben’s eyes sparkled at last. “It is. Thank you for doing that. It would have made it harder for me to forgive you for destroying my home.” Ben had often told Trak that he never thought of Bitrium that way. Something was strange about him.

  “They turned their backs on us, but that wasn’t the reason I did it. Their arrogance was tied up in those towers. It might still be. They have caused destruction in Santasia, Bennin, Pestle, Warish, everywhere.”

  “What?” Ben looked confused.

  “Vashtans. They brought the Vashtans out from their continent. The Yellow Fox Vashtans are their servants. Riotro is even a Colcanan.”

  Ben furrowed his brow in confusion. “He can’t be. He can’t be.” Ben put his hand to his head and began to sway in his chair.

  Honor got up from her chair and put her hand on his shoulder to steady Ben. “Worry,” she said.

  Ben fainted. Trak caught Ben before he fell and gently put him on the floor.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Trak said before he used the ‘worry’ spell on both Honor and Misson, but they remained awake and alert.